** Happiness Is...**

Feline Noir

Where does one find such dazzling cat ear hats? They're so flirty and fun. These shots are from the Feline Noir spread in the December issue of Glamour Spain. Meeeeow.


{Images via FGR by Alice Rosati}

Caramel Pears

Well I never. Caramel apples are my thing! So I can only imagine caramel pears are just as delicious. Have you ever tried one?


{Images via Design Mom by Fresh}

Sunny & Stumpy Paper Flowers

Last year, I was lucky enough to attend the gorgeous wedding of my dear friends, Rachel and Eric, who handmade each and every one of these paper ranunculus flower bouquets and dahlia table centerpieces. Guests oohed and ahhed! Not only were they a refreshing break from traditional wedding flowers, they made such a creative statement about who Rachel and Eric are as a couple.

Inspired by their own wedding, they decided to share their paper projects with others, and the Etsy shop, Sunny & Stumpy, was born. All flowers can be ordered pre-made, or as DIY kits. There are also magnets for the fridge and sweet little ornaments and wreaths for the holidays.

I love having crafty friends. Rachel and Eric, you are an inspiration!


{Images 1-4. Rachel Coddington; 5. Ashley Forrette}

An Ice Rink Proposal

As I've mentioned before, I think ice skating is the most romantic winter adventure. Mike took Glenna to their local park ice rink and surprised her with a ring as the snow began to fall. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  


{Images by Chris Emeot Photography}

Invisible Speakers

I would say it's more camouflaged than invisible, but this speaker is still pretty cool. Swedish design group, People People, made it to blend in with your home environment. Even if it's hanging on a blank wall, it still looks like framed art, doesn't it?


{Images via NotCot}

Moniquilla Textiles

Such pretty patterns by Spanish textile artist, Mónica Muñoz. These dresses are from her Moniquilla Autumn/Winter lookbook. I'm super impressed by folks who create clothing out of their own fabrics. 


{Images via Miss Moss by Mónica Muñoz}

Tea Tasting

Have you ever gone tea tasting? Yesterday, my friend Sarah and I escaped the stormy weather and ducked inside Vital Tea Leaf at Pike Place Market where we were pleasantly treated to a sampler of their finest loose leaf teas. It warmed our bodies and nourished our souls.

P.S. Did you know there was such a thing as milk flavored tea? It tastes exactly like warm milk, but without the dairy.


{Images via: 1-4. Bellocq; 5. Hungry Ghost by Andrea Gentl}

Bella's Bridal Gown

I dragged Hal to go see Twilight: Breaking Dawn last Friday. Good man. It helps to have a theater that serves alcoholic beverages directly to your seats 20 minutes in, 40 minutes in, and so on. That's the only way I can get him to see my guilty pleasure flicks.

I have to say, I was very impressed by Bella Swan's wedding dress. She looked so beautiful in the classy Carolina Herrara long sleeved gown, made from crepe satin and French Chantilly lace. It will soon be available in boutiques for a mere $30,000. Thankfully, Alfred Angelo's more affordable replica is being sold for $800.

If I was having a fall or winter wedding, I'd definitely consider this look. But at the same time, I'd probably want to differentiate myself from the gazillion Bella-obsessed fans out there. What do you think of the dress? Would you wear it?


{Images by Alfred Angelo}

A Christmas Tree Alternative

Hello friends. If you celebrated Thanksgiving, did you have a nice holiday? We had a wonderful time devouring two T-day dinners and hosting our good friends from LA who were staying with us for the weekend. They got to experience Seattle in all its rainy glory.

I haven't decorated for Christmas yet, but our tiny house may not have room for my traditional white faux tree. We have no free wall or corner space. So maybe this year, I'll do something different. I love the idea of a single evergreen branch placed in water. Perhaps on our dining room table as a centerpiece. Simple and sweet with a touch of Charlie Brown charm.


{Image via Emma's Designblogg by Patrik Hagborg}

Giving Thanks

"It is not happy people who are thankful.
It is thankful people who are happy." - Unknown.

If I haven't told you enough, I am ever so grateful for you. Your comments, thoughts, advice, stories and encouragement keep this little blog chugging along.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, my loves. I hope you get to spend some quality time with the special people in your life. Eat some quality dinners with the special tofurkeys in your life. And take some quality naps with the special sofas in your life.

I'll see you again on Monday. Until then, here are a few holiday links...

A sweet DIY pie topper.

Play the I Am Thankful guessing game.

A T-day chuckle for my fellow a cappella nerds.

Make some drunken pumpkin tarts.

Are you getting snow yet where you live?

A healthy vegetable turkey.

Comical visions of Thanksgiving.

Make your own gratitude rolls.

The dish I always go back for seconds for.

A beautiful blessings string.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Gratitude
• Thanksgiving Table Decor
• Personal Pots of Pumpkin Pie

{Image by Rifle Paper Co.}

Art Hard

A year ago, Jim Denevan, land artist and founder of Outstanding In The Field, created the world's largest artwork on 9 square miles of the frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia... with handheld brooms and shovels. Art Hard is the documentary of his experience. Amazing, right?


{Images via The Anthropologist}

Becoming An Auntie!

Not only am I getting married in 2012. I'm becoming an Auntie!!! It's going to be a big year for our family.

My only brother and his wife are expecting their very first child in May. They revealed their secret to us on Halloween as trick-or-treaters. Christopher was dressed as a baker and Akiko dressed as an oven. He opened her oven door to reveal... a bun.

I cannot wait to buy the baby adorable little bear suits!


{Images by Caroline Tran}

Minimalist Music Illustrations

Italian illustrator, Alessandro Gottardo, has a new fan in me. I'm in love with his quiet depictions of music in such sweet and simple ways.


{Images via My Modern Met}

A Birthday Party In A Box

Lookie what Amanda made for her husband, Cree's 30th birthday! Since their closest friends live too far away to attend a party, she created a birthday in a box to send to their would-be guests. Each package contained confetti, party straws, buttons, jelly beans and paper mustaches, with instructions to have their own party and send them a photo of the celebration. Fun, huh?


{Images by Amanda Jane Jones}

New Book Suggestions?

Friends, what are you reading these days? My book club has yet to come up with our next selection. It would be so nice to curl up with my cat and a good book during holiday downtime. Here's what we've read in the past. I'd love to hear your suggestions!


{Images via Immortal Marilyn by Alfred Eisenstaedt}

Pretty iPhone Protection

I need to protect my new iPhone with prettiness. Have you seen Cassia Beck's cases? They also come as laptop skins. In addition to these, there are a bajillion more, which makes selecting just one extremely difficult. Which ones are your favorite?


{Images via A Simple Life Afloat by Society6}

The Blanca Gomez Calendar

I have one blank vertical Wall in my Shannon room that is begging to display Blanca Gomez's new 2012 calendar. "Pick me, pick me" says Wall. "Well, Wall, I shall" says I. 


{Images via Chic Deco by Cosas Minimas}

Green Gift Wrap

If I received gifts like these, it wouldn't even matter what was inside. Justina makes compostable, eco-friendly packages out of gorgeous leaves, flowers, and green artist's tape. I love how she steered clear of traditional holiday colors and brought in touches of yellow and pink. Such a refreshing idea for gift wrap, don't you agree?


{Images via More Design Please}

Staying Toasty

What are your plans for the weekend? It's so chilly here, it feels like it might snow. I plan on staying toasty by the fire. Hal got me the warmest wool socks from his snowboard shop and I've been wearing them around the house like slippers. Have a cozy, restful time, my friends. Here are your links...

A bicycle bathroom vanity.

Party in a spoon! 

A fun site for all you crafty crafters.

Brooms and mops need shades too.

A very clever cutting board.

This lovely wedding survived Hurricane Irene!

The 15 Friends Project.

An amazing sunken bridge.

Sweet downloadable gift tags.

Who's gonna buy Brad Pitt's Malibu mid-century?

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Red & Pink Together
• A Perfect Vacuum
• Memory Leaves

{Images via Tiny White Daisies}

Goggle Umbrellas

Last fall, I desperately needed a new umbrella and found this birdcage one that I had to have. Well, I still don't have it a year later. But I may have found an even cuter one. This playful yellow umbrella has a goggle shaped cut-out which allows you to see the street ahead of you. No more bumping into things. But more importantly, you can be an anonymous secret spy in the rain. Pretty rad!


{Images by Ella Umbrella}

The States

When I first spotted these prints, I didn't even realize they were US states. Can you tell which is which?

1. Illinois
2. Florida
3. Delaware
4. Louisiana
5. Arkansas

Graphic designer, Frank Chimero, created The States with the following simple rule: to take the silhouette of a US state and fit something inside of it. Check out the rest of the country. He has quite an imagination, doesn't he?


{Images via Pret-A-Voyager via Cargo Collective}

Getting The iPhone... Finally

I have succumbed. Not sure why it took me so long. Actually, yes I do. Sprint, my long-time service provider, finally jumped on board. So I jumped along with. I love that it syncs up with my computer and iPad. I love being able to FaceTime with Hal. I love being able to take better quality photos than my point-and-shoot camera.

And if all those reasons aren't enough, I can even pretend it's an old rotary phone! The iRetrophone is a charger and dock that even lets you make and take calls from the handset. Like the good ol' days.


{Images by Freeland Studios}

DIY - Chocolate Cups

Unless you want a melty mess, you can't sip hot cocoa out of these cups. But you can still serve "hot chocolate" by adding cayenne pepper to chilled mousse. This is such a fun project because the little mugs are made with balloons! Hop on over to Jane's blog for the DIY instructions.


{Image via Brunch At Saks by Jane Ko}

San Francisco Love

I just booked my flight to San Francisco for New Years Eve! I'm so excited to spend the holiday with my maid of honor and her brand new fiance, who I've never met before. I need to give him my stamp of approval before her wedding next summer, so a trip was in order. And I love San Fran. It's the perfect excuse to visit.

P.S. How cool are these SF fog prints by graphic design studio Dowling|Duncan?


{Images via Little Gray Pixel}

A Romantic Winter

I don't normally begin celebrating holidays until the previous one has passed, but Ruche's new romantic winter lookbook is pulling at my heart strings. Let's just pretend they're decorating a Thanksgiving tree, shall we?  :)


{Images by Ruche}

Swell Sip: Seattle's Best

My love doves, do you remember the delightful Swell Sip series I blogged about a few months back? Where cocktails and clothing walk hand in hand? Well the lovely miss Eva was kind enough to make for me a custom Swell Sip in honor of Seattle.

And boy, is her creation spot on. In fact, I had this exact drink while wearing a poncho and rain boots the other day. Well not really, but I could have, and it would have been a perfectly normal Shannon thing to do and wear, sipping on hot spiked coffee while staying ever so stylishly warm and dry. Thank you, Eva. Cheers to you, my friend!


{Image by Monkey In LA}

A Whimsical Rickshaw

Um, since when is Anthropologie selling rickshaws? If you've got $2,200 lying around, this limited edition beauty could be yours. Apparently, the Anthro team was inspired by a recent trip to India, where they flagged down rickshaws for spur-of-the-moment tours around town.

So naturally, they decided to design their own. Complete with a collapsible kantha fabric canopy, decorative handlebar streamers, a bell for pesky pedestrians, and a headlight that illuminates when the pedals are cranked. My goodness. Who needs a bike when you can have a rickshaw?


{Images via Anthropologie}

A Popcorn Stuffed Turkey

Wow, I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. We'll be heading over to my cousin's house for our annual extended family gathering. I usually bring my cheese ball turkey, but hmm, maybe I'll branch out this year and woo the crowds with a popcorn-stuffed paper bag turkey instead.

Sara & Brittany came up with the idea for the kids' table, but wouldn't it also make a fun adult appetizer with fancy flavored popcorn or caramel corn? Learn how to make it here.


{Images via Honest To Nod by Nicole Hill Gerulat}

Sheet Music Doodles

These sheet music doodles are the best thing I've seen all day. All week. Heck, all year perhaps. The top image is perfectly blow-up and frame-worthy. Don't you love how the characters dance along the staff lines and over the notes as if they can hear the song being played?

I do not read Russian, so I cannot tell who the original arist is, but I must know. My special Russian friends (I know you're out there).. can you help a girl out?


{Images via Annettika}

A Colored Pencil Stop Motion Video

Emerging Melbourne indie-folk artist, Hudson, teamed up with director Dropbear, aka Jonathan Chong, to create this amazing colored pencil stop motion video for his song, "Against The Grain".

I'd love to do something like this with my music. Any crazy talented adventurous filmmakers out there? Call me!


{Images via Design Collector}

The Tree

Has anyone seen the movie, The Tree, with Charlotte Gainsbourg? I spotted these film stills and immediately added it to my Netflix queue without even reading the synopsis. Doesn't it look visually stunning?


{Images via The Thinking Tank}

What Birds Do When We Aren't Looking

What started out as one drawing, soon became an illustration series by Marc Johns, titled, What Birds Do When We Aren't Looking. Simply darling! He's thinking of turning them into little book filled with "birds doing non-bird things". I sure hope he does, don't you?


{Images via Lenore Nevermore}

Hail On Your Wedding Day

We're back from Hal's brother's wedding, and yes, it hailed on their wedding day. In Los Angeles. During the outdoor ceremony! It was sprinkling on and off all morning, but just as Hal and the rest of the groomsmen began to descend down the aisle, the sky turned black and the clouds cried heavy tears of joy. There were screams and shouts as everyone left their chairs and ran for the nearest shelter. Except for me, the Seattle girl, and the few seated around me, all hiding under my umbrella. The hail storm lasted only a few minutes, but I must say, it was absolutely exhilarating.

They say it's good luck when it rains on your wedding day. But hail? I can only imagine Greg and Lori's life together will be extra blessed. Congratulations you two lucky kids!


{Images by Ben Blood}

Eleven Eleven Eleven

By the time you read this, I'll be on a plane to LA for Hal's younger brother's wedding. He's getting married on 11-11-11. Such an amazing day to wed. The number eleven has special significance to him and his bride, who have been together for eleven years! Every time they see the number 11, whether in phone numbers, digital clocks, addresses, receipts, etc., they always notice a "positive movement forward" in their lives together.

Do you ever make a wish when the clock turns 11:11? Well get your wishes ready! Have a wonderful rest of the week, my dears. Please enjoy the early weekend links...

Pretty package ideas.

Wonder what the inside of your camera looks like?

Someone in Michigan gets a bowling alley in their basement!

Where does one get rollerskate cowboy boots?

A DIY lace jar candle holder.

The top 10 most interesting abandoned places.

Have you heard the new She & Him holiday album?

A cute Poketo poncho.

Vegan pumpkin mac and cheese, please.

Jazz age inspiration.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Book Clutches
• A Guide To Winter Bicycling
• Clear Plastic Boots 

{Image via Such Beautiful Broken Things}

Reserving Our Wedding Photographer

Guess who we chose! Yes, my friends, we booked Heather and Jon of One Love Photo. As you may recall, I've been stalking them ever since starting my blog. I featured this wedding they shot. And this one. And the simple dock ceremony shown above might be my favorite set yet. It was just featured on Design*Sponge!

Here's why we chose them. I'm absolutely smitten with their vintage style. In additional to digital, they somehow juggle a plethora of film cameras and homemade lenses. And get this. To my complete surprise, I discovered that they both went to the same middle school and high school as me! Crazy small world, especially knowing where I grew up. It feels kismet. I know we've made the right choice, and I cannot wait for them to document our special day.


{Image via One Love Photo}

Potted Plant Villages

Ontwerpduo, the Dutch designers behind the bird cage chair, have come up with yet another whimsical project, Cottage Town. You fold up the tiny waterproof paper houses, place them inside your potted plants, and your plants become trees and forests!


{Images via Design for Mankind by Lisa Klappe}

Modspell Atomic Pillows

These atomic accept pillows would look so cute in my home. I'm always on the lookout for smaller sized vintage cushions, but they're harder to find than you'd think.

Thankfully, the Etsy shop, Modspell, just opened up, selling brand new mid-century inspired pillows! Which means no stains or smoke smells. That is, unless you make the stains and smells yourself. Aren't they nifty?


{Images via Jenn Ski by Gregory McKinney}

A Messy Engagement

"Go hard or go home. Tommy and Elise are getting married." - Andria Lindquist, photographer.

So. Much. Fun! As engagement photos should be, I say. Hal and I are trying to figure out what to do with ours. I'm pretty sure the fun factor will somehow sneak its way in.

If you've had engagement photos taken, what were yours like?


{Images via Postcards & Pretties}

Splashes

How amazing are these liquid-in-motion splash images by German photographer, Heinz Maier? Each organic droplet is completely unique since they're captured at such a high speed. Check out his studio set-up to see how he does it.


{Images via Design Collector by Cymaii}

Giant 3D Letters For The Yard

Mr. Jimmy Fiction makes monumental 3-dimensional typography out of welded steel. Don't they remind you of jungle gyms? I really want one. Two actually: S & H. Nevermind the fact that one of them alone is probably larger than my house and yard put together. Details, shmetails.


{Images via Emmadime}

Natural Head Crowns

I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear a headpiece of some sort on my wedding day. Not sure what kind, but I sure am loving Danielle's natural head crowns, made out of dried branches and florals. She says they're "perfect for a special occasion... or just a pretty day".


{Images via Tabitha Emma by Little Birdie Floral}

A Composite of 500 Self-Portraits

If you've ever wondered what a composite of 500 self-portraits looks like, this is it. The beauty behind Clickflashwhir has taken an image of herself every day for 4.5 years. So photographer, Tiemen Rapati, decided to merge her photos into one by finding the average RGB value for each pixel and dividing it by the total number of portraits. Fascinating!


{Images via Colossal}

Working Over The Weekend

Working over the weekend isn't so bad when you've got a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, a vanilla scented candle, and Melody Gardot crooning softly through the speakers. My work isn't even real work, it's fun work. I've got a wedding website to design!

Have a productive weekend, sweetie pies. Enjoy the links...

Vertical forests of the future.

How to make homemade Cheez-Its.

A Japanese earthquake sculpture.

The cutest Halloween costume I've ever seen.

DIY rock bowl flame.

Fashimals: creepy or cuddly?

Make your own peter pan collar.

More cheese pop-up shops please!

A cool curvy house.

Nummy caramel apple bites.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Going Platinum
• 50 And 50
• Wooden Spoons

{Images via Decor8 by Anna-Malin Lindgren}

Rust

 

One of my favorite sweaters is rust colored. That toasty yummy seventies burnt sienna orange-brown. I'm so happy it's coming back into vogue.

P.S. Want to see more colors?


{Images via: 1. No. 6 Daily; 2. Which Goose; 3. Twig & Thistle; 4. Freshly Picked; 5. Because I'm Addicted; 6. Joliejye}

Custom Vacation Maps

Customized vacation maps are such a great idea, right? Lindsey will illustrate a travel map incorporating the memories, stories and adventures from your trip.

I'd love to have one made for my yet-to-be-determined honeymoon. Where should we go? I really only have one simple requirement: tropical beach setting. And one simple item on the agena: relax.

If you've had a honeymoon, where did you go? Would you recommend it? I'd love to know!


{Images by Lindsey Bee Hive}

Freshly Foraged Chanterelles

The other day, Hal brought home a huge paper bag full of freshly foraged chanterelles. He got them from an alleged wild mushroom expert. I was a bit hesitant, but Hal assured me that his friend and his girlfriend have been eating them for the past week and have not died.

So he cleaned off the dirt and sauteed them in a butter and garlic sauce. Then drizzled the mixture over penne pasta and topped it off with grated parmesan. The golden chanterelles were meaty and earthy and divine. I never want to eat store-bought mushrooms again.

P.S. Yes, I know the shrooms in the photos aren't chanterelles. The photos were too pretty not to share.


{Images via Items By Designbird by Sweet Paul}

The Great Sleeping Bear

I want this sleeping bag. For camping, yes. It would ward off real bears like a charm. But also for my bed in general. And lounging around the house like a Snuggie. Sadly, it's not for sale. The Great Sleeping Bear is just a concept piece by designer, Eiko Ishizawa.


{Images via Dooby Brain}

A Snowy Aspen Ski Lodge

I'm envious of beauty entrepreneur, Aerin Lauder's modern Aspen ski lodge. Isn't it amazing?

And while we're on the subject of snowy abodes, I've decided what I want to do for my bachelorette party. A long weekend in a cozy mountain chalet with my favorite girls. Aspen might be a little beyond our means, but somewhere like Tahoe would be a fine alternative.

I'm picturing a slumber party around a roaring fire with hot spiked drinks and board games. One wild night out on the town. A day to play in the snow, maybe ski or go sledding. And then warm up from the cold with spa treatments and a soak in the hot tub. Get ready, girls.


{Images via Hip Hip Gin Gin via Vogue by François Halard}

Flower Girl Wings

Cutest flower girl ever. Or shall I say, flower angel. The bride made her wings out of preserved pampas grass.

Did you (or would you) have flower girls at your wedding?


{Images via GWS by Jerry Yoon Photographers}

Making Salt

I'm fascinated by how simple it is to make homemade sea salt. Seattle-based Ashley Rodrigez gathered salt water from the Puget Sound, passed it through a cheese cloth, and boiled it down for 4 hours. She bottled some up and gave it to her famous chef-author friend who apparently flipped out it was so good.

I must try this! Have you ever made salt before?


{Images via Stephmodo by Not Without Salt}