** Happiness Is...**

Real Pin-Up Girls

Isn't it fascinating that vintage pin-up girl paintings were actually modeled after real women?


{Images via Miss Mabiel by Ukacurl}

Bread Hearts

I think I'm going to make Hal a special bread heart sandwich on Valentine's Day and sneak it into his bag. Made with peanut butter, nutella, chocolate sprinkles, and love. Then I'll make one for myself  :)


{Images via Polli by Ohh Hmmm}

A Journey On The Orient Express

I've always wanted to ride the Orient Express. And if it looks anything like Stefania's delightful illustrated depictions, I need to make this luxury train trip a bigger priority in my life!

Have you ever experienced it?


{Images via Illustrated Ladies by Stefania Manzi}

A Floral Wedding Dress

An engaged friend of mine is thinking about wearing this floral wedding dress, and although it's beautiful, it didn't seem bridal enough for me. But then I spotted these images of Mary's garden wedding, and how she glows in her vintage floral gown, and I'm floored by how well it works. Can't you just smell the fresh flowers?


{Images by Bec Johnson}

Octopurses

Why hello there, sweet little vintage transistor radio purse. Please say you'll be mine.


{Images by Octopurse}

The End of a Meal

Everyone photographs the beginning of a meal. The mouth watering display of food. The anticipation. Never the dirty dishes or mess to clean.

So I love how Ines' photographs focus on the aftermath. Instead of an ending, I see good company, fine conversation and full bellies. The part of the meal we normally want to forget is turned into a beautiful and memorable event.


{Images via Kinfolk by Ines Nepomuceno}

Making Save-The-Dates

My weekend is fully devoted to finishing up our DIY save-the-dates. It became a much bigger project than originally intended, but isn't that always the case? We're trying to get them out by the end of the month. That's only 4 more days, eek! My subpar Photoshop skills and perfectionist tendencies have slowed us down, but with a finish line in sight, the excitement of completion is propelling me forward. I cannot wait to send them out. And then share them with you!

Have a stellar weekend, sweeties. Please enjoy the links...

Wrap yourself up in a soft map.

Famous paintings improved by fat cats.

Would you ever chalk your hair?

Give your honey some fruit for V-day.

Rest your head on a pile of books.

Cool crayon carvings.

Make your own heart-shaped seed bombs.

Have you ever gone winter camping?

Barbie, the ultimate muse.

Vintage suitcase planters.

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

• An Elaborate Sand Written Proposal
• Roller Girls
• A Home Office Treehouse 

{Image by Eat Pray Create}

A Little Town At Night

At first, I thought these were candles. But they're simply black and white photographs of old houses, curled up into cylinders. A battery operated tea light is set inside, casting a warm glow through the cut out windows. Placed together, they look like a little town at night. Miss Claire is one crafty gal.


{Images via Fellow Fellow}

One City, Five Hours

Ah, layovers. I don't usually leave the airport when I'm stuck in a random city, but if you're feeling adventurous, here's a handy set of sketchbook maps that Oliver Jeffers draws for One City, Five Hours, a series in United Airlines' in-flight magazine. He claims they're "all geographically accurate", hee hee.

Seattle's map looks pretty good, although I honestly can't imagine tourning Pioneer Square, Showbox at the Market, the original Starbucks, the Elliott Bay Bookstore, Quinns Pub, Velouria, Palace Kitchen, the Experience Music Project, and the Space Needle, phew, in only 5 hours! 


{Images via Hemispheres Magazine by Oliver Jeffers}

DIY - Paper Clip Letters & Shapes

Man, I really want to make these paper clips, aka "shaper clips", for our DIY wedding invitations, but alas, we are inviting more than 10 guests. I can't possibly imagine whipping them out in large quantities... unless I had an assembly line of little elves.

But wouldn't they be perfect for smaller projects? All you need is jewelry wire and a pair of needle nose craft pliers. Check out Chelsea's full tutorial.


{Images via The Sweetest Occasion by Lovely Indeed}

Cortana Wedding Gowns

It's a good thing these heavenly Cortana wedding gowns are only available in Spain, or else I'd be forced to rob a bank to buy one.

And to be honest, I already have my dress! Well, not in my possession, but it's being made. Hal's mother kindly agreed to help and offered the services of her special seamstress in LA who has access to high quality fabrics. I sent her my measurements and inspiration photos and now I'm patiently awaiting a mock up to try on. It's a little nerve-wracking, being so far away from the action. But I found a local seamstress here who will do the final fittings. For the amount of money I'm saving, it's absolutely worth it. Crossing my fingers that it all works out!


{Images via Simple Blueprint}

Mini Canvas Paintings

I seem to be on a miniature kick as of late. Aren't Caroline's 3" x 3" canvas acrylic paintings darling? They even come with a tiny wooden easel!


{Images via Papernstitch by Oh Chalet}

Photographic Fashion

I used to have an ocean landscape printed bathing suit. Where did that thing go? Maybe I still have it, but it's probably in storage since my bikinis rarely see the light of day now that I'm in Washington. I always loved it and I'm excited to see the trend popping up in every day clothing. These are from the latest Marios collection. Would you wear photographic fashion?


{Images via Design for Mankind by Kuba Dabrowski}

Chocolate Menus

We're having difficulties selecting a menu for our summer wedding. I consider myself a foodie, so it's a big decision. Should we pick...

(a) a well-reviewed local company with typical wedding food and an annoyingly hyper contact person;

(b) a younger sort-of-local company with slightly more original but still typical wedding food and a nice contact person; 

(c) a popular not-as-local company with organic/sustainable gourmet comfort food cooked in an Airstream and a harder-to-reach contact person; or

(d) Domino's Pizza? Kidding, but almost not.

It's all a little daunting. But once we figure it out, maybe we'll wow our guests with a chocolate menu that triples as a favor and a dessert. Brilliant, right? Maybe just brilliant enough to make people forget they ate Domino's pizza for dinner.

{Images via Jolie Jolie Design by Delysia Chocolatier}

Carousels In The Round

Photographer, Pep Ventosa, has this playful series, In The Round, where he walks around carousels taking multiple shots, then blending the images together in post production. The effect is beautiful, don't you think? They look like watercolor paintings.


{Images via Lumas}

January Poppies

I know we're in the middle of January, but let's pretend it's May for a moment and brighten things up with some poppies and sunshine!


{Images by Dittei Sager}

Turning 70

When I turn 70, I hope I'm hip enough to have such awesome birthday save-the-dates. Or at least have a child or grandchild hip enough to send them out for me! Leslie designed them for a 1960's Mad Men themed shindig. Wouldn't you like to meet this Gary fellow?


{Images via Oh So Beautiful Paper by Lilly & Louise}

Geronimo Valentine's Day Balloons

What girl wouldn't want to receive a huge bouquet of oversized heart balloons on Valentine's Day? Hint, hint, Hal.

P.S. Where do I sign up to be a balloon delivery girl?


{Images via Geronimo Balloons}

Modern Art Sammies

Pop quiz! Which sandwich represents which modern artist? If I could type the answers upside down, I would. But I can't, so don't peek.

Piet Mondrian

Georgia O'Keefe

Jackson Pollack

Mark Rothko

Damien Hirst

Okay, how many did you get?


{Images via Low Commitment Projects by Brittany Powell}

The Girl With Seven Horses

I admire the imagination of photographer, Ulrika Kestere. She makes "photographic essays". This one is about a girl who claims to have 7 invisible horses. No one believes her until she finds her clothing scattered about the country after losing her laundry in a wind storm :)


{Images via My Love For You}

Fresh Pow

I'm living vicariously through Hal for the next few days. I dropped him off at the airport yesterday and he's snowboarding at Sundance as we speak. Ultra envious, but I do enjoy my alone time, so no complaints here. He comes back in a few days and will be happy as a clam, thanks to fresh pow and good friends.

If you're a skiier or snowboarder, have you gone up yet this winter?


{Image via Vilamode}

Nesting

What are your plans for the weekend? We'll be nesting. Waiting for the snow to melt. I'd like to finish up our save-the dates. Maybe watch some flicks. Play some games. Boggle anyone? Gosh, I can't even remember the last time I played Boggle.

Have a good one, friends! Here are your weekend links...

How Seattle enjoys the snow.

Make your own glitter flats.

A fun video-per-day project.

DIY satsuma candles.

Do your fingers need glasses?

An Amsterdam restaurant built over water.

True love in pictures.

My future child's wallpaper.

15 romantic hairstyles.

What we should do more of.

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

• Pixel People
• A Sustainable Farm Wedding
• Those Who Wish To Sing...

{Image via Design*Sponge by Kate S. Jordan}

Potatoes

Second on my list of all-time favorite comfort foods, underneath mac n' cheese, are potatoes. In any shape or form. Scalloped, mashed, roasted, you name it. I crave warm starchy foods when it's cold outside.

Hal makes the best baked potatoes with crispy salty skin. I think I'm going to request them for dinner tonight. I top mine with broccoli, minced garlic, grilled onions, sour cream on one side, cheese on the other, and a whole lot of fresh ground black pepper. How do you eat yours?  :)


{Images via 79 Ideas by Dietlind Wolf}

Etta James

In loving memory of Ms. Etta James.


{Image via Last.fm}

More And More Snow

And more and more. The snow was supposed to turn to rain, but it kept dumping down all day today. I apologize to all you kids living in climates where snow is a common occurrence. I'm sure you could care less! :) But it's a rare and special treat here in Seattle. So I thought I'd share a few snapshots from around the house.

Lovely Ladies

I adore Emma's Lovely Lady series where she features bloggers and designers wearing one of their favorite outfits. Isn't it interesting how with just one image, you can sort of guess what each person's blog or art is all about?


{Images via Emmadime by 1. Rodellee Bas; 2. Elise Yetton; 3. Miss James; 4. Amanda Jones; 5. Emma Ann Robertson}

My Feature In Dashing Magazine

I received a heads-up tweet from Dashing Magazine that there may be a surprise for me in their latest January/February issue. I immediately clicked the link, flipped to Page 10, and squealed. My blog was featured in their Blog Lovin' section! I poured myself a cup of tea, expanded the pages to full screen, and read the rest of the magazine, cover to cover.

If you aren't familiar with Dashing, it's a brilliant new online inspiration magazine for creative gals. It was started by Charley, Fanni and Josie, three talented UK ladies with backgrounds in styling, music, and design. Their aesthetics and interests are very similar to mine, so if you're a regular reader of Happiness Is, I have no doubt you'll become a fan.

I'm flattered beyond belief to be included in such a beautiful publication. Thank you again, Dashing dolls!


{Images by Dashing Magazine}

Berets

I tried to be a beret girl once upon a time. But it wasn't a good look. After seeing how much fun Carrie has with her collection, maybe I should give them a second chance. Do you wear berets?


{Images via Wish Wish Wish}

Wild Pulp

Swoon. These handsome animal tree bark prints by C. Owen Smith of Wild Pulp were inspired by this beautiful quote:

"When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world."- John Muir

{Images via My Owl Barn by Wild Pulp Etsy}

Snow Days

This is what I want to do today. Play outside with my honey. Have us a little cold weather date.

Seattle is experiencing a full on blizzard and I love knowing that most of the city is staying home, cozy indoors, taking a breather from life, and enjoying quality time with their families.

Snow days are the best.


{Images via Style Me Pretty by Sloan Photographers}

A Cat In My Closet

Look who I caught hiding in my closet the other day. Emerging from her hazy dream state. Bailey likes to slumber underneath my hanging clothes. And play dress up.

Glitter Stamped Pears

Victoria adorned these pears using edible gold dust baking glitter and rubber stamps. What a creative way to glam up the dinner table. 


{Images via Project Wedding by A Subtle Revelry}

DIY - Teeny Tiny House Plants

Ever since getting a few small tillandsias, I've noticed that taking care of small plants is much easier than keeping large ones alive. And I'm a sucker for anything miniaturized.

Alicia, Katie and Margaret, authors of the book, Microcrafts, show us how to grow teeny tiny house plants in little terra cotta pots, teacups, shot glasses, and thimbles. And how cute are their itty bitty hanging macrame hangers?


{Images via Etsy by Steve Belkowitz}

Vintage Camera Nightlights

I've never needed a nightlight. I walk around my house in pitch black. But if my nightlights were made out of vintage cameras, I think I could be afraid of the dark.


{Images via My Modern Met by Jason Hull}

Tree, Line.

When I initially spotted these images, I thought... trees wrapped in white fabric. Great. But with a closer look, I got it. As part of the ongoing series, Tree, Line, Welsh photographer, Zander Olsen, wraps material around trees to emphasize the line of the horizon. Something I normally wouldn't pay attention to otherwise. Pretty cool, no?


{Images via Trend Land}

Snow Hearts

It happened! The weather predictions were right on. We had our first flakes of the season over the weekend. And as soon as the ground was covered in white, I ran outside and left my heart in the snow  :)

A Chance of Snow

We're supposed to get snow over the weekend, the first of the year. I'm sure it won't accumulate, but I can't help but get excited about staying indoors, all toasty by the fire, watching snowflakes fall. And let's be honest. I want to wear these. It's perfect timing too, since we're DIYing our save-the-dates and need an excuse to stay home and get them done. Has it snowed yet where you live?

Have a warm and wonderful MLK weekend, dearies. Enjoy the links...

Freshly baked black bread is the best.

A church made from snow and ice.

Top dishes from top food blogs all in one place.

Turn your favorite Instagrams into a movie.

Ice typography installations.

A cute little owl hat for wee ones.

XXXL snowmen!

The new Wes Anderson film looks so good.

Polar bear and penguin ice cube molds.

Ceramic sweater mugs.

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

• Constellation Cards
• Toast
• The "Love Story" Look 

{Image via Becoming Whitney}

It Happened At The World's Fair

How have I not seen "It Happened At The World's Fair"? It has all the makings of a movie I'd enjoy. It takes place in my city. During the World's Fair in 1962. When the Space Needle and the Monorail were built. When things were all retro and rad. When people were optimistic about the future. And it's a musical. Need I say more?

After my birthday dinner, I was browsing around for vintage images of the Space Needle's interior and I came across this sweet little clip of Elvis singing, "I'm Falling In Love Tonight", possibly from the exact same table we sat at last night. Now I'm dying to watch the entire film.


{Image via Our Seattle}

Dinner Atop The Space Needle

Thank you all for the sweet birthday comments! I had such a lovely day. After the spa, Hal surprised me with dinner atop the Space Needle. In all my years of living in Seattle, I'd never eaten at Sky City Restaurant. The food was surprisingly delectable and the view? There's nothing like it. The restaurant rotates a full 360 degrees every hour, so you're able to see the entire city from your table.

The windows are stationary, so people were sticking post-it notes on the glass for others to read. According to the note shown above, I shared a birthday with many other patrons! Before we left, I wrote down, "you look pretty tonight" and sent it on it's way  :)

The highlight of the meal was definitely dessert. I got the Lunar Orbiter, an ice cream sundae served with a tall birthday candle and a show stopping presentation of dry ice. It has been on the menu since the World's Fair in 1962!

January 12th

If you need me, I'll be wearing my birthday suit at the spa. Ciao, my loves!


{Image of yours truly turning 3}

A Spa Day

Guess where I'm going tomorrow?!

My spa-day Groupon was burning a hole in my pocket for the past year, so I finally booked my massage, facial and mani-pedi package for a very special occasion...


{Image via The Standard}

Playful Centerpieces

While meeting with wedding caterers over the weekend, I realized I should probably start giving some thought to our table displays and arrangements. I love what these guys did. They just threw down a few quirky items they already owned, à la 80's videotapes and Star Wars helmets. Perfection.


{Images via Rock N Roll Bride by Viva Wedding Photography}

A Russian Mermaid

I'm enamoured with these images of a Rusalka, the tragic mermaid-like water spirit from Slavic folklore.

Ever since Ariel became a part of my world, mermaids have played a recurring role. In college, my a cappella group was called, Sirens, after Greek mythology. I then named my band, Lorelei, the German equivalent. Is it possible to have been a mermaid in a past life? :)


{Images via The Wide Eyed Legless by Veronica Kurnosova}

Cookie Cushions

Digestives are not a big deal in the States. But I fell hard for them while studying abroad in London. After getting over their strange name, my nightly ritual involved dipping the biscuits in hot tea. I was so happy to find out that a few stores began carrying them in the U.S. shortly after I returned home.

And now here they are in pillow form! Apparently, I share the same passion as Scottish designer, Nikki McWilliams, who makes cookie cushions out of Scotland. Now I can officially call Digestives the ultimate comfort food.


{Images via What Nikki Made} 

Tree Tents

Did you know there's a place in Bavaria where you can sleep in tree tents? It's a magical campground called Waldseilgarten. Similar to the Treepee, tents are suspended from branches high above the ground. What an incredible experience. Would you want to camp in trees?


{Images via Double Takes}

Gifts From Wedding Photographers

Wedding photographers sending gifts to their clients? Granted, I'm not married yet, but I never knew this was common practice. Maybe it isn't. But photographer, Jasmine Star, who also happens to be my good friend's bestie, knew of other photographers who who gave their clients Dom Perignon, a framed 8x10, and cookies upon the couple's return from their honeymoon. So she started sending out boxes of personalized chocolates to her clients, packaged up sweetly with custom photo paper. What a thoughtful thing to do.


{Images by Jasmine Star}

Le Petit Monde

These sweet and whimsical illustrations are from the series, Le Petit Monde (Little World) by Rome-based artist, Sarah Olmos. She has a new fan in me. Aren't they darling?


{Images via Telconlene}

Bjork In Her Element

Oh Bjork. You never fail to amaze and delight me.


{Images via Steep Street by Sam Falls}

The Polaboy Frame Light

How cool is this giant polaroid frame light? It's called the Polaboy and I really must have one.


{Image via Handmade Charlotte by Polaboy}

Wedding Tasting

We're meeting with a few caterers this weekend to sample their edible delights. I'm really looking forward to this part of the wedding planning process. I've been told not to arrive on an empty stomach, which makes sense. Everything tastes better when you're starving! Any other tips we should think about?

Have a fantabulous weekend, kiddos! And please enjoy the links...

How to make a handbag from a book.

The happiest keyboard I ever did see.

Don't you love this poster?

This couple made their own wedding bouncy castle!

A grass covered picNYC table.

5 tips for keeping your New Years resolutions.

Cute animal balloons for kids parties.

An excellent Best of 2011 music compilation.

Have you heard about the Air Vinyl app?

A wedding cake of cake pops.

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

• Hair Stars
• A Thankful For Friends Party
• Love On The Slopes

{Images via Trendhunter by Jason Schembri}