HAPPINESS IS...

Makin' Music

Hurray for Friday! Tomorrow bright and early I'm off to record our last two songs for the Lorelei album. One of them being our re-make of "Nights in White Satin". I'm stoked to get in the studio and finally put down all the ideas swimming in my head. It's very cathartic. Please send us positive music-making vibes  :)

Enjoy the weekend, loves. Stay warm and cozy (if snowed in), or get out and breathe the Spring air (if in the West). Here are some happy links for your weekend...

It seems turbans are in fashion. Would you wear one?

Remember fishtail braids?

Bet you never thought of insects as art.

Secretly loving Jessica Simpson's Dany platforms.

Bed sheets with sleeves for cold arms...what will they think up next?

For you visual recipe hunters, like myself, look here.

Nostalgic candy box designs.

How did I just now discover these polaroid scarves?

The cutest Les French mademoiselle creations.

A perfect wood slice cheese board.

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

• A Pantalette Set
• Apple Cider Cookies
• Mini Classic Modern Chairs

{Image via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

Custom Hand Carved Face Stamps

French artist, Lise Grossman, will hand carve your face(s) into a personalized rubber stamp. She won't carve until you're happy with the drawing. Check out her past work...she's really good. I soooo want one! I'd stamp my face all over the world.


{Images via Love Obsess Desire by Lilimandrill Etsy}

An Indoor Swing

I definitely see an indoor swing in my future home. But maybe not just one. An entire set of two or more side by side sounds just about right. So my friends can come over for tea and swing time. This may require a very large house. The swings would have to be in the middle of the room so you don't slam into a wall. But when not in use, they would be a fantastic room divider. Future...hurry up!

{Image via Ouno Design}

Affogato For Dessert

Have you heard of this dessert called Affogato?  I just discovered it on Saara's sweet blog. How did I miss this while in Italy? It means "drowned" in Italian and involves pouring a shot of hot espresso and a shot of amaretto over a scoop of ice cream or gelato. I have yet to test it out, but I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Yummers!

{Images by Silkesband}

A Belize Engagement Shoot

Can you imagine documenting your love in such a beautiful locale? Photographer, J Cogliandro spent three days in Belize following Aarti & Purav through beaches, mountains, rainforests and Mayan ruins. Sounds more like a honeymoon than an engagement. Make sure to click on the last photo and enlarge it to get the full effect.

If you had a destination engagement shoot, where would you go?

{Images via Style Me Pretty by J Cogliandro Photography}

Love Sugar Owl Prints

Love Sugar is a husband and wife graphic design team. I think they must design especially for me. These retro owl prints are right up my alley. The first one especially speaks to me...happiness is being surrounded by owls...er, loved ones. Aren't they sweet?

{Images by Love Sugar Design Studio}

Going Curling

I never thought in a million years that I would go curling. While watching it on the Olympics, it seemed like such a silly sport. But my brother discovered the Granite Curling Club in north Seattle and decided he wanted to curl for his birthday. I love trying new things, so I immediately jumped on board.

We arrived to the open house and received a lesson on the basics. If you're unfamiliar with curling, the general idea is to slide the stones to the other side to get it as close as you can to the center of the "house" or bulls eye. Members of your team run along with the stone and sweep the ice in front of it to help it along. Rules are simple. Execution, not so much. It's a bit tricky to hurl the stone and it takes a lot of balance to glide on the ice with finesse.

But I actually discovered that I'm quite good at curling! It must be all that yoga. I ended up getting the only stone in the center of the house, as shown above, which won the game for us! Should I join a league? The Seattle Times even interviewed us and my brother got quoted in the article  :)

P.S. We did not receive that curling trophy. Hal actually got it when he designed sets for The Bachelorette. Remember the Jillian season when the guys went curling?

Hats on Cats

Should I turn Bailey into a frog, unicorn, bunny, bear or devil?  We'll play make believe. And she will love me even more. Lauren's lovely blog featured these sweet handmade cat hats and I couldn't resist sharing them with you. They fit on small dog heads too  :)

{Images by Xmoonbloom Etsy}

A Sunny Day in February

So much for the sun. The rains came yesterday. I guess I forgot to knock on wood while writing my post on early Spring. I got another camera USB cable, so as promised, here are a few photos from my walk around Green Lake. They are lifting my spirits now as I look out on this gloomy day. How cute are those turtles sunning themselves?  :)

Grass Bookmarks

I don't have a yard, but now I can create a lush lawn on my bookshelf! Aren't these grass bookmarks the best?

{Images via Altruism In The Morning}

The Birds at Bodego Bay

Jen from That Wondrous Time visited Bodega Bay, where the classic Hitchcock film, "The Birds", was filmed...one of my favorite horror flicks. From the look of Jen's photos (bottom two), the film location scouts chose Bodega Bay for a reason. Birds actually amass here. Can you believe there were so many? Frighteningly beautiful. Whenever I see birds accumulating on a wire, I get shivers to this day.

Wouldn't you love to go visit?

{Top images via Film In America}

Katy Perry's Playsuits

I'd like to be Katy Perry for a day so I can have Mandate of Heaven design me one-of-a-kind retro playsuits. I'm so into rompers right now. Like this one. And especially these ones.


{Images via Mandate of Heaven}

Moss Walls

 

These unique moss walls were designed by famous Japanese artist, Asami Kiyokawa, for a live-work space in Tokyo. She applied dried moss in a pattern to bring elements of the outside indoors. Ah, I love me some texture. I especially enjoy it as a room divider. A nice alternative to two-dimensional wallpaper, yes? 


{Images via Design*Sponge by Daici Ano}

DIY - Junk Mail Starburst Clock

Seriously loving this retro starburst clock made out of junk mail. Supplies:

• approximately 24 sheets of junk mail of the same size
• pen or pencil used for rolling guide
• scissors
• tape (invisible works best)
• long needle (a yarn needle works best)
• embroidery floss
• two clear CDs (the kind that protect your CD 50 packs)
• round cardstock circle with hole punched in middle
• battery-operated clock mechanism with hands
  (I prefer this modern style instead)

I can't think of a better way to recycle junk mail. So simple, right?


{Images via Apartment Therapy by Genevieve Flickr}

Early Spring

Spring has arrived in Seattle. In February! I can't believe it, but the flower blossoms, warm sun and clear blue skies don't lie. I soaked it up. And so did the entire city, it seems. We strolled around Green Lake and everyone and their dogs were out. I took some lovely shots, but they'll have to wait because I've misplaced my camera USB cable. I hate when that happens.

I'm sorry you dear ones still buried in snow. Do these photos help?  :)

{Images by All The Beautiful Things Flickr}

Singing

We've decided to add two more songs to the Lorelei album before releasing it. We'll be recording next weekend and I still have to work out the vocal arrangements. But this is not a chore. Singing all weekend sounds fabulous. Even more fun with a headdress!

Are you up to anything special? Have a pleasant weekend, all. Here are some links for your viewing pleasure...

Sing me to sleep pillows for your bed.

Would you wear gartered socks?

Real women eat.

A swanky Norwegian rock house.

Round headboards are quite lovely.

You can play at the Guggenheim!

A cute King Kong party for kids.

Owl lovers, beware of these...and this.

Grow succulents on your walls.

A sweet little handmade birdcage.

And some posts of mine you may have missed:

• 70's Playgrounds
• Randomness
• Seamed Tights  

{Image via Mystical and Sh*t}

Lyrimage: "Feelin' Good"

This song always puts me in a cheerful mood. "Feelin' Good" was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd. Miss Nina Simone first covered it and the song has since been credited to her as the original artist. You can listen here.

Does it lift your spirits too?  :)

{Images TBA}

Pregnancy Dreams

I had a dream I was pregnant last night. My water broke in the middle of the street and my mom rushed me to the nearest hospital. I never actually had the baby, but friends came by to show support. I awoke with such vivid emotional imagery that I am still thinking about it now.

I'm not pregnant, nor am I trying to be at this point in my life. Therefore, I don't think this was an anxiety dream. So I Googled "pregnancy dreams" and the dream dictionaries revealed that being close to delivery usually means that something I've been planning or thinking about is close to materializing in the waking world. I am giving birth to an idea or creative endeavor.

Hmm. This makes me kind of excited. Have you had a pregnancy dream?

{Image by Ola Czechowska}

Wooden Engagement Rings

Wooden engagement / wedding rings might not be everyone's cup of tea. But I'm thinking they might be mine. As you may know, I'm quite obsessed with all wood creations. Simple understated natural beauty.

These particular rings are truly eco-friendly and made with salvaged wood. Sometimes from sentimental objects, such as an heirloom violin or a father's baseball bat. You can even bring in a branch from a beloved tree in your backyard. I love this idea.

Would you wear them? Or are you more of a traditionalist?


{Images by Simply Wood Rings}

Retro Collages

Austin-based artist, Melissa Gable, collects her favorite images from vintage magazines and creates quirky one-of-a-kind collages. That cat one tickles me to bits.

{Images via Jenn Ski by One Creative Girl}

Googly Eyes

For some smiles this morning  :)

{Images by A Beautiful Mess}

Lemon Candles

I can almost smell these lemon candles through my computer screen. You can make your own here. I've been all about citrus lately. After putting orange and lime slices on my Christmas tree, and after making a fabulous lemon goat cheese asparagus pasta recently, I can't get enough of the tangy goodness. They definitely freshen up my winter.

{Images via The Modern Home by MUS}

Biker Chicks

I discovered the Vancouver-based photographer, Andre Paul Pinces, on Amy's blog. This shoot is from the Dace Spring/Summer 2010 look book. Don't you love his ability to tell a story through his images?

Beautiful biker chick is meeting her love at the cafe. Yet he doesn't arrive. She waits until closing, then goes home. She wonders why she's been stood up. He finally shows up and apologizes profusely, bringing in her helmet from outside. She forgives him. Biker chick isn't as tough as she appears.

What is your interpretation?  :)

P.S. Amy's series, "Through My Window" is currently featuring the view from the home I grew up in. Pop on over to No. 15 if you'd like to see!

{Images by Andre Paul Pinces}

Paper Wigs

And I thought it took ME a long time to style my hair. 

{Images by Paper Cut Project}

Leg Art

Hard to tell, but it looks like this girl's legs were painted to be an extension of her Louboutin ankle boots. Love this.

{Images via 1. Song of Style, 2. Cool Spotters}

DIY - Felt Fortune Cookies

Gushy alert! Stop reading now if you are sick of Valentine's Day :)

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I made these felt fortune cookies for Hal...he is a quarter Chinese after all. Thank you, Martha! It was a simple craft project I did with my mom that cost me less than $10. You only need a few sheets of felt, flower wire, fabric shears, a hot glue gun and optional small chocolate hearts or kisses. In each cookie, I placed a love fortune, such as these...

Your heart is a place to draw true happiness.
Only love lets us see things in an extraordinary way.
Hearts are not to be had as a gift, hearts are to be earned.

Four cookies were specially marked with #1 through #4. On each, I wrote a line of a silly little poem I wrote...

1. You are my sweet.
2. You are my tart.
3. You have my love.
4. ...

The fourth cookie had this ring inside:



{Bottom image by I Make Cute Stuff}

Camping Indoors

How was your weekend my friends? On Valentine's Day, we ended up making an indoor tent! A ghetto little brother version of this one. We were limited on supplies and patience.

Hal hung a piece of rope from two opposite walls in our sunken living room. We draped over two mismatched sheets and it was a mess. The weight of the sheets sagged the rope and it looked pathetic. I was getting frustrated and bratty. My 4-cheese truffle fondue was ready to be served and we weren't close to being done. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: It's not working. Let's just forget it.
Hal: No, I'll figure it out.
Me: We don't have time. The fondue needs to be eaten...now.
Hal: Just let me think about it for a minute.

So he went to the closet and produced a broom handle. He wrapped the rope around it to provide structure. Then tied the sheets around the stick. That was the trick. We secured the top with my hair clip and the bottom sheet corners with heavy objects. Voila! We placed our coffee table and floor cushions inside. Granted, our heads rubbed up against the tent walls, turning our hair into static cling 'fros. But it was perfect. We ate our tasty fondue while reveling in our collective childlike genius.

After dinner, we replaced the table with a mattress. Then set up our projector to screen dvds on the opposite wall. We cozied up in bed and watched "Couples Retreat" from inside our tent. Bailey loved our impromptu theater. She kept attacking the wall!

Valentine's Day Weekend

Does my little love collage put you in the mood for Valentine's Day? How perfect that we get a 3-day weekend this year! Are you taking a trip or planning anything romantic?  

We'll be staying in. Potentially making this. With a bit of champagne. Perhaps some Kind of Blue. And fondue in front of the fire. I'm kind of a sap for V-day, even though I know love should be celebrated every day.

If you're solo this year, I hope you are able to spend the holiday with besties or other special kinds. Have a lovely weekend my sweet friends. Until Tuesday, here are some love-themed links...

Heart-shaped cheeses in France.

For Edward and Bella fans, a Twilight-inspired wedding.

Adorable DIY fabric Valentines.

A quaint little love nest for love birds.

Thrift store Valentine finds.

The prettiest retro lingerie.

Write your love a message and send it out to sea.

Heart art made out of ticket stubs.

Are you nutty for love?

For the one who lights up your life.

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

• A Book of Romance
• Gratitude
• A Seattle Engagement Story

 

{Images from top left to right via: 1. I Am Blessed, 2. Rodney Smith, 3. Tumblr, 4. Elliot Erwitta, 5. Unknown, 6. Unicornology, 7. Blue Grapes, 8. Max Wanger, 9. Unknown, 10. Dear God, 11. Unknown, 12. Nerdy Not Dirty, 13. Dream a Little Dream, 14. Chris Craymer, 15. Once Wed, 16. Unknown}

Hearts

 











 

Love is everywhere we look.

{Images via 1. Jess, 2. Life Is Beautiful, 3. Honey Pie Living, 4. Marcuss, 5. Cristy, 6. Jess Gough, 7. Beauty In Everything, 8. Just Jenn, 9. You Are My Only Exception}

A Sun-Kissed Wedding

 



I can almost feel the warmth radiating off these images. Drenched in Flordia sunlight, Brianna and Matt were married and photographed by Our Labor Of Love. 

Is this what heaven looks like?  :)

{Images via Our Blog Of Love}

An Alpaca

Hello little alpaca. Can I take you home with me? You can Bailey would be fast friends.

{Images via Kiss The Groom by Elizabeth Messina}

The Leaf House

I'm quite fascinated by this Australian abode that was designed to look like fallen leaves. The roof is supported by branch-like steel beams and is the interior is enclosed with molded glass. The rooms sit below a sandstone surround for privacy. Very cool indeed.

{Images via Design Milk by Hugh Rutherford}

Ice Skating

Ice skating is bliss. This sweet engagement shoot reminds me of one Valentine's Day a few years ago. I was in Boston recording my solo EP and Hal flew out to spend the holiday with me. The city was buried in snow. We wandered around until we found The Frog Pond. We skated until our toes were bruised and our faces pink. That was a magical day.

{Images by James Moes}

Cashmere Sweater Cuffs

I've noticed that I really do lose a lot of heat from my wrists. New York jewelry designer, Elizabeth Yarborough, is really on to something here. So cozy. Would you wear these sweater cuffs?

{Images via Design Boom}

Picnics In Briefcases

This came out last year, but perhaps you may have missed this green space travel case. Since it seems like many of you are snowed in and longing for Spring, I thought this would be a fun way to escape the winter doldrums.

Now you can have a park picnic anywhere your heart desires! Full DIY instructions here.


{Images by Paige Russell}

Anne Hathaway

Admiring these black & white photos of Anne. I'd love to know...how does one obtain the fabulous hair in image #1?

{Images via Casarei}

A Vintage Television Chair

I want to ask Hal to make us one of these bad boys. Designer, Phil Garner, scooped out the TV from this vintage television console and replaced it with a shag seat. I swear...people and their ingenious ideas!


{Image via Freshome by Freestyle}

Light Bulb Terrariums

These are my new favorite thing. Little terrariums in light bulbs. Industrial meets nature. They are filled with a tillandsia, commonly known as air plants, and are super easy to take care of. Just a spritz of water once a week through the open tops. They don't even need soil.

A lovely alternative to succulents, don't you think? Black thumb proof. And cat proof!


{Images by Tiny Terra}

Red Hair On White Snow

I am transfixed by this girl. She was snapped on the streets of Stockholm, of course...not to be confused with the other beauts from Denmark. Her bright red hair against the stark white snow is breathtaking. Makes me long to be a ginger again.

Isn't she striking?

{Image via Refinery29 by Mr. Newton}

DIY - Paper Lantern Makeover

I'm always looking for ways to graduate from Ikea decor and make my home a little more sophisticated and original. I have a few hanging paper lanterns from college that are now sitting in storage collecting dust. But I found this great DIY project that gives those generic lanterns a little makeover by adding texture (in this case, flowers) around the sphere surface. Excellent idea, right? 

{Images by Crafty Nest}

Discovering My Type

Do you know your type? Thanks to Natalie, I discovered the Pentagram test. By sitting down with a virtual therapist and answering 4 simple personality questions, your typeface is revealed. I am Pistilli Roman, along with only 3.1% of the test population. Does that make me strange?

I looked up the other potential types and I decided Pistilli Roman was indeed my favorite. After all, it was designed in the 50's and has that retro fabulous flair. Apparently, due to the font's disciplined form and curly cues, I demand that things be in order and I'm emotionally moved when they are. Very true.

What type are you?

{Image via Pentagram}

Your Kind Words

 

Happy Monday, my dears. Over the weekend, I checked in on the status of The Lovelies. And I am absolutely floored by your comments and kind words! What did I do to deserve such loving readers? I am humbled.

So if I win, I want to give my prize to you. It will be my very first giveaway. Out of all the voters, I will choose someone at random to select a gift from the pretty prize box. 

However, only the 1st and 2nd highest votes from each category get a prize. I am currently in 4th place for "Best Design Inspiration Blog". If you haven't voted yet, please do so. 

Thank you sweet friends! 

{Image via Lauren Dorotheo}

Cat TV

It's the weekend! Phew. I assume many of you will be watching the Super Bowl? Unless my Seahawks are playing, I would much rather watch this cat. I should make Bailey one of these television beds.
Too cute!

Are you throwing or attending any Super Bowl parties? I hope you have fun, my lovely friends. As always, here are your weekend links...


When I grow up, I want an in-ground trampoline like these folks.

Wood you be mine Valentines.

If you have a pair of stripper heels you never wear, try this.

Did you know Etsy sells food?

The most beautiful DIY fabric flowers.

Spell your name out on the sofa with Scrabble pillows.

When these pigs fly, your babies won't cry.

Have you seen (or not seen) this guy's art?

Another new online magazine, dedicated to weddings.

How would you like this little camper delivering you cupcakes?


And posts of mine you may have missed:

• The Urban Dictionary
• Recycled Furniture by Recreate
• Sid the Sparrow

{Image by Eric MoMo}

Lyrimage: "Nights in White Satin"

I recently re-fell in love with "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues. So much, that Lorelei has decided to re-make the song and hopefully put it on our album as a bonus track. I'm so excited! I hope we do it justice. The big question is...what to do with that flute solo!

The tune was written by the lead singer, Justin Hayworth, in 1967. He titled it after receiving a set of white satin sheets as a gift. The song is about unrequited love and yearning from afar, however, the lyrics are fairly open to interpretation.

When it was first released, it was not a hit, since the song was 7+ minutes long. Gotta love the 60's! When it was later released in 1972, the track was cut to 4:26 in length. Then it became a gold single, which back then, was huge. Check out the original here. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the uber-cheesy video  ;)

P.S. For the longest time, I thought the lyrics were, "knights in white satin", and I pictured knights draped with white satin galloping on horses. Ha!


{Images TBA}

Onesies For Twosies

I admire Leslie. Not only for birthing twins (which is admirable enough), but she's also raising another little boy and miraculously found the time to design these darling onesies for twosies. I love her idea of taking an image and spreading it across two onesies. 

So send your multiple-bearing mama friends to her brand new Etsy shop. She'll even custom make some onesies for triplets and beyond. Thank you Leslie for allowing me to feature your precious rockstar babies! 

{Images by Onesie Twosie}

Manly Valentine's Gifts

I keep finding adorable Valentine's gifts for...myself! Which is funny, since I would assume the majority of Valentine consumers are women, wouldn't you agree? So I found a few indie items that might appeal to the man:

1. Hand painted Silk Anatomical Heart Tie:  Much more manly than traditional hearts.
2. Beaus and Eros Cologne:  So he can smell like the God of Love. Comes with one for the gals too!
3. I Heart Beer Gift Soap Set:   Because what guy wouldn't want to bathe in beer?
4. Vintage Pattern Book for Matching Vest, Sock and Tie Set: For boys who knit. Or you can knit these for him. Or you can just display this book on your shelf because it's hilarious.
5. Heartbeat Ring:  So he can carry your heart with him always.
6. Elementary Love Note Cards:  A set of 3 cards that say, "do you like me?", "do you like me like me?", and "will you like me for like, ever?"  :)

{Images by: 1. Crystal J., 2. Theme Fragrance, 3. Mi-Spa, 4. Fishstique, 5. Hey Lady Designs, 6. The Great Lakes}

LA LA Land

Today I'm feeling nostalgic for LA. I lived in the Santa Monica / Venice neighborhood for 10+ years, so I will always consider it a second home. When I came across these vintage-style photos by Meagan, I immediately admired how she captured a warm, dreamy and hopeful essence of the city. This is what I like to remember about my time there.

What cities have a special place in your heart?

{Images by Urban Pink Photography}

Gigantic Colored Pencils

Finnish environmental artist, Jonna Pohjalainen, created this amazing colored pencil installation for a summer workshop at the Open Air Art Museum in Pedvele, Latvia. She carved them out of local Aspen trees and situated them in a spot where the sun would change their look throughout the course of a day. She says...

"While you sharpen your pencils, you can see time passing by."

P.S. The Open Air Art Museum is a 100 hectares (approx. 2.5 acres) of fields, meadows, hills, rivers, forests, and wildlife where sculptors, painters and installation artists are free to express themselves. They're encouraged to draw their inspiration from nature. It's now a state historical monument and has a permanent collection of 150 works of art. I want to go visit!!!

{Images via Amor Fati by Environmental Art}

DIY - Bottle Blossoms

Dana, a New Jersey Anthropologie display coordinator, discovered a unique way to turn used plastic bottles into beautiful flower blossoms, which inspired their store-wide window concept for Spring. Aren't they lovely? And what a perfect way to turn junk into jewels.

Not-so-fun fact:  50 billion plastic bottles were consumed last year in the U.S. with 38 billion ending up in landfills. It will take these bottles a thousand years to biodegrade.

{Images by Anthropologie+You}

Cupcakes For Your Cupcake

These little cupcakes have stolen my heart. Katie makes them. Perfect for V-day, yah?

{Images by Skunkboy Creatures}