HAPPINESS IS...

Springtime Ceramics

Saturday was simply gorgeous out. I got my hair cut, ate lunch in the park, soaked up the sun, and had a nice long phone chat with a favorite girlfriend. It was so lovely out, I couldn't bring myself to come inside and do taxes.

Now I seem to be drawn to only things Spring. Like these sweet pottery pieces by Catherine Reece featuring birds, bugs, and other little creatures. Wouldn't they be perfect for an outdoor tea party?

{Images via Things I Adore by Village Clayworks}

A Magical Forest

This weekend I'll be doing my taxes. Wish I was exploring this magical forest in Finland instead. Can you believe it's real?

What will you be up to?  Watching the Oscars on Sunday? I hope you have a relaxing time, my friends. Here are your weekend links...

Would you like to camp in a hanging tree tent?

Did you hear about Anthropologie's new wedding line? Oh my.

Google map envelopes are a fantastic idea.

I want to put this Dutch tub on my deck.

Make an outdoor cat lounge.

How would you like to wake up to a pile of love notes?

Gummy bear chandeliers...only 10 will be made.

Want to learn how to create a bouffant?

Beautiful driftwood mirrors.

A secret wedding in Central Park.

And some posts of mine you may have missed:

• A Space To Create
• Cheese and Garden Labels
• New Moon Trailer Featuring Lorelei

{Image by Sameli}

Lyrimage: "Ride (This Wave)"

For today's Lyrimage, I'm featuring a song I wrote a few years back for my solo project.  It's very near and dear to my heart and  is quite personal. "Ride (This Wave)" is about how, in relationships, it's important to embrace both the ups and downs of love. To keep persevering through stormy times. Hal and I went through some difficult periods...and I wrote this song for us.

You can listen to it here. I hope you enjoy.

Modern Fruit Bowls

I don't even have a fruit bowl, but I feel more inclined to get one now that I've seen these works of art. I'm imagining all the possible fruit sculptures I could make. Genius, don't you think?

{Images via The Modern Home by Helena Schepens}

Song Love: "Black & Gold" by Sam Sparrow

When I first heard "Black & Gold" by Sam Sparrow, I pretty much played it on repeat for days at a time. You know when you get so obsessed with a song you can't get enough? Last night, I revisited it after maybe a year. And it hooked me again. The beat just pulsates through your body. Sam's voice (you'd swear he's a brotha) is so rich and soulful. The music video does not do it justice.

If you haven't heard it, please take 4 minutes and 34 seconds of your day to listen to Black & Gold. A few rules: 

1. Headphones are mandatory;
2. Turn volume up loud;
3. Close your eyes;
4. Enjoy.

P.S. I'm thinking about making "Song Love" a regular series. Yes, no?

{Image via F*ck Yeah The Universe}

Mossy Spots

 

As a follow up on my moss carpet fantasy, I found a just-as-lovely alternative, but without the dirt and mess. Portland artist, Kate Fenker created this these perfect little mossy spot rugs made out of recycled textiles. So clever. I'll take ten.

{Image by Kate Fenker}

Helvetica Cookie Cutters

Typology lovers, have you seen these helvetica cookies cutters? Beverly Hsu combined her two loves: design and baking. Not for sale yet, but she plans to sell them in the near future. I hope she expands to other types. Pistilli Roman, please!  :)


{Images via Lush Lee}

A Strawberry Patch Scarf

This strawberry patch felt scarf seems like the perfect accessory for Spring. Here, the sun is out, but there's still a brisk chill in the air. Such a sweet little creation by Russian designer, Tiana Agapcheva.

"Strawberry fields forever..."

{Image by TianaCHE Etsy}

City Neighborhood Posters

   
  
The Emerald City and The City of Angels. My two homes. These designs by Ork Posters are pretty incredible, right? Don't ask me how they squeeze every little neighborhood into the map formation...LA has 111! There are 13 major cities to choose from, but if they don't have yours, there's always a heart and a brain  :)

{Images via Koo & Poppet}

Leifsdottir's Spring Lookbook

The Leifsdottir Spring lookbook photos are like a whimsical fairytale dream. I'm tempted now to turn chairs upside down, hang birdcages, and put down moss rugs all over my home.


{Images via Grey Likes Weddings}

Mod Style Divans

Loving these retro inspired divans by London-based design company, Doshi Levien. They come in four sizes, a variety of colors, and are made out of wool and felt. They look like opened suitcases, don't they?


{Images via Momoy}

Alexandra Grecco

 









I'm so inspired by Brooklyn fashion designer, Alexandra Grecco. She makes romantic and classy vintage-inspired onesies and rompers that I'd wear every day if I could. These photos are of herself modeling a few pieces from her Spring 2010 collection.

She's currently giving away her Griffith Scalloped Shorts to one lucky gal who submits the best photo of their derriere dressed up in short shorts or bloomers. Have a good bum? :)

{Images via Gluda Finds Lulu}

A Pretty Prize Box

You did it friends! Thanks to your sweet comments and votes on The Lovelies, I've tied with Wolf and Willow for 2nd place in the "Design Inspiration Blog" category! And the top two blogs in each category get to choose a gift from the Pretty Prize Box, made up of goods by handmade Etsy artisans. A few of my favorites are pictured above.

But they're not for me. As promised, I'm giving away my prize to a lucky reader who voted for me. And with the help of Random.Org, the winner is...DUN DUN DUN...

Congratulations Cali of PassionBird! I'll send you an email soon so you can pick your prize. Thank you again to everyone who voted and sent love my way. I am so blessed to have you as friends.


{Images via The Lovelies}

A Trip To Napa

 





I just booked my flight to Napa! In April, my bestie is renting this luxurious house in wine country for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. She helped throw my bash in Palm Springs, so now it's her time to shine. Gorgeous house, right? It even has it's own separate wine cave. I cannot wait for lazy days by the pool with vino in hand. April can't come soon enough  :)

{Images by The Sonoma Ranch}

Loose Leaf Tea

 
The first real tea shop I visited was The Tea House in London. There were rows and rows of visually stunning loose leaf teas in glass jars. I remember inhaling an aroma of spices, flowers and herbs. And learning how certain teas help soothe common ailments. It was such an enlightening and intoxicating sensory experience. I vowed to myself that when I came back to the States, I'd start my own collection. 

In Seattle, there's a little tea tasting shop in the Pike Place Market. You sit down at the tea bar to steep and sip the teas you've selected before you buy. There's also an online artisan store, The Tea Guys, where I get wholesale loose tea for my new adored owl tea set. They have a lovely assortment of exclusive gourmet blends such as Key Lime Pie, Coconut Truffle, Chocolate Chai and Carrot Cake. Dessert in a cup.

Are you into teas?

{Images by 1. Pearls and Tea; 2. The Tea Guys}