HAPPINESS IS...

Summer Foot Candy

Loving me some funky floral footwear by Irregular Choice. Such a fun way to brighten up the wardrobe this summer.

P.S. Beware of their Pokemon-style website. It's a little overwhelming. If you can make it past the guys and dolls candy cane striped gate, you're golden.


{Images by Irregular Choice}

A Peek Into Blanca Gomez's Creative Process

I'm always fascinated by an artist's creative process. Especially Blanca Gomez's, since I've been a fan of her work since day one. I just discovered an excellent interview by Grain Edit where she walks us through one of her illustrations, starting with her initial inspiration and ending with the final commissioned work. Thought you'd appreciate it!


{Images via Cosas Minimas}

Glamping

Did you know that glamour + camping = glamping? I sort of love this idea, reminiscent of the early 1900's safaris. Today, glamping can involve any variety of modern comforts, such as fully furnished architectural tents, yurts or cabins, high thread count bedding, rugs and pillows, and possibly even chefs, maids and butlers. I'm currently daydreaming over here, a directory devoted to top glamping sites around the world.

I'm not a wuss when it comes to roughing it. And I've had my fair share of traditional wilderness camping. But I definitely could get my glamp on here or there. A little luxury won't hurt me!  :)

{Images via Go Glamping}

Gisele The Earth Angel

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen looks stunning in this ethereal Brigitte Bardot-esque shoot by Nino Munoz for the summer issue of Muse. And if the Earth Angel photos weren't mesmerizing enough, the video takes beauty to a whole new level. Isn't it breathtaking?


{Images via Fashion Gone Rogue by Nino Munoz}

Sunken Yards

Sunken living rooms rock my world. And sunken yards rock my world harder! It's like a green grassy swimming hole. Why haven't I thought of this sooner? Oh yeah, because I don't have a yard.

{Images via Desire To Inspire by Rick Eckersly}

DIY - Hand Carved Rubber Stamps

I wish I had come across this wonderful rubber stamp tutorial earlier. Lindsay of Shrimp Salad Circus shows us how to make our own.

Remember my face stamp? Well, I really wanted to carve it myself, but I had no idea how. Thankfully, Kim of SugarSkull7 turned my sketch into a rubber masterpiece. But now that I have detailed carving instructions... maybe next time around, I'll be skilled enough to carve my own? Maybe.


{Image by Yellow Owl Workshop}

Bright Sunshiny Days

Hello again friends. How was your holiday weekend? I hope it was relaxing and filled with bright sunshiny days.


{Images by Antonella Arismendi}

4th of July Weekend

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans! And happy Canada Day, my lovely neighbors. And happy Friday for everyone else  :)

I hope you all have fabulous plans for the long weekend. We bought some of those big-time mortar and shell fireworks (illegal...wha?) at a nearby Indian reservation and will be shooting them off at my folks' house down by the water. I'm desperately looking forward to 3 long days of barbecues, friends and sun.

Have a happy and safe time! I'll be back again on Tuesday. In the meantime, here are your weekend links...

19 mouth-watering ways to cook corn on the cob.

Don't know what to bring to a 4th of July party? Try these treats.

You'd never guess this was a garage door.

A swing that grows plants.

Love this bride's flower headpiece.

Want to visit my city? You must read the mama of all guides to Seattle.

Must have this retro bathing suit!

Watching this will make you want to book a trip to Switzerland.

Meet the cutest spoons ever.

Lovely decor inspiration via The Homemade Home book.

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

• Sketching Online
• Short Flirty Skirts
• Water For Elephants

{Image by Lola Palooza}

Juicy Watermelon

Because watermelon reminds me of the 4th of July. I actually haven't had any yet this summer! But that will change this weekend...


{Images via: 1. Lara Rossignol; 2. Come Save Me; 3. Wild Child}

Hanging Beds

In high school, one of my best friends had a hanging bed in her room that her dad built. It was like resting on clouds. Floating beds definitely make for a great slumber parties :)

Have you ever slept in one?

{Images via: 1.Unstitched; 2. Busy Being Fabulous; 3. Eons, 4. Freshome; 5. My Steampunk Home; 6. The Style Files}

Log Bowls

Kind of freaked out when I saw these log bowls by Loyal Loot. Not just because I love tree stumps. And not just because they come in pretty retro colors. But because I always have to hold bowls up to my face when eating soup or ramen so I won't dribble. Problem solved!

{Images via Design Love Fest}

Aqua

How can you not love it?  :)


{Images via: 1. Portfiber; 2. Skinny; 3. Emily O. Photography; 4. Poppytalk; 5. My Name Is Jonee; 6. Sortvind; 7. ...Arjun; 8. Obsession MIA}

Thoughts On Bicycles

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

- Albert Einstein

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."

- H.G. Wells

"...I enjoy a spin on my tandem bicycle. It is splendid to feel the wind blowing in my face and the springy motion of my iron steed. The rapid rush through the air gives me a delicious sense of strength and buoyancy, and the exercise makes my pulse dance and my heart sing."

- Helen Keller

"Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it if you live."

- Mark Twain

"If constellations had been named in the 20th century, I suppose we would see bicycles."

- Carl Sagan

"The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world."

- Susan B. Anthony

"Chasing records doesn't keep me on my bike. Happiness does."

- Lance Armstrong

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."

- John F. Kennedy

{Image via Being Brazen}