HAPPINESS IS...

A Happy New Year

Hello darling dears. I'm still on my much-needed holiday blog break, but I wanted to check in before we leave for San Francisco tomorrow morning. Are you doing anything special for NYE?

As I look back on 2011, I'm realizing just how phenomenal this year has been. Full of major changes and milestones. I moved into my first house, got engaged, and bought a new car. I can only hope that 2012 will bring just as much joy. Thank you, my loves, for spending your moments with me along the way.

Now raise your imaginary glass of bubbly... Cheers to a happy, healthy, and adventurous New Year! 


{Image via Inslee By Design by Inslee Haynes}

A Very Merry Christmas

Last year, my family and I spent Christmas in Oregon to try something new. But since it will be our last adult Christmas before baby niece/nephew arrives, we're sticking with tradition and celebrating at my parents' house once again. For dinner, we usually prepare a different wordly cuisine and this year it will be Caribbean themed!

Have a very merry Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, my sugar plums. Stay warm and enjoy the festive weekend links...

Want proof that Santa exists?

Sweet vintage holiday cards.

A floating ornament tree.

The perfect Christmas coat.

Holiday tunes I'm humming along with.

Personalize your gift tags.

Tempted to force a white Christmas?

H&M home decorates for the holidays.

A silly snowman print.

Breakfast wreaths before opening gifts.

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

• Strawberry Santas
• Little Critter Ornaments
• Gingerbread Craftiness

{Image via Taylor 'D Events}

Vintage Cold Weather Hats

Pointy elf-ish hats from yesteryear that double as scarves. They're sort of nerdy. Where can I get one?


{Images via Johanna Ost}

Winter Solstice

May you have the most beautiful shortest day and longest night.


{Images via W-I-N-T-E-R}

U:DON - The Best Noodle Shop In Seattle

My friends, today is the grand opening of a brand new Japanese noodle shop in Seattle, U:DON. And it just so happens to be owned and operated by my sister-in-law's brother, Tak Kurachi. We were invited to the soft opening on Monday to test out the dishes. It was so exciting to see his many years of planning come to fruition.

My brother, Christopher, was asked to photograph the interior murals and Hal was asked to model. So yes, on the wall there's an enormous blown up portrait of my fiance shoving udon in his face! It's awesome. I was at the photoshoot when it was taken, so I popped into the frame at the end of the session to get a few of Hal and I together. Nothing says love like noodle slurping.

If you live in the Seattle area, you must visit the restaurant! U:DON is located at 4515 University Ave, where the old Pita Pit used to be. The noodles are freshly made right in front of you. Extremely tasty and inexpensive. Here is the menu.

Please report back to me if you go. I'd love to hear about your experience there!


{Images by Christopher Bachmann}

A Musicalphabet

Thank you, Helen Lang, for entertaining me with your fantastic illustrated Musicalphabet. Can you decipher all 26 musical icons?


{Images via Keep Calm Gallery}

Bow Tie Neck Specs

I was searching around for some offbeat bow ties for our groomsmen and came across these neck specs by The. I can totally envision Hal's buddies wearing them. Aren't they amusing? 


{Images via Design Milk}

Silent Movies

I'm really looking forward to seeing The Artist, which hasn't been released in Seattle yet. It's a new silent movie about old Hollywood. Made in 2011, but set in 1927.

In my Intro To Cinema class at USC, I remember learning about the transition from silent films to talkies and how the change affected the industry. It's fascinating watching old motion pictures without dialogue. Sometimes all you need are talented actors and a great film score.

Are you planning to watch it?


{Image via Sally Jane Vintage via IMDB}

DIY - Christmas In A Jar

Remember Danyelle's adorable Spring In A Can? She has invented another sweet project to make yourself and give away as gifts. Just place her special potpourri inside a glass jar, cover it with a coffee filter and tie it up with string. Use her downloadable labels, and you have Christmas In A Jar.


{Images by Dandee Designs}

A Wood Camera iPhone Case

I've finally found my perfect iPhone case. This puppy came in the mail yesterday and I'm smitten. It's made out of sustainable wood by the folks at Photojojo and laser engraved to look like an old-school camera. I've had it on for less than 24 hours and have already been approached by curious strangers asking me where I got it. Isn't it fun?


{Images by Photojojo}

The Funk 45 Print

My love's Christmas gift is not so romantic, but oh so practical... the downpayment on our new car. I would have loved to have gotten him this awesome limited edition print by Elidica Records. It's made up of 45 extremely rare funk 45 labels. Maybe I'll save it for his birthday.

If you have a honey, what are you getting them for the holidays?


{Image by Main Artery Prints}

A Reindeer Roundup

I've been seeing a lot of beautiful reindeer imagery, so I thought I'd share. They're such majestic creatures.


{Images via: 1. Jaski Art Gallery; 2. DIY Stylist; 3. The Dotmasters; 4. Life On Sundays; 5. The Designer Pad}

My Mini Cooper!

Allow me to introduce you to my new best friend, Winnie Cooper. We got her over the weekend since my previous car died. She's a 2006, but like new inside and out. Leather interior, panoramic roof, and a cold weather package. Hello heated seats! Low miles with a 1 owner past. We negotiated a super reduced price and snatched her up before she even made it onto the dealer's lot.

Remember when I told you how the MINI is my dream car? So silly, but years ago, I put one on my vision board. And here she is. Manifested. A very merry Christmas this will be!

A Cozy Weekend

I wish for you all a warm and cozy weekend. Hopefully involving tea, cookies and books. Enjoy the links, my loves...

10 mini tabletop trees.

Did you know they have cat cafes in Japan?

Hilarious rapping paper.

Crayon wildfire sculptures.

Cupcake push pops.

Are you feeling snoody?

A free holiday mixtape cd sleeve.

DIY ornament vases.

Beautiful origami swans.

A Christmas greeting from the Girls With Glasses.

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

• Five Days of Felt
• Flurries
• Wool Hand Warmers

{Image via Design Warez}

The Decorated Bride

In order to protect this bride from discouraging gossip and speculation among her small village in Kosovo, she is intricately adorned to resemble a living doll. A mini documentary shows us how their ancient ritual is performed. Isn't she extraordinary?


{Images via Double Takes by Yll Citaku}

An Outfit To Ice Skate

There's a new outdoor ice skating rink in Seattle that I'm hoping to test out with my honey over the weekend. This outfit is absolutely perfect for the occasion, don't you think? Twirly skirt and all.

Have you gone ice skating yet this winter?


{Image via ModLife}

A Forest Picnic

I adore these shots from the 2nd volume of Kinfolk Magazine. Maybe because it looks like something I'd do. Venture off on my bike into the forest for a pleasant solo picnic by the river. In a gorgeous green plaid cape, of course. Would you too?


{Images via Frolic! by Lisa Warninger}

DIY - Globe Snowmen

Emily made a snowman family with vintage globes. Super cute, right? Here's how she did it. 


{Images via Craftzine by Emily Henderson}

The Prefab MIMA House

I used to dream of one day buying an inexpensive piece of land to build a prefab on. My enthusiasm curbed when I researched the cost of modern prefab homes. They ain't cheap. But this little Portuguese beauty, The MIMA House, is the price of moderately sized car!

Would you ever live in a prefab?


{Images via Dezeen by José Campos}

Wedding Make-A-Plates

For their intimate Colorado wedding, Christina and Nathan designed their own butterfly dishes using Make-A-Plate kits which they kept after the celebration for their dinnerware. Aren't they full of lovely?


{Images via Ruffled by Sean Flanigan}

Free Printable Gift Tags

An early Christmas present to us from Camilla Engman! She's letting us download and print out her sweet little woodland creature tags. Will you use them on your gifts this year?


{Images via Studio Morran}

The Breakfast at Tiffany's Townhouse

Calling all Audrey fans. You can now purchase the Manhattan townhouse where Holly Golightly lived. Thanks to Micaela, I discovered that the iconic Breakfast At Tiffany's home is now on the market. For a cool $5.85 million.

Or you could set up shop across the street and stalk, I mean, befriend the lucky person who buys it: 169 East 71st Street.


{Images via 1. and 3. IMDB; 2. The Drifter And The Gypsy by Michael Weinstein}

An Animated Marriage Proposal

Besides my own, this proposal takes the cake! Mike gave Christie an early Christmas gift, a brand new tablet. When she powered it on, the above animation immediately played. It was originally shown in Flash and had 'yes' or 'no' buttons at the end. She pressed 'yes' and the final scene played after the fade.

P.S. Later on, they rewatched the film to see what would happen if she pressed 'no'. The button moved around so it couldn't be pressed. He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer!


{Image via Cstmartin; Video via Style Me Pretty by James Lee of Tarboy}

Retro Holiday Gift Wrap Sets

If I didn't have so many Trader Joes grocery bags to wrap my holiday presents in, I'd definitely splurge on these gift wrap sets by Berlin-based studio, February Design. Each retro winter scene wrapping paper comes with matching cards, tags, and stationary. Darling!


{Images via Sacred Lotus by Pleased To Meet}

Digital Collages

I'm enamored by Matt's digital collages. He does such a good job combining images of women and nature to create the most hauntingly beautiful works of art.


{Images by Matt Wisniewski}

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Snowflakes

Don't these marshmallow snowflakes tickle your fancy? Doesn't the term, "tickle your fancy", tickle your fancy?

Funny side note story. My love is a lover of cocoa. So much so, that as we were leaving his company's ugly sweater holiday party last Friday, he proceeded to rip open an unused box of instant hot chocolate and stuff all the packets into his pockets. Me: "What are you doing?", I chuckled. "We have tons of this stuff at home." Him: "You can never have enough cocoa!" I was dying of laughter as he grabbed my hand and made a mad dash for the door, leaving a trail of packets behind us.


{Image by Martha Stewart}

Spiral Illustrations

In order to promote their ink pens, art supplier, Faber Castell, commissioned an illustrator from CUE Art to make this amazing spiral illustration of the Girl With A Pearl Earring. That's one magical pen.


{Images via Pattern of Life via Behance}

An Igloo Village Resort

My dream winter vacation: Hotel Kakslauttanen, located 250 km above the Arctic Circle in the Lapland region of Finland. Stay in a glass igloo designed to view the Northern Lights overhead. Glide through the snowy forest on a reindeer safari. And devour hot drinks with ginger biscuits served by the Gold Elves at Santa's house.

Who wants to join me?


{Images via Double Takes}

Holiday Parties

This weekend is full of festivities! We're attending an ugly Christmas sweater party tonight (thank goodness we held onto these) and hosting a family raclette party tomorrow (hooray for oozing cheese). Are you attending or throwing any holiday parties this season?

Have a good weekend, my dears. Enjoy a few links...

A crazy cool sunken movie pit.

Watch and be amazed.

A pretty vintage button bracelet.

Mini wreath holiday cards. 

Forgotten celebrity couples.

A felt ball cascade kit.

Free music: Hey, It's Christmas, Volume 2!

A harmonica USB flash drive.

Four Xmas tree alternatives.

A custom Leanne Marshall wedding dress.

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

• The Elements of Happiness
• Contemporary Realism
• The New Fake Flower

{Image via Carla Cosmo Girl}

Record Label Christmas Baubles

I love the idea of decorating the tree with music, don't you? These clever record ornaments are adorned with authenticaly reproduced 45 labels of classic festive hit singles:

• Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
• I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
• Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
• Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
• Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
• Rockin' Robin - Michael Jackson
• Last Christmas - Wham!
• All I Want For Christmas is You - Slade

{Images via Not On The High Street by The Design Conspiracy}

A New Old Car

My car has driven its last road. The engine is caput and a new one would cost more than what my car is worth. So I'm on the hunt for my next set of wheels. Not excited about having to make monthly payments again, but I am looking forward to the thrill of a new car, even if it's used. My dream car is a Mini Cooper. Or any of the above. Aren't these vintage European car ads rad?


{Images via Dark Roasted Blend}

Bow Tie Onesies

If my brother finds out he's having a boy... guess what he's getting? A onesie with an interchangeable colored bow tie. His auntie will turn him into one dapper little dude.


{Images by The Wishing Elephant}

A Bride In Flight

Just so you know. I fully plan to execute this at my wedding. Maybe instead of the Jewish chair dance, we'll have the strong men launch me into the stratosphere. Skip the chair bit. What do you think? :)


{Image via Sparkle & Hay by Joseph Sides}

Japanese Playground Roller Slides

Lately I've been lamenting over the loss of vintage playground equipment from the 70's and 80's. You know, the ones involving metal? The ones that are actually fun?

Here's where Japan has us beat. Their playgrounds are a U.S. safety inspector's worst nightmare. With 500-meter-long slides through parks! And little bum pads provided in huts. With the exception of a few scattered alpine slides (watch my adventure here), America needs to step up her game.

Have you ever slid down a Japanese roller slide?


{Image via Together Like Ham N Cheez}

Peanut Ornaments

How adorable are Robin's peanut ornaments?

When my mom and dad were young and poor with two wee babes, they made all their own ornaments to save money. Those hand painted creations still adorn the Christmas tree decades later. Many are falling apart, but they're still the most special.


{Images by Raw Bone Studio}

Glitter Cookies

Who can resist bite-size glittering almond sandwich cookies? They're made with sparkly sanding sugars. I'm having family over for a little holiday gathering this weekend and I just might have to test them out!


{Images by The Purl Bee}

Francophile Greeting Cards

Francophiles, listen up... Rifle Paper Co. has released a new set of 60's style French cards, inspired by their recent trip to Paris. Frame-worthy! Ooh la la.


{Images via The Neo-Traditionalist by Anna Bond}

Joan of Arctic Sorels

Lookie what the cat dragged home! Joan of Arctic boots in the color shale. Not only does my man hook me up with TOMS, he hooks me up with Sorels. Hooray for Evo employee discounts! I've never owned Sorels before, but I've only heard great things. We're supposed to get a nasty winter and I know they'll come in handy.

Do you own any Sorels? Do you love them?


{Image via Free People}

DIY - Vintage Industrial Shelves

Stacey made the sweetest little wall shelves out of vintage soda crates & baskets... and you can too!


{Images via A Sort of Fairytale}

Paper Sack Purses

I've been meaning to post about these paper sack style clutches for some time now. They're made out of suede with a brass snap closure. All your friends will think you're carrying around your lunch, but little do they know...

P.S. They also come in shimmering metallics!


{Images via Today You Inspired Me by Anve}

Custom House Portraits

I don't even own my home, but I want a custom house portrait! Rebecca will paint your beloved dwelling, your pets, and possibly a birdie flying by. Wouldn't this make a most darling gift?


{Images by Rebekka Seale} 

Sun Boxes

I'm fascinated by these sun boxes. Artist and musician, Craig Colorusso, created a traveling sound installation consisting of 20 solar powered speakers, each looping a different guitar note of varying lengths. The result is a soothing meditative B flat chord. Listen to it here. Wouldn't you love to hear it in person?


{Images via Design Boom by Sun Boxes}

A Neutral Christmas Palette

My darlings, are you all decorated for Christmas or Hanukkah?  Lately, I'm really into neutrals and was inspired by the warm tones of these gift wrapping ideas. Such a clean and calming palette for the winter holidays. Who says you need reds & greens or blues & silvers?

{Images via: 1. The Purl Bee; 2. Alice's Looking Glass; 3. Anthropologie; 4. Soul Decor; 5. The Inspired Room} 

Holiday Twinkle Lights

I was feeling unusually bah humbug-ish the past few days, but the moment I began listening to the holiday station on Pandora, all that nonsense vanished. Now I'm fully embracing the Christmas spirit. Decorations, eggnog, the whole shebang. Starting with twinkle lights! Are you in the holiday mood yet?

Have a happy weekend, friends. Please enjoy the links...

Three hat-friendly hairstyles.

This bride wore roller skates underneath her gown!

A taxidermy deer LEGO kit.

Is the moveable type letterpress truck coming to your city?

Love these totem pole stacking cups.

Four glittery DIY projects.

Seattleites, are you going to go ice skating this winter?

A secret wardrobe playroom.

The top five coolest indoor slides.

100 darling faces.

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

• Food From Above
• Winter White
• Old Holiday Vinyl Records

{Image via Sparkling Glitter}

Succulent Cork Magnets

Real live plants. Inside corks. On your fridge. 'Nuff said.


{Images by Alissa Rose}

A Wall of Doors

Remember the wall of window shutters? Dutch designer, Piet Hein Eek, applied the same technique but with vintage doors. He wanted to preserve the memory of the old buildings that were torn down in order to build this new residential loft. Such a spectacular statement, don't you think?


{Image by Thomas Mayer}

Clothesline Fun

How brilliant is this concept photo shoot? Stylist, Tiffany Lowry, and photographer, Sarah Rhoads, shot it together in Tiffany's 4x7 basement laundry room.

At first glance, I thought they were engagement photos, but they're not. They should be, right? If you're daring enough to strip down!


{Images by Sarah & Chris Rhoads}

Upcycled Vintage Audio Equipment

Bet you didn't know you could make wall hooks out of headphones, dessert stands out of record players, candle holders  out of speaker parts, cake pedestals out of hi-hat cymbals, or serving trays out of turntables. Did you? Neither did I.

But this husband and wife team did. They discover authentic vintage audio equipment and transform them into useful household pieces. Wouldn't they make a great gift for the music lovers in your life?


{Images by JT Baldwin}

The Fog

On my walk this morning, I couldn't see beyond two steps in front of me. And the fog still remains. But it's not the ominous kind. It's the calm, dreamy, walk-in-the-clouds type of fog. Where you lose yourself in your thoughts and all the world is silent.


{Images by Jose Villa}