Cannot. Stop. Giggling. Oh how I wish I could dress Bailey up in a beret and turtleneck, but I think she'd die of embarrassment.
{Images by CatAtelier}
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February 2012
February 29, 2012
Magazine & Newspaper Collages
Quite a step up from the magazine collages I made from Bop and Tiger Beat as a tween. These are by California med student, Arian Behzadi. Aren't they awesome?
{Images via Trendhunter}
Tahoe Stonehenge
Here's a peek into the house we rented for my bachelorette in South Lake Tahoe. As you may know, I have a major crush on 70's architecture. So when scouting locations, I took one look at this home's virtual tour and fell head over heels. It's called Stonehenge because it's built around a massive boulder that sits in the center of the living room!
It's the quirky bohemian details that make the place. For instance, there's a random loom sitting atop the boulder. There are framed vintage photos of people doing silly things. There are 5 themed bedrooms: Greek Myth, Timberline, Tyrolean, Mediterranean, and Wildlife. There's an indoor mossy trout pond. An Austrian "stube". Intricately carved wood doors and wall ornaments. Library shelves filled with retro ski memorabilia. The list goes on. Each day I found something new and amusing lurking around every corner.
Can you believe a place this cool exists as a vacation rental? If you ever get a chance to stay at Stonehenge, do! I wish I could live here always.
P.S. Here are the rest of my bachelorette photos.
February 28, 2012
A Landscape Settee
Like landscape clothing, I'm also seeing a lot of photographic furniture, like this settee. It's covered in an englarged image of a beach in Brazil, printed on cotton-linen, and folded to create a textured pattern along the edge of the chair. Isn't it gorgeous?
{Images via Anthropologie}
Cloud Lights Part 2
Lately, I've been getting a huge amount of Pinterest traffic to my Cloud Lights post from awhile back. So I thought you might enjoy these pretties as well, by Netherlands-based designer, Wout Wessemius. They're handmade out of polyester wadding, each one completely unique, like clouds themselves. I love how how they look as though the sun is shining through, don't you?
{Images via Beautiful Life}
Being A Bachelorette
I'm back from my bachelorette trip of a lifetime! It was everything I hoped for and more. There's something so special about having your dearest girls, from different time periods of your life, all coming together and befriending each other.
I didn't take many photos since I wanted to be fully present, so I mostly relied on everyone else to capture the memories. As soon as we compile them, I'll make sure to share a few with you.
For our big night out on the town, my incredible maid of honor gave me this beautiful masquerade mask to wear instead of the typical tiara. I felt like the Queen of Tahoe! :)
{Image by Lauren Santiago}
February 23, 2012
Snow Bunnies
This is what I'm wearing on my bachelorette snow bunny trip! Do you like? I actually did get a rad vintage bib overall ski suit from the 70's that I fully plan on sporting indoors and out. Can't wait to show you!
Well, my loves, I'm off to play in the snow with my girlies. No boys allowed. Have a fun weekend and I'll be back on Tuesday. Please amuse yourself with some links...
Fair isle fingernails.
A ski jump bathroom.
Should I washi tape my car?
Make your own kitty shoes.
Lunch napkin love notes.
Plant some flower nails in your wall.
A cinematic lightbox for the bedroom.
A cute DIY business card holder.
Mmm, fresh spring rolls.
I want TANTO.
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Image via Pin Up For Prems}
February 22, 2012
Macaroon Clouds
I bet these macaroon clouds taste just as sweet as they look. Learn how to make them here.
{Images by Carnets Parisiens}
An Electronic Butterfly In A Jar
If you've ever wondered what pure delight in a jar looks like, I think this might be it. As a child, did you ever try to catch butterflies? They never lasted very long, but this pretty blue morpho will live forever. As long as the cat doesn't knock it off the shelf.
{Image via AT by Think Geek}
Moonscape Throws & Pillows
I've always wanted to cozy up with the moon. Aren't these moonscape throws and pillows the greatest?
{Images via Design for Mankind by DQtrs}
February 21, 2012
Ponytail Hats
This cute little hat in black arrived on my doorstep today, just in time for Tahoe! It's a beanie with a hole in it for your ponytail or bun. No more tangly itchy hair on the neck and I bet it's great for running outdoors. I actually think I'm going to wear it during my freezing cold pilates class. If you don't want to wear your hair back one day, the hole magically disappears. Brilliant really.
P.S. They also have a plethora of beautiful ponytail scarves for spring/summer!
{Images by Fit to Flick}
Maddie On Things
Meet Maddie, the very brave Coonhound, and her owner's "super serious project about dogs and physics".
{Images via Swissmiss by Theron Humphrey}
A Winter Bachelorette Party
My winter bachelorette party is this weekend and I'm counting down the seconds. Before I was even engaged, I had been flirting with the idea of a snow bunny girls getaway. When my maid of honor asked me what I'd like to do, I imagined a big house in the mountains. We'd go sledding and have snowball fights. Warm up in the hot tub. Play games and drink spiked cocoa by the fire. Then I came across the perfect funky 70's time capsule vacation rental in Tahoe. The vision was complete and the house was booked!
Shortly after, I discovered this fantastic winter bachelorette party inspiration shoot by Carly, Katie and Christy. It was as if they read my mind!
I'm not sure what tricks my friends have in store for me, but I know I'm in for the time of my life. No matter what we do, I'm just thrilled to be able to spend 4 fun-filled days with 12 of my favorite ladies who are flying in from all over the country. I'm the luckiest!
Do you have a dream girls getaway?
{Image via GWS by Katherine Elizabeth Photography}
February 17, 2012
Planning Our Engagement Photos
The original title of this post was called "Taking Our Engagement Photos". As you may recall, my brother is a fabulous photographer. He graciously agreed to shoot us tomorrow, but the rain gods are not playing nice. It's supposed to be stormy all weekend so we might have to reschedule. Oh, Seattle.
Are you up to anything special over the holiday weekend? See you again on Tuesday, sweeties. Until then, do enjoy the links...
Hovering amusement rides in Buenos Aires.
Would you ever paint your sofa?
Just one more reason to love Chipotle.
A Volkswagon bed and playhouse.
What dogs look like underwater.
Printable action sheets.
Cool 3D curtains.
Wake up with the morning mug.
Darling vintage inspired refrigerators.
Pizza in a jar.
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Image via The Wedding Row by Giving Weddings}
Retro Resort Wear
Resort wear is so alluring. These dreamy images for the Spring 2012 Paule Ka collection pluck me off my office chair and drop me down in a fantasy land of warm breezes and frozen frou frou drinks.
Have you noticed that all the stores are already featuring their bathing suits, maxi dresses, shorts, and sun hats? I feel like I should start building my honeymoon wardrobe now, before it's all gone come September.
{Images via FGR by Venetia Scott for Paule Ka}
Bonsai Tree Houses
I've always wanted to grow a bonsai tree, but I've heard they take a great deal of care and commitment. Considering my past plant failures, maybe I'll just admire them from afar.
Takanori Aiba's are incredible, no? He goes above and beyond, building little houses and bridges within each bonsai tree. They're like something out of Swiss Family Robinson.
{Images via The Chive by Takanori Aiba}
February 16, 2012
3D Dance Posters
These four 3D posters by Amy Rodchester were designed to inspire each generation to shake their groove thang. Mission accomplished. Don't they make you want to dance?
P.S. This reminds me I need to get Hal and I signed up for private lessons to brush up on our skills. Must get in shape for our first dance, tango style!
{Images via Wolf Eyebrows}
The #1 Restaurant In The World
I never knew there was an official ranking of the world's restaurants, but apparently there is and at the top of the list is, drum roll... NOMA in Copenhagen, serving up gastronomic locally foraged Nordic fare. Number one in the whole entire world? Not too shabby. This alone is reason enough for me to visit Denmark. Have any of my Scandinavian friends ever dined there?
{Images via: 1. Lagom Design; 2. A Life Worth Eating}
Living Drawers
I'm giddy over these imaginative drawers. Dutch furniture designer, Valentin Loellmann, almost literally gives birth to his creations, with their organic shapes and giraffe-like legs. Don't they remind you of characters from Dr. Suess?
{Images via Design Boom}
February 15, 2012
Lilogi's "Our Glass"
I'm loving these images from the conceptual short, "Our Glass", about two women trapped in time within the confines of their home.
The film is a bit haunting, but the cinematography and vintage styling are phenomenal.
{Images via Glamour Daze by Renée Rodenkirchen for Lilogi}
The Portable Tree Bench
There have been countless times where I've strolled solo through a scenic park, just wanting to plop down for awhile and enjoy the view. But if the ground is wet, or if the sun is too hot, this just isn't an option. So thank you, Aandeboom, for designing a portable bench that attaches to any tree you desire. But I see one minor flaw... how on earth do you carry it around? Strap it to your back?
{Images via Inhabitat by Rogier Martens}
A Rustic Cheese Hut in France
Imagine living in this cozy idyllic 300-year old stone hut in the Cantal mountains of France. Exploring the hillside. Milking cows. Quiet evenings by the fire, munching homemade cheese.
Up until the 1940's, there used to be many of these types of rustic abodes scattered around the area where shepherds would stay during the summers to make fromage. Today, they're all in poor condition except for this one, the Buron of Niercombe, beautifully restored by an Austrian in 2004.
And lucky for us, the hut is now available as a vacation rental. It even comes with a basket of traditional local foods for two days of breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Wouldn't you love to experience this?
{Images via Remodelista by Niercombe}
February 14, 2012
My Animated Gif
My favorite thing we learned at Blogshop was how to make an animated gif using photos taken of us during class. Here's mine!
And since Hal's been texting me sweet nothings all day... this one's for him.
{Images by Angela Kohler}
Hip-Hop Valentines
One of my male readers (yes, I actually do have a few!) and fellow musician-artist, Gregory Smith aka Radjaw, introduced me to his man-friendly Valentine card collection inspired by hip-hop lyrics. As a huge Tribe Called Quest and Pharcyde fan, I got quite a kick out of these two in particular. See the rest here.
P.S. Feel free to share them digitally, but for you local art supporters, they're being sold at Kaleidoscope Vision in Capitol Hill.
{Images by Radjaw of Out For Stardom}
February 13, 2012
Pastel Pants
Colored jeans are everywhere these days. I'm especially digging the pastels. But I don't feel right about wearing them until Spring is officially here. That's 36 more days. But who's counting?
{Images 1 and 2 by Ring My Bell}
A Path In The Forest
Architect Tetsuo Kondo built this fascinating elevated pathway that winds through the Kadriog Park in Tallinn, Estonia. Wouldn't you love to walk within the trees instead of under them?
{Image via The Cool Hunter}
Heart-Shaped Lasagna
Me: Hal, do you want to celebrate Valentine's Day over the weekend?
Him: Yeah, I was going to make lasagna for you.
Me: Oh really? Heart-shaped? (jokingly).
Him: How did you know? I already bought heart-shaped tins!
So on Saturday night, with an Etta James serenade, we built a fire, opened a bottle of red, lit some candles, and feasted upon homemade veggie lasagna. The hearts were cooked to absolute perfection and bursting with cheesy goodness... as was my own. ♥
February 10, 2012
Making Out
Are you celebrating Valentine's Day over the weekend? Too bad it lands on a Tuesday this year, bleh. We don't have any big plans, but I'm inspired by this photo. Maybe we'll hit the movies and sit in the back row, tee hee.
Enjoy the love-themed weekend links...
A sweet music mix.
The top 60 most romantic movies.
Pull out the tissues & read some love stories.
Heart-shaped eggs and cherry tomatoes.
16 ideas for spending V-day at home.
A DIY scratch-off valentine.
Extraordinary ways to surprise your love.
A cute mini heart cake.
If you have 52 reasons to love someone...
The perfect date dress.
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Image via Foto8 by Weegee/Arthur Fellig}
Fan Club
Oooh, kids, you're in for a treat. Admirers of Busby Berkeley choreography and Ziegfeld Follies will go gaga over "Fan Club", a dazzling fashion film by Ruth Hogben for LOVE Magazine.
{Images via Ravished By Illusions}
Destination Wedding Invitations
How cute are Ashley's destination weding invitations? She sent each of her guests a doll suitcase filled with map stickers and paper planes.
Is it too late to change my wedding venue to an Italian villa? :)
{Images by Ashley O'Dell}
February 9, 2012
A Sexy Red Salad
You know, for Valentine's Day! Using radicchio, red lettuce, grapefruit, blood oranges, radishes, pomegranate seeds and large chunks of feta.
I think this might be the most gorgeous salad I've ever seen. And it probably tastes like love.
{Images via Etsy by Kimberley Hasselbrink}
A Wine Bottle Chandelier
This wine bottle chandelier both excites and scares me. It looks very heavy. What if it falls down? But it definitely adds a touch of whimsy to a minimalist space, don't you think?
{Images via Elle Decoration by Maison Estate}
Oscar, The Hospice Cat
Meet Oscar. He lives in a nursing home in Providence, Rhode Island. When he curls up on a patient's bed and stays there, the staff know that it's time to call the family. It usually means the patient has less than 4 hours to live, giving them peace of mind and a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones. So far, Oscar has accurately predicted 50 deaths. Amazing, right?
I've always felt that cats have some sort of extrasensory perception. All of my feline friends have been extremely sensitive to my thoughts and feelings. Have any of you had similar experiences with your kitties?
{Images via The Telegraph}
February 8, 2012
The Glow
Over at The Glow, there are some achingly beautiful photos and interviews of well-known creative and stylish working mothers. And if I wasn't already, now I'm officially inspired to be a mama myself.
{Images of: 1. Meredish Kahn; 2. Rebecca Minkoff; 3. Jemima Kirke; by Kelly Stuart}
Tubohotel
Spending the night in a cement tube has never been on my bucket list, but that was before I spotted the Tubohotel in Tepoztlan, 45 minutes south of Mexico City. Did you know such a place existed?
{Image via Fancy Cribs}
Lunch Sack Poetry
What a man. Kermit writes poems and illustrates on brown bag lunch sacks for his daughter. They were such a hit at school, he eventually started making them for his wife and friends.
{Image via My Modern Met by Kermit Mulkins}
February 7, 2012
Color Palette Heaven
I'm not sure why it took me so long to discover Jessica's blog. It's strictly devoted to luscious color palettes and allows you to search by theme or hue. I could get lost in there for days.
P.S. I'll be sharing my own wedding color palette one of these days. Stay tuned!
{Images by Design Seeds}
Seven Days of Love
An advent calendar for Valentine's Day? Why not! Corie made a special countdown for her hubby using a seven-day pill box filled with candy and love notes. Isn't this a sweet idea?
{Images by The Dating Divas}
February 6, 2012
A Rooftop Boat
Remember my dream of owning a houseboat? Which got neatly tucked away when we happened upon our little cottage? Well, according to the rentable 1-bedroom boat anchored to the roof of London's Southbank Centre, there's a way to have both. Sea and land. A boat and a house. One on top of the other!
{Images via A Simple Life Afloat by Charles Hosea}
Trophy Cupcakes
The owner of Trophy Cupcakes was also at Blogshop and at the end of the session, she generously provided the entire class with delectable cupcakes and accompanying gift cards. Aren't they the prettiest? Thank you again, Jennifer!
Colors, Lines, Shapes & Designs
My head is spinning with all sorts of new Photoshop tips and tricks! Blogshop was incredible.
{Images by Coramantic by Yvonne Stewart}
February 3, 2012
Honeymoon Research
So far, my favorite part of planning this wedding has been the honeymoon research. We just started dipping our toes into the process and I'm already giddy with anticipation of endless white beaches, extravagant outdoor showers and romantic private pools.
We've narrowed it down to 3 locales and hope to somewhat solidify plans in the next few days. Hint #1: the dreamy image above is high on the list. Hint #2: some of Hal's family live there. Hint #3: kung ito ay totoo!
Have a relaxing weekend, my loves. Here are a few amusing links...
Super Bowl make-up tricks.
Learn to cook with Photoshop!
Meet one of my beautiful besties.
Leaves made out of hair.
Are they trees or rivers?
Hooray for indoor campfires.
Flying people in NYC.
A megaphone for your iPhone.
The funny life of a blogger.
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Images via Daily Concepts by Aman Resorts}
Blogshop In Seattle
Yippee, Blogshop is coming to Seattle tomorrow! If you're unfamiliar, it's a weekend-long Photoshop boot-camp specifically designed for bloggers, held by the enormously creative talents, Bri of Design Love Fest and Angela of Angela + Ithyle.
I'm so excited to learn some new fancy skills to make my blog the prettiest it can possibly be. Oh, and I hear their goodie bags are to die for! Will I be seeing any of you there? :)
{Image via Design Love Fest by Angela Kohler}
Flowers For Men?
Ah, February. The month of love. I suppose it's about time to start thinking about what to get my sweetie for Valentine's Day. Since we're saving for our wedding, we'll probably forego gifts. But fresh $5 farmers market flowers are always a winner in my book. I've never given Hal flowers before, so I wonder if he'll appreciate them. Ladies, do you give your man flowers? Gentlemen, do you enjoy receiving flowers?
Thankfully, the folks at KaBloom have put together a handy little guide to gifting the perfect man bouquet...
For: The Guy’s Guy
Pluck this: Fuji Mum or Blue Orchid
What it says: “You’re lively, fun, and easy to be around.”
For: The Party Boy
Pluck this: Orange Gerbera Daisy
What it says: “I like to have a good time – and you’re the first one I call to start the party!”
For: The Bad Boy
Pluck this: Orange Lily
What it says: “I’m not sure where this is going, but you have my attention.”
For: The Strong, Silent Type
Pluck this: Ginger
What it says: “You’re individualistic and strong, and I just can’t get enough.”
{Image via Rue La La}
February 2, 2012
A Food Planner Poster
This shnazzy food planner poster by Scandinavian designer, Mette Bonavent, might help us solve our nightly question, "so... what do you want to do about dinner?" It comes with a magic chalk marker.
Do you plan out your meals?
{Image via Remodelista by Oh So Fine}
Marilyn's Unpublished Photos
How fabulous are these photos of Marilyn Monroe? She was only 24 years old. The images were randomly discovered by an editor at LIFE Magazine. They had been stored away and forgotten in a New Jersey warehouse, until now.
Photographer, Ed Clark talks about his shoot with her:
"She was unknown then, so I was able to spend a lot of time shooting her. We'd go out to Griffith Park [Los Angeles] and she'd read poetry. I sent several rolls to LIFE in New York, but they wired back, 'Who the hell is Marilyn Monroe?'"
{Images via LIFE by Ed Clark}
Wood Burned Wildlife
The detail of Julie Bender's wood burned wildlife portraits is unbelievable. She calls her ancient artform, "painting with heat".
That's it, I must learn pyrography!
{Images via Sweet Station}
February 1, 2012
The Pothole Gardener
Have I ever told you about my secret desire to be a guerrilla street artist? I'm not sure how I'd make that happen, but I'm inspired by the The Pothole Gardener. Planting shrubs in potholes isn't anything new, yet he takes it to a new level with miniature props.
He recently made a video, Holes of Happiness, which captures Londoners' initial reactions to his sidewalk creations. What would you do if you saw a little pothole garden?
{Images via Designer Daily}
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