HAPPINESS IS...

Teatro ZinZanni

I'm hoping to get my taxes done this weekend. Bleh. But as a reward, we're going to see Teatro Zinzanni, an exciting circus dinner theater of sorts. I've been wanting to go for the longest time, but the tickets are steep. So my sneaky brother and sis-in-law bought my whole family tickets last Christmas. We won't be able to take photos during the performance, but maybe I can sneak a few in.

Have the happiest of weekends, my friends. Please enjoy the links...

Heart-shaped knee patches.

Protect your iPad in the kitchen.

Where my bridesmaids will shop for dresses.

I need this book.

Nickel-sized paper cuts.

Knit mermaid suits for lucky wealthy baby girls. 

Turn outlets into people.

Karina creates a pattern a day.

How to make jazzy home movies.

Cute boat blankets.

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

• 1967
• Hermiting
• Elementary School Sweethearts

{Image via Bloody Marie}

Mysterious Geodes in LA

If you happen to be meandering the streets of Los Angeles, keep an eye out for Paige's 3D paper geodes constructed into nooks and crannies all over the city. Or seek them out yourself on her map. I'll be down there in a few short weeks and hope to discover one.

She says she enjoys the fact that some astute people will notice the unexpected treasures, while some will miss them entirely. I concur. This is just another reason why I want to be a street artist!


{Images by A Common Name}

DIY - An Easter Eggshell Garden

Easter always sneaks up on me. It's just around the corner! Wouldn't Megan's eggshell garden make the sweetest centerpiece for Easter brunch? Here's how she made it...


{Images via Le Robin's Nest by Easy Dreamer Photography}

The Endangered Bluebell

I had no idea these beauties were endangered, did you? The National Trust is starting a Twitter campaign to help them survive. If you spot an English Bluebell in the wild, tweet the photo and postcode to #bluebellwatch. I couldn't imagine a world without them!


{Images by: 1. Wildforms; 2. David Edgar}

Dinner Etiquette

Melbourne-based still-life stylist and art director, Sonia Rentsch, turns tableware into dapperly dressed diners. So creative. This would be a fun way to surprise your guests at a dinner party, don't you think?


{Images via Lustik by Scott Newett}

RetroSuperFuture Sunnies

Ooh la la, I adore RetroSuperFuture's Italian handmade floral cat-eye sunnies. Not that I'll need them any time soon, but hey.


{Images via Liberty London}

A Kitchen In A Greenhouse

The original owners of this beautiful home in the South of France built a kitchen in their detached greenhouse. In fact, they have another kitchen in the main house.

Wouldn't you love to cook breakfast here with the sunshine streaming in? Or prepare a cozy romantic dinner with the rain pounding down?


{Images via Miss Design by Living Agency}

Watercolor Woodlands

I know first hand how difficult it is to paint with watercolors and I really think Holly has mastered the art. Her ethereal woodland inspired paintings remind me of animal spirits floating through the forest in Spring. Aren't they the loveliest?


{Images via Unicorn Dream Magazine by Creyonbonito}

The World's Largest Deckchair

The world's largest deckchair was installed on Bournemouth Beach last week to mark the beginning of British Summer Time. Sculptor, Stuart Murdoch, was commissioned by a drinks manufacturer to make it happen. Apparently the chair is taller than a double-decker bus and weighs more than a fully-grown elephant.

If I were the folks in the photos, I'd fall back into the fabric instead of balancing on the edge, wouldn't you? Have any of my U.K. friends lounged in it yet?


{Images via The Huffington Post}

Flower Petal Lollipops

Have you ever eaten a flower? I can't believe I never have. Unless you count rose gelato. Petals make the prettiest salads. And from the looks of it, lollipops too! Heather was kind enough to show us how she made her purple pansy candy.


{Images by Sprinkle Bakes}

Orange Sunset Tights

These orange sunset tights belong on my legs! All of Tiffany's hand-dyed ombre tights are to die for. Take a lookie loo.


{Image by BZR Shop}

Photo Drips

Markus drips resin down vintage photo-mounted wood panels to create this rainbow effect. I find them so intriguing. Don't they remind you of colorful, hazy memories?


{Images via Design Milk by Markus Linnenbrink}

A Forest Floor Rug

My dream rug. Sounds silly to have a dream rug, but I'm dying to walk barefoot on this make believe forest floor. Reminds me of mossy spots, except large-scale. Isn't it fun?


{Images via Interior Design by Angela Adams}

Song Love - "Vacation" By Connie Francis

Due to the nature of this blog, it may seem like my life is sunshine and roses 24-7, but like everyone else, I have down days. During a particular dark mood the other day, Hal was trying to cheer me up in the car. But nothing seemed to help... until "Vacation" came on the 60's and 70's radio station.

Something about the song just made us giggle. The cheesy nostalgic lyrics. The overly chipper vibe. Maybe it was how Connie Francis falls off the notes at the end of each phrase. I'm not sure what it is, but any song that turns a frown into side splitting laughter is a-okay!

Listening rules, when feeling blue:

1. Turn the volume up;
2. Pretend you're a teenager in 1962.
3. Bop your head;
4. Sing and spell along;
5. Feel good again!

{Image via Viewliner Ltd}

The Hunger Games Posters

We saw The Hunger Games over the weekend and I can officially say I'm hooked. The hype? I get it. I was on the edge of my seat the entire way through. Then dove headfirst into the book when I got home.

Have you read the books or watched the film yet?


{Images via F* Yeah The Hunger Games by Sleep Is For The Weak}

Spring Sunshine

We're supposed to have a sunny and warm(er) weekend here, hurrah! I'm definitely going to soak it up. Do you have any outdoorsy plans? Enjoy the weekend links loves...

Teddy bear toast.

Black and white striped bridesmaids.

Hilarious Bachelor sketches.

DIY veggie bouquets.

Will you watch The Carrie Diaries?

Stadium seating sofas.

Endangered helium balloons.

A piano stairway in Chile.

Spend the night on a ferry boat. 

A pretty pregnancy scrapbook.

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

• Windows To The Soul
• Shorty Shorts
• Glitter Wigs

{Image via FGR by Natalie J Watts}

A Little Red Treehouse

Near the top of my travel bucket list lies a little red treehouse. You've probably seen images of the now iconic Mirror Cube. Well this one, ironically called the Blue Cone, is another beautifully designed guest home at the Treehotel in Sweden. In fact, their entire compound is on my list: the Cabin, the Bird's Nest, and my absolute favorite, the UFO!


{Images via Remodelista by Treehotel}

Taco Boxes

Sara spent 50 hours in labor and when she arrived home with her newborn baby, all she wanted to do was grub. She craved an easy comfort meal. So she started making cheerful taco boxes for her friends with new babies.

They'd also make a great as housewarming gift when you're exhausted from moving and there's no food in the house. I love that she included a 6-pack of Guinness! Apparently, dark lager helps with milk production. Interesting!


{Images via The Kitchn by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan}

40+ Ways To Tie A Scarf

Did you know there are over 40 ways to tie a scarf? I tie mine all the same way. How boring of me. 


{Images via Scarves Dot Net}

Save-The-Date Passport Books

I've seen plenty of passport invitations and save-the-dates for destination weddings, but none as classy as these by Atheneum Creative. The covers were letterpress printed on linen and inside each book was a map of the Bahamas, weekend information and travel tips. Such a lovely keepsake.

I can't wait to share with you my own DIY save-the-dates, but I haven't decided whether to post about them before or after the wedding. They were definitely a labor of love. We've been getting wonderful feedback from our guests, which after working so hard on something, is always nice to hear!


{Images via Oh So Beautiful Paper by Chelsea Davis Photography}

Field Candy Tents

Why sleep in a plain jane tent when you could spend the night in a Field Candy tent? Be the envy of your entire campground. The names are almost as fun as the tents themselves:

1. Fully Booked 
2. What A Melon
3. Men Only
4. Get A Room
5. Sung As A Bug
6. Animal Farm

{Images via Complex}

Baby Moccasins

My sister-in-law's baby shower is coming up. I'm in charge of decor and have some fun ideas planned. I'm also on the lookout for the perfect first-time Auntie gift. If she weren't a summer baby, I'd giver her these darling handmade baby moccasins. If my memory serves me right, I think I had a similar pair given to me when I was born. I almost want to get them for myself to put on display!


{Images by Becky Brisco} 

Plants From Another Galaxy

What planet are these succulents from, you ask? They're from the far off galaxy of Awesomeness. Actually, they grow here on Earth but have been spray painted blue and purple! Shhh, no one needs to know.


{Images via The Knotty Bride by Flowers By Bornay}

They Draw & Travel

Sibling illustration team, Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, and originators of They Draw & Cook, began a new sister site called They Draw & Travel. Both established and amateur artists are invited to upload their maps and here are a few of my favorites. Aren't they delightful?


{Images by: 1. and 2. Nate Padavick; 3. Kali Meadows; 4. Salli Swindell; 5. Samarra Khaja; 6. Anastasiia Kucherenko}

Thread Sketches

They look like pen and ink sketches, right? They're actually made of thread. Believe it or not, Jessica free-motion sewed these European monuments on tea-dyed canvas. 


{Images via Running With Scissors}

Mondegreen Magic

Such a magical look book for New Zealand's online boutique, Mondegreen. Do you think the superimposed girls are alter-egos, ghosts, or imaginary friends?


{Images via Studio Home by Stephen Tilley}

An Umbrella Bouquet

Happy First Day of Spring! Maybe if I blog about it, Spring will actually come.

And hello, how perfect is this umbrella bouquet? You can hang it on your doorknob to display fresh flowers, or even better, present it as a gift instead of the standard glass vase.


{Image via BHG}

New York Street Style Circa 1944

It's so easy to lose yourself in the LIFE archives. Here's one of my favorite discoveries. In 1944, Alfred Eisenstaedt photographed a group of fashionable ladies in front of Rockefeller Center. Meet Iris, Beatrice, Delma, Ginger and Eileen. Might he be the pioneer of street style photography?


{Images via LIFE by Alfred Eisenstaedt}

Bride & Groom Tattoos

Immediately after Josh and Anka eloped, they stopped by a local tattoo parlor and got inked together. Hers, on her inner wrist. His, on his ring finger.

I'd never do it. But I love that they did. Would you?  :)


{Images via Brooklyn Bride by Jennifer Sosa Photography}

Spring's Arrival?

We're having the coldest wettest weirdest March ever. In a matter of minutes, the weather changes from drizzle to sideways hail to sunshine to thunder to snow. If I wasn't trying to take photos outdoors, I'd be all over it. It's exciting and keeps you on your toes. But it's really time for some warmth in Seattle. And it's safe to say, I'm officially ready for Spring. Which is tomorrow... wha?


{Images by Kathryn Trotter}

Kissing The Irish

I have 25% Irish blood. Hal has 25% Irish blood. So if kissing the Irish is good luck, then we are set for life! Or at least 50% of the time.

Have a happy and green St. Patty's Day weekend, friends! Please enjoy the links...

10 lovely Spring DIY projects.

Proof that flowers heal.

Glowing floating paper in France.

Surprisingly, neons with pastels really work.

The book reader of the future.

A turban well done.

Inner message rings: a fun way to propose.

A sweet pregnancy time lapse video.

So excited for the Ruche wedding collection!

State shaped coffee tables.

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

•  The Luck of the Irish
•  Girls in Green Dresses
•  Guinness Shamrocks

{Image via One Lovely Day by Gracie Blue}

Button Hats

How darling are Magdalena's vintage inspired button hats?


{Images via K, Tea? by Maschalone}

My First Wedding Dream

This morning, after hitting the snooze button 3 times, I had my first wedding dream. I'd like to say it was a good one, but it was anxiety ridden. Makes sense I suppose. I recently passed the 6-month mark and I was discussing the big day with Rachel last night.

Here's what went down. The guests started to arrive while my bridesmaids and I were still in our pajamas. The hair and make-up girl was late. When she finally showed up, she arranged my hair into a horrible 80's prom updo. But I blamed myself because I never gave her photos of what I wanted. Then I realized I hadn't written my vows and would have to wing it. I woke up and it took me a full 5 minutes to figure out it wasn't real.

If you are married, did you have pre-wedding freak-out dreams too? Are they normal?  :)


{Images by Samm Blake}

The Cookie Splash

Photographer, Siebe Warmoeskerken, caused quite a Flickr stir when he posted his cookie splash photos a few years back. It looks complicated, but according to his 7-step tutorial, shooting liquid in motion is easier than you'd think!


{Images via Follow Follow}

Box of Birds

Always a sucker for cat and fox faces. These brooches from Box of Birds are the best. Go Kate! 


{Images via Box of Birds}

Sand Struck

I feel exactly how the girl in these photos must feel. Carefree and sand struck. That's how magically talented Kelty is. Aren't her photos intoxicating?


{Images via The Weaver House}

An Outdoor Open Air Library

A plethora of books, a trusty iMac, a deep lounger chair, and fresh air. I could get on board with this.


{Images via Office Sian}

Moss Optical Branding

At the optometrist the other day, I was informed I have a very slight lazy eye. Not to be confused with a wandering eye. But still. Not cool.

I may be blind as a bat, but I know good design when I see it. And I really think more optometrists should take a look at Moss Optical's branding and follow suit. They hired Samuel Soulek to develop a playful design concept for their company. Fun, yeah?


{Images via Discover Paper by Soulseven}

The Edisen Wedding Boutique

Special treat for you today, lovelies. Do you remember Leila, formally of Olive Juice Photography, who contributed to my collaborative sketchbook? She has shared these dreamy photographs for a brand new wedding shop, Edisen.

They carry the sweetest exclusive hand-picked vintage and vintage-inspired dresses, decor, accessories, and shoes. Similar to BHLDN, but actually affordable! I'm head over heels.


{Images via Edisen by Leila Brewster}

An Orange Bathroom

Some people thought I was crazy when I painted the bathroom orange at my last apartment. But I loved every inch of it. And from the looks of her own orange wallpapered bathroom, Irene would have loved it too. It definitely energizes you as you're getting ready for the day.

Would you ever turn your bathroom orange?


{Images via DesignstILes}

Geometric Jewelry

I'm big into wearable geometry as of late. Especially pieces that are photographed as art, like Chihiro's leather triangle necklaces. For her shop's grand opening, she's offering free shipping for all of March. Yay! 


{Images by Quolial}

DIY - Pink Lip Balm

One thing I'd never to think to DIY? Make-up. But that's why the Interweb is so grand. Somebody is always making their own something. And Delia makes pink-tinted lip balm with grated beeswax, coconut and sweet almond oil, a chunk of red lipstick and shimmery eye-shadow. See how she does it here.


{Images via Oh The Lovely Things by Delia Creates}

Selk'Bags

Selk'Bags amuse me to no end. They're like Snuggies for the great outdoors. Spacesuits for Earth.

And I have to admit, their latest video, The World Is Our Playground, makes me want one to bounce around in. Badly.


{Images via Elle by Rodrigo Alonso Schramm}

Outsiders

So this is what my childhood teddy bear must look like turned inside out! Outsiders are secondhand plush toys by Zurich designers, Samuel Coendet and Lea Gerber, who give forgotten stuffed animals a new life by opening, reversing, and resewing them back together, eyes and all.

They're a little ugly and a bit sad, but I find them extra lovable.


{Images via Dezeen by Atelier Volvox}

Cinebarre

Do you have a Cinebarre where you live? Not to be confused with Cinnabon, it's a movie theater that serves meals and drinks. I frequent another Seattle cinema where they serve you beverages while you watch, but never meals. No more sneaking dinner into my oversized purse!

Hal and I went for the first time over the weekend, the Sunday brunch special. We ordered french toast, a breakfast burrito, and the mimosa duo: a bottle of bubby on ice with two half carafes of orange and grapefruit juice.

Tip: Select a movie that doesn't command your full attention. For instance, we saw John Carter. Eating and ordering in the dark while following a plot requires some multi-tasking. And by the end of the flick, I was blitzed. Which was fine by me, because I really only needed to concentrate on Taylor Kitsch with his shirt off.


{Image via From Me To You by Jamie Beck}

Little Big Bands

One of the bands we're looking to hire for our wedding is putting on a free concert, so we're going to see if they're any good. We want a small big band or brass band to play classic jazz and swing tunes during the cocktail hour. It's proving difficult with our limited budget, but live music is very important to us. Even if we end up with a lone trumpeter!

Have a fun weekend, friends. Amuse yourself with some links...

A waterfall island.

 

Sleep in a gigantic birds nest.

How to ride a bike in the snow.

Would you wear croissant earrings?

A carpet-pillow-chair-sofa-blanket!

The cutest patchwork swimsuit.

Keep pretty jewelry in pretty boxes.

A treehouse for cats.

Have you seen the new IKEA pre-fab home?

My kind of cruise ship.

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

• Visualizing Vivaldi
• Love Through The Lens
• $200 Relax Shacks

{Image via Style Me Pretty by Jose Villa}

Astronauts & Butterflies

Somehow, astronauts and butterflies go beautifully hand in hand.


{Images via The Fox Is Black by Stan Gaz}

Hot Tub Boats

Yep, this is for real. I'm not exactly sure how a boat full of water can float, but apparently it can. Hot Tub Boats will be debuting on Seattle's Lake Union this summer. Rent it out with your friends for some summer time relaxing in and on the water. I think it sounds like a grand ol' time.

But then again, communal hot tubs will always remind me of Splash, the germy hot tub rooms on the tv show, Blind Date.

Would you ride in a hot tub boat?


{Images via The Stranger}

Homemade Ice Cream

Another favorite wedding task of mine, in addition to honeymoon research, is the registry. I feel like a kid in a candy store. How often do you get to make a perfectly acceptable wish list as an adult? One that will actually be fulfilled? Well, mostly.

The bulk of our registry will be honeymoon-related, but we're including a few random home items. Things we've always coveted, but would never buy ourselves. For example, an ice cream maker! Hal has been drooling over them since the day we met. His sensitive belly would like some lactose-free dairy treats.

Have you ever made your own ice cream?


{Image via The Dish on Photography by Jennifer Davick}

Hollywood Rides A Bike

Have you seen the new coffee table book, Hollywood Rides a Bike? It's a collection of 125 joyful vintage photographs of celebrities and their cycles, put together by movie critic, Steven Rea, author of the blog, Rides A Bike. Looks like an instant good mood!


{Images via Public Bikes}