HAPPINESS IS...

A Piano Birdcage

Robert Gligorov, built this magical musical birdcage installation made up of two pianos placed back to back with a glass enclosure on top for canaries to live and play. As they fly from perch to perch, their weight moves the rods that tickle the ivory, creating a harmonies to their songbird melodies.

Wouldn't you love to hear a recording of their music? :)


{Images via Ridiculously Interesting}

Hot Baths

Now that I have the world's tinest bathroom, I really miss having a bathtub. I'm a shower girl, so I didn't think I'd mind when we moved here. But on cold evenings like tonight, I'd do anything to sink down into hot steamy bath. As Joni says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

Are you team shower or team bath?


{Image via 1000 Happy Things}

Willard Suitcases

These old suitcases were recently discovered in the attic of the Willard Insane Asylum. They belonged to mentally ill patients from 1910-1960 who never left the facility. When it shut down in 1995, photographer, Jon Crispin, has been revealing the contents of approximately 400 suitcases one by one.

Ever since reading One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, I've been fascinated by mental institutions and this project gives me goose bumps. Doesn't it make you curious about the lives left behind?


{Images via Kickstarter}

Cast Iron Skillet States

How much fun would it be to eat a State-shaped omelet? FeLion Studio's Made In America Pans come in 48 different States that fit together to make the entire U.S. You can cook with them or hang them on the wall as art.

In food magazines, chefs and editors are always asked to name one kitchen item they couldn't live without. I asked this to Hal once and he said without hesitation, the cast iron skillet. Maybe I'll get him the California shaped pan one day.

What is your favorite kitchen item?


{Images via The Kitchn}

Embroidered Vintage Postcards

Looks like I have a new artist to stalk. I'm madly in love with Shaun Kardinal's embroidered postcards series, "Alterations". Serious geometric vintage goodness right here.


{Images via Poppytalk}

Dr. Suess' Words of Wisdom

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.”

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Like A.A. Milne, Dr. Suess sure had a way of communicating life lessons in sweet and innocent ways.

Hal and I were trying to see "The Artist" over the weekend, but it was sold out. So we watched "The Lorax" instead. Fitting, since it happened to be Dr. Suess' birthday. The movie was entertaining, but I couldn't handle the cheesy High School Musical-style pop songs and I wished it was in rhyme. Have you seen it yet?


{Images via Graphic Exchange}

My Bachelorette Mug Cozy Favors

For my Tahoe bachelorette weekend, I really wanted to find a special way to thank the girls for coming. I searched around for winter-appropriate gifts on Etsy and came across the talents of Ms. Lena Choe. Her shop, Nawanowe, is filled to the brim with the sweetest hand-knit creations.

One piece in particular caught my eye. The mug cozy. The cutest cozy I ever did see, with its own mittens and sweater initials. Lena welcomed my large order with open arms and quickly knit 14 personalized cozies for all of my friends. At the house, I placed the cozies on mugs and filled them with gourmet hot chocolate on a stick by The Ticket Kitchen. They were a hit!


{Images by Nawanowe}

La Boom Shadow Boxes

Tatiana lives on the small cycladic island of Antiparos, wakes up every morning to gaze out at the Agean Sea, and makes delightful little shadow boxes. What a beautiful life!


{Images via La Boom} 

Swedish Hasbeens

This retro gym workout editorial for Swedish Hasbeens is so darn cute. Doesn't it make you want to get in shape for Spring... wearing high-heeled saddle shoes?


{Images via Calivintage}

Ben Giles Floral Collages

Every week should begin with a Ben Giles floral collage. Aren't they the loveliest?


{Image via Strataflora}

Catching Up On Sleep

Do you have any big plans for the weekend? I'm super exhausted and haven't yet recuperated from my bachelorette trip. I hope to catch up on sleep, unpack, write thank-you cards, and just relax. Enjoy the weekend links, my loves...

The very first cupcake ATM machine.

What the 2012 Olympics will sound like.

Printable paper cameras.

Peach pit carvings.

13 cheeses everyone should know.

Yummy avocado boats.

Anyone attending Blog Brunch tomorrow?

A cute airplane doorstop.

Wedding photos inspired by Coldplay lyrics.

Mint as a neutral.

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

• Who Are You?
• The Last Unicorn
• Brides In Glasses

{Image by Jessica Silversaga}

Drawings On Plates

Yes, I'm a fully grown A-dult and yes, I sort of want to put these plates on my wedding registry. You're never too old to play with food!


{Images via Dezeen by Boguslaw Sliwiński}

DIY - Flying People Balloon Weights

Hilarious! Balloons are fun, but balloons with cut-outs of yourself dangling from them, even better. Brittany made these for a wedding and it looks so simple to replicate for any party or special occasion. Check out the full tutorial here.


{Images via Brooklyn Bride by Hilda Grahnat}

Optical Illusions on Toast

The "magic eye" stereograms that became popular in the 80's frustrated me to no end. All my friends saw the 3d image within seconds while I sat there all day, anxiously defocusing my eyes until they crossed.

When I spotted this pretty patterned toast optical illusion, I thought maybe, just maybe, I'll be better at it years later. Guess what? I'm not.

Can you see the hidden message?


{Image via Ooh, My Favorite}

Anonymous Holidays

Love this Anonymous Holidays series by German design student, Linus Lohoff. I've always been intrigued by vintage photographs of strangers and the colored dots just add to the mystery. Makes me wonder what their lives were like, who they were, and what they might have been thinking about during that very moment.


{Images by Linus Lohoff}

Ebba Zingmark

I have a girl crush on Swedish fashion blogger, Ebba Zingmark. Maybe it's her bright red hair against the snow. Or her bold color choices. Or her photo layouts. I mean, she needs to eat a big fat sandwich, but I'll forgive her since she's only 16. Tyra Banks, keep an eye on this one.


{Images via Lookbook}