HAPPINESS IS...

Mac & Cheese Candles

Can you believe this bowl of mac & cheese isn't real? I wish I had found it sooner, since I'm off to celebrate mi mama's birthday tonight... I would have loved to give her one to blow out instead of a candle in a cake. Both of us prefer cheese to cake any day. Is that weird?  :)

Oh, I'm so happy it's weekend time! Hope you have a wonderful one. Until Monday, enjoy some links...

Feminine scalloped shorts are so pretty.

Johnny Depp's pirate-esque yacht is available for rent...got $110k?

As a child, I would have loved to play in this egg pod.

Cute shadow puppet wallpaper.

Colorful city prints are the best.

Loving this moss tabletop centerpiece.

Lady in red.

Craving some rosemary potato straws with lemon salt.

An incredible gerbil wheel bookcase.

Remember these childhood headpieces?

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

• Dreams
• A Perfect Little Bungalow
• Light Bulb Terrariums

{Image by Kokocandles}

Lyrimage: "Fields Of Gold"

It's been quite awhile since I've done a Lyrimage. They are very time consuming, but I do love creating them! I heard "Fields of Gold" sung by Eva Cassidy during Savasana (the final rest/meditation pose) of my most recent yoga class, and I floated away into a vast sea of sunny bliss.

The song was originally written and recorded by Sting, who had purchased a house near a barley field. The sunsets, the colors, and his love at the time were his lyrical inspiration. It's a chronological story of a man's courtship, marriage, and eventual death.

Eva's version touches me a little bit more, only because she has since passed away and her voice is like an angel singing me to sleep. You can listen here. Please enjoy  :)

Sponsor: Passport In My Pocket

Friends, I'm so happy to tell you about my newest sponsor, a most delightful travel blog. Some of you may already know and love her... Jodi Kendall of Passport In My Pocket!

I'm a little bit jealous of her. She has such a dream job. Jodi currently writes for the National Geographic Channel, detailing behind-the-scenes experiences at zoos, aquariums and wildlife facilities around the world. Her lovely blog is a daily journal of her international personal and professional travels, giving us little-known tips, treasures, and giveaways along the way.

Many of you have the travel bug, like myself. I just know you'll appreciate Jodi's posts. Definitely visit her blog and check out her travel list for 2010. It will be like we're vacationing with her, all packed up in an extra large suitcase  :)

P.S. Animal lovers - you must see this article Jodi wrote for Nat Geo on Asian elephant showers!

A Felt Tree Stump Trivet

Martha, I must know. How is it that you continually feed us with the most ingenious ideas? I really don't have time to make a felt tree stump trivet, but it's really too cute and simple not to. I've succumbed yet again to your domestic empire.


{Image by Martha Stewart}

Vintage Poolside Glamour

I spotted these divine Slim Aarons images on Candidly Red and fell deep in love. They're featured in the book, "Poolside With Slim Aarons", a glamorous collection of mid-century pools and the glittery high society life of leisure surrounding them. Oh, how my coffee table needs this.


{Images via Photographers Gallery by Slim Aarons}

Couture Textile Necklaces

Going gaga over these luxurious jewelry pieces from Laura Wu's Prismera Design Couture Collection. They are made out of strips of carefully cut pieces of chiffon and sculpted into ruffles, then adorned with vintage styled appliques or satin and velvet.

Wouldn't they go perfect with a plain white tank?


{Images via Miss Malaprop by Prismera Design}

Beach Sculptures

Imagine strolling along an empty beach to find these serenely beautiful beach sculptures. It's like they were created solely for a few lucky passers by.


{Images by Fiona Watson}

DIY - Business Card Book Kit

I'm guilty of throwing business cards I collect into the junk drawer. It is now so jam-packed that when I close the drawer, it pushes a few cards down into the drawer underneath, which is essentially becoming another junk drawer.

Which is why I find this little business card book kit so appealing. Each $5 kit comes with a hole punch template, recycled hand screen printed book covers (love the wood grain), a metal book ring, and a rubber band closure. You provide the business cards. Can do!


{Images by Erin Zam}

Michelle Forsyth's Flower Requiems

I'd never heard of a flower requiem either until I came across the incredible work of artist, Michelle Forsyth. She creates wall art installations out of hand cut pieces of paper attached to dressmakers pins tacked to the wall. From afar, they reveal an image of flowers.

But not just any image. They are replicas of photos she has taken from disaster sites years after the event occurred. Some flowers were placed there by mourners to mark loss; some have naturally grown out of the ruins. A flower requiem is Michelle's way of "healing the scars of each disastrous event".

Such a beautiful concept, don't you think?

{Images via The Jealous Curator by Michelle Forsyth}

Apple Dove Mod Love

Admiring these mod beauties with their apples and doves. The editorial is from an old Numéro’s issue shot by photographer Dusan Reljin. Lovely, eh?


{Images via Fashion Gone Rogue}

Things I Like Postcards

Remember the photographer of this incredible engagement shoot? Well, Kelty has done it again and has created an adorable set of postcards (12 total, 4 designs each) featuring people's likes - vintage cameras, high heels, retro collectibles, and eye-shadow compacts, inspired by her Like Series Portraits. And get this...they come pre-stamped!

Okay friends...be expecting mailbox surprises shortly  :)


{Images by Steep Street}

Owning a Nelson Propeller Lamp

I love designer furniture like the next girl. But my pockets aren't deep and thus the majority of my furniture comes from Craig and his List.

Hal used to run the Museum of Contemporary Art shop in Santa Monica, where they sold a certain Nelson Propeller Lamp. Before he left, this was his going away gift to himself. It's been sitting in storage all this time and we finally brought it back during our last trip south.

Now I'm a proud Nelson owner! And I must say, it feels gooood.

Our Faces on a Rubber Stamp

For my anniversary gift to Hal, I did a little drawing of us and asked Kim of SugarSkull7 to hand-carve it into a rubber stamp. I went off a photo we took this past NYE. I wanted to carve it myself, but I probably would have made us look deformed. So I decided to leave the carving to an expert ...and an expert job she did, right? It looks pretty darn close to my original sketch. Do you think it looks like us?

The rest of our anniversary date was lovely. Hal took me to a romantic little family-owned Italian restaurant, La Rustica, which sits right across from the moonlit water. I ordered tagliatelle ai funghi pasta with porcini mushrooms, peas, gorgonzola, and sun-dried tomatoes. We toasted to our very first date 8 years ago...

Him: You know that it was 7 years ago, right?
Me: No, it was 8!
Him: I was 29 (counts on fingers), so that means it's been 7 years.
Me: Well, I was 23 (counts on fingers), so that means it's been 8 years.
Him: Your math is wrong.
Me: Your math is wrong.
Him: And the 25th was the day we met.
Me: No, the 25th was our first date!

We went around in circles for quite some time and never fully came to an agreement. But that's okay. I guess when you love someone this long, the details don't really matter so much anymore!

{Top image by SugarSkulls7}

Trampolines

This weekend, as part of our anniversary date, Hal and I went to Jump Sky High, where the floors and walls are made of trampolines and you can do flips into large foam pits. We were pretty much the only grown-ups bouncing. I was in heaven.

If you have a trampoline facility where you live, here are some tips:

1. Ladies, wear a sports bra;
2. Do not try to do tricks that flexible little kids are doing;
3. Foam pits are terribly difficult to get out of as an adult;
4. Be prepared to sweat like hot yoga;
5. Expect to be sore the next day!

But don't let any of that sway you. Nothing puts me in a better mood than playing like a child. And nothing says true love than jumping together on a trampoline.


{Images by: 1. Sourire; 2. and 4. This Isn't Happiness; 3. Wet Behind The Ears; 5. Yuli.Bow}

My Photos From Wine Country

I finally got around to going through my wine country photos and wanted to share a few with you. Spring is such a beautiful time to visit. Everything was so green and lush. The weather was in the mid to high 70's and couldn't have been better.

The first day, Robin rented a limo and 9 of us went wine tasting at Summers, Duckhorn, and Peju. 7 wineries were on the itinerary, but we only made it to 3 - ha! The second day at the Sonoma Ranch house involved laying out by the pool, playing bocce ball, and getting ready for Robin's birthday bash that evening. Which I'm sorry to say, I don't remember much of, except for drinking more vino in our private wine cave, hot tubbing and dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Epic weekend. Had my first taste of Dom. Got maybe 3 hours of sleep. And I think I'm done with wine for awhile. But it was so worth it and Robin had the perfect 'goodbye 20's' send-off. Happy birthday bestie! Um...can we go back every year?  :)

Eight Years Ago

Happy Friday, folks. On Sunday, Hal and I will celebrate our very first date, 8 years ago. He's taking me to a fancy restaurant unknownst to me and I've requested some play time here.

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? Have an enjoyable one! Here are a few links from around the web...

The ballerina of the future.

I want a tiny Swedish beach hut.

Learn to make roses out of straw wrappers.

An underground home...VIP Cribs style.

This camera took a photo of space while attached to a helium balloon.

Can you guess the decade of this incredible living room?

Paper brides and grooms.

What a little bold and modern can do for your house numbers.

Lula Magazine...where have you been all my life?

I want to be an IKEA hacker too.

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

• Owl Tree Carvings
• New York Nat Headbands
• Teacups

{Images via Liis For Lovely}

A Fantasy Art Studio

I'm daydreaming again. Wouldn't this secret hideaway house be the perfect little art studio? Nestled deep in a lush English garden, full of antique rustic charm. I'd paint and write music and take a cool dip in the pool to refresh my mind and soul.


{Images via Desire To Inspire by Michael Trapp}

Eating Is Art

My new favorite food blog = Eating Is Art. The title alone says it all, right? Large juicy in-your-face photos will do it to me every time  :)


{Images via Frolic! by Tricia Martin}

TOMS Vegan Wrap Boots

I almost forgot to wish you all a Happy Earth Day!

And in honor of, I'd like to feature TOMS earth-friendly shoes. They are made out of 100% cotton canvas and if you weren't aware, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. The Vegan Wrap Boots are my favorite. You can wrap them up to knee-high, or wrap it low for an ankle boot look.

Hal sells them at his snowboard shop and he's going to get me a pair! Yay for boyfriends with the ins.

{Images via 80's Purple}

My Brother's Spring Photos at the Arboretum

Did you know my big bro is a photographer? Yep! Proud sis. He took the profile picture of me and my martini in the top left corner of my blog.

I saw his spring photos taken in early March at the Washington Park Arboretum here in Seattle and I figured it was high time I introduced you. Meet Christopher everyone! Aren't his images gorgeous? He just launched his website and blog if you'd like to take a peek.


{Images by Christopher Bachmann Photography}

The Cheese Lover's Companion

I received the best little gift in the mail the other day. I had no idea what it could be. What did I order from Amazon? Did they mess up and send me someone else's package? No. My darling friend, Tiffany, sent me The Cheese Lover's Companion, just because she loves me. And knows me too well. She and I both share a obsessive passion for cheese. She's the beauty standing next to me here.

I'm so eager to dig into this book. I plan on taking it with me to a fancy fromage shop and knowledgeably ordering a sampling of cheeses I've never heard of...Pelardon, Sapsago and Chaource, please. Thank you again my sweet T.  Cheese and friends forever!

(Image via Amazon}

Love and a Piano

This engagement shoot completely moves me. Texas-based photographer, Clayton Austin, somehow captures magic with his lens, and through his words...

"I imagine that being in a relationship is like learning to play the piano, or any instrument for that matter. There is no sheet music for life. You hit a couple of notes and sometimes you get lucky and they actually sound pretty good together. But more often than not, you immediately forget everything that you just did, and in searching for the same sequence of notes, you actually stumble upon a completely different melody that is even better than the original. Such was the case with Anna and Tyler. After having fallen in love and then being separated for three years, it was a weekend in New York that taught them that sometimes, just sometimes, the second verse is better than the first."

{Images via Green Wedding Shoes}

The Pairabirds Classic Soul Art

I love me some soul. And I love me some prints of The Pairabirds, classic soul and modern minimalistic art by Tabitha Bianca Brown. The seventies funk style, wood grain, and fro silhouettes speak to my little white girl heart. Aren't they sweet?


{Images via Indie Fixx by Tabitha Bianca Brown}

Hearing My Song on Television

It's really strange hearing a song you wrote and recorded air on TV. This isn't the first time I've experienced it, but it still excites me to no end. Not to mention the check I'll receive in the mail in a few months! 

Some of you asked me to post the clip, so if you'd like to hear my band, Lorelei's song, "Secrets" air on MTV's Taking The Stage, here is the episode. The song begins around 8:05 minutes in, so you might want to skip to that spot.

It begins very quietly underneath a dialogue where the boy asks the girl to be his girlfriend...how sweet. Then at the end, you'll just hear my vocals singing, "keep my secrets secret". 

What do you think?!  :)

{Image via Little Brown Pen; Video by MTV}

Sponsor + Giveaway: Sweetnature Designs

Please welcome my newest featured sponsor, Sweetnature Designs. I'm super thrilled to showcase artist, Beth Tobey, a stay-at-home mother turned designer from Seattle. Beth's lovely shop has an incredible array of items - tea towels, cards, pendants, scarves and prints, all incorporating her playful nature-love-inspired works of art.

Beth was kind enough to mail me the orange bicycle screen print tea towel in the top photo...and I'm so in love with it! Very impressed with the quality, and it's currently on display over my oven handle. It's way too pretty to wipe dirty hands on  :)

If you'd like any of her free cotton tea towels, Beth is giving one away to a reader of mine!

Instructions:

1. Visit the Sweetnature Designs Etsy shop.
2. Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite store item.
3. Winner will be selected at random after Monday, April 26th, at midnight PST.

Best of luck to you, my dears!

** CONGRATS Emily - YOU WON! LUCKY #22! **

Rest

Hello friends. I've missed you! I am back from my wine tasting adventures, but I'm miserably exhausted. Our flight back was delayed and I didn't get home until 4am this morning. So I'm going to recuperate and normal programming will resume tomorrow. I look forward to catching up with you!

P.S. If you haven't entered the Cookie K's Vintage bag giveaway - do it now!  :)

{Image via Tassia}

Wine Country

I'm leaving for wine country in T-minus two hours and I'm all giddy. It's been light-years since my last vacation. I'll only be gone 3.5 days, but it will be 3.5 days of pure vineyard bliss. We'll be celebrating my girl Robin's last remaining hours as a 20-something here. Go big, I say.

I'll be back on Monday with stories and visual goodies to share. Enjoy your weekend, darlings. Some links to entertain you while I'm away...

The fastest person to roll down a hill wins a wheel of cheese. Yes!

Can you image having this view every day.

Beautiful still life photography for people with OCD.

Airstream trailer art in Florida.

I dream of pre-fabs like this.

Owl-dorable.

Turn your food into gold.

I'd love to have this campfire light on my nightstand.

An amazing string art wall mural.

True garden fashion.

And some posts of mine you may have missed:

• My Book Club
• 15 Uses for News Print
• Tutus & Petticoats

{Image by One Love Photo}

Dreamers & Believers

I'm enamored by these darling photos found on Tabitha Emma, featuring pretty pom necklaces. They're by Dreamers & Believers (the name alone gets me), a Sydney, Australia art-collective.

Which makes me think about styling and product photography. I truly believe this is such an important element of selling your art. The pom necklaces are sweet by themselves, but placing them in natural sunlight, on a rustic wooden table, with a cup of tea and a Polaroid, invokes a unique sense of cozy vintage charm, don't you agree?

{Images by Dinta Jakile and Stacia Hadiutomo}

Painting With Chocolate

We've painted with tea...now let's paint with chocolate! This tutorial shows us how to paint anyone's portrait with dark and white chocolate. I bet the hardest part is resisting the temptation to eat all your paint!


{Image via Craftzine by Eye Candy}

My Music on MTV!

Woo hoo! Exciting music news! My band, Lorelei, will be on the MTV show, "Taking The Stage" tomorrow, Thursday, April 15th! Our song, "Secrets" will air for a full minute, taking you into the commercial.

Catch or record the show at 8pm and/or 10pm PST tomorrow night. I will have already left for Napa, so I might not be able to see it. Please let me know how it goes! :)

{Image via MTV}

Alternative Wedding Boutonnieres

If you're in the wedding market, I'm sure you've come across these fabulous alternative wedding boutonnieres by Fritts Rosenow. But they're new to me, and oh-so-clever. I am 99.9% positive that my man would much prefer a custom quirky boutonniere tailored to his personality than the typical rose or flower.

When our big day arrives, I can totally see Hal totally rocking a snowboard or skateboard one. However, I might have to hide the action figure from him! (J/K, love).

{Images via Junebug Loves Weddings by Fritts Rosenow}

A Wall That Plays Music When It Rains

Have you seen this, my friends? It's a Rube Goldberg inspired wall in Germany that creates music when it rains, due to the mousetrap drain and gutter system with various sized metal cones. It's called the Funnel Wall at the Kunsthof-Passage in Neustadt.

I wish I could hear it play! It would definitely liven up our Seattle winters  :)


{Image via Wet Behind The Ears by Vincent}

Sponsor + Giveaway: Cookie K's Vintage

Lovelies, please meet Megan of Cookie K's Vintage, a gem of an Etsy shop based out of Seattle. She is my newest sponsor!

Megan discovered her passion for vintage as a teenager while shopping for school clothes with her mom amongst the Goodwill racks. She feels that every vintage piece has a story to tell, and loves the connection between the previous owner, herself, and the future owner because it allows her to play a role in the continuous circle of self-expression. Her items are all cherry-picked to perfection.

She is especially fond of the silhouettes of the early 60's, which I'm partial to as well. A few of my favorite pieces are shown above. I wanted to post so many more goodies, but I was afraid your scroll finger would get tired and this would be the longest post on record.

Enter Megan's generous giveaway to win a bag, wallet, or purse (under $25) of your choice!

Instructions:

1. Visit the Cookie K's Vintage Etsy shop.
2. Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite store item.
3. Winner will be selected at random after Monday, April 19th, at midnight PST.

Good luck! 

P.S. If you're curious...Cookie K is Megan's toy fox terrier  :)


** CONGRATS Sarah Garraty - YOU WON! LUCKY #25! **

The Girls With Glasses

I'm a girl with glasses. And I'm looking forward to The Girls With Glasses Show. Remember singer-songwriter, Brooke White, from American Idol? She teamed up with model and Eliza magazine editor, Summer Bellessa to introduce a new "smart girl" talk show about fashion, entertainment, art and music. If the show is anything like their fun opening theme song video, you can bet I'll be watching  :)


{Image and video via Black*Eiffel by The Girls With Glasses}

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

I came across these enchanting cherry blossom photos on Narumi and now I'm longing to visit Japan. They were taken in Tokyo and Kyoto during Hanami, which literally translates to "flower viewing" and only happens for a few weeks each Spring. Celebrations involve outdoor parties and gatherings beneath the Sakura. I sure wish the U.S. had a tradition of simply enjoying the beauty of nature.

Akiko, my sis-in-law, her parents live in Japan, and I'd love to take advantage of their hospitality and knowledge before they move here in the next year or so. Have you been?


{Images via Pia Jane Bijkerk by Narumi}

Healing

I'm back from our whirlwind trip to LA. Coming home to all your sweet comments makes me feel incredibly blessed. Have I told you lately how much I love you? 

Thank you for sending warm vibes and caring thoughts our way. Hal is doing well considering the circumstances. He was able to reconnect with long lost family and it ended up being a very beautiful and emotionally healing time.


{Image by Lisa}

Departures

I'm so sorry, friends.  I have to leave you early this week. We recently found out that Hal's papa passed away. By the time you read this, we'll be on a plane to LA for the funeral.

This week has been rough. But after discovering his passing, we watched a beautiful Japanese film, called "Departures" (Okuribito), by Yojiro Takita. It won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film last year. Have you seen it? It completely hit home for Hal and I think it helped him grieve. Isn't it crazy how sometimes you watch a movie and it perfectly correlates with your current life situation?

A cellist finds himself unemployed and returns to his home town with his wife to start fresh. He answers a help-wanted ad for someone to handle "departures", thinking it's a travel agency position. He finds out the job is for a funeral professional who prepares bodies for burial and entry into the next life. His wife and other townspeople frown upon it, but he begins to enjoy and respect the art of "nokanshi," acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, and in doing, learns a profound lesson in living.

I highly advise you to put this film on the top of your Netflix queue. Even though it's about death, it was done very sweetly with heartwarming comedic moments. Definitely, my favorite film of the year.

I'll see you again on Monday, my loves.


{Images by Departures}

The Inspiration Behind Dear Creatures Spring 2010

I've previously professed my admiration for Dear Creatures. And the Spring 2010 collection does not disappoint. This time, the inspiration was drawn from a 1964 French musical, Jacques Demy’s "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg". I confess, I haven't seen it yet. And I'm dying to. How could I resist watching the delightful young Catherine Deneuve singing down the streets in retro French fashion?

P.S. Today's your last chance to enter the Bee Keeper Vintage handbag, accessory or houseware giveaway!


{Images by 1. - 4. Dear Creatures, 5. EZ Takes}

A Loch Ness Monster Ring / Necklace

Remember this bicycle Valentine? Rachel has worked her magic again. Don't you just love her Loch Ness Monster knuckle ring...that turns into a necklace? That girl is so creative.


{Images via Cut, Paste, Repeat}

A Toast To Travel

These cute little travel prints are part of JHill Design's "A Toast To" series. Inspired by vintage flashcards, each one includes the location's coordinates with a fun fact riddle and 3 key words to help you solve it. I would love to collect all my favorite places around the world.

However...one complaint. I see Idaho. I see Zimbabwe. And no Washington?! Thankfully, she makes up for this by offering personalized prints as well.


{Images via Modish by JHill Design}

Costa Rica Tree House Eco-Lodge

Fantasy escape time! The Tree House Lodge is a 2-room house on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, sustainably built around a 100+ year old (and still growing) Sangrillo tree, and composed only of wood from fallen trees. Can you tell I'm in dire need of a vacation?  :)


{Images by Costa Rica Tree House}

A Birdcage Card & Photo Holder

I have a horrible habit of displaying the cards I receive on the fridge with magnet clips. They always end up falling off when I open the freezer door.  I saw this darling wall birdcage on Lotus Haus, and I'm thinking it would be a much more attractive way to display my cards and photos. And as Joanna suggested, wouldn't it also be perfect for holding escort cards at a wedding?


{Image by Heliotrope}

Outdoor Living

I came home yesterday to this catalog waiting for me in my mailbox. Normally, I take a quick breeze through and chuck it into recycling. But this time, I had to sit down, cozy up on the sofa, pour a cup of tea and grab a tissue to wipe my drool.

Outdoor living areas are apparently my new weakness. Do you have a room outside?


{Images by Restoration Hardware}

Radiance Lighting

Three reasons why it's great to be Hannah Nunn:

1. She lives in England and gets to take nature walks in the countryside and roam flower shops in her neighborhood to collect botanical inspiration...
2. For the lamps she designs and makes for a living...
3. To showcase at Radiance, a quaint little lighting shop she owns and lives a few minutes from in West Yorkshire.
   

Could life get any sweeter?  :)


{Images by Hannah Nunn}

Balloon Save-The-Dates

These save-the-dates make me happy. Designers, Jen and Kevin, got engaged in Paris, where the French short film, The Red Balloon was made. So they sent their wedding guests a big red balloon with simple instructions to inflate. What a perfect way to set the tone for a playful wedding.

{Images via Oh So Beautiful Paper via FPO}

5-Year Spring Flashback

Hope you all had a happy Easter, my sweets. Here's a lovely bit of Spring fashion to inspire your wardrobe this week. Can you believe this Vogue UK editorial came out in 2005? Guess it goes to show that florals, over-sized glasses, pom necklaces, hair flowers and feminine sweaters are timeless.


{Images via A Butterfly By Day via Fashion Gone Rogue by Carter Smith}

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter! Do you have any plans for the holiday? I hope it involves eating lots of chocolate bunny ears. Ciao, darlings! Feel free to entertain yourself with some weekend links...

Bake some cake-filled Easter eggs.

Or make a cute little sock bunny.

30 ways to make a grilled cheese...be prepared to drool.

Wool and the Gang will teach you how to knit.

Want to fall in love with Seattle too?

Cali friends, you'll love this desk.

Can paper towels get any cooler than this?

A crossword puzzle wall clock.

Free music and travel themed printable CD cases.

A charming charm necklace.

And some posts of mine you may have missed:

• Little Paper Birds
• 'Roid Week Favorites
• A Narnia Wedding

{Image by The Purl Bee}

Following The White Rabbit

Meet Gloria. She's a young Italian photographer, whose "I Heart White Rabbit" Flickr set reminds me of a haunting, yet beautiful dream. The Easter Bunny for grown-ups.


{Images via See Hear Say by _Acido}

Cascarones Confetti Eggs

In honor of Good Friday, here's a fun little Easter treat for you. Cascarones are hollow eggs filled with confetti. You crack them on the heads of unsuspecting people. Where were these when I was growing up? :)

{Images by Gracie's Eggies}

Sponsor + Giveaway: Bee Keeper Vintage

My dears, I'm super thrilled to announce my second sponsor, Bee Keeper Vintage! The lovely miss Leda, lives in Portland and hand-selects each yummy piece in her shop. She started collecting slip dresses to wear at home, bundling them up with a sweater, always admiring their timeless romance. To this day, her favorite items in her personal collection are 60's jackets and 70's red boots she still can't believe she owns.

I'm so glad she decided to start collecting to sell. Leda's shop is full of sweet, classic and whimsical pieces that would compliment any gal's wardrobe. I'm personally vying for those black knee-high boots, but sadly, I'd have to cut off my toes.

And exciting news for you...Leda is giving away a handbag, accessory, or houseware (with the exception of the patent faux-crocodile handbag) to one lucky reader of mine. You get to choose!

To enter:

1. Visit the Bee Keeper Vintage Etsy shop.
2. Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite store item.
3. Winner will be selected at random after Wednesday, April 7th, at midnight PST.

Good luck, loves!


** CONGRATS Julia, The Thanksgiving Girl - YOU WON! LUCKY #33 **