HAPPINESS IS...

Ruche Fall 2010 Lookbook

The last day of August seems like the last day of October. It's gray and raining out and I actually wore a scarf this morning. But even if our summer might be over, at least I can look forward to fall, my favorite season for fashion.

Ruche's Fall 2010 Lookbook is getting me excited for short dresses, cozy feminine sweaters and boots with socks or tights. Is it fall yet where you live?

P.S. Create your favorite Ruche outfit and you could win $1000 cash from Polyvore or a $50 Ruche gift card!


{Images via Down and Out Chic}

The Classiest Caravan I've Seen

It's official. Hal and I have decided we must own an Airstream or vintage caravan at some point in our lives together. The interior will be impeccably designed like Caravanolic and Viceversa Interiorismo has done with this beauty. And we'll spend some time in every single United State. Hold me to it, kids!


{Images via Chic Deco}

Faces

I've always been fascinated by people's faces. They're my favorite subject to draw. These intimate Polaroid portraits are shot by Lou O' Bedlam, discovered by way of Melina's blog. I love how they pull you in and at the same time, make you feel slightly uncomfortable.

Do you ever find yourself hypnotized by someone you love's face? I do all the time. Even though I memorize every small line and curve of their features, I still find something new to admire  :)


{Images via Owl & Peacock by Lou O' Bedlam}

Seaside Sand Houses

One of my favorite sensations in the world is sand beneath my feet. Wouldn't you love to stay inside one of these charming seaside homes? Designed by Lisbon firm, Casa Areia was built by Aires Mateus Architects for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2010. The floors are composed of sand (with a warming device underneath) to seamlessly connect the interiors to the beach outside.


P.S. Tonight is your last chance to enter the Identity5 print giveaway!


{Images via Style-Files by Nelson Garrido}

A Pet Cloud

Where does one adopt a pet cloud? I want one. But it might make a bit of a mess on the floor!


{Images via ModLife by Michael Casker}

Rotary Phones

When I was a kid, we had a black rotary phone. And I remember silently cursing anyone who had a 9 in their phone number. But these brightly colored rotaries from Sweet Bella are just too cute to resist. They are original, unused phones from the 1950's British General Post Office.


{Images via Oh Happy Day}

My Freshman Year College Roomie

What are you up to this weekend? I'm spending mine with Carrie, my freshman year roomie at USC. We were randomly assigned together back in the day and we're still the best of friends. Pretty rare!

Our one and only "fight" was about whether to turn our dorm beds into bunks or not. I wanted bunks so we could fit a couch in the room. She didn't. We didn't talk for days, so I finally gave in. So silly, but oh-so important at the time! We still tease each other about it.

If you went to college, are you still close with your freshman year roomie? Enjoy the weekend links my dears!

A lovely collection of French book covers.

This water meditation really calms the mind.

I kid you not, a wall of bikes.

Clever table wine package design.

An incredible garden of knowledge.

I'd love to spend the rest of summer here.

Anyone know where to find these recycled denim Converse?

A habitable polyhedron house.

This beautiful couple fell in love on a school bus.

Do you remember your first kiss?

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

• Love Sugar Owl Prints
• An English Countryside Cottage
• An Umbrella

{Image via You're Dangerous and Beautiful}

Mindy's Hot Chocolate

Absolute genius package design by Kyle Tezak for Mindy's Hot Chocolate. Don't you love how you can peel back the label to reveal the pin-up's lingerie? How chocolate saucy!


{Images via The Dieline}

Zumba

I'm going to channel my inner Carmen Miranda and take a Zumba class tonight. If you're unfamiliar, Zumba is a latin dance fitness program where you learn choreographed moves to salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton and samba music.

One of my best friends from high school is a certified Zumba instructor and I've been meaning to take her class for awhile now. I'm so excited to shimmy and shake it! Thinking of showing up in a tutti frutti hat. What do you think?  ;)


{Images via The Fashion Spot by Camilla Akrans from The NY Times T Style Magazine Holiday 2008}

Custom Wedding Posters

Note to self: Have a custom vintage-style poster designed by Ello There for my future wedding. Yesiree.

{Images by Seth & Maddy}

A Carpet of Fresh Flowers

If only we could have flower carpets under our beds. Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up every morning smelling fresh blossoms and feeling the cool soft petals under our feet?  :)

{Images via Design Love Fest by Kate Nikolaeva}

The Life of a Housewife

I find these photos quite beautiful in a lost and moody sort of way.

If I were a housewife, I'd never fall prey to the Betty Draper blues. I'd revel in my freedom to do whatever my heart desires. Of course I'd have my responsibilities. But not having to bring home a paycheck would allow me the time sing and paint and write and cook and read. For the sheer joy of it.

What would you do if you were a housewife... I mean, domestic goddess?  :)


{Images via T Spoon of Sunshine by Julia Galdo & Cody Cloud}

Sponsor + Giveaway: Identity5 Art Prints

I have a real treat for you today! I'm a fan of modern and minimalist pop art, so I'm thrilled to announce my newest Featured Sponsor, Identity5, a design studio that produces fabulous graphic art prints on canvas.

You'll notice that the pieces are grouped together by color and theme, so multiple prints look great next to each other on the wall. And since each print is a limited edition, they'll always be unique.

Identify5 is giving away one small-sized print of your choice!

Giveaway instructions (read carefully):

1. Please be a follower and/or subscriber of my blog.
2. Visit Identity5 and leave a comment below, telling me your favorite print.
3. Additional entry: Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave 2nd comment below.
4. Additional entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a 3rd comment below.

A winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on this post after Tuesday, August 31st, midnight PST.

Good luck!

** Congratulations Juju of Tales of Whimsy and Vintage Wham-Wham! You were lucky number 9! Thanks to everyone who participated! **

Leaf Silhouettes

How sweet are these custom leaf silhouettes by Jenny Lee Fowler?  I bet they take a delicate hand and a lot of patience. I think I want one of my cat. She has the cutest profile.

I personally hate my own silhouette. Jenny, do you do leaf nose jobs?  


{Images via A Room Somewhere}

Living Here

I'm making myself at home in Viviana's home. Actually, the style and colors are eerily similar to my own, which I promise to one day show you. You know how house projects go!  ;)

She has such wonderful vintage pieces. Doesn't her home make you want to go thrifting?

{Images via Jenn Ski by Viviana}

Rudy

I'm pet-sitting this little dude for the next few days. Meet Rudy, my parents' pup! He's a 3-year old Parson Russell Terrier. And he's a handful. But cuteness trumps everything :)

Steamline Luggage

To make my sore muscle situation even more comical, the rolling handle of my current suitcase has officially refused to come out. So picture me hobbling around the airport trying to lug my weekender from gate to gate without wheels. If that isn't cause for new luggage, I don't know what is. And this vintage-inspired coral SteamLine set is calling my name!

P.S. Tonight is your last chance to enter the Shabby Apple dress giveaway!

{Images via Lake Jane}

1000 Paper Cranes

I love projects like these. Sandy was so inspired by "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr, she decided to make 1000 paper cranes to place around the city for others to find and admire. On each crane is a word of inspiration to brighten someone's day.

So if you're in the New Jersey area and happen upon a little crane, let Sandy know on her blog. She only asks that you place the crane somewhere else for another person to discover.

Wouldn't it be incredible if the cranes found their way across the U.S.?


{Images via: 1. Serendipity; 2. Love Life; 3. Fairy Bread; 4. Tumblr; 5. Depravity's Cute; 6. Tumblr}

Being Alive

Oh, how I've missed you!  I'm back from Utah and I'm happy to be alive.  I guess that's what happens when you have a near-death experience!

If you followed my Tweets, you'd know that our mountain excursion was a doozy.  The 30% chance of rain turned into Utah's worst summer thunderstorm in history.  After hours of excruciating vertical hiking and rock climbing, we finally made it to the top of Mt Olympus as a black cloud formed over the bride and groom's head.  The vows were rushed and as the rain started to fall, it was every man and woman for themselves.

In a matter of seconds, the temperature dropped 20 degrees, rain turned into hail, lightning crashed, thunder boomed, and Hal and I found ourselves hanging off a cliff (in shorts and tank tops) as flash flood mudslides pounded down upon our heads.  The next few hours were a painful hypothermia-induced blur, but somehow, we made it down the mountain with no real injuries other than stiff joints and sore muscles.  By the time we got to the car, it was 90 degrees out.  Like the storm never happened!

We were able to laugh about the experience later that evening while soaking in the hot tub.  They do say rain on your wedding day is a good omen.  If that's truly the case, they'll be one lucky couple!


{Image via Cocoa Chu Chu by Caroline Tran}

Flying To Utah

Dear friends, I'll be on a plane by the time you read this. I hate to leave you so soon this week, but it's Utah mountain top wedding time! I've got my hiking boots and a swimsuit. The necessities, really.

I'm mostly looking forward to Friday. Hal and I are planning an all-day play day. Driving from Salt Lake City to Snowbird to whoosh down an alpine slide, ride a zip line, bounce on a bungee trampoline, and make fools of ourselves on a mechanical bull. Among other things.

I'll be Tweeting my adventures if you'd like to come with. See you again on Monday!

P.S. I didn't have time to give you weekend links, so here's your chance to catch up on the rest of my posts, in case I overwhelm you with my blogging frequency!  ;)

{Image by Anna Dykema}

Sponsor Giveaway: Shabby Apple Dresses

Hi loves! I want to thank everyone who commented on my last Shabby Apple post. My brother and I are incredibly flattered by your sweet words. I still don't know how I got such supportive blog friends!

For the 2nd Shabby Apple shoot, Christopher photographed me wearing the La Tour Eiffel dress at our neighborhood marina. For an hour of my life, I was a sophisticated French mademoiselle visiting Seattle on my around-the-world yacht excursion. Quite an enjoyable fantasy :)

If you'd like to win any Shabby Apple dress of your own, here are the giveaway instructions:

1. Please be a follower and/or subscriber of my blog.
2. Visit Shabby Apple and leave a comment below.
3. Additional entry: Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave 2nd comment below.
4. Additional entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a 3rd comment below.

A winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on this post after Monday, August 23rd, midnight PST.

Good luck!

** Congratulations Susan of The Slender Grasshopper! You were lucky number 78! Thank you to everyone who participated and for all your lovely comments. You can still get 20% off Shabby Apple with this code at checkout: Summer20 **


{Images by Christopher Bachmann Photography}

{Hat by H&M; Belt by American Apparel; Shoes are vintage; Sunglasses are vintage}

Polaroid Emulsion Lifts

I'm completely captivated by these dreamy nature images by Corinne Heraud. She specializes in "lifts", where a Polaroid has been soaked in hot water until the top emulsion layer floats off the backing.

As soon as I get film for my new Polaroid camera, I'd love to play around with this process. However, I'm sure it's a lot harder than it looks!


{Images via Darjeeling Dreams by Corinnero}

Sneaky Snickers Cookies

Hal made us these cookies the other night. Sinful. I thought they were regular peanut butter cookies, but ohhhh no. Bite size Snickers are hidden in the middle. Super sneaky.

You should try them. You might die a little.

{Image via The Cooking Photographer}

A Palm Springs Trailer Park

Probably the coolest trailer park on earth. Photographed by Jeffrey Milstein, all these little abodes started off as post WWII trailers. Over the years, the proud owners added on to their homes, creating the cutest mid century time capsule neighborhood. Gotta love Palm Springs... there's really no other place like it!


{Images via The Jealous Curator}

Reading In The Park

Wooo, it's Friday! I plan on squeezing in some ME time. I want to go to the park and finish reading my book under the shade of a tree with some cheese, a baguette and iced tea.

Do you have any relaxing plans? Have a good one my lovelies, and enjoy the weekend links...

Song charts keep me giggling all day.

A DIY mason jar chandelier.

I vote YES on the floating pool in New York!

Genius porcelain ice cream cones.

A bus with with its own hand knit sweater.

Coveting the Anthro bow boots.

A storybook hotel in Austria.

Anyone know where these colorful water slides are located?

Wishing I were Jennifer Aniston for a night.

What a CD Sea looks like.

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

• Mod Style Divans
• Natalie Wood
• Leg Art

{Image via Pop Sugar by Eve Arnold}

The Birds & The Bees

The birds and the bees of music by Bandito Design. Pure radness. My world is now complete  :)

{Images via Altruism In The Morning by Ryan Brinkerhoff}

West Elm Bedrooms

It had been awhile since I took a peak around West Elm. Taking Victoria's advice, I popped over there this morning and am thoroughly impressed with the styling. These four bedrooms are calling my name. Don't you sometimes wish you could live in a catalog?  :)

{Images by West Elm}

Mountain Top Marriages

Not too long ago, Hal's best friend called him and said, "Hey man, I'm getting married in 2 weeks. Can you guys make it?" Men and their spontaneity!

So we'll be flying out to Utah next Wednesday. And hiking up 5 miles to witness the couple's vows on top of the world. How romantic and sweaty. Would you get married on a mountain top?

** UPDATE: If you're wondering how the wedding went, read about our death defying adventure here.

{Image by Our Labor of Love}

White

Looking out the window and all I see is white. We're getting a mysterious marine layer today, gently moving through the city like a magic potion. It's strangely beautiful.

{Images via: 1.Yosigo;  2. Holy-Moly!;  3. TrendLand;  4. Karok;  5. La Bella Vita;  6. Forum.hr;  7. Beauty In Everything;  8. This Is Glamorous}

DIY - Paperbacks Into Hardbacks

I have more than a few beat up (well-loved) paperback books that could use a makeover. And I'm amazed at how simple this DIY project is. All you need is cardboard, fabric, a glue stick and an ink-jet printer. Pretty cool, huh?


{Images via Ohdeedoh}

Poolga Wallpapers

I had to tear myself away from Poolga. They have a massive collection of wallpapers by well-known artists for iPhones, iPod Touch and iPads. Now... if I only had an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad!

{Images via Calico & Co. by: 1. Lim Heng Swee;  2. Blanca Gomez;  3. LEG/KOV;  4. Chloe Killen;  5. Javier Arce;  6. Eika}

Clean Teeth

Just got back from getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist. They feel all polished and pretty. Look ma, no cavities!


{Image via Revolutionary Bliss}

A Play Outside Party

Man, I want to attend a Play Outside Party! Duck feeding, scavenger hunt, walnut boats and more. Nevermind the fact that this one was thrown for a 3-year old! Age, schmage.


{Images via Hip Hip Hooray by Meredith of Lily Jane}

Love At The Community Pool

I give Kelsey and Buck major props for bearing all in their bathing suits for their engagement photos. Photographer, Stone Crandall (Kelsy's brother and Buck's buddy), captured their quirky personalities so well.

Can't you just smell the chlorine?


{Images via Green Wedding Shoes by Stone Crandall Photography}

An Orange Bowl

Fiona eats her vanilla ice cream out of a hollowed orange. Topped with orange pulp. Perfection.


{Images by Fee-AMore}

Bird Cage Decor

There's something so beautiful about a birdcage. Without the birdies.


{Images via: 1. Duet Weddings; 2. Sanctuary; 3. Samantha Lamb; 4. Inspiring Decor; 5. Mavric; 6. A Mad Tea Party With Alis; 6. Selina Lake Stylist; 7. Fashion Fillers; 8. Stay Forever Sunday; 9. Design*Sponge; 10. Wet Behind The Ears}

The Postcard Crossing Project

How have I just now discovered Postcrossing? If you sign up and mail out a postcard, you'll magically receive one back from a random person somewhere in the world. You could amass quite a collection this way. And possibly make new international friends.

I would love to brighten someone's day with one of these wooden postcards. Maybe that person will be you?  ;)


{Image by Merulapie}

EmersonMade BlueBell Jeans

 
My favorite pair of jeans are the Levi's Re-issued Bell Bottoms, which I purchased around 2 years ago and sadly, they no longer make.

So I'm happy to see that EmersonMade, has (a) started a clothing line, and (b) are bringing back the bell! A blessing for us long-legged ladies with big feet. Or shorter-legged ladies who live in platform heels.


{Images by EmersonMade}

Mix Tape Art

Nothing says love like a mix tape. Did you ever make them or receive them back in the day? I once received a mix tape from a guy after our first (and last) date. It was filled with horrendous Top 40 R&B jams and was doused in his cologne.

Maybe if he used the artwork of Jeremy & Jamie of Atherton Lin, that mix tape wouldn't have gone in the trash. And just maybe, he would have gotten a second date. But probably not.


{Images via Where The Lovely Things Are}

Blue Angels

I would be more excited for the the weekend, but it's cold, cloudy and sprinkling out. Some August! I'm going to try to make the most of it and enjoy Seafair, Seattle's big annual summer festival. If the skies clear, we want to watch the Blue Angels air show, hopefully from a friend's boat!

I wish for you a happy weekend with plenty o' sunshine! Here are some links for your amusement...

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.

If you have a balcony, apartment dwellers can BBQ!

Rad crossword puzzle wall art for kids.

Doesn't this girl look strikingly similar to Rachel McAdams?

The coolest infinity pool I've ever seen.

Neon green should come back in style.

Want a sneak a peak inside the Mad Men wardrobe closet?

Dreams may become reality if you believe in yourself.

Sofas made up entirely of pillows.

Want to smile?

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

• Mossy Spots
• Abandoned Houses
• Retro Collages

{Image by Richard Thompson III}

Mother Maria Organic Amour

Love the Organic Amour Dress from Mother Maria. Soft and short and sweet. Do you think I could get away with walking around the city with an orange parasol? :)

{Images via Miles of Style by Moffatt Photography}

The Bookmobile

Can I just retire tomorrow, restore The Bookmobile, and spend my days delivering books to all? Please say yes.


{Photos via That Wondrous Time by Jen Zahigian}

Paris, Baking & Lazy Sunday Prints

These prints by Emily Dumas make my day. She's a graphic designer in Boston who owns her own stationary and print shop, Flowers In May. Aren't they fantastic?


{Images via Uppercase}

Couples Spark Relationship Advice

Have you heard of this new online couple's therapy? If you're in a relationship and have a dispute, each of you can tell your side of the story at Couples Spark. The rest of the world (aka "refs") will review both sides of the argument side by side and vote on which partner they agree with.

I find this hilarious! I can see how it'd be helpful if you're having a little tiff. It might be nice to know what neutral third parties think about lighthearted situations. Heavy stuff? Maybe not. But to each their own.

Would you ever leave your relationship problems in the hands of strangers?


{Image via Bippity Boppity Boo}

Mini Balloon-In-A-Box Invitations

One of these days, I'd like to try out this adorable mini balloon-in-a-box invitation. They remind me of the balloon save-the-dates, but are possibly even cooler.

Apparently, you'll need special 5" balloons, which will hold the helium for a couple of hours. This means they'll need to be hand-delivered. But that's fine by me. Seeing reactions is the best part, right?  :)


{Images by On-Hand + Modern}

Sponsor: Shabby Apple

Yep, that's me! The lovely online dress boutique, Shabby Apple, sent me their sweet Bugle Boy dress to play in. So I grabbed my photographer brother and ventured off into my backyard park to frolic in the fields.

If you make the blog rounds, I'm sure you've seen the delightful array of Shabby Apple designs. Their dresses are just how I like them. Flirty yet classy with a retro twist. Mine was incredibly comfy. The top feels like a t-shirt while the tweed skirt is full of bounce. And pockets, people!

I chose the one I'm wearing because it's part Carrie Bradshaw and part La Tour Eiffel, the dress you'll see me wearing in a couple weeks when I hold a Shabby Apple giveaway! So you can have a dress too  :)

Stay tuned!


{Images by Christopher Bachmann Photography}

Hindsvik Industrial Goodies

Daniel and Valeria of the vintage industrial decor shop Hindsvik really get it right, don't they? I'd love a few of these oddities scattered about my home.

P.S. They're having a mid-summer sale!


{Images by Hindsvik Flickr}

Button Appreciation

I'm not quite sure what it is about Lola's buttons. But they remind me of little people. Various shapes, sizes and colors. Sometimes colliding into one another. Sometimes standing alone. But always part of a beautiful collective whole.


{Images via Deerlings & Ghosts}

A Deck of Dreams

Wowza. It's like the entire home was designed around the deck. This beach house stunner was built in Finland by Huttunen–Lipasti–Pakkanen Architects. Can it possibly get any better than this?

I'm adding to my dream house check-list... ginormous deck with a secret hidden fire pit!


{Images via Contemporist by Marko Huttunen}

Questions For You - Who Was Your Very First Best Friend?

I've been missing my besties. And since it's been awhile since my last Questions For You, I'm in the mood to hear your stories.

My question(s) for you:

1. Who was your very first best friend?

2. Are you still friends?

My Answer... Renee. We were neighbors growing up. Both our families moved away and we naturally lost touch. But thanks to the magical world of Facebook, we reconnected online decades later. It's kind of strange, because I don't even remember that much about her. She now has the cutest baby girl of her own. But to me, she'll always be my little blond friend with the big toothless grin.


{Image via We Heart It}