HAPPINESS IS...

Pop Pop Portraits

This morning I sat and stared at my closet for a good 20 minutes. Anyone else do that?

The Pop Pop Portraits Etsy shop is a great little source for wardrobe inspiration. Aren't Helena's illustrations the cutest? She does custom work and will personalize you into a bite size fashionista!


{Images via ModLife}

Lace Cut-Out Pumpkins

       


Martha, Martha, Martha!

She did it again. Well, this craft was from a couple of years ago, but isn't it a wonderful non-spooky alternative to pumpkin carving? Love me some white pumpkins and colorful gourds.

P.S. If you don't have the patience to cut out lace patterns, there's always pre-cut faux pumpkins.


{Images by Martha Stewart}

A Book On Tasseology

I admit it, I had to look up the word Tasseology. It's the ancient art of tea leaf reading. I immediately thought of Harry Potter and his Hogwarts divination class taught by Professor Trelawney. Ah, I want to learn how to read tea leaves too!

Linna Xu has designed this very special book on the subject. I love the soft mug-shaped book cover, teacup cut-out, and tea bag bookmark. It includes a history, leaf reading instructions, a symbol guide, and a diary to record results. Isn't it beautiful?


{Images via Lushlee}

String Art Table Numbers

String art is so nostalgic for me. We had an original 70's string art starburst growing up. I've begged my folks to give it to me, but it has either been packed away in storage or collecting dust at the local Goodwill. Grrr. Guess I'll just have to make my own!

So I'm fascinated by the string art table numbers Nicole and Steven crafted for their wedding. They were inspired by a J. Crew storefront design. Learn how they made them on their website, Design Curiosities.


{Images via Oh So Beautiful Paper}

My 1st Blog Birthday Party + Giveaway For Everyone!

Hurray! My blog turns 1 today! Want to join my birthday party?

On October 5th of last year, I began Happiness Is... to fill the cracks of my days with a little more joy. I hoped in doing so, I'd reach out to others in the same way. One year later, I've somehow managed to acquire the most incredible blog friends a girl could ask for. Thank you for spending your time with me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, stories and encouragement.

I'm still wondering how on earth I have been able to blog 3x a weekday for 12 months straight. I'm taking the rest of the day off  ;)

As my small token of appreciation, I'd like to give each of you a free MP3 of my music **. You can choose any song you'd like from my band Lorelei's yet-to-be-released debut album.

Giveaway instructions:

1. Be a follower and/or subscriber of my blog.
2. Leave a comment below telling me which song you'd like.
3. Make sure to leave your email address.
4. Giveaway ends Monday, October 11th, at midnight, PST.

Enjoy the music my sweet readers!

** Please show your respect for me as an independent musician and don't burn the song to give to everyone you know. But feel free to play it for everyone you know. And their mama. Thanks!


{Images via Ozfan22}

Tyrone & Elina

I bet more than a few of you know the talented singer-songwriter, Tyrone Wells. But did you know that he is married to my friend from college, Elina? Back then, we called her Erin. And we sang together in the Sirens! :)

Tyrone & Elina just recorded and released a duet album, Different As Can Be. It's full of happy folk-pop tunes with close harmonies and sweet lyrics. I'm so happy for her! They're currently on tour together and you might be able to catch them live.

P.S. Tomorrow is my 1st blog birthday and I'll be giving away a little sumthin sumthin to celebrate!


{Images via Tyrone & Elina}

Handmade Wire Greeting Cards

I happened upon these delightful little blank cards by Miro Chun and just had to share. She makes them out of bits of wire and recycled cardstock. Something you don't see in stores every day. These cutie creatures, and many more, are available at her online shop.


{Images by Fold}

Inspirational Papercuts

Good monday morning, my dears. How about some lovely and encouraging papercuts to start the week off right. By 19-year old Elle from the Philippines.


{Images via Design Is Mine by Stealing Hearts}

Tango & Tapas

Do you have any exciting plans this weekend? Tonight, Hal and I are spending an evening in Buenos Aires to watch tango and eat tapas. It's a dinner show featuring Carlos Barrionuevo & Mayte Valdes, our future Argentinean tango instructors. We took lessons in LA and it has always been our special dance. We hope to take lessons here in Seattle soon. Have you ever tangoed?

Enjoy the weekend, my loves. Here are some weekend links...

Watch this adorable iPhone proposal.

Brilliant wall bubbles.

Would you be good at the typeface memory game?

The exciting life of cats.

A classy way to display your bike.

I need to start documenting my summers like this couple.

Cutie juice box packaging.

What do you think of this moss ring?

Book clutches by Kate Spade.

My new favorite snack.

And some posts of mine you may have missed:

• Wish Boats
• A Magical Forest
• Green

{Image via All Posters}

Brainstorming Costumes

Do you know what the first day of October means? Yes, pretty fall foliage, cozy knits, and pumpkin spiced everything. But for me, it means putting the pedal to the metal on figuring out my Halloween costume! It will be hard to top last year's. I'm kind of craving a cape.

We may be attending a Halloween party, themed: Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Which is hysterical, because that could be anything really  ;)

Have you started thinking about your costume yet?


{Images via Marie Claire Italia by David Bellemere}

A Mutable Magnetic Vase

I prefer simplicity when it comes to fresh flowers. A few stems on display look so clean and zen. This magnetic vase designed by Brandon Perhacs would look so perfect in my home. Don't you love how you can move the test tubes around to create your own unique arrangement?

P.S. Brandon also designed these sexy oil lamps in the same fashion!


{Images via Lichen}