Tonight, we're sampling our wedding menu! My mouth is already watering. Remember when I was going to multiple tastings and having a difficult time deciding on which caterer to hire? We eventually went with Seattle's infamous food truck, Skillet. Mainly because they're unstuffy and creative with their ingredients. And who doesn't love the vintage Airstream trailer kitchen?
We're doing a family-style buffet for an al fresco sit-down dinner. Luckily, the chef was open to a few of our recipe ideas in order to fulfill my vegetarian-heavy gourmet comfort food requests. And the menu? I'm dying to spill the beans, but some things must be kept a surprise. One thing's for sure. This bride will eat!
{Images by 1-2, 4-5: Mastin Studio 3: Laurel McConnell}
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July 2012
July 31, 2012
Sampling The Menu
July 30, 2012
Door Embroidery
I'm noticing a trend. Embroidered everything! Postcards, sofas, and now doors. Manchester mixed-media artist, Sarah Greaves, calls her work embroidered graffiti, vandalizing not just doors, but every day objects with thought provoking text.
{Image via My Modern Met}
July 27, 2012
The Opening Ceremony
Are you excited for the Opening Ceremony tonight? Hal and I are huge Olympics fans. And even more so this year, since London is my other happy place. We're going to glue ourselves to the telly and feast on British grub. Are you planning to watch?
Have a celebratory weekend, my friends! Here are your links...
Did you ever hold your own Olympics as a child?
A funky Olympia headpiece to wear while you watch!
My favorite Jenny Packham dress dyed blue.
A fancy lake shack.
10 great vegetarian cookbooks.
Would you ever wear a formal jumpsuit?
3 tricks to turn any dish gourmet.
Have you seen the salty-watermelon Pepsi?
Sarah Seven's in Seattle!
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Images by A Small Snippet}
July 26, 2012
Yoga Engagement Photos
Here's an engagement session you don't see every day. Kelsey and Isaac are doing acro-yoga, which I'd never heard of until now. It's a partner style practice that combines acrobatics and thai massage. It's supposed to be great for couples who want to build trust and foster a sense of play.
I'd like to think Hal and I would enjoy this. But knowing us, we'd be laughing too hard to hold the poses. Have you ever taken acro-yoga before?
{Images via Junebug by Kiera Eve Photography}
July 25, 2012
Miami Beach Huts
Don't you just love this series? French photographer, Léo Caillard, has uniformally captured the Miami beach huts that were whimiscally rebuilt after Hurricane Andrew destroyed the original lifeguard towers in 1992.
{Images via It's Nice That by Leo Caillard}
July 24, 2012
My Surprise Bridal Shower
Over the weekend, I thought I was going to a girls "happy hour" at my friend's house. But when I walked through the door, I nearly jumped out of my pants! My sweet bridesmaids, Kate and Tara, threw me a surprise bridal shower! I teared up when I saw the smiling faces of my mom, sis-in-law, her mom, my cousin, and a few more dear friends who all pitched in to help. Even Hal was in on the secret and strategically made me arrive late!
The theme was "Shan In Wonderland". Everyone brought me a vintage piece of china to use at the wedding. There were pom flowers hung on trees with money inside! Yummy tea party treats. Rare Polaroid cameras. A puppy in a princess costume. A dragonfly. A ladybug. My baby niece Ayana. And no bridal shower would be complete without a toilet paper wedding dress fashion show. I was the judge. Gina, shown above, clearly won.
Good work girls! You went above and beyond.Thank you again for showing me how much you care. I'm still on cloud nine from all the love. xo
{Images by: 1, 4-7, 9. Kate Perkins; 3. Evi Feltus}
July 23, 2012
Let Your Dinner Be A Poem
“Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress.”
- Charles Pierre Monselet, French journalist
{Images by Alexander Crispin}
July 20, 2012
The Big Birthday Boy
A cutie pie then. A cutie pie now. Hal's birthday is today and although people think he's in his mid-twenties, he's actually turning, dun dun dun... thirty-nine. Not quite the big one, so we'll keep it low key until next year's mega bash. The universe has gifted him a wild summer thunderstorm, so we'll probably stay cozy indoors. He has requested The Dark Night Rises at Cinebarre if the lines aren't too long.
Have a fun weekend, loves! Please enjoy the links...
5 DIY indoor herb gardens.
Gold medal cookies for the Olympics.
Kitty paw earrings and a cat ear ring.
A sweet heart-shaped meadow love story.
These plastic hats were a real thing?
Trying out this taco recipe soon.
Is it weird that I want a hoodie pillow?
3 fresh twists on the old ponytail.
People leaning with trees.
Would you wear a gold wedding gown?
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
July 19, 2012
Family Road Trips
I got all giddy after finishing the summer issue of Wayfare Magazine. Mostly from the article on Rachel's 10-day family road trip through New Zealand in a Volkswagon van. It reminded me of my family's camping trips from childhood. And Hal and I talk about renting an Airstream and driving across the country when we have littles of our own one day.
If you're a fellow wanderluster and haven't yet checked out Wayfare, you're in for a real treat. It's a beautiful online travel magazine that emphasizes the journey over the destination. They plan to release their first print edition this fall and you can pre-order one here. I really enjoyed editor-in-chief, Erica Dublin's introduction:
"As I plan getaways for my own family, I am falling in love with simple travel all over again. Like camping or cross-country road trips, I love the opportunity to stop and visit friends and family as we go. I see now that the value of a trip cannot be determined by five-star amenities. It is about the people you travel with and the memories that are gathered along the way."
{Images via Wayfare Magazine by Rachel Thurston}
July 18, 2012
The Perfect Summer Salad
Have you seen a more perfect summer salad? It might also be the prettiest. Ilana knocked it out of the park with the presentation on this one. Get the recipe here. Who can resist a juicy geometrical plate of watermelon, avocado, and cheese?
P.S. I finally created a Facebook page for Happiness Is, so you can easily stay updated on posts. Please go get your LIKE on! :)
{Images via Whisked by Ilana Freddye}
July 17, 2012
Lash Extensions
Ladies, have you ever gotten lash extensions? I'm trying them out before my wedding and I have to say, they're pretty awesome. No more mascara. No more eye liner. No more lash curler. My morning make-up routine only takes about 1 minute now, no lie.
If any Seattle gals are interested, my esthetician friend, Olivia, will apply them from her home for half the price salons charge. She's a doll. Super professional, friendly and quick. Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you her contact info!
{Image by Olivia Graham, edited by me}
July 16, 2012
Mod Cat Prints
Stylish kitties in retro rooms. I'm always a sucker for mod cat art. Kerry Beary's giclee and gocco prints are darling, no?
P.S. Bailey update: she's feeling so much better! For you sweet readers who were concerned, I took my kitty in for her 1-month check-up after being diagnosed with kidney disease, she gained an entire pound, and both her BUN and Creatinine levels were drastically lower. I don't know whether it's the reiki, the prescription food, the sub-Q fluids, the nutritional supplement, or the herbal Tripsy. But something is working! It's probably a combo of everything, including your healing thoughts and love. I'm one happy cat mama.
{Images by Kerry Beary}
July 13, 2012
Swinging From A Cloud
Have a summery weekend, kids. Hope you're up to something fun! Here are a few links for your amusement...
Watermelon grilled cheese bites.
My little Bailey would love this.
My favorite film dress of all time.
Would you wear a mermaid tail?
6 apps for date night.
How to build a thumb piano.
Beautiful handpiece jewelry.
Mr. Rogers remixes are the best.
The perfect wavy hair.
Anthropologie's summer playlist.
And some posts of mine you may have missed...
{Image via The Paris Apartment}
July 12, 2012
The Lover Wiccan Dress
I thought the Muse dress was my favorite piece from Lover's White Magick line. But now, after seeing these images of Jessica strolling down the streets of Florence in the Wiccan asymmetrical lace dress, I've changed my mind. Isn't it gorgeous? If I could afford a second wedding gown for dancing, this would be it.
{Images via Tuula by Zanita Morgan}
July 11, 2012
Ch-Ch-Changes
It's fairly obvious, but I was ready for some changes 'round here. My old blog design was getting on my nerves. For the first time since starting Happiness Is in 2009, I decided to freshen up this space. Please bear with me as I'm still tweaking a few things.
So far, I'm really happy with how it looks. What do you think? I kept the layout the same, but designed a new header, switched out heavier colors for lighter ones, eliminated the background and changed the profile pic.
I wanted to simplify and declutter. My goal was for people to land here and feel a sense of calm and peace. I hope that comes across.
{Image via Tenka Gammelgaard}
July 10, 2012
A Lighthouse Home
I'm not sure why the Smith Point Lighthouse is still for sale. If I lived anywhere near Maryland or Virginia, I'd be packing up my things and moving right in. Literal 360 degree views! Granted, you'd have to trade in your car for a boat, but I've been wanting to do that anyway. Would you ever live in a lighthouse?
{Images via Smith Point Lighthouse}
July 9, 2012
The First Dance
Robin's wedding was a fairy tale. Especially their first dance. She and Tony floated across the dance floor to So This Is Love, from Cinderella (1950). It was perfectly Robin. She's always had soft spot for old Disney movies and we still sing the classic princess solos together to this day. Watching her dance with her own Prince Charming, I had a lump in my throat the whole way through.
So this is love, Mmmmmm
So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, Mmmmmm
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine
My heart has wings, Mmmmmm
And I can fly
I'll touch every star in the sky
So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
Mmmmmm
Mmmmmm
So this is love
Hal and I are still deciding on our first dance song. If you're married, which tune did you choose? And if not, is there a song you've always dreamed of dancing to?
{Image via The Disney Princesses}
July 6, 2012
My Maid Of Honor's Wedding
I can't believe this day has come. Robin, my lovely maid of honor, is getting married in Santa Rosa on Saturday. It's going to be the most beautiful wine-themed wedding. She got engaged after me and when she set her date for two months before mine, I was worried she'd be too stressed out for both roles. But she has been extremely supportive throughout this entire process and somehow executed my bachelorette weekend in the midst of her own wedding planning. She is so selfless and deserving. I'm incredibly proud to stand by her side as she marries the man of her dreams.
By the time you read this, I'll be in California. So have a happy weekend, dear ones. I'll see you again on Monday. xo
{Image via Style Me Pretty by Jose Villa}
July 5, 2012
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay
From the dock at my Grandma's old house on Lake Stevens was one of the most spectacular fireworks shows we've ever seen. And they weren't even professional. Each house along the water shot off their own stand-bought fireworks. It was as if each neighbor was trying to outdo each other. We settled in our lawn chairs at the end of the dock and everywhere we looked was a new colorful explosion, the best ones right overhead. We'll never be able to view the fireworks from this spot again, since her house will be put on the market this summer. Very bittersweet.
July 4, 2012
Independence Day
Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! Are you up to anything exciting? The sun is out so we'll be dressing up in some red, white & blue, hitting up a friend's BBQ during the day, then watching a fireworks show from the dock of my Grandma's old house on the lake. Oh how I love the 4th of July.
{Image via Burlap and Basil}
July 3, 2012
A Wild Child
Well hello, cutie handmade wild child jackets from Little Goodall. I can't pick a favorite: fox, owl, bear, lion or dinosaur? If only you were made in size full-grown woman!
P.S. On the subject of animals... I received such wonderful advice yesterday from those of you who have gone through a similar experience with your own kitties. It's nice to know I'm not alone in dealing with this unfortunate disease. Bailey and I are both so grateful for your comments, emails and support. xo
{Images via Fox In The Pine by Molly Goodall}
July 2, 2012
Cat Reiki
I'm learning cat reiki. Sounds crazy, I know. But before you judge, let me start from the beginning. My little Bailey stopped eating a few weeks ago. She was drinking excessive water and had lost quite a bit of weight. So I brought her into the vet for some blood work and she was diagnosed with stage 2 chronic renal failure / kidney disease.
Although I didn't reveal it here on the blog, I was heartbroken. It was the worst news imaginable in an already emotional year. Should I stop her suffering? Should I give her meds and fluid injections every day for the rest of her life? Will that even help? Will she hate me because of it? My sweet baby was dying.
At the time this was going on, I reached out to my friend, Jess, who told me her own kitty was diagnosed with the same thing a few years ago. And to the shock of her vet, the kidney disease was reversed! I was in awe. How in the world?
Jess told me her secret. Energy healing, taught to her by her grandmother. Most people refer to it as reiki, a complimentary therapy used to treat disease, pain and illness using universal energy and love. I'm fascinated. Now I'm reading all sorts of books on the subject, and Jess shared with me her own personal techniques. I've tried a few sessions on Bailey and she's already eating better. It gives her peace. And it gives me hope.
Have you had a feline friend with kidney disease? Have you ever done energy healing on your pets? If you've been through something similar, I'd love to hear your stories.
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