HAPPINESS IS...

Oversized Sweaters

Most all the sweaters I own are oversized. I love swimming in them. They're like warm knit oceans.

Have a cozy weekend, dear ones. Are you up to anything special? Starting tomorrow, don't forget to enter the 24 Merry Days giveaways at 79 Ideas and Fellow Fellow for a chance to win a $350 gift certificate from Kirribilla and a city print from Famille Summerbelle.

Enjoy the links...

How to knit a giganto blanket.

I want an entire wall of stored fireplace wood.

A bulb bouquet for winter brides.

How cute are these sleeping kitty studs and cat eye masks?

Make a simple and classy holiday ribbon star.

My two favorite advent calendars of the year: here and here.

Embroidered tea bags.

Love this handmade wedding backdrop.

Hungry for some scanwiches?

A pretty free printable to count your blessings.

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

• Splashes
• Making Salt
• DIY Crocheted Envelopes

{Image via Dotty Love}

24 Merry Days

Ready for some holiday cheer? Happiness Is will be one of 24 blogs hosting 24 giveaways for 24 Merry Days! 

Audrey, the mastermind behind the project, has rounded up an impressive list of bloggers and contributing brands, such as Ferm Living, Poketo, Lauren Moffatt, Oeuf NYC, Rifle Paper Co., Kinfolk, Umbra, and the list goes on and on. I'm so honored to take part.

Mark your calendar for December 9th! My giveaway day. Yep, that's a Sunday. I normally stay off the computer on weekends, but I'm making an exception to give you a chance for this...

Any queen-sized duvet and sham set from Crane & Canopy! I'm already trying to figure out how to rig this so I can win. Kidding, kidding.

Check out the rest of the gifts and prizes here. Excited? :)


{Pre-edited image by Frances Janisch for Sweet Paul}

Bicycle Taxidermy

I've noticed that taxidermy is all the rage these days. Thankfully, faux animal heads are taking a dominance over real ones. But mounted bicycle handlebars are even more clever and humane.

Regan began making them out of his London shop to preserve a sentimental vintage bike once owned by his father. They really look like antlers, don't they?


{Images via GBlog by Regan Appleton}

Mismatched Vintage Wedding Plates For Sale

It's time to say goodbye to my collection of beloved mismatched vintage china. I don't have room for them and my mom wants them out of her house.

In the year leading up to the wedding, we collected 118 dinner plates and 67 dessert plates from various thrift stores. They really looked lovely lined up on our long tables. I thought about renting them out to other brides in the area, but I don't want to deal with hauling and storing. It sort of breaks my heart to let them go. But I did sneak out my favorite set to keep!

Are you a Northwest bride or vintage rental business looking for a hand-picked collection of mismatched plates? I'm announcing it here before posting on Craigslist or wedding boards. We are asking $300 for the full lot, which is still cheaper than scouting them individually. And much more convenient.

Please email me if you're interested. First come first serve.

UPDATE: The plates have been sold!

Une Chanteuse Française

Some fun news, friends. In a few weeks, I'll be channeling my inner Bardot to sing a little French ditty for Bellefleur Lingerie's big 10th anniversary fashion show. I don't speak a lick of French, so memorizing nonsensical-to-me syllables is quite difficult, but I'm up for the challenge!

Hint: If you've seen the latest season 5 of Mad Men, you may know the tune! Any guesses? :)

During my inspiration search for performance attire, I came across this sultry photoshoot of the epitome of modern French glamour, miss Marion Cotillard, post La Vie En Rose. Stunning, no?

P.S. If you'll be in Seattle on December 16th and would like to attend the fashion show, here is the flyer for more information. There are only a few tickets left!


{Images via Le Figaro Madame by Dominique Issermann}

Counting Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving, loves. I just want to take a time-out before the festivities begin to count my blessings and express my gratitude for a few things on this earth...

• The tiny house I call my home.
• My husband in long johns. 
• Music that builds in intensity. 
• My grandmother's hand-knit throws. 
• The pounding rain on our roof. 
• My kitty's healthy purrrr.
• The openness of strangers. 
• My endless curiosity. 
• The warmth of my bed in the morning.
• My niece's exuberant giggles. 
• The dusty scent of old books.
• My besties' long-distance love.
• The wonder of the moon.
• My cold hands around a hot cup of tea.
• The remembrance of dreams. 
  

And I cannot forget you. My readers, friends and support. Thank you for always coming by.

Have a wonderful long weekend and I'll see you again on Monday. xo


{Pre-edited image by Annija Muizule}

Corn Pudding

This is the dish I'm making for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast. Hope it turns out! But really, how can you go wrong with corn, cream, and cheese?


{Images by Yummy Summer}

Thanksgiving Changes

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is just a few days away. My cousin, who used to host a large extended family celebration, moved out of state. So for the first time, our immediate family will have a smaller, more intimate gathering at my brother's home. The transition is perfect timing, now that little Ayana is here.

We'll be more in tune with my fantasy Thanksgiving from a few years back. Although I'd still like to feast outdoors, Kinfolk style, in the middle of a field or forest. Weather and logistics aside!

How will you be spending Thanksgiving this year?


{Images by Rachel Bean} 

Indoor Clouds

Pinterest has been blowing up my previous post on Cloud Lights. So if you were a fan of them then, you'll be happy to know that it's possible to make clouds without cotton, glue... or a potential fire!

Dutuch artist, Berndnaut Smilde, figured out how to create real cloud formations indoors. By using a fog machine in exact and controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting, a cloud will appear in the middle of a room. Sadly, it only lasts a few moments. But I suppose that's all the time you need to take one unbelievable photo.


{Images via TIME by Cassander Eeftinck Schattenkerk}

Rainy Weekends

Hooray for the weekend! It's supposed to rain here nonstop, but of course, that's alright by me. Have a good one darlings. And please enjoy the links...

Have you seen the new digital Polaroid camera?

This genius picnic bag slash blanket got funded!

Happy little 2-tone balloons.

7 of the world's best nano homes.

Look what fell off the cheeseburger tree.

Cool rural art installations.

Turn yourself into a figurine using a 3D photobooth.

A visual hi-fi history of turntables.

Would you write a love letter to a stranger?

Wishing I could experience Venice like this.

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

• My Interview With Cynthia Rowley
• Field Guide Butterflies
• An Edible Poster 

{Image by: Wish Wish Wish}

Illustrated Alphabets

The detail behind Anita's pencil-drawn alphabet prints are remarkable, right? You can tell she's an architect. I especially love her cities that come with a key describing each landmark. She's from Seattle, so lucky me, the Northwest is fully represented. Take a look at her Portland and Santa Fe prints as well. D.C., Chicago and San Fran are next. Wouldn't her custom illustrated alphabets make a wonderful gift?

P.S. 5 alphabet fonts.


{Images via Felt & Wire by Anita H. Lehman}

Bread On Bread

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with bread. But there's no hating here. Photographer, Nacho Alegre, turns baguettes into art by balancing loaves on top of each other to form zen-like structures. Aren't they amusing? He also plays with drinking glasses and teacups.


{Images via It's Nice That by Nacho Alegre}

Forest Bathing

I've always felt that a walk in the woods is good for the soul. But did you know it's also good for your health? They have a word for it in Japan: shinrin-yoku, which literally translates to "forest bathing". An immersion in nature.

This Japanese study that proves that we benefit from the way "trees and birds and sunsets gently tug, but never grab, at our attention." The act of allowing our minds to wander and become involuntarily engaged by our surroundings, combined with clean forest air and the essential oils emitted from trees, enhances immune function, reduces stress and lowers blood pressure.

Well then. I'm off to go bathe in the forest!


{Images via: 1. Abounding Happiness; 2. Thunk; 3. Little Savages}

Wood Burning Fireplaces

When it's chilly outside, one of my absolute favorite things to do is warm my toes in front of our wood burning fireplace with the cat and a good book. Over the weekend, I worked in a few hours of quiet time to do just this. Roaring flames plus crackling logs equals one happy Shan.

If you don't have fireplace in your home, here's the next best thing. And the second next best thing!


{Images via: 1. Gessato; 2. Evermotion; 3. Interior Design Magazine; 4. Arkidesi; 5. Desire To Inspire}

Skyfall

Can't wait to see Skyfall tonight. As you may know, I'm a James Bond fanatic. My dream is to write and sing the theme song one day. They're saying this film is the best one yet, which I can't wrap my head around because it will be hard to beat Casino Royale in my eyes.

Have a great weekend, friends! Please enjoy the links...

A collection of vintage Bond book covers.

How to make frozen ice lanterns.

This Portland home used to be a 1949 train car.

Host a hearty soup party.

Dr. Suess wedding inspiration.

A very cool cat-shaped kindergarten.

Have you heard of the Free Art Machine?

Hand-drawn TV show floor plans.

The music of stones.

What I'd like to make for dinner on Sunday.

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

• Succulent Cork Magnets
• Beauties on Bikes
• Musical Gardens

{Image via Society6 by Arian Noveir}

A Brussels Sprouts Plea

I made this pasta last weekend, with roasted brussels sprouts, apples from my parents' tree, and gorgonzola. It was delectable. However, I couldn't get Hal to go anywhere near it. He dislikes brussels sprouts with a passion. I even doctored them up with extra garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.

For my fellow brussels-lovers, how do you get a picky eater to try them? I wonder if grinding them into a pesto is the answer...


{Pre-edited images by The Kitchy Kitchen}

For The Makers

Last night, I went to my friend's house to watch the election. It was the first time I'd seen her new place, which was filled to the brim with things she had made. I tried to convince her, unsuccessfully, to start a blog or open up shop to share her creations with the rest of the world. But she makes things for herself. Simply because she loves it. I think that's awesome.

If you're a DIYer, have you seen For The Makers? Sign up and Janet and Katie will send you a monthly box of craft supplies and instructions for 4 different projects. To make anything from rubber stamps to jewelry to home decor. Such a great idea.


{Images by Janet Crowther and Katie Covington of For The Makers}

Dutch Houses

How darling are Jenna Postma's tiny ceramic Dutch house necklaces?

"Travel east or travel west, one's own house is still the best."
- Dutch proverb.

{Images via Bloesom}

Count For Nothing

German photographer, Katrin Korfmann, is the creator of this beautiful aerial series, Count For Nothing. What looks like a busy public space captured in a single moment in time, is actually a merged image of hundreds of shots layered on top of one another. Fascinating, right? This takes people watching to a whole new level.


{Images via LA I'm Yours}

Saying Thanks

What are you up to this weekend? We'll be diligently devoted to wedding thank-you cards. I feel guilty for taking this long to get them done. So to our generous guests, rest assured you'll be receiving our sincerest thanks in the mail shortly!

I hope you all have a relaxing few days. Please enjoy the links...

How to make edible photo lollipops.

Reason enough to be envious of Paris.

A sweet pumpkin proposal.

Have you heard about the iTypewriter?

Keep your kitty warm in the winter.

This couple had a Rice Krispies wedding cake.

10 hearty vegetarian pasta recipes.

Android users, I want your Field Trip app.

These pretty wellies would have come in handy this week!

A creature surprise in your coffee cup.

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

• Delicious Autumn
• Postcard Purses
• Gray

{Image by Karolin Schnoor}

Nature Appreciation

Before the heavy rains, I took a walk with my brother and neice last weekend. We took the secret trail from my house and over the Locks to eat apple butter toast in the botanical gardens.

It was really the first time I've had a chance to really notice how insanely beautiful our neighborhood is at this time of year. And I was deeply inspired. Here are a few of my photos paired with quotes to inspire you too.