HAPPINESS IS...

Coffee-Flavored Wedding Calligraphy

I was a bridesmaid in my girl Alissa's wedding last Saturday. She married her high school sweetheart! The groom owns a coffee shop and espresso bar catering company, so Love Is Brewing became their wedding theme. She asked me to help out with some calligraphy phrases to be used on coffee bean favors and handmade signs sprinkled throughout the venue, a few of which are above. The entire event was DIY perfection!

It finally feels like I'm coming into my own with calligraphy and lettering. I love the look of loose, quick, casual and modern letters - some connected, some not. Especially using watercolor as ink.

And I love seeing my work in weddings and events! If you know of anyone looking for a calligrapher, shoot me an email. Still working on my portfolio site, but I post most of my designs on Instagram. I'm open to any custom lettering jobs - escort cards, logos, invitations, menus, envelopes, you name it. Let's do it!

Etsy Faves 11: Mountain High

I went on a family camping trip this past weekend! Something we hadn't done together in 20 or so years - with a few additional family members this time around. One morning, we drove to the top of Mt Constitution to watch the sunrise. The view from the top was so spectacular, I'm still on a mountain high....

1. Mountain Range Stacking Rings by The Angry Weather
2. Wool Peaks Pillows by Three Bad Seeds
3. Chase The Fog Beanie by Wish You Were Northwest
4. Paint-By-Number Circle Art Block by Studio Liscious
5. Bronze Mountain Cuff by Tiny Amour
6. Return Address Stamp by Native Bear
7. Mountain Ridge Jewelry Display by Shlomit Ofir
8. Abstract Hand-Dyed Paper by Love and Lions Studio

Get Happy: Spirituality

Friends, did you know that people who consider themselves spiritual, are happier overall? Using the definition of spirituality as an inner belief system that a person relies on for strength and comfort, it makes perfect sense.

A University of British Columbia study found that children are happier when they feel that their lives have meaning and value. Numerous other studies, many conducted by agnostics, have also demonstrated a close link between spirituality and happiness. A strong internal life purpose enhances our wellbeing.

The only answer to our [unhappiness] is a pleasure which comes not from the body but from a place deep within us.

- Philospher: Al-Ghazali

I am grateful my mother led me down a loving spiritual path while I was young. Encouraging me to question the world, think for myself, and believe what feels true to me. Does it make me a happier person? I think so. It's this connection to a higher power, something greater than myself, that allows me to feel confident and secure with my place on this earth.

What do you think? Do you consider yourself spiritual? If so, does it positively affect your mindset? If not, in what other ways do you fill that space? Leave your comments below - I'd love to know!


GET HAPPY is a series of scientifically proven tips and tricks to boost your mood.
Click here to read more!

{Pre-edited image by: Love Warriors}

Our Anniversary Stay at Friday Harbor House on San Juan Island

For our 2nd anniversary, we took the Harley up to Anacortes and rode the ferry to San Juan Island.

The great thing about motorcycles on ferries? VIP Treatment! They're much cheaper than cars, and you're allowed to drive past all the other vehicles to the front of the line. First to board, first to exit, and first dibs on seating.

We immediately got to work on a community jigsaw puzzle to pass the time. A gaudy oil painting of cats! One hour (and major puzzle progress) later, we left the pieces in tact for the next brave ferry passenger.

Two blocks from the ferry terminal, we arrive at Friday Harbor House, a sweet little boutique inn that sits on a bluff overlooking the harbor. As you can see, the views are something else! 

We slipped on a dress / collared shirt and made our way to ground floor for a NW locally-sourced dinner at The Bluff. We sat down just as the sun was setting and ordered a bottle of red, sharing the brussels sprout salad with house-made ricotta with plums and hazelnuts, and the grilled romaine caesar salad with wild mushrooms and aged goat cheese. Strangely, there wasn't a vegetarian main entree, but Chef Aaron Rock made a special linguine for me with veggies so fresh, I would have guessed they were plucked directly from the earth mere moments before they were cooked and served on my plate.

Enticed by the enormous full moon, we took an evening stroll around Friday Harbor after dinner, bought some sweet treats, and returned to the room to snuggle by the fire and soak my sore motorcycle bum in theeee jetted bathtub of my dreams! See, this is what you dream about when you only have a shower at home.

In the morning, we feasted on The Bluff's continental buffet-style breakfast, filling our bellies with steel-cut oatmeal, chewy house-made granola, english muffins with raspberry jam and chamomile tea.

After breakfast, we walked to the harbor to release one of our guest book wish boats into the ocean, as we now do every year. Technically, we released it into the Puget Sound, but those sweet sentiments will reach the sea eventually!

San Juan Island has a 38-mile loop around the perimeter which makes for a perfect scenic bike ride, whether there's a motor attached or not! We bought sammies in Roche Harbor for a bite to eat in the sun, drove by Lakedale Resort where we glamped a few years back, and watched kayakers paddle around at Posey Island State Park. Arriving back at Friday Harbor just in time for an ice cream cone and the afternoon ferry home.

A lovely ride. A lovely stay. Celebrating 2 years of marriage with a most lovely man.

This post is sponsored by Friday Harbor House. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Life In Five: 09

Resting: after the 3 Little BIrds Open House. It was a smashing success! We only planned to hold two sample music classes, but ended up holding an additional class to accommodate everyone who showed up. We got some great feedback, learned what NOT to do (give kids loud drums when you're trying to provide instruction) and met an editor from Red Tricycle who wrote a feature on us!

Watching: HBO's Enlightened. Have you seen this show? It's a drama-comedy about Amy, played by Laura Dern, a quirky, self-destructive do-gooder who has a mental breakdown at her soul-sucking corporate job and finds spiritual enlightenment after attending a wellness rehab retreat. The cast and writing is phenomenal and I found myself strangely identifying with Amy throughout the series. Sadly, they canceled the show after only two seasons, despite winning Golden Globe awards. If you have Amazon Instant Video (through Amazon Prime), you can watch the entire series for free!

Cooking: one-pot pastas. In particular, Joy The Baker's One-Pot French Onion Pasta. Sweet, savory, carby goodness. Why have I never tried this technique before? I even tested it out with veggie marinara and the results were just as delicious. Not only does cooking everything in one pot create a thicker, heartier sauce, but it dramatically cuts down on the number of dishes to wash!

Reading: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Finally! My book club will be reading it together and I just downloaded the Kindle version. I've heard so many wonderful things, on top of it winning a Pulitzer. But at the same time, there have been some not-so-good reviews about a depressing ending. I'm eager to form an opinion of my own. I'm sure I'll appreciate it either way, since the writing, as far as I can tell, is superb. Have you read it yet?

Practicing: (and perfecting) a song on the ukulele to be performed at another best friend's wedding at the end of September. For their first dance! Such an honor, right? I should keep it a surprise for now, but I promise to reveal the song and upload a recording or video of it after the wedding. It's a sweet one!

What have you been up to lately, my loves?


{Image by Christopher Bachmann}

Our 2-Year Anniversary - And 2nd Wedding Video!

2 years! It's been 2 years since I married the love of my life! My, how time does fly. I still get misty thinking about that magical day. We'll be celebrating this weekend with an overnight stay on San Juan Island, underneath a September 8th full harvest moon ♥

Below is our 2nd never-before-seen wedding video by Son of Sharkpig. If you remember, the first one was all about the romance (watch it here). This one is all about the FUN!

Song is More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Starecase from our 2G4E Soundtrack.

NEW READER? CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE WEDDING SERIES

{Image by One Love Photo}

Four Things 11: Shibori Amour

In 5th grade, I was way ahead of the trends. I owned a matching indigo tie-dye shirt and leggings set. Not so cool then (worn together, how I did). Pretty cool now!

Shibori, the ancient Japanese dyeing technique, involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth, binding it, then dyeing it in indigo. A much more calculated art form than your average summer camp rubber band job. Here's a great tutorial if you're feeling crafty.

And four fun shibori items for your walls, tea towels, headboard and toddler! 

1. Shibori Wallpaper
2. DIY Indigo Dye Kit
3. Handmade Chabouki Baby Leggings - Fall shibori line available Sept 15th!
4. Shibori Headboard