Family Photo

I absolutely LOVE this family photo shoot. The color coordination is obviously very thought out, bright, and makes for a fantastic shot! Bravo Design Mom!My mom was all about the photo-shoot growing up, she'd buy my sisters and I coordinating outfits, hair bows, you name it. At the time we hated it, and sighed, rolled our eyes, and mustered up big toothy grins just for mom...but now it's wonderful to look back and see those moments preserved in time.
images/designmom

Clutch Move

Clutches are my favorite kinds of purses. While there is always that possibility of setting it down and misplacing it, I have yet to lose one (knock on wood). Loving this dainty fern clutch by inleaf for it's casual femininity. Since most of my clutches are black, ideal for a night out on the town, this one is perfect for a Spring soiree.

image/inleaf

Disney Dazzle

I find I'm always excited to discover the latest "Disney Dream" ad when flipping through a random magazine. What a concept, recreating our favorite Disney movies with celebrity stand-ins, it's a constant guessing game of "Who is that?" Here are a few of my faves.
images/flickr

Love & Affection

I love letterpress cards, they have a homemade authentic feeling to them I just don't get while perusing the Target greeting card aisle. I'm currently loving the cards over at Paisley Tree Press, as I'm trying to narrow down my faves I've realized there are just too many cute ones to choose from! They've got a card for all seasons!

image/paisleytreepress

Candy Colored

Love this print, the candy colored Ferris wheel is perfection. This reminds me of a summer day at the fair. Makes me feel like I should be nibbling cotton candy and an elephant ear simultaneously, while wearing cutoff shorts in line for the roller coaster.

Note to self - remember...summer is just around the corner!

image/etsy-patriciao

Got Job?

Let's face it, this economy is tough...No more than that, it sucks! Ironically this recent trend of downsizing has an upswing in the greeting card industry: sympathy cards for losing your job. For that close pal who is totally worthy, but just happened to get cut. And of course, optimism reigns all...hopefully you'll be able to send shortly thereafter this one in the wake of a job loss when the tables turn for the better!

images/tweecards(etsy)

There's A New Bridesmaid in Town


According to the New York Times, there's a new bridesmaid's dress code: "black, gold, sparkly, or cocktail." Way to change up tradition...

All you brides and brides-to-be out there, what do you think?

image/nytimes

Way To Go Green

I am feeling inspired to go green after watching this clip of the Dervaes family who have turned a house into the Pasadena suburbs into a little patch of Eden. Calling themselves the modern "Laura Ingalls Wilder," this family has transformed their modest 1/10 acre into a flourishing "Urban Homestead."

Here they raise grow fruits, vegetables, edible flowers, and even produce their own milk and eggs by raising chickens and goats. This family is truly a go-green-NOW inspiration, and were even featured on Oprah. Their back to basics approach really me want to plant a garden!

image/pathtofreedom
via ohappyday

Keep Calm And...

Who in the blog world hasn't been a fan of those Keep Calm and Carry On posters? Check out LobsterPot for a new line of reasons to keep calm. Loving the labs!
images/lobsterpot{etsy}
via
greedygirl

Deep Blue

On our mutual day off during Spring Break, my guy and I decided to be tourists and venture to Pike Place Market and then the Seattle Aquarium. I am simultaneously fascinated and petrified by deep water, or more what lurks within the deep water. While our aquarium excursion lovely, it was nothing quite like this!
Check out this fantastic aquarium! The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan. This aquarium features the Kuroshio Seas, a 7,500-cubic meter tank (1,981,290 gallons of water) featuring an underwater deep of whale sharks and manta rays.

images/web-japan

Cathodox

It's Friday once again. This weekend is the second annual "Cathodox," a holiday created by my group of friends to collectively celebrate both Catholic and Greek Orthodox Easter...basically an excuse to get together, drink, eat, and be merry!

Since most of my friends fall into one of these religious categories we created this holiday as an excuse to revive all those Easter dishes of childhoods past, pair it with some tasty vino, and have ourselves an awesome evening. Looking forward to the second annual year, Cheers!

image/prettygood

Papillon

Who said mobiles are just for babies? I love this butterfly mobile, the butterflies are crafted from vintage French magazines and record jackets suspended by silvery thread. How lovely to be working at your desk and spy a flock of butterflies in your window.

image/etsy (royalbuffet)

Day

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been having a day like this... ....be back tomorrow image/ffffound

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Do your part to go green. Remember to turn off your lights, brush your teeth without the water running, use a reusable lunch bag and water bottle, don't let your car idle, and pass it on! The wonderful thing about kids these days is due to our heightened awareness, they are very earth-conscious. My students are all about "going green," and constantly remind me, each other, and their parents to continue to live green (if only to save the polar bears!).

image/bliss

Study Abroad!

I'm soooo excited, my youngest sister has just announced she will be studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, Spring semester 2010! I've always wanted to visit South Africa, it's been on my "must-see" list for ages, and now I have my chance! I am seriously so tempted to rush out to Barnes & Noble and buy a guide book right this second (actually, on second thought, maybe I should start saving first...). Anyone been there? Recommendations of must-see landmarks or nearby places to visit? image/nationalgeographic

Fresh Flowers

One of life's little pleasures is buying fresh flowers. I currently have 2 bunches of two-toned tulips on display in my humble abode, fresh from the tulip festival. I couldn't resist buying just one bunch, so I splurged and bought 3, one vase for the kitchen, one vase for the living room, and one for my mom who I had brunch with on Sunday.

Ranauculus are one of my most favorite flowers, among my other top faves, peonies, gardenias, and sunflowers. While I wouldn't turn down a dozen red roses, I find I like the "just picked from the garden" look a little more.

What are your fave flowers?

image/greenlight

Slumdog

I finally saw it! Yes, I must be the last person I know to see this movie. I did enjoy Slumdog Millionaire, but I was quite surprised how heartbreakingly sad it was! The main characters did a phenomenal job, I was especially impressed with the young Jamal and Frida Pinto. Given everyone's rave reviews I hadn't expected it to be such an emotional roller-coaster of a movie.

I did especially enjoy the Bollywood dance routine during the film's credits. I've heard the now famous song "Jai Ho" before, as it won a zillion Academy Awards, but it had a renewed novelty to me hearing it with the dance sequence. On a side note - did you know the Pussycat Dolls remixed this song? Yes indeed, (now, don't laugh at me) they played it at the Britney concert, complete with an Indian motif and attire...it was great! Have a listen, what do you think?

image/teenvogue
video/youtube

Totally Tulips

Saturday was a gorgeous day in the greater Seattle area, and the tulip festival was fabulous. Turns out we sought out the tulip fields a week too early, but the daffodils bright and lovely, and in full bloom. My boyfriend was wonderful and obligingly took many photos of our Spring day in the fields. (Going for a funny picture, hiding in the daffodil fields).

images/myphotos

Going on a Blog Hunt

I love discovering new blogs, so I've decided to join Marta's blog hunt. Such a creative idea to find and share new blogs. I hope you'll play along.

Link a blogger who...
has an online shop: orangebeautiful
takes fantastic photographs: Little Brown Pen
has a new baby: Living the Swell Life
has flawless taste: Design Crush
is unique: Marvelous Kiddo
has admirable qualities: Luphia Loves
crafts up a storm: Twig and Thistle
is an artist: Unruly Things
is intriguing: Heart of Light
you've bookmarked: Prosecco and Lemonade
lives far away: Lobster and Swan
is an old favorite: Miss Jane
is creative: I Suwanee
features fabulous ideas: A Merry Mishap
features loveliness: Shop Talk
features pretty products: Rocket Out
features fantasticness: A Cup of Jo
features weddings: Brooklyn Bride
writes about life: StephModo
is a daily must see: I Heart You
tells great stories: The Lil Bee
is funny: Petunia Face
is a designer: Made By Michelle Brusegaard
works a letterpress: O Happy Day
you are inspired by: M.Writes
recently added to google reader: Sherbet Blossom
gives fabulous tips: The City Sage

image+idea/mwrites

The Weekend Is Here

It's a busy weekend for me! Off to enjoy one of the first games of the season for the Seattle Mariners, visiting the annual tulip festival to take in some Spring blooms, and indulging in yet another luxurious Sunday brunch. Happy Friday!

image/wishopeace

She Sings?

And another one bites the dust! Yes my friends, it's true. Queen Bee of Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester has tweaked her resume to now read actress and SINGER. Have a listen to her duet with Awesome New Republic. It's very Gossip Girl. What do you think?

image/tvdramas

New Drew

I've always liked Drew Barrymore. As a kid, I was always a little bit afraid to watch E.T., I did enjoy Drew the actress. Drew is featured in this month's Vanity Fair, promoting her upcoming HBO documentary Grey Gardens opposite Jessica Lange. While I'm not sure I'll be adding that to my DVR, I do enjoy a good Drew movie from time to time, I think my personal fave at the moment is Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon.

images/vanityfair

My French Life

I checked out Vicky Archer's "My French Life" from my local library and I'm in love. This coffee table book is a collection of wonderful photographs, recipes, and tales of living in France. It's one of those books where you feel get that feeling of a satisfying experience by just flipping through the pages. I've always been enamored with Paris and all things French. If you're looking for a more inexpensive escape, I recommend you take a peek.

If you're a Francophile like myself, another great book to read is Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide To Finding Her Inner French Girl. I received this book as a gift, and absolutely love it, I've even read it more than once! Written by an ex-pat, the author shares the true inside scoop on French etiquette, food, style, and how to survive living as an American in Paris. It's a fun, entertaining, and interesting read, especially if you have travel plans to France in your future.
images/vickyarcher
image/stealtierstyle

9-3/4

As an elementary school teacher, I am by default an avid Harry Potter fan. I have read the entire series, and seen every motion picture within a week of its release.

I just discovered that Platform 9-3/4, the magical medium through which Harry and friends travel to Hogwarts really exists in Kings Cross Station in London! Granted, it's obviously just for show, as all the train platforms are organized by whole numbers (not fractions), but regardless, next time I'm in London I am definitely taking a photo opp!

If you have no clue what I am talking about, here's some Harry Potter trivia, enlighten yourself!

image/greenlight

Love Tree

Ever carved you and your loved one's initials in a tree? I haven't, but I've always appreciated the idea. I love the tangible nature of carving your love into a tree, there's simply something true and honest about it.

Loving this stationary. Personalize these note cards with you and your hubby's initials for a fun set of his & her's note cards. Isn't that a cute idea? It kind of reminds me of The Giving Tree. These would be perfect to send as thank you notes, or friendly hello's to friends and relatives.image/allposters
image/etsy

Multifunctional Coffee

Do you take coffee with your...lamb?Yes, yes, I know it sounds rather odd - coffee braised lamb. Believe it or not, this was the dish we dined upon for Easter dinner, and though it sounds rather peculiar, it was delicious! And truth be told, I'm not a huge lamb fan to begin with, so I was wary from the start. But the meat was so tender, it literally just fell off the bone. And the coffee actually provided a surprisingly rich, decadent glaze.

Feeling adventurous - here's the recipe. Indulge! You won't be disappointed.

image+recipe/sunset