The Burning House

I was perusing the beautiful photos from That's Just it Photo and I came across a really cool project and website called The Burning House where they share what you would take with you if your house was burning. It is a fascinating collection that you'll have to pop over and see more of if you are interested. I adore projects like this and can't wait to follow it and see more...

What would you take with you? I've got to think about this for a bit.

(photo 1 & 2 from The Burning House of Tim Robinson's stuff and Amy Merrick's stuff.)

Music Monday : Alexander

A few weeks ago I shared my summer wish list over at A Cup of Jo which included the self-titled album by Alexander Ebert (the lead singer and songwriter for Ima Robot and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) and yippee I recently purchased it and it is doesn't disappoint. In fact, I've been playing certain songs off it on mega repeat. Like this song called 'Truth' and this song too. Have a listen and enjoy Happy Music Monday!

Download the album or tracks here*.

Have a splendid weekend...

Have a lovely weekend, it will be a bit extended for us in the U.S. as we celebrate Memorial Day on Monday of which I thankful and respectful to all of those who have sacrificed so much. I am also looking forward to warmer weather more than ever! Have a good one everyone.

(photo from November Vogue 2005 // by Mario Testino)

Mother of Beauty : Danyelle from Dandee Designs

I had the pleasure of meeting the talented Danyelle Matthews from Dandee Designs at Alt several months ago and I instantly liked her. She is down-to-earth, inventive, well-balanced and I give special hat tips off to her for raising five young children while remaining an outstanding creative lady. Yah, she is pretty amazing and I think you will like her too...

First thing I liked about her right off the bat is this lovely quote she shares on her website --

"Woman was born to create...in creating she becomes herself, accomplishes her destiny. Her whole life is only an initiation into creative power. To create is not merely to produce a work...it is to give out ones own individuality." -Jeanne De Vietinghoff

Inspiring huh?  During the month of May my quest was to highlight 'mothers of beauty' and Danyelle is one of them so I asked her to answer a few questions... (click to read more!)





B*E : What is your favorite part of being a mother of 5?
Danyelle : My favorite part of having 5 children is watching my older children interact with their younger siblings. When Oliver (just barely 2) wakes from his nap, the children race to his crib to try to get him out first. They love helping him put on his shoes, find his favorite book and swing in the backyard. There are ten years between my oldest son and my youngest but the bond they share is as fierce as the bond they have with siblings much closer in age. I'm convinced this is because of those little acts of service- given and received.

B*E: You have such a zest for life that shines through your blog and the capacity to share everyday pleasures in such a beautiful way -- What turned you on to blogging? As well as what got you excited about crafting in a modern way -- how would you describe your type of crafting?
Danyelle: I began reading blogs shortly after having my third child, Owen. Owen went through this stage where he only slept while being held so I read blogs and he slept in my arms. I began blogging myself because I was inspired + entertained by what I was reading and wanted to contribute to such a wonderful community. As far as my crafting style, I guess you could call it "deliberate crafting." I rarely sit down and think to myself, "I feel like making something" without having a game plan. Projects are pondered on for awhile before I ever begin to create them and they're very closely related to what's going on in my life.

B*E: What is the funniest thing(s) your kids have done or said that you are still laughing about?
Danyelle: My children make me laugh everyday, there really are so many things to choose from! One of the most quoted things came from Owen when he was 3. We were all outside and Owen found himself a lawn chair, a cup of water and sat down and declared "This is the lifetime!" Whenever my husband or I are feeling especially content we follow Owen's example and repeat his sweet words, "This is the lifetime!" It will forever bring a smile to my face.

B*E: What is your daily schedule/routine like and how does blogging and crafting fit into that while being a mother?
Danyelle: Most of my blogging and creating happens in the later evening hours after the children are snug in their beds. I feel most creative when the house has gone to sleep and all that I hear is my music choice for the night. Routinely, days begin at 7:00 am. We get ready, out the door and have the older children to school around 8:30 am. From that point I like to go to the gym and run any errands before picking up my kindergartner. In the afternoons we have lunch, play outside for a bit and put the little ones down for naps. Early evenings are a blur of sports practices, music lessons, home work and dinner. With a little housework and laundry thrown in for good measure. :)

B*E: How do you find or at least seek after balance? What keeps you centered?
Danyelle: For me, staying balanced means keeping my passion/need to create and my responsibilities as a wife and mother in check. If I neglect one, I feel I'm neglecting myself and my potential. My faith and all it encompasses reminds me of that potential and keeps me the most centered. In addition to that, I've been carving out time to write in a personal journal. Not on a computer or an iPad, but an actual pen and notebook. Most days it's just simple thoughts or impressions, a line from a book or song that stuck with me, or a quote I happened upon. The few minutes I spend a day with that notebook have done wonders for my sense of clarity.

B*E: What qualities in your own mother or women around you do you admire most?
Danyelle: For as long as I can remember my mother has gone out of her way to make those around her feel special and loved. Everyday I think of her example of selfless service and strive to do the same.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your beautiful world with us Danyelle! Pop on over to Danyelle's blog: Dandee Designs to see some of her great deliberate crafts like the ones shown above...

Keep growing... keep living...

This video clip by Gnarly Bay inspires me to ...

1 - Put a trip to Cambodia and Thailand closer to the top of my dream trip lists. (I often ask well-traveled people where some of their favorite places have been and the two places that I hear over and over again are Cambodia and New Zealand.) What about you -- do you have a favorite trip?

2 - The clip also makes me want to use the video camera more in general. How often are you making video clips?

3- Lastly I love the reminder that our world is in constant motion and alive and we need to keep evolving, growing, living. What do you think?

Adorable Hej Cards

I am crushing on these bright and bold quirky new Hej animal cards illustrated by Swedish illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius that she recently added to the people Hej (which means 'hello' in Swedish) cards below. Aren't they adorable?! My daughter would eat them up and how happy would they be to get in the mail? Find them here and here.

Molo Floating Glassware

Even though science isn't my forte, I really am drawn to items with a science lab feel, in fact even today while at the store I picked up a lovely Peony to pop in one of my glass beaker vases. These floating glass pieces by Molo are along those same lines -- simple, minimal, beautiful and easily allowing the contents to shine through. Great design.

Music Monday : Bon Iver

Excited to hear about Bon Iver's upcoming album -- due out June 21st. You can download this track called Calgary for free here (at least for now) -- it is lovely. Enjoy! Happy Music Monday.

(via stereogum)

Bouchon Bistro

   

My husband and I are currently on a little vacation, our first getaway in well over a year! We are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and since we had to stay fairly close to home due to my husband's job (he could be called back at any time) we decided to hop on down to Vegas. Yesterday we went to brunch at Thomas Keller's Bouchon and it has to be one of my favorite spots in this sparkly, over the top town. It is very elegant and I loved the charming French paintings on the wall. Oh and the food --  amazing! I've had this place on my list for quite a while and last time I thought the kiosk bakery was it, but I'm very happy to find out there is an actual bistro thanks to Bonnie. We will definitely be hitting this spot every time we come this way. What are your favorite must-hit spots in or near Vegas?

Photos by Black Eiffel

Meal in a Jar

Ideas that are simple, clever, and something that I would actually do, make me smile. I've been crushing on all things glass lately and have 'passed on' and tossed out most of our plastic containers. Aren't these 'Mason Jar Meals' the ticket for upcoming picnics?!


Photo & concept from the Decorated Cookie > via Kate + Kelly

Light Up Your Mood Stickers

These light switch stickers by Henrietta Swift make me laugh. Find them here.

Music Monday : Lover Lover

Lover Lover is a new to me, and I am really digging their sound and vibe. Musical friends Eleanor Bodenham and Martin Craft both from London decided to collaborate and they've made some music that it is quite brilliant. I hope you will like them too, they will be a huge hit -- I feel it! Listen to a few of their songs here and see if you agree.

What they say on their facebook page sums them up perfectly:

"If Beach House met the Eurythmics on a late-summer’s road trip, it might sound like this, all polaroid-faded and sunset-red with the wide-eyed innocence of a John Hughes film." 

I will be adding this song called, "Freebirds" and more by Lover Lover to my spring/summer mixes for sure. As for now, I can't seem to find where to buy their songs in the U.S. (although we can stream them) but if you are a lucky to be in the UK you can download it here.

Via Wongies (photos: top from Cross Key Records // bottom left album cover  // bottom right  from Lover Lover facebook page)

Chance Collection

The new photos from the stunning Chance collection have me swooning, especially since I have been planning a little getaway for next week, they put me in the most dreamy relaxed mood. Their clothes which incorporate lots of lovely stripes are simple and elegant and perfect for the spring and summer. I also am digging their discoveries page where they explore their inspirational sources like the French Seaside and more. Yes! It is very well done. They just opened a pop-up-shop at 211 Elizabeth Street in Soho, really wish I was currently in New York to stop by.

Photography is by the talented Chris Shipman and Kate Jones is the model who is also a jewerly designer.

Smart Design

Brown paper boxes tied up with string or a well-designed label get me every time, but put fun and meaningful things in them and you got me even more! So when I saw graphic designer Laura Berglund's work I smiled big and wanted to share them with you too. It is amazing what a little creativity and designs skills can do to enhance a simple staple. She has done some very fun projects like the above 'Get Out in the Sun' project where she designed an interactive adventure kit for the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art to help people get out and creatively explore and a 'leave behind portfolio box' (the above bottom two shots) that is really rad, see more here.

She also worked on this Anchor multimedia interactive crime app and collateral that many colleges should think about, it is incredibly smart design. Laura now works on great projects over at Design Ranch.

(all photos from Laura Berglund)

Modern Fire Island Home

The bright pops of color and stripes in this Fire Island home designed by Alexandra Angle Interior Design make me really happy. There is something about yellow that screams summer, right? This brilliant colorful chair (which is also in this home) is what led me to see more of Alexandra Angle's work!

Music Monday : Jonny

I hope you had a nice weekend yes... my computer is back hooray! It was nice and quite refreshing to have a couple days offline and to be disconnected especially since last week was a bit crazy. Do you ever have unplugged or technology free days? I dare you to try it sometime, even for just a day ... no phone, no computer, tv, no other electronic devices... could you do it?

As for Music Monday, here is a video I came across recently and enjoy, I hope you do too. It is chill music from the band called Jonny. Find the song and album here or here*. I am drawn to the beautiful nature scenes and horses. My daughter is also kind of obsessed with horse movies like the Black Beauty and The Black Stallion lately. (They are both excellent, if you haven't seen them. The cinematography in the Black Stallion is breathtaking.) Happy Music Monday!




'You Was Me' directed by Ryan Owen (via Line of Best Fit)
*A tiny % of purchases made from these links will support B*E.

My computer decided it was time for a much needed vacation and is in the shop, dang it probably needed one, it had been worked to the max lately. See you all soon!

Pigeon Toe on Design Story

Recently, I've become more conscious of which objects I add to our living space.  My interests lie in seeking beautiful design, but also those objects that have an enduring quality, or lifespan; things that I won't want to give away after a few months . . . or even years.

Lisa Jones, and her lovely handcrafted Pigeon Toe ceramics fall right in line with my newly awakened sense of lasting style. Lisa's gorgeous collection of items combine simplicity, beauty, and a little surprise in an understated and elegant way. They're modern heirloom pieces which could easily fit into everyday life. This entire combination of goodness along with Lisa's sustainable vision is something rare, which makes Pigeon Toe that much more special.

As part of this fresh perspective, I'm thrilled to share that I have partnered with Design Story to curate a selection of my favorite things from Pigeon Toe. See all of my favorites and more on sale at Design Story for a week, or until they sell out. Sign up here to join (it is an amazing site!) and you will get an instant $10 credit.*

As you may know -- especially you design loving gurus, these handcrafted designer sales don't come around all too often which is exactly why I love Design Story you've heard me mention them before, right?! They are one of the hottest designer flash-sale sites online at the moment because they not only offer lower prices but do it with authenticity and substance.

The Pacific Northwest is where I'm itching to return so that I can stop by Portland and pop into the Pigeon Toe studio/shop. Who has been lucky enough to stop by? What are your thoughts about Pigeon Toe and Design Story?

*This post is part of a campaign with Design Story for Pigeon Toe these opinions are my own and I am super excited to support brands that I am passionate about. *fyi - I also get a small credit.

All product photos from Pigeon Toe

Music Monday : Classical Style

I've been listening to a lot of classical piano lately and I remembered the Music Animation Machine probably due to today's architectural post that reminded me of the beautiful blocks of color. What are your favorite classical composers and pieces? Recently, I've been drawn to Debussy and Schubert.

Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design

Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design designed these colorful buildings that are so much fun! Can you believe that they are actually banks in Japan? Incredible! The top one is Shimura Branch and the bottom two are the Niiza Branch and Tokiwadai Branch. Check out the rest of their cool designs most of them full of bright multi-colors here. Their entire website is an extremely inspiring collection of work.

 

Photos : Top images via Dezeen by Nacasa & Partners Inc. Bottom two images from Emmanuelle.