Lovely Happenings: July 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cupcakes make me happy

I made cupcakes today! I don't normally spend much time in my kitchen but I successfully made cupcakes and my kitchen is still intact.

they aren't anything special but they sure are cute.

Sleepyhead

This is an adorable wedding video. It will be hard for anyone to out do this one. The song is wonderful a well (Passion Pit: Sleepyhead). Enjoy. Oh, and I love all the paper cranes!

Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I spy: Greek Keys

Greek keys are such a wonderful design element. I am a sucker for geometric patterns though. Check out more greek key designs for your home here.

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This Anna French wallpaper is really something else. It is a mirrored background with a stunning rose and bird design. Pictures don't do it justice. It is seriously wonderful! If you have the ability to check it out then I highly recommend you get on it immediately.

Anna French also carries the most delightful and exquisite lace. Take a look here.

Monday, July 26, 2010

September 26th

OH MY GOODNESS! The trailer for season five of the best show ever (duh. that would be Dexter) just came out! I am so excited! Warning: do not watch the trailer if you aren't caught up in the series because there are spoilers within the video. Enjoy!

Also why are all the show I watch aired on Sunday?....Dexter, True Blood, Entourage, and Mad Men....jeez.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Time Machine

I am ready for the premiere tonight! Here is a video to get you ready.

"Mad Men" So Far, In Under 5 Minutes....

video via.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Flamingos

This wedding is just stunning. I even love the plastic pink flamingos...wedding shouldn't be serious. It is all about having fun. Check out other pictures of their gorgeous wedding here.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

hold me tight

I fully agree....hugs are sensational. It also uses the word "fantastic" which just happens to be one of my favorite words.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

time for a change...

I am wondering if it is time to give a little new look to the blog. Is it in need of a little freshening up? I am thinking of updating the header. I am sticking with the same font and chevrons but just changing up those elements. So I need your opinion on which header to use!

#1. The current header. It is simple and it is now a classic.

#2. The refined header. I love the new more subtle and interesting chevrons.

#3. Yes, it looks like number two but has a little font added to the bottom of the header. It reads, " a lovely little blog of inspiration, life, and happiness".

So which one is your favorite?! Number 1, 2, or 3?

Update 7/21: Well, I didn't go with any of the options. (as you can tell). I decided it was best to keep the original and just add a little something to it. Hope you like it.

Ratatouille

I need to spend more time in the kitchen...

(this looks delicious)

8 tablespoons olive oil

1 large red onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 sprigs fresh thyme

4 Italian eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice

6 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice

3 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange), cored and cut into strips

7 medium (about 2 pounds) tomatoes, cored and diced

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. In a large flameproof casserole over medium heat, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and thyme and continue cooking for 2 minutes.

2. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes (it will not be cooked through). Transfer to a bowl.

3. In the same pan, heat 3 more tablespoons olive oil. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of eggplant.

4. Heat 2 more tablespoons olive oil. Add the bell peppers and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

5. Return the eggplant and zucchini mixture to the pan. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and add the oregano. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours or until all the vegetables are very tender.

6. Add the sherry vinegar 10 minutes before the end of cooking.

7. Discard the sprigs of thyme. Stir in the parsley. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if you like. (Set aside 4 cups ratatouille for the clafoutis.

via here and here

Nurseries

My good friend is about to give birth to a little girl this fall so I have been looking at nursery inspiration. My favorite is the second photo. I look the that is a unisex room and not the typical pink or blue. And the two prints, giraffe, and chandelier are to die for!

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Imperial Trellis

I don't know if I will ever get sick of Schumacher's Imperial Trellis fabric and wallpaper. It is just wonderful. That is probably why it is one of Schumacher's best selling designs. The fabric comes in 8 different colorways. And the wallpaper comes in 10 colorways! Do you have a favorite color? Below are the fabric colorway options. I don't think it is possible for me to pick just one as my favorite.

Some inspiration pictures for you all. (oh, and Schumacher has a blog now!)

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snog

What a wonderful dream... I fully agree.

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Refined Summer Style

I am just loving this look. It is so prefect and Parisian. I want to accomplish this look when I am not wearing a dress.

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Monday, July 19, 2010

push play

Just another amazing UK import. Eliza Doolittle.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Remember

Burberry Acoustic. What is there not to love about Burberry? Love her voice and the song.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Dinner will be served here

I adore Kate Simpson's dining room.

Well, really it is the ikat chairs that I love.

via Lonny Magazine

Tickled Pink

I have a love affair with chevron print ANYTHING! And pink chevrons make me giddy. Oh, I am just loving this fabric from Rubie Green. These pillows would look perfect in my studio too.

pillow & fabric via Rubie Green

Just a little something I made today.

Lawn

One of my favorite parts of summer are all the outdoor concerts! I am seeing John Mayer/Keith Urban and Dave Matthews Band all at the Gorge. And before them I am going to see the incredible Jamie Cullum! The best part...it's at the Oregon Zoo. Yippee. I am going to visit the elephants, tigers and monkeys before sitting down on the lawn with my wine rocking out to some great music. I can't wait. It is going to be spectacular!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Candy Wars

Joel and I got into a discussion on which chocolate & peanut butter candy was better. We are both stuck on our favorites and won't budge. You can help us crown a winner. I am sticking with M&M's (hello, it's my initials too) and he stuck on Reese's Pieces. So which one do you love more? Take the poll over on the right side column. Thanks.

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thought you should know

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I miss them.

I loved the Berenstain Bears! Gosh, I need to find these books again. Why did we ever give them away?! Ebay, here I come.

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Soul Meets Body

Soul Meets Body - Death Cab For Cutie

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really.

I don't watch The Hills. I also don't have cable. But I am pretty up to date in my celebrity gossip. So I ran into this clip this morning of The Hills season finale. And they admitted it was all fake. finally. Wasn't that a given?

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

add it to the list...

I have a rough list of things I wish to accomplish within the near future. (you like the vague terms and timeline I use?) I want to kayak the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Well, I really just want to take a casual yet pretty kayak trip.

this could work...

(I want this to be my view)

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Want to join me?

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Monopoly Money

Attempting a more sophisticated but masculine interior. Of course, it is still with a touch of charm and class. Would you move in? Oh, and we are paying with monopoly money, right?!