Shiny Happy People

One of the best lovelies I know, a one Miss Rachel Best, gave me the most astounding book for my birthday this past weekend.

The Shiny Happy People Book is a cookbook by Neil Roake cataloging exquisite dinner parties and beautiful homes curated by the people he admires best: his good friends. When I fist unwrapped the book, my first reaction was "How Beautiful! It reminds me of my blog roll!" But upon further inspection, I found that not only was I interested in these people, and the food and decors they had to share, but that the author and his friends-featured were all located in South Africa, which I visited this past April and fell hard, madly, deeply in love with. This weekend has been a whirlwind of birthday celebration-chaos (Cheers, 26!), but each night I've found myself getting ready for bed, slightly (or maybe more) tipsy, thumbing through this book, marveling at the beautiful pages inside, planning the perfect dinner party occasions where I shall unveil certain recipes (to everyone's surprise and delight!) and also, feeling a certain (severe) longing for South Africa growing in my heart. The places I saw there were off the beaten path and truly unreal (I am so lucky!)! This book is filling me with a rush to get back to the Garden Route with a moment's quickness, as soon as possible. Thank you, Rachel Best , you've stirred South Africa up inside of me.

Speechless

Yet another miserable sign of the times. R.I.P. Domino. This is an irreplaceable loss for the design world. What sort of world is a world without Domino?!?


{image}

The Mad Ones, Matted

A few weeks ago I got around to framing the print I bought from Jamie awhile back. I covered the matte with some old shelf paper I had found at a garage sale some years ago. I've been holding onto it waiting for the right project to come along to put it to use. The colors ended up matching perfectly - I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out!

FLOCKS

Wouldn't it be so nice to sprawl out on this huge hand knit rug? It's made by FLOCKS from the wool of 18 merino sheep.

I'm imagining all sorts of cozy activities taking place on a rug like this: sipping hot chocolate while watching a movie or reading a good book, wrapping presents, or playing a board game with a group of friends.

Viva Terra

I think these Recycled Glass Balloon Vases are marvelous. Their lopsided imperfectness totally does it for me.

Emo-broidery

The witty craftsters at Miso Funky are stitching up a different type of cross-stitch sampler than the kind your Granny makes.


These samplers catch you off guard & crack you up -- unless you are easily offended {there are a few on the brasher side}. I happen to adore them. "Hand-stitched in hell!," as their website proudly proclaims.

Bookcase Bedroom

This is so fun! Of course it could probably only be pulled off in a kid's room, but man, it's such a creative & whimsical idea. Here are some shots of how it came to be:

{via best pics around}

Estate Sale Treasures

Over the weekend I scored bold, beautiful necklaces {2 for $10}, green crochet place mats {4 for $1), and a retro kitchen step stool to be recovered {$5). I heart estate sale-ing.

Black + White + Yellow

Spend a few hours in here, and I bet you would feel all kinds of inspired. I'm envious of whoever gets to start their day here!

{via Apartment Therapy Chicago}

Zara Home

I think I could live inside of a Zara Home catalog...

for the rest of my life & be perfectly happy.

Digitile

Rachel just beat me to posting this. It is, without a doubt, one of the best things ever. How great would it be to have a giant tile map to study while brushing your teeth in the morning?

Cranes

found on Etsy:

{PeaceLily}

{sugarloop}

{Rainbowattic}

{peachsoda03}

I couldn't help it - been listening to 'The Crane Wife' by The Decemberists all afternoon.

'Bright New Normal' Anthropologie

These new whimsies are all found among the Offbeat collection.

And these darlings come from the Graphic set.

I'm adding every single thing to my ever-growing wish list.

Found: Kitchen Curtains!

I've been looking for over a year, and as soon as I saw these I knew they were what I've been holding out for all along. Now I have yet another package to eagerly wait to arrive.

The Mad Ones

Last week Jamie posted three of her new print designs, all of which are based on book quotes. The Jack Kerouac one from On The Road excited me so much, I purchased it within seconds upon seeing it.

I'm not sure where I plan to hang it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it's arrival. You can check out all three of her fantastic prints at i suwannee.

Keepin' Calm At Last

I fiiiiinally ordered mine just now from sfgirlbybay's etsy shop. I have been meaning to forever and ever. Such valuable words and a charming design, all in one.

Peter Callesen

I've been a fan of Peter Callesen's Papercut Art for awhile now.

I like the way he incorporates the bottom ledge of the frame into many of the pieces in his collection.

I'd especially love this yellow tree piece, titled 'Fall', for my own home.

Library Staircase

This was posted on Apartment Therapy a couple months ago, but I think about it all the time. It is, hands down, one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I'd feel so special if I had this in my home.