Moving In: Christmas Sheds

There's something so charming about a thoughtfully created shed. Remember Artemis and Nao's fabulous shed workspaces? I can definitely see those sweet sheds decorated for Christmas and looking a little something like this.

Aren't they amazing?
images from top left and clockwise: wood siding // green wreath // window boxes // lovely lighting // white shed

Look At This: 365 Lucky Days

So, remember when we used to have time to "create" things? Oh, me either really but I do remember a time when I was less busy and can imagine I may have filled that time creating. Until we get to that point again, let's live vicariously through the incredibly talented Lucky who's decided to make something every day for a whole year: hence the "365 lucky days" project. Her hand-embroidered portraits on top of vintage fabrics make me super happy. Especially because she themes them around topics like "blog crush" and "take this job and shove it". The ladies I'm sharing are from her "bombshell" week and the fellas are from "I think I love you but I'm a preteen and my mom says it's just hormones" week. Hilarious.


These are so many more are from the 365 Lucky Days blog. Check it.

Look At This: Christmas Dioramas

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine was really delicious and relaxing—everything you hope it will be! Did you all go out on Friday? Well, I did. And I don't want to talk about it really. It was a disaster. But, I got myself a super great electric toothbrush for a super great price so it was all worth it. Hmmmmm... Let's move on.
Dioramas are so magical aren't they? I kind of forgot how much I love them until I was spending way too much time on pinterest yesterday and ran across a handful of pins from a friend of mine. I'm inspired to make one of my own (or at least seek out a fun one on etsy). Do you have any?


images (from top left): winter scenes under domes (both) // tree under bell // japanese paper scene // octopus // house // reindeer

Pretty Party: Indian Summer

We've been having unseasonably warm weather lately. Well, that means it's been 60 (which isn't quite 16 degrees Celsius in case you don't deal with Fahrenheit) which isn't exactly a heat wave, but for the first part of November it seems pretty mild. Don't get ahead of yourself, I'm definitely not calling this an Indian Summer but it is lovely and enjoyable like an Indian Summer is. Which is why when I ran across this workshop featured on 100 Layer Cake I felt like it was timely. I suppose in all honestly I'd share this with you without any correlation to the weather. It's stunning. And I know you're going to feel a few things: awe + inspiration + jealousy. At least that's how I felt when I looked at it. Why can't I live in an awesome city that does awesome workshops where you not only learn to make fabulous floral arrangements but you get to eat cupcakes and wear flowers in your hair? Dang it. I'm outta here Illinois—I'm off to visit Amy Osaba (and her fantastic new work space) in Atlanta.


images from 100 layer cake (except the first graphic image which is from and designed by erica loesing)

Moving In: Stråhattfabriken

Oh you lovely Swedes — you sure know how to design for my heart. This apartment complex was once a factory and is now the most gorgeous space. Such light and openness. If you weren't so far away (and probably a zillion dollars more than I could afford) I'd be putting in an application immediately.

all images from the Oscar Properties website (check it out, there are lots of inspiring projects featured).

Look At This: Miss Eve

Normally when I see a "look-at-my-style" blog I have one of three reactions: eye roll (oops, did I say that outloud?), overwhelming knowledge of how I'll never be that cool or I'm inspired to rock a huge flower and mix some patterns. When Bri (of designlovefest) introduced me to this teensy fashionista I was incredibly inspired.  Eve is the daughter of the amazing photographer Jen Altman and is only five years old! The little "about Eve" section declares that she puts her outfits together entirely on her own and then, when she feels like it, has her mama take her picture. Then it gets blogged to inspire us all. Adorable.

I am sincerely on the lookout for a pair of cowboy boots. Amazing.
(all images from Eve's blog)

Meet: Seth Smoot

Hello my dear! I hope your week is off to an excellent start. We've been having a bit of off-and-on indian summer for the past couple of weeks and yesterday was another gorgeous fall day. This morning, however, looks a little gloomy and cold so today's post is a bit more grey than bright orange. You know how I love a moody photograph and Mr. Seth Smoot of NYC sure delivers. I saw his work on one of my all-time favorites, emmas design blogg, and had to scoot on over and see his portfolio for myself. What a talent. Here are some that I was drawn to.



Don't you just want to go outside right this minute and collect some twigs to paint the most vibrant mustard yellow imaginable? Me too! At least they're easy to gather this time of year. Have a good day!
(all images are from Seth's portfolio. Pop on over there to see them all!)

Listen To This: Cotton Jones

Oh man. Plaid, beards, scarves and honey-coated voices with acoustic guitar. This song has my name written all over it. Hope you enjoy it. (PS. Thanks miss Rachel for the introduction! Fall mixes are the best.)

cotton jones // i am the changer

Meet: Mary Blair

Pinterest is blowing up! More and more of my friends are joining (which by the way means more and more of your friends are joining too - are you there already?). This is great news because the internet is humongous and I just don't have enough time to look at it all. Luckily my friends (real life or internet based) are pinning up a storm. One lovely lady I follow introduced me to the artist Mary Blair and I knew I had to share her with you. Mary was an artist with Disney from 1943 - 1953 and her hand touched some of my favorite Disney classics such as Peter Pan, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. Her watercolors are so whimsical and sweet — I know you'll love them.


images from top left and across: flying // alice tea // cinderella mirror // caterpillar // apple blossoms // sleeping beauty // cinderella castle // tinkerbell // alices table // lost boys // cinderella + the prince

Look At This: Swedish Playground Design

Oh my goodness. As if I needed yet another reason to wish I lived in Sweden. How sweet and awesome are these playgrounds? I follow the blog of Elisabeth Dunker called Fine Little Day which chronicles her gorgeous life and her design inspiration. She recently posted about an amazing playground near to her home that has characters fashioned after a popular (in Sweden anyway) children's book. They got me interested in other playgrounds in Sweden and, of course, they're fabulous. Here are some of my finds. Happy Monday my dear! Get out and play!


image sources from top left and across: little blue houses // caterpillar // watermelon // dog // dog's behind // capped character // reclining man // egg // teeter totter

Listen To This: The Eels

Hello my dear! I hope you've had a good week - it's a gorgeous Fall morning here and I'm about to join up with a couple of girlfriends to hit, what has the potential to be, an awesome vintage/handmade sale. So exciting! But before I go I thought you might like a sweet song to start your weekend.

the eels//that look you give that guy
Don't you just love a bearded man? I sure do. Although his is maybe a little out of control he's adorable. See you next week!

Pretty Party: Pink + Blue + Sugary Sweet

I have many talented friends with many unique and awe-inspiring gifts but only one of them (sweet Lindsay) has the ability to make the words "key lime tartlets" look even more delicious than the tartlets themselves. I am not the only person that has realized she has amazing penmanship—luckily there are lots of people from all over the country that have asked her to create things for them. And, yeah for us!, one bridal shower she made art for was featured on Style Me Pretty last week. Which means I have some great photos for you that not only showcase her work but is a darn sweet bridal shower. Blue and pink is always a good idea and in this case, with all of the sugary sweet details, it's an important grounder for the decor. Without that pop of sassy blue the entire party (cutie guests included) would've floated into the sky.


Who needs a cookie? Me too - let's go!
(all images from Style Me Pretty)

At The Design Blog: October Calendar

Well, it's only just October, luckily. With the month or so I've been having I'm surprised that I'm getting this up at all! It's one of my favorites though so I had to share it. Head over to the Design Blog to see the whole thing and download your copy.

Hello My Dear + Welcome to the Laundromat

Hi there friends. I know you've missed me (I've missed you too!) but all sorts of new things are happening around here and I'm just plain ol' busy with life stuff. I'm not leaving, don't tear up prematurely, I'm just posting a little less frequently (obviously).
That said, my sweet friend Christina asked me to do a guest post on her blog while she's away from her computer for a bit. Want to learn a little more about me? Head over there.
Oh and I'll have something for you tomorrow (including, but hopefully not limited to, the October calendar). xo

Moving In: A House on the Hudson

Have you seen The Family Stone? It's this pseudo-Christmas movie that I think is actually quite charming and lovely but a lot of people I know really don't like it. Maybe it's because it's a little dark and heavy for a Holiday film or maybe it's because it has Sarah Jessica Parker in it (people seem to have a really strong opinion of her one way or the other... usually the other). Anyway, I love it. I watch it all year 'round. I think one of the reasons I love it is because of the family house. It's so warm and full and reflects a life devoted to beautiful and creative things. You should see it if for no other reason than the set is inspiring. That said, when I ran across this Hudson Valley home on Martha Stewarts site it really reminded me of the Stone house and I thought you might like to see it.
The owner is the gorgeous white-haired lady in the first row of photos. I love to see the people who live in these spaces - you can attach so much personality to their faces when you look at the rooms they inhabit. She's done a wonderful job of incorporating classical pieces in an eclectic and not-at-all stuffy manner. The house sits on 87 acres and the house looks quite big, so I bet she wouldn't mind company.


All images are from Martha (and there are even a handful more including a charming craft room she made for her twelve grandkids. Lucky kids.)

Loving: Round Barns

My mom and I drove from Rockford to Oregon, Illinois yesterday. It's been wet the past few days so although we're in Fall and technically everything is dying, the world was spectacularly green and lush. The drive is really lovely - tree lined roads, the river in all of its swollen majesty and some really gorgeous old buildings. Especially the barns. I'm particularly attracted to round barns. Something about them is so whimsical and charming don't you think? It's the circle - circles are definitely the friendliest shape. I've collected some round barns for you -have you ever seen one of these in person? Even the broken down ones are glorious.

images from: westby // ohio barns // gwen gutwein

Look At This: Handwritten Letter Project

I went to a flea market this past weekend (as an aside, it's a good thing I don't have a million and a half dollars and a huge house because I'd fill it with every awesome vintage thing I loved - which is pretty much all of them - and no one needs that many salt and pepper shakers). Among the couple of things I did come home with was this gorgeous, illustrated souvenir book of the Chicago World's Fair in the 1930s. The watercolor illustrations and few sentences about each exhibit were incentive enough to buy it; but it didn't stop there. On the exterior flap of the book, in traditional "old person" handwriting, the worlds "old" and "save" were written. Looking at that script made me miss every single elderly person I've lost and I felt like (a) any of them would've written that because they knew a cool thing when they saw it and (b) since they all seem to have exactly the same penmanship any of them actually could've written it. Now they probably didn't, but that's the thing about that era of students learning cursive: for some reason, no matter where they were in the US and even abroad from what I can see, they all learned the same style. I don't have the energy to talk about whether or not this was a good thing and what social implications this conveys, but I do have the energy to say that at the very least, that generation knew how to write. They could put pen to the paper without it turning into a giant scribbly mess (well most of them anyway) and they were forced to communicate with each other in a physical as opposed to digital fashion. I'm not going to tell you to write more letters but I will say that your great great grandchildren (or just some random child in the future) will probably be way more excited to find a handwritten note than an email.
This is not the first time you're hearing this. This is also probably not the first time you've told yourself "self, pen more letters to the people you love". However, this may be the first time you're seeing this "Handwritten Letter Project" in which Craig Oldham invited designers and artist to write him a letter on their own stationery. Some were simply that and others had a little note and a lot of illustration or a note with beautifully hand-rendered type. I'd like to get my hands on a copy of this book to read what people thought worthy of writing and also to see the vast differences in modern penmanship. It's very fascinating to me. Take a peek.



images from the HLP site

Pretty Party: Shower Shower

I went to a super sweet baby shower this past Sunday for a super sweet girlfriend of mine. The theme of said shower was pretty much just awesomeness - bunting and delicious nibblies and fruit-infused water served in glass baby bottles (which I'd never seen before—and I've been to my fair share of showers). Now I'm not exactly opposed to "themes" but they have the tendency to get a little out of hand. I've found one though that got me pretty excited. Have you seen this before? A "shower" shower? Isn't it clever? I don't think it's crazy overdone so that's a check in the positive column. What do you think?

image sources: blue + yellow // umbrella + rain // cloud cookies // striped straws // cloud cupcakes // watering can // rain + white pouf // artwork // rainboots

Listen To This: James Vincent McMorrow

I went to a show last night. I've been wanting to for awhile and I was invited by a great friend (with great taste in music) to see a fella that I hadn't ever heard of. The tickets were affordable and I didn't have to drive so I decided to go along. Man am I glad I did. This Irish gentleman has such a great voice and was so lovely to watch and listen to. He has such a mellow sound that I didn't know how it would translate into concert form but with the band and his chitchat it made for a really great (and surprisingly lively) evening. He's currently on his first-ever headlining American tour so check out the cities/dates on his site and go support him. Bring a friend - shows are always better with friends.

james vincent mcmorrow // if i had a boat

Moving In: Eclectic Cottage

Oh my goodness—this is so great. The perfect mix of light and bright and funky and timeless. Emily Henson (prop stylist extraordinaire!) has done it again. I grabbed this from her recent work but there was no information about what publication it was in or who it belonged to. It was simply titled "eclectic cottage". Do you suppose that means it's up for grabs? If so, I'll take it. And love it forever. (Don't worry, you can visit.)


images from Emily's site. Photographs were taken by John Vincent and Teri Lyn Fisher.

Listen To This: Bandana Splits

Hello my dear! I hope you had a lovely weekend. The weather was absolutely gorgeous here in Northern Illinois. The air was thick with people realizing it was probably one of the last really warm and sunny days of the season - especially the last weekend day - so there was a lot of loud music being pumped through open car windows. I had to drive a bit to a backyard celebration so I was one of those hooligans (although at one point I drove past an older man reading George W. Bush's biography on his front lawn and I did turn my stereo down - right after he shot me a dirty look. Eek.). These last days of summer make everyone around here giddy and put me in the mood for some retro revival, feel good music. I think I'm still confused on what day it is and I didn't post a music video on Friday so I thought I'd do it today. But since it's Monday and not Friday I'm not doing tweets (@hmdtweets), I've made you a board instead. Yeah!I hope you like it (if you do, go get the album and cruise around town. Quick! Before it starts to snow!)

bandana splits // sometimes


felix clock // retro radio // fringe shoe // gelati print // bow // red dress

Moving In: Byron Bay

Jeez I love a good beachy house. Even though I can't actually see any beach in these photographs, the lightness and brightness and overall breeziness of this home implies the beach. And it's in Byron Bay (Australia of course) which is gorgeous ocean views everywhere so it must be near the water. It doesn't matter - there's a pool and a sweet porch and, what's that over there? Oh it's just a skate ramp. Coolest parents ever. Enjoy!


images from Inside Out magazine via the style files

Bon Appetit: The Walrus + The Carpenter

One thing I wish Rockford Illinois had more of is great restaurants. We have a handful but this city of mine hasn't quite mastered the importance of good food and ambiance - it's generally one or the other. Which brings me to the sharing of the Walrus and the Carpenter oyster bar in Seattle. It's the perfect blend of industrial and comfort decor. The grey, white and yellow is super charming.


Now if anything could make me eat an oyster it'd be those yellow stools and that handlebar mustache. All of it is lovely.
images are from stephmodo // w + c site // the new york times

Look At This: Thao + Mirah On Tour

Hello my dear! Did you have a nice long weekend? I always have such a great Labor Day weekend but it makes me a little sad knowing that ice and snow is just around the corner. Since I didn't get to experience any of that last year (and I honestly do enjoy it up until after the first of the year when it just keeps on being freezing and there's no Christmas cheer to warm you) I was able to enjoy the weekend without any of that forlorn. Oh and I spent Sunday with some amazing friends celebrating a marriage so it was even sweeter. The wedding forced me to do a bit of driving—over an hour each way—so I got to spend some time with my ipod. The drive back today was especially fun since I knew where I was going and I didn't have to get back at any particular time, I was able to relax and think about what I wanted to listen to. This got me in the mood to go see a show and when I got home I decided to see who's planning a fall tour near me. Well, The Tallest Man on Earth isn't (although he IS going to be in Brisbane in October) but Thao Nguyen is playing with The Get Down Stay Down in Madison Wisconsin and Chicago Illinois and I'd love to go see them. This leads me to today's share. On Thao's blog she shared this great story that Wendy Macnaughton illustrated showing bits and pieces from a tour that Thao did with Mirah. Wendy's watercolor sketches really tickled me, I think you'll love them too.


here's the whole story

At The Design Blog: September Calendar

Happy September everybody! Go get this month's desktop calendar from the HMD design blog.

Listen To This: Little Dragons

Generally speaking when I'm trying to decide on a song to share with you the video is one of the major factors. Which usually means no live tracks (unless they're still recorded in a studio) and no "fan" videos. Because they're often really bad. Not the case with today's song. This video, which is basically a clip from the movie "Vivre sa Vie" with this gorgeous French woman Anna Karina, feels completely right to me. I hope you enjoy the song and the clip.

little dragon // please turn
This week's tweets were a little sparse, but I'm done traveling for awhile and I've got myself an iPhone (yeah!) so hopefully I'll be better in the coming weeks. Regardless, here they are:

awesome + inspired wedding table decor // interesting VMA moments // go see this movie (I promise it's not as sad as this picture makes it look)
Have a great Labor Day my dear! I'll see you here again on Tuesday! xo

Pretty Party: Camp-Out Wedding

Remember how yesterday I told you all about this weekends massive family camp-out? Well, I'm still in the mood to look at awesome camping inspiration. Which is why I got so excited when I found this delightful camping-inspired wedding shoot. I'm obsessed with his plaid shirt and all the delicious s'more details. Are you doing anything outdoorsy this Labor Day weekend?



images are from elizabeth anne designs and the sweetest occasion

Loving: Caravans

My parents are hosting a huge camp-out this weekend. My aunts and uncles and cousins are all coming over for a barbecue and s'mores and campfire stories. Then we're all going to get in our sleeping bags and sleep under the stars — well, in our tents under the stars but still. It sounds pretty awesome and will be the perfect way for me to see all the family I've missed this past year. However, as much as I'm going to love chatting and giggling with my cousins late into the night, I can't help but wish I was in one of these sweet caravans as opposed to laying in a sleeping bag on the ground. My parents use to have a pop-up camper that was such a gorgeous way to be in nature without being so IN nature. At least I'll still have access to running water (and a shower!). Look at how charming these caravans are.



images (from top left and across): fairway // constance // airstream // little girl peeking // cushions // couple lounging // kitchen // teepee // floral bench // blue windows // checked floor // wood paneling // scalloped cupboards // green + white // white interior // matilda // airstream + awning // in the woods // plaid curtains // quilted door // trunk // red + white // pink fan // cute couple

Meet: Clair Olivia Wayman

You know how much I love my magazines. It broke my heart to leave them behind in Australia but I just absolutely could not fit them in my suitcase. Seriously. The weight of my three suitcases, one massive carry-on duffel bag and a shockingly heavy purse almost brought the plane down. But I had to buy one last magazine at the airport and it was the September issue of Real Living. I can't tell you how much I love this magazine (I love it so much that I looked up how much a subscription to the US would cost me - let's just say that it's around $15 an issue. I'm still considering it.). I love the photographs, the recipes, the product suggestions, the whole thing. So it's not surprising that I fell in love with the portfolio off Melbourne-based stylist (and now shop owner) Clair. She's worked for years for Real Living and her style certainly reflects that. The images are light and easy and livable yet beautifully styled and inspired. I think you'll definitely spot some good ideas.



So much loveliness. (images are from her site and you can read a great interview here)
Oh, and if you're ever in Melbourne, visit Curio and Curio on Flinders street — this is the shop of Clair and her partner Nick. I'm bummed I missed it when I was there, but something tells me that wasn't my last trip to Melbourne. Just in case your trip is still a few years out, here are some shots of the store.

Look At This: Ms. Sadie North

Sometimes I feel exhausted immediately after I get up in the morning. Sometimes I don't have the energy to take my lunch dishes to the sink. Occasionally I don't get dressed and watch Law and Order SVU all freakin' day. The days when I start complaining about getting old/not having any motivation/not getting enough sleep — those are the days I come across someone like Sadie. This sweet lady is 77 years old (or was in September 1952) and is as inspiring as they come. She mows her lawn, sings in the church choir, earns her money by babysitting and as a practical nurse, teaches young women swimming, learned to ride a bike when she was 67 and now rides it everywhere, taught herself to type (and wears a visor like a newspaper editor while she composes her letters - adorable)... geez. I should stop complaining and actually go do something with my life! Sadie, you're forever an inspiration.

Does she remind you of anyone you knew/know?
(sadie images are from LIFE magazine [via Miss Moss] and the print is from natalie candlish)

Listen To This: James Darren (and Gidget)

I've had a hankerin' for some Gidget for awhile now and hanging out on the California beaches has only increased the want. Luckily I found the three-disc set (Gidget, Gidget Goes to Rome and Gidget goes Hawaiian) at a thrift shop here in Ventura. And it's so amazing. I love this era: dashing men, gorgeous fashion, whimsical vocabulary (who came up with "Moondoggy" for goodness sakes?!). It's all too perfect, especially since I've spent the past few days soaking up the Cali sun. Enjoy my dear!

James Darren // No Such Thing As The Next Best Thing To Love

And here are this week's tweets (@hellomydeartweets)

my friends letterpress // great read // a little about ventura // i want to go to there // great design on sale // my new fools gold necklace