Another (short) hiatus

My friends, I'm traveling again. I'll be boarding a plane for Sydney in eleven hours and I'll be gone until Tuesday night. Which means you're on your own again for a bit. But I'll miss you while I'm wandering around the Sydney Harbour. xo

Listen To This: Agnes Obel

This is nothing more than a haunting, simple, sweet tune to start your weekend. Doing anything fun?

agnes obel // riverside
And as far as this week's tweets go (@hmdtweets) well, it was a light week what with my being away and all of that. Here are the four links I have for you my dears.

left to right:
calm down party
jcrew's famous poppy pout
brooklyn!
pack some potato salad

Enjoy the weekend! Hope you too are enjoying some lovely weather!

Meet: Sharon Taylor

Ms. Sharon Taylor is an interior designer and event coordinator—don't we wish we were too? I know I do, maybe one of these years. In the meantime we'll admire the portfolios of those that are. Sharon has a lovely online gallery containing images that mix colors and patterns and vintage and modern. I'd live in any of these rooms and would feel so special attending any of her events.



All of these images are from her portfolio, visit that and her blog.

Well Designed: Business Cards

I'm a collector of paper—I have brochures and postcards and business cards from all over the place (I collected no less than 40 random pieces of paper during my Melbourne trip); so it goes without saying that my heart beats fast for a good business card. I've been putting off designing some for Hello My Dear sort of because I'm moving in a month and I thought I'd put a more permanent phone number on there but also because I'm over-inspired and afraid that as soon as I get them printed I'll want to change them. I've made a handful of cards (for Ben // Dan) and it was great fun but designing for yourself is a different story. I'll get to it one of these days. And I promise to share them when I do. In the meantime, enjoy these lovely examples.



image sources from top left: four tines // watercolor // hello lucky // kathryn whyte // katie daisy // george sharp // shyama // caitlin // whitney // kate murphy // taylor black // mad brew // hammer // animal agency // butterfield // jimmys iced coffee // cortney // marlies // franks // postal service // precision // halftone def // eight hour day // edyta // popcorn

Pack Your Bags: Melbourne

Oh my friends I just got back from a great adventure in Melbourne—I spent three days in the city and two days exploring the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. I enjoyed great food and great company (my brother and sister-in-law) and saw my first wild koalas and kangaroos. Melbourne is a really great city with lots of interesting nooks and crannies. I wish that I could've spent a little more time wandering but we definitely spent a good amount of time shopping and cocktailing and riding trams.
As for the Great Ocean Road, what can I say? It was absolutely stunning. The Twelve Apostles (a collection of limestone stacks off the shore) were breathtaking and we had a perfectly sunny, warm day to observe them. We also saw koalas and kangaroos in the wild (yes, they do exist!) and we visited Phillip Island to watch the penguins come out of the ocean at dusk and make their way to their burrows. This was as adorable as it sounds: one second you're staring at ocean and sand and then the tide goes out and all of a sudden there is a group of little blue penguins. They spend the next few minutes trying to get out of the water and as soon as their teeny feet hit dry sand they waddle out as fast as they can (which isn't very fast because they're penguins). Then we wandered through their habitats and listened to them talk to each other. It's really great. You should go...
I thought I'd share some photos with you. Everything is pretty self-explanatory but if you have any questions, ask them in the comment section. Sorry for the not so great pictures. My camera's pretty good for a point and shoot but particularly in low light it's a little fuzzy. Maybe once I stop traveling the globe I'll get a nice camera.




I wish you could've been there with me! Thanks for tolerating my absence, it's so nice to see you again!
(all images are mine)

Loving: 60s Interiors, Part Two

While I was researching yesterday's post I came across these stunning illustrations by artist Charles Schridde done to advertise for Motorola. His environments do an amazing job of incorporating futuristic interior design within a seemingly isolated space and somehow they manage to be both modern and traditional. Anyway, they speak for themselves. Which is your favorite?


All of these images are from Flickr.
I also ran across these awesome videos chatting about the House of the Future at Disneyland's Tomorrow Land. Really fun and kitchy. Oh, and I'd totally live there.



One more thing, I'm going to Melbourne for a little vacation (yippee!), and I'm leaving my laptop behind. Sorry friends, but this means I won't be posting again until Monday. Enjoy the rest of the internet my dears! xo

Loving: 60s Interiors, Part One

I watched "Made In Dagenham" recently and besides being a very uplifting and fun film about the equal pay for women law in the UK (in the late 1960s), it was also really enjoyable to look at. I don't know if I'm retro enough to fully appreciate wall to wall shag carpeting or a massive orange couch but still I am attracted to these sorts of garish interiors. I ought to admit at this point in the story that I do own a fabulous baby blue vinyl sofa that I absolutely adore and I would love to have a Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair, but I don't know that I could live with wall to vaulted ceiling wood paneling. I'd be willing to give it a go...


It really was a fun era in interior design. Oh, and you read that right, this is only part one of two. Stay tuned tomorrow for a special treat.
images (from top left): glass wall // exterior // pink dining // piano // records // fireplace // pipe-smoking gentleman // sunken living // antlers // pink kitchen // raised dining // bar stools

Look At This: Antler Mag + Manimal

The cover of the latest issue of Antler magazine has the expected lovely lady in a hat and fringe halter with the word "pioneer" in the bottom corner. I get excited when I hear (or see) that word: pioneer. My brain goes into overdrive with images of large-brimmed hats, lace up boots and floral-print maxi dresses. Luckily as I flicked through the pages I was only more inspired. And I added horses to my imaginary prairie scene. You'll see why.


And while I was flipping through some past issues of the digital magazine I happened across this Brooklyn-based business that not only makes really lovely things but fits perfectly with my imagined "pioneer".  Manimal offers moccasins and other leather goods (they even have a couple of vegan options).

Listen To This: Fergie Ferg

This song is so crazy catchy. And you know what? Fergie's adorable and the video's clever and it's retro-styled and fun and a perfect start to the weekend. So there.

fergie // clumsy

And here's some fun stuff I found this week (don't forget, you can get these gems early by following me on the twitter @hmdtweets). Have an excellent weekend my dear!
old school book report style
coolest wedding guest — star wars edition
i want to go to there
fancy + fabulous hair dye idea
family history in kodachrome
recovering a chair seat
savory lollipops

Well Designed: Farmer's Market

Farmer's Markets are really lovely—all those beautiful colors and textures and smells. And luckily so many of the markets have employed amazing illustrators and designers to put together their marketing material. Here are some floating around the internet. Does your local market have great design?



images from top left: corn // onion // moose bag // dancing vegetables // farm // dachshund // strawberry + grapes // beet bag // hope // rye // mt. washington // bike bag

Look At This: Icy Babies

It's funny how it never really occurred to me that while I was baking away in the hot-ish Illinois summer sun, my mates down under were freezing in their non-insulated houses. This is now only too apparent as I sit here wishing I had some of those fancy fingerless gloves to help keep me warm while I put this post together. And it's July, a typically miserably hot month. Now that you understand my icy state of mind, you can see why I was drawn to these gorgeous icy babies from illustrator/graphic designer Thereza Rowe. I love that she sees (and helps us to see) the funny little creatures just waiting to be noticed in otherwise mundane patches of snow. When I get home to the snow I'll be on the lookout for these guys.


There are more on Thereza's site (along with some other really great illustrations).

Pretty Party: Something Blue with Feather + Stone

I went to the Finder's Keepers Markets a few weeks ago and saw lots and lots of really lovely things created by equally as lovely people. Feather + Stone photography set up a charming photo booth complete with great props and a gorgeous, sparkly, colorful background. Of course my friend and I had our photo taken (she was a pirate and I was a bear) and while we waited for the polaroid to develop we looked through their fantastic portfolio. If only I were getting married — I'd for sure have them document the day. The group (there are four of them all up) is young and forward thinking and I didn't see a single shot where the entire bridal party is jumping in the air. If you are lucky enough to be having an event that needs to be captured, do yourself a favor and call on them. And then send me some of your favorite shots so I can be excited with you!

Loving: Twinsies

You probably watched the Reds Super Rugby Final that happened here in Brisbane on Saturday night, yes? Oh. You had to wash your hair? That's ok—here was the highlight. (Yes, they're twins and they're beautiful.) So they probably weren't the best thing about the Reds win, but they are what I googled on Sunday when I was feeling a little boy crazy. And their lovely twin-ness inspired today's post.
Symmetry can be oh so good, but it can also be oh so stuffy. The trick is to have fun with it (isn't that always the trick?). Here are some good examples.



image sources from top left: quilted headboard // orange mirrors // grey bathroom // star mirrors // vaulted ceiling // union jack // black vases // yard // persimmon chairs // ornate twin beds // stripes // grey botanical prints // yellow couch // marble fireplace // dressers

Listen To This: Vampire Weekend

Oh you know, just a sweet little band playing a lovely song in a courtyard in Paris. Cheers to an excellent weekend my dears! (PS. There's a bit of swearing after the song is over. It's Europe so it's cool.)

vampire weekend // the kids don't stand a chance

Here were this week's tweets. (@hmdtweets)
flowers that'll never die
strawberry + rosemary sangria
buy some art
envelope craft
free new music
vodka + watermelon cooler
newlyweds in canada

Moving In: Jordan + Paul

Oh Happy Day indeed! Jordan Ferney (and of course her lovely husband Paul and two sons) opened up their gorgeous San Francisco apartment to Design*Sponge who was gracious enough to share with us. Jordan is a letterpress printer and event planner so of course the family's space is lively and creative and full of all sorts of interesting bits. Personal favorite: the collection of vintage globes in her sons' room.


Visit Jordan at Oh Happy Day.
(images from OHD and D*S)

Well Designed: Envelopes

Particularly in this age of bills and not much more in the mail, it's such a treat to get a beautiful envelope. If you're inviting someone to an event it's the guests first opportunity to get excited; if you're sending a letter of gratitude it's a chance to show an extra amount of care and love; and if you're simply writing someone to brighten their day, why not start that brightening immediately? The following images are inspiration, tutorials, art and ideas. Refer to the image sources to see which are tutorials and send some mail to a friend!



image sources from top left: cream fabric // doily tutorial // escort cards // personalized map tutorial // vintage wallpaper lined // confetti // paisley + white calligraphy // tiny book pages // a wedding wish // grid paper tutorial // scalloped map // neighborhood // accordion book tutorial // abigail // quilt // red + vintage stamps // envelope surprise tutorial // fully illustrated // craft paper // patterned window // vellum + twine // curvy calligraphy // yellow fabric // small envelope on paper tutorial

Meet: James Merrell

It's kind of funny (but mostly a little sad) that so many of the great images I love, I have no idea who the photographer or stylist is. I'm trying to remedy this by paying better attention and researching some of the greats. Like James Merrell. His work has appeared in Martha Stewart, Domino, Elle Decor, Vogue Living... some of our favorites. Looking through his portfolio I was constantly attracted to his photographs that featured strong wallpaper so I decided to show you some of those and I'll leave it to you to visit his site and see all the other ones.


Do you recognize any? Well if not from the above set, definitely you will in his portfolio.

Pack Your Bags: La Maison Pujol

As if you needed more incentive to pack a steamer trunk and head to the South of France, this amazing old winery turned boutique hotel will definitely get you in the mood for an aperitif. The space was lovingly renovated by architect and designer Philippe Phi with great vintage detailing in every room. The palette, mix of classic furniture pieces and those stunning antique letters skyrocket this b+b to the top of my dream vacation list.

images from the travel files // la maison pujol // eco salon
PS. Happy Independence Day America! Enjoy a root beer float for me!

Listen To This: Ray Charles

Even if you're not American you can appreciate a little Ray Charles, right? I thought so. Happy 4th of July weekend America!

Ray Charles // America the Beautiful

I'm going to start something new this week and share some of the links I've tweeted throughout the week. (Of course if you'd like to see these early you can follow me @hmdtweets...)
how to make sparkler messages // gorgeous hand-drawn digital patterns // neon sign museum // NYC's narrowest apartment for sale // art to benefit Joplin // a new breed of animated gifs

Have a lovely weekend my dear! xo