Friday, September 30, 2011

Friday Flower: Hydrangeas




These flowers are the brightest, most bubble gum pink hydrangeas I have ever seen! I remember positively gawking at them when I first sighted them. 

I took these pictures back in 2006 so I can't be entirely sure, but I believe these were growing in a courtyard somewhere near the Bayeux Tapestry museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France.


Friday Flower: This series is meant to insert as much beauty and joy as possible into my life and the lives of my readers. It's a small reminder to stop and smell the roses and to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I hope you enjoy the beauty!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wanderlust Wednesday: The Philippines


Don't you wish you could teleport right now??!

Spencer and I get a week vacation in December and are dreaming of beaches to escape to. The Philippines has over seven thousand islands to explore and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to frolic on. How could we say no to that?!


photo sources, 1, 2, 3

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Apple Galette

I love this simple and fun cooking tutorial video. That galette looks delicious and oh, so easy!


This video was made by Rachel of Elephantine. Visit her Vimeo page here.

via Abby Goes Design Scouting

Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday Flower: Purple Explosions


These tiny purple explosions are amazing. I love the way they burst open like fireworks but are so delicate and feminine at the same time. They're stunning!

I took this photo while visiting Monet's house in Giverny, France. I don't know what this little beauty is called and if you do, please let me know in the comments!


Friday Flower: This series is meant to insert as much beauty and joy as possible into my life and the lives of my readers. It's a small reminder to stop and smell the roses and to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I hope you enjoy the beauty!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wanderlust Wednesday: Reims, France


Champagne always brings a fun, celebratory smile to my face and lately, I've been feeling like celebrating all the time! Not only am I really enjoying living and teaching English in South Korea, but I was also just interviewed by Anne over at Prêt à Voyager! It was such an honor for me to be featured on Prêt à Voyager, a site that I regard highly, and I thought the final product turned out really nicely.

Anne is currently living in Paris which got me thinking about France....so this week I've been dreaming of champagne tasting and practicing my French in Reims, known as the champagne capital of France. I want to sip delicious, bubbly champagne and enjoy all the beautiful sights and delectable treats Reims has to offer, like pastries, chocolates, warm, fresh bread with cheese, and of course, champagne! 

Have you ever been to Reims before?? I would love to hear what you thought of it in the comments!


 photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
"now we sip champagne when we thirsty" --The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Inspirational India


Lately I've been inspired by anything from India. The fun, bright colors make me so happy and the pretty henna patterns are so intricate and beautiful. It's the overwhelming amount of details that catches my eye and keeps me looking. I love the curling paisleys, long flower petals, dots, and swirls. Nothing is understated and everything is bohemian and spiritual. India is so different from anywhere else in the world and that's what makes it so interesting and exciting for me.


photo sources: elephant, cookies, powder, hands

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday Flower: Fuchsia




Monet's house, Giverny, France | Summer 2008


Friday Flower: This series is meant to insert as much beauty and joy as possible into my life and the lives of my readers. It's a small reminder to stop and smell the roses and to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I hope you enjoy the beauty!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Gorman



I'm loving this Australian clothing company, Gorman! The backgammon print is gorgeous and I love the high-waisted swimmie. They are having a $5000 giveaway at the moment. How awesome would it be to win?! What would you get? I would definitely get this dress.


First seen on Black*Eiffel

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Yanko Design

I've been looking for design publications recently, either on the web or in print, and I stumbled upon Yanko Design. I especially love their tagline, "Form Beyond Function" and it suits them well. Yanko Design is an online magazine filled to the brim with innovative and beautiful things. From their website:
"Yanko Design is a web magazine dedicated to introducing the best modern international design, covering from industrial design, concepts, technology, interior design, architecture, exhibition and fashion. It’s about the cutting edge and the classic, the new and the rediscovered. It’s all about the best."
Here are a few of my favorite things I've found on Yanko.

Tea-time

You fill one half with tea leaves and water, set the steep time, and turn it over. After the allotted time runs out the water pours into the bottom half like an hourglass. Always a perfect cup! I love that you can see the tea through the glass too. It would be really pretty with rose or jasmine tea. See more photos here.


Eaux Eaux

Inspired by a wave in the sea, these beautiful sinks are striking! I would love to see these paired with this scalloped tile (I call it mermaid tile!) and warm, soft textures. Wouldn't that be divine? See more pictures of Eaux Eaux here.


Rose Lamp

I've always loved the intricate and elegant details of Victorian ceiling ornaments, so it's no wonder that I love this Rose Lamp! I really like that the rod holding up the bulb isn't perfectly straight, as well. It really gives it that upside-down look and adds loads of character. The only thing that I don't like about it, is that naked light bulb. I would either add a shade or paint the bulb so it's not poking you in the eye all the time! See more pictures here.


What do you think, my lovelies? Do you enjoy innovative housewares? Or are you a more classic consumer? I'd love to hear from you.
















Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Wanderlust Wednesday: Gold Coast, Australia



sources: map, photo, hat, swimmie, earrings, sandals

I always hear such good things about Australia. The beaches are beautiful, the people are friendly, and there are plenty of places to explore. One good place to visit is the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast is a good size city (about 540,000 people) along the east coast of Australia in the state of Queensland. There is plenty to do in and around Gold Coast including surfing, sunbathing, or swimming at a beautiful beach, heading out on a whale watching expedition, or exploring the nearby rainforest or vineyards. Whatever you choose, it's sure to be a good time with all that beautiful weather!




Monday, September 5, 2011

Sunny Saturday in Suncheon

On Saturday afternoon Spencer and I left our apartment to find a beautiful sunny day outside. The sky was so blue, probably the bluest I've seen in Korea so far, and there were pretty white fluffy clouds gliding along. The air was fresh and the heavy, sticky, smoggy, awful humidity had let up a bit. It was a welcome change to the terrible weather we'd had during the week. We walked to a main road to catch a cab to get haircuts. While waiting for a cab, I snapped this picture of some vines growing on a brick wall.


Have you ever seen a brick wall made this way?? I thought it was pretty clever.

We had to wait about an hour since we were walk-ins so we walked around the shops nearby.


Isn't this clock shop cool? Look at those cuckoos!


A smiling horse! :)


We bought this little guy from the florist shop behind the horse. It says on the card that it's called "Snow White Park."

Finally, here's the hair cut!


I'm thankful the hairdresser spoke some English but I was still really nervous! I showed her how short I wanted it and told her to cut it all one length. I was too scared to get an actual style or layers or anything like that. It's a lot shorter than before but still long enough. I'm really happy with it!

Here's how long it was before, if you're interested. She cut a good 4-5 inches!