Hello, Gorgeous!

Article Posted on Monday, August 22nd, 2011 at 8:00 am

:: Listen ::

While I am a fan of *many* NPR shows (as in: I may or may not listen to WUOT all day every day), I usually don’t love This American Life. There’s just something about the tone that I find to be a bit of a downer. However, this past Saturday Husband decided to leave on the radio after Wait Wait… and we found ourselves listening to 2 of the craziest stories we had heard in a long time. So here’s what I recommend you listen to this week: Episode 323 The Super. It is so bizarre and wonderful; you’ll love it!

:: Read ::

I have been reading the style blog Street Etiquette for a long time so I was thrilled to see this beautiful write-up on the 2 writers behind it, Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi, in the New York Times last week. Personally, I have affection for the blog because of the narrative style of their photography–not just in the pictures they take but in each piece the men in the photographs wear. That being said, I never really gave much thought to the narrow story lines minorities in our culture are usually put into–a point which is reinforced by a great quote in the article from Mos Def (a Street Etiquette reader himself). There’s something very empowering about the people and environments they photograph. In my opinion Jon Caraminica, the author of the article, made such a profound statement in the very first paragraph:

…these pictures are styled and plotted fictions but also affecting ones, depicting a pair of young black men taking ownership not just of the body and what goes on it, but also of the environment it moves in.

Isn’t that what we all strive to do? Regardless of race, status or anything else, we choose what we wear, what we eat, where we go and how we carry ourselves in different situations. It is always about living a life of intention.

:: Dress ::

This week, I am *super* stoked about a series of Fall style posts I have lined up. This is by far my very favorite time of year, and one of the reasons is, of course, new back-to-school clothes. While I don’t really have the school excuse anymore, I still get giddy thinking about new things to invest in and trends to play with in the coming seasons. While I love summer just as much as the next gal, I am quite ready to pull out my layers and heavier textures, aren’t you? Check back here later today for the first installment.

:: Live ::

This week I highly recommend you pull out your grandmother’s jewelry. I was lucky enough to get a really great collection from both of my grandmothers, which I’ll also be sharing later in the week, and I find that anytime I pull out a pair of classic ‘earbobs’ my mood instantly lightens. If you were not blessed with inherited bangles, find a great thrift store. If you are local, there are quite a few good options here in Knoxville that I’ll try to share later in the week as well. In the meantime, happy hunting!

Wall Art Envy

Article Posted on Monday, June 13th, 2011 at 11:00 am

I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day when I saw Naomi Elliott’s ‘Chairs I’d Like to Own’ series, and I just couldn’t resist posting a few of my picks. Don’t you think these drawings (or the chairs themselves for that matter) would be perfect in our new living room?

While you’re at it, be sure to bookmark Naomi’s site because I am totally in *love* with her doodles.

*A little update: I talked to Naomi and, lucky for us, she will be opening an online shop in the near future! Isn’t that exciting! Stay tuned for details.

7 Random Things

Article Posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Style File :: Arianna Huffington

Article Posted on Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 12:29 pm

“When I was a little girl growing up in Greece, I had 2 dreams: to do the voice of a bear on an American animation series and to become a blogger because my mother always wanted me to aspire to non-existent things.”
-Arianna Huffington to Conan O’Brien, December 8th,2010

Ok, so I have to admit, the only reason I knew this name prior to last Wednesday’s Conan show was because Rush Limbaugh regularly quotes The Huffington Post. However, after watching Arianna Huffington’s appearance on Conan, I just had to do a little mini style-file on this blogger turned millionaire political/business powerhouse. First of all, because she has a style, grace and self-confidence which I find are too often rare, unexpected qualities among women in power. Secondly, I just loved the quote above! How amazing is it to think that the platform that may give you your future voice, lifestyle and influence may not even be invented yet? Perhaps those with the most influence are those that are the most willing to move forward and take chances.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering about the bear thing, she voices Arianna the bear on The Cleveland Show!

7 Random Things

Article Posted on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 am

Good morning & happy Monday! Hope you had an absolutely *lovely* weekend! 

1.)  I really love this idea from Beth Jones! It’s a style planner for the true fashion diva! Isn’t that great? As she describes it, “STYLIT lets you create inspiration pages for each season, fashion forecast each month, imagine a new look while traveling, and plan your outfits daily.” You can get your’s here. Also, I first saw it on Promise Tangeman’s blog and she also has an interview with Beth if you’re interested.

2.)  A couple of weeks ago, the New York Times released their 10 Best Books lists and, as usual, I was most interested in the Illustrated Children’s list. Then, this past week, I was excited to see that the Martha Stewart Crafts Dept. blog looked into the process of Erin E. Stead who illustrated one of the most beautiful books on the list: A Sick Day for Amos McGee.

3.)  I got really excited when I saw this little indoor cabin on Design for Mankind. It’s sort of like a grown-up playhouse. This summer, the hottest on record since something like the 1910′s, we only had AC in  one room so we brought a mattress down to what had previously been a junk room of sorts and camped out until October. It was pretty magical, and I kind of miss it. I think when we build our dream house, something like this will definitely be incorporated.

4.)  I have always had this thing for giraffes. Probably because I too have an unusually long neck. Anywho, I am kind of digging this Jonathan Adler lamp. What do you think? 

5.)  When Husband & I went to vote a few weeks ago, the lady running the booths was reading this book. I’ve only seen it available here, but it looked hilarious. For instance: Who Would Win… King Kong or Godzilla? Beer or Wine? Perot or Nader? 

6.)  To be honest, I couldn’t have said or designed it better… how much do you love this image on the front page of shopbando.com?! I will most definitely be getting something from these talented ladies for the holiday season. Perhaps I will have an excuse to buy a cute pair of pumps when we go to Chicago just so I can get some shoe clips? I was also really excited when I *finally* realized that one of my favorite photographers, Jen Gotch, was one of the talented ladies behind ban.do. (I always appreciated her input on Design for  Mankind’s Dialogue series!) Watch a super cute interview with Jen & her partner Jamie on the Girls with Glasses site. 

7.)  A while back I saw this amazing photo of a girl in a horse sweater. I *adored* the color palette, feel and styling of this photo. Well, I finally found out where it came from. As it turns out the stylist behind the blog Adore Vintage recently styled this Fall shoot with a few other names you may recognize. Check out some more shots and be sure to visit her site…

Daydreaming

Article Posted on Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

I often read The Sartorialist and dream of being a glamorous, mysterious lady that lives in a bustling city somewhere amazing.

7 Random Things

Article Posted on Friday, November 5th, 2010 at 5:02 pm

1.) Take the quiz… Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?

{Collage found on Annabelle’s blog… isn’t it gorgeous? I’m definitely going to have to chat with this lady. Her blog is great as well!}

The other day Pamela Keogh replied to one of my tweets about how important it is to vote. So when I looked too see who she was, I got super excited! As it turns out, she’s written some of those really cool books we all have thumbed through (like this one). Her newest, however, may be the coolest yet, and I will definitely be picking up a copy. She’s gotten rave reviews from some of my most favorite magazines so I’m interested to read it for myself. I’ll be sure to  let you know how it is!

*Also, in case you were wondering, I’m *totally* a Marilyn! I think it has something to do with my love of drinking and my man!

2.) GQ has a great, short piece on Tommy Hilfiger and what it means to be an “American Prep.”

3.) Speaking of prep, I adore the style of the boys over at Street Etiquette. Today, they’ve posted a great mash-up of different quilted jackets that I *love* but, I have to tell you, this pair of vintage Tommy Hilfiger saddle shoes totally stole the show for me!

I was a saddle shoe devotee until the age of 11 when I completely lost my mind fashion-wise (didn’t we all?), but these make me want to get a cute girly pair myself and find some awesome ones for Husband as well!

4.)  I recently discovered that some of my favorite new things from Kate Spade are coming from illustrator / designer Katie Evans. Take a peek at her personal website to see more of her work and be sure to follow her on Twitter!

5.)  There are times when I really wish we lived in a city, mainly just so we could go to cool things like this… Meg Mateo Ilasco recently had a show at Rare Device promoting her new book Crafting a Meaningful Home. Luckily, for those of us thousands of miles away, Anthology’s blog has some great behind the scenes coverage. (Of course, she’s the creative director of the magazine so I suppose they should!) Be sure to read the beautifully handwritten explanations on the walls in the pic below…

6.)  Another book that I actually just ordered today is a collection of Maira Kalman’s NYTimes 2009 blog And the Pursuit of Happiness. (That is actually how one of my most favorite books, The Principles of Uncertainty, came about as well.) There is something about this time of year that always makes me very reflective about our country and its people; I think it has something to do with Thanksgiving. This book expresses Maira Kalman’s thoughts so poetically and it also, of course, has beautiful photographs, illustrations and hand done typography to compliment the text. To take a peak at the blog, click here.

7.)  I believe I saw this music video earlier this year, but I had no idea what it was for!

I Am A Girl – The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

How in the world did I go 7 months without knowing about The Girls with Glasses?! Thank heavens, Mrs. Ginny Branch posted this this morning! In case you’re wondering what I’ve been doing to occupy my ears whilst working this afternoon, I’ve been playing each of their short vimeos. Be sure to check out their website and twitter. Now, a few favorites…

How to Pack a Suitcase from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

Dallas Shaw at DKNY from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

Train Wrecks & Cat Fights from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

ForYouLoveMe

Article Posted on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 at 12:17 pm

For You Love Me is the love child of Carissa and Andrew Gallo, a wife (photographer) & husband (videographer) team based in Washington DC. I saw their work this morning and just had to take a little break to post some of it! I love the colors and the stories that come through in the photography and the videos are truly stunning. The first one I watched is super *sweet* and playful and stars the writers of one of my favorite blogs. I also want to draw your attention to the video of Rinah. I know that it will especially touch some of the hearts of those in our church who do a lot of missions work. (It totally made me cry a little bit!)

from Caleb + Jess

from Zach + Bree

Also, they have a *beautiful* website! Be sure to hop over and check out more!

Fernando (in a sexy accent)

Article Posted on Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

Recently, I was reading blogs and came across this little nugget from the English Muse about the online archive of author interviews from the Paris Review. The collection is diverse and if you love to read at all, I’d highly recommend finding one of your favorite authors on the site. I was especially excited to find an interview with P.L. Travers (of Mary Poppins fame… one of my all-time favorites!). Anyway, to illustrate the article, Ms. Muse used these stupendous black & white illustrations, and I just had to document them here for my own personal little journal. I am completely smitten! The illustration are by a man in Madrid named Fernando Vicente Retratos and to be completely honest, that’s all I could really gather from his website (alas, none of his sites are in English).  However, I’d highly recommend browsing through his archives. They are quirky and beautiful all at the same time!

7 Random Things

Article Posted on Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am

1.) A few days ago, Katie posted this super chic, 20′s-ish shoot of the ladies of Boardwalk Empire by Ellen Von Unwerth for Vanity Fair. I fell in *love* with the colors and the clothing! The whole shoot, of course, immediately went into my inspiration folder! (to see more: visit The NeoTraditionalist)

2.) Little known fact about Hannah B: I have always felt that in another life, I was a gorgeous red head. My uncle is a very proud red head and when I was little, I was a little too obsessed with the books (and movies) Anne of Green Gables. Perhaps that has something to do with it? Anyway, when I saw this gorgeous red hair on the Sartorialist the other day, I just had to share. Incidentally, how much do you *love* that 1920′s style as well?

3.) I simply adore the paint job in this room! It’s like a mood ring or a magic jewel from a fairy tale!

4.) I *heart* these dolls from the Black Apple. They went super fast in the update yesterday, but there is something about dressing up dolls that I just can’t seem to get away from lately (ie: this). Perhaps it is a sign that I should make some new clothes for myself?

5.) How much do you want this *quirky* throw from Anthropologie? I would love to have a sweater that looked like this to brighten up some of the dreary days we’ve been having!

6.) One of my main incentives to one day have kids? Buying chic mother-daughter outfits to wear so we can school all those other kids on what style really is. Forget the whole pastels and random shirts with elephants, I want a kid that wears bright colors, gorgeous fabrics and knows how to accessorize! (from October’s Vanity Fair Italia via Dustjacket Attic)

7.) I also just had to post this library that I saw on the Neo-Traditionalist. (It really is ridiculous how much my inspiration folder is filling up since I started reading Katie’s blog!) When I am old, I totally plan on having at least one room in my house with a wall of books… and, of course, one of those library ladders to slide back and forth!

Have a perfectly *lovely* Thursday!
xo~ Hannah B.