For Those That Have Asked…

Article Posted on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 9:02 am

First of all, I have some super exciting news! As you know, I get to work as a visual designer at Scripps Interactive, the home of some great brands like HGTV, DIY, & Food Network. (Note: disclaimer here) I’ve worked with their shelter brand websites since last March and it has been a great time of growth as a designer as well as just a pleasure to work on brands that I really believe in.

That being said, today HGTV announced that there are several people that will be Pinterest-ing (that’s totally a word, right?) on behalf of the brand, and I am one of those people. So now, in addition to following my HB_Belle boards which are more personal (fashion, diy, recipes, LOTS of vintage), I’ll be curating a few HGTVHannahB boards that are a bit more focused on offering inspiration for your home. I hope you follow both and that you like what you see!

Now, for those that have contacted me and said you don’t quite “get it,” I’m here to help. Here’s an easy HowTo that should show you how to get started. But let me warn you, once you start pinning, you won’t be able to stop!

{ or just Click Here for @HB_Belle and @HGTVHannahB }

Tip: Look at who I’m following to find even more great inspiration!

Some favorites include:
Jessica Marcum
KatieArmour
Will Taylor
The Broke Socialite
Anne Sage
Uncle Beefy
Katie Evans
Ally Garner
Ginny Branch Stelling

You can find the other “HGTV Pinners” right here:
HGTV
HGTVCanada
HGTVLiz
HGTVDale
HGTVBriana

And that’s all there is to it! Jot me a note if you have any more Q’s though! I’d be happy to help.
Happy Pinning!
xo~ Hannah B.

Happy Monday!

Article Posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 pm

{ Warning: This week’s links are very, *very* random, but I think you’ll love them all! }

: Listen :

I read Blaine Hogan’s blog; If you don’t, you should. (Have you read his book yet?) Anyway, last week he posted about this project a friend of his  is working on called A New Liturgy. It’s beautiful. Think of it as a personal worship service that you can participate in anytime, any place. It’s perfect for your car ride home, your time on the treadmill, or your lunch hour. I’ve found it really rejuvenating and a great way to start the week off in the right mindset.

: Read :

Last week, Elsie had some really great sewing tips on her blog, A Beautiful Mess. Between her guide to seams and Husband’s encouragement to make a few things for the house and for ourselves, I have a feeling I’ll be dusting off my sewing machine this week. ‘Bout time, huh?

: Dress :

If you saw the Bill Cunningham documentary, or if you’ve ever seen his curated photos in the NYTimes style section, I’m sure you too *heart* Bill Cunningham. So how great is this tee from Barneys?

: Live :

Just try and tell me that looking at these pictures of Martha’s Homekeeping Room doesn’t make your little heart skip a beat. From the organized labeled bins to the wrapping station, these pics make me want to organize, organize, organize. What better way to brighten things up on dreary January days for free? First on the docket this week: organizing the kitchen cupboards.

Happy Monday to all! Make it the best you can! xo* Hannah B.

The mid-January Funk

Article Posted on Friday, January 20th, 2012 at 12:48 pm

I have been in a major funk for the past week. I got sick over New Year’s, and I swear I haven’t been the same since. This past week we’ve been trying to adjust to a new routine, the house isn’t in the best shape, I keep feeling like no task is ever complete, and I just haven’t felt like myself. Anyway, I think I’ve figured out at least part of a solution: Creatively I think I need to mix things up a bit. Does everyone get like that? You do the same routine for so long that it loses all it’s spark? I find that learning a new technique or going back to something I haven’t done in years is both therapeutic and exciting at times like these.

I’ve been blogging for a while, but I don’t know if the stuff I’ve been blogging about for the past year is really where my head’s at right now. On that note, I was going through old sketchbooks a few nights ago and came across some really fun things. I thought I’d share some snippets over the next few days. Long before Photoshop and Pinterest, I would cut up magazines and catalogs and make collages in my sketchbook like these…

Just Sharing Some Favorite Finds

Article Posted on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 1:21 pm

This time of  year comes with an abundance of cold, gloomy weather. As a result, I think it’s even more important to add a few little touches to your home that makes it just a bit cozier. The other night I found a few items on ShopTerrain.com that I particularly thought would do the job.

Every Belle knows there isn’t a better way to cozy up your home than a wonderful meal. I’ve wanted this particular cookbook ever since I read The Bucolic Plague, but ShopTerrain has an abundance of great cookbooks. One of our personal New Year’s Resolutions has been to eat in more, and I have taken this as an excuse to mix things up in the kitchen. Cooking the same old things was getting old so gathering some new inspiration has been such a help!

These Honey Tobacco beeswax & soy blend candles have become one of my new favorite things. We always try to keep candles burning in the evenings. Our usual choices are cinnamon or apple scents but when someone sent these for my birthday, I became a total devotee! It is the *perfect* scent to cozy up your living room while you eat ice cream and watch Netflix.

As a Southern girl, I have a personal affinity for cotton. Needless to say, when I saw these cotton stems, I needed them immediately! I love decorating with white in the wintertime and for some reason these little guys remind me of snowballs; they’re like winter’s cozy answer to the bright floral arrangements we usually try to keep around the house.

Article Posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 at 10:30 pm

Get Ready for Office Inspiration Overload

Article Posted on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 at 8:00 am

I was quite thrilled to see so much chatting about Jenna Lyons office over the last couple of weeks–mainly because I’m totally in love with the color of her desk and I’m still lusting after that yellow luggage. The other reason, however, has nothing to do with JCrew nor Jenna’s office in particular, but just the office eye candy. As you know we’ve been working on our house this summer and the next room on the list is my office. While I’ll have to wait a bit to buy some new things, it does have a fresh coat of paint, and we are currently working on moving around some of the furniture. All that to say, this post is chock full of inspiration for your home office. These first ones are my 2 favorites…

{ source unknown //  Elle Decor }

{ source unknown // The office of Alaina Kaczmarski }

{ office of illustrator Julia Denos // source unknown }

{ Designer Matthew Patrick Smyth // Alex Papachristidis }

{ Amy Fine Collins in Elle Decor // Ashley Edwards Domino Magazine }

{ Aerin Lauder // Michael Bastian’s home office }

{ The Glamourai // Gwen Stefani, }

{ The offices of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia }

There wasn’t enough room in this post so if you’re in the mood for a little more inspiration overload, then
click here to visit my *Rooms I Want to Be In* pinboard.

Hello, gorgeous!

Article Posted on Monday, July 18th, 2011 at 11:39 pm

The past week may have been one of my most hectic ever. The office post-vacation was quite overwhelming, and I’m pretty sure that my brain didn’t turn off until sometime midday yesterday. All that to say, today’s pretties are designed to make you happy… and what could be more happy than flowers, jazz and time for tea?

:: Listen ::

I have had Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ stuck in my head for the past 2 weeks, but I can’t say that I’m complaining. For some reason this lovely song always manages to make my mind drift to another world.

:: Read ::

Will’s latest post on Bright.Bazaar contains colorful inspiration from Contemporary Home for a bold summer tablescape. Personally, I can’t resist the bright flowers in the candy-colored glass! Click here to read Will’s post.

:: Dress ::

Feathers a la Steven Tyler may be all the rage, but Belles know there’s nothing more romantic than flowers in your hair, or on your cardigan, or you tank top, or your handbag…
You can pick up this classic Emerson bouquet right here.

:: Live ::

As I’ve said, things have been a bit hectic lately. By the time mid-afternoon rolls around either a.) my mind is starting to wander or b.) I’m totally stressed out. However, I’ve found a secret. A cup of tea in the afternoon may be an old ritual, but I assure you it is timeless. If there happens to be a stressful day on your horizon this week, take a break, make some tea and take a long, deep breath–everything will be ok.

Have a picnic this weekend!

Article Posted on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 12:18 pm

{ Canoe Ridge Creations }

I was on Pinterest the other day and began looking through the ‘Quilt Ideas’ board of my friend Niki when I came across this beautiful gray quilt! Doesn’t it look like just the thing for a summer picnic? I thought so too so on that note, I thought I’d share every Belle’s Top 5 picnic essentials. After all, what is a picnic without a floppy-brimmed hat, pink lemonade, pretty plastic dishes and flatware and, of course, monogrammed napkins! (These from Wisteria are totally on my wishlist!)

{   1 /   2   /   3 /   4 /    5 }

*note: I believe the flatware was a limited edition run & is no longer available.

Also, in every Belle’s trunk to be pulled out on a spontaneous trip to the park? Why lawn games, of course! I especially love the vintage look of these from Restoration Hardware.

{ Outdoor games from Restoration Hardware }

For a little more picnic inspiration, follow the new A Belle’s Distractions tumblr blog!

Article Posted on Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 8:12 pm

If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales, and I like them best of all.
~Audrey Hepburn

In which I get randomly distracted…

Article Posted on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011 at 1:19 pm

The other day I saw this photo on Pinterest, and it totally made me *swoon!* As I believe I’ve mentioned before, I have a special affinity for giraffes because I have always related to their elongated physique, and I just love how fantastical they seem. So on that note, here’s a bit of random long-necked, whimsical inspiration to brighten up your Thursday afternoon…