Lunchtime Distractions

Article Posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Last week, I visited one of my very *favorite* antique malls here in Knoxville (Nostalgia, for the locals) on my lunchbreak. How I managed to escape with just some beads for our Christmas tree was a true act of God!

Did your mom have homemade skate ornaments with paperclips on your tree? Mine did! And I think this tutorial from Kate (Mrs. Skunkboy Creatures, herself) is so charming!

I don’t know if you too get a little tired of Gift Guides this time of year, but there are 2 sites that have been hitting it out of the park! I am completely in *love* with the recipient profiles that accompany the lists from the lovely Joanna Goddard and Mrs. Lilien’s tongue-in-cheek picks are so much fun!

While we’re on the subject of Christmas: On the way to work last week I heard a Grofé piece that I could’ve sworn was the soundtrack to A Christmas Story. After some lunchtime investigating with a co-worker, we discovered that quite a bit of the music for my favorite Christmas movie was sampled from well-known classical pieces. I’ve put together a playlist on Spotify so you can hear both the soundtrack and the original classics.

I read this article in the Washington Post last week about the “New Domesticity” and found it quite fascinating. As a Belle, I was raised to think it’s really important to value the traditions and practices of the past while forging ahead, but to some it seems to be a barrier rather than a jumping off point. I’d love to hear some other opinions. What are your thoughts?

5 Random Things

Article Posted on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 at 9:40 pm

1. I heard this overview called “The Bee’s Knees” on NPR the other day, and I just loved it. Husband plays one mean “Flight of the Bumblebee,” and I, of course, have a special affinity for the little things just because of my name… Hannah *B.* Plus, you have to respect such a tiny creature that has such a bold look. After all, it’s not just any thing that can pull off a wardrobe of strictly black and yellow! All that to say, I thought it was absolutely adorable, and you should totally listen to it!

2. Last week would have been Leonard Bernstein‘s birthday. He’s one of my all-time favorites, so I just couldn’t resist watching a few clips on Thursday when I ran across this little gem. A bit unexpected from the man that made it his mission to make classical music accessible to the masses.

3. To celebrate the 40 years of Chez Panisse, Alice Waters has partnered with Levi’s (who has been known for some amazing collaborations of late) to produce these designer T’s. Artists include: Alice herself, Sofia Coppola, Dave Eggars, David Byrne and, my favorite, Maira Kalman.

4. The entire Terrain site keeps reminding me how very ready for Fall I am. Don’t you just love how warm and cozy all of their goods looks right now? Also I may have to try this recipe for Apple Spice cake.

5. It is impossible to watch this video without smiling…

I Charleston Berlin from Vincent Pfäfflin on Vimeo.

xo~ Hannah B.

Secrets of a Belle will be back Next Week!

Article Posted on Saturday, August 6th, 2011 at 10:19 pm

{ A little peak at my cubicle… I’ve slowly been pretty-ing it up.
There are more Hipstamatic photos on my tumblr blog: A Belle’s Distractions.}

Summer break is rapidly coming to a close so I thought I’d better check in and let you know that regular daily posts will recommence on Monday! I have lots of fun posts that are just waiting and ready, and I am so very ready to get back into more of a routine. In the meantime, a few links from this past week…

Martha turned 70 this week and in her honor, you may want to take a peek at my slightly over-the-top celebration of all things Martha from last year.

. . . . .

I have been quite obsessed with The Office since I discovered there were 6 seasons on Netflix Instant. I have been rolling in the floor laughing about this particular episode in which the group attempts to turn on their Southern Charm–Andy has  it down; Oscar does not.

. . . . .

On Friday Will posted some gorgeous photos that make me want to live on a Houseboat now more than ever. I’ve been fantasizing every since I saw the Tammy movies as a young girl. (Speaking of which, I got to interview Debbie Reynolds a couple of years ago… you can read the story here. And yes, she really does talk like that in real life.)

{click here to see Will’s full post}

. . . . .

Kevin Sharkey is the latest in a long line of people making me wish I were in NYC to see the amazing Alexander McQueen retrospective. That man was a wizard when it came to textures… just stunning!

{click here to visit Kevin Sharkey’s  blog}

. . . . .

I have recently discovered The Coveteur, and I am pretty sure my life will never be the same. I can’t get enough of the bright pics from inside Deborah Lloyd’s home, and of course the one of her pup Harry Winston Churchill!

’til Monday… Adieu
to you & you & you!
xo~ Hannah B.

A few random links…

Article Posted on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 8:54 pm

I’ve been finding some really great links via Twitter lately, and I just couldn’t resist re-posting a few of them here as well.

~ I found this interview with the creator of Apartment Therapy on the99% and found it super inspiring! I just adore both of those sites, don’t you?

~ I am ordering the latest collaboration between Steven Heller & Louise Fili as soon as I’m done with the post. This book looks like hundreds of pages of gorgeous!

~ I’m sort of in love with Madonna’s dress from the MET gala. *sigh*

You can click here to follow me on Twitter & click here for the Secrets of a Belle Facebook page!

A Few Random Links…

Article Posted on Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at 5:19 pm

Good afternoon! I don’t know how it is where you are but here it has seemed to be dark, damp & dreary all week. Thus, I thought the photo of my very 1st Dark & Stormy (while at Chez Liberty on Monday night) would be the perfect header for a post with random who’s-its and what-not links…

This article in the NYTimes on Emily Thompson, a floral designer living in NYC, sounded perfectly romantic to me and makes me want to go home and turn our dining room into a rotating showcase of flowers and things.

Incidentally, Atlanta stylist Annette Joseph just completed a lovely series on her blog about styling your home for photos. I’m also super stoked about the rumors that Annette is going to have a reality show on  Fox. I’m not sure if it’s set in stone yet, but isn’t that great? Finally a reality show I would watch! In another life, I think I want to be Annette Joseph.

One thing I listened to while working yesterday was this interview that Emily Martin (aka the Black Apple) did with Julie Sabatier for OPB. I’d highly recommend clicking here and listening if you have like Emily and her work. She’s a Southern girl, ya know!

Finally I thought I’d add that I’ve been posting a lot of fun links lately on Twitter and the Secrets of a Belle facebook page so I think those may start replacing these Random Things posts.

You can click here to follow me on Twitter.

And here to *Like* Secrets of a Belle on Facebook!

Be sure to say ‘hi!’
xo~ Hannah B.

A few more reasons I *love* the NY Times

Article Posted on Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at 1:59 pm

I don’t know what it is about the NYTimes, but for some reason I am just a teensy bit obsessed with their website. The writing is always great, but the photography and the places they shoot are just *fabulous!* Wouldn’t you just die to be able to go in and photograph places like these? Anyway, here are a few favorite articles of late to peruse…

I absolutely *love* this grey house! With the hardwood floors, the colors and the bright accents situated throughout it reminds me so much of what we are doing with our house. Pictures of the process to come soon, I promise! Anyway, the story is pretty cool too, click here to read.

I totally want a little mini-reading house in my backyard… who doesn’t?

The latest T magazine has a *stunning* layout of Salma Hayek photographed by Cass Bird that I’d highly recommend flipping through.

Friday’s Random Links…

Article Posted on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 4:21 pm

1.) Recently, I have sort of fallen head over heals in love with the photography of Ms. Jamie of From Me to You. Needless to say, this pictorial story just added kindling to the fire! It’s called A Hudson River Story, and you can find it in the latest issue of Rue but, in the meantime, these are a few of my favorites. Isn’t the lighting just romantic and haunting all at the same time?!

2.) This is probably #526 on the list of reasons we should frequently visit NYC… and, of course, by frequently I mean at least for the 1st time. Artist Daniel Egnéus just released a book last week that tells the classic Grimm brothers tale of Little Red Riding Hood. (I will be ordering my copy ASAP!) Anyway, during the month of February these works will be on display at Traffic. If you’re in the area, please stop by for me!

{first seen here}

3.) I would like to live in this bathroom. (Also Marta’s description of how to have a proper soak is quite cute!)

4.) I am quite a fan of the adorable illustrations of Ms. Janice Nadeau, and I am especially fond of this most recent one for Coup de Pouce!

5.) I’ve been coming across great fashion blogs right & left lately, but this may be one of my new favorites. Keiko Lynn has a very rocker-chic style, I *love* Makeup Mondays, and I think I may need her bangs. What do you think?

6.) The 1st time I heard this song, Husband sang it with my mother. To make the moment weirder, I totally thought it was a fake song and have stood by that for the past 6 years. And then, I saw this cute little video. Who knew?

diy valentine’s cakes from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

Friday’s Random Links

Article Posted on Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Happy Friday to all! Mike Witcher, the local weatherman, has promised a sunny weekend with temps in the 50′s which means as soon as it’s quitting time, I’m blowing this joint and heading out for a weekend with the hubby! I am so ready to be out and about, aren’t you? Anyway, as we wait for the weekend to start I though I’d share a few random links that I’ve loved this week… Enjoy!  xo~ Hannah B.

1.) Around this time last year, Husband & I had  a serious urge to get the heck out of dodge. One of the main places we considered was Portland. Not only is it super artist friendly, but did you also know it’s the micro-brewery capital of America? (#littlethings) Anyway, I watched some clips of this IFC show called Portlandia and could not stop laughing to myself.

There is a book store that shall remain nameless about 5 minutes from us and the first time I went in,
I totally felt like this…

My bestie has made sooo much fun of me since we made the decision to go organic at home and support more local food. He always asks if my chickens and cows were sang to as they were slaughtered.
Wonder what he’ll think of this?

2.) I *adore* this bride with her bright yellow wedding dress and that cute little fascinator! Don’t you? Hop over to Style Me Pretty to see photos of this San Antonio wedding. (Photography by: Eclectic Images)

3.) I was so excited that Matchbook Magazine finally arrived this week! I think F.E. Castleberry (Unabashedly Prep) said it perfectly when he said of Katie & Jane (the co-founders): “their field guide to a charmed life seeks to inspire women around the globe to design a life they adore.” Don’t you just love that? It’s just full of beautiful, inspiring content and, since it is one of those online magazines, all you have to do is click here to read it.

4.) Another online publication I was happy to read this week is Rue! Don’t you just *adore* the cover to their 3rd issue?

5.) For some reason, I don’t really get too excited about the Women’s collections from Brooks Brothers, but the Mens? Well, let’s just say Husband needs these pants! Oh, you know which ones I’m talking about! K. Cooper Ray (Social Primer) calls them ‘Go to Hell’ pants! Don’t you just love that?!

6.) I’m pretty much digging this glitter heart headband. I’m thinking I will need to a.) order one for myself or b.) make one before VDay.

6 Random Things

Article Posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

Just a reminder, in case you are A) new to this blog or B) thinking I’m the most ADD person on the face of the earth: the Random Things are always just that–random. There’s always a good mix of things I’ve found perusing the interwebs and highlights from blogs I read daily so I don’t have to bookmark every little thing. I just thought it may be a good idea to add that now that there are some new readers lest you think I’m crazy!

1.) When I saw these paper dolls, I couldn’t help but laugh–mainly because of Prince William’s apparent patriotic boxer briefs. I have to say, it’s a pretty adorable idea for royal wedding memorabilia, especially for the fashion-dedicated like myself. What do you think? Yay or nay?

2.) Thanks to this post by Ms. Em, I am now hooked on Vogue’s APT with LSD feature. This, in turn, has got me longing for this particular Damien Hirst sculpture. First spotted here, in Samantha Boardman’s home.

It’s actually a take on (as many of his works are) a little girl that was used for Spastics fundraising in the 1960s.

I’ve been a big fan of Hirst since college (although I can’t say I enjoy anything of his that involves dead beings) mainly because I always thought his sculptures were the most memorable. Well, that and the fact that when we were in the Houston Museum for the first time I saw one of Hirst’s medical cabinets and got a full run-down of everything that was wrong with it from an 80-something oncologist turned docent. It was an experience I will never forget!

This is also something I saw recently that I liked. As I understand it, it is a collaborative piece Hirst did with Banksy…

3.) Looking at this energetic apartment, you’d have no idea it lived in a boring brick building with a creepy hallway, would you? I *adore* the bold colors and the crazy mix of patterns! Click here to read the article about Bergamin’s 1-bedroom on the Elle Decor site. Click here to see a few more pics.

4.) I *love* the Life.Style.etc blog (written by the geniuses behind Living,etc.), and this morning, whilst sifting through my Google Reader, I completely fell head over heals for Baudouin! He’s a French photographer and these particular images are my *favorites* from his “I Am a Parisian Lady” series… Go check out the rest of his portfolio too tho! It will totally make you smile!

5.) I am kind of in *hearts* with these Valentino sunglasses… aren’t they just oozing glamour?

6.) I am pretty positive that: 1) I need this girl’s outfit! and 2) that she and I would be kindred spirits.

7.)

Busy. Busy. Busy.

Article Posted on Thursday, January 6th, 2011 at 12:01 pm

{Vogue, 1954}