random beauty

Do you ever stumble on something that you find just undeniably beautiful but you can't explain why you are so drawn to it?

For example, I came across on this collection of paper frames at some point on ebay (though I have no recollection as to what in the world I must have been searching for when I found these) and think they are just absolutely beautiful. They don't seem to have been photographed for the sake of their worn loveliness or were meant to be considered something other than material for scrapbooking or for a child to make use out of in her play. Whatever the intent - I wish I bought these little decaying frames (or could even find the link to them) - they are just so lovely to me.

Tokyo Milk

I don't own a single product from the Tokyo Milk line, but the packaging of every little thing from Margot Elena's cosmetics to the candles is just so cool. I love the mix of intricate illustration and modern typography- the whole line is impeccably designed.


What great gifts these items would be for those beauty product loving friends....or really for anyone who just appreciates something pretty.

All images courtesy of google

peonies

Peonies via houseobsession.wordpress.com

Weddings are on the brain- between my sister, Mae's sister, and of course, Ms. Vivi, we have been thinking about weddings quite a bit. After cruising the wedding sites and flipping through the beautifully styled magazine spreads about tying the knot, I figured I should do a post all about peonies.  

Peonies are a long time favorite of mine. I think they are perhaps the most girly of flowers, with their puffs of pillowy blossoms they look soft and delicate and fancy- just lovely all around. They are unique and interesting enough to simply stand alone or stand out in an arrangement with other florals. 

Yesterday I saw some peony clusters in the florist section of my grocery store and purchasing them was like bringing home stems of layered happiness. Flowers can do that, change your mood or your day, and peonies do it best. 

Image courtesy of Alluminaire

Image via harmoniouspalette

Image via a bloom in time

Image via Design*Sponge

Image via homeshoppingspy.wordpress.com

Image via madamebonbon

Image via Tippin' The Scales

"First Day of My of Life"

I think this song by Bright Eyes should be played at every wedding, every baby's birth, every kitten adoption, every morning when you look in the mirror.... it's that great (and the video is pretty darn amazing too). Enjoy!

Thursday, a spring bag, and Etsy

Fora -double pleats, double straps- by bayanhippo

When my world seems to only consist of piles of undone laundry and dirty dishes and cat hair up the wazoo - I find solace in cleaning one tiny space to perfection - my bag. Right now it's still a brown leather bag filled with a mess of receipts and pen caps, but oh how I dream of filling and prettying up the inside of this divine Fora bag by bayanhippo (clearly I'm still on my stripe kick). It's like spring itself and these etsy finds are just the brisk and fun things that would keep such a lovely bag in tip top order.

Because I am both this nerdy and desire to be this jaunty - this scarf would be a must to tie to a strap of my stripy bag:

"Vintage Bookworm Scarf" via June22

Because I'd clearly be perceived as tough and not one to me messed if I hitched my keys to something this pretty AND tough, right?:

"Hockey Medal Key Ring Fob" via penorus

Because it's the loveliest and lushest color of springtime green and will keep all my receipts in perfect order:

"Rubi green wallet" by imeldabags

Because my coins (and paper clips and safety pins) need not to be rattling around and lost in the bottom of any bag:

"Swingin Sixties Vintage Beaded Coin Purse" via MarnelCQueen395

Because it's eco-friendly and holds the promise of spring (and lip gloss):

"Hot Eco Pink Pleated Fused Plastic Cosmetic Pouch" by SoSheSews

Because birds belong on anything that has a spring theme (even on the case for an iphone - a thing I don't own, but could make do with this pink bird):

"Leather iPod iPhone Cell/Blackberry Gadget Case" by studiocatb

Because every year I break multiple pairs of sunglasses by carelessly tossing them in my bag and I suspect owning this darling vintage case might finally put an end to my rampage of destruction:

"Vintage 50s Floral Brocade Glasses Case" via OpheliaVintage

Because it's beautiful and will make me feel better by just holding it in my greedy hands:

"vintage dorset compact" via natalo

Because one always needs a pocket notebook to organize one's thoughts (whether one is on an exotic trip or in one's grocery store):

"Airmail Envelope Notebook" by YourSecretAdmiral

Because pens wouldn't runaway from their pen caps if they have a cute little home that they both could share:

"leather zipper boat pencil pouch in distressed turquoise" by renneslechateau

And because it is spring. And there will be rain. So you might as well get right in it and enjoy it:

"vintage accessory - rain bonnet" via tokyofirecracker

I want to love like Paul and Joanne

image via Little Hokum Rag

There are so many gorgeous and fun pictures of these two - I could go on and on. I love the ones where they are looking at each other or he is looking at her. They had some serious chemistry. But my favorites are the ones, like the last two here, where they are laughing together - those moments just seem incredibly sweet to me.

image via telegraph.co.uk

image via somerset

image via somerset

image via I can eat 50 eggs...

image via supernice

image via head-long

When inanimate objects speak...

image by jeannie86

I love good sloppy hair. Not the kind of hair I have when I wake up with my bangs standing straight up (because I slept on my face) or when my head looks dented (because I went to bed with wet hair), but messy hair that looks like you don't give a damn and still looks great. This is, of course, something I cannot accomplish at all (though I am master of sloppy sloppy hair). You have to have a certain nonchalance, a certain, dare I say, style to look good without caring whether you actually look good.

And so that's why seeing the bobby pins appeals to me so much. Sometimes the prettiness is in how haphazardly they are shoved in to keep the hair out your eyes or to hold down a cowlick. You can argue that they are a bit too utilitarian, but that's the quality that appeals to me. Plain old bobby pins just seem to say: "Look at me. Yeah, I'm ugly, I'm plain. I know it. But I also don't care." That's what makes them the cool girl at school.

image by Meganzii

image via W

image via W

image by ~kaileecripson

image via dreaming of revelry

image via oh bambi

A pretty girl in pretty clothes

"I used to wear cocktail dresses and heels every day.

Basically, it took me a really long time to get ready."
-- Zooey Deschanel (Jane mag. June 2007)

via The Many Faces of Zooey Deschanel

Is there anyone cuter in the world than Zooey Deschanel? I've already mentioned that I'm looking forwarded to her super cute summer movie, "(500) Days of Summer" and her musical collaboration with M. Ward, in "she and him," is a favorite. But now with the discovery of a blog, "The Many Faces of Zooey Deschanel," devoted to her cool and pretty girly style - there is no denying that she is a style icon in the making. For all of this, it could be so easy to hate her... But then the fact that she comes off, in interviews, as both a private, non-Hollywood person as well as a smart, straight shooter just makes you want to be best friends with her. Life really is unfair.

Forget the whole Katy Perry comparison, doesn't she look like Marion Cotillard, especially in these two pictures? Maybe because she looks more serious. Like the French.

She gives being pale a good name too.

I still won't wear them, but she even makes crocs look semi-cute.

A little bit Dorothy, a little bit Amelia.

With her lovely big sister, Emily.

Still from movie - how cute do they look together?

all images via the blog, The Many Faces of Zooey Daschanel, of course.