not a bad way to start the morning
trendspotting
The renaissance of preppy fashion re-popularized the classic 'critter' trend a couple of years ago. (I still love my short white skirt with red embroidered lobsters.) I've noticed recently that the critters seem to be back, only this time with more sophistication and in lots of places besides J. Crew & Bean...
I can't decide if I love this look because it fits the happygirl aesthetic so well, or if the happygirl aesthetic is what it is because I love this look....
I can't decide if I love this look because it fits the happygirl aesthetic so well, or if the happygirl aesthetic is what it is because I love this look....
exciting mystery (the best kind)
So over the past week to 10 days, I've had 4 or 5 Etsy orders from customers in Brooklyn who sign up for Etsy the day they order. Hmmmm... is there a big happygirl ad on the subway I don't know about? Or is one of my previous Brooklyn customers doing a fantastic job of sharing the love? This is quite perplexing, but also pretty great!
my latest obsession...
Online sample sales are the greatest thing ever. I have a few websites that I check daily as they post new designer items at hugely discounted prices.
So far I've ordered some Smashbox makeup at 40% off, 2 Lilly Pulitzer polos (one for myself & one as a post-exams present for my sister) for $29 each, and a super cute top by Porridge. I'm anxiously awaiting the Kiehl's sale on HauteLook tomorrow.
Some of these sites require you to have an "invitation" to register, so if you are interested in signing up, you may either click through the following links, or feel free to leave a comment requesting an invitation email. (all of these sites have free registration/membership):
Gilt Group ... Join Gilt Group
RueLaLa ... Join RuLaLa
ideeli ... Join idelli
Billion Dollar Babes ... Join Billion Dollar Babes
HauteLook ... leave a comment or email me for the invitation link
So far I've ordered some Smashbox makeup at 40% off, 2 Lilly Pulitzer polos (one for myself & one as a post-exams present for my sister) for $29 each, and a super cute top by Porridge. I'm anxiously awaiting the Kiehl's sale on HauteLook tomorrow.
Some of these sites require you to have an "invitation" to register, so if you are interested in signing up, you may either click through the following links, or feel free to leave a comment requesting an invitation email. (all of these sites have free registration/membership):
Gilt Group ... Join Gilt Group
RueLaLa ... Join RuLaLa
ideeli ... Join idelli
Billion Dollar Babes ... Join Billion Dollar Babes
HauteLook ... leave a comment or email me for the invitation link
Mommy Cards
I was pretty excited to come across a feature on "5 Everyday Ways to Use Calling Cards" in the May Real Simple. (click the picture to see the full article on realsimple.com)
It was especially fun to see Parent Cards featured. They're one of my favorite products to personalize, because I'd like to think that they lead to mommy networking, playdate scheduling, slumber party inviting, and even lifelong friendship making.
It was especially fun to see Parent Cards featured. They're one of my favorite products to personalize, because I'd like to think that they lead to mommy networking, playdate scheduling, slumber party inviting, and even lifelong friendship making.
good press for business cards
excerpt from an article by Kirsten Valle in today's Charlotte Observer:
Business cards can help aid jobseekers
"In one of the tightest job markets in years, when the unemployed are trying harder than ever to market themselves, business cards are becoming an increasingly important tool – more practical than a stack of resumes and more professional than exchanging numbers on a napkin...
don't have one, it's sort of like standing there with your zipper down. It's embarrassing."
(not a problem for happygirl customers)
Business cards can help aid jobseekers
"In one of the tightest job markets in years, when the unemployed are trying harder than ever to market themselves, business cards are becoming an increasingly important tool – more practical than a stack of resumes and more professional than exchanging numbers on a napkin...
. . .
...Typically after the handshake, your right hand goes to the suit pocket and gets the card. If youdon't have one, it's sort of like standing there with your zipper down. It's embarrassing."
(not a problem for happygirl customers)pictures of my finished office *soon* -- i promise!
In the meantime, here are some pictures of my parents' new kitchen.
I went to Hickory on Friday night to spend the weekend helping to put the kitchen back together. The whole project was completed in about 2 weeks, so I hadn't seen any pictures of the progress. I didn't really know what to expect. My parents created all of the renovation plans, and then while my mom was (conveniently - ha!) chaperoning a school field trip for a week, my daddy stayed up past midnight every night to get it finished. They hired contractors for the major projects (painting, countertops, plumbing, etc.), but my dad built the center island, put up the crown moulding, and did a whole lot more, I'm sure. I am so proud to see my mama's beautiful design vision come to life through my daddy's hard work.
Walking into their new kitchen on Friday evening was a little bit Twilight Zone-ish. I felt like I had been taken into someone else's house, but the design is so perfectly in keeping with the 1920s bungalow, it was still so home-y feeling.
We are all kicking ourselves for not having any 'before' pictures, because oh. my. gosh.
I went to Hickory on Friday night to spend the weekend helping to put the kitchen back together. The whole project was completed in about 2 weeks, so I hadn't seen any pictures of the progress. I didn't really know what to expect. My parents created all of the renovation plans, and then while my mom was (conveniently - ha!) chaperoning a school field trip for a week, my daddy stayed up past midnight every night to get it finished. They hired contractors for the major projects (painting, countertops, plumbing, etc.), but my dad built the center island, put up the crown moulding, and did a whole lot more, I'm sure. I am so proud to see my mama's beautiful design vision come to life through my daddy's hard work.
Walking into their new kitchen on Friday evening was a little bit Twilight Zone-ish. I felt like I had been taken into someone else's house, but the design is so perfectly in keeping with the 1920s bungalow, it was still so home-y feeling.
We are all kicking ourselves for not having any 'before' pictures, because oh. my. gosh.
SXSW
I love finding new and/or obscure musicians & bands, so I was stoked to learn that nprmusic.org has compiled a playlist of 100 gems from artists performing at SXSW this week.
Check it out... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101495094
You can also download a free 10-song sampler on iTunes... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101438331
Check it out... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101495094
You can also download a free 10-song sampler on iTunes... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101438331
the newest reason i love etsy.
there is some amazing talent in this world. and even when it's a world away, you can still own a piece for yourself.
case in point: one of my new favorite etsy shops, tush tush.
the artist, tali, is phenomenal. she's an art student in jerusalem, and she's good in all of the media she uses. i was especially enamored with her pastel portraits on brown paper.
my mom's birthday is coming up, so i thought it would be fun to have portraits done of my sister and myself. i contacted tali last thursday, around 10.30am. i attached two pictures and asked her if it was even feasible for her to do the portraits in time for them to get here by the beginning of april. i was prepared to be mad at myself for procrastinating until less than a month before my mom's birthday. lo and behold, at 2.30 that afternoon, i got a convo from tali telling me that both portraits were finished and reserved for me in her shop. i was floored! not only were they finished in lightning speed, but these pieces are extraordinary. take a look at the pictures i sent her compared to the pastel portraits she created:
case in point: one of my new favorite etsy shops, tush tush.
the artist, tali, is phenomenal. she's an art student in jerusalem, and she's good in all of the media she uses. i was especially enamored with her pastel portraits on brown paper.
my mom's birthday is coming up, so i thought it would be fun to have portraits done of my sister and myself. i contacted tali last thursday, around 10.30am. i attached two pictures and asked her if it was even feasible for her to do the portraits in time for them to get here by the beginning of april. i was prepared to be mad at myself for procrastinating until less than a month before my mom's birthday. lo and behold, at 2.30 that afternoon, i got a convo from tali telling me that both portraits were finished and reserved for me in her shop. i was floored! not only were they finished in lightning speed, but these pieces are extraordinary. take a look at the pictures i sent her compared to the pastel portraits she created:
simply delicious.
this is a new favorite recipe in the davidson household. it's quick and easy and delicious every time. props to my girl giada.
ingredients:
1 pound rigatoni pasta
3 cups purchased garlic-flavored croutons (about 5 ounces)
1/4 cup slivered almonds (about 1 ounce), toasted
1 cup julienned roasted red bell peppers
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
ingredients:
1 pound rigatoni pasta
3 cups purchased garlic-flavored croutons (about 5 ounces)
1/4 cup slivered almonds (about 1 ounce), toasted
1 cup julienned roasted red bell peppers
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
directions:
bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. drain pasta into a large bowl.
bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. drain pasta into a large bowl.
place the croutons and the almonds in a food processor. pulse until it becomes the texture of bread crumbs. add the crouton and almond mixture to the hot pasta. add the peppers and the olive oil. toss to combine and serve.
my suggestions:
really good olive oil is key. it's not just a fat/oil in this recipe; it's a key ingredient that greatly affects the taste of the dish.
i use generic seasoned croutons. i also mix up a bunch of the crouton/almond crumb mixture at once so that i'm not having to toast almonds & drag out the food processor every time i cook this dish.
i also use store-bought jarred roasted red peppers. i would imagine that you could find them in the pickle/relish section of the store, unless you have an 'authentic' italian section like at our kroger. (fancy, i know.)
i drain the pasta in a colander in the sink and then dump it back in the pot. fewer dirty dishes.
i find it easier to combine in this order: pasta, olive oil, crumbs, peppers. drizzling the oil over the pasta first gives the crumbs something to stick to.
one girl posted a comment under the recipe on the food network site and said that she used sundried tomatoes instead of red peppers. i'm intrigued, and i'm definitely going to try it next time.
check it out: you can print this recipe on a happygirl™ recipe card right now! just click the thumbnail to open the image, print it, cut it out, and start cookin'!
more recipe cards available here
inspiration begets motivation
this is my dream house.
i've admired kelly rae roberts & her art for awhile, but i am officially in love with her new seattle home. i want everything in it, including the perfect sunlight.
i'm currently in the process of rearranging/redecorating my office, and i definitely plan to take some cues from her studio space. i love her practical synthesis of design & function. unfortunately, i'm afraid i have a long way to go:
(this was taken on demolition day. it doesn't always look that bad.)
i've admired kelly rae roberts & her art for awhile, but i am officially in love with her new seattle home. i want everything in it, including the perfect sunlight.
i'm currently in the process of rearranging/redecorating my office, and i definitely plan to take some cues from her studio space. i love her practical synthesis of design & function. unfortunately, i'm afraid i have a long way to go:
(this was taken on demolition day. it doesn't always look that bad.)
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