B's Wig Shoppe

B's Wig Shoppe has moved!

2010-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

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a new home

2010-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hello! As promised, I've been hard at work, and I'm proud to say that the B's Wig Shoppe blog has finally moved to it's new home! (BsWigShoppe.com) Please get over there in a hurry and add this new address to your RSS readers! Hope to see you there!

xo~ HannahB.

7 happy things

2010-07-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today, I am getting caught up on about 5 bazillion things. We've been gone for about 3 weeks (with just a few days in between each trip) so not only is our house a total disaster, my desk is too! Anyway, today I thought I'd share some lovely finds from around the interwebs and also make an announcement!

{photo credit}

1. ) I am sooo *super* excited! This is the first of a few announcements this week (and over the next few months), but I feel like it's going to be a brand new start. This blog will still remain my little inspiration book, but there will also be some new features and fun things. Anyway, Wednesday... don't forget! & now without further ado, 6 other fun finds from around the interwebs... *Enjoy!*

2.) We all know about Miss Pickles Press, but something you may not know is that Jen and her husband are packing up and moving out. Soon they will be living on the road in their airstream (you can see their's here) and will be able to claim the whole map for their hometown. This is a total dream of mine (& Husband's of course!) so I've added their blog to my Google Reader and can't wait to see where they end up. You can view the blog here and read the background by clicking here.

{photo credit}

3.) There is something I *love* about this outfit. That is all.

4.) I also adore this *dancing* dress and with polka-dotted knickers to boot!

5.) Lately I have totally been digging the illustration style of Ben Aslett, and I would totally *love* to hang those shoes in our bedroom!

6.) This project is pretty amazing! It's *amazing* how small the world becomes because of art. Also, I like the title "artista." You can read about this year's sketchbook project here.

7.) Finally, here is an artist I found because of the project. Her name is Kate.

*Happy Monday!*

xo~ HannahB.

vintage LOVE

2010-07-10T19:05:00.001-07:00

I'm spending the day relaxing with my sweetheart. Band Camp starts tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure I won't see him for the next 2 weeks, which means 2 things... #1 Lots of blog comments will give me something to read and make me *smile* so you should start thinking up nice things to say now and #2 I have lots of BIG unveilings that will happen this week so stay tuned. Until then, I'm off to enjoy my sweetie!

xo~ HannahB.

blog finds :: edition 1

2010-07-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

This post was supposed to go up last night, but blogger was acting so crazy it just had to wait until today. I suppose that brings me to a *special announcement!* Next week will be filled with new sites, new projects and new fun things for you! I am *beyond* excited about some new plans in the works and can't wait to get start sharing them with you. For today, however, I am beginning a new segment on le blog to share some of the *amazing* new blogs I've been finding. Let me know how you like it.

Today's blogs are centered around men & fashion. While these are he-geared, I must confess, I am totally jealous of magazines like Esquire & GQ, and I *love* design geared toward men! I have a secret dream of becoming a haberdasher when I grow up so this sort of stuff is right up my alley. So many times, our style is dictated by those around the globe, but you have to love when manly men are just as proud of great design and good grooming as they are to be rugged patriots who tout quintessentially American styles.

"America was my fashion school."

~Ralph Lauren

blog :: http://www.unabashedlyprep.com/

twitter :: http://twitter.com/UnabashedlyPrep
blogger :: F.E. Castleberry
why i *love* it :: Unabashedly Prep is an amazing blog centered around Castleberry's adoration of Northeastern culture and the WASP lifestyle. He writes from Dallas, Texas but could probably teach residents of the Hamptons a thing or 2 about class. This blog was put on my *daily reads* list the moment I discovered it!
where to start :: click on the *Prep Essentials* category to start with the basics like, "Why do I love my Sperrys unconditionally?"

blog :: http://www.valetmag.com/

twitter :: http://twitter.com/valetmag
blogger :: quite a few 'in the know'
why i *love* it :: Think Esquire & GQ without the naked ladies, annoying ad cards and the annoyingly flimsy pages. Valet is a lifestyle blog dedicated for men, but even if there is no 'he' in your life, you'll love it strictly for the great design & art.
where to start :: I now start every morning with The Morning Report on my Google Reader. Another tip is this: If you're finding the overload above the fold too overwhelming at first, scroll all the way to the bottom and look through subject by subject.

blog :: http://www.acontinuouslean.com/
twitter :: http://twitter.com/acontinuouslean
why i *love* it :: A Continuous Lean is sort of like a collection of really awesome stuff you want to take the time to look through, read and study. In fact, the about page says that the blog is about "things... American things."
where to start :: I would start by looking through the past week of posts and just seeing what you can discover. Also, be sure to check out The American list, a collection of stylish made in America items that I can actually appreciate... not like that stars & stripes bikini at the beach last week.

blog :: http://socialprimer.com/

twitter :: http://twitter.com/socialprimer
why i *love* it :: Ray writes on everything from manners to liquor. There's a really great Q&A section on the site, and Ray has even opened a shop full of classic monogrammed goods fit for any preppy gentlemen. However, my favorite new thing would probably be the line of reversible bow ties he just designed in conjunction with Brooks Brothers.
where to start :: This article on the Star Spangled Banner. This article on delivering the perfect toast. This article on classic summer styles.

*Happy Reading!*

xo~ HannahB.

style file : the swimsuit

2010-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

It seems the South has been a little more hot & icky earlier than normal this year, which, to me, only means one thing... take it off! Here's a little vintage eye candy to get you inspired...

...and now a few current styles...

{click photos for sources}

*HAPPY HOT-NESS!*

xo~ HannahB.

home again home again

2010-07-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

{PHOTO SOURCE}

We had a great time with all the family and friends down in Seaside, but we are particularly happy to be home and getting a few days of relaxing in before Husband has to go back to work. Right now, we are curled up watching Spies Like Us (classic!), but tomorrow I will be back with a brand new style post as well as a list of some of my most *favorite* new blog finds.

Til then, sweet dreams! 

xo~ Hannah B.

vacate

2010-07-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

{one of my very *favorite* illustrations I've ever found online

by illustrator Kate Pugsley}

Husband and I are on a much needed vacation in Sea Grove, FL with his family & a heap of friends. We are having a wonderful, relaxing time on the beach and tomorrow morning I'm looking forward to wandering around SunDog books with a mimosa from Modica Market in my hands and maybe taking some pictures around Seaside. I'll be back with fun things on Thursday. Until then...

**HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!**

xo~ HannahB.

Let me just say...

2010-06-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would just like to say that I blame Husband. I was not nearly such a geek before he came along. Although, I have to say: being in to Star Trek and super heroes is really just one step away from my other nerd half that was already singularly concerned with OCD-ing out over the fashion & design while reading Pride & Prejudice instead of all those lame vampire books everyone else is into. Incidentally, does anyone else remember a time when people fell in love without werewolves and blood sucking? Disney has obviously been sleeping on the job if kids are more concerned with some pasty white dude that sucks blood than dancing around the forest with a bunch of woodland creatures and 7 random fat, short dudes that said you just 'happened' to wake up in their bed. Just sayin'...

7 Random Things

2010-06-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Currently *loving*...

1.) This print from Rifle Paper Co.

2.) Bikes from this shop with their baskets on the front!

3.) These would look great on my kitchen counter.

4.) These vintage watches.

5.) Everything by Emersonmade.

6.) Sly & the Family Stone.

7.) This couch.

*Happy Tuesday!*

xo~ HannahB.

confession

2010-06-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

As a side effect of my Disney obsession, I am overly infatuated with all things Muppet. Tonight we watched the Muppet Movie, and I have to tell you that not only did I get a lot more of the humor than I did when I was 5, I also now want this car. I would totally drive a hippie paint job every day.

Also, this makes me laugh everytime...

I found this special Muppet Wikipedia site, and it has quite a bit about the new Muppet movie set for release on Christmas of 2011. Consider me *super* stoked!

xo~ HannahB.

7 random things

2010-06-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday afternoon! Today, I thought I'd share a few fun little things I've found around the interwebs lately...
1.) The New York Times just did an interesting, short piece on the creators of Lonny!

2.) Speaking of Lonny, I am *loving* this newest issue as well as this little piece with Kate Spade's creative director Deborah Lloyd...

3.) The 1st time I saw Deborah Lloyd, she was wearing this...

I *loved* the Harper's Bazaar article (Feb, 2009). It made her life look so fun!

4.) While we are on the subject of magazines... Ever since I was a student, I've been super inspired by the typography of Debra Bishop. She's now the creative director at More magazine, but I personally loved her amazing work that appeared in Blueprint Magazine (RIP) including the logotype that was set in Fling. I recently bought the typeface (created by Michael Gills and available here) to use on a new project, and now I just wish I still had my old back issues to flip through. Bright colors, pretty clothes, amazing rooms... *sigh*

5.) I had never seen the offices of Urban Outfitters (home to Urban Outfitters, Free People & Anthropologie), but I think working in this old Navy yard would be super inspiring...

6.) This has nothing to do with anything really except I saw this camera in Lonny and it is called Mr. Pink... how adorable is that?

7.) I found this site of ephemera on a random interweb hunt and it has a ton of great typographic inspiration...

hanson + ray charles

2010-06-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

When I was little I was pretty obsessed with Hanson... tshirts, books, movie, albums, Dr. Pepper and strawberry icecream. My mom made me go talk to our youth pastor because of my obsession. Consider this video my relapse...

I first saw it on this *awesome* blog. The colors and fashion in the video totally put me in a summer mood, and make me want to go outside and dance regardless of the fact that I'm pretty sure the humidity is 90% today and it's like 150 degrees. Also, in case you really want to be impressed, you've gotta watch Ray Charles...

*LOVE*

xo~ HannahB.

happy father's day

2010-06-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

i miss domino

2010-06-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

I've probably posted this pic &/or given it to people for an idea a thousand times. I *love* everything about this kitchen. I'm pretty sure that most of us can agree that when Domino magazine went away, we died a little inside. However, while we've been on our trip, I've been thinking so much about how I want a new space to fix up or just want to do some new things in our house. I've been watching a lot of HGTV and looking through old Dominos via this flickr group.

When I saw this issue, I fell in love with dark colors and bold statements...

My next project is our front porch... any ideas? 

xo~ Hannah B.

in my future life

2010-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm sipping coffee and making plans. It seems I always get the best ideas while on vacation. I feel the most inspired when we are traveling, staying in a new place and eating at a different restaurant each night. I can't wait to get home and work, work, work! In the meantime, since I've been thinking a lot about future plans, here is a little visual inspiration about what I'd like to look like in my future life.

*Happy Friday!* 

xo~ HannahB.

inspiration : sixx design

2010-06-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

I've only seen the 1st episode and the Hulu clips (we don't have cable), but I'm sort of in love with Bob & Cortney Novogratz and their amazing style. Not to mention their cool kids' names: Wolfgang? Five? I *love* it!

The family moves constantly, but it is amazing how much personality is instantly added to their home when they introduce art (in the form of hangings, rugs and chairs) to their consistently neutral background. Looking through the pictures I also loved noticing how they used and then re-used art from house to house.

Bob & Cortney really like making friends with artists... the flag above is from artist Ann Carrington's Flags of the World (they used a number 24 of her flags for a hotel they were designing and hung this one over Major's crib. This paneling on the outside of their house commissioned from Richard Woods is also really great.

Finally, because I couldn't do this entry without mentioning them, the 1st thing I saw by Sixx Design was actually this house, and I fell *hard* for those yellow shutters. Every project really attempts to make the outside fun and functional, sometimes even blending it with the indoors.

There are a ton of interviews with the power couple, but I especially like this one by New York Social Diary. And here is a link to their main site as well as 9 by Design on Hulu. My favorite clips are their tips and my personal pick are their tips for buying art. (I also love Bob's personal style tips.)

I hope you're having as fun a day as I am! 

ttfn~ HannahB.

the week thus far

2010-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

 Dear new readers,

I promise my blog is not always so neglected. We are enjoying the very short summer together before Husband starts band-ish things again, which means lots of fun and outdoors-y-ness without a lot of computer time. I will go back to my *each*weekday* schedule in a few weeks! Until then, click here to follow me on twitter and be sure to say hello. 

*Hugs*

HannahB.

Greetings from Chattanooga! It is only Wednesday and already we have had one amazing week! We were in Atlanta this weekend for some much-needed relaxing with family time, and then Monday night we were at the Fox for Conan's *amazing* last show! It was 3 hours of non-stop hilarity! and I am totally ready to fork up that $10 for basic cable so we can watch him this fall. I miss my Coco before bed. The band was incredible! And, special guests included this guy...

...as well as Evander Holyfield and Deon Cole (his writer that had been doing some awesome stand-up when the Tonight Show was still good). Plus, some random dude that opened and way over-played his hand.

Before the show, we stopped in at this amazing hotel (a recommendation from a blogland buddy) and got drinks. Sipping a cosmo in this bar made me feel like Beyonce (in a cute, white-girl, Southern belle sorta way).

After a day back to play catch-up on a few things and do lots of laundry, we are now in Chattanooga for the rest of the week. Husband is doing a band-ish thing, and I'm exploring as well as working on some business-y plans that I've been putting off. I am super excited to try some local restaurants as well as wander through Rock City. I was born here, but don't remember anything really so I'm excited to have time to explore it as a grown-up. We are staying downtown at a magical little inn. I've only been here a couple of hours, but I'm in love! Will have an inspiration post tomorrow. Until then, have a great Wednesday!

style file : The Music Man

2010-06-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend was utterly terrible, and I am super happy to report that it is a new week! So I apologize for my absence, but I prefer cheerful posts like this one rather than sharing all of my dreary-ness! While Husband and I holed up this weekend, he indulged me by watching movies like this one (one of my *all*time* favorites!). While I heart Kristin Chenowith and Matthew Broderick, nothing will ever compare to the 1962 version of the film, which I really should just break down and purchase rather than always playing the netflix game. I, of course, can't say enough about the costumes...

...in case you were wondering that is a purple gingham suit with crushed velvet detailing!

{*sigh*}

The typography and detail in the background of scenes like this are really beautiful as well...

The choreography is stunning! Hats off to Ms. Onna White!

& the mirroring of the hats, with the gossip, with the chicks really may be my favorite!

I highly suggest adding it to your Queue! 

xo~ HannahB.

D Day

2010-06-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

For my international friends: Today Americans remember D Day. On June 6, 1944, American, British, Canadian and Free French troops invaded the beaches at Normandy in what was said to be the most ambitious act and turning point in World War II. Husband's grandfather was there (in one of those 5,000 ships) and even lived to tell the story! This is a prayer delivered by FDR on the radio the evening of the invasion. I hope wherever you are, you'll stop today to pray for the soldiers. One of our best friends is fighting in the middle east right now and not one day goes by that I don't stop at some point and pray for Matt.

when in doubt: bob dylan

2010-06-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

hmm...

2010-06-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

It has been a not so great day at the Slaughterhouse so I'm cooking to get my head on straight again. Happy things will be posted tomorrow I'm sure. For now...

xo~HannahB.

superhero

2010-06-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else ever wanted to be a super hero?

Just me then... ok.

{vintage DC posters by Michael Myers... see more here}

On that note, I am off to do some serious cleaning!

xo~ HannahB.

7 Happy Things

2010-06-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

Here are 7 *Happy* Things to brighten your day!

1. I am pretty much in *love* with this green wedding! My maiden name is Green, and I wish I'd been 1/2 this clever...

2. Lately I've been digging the work of Foundry Collective.

You also may want to check out their "visual journal" because it has cool images like this:

3. I have nothing to say about this, except that is one kick ass fro!

4. Check out this Levi's site (I *love* the designers at Levi's!) for a free She & Him download!

5. I *love* this collage by Miss Mandi!

6. I am in *love* with this Billy Reid tee that was created to raise funds for good ol' flood ravaged Tennessee...

7. P.S. If I could have all of these too that would be really great. Thanks!

xo~ HannahB.

day 1 of food blog

2010-06-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that today is Day 1 no restaurant-ing! I was watching this DVD and saw this short that was distributed in Central America in the mid-1940's. Anyway, I hope you'll add the new food blog to your Feeds and be sure to check back tomorrow for *7 Random Things*

Have a good night! I'm off to finish Glee!

xo~ HannahB.

a salute to prep

2010-06-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

"[Bostonians on Martha's Vineyard] had their own tribal colors. The jackets were mostly navy blazers, and the ties were mostly striped ties or ties with little jacquard emblems on them, but the pants had a go-to-hell air: check & plaids of the loudest possible sort, madras plaids, yellow-on-orange windowpane checks, crazy-quilted plaids, giant houndstooth checks, or else they were a solid airmail red or taxi yellow or some other implausible go-to-hell color. They finished that off with loafers & white crew socks or no socks at all. The pants were their note of Haitian abandon at the same time the jackets & ties showed they had not forgotten for a moment where the power came from."

~Tom Wolfe

As I've mentioned before I have a secret desire (at times) to be a prep. Husband has a fabulous GQ style and my best friend is the poster child for Banana Republic, but me? I'm more of a dinosaur tshirt and a cardigan type of girl. However, when I see things like these *to-die-for* bowties that Social Primer just released for Brooks Brothers, I can't help but have a little prep lust.

I will take one of each for Husband :D

xo~ HannahB.

it's a small world

2010-05-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

It was on this day in 1966 that *It's a Small World* opened in Disneyland after spending it's 1st run in New York for the 1964 World's Fair. I think it is so cool in this video when Walt Disney says, "Children all over the world have one thing in common: a *love* of laughter." My *favorite* thing about the actual ride is, of course, the Mary Blair look...

But the element I thought was most unique (not to mention beautiful) when I started researching the ride a bit was something they actually couldn't transport to Anaheim. It was this 120-foot tower of the four winds designed by Rolly Crump.

You can learn more about *It's a Small World* (& lots of other Disney stuff!) by visiting this site.

The shop update has been postponed because all of this rain has made taking pictures impossibly dreary. Perhaps tomorrow! Also, don't forget to visit the new food-ish blog! I finally posted a link on the right!

Hope you are enjoying a *lovely* Friday evening!

xo~ HannahB.

in the zone

2010-05-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

The other day, we had a group of Husband's graduated seniors over for a cookout. One of them asked what I would call myself. She said, "So are you a painter? A designer? What do you do?"

...?

Finally, I told her, "Well, I guess I'm a designer. I try to just go with the flow... whatever I find inspiring at the moment, I make and hopefully it ends up speaking to someone else... at some point." Sometimes, I feel like sewing, so I sew. Sometimes, I feel like painting so I paint. Sometimes, I feel like sitting back and just doing the day to day routine to see what will happen next. Something always happens next.

So right now, I'm feeling *uber* inspired, which is awesome. It's a relief because I hardly ever get any work done between January and March and this year was no different. But right now, I have so many ideas floating around in my head, I dream about working at night. Not the stressful, I have to get things done dreams, but the soothing, "Let's not sleep too long because something great is going to happen tomorrow" kind.

Last night, while Husband was out with friends, I started going through piles of magazines and cutting out things that inspired me. Here's a little peek...

Also, my Borders finds...

& this Fall I'm hoping to talk my mother into going here with me! I think I may make it a 2011 goal to have my own little booth. Has anyone been before?

Have a *lovely* afternoon!

Tonight we are going out for our last sushi before June!

xo~ HannahB.

summer vacation thus far

2010-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been so relaxing around here! It is the beginning of Husband's summer break, and we have most definitely been taking it easy. The only thing that has really gotten accomplished was new landscaping this weekend! Husband's dad came into town for a couple days and they worked like crazy!

We are in the process of painting the bottom (so please excuse the gaudy white), but eventually we are hoping everything will look like this gorgeous plan (by the *lovely* Ms. Martha Cate).

For now, I'm just happy the side of our house doesn't look like this anymore!

Recently I've had a quite a few orders for these so I've also been sewing some new hair bobs and such for a shop update that will post tomorrow!

Erranding this morning and then I'll be back with a little inspiration post this afternoon :)

xo~ Hannah B.

fresh start

2010-05-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we spent an uber relaxing day at the lake! My family never went to the lake when I was little, and the one time that I did go with Husband in college, we were with a bunch of friends who really enjoyed knocking one another of floating objects... I did not understand why anyone would find this appealing. However, yesterday we spent the day riding SeaDoos and floating around the dock and, despite the fact that the water looked like pickle juice, I have to say it was a super relaxing way to spend a *hot* Sunday afternoon. Anyway, that said today I've been playing catch-up!

This weekend my father-in-law came into town and he and Husband did beautiful things in the yard. Then, today I've been cleaning up my workspace. It's so liberating to have so much room on my desk, I just wish I could keep it this way all the time! I will have to put off sharing pictures until tomorrow, but today I do want to share a new project!

A week ago, Husband made a fascinating suggestion that I am *all* kinds of stoked about! For the month of June, with the exception of part of one week when we'll be traveling to Atlanta and Chattanooga, we are going to make the commitment to not eat out. This includes ice cream outings and those delish caramel lattes from Panera Bread.

It stems from an idea that he heard Suze Orman suggest last year (when I googled it, it was best described here) and since we are working to pay off debt we accumulated in college and also trying to get healthier, I think this is a perfect little experiment. My hope is that we will not just save money, but also get healthier, more conscious of what we're taking in, and more adventurous in the kitchen.

All that to say, I've started a new blog so that we have a central location to document the experiment and also a central location to keep track of the numbers part. I've been thinking of starting a separate *foodish* blog just because cooking is a *huge* passion in my life, and I think this will be a perfect opportunity! I'll also be able to share some of the different stories that I've accumulated over the last few years. The *obsession* really started when I began outfitting my own kitchen and since then it's only gotten worse. In fact, when I graduated from design school last year, my graphic design thesis centered around food!

This blog will still scrapbook my inspiration and work so no worries! In fact, I have some shiny brand new ideas related to food and design that I'll share in the next few weeks! I hope you'll visit the new blog and email me any yummy recipes to try or maybe any stories that you have about your own experiences in the kitchen!

Bon appetit!

xo~ HannahB.

6 Random Things

2010-05-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

*** Happy Saturday ***

Things I'm *heart-ing* at the moment...

1. I am totally in *love* with this picture, this dog & also the idea of covering something in vintage wallpaper! Now I just have to find some vintage wallpaper...

2. The work of Donna Wilson has really been making me *smile* this week!

3. I'd really love to know where I can find this couch...

Any ideas?

4. I am pretty convinced that I need to own *these* Betsey Johnson gingham studs!

...especially when you consider my business card of the moment.

5. This *lovely* lady's fashion sense & the story that goes with it!

6. This custom gown and the detailing on the corsage! (Elizabeth Dye is *amazing!*)

Super, fun, *happy* things are in the works today! I hope your day is going just as splendidly! I'll share some pretty new things tomorrow that we are doing here around the house, some things that I've been making and will also update the shop then.

Before I go, a few webbie shout-outs!

~It is GingiberSnap's 1 year Etsy birthday! Go give Stacie a pat on the back!

~Danielle Thompson has a really great giveaway going today, be sure to check it out.

~I'm *loved* how helpful this e-mag round-up was because I just started looking thru issues of Lonny and am totally hooked!

~Rachel has a May Sponsor highlight today... Visit those shops and be sure to visit *mine!*

xo~ HannahB.

i heart monsters

2010-05-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

When I was little I was scared of everything. I was scared of the dark. I was scared of the tree outside my window. I was scared of knives. (I still am scared of knives.) I thought my house was haunted. I wouldn't go upstairs by myself at night and the daylight didn't help all that much. I was scared of my best friend's big dog. I was scared of my dad getting hit by a train. I was pretty much convinced that someone would eventually and inevitably break into our house in the middle of the night just to scare us, say mean things, and take all our stuff.

The on thing I was *never* scared of? Monsters. I came from a household of realism. There was no Santa Claus and the Easter bunny at the mall was just our friend Bobby or Mr. Earley wearing an outfit to entertain the children who were less informed than myself. I am an only child, and I think that being an only child really affects the way one sees the world. I *loved* the idea of monsters under my bed. I really believed that my stuffed animals were alive and could play with me whenever I wanted (a la Calvin and Hobbes), and the idea that I was never alone made the fact that I was alone comfortable.

I still really value my alone time, and it's hard for me to be creative when there are a lot of people around. All that to say, I have a bit of an obsession with the unseen... the not real. I *love* finding monsters in the shadows, which has inspired quite a bit of my art over the past year.

Books with monsters and imaginary friends have always been my favorite! So today I was *super* stoked to see that one of my *favorite* books (still sitting on my shelf by the way) was just made into an eBook! That's right, Grover narrates the story himself, and it will rock your face (@SesameStreet really is the best!) I hope you read it and that you will smile as much as I did!

Q&A :: Lara Rossignol

2010-05-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

I still can't really remember how I came across Piewacket, but it's been an essential part of my Google reader ever since! Lara Rossignol grew up in LA, lived in New York for 15 years and is now in Atlanta, Georgia where she takes gorgeous photos and also writes her blog, which she calls, 'a little online magazine about the things I love!' Each day, it offers a happy collection of beautiful eye candy, and often she shares her own yummy recipes as well! As a commercial and editorial photographer, Lara has a really amazing body of work that can be viewed on her website (and her flickr), and my favorite part of her work, regardless of whether she's shooting people, food or antiques, is her lighting. Take a look...

I can't tell you how excited I was to get in touch with Lara! The internet really is making the world smaller and more accessible... it totally blows my mind how we can communicate with people we admire through the magic of the interwebs. Anyway, I asked her to do a little Q&A, and she was so sweet to say yes!

1.) What were you before you became the *you* you are now? 

I was very into dance and coached gymnastics and did choreography (I used the money I made making up routines to buy my Hasselblad). I also worked in a book store for a few months before I started school (Art Center College of Design) and that is actually the only "real" job I have ever had. I started working as a professional photographer before I graduated and have done it ever since.

2.) Where do your ideas usually begin?

Sometimes a location or an object can trigger an idea. Movies and old photos are also very inspiring for me. I am always looking.

3.) Describe your workspace...
I live in an 100 year old craftsman duplex. I have an enclosed sunporch I use as my studio and a 2nd bedroom I use as my office. It has been a great live & work space. You really do not need a ton of space. I would take great light over space any day!

4.) What do you shoot with?

I use a Canon 5D primarily. I have a fixed 50L lens and also a 70-24, I use a Canon G10 for fun and that's about it. I did started working with Leica who gave me a Leica M9 to play with and I will be doing more with them. I have also been playing around a lot with my iphone and the hipstamatic app, which mimics a holga or diana. I still have my film cameras but have not shot with them at all for over 3 years now. It actually is astounding to me how fast I have adapted to a digital world.

I must add that a better camera will not make you a better photographer, there is a science to the art and you can learn that but you either have the talent or you don't.

 5.) What 3 activities do you engage in regularly that keep you inspired?

Blogging, I started my blog just over a year ago and the desire to keep it fresh has pushed me creatively beyond what I ever expected.

Reading, I read constantly.

Pool, I play competitively and this gives my brain a chance to think differently and I think you need a balance. When I am playing pool I can let the rest of the world float away.

6.) What 3 things have you read lately? 

I am currently reading "Glass of Time: by Michael Cox an engrossing historical thriller.

I just finished "The Girl that Played with Fire" and before that I finished the Twilight series with "Breaking Dawn", which I have to admit

I enjoyed. No matter how old I get, at heart I will always be a sixteen year old girl.

 7.) What do you do when you get 'stuck in a rut'?

I like to clean and reorganize my space, even do laundry. There is something inspiring about a fresh, clean space.

8.) Fill in the blank: When I was 6, I wanted to be a cowgirl.

Hope you enjoyed the Q&A! Be sure to visit Lara's blog and say *hello!*
Also, Lara spoke of playing pool and when she does she packs the most adorable Bento lunches, and she has a collection on flickr so you can see them! Also, she recently posted about this amazing little iPhone app that may be fun to play around with. You can see how she's used it in this collection.

Well, we are having about 20 people for dinner tonight so I am off to the store!

Hope you have a *lovely* day! 

xo~ HannahB.

as promised... some visual caffeine

2010-05-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

1.) I am so inspired by these giant lanterns I've seen lately! The 1st ones I saw were on the bonus disc to The September Issue that was all about putting together the Met Ball. They were done by the infamous Jean Hughes de Chatillon and were stunning!

& then these were spotted on The Constant Gatherer's blog and were done for the SCADStyle Party by artists Karen McVay Butch and Martha Enzmann.

2.) Don't hate me for this, but I'm a little in *love* with Tommy Hilfiger's Fall collection (& the men's tailored) and am super excited to see that he's returned to his preppy roots. As a ridiculously preppy girl in middle school (I know. What happened, right?), I thought I was the hottest thing ever when I got a bottle of Tommy Girl!

3.) This video is pretty gorgeous! Not only do I totally *heart* Audrey Tautou, but I would like to have my own personal band... just sayin ;)

4.) These are quite adorable and much needed...

5.) This weekend we watched some pretty *hilarious* and totally weird movies! I found this one to be awesome...

my apologies

2010-05-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

{Our peonies have been *beautiful* this past week!}

A couple of people have pointed out my neglect of late for ye olde blog. We have been super busy here at the Slaughterhouse trying to close out the school year for Husband, but this week I'm returning to my regular schedule and even have a *Q&A* tomorrow morning that I am *super* excited about with one of my very favorite photographers!

Ok, enough apologies... this weekend Husband and I enjoyed a semi-uneventful weekend (the first one in a while... aside from the wedding I directed on Saturday) and even got to enjoy our normal Saturday routine: Pancakes, Bacon, and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me! It is the best way to start a new week! Some other things I've been up to...

Making some new boobles for the shop...

Creating a new pasta recipe that was ridiculously scrumptious!

& Working on a project to kick off a new idea of mine. It is still missing a handle because my sewing machine gave out about halfway through... I was not happy.

I'll be back later with some fun things I've found around the interwebs this past weekend! Hope you're feeling more awake than I am this morning... perhaps it is time for a bit more caffeine!

ttfn~ HannahB.

7 fun things found around the interwebs

2010-05-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

1.) The art of Isabella...

{via Where the Lovely Things Are}

2.) These illustrations by Ester Aarts...

3.) Everybody Needs a Hero, a collection by Anthony Lister...

{via Design Crush}

4.) These funky illustrations for totes over at Iomoi... I think the fact that there is one with giraffes (my *favorite*) and an H (my initial) must be some sort of sign, even if the blue gingham ones are *much* cuter...

{via Ruby Press}

5.) The package design of Prairie Vodka (put together by Olson). I haven't tried it yet, but it's definitely on the list...

6.) Our spirits store just got in this Southern Belle shiraz, and it's packaging is gorgeous, even if a little creepy. Plus, it tastes *divine!* It's imported by the same company that does Bitch, Luchador and Evil, but this one is by far my favorite! Other than the fact that it's like butter!, the fact that it is aged in old Pappy van Winkle barrels (my *favorite* bourbon that is also super hard to find I might add) makes it even more awesome! (A cool article on how this deal came about.)

7.) As you know, I totally think the show Community is genius and this article totally makes my point! Just sayin...

Have a Happy Hump Day!

xo~ HannahB.

fashion icon : lena horne

2010-05-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

The last couple of days, after hearing the news, I've been thinking about her impeccable style. But, I remember when I was little watching these shows and thinking how beautiful she spoke and how soothing her voice was. When it rains I always put on a little Lena to brighten my mood. Do you remember when she was on the Cosby show? This song is still one of my all time favorite Christmas tunes. Here are a few other clips to make you smile...

happy mother's day

2010-05-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today my mom is coming over for lunch! I am super excited! This year I think I'm even more thankful for my mom because one of my friends just lost her mother last weekend, and I can't imagine life without mine! I have been *super* blessed to always be surrounded by really amazing women, and my mom is no exception. This weekend she did stand-up at a women's retreat for a church in Chattanooga, when I was little she traveled and sang in different churches, (That's where the shirt came from... when I was born she wrote a song about her journey, she'd had a lot of miscarriages before I came along, and it was called Hannah's song.) she's always been on the radio and, if you read this you know, she's a wonderful seamstress! (You can visit her blog here!)

Hope you're having a
*very* Happy Mother's Day
& that you're spending it
with your own cool mama!

a little mother's day inspiration

2010-05-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

1. Martha Stewart has an amazing collection of beautiful clipart as well as project templates...

2. This shop has some really great *stitched* inspiration as well as some last minute gifts!

{via design.work.life}

3. Olivia posted this beautiful May Day cone, and I think I may try to make some for our Mother's Day celebration on Sunday. She got the idea from this book, which I own and love! It was written by the founders of the girl scouts, I believe, and the illustrations are to die for!

4. Amy Atlas (*the* American party planner) posted this super cute idea for tea cookies!

5. Finally, I plan on picking some peonies this weekend from our backyard to brighten up our luncheon table! I love this time of year when I can get flowers from my own garden rather than the store!

{photo by Judy Stalus}

What do you have planned for this Mother's Day?

a few things

2010-05-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Good evening all! This is a pic of my "freakin' legit small group" (their term, not mine) on my front steps. They're a group of freshman girls in our church that I meet with on Wednesday nights. I brag to all the other youth leaders that I got the cool group, but really I just think they're nice to me because I can drive them places and take them out for ice cream. I've learned so much from them, but maybe the main thing I've learned is it seems 2000 times harder to be a teenage girl now than it did 10 years ago (wow, I'm old!). Today, we went out for a celebration dinner to Buffalo Wild Wings where, of course, they *had* to try the Blazin'... needless to say a little chaos ensued. Anyway, I just thought I'd share because these girls are gorgeous and amazing and mean so much to me, and coming from someone that sort of hates all children between the ages of 11 and 21 that says something!

And now, here are a few things I've made recently...

A dinosaur cuff for Everett (another not so bad teen):

These flowers that will eventually (tomorrow) be turned into a few hairpieces and some corsages for mother's day!

I was super excited to do a couple of custom projects this week so if anyone needs anything just jot me a note!

xo~ HannahB.

i miss mandy

2010-05-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

That's right, my computer's name is Mandy... Yesterday, Mandy had to go to the Genius bar and is currently in a cold storage room at West Town Mall just waiting for a new Superdrive. It is a hard day in the Slaughterhouse. My iBook G4 is making me cuss a little so please pardon the possibly janky looking posts that may come out of the next few days. We're working through this hard time!

In other news, I've gotten several little custom project lately and today got to spend the morning in Knoxville! If you follow me on Twitter you know that the trip consisted of a ridiculous trip to the fabric store, during which Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time blasted over the loud speakers as I waited in a line of old ladies in wheel chairs and with walkers. After which, I bought a shiny new skillet (our other one died), and had a really weird conversation with the checkout lady about why I would need a new skillet at my age.

After the skillet ordeal, I felt so uncool I stopped and got my first burger, fries and a shake in recent memory... I'm pretty sure I will be regretting it for weeks after the slight sugar coma I was in for the past 2 hours... how do people do that everyday? I need a cleanse or something!

Finally, I went to the shoe store, I had no luck, but couldn't resist sharing some of my super cute and super ridiculous finds! Now I'm off to sew! I'll be back later with some cuteness.

Hope you're having a wonderful Cinco de Mayo! :)

xo~ Hannah B.

the red cross

2010-05-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0404/images/barton_2.jpg

I must admit that this past weekend was one of the weirdest on record here at the Slaughter house. In case you haven't heard, since it's gotten little national coverage, the middle of our state is underwater right now in one of the worst disasters to hit middle Tennessee since the Civil War. Last Friday my bestest from college came in to enjoy a weekend of art shows and Kathy Griffin only to end up stuck here due to crazy flooding. My inlaws, traveling home, got stuck on the other side of the state when they learned that the highway was simply shut down because houses were floating into cars.

I address this for 2 reasons, #1 I thought this was an absolutely amazing (and short enough for my attention span) article on a blog normally dedicated to hockey fodder and #2 if you'd like to donate to the Red Cross's disaster relief fund this is a quick link. I can only make a little gesture at this point, but at least it is something, right?

Now back to the normal business of this blog... in honor of the Red Cross, here's a little *RED* inspiration for you! Enjoy...

7 years

2010-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today makes 7 years since our very 1st date! (Please note how much younger and geekier we looked way back when!) We're going out to celebrate! Be back soon; I promise ;)

eye candy : new flickr faves

2010-04-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Usually when I wake up in the morning, as do most of us I suppose, I start out with coffee & google reader. Lately, however, I've been mixing things up and starting out with coffee & flickr. (Please note the constant in this equation.) I've found it so *super* inspiring. So here are some of the additions to my ever-expanding *favorites* tab... and also a reminder to myself to update my own account more often with pretties like these.

I just put a couple little things in the shop (like this little guy) and now I am off to clean!

Husband is gone on a fishing trip (why one would want to sleep and pee out of doors in a place with no running water until Sunday is beyond me, but whatev) so a friend is coming in tomorrow and we're going to party all weekend! Design night downtown (which we went thru at this time last year... eeshk) is Friday night and then Saturday is Kathy Griffin! *Yay!*

Hope you have a great Thursday!

xo~ HannahB.

inspiration for a sleepy day

2010-04-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

It is a dreary day yet again here in East Tennessee, and I am so out of it, I feel like I can't hardly get anything done. Thus, I'm brewing a pot of coffee and will do a quick blog post in the hopes that the inspiration will wake me up.

1.) I recently bought this perfume, I must admit, almost exclusively for the packaging. Bonus: It smells really great too!

2. I know it's out of season but Husband found this video the other day, and I knew I'd forget where it was if I didn't post it. (Reminder: B's Wig Shoppe is like my online inspiration book) I *love* Gap, and I really *love* all of their marketing... genius! These 2 make me wish it was Christmas time instead of April!

3. As you know if you've *ever* read this blog before, I *adore* Billy Reid! Here are some great shots of their Spring/Summer collection (that I found here). Sometimes I wish we could get married all over again just so we had an excuse to get all fancy... perhaps we should just have a big party sometime?

4. I always enjoy the work of Lara Rossignol (over at Piewacket), but I specifically enjoyed this shoot in the small town of Serenbe, GA because of this awesome logo painted on the brick wall.

After a little investigation, I found out that the design work for the Blue Eyed Daisy was done by this design firm (whose site seems to be under construction). They also did this site, which had some really lovely work on it as well...

5. Also on the subject of bakeries, I found this post by Danielle Thompson to be quite inspiring... there's something about the feel of Back in the Day Bakery that makes me want to curl up in a booth and just watch the day pass me by!

6. I can smell the coffee brewing so it's almost time to go, but quickly first... I'd like to have this kitchen in my house.

7. ...& this afternoon I'm listening to this podcast! Too cute :)

Hope you have a *lovely* afternoon!

xo~ HannahB.

2010-04-26T13:19:00.001-07:00

fun finds friday!

2010-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

1. I am *uber* stoked to see if this show is as awesome as I think it's going to be. *Diggin* the 'stache!'

2. We all love the font skills of Jessica Hische, but I am super impressed with this work by her students...

3. Incidentally, as a result I now desire this pretty font...

it's what the student names are set in.

4. Yesterday was the 46th anniversary of the opening of these exhibits at the New York World's Fair, and I *adore* the typography and colors going on in this photograph!

5. Another too cool for school video that makes me *SMILE* big!

Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom

6. This Built by Wendy outfit is super cute.

Incidentally, Wendy does an interview with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood (click here for my q&a with her) on the last episode of Craftsanity :)

7. I am now in *love* with this website and am anxious to try ever recipe!

...which reminds me...

I'm thinking of housing my food-i-thoughts on a different blog because there are lots of things that fill my journals and such that I'd like to put on here, it just doesn't really fit with the B's Wig Shoppe vibe on top of everything else. I don't know... I'll think about it some more.

Back later with the last of this week's shop updates! :)

Have a *happy* Friday!

xo~ HannahB.

the ny times

2010-04-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

I must confess that ever since I worked for a magazine, I've had the New York Times on my bookmark toolbar. I'm pretty sure this impressed my old boss; how many 23 year olds do you know that read the New York Times every day? But I have to reveal that I rarely read any of the grown-up newsy parts, it is on the toolbar exclusively because of the Arts & Style pages and, of course, the link to T Magazine (an extension of the Style section that "curates the culture of style") I've talked before about Maira Kalman's amazingly beautiful online editorials. Rita Konig (formerly of Domino) also has her own blog in T magazine. Here are a few of my most recent, fascinating NYT finds:

This is a really interesting article on globalism and culture.

Robert Whiteman is on a mission to revive interest in Liberty magazine (which was published from the mid-1920s to mid-1950s). I was fascinated by the cover art. You can read more about the project here.

This is an article on modern dollhouses. The first artist is Annina Gunther, and I must confess I am now totally addicted to her blog and flickr page!

Michelle de la Vega turned a 250 sq. ft. garage into a modern house for $32,000... very cool.

Butch Anthony is an artist with an amazing home just outside of Columbus, Georgia. Each year he hosts Doo Nanny, a unique sort of folk art gathering.

xo~ HannahB.

le shoppe

2010-04-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

B's Wig Shoppe has been updated with a few items today (like this little owl named Molly! as well as some bracelets) and even more will be coming tomorrow and Friday including some new hats and cozies!

style crush :: glee

2010-04-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

As someone who was raised with the strict belief that Madonna was the devil, I got seriously schooled last night! They even did my very *favorite* Madonna song to close the show! (I get goosebumps every time I hear Like a Prayer!) However, I'm pretty sure my pick from last night was the mash-up of Borderline & Open Your Heart, not just because I'm a total sucker when it comes to Finn+Rachel but also because I loved all the Madonna look-alikes in the background! *Genius!* On that note, your eye candy for today is all *GLEE!*

On the show, you can guess that my style icon is, of course, the cardigan-wearing counselor...

But in real life, I *love* the style of Lea & Dianna who are actually roomies... I bet they have *fabulous* closets!

This one was so hot, I couldn't bear to put it up against the others. P.S. I really need those Louboutin patent pumps!

& of course, I can't forget...

That is all for now. I'll be back later with a shop update!

And thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement. I'm finally feeling normal and energetic again!

xo~ HannahB.

rain check

2010-04-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Blog posts and le shop update will be postponed 'til Wednesday because allergies and asthma stink. That is all.

eye-candy :: Garden Party

2010-04-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

shop update Monday!

2010-04-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Just a note to let you know that there will be a shop update on Monday afternoon that will include cute little cup cozies like this one :) See you there!

self portraiture

2010-04-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been seeing some really *lovely* examples of different modes of self-portraiture! Here are some interesting ways people are choosing to help others portray their inner selves...

1.) I think painting is gorgeous! I'd like to make one for my house.

{source, source}

2.) This blog is full of great stuff stocked by a number of contributors, and I *love* the tagline... "the illustrated life."

3.) I find this project fascinating! In Greek mythology, we were once 4 legged and 4 armed... when we became too arrogant, legend has it that Zeus split us in 2. According to this photographer, man is in constant search of their other self to feel complete.

4.) I really love the work of Jane Mount, but am especially fascinated by these ideal bookshelves.

it was a very good year : 1935

2010-04-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

So I saw this post today and thought it was a *lovely* idea while I was getting all warmed up to make pretty things. The idea is this: Go to flickr, type in your favorite year, post your favorite image from the ones that pop up. I typed in *1935,* the year our house was built and this one was my favorite. If you try the game, be sure to post a comment below!

Some Afternoon Pretty-ness

2010-04-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

I loved these pictures today so I thought I would share...

Nothing too elaborate just raw and pretty.

What I did this morning..

2010-04-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

After popping these out for Husband, I got to work...

Laundry (the never ending evil of being a grown-up), Baking some bread with this new recipe (*super yummy!*)

Last week Husband finished my *gorgeous, most amazing* new vegetable bed! So...

Then, after doing some more chores and picking Dexter up from the groomer I created a super yummy version of one of my very favorite sandwiches! I will perfect the recipe and share soon!

Some Springtime Pretties coming this afternoon!

xo~ HannahB.

vintage food pretty-ness

2010-04-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I have been cooking away! Have I mentioned how much I *love* Spring? Husband laughs at me constantly because I keep going on about how wonderful and energizing this warm-with-a-breeze, sunny weather is, but I just can't get over it! In fact, the other day, we went over the Husband's high school to pick up some veggie, herb and flower plants and tomorrow will be planting day! I have a wonderful new vegetable garden thanks to my handy dandy hus, and I am sooo excited to get things in the ground! I've always been fascinated by the Victory Gardens during the wars. (Dork out moment, but when I was little, I read all the Molly books just because I thought the extra history parts at the end were amazing!) It just seems like people were so much more willing to work and come together back then. Anyway, a little Victory Garden eye candy for this evening...

I also just found 3 Lambs Studio thanks to a flickr search! I would like this poster for my kitchen. (P.S. It matches my entire house!)

...and this one just to satisfy my *giraffe* love!

Q&A :: Stacie Bloomfield

2010-04-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Stacie Bloomfield is a beautiful wife, a master scribbler and a mother to one adorable Miss Violet...

Precious! I know! She lives in Springdale, Arkansas (a fairly recent development) and although, I am sure it sounds quaint, I'm almost positive we all read blogs that we feel a connection to somehow... for me, Stacie's is one of those blogs! As you know, I adore this print...

...as well as the story that goes along with it. My other favorite Gingibersnap print? This one...

I can't quite tell what it is... perhaps the fact that I made my mother's poodles lay down in my doll beds when I was little and carried them around in baskets... but there's something about that connects!

I've also noticed this print making it's way around the interwebs lately...

But then again, I love everything from Stacie's prints to her plushes. Check out some more of her work in her Etsy shop!

Stacie has also done some really fun tutorials (they can be found here) that have gotten her a lot of great press lately! When I asked if she was willing to do a little Q&A for my blog she was super sweet!

1.) What were you before you became the *you* you are now?

I currently run my blog and Gingiber Etsy Shop on the side (though I hope to do it full time in the near future). I work as an administrative assistant at a local university. I push papers and organize campus events. Not the most inspiring work, but I do have some lovely co-workers. Previously, I worked at Starbucks Coffee Company 5 1/2 years! I started at the bottom of the pack as a barista, but worked my way up to manager. I've gotta tell you, I worked harder at that job than I have ever worked at anything in my life. 80 hour weeks left little time for family. But, I was surrounded by the most amazing and creative people! Fond memories! Oh, and I do have an art degree, so that helps me a little bit!

2.) Where do your ideas usually begin?

My ideas are what I like to call "fluid drawings". Usually my big ideas start on a napkin of a restaurant or in the margins of a piece of paper while I should be taking notes during a meeting. It all just sort of flows when I am not thinking about it too seriously. I find if I set out to do something specific, the outcome is never how I intended it to be! I get sidetracked easily... so I might sit down to draw a portrait but end up with a silly little doodle of my dog! That is why I am a self-described doodler.

3.) Describe your workspace.
I work all over the place! In my living room, bedroom, kitchen table.... I do have a workspace where I proof and print all of my work. I love my little writing desk. It was my grandmas. Originally it was coated in this thick paint. I began stripping it, but got sidetracked and never finished it. Now it has this real distressed look. She would kill me to see it now.

4.) What materials can you not live without?

I have to have my prismacolor markers! My drawings look 10x better with them! Oh, and I love my precious MacBookPro. Recently my little mac got sick. I spent a whole lot of money to get her fixed. Those 3 days without her were lonely ones, indeed. Reunited and it feels so good!

5.) What 3 activities do you engage in regularly
that keep you inspired?

1. I talk to other creative people to stay inspired and motivated. I call my friend Jenna every week for inspiration. Seriously. I have blogged before about how I live in Arkansas and have not been able to connect with many creative people. Jenna lives a state away, but she is a constant source of encouragement and energy. Check out here flickr. She is a killer Graphic Designer and an even better photographer!
2. I read blogs to stay inspired as well. Some favorites are Smile and Wave, Decor8, and ApartmentTherapy.

3. I always have projects going. Right now I am in the middle of making a stuffed animal, working on a new series of nursery rhyme prints, and working on some freelance graphic design work for a lovely lady in Australia! This keeps me going, so if I get board with one thing, I jump to another.

6.) What do you do when you get 'stuck in a rut'?

Oh my, I get in ruts all of the time. I used to just mope around and lay on the couch watching reruns of Gilmore Girls. Then, someone gave me this brilliant advice: instead of thinking of my own worries, do something random and nice for someone else. Today, for instance, I was feeling really rutty, so I went and bought some donuts for my coworkers. I know it sounds silly, but seeing them happy with their surprise treat really lifted my spirits. Now I feel like I can conquer the world!

7.) What 3 things have you read lately?

I confess that I am a tabloid junky...... don't judge me!!!!

1. LivingEtc (My favorite decorating magazine from the UK!)

2. People Magazine

3. Perez Hilton's Gossip blog (does that count as reading?)

8.) Fill in the blank:
When I was 6, I wanted to be _____________________.

A rapper..... that's right! I was a really silly kid! I used to jump around my house with my talkboy in hand (you know, like the one Kevin had in the movie "Home Alone") and rap about things like frogs and mac and cheese and talking rabbits... Like I said, I was a silly kid, but full of imagination!

For more Stacie, check out:

just a couple notes

2010-04-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

1.) There are new buttons on the LEFT that you can add to your blog and link back to B! Just be sure to let me know so I can return the favor.

2.) There is a fairly new button on your RIGHT (the giant @) that you can click to jot me an email! {hannahbdesign@gmail.com} So send me a note to say hi, to let me know about a fabulously fun person to interview or to show me something splendiferous!

Finally, it has been a super icky week around the Slaughterhouse. Tomorrow, Monday, I really will return with an interview with one of my favorite scribblers as well as a post full of pretty things. Promise.

xo~ HannahB.

work work work

2010-04-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading for a little while, you know that I went through a slight mid-life crisis (altho I hope not really mid-life... I'm only 24!) after quitting my job last fall and in February, after requesting a giant pink post-it on the end of a lightening bolt with instructions from God, I actually got an answer.

As soon as I made the decision to go with what I knew I was supposed to be, it's amazing how much fun I've been having and what unique projects have been coming my way. I truly believe that once you say *yes* to God, things line up the way he wants them too. Yesterday, I visited my first networking meeting (not quite the one I want to join but a good experience nonetheless). Anyway, I'm working on quite a few things I won't talk about quite yet, but I *loved* these 2 projects I just finished last week and had to share! More coming soon I promise!

See you in the morning!

xo~ HannahB.

Really quick 4 Random Things

2010-04-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

This a.m. I woke up to the sound of a thunderstorm just beginning as it turned from whistling wind to a pitter patter of drops before letting the clouds break loose. It was a perfect way to start the day! I have some super interesting things on tap for the next little bit... some projects finishing, some new opportunities as well as some interesting conversations I've been having with other bloggers, but for this morning here are *4 Random Things to Make You SMILE!* :D

1. This video was on a friend's FB wall last night, and I couldn't stop laughing when I watched it! So true!

"I wanna hold really soft things..." :)

2. Did you know you can watch entire episodes of The French Chef on PBS's website? I was totally stoked... The best part is, this proves that (unlike Meryl Streep) Julia Child was not perfect. My favorite quote...
"Because, as you're gonna see, if everything doesn't happen quite the way you'd like, it doesn't make too much o a difference because YOU CAN'T FIX IT."
Doesn't that just take all the pressure off? :)

3. If you're a Disney dork like me, on this day in 1933 Ye Olden Days was released...

4. Doesn't this blogger always wear the *happiest* of outfits?

{click here to see more of her wardrobe remix on flickr}

I'll be back this afternoon with an update post and then tomorrow with a super fun Q&A with one of my favorite scribblers! Hope you enjoy a rainy (or maybe sunny somewhere???) Thursday!

xo~ HannahB.

springtime

2010-04-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

*Sigh*

happy easter! part ii

2010-04-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

This was the view from the middle school parking lot here in Alcoa this morning for our sunrise service. It was gorgeous... a gathering of about 100 people to celebrate the *resurrection* first thing! As Rachelle reminded me (see the comments in this post), the rituals that require a little sacrifice can be the most meaningful ones because this morning, I really had to think about why we had gotten up ever so early and what we were celebrating.

After sunrise, breakfast, church and a low-country boil with the families over at a friend's we headed home where I baked these little guys. WooWoo made her special sugar cookies for each major holiday so I can't *not* make them! They're nothing like the sugar cookies from a can. We're talking a thick cookie with real buttercream frosting! When you use a pound of confectioners' sugar, you know you mean business!

Now for a little *Easter-ness*! At Borders the other night (my very *favoritest* store), Husband bought me a stack of children's books, among which was this one...

I had it when I was little and love*love*love it! Especially this scene...

Another good Easter-y book from my collection...

And finally a little egg-y inspiration. I think these colors are perfect!

{source}

Happy Easter!

xo~ HannahB.

happy easter

2010-04-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

{Me & Momma ~ Easter 1987}

How cool is my momma's jacket? I really *loved* those bright, blue flowers when I was little! This year, I am sorry to report that I didn't get my new skirt made, yet I'm still going to have to wear something cute-sy as Husband informed me my usual jeans would be inappropriate next to everyone else's Easter finest. I *loved* the whole Easter outfit thing when I was little because every year my mom would stay up late and make me a *gorgeous* new outfit and the whole Sunday would be spent twirling around in uncomfortable new shoes in a pretty new dress. But now, I've gotta say I'm pretty sure Jesus loves me without my Easter clothes on :) Oh well...

Tomorrow morning, we're going to wake up bright and early. Husband and I lead the music in the early service at our church (Daddy's the preacher), but on Easter, before that service starts, we have an outdoor Sunrise service at 7am. It's amazing listening to the Resurrection story and watching the sun rise over our small town (altho we'll see if I feel quite as passionate about it when it is freezing and my alarm goes off at 5:30! haha :) Hope you have a perfectly lovely Easter!

P.S. I made my very 1st Etsy sale from my little shop! It was to a friend so that probably doesn't really count :/ But it made my whole night :D

Shop update

2010-04-03T14:28:00.001-07:00

There are a few new items
in the shop!

Go by and pick something up :)

today is catch-up day

2010-04-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

So this is going to be a super quick post because I am finally making a dent in an ever-increasing ToDo list. One of the main reasons is I've been laying pretty low today... I hate April Fools' Day with a vengeance. I'm way to gullible to risk interacting with people so because of that I'll just share a few quick things. This morning, I went to have coffee with one of Husband's cousins (I got really lucky in the in-law family department!) and then ran some Knoxville errands. Poor Alcoa just can't measure up to Knoxville in terms of thrift shops and art supply stores. A few of iPhone pics from my trip to Nostalgia (even though I'm very proud to report I held it together and didn't buy a thing!)...

Later this morning, when I was grocery-ing, Matt called to tell me that while we thought it was ridiculous when Francesca & Sharkey (i.e. Martha Stewart's dogs) got a Twitter account, we really had no idea. Earlier today this was tweeted by Cookie Monster himself:

Me tried fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free cookie today.
Or, as me like to call it:
crime against humanity.

And then, this afternoon I found this video posted by @MuppetsStudio

A couple other good ones are Ringing of the Bells & Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody.

Also, I heard on NPR today that TLC has announced Sarah Palin's Alaska. A quick preview :)

And now I'm back to work :D

Hope you have a *lovely* April 1st!

xo~ HannahB.

Randomness + 3 Reasons I am the Nerdiest Blog You Read

2010-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

So within the last 5 minutes, it became even more abundantly clear that I am such a nerd!

Reason #1: The Slaughter house's *signed* edition of Wil Wheaton's The Happiest Days of Our Lives arrived in the mail today! I am super stoked! It contains one of my most favorite stories called Portrait of the Artist as a Young Geek (listen to it here). I found it super entertaining because while I wasn't into Dungeons and Dragons (my parents probably would have had me sent away), I was always the loner that would rather be at home making something. Ya know? Which also reminds me if you haven't read this story by Wheaton called you should [It's called 'Get Excited & Make Things'].

Reason #2: Our Netflix just came in the mail and after watching part of the series awake ago, we put the whole Ken Burns' National Parks Series in our queue. It's really called The National Parks: America's Best Idea... how cool is that? That's right... PBS special, baby! We only have one reason to go so don't get too scared.

P.S. These are some of the pics from the Smoky Mountains portion. This is where we live... it's pretty amazing :)

Reason #3: This morning while designer-ing some randomness and listening/half-watching last night's Parenthood, I made a bunch of fun little things. Here's a preview...

Now, that we've gotten through that together... some other things on the randomness front...

I am *loving* this font! Gorgeous & free!

I've been making some cute, little things things to put in le shop on Saturday! *Yay!*

Last Thursday, I took a stack of paintings over to a photographer friend to have captured so I can make some prints to sell in my shop. I'm still not sure exactly how or where they will get printed, but for now the originals are laying up against the wall in my studio :)

It is officially 73 degrees outside my window! The daffodils are in full bloom all over my yard, and Dexter has taken up residence by 1 of 2 open windows at all times. Oh, and the giant hole in the lower corner is going to be my new vegetable garden! There wasn't really enough room last year so Husband is making me a new raised bed! *yay!*

Happy Wednesday!
xo~ HannahB.

style crush :: gilmore girls

2010-03-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

So lately I have totally been in the mood for some Gilmore Girls! I had someone tell me that I had what he and his daughter had termed GGS (Gilmore Girls' Syndrome)... i.e. It is necessary to stay on one's toes when having a conversation with me because not only will I jump around and go really fast sometimes, I'll throw in a bunch of out there references and sarcasm to keep myself entertained. According to him this was a compliment and so I'm taking it as such :) For now, a little Stars Hollow eye candy to inspire you today...

xo~ HannahB.

weekend-ing

2010-03-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

*Greetings!* How was your weekend? Mine was a little bit overwhelming at first but ended up great! For now I will avoid the icky parts and just tell you the fun stuff...

On Friday, Daddy & I took a day and went down to see my Nanny who is in a nursing home on the Georgia side of Chattanooga. While we were down there we stopped at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which was gorgeous... Like going back in time! I took some photos with my iphone that I uploaded here, but this one was too cute not to share. I mean really, how cute is my daddy? (P.S. I get my love of cardigans from him!) We also had lunch at the Blue Water Grille, and I highly recommend it if you're in the area–uber yummy!

On Saturday, I took most of the girls in my small group (I lead a small group at our church comprised of quite awesome 14/15 year old ladies!) to see Alice. I thought it was lovely and beautiful and ridiculously worthy of all the hype! Now I've got to try to get Husband to go again! :)

And now for your Monday enjoyment...
At the Slaughter house we happen to love*love*love Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and I totally *heart* Mo Rocca so when he decided to make peace with the knitting community on Sunday's CBS morning show, I was pretty stoked!

Community is one of my Top 5 *favorite* shows, and I could watch this again and again :) I heart Abed!

**HAPPY HAPPY MONDAY!!!**

xo~ HannahB.

Easter, Outfittings & Such

2010-03-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

So, I finally learned how to hook... I've decided to call it this because I find the word 'crochet' in and of itself to be very dull and not at all indicative of the action. Cro-shet is a bit more cutesy, but alas this is too hard to say when people are reading. Thus, it will be called 'hooking' from here on out, which got quite a response when I put that I was "hooking cute *adorable* things" last night on Facebook ;) Anyway, I think I'm going to hook some cute little things for a shop update on Saturday. Starting with this little number...

Don't you just love the color? I went yarn shopping yesterday and got a few *lovely* colors to add to my rather manly colored stash (I have been working on a manly project so the colors were appropriate but too dull for me!)

Speaking of pretty colors, my mom and daddy brought back this little purse the last time they went up to my WooWoo's house. She died last January, and I still miss her ridiculous amounts (my goal in life is to be like her, but that is an entirely different post). Point being, it is nice to have some things of hers around to keep me company and make me smile :)

I think it will look adorable with this new Easter outfit! :) On our December Chicago trip, I stopped by Vogue fabrics and had a bit of a hayday. I cannot remember for the life of me what kind of fabric the floral is (it has a funny name!), but it feels lovely and will be perfect with the silk.

Some of my other finds... It's amazing what wonderful things we miss out on living in a small town. First and foremost being great restaurants and a close second being good fabric stores.

That is all for now! It is an unbelievably gorgeous day so I'm going to take a quick coffee break and then come back, open up the house and paint the afternoon away!

Hope you enjoy yours!

xo~ HannahB.

7 Random Things

2010-03-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

**Good morning!**

I hope you are having a lovely day! I took yesterday off and had a lovely afternoon with a friend and her *too cute* little boy. (He is so tiny & adorable I could probably do a post on just him, but I'm pretty sure that's an invasion of privacy.) Then, just as I was sitting down to get some work done and a post, Husband came home and we decided to go out for sushi with another good friend of ours. So it was a perfect day, but I got nothing done :/ All that to say, here are 7 Random Things that are making me *smile* this morning, and I hope they'll do the same for you...

1. Yesterday, aside from being my Aunt Vangie's birthday {Happy Birthday, Aunt Van!} was also the future birthdate of Capt. James T. Kirk. I usually try not to geek out, but I *love* the stuff that comes out of Uppercase Gallery and one of my favorite things that we own from them... The Shatner Show! Now like I've said, I did not grow up in a home of Star Trek and dinosaurs so when I got married and Husband introduced these things... I became a little obsessed. Like how funny is the kitschy-ness of Star Trek? I digress... here's some of my *fav* Shatner portraits from The Shatner Show.

"We were basically one and the same, although Jim [Kirk] was just about perfect, and, of course, I am perfect."

Now that I am done geeking out...

2. Everyone is posting about the new Liberty prints collection at Target, but I really *adore* the pics that were on the Piewacket blog this morning. Especially, these because I collect old silverware and usually just display it in jars and stuff, but I love this idea more. I really like the Liberty prints because of the thin drawn lines. I think it adds so much more interest than your regular run of the mill stuff.

3. I think this new print from Victoria Ying is super cute and would be quite adorable in a nursery.

4. These new whimsical Kindle commercials are awesome and while I refuse to read a book on a screen, I think they are really quite lovely!

5. The White Stripes (one of my absolute *favs* of all time), just released a new album and when I went to their site, aside from finally getting a screen shot of these crazy penguins, I found that Jack & Meg actually have their own Holga and Diana cameras. In fact, you can browse and submit to a gallery of their site. Very cool for a rock band, don't you think?

6. Hatch's annual Egg Coloring Contest has started again! I always love how the branding looks, but I also am feeling super inspired looking through the Hatch portfolio!

7. Ashley Ann makes some super cute things and when I read about her latest *wristlets* on her blog this morning, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite things from her shop!

& now I am going to get back to work!

Have a *happy* Tuesday!

xo~ HannahB.

happy sunday

2010-03-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

{photo cred}

I have *lots* I should be doing... instead, I would just like to take a Benadryl and get rid of this crazy sinus pressure. eeshk :/

hello, Spring

2010-03-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight we welcomed Spring with a *scrumptious* feast! We started with a salad topped off with a new dressing I whipped up, then we moved onto Rack of Lamb and Rosemary potatoes and, to top it off, a butter cake with bourbon pineapple... it was delightfully relaxing to sit there, eating, talking and listening to music while we sipped wine in our new dining room! Alas, none of the pictures came out too great, but this one at least proves that we did it. I used this topping for the lamb, which we did in the oven for 10 minutes and then (after cutting the little pieces apart) threw it on a hot grill and topped it with blue cheese until it was ready. *Yums!* I will have a much better food post in the very near future but this will do for now.

For now, Husband and I are enjoying the last little bits of his Spring break before returning to real life on Monday :/ The old routine will be good for getting work done, etc. but I *love* having him home so much that it always makes me a little sad.

I'll leave you with just a few little tidbits, I found about the interwebs today and a wish: I hope that you're enjoying your weekend as much as we are!

Martha Cate's Mamaw recently started undergoing treatments for cancer, and I literally cried as I sat there and read this post tonight... it's beautiful!

This is probably my new favorite blog, and you will not be able to get enough of the ties & patterns in this post!

This post of Stacie's is a beautiful reminder that none of us are alone.

I could do an entire post just about this album (and probably will) but for now... While Springtime is my 2nd favorite time of year, I am being made quite miserable by...

5 Things to Make You Smile

2010-03-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

1. I found this great blog today full of letterheads (via this blog) and am totally hooked!

2. After listening to this week's Craftsanity, I definitely am going to pick up this book by one Kari Chapin (& illustrated by the Black Apple). Kari also has a really adorable website here and a blog that contains an inordinate amount of information on maple syrup.

3. I found this print by Jam Fancy's Christina Gordon via The Constant Gatherer and would like one please :)

4. Speaking of prints, I *love* the story behind this cute print..

5. My friend sent me this site today... it totally brightened my morning. Silly dinosaurs :)

So sorry for the abbreviated post today, but I have a lot of buns in the oven and really must get to work now!
Hope you have a happy Thursday!

xo~ Hannah B.

B's Wig Shoppe

*B's Wig Shoppe has moved!*

*a new home*

*7 happy things*

*vintage LOVE*

*blog finds :: edition 1*

*style file : the swimsuit*

*home again home again*

*vacate*

*Let me just say...*

*7 Random Things*

*confession*

*7 random things*

*hanson + ray charles*

*happy father's day*

*i miss domino*

*in my future life*

*inspiration : sixx design*

*the week thus far*

*style file : The Music Man*

*D Day*

*when in doubt: bob dylan*

*hmm...*

*superhero*

*7 Happy Things*

*day 1 of food blog*

*a salute to prep*

*it's a small world*

*in the zone*

*summer vacation thus far*

*fresh start*

*6 Random Things*

*i heart monsters*

*Q&A :: Lara Rossignol*

*as promised... some visual caffeine*

*my apologies*

*7 fun things found around the interwebs*

*fashion icon : lena horne*

*happy mother's day*

*a little mother's day inspiration*

*a few things*

*i miss mandy*

*the red cross*

*7 years*

*eye candy : new flickr faves*

*inspiration for a sleepy day*

*fun finds friday!*

*the ny times*

*le shoppe*

*style crush :: glee*

*rain check*

*eye-candy :: Garden Party*

*shop update Monday!*

*self portraiture*

*it was a very good year : 1935*

*Some Afternoon Pretty-ness*

*What I did this morning..*

*vintage food pretty-ness*

*Q&A :: Stacie Bloomfield*

*just a couple notes*

*work work work*

*Really quick 4 Random Things*

*springtime*

*happy easter! part ii*

*happy easter*

*Shop update*

*today is catch-up day*

*Randomness + 3 Reasons I am the Nerdiest Blog You Read*

*style crush :: gilmore girls*

*weekend-ing*

Easter, Outfittings & Such

*7 Random Things*

*happy sunday*

*hello, Spring*

*5 Things to Make You Smile*

B's Wig Shoppe has moved!

a new home

7 happy things

vintage LOVE

blog finds :: edition 1

style file : the swimsuit

home again home again

vacate

Let me just say...

7 Random Things

confession

7 random things

hanson + ray charles

happy father's day

i miss domino

in my future life

inspiration : sixx design

the week thus far

style file : The Music Man

D Day

when in doubt: bob dylan

hmm...

superhero

7 Happy Things

day 1 of food blog

a salute to prep

it's a small world

in the zone

summer vacation thus far

fresh start

6 Random Things

i heart monsters

Q&A :: Lara Rossignol

as promised... some visual caffeine

my apologies

7 fun things found around the interwebs

fashion icon : lena horne

happy mother's day

a little mother's day inspiration

a few things

i miss mandy

the red cross

7 years

eye candy : new flickr faves

inspiration for a sleepy day

fun finds friday!

the ny times

le shoppe

style crush :: glee

rain check

eye-candy :: Garden Party

shop update Monday!

self portraiture

it was a very good year : 1935

Some Afternoon Pretty-ness

What I did this morning..

vintage food pretty-ness

Q&A :: Stacie Bloomfield

just a couple notes

work work work

Really quick 4 Random Things

springtime

happy easter! part ii

happy easter

Shop update

today is catch-up day

Randomness + 3 Reasons I am the Nerdiest Blog You Read

style crush :: gilmore girls

weekend-ing

7 Random Things

happy sunday

hello, Spring

5 Things to Make You Smile