OLA COLLECTION // THE BLOG

~ Holidays with OLA: Color up! ~

2011-12-06T18:27:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again, folks... have you done your gift shopping yet? Best get to it. Seeing as this is my last season selling Missoni scarfage, I'm celebrating by offering up a big old sale. Cheers, and Happy Holidays!

~ Moi et Toi : A Confession ~

2011-11-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

So, I've got some news to confess, and as giddy as I am about it, I also feel a wee bit bashful.

I'll be taking a hiatus on this here blog for the near future, as I've been roped in to collaborate with my favorite artist/designer/photographer/twin seeester, Kelty. Now that we're in the same neck of the woods we simply can't help ourselves, and have been dreaming up a storm of crafty shenanigans culminating in a new venture to begin Spring of 2012.

In the meantime you'll find me here, where I'll be sharing design, art and photography inspiration amidst Kelty's work. I'll miss this blog, but hopefully I won't be missing you... so please come visit, and leave us comments so we know you're out there!

xo Hannah

ps- Scarf weather has officially arrived. Fall and winter OLA scarves are in the works! Stay tuned on the fb and etsy.

~ It's Reel Love: Edward Scissorhands ~

2011-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Peg Boggs: The light concealing cream goes on first. Then you blend, and blend, and blend. Blending is the secret.

~ Wenn der Herrgott: The Viennese Dinette ~

2011-10-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Stefan Fürtbauer. Read about his photo project here.

~ Finder's Keepers: An Assortment ~

2011-10-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

On a recent drizzly autumn evening, Alex and I dined at a new favorite joint on Mississippi {they serve sushi and friend chicken, for god's sake}. On the way back to the car, I noticed an old box by a trashcan... filled with abandoned records! Getting rained on! Suffice to say they now reside in my living room. Below are a few favorites...

~ Take Five: Christopher Kane Spring '12 ~

2011-10-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Images found here.

~ Wild Man Blues: Erwin Blumenfeld ~

2011-10-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Read about him and his work here.

~ This Masquerade: Fashion Week Faves ~

2011-10-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

Photo diaries from NYT Magazine.

~ Sweet Neo Con: Elle Canada Sept '11 ~

2011-09-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Model Chantal Stafford Abbott, photographed by Leda and St. Jacques.

~ Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution: Paul Smith Spring 2012 ~

2011-09-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

As much as I have and do and always will love dresses, I've begun to realize they're really not all that me. In fact, I've come to the conclusion over the past year or so that no matter how many dresses I buy, enjoy ogling, or make, I'm really just a hair-down, button-up shirt and man-pants kinda girl. And how lovely are these tomboy-sembles? Loving the simple cuts and slinky fabrics.

~ You Say It's Your Birthday: Name Dropping ~

2011-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Did you recognize everyone? In order of appearance: Anne Bancroft, John Ritter, Mary Stewart, Bryan Singer, Dolores Costello, Roddy McDowall, Hank Williams Sr., Kelty 'n Me. I consider myself damn lucky to share today with all them folks... but most of all, with that gal that is always by my side, ready to hold my hand {and have some fun!}. xoxo

~ Somethin' To Talk About: Missoni For Target ~

2011-09-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

~ Game Over: Two Years Today {and counting} ~

2011-09-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rehearsal Dins photo by Steep Street.

~ For Me And My Gal: Rodarte for Opening Ceremony Fall/Winter '11 ~

2011-09-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

PS- Danke, Stacey, for sharing these with Kelty and me!

~ Etsy Stalker: Zig to the Zag ~

2011-08-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Been to the shop lately? It popped up yesterday in an Etsy Treasury {a curated/featured gallery of sorts}. What have you been browsing on Etsy lately? Do share.

~ Don't Think Twice, It's Alright: Back to School ~

2011-08-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Now that it's nearly September, I'm sure most of you are mourning the end of summer. Well, not me! Summer's just begun, now that Kelty and I survived our cross-country adventure, planting her ecstatically {and permanently} back on NW soil. The loveliest part of the season for us happens now, when fall begins sneaking up on summer. Little by little, the leaves begin to get crispy and rainbowed, the wind gets a bit fresher in the evenings, and the smells, OH GOOD GOD,THE SMELLS. For those of us sporting nordic complexions, the time has finally arrived to steal outside and catch up on the summery things everyone else has been enjoying the last few months {dressed in curduroy, stretch-knits and ankle boots, naturally}.

Photos from September Vogue 2009, shot by Mr. Miesel.

~ Kiss Each Other Clean: Grey Magazine Spring/Summer 2011 ~

2011-08-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Update: Organized. Packed {almost}. Now, to clean. Then drive!

Model: Hannah Holman.

~ Octopus's Garden: Dazed & Confused July '11 ~

2011-08-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Model: Lisanne de Jong Photographer: Viviane Sassen

~ Get Off My Cloud: Monday Misfits ~

2011-08-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to feel jet-lagged from a 24-hr. trip to California? Cuz it damn sure feels like it today. Haghrummphh.

~ Nighblindness: V Magazine #71 ~

2011-07-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ming Xi photographed by Nick Knight

~ Let Me In: Mulberry Fall/Winter 2011 ~

2011-07-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else already getting excited about autumn? The preppy clothes are the least interesting element for me, but I'm loving the outdoor-indoorness of it all.

Photos by Tim Campbell.

~ Just Another Day In The Neighborhood: Vogue Paris, August 2011 ~

2011-07-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

~ Swinging On A Star: Cannes Film Festival ~

2011-07-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we're already halfway through July, can you? It still feels like May! Which is why I'd forgotten to share my favorite outtakes from Cannes over the years. Was this May's Cannes as cool? Jamais de la vie.

So many more lovely photos here.

Favorite shot? Celebrity? Leave me a note! I'm partial to the bored adolescent and the dancing photos, myself...

~ It Had To Be You: Mert & Marcus ~

2011-07-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

~ Tupelo Honey: Vogue UK April 2010 ~

2011-07-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

If I still wore bathing costumes, I'd hope they would look something like the above.

Guinevere van Seenus, photographed by Javier Vallhonrat

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Harry ~

2011-07-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

The last week has been so utterly lovely, thanks to time spent with Kelty. When we're apart I tend to think, "Hey, this isn't so bad... we handle it fine". But then we join up for a whirlwind wedding or roadtrip hijinks or nothing much of anything and it hits me just how much I missed her. And how much brighter, sillier and more creative my life is with her in it!

Here's to Sunday.

~ Summer Lovin': Stocked Up ~

2011-07-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Come shopping!

Many thanks, Steep Street, for the goofy gif.

~ Sugar Spun Sister: Missoni Resort 2012 ~

2011-07-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

~ Pop-Up Shoppe: Number Six ~

2011-06-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you again to Sabi & Friends Vintage for hosting such a fun sidewalk sale/evening. For more photos of all that went down, visit Shola, Emily, Caitlin and Colleen...

~ Ragged Wood: Twin Mag/Rodarte Spring 2011 ~

2011-06-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Rodarte, and Twin Mag.

~ Portobello Road: June Mighty Market ~

2011-06-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the classic movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks? It stars Angela Landsbury {playing an apprentice witch}, takes place in London in the 40s, and is a kooky adventure from start to finish. At one point, Angela heads to the famed Portobello Road to search for an ancient manuscript of spells, and gets wrapped up in the mystery, zeal and history that is one of the most famous vintage markets of all time.

What might you be up to tomorrow evening from 4-7pm?

I'll be set up at Portland's own little make-shift Portobello road, Sabi & Friends Vintage, hocking my scarfen wares, nibbling on appetizers, and gabbing with guests both inside and on the sidewalk. And who knows, there may even be dancing.

You're invited... {flier by Caitlin}

~ Clash City Rockers: Vogue Paris April 2008 ~

2011-06-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Guinevere van Seenus by Mikael Jansson from here.

~ My Paper Heart: Sabi & Friends ~

2011-06-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Crispy corners, yellowed pages, tattered covers, scribbled names, dusty smell... you really can't beat an old book, postcard, poster or sheet music from my favorite vintage shop of all time, Sabi & Friends.

Purchases of the day? A "famous individual's" biography from 1909 {with a surprise bookmark inside!} for my Dad's upcoming birthday and a '56 and '57 St. Mary's Academy Yearbook for two alum friends/sisters of mine {are you reading this?}. I also snagged a book of 80 Piano Standards from back in the day, should I ever get around to learning that piano.

Have you friended Sabi & Friends on facebook yet? It's a lovely way to see all their newest goodies as they arrive to the shop.

Another way to snoop? In person! We'll be hosting our monthly Mighty Market there this Saturday the 25th from 4-7pm, so save the date... Invite to follow.

~ Ramblin' Rose: i-D s/s '11 & Me ~

2011-06-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Kelty and I both detested roses as adolescents. What an unoriginal, predictable flower to bestow upon a crush or place on a windowsill when a clump of Begonias, a stalk of Snapdragons or a mess of Ranunuculus were so much lovelier!

Funny thing is, years later we are both slowly starting to realize just how lovely roses can be. Especially wild Portland roses. They're resilient little suckers, battling the heavy spring rains, clinging to god knows what to stay afloat, and even surviving incompetent gardeners such as myself {I was convinced my failure to prune them this winter would have finished them off, but no!}.

See below for a recent shoot in one of my favorite mags, i-D, joined with photos I took yesterday evening in my garden/neighbor's front yard.

I-D photos of Malgosia Bela by Karim Sadli.

~ Redhead Crush: Vivienne Westwood ~

2011-06-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, {dame} Vivienne.

You are the the poster girl of Tintwistle, the queen of King's Road, the patron saint of pirates, punk and pretty.

Fearless, color-struck, cradle-robbing and noughty, you are too fast to live and too young to die!

Sincerely,

Hannah

Explore Vivienne's fashions here.

~ Love You 'Til The End: Tartine Bakery ~

2011-06-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Have you tasted the bakery/cafe Tartine of San Francisco? I'd only heard legend of their delectable confections, but finally sampled two masterpieces at a wedding this weekend. I won't even attempt to describe their deliciousness, but will say that they were the perfect finale to my official {and hopefully temporary} hiatus from gluten/wheat. An unfortunate thought, imagining my life without another Tartine experience, but the memory will surely remain sweet.

Loving these photos taken by the dapper Mr. Selby.

~ Fodder On Her Wings: NYT Style Mag '07 ~

2011-06-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

Photos found here.

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Dolly ~

2011-06-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

This 24-hour SF photo adventure with Kelty went by far, far too quickly. Plus: neither of us fell down this time. Minus: I wish I felt this way at home.

~ 私は画素恋をしています: Anrealage F/W 2011 ~

2011-06-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Photos from here.

~ It's Only A Paper Moon: Shopfronts ~

2011-06-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

Bless you, Shorpy.

~ Stop Whispering: Vogue Italia March '07 ~

2011-06-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Shot by Michelangelo Di Battista, found here.

~ Road to Nowhere: Shaun Kardinal ~

2011-06-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

See more of his work on his website {which actually seems to be down at the moment}.

~ Beg Steal or Borrow: POP! Magazine ~

2011-06-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Colleen asked me yesterday afternoon what my favorite magazines were, and the first one that came to mind was POP! Magazine. So much fun, that mag. And then this particular shoot came to mind because Caitlin, who was also lying in the grass with us, probably would like it {or so me thinks}... So here you both go: one of my favorite editorials from one of my favorite mags! Eat your nomadic/layering/mismatchy hearts out.

Lily Cole and Jessica Stam, shot by Paolo Roversi for Pop! Magazine FW/'09 {Kel, was this the first issue we bought?}

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Dave ~

2011-06-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

What better way to spend a warm, late spring weekend than to barbeque veggies, plant jasmine, read trashy detective novels and listen to Mr. Brubeck outside? I really can't image a better way, but I'd love to hear what you've been up to this weekend...

Here's to Sunday.

~ Little Earthquakes: Elinor Voytal ~

2011-06-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

See more loveliness on her website.

~ Natural Forces: Vogue Italia '04 ~

2011-05-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

Alex and I cleaned our winter-worn backyard today, tossing old rotten wood, planting flowers and plants, dusting the piano/chairs/foosball table, sweeping up a storm and hanging twinkle lights for this weekend. I feel like the ladies below at the moment {and could probably use a good hosing off}, but hope my energy will return for K&J's weekend visit!

Miesel does it again! Images from here.

~ Wear Your Love Like Heaven: Missoni Fall '11 ~

2011-05-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Photos from here.

~ Color Up: May Interview ~

2011-05-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

Found here.

~ Tulle Monster: April Vogue Italia ~

2011-05-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Questo è come il cacio sui maccheroni.

Photos from here.

~ Newman's Own: A Marriage ~

2011-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Photos can only say/show so much, but these two sure look like they had a ball of a life together, don't you think?

Photos from here and here.

~ Etsy Stalker: Matou en Peluche ~

2011-04-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

Suffice to say I'm having a hell of a time deciding which {ones} to buy. The twinsy ones, the swimmer maiden, the tattooed damsel? Kelty? Help! Visit here for more...

~ Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Vogue Paris April ~

2011-04-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Photos from here.

~ Match Made In Heaven: You're Invited ~

2011-04-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sabi & Friends Vintage? Meet Mighty Market. I'm sure you two will hit it off just famously.

Hope you can make it...

PS- thanks to Kelty for shaping my needlework into a respectable invitation. Wish you could be there, too. xoxo

~ It's Reel Love: Pushing Daisies ~

2011-04-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Who was it that said that a warm piece of pie can fix anything?

Well, they were right. At the very least, a generous slice of Pushing Daisies is enough to turn any day right-side up, and that's how I plan to spend my sick home-time today, cross-stitching in hand.

If you've already seen this marvelous series, you'll probably still be mourning it's unseasonably early demise, and if you haven't seen it... you're in for quite the adventure. I tell people it's Amelie meets Six Feet Under with a old-timey baker's twist. It's off-beat and it's sweet. The sets, names, costumes and mysteries are out of this world. It cameos just about every un-famous-but-beloved character actor out there...

Oh, and it will it give you a craving for pie that you never even knew you had.

What's your favorite episode? Favorite flavor of pie? Go-to recipe? I'm partial to the finale, and am an apple-rhubarb fan, myself, and would love to make a pie this summer. Catch both seasons of Pushing Daisies on Netflix...

Photos from here.

~ Hanky Panky: Sabi & Friends ~

2011-04-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I was put in charge of setting up a hanky/napkin display at Sabi & Friends. I'm perfectly content just wandering around the shop, ringing customers up and doting on little Stewey, but working on the look of the shop was too much fun. And handling and hanging all the darling little bits of fabric was heaven, I tell you.

What would you do if you got your hands on a collection of embroidered, floral loveliness like the examples below? It's strange to think that hankies used to be commonplace in one's purse or pocket, given {and waved about} as tokens/expressions of affection, and handed down through the years... I can't help but envision them sewn together into a crazy mumu, or hung as little flag bunting (ala Emily PFDM).

Purchase of the day? A beautiful little piece of fabric for crewel/embroidery inspiration:

Have you visited Sabi & Friends on facebook yet? Stop by the real shop anytime, or this Saturday to visit with me!

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Serge ~

2011-04-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

Alex and I spent today celebrating all sorts of things with friends who happen to have amazing children. I'm constantly blown away them all, the fun they bring to our lives and all the marvelous "things that they are". Take it away, Mr. Gainsbourg...

Here's to Sunday.

~ Butterfly in Reverse: Vogue UK Archives ~

2011-04-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Vogue UK, May 2008. Starring Jessica Stam, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. From here.

~ Bossypants: A Lesson To Us All ~

2011-04-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Have you flipped through In Style's April issue, starring Tina Fey? If not, I apologize for what you are about to see. And if so, I'm sorry to make you see this again.

Maybe it's because I'm a 30 Rock fan and am used to seeing Tina Fey in all her no-fuss, normal-and-lovely glory that I hardly recognized her on the cover... Her hair looks wiggish, her arms a fraction of their normal size, and her awesome facial scar is barely visible. This is certainly not the Tina I know and love.

Re-touching/scuplting models for print is pretty standard these days, but seeing an actress/writer {who is clearly proud of her body as-is} altered almost beyond recognition was a bit strange... The article focused on her new memoir, Bossypants, but by the looks of the photos, it doesn't seem like they'd even read it!

Alex surprised me with her book yesterday, and I've had so much fun already. In one of the first chapters Tina discusses when she found out that "there are an infinite number of things that can be 'incorrect' on a woman's body". After listing a hilarious amount of deficiencies and expectations, she explains how to survive this: leading by example.

Instead of trying to fit an impossible ideal, I took a personal inventory of all my healthy body parts for which I am grateful:

1. Straight Greek eyebrows. They start at the hairline at my temple and, left unchecked, will grow straight across my face and onto yours.

2. A heart-shaped ass. Unfortunately, it's a right-side-up heart; the point is at the bottom.

3. Droopy brown eyes designed to confuse predators into thinking I'm just on the verge of sleep and they should come back tomorrow to eat me.

4. Permanently rounded shoulders from years of working at a computer

5. A rounded belly that is pushed out by my rounded posture no matter how many sit-ups I do. Which is mostly none.

6. A small, high waist.

7. A wad of lower-back fat that never went away after I lost my "baby weight". One day in the next ten years, this back roll will meet up with my front pouch, forever obscuring my small high waist, and I will officially be my mother.

8. Wide-set knockers that aren't so big but can be hoisted up once or twice a year for parades.

9. Good strong legs with by gym teacher calves that I got from walking pigeon-toed my whole life.

10. Wide German hips that look like somebody wrapped a Pillsbury dough around a case of soda.

11. My father's feet. Flat. Bony. Pale. I don't know how he even gets around, because his feet are in my shoes.

I would not trade any of these features for anybody else's. I wouldn't trade the small thin-lipped mouth that makes me resemble my nephew. I wouldn't even trade the acne scar on my right cheek, because that recurring zit spent more time with me in college than any boy ever did.

At the end of the day, I'm happy to have my father's feet and my mother's eyes with me at all times. If I ever go to a beach, I want my daughter to be able to find me in a crowd by spotting my soda-case hips. I want her to be able to pick me out of a sea of highlighted-blond women with fake tans because I'm the one with the thick ponytail and the greenish undertones to my skin.

I love this woman, and I highly recommend her gut-busting, heart-warming memoir, now for sale everywhere.

PS- What healthy body parts are you grateful for? I'm grateful for my large hands that are bigger than most grown men's, my long legs that graceful-ize most pants, and the fact that my pectoral muscles are almost larger than my breasts.

~ Craftwerk Wednesdays: The Fixin' To ~

2011-04-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

What are you up to tomorrow evening? You'll find me getting my craft on with a beer and chili bucket at The Fixin' To watering hole in St. Johns. Join me, why don't you? It'll be fun.

Poster and website by Kelty!

~ Welcome to the Family: Sabi & Friends ~

2011-04-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Kelty rang me on my way to volunteer at Sabi & Friends on Saturday morning, swooning over some old photos she'd snatched up that day at an antique shop in Orange, MA. The faces! The places! The ensembles! Each photo told a little story about a person or a place, and I was as excited to see them as she was to have found them.

I naturally had this in mind when I got to the shop, and made a b-line for a box full of old photos for sale on the counter. Looking through them I realized that I've always imagined that old photos would be handed down through the years, protected and admired in albums, stories told to each generation. Seeing them so unattached to their families, places and identities made me a bit melancholy, strange as it sounds.

So I decided I had to adopt as many photos as I could possibly afford! Like Kelty, I bought 30 or so snapshots, some with descriptions, names or dates on the back, but most with no information but the image itself. I may never know their stories or their lives as I do my own family photos, but it feels good incorporating them into my life. Who knows, maybe years from now someone I've never met will be caring for a photo of me?

Have you friended Sabi & Friends on facebook? New items {and future family photos} are posted weekly...

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Claude/Alex ~

2011-04-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

We've been listening to a lot of Debussy around here lately, so it didn't surprise me one bit that Alex decided to use a favorite piece as the soundtrack to his just-finished motion graphics/vfx reel. It's called La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin {the girl with the flaxen hair} and I could listen to it on repeat all day.

Filmed at our famous rose test garden last month, I'd have never guessed a bleary, rose-less garden would be an ideal setting for a reel. Add a little history, imagination and fancy skills to the mix, though, and now you're cookin'...

Here's to Sunday.

Visit Alex's website {named after the second love of his life} and more work, if you like. I'm quite proud of that man.

~ Mad As A Hatter: Spring Priorities ~

2011-04-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

When I started my little online journal, deep down I knew it would only be so long until I went batty from posting something every day.

Well, that day has officially arrived.

A little over two months of daily posts has been quite enough, thank you very much, as recent projects and good weather have at times made blogging begin to feel like less of a pleasure and more of a chore. And that's just plain silly.

So I'll be cutting back a bit to keep all this the way I initially intended it to be: FUN. And now you know, in case you wondered what happened to my daily shenanigans.

xoxo H

~ Eye Candy: Dapper Menfolk ~

2011-04-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

~ La Casita de Wendy: Verano '10/Otoño '11 ~

2011-04-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Visit Inés & Iván's website, blog and manifesto (all translated into English)!

~ Lace Race ~

2011-04-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Photos collected from here and here.

~ Let's Run Away With Ourselves ~

2011-04-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Images from here.

~ Indoor Fireworks: Manish Arora Fall '10 ~

2011-04-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

Stomping tulip flappers explode into sparkly rainbows of pleats, puffed sleeves and plunging necklines {sigh}.

Fall '11 is just as spectacular:

Photos from here and here}.

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Pete ~

2011-04-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend has seemed much longer than recent ones, thanks to getting my Friday off and staying busy with all sorts of things. I also had no idea how much I'd missed the sun and blue sky until it finally came out! It was about time.

I've got Alex to thank for broadening my love of Mr. Townshend, and this is one of my favorites that I can put on repeat just about anytime {and oh-so-appropriate for how I feel about days like today}.

Here's to Sunday.

~ It's The Thought That Counts: To Alexander ~

2011-04-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

My man Alex has never been a very zealous receiver of occasion-specific gifts. He gets bashful, squirms in his seat and attempts to refuse said gift, as though he doesn't deserve it or couldn't possibly accept it. And this happens every time since ever, since the first holiday gift I placed in front of him. As someone who loves nothing more than to begift loved ones, this quirk baffled and frustrated me for quite some time. However, after four + years with the guy, I've think I've finally begun to accept this eccentricity as something that will never change.

And thus my own style of gift giving must.

So these days I surprise him with gifts on non-holiday occasions. I've also worked out a new birthday gift plan for Alex, whose birthday is today. He has happily agreed to spend the day together doing fun things that don't involve lavish displays, guessing, unwrapping or guilty feelings of any kind whatsoever. Hah!

And as far as material gifts go, I've decided that my gifts will be virtual this year. Since I have no money and he has no patience for gifts, this arrangement should work out just fine, indeed.

So Happy Birthday, Honey. I hope you enjoy guiltlessly ogling these gifts as much as I did imagining them for you.

#1. A pair of custom designed wooden specatacles that will fit the strange bump on your nose.

#2. A weekend getaway to this place {I'll figure out where it is before I get tickets, obviously}.

#3. A little tree that will continuously bear flavorful limes for your favorite mixed drinks.

#4. Your very own reading chair, stocked to the brim with exciting new materials.

#5. A boy min pin to balance the gender gap in our household. He shall be named Monty, of course.

#6. A large print of this image {an amalgam of 2001 A Space Oddyssey scenes} for your office.

#7. A month-long supply of chocolate-coated tuxedo rabbit Peeps.

#8. An advance, private screening of Hanna {with 30 minutes of incredible trailers beforehand} at Living Room Theaters {hummus plate/beer/Haribo included}

#9. A bike to ride around St. Johns, to work, and with your brother on occasion {and I'll pick you up anytime you want a ride home, no questions asked}.

#10. My expert help in the re-negotiation of contracts for Mad Men {allowing filming to commence sooner, and thus our viewing enjoyment}.

xoxo H

~ Sweeter than Fiction: Jillian Tamaki ~

2011-04-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Jillian is a Canadian/Brooklynite illustrator/author/comic artist.

And she apparently is also a genius of embroidery.

After embroidering a quilt in her spare time and blogging/joking that she'd only consider doing real work for Penguin Book covers, she has been asked to do just that. Commissioned to design and embroider the covers of three classics by Penguin Books, her brilliant work will be in stores this fall.

Visit her website here and her blog here... thanks for introducing me, Kelty!

~ Guns of Brixton: Jenny Postle Fall 2011 ~

2011-03-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Shaggy patchwork queens shepard their smarmy yarned toile-ness straight to London {sigh}.

Photos by Christopher Moore via here.

~ Pop-up Shoppe: Number Four ~

2011-03-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

Shola was sure missed at this month's market at Caitlin's, but fortunately for everyone who attended, a few fantastic new vendors joined the mix in her absence. Colleen brought beautiful blown glass jewelry {I nabbed a little something for Kelty} Joanna had lovely photographs and cards for sale, and Alex sold kick-ass thriller books.

The night also featured vintage threads and new crafts by Emily {I plan to wear my hair flower everywhere} and spring-time dresses by Caitlin {I think I'll finally break and get that cupcake skirt next time}... And then there was the guest of honor, Clyde {can you guess who it is from the photos below?}

Hope to see you next month...

~Redhead Crush: Maureen O'Hara ~

2011-03-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, Maureen.

Your knock-out panache, fiesty approach to life, sweet Irish curls, heroine{ic} talents and subtle sensitivity leave me searching for the perfect limerick to sum it all up.

Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

Hannah

Have you seen any movies with Maureen? Which are your favorites?

Photos from here.

~ Welcome to Glitter Gulch: A Poof Dress ~

2011-03-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

It could have been the over-the-top, throw-back stewardness outfits I gandered before my trip last week.

It might have been the huge lacy underskirt I recently stumbled upon in the corner of my closet when digging for my favorite pair of heels.

Perhaps it was the glittery emerald material that I nabbed almost a year ago {and realized I'd done not a thing with since}.

Or maybe it was just VEGAS, BABY.

Either way, I got it into my noggin' that I needed to make a big, wide poof dress for Kelty and my 24 hour Vegas wedding adventure last weekend. So I expanded and shortened a simple pattern I already had to fit the bill. The result? A glitzy, wider-than-a-door-frame poof dress {and matching head thing}, born to roll the dice, strut the strip, raise the stakes and win big.

Thanks, Kel, for romping about with me and snapping/editing these!

~ Beating the Blues: Sunday with Karády {and Pál} ~

2011-03-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Feeling rotten on a rainy day is no fun, but having nothing better to do but cuddle up on the couch with my book and some music reminds me of when I was little and my dad would play Karády Katalin for us on lazy Sundays. Just melancholy enough to match one's mood, but with sweet romantic undertones to give some hope to the week to come.

Here's to Sunday.

PS- what do you think they're singing about?

PPS- this makes my desire to learn piano even more ardent. Amorous duets get me every time!

PPPS- if you like her music, email me and I'll send you a cd of her stuff.

~ Répondez, S'il Vous Plaît ~

2011-03-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hope to see you there...

Flier by Shola {who will be dearly missed this evening}.

~ Flutter and Wow: Dolce & Gabbana Spring '11 ~

2011-03-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

And the men's parallel campaign? Good god.

Photos from here.

~ Fire in the Hole ~

2011-03-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Driving up to Vegas this weekend I spied all sorts of old trailer parks, grungy hotels and abandoned junkyards. What fun had been had? What drama? What was taken and what treasures/trash remain? The scenery reminded me of the one of my favorite Miesel shoots starring Jessica Stam {with a lovely red mop sporting awesome dresses}.

Photos from here.

~ Springtime Hobbies: Afghan Confections ~

2011-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

I'm tired today, and it's gloomy and cold out, and I just want to cuddle up and read in one of these sweet creations.

Once I get my zip back {and before the weather gets too lovely}, I'd like to learn how to crochet. My Great Aunties used to make all sorts of stuff, and my mom taught me when I was little, but it's all forgotten these days. Once my fingers learned the ropes, they'd probably be tempted to cover my walls in rainbow afghans, drape them over every surface, and even fashion them into something wearable {yes, I'm a granny at heart}.

What hobbies are you itching to take up while you're stuck inside until spring? And for those of you who are crochet wizards, any advice on getting started?