Courtney Shannon Strand

The Charm of UK's Bells Bike Shop

2010-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: London Cycle Chic

The more I read about different areas in Europe there seems to be one common thread: bikes. When I read about this bike shop I immediately saved it as a place I plan to visit someday.

Monday Motivation: Angels in Disguise

2010-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Book Lovers

Friday Links: Polaroid Po-Go, Clever Seating, Book Cover Designs and More

2010-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Yay Everyday

What are you up to this weekend? My hubby and I are on a house swap in beautiful Victoria, BC! And this weekend I plan to head to Clover Point to fly my kite.

Here are your Friday links:

An interesting perspective on the new Alice and Wonderland film (it's now in theaters, can't wait to see it!)

Clever seating in a tiny house.

Seattle neighborhood poster.

Best of baby shower gifts.

The new Polaroid Po-Go.

50 Inspiring Book Cover Designs.

Bluebird Parisian style sandwiches in Seattle.

Curtain front cabinets.

How to deep clean a bathroom.

Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet style.

Happy, happy weekend!

Sweet Passport Holders

2010-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photos: Downstairs Designs

With all the house swaps we have set up this year - another one will be abroad this summer - I've got my eye on these sweet passport holders.

Wordless Wednesday: Colorful Hand Crocheted Bunting

2010-03-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Romero Marta

Boutique Crushes: In Seattle's Ballard Neighborhood

2010-03-02T09:00:00.001-08:00

Photo: Horseshoe

Is Ballard the new Soho? Ballard has sure changed! I recently ventured down there with my husband to do some shopping and what used to be a street full of bars and outdoor stores is now full of chic, trendy boutique shops reminiscent of Soho New York.

My husband enjoyed browsing the racks at Blackbird. And even bought a pair of shorts.

I fell in love with Horseshoe. And plan to go back soon.

We both decided that when we start a family we will shop at Clover for its eco-friendly kids' items.

Dolce Vita has a romper I wanted to buy, but it just wasn't the right color for me. Still on the hunt to find a romper for this summer.

Re-soul was a beautiful boutique with Anthro-esque shoes.

And Velouria in Ballard is just as fun and chic as the one located on Capitol Hill.

If you go make sure to stop and have tea and a cookie or even a crepe at Miro Tea. Snag a spot by the window and people watch while you sip and eat.

I have a few girlfriends who should join me on a boutique shopping trip to Ballard soon, interested?

Find more shops in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

Monday Motivation: Smart

2010-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: The Blue Hour

Friday Links: Secret Islands, Crayon Rockets, Netherland Tulips and More

2010-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Vogue

Someday I want a spiral staircase like this one in my home that leads up to a library! I'm thinking more and more these days about dream home designs. What would your dream home have to have in it?

In other news remember how I told you about home swapping? Well my hubby and I have three house swaps secured already for this year. The first one is next weekend! And you'll just have to stay-tuned about where ;)

Here are your Friday links...

Cute handbag

Easy to understand photography tips

This guy created Crayon rockets! (Thanks J. Kalles)

Protect your heart at every age

Times are changing in eye glass sales

This post made me smile

Trailer Unleashed

Did you know you can back up your social networking sites, blogs, etc?

Tulip fields in the Netherlands

17 Secret Islands (Orcas Island here in the Pacific Northwest made the list! We love to travel there at least once a year it is worth a visit if you are in the area.)

Happy weekend!

P.S. Remember back when I blogged about Odd Molly? They just started a blog.

A February Poem

2010-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Where it all began: here. More poetry here.

Wordless Wednesday: A 3-D Rainbow in Your Hand

2010-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Masa-ka

Boutique Crush: Kutsuya-Koubou

2010-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photos: Kutsuya-Koubou

Handmade shoes from Japan. Simple, refined, yet offer a touch of another time. Love the designs. Now if I could only read Japanese.

Monday Motivation: Be You

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Hold on Lover

Friday Links: Kermit the Frog, Funky San Fran, A Slide as a Staircase and More

2010-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Imgfave

This weekend I'll be attending a friend's baby shower. How cute is that? What will you be up to?

Here are your Friday links:

Clever before and after.

Interesting solutions with books.

An astronaut tweets photos from space. (Times are changing!)

Kermit the Frog shows you how to do 15 stretches.

Gorgeous still life paintings.

Fun and quirky San Francisco photos.

Nine appetite-suppressing foods to quelch cravings.

Interesting piece on public libraries.

Awesome staircases (I want the one with the slide!)

Fun with colors.

My hope is you have a restful weekend!

Chanel Summer 2010

2010-02-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photos: Outsapop

Aside from the model's arms showing way to much bone, the rumpled look of Chanel's summer line certainly has elegant appeal. What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday: Spiral Net Trampoline

2010-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Gizmodo

Book: Love and Summer an Interesting Read

2010-02-16T11:22:00.001-08:00

Photo: Prospect Magazine

Just finished reading this book titled Love and Summer by William Trevor. The writing style was different for me to get used to. The story is interesting and evokes a simpler time in Ireland.

My favorite lines from the book because the Irish have a supersitition about looking back after saying goodbye (my Irish grandpa never looked back once he said goodbye):

"She didn't look back, as she might have. It wasn't her way; already he knew that. The narrow byroad narrowed further and then she was no longer there."

What's Happening in Seattle? Pür Spirits Debuts, Trader Joe's Silent Films at the Paramount and More

2010-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Christina Martini (Queen Anne-based photographer)

Pür Spirits is introducing a line of European spirits. The spirits are handcrafted fragrant liqueurs (think elderflower plus pear) and specialty spirits (framboise plus sloe), thirsty for more? The spirits include wild harvested berries, fruit and blossoms in a base of eau de vie. Keeping in local roots the bottle and label design was created by a Seattle-based artist. The spirits are available at Seattle liquor stores and popular local bars.

Single tickets are now on sale at Intiman. The 2010 season will have its official opening on March 26 with a new production of Paradise Lost.

Trader Joe's Silent Movie Mondays return to The Paramount Theatre in March. The silent movies are shown in 35mm and the schedule includes:

March 8, 2010 - LeGong: Dance of the Virgins, Henry de la Falaise and Gaston Glass, 1935.

March 15, 2010 - Sadie Thompson, Raoul Walsh, 1928.

March 22, 2010 - Tabu: A Story of the South Seas, F.W. Murnau, 1931.

March 29, 2010 - Trader Joes Wild Card: A collection of three short films from the Charlie Chaplin library selected by Trader Joe's customers (in-stores). Stop by a local Trader Joe's to vote.

The Solo Performance Festival (SP4) presented by Theatre Off Jackson is the fourth installment of Seattle's annual solo performance festival and is dedicated to presenting fearless, cutting-edge, diverse performances by solo theatre artists. Performances range in date from March 3 - April 3.

Legendary drummer Zakir Hussain will be at The Moore Theatre, March 4th. And Nrityagram Dance Ensemble of India Performs "Odissi" at The Moore Theatre April 17.

Monday Motivation: Fall Apart

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Nicolew

Friday Links: Awesome Swimming Pools, Top 25 Castles, Book Art and More

2010-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Bueno Style

Happy Friday! I hope you all have a beautiful Valentine's day! I'm putting on a new dress and spending it wrapped around my hubby's arm.

Here are your Friday links...

Book art using bindings, so clever!

Fun with photography.

Coolest place to see the Northern Lights.

Extraordinry swimming pools, can you imagine?

Europe's top 25 castles.

A haunting sketch.

An intersting take on Parisians.

A new green technology sink / toilet combination, but it's not cheap!

Have a weekend full of love!

"A Kiss in Your Pocket" Valentine

2010-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

My husband has promised he won't peek at this before Valentine's Day. I wanted to share with my readers this fun Valentine's idea that I was inspired to try after seeing the talented Color Me Katie do it on her blog.

Press play to see what it is!

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Asian Elephant

2010-02-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: William Albert Allard

Five Seattle Valentine's Ideas

2010-02-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

Photo: Tea for Joy

Valentine's Day is a time to do something nice for that special person you love. Discover five ideas that will make your honey smile so your day will go smoothly.

1. Make dinner reservations through Open Table or Gayot.

2. Treat your special someone with a sweet trip to Dilettantes, Cupcake Royale, or Trophy Cupcakes.

3. Go on a romantic getaway: The Alderbrook Resort and Spa is offering specials on February 14 (Valentine's Surprise package starting at $199) and February 20 (wine dinner and five course meal, $85).

4. Or sign up to do a cooking class together. Try Bon Vivant School of Cooking, Blue Ribbon Cooking, Dish-it-Up, Diane's Market Kitchen. And Sur la Table and Whole Foods also offer cooking classes in Seattle.

5. And women read this for giving a heartfelt Valentine to your man.

Dream Tree House

2010-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Country Home

Someday when I build my cabin in the woods I want it to be whimsical like this one. This particular cabin is located near Decatur, Georgia and is home to culinary feasts.

Monday Motivation: Future

2010-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Roland Tiangco

Friday Links: Romantic Indoor Tent, Clever Laptop Covers, A Sweet Valentine and More

2010-02-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Book Lovers

Hello dears! How is your Friday going? Do you have any weekend plans? I'm hoping to read several library books that are piling up on my bookshelf :) Oh, and my hubby and I are watching the Super Bowl at my sister and brother-in-law's place. I've also been working on a fun Valentine's idea for my hubby that I hope to share with you all next week.

Here are your Friday links...

Pretty wrapping stations.

A sweet Valentine's.

Laptop bookcover, very cool.

An indoor tent I want to have dinner in.

Chalkboard kitchen, could you do it?

Darth Vader Monet?

A Picasso quote.

Navy blue rain dress, so fitting for Seattle!

And I can't wait for the pilot of this show after the Super Bowl this weekend!

Have a weekend full of smiles!