HVD Blog Love

In the spirit of this follyday (that I so secretly love) I thought I would share with you my absolutely favorite blogs. 

I love you, blogs!

This is Glamorous

For when I feel deprived of beauty, I come to this oasis.

Blog - Tumblr - Side Project

 Krisatomic

For stunning photography, a bundle of art inspiration and quirky must-have illustrations.

Blog - Tumblr - Shop

 A Cup of Jo

I love Joanna Goddard's blog SO MUCH! Her light-hearted blogging style is a picker-upper Mon-Fri. You know this blog already, of course. If you don't, how's under-rock land these days?

Blog - Pinterest

Smitten Kitchen

For reminding me that cooking can be beautiful and presentation always makes the food taste better! 

... and for inspiring me to cook at all!

Blog - Cookbook - Twitter

Hey, Lady Grey

For making me homesick (she's a Montrealer), reminding me to do courageous things (she's living in northern Quebec - that's very north), and to take life as it comes and to enjoy it with gusto! 

Blog - Her Life Up North

The Yvestown Blog

Because ooohhh, child (in my sloppy southern USA accent), this woman has an eye! 

Her kitchen is perfection. Perfection!

Blog - Pinterest - Shop

Photo Credits: *a glamorous little side project, krisatomic, Illustration by Ellen Van Engelen via Cup of Jo, Smitten Kitchen, Hey, Lady Grey, The Yvestown Blog

The First Thing

... I thought of when I woke up this morning was a wedding dress. I couldn't remember where I saw it and I roamed the internet looking for it. I ended up, very surprisingly, musing on my dream wedding.

{It would be a country wedding}

{Near a barn and a small chapel}

{We would ride in some old-fashioned style}

{It would be sweet and cozy and playfully romantic}

{And, The Dress}

So, that's what I was on the hunt for. That dress. I must must must be thinking about it because of the exposure of wedding dresses (Kate, Lily, Kate) because, up until recently, I was against the idea of it for myself. A marriage, that is to say.

My parents weren't married, my sister is in a civil union, I've just grown up around people that think it's become superfluous and maybe even an obsolete and dying institution. (To be specific, the stats in Quebec are quite remarkable compared to the rest of Canada.) I, however, am torn. I am such a romantic and love the idea of being monogamous with the same person until death do us part, but I'm also a realist and think that that notion can be a great disservice to many husbands, wives and children and in many cases to the detriment of ones happiness. (Blah, blah, blah...) Anyway, it's a source of some internal debate. I have time to mull it over - I'm currently unattached, so...

Also, Yay! I've just reached the 100 follower benchmark! That's really cool. Thanks y'all! x

Credits: Wrinkle in Time Photography via Ruffled, Emilie Gerard via Once Wed, Rosie Parsons via Ruffled, Becky Holladay via Once Wed.

I Love...

Pugs!

Especially pug puppies!




I know some people think they are the ugliest things in the world, but they make me so cheery, they had to make my I Love... week.



What do you love?

I Love...

Traveling! I'm in an airport right now, that's how much I love traveling! Here are some places that I love to visit.

{The South}

{New Orleans}

I have gone one two road trips through 'The South'. First I went down the Atlantic coast all the way to Charleston and Savannah, which really are some of the most beautiful places I've ever had the privilege to visit. On another road trip I went a little more mainland through Kentucky, Tennesse, then down to NOLA and Mississippi. I drove alone, something I like to do, and then I would meet up with friends, friends of friends or strangers who later became friends. I love that about the South. I feel like everyone there is maybe the nicest person I've ever met. I also find they're all gifted with an old-school wisdom, with great one-liners that remind you of a traditional, older way of life. I will always love the South and dream of going back. 

{Texas}

I have family in Texas so I've been going often since I was a kid. It's always a bit of a surprise to be in the Big Red State, to see how differences in ideologies can change a way of life. It also reminds me how small our world is and how easily we stereotype. Always a good lesson to be learned.

{Italy}

Italy is my home away from home, having lived there for three years. I love both the South and the North equally and cherish so many fond memories exploring both. The friends I made in that era will always be some of my closest friends... I miss them so much! Also miss the food, the wine, the scenery and the people (even though they were GOLD at pushing my buttons).

{France}

There was a period where I was lucky enough to live in Aix-en-Provence. (I know, I'm a lucky duck!) It was such a momentous time, I really made a shift as a consumer. I was so broke and it was such an expensive place to live, I was forced to learn how to luxuriate in all the gloriousness that is France, on a very strict budget. I am now such a fan of markets, and I try to shop for fresh fruits and veggies every other day... but it's never quite the same, understandably. The French, I think, have the highest standards of quality when it comes to food. Oh, crème brulée, filet mignon à la bordelaise, and just a regular old baguette with cheese and meats really are just the way I want to live my life. Everyday. *sigh*

I Love...

Baths!

{I love clean, crisp white bathrooms...}

{With a touch of old...}

{A little romance...}

{ and definitely a bit of character!}

Yes, these are all lovely bathrooms but the very important elements of the bubble bath experience may not be overlooked! The bubbles need to be fragrant but not pungent. I love this because it feels decadent without burning a hole in the pocket. Also, candles. And a maybe a glass of bubbly or a cup of your favorite tea. Plus, hopefully, a good book. Add all those things together equals me, blissfully happy. 

You can see my tub, ready for a soak, here.

Image credits: All photos via Lonny.

I Love...

Forts! I want to build a really cozy one and live in it... Sometimes I feel like you can never have enough cozy!

{Inside...}

{or outside...}

 {filled with favorites...}

{and playfulness...}

{and above all coziness!}

{With room for many...}

{or room for just one...}

{but if I had my way, everyone would have one!}

{A safe place...}

{from the dark world outside...}

{to drink tea and read...}

{to cuddle...}

{to dream...}

{and maybe even to nibble...}

{or just sleep!}

{I would love to build myself one with the works...}

{but with little space, time or money, something like this will have to do for now.}

To make your own, Design*Sponge has a great how-to guide.

Image credits:  Carla Richmond for Design*Sponge, weheartit, weheartit, The Holiday movie still via Hooked on Houses, wehearit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, weheartit, The Holiday movie still via Hooked on Houses, weheartit. Note: I'm so short on sources for this one! If you have any leads, please share!