Westerly Commons is live!

At long last the Westerly Commons shop is live! What began as a fun idea for kids is now a full on reality. My heart if so full from all of the great response and support. Check it out and let me know what you think! Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for updates, product releases, and special offers. And be sure to follow us over on Instagram–we have a fun giveaway this coming Monday that you won't want to miss. 

While gratifying, this week has been busy/productive getting the shop open so I am most definitely looking forward to this weekend. Plus, it's starting to feel like fall which means the cozy blankets are coming out you guys! Hope you all have an amazing weekend! Group hug:)

5th Anniversary ...

So I was checking out a LinkedIn notification on my app this morning, and low and behold I'm scrolling down and see "Haydee is celebrating 5 years at Happenstance." Whoa, that would be me. I had totally forgotten you guys! It's been 5 years since I started Happenstance and with all the preparation to launch Westerly Commons, it totally slipped my mind. Well almost. In honor of my fifth anniversary of blogging here I decided to reflect on five things that Happenstance has done for me ...

Special Announcement ...

Hi there! I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I assure you it's been for good reason. You see, I've created something that's finally coming to fruition ... a brand for kids called Westerly Commons! Come check out the Westerly Commons site and learn more about the brand on the blog.

While I don't plan on stopping Happenstance, I will be spending more time over at the Westerly Commons blog, so I hope you'll join me over there and follow along on my new adventure!

Thanks everyone, hope you're all well! Group hug:)

Sundry x J.Crew ...

And so it is that one of my favorite easy-to-wear brands, Sundry and one of my fave mega brands, J.Crew have united for a capsule collection due out in May. Get excited you guys, cut off jean shorts season is right around the corner. 

Read about and see more glimpses of the summer pieces here. 

Via: C Magazine

Crafty Lately ...

Can I tell you how hard it was to shoot these adorable poms without the glare?! Obviously I'm not a photographer. But I am a crafter! Sort of. If you know me, then you know that I'm usually a self proclaimed DIFM (do if for me) type. First it was these pantone chips that inspired me to make some similarly colored poms for Easter. And then I ran into an ages old knitting project (if you follow me on Instagram, then you know what I'm talking about) that I suddenly wanted to pick up and continue. And here's the doozy you guys ... I took my first sewing class a couple of days ago and loved it! 

So I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the springtime air. Maybe I've found myself with more time on my hands? I don't know. All I know is that I'm going to embrace it. A new leaf has been turned party people. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful and beautiful Easter weekend with family and friends! Group hug:) 

Be the Light

Half ...

This image really grabbed my attention. From new publication Noon. 

Via: Nowness

Hello New Week ...

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had exceptionally warm weather here in So Cal which made for a perfect day at the beach for the 4th Annual Adler Paddler event we attended. So many friends and family gathered for a fun day of paddling to celebrate the life of a friend who was lost five years ago. It was definitely a memorable and beautiful day in the sunshine.

I also wanted to share a great book I finished this weekend called The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson.

Brows and Stares ...

Heavy on the brows and the stares, but I really love this capture.

Photo: Horst Diekgerdes

Love ...

Coming across this amazing lettering by Matthew Tapia couldn't have come at a more apropos time. I'm currently reading The Law of Divine Compensation by the awe inspiring Marianne Williamson and in it she talks about how love should be the bottom line for everything. Family, friends, money, career, strangers, neighbors, everything. I for one, firmly believe that. Yes, it can be quite the practice at times in such a complex world, but let's keep practicing every single day!

Don't forget to move your clocks ahead an hour (Spring forward) this Sunday–can you believe it's already time? Happy weekend lovers! 

Be the light.

Great Rooms ...

Inspired by these interior shots this morning. Bookshelves, and rooms with great, natural light are what draw me lately. 

Porter Magazine

"So why would it [online retail giant, Net-A-Porter] step backward into publishing on paper? Because, it turns out, women prefer to read about fashion on glossy pages even as they shop online." – Christina Binkley, WSJ

I for one could not agree more. I have always been a fan of print. There's just something special about flipping through a magazine. Even with digital formats on the rise, I always thought print magazines just needed to be reinvented and have some perspective shifted. 

Then along came retail fave Net-A-Porter to prove my thought this month with the release of its new fashion mag, Porter. After reading about this new release, I'm happy to say it isn't just a glossy, catalog-type, promo piece. Published bi-monthly, Porter's editor-in-chief is Lucy Yeomans from British Harper's Bazaar, which lends itself to some pretty good fashion authority. This can only mean that Porter means serious fashion magazine business. 

I can't wait to check out this inaugural issue. Especially since articles are supposedly toward the front of each issue instead of having to thumb through what seems like 300 pages of ads. Only down side? Its $9.99 newsstand price. I would love to hear what you think. Is there room for a new print fashion magazine out in digi-land? Will you check out Porter?

Images and quote: WSJ

Stay Silly ...

Just a reminder from me to stay silly this weekend. This is an homage to what my uncle told us when Eric and I first got married. It resonated then and it still very much resonates now after almost nine years of marriage! Yikes, where does the time go? Hope everyone has an amazing (keep it silly) weekend. Group hug! (that was for you DB:)

Be the first. Be the light.

Rifle Paper Co. & Amy Merrick

As I was rummaging through the Rifle Paper Co. (a long time Happenstance favorite) lookbook I came across this amazing piece of Anna Bond creativeness and thought it was a nice reminder for our mid-week point. Hope your week's going well and remember to smell ... the roses.

By the way, this is just one of the many beautiful floral pieces that Anna created with Brooklyn-based floral designer, Amy Merrick for the Rifle Paper Co. lookbook. See more here.

It's Friday! I for one cannot believe tomorrow's already the start of February. However, I plan to try to stay in bed for as long as I can tomorrow (which in mom world is 'til about 7am), drink my coffee and continue reading this. I am a self proclaimed digital marketing enthusiast after all. Plus, Gary V. is quite the inspirational social media junkie. 

Any fun plans this weekend? If you're up for some funny (and some serious talent), you have to watch Eric's friend John McGuire do this incredible impersonation of Kramer (yes, that Kramer) on a skateboard. You won't regret it. It's all sorts of good. Have a great weekend everyone!

Be the first. Be the light.

Photo: Roland Bello

I Don't Know, But I Like It ...

"IDKBILI" is a classic recurrence over here at Happenstance. As you can see here and here. It's that moment when you're really drawn to something, but can't quite explain its contents. This image by photographer Jen Siska is no exception. It just turns your imagination loose, doesn't it?

Clare Vivier ...

It's the stuff of great patterns and colors that get me excited for spring releases. These here are a couple of sneak peaks from the Clare Vivier blog for Spring '14. I mean ... right?!

P.S. You may or may not have noticed a slight change in design around here. I am beyond happy with my latest re-design courtesy of the magnificently talented Ana from Blog Milk. Ana creates really great blog themes and is currently hosting a giveaway of twenty (yes, twenty) themes to twenty lucky people. Twenty! Enter here.

Also, I've always wanted to update my "about" page and I finally have! You can read more about me and my family here. 

Alex Prager ...

Been a long time fan of photographer Alex Prager. Not only do I love how amazingly styled her subjects are, but you really do get a sense that everyone in the shot has a great story to tell. You just want to know more about them.

Last night Prager's new collection 'Face in the Crowd' opened up at M + B Gallery in Los Angeles. The show runs until March 8, 2014. Check it out if you can. And check here for more info. Hope everyone has an amazing week!

Be the first. Be the light.

Pattern ...

 Some inspiring paper paintings and sketchbook entries by the talented Jenny Pennywood.

Gift Guide No. 2 ...

 For the DIY'er, the 'Hold Tight Clutch' knit kit from Wool and the Gang.

 For the camper we all know and love (in my case, my husband). These awesome steel enamelware mugs from Best Made will style up any campsite.

 Made from certified organic cotton canvas, this Bodega Ruby Print hat for kids will keep them looking cute and conscious. 

 First there was this, and now there's the new Craft Cocktails book from Assouline.

 How fun would this print by Note To Self look right over a bar cart? Or any wall really. Might have to gift this one to myself.

And lastly, this wonderfully colorful and geometric wall calendar from Barcelona based illustrator Judy Kaufmann would be a great wall addition anywhere.

It's Shopping Season! ...

"Cheers" Koozie by Superkoldie

Thought I'd forego my usual round-up of gift items this year and share 

as I discover. Can you believe the season is upon us? I can, and I love it!

First up, not just for dudes cause I myself would like a set of these koozies.

Super Ciccio Eyeglasses

Considering I recently had to really start wearing my eyeglasses more often, I find 

myself on the prowl for super cute ones like these.

 Knot Sisters Heathered Sweatpants

I mean, could anything be cuter, stylish, and more practical during this season of fabulous

eating?

 Pixie Black/Brass Kids Camera

The cutest toy camera I think I've ever seen. Super stylish too.