happi and b's spring playlist

Although it may have snowed here in NYC today (alas...), the release of the spring collections from all our favorite stores is totally putting us in the spring mood. Shorts, iced tea, sandals, dresses... The list could go on forever. Unfortunately with the snow that is currently on the ground we haven't gotten a chance to frolick in our spring dresses. We have had to compensate for the lack of warm weather with some of our favorite spring tunes. Please enjoy our spring playlist:

Have a wonderful spring!

-happi & b.

diy: mason jar tumbler

The inspiration:

Lilly Pulitzer plastic tumbler. Price: $15.00
So we get the appeal, it's cute and Lilly, but it's also fifteen dollars for something you can easily make. So, (with a little help from pinterest) we made this cute diy tumbler. Enjoy.

Materials:
Mason Jar or similar canning jar.
drill that can hold a 3/8 drill bit
3/8 drill bit
3/8 grommet (we used a metal one but recommend rubber)
hammer
nail
sharpie
large plastic tub or basin (deeper than the jar)

Step One: Using a sharpie mark the center of the top of the mason jar and hammer a small hole using a nail.

Step Two: Place the jar with the top in a large tup and drill the hole using your 3/8 drill bit.

                       

Now press in the grommet:

Ta-Dah!

Super easy and actually cost less than two dollars. Super cute with mint julep of iced tea.

Love you all,

happi & b.

the perfect hat pattern

It's quite a surprise we haven't blogged about knitting before as it is a huge part of our grandma-in-a-young-person-body life. Proceed:

The struggle, the struggle. Searching for the perfect hat pattern is tricky and we've been endlessly hunting for a really basic one. After making them too big, too small, and too plain ugly we have decided to simply create our own. After many fails, we have compiled, by no doubt, the perfect hat pattern. It's simple to adjust to your size and uses any worsted weight wool. Go knitters, Go!
Fits most women's heads and small men's.

Materials:
Sz. 8 DPNs and circular needles
Worsted Weight wool
That's it!

1. CO 80 sts. Join for working in the round.
2. *K2, P2* continue this ribbing for 1.5 inches or desired length.
3. Knit and continue in stockinette stich until piece measures 6"

Decrease rounds: (Change to DPNS when necessary)
1. *K8, K2tog*
2. Knit all sts.
3. *K7, K2tog*
4. Knit all sts.
5. *K6, K2tog*
6. Knit all sts.
7. *K5, K2tog*
8. Knit all sts.
9. *K4, K2tog*
10. *K3, K2tog*
11. *K2, K2tog*
12. *K1, K2tog*
13. *K2tog*
Pull yarn through the last 8 stitches with a tapestry needle, pull through to inside and weave in ends.

Alright, easy as that! Makes the best and simplest hat possible. Just weave in all ends and enjoy!
Keep on knitting!
Love,
happi & b.

how to wear: loafers

With spring hastily approaching, we have been stocking up our wardrobes with our warm weather must-haves. And of course, shoes come first. We have been searching for new shoe trends and keep returning  to the classic loafers. The loafer mentioned is the Bass Wayfarer penny loafer.  Here's how we would style this preppy essential:

Hope you get some inspiration from this post!
Love,
happi & b.

skincare with happi

I love winter. The snow, the hot chocolate and layering clothes. Unfortunately with the cold comes the dry air and it becomes super hard to keep my skin comfortable. Here is my routine for keeping (hopefully) flawless and moisturized skin.

1. Start off with a super gentle cleanser. The Clinique face wash works really well at removing grime and smooths the skin. Cetaphil is a good substitute for the Clinique cleanser, but I find it doesn't help smooth out my face like the Clinique one does.

2. Tone, Tone, TONE! So important. Toning helps regulate oil production and exfoliate by taking away all the dead skin cells. I used a Clinique toner and really liked it because they offered a mild solution which was perfect for the winter (in the summer I switched to the dry-combination type). After doing my research I found that witch hazel works as an all natural astringent. The results have been wonderful, and so is the price.

3. Last, but not least, moisturize. Argan oil takes the cake when it comes to moisturizers. It's a light oil that works for all skin types and moisturizer just the right amount so your skin doesn't have to produce more oil to compensate (one of the main problems with oil-free moisturizers). For the day, I only use argan oil, but at night for more hydration I Pond's Dry Skin Creme. I apply it under my eyes, around my brow bone, and anywhere else I get dry.

4. This step is optional, and I only use it sometimes, but when my skin is being fussy I like to apply a spot treatment. My favorite one is the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10. It contains benzoyl peroxide which helps target stubborn, recurring, acne. I put on the treatment at night and it makes any blemishes more manageable in the morning.

What's your routine? Have any go to products worth sharing? email us your suggestions at happiandb@gmail.com
        Love you and stay beautiful,
             happi & b.

stationery

What's the best thing to do to start your year right? Reconnect with old friends. We find that, although any form of communication is good, a little snail mail means much more than a text or an email.
Here is a selection of some of our favorite stationery sets:

1.Macaron Stationery from Paper-Source

2.Vintage New York Postcards from Cavallini and Co.

3.Telegram Stationary from Paper-Source

4.Shopping Charm Stationary from C Wonder

5.Greek Key Monogrammed Stationery from Design Darling

6.Florence Broadhurst Postcards from Kate Spade

7.DIY Stationary from Anthropologie

8. Alligator Stationery from The Pink Monogram

9.Holiday Twinkle Stationery from Lilly Pulitzer

Love you all and stay in touch!

-happi & b.

happi's 2012 favorites

We're the worst, we know. Sorry for the long gap of silence and we promise to be back and blogging often. Now enough of the apologizing and onto the post, it's about to be a new year without regrets.

Eeek. It's almost 2013. You can either be excited about the new year or wallow in the fact that this year has past in a minute. We've felt a little of both, but are feeling quite optimistic about 2013. One of the best things to do at the closing of the year is to look back at your favorite things from the year. Here is a list of mine:

1. The J. Crew Pixie Pants. They're perfect. They're flattering and comfortable. You can wear them up or down. They are the definition of perfection.

2. Ugg Dakota Slippers. These slippers are expensive, but you pay for quality. They are extremely warm and quite cute. The fur inside insulates my vulnerable toes.

3. OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender. This polish has put all my others to shame. It is extremely versatile as it works during every season. I love that the shade is subtle enough that I can wear it everyday. The light hue compliment all skin tones and it is very forgiving when it comes to mess ups.

4. Skin 79 BB Cream. I've got very sensitive skin and am quite picky when it comes to putting anything on my face. This BB Cream has my approval though, it gives the perfect amount of coverage and moisture for my dry-combination skin. It also works in the summer when I want a little coverage and also some sun protection.

5. Pitch Perfect. I wanted to put a movie on here, and pitch perfect came straight to my mind. I have to admit, I barely ever see movies in theaters unless they really call to me, so I didn't have many options. I did really enjoy this movie though, it was full of stupid humor that of course made me laugh.

6. Les Miserables. This is obviously not a 2012 favorite to most people, but I recently discovered Les Mis. I had always sort of known about it, but it wasn't until I saw the trailer (during the previews before Pitch Perfect coincidentally) that I was like "This is awesome." I immediately bought the soundtrack and watched the Liam Neeson version and afterwards the Joe Jonas version on YouTube. My favorite songs are: A Heart Full of Love, One Day More, Red and Black, and Do You Hear the People Sing? I of course saw Les Mis in theaters on christmas, but because it is so recent I do not think it qualifies as a 2012 favorite.

7. Kiehl's Shampoo and Conditioner. My hair was in a mess, absolutely lost in a mush of cheap products and what I thought to be good, Lush products. This hair duo was a life saver. I saw beautiful results and a guy even complimented my hair (GASP). The shampoo has helped regulate the oil in my hair while the conditioner has provided sufficient moisture to my parched ends. Thanks!

8. COACH Poppy. I think you know when a perfume is perfect when every time you smell it you get happy, and this is exactly what this perfume does to me. It is the perfect mix of floral and musky scents. I love this perfume and it has worked during both the warm months and the colder ones.

9. This Side of Paradise. This has received wonderful praise from both b and me, and considering the amount of books b reads, this is quite an accomplishment. You can't go wrong with Fitzgerald and this is his first book so a wonderful one to start with. It's a short read, but very impacting. 

10. Frye Melissa Boot. Unfortunately I was unable to find the exact style I have, as they were my mom's old ones, but let me just tell you, these are the best. I am a sucker for riding boots, and considering mine are second generation, these boots are great quality. Mine are a similar style to the timeless Melissa, but are in deep brown suede. Delicious.

11. Lilly Pulitzer Planner. I think you knew this one was coming, but as I can't live without it, it's place on this list is inevitable. I have a small agenda in May Flowers to put in my purse and b has a large one in Skip On It. Once you get one there's no going back, trust me.

12. Saint James Shirt. This was another unavoidable addition to the list. This shirt appears in my outfits so often that it is like a second skin to me. This piece is so versatile and extremely easy to wear. I suggest buying a small mens, as they give a looser, more airy look.

Lots of love and a Happy New Year,
Happi

mint chocolate cake and happi and b's first birthday!

We know. It's insane. A year? Common. A year. It isn't possible. But we did it! And 55 posts later, here we are! Though high school, dance, and our eagerness to get into an Ivy already has made our lives crazy, our love for the simpler things hasn't died. So we both met up, grabbed some bagels, made a quick run to Bath & Body Works for candle essentials, dug up Martha Stewart Livings for inspiration, set up Netflix to watch the experts at Carlo's Bakery, and baked a cake! This adventurous frosting recipe was original and we used (who else!) Martha's vanilla cake recipe.

Let's hope for another great year!

Love,
happi and b.

tricks & treats

{tee|shirt|shorts|sweater|clutch|sandals|polish|ring|headband|lipstick}

Feeling a little too old for a costume this year? No worries. These pieces are class, party, play, and even work-ready! I'll probably be sporting that sparkly headband to school.

kisses,
b.