My dear readers, forgive my increasing absence. I’ve been taking time to focus on what is most important in my life right now and to sort through {and eliminate} what is not. Over the past two years, I’ve experienced some soul-shaking, deep change. Change is an ongoing process, of course, but I can see the definite shift looking back. My values have shifted. My habits are changing. What I need is still relatively the same, as is the case for most; I can just see those needs clearer. My wants {the true, deep ones} are coming into focus, too.

I’m not giving up on Bits of Beauty, but there will be changes here, too. I just haven’t quite figured out what those changes will be and how this blog will fit into my new personal landscape.

For now, my posts will be irregular. I hope you’ll stick with me.

{a few links to some lovely things I’ve come across}

23 Things You Didn’t Know About You

The Heart Knows The Truth

Want World Peace?

A Beautiful List of Beliefs

Shelter by Ray LaMontagne will totally make you cry or give you goosebumps. Or both.

Some yummy cocktails to share

Rosemary Roasted Radishes & Turkey Brie Panini {making my mouth water!}

Erin Fetherstons Beautiful Home

{image: A Perfect Mess by Emma Leonard}

rope embroidered tunic
bhldn purse
kenneth jay lane earrings
essie polish
dvf eva scarf tie platform sandals

{photos: by Christophe Rouffio for Art & Decoration: Un appartement aux couleurs vitaminées

You can also watch their other collaboration, Lucky.

{a few links for you}
+ NY goes Brit
+ a wonderfully crafted post on tiara’s from Roseline
+ bookworm succulent planters
+ a lunchbox my kid would love

As you all know by now, balloons make me EXTREMELY happy. I actually toted a dior-style big balon rouge around with me on my trip to San Francisco with ms. hyperfluent, including to the redwoods. {Yes, we got lots of crazy looks, but we got smiles even more often.} I also have a thing for color palettes, so today’s post combines the two.

These beautiful palettes are taken from the dreamy photos of another balloon enthusiast, Valeria of Red Balloon Photography. Valeria’s photos caught my eye because of their sweet, sunny feel despite their muted palettes. They are so perfectly subdued that they manage to be colorful without reminding me of the circus. The color palettes created from these photos emphasize the perfection of the colors in these pics. They’d work perfectly well outside of the picture as a color scheme for a room, a print, or a website.

Hmmm… maybe I should use one of these palettes for a {bits of beauty} website makeover. Do you have a favorite?

{photography by Valeria of Red Balloon Photography, color palettes by ms. jenn for bits of beauty}

As much as I admire artworks by the greats, I’ve always felt that art in the home should be original, or at least unique and personal. Unless I had a special love for a particular famous piece of art work, I’d try to avoid hanging a poster of it in my home. Instead, I prefer something original, or closer to the original like a signed print from the artist; it feels like there is a stronger connection this way.

With that in mind, today I’m featuring these adorable drawings from studio legohead. How sweet are these? For around $120 you can get a personalized portrait of your pup to hang on your wall for all to admire. Now, isn’t that better than that cheap wine bottle print you got from a sidewalk stand?

Loving these playfully designed prints with positive words to live by. They’re perfect for an office, a child’s room, or a classroom. {Seriously, how about getting this for teacher appreciation instead of another scented candle.} Available for purchase from Studio Mela’s etsy shop.

{other bits of beauty}
+Engineers recreate scene from “Up”
+The Bedlam of Beefy gets a makeover
+The most delicious looking brownies ever!
+Double happiness sunflower

{images: behind the scenes with tim walker from the stylist site}

*{bits of beauty} has made it into the top 10 fashion blogs for the Lovelies Awards. Show some love and vote here.

{images via modern hepburn & Andreas Öhlund for Cover Magazine Feb. 2011 via simply seductive}
*{bits of beauty} has made it into the top 10 fashion blogs for the Lovelies Awards. Show some love and vote here.

What is it about Paris & balloons? Wondering if there is a history there. Anyone know?

{a few lovely links}
rainbow brights
butternut squash risotto
the one and only sophia
a february survival guide
a few gorgeous photos
a stylish home

{munchkin update}
today is Aidan’s 8th birthday and he has reached 40% of his goal!
+ donate here
+ watch his anonymous old spice spoof here
+ read sweet posts written  here, here, and here
+ he was also featured on the charity:water blog and on operation nice

{images: irene suchocki & chelsea victoria}

Glorious in all its full frontal extravagance, Ellie Saab’s shimmering, sheer, beautifully cut creations are what a glamorous girl’s dreams are made of. Coppery nudes, delicate silvers, the loveliest of greens, sophisticated to petal-bedecked feminine, watching the gowns come down the runway, one can’t help but to utter a little “ohh” or “ahh.” Lovely as they were from the front, I take special pleasure in seeing the back of dresses, especially any as beautiful as these.

{images via tfs & style}