Lost but not forgotten

Dedicated to the emperor penguin who lost his way in Antarctica and ended up on a beach in New Zealand. Named Happy Feet, the penguin is currently recovering in the Wellington Zoo after surgery was performed to remove some of the sand he ate on shore (thinking it was snow). Although it could be months before Happy Feet is let back into the wild, I like to think he'll get a warm welcome when he returns. Actually, it could be when she returns.





Photo and information on emperor penguin from here

Ohmyguscat!

This is Gus heating up the barbeque with his good looks. Isn't he helpful?


Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Waffle-y sweet

Never a big fan of waffles, I considered them to be strictly only-for-breakfast food. But a recent trip to Michi Waffle & Espresso has changed that entire outlook! The Robson Street café serves little dessert waffles, freshly made and covered in an array of toppings. My strawberry and chocolate waffle looked just like the one in the picture (minus the gelato, which I am definitely getting next time!), and it was the perfect combination of savory and sweet.

If you're in Vancouver, you must visit Michi's and try one for yourself! If not, it's not the only waffle bar I've seen; do a little research and find one in your own area. Be sure to write, and tell me how it is! Oh, and for anyone who still thinks they're only-for-breakfast, Michi also offers a brunch waffle topped with bacon, cheese, and two sunny-side up eggs!

Photo from Michi Wafle & Espresso

Happy birthdaycakeday!

I'm a firm believer that every special occasion deserves a card. Celebrate someone special with a birthday greeting like this one, available by-the-card or in sets of 4 on my Etsy shop.

Keep some on hand, and don't show up to that next birthday lunch empty-handed!


Happy birthday to you — greeting card


Happy birthday to you — greeting cards — set of 4

All artwork and photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

If looks could grill

At the risk of sounding like someone who doesn't know a thing about barbequing, how cute are these little grills from Bodum! Available at Chapters, these barbeques are small enough to fit on the quaintest of balconies and portable enough to feed your many summer adventures.

So what are you waiting for? Get outside, and throw some shrimp on the barbie!

Photos from Bodum

I ♥ dip

I dished up this acrylic painting to show my love of spinach dip. Mmmmm, spin dip.

All artwork copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Big primping: eyelash curler

Make your eyes smeyes with Tarte's eyelash curler and mascara

A Shu Uemura devotee for years, I have jumped ship! When the padding on my precious Shuey split right down the middle, I thought it may be time to try something new. I stumbled upon this Tarte Picture Perfect Duo — an ergonomically designed eyelash curler and a deluxe sample of tarte's best-selling Lights, Camera, Lashes! natural mascara — and I am not going back.

The eyelash curler takes a bit of getting used to. I actually use both hands to hold it, but I hold it very comfortably! Starting at the roots and pumping it the length of the lash, the curler curves and fans out lashes into a picture perfect swish above the eye. It doesn't pinch, and the purple silicon padding makes it easy to see each lash, making sure no one gets forgotten.

The mascara is incredible! It's so great that I went out and bought the full-sized version. While it doesn't increases lash volume by 424%, it does make my lashes look a lot thicker and astronomically longer. It also has a natural finish so lashes stay soft and supple. This is definitely a duo that makes eyes smile.

Photograph from Sephora.

His & hers pizza

I'm a vegetarian and my fiancé is a carnivore, but that doesn't stop us from sharing a good ol' homemade pizza every now and then. Okay, we usually end up each making our own, but due to a weirdly stretching dough situation we were forced to share this one.


Yes, there are carrots on my side. And yes, they do go on pizza. Also, if you've never made a pizza with fresh mozzarella, feta, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs I suggest you make one tonight.


Seriously, doesn't my side look way better?

All photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

For the love of pugs

Gemma Correll Pugs Not Drugs Tee from Urban Outfitters

It must be because they look a lot like himalayan cats that I love pugs so much! But I'm not the only one who adores them. Gemma Correll is a huge pug enthusiast, and she's also an amazing illustrator. Her quirky drawings make me laugh, and I was so excited to discover one of her most famous illustrations on a t-shirt at Urban Outfitters. Pugs not drugs. I repeated the message all throughout the day. Here are a few of my own pug prints, inspired by a real-life puggle named Bruce and his larger-than-life appetite. Prints and greeting cards are available on my Etsy shop.


I'm BIGBONED — fine art print


I'm BIGBONED — set of 4 greeting cards

Pugs not drugs illustration by Gemma Correll. Photograph from Urban Outfitters.
I'm BIGBONED artwork and photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Destination: wedding

In celebration of the one-month anniversary of an extraordinarily cute couple's destination wedding in Mexico, it's a pleasure to share with you the invitations I custom-designed for them.


What I love about custom illustrations is how they are able to truly capture the personalities of their subjects. The front cover of Yalda and Ben's invites was designed to announce the tropical destination wedding of a romantic, fun-loving and stylish bride and groom-to-be.



Much love and congratulations to Belda. I'm so happy to have been a part of your incredible wedding!

All artwork and photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Hello summer

You are my sunshine

It's summer's eve, and what better way to celebrate than with one of Katie Daisy's sweet and lovely prints. I adore this artist! She's so talented and inspiring, and you can tell she's just so passionate about her work and about being perceptive to nature and her environment. Her prints are whimsical yet rustic, and they show off her beauty as a painter and hand-letterer. How great would one of these prints look in your home?



Teach love


Love and Pocketful of posies

Live summer to the fullest! Purchase Katie Daisy's colourful prints and other paper goodies here.

All photographs from Katie Daisy's Etsy shop.

This car gets so much tail

This Father's Day, Gus and Mickey's gift to my dad was to spread their fluff all over the roof of his car. How generous, guys!



Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Gus's lair

Is it too soon for more cat pictures? I'm sorry, I'm being ridiculous...it's never too soon! Here are some visuals of Gus's annual spring lair.





All photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

A salad that makes the heart smile - Quinoa salad

Quinoa, sweet potato, and feta salad


I make quinoa salad about once a week. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, it's also incredibly easy to make. The best part — because I use whatever veggies and herbs happen to be on hand — is that it's a different salad every time! It's so simple it could even be mixed together with a batch of quinoa (brown rice is great, too!), some chopped carrots and bell peppers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper. Toss in some lemon, lime, Dijon mustard, or a great big handful of freshly chopped herbs to add some zip to the one-bowl wonder. Here's how I made my salad tonight...


Roasted sweet potato wedges like these cook in no time. After washing and peeling a medium-sized sweet potato, I cut it lengthwise in half — once to make two half circles, and again to make four wedges. I lined up the four wedges and cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices. Next, I mixed the the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic (one clove), a pinch of sea salt, and a much bigger pinch of freshly-ground black pepper.


For easy cleanup, I lined a baking sheet with parchment paper. I arranged the sweet potatoes in a single layer and baked them at 400° F (200° C) for 15 minutes. The high heat allows the outside of the wedges to beautifully caramelize while keeping the inside al dente. You want the sweet potato wedges to be chewy like cooked pasta, and not so soft that they fall apart in the salad.


Quinoa is wonderful because it's full of fiber (unlike white rice), and it cooks in about 15 minutes (unlike brown rice). After rinsing 1/2 cup of quinoa, I simmered it with 1 cup of water (be sure to follow package directions). After 10 minutes, I turned the heat off and let the quinoa sit for another 5 before fluffing it with a fork.



Quinoa, sweet potato, and feta salad
Serves myself, today and tomorrow

Dressing
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced

Salad
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 cups cooked quinoa (1/2 cup dried quinoa)
1 sweet potato, roasted
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 cup chopped spinach
1 tsp dried dill
salt and pepper to taste

In large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. Add in the remaining ingredients, toss, photograph, upload to twitter, and serve! And if there's any left over, it's great in a wrap the next day.

All photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

The world traveller

The world traveller (Paris edition) — Fine art print

For all those cat lovers who wish they could travel the world with their favourite feline friend, The world traveller is a series of illustrative prints inspired by two of the most hilarious Himalayan cats. Gus and Mickey are ridiculously fluffy, and they have made it their mission to ensure that everyday I become a little more obsessed with them. When Gus — sassy and likes to drool — and Mickey — loyal and likes to spoon — follow me to the door as I'm about to go out, I look to them and think, "Well, why can't you come with me?"


The world traveller (London edition) — Fine art print


This is Gus. Don't his paws remind you of two-bite brownies?


This is Mickey, posing for his glamour shot. He has sasquatch paws.


The world traveller (Waikiki tabby edition) — Fine art print

Not a Himalayan, but still cute.

To get your paws on your very own fine art print of The world traveller, visit my etsy shop: Happy Mine.

All artwork and photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Spring bridal shower

What better way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a summertime bride-to-be than with an outdoor bridal shower. A friend of mine is getting married in July, and a few weekends ago, her maid of honour organized an afternoon gathering of friends and family in her sunny backyard. Serving up fresh salads, tiny sandwiches and iced sangria, it was also a great way to welcome the sun after a lengthy Vancouver winter.



Here's one way to make use out of all those gifts' ribbons. Attach them to a hat, and make the bride-to-be wear it at the end of the party.


This is another option.



Attending a bridal shower this spring or summer? Here are some fantastic gift ideas, all available at Chapter Indigo. (I love that store!)

1 Zoku Quick Pop Maker DIY popsicles? Yes, please!
2 Wildly Delicious Small Pear Brie Baker Two words: melted cheese.
3 Govino Go Anywhere Wine Glasses - Set of Four Bendable and shatterproof, they're perfect for outdoor entertaining.
4 Picnic Time Wine Tote for Two - Moka Make picnics and afternoon hikes that much better.

It's a blog!

Introducing A blog that makes the heart smile by Jasmine Habart (that's me — a graphic designer living in Vancouver, BC). Inspired by vintage stationery and style, delicious food, and overweight cats — I strive to create designs and illustrations that make the heart smile. Check back often for new projects, ideas, and inspirations.

All artwork copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.