. { Mad Men: it's a love affair }

It's official, I'm in love with the AMC show Mad Men. It's sweeping the nation, and I've been swept up in the hairspray, red lips, fedora hats, Lucky Strikes, and the 10am whiskies. 
This show is so well made, the fashion is incredible, and the marketing and ad work done in the show is amazing. Yes, the morals in the show are as loose as the leading ladies. Yes, the men smoke, drink, and cheat. That being said? I still love this show. I mean, goodness. Just look at Don Draper ... his handsome face alone is a good enough reason to watch this show. And Joan's fire engine red hair and lips? Lovely. 
I've successfully devoured the first four seasons on Netflix over the past few months, and am excited for Season 5 to start at the end of August on AMC. 
So, go check it out! I highly recommend it.


p.s. Have you seen the Mad Men inspired line now offered by Banana Republic? Lord Almighty, I likey. 

. { case of design ADD }

Hi, my name is Hannah, and I suffer from Design ADD {aka DADD}. Today I was browsing my new favorite site Wookmark, and discovered the image up top. Instantly I was removed from the Wookmark-land of lovely design and photography and launched into a project that I had started sketches for approximately ... oh ... five months ago? 

Yeah. It's a serious problem, this DADD. Seriously! I need a support group or something.

So, this is a little inspiration for some print materials for NorEaster Storm Systems, a badass little piece of software / iPhone app that I designed the logo for. Let's see how far I can get in this project this time. 

* images found on wookmark & in my head/from my pencil

. { music love: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals }

I thought I'd share with you all my latest music obsession ... Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. 
Between the bluesy Southern rock feel and Grace's super sexy voice, I can't turn off the music! I first found pretty 'lil Grace and her gang on iTunes. Her live album in Skowhegan, Maine caught my eye mostly because I saw our (Maine's) little SkowTown on iTunes!


Turn her music on, I dare you. You'll never listen to blues the same way again. I promise.


* photos via by Adrien Broom

. { according to my iphone }

Here's a few snapshots that give a little look into my life lately (via my iPhone). 

I'm starting to realize that I'm forever doomed as a blogger. I always get great ideas for a post when I'm completely unable to write my thoughts down.

- when I'm driving home from work

- when I'm under a desk desperately trying to find a spot to plug in a lamp

- when I'm reading a Supreme Court ruling on Fourth Amendment rights for homework

- when I'm standing on my head trying to get water out of my broken washing machine

- when I'm laying on a giant trampoline with my two best childhood friends (I will post 

   about this soon!)

Basically what I'm trying to say is this: if you read my blog, you fall into these categories:

- Family ... immediate or extended. You are already OK with my unreliability and insanity.

- Friends ... genuinely interested or just plain 'ol nosy. I love you both.

- Random People w/ Similar Insane Traits ... Cool beans - rock on.

PS. I do not own any of the animals in these pictures. 

The turkeys are at the Heinrichs' ... I am praying that I'll get to eat one for Thanksgiving dinner. I did already point at a particularly chubby little stinker and name him "Thanksgiving Dinner." I'm holding out that he remembers his name and that he will be a McGowan-Bell feast. 

The adorable Boxer is named Baxter, and he's also a member of the Heinrich family. I want to steal him and keep him forever. How could you not with that precious face?

The cat is my neighbors'. He only hangs out with me when I'm drinking wine and reading Vogue on the front porch. I'd like to think we chill because he likes the good company, but I'm suspicious that he's really in it for the vino. 

Maybe I'll pre-post for tomorrow, maybe I won't. In the meantime? Happy Tuesday!

. { original badass }

I'm loving these posters from student portfolio out of Washington DC. Maybe it's the history geek in me, but I crack up every time I look at these!

* via