I was organizing photos the other day and came across these pictures I took on a trip to the Anderson Valley in California a year and a half ago. We went wine tasting in the Valley and stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Mendocino that had llamas and chickens. Then we spent some time in Fort Bragg at the Glass Beach, which was pretty nifty. I love going through old vacation photos. It helps me relax and reminds me of great memories. Oh, and it gives me even more wanderlust.
Lotta Niemien is quickly becoming one of my favorite graphic designers. She has a sense of elegance and refinement in her work that I look up to and strive for. She’s also a fantastic illustrator and photographer to boot. I’m loving her art direction and photography for Loeffler Randall’s 2013 show collection— beautiful tones and wonderful styling!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Every so often, I’ll come across a piece of furniture I fall in love with on first sight and file away in my “one day” folder. I’m currently admiring this dining room buffet from West Elm because it’s a stunner. It doesn’t hurt that between the wall color, plants, and vases, the photo is styled beautifully and has my name all over it.
In my first year of freelancing and owning my own design business, I’ve learned a few things (most of them the hard way). I’ve had some work related experiences in the last year that have run the gamut of awesome to shitty. I want to share those learnings with you in a short and sweet way.
I’m all for humility, really. I’m not one to brag and I think people’s actions and work can speak for themselves. The truly good work will get noticed eventually. But I’m also learning that there is a business aspect to this whole thing, and that aspect requires you to be insanely confident in what you do. Insanely confident. Not just internally confident, but you need to be able to exude that confidence externally. When you reach out to people you admire, meet people at events, or you talk to people or brands you want to work with—you need to be able to sell yourself. It’s a fine line, but there is a way to do that without sounding pompous—especially if you have the work or portfolio to back it up. Confidence can get mistaken for arrogance and I think that’s a shame. Don’t be scared to show people you are confident in what you do and who you are. Don’t be afraid to make an impression with people. I heard the above saying in a panel I attended and it resonated with me. Sometimes (the operative words here is ‘sometimes’) you have to toot your own horn. No one else is going to do it for you.
One can never go to Central Park enough. Never. Have a great start to your week!
This place doesn’t need any introduction to many of you folks, but for me, BaubleBar is a relatively new find. Now, not everything they have in this online jewelry store is my taste, but that’s the great part about BaubleBar— they have such a massive selection that I’m willing to bet there is something for everyone. I picked out a few of my favorites above (which includes the color combination I have a new fascination with).
This weekend I’m off to an Indian wedding of a friend that I’ve known for years. It should be a day filled with seeing old faces, laughs, libations, and what Indian weddings are best known for—lots of color (edit: and amazing food!). I hope the weather is fantastic wherever you all may be and I hope everyone has a great weekend!
I’m loving this black and white letterpress stationary from In Haus Press. These are baby announcements but I think they would also work great for any occasion. Letterpress, great type, a few standout graphic elements—what more do you need?
I’m in California visiting my parents for the week, and my old high school friends and I took a little overnight reunion jaunt to Napa. The trip was exactly what the doctor ordered— a wonderful hotel bed (I love a good hotel bed with crisp sheets), perfect weather (not too hot, too cold, or too humid), wonderful friends (they really are the best), tons of wine (is it obvious yet that I have a healthy, ahem, obsession with wine?), and some of the best scenery in the world (Yep, I said the world). It was relaxation to the max. California really is the best and I’m so lucky to be able to call it home. Because I can’t resist, here are a few more photos from the trip. I knew a lot of wine and my Lumix camera would not be a good mix, so all these photos are from my iPhone and Instagram.
