344 : getting "dolled up"

Sometimes it's really nice to ditch the everyday clothes and put on your party shoes. Tonight was one of those nights. My partner in crime and bff, getting dressed up, plus a long overdue cosmo and a glass of wine, made for one super happy evening.

337 : new jewelry

My visit last night to Mary's Open Studio was super fun...a long evening of talking, champagne drinking and trying on jewelry galore. Almost everyone decided to come Sunday night, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves, which allowed for a lot of catch up time. At the end of the night, I walked away with some beautiful earrings and two fab rings (score!).

336 : client events

I love getting together with clients turned friends; especially when it's for something other than business. So tonight I'm super excited to see, Los Angeles jewelry designer, Mary Donald's Open Studio. I love her work (I have a few pieces of it myself) and she's one of the sweetest people I know.

Check out her website (designed by yours truly) to see some amazing pieces and maybe even get some of that holiday shopping done.

316 : seeing work

I love getting samples of work I've designed in the mail from clients. I love seeing it out in the real world even more. I finally got a chance to stroll down to Hermosa Beach to see the set of street pole banners I designed along Pier Avenue. Seeing it totally made me do the happy dance inside.

I'm so fortunate to be doing what I love and to have some amazing clients/friends/family support me through the years.

266 : kids

I spent my Saturday night with two amazing little people: Eli (6) and Dagny (3). So amazing in fact, I actually offered to watch them while their parents (a client turned friend) went to a movie. After a long night of beaded bracelets, painting, foam bats and ghosts, magic, card games, checkers, bath time and teeth brushing; they finally went to bed. Best kids ever.

233 : working from home

One of the nice things about being the boss is making your own hours. That, combined with the fact that all I need to design is my computer/laptop and an internet connection makes for one happy day.

I think the monster likes it too :)

228 : successful projects

I love when I finish a project knowing it's "portfolio worthy". I love it even more when it's not only portfolio worthy, but a successful piece for my client. Last week, the new Williams Homes email marketing campaign was both. Not only did the email blast look great, but both the open rate and click rate were well above average. They even sold the advertised home from someone who received the blast! It's a win-win. Gotta love that.

219 : lunch with a friend

I had lunch with one of my favorite people EVER today. So nice to catch up. Makes a Monday so much better. If these past 3 months have taught me anything, it's that I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

184 : finishing projects

I love when projects are finalized and sent to print. Inside I do a little happy dance (after the nerves of making sure there are no changes, and everything is correct, of course). Today was one of those days that I got to put a long awaited project to bed.

What's even better...there is a good chance this will be on the shelves this back to school season. Double happiness.

183 : celebrate wellness

The bf and I had a lovely time at The Wellness Community's annual Celebrate Wellness event. I can't think of a better way to have spent a Sunday afternoon than strolling around the South Coast Botanic Gardens while eating yummy food and drinking wine.

Thanks Kristin, for an absolutely perfect Sunday afternoon.

156 : new clients

Need I say more? I'm thinking this new project has a huge amount of potential to be super amazing. So excited.

147 : sleeping beauty

I must admit that I've been super excited about seeing South Bay Ballet perform The Sleeping Beauty for months. Yes, months. It's a brand new production, and the costumes are out of this world amazing. Truly breath taking.

To make it even better, I get to catch up with an old client turned friend and her adorable kiddos.

It's going to be a good day :)

146 : seeing work published

There is such a feeling of pride when you see something you created out in the real world. From the posters for South Bay Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty popping up at Bank of America, and The Coffee Bean, to next weekend's Hermosa Beach ArtWalk in the current Easy Reader. There's so much satisfaction in knowing that I'm absolutely doing what I love.

139 : writegirl

Today we attended the season end celebration of WriteGirl's in-schools program. WriteGirl is a nonprofit organization for high school girls centered on writing and empowerment through self-expression.

A month ago, we had the honor of designing their newest anthology (featuring writing from students at LACOE schools) that released during today's celebration. We really feel so privileged to be able to work on a project for such an amazing cause.

138 : friends & family

This week has been an emotional roller coaster for me. With everything that has been happening, it's been nice to have the loving support of family and friends. It makes me feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. I love you all, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

102 : fauna pet

It's great when you work with clients that you truly love. Take Renee at Fauna/Knotty Girl for example. She can make me laugh so hard I almost pee in my pants. She's one of the funniest people I have ever met. We redesigned her website for young/teen girls bath products, Knotty Girl, and then the following year, worked with her on the redesign of her line of bath products for pets, Fauna. During the course of working with her she sent us tons of samples; both from Knotty Girl and Fauna. And while I love love love the Drama Queen Marshmallow shampoo and conditioner, I am head over heals for her Fauna Shampoos. 

We've already established that Gizzy is hardcore spoiled. I only want the best for him...food, treats, toys, and of course, bath products. Fauna shampoos make what little fur he has so soft and silky. Plus, he smells so good afterward. You'd be silly to wash your pet with anything other than Fauna. Seriously. We're not just saying that because she's our client. It really is that amazing.

Oh, and look who's Mr. October <3

94 : dinner with clients

There are few times where we get to put business and projects aside for a second and sit down to lunch or dinner with a client. It's nice to take a break and enjoy good food and good company. Tonight was one of those nights... it was good company and good Chinese. It's in these moments that we see the people we work with not only as our clients but our friends.

We're looking forward to the next client lunch/dinner... which in our opinion doesn't happen often enough! Hungry anyone?

77 : found art/jewelry

There is something magical in the idea of found art transferring an unexpected object into a reinterpretation of itself. One of our clients, Mary Donald, performs this magic on her jewelry. We were introduced to her work and method when starting on her website awhile back. Anything from found metal, to rubber, to plastic is transformed into beautiful jewelry. Actually these amazing pieces are more like fine art sculptures you can wear. Not only is the work beautiful but she redefines the structure of what you would commonly think of as a ring or necklace. Would you believe that the piece above isn't an abstract flower sculpture but a comfortable ring? Yep, it slides in between your fingers with the blue pieces on top and the metal petals on the underside of your fingers all held in place with a plastic cord. And below, another magical example of tire rubber transforming into an edgy black bracelet. Amazing.

65 : wine tasting

Guess where we went today?

Yup, on what would normally be a Margarita Monday, we partook in wine tasting. The Howell Mountain Wine Tasting was at the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA, so it was a win-win; free wine (you know how we like that) and ridiculously nice cars.

Since we're designers, and not hardcore winos (there were 27 wineries, most pouring 2 different types of wine), we had to be a little selective. So we judged which wines to taste based on their label designs and/or the winery's name...(and one which had neither a nice label or name, but simply had a cute boy pouring).

After who knows how many tastes, we came out with two favorites: Cakebread's Cab (the name alone makes us happy) and the Summit Lake Port. Yum!

61 : packages from clients

We LOVE getting stuff in the mail. We love it even more when it's something from a client. Such a happy surprise when Mr. UPS man comes to our door and hands us something.

Yesterday, we received a package from Carlson Chocolates in New York. We designed their logo & their 12 piece chocolate box. So when we opened the package to discover a box filled with truffles, we were two happy ladies. Now, to photograph the box for our portfolio before we eat them...

Today, we received the newest Knotty Girl product, Vanilla Cupcake flavored Beauty Batter Leave-in Conditioner (that's a mouthful Renee!) along with an old fav Marshmallow Drama Queen Shampoo & Conditioner. If you have a wee one at home (or love smelling yummy), we totally recommend the entire Knotty Girl line!