362 : being right

Obviously everyone is unique; each with their own thoughts and feelings and ways of handling situations. Sometimes you may agree with it, some times not. This is life.

Although I'm not going to get into details, sometimes it's so nice to know that your gut instincts about people are in fact right. So now that the bff's situation is over, I'll say it one last time... I told you so. Maybe next time you'll listen to me :p

Illustration from http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/fu-told-you-so.html

361 : jeff comes home!

My bff comes home tomorrow after 14 days in ny. Just in time to go antiquing at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, I might add. So excited!

350 : paris tea

A month ago, while browsing at the Torrance Antique Fair, the bff craved coffee. Luckily there was a little coffee spot, and he ran in while I continued to browse. I wanted some Earl Gray, but was pleasantly surprised when he got me a cup of some super yummy tea. Having no clue what "Paris" tea was (besides some sort of black tea blend) I tore off the little tag on the tea bag and made a mental note to get some.

The super amazing guy that Jeff is, also made a mental note, and bought me some for Christmas. Hooray!

345 : open mic at cafe muse

Open mics can be a bit tricky. Sometimes you get lucky and listen to people that are legitimately talented. But other times, you're not so lucky, and spend a good chunk of your evening listening to people who sound like they're stepping on a cat. But tonight, my partner in crime was playing and I had to cross my finger, and suck it up and go.

Well, I was very pleasantly surprised. The open mic was at Cafe Muse, which is a cute little vegetarian cafe. No, I'm not a vegetarian, but I do heart the tofu. Shockingly, (almost) everyone was pretty freaking good. Surprisingly good. But best of all, my PIC and his buddy Adam (aka Fyrēbömb) were pure amazingness.

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.

339 : it wasn't louie

Tonight Monique and I headed to the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa to see, of course, Ian Bagg (I can't even tell you how much I heart him). Upon getting to their parking lot we learned that a "celebrity comedian" would be dropping in on the show tonight. I prayed with all my might it wasn't going to be not-so-funny-man Louie Anderson. He was a "celebrity comedian" surprise guest before, was so terrible and got so few laughs, I actually felt sorry for him.

Thankfully Rob Schneider was the guest; who far outweighs Louie's funny-factor... (although I wonder how long it'll take for me to be able to look at him and not immediately envision Deuce Bigalow)

Is it so wrong that the highlight of my day (besides Ian's jokes) was that Louie WASN'T there?

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.

294 : dark harbor

Tonight my evening was spent at the Queen Mary's Halloween event, Dark Harbor. It's been nice to escape the drama of the past few days, let loose and be scared by something that can't actually hurt me. The mazes were fun, but I imagined being scared more. Anticipating the scares has been worse than the actual people jumping out at us. That's not to say I didn't let out a few screams...because I sure did.

293 : the office wasn't burned

Today was another hard day...not as traumatizing as yesterday, but still really difficult.

I woke up wondering why I set my alarm and then remembered that this was real. Ugh. That meant today I actually had to face what happened and see the results of the damage. Even as I type this it still doesn't feel real.

There was such a quiet and somber tone that filled the building and the parking lot this morning. Various people surveying their own damages and loss, while others just wanting to see the destruction of the fire. The hallway was worse then I imagined and when I saw the plastic dripping down the wall, the sign that until yesterday, held my business name and suite number, my heart hurt. Thankfully, when I opened my door, I had little damage done to my office. My dad and Jeff helped me put everything worth saving in trash bags and we hauled everything out of there. After walking down the hallway and seeing the other offices, I'm just so grateful to have anything to actually haul out.

The remnants of the sign outside my door

The ceiling outside my office door.

The Hallway. Sadly, the light comes from the fact that the ceiling/roof are completely gone.

My office door

To my fellow suitemates, I've enjoyed (well, mostly enjoyed) my 3 years in suite 211 getting to know you all. Saul, we used to call you our "office dad" since you'd look out for us so much when we first moved in. Thank you. Adam, my heart hurts for your loss and damages. Seeing/hearing you run up and down the stairs became part of my daily life at the office. Thanks for being such a good neighbor. To everyone else, the best of luck to you all.

To my dad and Jeff, you're both my rocks and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me through this. I couldn't have done it without you.

It's hard to fathom that I won't see gizmo looking out the window. Or hear the hum from the dry cleaners below anymore. 2010 has been all about change for me, and as heart heavy and numb as I am right now, I know that this terrible accident will lead to bigger and better things.

287 : forneris farms

Today we spent the afternoon at Forneris Farms in Mission Hills. We wanted to get some pumpkins but avoid the children-filled lots or supermarket bins. Thanks to my good friend Google, Forneris Farms was discovered. There aren't too many close to the LA area, but a huge corn maze at Forneris sealed the deal.

The maze was tons of fun, and proved just how good my map reading skills mixed with my sense of direction really are (like there was any question) :)

One corn maze, a giant pumpkin, a "pie" pumpkin, some pretty gourds, a spaghetti squash, a few eggplant, some green beans, figs, garlic and corn later we were finally headed home.

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.

221 : steve

Today marks what would have been a good friend's 28th birthday. He taught me a lot about life, friends and love; which is kind of amazing since we were so young at the time. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about or miss him. I wish he could give me that look he used to that would make me laugh. And although the eyes still water when I think about him, it still brings a smile to my face knowing that I was fortunate enough to have known him.

So, even though you're gone, today's still and always will be your day. Happy Birthday, my friend.

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.

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!

56 : bravo!

We love South Bay Ballet for more reasons than one. Not only are their performances AMAZING, they are, in fact, our longest ongoing client since starting the studio. We have produced some fantastic materials for them over the past two and half years, and feel very fortunate to be working with them.

Tonight, we'll be at the Armstrong attending BRAVO! for the third year in a row. If you don't have plans this weekend, you should definitely check them out. You won't be disappointed...

And be sure to bring the kiddos to see The Sleeping Beauty in June. We've seen Janice and her gang over at SBB hard at work on costumes, and they are simply stunning.

Here's to an amazing show!

53 : your happiness

Today is national "I want you to be happy" day. And nothing makes us happier, than when the people we love are happy.

So to help with your happiness, we give you this very important flow chart (which also makes us happy).


Poster design by Typcut and can be seen here.

51 : clients who are now friends

It is a special thing when you find yourself working on a project with someone who is not just your client but can be called a friend. We consider ourselves lucky for the close bonds we have been able to make with our clients. Its our intention to have a project end with not just a logo, a website, a brochure, an invitation... but with a friendship. Thanks to all our clients, who we know consider friends, you make us happy and we love working with you.

43 : trump & free wine

Today's post is a double whammy...Tonight we attended a fundraiser for The Wellness Community that was held at the Trump Golf Course in our own, Palos Verdes. For one, the place is out of control beautiful. From the decor to the views to the oh-so-delish food, it's simply amazing. If that wasn't happy enough, the event included complimentary wine. What's not to love?

Yup, people, we heart the wine.

We had a fabulous time thanks to our dear, dear friend Kristin (we love you!).

36 : funny valentine's cards

Funny cards are the best and it has become an inside joke of sorts with us. Jen has made it a mission to find the best "sexy men" cards and give them to me throughout the year. I <3 them, and they never cease to make me laugh. I now have a little collection of these cards from my birthday, Christmas and Valentine's Day. So in honor of Valentine's Day, behold the beauty of the "sexy man cupid" card. Last year cupid was sporting some nice cutoff jean shorts, but this year he is showing a little more skin. Thanks Jen and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!