addiction

I have a new addiction. I don't have many so I feel I'm still ok... but please catch me if I start to spiral downward out of reality. My latest addiction is the new HGTV show Secrets From A Stylist. I think I'm addicted because she captures the couple's different styles and molds it into one. It can be hard to mash opposite styles into one living space once you get married. However, she shows us that it can be done! I love what she did with Joy (from Oh Joy) and Bob's living room. She mashed her feminine style with color and patterns to his simple and sleek look by bringing in furniture with chrome finishing and solid colors. This was the final product:

*Sigh* Yes it's official. I'm in love. Check out the episodes and you'll fall in love too!

Thirsty Thursday!

Today for inspiration we are headed to hula seventy. This lovely lady is a photographer in Portland, the city which I've lived and loved. She has some beauties on her site so go check them out. I especially love her color photo sequence where she photographs one color a day. Here are a few that struck my fancy

For those days when you feel like no one cares.

my second love (aka books)

Obviously my first love is my hubby. But what better than to have both of my loves on the same day! For our anniversary, Chris gave me two DIY home decor books. I'll admit, there was a little squealing with delight when he gave them to me, followed by hours of browsing the beautiful pages. There are so many things that I want to try! I'm really excited about the reupholster section because I found this gem of a chair at a second hand store in need of a little TLC. The shape of the chair is beautiful, but the stained cherry fabric has got to go. It's only a matter of time till it will make it's debut.  

The other two books I purchased a few weeks ago and finally came in the mail. They are both "how to" books when it comes to freelance graphic design work. These will be my ticket to understanding pricing, taxes and all that fun stuff (not really... but it's all a part of the game).

 1. Real-life Decor 100 Easy DIY Projects to Brighten Your Home on a Budget
2. The Big-Ass Book of Home Decor: More Than 100 Inventive Projects for Cool Homes like Yours    This title makes me giggle a little.
3. Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
4.  Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business The writer of this book is also the producer of the blog and business Oh Joy! In other words, I know it's going to be a good one. 

With design books, I say it's more than ok to judge a book by it's cover. 

hand made books

Oh heavens! Oh my! I can hardly believe a week has gone by. Oh wow, I just realized that rhymed. No really. I did. I just thought it would be fun to keep it. In case you were feeling neglected, I'm sorry. But this last week has been crazy busy! I finished making a logo and branding for a photographer friend of mine, started working on a wedding invitation, started working on another logo for this sweet new company that is about to launch and on top of it, homework. Don't worry though... my head won't explode. I've got it all under control. I think.

It's Thirsty Thursday again! In honor of my book arts class I thought I would highlight a book artist who's style I love.

Erin Zamrzla or more commonly known as erinzam, is a talented artist who uses recycled materials to create her hand constructed books. I love all the different shapes and sizes along with variety of materials used. If you are interested in purchasing one, check out the etsy shop.

This classic baseball card book is a prime example of unique materials. I love how even the spine is designed to look like baseball stitching. I can't wait to discover my own recycled materials for bookbinding.

Thirsty Thursday

Today is Thirsty Thursday so lets drink up some design! Since graduation is coming up (as mentioned earlier) I've been talking with some friends about my options. One friend in particular recommended the book Creative Inc.; The Ultimate Guide To Running a Successful Freelance Business. I knew I would instantly fall in love with the layout and content since it is written by none other than Joy Deangdeelert Cho from Oh Joy. Well it's true, I fell in love with it. I simply had to purchase it... for the sake of my future right :) Besides, who can compete with that unbeatable price. I can picture that package being sent to my doorstep right now.

Don't you just adore this look book for photographer Max Wanger created by Bri Emery?!

I found Bri because she is a contributor to Oh Joy and therefor I found her own graphic design which she does on the side.I am infatuated with the photos by Max and how Bri created a brilliant lookbook for him. You would never guess that was what you are viewing. This is another great example of how photography and design are intertwine.

apartment love

Ahhhh. Saturday mornings. They are the best of the best when you sleep in late and make a killer breakfast which includes an omelet, scalloped potatoes and apple juice. Yum yum yum! After a wonderful breakfast made by the two of us (I love it when we are both in our little kitchen), I began a blog search. It's amazing to see how connected people are. I'll start in one place and before I know it, an hour has gone by and I've discovered a handful of talented people and new inspirations.

Don't you just absolutely love this living room by Chris and Stacy Sargent? It's nice to see rooms done well on a budget. We live in a white wall apartment like this one. It's refreshing to know that apartments can look good without painted walls, granite counter tops or dark hardwood floors.

I love this idea of hanging an old screen door to post pictures. It looks great in their kitchen.

You can see the rest of their apartment by going to their adorable blog Love and Photographs. Have a happy weekend everyone!

sheer awe!

I'm designing a logo for a friend of mine who is a photographer. After she sent me some specifications of what she's looking for (a stylized tree) I did a little research to get ideas on tree variations. While on my search, I came across this gem

Isn't this custom canopy bed simply fabulous! Shawn Lovell has some serious talent with metal. I can only imagine how long it took to make this. If it weren't for the price and my pinching pennies mindset, I would buy this in a heartbeat.

have a wonderful weekend!

Staying warm here in Idaho is a challenge. We finally got the heater in our apartment fixed. Before we got it fixed, I've kept warm with a blanket and my hubby. Here are some things I've found that inspire, keep warm fuzzies inside and the thought of cold weather out.

Warm colors and unique ideas featured on simplesong. I instantly fell in love with this design blog!

The ALT design summit. Oh man do I want to go! It's only a few short hours away from where I live. If only I had $400 dollars to go and no school to interfere. Anyone want to sponsor me to go? The speakers sound amazing and the networking would be amazing!

 

This article featured on Oh Joy! and pretty much everything else on there I love. Maybe it's the soft, romantic colors that make me forget about the Idaho cold.

Enjoy the weekend and find ways to stay warm!

giveaway!

My talented friend Sarah is doing a giveaway from her Etsy shop! Fall in love with this beautiful blackberry necklace and get your chance to win it!

Don't miss out on this unique necklace!

guest bedroom

Finally I get to redecorate my high school bedroom at home. I'm not joking when I say, it looks like high school exploded in there. Pictures from dance team, sashes from court, you name any high school recognition stereotype and it's in there. I love going home for the holidays, but it always felt like a time warp going into my room, and I felt like a high school-er again. With the final "Ok" from my parents, my sister and I have decided to redecorate it in yellow and gray. I can't wait! It will be a wonderful project to do together when I come home for Christmas. I'll be sure to post some real before and after pictures. But in the mean time, here is some inspiration that we are going off of.

Thanksgiving projects

I am so excited that Thanksgiving is around the corner. It will be a great time to relax with my husband and do some projects that I've always wanted to. I'm a DIY girl. I love projects. I think this will be my next one. I'm not a huge fan of real taxidermy, but I think ones like this, made out of paper or cardboard at interesting texture and dimension to walls.

I have a strong feeling this sewing display will be made too! I Pretty much want to make everything from Design Sponge. I'll be sure to post any finished products! Happy weekend everyone!

home sweet home

While searching through my usual inspirations, I came across a fabulous photographer in Portland. My heart ached for home when I saw the gray fall skies set among fabulous clothes and the beautiful city scene. Amy Nieto  captures it all. I can't wait to go home for Christmas! Walking through the door to see the garland wrapped around the stair banister is the image and inspiration getting me through finals. In the mean time, I want to share a bit of home with you.

fashion+nature = portland

Ok, yes, this is a toy horse tied to a real horse ring. These little horses are all over Portland. The Horse project was started by a man that wanted to incorporate art in the community. It makes for a fun scavenger hunt or a shocking double take if you've never seen one before.