For those who don't know, I work for a company called Northridge Publishing where I get to design the Signature Series books. I've worked on other mags for Northridge (Cricut, Cook'n, and Simply Handmade) but what is most fun about designing the Signature Series books is that I get to come up with a brand new design every time to match the artist featured in the book. I love me a good creative challenge. Enter *new* creative challenge: digital! Northridge has gone digital, folks. Which has turned out to be more fun to design than I originally thought (still trying... Continue reading

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One of my favorite boards on my Pinterest is my "Words" board. I love me a good inspirational quote. In my recent self-discovery phase, I've found a few of these to be meaningful and eye-opening. Here's why: 1 "Life is too short & unpredictable not to live it exactly as you please." Right?! I'm realizing this more and more. That I need to be the one who is happy with my life because what is here one day might not be the next. I'm the one who has to live with myself so I better like who I'm looking at... Continue reading

Over the weekend I've had a lot of time to think. Mike was in Seattle for PAX (which he loooooved, btw) and it was just me and Emma holding down the fort. So lots of time to think and reflect and talk to good friends. It was great. My therapist will be proud. And I'm feeling really good about things. I feel like I have an opportunity to really make decisions in my life that will add to happiness and not take away from it. And I think that this is what your 30s are about! Owning your happiness! It's... Continue reading

Do you ever feel this way? When things aren't going horrible, but they're not going the way you want them to? That's where I am right now. I just feel like things need to be re-evaluated. Re-designed. Re-done. Things with work. With my routine. With my daily choices. With my life. And I'm pretty sure most people feel this the morning of January 1st but for some reason, I'm feeling it here in late August. I'm feeling the need to take more ownership and be more authentic. Which is something I've been feeling for a while but the need to... Continue reading

I was lucky enough to throw a bridal shower for the super sweet Lindsey Hansen (who I have known since she was 14, btw). And then last week, Mike and I got to go up to Bear Lake for her reception--which was GORGEOUS! I hope she posts pics soon cause it was seriously like Pinterest art directed that show. It was so great! I realized that I hadn't posted these pics from the shower so here we go! Picture overload! The only picture missing? Me with Lindsey!! I am the worst at remembering to take pictures with the people I... Continue reading

It's been a while since I've done a Freebie Friday so here's a little something for your 4th of July festivities coming up! Cupcake toppers! These were fun to design and I'm planning on using them next week for my 4th of July breakfast I'm having at my house (but probably not on top of cupcakes...for breakfast). You can download them here--enjoy! Happy Indepedence Day! Continue reading

I finally got around to editing more Paris pictures! This set is from our visit to Versailles. I loved Versailles--well, I loved Marie Antoinette's home and the gardens the best. The palace? Meh. More gold everywhere. ;) Continue reading

My girl crush on Lauren Graham is holding strong, folks. I just finished "Someday, Someday Maybe" and I loved it. I did. I think she did an excellent job writing (it was chalk-full of Lauren-speak) and it was the kind of book where I really did want to keep reading to find out what happens. I hope she writes more books so I can continue to fantasize about us being besties. :) Continue reading

I'm finally getting stuff up on my design website (there is a link up top)! It still has a little ways to go but I'm glad I'm finally forcing myself to do this. Ha. Feel free to check it out! Continue reading

It's up in the shop's (sans watermark on the print with my logo)! You can find it here or here. Thanks! Continue reading

I finally finished Little Women!! It took me a while but only because this book is over 700 pages (or at least was on my Kindle) but not because it wasn't enjoyable. It was lovely. I might have also read Mindy Kaling's book somewhere in the middle of reading this one (it was great, btw)...so...ahem. I don't know about you, but I fell in love with the movie that came out in 1994 with Winona Ryder for so many reasons (the acting, the cinemetography, the sets and costumes, Christian Bale...) and it really did make me happy to see how... Continue reading

We had no idea where to start when looking for a place to stay in Paris. Luckily, my friend Marlene suggest vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner)--it was just what we wanted! We were able to find a great apartment to rent for the 6 days we spent in Paris. Here is the link to the actual apartment we stayed in. It was lovely! The courtyard was TO DIE FOR gorgeous and it was in a nice, quiet area. It was close to a Metro station and within about a 20 minute walk to Notre Dame (which is great first thing... Continue reading

Here are my some pics! They are super late because reality hit after I got back and I've been super busy with work (which is good!). This first bunch are from walking or taking the hop-on/hop-off bus and boat tours around Paris. Enjoy! Continue reading

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I had a hankering for a good springintosummer mix so this is what I came up with! Hope you like it! Continue reading

We've been home for over a week and I'm just now getting into the swing of things. Geesh. And I promise to do an in-depth recap of our lovely trip abroad. It really was lovely. In the meantime, here are two pics from our trip that make me happy. I am dying to go back. :) Continue reading

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I don't have kids but someday I might and with humans being humans, there will always be bad in this world. I know that's hard to explain to kids and can really alter their world. It alter's my world and I'm an adult. But I really like what Patton Oswalt had to say on Facebook: And the good people this week are most definitely the first responders in Boston and everyone who has helped in any way. And that's a lot of people. A lot of good people from all walks of life. My thoughts are also with those in... Continue reading

I still get a little teary when I talk or write about Oliver. And I posted this on Instagram but forgot to post it here--but we have found Oliver a fabulous new home. His new family is crazy about him. And that's exactly what we were looking for. He gets to live on an exciting ranch with these good people and lots of animals! And it's about 10 minutes away from us (which makes me feel good). They said we could visit him anytime. :) This process was super hard. And I hope I never have to go through it... Continue reading

Because "Of Mice and Men" wasn't very long, I finished it rather quickly. I'm a little surprised I made it through Jr High and High School (and College English for that matter) not having read this book. I mean...everyone has read this book. But I will say, I'm glad that I did. My husband and I always talk about movies and books that have moral dilemmas and how real life that is--we are all faced with them at some point in our lives (to lesser or greater degrees). And this book has some serious moral dilemmas. It's very well written... Continue reading

I'm taking a quick trip to L.A. for the weekend! I get to visit my brother's and my two pregnant sisters-in-law and my super cute niece! And if we're lucky, one of those babies will be born this weekend (I'm looking at you Sarah + Drew). I also get to visit some friends which will be lovely. I've been to L.A. a handful of times but I know I'm missing out on some cool places to hit up. So, if you have any recommendations, please send 'em my way! Have a great weekend! Continue reading

Amen to that! I am feeling a little scattered lately. And it doesn't help that my kitchen is a messsss right now. Ugh. And ugh some more. I saw this a bunch on Facebook and I have to throw another "Amen!" in it's direction: Me! That's me! If I were in the 3rd grade my report card would definitely say "Lacks focus." And maybe, at this point, "Doesn't play well with others." The stress is making me a little on edge and a little snippy. Ahem. So today, to take a proverbial chill pill, I tidied up my office, made... Continue reading

I'm not sure if this is something serious that I should talk to my therapist about or not... I don't have any teenage children or nieces or friends that I hang out with to watch said shows. I do it by my own fruition. And luckily my husband doesn't make fun of me because I really do love watching them. And yes--I know that the phrase "teeny bopper" doesn't make me sound any younger. Oh well. In the past I've also gone through phases of iCarly, Vampire Diaries, High School Musical(s), Glee, The OC, Gossip Girl, Laguna Beach, The Hills,... Continue reading

I was chatting with Ann-Marie the other day and she asked me to do a house tour on my blog. I'm not going to do a full-on house tour because...my house just ain't that clean. But I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite parts of my home. While taking these photos I realized it was probably a good idea since I change things up. A lot. So, it's nice to see how things were for a time. Enjoy! And if you have any questions, write a comment and I'll do a follow up post. one:... Continue reading