emilyhampton

my 365: week six

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

1. The letter O 2. Working on my floral typeface 3. Handwritten hello 4. Inside the library during an early morning of research 5. Krispy Kreme donuts brought into class by my prof 6. Skee ball and laser tag 7. Frozen Thin mints; the only way to eat Girl Scout cookies.

happy valentine's day!

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

(This is the valentine I sent out this year.)

mega veggie pizza

2012-02-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Who can resist pizza?? It has become a staple for me. Primarily because it typically uses up all my stray ingredients and then provides me a few days of leftovers. In an effort to keep it somewhat healthy, I typically include every veggie I have in my fridge and leave off the sauce. This one sported mozzarella cheese, onion, grape tomatoes, jalapenos, banana peppers and broccoli.

Broccoli has became my new favorite topping.

Left: Before baking Right: After eating

my 365: week five

2012-02-12T16:34:00.000-05:00

I'm a little behind posting my photos.

1. The Colonial Park Cemetery across the street from my apartment on a foggy morning 2. Vintage bottles in an antique store 3. My mess 4&5. The cemetery, again 6. Playing video games at the movie theater 7. Bundle of flowers

awesome video

2012-02-06T19:55:00.001-05:00

What could it possibly be about...TYPE, of course!

The creator (Alessandro Novelli) even showcases the animation's process on his blog.

embroidered iphone case

2012-02-03T23:02:00.001-05:00

For Christmas I got my mom the cross stitch case with the promise that I would actually finish it. The 33 x 69 grid was time-consuming but my mom finally got her Christmas present about a week ago.
Here's the finished product.

introverts are underrated

2012-01-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

I read the cover story of the most recent TIME Magazine just one day after having a discussion with some fellow design students about the positive and negatives of introvert and extrovert personalities in our field of study. This really resonated with me because back in my undergrad one of my professors was adamant that introverts could not succeed in our industry because of the necessity for self-promotion and constant client interaction. In this class we also took a questionnaire that gauged our societal tenancies and I remember falling smack dap in the range of introvert and feeling momentarily panic-stricken. Was I headed into a career in which I was destined to fail?

However, I quickly recovered and realized that this was not news to me. I've always known that I am more a listener than a talker, that I have my limits with it comes to socializing, and that hiding in the bathroom for a moment to myself (like the author of the TIME article describes) is an experience that I can relate to.

The article hits the nail on the head when it talks of the challenges introverts face in today's world where everything revolves around the loud and the talkative. However, I feel my skills as an introvert are often overlooked. My introvertness is often misinterpreted as shyness, or worse, snobbery, and I get the question "Why are you so quiet?" pretty incessantly. Instead I am watchful, attentive and contemplative and while it took me most of my adult life to come to terms with, these are qualities that I appreciate in myself.

Another point the article focused on was the ability of introverts to fake extrovert-ness in some situations. Prior to reading this I thought my ability to do this just made me a little confused but who would have guessed that this is just one of many ways we introverts adapt to our environment. We can BE extroverts, but only for a short amount of time before we're exhausted and ready to turn our attention back to the good book we left at home.

So what does this mean for my future as a designer? I think it just means that I'll no longer feel guilty for rewarding myself with a night in after a taxing day of charming clients, or when I find myself alone in the kitchen for a moment to myself at dinner parties, or when I bribe myself to talk to a stranger (yes, I've done that).

Image from Toothpaste for Dinner .

365: week four

2012-01-29T21:42:00.004-05:00

1. Just outside my apartment during a nasty rainstorm 2. My sewing table turned desk during a stressful week of homework 3. Some pretty shadows in the alley next to my apartment 4. Eric Baker lecture that I attended 5. Laundry day 6. The Presbyterian Church on Hull and Bull Street 7. A cute little walkway that I passed with a 1/2 address which I have a fondness for.

muppets!

2012-01-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

First, play this song before continuing.

Mahna, Mahna by CAKE on Grooveshark

A truly spectacular alphabet featuring the muppets.

background noise

2012-01-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

I am rarely not surrounded by some sort of noise; I am your typical twenty-something in that regard. I wake up to music, I walk to class with headphones, and then have an assortment of ways to be auditorially distracted while doing homework. As I write, my favorite Pandora station—Ben Folds—is playing. I am lucky enough that a large chunk of what I do can be improved (or at least made more enjoyable) by having these distractions. Laying out type can get tedious otherwise.

I have quite the system for deciding my distraction of choice so I created a little flow chart of my thought process.

Yes, that's right, news.

I've compiled some of my favorite podcasts that I regularly listen to.

This American Life / Stuff You Missed in History Clas

Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me / Radio Lab

Podcast images from iTunes.

music monday: gotye

2012-01-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

I think the video is just as good as the song! Enjoy!

365: week three

2012-01-22T22:12:00.000-05:00

I'm going strong!

I'm afraid you're going to get a lot of typography-related photos in the next few weeks. I'm a little bit enamored with my creations so I'll probably be annoying with the in-process documentation!

Now the questions is to include captions or not? This week I will.

Top to bottom: Group work session at my favorite coffee shop; jogging in Forsyth Park (shocking, I know for anyone that knows me!), a palm tree along the street, a somewhat-successful product of our calligraphy experiment in class, my current reading list, a delicious coke enjoyed out of a glass bottle, and my many variations on the letter G.

73 letterpress

2012-01-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

I love this daily letterpress series by designer Ian Coyle. Here's a collection of my favorites.

See the full collection here.

adventures in cooking: penne with roasted asparagus and balsamic butter

2012-01-19T21:29:00.001-05:00

I hate balsamic vinegar.

The taste, the smell...everything. However, I recently learned that it is much tastier once reduced, therefore, this recipe looked promising and I'm always looking to expand my pasta recipes.

This one turned out to be quite delicious! It was just as good as leftovers too! I originally pinned this recipe on Pinterest from Food & Wine. Other than being lazy with my measurements, I stayed pretty true to it.*

I have only two minor complaints. First, the pasta to asparagus ratio was extremely low. If this were intended as a side dish; that's one thing, but as a main (vegetarian) dish I think 2 lbs. of asparagus would have been more fulfilling. My second complaint is a little nit picky...this recipe produces an annoyingly large amount of dishes between the roasting of the asparagus, the simmering of the vinegar and then the pasta. It was a daunting pile.

Anyway, luckily it was worth it and it was delicious and I will be breaking this recipe out again!

The Recipe:

1 pound asparagus (or 2!)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup plus 2 T. balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 pound penne
1/4 pound butter,** cut into pieces
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Snap the tough ends off the asparagus and then cut them into one inch pieces. Put them on a baking sheet and toss them with the oil then sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, simmer the vinegar in a small saucepan until about 2 tablespoons remain. Stir in the brown sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Remove from heat.

3. Cook the penne as directed. Drain the pasta then toss with the butter, vinegar, asparagus, Parmesan and the remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt. Serve topped with more Parmesan cheese.

*I lied. Keep reading...
**As I was copying this recipe I realized that I originally read this as 1/4 CUP of butter and freaked out for a moment. Luckily I faulted on the side of less instead of more AND I only ended up adding about 4 T of it anyway. Phew!

365: week two + 200th post!

2012-01-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

made by me

2012-01-15T20:47:00.000-05:00

One of my wonderful Christmas presents this year was a handy tablet (Wacom Intuous4 wireless). They don't come with a real case, just a thin little bag to protect it inside the box. Like everything I own it'll probably get hauled to and from class with me so I wanted to make it a cozy little home that'll keep it safe.

I had this amazing plaid fabric left over from an old project and used gray fleece to line the interior. Then I used two buttons to create a wrap enclosure (you can't see the flap which is covered by the tablet) with a spare shoe string. There is even a pocket included for the cord!

10 things i'm loving: dog edition

2012-01-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

I got the lovely company of my own dog while I was home over break and miss her constant presence. She makes sure you are always within her eye-line no matter where you are which can sometimes make her a little underfoot but is endearing none the less. This is her cute little face.

Here are some more fuzzy faces that will make you melt.

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten
All from pinterest.

my day

2012-01-12T19:36:00.000-05:00

I think my friend Jess would agree that this explains our morning perfectly.

Print by Wasted Rita.

my 365 project

2012-01-08T14:48:00.001-05:00

In an effort to try to take more pictures and provide a little more documentation of my life I'm tasking myself to take at least one picture each day. Not the most groundbreaking of New Year's resolutions but my attempt at self improvement must start small. I'll be posting my photos throughout the year in (hopefully) weekly increments to provide a bit of accountability to keep myself on track.

I've been posting them all to instragr.am as well, so if you'd like to view my daily results you can follow me @emilyhampton.

beautiful typography

2012-01-06T12:40:00.000-05:00

This page caught my eye in a book I recently checked out from the library.

From Made with FontFont: Type for independent minds by Erik Spiekermann and Jan Middendorp.

new traditions

2011-12-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

My family used to have very specific Christmas traditions when it came to where we spent our holiday break. Now that my sisters and I are adults we've started taking turns hosting our family during the holidays which has resulted in each year being new and different. This year was spent in Savannah and might have been the most different so far but it has still been great!

I think each of us secretly missed the chance of it being a "white" Christmas but you really can't beat having the opportunity to visit the beach the day after Christmas.

Today at Tybee Beach. Photo by me.

christmas tree lights

2011-12-22T00:53:00.001-05:00

My family is having a southern Christmas this year, therefore, holiday decorations will be in short supply. My tree and the bulk of my Christmas decorations did not originally make the move south with me and our packed-to-the-brim car has no space for them now. I've been enjoying my mother's tree while home and I spent my last evening taking photos of the tree to tide me over. I was experimenting and thoroughly pleased with some of the results.

All photos by me.

white christmas

2011-12-21T09:41:00.001-05:00

I was really excited to pop over to Design*Sponge this morning and see my favorite Christmas movie of all time featured as the "Living In" movie.

Photo from iVillage.

See the whole post here. They pulled together a beautiful collection of Vermont-y rustic items that remind me of all the Christmases my family spent in Vermont.

Enjoy some Bing Crosby singing White Christmas.

what I'm working on: button earrings

2011-12-20T14:10:00.001-05:00

You know what I decided to tackle five days before Christmas, a new project. I am that kind of crazy.

I've had these in the back of my mind for awhile but just got around to buying the supplies now. I have a plethora of vintage buttons that I've inherited and love the idea of wearing them in a different way. I know this idea isn't the most original but I like that it really lets the uniqueness of the button shine through. My sister has incorporated buttons into her jewelry for a long time in much more interesting ways and inspired me to see them as more than just something to be sewn onto fabric.

Available in my shop soon.

from the weekend...

2011-12-19T13:01:00.002-05:00

I just wrapped up my final side trip to sister #2 and her new hubby in Columbus, Ohio. I finished up my Christmas shopping and helped my sister finish some of her Christmas to-do list. Then I got to accompany them for the second year in a row to their holiday tradition of the Columbus Zoo's Wildlights exhibit. We bundled up and wandered the zoo admiring the pretty lights and sleepy animals. This is the only way I have ever seen the Columbus Zoo, therefore, I haven't seen a whole lot of the animals in my visits. It was a spectacular visit and it made it a little easier to leave knowing we would be reunited in just a mere 5 days in Savannah for Christmas!

Top to bottom: Nesting penguin feet inside their little habitat. Santa diver feeding the fish frenzy. A very small example of the zoo's extensive light exhibit.

All photos taken by me at the Columbus Zoo.

embroidered maps make great Christmas gifts

2011-12-16T17:07:00.000-05:00

Still in need of a special handmade gift for someone on your list? What about an embroidered map of their favorite state and city. Custom orders can still be placed and received in time for Christmas. Visit my etsy shop to see more state and color combinations.

Get your orders in before Sunday, December 18!

adventures in cooking: chocolate and peanut butter squares

2011-12-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

I took a little weekend trip to Indianapolis to visit friends and wanted to come armed with lots of chocolate and candies. I find that everyone is excited to see you when you come bearing food!

My original plan was to make homemade caramels which I attempt to tackle each year, and each year I fail somewhat miserably. This year was semi-successful because I came away with one delicious batch and a second that never moved beyond the gooey stage. The back-up plan was chocolate and peanut butter squares that were a heck of a lot less time consuming and (maybe) better tasting.

The caramel catastrophe happened at about 10 p.m. so a late night run to the grocery store was in order because I was short just one ingredient. Luckily, making the chocolate and peanut butter squares took no time at all! These proved to be the perfect last minute dessert!

The recipe:

1 pound white chocolate
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream

I first lined an 9x13" dish with wax paper to make removing the chocolate easy once it had set up. Next time I make this I think I'll use a slightly smaller pan so my squares come out a littler thicker.

Next, melt the white chocolate in the microwave for about one minute and stir until creamy. Add the peanut butter and blend until smooth.

Spread mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate for about an hour until firm.

In a saucepan over medium heat combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir constantly until smooth and creamy then layer it on top of the firm peanut butter layer. Refrigerate overnight (or about 3 hours if you're in a hurry) and then lift it out with the wax paper and cut into squares.

Enjoy!

I found the original recipe on Souffle Bombay and stayed pretty true to her instructions.

from the weekend...

2011-12-07T13:46:00.001-05:00

I'm spending the bulk of my winter break traveling and kicked it off with a visit to my sister and brother-in-law in Chicago. I haven't been to visit in a really long time so we packed a lot into my short visit. Here are a few photos from our adventures...

I did a lot of my Christmas (and selfish me) shopping while I was there. My sister and I also went to the Art Institute which I haven't been to since a college field trip.

Top to bottom: The festive lion statue in front of the Art Institute entrance. Inside the Sharon Hayes exhibit. Store window of AllSaints Spitalfields on Michigan Avenue.

All photos taken by me.

i concur.

2011-12-05T20:12:00.000-05:00

From Tea, Coffee, Books

favorite books of 2011

2011-11-28T21:29:00.001-05:00

I was inspired by Mint's book gift guide to compile some of my favorite reads from the last year but was shocked by the lack of (finished) books I had to choose from. School has really put a cramp in my reading time. I managed to come up with six (impressive, because I was only trying to hit 5!) books that I liked, although I think I cheated as one might be from the end of 2010. ~~Four~~ Three of the finalists can be attributed to my book club, those ladies have good taste, and the last ~~two~~ three were recommended by my sisters. If you need a good book to cuddle up on a cold night I would highly recommend any of the following:

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
A Mountain of Crumbs by Elena Gorokhova
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

what am i thinking?

2011-11-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

A completely frivolous want because I own an actual Holga camera but how fun is this Holga adapter lens for your iPhone? Maybe this will make me pull out the good'ol Holga and see what she can do.

You can buy it here.

random thought

2011-11-18T18:26:00.001-05:00

It surely does.
This blog covers the three most important things; Tea, Coffee, and Books

pooh bear

2011-11-09T10:59:00.001-05:00

Thought for the day:

From Modern Hepburn.

books! books! books!

2011-11-06T22:48:00.001-05:00

While my book wishlist is about 100x the size of this, these two are my current faves. I have been monopolizing The 3D Type Book from the school library and finally had to give in and return it and haven't been able to get it back. I figure that makes it worth owning, right?
I wasn't initially very interested in the Design*Sponge book but Grace Bonney spoke at SCAD last week and all the photos caught my eye.

Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney, The 3D Type Book

identity investigations

2011-11-06T00:27:00.000-04:00

A project I am currently working on for one of my classes has caused me to be even more aware of well-designed identities lately. I've been obsessively pinning them and thought I'd share some of my favorites from the recent weeks.

Identity designed for The Chop Shop by Ptarmak.

I just can't get over the animal silhouettes. The Crunchy Grocer identity by
The Tenfold Collective.

I'm apparently really into geometric shapes lately. It's really become a sickness. I'm
especially drawn to the colors in ITI's identity by Heydays.

This kraft paper-happy identity for Eastfield Village is simple but stunning by
Hovard Design.

Lastly, you've got to appreciate a well-designed barber shop. The website for Fast Eddie's
is pretty great as well. Designed by Richard Arthur Stewart.

This is just a few of those that have caught my eye. See my pinterest boards for more examples.

SPARKS gallery show

2011-10-23T17:00:00.000-04:00

I made my Savannah gallery debut this past Friday in an exhibition featuring the work of my Design Methodologies course that I took over the summer. The show was a smashing success with a fantastic turnout and everyone was extremely encouraging regarding our work.

The entire group and our Professor.

My work.

Just a small sampling of our fantastic turnout!

science is cool

2011-09-26T21:10:00.001-04:00

From Every Day is Science Friday

adventures in cooking: bbq chicken pizza

2011-09-16T14:04:00.000-04:00

I make homemade pizza on a regular basis. It has become a standard for me as a way to keep my leftover veggies from going to waste, yet it has never crossed my mind to try my hand at BBQ chicken pizza even though it is one of my favorite kinds to order. I pinned this recipe of The Pioneer Woman not too long ago which gave me the idea. I didn't use her recipe exactly but it was definitely the starting point for my creation.

First off, I know my limits and I stick to buying pizza crust in a tube. It makes the idea of making pizza a little less daunting. I cooked two chicken breasts in the oven for 25 minutes like her recipe calls for and used my personal favorite, Sweet Baby Ray's barbeque sauce. While that baked I prepared (rolled out) the crust and spread a little olive oil and kosher salt on the crust before adding the toppings. Go easy on the oil or else the crust will be soggy and don't skimp on the salt, it truly makes the pizza! I was working with what I happened to have in my fridge so my ingredients differ slightly from what she suggests. I ended up using mozzarella cheese, sliced jalapenos, and sliced red onion. I chopped up the chicken once it was done and rolled it around in the barbeque sauce to make sure every piece was nice and covered before spreading it on the pizza. It was delicious although it did seem like it was missing a little something. A little bit of scallions or cilantro like The Pioneer Woman's recipe called for might have have been just the thing.

Overall, it was tremendously delicious and incredibly filling!

book bound

2011-09-01T20:42:00.000-04:00

I am officially finished with my second quarter and have one more book under my belt! I made a process book chronicling my Design Methodology class and all the projects that were completed.

i hope to one day be this talented

2011-08-29T21:08:00.002-04:00

I came across this on design work life and am currently contemplating recording my screen at all times in hope that I may have something even half as cool one day. Here's hoping!

Poster Process - The Black Keys from DKNG Studios on Vimeo.

Awesome, right?

I doubt my past 22 hours (continuous, for the most part) of design work for one of my classes would have been worth recording. It would NOT have made for very riveting watching! It included quite a lot of pinterest searching in an effort to overcome my designer's block that has plagued me throughout this entire project!

if i were rich...

2011-08-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

I would shop exclusively at Steven Alan. Ok, maybe not exclusively...but I could definitely do some damage.

1. Libby Dress, $125-$149 2. Fairchild Dress, $169
3. 3/4 Sleeve 50s Dress, $259 4. Willow Dress, $119

adventures in cooking: parmesan chicken

2011-08-11T20:49:00.001-04:00

I think I have finally found my signature dish. It is my firm belief that everyone needs one. That go-to recipe that never fails you and looks fancier than it really is. I think I have finally found mine and it is Parmesan chicken! It has been in my recipe box all along, and is written in my mother's handwriting even though I don't remember ever having it when I was younger. Regardless, I have already made it twice this week and think I've worked out what the key elements are to it's success!

They are:
First, crushing up the stuffing until it is nice and fine. I do this with my mortar and pestle but I'm sure you could use a food processor or a ziploc bag and rolling pin to achieve the same results.
Second, I've experimented with both butter and olive oil as the means to making the coating stick. I know some recipes call for egg and I may try that next. My only issues with the olive oil was that it made the crumbs slightly soggy but not enough to totally rule out using it in the future.
Third, I used smaller cutlets the second time versus larger chicken breast pieces so there was a smaller crumb to chicken ratio.

The Recipe:

4 Boneless skinless chicken breast or cutlet
1/2 cup crushed stuffing mix
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. Italian herbs (or just buy Italian Herb Stuffing mix and skip this)
2 Tbsp. melted butter (or Olive Oil)
1/8 tsp. minced garlic

Mix stuffing, cheese and Italian herbs in bowl. Brush chicken with butter and garlic mixture. Roll chicken in crumbs to coat and cook 45-50 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil for final 10 minutes.

book work

2011-08-09T15:04:00.000-04:00

For my Typography course this quarter I had the opportunity to try my hand at bookbinding for the first time. It took me several attempts to get my stitch down for the style binding I ended up using but I am very happy with the result! Here's some quick photos of the finished product before I turn it in this evening.

chalkboard art

2011-08-03T20:12:00.001-04:00

I've seen Dana Tanamachi's artwork all over the blogsphere (Design*Sponge today) and can't express my love enough! What's better then looking at chalkboard art? Seeing it made...

Stop motion video of Dana creating artwork for the Nagging Doubt wine label. See more videos and work here.

how cool is this

2011-07-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

I originally saw this here along with her amazing tutorial. I think this is the perfect counterpart to the increasing trend of feather extensions that I've been seeing. I love the idea of the feather style but I've heard some alarming information about how they get the feathers that have made me hesitant to join in. I was instantly enamored with this colorful alternative. Can't you just imagine one or two streaks in the front or under layer? And like she says, you can easily hide the streak in a bun because it is just the ends of the hair. I would love to try this but the bleaching part slightly terrifies me (in addition to her warnings about seeking professional assistance). We'll see how brave I am!

i want these NOW

2011-07-21T23:01:00.000-04:00

We had these growing up and I didn't appreciate them at the time but I'd love to be given a second chance! Just look at the options...

Letter Set Transfers from Veer

so neglectful

2011-07-12T23:22:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to pretend that I haven't been absent for over a month.

I'm a few weeks into my summer quarter classes and one is a typography class. We take a very hands on approach to learning letterforms!

I had a shaky beginning...

This lovely f was my greatest accomplishment!

finals week

2011-05-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

I'm in the home stretch of projects for this quarter. I just completed this one today and wanted to share. Out of context it doesn't make a whole lot of sense but isn't it pretty?

Also check out the corresponding twitter @be_a_tree.

amazing buildings

2011-05-24T00:57:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine the pressure of choosing the titles that make up this architectural bookshelf. This is a library I would visit regularly.

From Interior Holic

music monday: fleet foxes

2011-05-23T10:50:00.000-04:00

from the audio perv

how to sew a button

2011-05-10T23:49:00.000-04:00

How to Sew on a Button from Emily Scott on Vimeo.

clever cards

2011-04-17T12:04:00.000-04:00

I know these are all over but the messages are just so cute and clever. I appreciate a good "just because" card.

All images from Sapling Press. Visit their etsy shop for more letterpress goods.

taking to heart

2011-04-16T23:09:00.000-04:00

I read the following advice on BrownChickenBrownCow a few days ago and it has stayed with me.

"Only own clothes in which you’d feel comfortable letting your partner pack for a surprise getaway without your input."

I'm definitely the type to have a stash of clothes in the back of my closet that I don't wear but I can't bring myself to get rid of. I think this is the kick in the butt I needed to finally take a good hard look at the things I don't wear and edit my wardrobe.

ted talk: the birth of a word

2011-04-11T13:29:00.001-04:00

I've been really obsessed with TED Talks lately. This was partially brought on by my need to find multiple research topics lately, and further fueled by meeting TED's creator Richard Saul Wurman. In my browsing I came across this great talk by Deb Roy who charted his son's language development. About 80% of this video went over my head but the overall idea just floored me, particularly his 40 second clip that traced the evolution of his son's vocalization of the word water.

Enjoy!

hatch design easter egg contest

2011-04-04T00:21:00.000-04:00

San Fransisco's Hatch Design has an egg decorating contest currently underway that takes me back to when I was young.

Here are a few of my favorites. See more here.

new adventure!

2011-03-28T22:30:00.000-04:00

Image from Pinterest.

tough days need cute animals

2011-03-10T18:46:00.001-05:00

A cute animal can fix everything. Most days my fish do a pretty good job but sometimes you need something with fur. Since I don't have a pup of my own, I settle for looking at pictures. My favorite two that always manage to cheer me up.

Both from pinterest. Kitten and Pups.

clue party!

2011-02-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

My birthday and Clue themed party was a smashing success. I think there was a 100% participation when it came to costumes and the "homemade" photo booth.

Photo of my friend Liz and I as Miss Peacock and Miss Peacock.

the big 2-5

2011-02-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

I'm not one for making or keeping New Year resolutions but I like having overall goals for myself. As my birthday looms I've been focusing more on what I'd like to achieve in my 25th year. I took a page out the books of some of my favorite bloggers and created a "25 before 26" list that will keep my goals visible.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Idea from A Beautiful Mess.

chris ware's quimby the mouse

2011-02-19T10:53:00.001-05:00

A few nights ago I had the pleasure of attending a talk by Chip Kidd and Chris Ware (I apologize for the awful cell phone photo). I was previously unaware of a majority of Chris Ware's work and didn't have any detailed knowledge of the little I was familiar with. I've been lucky enough to see, and hear, Chip Kidd speak previously and always find him enjoyable but Chris Ware really stole the show especially when he casually mentioned "his friend, Ira Glass." I am a huge This American Life fan and will even admit to having a large crush on Mr. Glass. It seems Chris Ware created an animated cartoon for the Live Event of This American Life a few years back.

Here's the video.
Quimby The Mouse from This American Life on Vimeo.

happy valentine's day!

2011-02-14T20:37:00.000-05:00

Kate Spade has an amazing selection of e-valentines to send someone you love (or those you just like a great deal).

A few more of my faves...

adventures in cooking: macaroni and cheese

2011-02-10T09:26:00.000-05:00

This is my comfort-food-that-can't-go-wrong meal that I make in large quantities. Substitutions and additions can be made to easily change this recipe up but I tend to prefer the good 'ol standard that I loved growing up. Our family's secret ingredient is using Vermont's Cabot cheese and in my case, giant noodles (I prefer cavatappi or large elbow macaroni). This week I made an entire pan of mac & cheese and ate it for 7 days straight...I feel like I need to clarify that it wasn't for every meal. After several years I have perfected my macaroni and cheese technique to the point where I don't have any problems with the final product. The key is the dissolving of the salt, it used to get me every time. Not any more!

Success!!

(finally)

seamstress bracelet

2011-02-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

Such a lovely idea for the seamstress in your life.

Seen on Fancy French Cologne.

music monday: iron & wine

2011-01-31T21:08:00.000-05:00

Enjoy my favorite song (and the single) From his brand new album, Kiss Each Other Clean.
album art from google.

adventures in cooking: banana bread

2011-01-26T23:51:00.000-05:00

I recently tried my hand at banana bread. It was delicious for about 2 pieces (pretty much just those pictured) until I got to the middle which was uncooked. Oddly enough it was the very top of the bread that remained doughy. My vintage oven tends to be unnaturally warm so I have a tendency to overcook items. Things coming out raw is a new problem for me.

I got the recipe from my go-to cookbook, How to Make Everything. Breads may not be my forte either.

music monday: mumford & sons

2011-01-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

I'm lucky that I have a boyfriend that knows my musical tastes better then I know them myself. I owe 90% of my musical library to him and his "have you heard of ___, you'd like them" emails.

He recently turned me onto Mumford & Sons and I've been listening to them pretty incessantly ever since. Their entire album is worth a listen but here is my favorite song.

10 things i'm loving: etsy edition

2011-01-20T21:26:00.001-05:00

top to bottom,
1. Recycled Leather and Canvas Carryall, $215 2. Sewn Card, $7.50
3. Black Riding Boots, $39 4. Vintage Rustic Alarm Clock, $32
5. Vintage World Globe, $75 6. Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy, $65
7. Navy Twill Swing Coat, $118 8. Gardening Book, $12
9. Adventurer's Club print by Matte Stephens, $60 10. Wood Storage Cabinet

vintage rings

2011-01-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

If my hands needed another ring, these would be in the running.

From Jean Jean Vintage's etsy shop.

jimmy stewart and grace kelly ride a bike

2011-01-18T22:16:00.001-05:00

From this great tumblr.

adventures in cooking: vietnamese rice noodle soup with beef

2011-01-17T22:58:00.001-05:00

My first foray into my new cooking experiment was relatively successful. I adore Asian food of other sort, but cannot prepare it to save my life. Why would I start with something so ambitious? I'm asking myself the same question.

My biggest challenge is learning to cook just one or two servings (leftovers = lunch the next day). I have a tendency to overdo it which results in eating the same meal for a week straight.

It is currently impossible to find bean sprouts in Indiana so I substituted in mushrooms just like the author. It was overall pretty delicious but time-consuming. Furthermore, my leftovers didn't hold up very well which I can usually count on with soups. I think I will think twice before I make this one again but I'd be open to other variations.

Original recipe can be found here.

if I lived in san fransisco this hutch would be mine

2011-01-15T09:58:00.000-05:00

From Jordan Ferney's Moving to France Sale.

more about ashley meaders

2011-01-11T16:27:00.000-05:00

I am very fond of Ashley Meaders. Her success has made me realize the endless opportunities out there for the crafty. She has made a career of being creative. Design*Sponge has an excellent interview with her in their What in Your Toolbox series.

Image from Ashley Meaders.

cozy plant holders

2011-01-09T09:38:00.003-05:00

The girls at work and I were just talking about our plants and what we house them in. I like to go with terracotta pots because a) they're cheap and b) they match. But I was starting to fret about getting a little tired of their sameness and this is the absolutely perfect thing to spiff them up.

Found on You are my Fave.

royal tenenbaums + max dalton

2011-01-07T22:36:00.004-05:00

The immensely talented Max Dalton created a Royal Tenenbaums series and participated in a Wes Anderson tribute show. Right up my alley!
See more of his work here.

adventures in cooking

2011-01-03T17:56:00.007-05:00

I can sum up my cooking skills in five words....I think I can cook.

Don't get me wrong, I like to try. I occasionally luck out and produce something amazing but my go-to is pasta and breakfast. This, however, does not stop me from thinking that I could make homemade soups, fancy and time consuming cookies, or involved multi-ingredient wonders. Furthermore, laziness usually gets the best of me. By the time I get home it's hard to muster the energy to create a culinary masterpiece for a party of one.

I've become pretty obsessed with food blogs. I like the commentary as much as I like the recipes. These expert (or at the least, extremely talented) chefs admit their mistakes and are truthful about how real life effects their cooking and it makes me feel better about my own cooking shortcomings. And now to the point of this post, my new year's resolution is to cook more. I'm not putting any stipulations on the resolution (I'm trying to make it as easy as possible), just that I try to cook something multiple times a week. I'm going to try to document my progress here and I'm sure admit more failures then successes as I experiment.

Some of my favorite recipe sources: Smitten Kitchen, GoodLife {eats}, Serious Eats, and the always reliable AllRecipes, Gourmet, and Food Network.

illustration by Julia Rothman.

2011

2011-01-02T15:26:00.002-05:00

My new year is off to a wonderful start. I hope you are also having a great 2011 so far.

photo by Anette Pehrsson, who's photography has captivated me.

happy holidays!

2010-12-24T23:39:00.002-05:00

christmas baking

2010-12-17T13:20:00.008-05:00

Maybe it's because I've been in a baking sort of mood (it's one of my favorite gifts to give), but I love the food and treats that go along with Christmas. I found They Draw and Cook through my sister's blog and love the combination of recipes and illustration. Sadly, I base a lot about the recipe on how much I like the illustration. Here are some of my favorites.

All recipes from They Draw and Cook.
(click on recipes to make them larger)

christmas ideas

2010-12-14T01:00:00.004-05:00

A little taste of some items on my Christmas list.

1. Starlette Crown from Giant Dwarf, $50 2. Baked Explorations Cookbook, $19.77 3. Vintage Raptors Chart, $300 (Saw some vintage biology charts at an antique store a little while back and fell in love!) 4. Denim Tote Bag, $42 5. Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, $16.47 6. Jensen Wood Turntable, $88 7. Sweater Boots, $25 (I used to hate these but they've grown on me. They look sooo comfy.)

it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas!

2010-12-09T22:17:00.003-05:00

After an amazingly productive day of Christmas shopping, 4 hours of non-stop Christmas music to the slight annoyance of co-workers, and a large peppermint flavored coffee, I am in the holiday spirit! I now need to focus on preparations for the 2nd annual Christmas party hosted by the bf that is in just 2 short days. I think eggnog and mulled wine are a must. These photos are so cheery and great inspiration for our party.

Photos by Chris Everard.

globe hunting

2010-12-06T20:19:00.002-05:00

I have a bit of an obsession with globes. My collection has been steadily growing and I'm always on the lookout. This version from Upon a Fold is a fun twist on the classic.

applesauce cake

2010-11-29T21:03:00.002-05:00

I just made this wonderful cake for my book club girls and it was delicious. I see a whole lot more applesauce cake in my future this holiday season.

Picture and recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

darling oxfords

2010-11-29T20:44:00.007-05:00

I've fallen in love with the oxford style lately. I found so many great deals on cute pairs while shopping on Black Friday (yes, I was one of those) and didn't pounce on any but luckily I have found some great options online.

top to bottom:
1. SM Oxford Flat, DSW, $49.95 2. Envy Tango Oxford, DSW, $59.95
3. & 4. Bursley, Aldo, $41.99 5. Ann Marino Library Oxford, DSW, $44.95 6. Audrey Brooke Stake Oxford, DSW, $69.95

longing for a change

2010-11-22T22:30:00.002-05:00

I've been contemplating a new hair color lately...red?

Image from here.

weekend project with the sister

2010-11-21T22:41:00.009-05:00

Food and crafts. That's sums up my family-time. My sister and I made wreaths based on this tutorial that I previously featured in a "10 things" post.
My apartment is officially Christmas-fied.
Picture by me of my newly decorated front door. (I apologize for my extremely poor hallway lighting).

10 things i'm loving

2010-11-18T21:11:00.003-05:00

1. newsprint leaf garland, $16 2. Anthropologie T-Rex, $28 3. west egg frock, $59.99, almond extract dress, $134.99 (i'm in love with creams and ivories lately) 4. riding boots! Steve Madden Button Up Greyson, $119, Aldo Marquerite, $79.98 5. Gilmore Girls (obsessed for the last few weeks) 6. paper mache fox by Elizabeth Jardine (A-mazing!) 7. origami alphabet (I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate them into my next project) 8. dress form, $300 (would love to own one) 9. Try Hard Every Day 10. Manu Clustur Necklace, $50

party dresses

2010-11-17T22:01:00.002-05:00

If I had money to spare and a great holiday party to attend I've have a hard time choosing.

Both from Madewell.

beautiful interiors

2010-11-16T11:15:00.006-05:00

I came across the portfolio of S.R. Gambrel on Apartment Therapy and fell in love. In my opinion high end design can be a little cold and unwelcoming but I feel like I could move right into any of these homes.

All photos from the portfolio of S.R. Gambrel.

the holiday season is upon us

2010-11-09T18:45:00.005-05:00

Halloween through the end of the year is my absolute favorite time of year. I've refrained from starting up the Christmas music just yet but that hasn't stopped me from starting my shopping and planning. I'm looking forward to breaking out my Christmas decorations, and snow, and parties. The crazy 70 degree weather we've had the past few days hasn't helped in getting into the holiday mindset though.

I saved this image last year and don't remember where it's from. It's been patiently waiting in my inspiration folder all year.

oh me, oh my

2010-11-01T18:54:00.004-04:00

rhino, giraffe, zebra
all from Anthropologie

I do have a gift card burning a hole in my wallet...

10 things i'm loving

2010-10-28T23:58:00.005-04:00

clockwise from top left

ikea solsta sofa bed only $149(!!!) I really want to try to snag it while it's super cheap; men's cameo ring from erie basin, it sadly isn't in his shop any longer but I still love it; lovely autumn wreath how-to from my new favorite blog, A Beautiful Mess; old navy plaid skirt; Tim Gunn's book Gunn's Golden Rules (a great and fast read!); this map pillow really inspired me this week; MINI PUMPKINS!; the Archeologist's Daughter Dress from ModCloth; my halloween candy of choice this year, Butterfingers; Langston glasses from Warby Parker, I love everything about this company.

mad (monster) men

2010-10-27T22:24:00.002-04:00

Has Sesame Street always been this on top of popular culture? I was a big fan of the neighborhood back in the day. They are so current lately, spoofing Mad Men,True Blood, and the Old Spice Guy.

Also check out True Mud, and Smell Like a Monster.

Moo.

mark your calendars!

2010-10-25T22:17:00.005-04:00

Start your Christmas shopping (a little) early at Murphy's Seasonal Bazaar as part of First Friday events. Swing by the Murphy Center in Fountain Square on Friday, November 5th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mmmmm...cake

2010-10-19T23:15:00.004-04:00

San Franciscan artist Paul Fernay recently collaborated with is wife Jordan Fernay on the series Let Them Eat Cake. I'm loving the texture and variety. I would love to own one of these but I think it would just constantly make me crave cake!

See (and buy) the whole series here.

embroidery with a purpose

2010-10-06T20:47:00.003-04:00

I've been using embroidery as a medium more and more lately and really love the results. I am always looking for ways to blur the line between my crafty side and my everyday graphic design work and when I happened upon the work of Evelin Kasikov it blew my mind. It is such a modern take on a traditional idea.

Took at her site for more great embroidery-design projects.

i want this

2010-10-01T17:33:00.003-04:00

I'm suppose to be on a fabric buying freeze but this tempts me. Think of all the wonderful you could make out of this.

Found here.

new chevron stamp project

2010-09-30T15:41:00.003-04:00

I spent my morning off starting a new tablecloth. My newest stamp is genius, if I do say so myself. It's pretty easy to line up and is going much faster then some of my previous attempts. I'm more then half done already.

already planning for 2011

2010-09-24T16:49:00.009-04:00

My search for the perfect planner always commences around this time. New calendars and planners are being introduced for the new year and I am on the hunt. I start this early because it really does take me months to find the perfect one that fits my strict criteria. Yes, I have rules for my planner.

a. It must have full page monthly calendars. None of this weekly calendar stuff.

b. It must be small enough to be portable, therefore, it needs to be able to fit into my purse. The 5.75”x8.75” size is ideal. I shy away from the notebook sized planners.

c. I need adequate square space for writing. I really do write EVERYTHING in my calendar so it needs to be able to accommodate it.

d. I also don't like them to be burdened with all the extra bells & whistles such as daily planning pages, address pages, future planning calendars that extend to 2020, or the entire periodic table of elements. I usually find a way to eliminate those because I pack it full of my own things. It quickly becomes home to all my little slips of paper, lists, and pay stubs. I am slightly flexible on this element, however, I understand I'm asking a lot.

e. And finally, it must be pretty. I have to carry this thing around for 12-months! That's a longer commitment then I make to the purse that it will be in.

So, you can understand my amazement today when I was browsing online and came across this. It might just be the one! Now I don't want to jump to any conclusions but it meets about 90% of my criteria. It does have a lot of extraneous pages, but even I can concede that a few might be helpful. Who knows, maybe I can actually use the "notes" pages provided versus writing my ideas or sketches on random post-its and scraps and tucking them in between the pages. I think I may be in love...but I also have strong feelings for this one as well. Oh dear, who would have guessed that I'd find 2 strong candidates before it is even October!

[images via fred flare]

new project

2010-09-21T22:43:00.005-04:00

Here is a little preview of a new project I'm working on. It's been partly inspired by my family's sudden obsession with visiting all 50 states. We've become quite competitive and I'm definitely in last place. I always associate life moments with where they took place so I like the idea of having a little reminder. I only have Indiana and New York so far but they'll be in my shop soon. (photo by the lovely Hayley Jurnak)

What should be the next states (or countries) that I make?

needs vs. wants

2010-09-09T21:13:00.004-04:00

I can completely relate to the idea of this project. I always want things I don't need. In addition to her great designs, the Recovering Lazyholic is also a super talented photographer.

Below is my favorite (green thumb) and the bf's (waffles).