diapers and skinny jeans

We have a lot of awesome people born in the month of January, that's for sure: my husband, my dad, and Erick's godson Diego!  Just a quick sketch up I made for this crayola-loving superhero.  :)

I had the chance to hang out last night with the whole Grotto Madrid crew again yesterday, it was such an awesome time.  We checked out one of Erick and I's favorite spots- Maya del Sol in Oak Park.  (If you're in the Chicagoland area, this place comes highly recommended from me!)  Something that really struck a cord within me was how inspiring it is to just hang out and hash it out with other creatives.  Ever since the Kinfolk magazine came out, I've been thinking of starting my own similar project of documenting the other inspiring people I meet and photographing their stories.  I've always wanted to lay out and design my own monthly issue of something... to have the creative freedom over style, content, and photographs that go inside.  This may be something you see from me in the future- it's definitely a goal of mine for 2012.  It will happen.  It's boiling in my blood right now. Anyway, any of you with kids that are int...

Shop GM's new kids line today! Can you tell I'm just a little excited about this one? :)

My friends over at Grotto Madrid have some great things coming for little kiddos.  Erick and I have so many great photos to share with you after working with this amazing team of people on Sunday.  And share I will.  Shortly.  In the meantime, you can pre-order all of the awesome Grotto goodies in brand spankin' new kids sizes!  This has been a collaboration of blow your mind talented and passionate artists.  I'll have a full write up (and full lineup of the crew) for you all following the official public launch of Grotto Madrid Kids.  Can't wait!

all images from HoundDesign I stumbled upon the new fall/winter collection for Hound Design the other day and stopped dead in my tracks!  Now don't get me wrong- the clothing is cool, but I was more impressed with the photography. I remember seeing their summer line and thinking the same thing!  It's about time I said something.  Seeing things like this are getting me all geared up to shoot again this weekend, I can't wait! I know it's been a few days since I've been on, Sofia is teething (spare me) got her 5 month vaccine and has been extra cranky and needy the last few days.  I don't mind, though.  It's always good to be needed every once and a while.  She may grab my hair, slobber on my face, but I know when she reaches out with her drooly hands and open mouth she just wants some big hugs and kisses.  My little cuddle-monger!  :)

Katherine over at Gathered Heart inspired me to do the Twelve by 2012!  We're running short on time before the end of the year, so here is my official submission.  I think it's pretty attainable and will definitely be doing a recap this time next year! ;)  What would your twelve things be?  Let's keep this going! ** EDIT ** Typo!  By multipule I totally meant multiple.  Sorry guys! ;)

Have you ever wondered where all of your time goes?  I was sitting around this morning wondering why I'm constantly playing a game of catch up, and this is what I found: Well, looks like I'll have to adjust something, somewhere.  I spend around 80% of my time working, driving, and sleeping.  I'd love to have a more balanced schedule, but I guess we all would.  It's something I'm truly striving toward.  If your life had a chart, what would it look like?  I'm curious, because I feel like I can't be the only one who feels 'out-of-sorts' lately!

So all I'm going to say about Arian is that he's a Neurobiology major at UC Davis and just so happens to do visual design work 'on the side'.  Holy crap, man!  Kids these days... I tell ya.  These are just a few of my many favorites of his.  Hope you enjoyed as much as I did!

I'm definitely in love with Bia van Deventer's work for Manouche and their latest album.  The typography is great, and old, vintage-looking colors just work.  I love the feel it gives to the cover art!  What do you think?

from here Ahh, the lookbook to make all photographers in the world go... " wow."   This is great stuff, right here.  How cool would it be to shoot for a major label with beautiful models and even more gorgeous dresses?  Sigh.  Someday!

bailey doesn't bark via: the aviary

This is absolutely gorgeous.  Actually, everything this guy does is absolutely gorgeous.   Caleb Owen Everitt ?  Yeah, he's my new design hero.

  if you haven't noticed, i went a little crazy with the color on my blog today.  (all of my favorites too: robin's egg blue, salmon, mustard, purple, and spring green.)  MUSTARD YELLOW!  ABBY!  haha.  hopefully this can streamline things a bit more with the topics right on the side.  and who DOESN'T love pretty colored confetti circles in a header?  maybe i'm alone on that thought... anyway- be on the look out for my mama tips page (coming soon!) as well as spotlight posts on other super awesome mamas out there (also coming soon!) i'm excited! 

really beautiful handmade stationary from the talented amber lee of giver's log.   yep- just another reason to long for my own letterpress machine and an endless supply of soft and pretty paper.  someday?

Aren't these colors from Fig. 2 Design Studio just amazing?  I have been really into stationary, handmade, and letter pressed cards recently so I figured why not share some inspiration I found this morning!  I'm really hoping I can whip up a few designs of my own soon so that I can start up a small shop and get my website back up.  I'll be having more time to spend at home and making stationary is something I'll totally be able to sit at my desk and enjoy doing when baby naps!  

Erick, Baby & I through the eyes of artist friend,  James Green .

If there is one thing that really makes you feel old, it's your little sister's graduation day.  Oh my goodness!!  I am so proud of her, and know she is going to be ridiculously famous sometime soon.  Check out her videos.  They're really cool.   In honor of her awesomeness, I decided to get crafty before my work shift and put together a very simple congratulation card for her.  All you really need is some Bristol art paper, a Micron pen, gluestick, scissors and some form of patterned or colored scrapbook paper.  Here's what I did: Go craft something today!