JANUARY UNIFORM

Minneapolis has reached very very very low temps lately. I'm talking a string of days sitting in the negative temps. These are true hibernation times. When I have left the apartment I have decked myself in the warmest and most functional pieces, which actually look quite nice together, IMHO.

JACKET
This anorak jacket has been great! The hood is perfect. I love the faux fur trim. One of my favorite features is that the lining is removable, so in the warmer months it will have a second life. 

ACCESSORIES
Hats and mittens! My favorite hat is the one I'm wearing here. The color is amazing paired with neutral coats, and best of all, the hat is fleece lined so it keeps my ears warm when I'm walking around the city. If I'm going to be out for a while wearing other hats have been a fail when the wind picks up.

BOTTOM
Smartwool socks and skinny jeans, the easiest way to wear boots comfortably.

HAIR
Down and relaxed to keep the neck warm and it is the easiest to wear with hats.

MAKE-UP
I've been trying my hardest to keep my skin and lips hydrated. I'm not using much, if any, make-up in favor of keeping my skin in shape. When I do wear something, it's a bold red lip. That is the biggest impact for minimal effort.

SCENT
Estée Lauder's Modern Muse. I got a small bottle as a gift for Christmas and I can't get enough!

FEET
These boots are quickly becoming my most worn pair of boots. They are perfect for stomping around. They are not real leather, so I don't think they'll last too long, but they were inexpensive when I got them (cuz they were on clearance) and most importantly, they're weather proof.

BAG
When I'm going to meetings or work sessions in town I only like to carry one bag. This is the one I prefer to use because it is waterproof and can easily fit my computer and other necessities like pens and paper. I also got it when I interned in Switzerland so it brings back great memories :)

—

How have you been dressing during this time of the year? Do you have any wardrobe hacks that make your life easy and comfortable?

To see more photos of this look, check out the full blog post on the North Nabe!

DESKTOP POSITIVE

Hello! I hope all is well and the new year is proving to be a happy one. I just wanted to pop by and let you know that I made some digital desktop images for fellow blogger and designer, Ashley Lauren! Her blog is amazing, and if you dig what I write about here then you'll love her too :) 

I had so much fun using some of the work from my Society6 shop and bringing them to life in a different way! I even added a brand new design from a card I recently made. The theme that threads all of these pieces together is confidence, self love and living a life that is true to you.

Visit her blog to see all of the designs and feel free to download and use them.

YOU CALL THAT DRAWN?

I have made just over 6 months worth of cards so far! I can't believe this project is going by so quickly.

In the beginning I was so excited to start, but by the time I hit the second month I was a little overwhelmed. I was worried that I would lose the passion and be phone-ing it in before the year was up. BUT I'm very happy to tell you that my fear had no legs to stand on. I'm just as fired up as ever.

Now that I'm more than halfway done I've noticed a distinct shift in my cards. I've been drawing less.

This project is called Drawn & Delivered because when I first got started I wanted to push my simple pen to paper drawing skills and embrace my style. In the beginning that's what I did, and for some cards I still do that. However, more and more I am using my drawing skills to sketch my cards before I make them. The cards I send out are more constructed and designed rather than drawn. I am really pleased with this revelation because it means that I'm growing and trying new skills for my willing recipients and that I'm not putting unnecessary rules over this project. This sense of freedom has started to combine with my design work too. I like to take my time with different analog mediums before going digital. You learn so much as a designer just by drawing or trying a new skill.

With that, here's a collection of cards that I've made that push the term drawn a little further.

A little 'muppet' card with googly eyes and purple felt. Perfect for a toddler to laugh at. This design is so simple and so much fun!

I have been very interested in playing with color and texture, especially as a way to show energy. The concept of this card is to send a friend some extra energy.

This probably looks familiar to you, yes, it is an Adventure Time themed card! I think that show is so good. If I had kids I would for sure watch this show with them happily. I liked the idea of using Jake, the dog (side kick to twelve year old main character, Finn) as the focus. Instead of drawing, I cut construction paper out and layered it to make this card happen.

This card is a lot more conceptual than anything else I've done to this point. I loved using uncommon materials, in this case cardboard, to convey a message of positivity. This card relies on symbolism and metaphor. It's funny because it almost felt like cheating going in such an unconventional direction, but as I got going I had the biggest smile on my face. I want these cards to be fun, dang it! Especially fun for me to make. I like to think that this sense of fun is received by the recipient of the card.

DECEMBER UNIFORM

During the month of December I went to a couple holiday dinners and get togethers with friends. Nothing too fancy, but excuse enough to get dressed up. I wanted to look nicer than normal (which means giving my skinny jeans a break), but because of the cold and the occasional snow fall I wanted to make sure I would be comfortable. So this is what I came up with!

TOP
Slightly cropped, blue slouched sweater with a large knit design. I love the color of this sweater too, it's not really Christmasy but it's very wintery so it could be worn any time during the cooler months. That kind of versatility within my closet is the ultimate goal. 

ACCESSORIES
A smile? To be honest, I kept it pretty simple. I did wear some brass earrings that look a little like holly berries with red stones.

BOTTOM
I believe this kind of skirt is referred to as a 'skater skirt' you can't tell from the photo but it's made from sweatshirt material and it's ribbed. Gosh! It's such a beauty. Also, I am rocking out some festive sparkly tights, cuz…holidays ✨

HAIR
Low relaxed pony tail pulled this look together, gives it some structure, but I really wanted to still be more relaxed in general, so this hair-do was perfect. I did wear my hair down and a bit wavy on one occasion too, it looked a little more girly, at times that's a good thing.

MAKE-UP
I was really into a darker coral shade with this look or a nice matte red lip. Thanks to my birthday gift from Sephora, I was able to get a NARS lip pencil to use when I wanted to go red.

SCENT
Speaking of Sephora, I got another free gift from their rewards program and I picked the scent Indigo by Nest, which is a nice dark but floral scent, so it transitions from day to night easily. It also came in a tiny roll on bottle. It's precious!

FEET
These healed boots from my October Uniform were perfect for walking outside, adding extra height and looking fly, which is kind of why I bought them in the first place! These babes are the best for winter.

BAG
My trusty satchel was still very used, even for parties. What can I say? It's looks good with everything!

—

How did you dress for the holiday season this year? Did any tips help you out or did you learn something that you'd like to try for the next party you attend? Do tell! :)

15 TO 16

2015 was a huge year for Christopher and me. It was huge for us as a couple and for me as an individual…

• we moved to Minneapolis from Michigan
• Christopher started a new job as an Interaction Designer (proud lady, right here!)
• made new friends
• visited with old friends
• traveled to Oxford and London to see family
• we dealt with death and illness within our family
• we went on the Whole30, a 30 day detox to aid in figuring out what it means to live a healthy life
• I took productivity and organization firmly into my hands by finding and using the method, GTD
• I made art and design a HUGE priority by making cards for Drawn & Delivered, commissioned Christmas cards, and branding for a political campaign and social issues through AIGA.
• through AIGA Minnesota, I got to know the design community in Minneapolis
• I have been trying to find a great fit for my career goals since the relocation, a task that has never been very clear to me
• Star Wars VII FINALLY came out!
• AND Christopher adopted a new car on the LAST day of the year!

Overall, I'd say that this past year had equal amounts of soaring highs and crushing lows. Through it all, I made it a priority to appreciate everything. Even on days when I felt the worst I would bounce back just by knowing that all of this effort will not be wasted and I am right where I need to be.

Now that 2015 is fading away, I'm looking forward to see what I can find once 2016 comes into full focus.

As of right now, I am looking forward to beginning another round of Whole30 with Christopher and some of his co-workers. We could both use some more energy and structure in the kitchen and Whole30 proved to be a great aid in both last year. Starting this month I am going to be a contributor to the North Nabe blogging platform which will allow me to work with a great group of bloggers and local businesses.

In regards to this space, I look forward to sharing things that challenges me, collaborating more and using this blog as a way to share my love for everything creative: design, food, music, dance, illustration, cards, the list could go onnnnn and onnnnn :)

Thanks for reading during 2015 and HAPPY 2016!!!!