NO AGENDA 1

Sooooo I just want to share more random-ass shiz here.

That probably sounds bad.

But it's not. It's good!

At least I think it will be.

So, byyyyye to only polished work a self inflicted censorship!

Here's to making bad art, strange choices, or going in interesting artistic and design directions and showing all of it anyway.

Life's too short and art making rocks!

Using big chunks of butcher paper, India Ink, paint brushes and listening to The Beatles.

It's a love that lasts forever
It's a love that had no past

HAD TO!!!! Illustration with found objects is my favorite sub-genre of illustration right now.

Here's an example.

VISIONS FOR 2016

all images are cited at my pinterest page

Planning a year. A whole year. It sounds fun for a few weeks then it sounds like the never-ending-list-making game where the slightest deviation will send things swan diving off of a cliff, a la cartoon style.

Though that cartoon splat sounds pretty exciting, it's horrifying to feel it coming! So I decided to try a new approach and put together a good ole fashioned (like I haven't made one of these in YEARS, pre-college maybe?) vision board.

Vision boards are typically seen as a way to mark milestones and can be a little 'things focused' so instead of this being filled with things I want, I filled mine with feelings I wish to embody. It isn't about having a fancy studio, or perfect yoga poses. It's more about the fulfillment I feel from art and design and cultivating strength and connectedness by practicing yoga, etc. Know what I mean?

For 2016, I am focusing on creating, connecting with others and myself, feeling strong, feeling refreshed, celebrating the simplicity and strangeness of life, getting messy and radiating joy.

Envisioning my year this way makes it feel less like a game of collecting things, and more like an expression of who I am and what I value.

I'd love to know what you used to plan for the year ahead. If you decide to make a vision board too, let me know! I'd love to see what kind of year you'll be having.

A DAY IN MY LIFE

So last week I decided to document a typical day (granted all days are different, but this is a kind of day that I encounter at least couple days a week).

Right now, I work from home. I very much enjoy this lifestyle at the moment, but this time in my life also feels very temporary so I want to pay it a little homage. I'm sure life will switch things up for me again so for now I'm savoring the days that look like this…

1. Wake up and greet the day.

2. Make the bed.

3. Yoga.

4. Morning sketches, brainstorming, etc.

5. View from my office ;)

6. Webinar, taking notes, planning, emails, general work.

7. Lunch at home (leftovers from the previous night's dinner).

8. Photo editing & blogging.

9. Off to a meeting.

10. Meeting venue.

11. Husband on an evening work call.

12. Washing up.

13. Hot tea before bed.

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 :)

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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.