YAY! I can finally share! Today, a label suite I’ve been working on at my 9-5 finally hit the beer section at Whole Foods!!! It’s beyond gratifying to have been involved with this project…and I feel so humbled, fulfilled and ecstatic to see my work out and about in the world. My co-pilot on these, David, was awesome to work with (thank you, David!) — I feel like our styles meshed so nicely for a final result (above) that just kicks ass (if I do say so).

The best part? It’s not just some mediocre beer –it’s AMAZING. The Imperial Rye IPA is the most gloriously hoppy delight. It makes me feel sorry for other IPA’s; we are truly spoiled here in the Northwest. Thank you, Reuben’s, for letting us clothe your fantastic beer in a wardrobe that is just as special! :)

Just to show a bit of the process, below are the mockups from the first round that I did (initially, die-cuts were cool, but mid-process, that changed and we had to adjust the design)…from there, David and I tag-teamed the rest of it until we ended up with what you see above! It was one of the most fun things I’ve gotten to work on to date…packaging design is my jam. I just love the way the “R” is so recognizable and really pops out off on the shelf.  If you’re local (Seattle area), get on down to a Whole Foods and pick some brews up for yourself. You won’t be sorry!

And the flat final (below) for good measure so  you can see the detail…

HOORAY FOR BEER AND DESIGN!!!

Read more about Reuben’s here, here, and visit their website here.

Hey there!  I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already…seems like this week has flown by.  I’ve gotten to work on some pretty cool new projects at the ol’ day job; things have been moving along swimmingly, and I feel grateful for that. Here are a few other things I’ve been up to this week:

+ One of my pals, Jenn from Scout, started a wonderful new collaborative local food feature (Seattleites unite!) with Seth and Monica Hines (a hubby and wife duo — he cooks, she takes the photos).  Jenn is an incredibly talented stylist, which is evident in the photos.  Oh, and she asked me to help out with some custom graphics for “Fortunate Feast” too!

+ I made these (Paleo) donuts. They are actually really delicious and I feel satisfied after one. Okay, two.

+ I’ve been enjoying pinning more than blogging lately. Sometimes you just need that instant visual gratification. Hell, I need it every day, which was originally why I started a blog…but then Pinterest made it that much easier for me. I know people have mixed feelings about that.  I like the simplicity and ease. A lot of times there isn’t much to say, ya know?  Pool pictures have been my jam lately, like the one above. I am so looking forward to Spring and  Summer!

+ Thinking about how ready I am for a vacation. Planning to take a week off in May to visit my family. I CANNOT WAIT!  It’s been a year since I’ve taken a vacation or have seen them. Sometimes it sucks to live on the opposite coast as your folks.  Which leads me to the next thing…

+ I’ve been seriously entertaining the idea of moving back East.  It’s been about 3 years that I’ve lived on the West Coast.  I absolutely love it here…but it’s tough getting home as often as I’d like (especially when it’s 3,000 miles away). Politically and socially speaking, I identify so much more with the mentality out West. But, there’s something kind of refreshing about the small town warmth and kindness of the South. The easy-going pace…the SUN.  I do miss those things quite a bit.  I moved out here initially to seek out better job opportunities in the design industry (bigger city = more design firms).  Thankfully, that worked out really well for me!  But now, I’m seeing more and more boutique agencies springing up all over the place, not to mention the possibility of still going 100% freelance, so living in a big (expensive) city doesn’t seem like such a deciding factor anymore. And I’m babbling.  Agh, it’s so hard to know what to do. Obviously, it wouldn’t be an immediate decision. The logistics are insane and I do love the job I’m at.  That’s just what’s been bouncing around in my brain lately.

How is your week going so far?

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Well, it’s been a month since I wrote this post on my social media sabbatical — I thought I should give an update as to how that’s been going…

In a word: freeing. I have felt so much happier and more tuned in to my real life.  My relationships, hobbies and my work have gotten much more attention since I haven’t been spending time on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. So, have I missed those platforms or felt the urge to jump back into my old ways?  Surprisingly, not really at all!  I’ve truly enjoyed the time away.

Last night I posted on Instagram for the first time since my self-imposed break.  And it was because I genuinely wanted to share a picture, not because I felt compelled to. I also noticed that I didn’t feel the urge to scroll indefinitely or pay attention to likes/comments.  I think I may stop back by IG occasionally, but I’ll be continuing my Twitter break for a while longer.  I definitely don’t plan on ever getting back on Facebook (ha!)

+ the photo above was an accidental one I took (no editing)…I thought it was kind of cool! :)

Yep, I’ve been awesome at keeping up with this column, per usual. Consistent at being inconsistent? Hi there, party of one.

This picture is super Seattle-y. It’s been a bit rainy and a lot windy here lately. Actually finding the rain to be quite peaceful, but the wind blows. I know you guys keep coming back for my goofy humor…derp. ;)

Also, you may be thinking, “DAMN, this girl LOVES her ocean pictures.” And you’d be right, because I do. I’m actually thinking of making a water wall in my home…as in, an entire wall covered in framed pictures of bodies of water.

If you’re an H20 fanatic, this pin board of mine is chock full of sea photos.

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This has been one of those weeks where I’d like to do a mind-wipe. Forget who I am and start over with a new identity. Maybe I’d be a gal named Adelheid milking cows in the Swiss countryside which I’d later make cheese from (the milk, not the cows — and, second time I’ve mentioned cheese this week; clearly an essential part of my diet). Maybe I’d be a garbage lady.

I am just feeling like I need a change of scenery. Boredom has started to creep into every part of my life, yet I am so fixed in my routines… I have this stupid notion that I’m stuck in this career path and sometimes I wonder if I chose wrong, though I feel too far in (which is dumb). Don’t get it twisted, I love being a graphic designer, but it does bum me out how much of my life is spent sitting and staring into a backlit screen. I wish I could be more active. Maybe I should just get one of those treadmill desk things.

Bear with me here, stream of consciousness in full effect. My mind has been overactive lately. I think I’m starting to feel old, which I KNOW is crazy (only 26). I have tendencies to think too far into the future and overanalyze what I’m doing with my life. Will I have time to accomplish all my dreams? I still would love to make furniture, learn metalsmithing and a different language or two…travel for extended periods. I want to see the world, create in all kinds of mediums, appreciate nature constantly…hopefully have a garden someday, make more of my own foods. I realize there is plenty of life left (hopefully)…but with only two weeks of paid vacation a year (which doubles as sick leave) I wonder how I will ever have time to see out all my goals. And then that leads into me being frustrated with this situation we’ve created for ourselves as human beings (er, Americans)…this whole workaholic mentality. I get sad thinking about it. Do you? Or am I just an idealistic freak?

Well, there was another scattered rambling, courtesy of many sleepless nights this week. Happy weekend! Any plans?

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(more…)

Take me away to the tropics and slice me up a cantaloupe. These images make me wish I could jet off to a resort immediately…

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We are so ready to get out of our little apartment this Spring! I’ve been thinking about bigger spaces and checking out Craigslist offerings a lot lately. Hoping that a cute house will come available when our lease is up. A place with a yard is a must (Oliver says so) and we are hoping to find a home with a basement or even a loft/attic to use for a studio or hobby area.

Looking at rental homes has only led me to dream about what my ideal home would look like…and about being a homeowner. Whenever we actually start looking to buy, I would love to have a basement with blue-stained concrete floors.  I saw that picture in the upper left earlier this month, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about how gorgeous that would be to look at and walk across everyday (obviously, that will be a renovation we have to do, but so worth it). I’d also love a huge kitchen with a gas stove…and white brick walls. Plus…tons of greenery and flora outside with a deck that overlooks the Puget Sound. Pretty lofty, I know — especially in this pricey market — but one can certainly fantasize.

My sweet cousin, Jeannie, treated Henry and me to Cirque Du Soleil’s Amaluna this past Wednesday. It was a stunning show. I’ve been to La Nouba before, which is also incredible, but a completely different vibe. As the name Amaluna suggests, the performance tells the story of an island ruled by goddesses, guided by the cycles of the moon. Right up my alley!  Since I’m not Instagraming anymore, I thought I’d share a photo I took outside the tents before the show started (you’re not allowed to take pictures during the performance).  If you ever get a chance, I feel like everyone needs to take in at least one of these shows — so go if you get the opportunity!

Sometimes I think trying to explain a thought or feeling makes it less profound. Interpretation will take you where it may…

That’s the fun in self-discovery after all.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

( design by me )

I’ve been trying to do some more personal design work and art lately. Just projects for fun…whatever I see in my mind when I close my eyes…you know, the things you think of right before you fall asleep (that’s my time, usually). I am planning to start sharing them on the blog. Some will probably be crappy, but I am just looking forward to making things on my own terms. It’s so easy to get burned out when you’re working full time at a design firm — you don’t get to pick the projects, they come to you — and with a deadline that you haven’t negotiated, whether it’s feasible or not (it’s not uncommon for me to have to churn out first rounds on 3-5 projects a day). Staying mentally fresh and creative while you’re firing off that many ideas is very tough. So I’ve decided it’s up to me to stay sharp and inspired — and I WANT to make things I enjoy creating, so that I have a constant reminder of why I love art and design.

It’s certainly been a struggle to get started on that though. The first step to beginning any new endeavor is always to just grab the first rung and start climbing (and don’t look down). Generally, once you get some momentum going, you’ll find you can keep up — and want to. I’m trying to tell myself that when it comes to exercising frequently (which has been a sloooooooow climb, let me tell you).

We can all get there though. Happy Friday!

( design by me )