current events

  recent things: badges from Jen / it was colder in Minnesota than it was in Antarctica last Monday, so....
Hello again, world! I don't have a physical list of new years resolution anywhere, but I guess I should probably try to keep up with the blog. It's not as though I'm doing this professionally or even regularly, but it's a nice practice and I get a lotttt of satisfaction from going through my archives and remembering stuff from years ago. Does anyone else do that? Am I crazy? Bueller?

Anyway, the year has continued to be pretty great so far. I made quesdillas twice last week, which is a definite sign of success. Coming in at a close second for greatness was this little feature in Communication Art's typography annual:

All kidding aside, it was seriously so great to see my name alongside all the cool folks at Colle + Mcvoy. This project continues to be one of my dreams come true, so I'm feeling super blessed to have been able to work on it. Insert hands high emojicon herrreeeee~~~~

If all this career talk bores you, why not check out this most glorious moment I managed to catch on the Golden Globes last night? Some people seem to be insinuating that Diddy was stealing the moment, but they're just jealous that they didn't get to be on a boat with him.

fresh start

Happy New Year little blog! 2013 was amazing in so many ways, but guess who's too lazy to do a recap? Yep uh-huh this moi. I'd much prefer to make a fun little gif and then wax poetic about my New Years Eve.

The evening was spent with some wonderful friends at a bar that was just crowded enough to make it a party, but not so crazy that we couldn't hear ourselves talk. Sure, the DJ was just so-so, but after midnight the playlist turned to old school Backstreet Boys, so all was forgiven.

The next day I prepared some tasty breakfast burrito bowls (look at all that cilantro) and then something KINDA major happened.....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Yep, you might know this already, but a certain fella popped the question! Obviously there were tears and much nodding of the head, and now I get to wear this amazing herkimer diamond ring with the prettiest hammered rose gold band. I don't know how he figured out exactly what I would have picked for myself, but this is it! Simple? Rustic? Mineral setting? HAHAHA MY DREAM COME TRUE, I DIED ABOUT FIFTY TIMES. We're taking our time and not getting a head start on planning yet but I must warn you, dearest blerg, that there may be some mawwaige related posts in the coming months.

2014 is already off to an amazing start, and there are a lot of exciting things waiting in the wings. I'll keep it at that for now, but I can only hope that everyone out there in internet land is just as excited for the new year as I am.

merry & bright

I've been in Michigan for the past couple days, celebrating birthdays and holidays, last minute shopping and eating my heart out. In case you are jealous here's a recipe to start you on your journey to replicating Emma's Holiday Season 2013.

heart warming

Haha oh you guys, it's winter. Ahhh how I love being cold all the time, wearing tights under my jeans, being in danger of slipping & falling on the ice. Ahhhhh but really, as much as I complain about these things (sorry, everyone I talk to every day) it is a kind of magical time. We got some snow this week and I have been breaking out all my greatest winter wear in celebration/an attempt not to die from frostbite. 

Living in a place like Minnesota means that we really have to get creative if we want to be stylish AND warm. Those things do not come easily when it's -15 with the windchill. I think I've done the best I can this year, but if you're looking for some ideas then you are in luck, because I online window shop like it's a full time job. I've rounded up three of each of my favorite winter garments for your consideration...

1 l.l.bean 2 ALL knitwear 3 askov finlayson

 1. need supply 2. modcloth  3. urban outfitters

1 nasty gal 2 alice and olivia 3 scotch & soda

1. urban outfitters 2. asos 3. mandas mittens

1. le bunny bleu 2. nasty gal 3. j crew

give & take

I'm slowly recovering from the coma that is the day after my Thanksgiving trip. How cruel is it that we spend one day (or more) with as much family or friends as possible, eating great food and generally living life to the fullest and just like that we're back to work? Coming back to my apartment was wonderful of course, but it's hard to snap back into the real world after such a great week.

So here are some things I'm thankful for, in no particular order:

-Playing Cards Against Humanity with your entire family, and the inevitable hilarious and terrible moment when someone has to explain what one of the cards means. 

-My mom's cranberry relish, the recipe to be shared here at a later date.

-Browsing bridesmaid dresses with my future sister-in-law

-The Ann Arbor farmer's market (say what you will, this is the best one in the world)

-Hometown team pride, no matter if they win or lose.

-Pickled peppers

-New boots

-Each and every one of my loved ones. You guys are the best.

film club

Summer feels like eons ago, but a few weeks ago I finally developed a roll of film from my Olympus point & shoot that had be going strong all season. This little baby captured 4th of July, a trip to the cabin, Beaver Island, California AND Ben and Bill's wedding. A little summer time capsule, if you will. It was pretty great, so here's a roundup of those photos plus a few from my Superheadz camera.

And what a relief it was to see that the photo of this "monster" bass I caught on Beaver Island turned out okay! Don't worry, my dad did a great job of removing the hook and fish whispering this little guy back to his home, no fish dinners for us!

a-frame living is the best living, amiright

hello gorgeous

class act

When I signed up to take Lila Roger's Make Art That Sells class I was still working from home every day and wanted a little something to challenge myself. I'd seen a lot of amazing work practically pouring out of my peers taking the class and thought to myself "heck, sounds like it's time I took a crack at it".

And then I started that contract job in downtown Minneapolis that sees me leaving the apartment at 7:30 AM and not coming home till about 6:45 PM... the very same week that Lilla's class started. I'm not going to lie guys, a lot of my assignments (and by a lot I mean all of them) have been completed the day before they were due. I really really want to take all that I can from the class but unfortunately I also have a few small freelance gigs that also require my attention.

But I'm still mostly happy with what I've been creating, so I thought I'd give my blog a little looksee. Above is the very first assignment, bolt fabric with a vintage kitchenware and berry theme! It was so much fun, I'm thinking about making prints or cards of it!

 

The second assignment was to make art for fancy plates using bromeliads as our inspiration. I wound up liking my sketches a LOT better for this one - part of the problem being that I hardly ever like plates with actual art on them... but it was a learning experience nonetheless!

Last week's assignment, a spread for a children's book based on a Russian fairytale. I tried keeping some of my sketch in the final piece at Bryan's suggestion and was really surprised with the outcome. Guess I'll have to play around with that technique some more!

As per usual I'm running VERY behind on this week's assignment... guess I should spend less time blogging and more time working on that, huh? WHOOOOOPSSSS.