There is a myriad of ways to wander into UX writing and content design. This is my path. What was yours?
Read MoreNew biznas cards
New business cards courtesy of my in-house designer.
Cirkits, a sewable electronic kit
I'm so excited about this! A Kickstarter trying to fund the production of these adorable circus-themed sewable electronic kits. They're called Cirkits. (You have to watch the video to see the whole circus of animals in their tent. So cute.) You can pledge $5 and get a Valentine's postcard, but you might as well give $30 because then you get a seal, mouse, and bear card and the conductive thread, LEDs, and batteries you need to make the animals light up and move. This would be such an awesome joy school activity or birthday surprise.
P.S. I had no idea there was such a rich history to stitchcards. I love this!
P.S.S. The lead product designer and her whole team from UPenn are women. *Fist pump*
Henning Trollbäck for Fine Little Day
It's no secret I'm mildly obsessed with Fine Little Day. The shop is now stocking these special prints by a new-to-me Swedish illustrator, Henning Trollbäck. I'm putting together the boys' room right now with a little help from Meta's Atly class and these prints would be a perfect point of inspiration. Scandinavian design forever, is what I say.
(I've written about Fine Little Day here (quirky work habits and the creative process) and here (an interview with the creator of Fine Little Day and her thoughts on Role of the Creator, too.)
Missing New York
April was our last month in New York. Keenan surprised us with this book right before we pulled onto the road for the final stretch of our cross country move. Keeps the faces and places we love fresh in our minds. His thoughtfulness is above and beyond.
Man, missing New York so much lately. Not one thing in particular, and probably more my people than anything. What I'd do for a bowl of ramen or a walk around our brownstone neighborhood at dusk, though. Also, a little trip to Fish's Eddy and the Japanese bookstore we loved one more time.
In place of a 'New York favorites' or 'What to do in the city!' post, I feel the need to sit and write every memory I can remember and send it in an email to myself. I can't bring myself to share New York memories just yet. Feels too personal and almost sacred. So dramatic, I know.
Brooklyn, you sucker.
Quentin Blake's House of Illustration
The House of Illustration in England will be the first place totally devoted to illustration as an art form. We have Quentin Blake to thank for that, signature illustrator behind the Road Dahl books. His drawings paint my childhood and pre-teen years when I was a shy-away-from-home bookworm. I'll always love the authors who wrote the books that kept me company then. Forever favorite.
P.S. Heard this news through a friend's Twitter, Bret Helquist. Also an insanely talented illustrator.
Maria Kalman on Portrait of Creativity
I'm a huge fan of Maria Kalman. This Portrait of Creativity video is an insightful interview into her life growing up, creative inspiration, her love of New York City, and some of her recent projects, like the book out called Girls Standing on Lawns. Meeting her at a Creative Mornings a couple of years ago was one of my bucket list moments. She told me she loved my name, we chatted for a minute about New York, and she signed my illustrated Elements of Style book. Pinch me.
Kidpost
Really excited about Kidpost! It's a new service where you can hashtag photos of your kids "#kidpost" across social media and it will filter and email them to only the people you want to see them. No more kid picture overkill. (Which we all know is a thing. I am so guilty.) And a simple way to get pictures of your kids to grandparents who are not on Facebook or friends that hate Instagram. The beta is free to the public so it's a good time jump in and try it out.
Kidpost was created by Khoi Vinh, a friend and mentor of Keenan's. I love these illustrations that Keenan created for the brand. The top picture looks like our bald, fat baby Sondre and the little boy in the pocket tee reminds me of our Silas. :)
A Midsummer Mingle in Provo
The stars aligned and for midsummer this year, we were in Utah for Alt Summit. That meant we were in town for A Midsummer Mingle in Provo. It was the most incredible event put on by some talented ladies local to the Utah Valley. Honestly, I have never been to an event with more attention to detail and love for every handmade object. It really felt like every person is attendance was receiving a gift. I love Scandinavian design and anything that feels like I'm wandering through an enchanted forest, so...I was pretty happy. I love love Midsummer and was missing our annual tradition of Midsomer in Battery Park. This definitely tied me over. :)
Thank you again to everyone who put together this amazing party! See the contributors and how the event unfolded here.
Helium Harvey
The second the boys are up, we're watching this together. I've had dreams of flying ever since I can remember. I'm scared of heights but for some reason imagining flying unaided through the air sounds completely amazing. Helium Harvey, what an amazing adventure.
My Favorite Valentines
I love a good Valentine. I'm not one for mush; just sincerity, a little humor. It's got to be sweet and thoughtful. I love a good, long handwritten letter more than anything, but I'd by lying if I said I didn't love the whole deal—flowers, chocolates, dinner, other presents, more cards, after-Valentine's Day treats, etc. (I'm so low-maintenance.:)) I just love Valentine's Day.
These valentines by Erin Jang of The Indigo Bunting are amazing. (Pictured above.) I've been following her design for a few years and featured a book she made for and about her niece, Naomi, on Design Mom this last year. It's ridiculously cute. To my delight, she has designed a second round of Food Valentines this year. Hooray! I've only seen a sneak peak on her Instagram but they look great. Oh, how I wish I would have written the copy for these cards. They're magic. You can see more of her Paperless Post cards here. (Here are her 2014 cards!)
Every year I (im)patiently wait for our friend Jenny Rose to design her famous line of Valentines and share them on her blog or on Facebook. She bases the set off of tv series or movie from the past year and goes all out to make them PERFECT. They're pretty amazing. I have yet to hear what her 2014 cards will be but I am not kidding when I say I check Facebook daily just to see if she's announced. It's bordering on obsession and I hope she doesn't think I'm creepy after she sees this post. (I created a Valentine's Day themed Pinterest board just to honor her Lost, Harry Potter, Hunger Games cards.) You're so very welcome. She also just started a new shop called Cobalt and Dash and I'm really excited about it. (Update: The cards are up! Downton Abbey wins!
I also love Tuesday Bassen's Valentines on Paperless Post. Pretty much everything she does has my vote.
Do you have any favorite illustrators? Do you make your own Valentines? Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, everyone! Treat yo'self.
Kindra is Here
I happened upon Kindra is Here over a year ago, but for one reason or another, let it sit in my drafts. All I knew was that I loved what Kindra is making and what she chose to share. I especially loved a post she titled, Process and Play, which she hinted was a visual investigation for another project. Ah, I love that idea of 'play' being an integral part of the creative process. No one's taught me this more than little Si.
I can't help myself and have to share Kindra's post that made me laugh so hard. Where did I come from? Could come in handy one day when we pull out the big guns and teach the birds and the bees to our boys.
You can find more Kindra at her Tumblr, from there.
Bridal Crowns and Scandinavian Weddings
I love, love, love Scandinavian-inspired design. I love the interiors, print design, children's clothing, and accessories. I especially love weddings that ring of my heritage. My talented friend Sarah Fulton makes ceramic floral bridal crowns that really, really make me regret I didn't wear something like this on my wedding day. I would have worn one in the dead of winter, that's how much I love it. (Spring be darned.)
I featured the crowns on Design Mom recently if you'd like to see more shots of the bridal crowns.