Around Here Lately

It's been a while since my last post. Summer is finally in full swing (heck yes!) and I've spent more time outside than I have spent in the studio. So this post is partially about being outside (hurrah for socializing and not being a hermit!) and partially about not feeling guilty about it.

I won't lie, I'm a bit of a work-aholic. Get me in that mood and I'll work until my fingers get raw. That's a good thing for productivity, but it can be horrible for my social life. So then I feel bad for turning my friends and family down, and so I stop turning them down. We go out and it's all fun but in the back of my mind I still have that little nagging voice that's making me feel bad for not working instead! If I had super powers, I'd split myself in two (sans the gore) and in an ideal work I'd be a productivity machine and the most social person ever.

But that doesn't work, does it? so this weekend, after a long week at work and my best attempts at avoiding burn out, I allowed myself to totally unplug from the studio and just enjoy myself.

I attended my friend's art fair out in Avon (tiny, cutest town ever), got myself some pretty awesome stuff (that mug!! isn't it gorgeous?) and enjoyed time with friends. Not a single thought to work was given. Granted, that took a bit of effort. But I found other things to keep my mind off it, like the awesome broad side of this building below, which I completely fell in love with.

Isn't it beautiful! And my small trip actually quite inspired me. I haven't seen MN this green in forever, and the wanderlust and need to go into nature is setting in. Perhaps I'll stop fighting the urge and just do it. Finding a balance between what I want to do and what I need to do can be hard sometimes, but it's something I'm working on. A friend suggested that I treat P&P like any other business. Mon-Fri (or Sat?) and give myself a semblance of a weekend to recoup.

Any of you out there who have businesses or are trying to get yours off the ground, how do you deal with the  work/life balance? I'd love to hear.

P.S: I do promise my feet are not pasty pale like that! iphone cameras have a tendency to do weird things. 

For Dad -- A Gift Guide

People, Father's day is in around the corner! So I have put together a small gift guide for those of you still looking for the perfect gift for your father (or baby daddy). And because I'm a firm believer in supporting small businesses, most of the ones shown below come from small but amazzzzinnngggg artisan companies made of people that are doing amazing things. Hope you enjoy!

1. A great plaid Tie from Forage Haberdashery (who also make the coolest bowties around). $78

2. The sexiest wallet around, authentic American leather, No. 8 Wallet in Malbec (I'm so very fond of that color). $150.00

3. The Art of Shaving's travel kit. This one is lemmon but they also have sandalwood, lemon, and unscented. $85.

4. Fig and Yarrow's After shave. Trust me, this lady makes the best stuff around. It can also be after shave! $52

5. A lovely nautical card from Sugar Paper. $6

*** Or here's my own shameless plug, check out the cards in the shop by yours truly!

But hurry, you guys, I am assuming with most if not all of these places, the last week to order is this week unless you have things shipped overnight or some such. 

Happy weekend, everyone! 

Around this joint lately

Life lately has been fun, hectic, and very fulfilling. It's been a busy few weeks around here! The studio is "finally" done. The drawing table corner has been cleared and I now have a place to paint and work more than just digitally. The studio has become my favorite room in this whole place (as if there would be any question on that!).

I also had the mail man be very nice to me after he brought my delivery packages for my art supplies. I am kind of in love with that giant lightpad, even though it considerably takes a huge part of this room! But I love it nonetheless. I also have been working more with lettering (one of my favorite things, obvs.) traditionally rather than just digitally, and I am liking where it's all headed.

One thing you might not know of me is that I am becoming a gym rat! Back in ... February, I think? I pledged to start taking care of myself. After high school, college took its toll on my body and my health in general (freshman 15 turning into college 50). Since then, I've started work full time, got married, moved places (twice), and the whole "health and well being" concept was placed on the back burner.

Well, no more! healthy living is  a struggle somedays, but with a bit of determination and the help of my trainer (squint into that gym picture -- that little person standing past those doors? that's Casie, my kick-ass trainer), and patience -- I am making strides, losing the pounds, feeling healthier, and more energized.

Who knew it could also help my creativity so much, which in turn is helping business grow! slowly, but it's growing.

What about you, guys? How's it going around your neck of the woods?

Closet Crush - Memorial Day Weekend

Thank goodness for memorial weekend. After months upon months of constant work, I'm ready for a bit of a longer weekend than the regular 2-Day. Today, at least, the weather's been cooperative, and although it's not quite hot-beach-day warm, it's pretty nice out. Definitely makes me want to start wearing more summery outfits.

Here's some suggestions for the closet for Memorial Day Weekend (and hopefully wherever you guys are, it's warmer than here!). I know everyone's going camping, or hiking, or whatever-ing, so these might not fit those particular activities, but then again my idea of a relaxing weekend is comfortable clothes, with maybe a more dressy pair of shoes for special outings, and a good book ( I'm still trying to work my way through Game of Thrones, but man those books are long).

How about you? how are you guys spending your long weekend? 

Happy Weekend, everyone! 

For Dad

I've been spending a ton of  time in the studio lately, getting things done -- the ball has gotten rolling with my Father's Day cards and how people seem to have been responding to them in general has me so excited that I want to just be in the studio working all. the. time. Which has led to a whole collection of cards that are now in the shop, and here's some of my favorites for Father's Day.

The Jolly Fellow Top Hat card will also soon be available as a print. Go check 'em out! And I hope everyone's having a fantastic weekend.