Type Inspiration

Happy Friday! The weather is weird again in Chicago, but I am still very excited about the upcoming weekend. Why, you ask? Because I am going to be lazy... do a little work, clean up a bit and relax. I can't wait.

To end the week, I wanted to share a couple of extremely inspirational typographic images that I have been hoarding lately over on pinterest. I hope you enjoy!

This one pretty much speaks for itself. It is and incredibly beautiful combination of type, antique wood and color.

I am also slightly obsessed with this one. It is hand drawn and each mark and scribble has a life of its own. STUNNING!

I am intrigued by this G. I love the mathematical precision mixed with a little unexpected and organic flare.

Tickets to Spain (check)

After a lot of back and forth on destination, searching for flight deals and figuring out the amount of time I could take off work, we finally booked two tickets to Madrid for Reid's Bar Trip. For all the non-lawyers out there, myself included, this is a trip to celebrate the completion of the Bar Exam and is also the final big vacation before starting the "real world" at a law firm with LONG hours and unexpected last minute deadlines. I am so excited to travel to Spain as it has been a dream destination ever since my parents went to Barcelona for the 1992 Olympics. The Spanish culture, art and design has always been a huge inspiration to me, and I cannot wait to see it all in person.

Both posters are from David Klein's famous TWA poster series created in 1960. I really appreciate and respect most of his illustration work, but his travel posters are among my absolute favorites. These colorful illustrations capture the beauty of Spanish culture through the movement and fashion of matadors and flamenco dancers. I simply don't agree with bull fighting at all so we will not be attending one, but matadors do have a very strong historical presence. On the other hand, flamenco dancing is breathtaking and I do want to check seeing the "real thing" off of my to-do list. Klein captures the over-the-top elegance of both outfits beautifully. Also, the color combinations used combined with the extreme spacial relationship of the figures are what make them memorable piece of design history. Are the typefaces cliche? Totally, but I like the kitschy Spanish vibe.

Does anyone have any Spanish recommendations for our trip?

New Design: Save the Dates for both Melissa and Liz

Awhile ago, two friends of mine from different walks of life (childhood and Atlanta during grad school) approached me about designing their wedding stationery. I was thrilled beyond words because both Liz and Melissa were fantastic girls with elegant style. Plus they were my first two weddings to design outside of Chicago.

 

Melissa and Marc wanted a simple but elegant save the date that showed their zest for life and extreme love for one another. Their engagement photos were spectacular and we couldn't decide on just one feature photo. So we played up the photographs and went minimal on the type. The back of the card simply mimics the design on the front and gives the guest a bit more information. Melissa's invitations are also stunning. I get to pick them up in a couple of days and cannot wait to see the final outcome. 

 

Liz and Darren wanted a Save the Date that set the tone for their "old world elegance" wedding in Houston, Texas this fall. Liz knew what she wanted: scroll work, elegant typefaces and eggplant purple. We played around with multiple options, but decided on the regal design seen below. Another childhood friend, Becky of Rebecca Todd Photography, took their stunning engagement photos and was also in charge of printing them on a beautiful pearlized/sparkly photo paper (sorry for the glare on the photo). Liz's Save the Dates definitely set the tone for everything else to come. Her invitations are going to be out of this world elegant.

 

 

Time Flies...

When you are married to your best friend.

Sorry for the bit of cheese in the title, but it's truly how I feel! Yesterday marked our 1 year anniversary. It is hard to believe that a year ago we go married in the humidity and heat of the Georgia mountains. The first year of marriage has had a lot of ups, very few downs and a LOT of learning experiences. All in all, I am still the happiest girl in the world...

Especially since Reid surprised me with a trip to Graham Elliot last night for dinner. I have been wanting to go there for a very long time and was completely shocked when he pulled up to the door. We even got a tour of the kitchen. Reid knows that one of the keys to my heart is through good food and great ambiance.

I cannot wait to see what this year brings for us.

(oh and sorry for not posting for the past few days - our Internet has been in and out. It is finally fixed and I have a lot to share this week)

Dreaming of Glass Door Knobs...

via

For as long as I can remember, I have loved glass door knobs. I admit it is quite odd to have loved such a strange item since I was a little girl, but it is true none-the-less. I blame my mother and her parents (Mama and Papa) for my obscure love of vintage hardware. Since we put the offer on our house, I have decided that I want glass door knobs on all of our doors. And, I don't want the new but made to look old knobs, I want the real thing. So, I have started my hunt on ebay for the perfect authentic door knobs. Do you know of any good places to find squeaky old knobs?

I love this red door. Maybe I should paint our interior doors???

Someday I would love glass knobs in the kitchen too.

Anthropologie always has good knobs. These would look beautiful if I can't find the real thing...

Inspiration Overload: Abigail Brown's Handmade Creatures

 

Today, while taking a quick creative break, I stumbled upon Abigail Brown's beautiful, handmade creations. I was instantly blown away by the incredible, tactile quality of each bird and her immense attention to detail. She creates each one with found and bought fabrics both old and new. I am dying to own one of her animals. Hopefully one day I will. If you have time make sure to check out all of Abigail's work on etsy and her website.

Happy Friday!

 

Our "home" went under contract earlier today!!! I am SO excited and just hope all goes well with the inspection and appraisal. Then we can close and the home will officially be ours.

Ahhhh...

"Home Sweet Home," well, not really but almost...

I feel like I am on top of the world right now, just like this amazing super hero dachshund. What an amazing photo, right? It made me laugh on this busy Friday afternoon.

Hope you all have a very happy weekend.