Currently.

Rocking:

My 5k training. Starting to really feel better about running, and seeing progress in my distances/pace. There's a nice social aspect too, if I go on a run with a friend, we can chat/catch up, and yet still get our run in...seems easier to fit in than catching up over a drink. 

Fostering:

A dog through a local pitbull rescue, about 1.5 years old. He's super sweet, happy, bouncy, and at the same time laid back. Like, if we're outside, his ears will perk up if he hears something interesting, but he won't suddenly run to the fence and start barking. Same thing with seeing passerby's  he takes a look, then goes back to whatever he was doing, be it sniffing around, or playing. We've got a very structured transition process for him being at the house, and with coexisting with my own pup. Which honestly hasn't been the easiest, as the dogs appear eager to play and want to check out each other up close, but definitely for the best as I'd rather have a slow-n-steady introduction and they both get to practice patience rather than a too-fast one and one or both of them is uncomfortable, leaving us with some counter-work to get everybody happy together. again. Bringing me to...

Looking forward to:

Being able to fully integrate foster pup into the daily routines. So excited for Remi to likely have a playmate at home, and I know Socks is dying to be done with his transitioning.

Regretting:

The lunch I had. Might have been a little big and I feel like I've got a huge food coma/tummy unhappy right now.

Listening to:

This playlist that I made on my birthday-eve last week. Full of somewhat odd pairings of Lesley Gore, Smoking Popes, Jimmy Eat World, Damien Rice, and Brand New. Give it a listen!

Thinking:

about, well being inspired by the people and work around me. I attended the Rochester ADDY Awards last week and was witness to many great advertising spots and campaigns, as well as being surrounded by the Rochester advertising community. Hundreds of people at the convention center. I didn't have anything in the show this year, so there was no pressure or worrying about whether I'd take home an award or not this time around.
Then, last night I made the trek to Utica with my friend Sarah for an AIGA event "Will Work for Work" with Mikey Burton. I had worked with Mikey while in Philly, and it was great to see him again!  He gave his talk to a packed room of designers, design students and the like, and was gracious enough to stick around for some Q&A time too. Afterward, we found the smallest ottoman (below).

Currently format ever-so-thankfully borrowed from Dani at SometimesSweet! <3

Another Google Death

So with the news that googlereader is on the out, and taking GFC along with it, I've joined Bloglovin. Follow along! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Mentoring Notes II

Industry, creativity, inspiration, and interesting stuff...from your favorite AIGA UPSTNY SPARK Co-Coordinator & Mentor

There seems to be somewhat a pair of themes this time around for the mentoring notes— Love & Money. Take this as you will. 

Audio

• WMC Fest Kick-off Podcast — Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is going in to its 4th year, I went last year and had a great experience there and in Cleveland. Loved all the speakers, the bands, the neighborhood, and probably spent too much in the gallery on screen prints! If you love design, music, and awesomeness all for a very fair ticket price, this festival is for you. If you watch the video on the site's landing page closely, you can catch a glimpse of me crossing the street in slow-mo around 0:23-0:27
• Two Hand Fools — Been really digging this band, especially the split with Ridgemont, which, coincidentally is available for streaming or free download here

Visual

• Chrome & Poppies Etsy Treasury — getting inspired for my dining room's transition. 
• Type & Lettering, Oh My! pinboard — this stuff honestly makes me drool.
• Pantone Queen.

Video

• The first rule of business is LOVE (James Victore Q&A tuesday)
• YES to LOVE

Reads

• Frank Chimero's Advice to Design Students — to be honest, I think this can apply further than just students, too, although they're the focus of it. 
• Why Would You Ever Give Money Through Kickstarter? I did. And now there's going to be a Veronica Mars movie!
• Amanda Palmer on Crowdfunding.
• Rate Increases
• Graphic Design Resume Tips
• Secrets to Success: Running a Business is not for the faint of heart
• Never read an email Twice —the OHIO method of inbox zen

Interactive

• Don't use Dumb Quotes — Quotes and Accents, a very useful resource by the always lovely Jessica Hische
• The Future of Responsive Typography
• Rich Blocks, Poor Blocks — City map overlays separated by income or rent levels. Really interesting as well as telling. 

Other

• Digital Detox — we all could probably use this.

What notable stuff have you found lately?

Physical Inbox

I'd like to share some of the lovely things I get in the mail... sometimes it's for content, and sometimes it's for delivery...

First one comes from Kristin! She was sweet enough to think to send me a thank you card for teaming up with Michele (from Short Girl, Long Island) for a giveaway a little bit back (which, she won!). Wax seals are awesome, I think I need to look in to getting one of my own. I *LOVE* getting mail (non-bills, non-spam), and even more so when it's stamped with my creation on its return, I just seriously love seeing these things in the wild... so if you've gotten a stamp from me, you've got my address—send a message back, it'll probably make my day!

Next up, this lovely print by Lea Rizzo. It was a perk for the IndieGoGo campaign from The Yards last Fall, where I opted for the Lea print with my donation. The Yards does amazing art shows and events and are truly a great addition to our community in Rochester. They're located at the Rochester Public Market, in a great, versatile space.

What have you gotten in the mail recently that's put a smile on your face?

No Spend March!

It's that time again... the time where I look at my checking account(s) and go "...oh."

In keeping with some of my #100resolutions from earlier this year, I've decided to join up on this No Spend March... presented by Mallory (From California to Kansas) and Jess (Tooth N Nails) .

My rules are as follows:

• Credit Card is for Gas, Groceries, and other essentials
• No online shopping (time to ignore all of the 'daily deal' emails I get)
• Groceries are strictly by list (with planned meals), with one <$5 "treat" item
• Regulated cash allowance weekly for incidentals (convenience items, beers, door cover for dances or shows, etc.)
• Use the giftcards! But don't go more than 25% over their value
• Two meals out per week tops (this will probably be a weekend brunch & a dinner)
• NO clothing or makeup (unless something is broken/ran out and needs replacement)
• <$20 of chews/treats for puppy on pet store visits, and hold off on new toys until April (she chews a lot, and I'd rather her be chomping on an elk antler or bully stick rather than the coffee table, so there needs to be some allowance here)
• Sleep on it for at least one night for any larger purchases that might need to happen
• Redirect my impulses (OMG let's order pizza >>> at home pasta night. and so on.) 

This is my birthday month, so it might be a bit tough in some regards to not #treatyoself , but hopefully any of that treating I can take care of with giftcards and groupons that I already have. Obviously there might be an exception or two in there

Want to join in? Or just offer some support for this? Head on over to Mallory & Jess's blogs and chime in in the comments!

I'm thinking of posting updates of #Nospend/#badspend incidents throughout the month. Large list update? Spend-shaming photos? Love to hear your thoughts and have you join in on this #NoSpendMarch!

February Cara Box reveal!

I took part in my first Cara Box exchange last month, and it was buckets of fun as well as inspiring. More about that here. This month, our theme was #ClubSexy(ClubSexy = vaguely date night supplies for creating your own awesome night, whatever that might be!), and we were also paired off within our state to potential exchange boxes in person. Granted the state of New York is a big one, so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do so depending on locations of those I was paired off with. It didn't work out to meet up yet, but after 'meeting' these two women, we've got hopes to try for this summer!

My match that I assembled a Cara Box for was Samantha of Hooah and Hiccups. You can see her post about what I sent her here. It was a blast to make a personalized set of #clubsexy cards and supporting materials. Check it out on her blog!

Now, for my Cara Box's reveal -- I was paired with Traci from Dear Miss Traci. She's in the middle of fine tuning details for her upcoming wedding, and still did a stellar job of sending me a little cardboard box of joy.

First things first, the second I got through the tape, this box just smelled sooo fantastic! I dug in to find a tasty scented candle, and some body lotion (mango! yess!) to be the culprits. Love it. Also, really cute attention to detail in the packaging -- pink and red packing materials, card, and the black packing paper made it feel so luxurious.

Also among the candle and lotion, she had picked out a few eyeshadows from her favorite etsy shops and nailpolish to really summer-up our grey winters here in upstate NY.  Perfect colors too!

And, after reading her note, I realized that I TOTALLY MISSED one item! She'd sent a little cookbook for tapas--perfect for the ATE dinners I've been running, and also fun cooking inspiration for the everyday.

 

Thanks SO much, Traci! Great Cara Box, and so happy to have made a blog friend that's not too far away. <3

Make sure to check out ALL of the February Cara Box exchanges, posted through Wifessionals.

Exciting news for Battle of the Dresses, and Battle No. 3 results...

weekly dress battle to cure workplace attire monotony & incite creative spirit by means of friendly competition

                                                                                                                                                                       

Sorry for keeping you all waiting -- we're putting the Battle of the Dresses on hold for a bit, and working on revising the structure and schedule. Which is EXCITING! We're opening the battle to more  friends, and if you'd like to battle it up in a future BOTD, leave a comment, send a message, tweet at one of us and we'll talk.

Battle No. 3 results....

What you were saying about No.3:

Emily:

"Texture. Yeah. The sweater, and boots and skirt are fantastic constrast of texture. And the greys aren't quite gray, they're actually a little warm in color and so the blue pop in the skirt seems to balance it admirably well."

"Love the sweater. Love the color of the skirt. Love them paired together w/ the boots. Love the boots. Yeah, much love. Full of win. "
"Emily's boots are everything that should ever happen to feet. "

Laura:

"Red+birds = win.
Also, bonus points for the Built to Spill accessory poster?"
"Love the red and the bird pattern, cute winged mascara, and LOVE the necklace! 413 represent!"
"I love the pop of color, use of a skinny belt, and that she sourced Etsy for her jewelry. I WILL say that I really like Emily's Fergalicious boots too though. "

Read more about the Battle of the Dresses.