Work Lately...

With all the work that has been coming down the pipeline, I haven't had a chance to sit down and write a proper blog about all the fancy peppermint bark I'd like to taste and all the DIY gifts I'd like to try…if I had time.  That said, I am feeling pretty blessed to be able to work from home and do what I love!  

Above is a tiny snapshot of some day-to-day projects that I've had a chance to tinker with.   Lots of print and web work, creative directing on the LP spring 2014 shoot & catalog, Fall 2013 catalog, Clever Training office posters & flyers, and quick insurance ad that came through today!

On another note…I am going to be an AUNTIE!  My sister is due at the beginning of March, and I am absolutely thrilled for her.  We are having a little baby shower after Christmas.  Below is the invite ;)  

Happy Friday!

Mantel Mania!

'Tis the season!  Hope all your wildest Black Friday dreams are coming true as you venture into the abyss (aka the mall).   I, on the other hand, am happy staying home today to put up some Christmas decorations because, after all, it is simply uncouth to put them up any sooner than Black Friday.

My makeshift mantel seemed like the most obvious place to start, and behold, we have the above photo!  I usually have a stack of photos and prints layered in multiple frames on our shelf.  Nixed 'em.  I replaced one frame with a piece of Kraft paper with a little holiday cheer written on it.  Next, I added a wreath, some candlesticks, and I filled hurricanes with ornaments and beads.  A little extra green garland fills in the blanks along with a few extra ornaments scattered throughout.

PLUS, our big red surfboard actually seems to fit right in.  Never mind the 4 wakeboards to the left of our shelf…conveniently cropped out of the photo, of course…as well as the 3 bikes that seem to only fit in the living room of all places.

SO, there you have it folks.  Our cozy apartment seems more festive than ever this year.  Maybe it's that the weather if finally cooling off.  Maybe it is that I am more at peace with our life than in years past.  Dylan and I just had our two year anniversary this month.  I cannot believe how far we have come in two years!  New careers, new home, new friends, new adventures!

Stay tuned for more holiday cheer!  

Ampersand

A little ampersand love for you this Friday.

Jewelry by Make Pie Not War on Etsy.

Typographic Poster

I recently had the opportunity to help my sister out with a gift for her husband: creating a typographic poster based on one of his favorite quotes (by Matt Batterson).

Light Bulb!  Find your loved one's favorite saying or quote, create a similar typographic print, frame it, and gift it!  Need help designing a poster for your friends and/or family?  Contact me:

mitzidickdesign[at]gmail[dot]com

xoxo,

Mitz

Ice Cream

I stumbled onto these words of wisdom at Design Crush and completely lost it!  It's so true, ice cream will fix many problems in life...especially if it is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ;)

Happy Weekend!

(via myself!)

A Sweet New Year

Happy 2012!  Sorry it has been such a long time since my last posting; between (ugh) holiday retail hours at work, late nights with friends, and attempting to decorate my plain-white box of a home, I am finally back to kick off the new year! 

Now, if you are anything like me, exactly 9 days ago you probably picked a new years resolution like working out more, eating healthier, staying more organized, yada yada yada only to let yourself down after, oh no, day 3?  NEWSFLASH:  IT'S OK!  Each day can be considered a "new year", so let's get on with it and start enjoying 2012 by nibbling on some Dude, Sweet Chocolate.  I absolutely adore this surfer-dude vibe for a chocolate company, very unexpected and a little masculine.  I also love the fact that the packaging is hand-stamped with the company's name (see the last picture)!  All in all, kudos to Tractorbeam for the lovely branding, and may you have a sweet, sweet new year.


(via invigor8)

Cheers!

CHEERS to the new gift tags available at the Fancy Schmantzy esty shop! Simple yet rustic, these typographic tags are sure to bring holiday cheer to all who see them.  They are perfect for slipping on a bottle of wine when going to holiday dinner parties ('tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry!).  You can also wear them as earrings if you don't have the proper holiday attire...but mostly, they're good for putting on the wine bottles.  Yep.  Stick with the wine bottles on this one.  

Available in packs of 8.  Blank inside.  Fancy Schmantzy store logo printed on backside.  See store for more details!

Visit my shop often as more merchandise starts to roll out!

Want

 

Oh my goodness, I found these on Etsy and couldn't resist passing them on to you!  Jan Skácelík, a graphic designer based out of Czech Republic, creates her prints inspired by midcentury modern furniture and glassware.  She even has some originals signed by the designers themselves!  

Czech her shop out here!  (sorry...bad pun, I know, I know)

D*S Book Signing

Hooray for Design*Sponge book signing celebration!!!!!!!  Anthropologie on State St. hosted a lovely party with cupcakes (stood there looking at them trying to choose between red velvet or peanut butter chocolate far longer than I should have), homemade cookies via the store manager's mother (I had 2), and apple spritzers to boot! I even brushed elbows with Grace in line as she snagged some cookies before running to the signing table!

My mother and I got there a few minutes early to beat the lines and breezed right up to the signing table where Grace Bonney was wearing an adorable black and cream striped sweater dress with a pair of black, flat ankle boots (fancy, but casual).  I must admit, I was a little starstruck by her whole...aura haha but was excited to get my book signed and take a picture with her.  It is so odd to finally meet her after reading Design*Sponge for so long!  Looking forward to more d*s books to come!

 

Oh, and we stopped at Corner Bakery for a quick bite between shopping and the signing...LOVED the typographic cups and the pretty lights in front of the Palmer Hotel!

Lost Type Co.

I can never seem to get enough vintage-inspired fonts into my library, and thanks to Lost Type Co. my collection is steadily growing!  There are so many amazing typographers out there, and I can't express how much I appreciate them giving out their beautiful designs for free!

Go to Lost Type Co. to download them.  Simply type "0" in the amount for free downloading.

My faves included Nelma by Missy Austin, Muncie as well as Governor by Riley Cran, and Ranger by Evan Huwa.  Also, check out Pompadour Numerals by Andy Mangold

Leaving

Poster from graphic designer Hanna Arsnes

5 Things

 

What's yours?

(via me) 

Night Owl

You can never have too many cards, sketchbooks, and other paper goods!

(via nightowl)

10 Reasons

Here are my top 10 reasons to love Valentine's Day

10. Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Or any kind of cupcake for that matter.

9. Crafts.

Everyone knows that homemade valentines are the best.

8. Pink and Red

You can rock it with no fear of looking like a fashion disaster.

7. Ruffles

Girly ruffles are a MUST today.

6. Red Lipstick

So romantic. So chic. So punk rock. (sigh)

5. Little Black Dress.

Paired with red lipstick and high heels, of course.

4. It my Birthday





3. Roses

(from admirers...)

2. Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate

1. My (very sweet) Valentine

...Dylan...

(via martha, shannonelieen, modcloth, stylewithbenefits, veggiewedgie, whatkatieate, farmersgirlstravels, sugarplums)