Currently Lovin'...Traveler's Notebook

Not only do I find the aesthetics appealing, the functionality and uses are enchanting. This notebook instantly transforms me into a mindset that I need to capture not only the daily nuisances as well as my life adventures.

“Capturing the moment matters most when you capture the heart of the moment.” Angelo Jorge

This quote sums it up the most. I would be so inspired by this brilliant notebook to capture the adventure my heart takes daily. To jot down the simple pleasures in life – my baby’s new ability to belly laugh, grab things, and smile – as well as the DIY projects I am constantly finding inspiration for throughout the happenings of my daily routine.

Even though I may not be the typical Traveler’s Notebook type of person…this notebook is perfect for my day-to-day working mommy life, as well as for the dreamer and idealist in me, always looking for the good and beauty in everyone and everything. Capturing the inspiration in everything that I always seem to encounter in those things that may seem mundane. With the customization options being endless, the notebook can be as ever evolving as I am throughout my life.

It will also work perfect for those spur of the moment trips darling pilot husband and I seem to take. The flexibility it offers to slip in a new notebook quickly makes it the perfect travel book – new notebook per city, trek, or hurdle I may encounter. If you peruse the flickr group seen here and you can see how much individuality it has as well as the character age brings the Traveler’s Notebook. Mind you, I have been lusting for a while now, but now I am Ob-Sessed at this point.
Sources:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56974122@N04/6323777614/in/pool-travelernotebook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ycc_ladolcevita/6291469197/in/pool-travelernotebook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketman3/6276448570/in/pool-travelernotebook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rei_relish/1594835412/in/pool-travelernotebook

Previously hard to locate in the US, you can now easily obtain one of your own from here Resor Shop. Naturally, I am drawn to both the brown and black due to my deep love of leather and the patina it gains, but black would blend nicely into my color palette (although brown ages to perfection). Hurry and grab one from the Resor Shop (they are also doing a giveaway to one lucky person right now too...wink, wink).

Not that the notebook was not enough on its own – did you see the brass accessories? I have always been a bit of a fan of the brass look, as it is classic and refined – but it has even gained popularity in home décor as of lately. The brass number markers are D-IVINE!

One last bit to gush – did you see their Mason bags? I have been ever searching for this style of bag ever since I saw Ms. Martha Stewart's customization of one. (tut here). I had a Klein tool bag years ago but got lost two moves ago…these are so much better! No logo and the perfect pairing to the Traveler’s Notebook. I have been seeking the source of these bags for years and must thank Resor Shop for finally answering my quest to the ultimate bag! And if you buy enough (the Traveler's Notebook, brass accessories, the bag, et al) - free shipping right now! I digress…will have to post about the Mason another day.

Now and Then

Wow....last post was 2009...long time ago. How embarrassing! I could give you the play-by-play of everything that has happened since then...but I'll spare you the details. Highlights of the time that we've missed together:
-New Work assignment - gone B-A-D. Crazy hours, even 60 some weeks for almost a year and a half; to say that is occupied my time would be an understatement...
-Pregnancy - well I don't know anything more than pregnancy that is a motivation killer, blogging was just not gonna happen.
and then comes - B-A-B-Y
He is the most lovely consumption of time that I have ever met...
Then back to work.

Luckily, this project isn't nearly as C-R-A-Z-Y as the last...so as part of my 2012 goal I will get back in the swing of blogging. So bare with me as I get my footing back and fabulous content to post early next year!

Fab Way to Start the Monday Morning

Just had to share my little bit of happiness from my corner of the world this morning. A cup of Joe in my new mug that a fab friend created herself. How amazing is her work!I finally encouraged her to open up an etsy shop. Check back this fall as she enters her final year of Ceramics schooling and adds more advanced, amazing pieces!

T-2 plus 6?

The Sip N' Meet looming in the near future (two days). Literally 62 hours away & I am scrabbling to accomplish the mile long to-do list.

I am the epitome of a procrastinator. (I'm such a big procrastinator - that when I read this Inspired Room Procrastinators Unite challenge, immediately got excited, focused on my goals, made my list - only to push off the imaginary deadline so far, that I missed the challenge all together.)

So this evening, I was racing around like a crazy woman trying to finish up as much as possible to surprised DH when he arrives home from a long week of travel. With the help of Mum, I "staged" my own home. In moments of clarity, swapped 4 pieces of furniture from one room to another, takin' this, swapping that...here's a snapshot of the journey my furniture traveled tonight:

Added the fab chaise, moving arm chair from master to living room. Wooden table went from living to dinning. Small table moved to Master (hold DH's suitcase when home), Chairs moved about, occasional tables swapped, "refreshed" and antiqued pieces finding a home...

The house had evolved in the course of less than two hours. I have a theory on decorating styles (will blog about it later), but my instant itch to get it done hit me, and poof - I saw where the pieces of the furniture puzzle should all fit in my house.

So, T-2 - party being 2 days away had to change the plans. I talked to the fab friend of the Sip N' Meet tonight. Long story short, RSVPs are low, regrets high, meaning the party would be better if we moved it ahead 6 days.

Never what a procrastinator wants to hear, "You have more time"...

Pleasant Dreams!

The Big Reveal

After much ado, here are the Sip N' Meet invitations that I sent out last week.
(Sorry that portions are blurred - for protection of course - but, I hate the way it makes the pictures look!)
The first picture depicts the unjazzed-up invite, the second the final product.

Click To Enlarge.

The breakdown of the invites:

The base paper is from the Martha Stewart wedding collection boxed invitation set. I luckily found it on clearance at our "Wal-Mart of the future" for $3.50 a box. I picked a paisley paper up at Joann's and found inspiration for the invites colors from this.

I struggled trying to decide if I wanted a graphic design/picture, or just fancy letters. To keep the event less theme oriented and more friendly gathering at the wish of the new mommy, I thought avoiding the typical, darling baby illustrations was best. Also, with my recent obsession with fonts and the impact a great typeface can have, the picture-less path was the way for me.

After designing the invites in photoshop, I took the basic invitation and sent it through my canon printer at home. Once printed, I trimmed the bottom of the invites along the embossed scallop Ms. Stewart's invites provided (this turned out to be my favorite part!).

Using the paisley paper, I added a strip to the back of the invite, allowing the new scallop edge to really pop out against such a graphic paper. Used the remaining paper to line the envelopes - and Voila! Sip N' Meet invitations were born, stamped with the new LOVE stamps, and send to find their happy guest-to-be.


(P.S. - The sweet little baby's older sis just happens to have the middle name Paisley!)

A Saturday Well Spent

Calligraphy-ing the day away...
Last Fall, Mums and I took a calligraphy class from Susie Melissa. Her work (pictured below), is divine and is used by biggies – even note, she has created menu cards for past presidents.




I loved the class, the overall “concept” of the class & what Susie Melissa was preaching. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m die hard for calligraphy. The class did however, bring me to the realization that traditional calligraphy, while gorgeous, is not in the cards for me. I cannot begin to travel down the road where I critique every letter that I write. I am already teetering the line of OCD/perfectionist, and I can-not open myself up to that amount of critique with regards to my handwriting.


I do, however, LOVE the way handwriting can look in a casual, calligraphic manner using simply their fancy pens. Striving for perfection is second nature to me, so realizing that the flawed rendition is still just as fabulous takes some coaching and reassurance from the mum. Pictured below are the works of three women I find very inspirational and blessed up to their ears in talent.

1. Love, Jenna 2. B Dunlap by Betsy Dunlap 3. lettergirl by Gina Sekelsky

I worked on my dear friend’s invites this weekend. (Sidenote - My hands look like those of the guy down the street at Firestone, as the ink has stained the nail beds and nails of my right hand – by stained, I mean black). But, I am overall happy with the end result.

I keep telling myself, “Self, one day you will look back and say, wow look at what you use to claim was calligraphy – you’ve come so far”. So, in this line of thinking, looking at this as practice, and leaving the flaws will only aid in giving the appearance that I have improved years from now.

Sorry for the blurring – but here are a few snaps.

(Does anyone know the word for the act of calligraphy? Webster is not fond of calligraphying)

Sip N' Meet

A dear friend of mine recently gave birth to the sweetest little girl! I am throwing her a “Sip N’ Meet” (really a sip n’ see, but I had a cute rhyme for the invite. I will have several posts over the next couple of weeks as I prep. The up-side to the quickly approaching deadline is I am a procrastinator. Loud and Proud – I need that date looming over my head, holding my feet to the fire, to accomplish most things. Including actually decorating our home. This means, lots to do, little time. Whew – I’m tired just thinking about it!

No specific colors or theme, this way I will be able to utilize what I have. I'm thinking ,various soft, muted tones and pastel colors, giving off less of "baby shower" notion (not her wishes) and more of a gathering of friends for a joyous celebration of baby girl.

I will be serving drinks and sweets - cakes, cheesecakes, sangria, etc. It will be on a Sunday, mid-afternoon to allow everyone to go to lunch after church before coming over. Boys were not invited - sorry guys! - making the lighter fair acceptable. Her guest list included about 2 dozen ladies - give or take a few. I dropped them with the postman yesterday. I will have pictures of the invites (I'm thrilled with how they turned out.)

A girl's gotta start somewhere - so I scoured my coveted photo collection. Here is a inspirational photo collage...

Click to make ridiculously large.

Top to Bottom,Left to Right:
Decor 8, Concrete & Honey
Kristybee, No Idea (sorry!)
Sunday Suppers, Sweet Paul