ON THE ROAD AGAIN

My meetings continue today in Southern California. To wake up to this view is almost worth being away from home. Almost, but not quite.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Greetings from sunny Orange County. Way better view than the snow storm hitting Chicago, no?

MUSIC MONDAY vol 40

Even though I didn't actually watch the Oscars last night, I watched a couple Oscar nominated films this weekend. Mr. Squareview and I snuggled up on the couch and watched Argo and Beast of the Southern Wild. Dramatically different films, but both were wonderful.

I particularly liked the soundtracks from each film.  Argo's took you back to a particular time and place (who knew that Van Halen's Dance the Night Away was actually that old??) while the soundtrack for Beast of the Southern Wild is mainly made up of original scores written for the film.

Set in southern Louisiana, the moody, languid, almost sweaty compositions really made you feel like you were right there in The Bathtub with the main character Hush Puppy.

There is one, however, that stands out as more uplifting that then others so I just had to share.  Enjoy Once There Was A Hush Puppy.

WELCOME WEEKEND!

I don't know if this is true for you, but weeks like this one with a holiday on Monday always seem to last sooooo much longer than a normal 5 day work week.  I'm so looking forward to heading out the office door today.

Enjoy the glitz and the glam of the Academy Awards everyone!

PHOTO CREDIT - TWIG AND THISTLE VIA PINTEREST

Source: twigandthistle.com via Jenny on Pinterest

FRESHLY MINTED: BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS

I'm so excited to announce that my Introduced by Infographic design was picked to be sold on Minted!

There are some designs that I struggle to pull together and others that just come together magically. This was one of those that just came together magically.  It all started after I scribbled this idea in my notebook after receiving in a PowerPoint presentation about retirement statistics. Go figure.

I also designed a fun pattern as a backer and a bold address label to welcome the new addition home.

Along with the fun pattern for the backer, Minted also offers other options for the new parents to give more details of the new arrival in both words and pictures.  I love the washi taped photo look.  So fresh and fun.

In addition to the grass color above, the design comes in two other modern and not too gender specific colors: Golden & Ash.

If you know anyone in the market for a cute baby announcement - I know where you can find one! Don't forget to use the discount code you'll see on right.

MARIE FORLEO'S B-SCHOOL

I love Tuesdays.  Monday is behind you, the week is underway and exciting possibilities are ahead. Tuesdays are also a fav for me because I receive a wonderful little gem in my inbox.  It's the first thing I read and it makes me smile each and every time I click open.  I'm talking about Marie Forleo's Q&A Tuesday video.  I've mentioned my love for Marie before, but I wanted to dedicate an entire "I love Marie" post to her today.

If you haven't found her site yet, stop everything you are doing a go now!  Marie's is the place to be to help create a business and life you love.

Anyway, back to my admiration... In the past couple weeks, I've been devouring the free training videos she's produced on creating a powerful online presence (find those wonderful videos here) for your business.  The information in these videos can stand alone and is very valuable, but they also introduce her B-School program.  I'm having the long talk with Mr. Squareview to map out a plan to eventually be a B-School grad, but in the meantime I wanted to share with you the why.

Take a look at these past grads videos (below).  You honestly can't help but be inspired! Enjoy.

MUSIC MONDAY vol 39

Nothing like a cover of an iconic 80's song to celebrate President's Day.  Well, not really, there are much better ways, but enjoy nonetheless!

PANTONE 2013 FALL COLORS + CMYK CODES

It's that time again fellow color nerds.  Pantone released it's Fashion Color Report for Fall 2013.  You'll see a couple lovelies from the 2013 Spring Report, Emerald and Mykonos Blue, make another appearance but overall, this batch is fresh and new.  Deep and rich is the name of the color game this fall.  I am particularly interested in anything in Beaujolais to be added to my closet ASAP.

CMYK codes are shown below for those of you that are ready to start including these beauties in your designs.  Enjoy!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Hope your day is full of hearts, love and happiness this Valentine's!  If you're looking for last minute gift tags check out here and here for free downloads!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

link here for photo credit 

Mr. Squareview and I have a deep affection for New Orleans.  The sights, the sounds, the music, the food, the drinks.... I could go on forever.  It's a town full of charm and tradition.

The one an only time I've spent time in New Orleans for Mardi Gras was because I happened to be there to attend a conference.   It also happened to be 2010 and that conference was book-ended by the Saints Super Bowl win & Mardi Gras.  Wow! It was an experience I wouldn't trade for the world but it was crazy.

We've been down several times before and since, and while there is always a crowd (Halloween is particularly interesting!), the time spent in NOLA between those two joyful events was inexplicable.

I think that Mardi Gras was both my first and last in NOLA, but that doesn't make it less fun to celebrate from afar.  Grab some great food & equally wonderful drink and start your own parade!

Happy Mardi Gras, Y'all!

MUSIC MONDAY vol 38

Happy Lundi Gras, Y'all (or Shrove Monday for you traditionalists out there)!  I wanted to share one of my favorite brass bands playing a song that you'll hear in your head for at least a week following a trip to the Big Easy. It's a very amateur video, but worth it.

I give you Rebirth Brass Band with Do Watcha Wanna. Enjoy!  

If the video isn't working, click here for the link.

Fun Fact: The Fleur-di-lis Cafe shown at the beginning of the video is open early for breakfast and a must after a late night out. Mr. Squareview was devastated when he ordered the muffaletta omelet only to learn it was no longer on the menu. He must of looked a little worst for the wear though as the kind folks behind the counter had a heart and made it for him anyway.

FREEBIE FRIDAY: VALENTINE DAY TAGS

Love is definitely in the air this season! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I wanted to share another set of gift tags with you.  These combine two of my favorite color combinations for Valentine's day - red and teal.  

These could also be used as classroom Valentine wishes if you were looking for something last minute.  Or if you were looking for something more customized, check out my design for sale at Minted and using the badge to the  right and get 10% off your order!

NEW TYPEFACE LOVE

I know that typically font love is saved for Font Friday, but I just couldn't resist... The wonderful Foundry of Hoefler & Frere-Jones has produced some of my absolute favorite typefaces (Cyclone, Archer, Gotham, oh my!) and they've done it again with their most recent release, Landmark.

The signature alphabet of Lever House, one of New York's most significant architectural milestones, becomes a family of clear and colorful display fonts. It comes in 4 different weights, Regular, Inline, Shadow and Dimensional.  Head over to the H&FJ site (here) and scoop it up!

via H&FJ

ANIMATED SHORT GREATLY IMPROVES MY MORNING

I had a miserable commute this morning.  The "el" train was packed, slow, smelly (more than usual), and every single person around me was sneezing, coughing, or a combination of both.  Yuck.

But a fun find in my inbox has lightened my mood and I wanted to share.  This animated short from Disney called Paperman is a simple story gorgeously drawn and is the perfect cure to the morning commute blues. I  can only hope this good feeling lasts until my commute home. Enjoy!

MUSIC MONDAY vol 37

I caught a little bit of the movie Away We Go this weekend and was reminded how much I liked this song.  I give you All My Days by Alexi Murdoch.  Enjoy.

ETSY LOVE: SWEET WHIMSY SHOP

Happy Friday!  My original plan for today's post was to talk mainly about the coming weekend, specifically Groundhog Day and the Superbowl.  Everything changed after I stumbled upon a new Etsy shop find.  The shop is called the Sweet Whimsy Shop and they sell cake pops.

I know what you're thinking, cake pops - snooze.  I they have been around forever, but I still get a kick out of them when they are done super well and I think this shop's ones are darling.  Look at the cuties I could have offered (if I would have been way more prepared) this weekend!

SUPER BOWL CUTIES via SWEET WHIMSY SHOP

GROUNDHOG POPS via SWEET WHIMSY SHOP

The rest of these are just the cutest too.  The Harry Potter and One Direction ones are my favs!  If you're looking for cake pops, head on over to the shop found here.  All the below images were taken directly from the shop.

ONE DIRECTION - TOO CUTE

HARRY POTTER PARTY!

COWBOY CAKEPOPS

BABY'S FIRST CAKE POP

HOT COCOA CAKE POP 

MMM - now I'm hungry!  Have a great weekend!