January 15, 2010

Happy Weekend.

It felt great to get back to regular blogging this week after almost a month of haphazard posts. Thanks for waiting out the flu and two Christmases with me!

You may have noticed one sizable change here over the past week: The Daily Eat is no longer with us. After a year and half I’ve decided it was time to take things in a fresher direction. One that is decidedly more true to Design Crush. So stay tuned to see where it goes, I promise to try not to disappoint!

My favorites from the past week (and maybe a few from the week before that, too!)…

S’mores + waffles = S’moreffles. Also know as, holy crap that’s genius!

Take advantage of the winter weather and make maple syrup taffy in the snow

So excited to see Sophie Blackall’s Missed Connections illustrations now available as prints

And Jessica Hische just took the print plunge with her Daily Drop Cap series

Loving Joy’s latest feature on happy lady eats, Lunch Lady, showing off what people eat for their mid-day meal

I’m quite sure you’ve seen Lisa Congdon’s A Collection a day, 2010 blog by now. But if you haven’t…

Quite possibly my favorite wedding to date

Let’s spraypaint on snow – why not?

The chic-est party cake ever

I heart quick bread. Here are ten amazing recipes.

Pretty DIY winter ice lanterns

This DIY grocery planner is destined for my fridge

Download this awesome seasonal calendar and be reminded of what fruits + veggies are in season, too!

Or download this one and have the entire year on one pretty piece of paper

There are tons of January desktop wallpapers running around – here are my favorites 1 + 2

Fun printable goal list to help you through the day

Happy Weekend!

PS: Don’t forget – you have until Monday morning at 9am CST to enter the CoolHot giveaway!

Posted In blog love, downloads, happy weekend, make it, paper goods, prints, recipes, weddings
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December 31, 2009

Happy {2010} Weekend.

I cut out New Year’s resolutions a few years ago after making too many unfulfilled promises to myself and feeling bad about it. I’m not knocking them if you’re a fan, I’m just no good with such a big weight on my shoulders. (I’ll lose 50 lbs. I’ll . I’ll single-handedly be responsible for world peace.)

I’m more of a believer that instead of resolving to do something, we should try to make smaller life decisions that are part of our day to day existences. I plan on trying to drink more water, keeping in closer touch with friends and family and starting to landscape around my house. Easy enough because I know they’re all possible without too much trouble. What are your goals for 2010?

And because I’ve been out of the loop for the past few weeks, some of my favorite posts that have graced my reader recently:

+ DIY Origami Box Ornaments with a great step-by-step tutorial :: Creature Comforts

+ Super cute free holiday tags, perfect for a homemade goodie gift! :: Creature Comforts

+ A bevy of holiday packaging freebies :: Benign Objects

+ A clever free printable holiday card :: Creature Comforts

+ Sad I didn’t see these really well designed desktop wallpapers sooner! Downloaded for next year :: Nien Studios

+ A great Christmas mix of songs both new and old :: m.writes

+ And a fantastic mixcast full of indie Christmas tunes, too :: kitsune noir

+ Pretty red and aqua holiday downloads :: Eat. Drink. Chic.

+ Loving these type-centric gift tags :: Wiley Valentine

+ And these gift tags :: Creature Comforts

+ And these tags and labels :: Creature Comforts

+ And these gift tags, too! :: heysusy

+ Did you see Livy’s gorgeous vintage village that she made? :: A Field Journal

+ 12 Days of Christmas boxes for you to fill with goodies :: The Dieline

+ Insta-gift: print these free recipe cards and labels :: mstetson design

+ I’ll be busy printing out this 2010 calendar this weekend! :: poppytalk

+ And this one :: redblackbrown

+ I can hardly believe this printable pocket calendar is f-r-e-e! :: Creature Comforts

Happy Weekend + Best Wishes in 2010!

Posted In calendars, downloads, happy weekend, holidays, make it, music, new years, paper goods
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December 11, 2009

Happy Weekend.

Great things from the week past…

Super pretty I-can’t-believe-they’re-a-free-download holiday gift tags :: Two Brunettes

Are you using TeuxDeux, the super simple, designy, free to-do app yet? :: swissmiss

Relive your childhood mall Santa terrors with Sketchy Santas

Tear off wallpaper for that customized look :: Design-Milk

Pantone unveils Turquoise 15-5519 as color of the year for 2010!

Living In: Romeo & Juliet :: Design*Sponge

More incredible free printable wintry holiday tags for your collection :: Domestifluff

This December desktop calendar is rockin’ my screen right now :: simple blueprint

Loving the details in this chic Chicago wedding :: Style Me Pretty

Download these envelope + package wraps for your holiday mailings :: Creature Comforts

A great selection of warm + cozy throws for under $100 :: Shelterpop

Check out my personal wish list for the year! :: Shiny Squirrel

Giveaway Reminder: You have until Monday at 9am CST to enter the ivee giveaway!

Happy Weekend!

Posted In accessories, christmas, downloads, graphic design, happy weekend, holidays, house and home, online, shameless plug, walls, weddings
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December 4, 2009

Happy Weekend.

Good stuff from the past week:

A colorful, sweet garland to print out and create :: Angry Chicken

Festive printable holiday photo cards to make things personal :: Creature Comforts

The sweetest secluded tree house getaway :: Pia Jane Bijkerk

Printable label tags that are perfect for gifting baked goods, or maybe even your cookies swap :: Cottage Industrialist

Pretty little candle wraps to download and decorate :: sfgirlbybay

Swooning over this faux fireplace project :: Linda & Harriett

An adorable last-minute advent calendar constructed out of office supplies :: Design*Sponge

Keep track with this sweet December calendar download :: That’s Happy

A bright orange pillow box printable that sure to make things colorful :: How About Orange

Karey Mackin and Mary Ruffle opened the doors to the t.ruffle etsy shop this week!

An invitation modeled after a Penguin book cover. Genius. :: A Cup of Jo

Whimsically illustrated gift tags for you to save and print :: fresh picked whimsy

Happy Weekend!

PS: Don’t forget, you have until Monday morning at 9am CST to enter to win a mini goals chalkboard from Mary Kate McDevitt!

Posted In cards, christmas, downloads, gifts, happy weekend, holidays, house and home, make it, weddings
3
November 25, 2009

Happy {Thanksgiving} Weekend.

I’m thrilled for Thanksgiving this year. Not just the food, food, FOOD or the mad dash shopping on Black Friday (which I really do love, by the way), but the tradition. I’ve never missed a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in my lifetime, so that’s first up. Then I’ll be making cranberry parfaits to enter into our family’s yearly Thanksgiving Dessert Contest. Sometime in the early afternoon I’ll head over to my mom and stepdad’s house. My mom and I will cook and browse the sales ads to formulate our plan of action for Friday. There will be lots of football watched and maybe even a little bit of Christmas decorating done since we’ll all be together. Finally, that evening I’ll roll myself to my car and home, with a bag full of leftovers to sustain me throughout the weekend. What’s the best part of your Thanksgiving Day?

Lots of good stuff floating around this week…

The holidays can be a bit stressful to say the least and I love this Keep Calm and Drink printable to keep things light and funny :: Whisker Graphics

Sweet Paul kicked off his crafty holiday countdown today!

Love these vintage photos from the 1932 Macy’s parade :: bad banana blog

I like this idea for Thanksgiving Blessing Snack Mix – it would make a great hostess gift or take-away for guests and could be packaged up so sweetly! :: The Kitchn

Cute bird bookmark download – great idea to tuck one into a book you’re loaning out or returning from having borrowed as a little surprise :: How About Orange

Getting ready to start decorating for the holidays? Here’s a great roundup of DIY wreaths :: marta writes

Mrs. French is now selling her photography as little Polaroid collections in her shop! :: Bliss

A pretty place setting practice template to help kids learn the ropes of table settings (free labor!) :: Blonde Designs

Rachel’s doing a great set of posts – Holidays, Managed – to help keep the stress at bay and the end goal in mind :: Heart of Light

A great selection of one of my favorite parts of a wedding: the seating chart :: Pretty Little Things

Happy {Thanksgiving} Weekend!

NOTE: Don’t forget – you have until Monday at 9am CST to enter the Vivi Dot giveaway for a haul of fun holiday accessories!

Posted In downloads, happy weekend, holidays, kids, make it, online, recipes, thanksgiving, weddings
6
November 20, 2009

Happy Weekend.

• another use for my ever-growing paint chip collection, these brilliant housewarming party invitations :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• simple paper hurricane covers for your Thanksgiving spread :: A Little Hut
• whimsical wedding programs and thank yous featuring a darling illustration :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• super cute printable cupcake and teacup notes for the holidays (or any days) :: Creature Comforts
• modern Thanksgiving invitations that I’d love to send out :: Blonde Designs
• clever invitations to a cookie swap :: Brooklyn Limestone
• a nice collection of miniature and tabletop Christmas trees for home or work :: Apartment Therapy New York
• Under $100 Holiday Serving Platters – because everyone needs at least one :: Shelterpop
• check out these DIY pretty fabric pumpkins for a little *pop* :: Design*Sponge

Happy Weekend!

Posted In downloads, entertaining, happy weekend, holidays, invitations, make it, paper goods, thanksgiving, weddings
4
November 13, 2009

Happy Weekend.

A roundup of my favorites from the past week, a few printables and a wish for a Happy Weekend! Also, a reminder that you only have until Monday at 9am CST to enter Win It: THe Paper Apartment. So hop to it!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

• in my family wine is a big deal during the holidays so I’m digging this Thanksgiving Wine Guide :: Sippity Sup
• enviable Thanksgiving invitations :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• make your own coffee stencil! :: How About Orange
• don’t have a clue what to cook up for Thanksgiving? check out 172 recipes from 9 leading food magazines :: The Bitten Word
• check out the new design look on Unruly Things!
• don’t miss a week full of apple recipes :: A Field Journal
• get your mind churning over homemade holiday gifts with these ideas :: Wiley Valentine
• take a trip over to Feather Report to see my week of outfits
• a pale and pretty fall download from Ez :: Creature Comforts
• a sweet CD template and playlist suggestions for wedding or party favors :: Benign Objects
• printable pumpkin goodies :: Love. Obsess. Inspire.
• write a note on this downloadable set of stitchy stationery :: Bread of Many
• download these ABC cards and join in on a birthday tradition :: Design*Sponge

Posted In blog love, cocktails, downloads, gifts, happy weekend, holidays, invitations, make it, music, paper goods, recipes, shameless plug, thanksgiving, wear it
2
November 6, 2009

Happy Weekend.

The past week has been a whirlwind of birthday awesomeness! Between my dad’s surprise visit to the best tres leches cake ever I’ve decided that thirty is pretty great so far. And thank you all once again for your warm birthday wishes – they really mean a lot.

Notes:
Don’t forget, you have until Monday at 9:00 am CST to enter for a chance to win an original painting from Lisa Romero! The odds are looking like they’re in your favor at the moment, too.

And as for all the goodness floating around this past week…
• can’t wait to try this: use a waffle iron to make cookies fast :: The Kitchn
• have you seen Ellie’s amazing Halloween invitations? :: mint
• Karey’s sweet post for my birthday *gush* :: mackin ink
• this dude drew the entire NYC skyline – from memory :: a cup of jo
• great tips on how to take product shots :: poppytalk
• classically chic Halloween themed rehearsal dinner :: Style Me Pretty

And tons of great downloads… for FREE of course!
• print out these holiday mailing labels for packages going to faraway friends :: Make, Do & Send
• everyone is sick right now! choose from two get well cards :: Vale Designs
• sweet packaging labels for bath salts + hot chocolate mix :: Blonde Designs
• the cutest candy bag favors :: Style Me Pretty
• and homemade pie tags, too :: Style Me Pretty
• cup wrappers for your next get together :: Eat Drink Chic
• pretty gift tags for your presents :: Love. Obsess. Inspire.
• not one, not two, but three November calendars for you!

Happy Weekend!

Posted In downloads, entertaining, gifts, halloween, happy weekend, holidays, invitations, office, recipes, shameless plug, weddings
6
October 30, 2009

Happy {Halloween} Weekend.

Hoorah! Halloween weekend is finally here (I feel like I’ve been waiting for ages…) and it’s going to be a busy one. Tonight is Greedy Girl’s costume party, then tomorrow is college football, a bake sale and trick or treating! Will you be swinging by any parties or dressing up?

NOTES:
+ You only have until tomorrow left to enter the 2010 Calendar Swap, so hurry up already!
+ Our calendar giveaways are about to finish up, but you have until Monday to enter the Lizard Press calendar giveaway!
+ And the Aster + Sage giveaway ends Monday morning at 9:00 CST, enter to win a sweet pouch plus one to give away!

Great posts this week…
• a great roundup of sweet Halloween printables and paper crafts (I love the owl bag topper!) :: paper crave
• fantastic + amazing Halloween mix to play in your cube or at your party :: Kitsune Noir
• beautifully intricate project to download + make your very own I Spied October game :: A Field Journal
• really pretty pink + grey wedding! :: Wiley Valentine
• scary, tasty brain cake :: Neatorama
• classy holiday dinner party invites to download for your next fall get-together :: Love. Obsess. Inspire.
• Pumpkin Week :: Sweet Paul
• brilliantly designed Creature Survival Kit invitations :: A Brooklyn Limestone
• almost time to start gearing up for the holidays! check out 35 delicious treats to make + give :: Meet Me at Mikes

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Posted In downloads, entertaining, gifts, halloween, happy weekend, holidays, invitations, music, paper goods, recipes, weddings
1
October 23, 2009

Happy Weekend.

Hello, weekend! I’m so, so very happy to see you again. And really looking forward to the Greek festival, the OU game, Ghouls Gone Wild and boot shopping! (If you could somehow make my clean underwear supply last until Monday so that I don’t have to do laundry just yet, that would rock.)

NOTES:
• You have until Monday at 9am CST to enter and win one of Marta’s oh-so-cute mini diaries!
• The time left to enter the 2010 Calendar Swap is starting to wind down, but there’s still a few days left. If you need some inspiration check out my calendar roundups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5!

This week’s Mad Props:
• the search is on for a winter coat :: design is mine
• super cute Halloween printables for the kid in you :: Living Locurto
• a little graphic designer humor :: kitsune noir
• the sweetest, most colorful wedding :: Black*Eiffel
• adorable handmade masks :: poppytalk
• download these French-inspired gift tags :: Eat Drink Chic
• tricked out treats using fun sized sweets (that’s a mouthful!) :: Cakespy
• under $100 at the bar :: Design*Sponge
• pretty mini bobbypins :: Heart of Light
• Mini Greeting Card + Letter-Writing Set freebie :: Eat Drink Chic

Happy Weekend!

Posted In downloads, entertaining, graphic design, happy weekend, holidays, wear it, weddings
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