this week in pins / may 31
I haven’t been very active on the old blog this week (even though I said I would…), but I’m always active on Pinterest. It’s my favorite activity—aside from reading a good book—during my commute to and from work. Check out some of my favs this week. And follow me if you don’t already!
2 Year Anniversary
Today marks my second anniversary working for Pivot Design. My first job out of school was working for a Chicago Real Estate agency.
designing flyers.
with two other designers.
in the basement.
Needless to say, the only direction I could’ve gone was up, and landing the job at Pivot was way, way up.
Two years later, I’m grateful for the people that I’ve met and the experience I’ve gained. I’ve been able to work on some really cool projects, including some of my favorites below. Not every day is a picnic, but more often than not I feel challenged and happy. Pretty soon, I’ll be happily working for Pivot in San Francisco and I’m so full of mixed emotions. It feels like so much more time has passed since I started in 2011 and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Weingarten Save the Date, Smithsonian Institution
The Paris Opéra Ballet, Harris Theater
Ability Lab Mailer, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
2012 Annual Report, University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
Website Redesign, BioLife Plasma Services
Pinterest is great
Articles have been flying around the interwebs about how Pinterest can make you depressed. The pressure of having picture-perfect homes and artfully crafted meals is apparently getting to people on a deeper level. I felt some of that stress while we were planning our wedding, but that could’ve just been normal wedding stress (who knows?). All I know is that Pinterest helps me pick out my outfit when I hate everything in my closet, and it’s my best friend when I need to find general inspiration to keep me awake during the day. A little comparison never hurt anybody—it’s when it turns into a total jealous rage that it becomes dangerous. So, fellow pinners, tread lightly and use Pinterest as it was intended … inspire and be inspired.
Now, here’s a list of things that I’d like that other beautiful ladies have …
style / cheekbones / skin tone / high bun / legs
Spring Style / Cool & Casual
It seems like spring is here to stay, at least for a while, so I guess I’ll make the most of it by pairing my fall and summer favorites—tees, boyfriend jeans, loafers and neon-bright sweaters. OK, spring isn’t so bad ;)
white tank / neon sweater / stripe loafer / boyfriend jeans / military jacket / leather leggings / olive TOMS / lucky tee
Inspiration—olivia palermo / chriselle lim / navy blazer / selma blair / lauren conrad
just be happy
Guys—
it’s been almost two months since I’ve seen you, and I don’t even have a good reason. Well, that’s not entirely true …
Around the time that I fell off the face of the earth, I saw a post on one of my favorite daily reads that bad-mouthed blogs like mine a little bit. It basically said that blogs that don’t create unique content (blogs like this one that pull inspiration from all corners of the internet instead of scheduling photoshoots) aren’t valuable. It really shook my confidence and made me question whether I should continue to post/pin/care about the blogosphere.
So I took a break. A break that I thought could be permanent. A break from posting, reading, commenting—all things blog—and I missed it. I felt less inspired and more negative than ever. Then I realized …
I post what inspires me in the moment and what I love, and I work without an editorial calendar, which is not a bad thing. I’m not looking to monetize or gather sponsors, I just want an outlet where I can share my inspiration and put my own flavor on each post. This is how I express myself and it’s a community where I feel at home. So, why would I ever leave?
Long story, short—I’m back. And nothing is going to change. Same fun posts, same hot pink accents, with a brand new attitude.
Homestyle / Mixing Materials
Last weekend we helped a friend move into her new apartment in the super hip Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, and it all just made me crave my own new place. Of course, it’s the new furniture, accessories and organization that I craved, not the packing or carrying :)
So immediately I head over to my favorite home blogs and pinterest boards, which is always a terrible idea when you’re on a budget, and I’m drooling. Literally, drooling while scrolling through image after gorgeous image. No question, what caught my eye most was the mix of materials, styles and textures. Whether it was mixing neutrals with neons, wood and metal or traditional and contemporary, I am obsessed. And seriously, who ever thought layering rugs could look so cool??
where is spring?
It is actually March, right? Hard to believe with snow still on the ground and temps below freezing, although I really should be used to this by now…
Even if it is still winter weather, my winter wardrobe is in desperate need of a style update. A little pop of color and a lot more attention to detail are necessary if I’m ever going to make it out of winter alive.
Wishing and Hoping
I feel like all I do lately is tell people how much I wish I could be doing blank, or I can’t wait until blank—blank, of course, is code for moving to San Francisco to begin having daily adventures with the hubs. I’m a little bit sick of this waiting game already. I just want to live in the present and enjoy my life as it is right now.
You all are my witnesses, I’m going to do my best from now on to make the most of the time we have left in Chicago—with our friends, family and hopefully some good weather in the coming months. Because before I know it, it will be August and we’ll be gone.
