What I'm Working on Wednesday: PINK!

You may remember the website I designed for my SIL, Ali a while back. Well now, we're refreshing that to include the paperback edition of The Adults and a new short story, Someone's Uncle. In the meantime, girl needed some business cards.

In other pink news, I got a new-to-me bike! I feel like I'm ten years old when I ride this cute little beach cruiser. (Might also be because it was made for a 10 year old.) This gorgeous hunk of metal sends me back to my Fancy Dancer days. Sigh*

Brrrring Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrringggg!

Andrea xx

Weekend Wrap Up :: Hurricane Edition

 

Here's a look at the beach pre-Irene and at the tail-end. 

 Nothing compared to the waves off Long Island's south shore—but huge compared to what we're used to.

This is Sasco beach swallowing up the Fairfield Country Club golf course. 

And this is a windsurfer taking advantage of the amazing conditions. 

Our prayers go out to the families who lost someone special by this powerful storm. We feel very grateful to have power and to really not have been affected by the hurricane. 

Andrea xx

Winning!

The winner of the signed paperback book—The Adults, by Alison Espach, with awesome new cover goes to...

And just to prove I wasn't picking favorites. This is a screen grab of the random number this handy dandy generator spit out:

Thanks to everyone who admitted their teacher crush. I feel like it's only fair that I admit mine too...it was, no doubt, Coach Lipani. What gym teacher offers fishing?!

For those of you who were reading this and were like "Crap, there's no way I'm the winner, I didn't enter." Mmmm Hmmm (head roll), you should have! But don't fret my pet, I have an idea for another giveaway so you'll have your chance very soon.

Happy Hurricane-ing.


Andrea xx

Dovecote.

Kinda busy today. I know, I know, no excuses—but as I drove past Dovecote in Westport today I noticed their amazing new Autumn storefront window displays. Gorgeous navy walls, pops of animal prints and jewel tones.
I die.

A few home vignettes:

These orange lamps need to come home with me. 

Wondering if a custom oval lucite cocktail table is just what our living room needs. 

No, not coffee table...cocktail table. What? I have two boys!

If you aren't familiar with Dovecote you NEED to visit them, like yesterday. And be sure to pick up a treat for yourself in their jewelry anex. Here are some of my favorites from their Facebook page:

Feels ultra feminine even with the strong greek key design.

 

These would be perfect with the Milly dress I'm wearing for an October wedding.

REDICULOUS!  It's not even fair how beautiful this ring is.

So fun for everyday or even to throw on with a formal look to make it feel more funky and comfy.

**LAST CHANCE—if you haven't entered The Adults paperback giveaway head there now. (I'm secretly dying to know who everyone was crushing on in high school.)

Andrea xx

The Chop Shop

Are you sitting down? No really. Get a chair. This complete design story for The Chop Shop by Ptarmak is going to rock you harder than yesterday's wimpy earthquake.

 

This is what I mean by complete story. A lot of people think that once they have their logo, maybe some business cards that they're done. But it really reinforces your brand and makes it something special when you carry the look and feel throughout everything you do. Website, packaging, letterhead whatever. Don't be fat and lazy—brand it dammit!

**Also—if you haven't entered The Adults paperback giveaway head there now. Thanks to everyone who has already entered, your answers are awesome. 

Andrea xx

Surf's Up.

I typically LOVE Fall, but I'm really enjoying the Summer weather and I kinda don't want it to end. In the spirit of Summer lovin' here are a few gorgeous home designs that incorporate surf boards. I'm clearly in need of one for the boys' playroom—so if you know of anyone selling a used surfboard, I'm interested.

 

 I really like the all wood look of this board—no ugly branding to muck it up.

The often imitated Saturdays Surf oozes laid back cool. Who doesn't need some of that?!

I'm dying to install an outdoor shower—maybe next Summer. This is a cute idea, but maybe a little much.

Perfection! Digging everything about this room. FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE! (My birthday is NEXT MONTH!)

 image from Coastal Living

 

Love the pops of color from the board to the door and the hydrangea. Gorg!

Do surfers really say, "Surf's up Dude"? Just curious.

And if you haven't entered yet, head to yesterday's post to sign up for The Adults paperback giveaway.

Andrea xx

Up for Grabs.

This weekend we went to Brooklyn to check out our sisters' new apartments. That's right, Ali and Lo  living within blocks of each other...BK doesn't know what it's in for. And among the sites we saw, was Ali's new paperback cover—LOVING the new font and photo.

So I'm super super excited that my first giveaway on the blog will be a signed copy of this beauty (both inside and out) before it hits stores. Here are the rules for your chance to win:

1. LIKE Alison Espach's  Facebook page...check!

2. LIKE AE Design on Facebook...check!

3. Leave a comment at the end of this post with: the name (or nickname) of the teacher you had a crush on in school

I'll announce the winner on Friday—Good luck!


Andrea xx

Rumor Has It II.

Maybe you've seen this amazing wedding shoot for Barbie and Ken's big day. Here are a few of my favorite shots:

For more really beautiful shots go here.

Well, sources close to the couple tell me the reason for the sudden rush to the altar was allegedly—

Looks like pretty compelling evidence to me.

Andrea xx

DMB Design?

I'm pretty sure the last 3 concerts I went to were to see Britney Spears (don't hate)—the last of which was probably 2 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I love a good concert—but it's not on my top 5 things I'd like to do when I have a night off. And I really like music—in fact 80% of my brain space is filled with song lyrics—but I'm not a big concert goer. This wasn't always the case.

A little band called Dave Matthews Band dropped a couple albums: Under the Table and Dreaming and Crash—high school and college kids in the 90's went crazy. I was one of them. I had to go to every concert that A. was in a 200 mile radius from my parents' house and B. my parents would let me spend the $70+ on.

It's been a really long time since I've seen DMB in concert or even cared to for that matter, but DAMN! the design for their Caravan tour has blown my mind! Just look at this beautiful vintage, circus-y gloriousness:

I love how after a concert has passed they stamp the photo like you would a passport and then make it into a link to see photos, as opposed to being static images. SMARTY PANTS!

Hmmm. Governors Island is less than 60 miles from my house...looks like I'll be sending this link to McMuffin to see if he wants to make it our next date night.

Andrea xx

Ladies Night | Thursday Night.

This pretty much sums up the evening.

There was a little of this

a little of that

and a pretty delicious dinner.

But as much fun as it was, I'm really REALLY excited to spend time with my family this weekend. 

Watch out Brooklyn, here we come. 

Andrea xx

Amazing things I don't have time for.

I come across lots of fun and creative DIY projects—most of which I can't seem to find the time to execute. So, here's a collection of those things, and maybe those of you who are inspired to give them a try will be SUPER sweet and fantastically awesome and make one for me too.

J Brand denim meets black lace

Mini muffin holder

Ottoman slip cover with bright accent trim

Braided infiniti scarf

Chalkboard spice jars that could also work for seashells, crayons, clothes pins, hair ties, you name it.

Considering I leave my keys everywhere (on the car bumper, in the silverwear drawer, etc.) I am in desperate need of this. 

These should keep you busy, in the meantime be sure to check back on Monday for my first give-away! I'm really excited about it. And if you think you might forget, click the "Join this site" button over there on the right to be reminded.

Andrea xx

What I'm Working on Wednesday: Surprise Party Invites

A fun birthday invitation for what sounds like a super fun party. My client laid out the general idea of what she's lined up for her hubby: a tent lined with strings of lights, lots of candles and lanterns, a Blue-Grass band, and an Italian food truck. Did someone say Italian food truck? OH BABY-YUM!

Check out the laid back, vintage-y photo invite with brown bag/kraft envelopes:

If you're throwing a party and want to set the tone starting with the invitation, give me a jingle on the jangle. I will design invites for basically any occasion, including this little e-invite for a little Ladies Night:

image

Andrea xx

Nouveau Chic.

 

I came across Cameo Nouveau a couple weeks ago and have been wanting to share it with you ever since. I love the variation of their products—there really is something for everyone. These are a few of my favorite things—especially the studded zip drive. (My birthday is less than a month away...ehem.)

I'm pretty much obsessed with all things Art Nouveau (which the above are not). And if you didn't sit through 8 semesters of Art History like I did (or maybe slept through the Art Nouveau lecture) then see the below for examples of some Art Nouveau gorgeousness if you aren't sure what I'm talking about:

Doorway.

Wedding invitations.

Rings.

 

From J Crew.

From Alkemie.

Staircase.

This would be an amazing wedding dress...to go with the above wedding invites.

Andrea xx