I'm using a blanket as I type this.

And also am not using the middle finger on my right hand as I type because I cut the crap out of it chopping veggies opening wine and it hurts too badly to type with.

But anyway - can I get a whoop whoop for actually feeling a smidge of chill in the evenings which require a blanket vs walking around with a spray bottle and taking 3 showers just to cool off?

Whoop whoop!

I also miiiiiight have my dinner { read: soup } picked up for Thursday night, which won't be just any dinner { soup }.  It will be the dinner {soup } on a day where the forecast is predicted to be in the 60s!  THE SIXTIES   And of course I didn't pick one of the soups from my list because that would be far too expected.  aka I have an obsession for food blogs and found the top dog today.  It's called veganyumyum, guys.  I mean.  Really.  VEGANYUMYUM.  Not only am I infatuated with the blog name....the pictures.  Sweet Pickled Carrots - the pictures!  I need to stop before I get ahead of my rustic bread & eggplant lasagna self.

I'm stopping.

Anyway.

I made a very important To Do list for this evening, and I don't give a shiiiiiii if you want to hear what it  is or not, I'm sharing it:

Email Cody
Email Bob and Aaron
Email Becky pictures
Workout
Go to store
Drink wine
Laundry
Nails

See what I said?  VERY important.  I'll have you know I have successfully chedked off #4, #5, #6 ok FINE it was the wine I cut my finger on.  Busted. and #7.  Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to complete #1-3 while dreaming up what color of nail polish to use before bed.

Talk about serious life decisions.  Nein!  Nein!  Nein!  Ok fine.?!  Or You Don't Know Jacques????!
I CAN'T DECIDE EITHER.

Also, judge me for putting "Drink wine" on my to do list, and I'll bore you with details on a looooooooong work week { emphasis on ooooooooooooong } mixed with an abundance of freelance work without a ton of extra time to do get'erdone.  Let's just agree to agree it's necessary, mmk?  Mmk.

As you were.

People who are better at life than me.

I la-ove it when an abundance of inspiration hits my inbox in the mornings.  Today I was lucky enough to find two amaze graphic design videos that make me want to be a better designer, coworker, artist, and step-dog owner.  Yes, step-dog owner.  These videos are THAT good.

This first one, I don't just love because it's my wanna be best friend yes I do, but the talent, and the precision in the piece is just incredible to me.

And the second one.  Oh the second one!  Takes me STRAIGHT back to my college days - it reminds me so much of something we would have been assigned in class.  { Minus the video part, just the interpretation of words and their actions. }  

We had a book in school that had little challenges like this example throughout the entire book.  It's a book I was frantically searching for last year, but couldn't find it, so assumed I had donated it years ago.  I was so excited and found it when I was packing up for my move!  Once things settle down next week, I can't WAIT to pour myself a big glass of ice water wine, turn on my computer, plug in the headphones and get jiggy with it.  Graphic Design style. 

And because we all know I can't leave things in even numbers, and feel the constant need to keep things in odd numbers, I'll leave you with a video from my favorite chef, cooking some cauliflower couscous...a side dish I've been dying to try my hand at for weeks now!

Creative Zone

One of the serious pros and serious cons I've grown to love about being a graphic designer, is you really have no idea when the design inspiration mood will hit.  Sure, I can sit down and bang out a logo, or page layout any hour of the day - but that doesn't mean my heart is in it 100%.  Back when I was in college, I remember starting on a project at 6pm, and with zero exaggeration, working straight through the night until 6am on the project.  And before you ask, no - it wasn't because I left the project until the night before to finish yes it was, but that's not the point.  The point was the Creative Mood struck at 6pm, and I'd be damned if I let sleep take that and a completed grade away from me.  This all can pose as a challenge working a 9a-5p job, considering my motivation typically strikes late at night.  My boss has even made mention to me he can tell on the projects I work on when I'm in the Creative Zone, and when I'm in the Work To Get It Done Zone.

This past Friday after work, I went for an awesome bike ride, rode to the store to pick up groceries and a few movies.  Came home and worked on some freelance projects while my dinner was cooking, then eventually migrated over to the tv to watch one of my movies.  About 3/4th's into the movie, I had the itch to get back to my computer so I simply paused the movie, slipped in my headphones { Yes, I use headphones when I work even at home in an empty apartment.  Backupoffit. }  and designed my little heart out.    

It didn't matter I had a 6am alarm set to meet Jaime and Ryan for an early morning hike.  It didn't matter I could/should have been packing.  All that mattered was my PMS palette, my Spotify playlist, and { let's be honest } my glass of wine...all bringing me to my happy place - my Creative Zone.

When I started drifting out of The Zone around 11:45pm, I started getting a little....well - because I have no shame don't take myself too seriously, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  Maybe listen to the video for what was playing in my earbuds while looking at the photos as they will make more sense you will judge me less.

You are welcome.  And for anyone wondering, the microphone shots are when Sia sings.  She deserves a mic.

This makes me so happy.

::via::

The end.

Sunday Workday.

I'm not sure when Sunday Funday went from brunches, bottomless mimosas, and pools to iced chamomile tea, coffee shops and design work - but I'm not complaining!

Oh - and if you happen to ask me what I'm listening to, I'd be forced to tell you Justin Bieber.  So let's abide by the don't ask, don't tell rule today, whattdya say!?