-
No News in the Newsfeed
Wondering what happened to all those cool people you once knew on Facebook? Can’t figure out why your newsfeed doesn’t tell you when your brother posted a photo album? My mom enlightened me to this little change available at the bottom of your newsfeed. Their algorithm makes sense if you want to keep bumping into the same people again and again, but if you’re using Facebook to find out about interesting thoughts and ideas, it’s not quite working.
-
Holiday Music
I love this idea of a Valentine’s Day Playbutton from Opening Ceremony. What a fun way to give someone a mix for them to enjoy on their ride to work. The concept of Playbutton’s idea would also make a fun wedding favor or store giveaway, don’t you think?
Speaking of music, two recent mixes I’ve been enjoying:
K.I.D. Collective’s non-oozing Valentine’s Day mix. (you can download this one)
Dom‘s peppy, happy mix of rock-y songs. (you have to stream this one) (if you’re playing it for a group, watch out for the second to last song)
-
Holiday Alcohol
The #1 question I get from my non-pregnant/male friends is: do you miss alcohol? For the first 20 weeks, I did not. These days, yes I do. It’s not really the day-to-day, it’s the alcohol associated with occasions. Bloody Marys on plane rides. Margaritas with Mexican. Dinner with friends with a new wine.
Joe and I don’t do gifts for Valentine’s Day. We usually make cards: his a meticulous transformation of what was once just paper. Mine: a wordy, prosy, metaphor-laden 4th grader’s handwriting exercise. Anyway, we usually spend the money on expensive champagne and maybe make scrambled eggs and salmon or something that involves not going into the slushy world outside. Do I plan on having a glass or two? yes.
But for the rest of the non-special times, when the guilt of impeding the development of a single brain cell stops my hand, I thought these drink ideas put together by Alyson at Unruly Little Things where just great. When it’s warmer, I’m looking forward to homemade lemonade being my drink of choice, perhaps embellished with a little rose water.
-
Design for Paperless Post
I know I have some very talented graphic design readers, and I thought of you when I saw Paperless Post‘s open invitation to submit your work. Read more about it right here.
-
Branding: Chocolate
Lately, in a most obnoxiously stereotypical fashion, chocolate has sounded like the best thing ever. If I think about chocolate, I like to think of two delicious brands: Taza or Vosges. Vosges has been on my mind recently because they started in Chicago (midwest, yes!) and we walked by their classy stand-shop in the Chicago airport a few weeks ago. It’s also fair to say that Vosges was the one who brought the idea of bacon & chocolate into public consciousness as a very normal thing to want to eat.
They’ve always had a rich purple as their signature color, and I think it is as effective as Tiffany’s blue for making their product look seductive and splurge worthy.
And just as Tiffany’s also knows very well, if one has decided to spend money on something totally unnecessary, one definitely wants it to come with a ribbon. And it better be glossy.
Not to be missed: their adorable library series of chocolate bars.
Good job guys! (actually, girl, namely Katrina)
-
Embroidered Creatures
I wish I was an embroiderista, like this girl clearly is. Maybe it’s time for a new hobby!
First seen over at Unruly Little Things, a lovely baby blog.
-
Magazines, waiting for you
Alright, a quick review of your current options for free, ultra feminine, online-readable magazines, getting older as you go down the list.
Matchbook Magazine, A Field Guide to a Charmed Life. One issue old.
Rue Magazine, three issues old.
Lonny Magazine, nine issues old.
All three are appealing to markedly similar demographics. I’m not much of a home-decor girl, so that knocks out 60% of the content for me, but their photographs are usually fantastic, they feature a number of creative small business owners (always a fascinating topic), crisp graphics, and of course, are free and ready for your willing clicks.
Any favorites?
-
Valentines: Kate Spade
New knowledge has arrived since my last post (five minutes ago, we move on fast-news only here!). Kate Spade Valentines (click BMINE, in red, at the top of the page) are now available and waiting for your thoughtfulness to send them out into the world. Better get over there, it’s going to take awhile to match the perfect card with the perfect recipient.
-
Valentines: Paperless Post
I know most of you are holding out for Kate Spade’s e-Valentines, (and justly so, see a few of previous years’ here) but Paperless Post has their options up now. Soliciting illustrations from indie illustrators like Linda & Harriett, and Enormous Champion is always a class act in my opinion.
Enormous Champion
Linda & Harriett
Ink & Iron
-
Earnest Additions
Greetings loyal readers!
There are two new page additions to the E&D site. A very simple addition, entitled Books!, is where I will be listing my reading this year. So far it has been a great year of books, and I have already gotten around to reading a few that I’ve been meaning to read for years. Since I don’t usually finish books I don’t enjoy, you can pretty much guarantee that I am recommending anything on the list.
The second is my humble guide to registering for your wedding. I know many of you don’t need this anymore. But I needed it when I was getting married, and it wasn’t out there. So I’ve put together a list of kitchen essentials for that preciously short time when people are begging you to tell them how they can spend money on you. You can see the guide right here, or my blog’s page about it here. Savvy chefs! Tell me if you disagree with my choices, or can’t believe something is not on there.
