From the DeskTOP Fridays: Amex Ad

Tackling a full inbox this morning, but wanted to share this well-shot, well-put American Express ad featuring Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard - which reminds me that I need to finally finish his book Let My People Go Surfing.

Have a great weekend everyone!

NSS 2010: Recap

This was my fourth year exhibiting at the NSS, and each year I'm completely exhausted and totally tapped out by the end. And thanks to this little nugget inside me, this year was by far the most tiring. When I got home at night, I went from partially horizontal (couch) to fully horizontal (bed) pretty quickly. So I apologize for not posting til now.

Here are a few shots of the booth. A little run down on the set up:
I drew a bike wheel pattern on the sign in pale gray and then screen-printed 'Linda & Harriett' in hot pink. I was going to use gray, but decided to spice it up at the last minute. On one wall, we had the 2011 Calendar, framed by vintage post cards - a nod to the post card element of the calendar. On the other wall, we had our Birthday Calendar, framed by overlapping strips of streamers. Running down the middle of the booth was our door table with potted succulents and some post card giveaways up front. We bring everything in our booth from home, including the foam core boards that I've had for four years. So since our expenses are relatively low, I justified splurging on a big spot light this year. I thought it was going to be too bright at first, but instead, I thought the booth felt vibrant & happy. And in a trade show setting with Kermit-colored carpeting and dim fluorescent lights that make a migraine-sufferer like me want to wear a bag over my head, the lighting in your booth is pretty key in showcasing not only the quality, but the mood of your work.


All in all, it was a good show. I wasn't sure how my new direction would be received, but retailers & press were really excited about both calendars, so I was a happy kid.

The most obvious difference this year compared to the last few (besides the new direction for L&H) was in writing this blog & my presence on Twitter. I had more people than ever coming in & saying they read the blog. I was so flattered! Plus, it made me feel like 1) I'm not writing this to just Tommy and Kristi and 2) that I don't work alone. Both great things. But it was the Twitter piece that really made the NSS experience feel different for me. I started tweeting shortly after last year's show when Vané told me I should. It's funny how 140 characters a couple times a day really enables you know to know someone - or at least a glimpse of them. When Chandra from GREER walked into the booth, we hugged. I feel like I've gotten to know this completely chill, wickedly funny mom over the last year that I otherwise would not have known. Same goes for Jen at the haystack needle, Jane at simple + pretty, Peggy at blue pool road, and Nole from Oh So Beautiful Paper. Not having been on Twitter last year, I found that it really amped up the NSS buzz for me, too. People were planning days & times to visit, sharing booth numbers and posting photos of booth displays from the booths. It was a flurry of NSS action that I hadn't experienced before - and that felt really exciting.


So in my usual post-show-Thursday tradition, I'm taking the day off. I've promised my buddy & number one fan some good long walks & maybe a stop in her favorite store. I've booked my tired bod a massage (thanks, F&L!). And I hope to spend most of the day outside. Work can start on Friday:)

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the L&H booth! It's meeting up with & meeting new fellow paper people that really make the show worth it & exciting for me.

And finally, a huuuuuge thank you to my get-it-done, out-of-my-way, I-can-do-anything sister Katie for being with me every day at the show, bringing me my favorite gummy snacks & making me peanut butter & jelly sandwiches (my favorite!) for lunch. A big thanks and kiss:) to John for helping me move in & set up - missing his nieces & nephews play because it took so long:( (Sorry, guys!) And to Mat & Lizzy for helping me take down the booth, slapping my hands if I lifted anything too heavy:) You guys are the best. I love you!

From the Desk Fridays: Pin the Tail...

Tomorrow is move in day for the show! I've got lots of packing up to do today, but I'm hoping to at least post a few pics on Twitter and here next week.

A little peek at my favorite month on the birthday calendar, above. I just love this little donkey guy. Do you like the binding at the top? I decided that it needed a durable flipping mechanism if it's going to last over the years, and I really like how neatly it hangs.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Three Days til NSS 2010!

A leak onto my desk yesterday put a nice little pause on my NSS prep. Not cool, old house! So today is a little busier than I thought. Off to pick up some screens and hit up Pearl Paint for supplies. Later this afternoon, I'm heading up to the flower district to pick up some plants for the show. Lots of subway time today. Hoping to knock out the last 30 pages of my awesome book.

Have a good one!

Cabin 7 & Gilded Baby Blocks

I promise not to post all-things-baby all the time, but I've been holding in this secret for almost five months! So this week is a little lop-sided. Sorry:)

But this post isn't so much about babies as it is about Jen's new online shop, Cabin 7, featuring gilded wood goodies. I love the combo of subtle sparkly gold and aged blocks & birch. Aaaaand, enter the baby part, I love love love the gilded baby blocks & can't wait to get some in September. Or October:)


[photos courtesy of Cabin 7]

Babies

On Sunday night, John & I went to see Babies - a film that simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps. The children are, respectively, in order of on-screen introduction: Ponijao, who lives with her family near Opuwo, Namibia; Bayarjargal, who resides with his family in Mongolia, near Bayanchandmani; Mari, who lives with her family in Tokyo, Japan; and Hattie, who resides with her family in the United States, in San Francisco.

While I couldn't get over the fact that some people in the audience thought it was okay to bring their babies to see Babies, I did like the film overall & thought it was very sweet. The biggest takeaway for me was seeing the similar behaviors in all four babies - the natural instinct to laugh and smile, the curiosity, the problem-solving - regardless of their very different circumstances & situations. Don't expect a any major revelations, but worth seeing.

Click here to see the trailer.

[photo courtesy of Focus Features]

Mothers Day at the Beach

I've said it before, I might be carrying my first born, but Kingsley is my first baby:) Judge all you want - it's just the way it is. We took our #1 baby to the beach this weekend, where she got to play in the bay with her other dog cousins. This photo above makes me laugh because both "retrievers" have ignored the ball and are retreating back to the dock:) Way to go, girls.

And for Mother's Day (or soon-to-be Mother's Day) John got me these:


My very first thought was, "Aww, so sweet!" quickly followed by, "That's an interesting color combination he chose." It took me a few minutes to realize he was going for the boy & girl colors:) since we're not finding out the sex. Very cute, huh?

In biz news, it's the week leading up the Stationery Show and I've got some prepping to do! Order forms, press packets, one sheets, samples, new L&H sign, supplies, van rental, picking out plants, ironing and proving more difficult than ever - deciding what to wear! My growing belly is making this last one a little tricky. Baggy jeans & loose shirt? too sloppy? or maternity belly-hugging dress? Might need to do a trial run.

And lastly, a big big thank you to you all for your sweet baby congrats comments. Makes it so much more fun & exciting to share this and to have your encouragement!

Off to prep!