:: URBAN CAMERAS ::

I like going on the urban outfitters site just to look at the fun and cute novelty gifts they have.  Their selection of old school cameras is pretty cool.  They aren't your typical 35mm cameras and that makes them extra special.  Most of them are lomography or fisheye cameras.  If I had the extra cash, I would definitely get at least one of these cameras.  The designs are just down-right rad and very ID-y.  I really want one!

{click for cameras}

:: CREATIVE CANDLES ::

I had to research candles for work and ended up on gilt today where I found some Voluspa candles and votives I really liked.  They are all unique in their own way whether in shape, color or pattern.  I think I just like their overall aesthetic.  

 

 

:: BORED SKETCHES ::

It's been a cold couple of days here in Atlanta.  I no longer have cable television so I find myself sketching random things around the house for fun in the evenings now.  Here are just some of the things you might see if you're in my house:

Happy Friday!

:: HAPPY DECEMBER ::

Before we jump into Christmas and winter full swing, I'd like to remember how nice fall is.  Here's a leaf series I took while in Chattanooga over Thanksgiving weekend.

:: TUESDAY TUNES ::

Music makes me a happy person and it is a definite source of inspiration.  I usually default to R&B music when I work but lately I've been in a different mood.  These CD's are currently the most played in my iTunes library: 
1. Priscilla Ahn - A very mellow CD I like to listen to when I want to get into a calm groove.
2. Florence + the Machine - I recently purchased this CD and now I love getting hyped up to it.
3. Straight No Chaser - An amazing a cappella group. This CD is all Holiday songs.
4. Queen - What can I say?  They're classic!  I've been on a rock-band kick so they're back on my playlist.
November is almost over so I'm pretty sure I'll be listening to Christmas music the entire month of December.  Check out these albums and enjoy!

 

 

:: MONDAY YELLOW ::

Thanksgiving has come and gone and it now feels as if winter is finally here.  It's also a gloomy day today and being that it's Cyber-Monday, I decided to look at some cheerful articles of clothing ... all yellow.  All items are from the Victoria's Secret site.

:: RAINY DAY BOOTS ::

It's a rainy day here in Atlanta and I'm actually liking it because I get to wear my red Kamik Heidi rainboots. I got these last year during flood season and got plenty of use out of them already.  The Kamik boots are a Canadian brand and they're made from recycled materials.  They have a nice lining on the inside so it's fine to wear them without socks if you have the urge to do so.  Also, when you've worn them out, you could send them back to the manufacturer to be recycled again.  Kinda cool, huh?  Anyways - winter is now approaching and since it's raining today, I'm breaking them in again.  Oh how I like my boots.  

:: BUSTER THE HEDGEHOG ::

Paul and I had the privilege of pet-sitting Buster for a friend not too long ago.  Buster is a hedgehog. Hedgehogs can be very entertaining creatures.  Click on the link below to watch Buster in action.  The intent of the video was to capture his cuteness but we ended up capturing other unexpected things instead.  Be sure to have your audio on.  :)

{ WATCH BUSTER in action }

:: DANGEROUS LOOKING PRODUCTS ::

For the past several days, I've been doing some market research for work - - - looking for new, cool favor ideas.  In the midst of doing research, I've found some interesting, dangerous-looking products.  One of these my co-worker sent to me as a gift idea for Paul.  It's actually something he'd probably like.  (He likes anything that has to do with guns)

{ images from zgallerie }

:: PUMPKIN BURGER ::

We had a pumpkin carving competition today and our team ended up winning 1st place with our "Burger" pumpkin.  The burger patty was made from cut styrofoam painted black, dabbed with brown shoe polish.  The fries are carved from the leftover pumpkin.  It was a quick and easy project that left people hungry for McDonald's.  Our company also had a costume contest today and I was a grape.  For future reference - it's really hard to maneuver when you're surrounded by a bunch of balloons.  

{ The Product Development girls as a bunch of grapes, a witch, and a chicken.  In the other photo, we have Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles, a doctor, Fred Flintstone, another witch and our company mascot }

:: DINOSAURS & CAKES ::

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The ceremony was simple, classic and elegant ... very Amanda-like, but what I will probably remember most from the weekend was the reception.  Your typical reception is usually held at some nice fancy venue - maybe at a hotel or banquet hall.  Some receptions are even held at the church or at someone's house.  Amanda and Mark had their reception at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.  I had never been to a reception at a museum before but I would have to give the experience two thumbs up.  The layout and set-up of the museum was very conducive for mingling and it was just flat out COOL!  When you entered the museum, you took the escalators to the second floor where drinks and appetizers were served.  You were also able to walk around the many exhibits and had the chance to learn new things.  Did you know that bats hung upside down (which is called roosting) to ease tired their limbs and for ease of take-off?  After cocktail hour, we went up another escalator to the third floor where there was dinner and dancing.  There was also this AMAZING cookie bar.  I believe cookie bars are more of a northern thing, but we should definitely try to bring it down here to the south.  The night ended with us waving good-bye to the new bride and groom as they rode away on a rickshaw.  The entire evening was a success.  Congrats to the new couple!

:: JOHN LENNON'S GOOGLE ::

Don't you just love it when you get on google and learn something new?  Today would be John Lennon's 70th birthday anniversary.  I went on google's site and they had up a google doodle celebrating the famous Beatles singer.  If you click on the red play button, there's an extra little treat so if I were you, go to google and watch it today!

{ go to google }

:: CHAIN NECKLACES ::

I was on piperlime looking for shoes and got sucked into looking at all the cool necklaces they have.  If you know me at all, I'm not a big jewelry person but I do love my necklaces... especially the inexpensive kind.  I am really in love with the multiple chain and bundled look right now.

 

   

{ all images from piperlime.com }

:: MY MUGS ::

I just walked through the doors and the first thing I think is, "I'm thirsty.  I need a drink." I have mugs and a 'kanteen' that I use all the time around the house.  They're my favorite things to drink out of and I find my self attached to them for some reason.  The kanteen is easy - I take that bad boy everywhere I go and I absolutely love it.  I got it as a bridesmaids gift and I must say... it's one of my most used bridesmaids gifts ever.  The mugs I like for a different reason.  They seem to hold more liquid than your average mug and I just like their form and design.  One's a starbucks mug and the other mug I got as a back to school special at target a couple of years ago.

:: FUN-CAKES ::

This past weekend was filled with lots of fun events.  I got to attend two different parties that had their own unique theme and along with that... their own unique cakes!  First, there was Ryan's 1st birthday party with a baseball themed cake and a cake shaped like a baseball cap.  Then, it was off to Shilvi's tea party themed baby shower. She had a cool leaning abstract cake and pink cupcakes that were oh-so-cute.  So fun and so creative. Kudos to all!

:: I WANT A DOG ::

Is it so weird that I've been googling pictures of puppies and dogs all weekend long?  Then out of nowhere, a co-worker sends out a mass email today asking for a dog-sitter for this weekend.  I think it's a sign.  It's time for me to get a dog.  I miss having dogs.  Here's an old sketch I did of Aw-Hwa back in high school.  I miss her so much.

:: AN OWLY FRIDAY ::

Owls are really big this year and I'm seeing them everywhere.  I've just designed a new product for work and guess what... it's owl themed!  It's a gift basket with an owl plush, a little crinkly tree, a cute lovie, and a canvas door hanger.  They're not here yet, so this is more of a preview.  If you're interested in getting the gift set, go to the babyaspen site.  The bottom four images are owl themed items I found on Etsy for your viewing pleasure.  Go owls! 

:: MODERN INVITES ::

For the past several days, I've been looking at wedding invitations because I'll be helping a friend design one soon and noticed a lot of 'modern' and simple ones that are out there right now. Here's just a sampling of what I've been finding.  I usually despise hearts, but the yellow-toned heart actually works.  I'm really not that offended by it! 

 

{ all samples from weddingpaperdivas }