Office Reorganized - Rug Search

With all the business fun going on - which is going well by the way - I needed to reorganize my office to handle the shop items! I went to Target a couple weekends ago and I was uninspired by the plastic, usual storage containers. Then I remembered the fun boxes we ordered for my Aunt Mary and for my mom from IKEA - of course I needed the same!  They are much better for organizing my items and much brighter for my space:

IKEA Shelves | IKEA Boxes: Large, Flat & Small | Chair Details | Target Zig Zag Wire Basket

By the way, IKEA shipping is finally reasonable! I ordered the shelves and boxes all online and it was shipped right to my house.

Now that we have reorganized, there is a bigger open space in the office. It is calling for a fun rug and I need to decide what direction I want to go in. Here are some fun ones I've stumbled upon:

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

RUGS USA

RUGS USA

I'm leaning towards the patterns of the UO rugs and I like the flatness of them in case I want to do crafts on them. All are so fun though, and I'm sure I'll continue to go back and forth! Love having this as my little girly, pink corner of the house because it is full of character and inspires my work.

Side note, I have exciting shop news! I am adding another brand to the mix, Designs by Nicolina. I have ordered a few of her greeting cards and a great print. Make sure to check them out!

Love of Character - Paper Goods

Also, check out my friend's new blog and enter to win my giveaway! I would love it if you all entered 1. because you could win a cute Little Box of Character 2. I would love your support! It is a fabulous blog for Wichita area moms (it can really pertain to any mom!) and has different local contributors:

http://citymomsblog.com/wichita/

Lots of Love,

Point of View: Riley of Make Things Co.

A couple months ago I stumbled upon a fabulous, young artist on Instagram in a Martha Stewart contest - I love Instagram for this reason! I clicked through the rest of Riley's pictures and feel in love with her fashion prints, as well as her quirky mixed media prints. I went to her Etsy shop straight away and decided she could be a great candidate for my upcoming shop. I ordered one of her cards to check it out and then we started our long series of Etsy conversations. Now, her wonderful talent is for sale in my online shop! Right now we are offering greeting cards and soon, I will be adding some of her gorgeous fashion prints.

Riley's Point of View:

1. What is your favorite thing/person to paint? What is your favorite painting you've ever done?

My favorite person to paint has always been Audrey Hepburn. I've loved Audrey Hepburn's look and style since I was a teenager because she always looked so effortlessly put-together (a quality that, as a paint-covered elementary school art teacher, I'll probably never have :). My favorite painting I've ever done was for a blank greeting card I have listed on my website- it's of a tiny girl in a pink robe and slippers looking through a tiny rack of fancy gowns. It's a small and simple painting, but thinking of it always makes me smile.

2. Where do you find most of your inspiration?

Most of my inspiration comes from either trying to look at different materials (a Starbucks cup, a water bottle) in new ways- I like to make fashion illustrations of dresses using whatever I have on my desk at a particular moment- or from fashion photos I find on Instagram. I love fashion but hate shopping, and so I guess you could say illustrating outfits is my way of vicariously owning them- it's definitely cheaper than shopping! 

3. On For the Love of Character, I talk a lot about decorating and home improvements. How would you describe the style of your home?

I'd probably say "eclectic", although that's probably giving my decorating style too much credit. I don't spend a lot of time at home, so I try and keep things simple- both my bed and bedside table were "hand-me-downs" from family and friends. I do have a lot of "knick-knack" shelves, though, and some old records and paintings from college as wall art. 

4. What is currently your favorite piece of furniture or decoration in your home? What is one piece you've been dreaming about purchasing for you home?

My favorite decoration would probably be a recycled wine-cork bulletin board I made last year- I always hold onto business cards/stickers/programs/wine labels that I find pretty while I'm out and about, and now I have some place to pin them! Something I would love for my home is a Vitamix- I know that doesn't really qualify as "home decor," but ever since I heard that you can use one to make your own peanut butter, it's been on my wish list. 

5. I love to travel all over and soak in lots of different cultures. What is one place you would love to travel to?

New Orleans! It's definitely number one on my bucket list. 

6. And last, just for fun, how often do you end up decorating your Starbucks cups? They are always so cute and you should seriously consider making a Starbucks print collection - my family of Sbucks addicts would love it!

Thank you so much! I probably decorate one every two weeks, but I only hold onto a few of them- they're great for when I'm running low on ideas but still feel like doodling.

Riley also does amazing custom wedding dance portraits that are available in her Etsy shop:

I'm very excited for the fashions prints I have coming for the shop, plus I ordered a couple of these adorable "brunch?" cards:

Hope you enjoyed getting the artist's point of view! I will definitely keep this series going as I find wholesalers and other wonderful artists out there in the world.

Photos via Riley

Follow her on Instagram and check out all of her work in her Make Things Co. Etsy shop, as well as some my favorites in the Love of Character shop!

Lots of Love,

Happy Chinese New Year!

Just wanted to say a quick Happy Chinese New Year, especially to all of my lovely friends over in Singapore! It is the year of the goat and definitely a fun time of the year over in that part of the world. A few years ago, I did a short stint in Singapore and it was during this exciting time of the year. I loved it! All the decorations, traditions and great food were so fascinating and I loved learning about the culture. If you want a good laugh and insight to my lost in Asia months, you can check out my very first blog: Mary in Singapore (I know, very original!).

Orchard Road Decorations - so fabulous & festive!

Chingay Parade

Chinatown booths selling all of the CNY decorations - my apartment was decked out!

Chinatown Lanterns

Loved the Chinese Lion Dance

All about the prosperity, fortune and food! If you ever have a chance, take part in a festive Chinese New Year celebration!

Shout out to some of my fav Singapore friends!

Me & Grace

Janka, me, Alyson, Lillian & Julie - we look so young!

Lots of Love,

Party Crashing: Leni's Valentine Birthday

What could be better than a First Birthday and Valentine Party all wrapped up in one? Leni's first birthday party was yesterday and it was one of the most adorable parties I've ever been to. Not just because Leni herself is adorable, but because my cousin Kelly did a fantastic job making this vintage soiree a success:

Leni loved her first Little Box!

Cookies, Cupcakes & Cookies - Cheri's Bakery

Labels - SweetSosbeeDesigns

The pink dress was gorgeous, the red bow and pearls with diaper fabulous and those blue eyes are to die for. Besides the one year old, my favorite party items were the vintage hankies used for napkins, the incredible (and delicious!) cookies and the adorable vintage labels used on the candies, water bottles and cupcakes. So glad we got to celebrate with you Miss Leni! It feels like just yesterday that you were born.

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Lots of Love,