busy times twelve

photo via flickr

Sorry for all the quite around here the past week. I've been getting ready to head to San Diego! My 18 year old brother is graduating from boot camp, where he has been since the beginning of July. When we all come home together on Friday, he will be an official Marine. I'm so proud of him! ...& just can't wait to see him.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week & weekend. Hopefully I'll have some photos to share when I'm home!

engagement photos

Jason & I had our engagement photos shot a couple of weekends ago at Bee Tree Park in St. Louis (South County to be exact). It was a little odd for us because we are not a mushy type of couple at all. But it was still a lot of fun & I think they turned out great!
If you ever find yourself in the St. Louis area & in need of a photographer, check out Wagner Photography of Columbia, IL. They do fantastic stuff & are so much fun to work with.

happy national punctuation day!

I just learned (via quaint handmade...thanks Cindy!) that today is National Punctuation Day. How was I not aware of this?! We all know how much I adore punctuation paraphernalia.

Oh! how jealous I am of Lyndsey to be sharing her birthday with such a fantastic holiday!

happy birthday, lyndsey!

Today is my dearest friend's birthday. We grew up together more like sisters than friends & though a lot of people say that, I really mean it. We were so so mean to each other. Remember how at every slumber party there was always one big fight? That was us. It was always us.

Since her birthday is just three days after mine (yes, my birthday was on Sunday) & four days after our friend, Nicki, the three of us always had one big joint party & then a sleep-over afterwards. It was great fun & made for some truly hilarious memories.
This year we celebrated by watching a movie (Robin Hood, Men in Tights) in the driveway at Jason's parents' house. Yes, the driveway. with a projector. on a screen the size of a garage door. Needless to say it was just like going to the drive-in & great fun.

Happy Birthday, Lynds! I love you & am so glad we got through our childhood differences.

The picture here was taken during a road trip we made spring of '07 with our friend Kelsey. Three girls on the open road from Illinois to South Carolina...quite possibly the most fun I've ever had.

graphic design update

First of all, I'd just like to thank everyone who contacted me about design work. I really appreciate it. More than you know. I'm so excited to be working with you & beyond thrilled that we're able to help each other out.

I've had a number of people come forward (again, thank you!) & I'd like to get to everyone as quickly as possible. & so, I'm going to take the offer off the table, at least for now. Perhaps once I've made it through the list I'll be able to take a few more.

If you are one of the people I'm working with, please remember that I am an amateur & the purpose of this is to give me some experience working with clients. I encourage you to be very open with me about your ideas (& criticism once I've sent you some drafts) but I ask that you be patient with me. Not only am I a student, but I was also recently presented with a rather large project at work. & so, long story short, I apologize if it takes me a little longer than we originally discussed.
I'm sure you all understand because you're such a wonderful community & I'm worrying myself over nothing. I am very grateful for your help, though, & hope you all know it!

logo collection via flickr

let's dance

put on your red shoes & dance the blues

oh so clever

i can think of at least 5 people who would adore this...6 if you include me, which you must.
another swissmiss find...if you haven't looked yet, please do! she's got some incredible posts today (as always).

anatomy class

The frog obsessed 12 year old inside of me jumped for joy when I saw this little fella for sale on Uppercase. Thanks to swissmiss for the link!

anyone else...

in the mood for a big, juicy apple?

this is my cupcake.

via flickr

Breathing in the cool, crisp morning air is my cupcake.
Stepping on the first crunchy leaf of the fall is my cupcake.
Snuggling up in a thick, cozy blanket is my cupcake.
What's yours?

my girls

About two weeks ago, I decided that (despite my landlords strict no pets rule) I really needed something fuzzy to keep me company.
& so presenting the newest members of my tiny family,
Al (short for Alice) & Betty. I like to call them my fuzzies.
& yes, they are in fact named after that amazing Paul Simon song.
& yes, they are rats.
But don't let your preconceived notions get the best of you.
They are down-right adorable & do the most hilarious things.

graphic design

With graduation fast approaching, I've been doing a lot of thinking about exactly what it is I want to do with my immediate future. I'm so so interested in graphic design & the more & more I play around, the more I love it & the more I want to pursue it. Herein lies my dilemma, I have little to no real experience to use for a resume or portfolio. Sure, I've got lots of stuff I've done for myself & friends but that will only get me so far.

& so (after heeding some good advice) I've decided to make an offer to the blogging world. Are you (or anyone you know) in need of some free graphic designing? Yes, that's right. Free.
To help build my portfolio, I'd really like to help you with your designing needs. Just think of it this way: it's not costing you anything...so if you don't like it, don't use it & don't feel guilty. You'd still be doing me a tremendous favor. Truly a win-win situation.

I can do just about anything you like: blog & etsy headers, logos, business cards, invitations, etc. ...just send your thoughts & ideas to lbeau6@gmail.com & we'll chat about options.
Please feel free to spread the word to friends & thanks in advance to anyone who considers!

the image above designed by me, original photo via brandon king's flickr.

how important is practicality...

when you can sport something this fun?from jasmine raznahan

via neon polish

must.have.it.

Vandalized Vintage

how to make your own pickles

As promised, here is Jason's how-to for pickling cucumbers. He originally got the recipe from his copy of Country Wisdom & Know-How but this one may vary slightly.

Makes roughly one gallon of pickles.

Ingredients:

3 cups of water

1 cup of white vinegar

salt (quantity varies...see below)

3 cloves of garlic

2 heads of dill

2 tablespoons of pickling spice (you can find this pre-packaged at your local grocery)

1 grape vine leaf (optional)

1 gallon (or larger) jar

2 quart pot

8ish cucumbers (Jason uses home-grown)

- Boil water in pot & begin adding salt.

- Continue to add salt until it doesn't dissolve anymore. (I'm sure you could use less salt for a slightly healthier pickle...although it probably wouldn't taste as yummy)

- Remove from heat.
- As it cools, add the vinegar. Continue cooling to room temperature.

- Fill the jar with cucumbers (whole, sliced for sandwiches, spears, halves, chunks, whatever you like), the dill, pickling spice, & garlic.

- Once water-vinegar mix has cooled, add to jar of cucumbers.

- Optional: place grape vine leaf on top to help keep pickles crisp & fresh longer.

- Refridgerate.

- Best after 4 days but ok to eat sooner if you just can't wait. : )

Well there it is folks. Let me know if you try it for yourself. I'd love to hear how your pickles turn out!

renee heyer-starrett

2008 WINNER: THIRD PLACE

You all know what a sucker I am for a good mug...well Renee Heyer-Starrett makes beautiful mugs...& bowls, & jars, & pots. Unfortunately for me, I didn't take any money with me to the show (for good reason). It was so painful to walk away from that booth without taking something home!

benjamin guffee

Not only does this man have some gorgeous work, he was also really super nice. A lot of the other artists just sat back in their lawn chairs & completely ignored the spectators. Mr. Benjamin Guffee, however, actually showed an interest in the people showing an interest in his work...a novel concept. I really appreciated it.

His business card didn't list it, but a quick google search led me to his website bright spot studio. You really must check out the gallery. I absolutely love the monochromatic paintings.
& what a lovely surprise...he uses holga!

joe mohr

Joe Mohr was another favorite of mine at the show. His paintings are adorable, hilarious, & down-right quirky...oh, & did I mention green?

firecracker press

2008 WINNER: MOST EVOCATIVE OF THE SAINT LOUIS REGION

Firecracker Press

According to their myspace page, "The Firecracker Press opened shop in February of 2002 as St. Louis, Missouri's only graphic design studio and letterpress printshop. We combine antique printing technology with new thinking to design and produce objects that people enjoy seeing and feeling. We use computer design software to conceive ideas but still carve woodblocks and print by hand to produce event posters, business cards, party invitations, advertising and more."
Read this article for more great info about the studio.

This was probably my favorite booth at the show. I loved the colors. the images. the atmosphere.
I just can't help but gravitate towards any & all things printed by hand. Dare I hope that they'd be looking for an intern or, better yet, hiring when I move to the area in December? Cross your fingers for me.

art outside

This past weekend Jason & I visited with our friends Kyle & Emma in St. Louis. We had a really wonderful time checking out an art fair, being treated to dinner, experiencing Cupcakery cupcakes for the very first time, catching up with friends, & playing one hilarious game of Taboo, Taboo (like regular Taboo but with a little twist). ...but I'm rambling.

The art show, Art Outside - The Alternative Art Fair of St. Louis, was started in 2004. The website describes it as, "Schlafly’s Art Outside is an alternative juried and invitational art fair dedicated to showcasing local art in an approachable venue and manner. Held at the brewery’s Bottleworks location in Maplewood, MO. The fair’s mission is to increase public knowledge and appreciation for the local art scene by creating opportunities that connect artists, musicians, performers, and the community."

Some interesting acrobatics in Schlafly's Crown Room

Throughout the rest of the week I'll be posting some of my favorites from the show. I can't wait to share them with you!

yum!

Know any comic readers? These Lichtenstein inspired plates from CB2 would make a fantastically quirky birthday gift.

via old glutton

made me giggle

A Simple Apology

via half deserted streets

hang in there

I've got some great stuff in store but I've been insanely busy with work & school. So although I have to apologize for the suspense once again, I'm going to do what's best for my sanity. Thanks for understanding!

lovely photo via September issue of Vanity Fair

silhouette blue

I've been meaning to tell you about Silhouette Blue for weeks now but somehow just got around to taking photos of these beautiful personalized cards.

Awhile back, Marta (who recently had a beautiful baby boy...congrats, Marta!) held a giveaway on her blog m.writes for a set of 20 lovely bicycle cards from the Silhouette Blue etsy shop.

Long story short, I won the giveaway! & decided to use the cards as engagement announcements. They turned out so lovely & are really perfect for us.

Thanks so much Marta & Megan!

labor day story!

As promised (so sorry for the suspense) here is the rundown of my weekend.

Every year, Camp Ondessonk has what we call "Friends Weekend" over Labor Day. It's a time for current staff, alumni, board members, volunteers, & other "friends of camp" to get together to have a fun, generally hilarious, break from the outside world.

The days are filled with usual camp activities (swimming, boating, archery, handicrafts, hiking, rock climbing, & horseback riding) or just hanging out, catching up with friends.


Saturday evening we host a huge campfire, during which anyone may go up on stage to lead a song or perform a skit or tell a story.


Sunday night. Oh, Sunday night. The last night of Labor Day weekend & my personal favorite. Sunday night is the dance (with a live band!). Every year the dance has a different theme & every year there is a costume contest to accompany that theme. In 2006, the theme was pirates. Last year it was Elvis & this year was...you guessed it, Prom - an Enchanted Evening Under the Stars.

I must say, the theme this year was quite possibly my favorite...so many possibilities!
& although I don't want to toot my own horn...Jason & I have officially won the costume contest two years in a row! That's right folks, you're looking at the 2008 Camp Ondessonk Prom Queen.
Ha! Please laugh with me because the thought of Jason & I as Prom King & Queen of anything is hysterical.

A few more reasons I love Labor Day weekend:
1) 6+ hour jam sessions with 5 or more guitars & players of all ages.
2) Shooting your first arrow.
3) Trans-generational dancing.
4) Homemade pickles. (recipe to come!)
5) Friends...like Kaylen (of Happy Notions) & her boyfriend Pete! It was so great to see you, Kaylen!

PS See more of the weekend here.

labor day sneak peek

that's me in the pink.
photo by the fiancé.