Edith Head, another Minted design & Henri Bendel

As I opened Google today, as I do most days to search something completely random and inconsequential (today I think was homemade coconut oil toothpaste... yep, I said random!), I was struck by the ever-changing Google splash page. Today was a beautiful tribute to Edith Head, famed costume designer of the 20th century. Even though she wasn't formally trained in design or art she quickly became a force of fashion on the silver screen from 1925 to 1975 winning 8 Oscars along the way for her beautiful designs. Edith Head designed for Mae West, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland, Grace Kelly to name a few of my favorites. This woman's career was incredible!

As a (humble) compliment to the beautiful Edith Head sketches I give you my personal note card Blue Wash, soon to be available on Minted.com! I am proud to say Minted has now selected 6 of my designs to carry on their wonderful site!

On the other side of my design life, KiraKira had a wonderful handbag trunk show recently at the Henri Bendel flagship in NYC! So great that KiraKira has been booked for 3 more shows this holiday season! Here's the current splash page with the dates, times and address for 2 of the upcoming shows! Enjoy:)

Back in Virginia and in need of your votes!

Hello there:) Well, the kids and I are in Virginia for the summer again. It seems the little ones and I  always fly East for the summer months. M is away for work, so we're thrilled to spend some summer fun time with grandparents and cousins in my hometown.

Even though we're technically on vacation, I'm never completely away from work. Here's the latest design that I made for the Minted.com Good For You Children's Art Challenge. I have to say, I'm becoming somewhat addicted to these challenges! So far Minted has picked up 4 of my designs and I'm hoping this one will make #5:) If you get a chance, I'd greatly appreciate your vote! I really love this poster design and I'm planning on personalizing this and hanging it in each of the kid's rooms:) Children are such a blessing. I'm hoping that seeing this each day will help to remind me to encourage and nurture them even when I don't feel like it. Enjoy:)

http://www.minted.com/design-rating/99965

Happy Father's Day!

To all the awesome dads out there, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! We love you! I've always said that there is something very special about the bond between a dad and his kids. They're instant teachers, motivators and role models without even trying. I truly believe that kids gain a huge sense of their self confidence through the eyes of their father, especially girls. For that I am so thankful to have a dad that has always encouraged me and always seen the best in me, even when I couldn't see it in myself. Because of my dad I believe I married the love of my life. He gave me the confidence to be choosy and pick the perfect guy for me. Now that M and I have been married for 10 years and have 3 children of our own I'm finding more and more everyday that he's a lot like my dad, and I'm okay with that:) Afterall, he's a great dad too:)

Now a little last minute Father's Day idea just in case you're in a pinch... or just because it's so darn cute! I thought the other day, "I have 3 kids.... D-A-D.... perfect!" SUPER simple.

1. Find a font you like, I chose a circus font called Outlaw after all what is life with kids if not a circus?! And best of all, it's free!

2. Print out letters at the size and color of your choice.

3. Cut out letters.

4. Wrangle your children and snap away!

Unfortunately my camera battery was dead (per usual), so this was taken with my good old iPhone 4. Yep, "old":) Even so, I love the way it turned out and M loves it:) Happy Father's Day!

Friday Favorites: I've been MINTED!

Thanks to all of those who took the time to vote for my designs on Minted.com for the Calendar Quickfire Challenge! I am happy to announce that one of my designs was chosen as an "Editor's Pick"!!! This basically means I didn't receive a top 20 score based on votes, but the great judges over at Minted.com thought my design deserved some love:) I've submitted the necessary files and my design should be up on Minted.com soon for sale! I'll keep you posted:)

And as promised, here are my little ones from Halloween:) Dane changed his mind at the last minute and abandoned Astro Boy for Woody. I wasn't too upset as I hadn't constructed the over-the-knee red boots. Isla was amazing and kept her wings on all night! As a matter of fact, she wore them all day yesterday too and Dane now thinks cowboy boots go with everything!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween:) I'm still a big chicken and am looking forward to the next holiday tradition that I can really get into.... eating turkey!!! Happy Friday!