Ciera Design Studio

Brand identity and design solutions for creative businesses and passionate entrepreneurs

A Whimsical European Fairytale

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After working with Race and Religious (named after the intersecting streets) for over a year on their new identity and website, I finally got to visit the compound! I knew from all of the photos that it was a wonderful and unique place, but when I actually got to wander the halls I was blown away! There is art everywhere, exposed bricks, religious iconography, endless nooks and crannies and oriental rugs layered throughout the home. Race & Religious is a masterpiece of nostalgia, a love song to New Orleans, a whimsical European fairytale, a spectacle of design, and foremost, a family home steeped in history. I got to capture some of my favorite parts from the home but I probably need to visit a few more time to soak up all of the beautiful details!

Race and Religious 1

Race and Religious 2

Race and Religious 3

Race and Religious 4

Race and Religious 5

Race and Religious 6

Race and Religious 7

Race and Religious 8

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Race and Religious 11

Race and Religious 12

Race and Religious 13

Race and Religious 14

Race and Religious 15

Race and Religious 16

Click here to view as a slideshow.

If you are interested, their website shares a great history of the compound and describes Granville Semmes’ thirty-year renovation project as a warden of history.

Three Green Mojito

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There are plenty of whiskey drinks out there for St. Patrick’s Day, so today I want to share a mojito recipe with you! Since this drink features three green ingredients it is delicious and festive! It’s also perfect for this weather that seems to be warming up. Hope you enjoy!

1 Mojito Recipe

2 Mojito Recipe

Ingredients: mint, lime, cucumber, simple syrup, crushed ice, light rum, club soda

3 Mojito Recipe

4 Mojito Recipe

5 Mojito Recipe

 

Directions: (this recipe serves 1)

– Muddle 6 mint leaves in the bottom of a glass
– Cut lime into quarters
– Squeeze three quarters into glass and drop them in (save one quarter for garnish)
– Cut cucumber into thin slices and drop 3 slices into glass (save one slice for garnish)
– Add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup
– Fill the glass with crushed ice
– Add 1 (or 2) shots of light rum
– top off with club soda
– garnish glass with 1 lime quarter and 1 cucumber slice

You can also make a virgin mojito which is just as delicious, just leave out the rum!

 

7 Mojito Recipe

6 Mojito Recipe

Cucumber Mojito Recipe

Cucumber Mojito Recipe

Party Survival Kit and Photobooth DIY

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My friend Megan and I had so much fun putting together this survival kit for our best friends bachelorette party. We wanted a funny little gift basket to give all of the girls and figured what better than a survival kit!

peacock party details 1 - party survival kit

peacock party details 2 - party survival kit

peacock party details 10 - personalized champagne glasses

 

Each bucket included:

Lipgloss
Condom
Asprin
Gatorade
Mints
Custom Champagne Glass
Cheez-Its (an inside joke that goes along with the “keep it cheezy” theme”)
Peacock Feather

 

peacock party details 4 - custom gatorade label

peacock party details 5 - party survival kit

peacock party details 3 - custom gatorade label

We made labels for most of the items and put them in plastic buckets with tissue paper.

peacock party details 6 - party survival kit

We also made a photo booth.

peacock party details 7

peacock party details 8 - photobooth

and my sis made these amazing treats… peacock inspired veggie tray with edemame hummus and butt cookies, hehe.

peacock party details 9

peacock party details 11

peacock party details 12

peacock party details 13 - butt cookies

And that wraps up all of the details from this party, it was a lot of work, but totally worth it! Check out my Inspiration Board and Invitations from this party.

Pinterest Picks – Tangerine and Mint

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Pantone declared Tangerine as the color of 2012, but Mint seems to be taking over right now if you ask me. With Spring approaching, I have been daydreaming of breezy days in the sun and I realized that I really love tangerine and mint together… it is a fun, bright and energizing combination!

Tangerine and Mint

How do you feel about this color combo?

1// Boyfriend Tote
2// Sweater
3// Geometry Series Notebook
4// Collin Skinny Jean (similar)
5// Flower Earrings
6// We children of the Zoo

Head over to my boards and pins for all of the inspiration that I have been collecting and if you’re on Pinterest, leave a link below so I can check out your pins!

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy

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A day in the French Quarter with my sister for some eating, shopping and wandering… getting to play tourist in your home town is always so much fun! This is my favorite dress right now, I have to hold back from wearing it everyday. It’s so comfortable and I love that it is black and white so it matches with everything!

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy // Detail

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy

Dress – H&M // Tights – Urban Outfitters // Purse – H&M // Boots – Ariat via Rue La La // Necklace – borrowed from my sister // Sunglasses – Ray-Ban Cockpit Aviator

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy // Outake

What I Wore // Wandering the Big Easy // Outake

While in New Orleans, I was lucky to have my sis to take these photos, and I took some of her that you can see on her beautiful blog! * I know, I know, I was in New Orleans in December and January… you could say I am a little behind in getting this post up…

 

Favorite Posts of February

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February brought a few days of feeling homesick but also an appreciation for the Northeast as I was able to spend some beautiful days outdoors during this mild winter! In February I updated my Etsy shop, crossed a few things off my 30 before 30 list and joined formspring so feel free to ask me anything! And in case you missed anything throughout the month, here are my favorite posts:

Favorite Posts of February

1 // Peacock Party Invites – New Designs
2 // Smoothie + Cinnamon Rolls, a look into my weekend
3 // A Red Hot Valentine DIY
4 // Self Portrait. Done.
5 // Carolyna – a new favorite font
6 // Participated in a February Photo A Day Challenge
7 // Workspace Snapshot 02/22/12
8 // Photographs from my trip to Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

I have a lot planned for March but if you have any special requests just let me know! xo Ciera

On a Very Slippery Trail – Smugglers Notch

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My first time to Vermont! I didn’t do any skiing this time around but went on a short hike which was beautiful. The trail was iced over so we had to hold on to tree branches to keep from slipping… even though that didn’t stop me from falling on my butt! We were only about 10 feet from the road so I thought it was a pretty funny “nature walk” but really enjoyed the nice time outdoors.

Smugglers Notch Vermont

Smugglers Notch Vermont 2b

Smugglers Notch Vermont 3

Smugglers Notch Vermont 3b

Smugglers Notch Vermont 6

Smugglers Notch Vermont 5

Smugglers Notch Vermont 4

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Smugglers Notch Vermont 14

Fat Tuesday

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Today is my 4th time missing Mardi Gras in 29 years. The second time missing it as an adult. Needless to say, that makes me a little homesick today. I baked a king cake last night and can’t wait to share it with friends tonight but really wishing I was down in New Orleans with these crazies!

Mayan beauty

Voodoo

Beatin' a drum

Flower lady

Ceasar

Happy people

Colorful people

Heading to the square

Happy

All of these photos are by my very talented friend, James Shaw. Look at what I was doing two years ago on Mardi Gras day, who could have imagined I would be in Boston a year later?

Carolyna is Kinda Great [Friday Favorites]

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A new favorite font for you today! Carolyna, a charming new font by the Emily Lime foundry is meant to be formal, yet whimsical so that you can achieve a modern calligraphy feel.

Carolyna Pro uses OpenType features to assist with letter flow and to give each creation that spontaneous, hand-lettered touch. With over 1,000 characters, there are many stylistic alternates and fun swashes to choose from. Carolyna also has a bolder and sassy sibling, Carolyna Pro Black that was just released. So go grab them from MyFonts and create something beautiful!

Halfway Through February Photo A Day Challenge

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This month I am participating in a February Photo A Day Challenge. I’m REALLY enjoying having a daily photo prompt and checking out what everyone else has done! It is a great way to get inspired to photograph something that may not be in your normal comfort zone. Here are my photos from day 1-14.

my view today / words / hands / a stranger / 10 AM / dinner / button / sun / front door / self portrait / makes me happy / inside my closet / blue / heart

You can follow along with the February photo a day challenge with me on instagram, facebook or flickr!

You Light Up My Life

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Happy Valentine’s Day! I like to think of Valentine’s Day as a day to make the special people in your life feel loved, not just a day for couples. So I’d like to take a sec to tell you how much I appreciate all of your comments and support here on the blog and I hope you all feel loved today!!! xoxo Ciera

 

* I was planning to post a delicious Valentine’s Day dessert today but yesterday while finishing up Z’s v-day gift I cut my finger pretty badly with an exacto knife and didn’t get around to cooking. Guess I’ll have to save that post for next year 🙂

A Red Hot Valentine

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Hey guys, I have a very simple Valentine’s treat that is perfect for passing out to friends, classmates or secret crushes. All you need is chalkboard paint, match boxes, chalk and red hots or any small candy of your choice. Just paint the match boxes (I used a foam brush), let dry, write your personal messages, fill with candy and deliver!



Red Hot Valentine 1

Red Hot Valentine 2

Red Hot Valentine 3

Red Hot Valentine 5

Red Hot Valentine 6

Red Hot Valentine 7

Red Hot Valentine 8

*Chalboard paint takes a few days to cure, so don’t wait til the last minute!

Peacock Party Invites

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I am so excited to share this invitation suite that I designed for my best friend’s bridal shower and bachelorette party! Even though the events were on the same day, each party was a special celebration, so I decided to design two separate cards that complemented each other. While the wedding colors are inspired by peacock feathers in a more subtle way, I wanted to be bright and bold for these invitations! I printed them at home and mailed the cards together in teal envelopes lined with chartreuse paper. I am really happy with the outcome and they definitely helped set the tone for our party marathon! Check out some of the event details, including a party survival kit!

Peacock Party Invitations 1

Peacock Party Invitations 2

Peacock Party Invitations 3

Peacock Party Invitations 4

These are now available as printables on Etsy!

Peacock Party Inspiration Board

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Two weeks ago my friends and I threw an awesome day-o-fun (shower & bachelorette party) celebrating Chelsea’s engagement! I had been collecting images on a Peacock Party pinboard and planning for months and it finally all came together. Here are some of my favorite inspirational images and I’ll be sharing the invites and fun event details soon!

Peacock Party Pins

Another item crossed off of my 30 before 30 list! Be sure to subscribe to the Ciera Design RSS feed or follow me on Twitter so that you don’t miss out when I post the invites and party pics! Visit my Peacock Party pinboard for image credits.

Favorite Posts of January

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January was full of family, friends, setting goals… and my first outfit post!  In case you missed anything throughout the month, here are my favorite posts:

January-Favorite-Posts

1 // Instagram Week In Photos
2 // 30 Before 30 – A Year of Goals
3 // Keep Me Warm by the Fire
4 // Stanley Restaurant New Orleans
5 // Custom Notecards
6 // A Very Special Quilt
7 // What I Wore – BBQ in January
8 // Island Creek Oyster Bar Identity

I have a lot planned for February but if you have any special requests just let me know! xo Ciera

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Ciera Design Studio established 2010
xo Ciera