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

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Race and Religious 3

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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.

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peacock party details 8 - photobooth

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

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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

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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?

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Ciera Design Studio established 2010
xo Ciera