Wedding planning and the Pursuit Conference have once again been the major things on my mind the past two months. I guess it’ll be that way until October when they are both over! Zander and I have been engaged for a year now (crazy!) so we celebrated by going back to the restaurant where he popped the question. My puppy Scrappy has also been a top priority, house training her and making sure she gets enough play time! Besides all that, I have tons of client projects in the works that I can hopefully share on the blog soon! If you are interested in hearing more personal updates like these on a regular basis, you can follow me on Instagram for a more day-to-day glance into my life. Here are some snaps from the past two months.

IN THE STUDIO, SHOP & BLOG

• I quietly launched a new ebook called Blogging With Intention – it’s only $6.75 and you can get a free preview of it by signing up for the Pursuit email list!
• I updated my portfolio page with some new work including this brand identity design for a health & wellness advocate
• I also updated my Etsy shop! You can now get my art prints as digital downloads so you can print yourself.
• Our May Made In Mind Social was super special because we got to announce some fun Pursuit news and Death to the Stock Photo joined us as a part of their 2015 road trip!

ELSEWHERE

• Thanks to Aspen Summit for the nice mention of The Meetup Guide (get 50% off by clicking here)
• I’m sharing my favorite keyboard shortcuts over on Brigette’s blog along with a ton of other creatives!
• Play Party Pin featured my S’more Pops in a round up of 50 Amazing Smores Recipes
• The Blog Market shared two post from the blog, How to Create Color Palettes in Adobe Illustrator and Why Small Businesses and Bloggers Need Private Cloud Storage

P.S. I love to collaborate with brands and other bloggers, find out more here.

Let’s start with the cutest news first shall we? I got a puppy!! Her name is Scrappy and I love her so much! This may seem crazy, but it is my first dog ever. It was very spur of the moment and it has not been the easiest transition trying to train her (I literally just had to go stop her from chewing the couch apart)  but I am so happy we adopted her.

Overall, the past two months have been super exciting, especially on the conference front, we now have a name (Pursuit, The Creative Conference), a date (October 3) and are currently accepting applications for our first round of key volunteers! You can check out all the details at our website!

I’ve been trying to spend as much time outside as possible, as you can see from my Instagrams below, before it gets unbearably hot here in New Orleans. In other news, you may have notices that I’ve been slowly introducing some new contributors around these parts, what do you think?

IN THE STUDIO, SHOP & BLOG

• Did y’all know that I sell some of my photos on Creative Market as stock photography? AND for the month of May I’ll be donating 50% of my proceeds to support those impacted by the devastating earthquake in Nepal.
• I’ve been working on a few brand identity projects, which I love and can’t wait to share.
• I have also been working on some larger campaigns for local agencies which is a nice change every once in a while.
• We hosted another great Made In Mind event
• So happy with how the New Orleans Film Society Gala invitation came out
• My wedding save the dates went in the mail yesterday! One thing at a time.
• Need a Mother’s Day Card? Why not print your own?

ELSEWHERE

• Mariah wrote a nice post all about The Meetup Guide (get 50% off by clicking here)
• Holly invited me to participate in her Freelance Insights series
• Julie Harris Design so kindly mentioned my post Tips for Coming Up with Fresh Blog Content
• I gave some tips on starting your own local meetup over on Kory’s blog
• Sarah wrote an amazing post The big badass guide to ecommerce platforms in which I gave my thoughts on using Sellfy
• Thanks to Brit+Co and Country Living for featuring my DIY Tin Can Fence Garden

P.S. I love to collaborate with brands and other bloggers, find out more here.

IN THE STUDIO, SHOP & BLOG

• I’ve been working on a lot of social media campaigns which I really enjoy!
• Hosted a toast to the new year Made In Mind event
• Participated in a styled wedding shoot which I CAN’T wait to share!
• I’m currently working on items for Salvations 2015 and The New Orleans Film Society Gala invitation
• Bought all kinds of new fonts from Great Lakes Lettering – can’t wait to use them!
• Had a consulting call with Sugar & Type, did you know I offered consultations?
• New art print up in my Etsy shop
• Starting on my own Save The Dates, it’s SO hard to design for myself
• Wrote a travel guide for Marseille France
• Get 50% off of The Meetup Guide by clicking here

ELSEWHERE

• SO happy to had one of my invitation designs featured on 100 Layer Cakelet
• Thanks to ELLE Decor for featuring my DIY coasters
• LinkVehicle wrote a nice little blurb about me and my biz
• These yummy strawberry, nutella crepes were featured on SoFab Food!
• I wrote all about New Orleans over on The Collaboreat
• Designed a freebie for Lulu The Baker

P.S. I love to collaborate with brands and other bloggers, find out more here.

Lot’s of great stuff happened in the studio, on the blog and around the web in November with a nice little break for Thanksgiving which I spent in Maine, those photos are coming to the blog later this week!

On The Blog & In The Studio

• Selfie, it’s the word of the year and my favorite font of the month!
• As we head into December full speed ahead, now is a great time to ask yourself: Does your brand identity need a refresh?
• I got to play Just Dance for the first time, SO fun.
• Did you hear?! This DIY is featured in Times Square, pinch me!
• This rose gold mood board is so romantic.
• Ciera Design holiday items are up in the Etsy Shop.
• I launched a new website for White Swan Personal Training
• New Orleans Biz magazine issue 2 is out in the world!

P.S. My Gold Animal Toppers DIY kit is coming to an end, so grab one while you can!

Elsewhere

• I wrote a guest post over on Hera Sport as a part of their Away Game series talking about the New Orleans Saints!
• Thanks to Apartment Therapy and Amazing Interior Design for featuring my Upcycled Tin Cans

I’m a few days early to wrap up October, but I know everyone is going to be distracted by Halloween and wanted to make sure you didn’t miss out on my festive recipes and freebies from the month! In other news, my sister is coming to visit for the first time since she moved to New York earlier this year, SO excited! AND lot’s of great stuff happened in the studio, on the blog and around the web:

On The Blog

– One of my favorite Made In Mind events to date, The Garden Party and Floral Demo
– Worn Stories had been such a fun book to flip through and read
– A Fall recipe round-up!
– A Halloween twist on a favorite snack: Eyeball Caprese Salad
– Dress up your water bottles for Halloween with these free printables
– An inside look to the Marseille France markets
– I picked a winner for my 5 year blogiversary giveaway, is it you?! Thanks again to everyone who entered!
– Why personal cloud storage is a MUST for any home or small office

In The Studio

– I actually designed this Rock Band and Converse themed invitation last year but am just getting around to publishing it!
– I created a fiesta version to my black and gold safari invite, so happy with how it tuned out
– Sent a few things to press including BIZ Issue 2 and an invitation for the BA Rudolph Foundation!
– Got my personal cloud storage all set up and working out some new systems and processes for 2015
– My Gold Animal Toppers DIY kit is still available!

Elsewhere

– Decor Fix threw an amazing modern gold safari baby shower inspired by my invites!
– Thanks to Kory for sharing my stock photo site roundup
– Thanks to Homemade By You and Mother for featuring my paint and glitter dipped pumpkins

Sponsor Love

I’ve introduced them here on the blog before but I’ve been dying to tell y’all about Brian Gavin Diamonds new rose gold collection. Maybe I’m getting all lovey dovey from wedding planning but I just think these are SO romantic!

Adorned by many. Loved by all just like you! Introducing the Italian Rose Gold Collection from Brian Gavin Diamonds. Each unique piece of jewelry is crafted from 14k Italian Rose Gold with white gold, diamond cut beads. Available in earrings, necklaces and bracelets – this affordable collection provides ultra romantic accessories for the fall.

Brian Gavin Diamonds is the leading authority in precision diamond cutting and exquisite, hand-crafted jewelry design. They are committed to providing customers with an enriching, life-changing experience with every custom piece. Follow Brian Gavin Diamonds on Twitter, Pinterest and don’t miss them on Instagram, they have some really awesome videos!

Favorite Font of October

I know, I know I totally missed August’s recap post, oops, so I am combining both months here! September has been quite a month, trying my hardest to get back into a normal schedule and my computer decides to totally crap out on me. Can’t get much done without a computer for two weeks… but luckily I have awesome friends, and friends with extra computers, yay! On a fun note, I got to show the lovely Joanna Waterfall and her hubby some of New Orleans when they were in town! Zander got to stop home in between Iceland and South Korea and now on the way to Mexico so that’s exciting, even if it is only for a week at a time, I’ll take it! AND lot’s of great stuff happened in the studio, on the blog and around the web:

On The Blog

– I wrapped up my Spain photos including Madrid, Barcelona and Segovia, France coming soon!
– Updated my portfolio with the packaging for local cosmetics company, Kismet
– Shared a new favorite font, Garden
– Shared a recap of Made In Mind’s Letterpress demo event
– Getting back on track with new fitness goals
– Photographs of styled mementos from each of the main cities I traveled to
– Dreaming about a bathroom upgrade
– Shared some of my favorite stock photo sites

In The Studio

– New client alert! I’m now the art director for a business magazine that just launched in New Orleans, got the first issue in the mail today!
– I’m hiring a local, part-time designer! Find details here.
– Designed the marketing materials for The Green Project’s Salvations for the 4th year, wow!
– Launched my second Darby Smart DIY kit, Gold Animal Toppers
– If you missed my first kit (the studded tote) you can vote it back!
– Updated my shop page, what do you think?
– Customizing tons of these bad boys from my Etsy shop

Elsewhere

– Honored to be included in Regina’s The 5 (Blog Reader) Love Languages post!
– Backyard Tin Can Fence Garden was featured on Good Housekeeping
– Humbled to be mentioned along side these awesome Inspiring Designers
– Designed a desktop freebie for Lovely Indeed, go brab it!
– Listed as one of Autumn Leaves Useful Sites for New and Established Blogger
– Friendship Bracelet DIY featured on Brit + Co

Favorite Fonts

– Galea Display
– Magma II
– Aina
– Festivo Letters

I was planning on keeping the blog more up to date while traveling but it is way harder than I anticipated, especially since my client work must come first! So far, I have been to Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille, I’m currently in Nice and leave for Paris on Saturday. On Wednesday, I laid on the beach in the French Rivera and watched my plane home fly over head. I decided I wasn’t done exploring and now I don’t even have a plane ticket home. After Paris I am heading to London and fingers crossed for Iceland!

Incase you missed any posts this month, here is a recap. I’ll be posting more travel photos as soon as I can. But I decided to let taking in the culture and experiences be my number one priority, so who knows, I may not post them til I return home… I’m letting my guilt of not posting consistently go for now!

What I Wore // Snowball Season
Growing Your Blog By Positioning Yourself As An Expert
Summer Succulents – Desktop and iPhone Wallpaper Freebies
3 Ways to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
On Speaking at Alt Summit
Chocolate and Churros
How Do You Celebrate The Bright Side of Life?
Graffiti Graphics: My Parents’ Sign Shop

Sponsor Love

I also want to introduce y’all to an awesome brand I just discovered. Mercer + James is a luxury line of men’s grooming items & accessories with seriously gorgeous items from products like shaving oil, to sets, to safety razors and even old-school hats (really anything to make guys dapper)!!

Mercer + James evolved out of my husband’s search for a better shaving set. The market seemed to be full of either low-quality big-box products that would break quickly, or overpriced “high-end” brands. We concluded that if we couldn’t buy what we wanted, we’d design it for ourselves. Before we knew it, our home was filled with samples and drawings, and our kitchen was brimming with concoctions as we searched for just the right elements to represent what we think men’s grooming should be. Designing is a fun thing that my hubby and I get to share, and it’s really just a bonus that we get to share what we love with the world. -Elizabeth of Mercer + James

So let’s start with some huge news shall we… I’m speaking at Alt Summit in 2 weeks y’all! I’m on the same speaker roster as Martha Stewart and Joy Cho, whoa. Even though I’m on page two. I’ll let y’all know what my panel is all about very soon and I’ll also be featuring my lovely panel mates (is that a thing) on Instagram leading up to Alt!

Besides being crazy excited/stressed about Alt this month, my best friend had her first baby, an adorable little girl who I just went to visit in Baton Rouge and another friend got married. We went to Biloxi for her bachelorette party and then the week after partied for 4 days straight for the actual wedding, not even exaggerating, it was exhausting/SO much fun! AND lot’s of great stuff happened in the studio, on the blog and around the web:

In The Studio

– New work for Simplified Bee
– Launched my first Darby Smart DIY kit, a Studded Baggu Tote
– Added some new stock photos to my Creative Market shop
– Busy prepping for the June 6 Etsy Craft Party in New Orleans (image above via my Instagram)
– Launched the Made In Mind New Orleans Chapter site. Get details on starting your own chapter here.

Elsewhere

– The lovely Ilana of Sugar and Type featured me for her Creative Crush series
– studio-404 shared my Twitter Tips
– Coastermatic featured my photos of their product on their blog
– New post up on Creative Market, my Favorite Calligraphers To Follow On Instagram
– Designed a desktop freebie for Whimsey Box
– Want to read all about my journey as a designer? My profile is now live on the Women in Business site!

On the blog

– Shared my May favorites from Golden Tote. P.S. The June tote launches Monday!
– How to Set Up a Mimosa Bar
– Make It Count – Desktop and iPhone Wallpaper Freebies
– Shared the details from the Gold Safari Animal Baby Shower
– Chocolate Almond Strawberry Smoothie Recipe
– Mariah shared Tips & Tricks for Your Email Newsletter
– What’s In My Bag

Favorite Fonts

– York Handwriting (30% off, ends today at 11 PM)
– Geli (50% off, ends tomorrow at 11 PM)
– Consuelo (50% off, ends June 1 at 11 PM)
– Coming Home (30% off,  ends June 2 at 11 PM)
– Archivio Family (60% off, ends June 3 at 11 PM)

Sponsor Love

I’d love to introduce y’all to Lori Greco of Greco Design Company, fellow graphic designer and blogger who loves painting, diy projects, typography, living in New England, hosting parties and running.

As a freelance graphic designer, I’m always teaching myself new things to stay current. Greco Design Company is a blog I started in 2013 that covers all aspects of design including print, home, fashion and lifestyle. I figure what we create around us is what designs and defines our entire lives. I hope to share my creations and things that inspire me and I hope to inspire you too.

Lori has an awesome blog at and Etsy shop that y’all should totally check out! Especially loving her DIY light switch covers!

Ok guys, I feel like sooooo much happened this month! Even one big thing that I can’t tell y’all yet! April felt like it was only three days long, anyone else?

In The Studio

– You have probably noticed that the site got a facelift! What do you think?
– In addition to the aesthetics, I also updated my services and added consulting to my packages! You get to pick my brain and I’ll help you nail down a plan for whatever it is you’re working towards. We can cover anything from a new design direction to finding a focus for your blog and social media strategies.
– My ebook on hosting local events is in the works! The content is almost complete so I’m starting on the design now. If you want to stay in the loop make sure to sign up for my newsletter.
– I posted the 2013 design for the Touro Infirmary Foundation and started working on the 2014 invite as well as the 2104 YLC Role Model’s gala invite.
– I also gave my Etsy shop a facelift and added a print-yourself Mother’s Day card.

Elsewhere

– I am now a contributor for the Creative Market blog and my first post, 5 Hand Lettering Artists To Follow On Instagram, was published this month!
– Want to read all about my journey as a designer? My profile is now live on the Women in Business site!
– Designed desktop freebies for Whimsey Box and Bunny & Dolly

On the blog

– I started a new column called Inspiring Instagrammer and first up was Zachary Smith
– I wrote about working out and eating healthy
– Shared some Twitter tips for small businesses and bloggers
– Recapped the photo walk that I hosted
– Announced that I joined the Minted designer community and need your help – voting will close Monday, May 5 at 9am PT so you still have time!
– Photos from Record Store Day
– I hosted a baby shower for my best friend. I posted the invitation and I’ll be posting more photos from the party soon!

Favorite Fonts

Enyo Serif Font by Antipixel
Daft Brush Font by Pintassilgo Prints

From the Archives

How to Protect Your Skin This Summer
4 Ways to Stand Out from the Rest
DIY Ombre Cluster Necklace
Crawfish Boil Fun