sisterlove.

me and my sister decided today was a good day to make some moves.

which is how we ended up in Petoskey looking for some thrifty gear and interesting novelties. 

i left with a jean Gap jacket, a colorful printed scarf, and a leather shoulder bag all for the grand total of $11. she scored some cute stuff as well. we always end up at a bookstore before heading out which is where i found the print below.

it's really simple, but it was really inspiring to see, especially since i have been struggling with my creativity lately. with everything that i have to focus on, and my last quarter looming, i feel like everything i make needs to be my best yet. all the pressure i'm putting on myself has completely shut down all of my motivation. seeing this random little quote reminded me to keep my feet on the ground and remember that i can begin anywhere from anything and that no matter how small something starts, at least it has begun...

[ sanya sister lurking in the greeting cards ]

home for the holidays.

christmas break. cheboygan. 3 weeks.
i'm nearing the bottom of week one at home. 
lots of snow. lots of cold. lots of nothing going on. 
except marley. the new puppy.
she's keeping me and my dad entertained during the days.
--- if only my portfolio was getting as much attention... 

    c'mon motivation. i must have forgotten you in florida.

clever advertising says i

i have a serious crush on the PUMA Social campaign that is running right now.
it's so clever. 
the idea of an 'after-hours athlete' is really smart and i love that they are re-inventing their target market for this new line of shoes.
definitely check out their website at www.puma.com/social and scope the commercial [below].

[ PUMA Social Campaign ]

and then there's life...

there's nothing better than the feeling of relief. 

finally being able to breathe after holding your breath for so long. 

i'm busier than i have ever been in my entire life, and for some reason i'm the most at ease right now.

it's the first time in months that i have felt like i'm where i'm supposed to be.

it happens to us all...

work,

school,

bills, 

stress,

life.

but i've come to terms with the fact that it's always going to be a struggle, 

just make sure it's a struggle that you love every day.

if you don't love it than you will resent it.

love your family, no matter how much it hurts you.

love your job, no matter how much it drains you.

love your life, no matter how much it expects from you.

new things everyday.

thanks to all the wonderful designers that i know, i am constantly ingesting design knowledge.
but a special thanks today to the cambeletta's [@KitcheBranding <-- coming soon!] for having a call out on their blog and twitter for EightHourDay...

awesome designers.

awesome website.

awesome work.

definitely check it out. 

i love love loooooove the combination of illustration and hand-made elements in their design.

[ Eight Hour Day - click to view webpage ]


[ check out their blog as well -- http://eighthourday.com/blog/ ] 

i will buy something i don't need, just for the package.

what's wrong with that?

i love awesome things. especially awesome things made from paper.

with that said...

some awesome package designs to get hot over. your welcome.

[ blood donation -- created by Yanko Design ]
www.packagingoftheworld.com/2010/10/sweet-donation-bag.html

[ boxed water package -- http://www.boxedwaterisbetter.com/ ]

[ funny condom packaging -- Robert Daniel Nagy & Mads Jakob Poulsen]
http://lovelypackage.com/no-more-sex/

never cease to amaze.

i try to scope out the behance network on a pretty regular basis and the work that members post never fails to amaze me. i love checking out the insane work that other designers create...

it keeps me inspired to constantly try new things.

with that said, as much as i love scoping out some awesome designs...what i love MORE is scoping out some awesome designs that are also promoting a cause or bettering the environment in some way or another.

hello coca-cola naked package design.

brilliant.

and beautiful :)

http://www.behance.net/gallery/COLORLESS/342938

check out the product design by Ryan Harc.