A New Chapter

Almost to the day, I have been here at Whyte-Kerner Environmental Graphics & Design for 5 years! I even worked contract a few months prior to my "first" day being full time. I cannot imagine where I would be without Whyte-Kerner over these years, but this is my last week here! I have accepted a new position at Perkins+Will, and I'm very excited to be a part of their team.

Yesterday we enjoyed a delightful lunch at Livingston on the porch of the Georgian Terrace. I will miss our very convenient location on Peachtree, but especially the people inside our office. We shared space with JonesPierce Architects, and Insight Design, and I will miss them all very much as well!

The opportunity at Whyte-Kerner was one that I will never forget and always cherish. The experience I have gained and the relationships I have formed are priceless. I'm very excited to begin the next chapter in my professional life! Thank you to Robbie, Bonnie, and Lou.

Atlanta Botanical Garden's Donor Recognition Wall was one of my favorite projects to work on:

Another favorite project of mine was Arabia Mountain High School, Georgia's first LEED certified public school, designed by Perkins+Will, ironically:

Here are some of my favorite logo designs:

Here I am at Robbie's 50th birthday "hat" party! I will miss you girls!

Bobbi Likes Freckles

For the past 12 years, I had always used make-up by Prescriptives. Simple, clean, and certainly under the radar. Sadly, maybe too much under the radar. They are no longer.

So my quest to find a new make-up brand began. It started at CVS, buying some quick temporary fixes like the Neutrogena Healthy Skin (You know, the commercial with Jennifer Garner's flawless skin, and the claim that 98% of women agree that their skin felt healthier after using it). So I gave it a try. Not too bad for $12.99.

Now it's time...I've used every scrap of Prescriptives make-up I had left. My concealer compact looks like it's been licked clean. Time to move on. Hello Bobbi Brown. My sisters use her make-up and always endorse it to me. I've had her "pale pink" blush for a while now, and I love it. Now I'm replenishing my make-up bag with all of her stuff. I went to her website, and check out the fun use of typography in the header. Good make-up and good design. She loves natural beauty, even girls with freckles like me!

Traveling the World of Paper

I love visiting the paper sections of Sam Flax and Binders. Multitudes of colors, shades, weights, patterns, envelopes, die cut cards, and folders spark all kinds of creativity. Paper Source can even be sensory overload sometimes for me! Being the paper nerd that I am, I even love a trip to Office Depot or Staples. Legal pads, Sharpies, and Manila Folders are such iconic items in the world of paper, they are still exciting to me.

So, while I'm traveling around the Atlanta circuit of art supply stores, my brother-in-law Tyson is really traveling the world of paper. He is officially in Manila, Phillippines, the namesake of Manila Folders! Yep, that's right folks, the manila component of the name comes from manila hemp or abacá from which Manila Folders were originally made. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one of the main producers of abacá.

I never knew the connection myself. I wish the best of luck to Tyson, exploring the city of Manila for the next 3 weeks, knowing that you will find and see many more interesting things than the native Manila Folder. If you do come across the real deal, feel free to bring one back for me.

Sneak Peek

Another wedding in Highlands, North Carolina is fast approaching. This wedding is at the The Farm at Old Edwards Inn. I just finished assembling the invitations yesterday and wanted to give you a sneak peek. Next week I will lay out the entire invitation with its envelopes and reply cards. Have a great weekend!

...and baby makes 3! (Part III)

As promised, here is precious Benson's announcement. What a cutie! His stationery, nursery, and announcement all match this red, white, and blue all-American style. The photography is by his uncle, John Norris.

...and baby makes 3! (part II)

I will post Benson's announcement tomorrow in "...and baby makes 3! (Part III)," but I didn't want to skip another addition to a new family! Dustin and Holly Jones Yost welcomed their new baby girl into the world yesterday! Welcome Josey, can't wait to meet you today!

Also check out where we shopped for Josey, at BlaBla in Atlanta. Their stuff is so stinkin' cute!

...and baby makes 3!

On March 20, one of my best friend's son was born! She spent a lot of time getting ready, as I'm sure most expectant mothers do. She also ordered a set of stationery from me that included 3 coordinating designs, yet each a bit unique. One card included her name, one card was for her and her husband, and one card was for the newest member of the family, Benson Downey Durham! Each card used the same square envelope with return address printed. Tomorrow I will post the coordinating announcement that she will be sending out very soon.

Lemons and Limes

For Easter Dinner dessert yesterday, my sister made a delicious lemon cake with sweetened strawberries, and whipped cream. It was a delicious spring treat to end the meal! The night before Easter, we grilled out hamburgers and I made a Key Lime Pie, aka Drew's favorite dessert. I used my mother's recipe, but doubled the amount of lime juice, knowing that Drew likes it extra tart. I think it passed the tartness test, and it's easy enough to make again. Below is the recipe. If you are looking for a more traditional, labor-intensive pie, try Martha Stewart or Southern Living. Happy Spring dessert season!

Store-bought Graham Cracker Crust (I think Honey Maid is the best)
1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 oz) package of Cream Cheese
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Whipped Cream

Beat the cream cheese until softened. Slowly add the condensed milk until smooth. Mix in the lime juice until blended. Pour into crust and chill in fridge for 4-5 hours. Top with whipped cream.

Happy Easter Weekend

If you live in the South, I think we're in for a beautiful, warm Easter weekend. Finally! Here is some Southern inspiration. Enjoy it!

Love is in the Air...

It's spring! Doesn't it make you think of beach trips and weddings! I just wanted to take a minute to recap my sister and her husband's gorgeous wedding in Highlands, North Carolina last August! Kim and Tyson had the most beautiful day to celebrate. I had the grand opportunity to design the invitations, programs, save the date, and other shower and party invitations. Here's a quick look at the photography by Bob Butler.