Back Burner Blogger

Lately I feel like I haven't been as creatively attached to the blog as I used to be.

I've been keeping myself pretty busy managing my design services and adding prints to the shop, and when I'm not working on that I'm also working my day job and trying to have a life.

Consequently I've noticed myself putting blogging on the back burner, mostly because I need that time away from my computer to connect with the outside world!

This blog is never far from my mind, however. I still have so many ideas and things I want to write about, places I want to go with it, and yet they remain inside my mind waiting for the opportunity to come forward.

Though, if I've learned anything about blogging over the past couple years, I know that the inspiration and time tends to ebb and flow, and so I'm not too worried about it, but I do miss it!

One topic I probably won't run out of content for is design. I've always got something to share in that corner of my mind, I just hope you don't get tired of it ;)

So here's a wrap up of my most recent work (Apologies to everyone who already got spammed on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook... love youuuu!)

Below are two of my latest prints added to the shop...

(Pssst... I just ordered a bunch of mugs with the happiness quote - more on that later!)

"Happiness Is" Print // "I Love My Dachshund" Print

(these also come as iPhone covers, pillows, stationary cards... etc.)

And here are THREE recent blog design projects... *phew!*

Chelsea at Red Velvet Rooster wanted a face lift from her previous DIY design. She loved the chalkboard trend and wanted in! I'm loving the simplicity, fonts, and cleaned up layout - I think my favorite part are the sidebar titles. Aren't they pretty?

Fonts used: Petit Formal Script, HandyGeorge, Georgia

I had helped Brin from Bold Butter Baby design her business cards to take to Blissdom a couple months ago, and she wanted that same look translated on her blog design. The chevron background was toned down, the layout more structured, and fonts more streamlined. I love how her new and improved look stays loyal to the brand her readers are already familiar with!

Fonts Used: Sacramento, Open Sans Condensed Bold, Open Sans

I just can't get enough of this one! Holly from The Oklahoma Peppler's was super easy to work with and trusted me completely. She gave me a few basic ideas of what she liked but admitted she was not too keen on design speak, that's why she hired me! :) So she gave me a color scheme idea and let me off my leash. I came back to her giddy with a great representation of my favorite design aesthetic, and I was so glad she liked it! Modern, clean, and bold - I'm head over heels.

Fonts used: Oswald, Meddon, Questrial

...and onward, I go!

What have you been working on lately?

What I Wore to Work

Dress, ROSS (Beige by ECI) // Shoes, Payless // Earrings, F21 // Sunglasses: Gifted

Summer has definitely arrived early here in Utah. It's been around ninety degrees these past few days. As my mother would say, "It is WICKED!"

Consequently I've been looking for ways to stay cool during the work week, mainly with trying updo's and finding summer work dresses so I can worry less about the temperature and more on my concentration.

I'm pretty modest in general when it comes to my wardrobe, so summer always pushes me to the edge of what skin I'm comfortable showing.

For example, I felt a little risqué in this dress at work because it's so above the knee, and I wasn't wearing leggings or nylons (I blame this awareness on my religious upbringing!), but after running errands in the heat all day I knew it was a good choice.

Guess I'll just have to adjust!

Has summer hit your state yet? 

How do you beat the heat with your style?

A Beautiful Storm

Just as the sun was setting last Friday, I went to take the dogs outside and was greeted by my usual surroundings, but this time it was as if the world had a gorgeous yellow filter on it.

A storm was on its way and I could see the rain coming down in the distance, but above me the skies were painted with these deep shades of amber. I watched as the planes flew by and the clouds shifted to a gorgeous pink, casually snapping picture after picture until I saw it from every angle.

It was so surreal, and too stunning not to admire with a proper stare. I'm glad I caught it during for those short twenty minutes while others were inside, not even aware of the beauty just outside their door.

Am I the only weirdo who gets caught in trances staring at the sky?

Miss you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day... I miss you so much, Mom!

My "Oh, Shit!!!" Moment

Blazer, H&M // Top, F21 // Jeans, LC for Kohl's

Shoes, Payless // Earrings c/o Maya Brenner // Watch, GUESS 

Things started out so optimistic on Monday morning. I was on time, in a cute outfit, having a great hair day, and enjoying my favorite Starbucks... for about a half hour when I realized I had royally screwed up at work.

I had forgotten to send a very important addendum to our client's mortgage lender. We were supposed to close that afternoon but because of my mistake, we had to delay it another three days... which is kind of a big deal.

I was numb with shock, furiously searching through emails to prove them wrong, blame someone else - when I realized my mistake was, in fact, real.

"Oh, shit..." I repeated over and over in my head for the next hour.

I watched as my boss tried to save the deal with the lender, flipped through the contract in paranoia, and called to apologize to everyone involved in the transaction. After listening to the rehashing of my less than stellar performance, my embarrassment had reached its peak and I had to excuse myself to calm down.

As I tried some deep breathing exercises and let a few hot tears escape my eyes, I couldn't shake the shame in my mistake. Sure, it was "just a mistake," "we all make them," "shit happens," or whatever... but I don't make these kind of mistakes. Not when it comes to work, anyway. I take it seriously and personally, so those couple times a year I drop the ball... it's heart wrenching.

More than my own humiliation, the worst part was feeling like I disappointed my team. I let everyone down. Would I no longer be trusted to perform my job well? Maybe I would need to be checked on and monitored repeatedly, and I know I can't stand to be micromanaged...

And while I had several vague excuses of why I made the mistake, (too much on my plate, busy time of year, that day was crazy, etc. etc.) it still boiled down to... me. Screwing up. Period.

I came back to see how my boss had handled it, and after I apologized countless times and let the flood gates open, all he said was,

"Kristen... it was a mistake. We all make mistakes. You're still an awesome f***ing assistant and the fact that you're reacting this way is a good thing. It means you give a shit about your work performance."

#ilovemyboss

I figured if he could fight to keep going, react logically, work it out, and move on with his day, I owed it to him to do the same.

So I fought my desire to wallow in pity, and instead I accepted my error, started working harder, and began to feel better as the day progressed, especially when the lender came down with a Diet Coke and chocolate... chocolate always saves the day.

After reflecting for a couple days, I concluded something. Maybe you saw me tweet it yesterday?

It's true. We all suck sometimes, but it's best to admit it, accept it, and just try harder next time. That's all it takes, and that's all anyone should expect... including ourselves.

Livin' and learnin', folks... livin' and learnin'...

Have you ever screwed up big time at work?