Over the weekend, I paid a visit to Roadside Attraction to catch up with my dad and grandparents. Enclosed and complete with a fire pit and foliage, it feels like a secret sanctuary in the middle of the city.

Afterwards, we stopped by a bar that’s next door to a former mechanic that my grandpa worked at over 50 years ago. My grandparents are amazing; at 80 years young they like to unwind by gambling and having a few drinks.

With a great coffee mug and my trusty Pantone notebook, I’m up for whatever the day throws at me.

I love the colors of the Hawthorne location of Cha! Cha! Cha! So cheerful!

I spent Thursday hanging out in my natural habitat wearing my favorite Topshop sweater.

During a break between projects, I picked up Surface for some visual inspiration.

It’s okay having dirty dishes sitting around my office if they look good, right?

I found these plaid pants on sale at ASOS. They’re my new favorite wardrobe staple and liven everything up. And with that, I’m off to relax. Have a great weekend, everyone!

I’m still focusing on the little details that make my surroundings feel like home. Fresh flowers always seem to do the trick.

I’ve never been much of a tea drinker but Steven Smith has started to change all that. Besides producing the best tea I’ve ever tasted, the packaging is pretty much perfect, from the logo to the subtle patterns to the type treatments. Love it so much.

I just picked up some mini letterpess valentines by Egg Press. Cute, huh? If you’re in town, you can find packages of four at Schoolhouse Electric.

Speaking of Schoolhouse Electric, I took my dad by their new showroom & store last weekend and had a great time admiring their displays as usual. So cozy!

Always judge a lobby by their selection of books and magazines. This one gets an A+.

If you were one of the 50 people who sent me your address during the art flyer giveaway last month, all packages have been mailed! Thanks to everyone who has sent me an Instagram photo of your goodies!

Last night I joined Auntie Nubs for dinner at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant,Pho Van which of course ended with us laughing so hard we were nearly crying…because of this sign. Hot For Cookie?! I tried to do my own David Lee Roth move, lost my balance and fell backwards into the window. I’ll do anything for a photo-op! Have a fantastic weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday for a very special shoe closet reveal.

I’ve been hard at work on issue 2 of Rock n Roll Bride magazine and it just keeps getting better and better.

My most-worn shoes of the week were definitely these Y-3 wedges. I am so happy that the sneaker wedge trend is blowing up right now because they’re the right balance of fashionable and practical. Or, at least they are in my world!

I love this type treatment.

In my opinion, this is the best still-life ever.

Isn’t this branding great?

George Lois is one of my advertising heroes; his cover concepts for Esquire were so far ahead of their time.

Warning: if you leave a random bucket of bouncing balls sitting around, there’s gonna be a war! I was throwing these things everywhere and I have terrible aim. I’m shocked I didn’t take someone’s eye out!

Have a fantastic weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday. Also, thanks so much for all your inspiring, heartfelt comments on the Doing What You Love in 2012 post!

My office is the cleanest and most organized it’s ever been. And now I’m ready to conquer the longest design to-do list I’ve ever had.

An inspirational poster, perhaps? You be the judge.

Switching things up with new colors: I picked up this trio of Face Stockholm polishes at a J. Crew store in Phoenix and am still enjoying making small changes from my normal beauty routine.

Every time I wear this textured silk bomber jacket by Quail, everyone wants to pet me.

I just happened to witness the funniest photo shoot ever that included very large hunting knives.

The current wallpapers on my desktop and laptop: Black and white and minimal.

My default everyday shoes: Minimarket zipper wedges. I love these so much that I’m on my third pair.

Isn’t this type great? I love discovering design inspiration in unlikely places.

We’ve got small Bavarian-inspired touches scattered throughout our home. I especially love this vintage piece from an old cuckoo clock in the kitchen nook.

One of my favorite outfits: a red plaid vintage skirt from Etsy paired with Cheap Monday patent wedges.

There’s a ramen place with really great branding on Water Street in Portland called Boke Bowl. It’s always packed but definitely worth visiting.

This is a little old but here’s a peek of what I packed for my Phoenix trip.

The design necessities: my Pantone notebook, Moleskine planner,pens and tea. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here to share a design project I just finished (and am super happy with) on Monday!

Last week was in spent Phoenix on a glorious sun-filled post-Christmas vacation. I visited my mom, ate as much as I possibly could (and followed that up with dessert), took three mile long walks down cactus-lined streets, visited the mall, went to bed early and took the opportunity to pause and think about what I wanted to accomplish in the new year.

I arrived at the airport in Phoenix with my laptop tucked into my American Apparel Cities tote, walked out to the curb and a Cadillac swung around and picked me up almost instantaneously.

A lot of people who have never visited Phoenix imagine that it is flat and barren but in reality, my mom’s house is surrounded by mountains. It’s beautiful.

On the road again. When I wasn’t eating, I was shopping. When I wasn’t shopping, I was eating. That’s what vacation is for!

During the long, cold and rainy winters in Portland, I spend way too much time hiding out inside. Sitting outside in short sleeves, soaking up the sun was a welcome relief.

I made time to visit Barneys and caress every single handbag they had on display.

This was my favorite spot in my mom’s back yard for idle phone chit-chat.

Phoenix has the most beautiful sunsets.

Getting my hair trimmed and styled was awesome. My hairdresser even backcombed it into a little bouffant…that promptly fell flat, as usual.

Sitting outside at restaurants (in December) is just one of the many reasons why I love Phoenix.

I’m back home now in Portland, terribly missing Phoenix (and my mom). I’m still playing catch-up with photos and a massive 2012 to-do list so I’ll have a ton of awesome visuals to share for next Friday’s Week In Pictures. Enjoy your weekend!

My new prints from coniLab are posted on my inspiration board until I have a chance to frame them in the new year.

Over the weekend, I pulled out my Gryphon sequined dress and went out to The Nines for a private gathering at Departure and the best hotel room party ever in the Meier & Frank suite. It’s the closest feeling to New York that you can get from being in Portland, if that makes sense.

Rocky is my Christmas snow baby! Normally, Rocky burrows under the covers and curls up in a ball to sleep. Imagine my surprise when a few nights ago, I came to bed really late and noticed him stretched out vertically with one paw on Joey’s shoulder, cuddling like a human would!

I’ll leave you with my favorite Instagram snaps of the week! 1. Sequins at The Nines on Saturday. 2. Modern chair heaven! 3. Keep Calm And Carry On. 4. Gray patent Dries van Noten wedges. 5. Veggie Pho. 5. Amazing cover of ZINK Magazine. 6. Sometimes I don’t have time to fasten all 6 straps on my Trippens. 7. I was just gifted a very large knife that’s autographed by Bear Grylls. Just what I needed for the holidays?!

I hope you have a great Christmas! I’m off to my grandparent’s cabin in the mountains tomorrow and then leave for Phoenix for sun & fun on Monday. xoxo

My favorite new shirt from Forever 21. Editorial design on clothing? Yes, please!

Fancy, tasty tea.

The lobby at W+K is pretty amazing right now. Not shown: tons of mythical creatures, including a massive pure white unicorn!!!

I’m hoping to get a post up about the jumbo art show flyer giveaway next week. Thanks for being so patient!

The bookshelf in my bedroom featuring fresh flowers, a glass head and ceramic milk carton vase.

Even though I’m not a meat eater, I LOVE this humorous sign in the S.E. Portland location of Olympic Provisions that greets you as you enter.

I’m a wee bit obsessed with the design of this magazine cover.
Have a great weekend!

My current view of the world.

I picked up this bouquet at Trader Joe’s over the weekend. I’m on a total flower kick…for the first time in my entire life. After a long day, there’s nothing better than coming home to a clean office and fresh flowers!

Fiction always has the BEST holiday parties. Complete with fake snow, a massive tree, straight shots and a mini ice sculpture, this year did not disappoint.

I just visited the S.E. Portland location of Olympic Provisions for the first time this week. I’ll admit that it was mostly to check out their branding but also, they have some of the best sandwiches in town. Though it’s definitely geared more towards meat eaters, they have some decent veggie options as well. I’ll try to get some interior shots next time — it’s awesome.

Yellow shoes brighten up dark winter days. I’ve got a long weekend ahead of me; I hope yours is enjoyable!

On Thursday night, I had my solo show opening at Sequential Art Gallery. It was surreal in a way, seeing so many friends, family members and coworkers all in one place. In a way, much of the night felt like a timeline of my life over the last 15 years, from my first week of high school in 1996 onwards. I kept my camera tucked away for most of the night and just tried to enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who made the trek and to those of you in other parts of the world who bought art!

Some of my favorite pieces to make have always been the ceramic red crosses; this is my last batch of them so they’re extra sentimental!

I called this shot my extended family because it was so awesome. From L to R: Liz (was my producer at Nemo), Kat (was my producer at Fiction), Pam (design partner in crime), Joey, me, Dad (peeking out the back), Grandma, Joey, Tana and Grandpa. Such a good group!

Over the weekend, we celebrated a late Thanksgiving at my grandparent’s cabin. On our way up, we pulled over when we saw some Bigfoot carvings on the side of the road. When we walked into the shop, we were met with about 50 sets of eyes; Bigfoots and bears everywhere!

Going up to the mountain is always an adventure.

My grandparent’s place is such a different world from where we live, an hour and a half away in the city.

Everything is frozen in time.

Nobody wanted to play us any tunes…

Our music selection in the cabin was pretty good. Yes, my grandpa still has an 8-track player!

We kicked up our heels with the relatives and had a few drinks.

Mountain time was fun but I had to get back home to my office and finish the last piece of art for my show.

On Sunday, I met up with longtime friend and collaborator Star who was in town visiting from San Francisco. We wandered the damp streets in Chinatown, located a photo booth and indulged in a platter of mac and cheese. I’m already begging her to come back!

I took a TON of Instagram snaps this week and these are some of my favorites.

I’m getting close to finishing a new project with one of my favorite clients, Luke Copping. He has the most stunning photography.

I’ve been so inspired by flipping through actual print magazines lately; this issue of LOVE was especially good. I’m gearing up for a few new editorial-based projects so I’ve been on the lookout for layout ideas. And with that, I’m off to get my weekend started. I have a terrible cold which serves me right after the nonstop excitement and lack of sleep this week!

I did a major office clean out this week and it feels great to have an abundance of clutter-free space.

My current breakfast routine, cereal.

I enjoyed a nice little Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with Joey, my brother and Rocky. Joey cooked us up a Tofurky and many other goodies. We had an actual sit-down meal with our good dishes and cloth napkins! This doesn’t happen nearly enough…

I sat down on Wednesday and designed the flyer for my upcoming solo show, My Cross To Bear. I never get a chance to design anything for myself so it was awesome taking a day to do something I love just for fun.

I just wrapped up my last few art pieces today. Tomorrow I’ll be up early pouring resin and then heading up to visit my grandparents at their cabin tucked away in the mountains. Looking forward to relaxing before the madness of next week hits.