I used to think black clothing was a total cop-out. But now I'm thinking about dedicating 1/3 of my wardrobe to this color (and the other 2/3rds to white and grey).
If you could only wear a handful of colors for the rest of your life what would they be?
Boots - Frye
Leggings - Target
Tee - BCBG
Scarf - Thrifted
When Merl approached me to rebrand her custom jewelry line Clyde's Rebirth she also asked me to design a logo for her vintage apparel shop, Mo Vintage. (Fun side note: both shops are named after Merl's cats, Clyde and Mo.) Merl knew that she wanted Mo Vintage to be a little more fun and cheeky than the Clyde's Rebirth brand - so with that I paired a refined serif typeface and flourish with a more ghetto fabulous graffiti typeface. I married the two by making the dot in the "i" part of the paint splatter. 
Clyde's Rebirth and Mo Vintage are two different identities but we both agreed that it would be ideal if they were cohesive with each other. I did this by utilizing the same color palette within both logos. 
Being environmentally conscious and friendly is important to Merl - so another task she charged me with was to think of a creative way to make eco-friendly packaging and tags for her merchandise. I started brainstorming things like printing on recycled chip board and having custom-made tissue paper with her logo on it. But the most eco-friendly option we landed on was having rubber stamps made out of her logo. Merl has since been stamping leftover chipboard & cardboard from shipping supplies and tagging her merchandise with that. And then instead of tissue paper she wraps her goods in vintage scarves! So fun.
Thanks again, Merl, for hiring me to design some fun logos for your shops!
Black and white stripes have to be accompanied by red lips, right? Isn't that a rule somewhere?
I wore this outfit to go to lunch with my dad where I had a BLT (hold the bacon, add avocado) with fries and LOTS of mustard. He had chicken fried chicken and told the waiter to hold the chicken and add avocado - I love that after 15 years of being a vegetarian it's still funny.
Anyways, we had lunch and I told him all about how busy I am and detailed the projects I'm currently working on. After we ate I then drove him by the cutest house in the world that Jeremy and I are in the process of buying. We got out of the car and inspected things that dads like to look at - things like the foundation and brickwork, and whether or not it had cracks. And not only did my dad approve he was straight up proud - which left me feeling like no matter how scary and overwhelming things may get that everything is going to be okay.
After that I came home and busted out an invitation design for a client. That evening my dad texted me to ask if they liked it. They loved it.
Cardigan & Leggings - Target
Striped Tank - F21
Denim shorts - I Heart Ronson (Charlotte Ronson for JCP)
Belt - Thrifted
Shoes - Eastland
Necklace - from Collected Thread
The word of the day is focus.
My to-do list is spilling over from my chalkboard wall (used to get a glimpse at my overall project-load), to my Google Calendar (to manage lunch dates and meetings), to a notebook page (to mark off actionable tasks), to my hand (to remind me to email somebody).
I like to save my work posts for my monthly freelance recaps but right now work is pretty much all I've got. Slammed is the word that comes to mind. To do anything but focus is not even an option.
After I get through this wave of jobs I'm going to take a mini-vacation. I'm going to lead Jeremy by the hand to a cabin in the woods to unplug and reset. To refocus and remind myself what I'm working so hard for.
I don't have much to say about this outfit except for the fact that I lived in it this weekend. And that I threw it on again yesterday when I had unexpected back-to-back meetings all day. Oh and the back of that tank on top is really fantastic - I'll show you more in the summer. Jeremy tried buying this tank for me for Christmas when the sweet shop owner told him my sister had already bought if for me the day before - if that's not a reason to shop local I don't know what is.
Cardigan - Old Navy
Tank - Covet from wild.flower (who just reopened in the Plaza District for you locals - if you're unfamiliar it's like Anthropologie but more friendly on your wallet)
Cami - Urban Outfitters
Leggings - BCBG
Boots - Blowfish
I decided to celebrate Jeremy's birthday here on the blog by opening up the comments for questions you might have for Jeremy. So without further ado - your questions and Jeremy's answers:
When you have a moment to yourself, what is your favorite way to spend your time?
Playing one of the three songs I know on guitar.
If you could have ANY super power what would it be and why?
The power to be brutally honest without repercussion. Because sometimes things need to be said.
You seem like a good sport. Did you like it when Kathleen took pictures of your daily outfits?
I did when I had a good outfit on. But most of them turned out to be pretty boring.
I'm curious to know how Jeremy feels about the blogging that you do and if he ever feels like you give too much away about your relationship.
Jeremy says: I think the blogging is great. I enjoy reading it. There is far more to our relationship that doesn't ever go on to the blog but I'm pretty open about these things anyway.
Jeremy participated in the "What We Wear" for awhile too, did he ever get annoyed with having to take pictures everyday?
No.
If Jeremy had his own blog, what would the theme be?
Cat Cam Man - a fictional account of a quadriplegic man living life through his cat's web cam collar.
Hi Jeremy. How tall are you? And can I hear your voice. So curious.
Hello. I'm 5'10". You can hear my voice in the videos in this post here.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring only 3 things, what would you bring and why?
If I couldn't take Kathleen and Scooty I would take a guitar, a notebook and a pencil because I think those things would feed my soul.
What do you most appreciate about your relationship with Kathleen? And any advice for a couple about to get married?
I appreciate that Kathleen pulls me out of my comfort zone. And also the booty. My advice is to come completely clean about everything - embrace your flaws and be honest.
What are the objects or design elements in your house that are totally "Jeremy" (besides the cats)?
The drum set, the TV and the house itself. It was my idea to get an older house. Kathleen was really into mid century modern ranch homes at the time we were looking.
What is your favorite item in your wardrobe?
I've gotten some really great stuff recently but my 6 year old yellow Palladium shoes are probably still my favorite.
Hmmm... best bit of relationship advice perhaps?
Don't be afraid of trusting and committing to your partner. And when arguing make a real effort to see your partner's point-of-view.
What album are you currently listening to? I'm always looking for new tunes, thanks.
Curren$y - Pilot Talk II, Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer, Phantogram - Eyelid Movies, The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme, Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and I'm still listening to Arcade Fire's The Suburbs. I also listen to Ke$ha when I'm at the gym.
Ok, for whatever reason I seem to remember that Jeremy is a software developer? I think that's right. Anyway, what's his technical specialty? I'm a nerd, sorry.
I guess you would say my specialty is test software but my software skills are relatively limited. I spend a lot more time on tracing signal paths and circuit analysis.
What survival advice do you have for a nerdy kid? I ask because I think you have a nephew that is going to be just like you. (From Jeremy's sister)
Your kid is far from nerdy. He's going to be a chick magnet. But for all those actual nerdy kids out there - don't just sit around playing video games all day every day. Do something constructive with your time and talent.
Favorite moment during the Everest trip?
Right after landing in Lukla. The first few steps on the trail - it was such a culture shock.
If you won a million dollars tonight what would be the first 3 things you bought? (No I'd give it to charity... I mean the first 3 things for you)
A late '70s Mercedes convertible (for Kathleen), a vacation and a Brooklyn brownstone.
What is your favorite book?
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.
I would like to know the first record that you recall really feeling. The first one that moved you out of just hearing music into a place where you felt it. The memory of this monumental moment should be included in your answer.
Metallica's Black Album in the 8th grade. I remember listening to that full blast with my headphones on while on a 2-hour bus ride (to a field trip) and feeling like such a badass. I bet you were hoping for something cooler than that.
Your (alcoholic) drink of choice?
Anything by Coop Ale Works (a locally brewed beer here in Oklahoma City).
Favorite places to hang out in OKC?
VZDs, The Wedge, Drunken Fry (at the Galaga table), and my own house.
So what's it like being married to such an attention whore? (Haha, thanks a lot, Jason!)
Entertaining, to say the least.
And... Does it make you anxious to have all the details of your life posted on the internet for all to consume? Blog Husbands sometimes can't wrap their brains around it.
No, not at all. That's not to say I've wrapped my brain around it, really.
What music are you into these days? How about ten years ago?
(See above for albums I'm listening to). Ten years ago it would've been Built To Spill, Grandaddy, Get Up Kids, Death Cab for Cutie, At The Drive In, Murder City Devils, etc.
Do you like to cook & what is your "signature dish"?
I guess I don't really like to cook - probably because being a good cook involves making a mess. I used to cook for myself (before marrying Kathleen) for economic and health reasons but it was always very bland and very simple. My signature dish now is veggie chili.
What was your favorite childhood snack?
Devil's Food Cookies (now Snackwells)
Is there an especially cool or memorable gift you've received for a birthday?
Um... apparently not. I've gotten cool things for my birthday but nothing stands out head-and-shoulders above the rest.
What is the meaning of life?
Procreating. Woohoo!
Can you think of a food that doesn't go with either bacon or chocolate? It's a bit of a trick question because I don't think there's anything. Except maybe anchovies, but they don't go with anything so I don't think they count.
I'm trying but my brain keeps thinking of other things - like procreating.
How did you feel when your wife told you we were staying with you?
Betrayed. (that's a joke) When Kathleen told me a road-tripping blogger and her family was staying with us I felt mostly indifferent. And a little nervous.
Jeremy do you have a zombie apocalypse outfit? If not, what are some pieces you would choose?
I do now that Kathleen got me one for my birthday!
Is there an age you truly dread turning, OR was there an age/birthday you dreaded but it didn't turn out as bad as you thought?
I have yet to dread an age. Considering things seem to get better and better, I don't expect to. I only dread dying (when I think about it too much).
Can Jeremy play us a song?
I played drums in a band called The Separation - you can hear the songs here. But me playing songs on my own is not ready for public consumption.
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!
I'm always the last resort when it comes to babysitting. It's just not my thing. It's definitely because even at 28 I'm still the baby of the family - I've always been the one needing watching.
So last Friday my sister had a car emergency which involved me needing to watch her youngest boy for an hour or two. The minutes leading up to babysitting one of my nephews I like to daydream about taking him for a walk, little hand-in-hand, down to the neighborhood park and selfishly pretending like he's my own. Or making him a fake passport and running off to Sweden for an adventure. Or even just baking cookies and drawing on the chalkboard wall.
But in reality I just handed him over to Scooty Boots and gave him an iPhone to stay entertained while I cooked dinner. But hey! He got through that level of Angry Birds I've yet to beat.
Jeremy turns 33 tomorrow. Something about that age just seems so adult. So grown up.
I know this blog is kind of the Kathleen Show but for Jeremy's birthday I want to give him a little bit of attention. Jeremy is definitely the quiet type. The listening and observing type. And when he says something he means it.
To celebrate Jeremy's birthday on the J&K blog I'd like you guys to get to know Jeremy a little better. So here's where I open up the comments and invite you to ask Jeremy anything. It can be questions about him or even advice you'd like for him to give you (he is becoming one year older and wiser). I'll compile the Q&A's in a post next week.
So go ahead. Ask Jeremy.
After a weekend full of cupcakes, pizza and cookies I decided to make us a really simple, clean soup for Sunday evening. I'll admit - nothing about it blew my mind like the carrot soup I recently whipped up. This celery soup wasn't particularly flavorful but the ingredients managed to hold their own. Plus, it felt good to not be eating sugar on top of more sugar.
I used this recipe from 101 Cookbooks but because my celery didn't have many leaves I used spinach for the pesto topping.
This is the necklace / harness that hasn't left my body in weeks. I love how it peeks out from under a cropped cardigan. You will see more of this piece in the future because I'm completely obsessed.
When I was working on a logo for Merl of Clyde's Rebirth I became smitten with her jewelry designs and talked her into working out a partial trade for this custom piece. It might not pay the bills but I prefer gold chains better over green paper any day of the week.
Boots - Seychelle (I think I may have to retire these soon. The thought of it makes me weepy but they're falling apart.)
Jeans - Street
Tank - American Apparel
Cardigan - Target
Custom Necklace / Harness - Clyde's Rebirth
Wrist Worms - Sandra Juto
From when we were first together. It was shocking and fun to see what we looked like together.
When I was a kid I LOVED Valentine's Day. In school we'd make little mail boxes for our desks to receive homemade Valentines in. But now as an adult I don't get quite as excited about V-Day. Maybe because it's my job to make cards that are all about celebrating love? Or maybe it's because we like to celebrate any given day of the week with a nice dinner, a bottle of wine and a few smooches.
Either way, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you can find someone to kiss on a little (a kitty or puppy works too) today.
• In 2009 we celebrated with gold.
• In 2010 I gave Jeremy wood. (heh)
I've been priming Jeremy to get ready for a big move. It's not going to happen any time soon but I am feeling that I'm not ready to be entirely settled here in Oklahoma City. I just don't feel like I'm one of those people who ends up living and dying in the same place my whole life. We've made Oklahoma City our home. We've established roots and have made memories all over this town. But I'm ready for an adventure. 
On the way to my favorite place to buy wine and beer.
O + C = Oklahoma City
I always fantasize about opening a little studio in this space.
The best lunches with my dad happen here. 
Summer of 2009 - a view from a rooftop bar with my favorite people.
Or maybe I'm just ready for warmer weather.
Either way, Happy Valentine's Day, Oklahoma City. I like you.
This week has been a doozy! Here are some things that happened:
• I busted out my vintage typewriter for a web project I'm working on. Ironic, no?
• Amy has a big ol' crush on me. So, I told her a bunch of secrets.
• We had another snow storm!
• I hosted a (rare) give-away. I'm announcing the winner tomorrow morning! So enter now if you haven't yet.
• I started doing a really hard work out that involves "before" pictures.
• I Googled "Costa Rica vacations" but I'm really terrible at Googling. If you guys have any Costa Rica (or other not super touristy beachy vacation) ideas I'm open to recommendations!
• I got the sweetest email ever from a blog reader. You people mean a lot to me - sweet emails and comments or not. I hope you know that.
• You guys also sent me some really great soup recipes!
• I lived in my wrist worms.
• I discovered that if you get pregnant on February 18 that your baby's due date will be 11/11/11. Coincidentally, Jeremy's birthday is February 18. Oh la la! So maybe a little bit of my baby-crazy is creeping back but it will still be a while before we add any bebes to this family.
Did you guys have a good week?
You guys know that I'm kind of obsessed with the post-apocalypse. I'm not about to go out on a street corner in NY with a sandwich board sign proclaiming that The End of The World is Near! No my obsession lies more in the fashion choices and fun escape plans. 
It started with Mad Max. When I was a kid I was obsessed with the feral children in Beyond the Thunderdome. I wanted to BE one of those kids - leather loin cloth, dreads, dirt and all.
Then when I became a teenager there was Tank Girl. You guys - I smoked those crayon-colored cigarettes for a day because I so badly wanted to be Tank Girl. I couldn't quite get the hang of smoking so instead I played roller derby for a couple years and wore tube socks on my arms. 
And now there's the more desaturated and sexy post-apocalyptic heroine badass. The influence of these ladies have me dressing in neutral layers, onesies, (faux) fur vests, flannel, and more flannel. They've also got me pretending that I'm "in training" as I do P90X in my living room. Now I just need (another) pair of aviators and I'll be good to go.
I wrote about carrot soup yesterday and I can't help but share this really simple lunch I had the next day - sliced avocado on leftover toasted parathas with crushed sea salt on top. Simple and delicious.
When Jeremy and I were first together he used the phrase "Okie Dokie Artichokey" - I had never heard it before and thought it was so cute and hilarious. I decided I was going to use it too but the first time I tried it came out "Okie Dokie Avocado!" My sister likes to joke that you would think I'm a foreign exchange student with the way I'm constantly butcher common phrases.
And P.S. My sister wrote a story about how my family survived snow storms in the 80s here. It involves a lot less baking of cookies and a lot more station wagons, hallucinations and donuts.
Do you guys remember when I told you that I used to hate green beans only to have grown to love them as an adult? With a little help from eggs and cheese, that is.
Well, the same is true for carrots. Except when I was a kid there were never dinner-table battles over eating carrots - perhaps my parents weren't fans of them either. Or maybe saying "eat your orange root veggies!" wasn't quite as important or impactful as saying "eat your greens!" and warning about the dangers of white spots forming on the backs of your ankles from the lack thereof (I have no idea where this myth came from). But wait... maybe I do recall something about seeing in the dark if you eat your carrots.
Anyways, the point is - I never ate them. I still claim that eating them raw makes me gag, but the truth is, I'm not even really sure if that's the case. I only started cooking with carrots the other day when I made coconut curried lentils. Here they were masked in a variety of flavors. So the other day my friend Ashley posted on Facebook about carrot soup. Ashley has this ability to describe food in a way that makes me feel as if whatever it is she is eating is the best thing in the whole world. And this carrot soup, I had to have it. Then, I realized that I had a bag of carrots in the fridge.
So I made some really simple carrot soup using this recipe. I modified it slightly by adding some minced fresh ginger. If I were a food writer I would say something about deep, yet simple, flavors that honor and respect the vegetable in question. But I'm not a food writer - so I won't even try. But trust me when I tell you this was the best soup I've ever had in my whole life.
And a note on the parathas - since I first made them I've probably whipped them up with half a dozen meals since. They're quick and delicious.
Since making this soup I've decided to try out a new soup recipe every week. So here's where I need your help: What is your very favorite soup? Bonus points if you can describe it in a way that makes it sound like the best meal in the whole world.
I was recently contacted by Shanley regarding a project she started recently selling necklaces for women in Uganda. All proceeds go directly back to these women and their own sustainable businesses in Uganda. That's a project I can get behind. Not only was I happy to host a giveaway but I was curious about Shanley's story and wanted to share more about her and the Nakate Project with you all.
What do you do for a living?
I graduated with my journalism degree in December of 2010. Now, I freelance writing feature stories, and running media for several different companies.
When did you first start traveling (to other countries)? How old were you? Where did you go?
I travelled with my family when I was in junior high, but I took my first trip alone at the age of 18 after I sat in on a video about an orphanage in Haiti and had to leave the presentation for the bathroom because I was absolutely blubbering. I called my parents from my dorm room two weeks later and said, "Hey, I want you to know I'm spending the summer in Haiti." My mom brought up every state department warning under the sun, and my dad called back and said "cool."
Where is your favorite place? What is your favorite food (abroad)?
My favorite place so far has been Murchison Falls, in Uganda. I felt like I was getting to take part in some elite experience, traveling on safari and seeing some of the world's most gorgeous sights up close. My friends and I were on a "budget safari" and we had horrible experiences with showers in the dark, hippos when we were trying to use the bathroom and an outbreak of some disgusting bug bite. But some of my favorite memories are from that trip.
My favorite food is jipati, this amazing fried, thick tortilla-like food in Uganda. It's the most fabulous, greasy thing I've ever tasted.
What have you learned from traveling?
The first time I went to Haiti, all I could think about for the first three weeks was using a toilet that flushed and ordering myself a double mocha (in English). When I got home, I cried on my toilet seat thinking about all the kids I missed and found myself constantly talking about the rum punch in port-au-prince. After that, I started learned to lay aside all the things that aren't part of the core of who I am. Things like how I communicate, the things I like to do with my time, the way I dress, the way I eat, the way I go about things. I've found that I can give all those things up and then pick them back up when I get home. I've learned that, at times, experiencing the real things like the way people love and live other places, you have to give up all the things that make you "comfortable." Every time I come home I'm surprised about how much longer I really could have gone eating rice and beans and bucket showering, and I can't believe how much I miss the people I was with.
I've documented my recent work here.
When did you first visit Uganda? How did the women there make an impact on you?
I first visited Uganda in '08, but was not impacted the same way that I was by the women this past summer. This was my second trip, and I was documenting the work of an NGO in a district of the country that is scarcely frequented by caucasians. This trip, I was impacted by the strength of these women - the fact that they are still proud of their work, driven by the needs of their families and determined to keep going, regardless of what has happened to them. I have laughed with women that have been raped repeatedly, and contracted AIDS. I have been offered tea by women who don't have enough food to feed their children that night. I have sat near women struggling with malaria and tb, and had them explain exactly what kind of micro-loans they would need to get their businesses started. By the end of my trip, I felt like I had to give something back to them, because I had never met anyone who deserved it so much. I wrote about this here.
Tell me about your new business to help women in Uganda.
The Nakate Project buys jewelry from women in the Ugandan village Kakooge. We sell them in the states, and return the proceeds to them both through directly paying them for the jewelry, and through supporting them as they get on their feet through micro-credit loans and help beginning small, sustainable businesses in their village.
Aside from traveling back and forth to Uganda do you have any other travel plans for 2011?
I would really like to hit Zambia and Kenya this year. There's this guy running a successful program I want to check out in Zambia, and I've got this Out of Africa obsession I want to satisfy by visiting Karen, an area of Kenya dedicated to the author of the book. I would also really love to end up in Haiti at some point. An NGO I do photography and media for just started an orphanage I'd love to go visit and capture for a few weeks.
Anything else you'd like to share?
We're always looking for monetary and clothing donations to help us send support back to our women, as well as ripped up magazines to help save them money in material. I can be contacted about any of these things - shanley@nakateproject.com
THE GIVEAWAY: 
Shanley is gifting this Nakate Project necklace to one Jeremy & Kathleen reader. To enter just leave a comment telling me where you would like to travel to next and an email address I can use to let you know you've won. I will pick a winner, by random, Saturday morning.
EDIT: And the winner is... Jamie Lynn! Thanks everyone for entering!
Disclaimer: A winner will be picked by random using random.org. I am not receiving compensation in any way for this post.
As of last month I hadn't been shopping in a long while. I've just found myself uninterested. And when I would occasionally peruse the (virtual or otherwise) racks of old standbys like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 everything just felt cheap. Nothing was striking my fancy.
That is until I stumbled upon a BCBG sale. There were so many quality pieces priced at serious discounts that I wanted - it was hard to decide. However, with my new approach to getting dressed all I had to do was ask myself "Would I survive in this in the post-apocalypse?" If the answer was no, I left it on the rack. And I didn't feel too embarrassed about shopping for doomsday gear in the mall because c'mon, look at movies like Dawn of the Dead and shows like The Walking Dead - a bulk of the story takes place in the mall - and you better believe I'd be looting the racks. This girl has gotta fight zombies in style.
Lucky for me we're in the midst of a total snowpocalypse. There's nothing better to fulfill an end-of-the-world fantasy than crunching through the snow on deserted streets in layers upon layers of kickass neutrals. Only to be followed by an India Pale Ale in a warm and bustling bar with my partner in crime.
My Sister's Hat - Helly Hansen
Scarf, Jacket & Tee - Urban Outfitters
Hoodie - American Apparel
Leggings - BCBG
Hiking Socks - Sierra Trading Post
Boots - Report (again, almost a decade old)
Purse - Target (also worn as a fanny pack 50% of the time)
Gloves - Target
P.S. At Alt some of my blog buddies were shocked at my height. And lately I've been asked how tall I am with more frequency. So, here it goes - I'm 5'9" - and usually closer to 6' with heels.
We've been on a cookie kick over here lately. I'd like to blame it on the snow but the truth is - I kind of need something sweet to chase every meal. Sometimes it's a glass of wine + a bit of dark chocolate (I like it really dark - at least 80% dark) - which sounds nice and Parisian. It's the kind of dessert a magazine like Real Simple would recommend because it's a sophisticated indulgence and good for your heart. But other times it's an entire plate of cookies. And I'm not exaggerating when I say that I can dominate the. entire. plate.
When I was a kid my mom would buy a package of Oreos - which conveniently comes in three rows that she could evenly divide into separate containers for me, my brother and sister. We were allowed to eat as many as we liked at any point but once they were gone they were gone. Of course, I always ate all of mine within a day or two and would end up begging my brother and sister for pleeeasseee just one from their Tupperware - like a total 4-year-old Oreo crackhead.
I could still chow down on some Oreos but it's not great for this local-foodie-baking-from-scratch image I'm trying to maintain. So I try to keep my cookies healthy by baking my own. From scratch. Usually using oats because oats = healthy, right? Right.
The cookies pictured above are 101 Cookbook's Honey Sweetened Thumbprints filled with California Pomegranate Jam homemade by my friend Sarah.
So I want to know - what is your favorite cookie that comes in a package? And/or what is your favorite recipe for homemade cookies?
Even though I have big dreams and big hopes for my career as a freelance designer I never stopped to visualize what it would be like to be so busy - to be juggling deadlines, staying on top of my books and filling my weeks with face-to-face client meetings. No... my freelance fantasies usually involved frivolous snapshots of moments like rainbow toe socks on desktops.
As my list of clients grows so does the pressure of doing all of this alone. Sometimes I'm tempted to buckle and have a nice cry, or I'm tempted to work into the evenings and weekends to get it all done as fast as possible - but none of that is my style. Instead, I wake up every morning and drink two cups of coffee. I kiss Jeremy goodbye and get on with my workday. I tackle one project, estimate, blog post or email at a time and continue to pour my heart into all of it. After 8 months I've found some swagger and confidence. I know I'll get it done.
One of the things I love most about being a freelance designer (aside from working in rainbow toe socks) is merging who I am creatively, personally and professionally. I've been working hard to stay tuned in to myself, my goals and the direction I'm taking my blended creative-personal-professional self. But I don't have all the answers - not even close - and it appears that nobody else has them either. And sometimes that is scary and exhausting. But my sister always told me that if I'm not a little scared I'm not doing it right.
I'm finding success in my freelance career - so while it shouldn't be surprising to pull in a real income I can't help but feel like a bucket of cold water has been dumped over my head - a little fun and a little shocking at the same time. Just because I stopped measuring my success with my bottom line doesn't mean that I will work for free or cheap. I'm learning that to be compensated fairly for my talent and time shouldn't be compromised just because I get to do what I love for a living. And that's a big lesson, folks.
Yesterday I tweeted that pineapple ginger great tea + coconut milk is pretty amazing - and you guys all thought it sounded pretty amazing too. What happened was I used half a can of coconut milk (in this recipe) the evening before - I saved the other half with the intent of trying it out in my morning coffee. I've yet to try it in my coffee but Jeremy threw a few spoonfuls in our tea yesterday and it was delicious.
