simplepretty

I could write about Ms. Lohan’s troubles today. (Seriously, is anyone surprised?) I could write about how the Chicago Tribune, over a week after my own little – accent on the little – blog noticed the Jezebel/Faith Hill Redbook cover story, decided it was newsworthy as well. Way to go, Tribune! No, instead I’m going to tell you about a beautiful calligrapher that I learned about at Design*Sponge (via Saturate, to be fair).I would love to have beautiful script handwriting. Yes, I’ve ordered some Spencerian script workbooks, and yes, I “resolved” to learn Spencerian script this year, but as August draws near, my handwriting isn’t any better than it was back in January. Which leaves me drooling over the gorgeous work of others. And here’s why I love Betsy Dunlap’s style: it’s striking, and kind of quirky, and therefore I feel like it’s her. Do you know what I mean? Instead of replicating her work, I wish I had a handwriting style that was as unique. I have a cousin (and an aunt – her mother) whose handwriting I am forever envious of. Even simple address labels inspire! And I just know that friends of Betsy Dunlap are getting some really beautiful letters/packages/gift tags from her. So check out her site. (Samples are coming soon …. but even the five style examples are a good introduction.) I’m in awe. Perhaps I should get back in the January 1 mindset. Oh, to have back that early July week of boredom. The things I could have achieved …..

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I love when I discover something really cool purely by accident/luck. And such was the case yesterday when I learned of Yes Press. I was doing my usual flickr search for “letterpress” when I stumbled upon their new idea. Yes Press is comprised of three designers – I’m already a fan of Oh Bara and Boiled Art. Starting on August 1, they will offer a postcard each month (individually, or by subscription) plus four seasonal postcards. Their edition of 100, with 25 reserved for subscribers means that I will be subscribing, of course. (I love the first card!) Hmmmm, will I mail the postcards, or display them?

Yes Press (yes-press.com) will also be maintaining a blog that you can read here. There is so much great design work from the Minneapolis creative community, and I feel somewhat connected to it, having been born there and all. (Confession: actually born in St. Paul) Hope that you love Yes Press, too. August arrives next week!

We are having one of those summers you just don’t want to end. Another beautiful weather weekend – open windows, breezes, cool at night, near bliss. Saturday was spent in the city, walking up Michigan Avenue (with a sweater!), peeking in a few stores here and there. (My mistake? Going into Barney’s and finding the most adorable Proenza Schouler camisole on sale that was too big! Because now I am thinking about it 24/7. Should I have bought it and had it altered? Or am I just wanting it because I can’t have it?) We caught the matinee of Honus and Me, which was excellent. The cast was out before the performance, playing catch with the kids in the audience. My son thought that was excellent, and really enjoyed the play as well.

Yesterday, we were at Maggiano’s for a family birthday lunch, and then came home to chat with the neighbors while the kids played wiffleball and soccer. We ended the evening with a walk. I brought my camera along to take pictures while we walked the dog. The flower above is from one of the perennial beds in our neighborhood’s common areas. I have no idea what kind of flower this is, but I really like its colors. I took so many pictures that when I uploaded my favorites to Flickr, it put me over the free account limit. It was the push I needed to upgrade to their Pro account. Wouldn’t it be nice if my pictures became more pro-like as well? Flickr is one of my guilty pleasures …. I get lost on search tangents, and look at picture after picture as the time flies by.But not this weekend. Not when it’s this perfect outside. I’m trying to soak it all in, because November is just around the corner …. and it’s a long road to May.

Happy Birthday to my twin sisters today!

Where is the summer going? I can’t believe it’s Friday (again). My son’s soccer team had its first meeting last night – practice starts next week. Hello, fall. You are my favorite season, but I’m not ready to meet you just yet. How about we wait a couple of weeks? I still have summery things to do …. like taking a vacation!

Here are the Five:

1. summer prints
2. untitled
3. a great fog
4. xcuse me
5. nantucket 1

Have a great summer weekend. (Perhaps you could read Harry Potter 7 outside?)See you Monday! Oh, and thanks, Elisabeth, for a great week of guest blogging at {Frolic!}.

I love mornings-after-a-night-of-rain. So quiet, but you just know that everything’s growing ….My Wednesday was a blur of activity. I finally (finally!) ordered my mohair ottoman/cocktail table for the family room. Now, I just wait the 10-12 weeks until it arrives. Easy. I also went to my Pilates lesson (and had more blueberry/ginger water), picked up some baked goods at my new favorite shop, and got my buddy to and from soccer camp. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but trust me, it ate up most of the day.The to-do list is lengthy today as well. I’ll give you a peek into what I’m planning to accomplish through Saturday:

1. Get in a run this morning. Outside, preferably.
2. Pick up August Vogue. It’s the Age Issue, which is one of my favorite gimmick issues (the other being Best Dressed, in case you were wondering).
3. Prop my eyelids open so that I do not miss Mad Men at 9pm on AMC. (Please, don’t laugh. 10 o’clock is hard for me! Why do you think I watch Jon and Stephen in reruns?) Mad Men has been getting great reviews, and the costumes …. well, they’re a big hook as well for me. Elisabeth Moss’s mustard sweater and skirt in the promo picture is so retro-cute!
4. Catching Honus & Me on Saturday at the Chicago Children’s Theatre. My favorite baseball fan is going to love it, I suspect.
5. Walking Michigan Avenue before or after the show to see Gardens of the Magnificent Mile. I’m specifically interested in seeing the student works, so I’ll be downloading (and using) the map.
6. Make it to at least one farmer’s market. But really, a grocery store run is what we need. Target, anyone?I’m off to start in on task #1. See you tomorrow!

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