Looking Ahead

We have had a year of big changes in 2012 and 2013 is looking even bigger and brighter and full of amazing opportunities. While life with Express Yourself and theHELLOtote is busy, whether in Denver or Basalt, I have to be honest that we (my sis and I) desire to get out of our comfort zone just a bit more. We need to be inspired so that we can be inspiring to others. We need to branch out and network and be prepared for upcoming changes and what we hope are amazing things to come our way. This need to get out more became apparent when I recently realized my four-year old has acquired more frequent flier miles than I have in the past twelve months. And especially so when I look at our blog posts and realize I have not put anything up since July. It's a sad situation, really.

Some might say that to get inspired you need to be bored, while others suggest that anyone can be more creative if they just tap into it. One has to admire all the viewpoints, however I really have my heart set on the Alt Summit in Salt Lake City. It is so amazing and inspiring just to read about the bloggers and collaborators from last year and we would l.o.v.e. to actually attend. Not only is Alt SLC the perfect time of year (hello new year, hello new ideas) but it happens to fall right after my birthday (a composite number that I shall not reveal). And it's the winter and I've always wanted to ski in Park City. And did I mention a relative lives nearby that just bought a new house that I would love to visit?!? It's meant to be, really. 

Except for the fact it is sold out. 

So, while I am currently here ---> in Colorado, I'll just keep dreaming about being there ---> in SLC. And of course, I will keep up with the Alt actions from afar. In my pajamas. While my four-year old jaunts off with her grandmother on yet another fun trip.

For blogging inspiration and business advice check out the new Alt blog. Go on now...

- e.m.j.

Bus Birthday

Inspired by a friend's bus birthday for her daughter's third birthday (we'll share that one tomorrow!) - we set up a fun, bus themed party for our oldest daughter last weekend. She had fifteen friends and classmates come over for a Fun Bus party. The Fun Bus has mats, swings, and lots of gymnastics items inside and two instructors kept the kids happily entertained for a whole hour. All we had to do was put together the decorations and prep some lunch and birthday treats for the kids and sit back and wait for the bus to arrive on the party day. One of the easiest parties ever!

Favors included a yellow school bus, some sunglasses and tootsie rolls  - because that is totally how we roll and we all had a wheel good time!!

Lunch was served up snack-size style in ice cube trays. With that many kids, it was easier to give them a little bit of everything to please any and all picky palettes. We included: corn, yogurt covered raisins, goldfish, strawberries, edamame, grapes, teddy grahams, apples, peas, pirate's booty, turkey, pineapple, blueberries and pretzels.

:: ride on ::

Left Brain :: Right Brain

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We love this ad from Mercedes-Benz. While Amy would say she is Right Brain and Erin would say she is Left Brain, truthfully, you have to be a bit of both to operate a small business. Especially a small business in the stationery and design world. Where creativity triumphs but business acumen spells success. We like to think that the two of us together simply comprise the best "brain" behind the business. We know exactly who we are and we are everything we wanted to be. 

Friday Favorites: Vol. 11

This Friday our favorites are foxes. We have a serious case of Fox Fever. And it is so much fun.

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We have so many favorites, you really have to check out our fox fever board here for even more inspiration.

{stay foxy}

Artists to Watch: Brianna Martray

This past April and May, we traveled through the pedestrian bridge from the main terminal to the A Gates at Denver International Airport. A beautiful, peaceful bridge that easily transports you from the hustle and bustle into the gate area without much effort, yet it was clear that there was someone busy at work. An art installation was occurring. Tiny paper cranes, floating from one end of the bridge to another. But it the early stages of the project were evident and the concept was still clearly taking shape; ladders were tucked to the side and blue painter's tape marked the future path of the art.

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Over this past weekend we finally made it back across that bridge. It was subtly impressive to see the cranes float their way from one end to the other, seemingly traveling with you as you yourself journeyed on. But the most impressive part of this art installation is the story behind it. The story of the artist, Brianna Martray. Here it is in her own words:

Once upon a time, I wrote a novel. I took me eight years and upon completion a New York City Literary Agent asked for a copy. I reread it again, decided it wasn’t good enough and never sent it. In 2006, I started folding the stacks of manuscript pages lying around my house into origami cranes. Fast forward to the summer of 2010 when both my computer and my back up hard drive are stolen and the only finished copy of my novel lives in 10,000 folder paper cranes, the shadow of thousands of hours of work, the history of my creative journey, remnants of a former self.

It is only fitting that this art installation be in a place of movement, travel. A place of going forward. Visit it the next time you visit DIA. {travel on}

Track a Package: Camera Mail

We have an ongoing courtship with our US Postal Service, Fed-Ex team and UPS delivery service. In the sense that we spend a lot of time at the post office, on the phone, online tracking packages, or wondering when they (lovely drivers, they are) will arrive at our doorstep. We know phone numbers by heart and recite tracking numbers like vital stats. We wield a tape gun like the professionals we are and loathe those packing peanuts. We are always in the know about when items are shipped, how long they will take to arrive and how quickly it can all happen. But we don't really put too much thought into that time in transit. Until now.

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This is an interesting story on Camera Mail. You attach a disposable camera to a piece of cardboard, affix some postage and implore the postal workers to take photos as the package is moved along in transit.

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Results? Here is a camera mail project that had one very helpful postal worker only too eager to participate in this social experiment. 

Now we want to see what brown would do in an experiment like this. Perhaps it's time to try and find out for ourselves!

{carry on}

We Do: Succulents

{via flora and grubb}

succulent: 1) a. full of juice b. moist and tasty 2) rich in interest.

If you are looking for just one thing to inspire your entire wedding or party, look no further. It is all about the succulent plant and just how, well, succulent it really is. This one plant, in all its varieties and textures and colors, can be the perfect starting point for inspiration from beginning to end. Starting with your event colors. Here are two color inspiration boards perfectly pleasing.

{via design seeds}

{via design seeds}

{via pink lily press}
Perfectly inviting.

{via craftzine}
Simple, rustic and elegant bridal bouquets.

{via camillestyles on flickriver}

{via once wed}

{via style me pretty}

{via brushfire photography}

Succulents can even adorn the bride's hair in lieu of a traditional veil.

{via paratoniva}

Bridal party bouquets are simple and beautiful against a pop of color.

{via mastin studio}

And of course, boutonnieres for the men.

{via green wedding shoes}

{via driftwoodwedding}

Is this not the most perfect ring bearer pillow? And so easy to make.

An amazing backdrop. 

Easy to create your own vertical succulent wall in any venue.

{via flora and grubb}

Flora and Grubb have a great DIY kit available here.

And to think that you could actually keep the floral decorations after the event.

That is just one of the many beautiful things about succulents.

{via diyordont}

Wreaths of succulents would be great decor as well.

{via once wed}

Perfect escort cards and guest favor in one.

{via ohcrafts}

{via lovethisday}

And a great table set up with succulents 

at one of our favorite rustic venues, Devil's Thumb Ranch.

{via style me pretty}

Simply elegant.

{via greenweddingshoes}

{via marthastewartweddings}

Perfect place settings for a smaller affair.

{via sweet tooth}

And of course, the cake. There is always room for more.

{via style me pretty}

How sweet it is.

{simply succulent}