What’s in the Bag?

07/27/2009

I’m being very transparent with you (and the world wide) because I was inspired by this.

pursecontents

  • purse – handmade by me
  • french paper moleskine stuffed fulls of sketches & notes on scraps (because I’m white)
  • cash budget envelopes (currently an empty “GROCERY” and $6 in “M’S CLOTHES”)
  • a couple of loose bills (for homeless people or vending machines, whichever I encounter first)
  • checkbook (I think I should make a pretty cover for this, don’t you think?)
  • cell phone
  • floss, pads, moist towelette, lens cleaning cloth
  • wallet from American Apparel
  • business cards & etsy store promos
  • pens, sharpie
  • CG Lipslicks in “hipster”, tweezers, barrette, hair ties
  • “medical” kit (ear plugs, vitamins & advil, contacts), band-aids
  • measuring tape (have I mentioned I like rummage sales?)

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Third Life

07/25/2009

First it was a sheet. Then it was a curtain. Now, in it’s third life, it’s a purse:

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I wear a lot of brown but sometimes I wear black so either color purse is out for me. I hate having to switch purses based on my outfit. Lately I’ve been using a white purse but it gets dirty too quickly. The solution: a bold colored purse. Last fall I looked everywhere for a great deal on a jewel blue purse. This year, I decided to make my own by repurposing some materials I had lying around.

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I’m pretty proud of this little bag. I made a liner out of a vintage, flower-pattern sheet with a zipper interior pocket for little hideaways and 3 custom pockets for my cell phone, lipstick and receipts. The flower broach pin/hair clip is from Target.

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

07/24/2009

phonephotofri

2009-07-24

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CCM Digital – Summer 2009

07/23/2009

CCMcover

One of the projects I have the privledge of designing at my job is a quarterly online magazine called CCM Digital. It’s a new release guide featuring faith-based music that’s being released during the quarter. Each issue also features 1 or 2 special sections. In this issue the special features are on worship music and the Christian indie music market.

indieresource

Check it out, even if you’re not a Christian music fan. The online magazine format is pretty unique as it incorporates hyperlinks, videos and audio right into the “magazine,” which has flipping pages. I hope you enjoy the design, too. This publication is truly a labor love for me, the editor and the other designer who pull this together every 3 months.

Do you read any other digital magazines or online catalogs? What are your favorites?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

From the Driver’s Seat

07/21/2009

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Loving the new shoes! (Tho I prob shoulda gotten an 8 rather than a 7.5.) Did I mention I got them half price?? Can’t beat that.

I’ve been taking advantage of the fall-like temperatures the past few days by doing what I did all spring: eating lunch in my car. It’s mid-70’s and breezy. Perfect for rolling down the windows and reading while I eat my salad and delicious peach. Sunshine and solitude. Ahhh…

I’m reading The Power of the Praying Wife. It’s one of those books I just keep coming back to time and time again. I love spending my lunch break talking to God!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Kiss Me

07/21/2009

If Jason and I had “a song”, in my opinion, it would be “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer. I’m not sure if he’d agree. Six years ago when we were trying to decide on a song for our wedding reception, we couldn’t agree and we ended up settling on one my mom suggested which, while sweet, had no personal significance. This song, on the other hand, was played in the climactic scene of the movie we saw on our first date. I can’t listen to it without all those feelings from 10 years ago being stirred up all over again.

Kiss me out of the bearded barley
Nightly, beside the green, green grass
Swing, swing, swing the spinning step
You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress.

Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon’s sparkling
So kiss me

Kiss me down by the broken tree house
Swing me upon its hanging tire
Bring, bring, bring your flowered hat
We’ll take the trail marked on your father’s map

“kiss me” by sixpence none the richer

Do others of you in relationships have “a song”? I’m curious if people still do that. If you’re willing to share, what is it and how did it become your song?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

One woman’s trash

07/18/2009

… is heaved into the back of the car in a “questionable” neighborhood in Cincinnati and hauled 280 miles back to Nashville.

credenza

Missing 1 drawer and loaded with scratches but this mid-century modern credenza/dresser was FREE. Isn’t it beautiful? I had no grasp of how huge this piece was until we carried into our house. Also, without the adrenaline rush, this sucker is HEAVY! It’s 53″ long. Too big for the living room. Too big for the dining room. Too big for my office. … But perfect for our bedroom!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

07/17/2009

phonephotofri

2009-07-17

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New Wardrobe Staple

07/16/2009

My favorite shoes of three years (or more?), these olive-green cordoroy flats from Old Navy, have seen better days. I’ve loved them and they’ve been good to me. But as happens in the harsh reality of well-loved shoes, a day comes when the tread is gone, the sole starts flapping and your big toe starts to bust out a hole for fresh air. It’s a sad day.

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Until a replacement is discovered. Did I just get sad over a pair of shoes??

I found these lovely replacements from KEEN. Also olive-green (which seems to match 90% of my wardrobe), slip on flats that will work with shorts, jeans or skirts. And they appear to be sturdier than their predecessors.

shoecraving

::: anxiously awaiting package from UPS :::

Anyone have experience with KEEN shoes?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Love Painting #1

07/15/2009

On Valentine’s Day this year hubby and I decided to do an impromptu painting together. Somehow it got nicknamed “the love painting.” I really enjoy abstract paintings, especially those done quickly, because they capture the emotion, the passion, the energy of the moment in which they’re created. This is abstract but also graphic. It means something very specific and personal to us.

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This week, hubs and I are planning to create Love Painting #2. We have a big empty space in our bedroom above our new dresser. Last night we procured a scrap piece of plywood. And now I’ve come up with some ideas for a meaningful graphic overlay. Look for the a picture of #2 next week!

Sidenote: we desperately need a mid-century modern chair to replace that poang.

3 Comments | Art, Art: crafts, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

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