edesse designs blog

Grumpy Girl

Holiday season is in full effect. Honestly, I can't believe the year is almost over. I find myself back in the studio these days with a surprising amount of inspiration. My favorite thing to do is work in the wee hours of the morning with Milosh playing in the background and a few fragrant candles burning.

Last year, I purchased the most amazing chocolate raspberry candle from Aroma Fields and have burned it into oblivion. I'm sad to see it go and can't wait to stock up for the upcoming year! Her candles are amazing and have the best fragrance. I have yet to find a candle that can compare.

I think I will give candles away as gifts this year. In addition to Aroma Fields (if I can manage to part with them) I'm thinking of these cute holiday hot cocoa candles from Grumpy Girl. Look at those marshmallows! Be still, my heart.

Thanksgiving was so, so. I ran a 5k in the morning and had really terrible Chinese food for dinner. I spent the majority of my time working on school work and cramming in a bit of studio time.

Happy Friday, er'body!

Merde by Adam Batchelor

Delicious donut sculptures by artist Adam batchelor!

Well, Hello There

Hello er'body. I've been a bad girl. No posts in over two weeks? Eeeks! Well, I'm back in the drivers seat my dears and have so many wonderful things to share. Stay tuned....

Hot Links!

Cute hot links plush toy from Sweet Meats!

Not Your Average Lemonade Stand

My ritual on Fridays after work is to head straight to BINA alimentari for their delicious french macaroons. However, I do want to try these yummy Fall French Macaroons from  Lemonade Stand. Flavors: Caramel Apple with cinnamon, Maple with maple and Pumpkin Spice. 

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In other news:

1. 2010 PRINTABLE calendars will be available in the shop SOON! I'm playing around with a few different designs--including the DONUTS! I'll put the finishing touches on them this weekend (hopefully) and will have them available for sale by the end of next week! I'll also be selling pre-printed sets with a stand as well.

2. New architectural journals: New + Old styles which will be GREAT for gifts this holiday season.

3. Stitched journals: New + Old styles as well.

Check back in for updates! I'll also be having a major SALE as I need to get rid of these two boxes of notebooks. I'm talking about deep discounts!

Have a nice weekend, Er'body!

Candy Apple...Soap

 

Yes, its soap. These candy apple soaps from Sun Basil Garden are simply Brilliant!

Mishibu

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, last week was the week from HELL! I had an article due, two papers, a presentation, and a MAJOR exam. I seriously thought I was going to pass out from exhaustion. Anyway...

Look at these gorgeous and mega yummy charms from Mishibu. I love, love, love the detail! Pictured are the Chocolate Drop Cookie Earrings, Strawberry Drop Cookie Earrings, and the Chocolate Brownie Necklace!

In other news, I just discovered the band The Fleeting Joys. You HAVE to check them out.

Magical Thinking on a Monday

 

It's Monday? Like, really, where did time go? Last thing I remember was crashing after work on Friday! Luckily, my Mondays, course wise, are light, so I have the whole day to do stuff. Usually, if I'm a good girl, I'll get the bulk of my reading out of the way or finish up my mathematical statistics problem set. However, I NEVER EVER manage to accomplish all the fun things in life like baking. When I ran across these photographs by Maile Lani, I truly realized exactly what I was missing out on.

Monday Afternoon and My Monday Afternoon Summer Berry Pie take me back to days long gone. I wonder when and if these days will come again?

Bruno Capolongo

Dark yet decadent paintings by artist extraordinaire, Bruno Capolongo. It's something about his work that just moves me. Happy Thursday, Er'body!

Those We Don't Speak Of

If you've noticed, I've been MIA since school started. Let me tell you, I have assignments coming out of my ears and have neglected so many things. I managed to take a study break this evening and went through some old pictures from my summer adventures. This photograph is my absolute favorite as it captures me right at the beginning of a new phase in my life.

If you follow my blog, you know that I speak on and off about my personal life and how I have had to  make quite a few painful decisions and accept quite a few painful truths like people I've hurt may never forgive me, people I love may never love me back, and plans I had for myself may not turn out the way I'd dreamed they would. The thing is that now, I'm okay with it.

These final words.

To you, the one I still love. I will always. It's just that I'm not paralyzed by it and can accept that it may not ever be.

To you, the one I hurt. I will not again. I'm me but I'm not her.

To you, the one I hate. I never did.

To you, the one who is mine. Come meet me on the bridge. That bridge.  Let's walk across it, together, to that other side. I want you to take my hand because I'm ready to follow. I want to take your hand because I'm ready to lead.

Intres

Given that I live in a tiny basement apartment, these vivid fruit trees from Intres are about as close to the real thing I'm going to get! But, you are not hearing me complain as these are just as great as the real ones. I mean, look at those tiny baskets filled with little oranges and apples!

New Favorite Blogs

Just a quick note and then it's back to the research! I've just listed a few more of my favorite blogs! I strongly encourage you to check them out and, if you have not already, add them to your daily reading. There's some great stuff to be had like: deer with Mohawks, sad dolls, awesome knitwear, architectural bags, mini treats, big trees, and unbelievable things done with scissors and paper!

Enjoy!

Holy Marshmallow!

You just don't realize how mentally destructive a store bought, mass produced marshmallow is until you locate something like THIS. How long have I been sleeping? Well, apparently, the answer to that is a REALLY long time! However, I think Mia Mallows has taken it to a whole other mind-blowing level.

This shop is filled with all sorts of outrageous (in a good way) marshmallow flavors like Lime, Pomegranate, Blueberry, Banana, Peanut Butter, Cotton Candy, and Peach. And, yes, that's just a partial listing!

If you just can't make up your mind--like me--you can always get order the assorted box which is filled with anywhere from 8-36 fun, fluffy, and flavorful marshmallows!

I'm so there!

Happy Monday, Er'body! The weekend was quite intense as I had a TON of assignments to finish up. I did, however, manage to do a bit of fall shopping and that, my friends, is always good!

que Jimenez

Eeek, GUYS. I've been swamped with work. In addition to being back in school, I have a new job and an AMAZING wholesale order that I have to finish up (and tell you about at a later date). Life here has been CRAZY! But, it's all been great so no complaints from here! However, I've slacked off with the blogging and am finally getting around to posting things I had planned to post WEEKS ago!

Anyway, I am such a die-hard fan of these beautiful bags by multi-talented artist Kiandra! These candy colored bags remind me of those yummy Jordan Almonds. Question: Is there anybody besides me who is NUTS about Jordan Almonds? My heavens, I can eat them by the pound! I'm searching for the perfect back-to-school bag and think I may have found it!

I also really like her blog. It reads like poetry and offers up GREAT ideas for vegan cooking (plus her kids are too cute). You also get behind the scenes looks at her latest and greatest. She seriously does it ALL!

I'm really inspired by her work and can't wait to get my hands on one of these bags!

Sweet Anthropologie

Brilliant dessert and candy inspired theme from Anthropologie! Nothing says perfect like cute jewels paired with yummy sweets!

Fly

Sure, the term is highly subjective so you may or may not agree! However and Regardless, I am both honored and humbled by being this weeks Fly Girl on the outstanding Fly blog created and expertly curated by designer extraordinaire, Andrea.

Okay, I have a personal fly story. Flash back a year ago. I'd just gotten my heart broken, I was at a cross roads in my professional life, I had no inspiration, and I was working this job that was just not, me. So, one day, I was at this job and I remember looking out the window and across the skyline of Boston and having this prayer. "Lord Help me," I said to myself, "I'm stuck."

Yes, vague. But I knew I needed inspiration and I needed it quick. I needed something to channel the pain and frustration. I needed an improved identity. I needed to find missing parts of myself. I needed help.

So, for the rest of that day, I surfed the net and came across Andrea's blog. Totally random but so right on time. I sat there and read her entire blog. I became captivated by her, who she was, what she did, and how she did it. I saw within her parts of the myself I wanted to become and from that day on, I was determined to find them.   

Thanks Andrea. The Fly girl mention was a full circle moment and finding your blog gave back to me an identity I thought I'd lost.

Fab Food Find For Friday

Now say THAT fast a few times!

Although not exactly food related in the traditional sense, it IS a pig and some people DO eat pork, and bacon SURE DOES taste good, and I REALLY do like this clutch, and it IS Friday, and I AM happy, I present to you this awesome Blue Piggy Clutch from the ultra fab Tsuru Bride! It's so cute and it is so mine! I'm thinking of getting a customized color, like pink! What say you, ladies and gentleman of the jury?

Update: I was just browsing on her flickr site and found a pink piggy. I'm so there.

and a gray pleather one...

 

and a gray metallic leather one...

 

and a gold one...

 

and a gun metal one...

 

Choices, life is ALWAYS about choices. *sigh* and yes, that was a good sigh!

Happy Friday, er'body! I can't believe school starts on TUESDAY! Umm, where exactly did summer go?

Oh My!

Food flash drives from Bossi. Just what the doctor ordered!

Saint Chicago

Eeek! Looks like SOMEBODY is slacking on the blogging! Hey, I'm sorry guys. Life is coming at me full force and I have to admit, it kind of shook me...okay, let me stop being modest, it DID shake me, in a big way, in a big and positive way. I'm still coming to terms with a lot of things, still letting go of a lot of things, and am getting ready to start classes back up this fall with the hopes of moving on to bigger and better things! Letting go is still kicking my arse but it is not as bad as it was this time last year. Progress is such a beautiful, sweet, and exciting thing!

So, why not start this week out pretty SWEET with these beautiful floor cushions from Saint Chicago! Me likes, me likes!

AND....

Lovely. Yummy. And all sorts of other great adjectives. And, yes, that's a big ole giant chocolate chip cookie floor cushion!

To see the complete cushion collection, click right here.

Happy Monday, er'body! Let's raise our glasses to a week filled with cheesy reality television, birthdays, new books, great music, and home cooked meals.

Craig Stephens

Craig Stephens perfectly captures one of THE best movie snacks of all times! Ha! I love his Dots #2 painting. It is simply unbelievable!

Grape Notebooks

Tons of large notebooks just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL! Two more covers to add to the growing pile of delicious fruit inspired paper goods!

Currently, I'm offering two sweet deals:

1. FLAT RATE SHIPPING: $4.00 flat rate shipping on LARGE NOTEBOOKS when you purchase 2 or more notebooks. You can either wait for a revised invoice or purchase and wait to be refunded via paypal.

2. When you purchase 2 or more LARGE NOTEBOOKS, the price per notebook will be $8.50 each!

These savings are for a LIMITED TIME only!

Giveaway!

If you are interested in trying your luck at a FREE edesse designs notebook, then hop on over to My Colleges and Careers and enter!

To enter: To be a candidate to win this notebook simply leave a comment and if you are the lucky number that we select at random we will shoot you an email.

To score even more goodies, bookmark this site, as they are in the process of launching a WHOLE series of giveaways--just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL!

Thank You!

Thank-you so much Alex (of the very, very, very purty blog Make, Do, & Send), for featuring my cherry mini file folders in your "Pocket Money Picks" of the day! I'm both honored and humbled.

Sea Lemon

I cannot properly express how much I adore this kiwi book from sea lemon! She has tons of other delicious goodies in her shop--just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL! 

This Week...

First, (and yes, this is a terrible cut and past job) I would like to thank mint design blog for the wonderful  feature. It really means so much to me!

Second, I'm a bit behind on shipping AND adding new goodies to the shop. I was on a roll last week but was sidetracked with other things that need to get done before school starts! Anyhow, new goodies will hit the shelf this weekend and next! Also, make sure you take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING on orders over $20.00!

I can't believe that the summer is almost over. It seems like only yesterday that I was complaining about it ever beginning. And, it is Friday....time AND life seem to pass by so fast!

Flourish Bath and Body

I'm such a GREAT fan of Flourish Bath and Body. The soaps lather up nicely in the shower and leave both your skin and the surrounding environment smelling delicious. I also cut little bits of her bars, wrap them in cheesecloth, and put them in my sweater/clothing drawers. It leaves such a nice yet subtle smell on my clothing!

The lip balms are pitch perfect and are a staple! I carry them in my purse, book bag, running jacket, and just about anything else that has a pocket!  I'm dying to try her new lip tints--a hybrid of lip gloss and lipstick. With flavors such as rhubarb and sangria, I was there at hello!  

Lettuce Sketch Books

 

The lettuce image was available in the shop as the cover of both food diaries and stitched books. However, I thought it was HIGH time to switch it up a little and offer up the image as the cover of a new batch of sketch books!

Each lettuce sketch book measures 5" x 7" and contains over 50 pages (100 total surface pages) of premium sketch paper! 

I have tons of new stuff to add to the shop so check back in to see what's currently on the shelf. I've received a few emails about LARGE notebooks. If you see a cover you'd like but no listing, please email/convo me. I'd be happy to make a reserved listing. ALL of the covers in my shop can be made into any of the current product offerings. If you see something that I don't have, just ask anyway, chances are, I do have it but have not listed it or can make it available--I LOVE a challenge!

More fruit covers to come shortly. This includes watermelon, peaches, kiwi, and grapes!

Back To School!

 
I know, I know, pretty scary stuff. However, the beauty is in the supplies! I've just added many new goodies to the shop--including these cool new fruit notebook covers available in three sizes:

+ Mini:      3.5" x 5"
+ Medium  5" x 7"
+ Large     8" x 6"

And various paper types such as recycled white, sketch, newsprint, and lined

In addition to notebooks, there are journals, notepads, stickers, desk organizers, daily planners, food diaries, recipe books, mini file folders, and much more!

You can visit the shop right HERE!

{ Get FREE shipping on orders over $20.00. Enter code BACK TO SCHOOL in the notes to seller section when checking out! }

Slowly...

The inspiration is starting to come back. I've had these notebooks sitting in my "in" box for quite sometime but was much too lazy to attach the backs, bind, and photograph. Coming soon, I say, coming soon AND these puppies will be available in many sizes and paper types--just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL!

Check out the SHOP for ALL sorts of goodies like: recipe books, file folders, sticker sets, note cards, journals, notebooks, prints, notepads, coloring books, and detective pads. PLUS, check out the SALES for some great deals!

Rural Notes

"Rural Notes" is a collection of small journals inspired by travels outside the urban matrix. These are the first two journals in a set of about 4-5 journals. Meet "clouds" and "tracks". They will be available in the SHOP soon!

I could not help myself...I just listed a set right HERE!

Brattleboro Recap

We just got in from Brattleboro last night and I already miss it. It was such a pleasant and relaxing vacation--just what I needed to charge those batteries up for the busy days ahead.

We arrived on Monday and stayed at The Latchis hotel located in downtown Brattleboro.

The hotel is beautiful and the true charm is in all of the architectural details such as the cool windows, bathroom fixtures, and random artwork. I highly recommend staying here. Our room had a fantastic view of the Connecticut River and the Green Mountains.

The town has much charm but we both found ourselves gravitating towards this captivating bridge right at the edge of it. These days, I find myself quite obsessed with bridges and just could not tear myself away from all the tiny nuts and bolts that held it up.

Here's Raza and I enjoying the scenery.

Sigh, Raza is leaving in a couple of weeks.....

Brattleboro!

Confirmed! We're headed there on Monday and will stay until Wednesday! I'm looking forward to a vacation filled with yummy seafood, a splash in the Connecticut River, a hike up the Green Mountains, and peaceful nights at the Latchis Hotel. 

"Detective" Books

I'll be listing these "detective" books in the shop sometime this week. I wanted to make some matchbooks but decided to tweak the design a bit so you can use all of the paper as opposed to the only the bit not held in place by the staple.

I like what I have so far, here's the details:
+ each "detective" book measure 3" x 3"
+ stuffed with 40 pages of recycled white or sketch paper (random offering)
+ has a nifty Velcro closure
+ opens flat so you can utilize ALL of the paper's surface
+ comes in the following covers: egg, meat, buttons, donuts, oranges, and cherries

Here's a look at the structure...it's still a work in progress and I may continue to make additional changes...

Even more goodies are scheduled to hit the shelves next week...stay tuned for more details!

I'm Baaaaack..!

I'm not an experienced html/java/flash/whatever programmer but I so wanted this post to have that creepy Friday the 13th music playing in the background for your reading enjoyment! I just got back from my visit to Philly and I absolutely LOVED it.

My boyfriend and I took an Amtrak down there. I HIGHLY recommend the quiet car!  It was such a beautiful ride. I was excited to see so many undiscovered towns that I would like to eventually visit. I particularly fell in love with New London, Conn.. Here's the view from my seat on the train.

Given that the weather up here has been awful (rainy and cold), there were major worries about how the weather would be down in Philadelphia. However, once we got there we saw nothing but this:

 

The days we spent here were too beautiful.

I have and have had a thing for trains every since I was a tiny kid. I even remember my first birthday cake was made into the shape of a train. Of course, that means that a trip to the Amish country to ride old steam trains was in order.

I'm so shy about posting photos of myself, but oh well. This is picture of me in Amish country--just before we took a scenic train ride through the country side. The middle picture is me on the train and YES, I'm quite dramatic.

By the way, I LOVE this dress. I got it from sohomode--my favorite shop on etsy. As of today, I own FIVE tea dresses (like the one in the photo) and 4 high-waisted skirts and hope to purchase many more pieces from shop. Her dresses were a staple in my Philly wardrobe..not only were they cute, they were extremely comfortable and packed well. I received sooooo many compliments!

Anyway, back to the train ride....

 

We also explored the city of Philly. I LOVED every inch of it and had such an amazing time!

This picture says it all!

Ahn Sung Ha

Lot 21: Candy, 2006

I randomly found the magnificent works of Korean artist Ahn Sung Ha via a press release from Chelsea Art Galleries, a website devoted to highlighting exhibitions, artists, galleries, and shows in and around the New York City area.

Beautiful work, indeed.

In other news, I'm slowly getting back to work on some new goodies...I mean s.l.o.w.l.y...The operative words here are summer and vacation..with great emphasis on vacation! My boyfriend and I had planned a weekend trip to Pennsylvania but we both are having a few last minute reservations. Believe it or not...all we both want to do is...study. Well, he's doing research and I'm brushing up on physics and differential equations. I know...sigh..or was that a hurl?