This last round of designs needed a lot of revisions so I could get a good stamped impression.  That’s the nature of creating designs for these ‘miniature printing presses’,  I am never quite sure how they will translate.  On this one I took one of the original designs I posted and added a little heraldry shield to it for more ‘oomph’.  I think it feels both prep + rock.  The winner of this design is the newly minted Benders–Sue & Jamieson.  I think this will be perfect to add to the outside of their envelopes when they need to write their many thank yous. When Mrs. Bender bakes her first big batch of brownies she can send Mr. Bender to the office with her married ‘logo’ on the glassine bags she is sure to wrap each one up in (or vice versa).  It’s a sweet + simple stamp and I know it will look good in any color, but it does look particularly regal in gold.  Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Bender!  If you would like your own SS09 stamp just use the code SS09 to get a 50% discount until 8/7.

I am so happy to finally get the tiny twine in the shop!  I have been wrapping the inside of my parcels with it from the beginning of the shop launch and getting many requests for it but it only came in ginormous spools.  I know there are many shops that re-spool their twine, but I seriously don’t have that kind of time or talent to wind twine on a spool, you?  After much back and forth with my twine supplier we came up with the classic twine ball, I am so happy, it only took a year to bring it to market.  This twine is lovely and delicate and is perfect for wrapping stationery projects (to keep the sets together), using as embellishments on invites or for gift tags.  It is much thinner than the Parcel twine. How much thinner?  If you are familiar with Baker’s twine it is thinner than that but much thicker than thread, it’s the perfect thinness if that is possible, I think it is.  It’s made of natural, renewable materials so it should take dye beautifully.  If you are feeling really creative it makes a beautiful friendship bracelet, I’m a fan and I am hoping you will be too!

I love books, L-O-V-E want to marry them.  I love them so much, you?  I think decorating with books makes a house a wee bit cozier and the owners a tad more interesting. When I worked in interior design it was a common practice amongst designers to buy collections of vintage & antique books for clients. I have witnessed whole libraries procured for clients shelves.  I have so many books that I doubt I would need a service like that, but I love that Jaysworld has created an affordable and wonderfully presented color palette of vintage books for those folks that just want to add a pop of color with a dash of charm to their interiors. Enjoy the resource!

Pretty much for as long as I have been writing a blog, I have been on the perfect bang/fringe quest, each time failing miserably.  It has been nearly a decade that I have been in search of good thick Bardot-esque bangs and I have not been able to achieve them.  I gave up on Bardot and would have been happy with just straight bangs like the kind my mom cut for me in elementary school, but again it has been elusive.  I only cut my hair about once a year because it seems I always have a mishap and it takes me a full 365 days to dust myself off and gather enough gumption to get myself to a salon. The last time I went I shared that the stylist basically gave me square hair and I looked like Peppermint Pattie’s best pal Marcie Johnson for ages.  What I neglected to mention to you, (out of sheer shame), was that my haircut was $300!  Yes, I paid $300 for hair that made me look like the least attractive animated character ever. In my defense I did not know it was going to be that amount, it had been $100 for years and even that seemed outrageous but since I only went once a year I figured it wasn’t that bad.  The stylist it seemed had changed his prices and the bad haircut had already been done and I knew I was never coming back; I paid and am still miserable with my decision.  I wish I had enough confidence to have told them to pay me $300 for the bad haircut.  Yes, I tipped, I am such a haircut push-over. Now that I am living in what can only be kindly referred to as the sticks I knew that I would have to take charge of my own hair situation.  I went through all 4 billion bang/fringe videos, read every blog on the interwebs regarding this subject matter and have a winner-Sam Villa, How To Cut Fringe.  This man knows his stuff!  I actually started with Sam’s technique and after having some success thought I knew what the heck I was doing and added my own technique to the mix, which gave me horrible Cher bangs and then I had to go in and try to fix, that is why my bangs aren’t as long on the side as I usually like.  For 30 minutes of complete neurosis (I was actually sweating profusely when I was doing this and I never sweat) and saving $300, I am pretty happy with the results.  This diy isn’t for everyone and if you live in a city where you can actually see people on the street, my suggestion is to stop the girl with the cutest cut that you wish you had and get her hairstylists info–STAT.  If you are like me and are living in the middle of nowhere and on the budget of all budgets I suggest checking Sam Villa out. If you have any questions let me know, I am no expert, but I can share my experience with you.

P.S. I have a NEW mascara love! I know, I know!  And on my lips is my own lip balm/gloss, yes for the future Besotted Brand apothecary!

P.P.S. If I look like I am not breathing, I am not.  I have not learned (yet) how to be comfortable behind the camera ask my husband who took 6,000 photos yesterday and then gave up. Even he was surprised that we got one photo out of our ‘shoot’.

P.P.P.S. I am doing a giveaway over at a sweet girls blog, the best part is that there is a super duper Besotted Brand discount code at the bottom of her post good for anything in the shop!

 I can’t get over these photographs by Jamie Simon of Intertwyned Photography. The company name may be familiar as I showed off her custom logo stamp this week, but I feel I would be remiss to not share her latest trip to Alaska with you.  Jamie was in our Souvenir Foto School classes and I would love to take full credit for her talent, but alas the girl has a naturally good eye.  Jamie is special in that she has done what most people only dream of doing and that is quit her corporate job (as a lawyer) and follow her heart to become a photographer. She has thrown herself into learning and honing her craft just as meticulously as she studied for the bar; she takes classes on an on going basis, she reads everything she can get her hands on about photography, takes workshops and interns. I always let our students know that the only way to get better at photography (this is true for most things for that matter) is to do them. Yes, just go out there and do them. You want to be a florist?  Volunteer your time with a florist you admire. How about a fashion designer?  I got my former intern a job this summer in NYC with a big time designer as what else? An intern. You need to be open to doing and then go do it.  I am a big believer in continuing education and you will always find me taking classes, reading or researching subjects that I have an interest in.  If you have been wanting to do something for a while and been stalling on getting started maybe this weekend you can take a few minutes and get started on making your dreams a reality. The journey of a million miles starts with one step.  Happy weekend to you!