My New Love

Digital Scrapbooking is Awesome!!

Just having a bit of fun with my new found toy! Hope you all enjoy seeing what comes of this.
Gotta go... there are new things to discover.

Tune back in here, same time, same place.

designer girl

October Second Monday

Image by George DeWolfe

Another Second Monday at the Center for Photography... and WOW. Jack has done it again. It was spectacular! George DeWolfe was astounding. I was somewhere in the middle of the crowd of people, with no access to light save the glow from the projector and yet I couldn't stop scribbling everything that he was saying. A true master - and funny to boot! I like a teacher that can make you laugh.

Notes from the George DeWolfe lecture to come... after I decipher my own writing!

designergirl

My Calling

Eureika!!! I have found it! My calling...

How adorable is this family?!

I had a photo shoot yesterday with a lovely and patient family at a prime location in SC. They knew that they were my first, and I couldn't have asked for more. The boys (3 and 7) were boys - powered by rocket fuel, but so good for me and my camera. And just adorable to boot. The parents had obviously had a long day, but were so understanding a congeial through my suggestions of trapsing hither and yon for the light and scenery. Oh, and did I mention that this was all inbetween a birthday party and a wedding that was happening while we were skulking around to take pictures. What a time! Enough of my babbling, here are the some photos I've had the opportunity to edit:

What a gorgeous place to live.

This shot was their idea. I think it was pure genious!

September Second Monday

Image by Beth Reynolds


I am fascinated how some people can be talented (artistically speaking) and be great at what they do, a success even and it's just blah, blah, blah. On the other hand, some people take what they have been given and spread it around to all the world and use it for the benefit of all - and it's effortless! That's how I feel about this month's Second Monday speaker Beth Reynolds.

She stood in front of us and showed just a few, of what I am sure are hundreds of projects that she has been a part of that have impacted people's lives. Who knew that a photographer could help orphaned children find parents, raise (substantial) money for cancer research, help ease the difficulties of dyslexic children and give a voice to women on welfare to the legislators that need to hear... all with her art. Amazing. Beth is the type of person that makes you feel as though you were put on this earth for a larger purpose, just by being near her!

Truly an inspiration... I know that I feel the need to be much better and bigger after that hour.

Thank you.

designergirl

Silence = Good Idea

taken with a Canon Rebel xti at the SC Aquarium

Upon the advice of a fellow blogger I allowed myself to be quiet this weekend. Just look what happened! It is amazing how silence can open the doors to creativity. I highly recommend it! Check out the other evidence of my productive weekend on my shiny new flickr page.

I am just learning, so I'd love to hear your thoughts!

designer girl

Flickr

Come one, come all to the amazing, colossal, phenomenal, photo extravaganza! (Otherwise known as my new Flickr page!) I am so excited! I feel so very with it! But I fear I run the risk of being over exposed... I have profiles everywhere!

Who are you in this world today without a myspace or facebook page? (check and check) For exposure in photography a flicker page is a necessity! (check) Don't forget the Etsy page for that creative itch. (check) And personal interests? You've just gotta have a blog for those! (check, CSL - Blogger - BlogHer). Overexposed? NO! I just have the bare necessities!

designer girl

A Thousand Word Picture

So the old adage goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words". Nowhere is that more true, in my opinion, than the design biz. Have you ever used a thousand words to describe what you need, only to return to the job site to find that your words were inexplicably disregarded? All the while creator of this supreme misinterperatiation thinks that he has created a perfect rendering of your vision.

Humans are visual creatures. We think in pictures. Neurobiologists have discovered that's how we store information. We hear words and translate those words into pictures for long term filing. Knowing that, use it to your advantage. Break out your pen and a napkin and go to town. Doodle, sketch, draw, scratch... it doesn't have to be a work of art. Its just a superior way of conveying an idea for true mutual understanding.

So go and draw your way to shorter conversations.

designer girl

Chaos Theory

"The only thing in life that is constant is change."

How many times have we all heard this and nodded in agreement? Recalling a recent upset, upheaval or complete turnaround our lives have taken. I have been thinking about how this translates to our lives visually. Some say 'Out of sight, out of mind' as a way to explain our chaotic workspace and endless file piles. Others function better in a more austere atmosphere, but even that can't rescue them from change.

How do you cope with change? What are your strategies for managing chaos?

I think that managing your surroundings is the first step to managing the other chaos going on in our lives. I heard a professional organizer say once that there are two types of organization strategies: vertical or horizontal. She went on to explain that some people think filing can only take place in a filing cabinet. Others do best with piles, which just means that they 'file horizontally'. That isn't code for mess. Know yourself and use what works for you. If you pile, use bookcases with boxes for filing instead of filing in folders. Going with your style saves time and stress. So go ahead... file or pile away.

designer girl

Suprising places

On a whim I took a wonderful detour on my day yesterday. I felt the call of adventure and just look what I found!


It is an architectural salvage and antique store hidden away where you'd never imagine you'd find one. It was a treasure trove of beautiful patinas and crumbling ruins. A delicious cacaphony of sights and vingettes. The designer and photographer in me went wild!

What are your favorite finds? Places that are in an out of the way place with the air of a far away land? The ones that inspire your imagination... Do share!

I love photography. It's really become quite a thing with me. The only thing that I love more than taking pictures is viewing the images that other mavens have created. There is so much out there for me to learn! But I am taking it all in stride - well, maybe not in stride - more like I have forsaken all for the love of my new dSLR. But I digress... Look what I found today!

Here is a chica that I want to learn from!

Picture taken by Alicia Bock with Argus 75 (I'm in love)

She has such amazing style and vision. I just wanna gobble it all up! After wandering her website and blog I see that she has a revolutionary approach: if you want it to look vintage... use a vintage camera! The thought just blew me away. Just look at the camera that took this photo.

Ain't he a beaut! The 1950's were so groovy! Don't get me wrong - I am totally in love with my little Canon Rebel (I've named her Stella). But maybe Stella wouldn't mind having a little brother Argus someday (or should I say older brother).

Until next time,

designer girl

I heart Anthropologie

Just found out that Anthropologie has come to Myrtle Beach !! I know, I know, how could designer girl of all people not know until now. but it's true. So off I went and look at what I found!

taken with my new Rebel xti

love their art! it interacts with the space so creatively!

I have a million of these latte bowls and I love them!

I love these monogram hooks.

Anything looks great when repeated.

These are just a few of my favorite pics from the excursion, more to come...

Until next time.

designer girl

Relax

Looking for something unique for your at home spa? Here's something to look into... the Strip. No not a glitzy Vegas style room with lights flashing. In fact what's so flashy about this design is that its not flashy at all! Aquamass is a Belgian company with sleek sophisticated designs. Who knew plumbing could be this sexy?

designer girl

Interior Design is my passion. Arranging beauty feels like my mission. Design is arranging elements in a purposeful way to convey a visual message. I believe that beauty is all around us and often it just needs a tweak or shift and Voila! Beautiful! That's what I do. I show you where the beauty was that you didn't see.

Having beautiful surroundings has been repeatedly documented to have positive physical and psychological affects. I have always known this intuitively.

Thank you for reading my sentimental Ode to Beauty. I am so glad to have a place to express my thoughts on the subject. I'll see you back again soon!

designer girl

Ponds Parade

This Sunday I took a ride up to Summerville for the Ponds Parade of Homes. I had heard about the masterplan community before, but had not had the opportunity to visit it until this weekend. It was worth the drive.

As we drove into the community you have a nice leisurely ride through the landscaped entry, past the quaint ampitheater and pond, down a corridor of ancient live oaks to the restored farmhouse that was original to the property. There you find the clubhouse/ sales center with a pool and poolhouse. It doesn't stop there... take a stroll through the orchard or cut some herbs from the community kitchen garden!

I was standing in the midst of all this splendor and then it dawned on me, why am I in color? Shouldn't all this be in black and white and playing on a family television set in the fifties?

Then came the stroll through the neighborhood. The sidewalk throughout and the landscaping make for the perfect scene for children riding their bikes on a warm sunny afternoon or for a lemonaid stand for the entreprenurial among the little tykes.

There are a variety of builders to choose from, each with it's own flare. Truly something for everyone, from those wanting a quaint, easy to maintain bungalow, to those who have a need for space for their growing family.

Have a look at the Ponds on your next Sunday afternoon drive. Bring along your lender qualification letter, you'll want it handy.

designer girl

Posters aren't just for teenagers anymore!

Lately I have noticed a new trend. It's everywhere; coffee shops, banks, doctors offices, restaurants. Instead of those cheesy prints that you can find anywhere in gold frames, the newest trend is to hang a poster! These aren't put up with thumbtacks like they were back in the day. Today posters are mounted to foam core or 'Gator board' for stability and the ability hang without framing to give it a cool graphic pop against a colored wall. Next time you snap a cool shot make a statement with it, don't hide it in the family photo album - put it on the wall!

Living in a coastal area, it's easy to spot local snap shots turned interior accessory.

Morning Folly, Beach that is...

Even if you don't live by the beach you can still find plenty of interesting things to put on your wall. Just be sure to set your camera's megapixel setting as high as you can when taking a shot that you think might be perfect for your dining room. To have the most options, you need the sharpest picture you can get. Here is an example of a website with a ton of great information on photo vs. print size.

A little birdie outside my window told me...
It is easy and inexpensive to create your own poster. Simply upload your digital photo to any one of a plethora of photo sites, pick your specs and pay. Then VOILA! You're print of that amazing Kodak moment is on its way to you!

When choosing a site to use, be sure to shop around; quality, services and materials vary greatly from site to site. Be sure that you clearly understand what you are ordering. Look for sites with project review and technical support. And if your order is getting pricey - GET A PROOF! They are inexpensive when compared to the alternative - reordering. Once that order ships it's yours, so be sure its what you are looking for. Have fun!


designer girl

International Builder's Show

I recently had the oportunity to go to the 2008 International Builder's Show in Orlando, FL...

All I can say is wow! It was just a big Bazar with everything bigger and better than all the rest. I do not recommend going into anything of that sort without a plan of action. You really get a bit punchy after the second day of all that razzle dazzle.

I have the good fortune to meet some of my heros in the design world while I was there, Mary DeWalt, Ashley Jennings of Kay Green Design and Gayle Goodson Butler the editor of Better Homes and Gardens. It was a wonderful experience to hear and learn from the best in the industry. Inspiration was flying all over the place. I am full of information to share!

More on that in blogs to come. Until then, enjoy the pics.

designer girl