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