The Cherry Blossom Festival is just around the corner and we’ve been loving the delicate pink buds appearing all over the city. It reminds us of this sweet wedding invitation from a few years back.
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter! It’s always one of my favorite holidays with the brightly colored eggs, springtime flowers, the promise of new beginnings and of course jelly beans. Here are some pics of our family egg hunt featuring my daughter and one of my step sons (aka the Easter bunny).
We’re getting ready for some egg dying at home. I love the look of a dozen eggs dressed in their pastel finest, but I was amazed when I did a little searching for other design possibilities. It’s pretty amazing what you can do when you think beyond the normal “dip-and-dye”. We’ve got our work cut out for us this weekend!
Now that our new website has gone live, we wanted to share some of the great behind the scenes photos of our studio that we didn’t get to use on the site itself. In addition to shooting all of our work, Carol Vaziri did a fantastic job of capturing our sweet Union Street garden courtyard and design studio where all the magic happens.
I recently discovered the “20 Ways to draw…” series from Quarry books. I bought them with my daughters in mind but they are slowly slipping onto my own book shelf instead. The books take a theme (flowers, clothes, trees, etc.) and present 20 stylized drawings for each object within that theme. There are no “how-to’s”. Instead, the drawings are beautifully simple, rendered to their most basic lines and shapes in such a lovely manner that they seem very doable. I find myself turning to the books repeatedly, not only for graphic design projects but because they are triggering ideas and giving me inspiration to do some monoprints and etchings.
LISA SALZER
DESIGNER / FOUNDER, LULU FROST JEWELRY
a celebration of risk taking ladies
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING.
I am the owner and designer behind Lulu Frost jewelry. I do so much for my job, everything from designing jewelry, of course, to managing a talented team of individuals, to traveling for work and doing trunk shows on the road.
GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR CAREER PATH.
I was fortunate enough to begin my career during my senior year of college. In lieu of getting a more traditional job, I opted for starting Lulu Frost and I was extremely blessed to have my designs take off from the get-go. Barneys New York was my first retail partner and I just ran with it, never looking back. Since then I’ve grown the company to employ over 16 people, and our work is sold globally. I’m extremely proud of building Lulu Frost from scratch and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
LULU FROST SHOP • 12 east 20th street, 2nd floor • NEW YORK CITY
WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I wanted to be a painter or artist of some kind.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 10 YEARS?
I would love to still be at the creative helm of Lulu Frost but also envision managing/owning a fantastic art gallery in the city somewhere. I want to be one of those fabulous 40-something women in heaps of jewelry with a kid or two in tow.
NAME THREE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT HELPED YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
Drive, Passion and Persistence.
LULU FROST jewelry
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
I define success as doing your very best, each and every day … with a little wiggle room for some slacking off once in a while 🙂
HOW DO YOU DEFINE FAILURE?
Failure to me means not trying as hard as one can.
HAVE YOU EVER MADE A MISTAKE IN YOUR CAREER?
If I have, I wouldn’t define it as such – it’s all been a part of my learning process and a part of getting to where I am at this moment, for which I am all grateful.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
From a business standpoint, I’m most proud of creating a company with good values and ethics with a happy working environment. We do our best to put an interesting, unique and quality product into the world and it gives me joy to do so every day.
LULU FROST jewelry
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 21 YEAR-OLD SELF?
Do it all the same way – don’t change a thing.
WHAT TRICKS HAVE YOU LEARNED TO BALANCE LIFE AND WORK?
This is something I’m still working on. I need to find more time for exercise and personal hobbies in my life – for good or bad, a bit too much of my time is still dedicated to my work life. Someday!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK AND WHY?
I love Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic. Great memories of reading with my momma in the 80’s, can’t beat that!
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT VACATION.
Sitting on a beach with my fiancé Marlon Taylor-Wiles in a flowing caftan reading a great book with a Pina Colada in hand, mixed with a little of adventure in the form of a hike. For eight days straight.
LULU FROST jewelry
Blush became quite a popular color in this winter’s wedding season. It’s been showing up in invitations, florals, table settings, dresses, and desserts. Combined with the whites and creams winter is known for, the pale pink details bring a special warmth to any cold day.
photo credit: Style Me Pretty
We were honored to be a part of the 10 year Anniversary issue of Destination I Do. Their Spring issue highlighted Maureen and David’s perfect lakeside wedding. Pics below from the article and of the Lake Tahoe invitation suite design.
Article: destinationido.com
Event Design and Planning: One Fine Day Events
Florist: Bellisima Floral
Photography: Catherine Hall Studios
Invitations: A Day in May
My husband and I are taking a trip to Florence and the Tuscan countryside this Spring. I am in the process of doing research for our exciting getaway but I keep getting sidetracked by images of the amazing storefront signage and overall design. I must focus! But in the meantime, here are some of the images that have caught my eye.
The upcoming Lilly Pulitzer for Target collaboration has us thinking about tropical patterns. Traditionally associated with umbrella drinks and Hawaiian shirts, palms and exotic floral patterns have taken a sophisticated and even edgy turn in recent years. Today, tropical motifs are often used in very chic and classy settings in the home, in fashion and in design. Aloha!
Having little girls of our own, we felt right at home designing the identity for Allegro Little Shoes. The client wanted the logo to feel childlike and soft, but not overly cutesy. We created a playful silhouette of a child and bird in pale pink. The soft gray serif and script fonts worked perfectly together to create a sweet and whimsical logo that still reflects the inherent elegance of the product.
Last week, I spent a morning helping with an art project in my daughter’s second grade class. The kids carved simple bird outlines into a little foam “plate” and we created a series of prints from each one. In the end, we selected a few to frame and a few to cut out and create a huge tree of “singing” birds to hang in their classroom. Being behind a computer all day, it’s easy to forget the joys of creating something with your hands, and this brought it all back; no “command z” to erase mistakes, no Photoshop to fix color. It was a much needed reminder that there is unexpected beauty in imperfections and complete joy in a tactile process.
On these long winter days it’s so nice to brighten things up with a pop of color here and there – a bright purse, colorful boots, a bold scarf… We love adding a hint of color in our invitation designs as well to liven things up a bit. Below are some great ways to help brighten your day at home, on the street, down the aisle, and in the mail!
We had such fun designing this playful baby shower invitation. The party was two-fold: an afternoon for the ladies to cook their favorite childhood recipes together and an evening for the boys to celebrate over tacos and margaritas. We just love the warm red and sky blue color combination as well as the adorable illustrations of cooking utensils, baby accessories, and festive happy hour details.
My husband and I were given this gorgeous book recently. It’s a cookbook from a restaurant in Venice, Italy. I have always loved most things Italian: graphic design, their unparalleled craftsmanship, and last, but not least, their food. This book strikes all the right chords.
I was so taken with the design: the gold foil stamped title, the beautiful octopus illustration, the mono-toned, metallic printed maps of Venice on the end paper and the gorgeous photos of the restaurant and surrounding areas in Venice. The book design is not only beautiful, but brilliant… They have stripped away the outer spine of the book leaving the logo, glue and stitching exposed. This not only creates a distinctive look, but the book actually lays flat on the kitchen counter while you cook.
Buon appetito!
Winter citrus season is my favorite time of year. Quartered, peeled, pureed – no matter what way you slice it (get it? get it?) – they are all delicious and gorgeous. The intensely bright greens, yellows, oranges, and reds make for a beautiful fruit spread or seasonal salad. And, off the plate, they bring warmth and cheer to any design.
We love working with calligraphy in our invitation work. It’s the ultimate way to make an invitation feel very personal and unique. So when Lauren and Doug decided to go this route, we were thrilled. We enlisted Tara Jones to do the hand lettering and together, we created printed pieces that felt sweet but supremely soft and elegant.
Event Planner and Designer: Alicia K Designs
Florals: Alicia K Designs
Photography: Elisabeth Millay
Calligraphy: Tara Jones
Invitations: A Day in May
Venue: Chateau St. Jean
I’m in love with everything about the furniture company “Jardan”. Family owned and run, they design and craft every piece by hand. I love that their designs feel modern but the natural materials lend such warmth. I just wish they were in San Francisco instead of Australia!
ZAN LUDLUM
CASTING DIRECTOR / FOUNDER, ZAN CASTING
a celebration of risk taking ladies
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING.
We find talent for Runway Shows, TV Commercials, Print Advertising, Fashion Editorials, Independent Films, Music Videos, and Online content. Our unique approach encompasses street scouting for “real people,” working with established talent, up-and-coming talent, and cultural innovators.
GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR CAREER PATH.
HUSTLE, HUSTLE, HUSTLE. I started as an unpaid intern for fashion stylists and magazines. Then interned for renowned fashion photographer Steven Klein resulting in my first job. After working for Steven Klein and learning the ropes of the fashion industry I knew I wanted to work for a female entrepreneur. The opportunity to work for innovative Casting Director, Jennifer Venditti (JV8INC) came up and my career took off. I worked for JV8INC for over four years and developed the interest in casting, confidence in my own vision and valuable business principles. Before starting ZAN CASTING I took time off to travel and redefine my values… that time away from the grind was invaluable in setting up my NYC based company with a core commitment to “keepin’ it real.”
Lanvin Fall 2012 Campaign, Photographer: Steven Meisel
WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I wanted to be creative and run my own business. I didn’t have a name for what I wanted to be… but I definitely found it.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 10 YEARS?
I love my job and I love creating an agency that has career opportunities for other creative professionals. What we do keeps us on the cusp of what is current and cool… Here’s hoping I can still be around in 10 years!
NAME THREE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT HELPED YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
Driven, Organized, Curious.
Google Chrome: Jess Time, Director: Nanette Burstein
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Being content.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE FAILURE?
I don’t think failure exists. There is always an opportunity to get back up and work hard to fix whatever mistake was made.
HAVE YOU EVER MADE A MISTAKE IN YOUR CAREER?
YES. I’ve learned a lot and am constantly growing.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Projects where we have found undiscovered amazing talent with true stories that bring to life the human spirit (i.e. Lanvin Advertising, Google Chrome Commercials.)
Elle “Hothouse Flower”, Photographer: Txema Yeste, Stylist: Lori Goldstein
Loeffler Randall Fall 2013 Lookbook, Photographer: Tom Hines, Stylist: Kat Typaldos
Loeffler Randall Fall 2013 Lookbook, Photographer: Tom Hines, Stylist: Kat Typaldos
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 21 YEAR-OLD SELF?
An amazing mentor gave me this advise and it worked: Find the person/company that you admire and offer to work for free. An apprenticeship is the best way to learn the ropes and get your name out there. The experience is invaluable. I waited tables at night, interned during the day, and never looked back.
WHAT TRICKS HAVE YOU LEARNED TO BALANCE LIFE AND WORK?
It’s important to work hard and be available for your clients, staff, work relationships, etc. At the same time, it is important to know when to step away and enjoy life away from work. For me, my work is about people and culture so I could always be working… but that’s okay. If you enjoy what you do and let go of feeling boxed in by it, then accepting your career as an invaluable part of your identity can only help you flourish.
GANT Spring/Summer 2014 Campaign, Photographer: Mikael Jansson, Stylist: Joe McKenna
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK AND WHY?
Currently, Forever Young by Bob Dylan (Illustrated by Paul Rogers). Because my baby girl loves when I sing it to her… and the words are so so true.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT VACATION.
Our amazing Southwest, USA road trip. Hiking, rock climbing, getting lost in the wilderness.
New York Fashion Week, Behind the Scenes at the JCrew Spring 2015 Runway Shows
1) Colorado
I lived in Boulder for 4 years during college. Blue sky, fresh air and healthy living… this is my happy place.
2) Utah
Climbing the red rocks, skiing the fresh powder, hiking through the narrow canyons.
3) Uruguay
I spent a few days on the beach here with one of my best girlfriends. La Barra / José Ignacio… beach bliss.
4) Italy
Amazing food, friendly people… I’ve skied, climbed, beached, hiked, prayed, drank, you name it… Love Italia.
5) New Zealand
I spent a month in New Zealand hiking by myself. The ferry from the North Island to the South was unforgettable. This is a magical land.
Perfect Endings, a premier wedding and special occasion cake designer based in Northern California, was looking to freshen up their logo. They wanted something accessible and refined, but with a twist – so, we got to work. Whenever we start working on a new logo design we like to explore allllll the possibilities. Below is a glimpse of the different styles and approaches we came up with. We love the final design – seen at the bottom.
Visit their website to see the new logo in action and to drool over their delectable creations: perfectendings.com
