Such pretty styling from Chelsea Fuss (of frolic!) for one of my favorite stationers, tokketok.  Clean, simple, and lovely.

{images shown via frolic, belong to Chelsea Fuss & tokketok}

The last few weeks have been quite nutty for me; I’m prepping for my first ever wedding fair/event and on one hand I’m proud of myself because I’m really preparing and putting in the effort.  I had hoped to accomplish a certain amount of work for this, and I’m actually going past that – it’s good to know whatever happens, I truly gave it my all.

However, on the other hand, I’ve become a bit of a design & print zombie – some days working 14-16 hours and getting 3-4 hours of sleep.  I can honestly say I’ve never been happier with what I do; I finally feel like I’ve found my calling and I love it.  However: getting no sleep, never spending time with my husband, family, or friends, eating cereal for breakfast, lunch (and sometimes dinner), fighting a sinus/ear infection (I’m totally self diagnosing here, and no I haven’t had time to go to the doctor) and completely falling out of my yoga & running routine (when it took me so long to get into one) – this isn’t going to work forever.  A few weeks before a big event is one thing, but starting next week I’ve got to commit to a more normal schedule and routine.  I know this is something a lot of self employed people struggle with, especially when you work from home and can essentially work at any time.

Can you offer any advice?  How can you “do it all” (especially when there’s only one of you in the business) and still have a life for yourself and with your family?  Because honestly, things are only going to get more busy – which I want – but I want to be prepared and handle things differently.  If only sleep were an option, I’d get so much more done!

{image shown via my iPhone, a sneak peek at some of the work I’ve been doing for the fair}

Check out these gorgeous spools of wrapped cotton from Angela on Studio Carta!  I was lucky enough to visit Angela a few weeks ago and got to see the cord in person and it’s so lovely.  I’ve got to find a project to use as an excuse to order some!

{image shown belongs to Studio Carta}

I’m excited to be participating my first wedding event next weekend!  I’ll be at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown, MA, showing my portfolio and answering any letterpress & invitation questions.  The mansion is a gorgeous location and the vendors will be scattered amongst the various rooms; the fair is a nice departure from an overwhelming wedding expo and I’m excited myself to meet all the talented vendors.

If you’re recently engaged and live nearby, here’s the details!  Would love to see you there.

{images shown belong to Helen Makadia Photography, who showed at last year’s event}

This is too cute!  I totally love it.  From Oh Happy Day!

{images shown belong to Oh Happy Day}

I cannot complain about this winter, I really can’t.  Last winter was beyond any normal amount for snow, to the point where I shoveled snow over my head for weeks at a time; this winter – no snow.  None.  It’s really odd.  And odd to have mild temperatures all the time.

Even still, I am pining for spring.  Bring it soon, Mother Nature!  These photos & flowers from the uber-talented Amy Merrick warm my heart with just the sight of them.  I think I should get myself some spring flowers for my desk.

{images shown belong to An Apple a Day}

Last week I attended the first meet-up for PVD Lady Project and it was great!  I was invited by my friend Erica (thanks, lady!) of Foxtrot Press.  The group was started by three creative ladies: Julie Sygiel, Folu Akinkuotu, and Sierra Barter, as a place for the female entrepreneurs of Providence, RI to meet-up, network, and connect.

It was held at The Dorrance in Providence; such a neat place with a cool interior.  Loved meeting talented women and can’t wait for the next meet-up in April!

{image shown taken via my shaky iPhone}

This has got to be the smallest letterpress I’ve ever seen!  Really cool video of how it works.  Via Type & Press.

Little Press from Ishac Bertran on Vimeo.

{images shown belong to Ishac Bertran}

I’ve “rediscovered” Bespoke Letterpress after blog-hopping and I’m loving absolutely every piece of their work (my Pinterest certainly shows!).  This RSVP is particular wonderful; the humor of the wording sounds like it was written for someone in my family!  I love it.

{image shown belongs to Bespoke Letterpress}

Had the pleasure of visiting Angela Liguori of Carta, Inc. in her gorgeous studio this afternoon.  Her space is a dream!  Open, inspiring, and sure to be a creative place to work (I can’t get that wall color out of my head!) and I am dying to find any project/excuse to be able to buy her ribbon.  We have several connections between mutual friends and it was about time we said a proper hello in person.  Thanks for letting me drop by, Angela!

(Didn’t get a chance to photograph the studio, but here are some wonderful shots from Hillary Deane who visited Angela recently)

{images shown belong to Hillary Deane Photography}