Saturday Link Love

This week has been a good one but a bit crazy, trying to fit everything in. I'm finding that my new organiser is working a treat. I didn't think that I'd ever have need of an organiser but it's quickly becoming the thing that I carry everywhere. In fact, it's sitting right next to me as I work away at my studio. Now I'm slightly regretting getting rid of the organiser my Grandparents gave me in 2004, although the diary inside was from 1986. It must've been lurking around in their present drawer for a long while! I think that was the same year they gave my brother a box that once housed a Storm watch. He was quite excited but opened it to find there was no watch to be seen, and that it was now home to some chocolate coins. I always looked forward to receiving presents from my Grandparents. You never knew what they would be, but you could always guarantee it wasn't what you were expecting.

And so, on that note of expectation, here's what I've been loving this week.

Alyssa Yuhas is a graphic designer, blogger and photographer. She also produces We Like We Love magazine, which is a magazine about sharing the things you love. You can read it on Issuu or download/buy a printed copy from Magcloud, which is a great print-on-demand service. I've only just discovered WLWL but, with 9 issues already available, there's plenty to flick through when you have a spare moment. I really enjoyed flicking through her online graphic design portfolio - inspirational stuff!

It's easy to think that other people have it all. You see that they produce beautiful, well thought out work, have great taste and seem to have a perfect, shiny life. But, you know what? Odds are they don't. It can be easy to see people as 2 dimensional people and effortlessly achieving incredible things, especially as you often just see the end result. Bri Emery, who writes the popular blog Design, Love, Fest and runs Blogshop wrote a post about how difficult it can be to 'have it all'.

Some people like to share everything, others like to keep some things private, but it's important to remember that life happens to everyone; the good, the bad, and the every day. Sometimes it can seem that some people have it easy, or are just lucky, or things fall in to their lap but nothing happens without lots of hard work behind the scenes. Be it slaving away at a regular 9-5 job, creating something beautiful, growing your social brand, or cooking a really delicious meal, it all takes work! Lucy also touched upon this in her retrospective of her first year in business, and it's good to remember.

Talking of beautiful things, have you seen this handmade jewellery from ISWAS+WILLBE? It's made by a husband and wife team from Portland and I think it's beautiful. I really like their photographic style too. I found it via Little Green Shed, which is a homely Bristol-based design and lifestyle blog.

The past few warmer days have been great. The blue skies have come out from their hiding place behind the clouds, it has been warm (yes!) and everything has been cast in a new sunny glow. We've been working out in the courtyard at Shipshape Studio and it seems to have given me a new burst of energy. Is it called blue sky thinking, or is that some awful management speak? I'm not sure. Anyway, what I'm really getting at is that summer is coming! Which means time for some folky skirts, yes? These handprinted skirts from Made with Love by Hannah hit the spot.

I haven't got a video link this week but thought I'd share some music with you. The soundtrack to my week has been the David Lynch album 'Crazy Clown Time'. Have you heard it? Some of it is plain ol' strange, but it's interesting. The song 'I Know' would fit in on the Drive soundtrack, which is flippin' good, just like the film. Have you seen it? I thought it was spectacular.

How has your week been? Leave a comment and let me know what you've been loving this week.

P.S. We had one of our first crafty parties at Shipshape Studio this week. I was a bit nervous beforehand but it was a blast! And everyone left with a set of stationery that they'd made. Brilliant!

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