As a designer, I spend many hours at my desk. Over the years, I've discovered the essentials that make my workflow easier and elegant. Many of these tools are items I use regularly and were collected over time, others are still on my wish list! 

1970s MERA POLTIK Alarm Clock

Miles Desk Lamp from Schoolhouse Electric

Dachshund Letter Holder -- no longer available from Anthropologie, but is my favorite desk buddy. :)

Brass Pencil Sharpener

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Brass Midori Pen

Cedar Pointe Pencil Set (with good eraser!)

Iconic Pencase - perfect for pen and ink supplies

The Classic Pica Pole

Midori Polar Bear A5 Spiral Notebook

Brass Ruled Letter Opener for all of your snail mail

On the rare occasions that I use stapler (I'm more of a paperclip gal), I'd love to have an Ace!

Please click on each image for source information.

With a growing number of pen pals, I find myself seeking out letter writing sets these days. While cards come in handy for birthdays and other occasions, I prefer a letter sheet and envelope for my longer-winded correspondence. Sometimes the page count reaches seven!

Here are the styles that I use and love: 

Made by Three Potato Four

Life has discontinued the full size notepad I use, but this is my go-to for classic stationery.

Handmade in Tokyo by Haibara

French style by Ilfant Press

Letter Writing Kit by Paper & Type and Paper Pastries (I use the floral edition).

I'm always on the lookout for new sets, please share your favorites! (Click on each image for a source link.)

I can't deny the complete joy I feel when the flowers end their hibernation and decide to bloom. It's magical. Leaving California for Portland summer, I thought I would miss out on a beautiful Spring but the flowers here in Portland are very dramatic. I'm loving every minute. And once my bouquets start to fade, I press the petals and file them into a box full of glassine envelopes to enjoy after the season has passed. 

A few of my own photos of flowers in and around Portland.

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Please click on each image for source information.

One of my favorite invitation suites was recently featured on Magnolia Rouge. When I was invited to be part of this photo shoot, I knew it would a great chance to mix a bold watercolor pattern, elegant typography, and botanical illustrations. To hint at the safari theme, a gold giraffe silhouette sits atop the RSVP card and vintage postage stamps adorn the envelopes. 

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Graceline provided gorgeous calligraphy. | Olivia Leigh Photography was the woman behind the lens. | J29 Events coordinated and styled. | See the rest of the vendor list here. 

As we approach Spring, that lovely season of wedding celebrations, I want to share a handful of carefully curated invitation themes. My design process begins with collecting inspiration, then paring down until a few cohesive ideas for an invitation suite really shine. 

For this specific theme, I am imagining a Spring or Late Summer outdoor soiree. The light filters through the vines that grow along a lovely garden wall, and the background for the garden ceremony is a centuries-old French Chateau. This inspiration includes rich textures, flora, typography with a nod to vintage French ephemera, and a candle-lit reception. Picture the combination of symmetrical  architecture softened by the line of a blossoming rose: a perfect setting to gather and linger into the warm evening.