1: Mama’s outfit and Alice’s outfit from today. We all went to Green, an amazing vegan restaurant in Phoenix for lunch, where I had the best french fries I have ever had. Alice had noodles, and for dessert we went next door for house-made soy ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate. 2. Looking up at all the airplanes flying overhead. There are SO many planes and helicopters that fly over the house and Alice hears every one. 3. Waiting for our ice cream to arrive at Nami. 4. Building bridges and houses with Dad. 5. Playing in the sand table at the Phoenix Children’s Museum.

See more details about today’s outfit on my Polyvore page.

xo
meg

• CAMP tenants Downs Design and ImageMade have legally merged companies to form Grain & Mortar, a new brand strategy and web/print design firm. They’re moving out of our coworking space and down the hallway into their own new offices!
• New full-time tenants are coming in
• Super cool drop-in tenants are coming in
• It’s gross in here and I want it not to be

We’re nearing the end and having the extra space, storage, and organization is already wonderful. Here’s a look at my desktop and a few shots of my workspace today:

Today I worked on scheduling posts for October–there will be some good ones. I uploaded my posting schedule .pdf sheet so you can all download a blank one to schedule posts on your own blog, or of course you can make your own too. What I love most about ours is the blank calendar in the top right corner, so you can fill it out for each month and see what day of the week a post would fall on. I always schedule our best posts on Monday because it’s our highest traffic day. Being able to see the calendar at a glance helps you be more strategic about reaching the maximum number of readers with your best content.

Next on my list: fixing up the CAMP website which is about 18 months overdue for an update, stepping out and scripting the biggest tutorial we’ve ever done (to come in early November), and finishing my book proposal for The Wedding Party. I love finally seeing some progress on these long-term projects.

What’s on your desk today?

xo
meg

Today is the last day of our first giveaway week. Each day I did a new giveaway inspired by a different theme, and today’s giveaway prize is about friends and friendship. Enter by leaving a comment and you could win a package of fun and interesting things to share with your friends and bring you closer together. Don’t forget that you can also go back today and enter in the previous posts this week because I am picking all the winners tomorrow.

The top 5 lessons my friends have taught me:

1. Kindness makes you beautiful.

My friend Emma always says that the most beautiful people are beautiful on the inside too. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately and it’s making me appreciate people in a completely different way, and also inspiring me to be a nicer person.

2. Searching for faith in something you don’t understand doesn’t make you dumb.

Thanks Brook and Rahul.

3. People you’re not “supposed” to be friends with can end up being your bffs for life.

Bodybuilding lumberjack Lothario + tall black jet-setting design star + short white lady with a baby = a match made in best friends heaven

4. Surround yourself with people you want to emulate.

Positive people. Kind people. Driven, confident, hardworking people. My dad told me once that his success came from surrounding himself with people who were smarter than him.

5. There is always more to a person than what they show you.

My friends Eric and Shannon always let things go and recognize when something annoying I’ve said or done isn’t really about them, but about something going on with me. They are good at recognizing everyone’s strengths and inspiring others to stay positive and happy.

Have you ever made an unexpected friend?
What can you do to surprise a friend this weekend?
Comment to win a package of goodies picked by me to inspire new friendships and strengthen the ones you have.

xo
meg

It’s giveaway week! I’m excited about these little prizes I’m giving away each day because none of them are sponsored or planned out–each package mailed out after this week will be full of hand-picked items chosen by me. Things that mean something to me and that I want you to have! Today’s prize is inspired by the theme of “learning.” The winner will receive a package of supplies and items that I hope can teach you something! Comment below to enter and win.

Top 5 things I want to learn this year:

1. How to say the right thing

I think that one of my strengths is taking charge and sharing my opinions with others. Once I decide how I feel about something, I always want to let everybody know and convince them to take my side. I’ve learned that there are some good and bad aspects to a skill like that–on one hand, I handle confrontation well and people can always be confident that I’m telling the truth. On the other hand, I can come off as bossy or aggressive and sometimes my candor turns people off–especially when I haven’t thought the issue through. Another skill I have is moving quickly when I decide on a course of action, but that also leads me to a lot of impulsiveness.

Because of my job, I’m often in the position to convince somebody to sponsor an event (such as our Omaha Fashion Week afterparty or Barcamp Omaha), teach a technique to a large group (through a crafting conference like The Creative Connection), or speak about my experiences (for example, in front of a marketing class at UNO or at an event with community peers in business). I hBave to be more careful not to speak too impulsively and to think about the best way to reach my audience, whether it’s a one-on-one client meeting or a speech.

2. Bookbinding

Self-publishing is one of my mom’s interests, and I sort of got into it growing up because she had so many books about binding, printing, making cute little pamphlets with special folding tricks. I often think about what cute, creative marketing material I could make if I knew more about binding and I’d love to pursue that soon.

3. How to make a cute pillowcase dress for Alice

It’s the easiest thing ever and I have a stack of little vintage pillowcases just waiting to be ruffled and sewn into little baby clothes. Prudent Baby has some of the best tutorials.

4. Something from each of my friends

I want Emma to teach me how to do the chain stitch without passing the needle through all the fabric. I want Peter to teach me how to round the edges of a table. I want Jessica to teach me how to choose wallpaper. I want Shannon to teach me now to french braid. I want Eric to teach me how to order stickers. I want Rahul to teach me more about the traditions he and his wife teach their kids.

5. How to swing a golf club

I can’t believe that I can’t do this.

What did you learn today?
Comment to win a package and learn something new.

xo
meg

1. Last week I was inspired by my friend Paul who tweeted about winning a rare edition of one of his favorite books through a website giveaway. His happiness got me thinking about how easy it would be to do a simple giveaway every day this week. Every day this week will have a different giveaway theme, you can comment to be entered, and I’ll pick the winners randomly at the end of the week.

2. Meeting at 5pm with stylist extraordinaire Rebecca Forsyth at Bangs about styling my models for the runway shows and photoshoots surrounding the drop of our new collection on August 25th. I’m still trying to decide on the look I am doing this year. Leaning toward some soft waves, dewy skin, and orange lipstick.

3. Another hair/makeup consult at Tru Salon and Spa in Midtown. I met one of their stylists, Levi, at the Nebraska AIDS Project condom fashion show (yes, I was skeptical too, but it was one of the most fun nights I’ve had in a long time!) and he approached me about styling our collection this year so I’m eager to learn more about their salon.

4. True Blood viewing party at my friend Isa’s house. I left off on season 2, but I had someone spoil everything I missed for me today at the vegan meetup party!

5. Omaha Community Playhouse annual awards night! Did you know Omaha has the largest (and BEST!) community theater in the country? I recently saw Guys & Dolls and Adelaide could have been from Broadway. Our theater community here is so amazing.

06.28.11

1. My two employees Shannon and Emma (and Alice!) leave with me to spend the rest of the week at Lake Okoboji! My parents have a house up there on Spirit Lake and my grandparents live up there during the Summer. It’s my first time up there this year. It will be a nice work retreat and we are planning to crank out a ton of work.

2. Mailing a big batch of black and white wrist corsages to a pretty bride. I uploaded some extras to the Princess Lasertron store for you to snatch up!

3. Return old library books and get new ones. Ask your best friend what he or she read last.

06.29.11

1. Picking strawberries at Getting’s Garden in Sanborn, Iowa. Berries are Assistant Emma’s favorite treat! A fact we always tease her about.

2. Making strawberry jam, of course!

06.30.11

1. Finishing a cupcake topper tutorial for Inspired Ideas magazine.

2. Make a list of books you loved as a child.

07.01.11

1. Finishing up the rest of the orders we have for July.

2. Making a bunch of different brooch pins for the gift bags at Meg Duerksen’s Craft Weekend

3. Driving back from the lake in my mom’s minivan. Possibly stopping in Sioux City to meet with Joi, my partner in the dress line!

07.02.11

1. Going to my Aunt Jane’s for their fun annual 4th of July party. Looking for a fun pool toy for Alice–something that lets her sit in the pool and kick.

2. After that we are heading to my friends Jon and Sarah’s annual 4th of July party featuring the infamous bottle rocket show. Here’s a picture from last year’s extravaganza–this year there may be another new baby if my friend Jenny has her kid this week!

3. Finishing up the questions for Mr. Lasertron post! you have sent such good ones.

4. Working on the budget plan for this year’s Barcamp Omaha un-conference in September.

Last night we had another big rainstorm in Omaha and the streets around CAMP flooded so much–up onto the sidewalks over the curbs–that I couldn’t get out with my car. My dad came and got me in his SUV and I got all of the supplies out that we are planning to take to the lake. There are so many interstates and highways closed along Nebraska and Iowa that I hope we can make it up there without too many detours.

If any more levees break near us, we are likely to be underwater at CAMP, as well as our regional airport, the stadium where the College World Series is taking place this week, and most of North Downtown Omaha. If you can spare a prayer or a positive thought, the Missouri river valley can use it! Pray for the rain to stop!

xo
meg

On Monday, my friend (and getaway driver) Steve of RDQLUS Creative and I celebrated our two-year friendaversary. I met him two years ago at the signing for his first book, 100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers.

Since the day we became fast friends Steve has been an unfailing source of inspiration and motivation in all of my business ventures. Steve’s natural approach to his instantly-recognizable personal brand has the authentic voice that most other companies spend millions of dollars with consultants to fabricate. From his signature style of tweeting, the logo caps and graphic tees he shows off with pride on the daily, to his “drop-shots” and keynote addresses at design conferences around the country, Steve effortlessly blends the professional with the personal and helps his clients achieve the same brand confidence that he exudes every day.

I’ve been having fun in the last few weeks with Steve as RDQLUS is creating our media kit and press packages for my second dress line launching this August which will be integral to our marketing efforts for the new collection. I’ve been scanning sketches, writing copy, photographing fabric samples, and he is working his magic combining it all together into a cohesive and informative package. It takes a lot of trust to count on someone to make my work look as amazing on the web as it does in person. When our customers step into their perfect party dress, they radiate confidence and feel empowered to truly be their best selves. One piece of the puzzle that helps me fulfill that mission is having a branding and identity package that communicates the wit, sophistication, and joie de vivre of the Lasertron girl. Steve is one of the only people I trust (the other is the third musketeer, Eric Downs who designed my website and continues to consult me) to get that concept nailed down.

Cer Té Cafe Custom Gallery Prints; Dyana Valentine; 2010 Omaha Mayor’s Walks Campaign; “The ‘GO” illustration; ‘ReSpectacle’ Gallery Opening Poster

Brand development and identity design are Steve Gordon’s specialties. Working with companies in industries ranging from community nonprofits, restaurants, art galleries, schools, and more, he finds a way to strip each business down to its core values and goals, adds his amazing design intuition, and channels it all into an inspired final product.

Some of my favorite work of Steve’s was with individual personalities rather than large companies–bloggers and speakers like Dyana Valentine, writers like Wendy Townley, and life coaches like Kimberly Mahr. Not limited to digital graphic design or web, he also works in other media like photography and illustration and I know that having that kind of creative range gives Steve the ability to view each client within their own professional context to fully realize their potential identity.

If you are on the brink of growth and want to put your best foot forward as you embrace a new opportunity (for me it was what prompted my site redesign in 2009), you’ve gotta have it all together. You don’t have to fumble your way through photoshop or buy a book about WordPress themes–experts like Steve can work with any client worldwide and tailor a package to make your personality truly shine through your work.

So if you have been looking for someone to help you define your brand or finesse one that you have already created, consider this the sign you’ve been waiting for to take the first step. How about just starting with 140 characters and contacting Steve at RDQLUS_Creative on Twitter? Or if you wanna do it the old fashioned way (and you’re out of carrier pigeons), you can hit it up on his contact form too.

Keep your biz tight–I am here to help.
xo
meg

Alice pushing her cart

♥ Miss America from Nebraska!! ♥ Learning about Montessori at home ♥ Ricky Gervais…I laughed. ♥ …and Jane Fonda doin sexy at 73 at the Golden Globes. I thought she was one of the best-dressed! ♥ Walking into my local tailor shop for the first time ♥ New silver baby shoes ♥ “Why are you laughing?! What are you, jealous!??!” -Wendy Williams ♥

5 Day Wardrobe by Luxirare

At a fabric exchange party last weekend….the bolts of vintage fabric took over the whole house!

birdie boutonnieres

Alice and Sarah.

A photoshoot at CAMP for a local law firm.

♥ Luxuriating ♥ “One cannot go through life without knowing when the next party is.” -My German professor ♥ Surprise snowstorm ♥ Alice’s first tooth ♥ metallic tights ♥ an awesome increase in customer communication–I love hearing from you all! ♥ endless pies coming from my friend Isa who is writing a new pie cookbook (am I supposed to say that?) ♥ poker night ♥ waking up early so I can wear my sunglasses before it gets dark ♥ hand-me-downs…our fifth-grade neighbor Emily just brought over lots of new-old books for Alice ♥ teddy bears picnic ♥ Royal Apothic perfume ♥

Judyth’s bridal bouquet–I’ll do a post about this soon!

Photo by Justin Limoges.

Pretty box (via Heather Brown)

There is a new color scheme that I am in love with for winter.

Gold, yellow-moss (or olive-lime?), navy, and coral.
I think it’s festive, but not too obvious or literally “holiday” or “winter.”

I put this outfit together at Target the other day. I had sort of a bad day and I went there late to do a little retail therapy. (It never works in the long term, but you can’t beat it for a quick band-aid fix after a dumpy day!)

I began by looking for a festive “wow” skirt that I could wear every day, and found a few simpler sweaters (at $20 each) and long-sleeved shirts (at $10 each) to go with it. I also needed to replace some tights that were worn out so I picked up a few new pairs for $5, including this fun patterned pair.

So I love my designer pieces, but holy cow I love Target. Their long-sleeved tees are winter staples for me, and as a nursing mom I am loving their bright patterned cardigans right now. Even though it’s a big-box store, I am always surprised to find something that feels really special.

Gold jacquard skirt: Merona Collection
Sweater: Merona
Tights: Xhilaration
Pin: Lasertron of course!
Necklace: Xhilaration
Shoes: Michael Kors

This entire outfit (minus the shoes, which I had) was $55.

We’re starting a new series of posts here at Princess Lasertron–each month we are hosting a different party with a new fun theme that you can recreate yourself! Each month we will share shopping lists, printables like invitations and decorations, diy projects, and lots of fun photos.

____________________________________________

Popcorn Bar and Double Feature!

In a nutshell

To buy
Two movies downloaded from Netflix or Amazon (we chose funny movies that we didn’t mind if people talked over)
Two or three varieties of popcorn (we had plain and homemade kettle corn, popped on the stovetop)
5 squirt bottles for toppings
Lined paper bags for guests to fill up and take home
2 glass bottles of soda or beer for each guest
A pretty twirly straw for each guest
2 bags chocolate chips
1 jar of Nutella
1 batch of soft chocolate chip cookies (we grabbed a box of our favorite vegan cookies from the bakery at Whole Foods)
1 bag of tiny twist pretzels
1 can or bag of your favorite nuts
A few bags of your favorite movie theater candy
A few pantry items to make toppings: Peanut butter, powdered sugar & milk, butter, sprinkles
Ingredients for homemade sangria and juice cocktail

To prepare
Crumbled chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate-covered pretzels (melt chocolate chips in a Pyrex measuring cup for one minute in the microwave, stir, and dip pretzels!)
Melt butter
Heat Nutella & peanut butter (to spreadable consistencies)
Make icing by mixing a few splashes of milk with powdered sugar
Make sangria and juice cocktail recipes

To create
Cover bottles with invitation labels
Fill empty bottles with sangria and cover with “party juice” labels!
Print labels and fill each squirt bottle with a squirtable topping: Melted Nutella, hot peanut butter, melted chocolate chips, melted butter, and icing

____________________________________________

This month we created a fun and casual party for 10 close friends with fun drinks, silly movies, and a popcorn bar for under $75! We started by designing an invitation that could be dropped off on the doorsteps and desks of our guests.

Each invitation was a handmade label wrapped around a bottle of fun flavored soda that read “You’re Invited!” with room underneath to hand-write the details. You can print them on sticker paper and cut them out, or attach them with tape or clear contact paper.

You could put this label around a bottle of beer, or increase the size and fit it around a bottle of wine. You could even save empty bottles, fill them with stems of carnations, and deliver the invitations as little bouquets of flowers!

Another fun thing we did with printable labels was using them to create a custom bottled drink–party juice!

You need a glass bottle with a screw-top lid (Jones Soda bottles, for example) for each guest. Fill each empty bottle with water and put them, 3 or 4 at a time, in a deep pot of boiling water for five minutes, or until the water inside the bottles begins to boil. This cleans the bottles and makes the labels easy to slide off. Pull them out with a hot pad, use a knife to slip the label off, and let them dry completely.

Next, affix a label to each bottle with tape, clear contact paper, or just print the labels on sticker paper! You can print each label off in color or black and white.

I like a stiff fancy drink but it’s important to have non-alcoholic options too at every party, so we bottled homemade sangria in the bottles with black lids, and a non-alcoholic juice cocktail in the bottles with white lids. Just slap the label on, fill ‘em up, and screw the lid back on tight! We put these together just  before guests arrived so they would be fresh and cold.

Click on the thumbnails below to download the printable invitations and labels!

Next month we are hosting a swinging cocktail party with some over-the-top decorations. I am so excited to have kicked off this series and I can’t wait for the next party!

xo
meg

Congrats to Amy, who won our little Halloween giveaway!

I love this giveaway–the little pink wayfarers, the gothy lolita hairbow, and all of the unique vintage notions and goodies. If you didn’t win, there will always be next time–love you all!

xo
meg