Today was our big huge annual Barcamp Omaha event–so if you follow me on twitter, you may be relieved that you can finally stop hearing about that. I did a talk about using branding principles from the business world to make everybody’s everyday lives more pretty and satisfying called Make it Pretty, and I’ll post that here on Monday. Until then, here are some other great moments from this week. Kinda baby-heavy.

1. All of the drinks and snacks for Barcamp Omaha loaded up in my mom’s van (and Eric coming over to help unload) 2. A roly-poly Eric found on the ground (what do you call these? Fuzzy wuzzies?) 3. Getting harder to take Alice’s daily photo. 4. Popcorn concoction.

5. The first time to Costco for both of us–I got this padded shopping cart cover as a gift, I’ll have to figure out who made it. I LOVE it! 6. Unloading the Barcamp treats through the back window at CAMP. 7. Toys, and a crocheted bunny made by Aunt Natasha (who is blind–can you believe it?). 8. Lunch downtown with the ladies–Alice and author and entrepreneur Jenny Doh

Other little moments that made me smile today

reversible rugs ♥ bunny-print knit ♥ “the challenge of being creative is taking elements that have always existed and making something new.” -Steve Gordon Jr. ♥ Foodie Babies Wear Bibs (thanks Derek!!) ♥ “I admire you a lot more now that I see how much work and attention you really put in and what your honest motivations are” ♥ The boundless talent of my assistant Shannon who wrote a play script today ♥ Sack lunches like my mom always made ♥ “It’s a small world, but I wouldn’t want to paint it.” -Steven Wright ♥ “There’s no reason for not keeping your shit tight!” ♥ patterned tights ♥ vintage earrings ♥ bread pudding ♥ a brisk night ♥ driving in the country with the dash lights dimmed ♥ getting a vintage train case full of dozens of pairs of vintage gloves from My Parents the Actors ♥ finding a scarf I wore often in Europe ♥ Alice appropriating said scarf as a blankie ♥ drinking more water ♥ learning to tie the perfect bow ♥ a pretty laundry basket ♥ tea lights lined up under the window ♥ re-reading wedding vows to myself ♥ having a family that is happy to see my christmas wish list ♥ learning how to count on a real abacus ♥ the fashion show on bravo…one quotable line after another ♥ my friend bringing me my favorite drink while I’m working ♥ sincere handshakes ♥ pushing two round tables together ♥ strangers telling me my child is well-behaved ♥ cleaning off the chalkboard to make room for new ideas ♥ coffee and hot chocolate bar ♥ christmas lights starting to go up ♥ getting driven to get pizza and a gigantic warm cookie late at night ♥ getting the blankets back out ♥ listening to real people who were brave enough to stand up in front of us all and talk about their passions today ♥

Click to Comment

photos by Kristin DeKay

Last week I went to a fun party hosted by Birdhouse Collectible called Design & Wine where interior designer extraordinaire Jessica McKay shared her best tips and tricks about mixing color, pattern, and texture in your home. We laughed, had wine and homemade bread (thanks to Mr. Birdhouse!) and everyone left feeling super motivated to go home and make something beautiful!

So here’s what I did.

___________________________________________________

…before

yes, it needed improvement

___________________________________________________

…and after!

We finished painting that damn wall.

I added a big mirror to our couch table in yellow, because that’s the color I really wanted to bring out in the space.

I hung two of my favorite posters on either side of the window for symmetry.

I pushed the chairs farther against the wall and moved our coffee tables so Alice would have room to move.

I stole a vintage industrial stool from CAMP and stuck it in the corner for extra seating, and to display some of my favorite home decor books and bring out the red accent color that we’ve got goin on. (I even picked a tissue box in my favorite color!)

I cleaned up our coat rack, hung a little flag banner (which you can see in the mirror), and aranged some photos.

I added a metallic bowl to the couch table to catch all of our clutter–remotes, Alice’s baby lotion, matches.

I used pillows in three different fabrics and textures that all have yellow and gray tones in them.

I moved the big rug to a different room…I’m looking for something in canvas with yellow and white in it now.

___________________________________________________

Finally, here’s a little look at what I wore to Design & Wine.

Sweater: Robin
Skirt: Forever 21
Belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Tiny Hands International
Tights: DKNY
Shoes: Michael Kors
Coat: Forever 21

If you want to come to the next Design & Wine event at Birdhouse Collectible, watch their blog and follow them on Twitter to catch the next date!

Click to Comment

At Princess Lasertron we have had a ton of exciting growth this year! I hired my first full-time assistant, we’ve had a handful of magazine features that I’m very proud of, and the launch of CAMP coworking and the dress line are just dreams come true. We are ramping up to open the new year with tons of bridal orders and I also have a few other new projects under my hat, and I anticipate needing some extra part-time help.

I’m looking for a part-time intern this winter who wants to lend us a hand and learn something about business and marketing in the process.

Main responsibilities include:
…helping to assemble kits
…some light stitching on bouquet orders
…helping us put together and implement some new projects
…packaging orders for shipment
…helping to design and package promotional materials

Sometimes you might have to:
…help as needed with the organization/management of CAMP Coworking
…send press releases, samples, and copy to media outlets (blogs, magazines, etc)
…make my six-month-old baby laugh

Ideal candidates should:
…be self-motivated
…have flexible hours
…love design and branding
…posses organizational skills
…have reliable transportation
…live in the Omaha area
…vibe well

What I can offer you:
…an amazingly creative and collaborative work atmosphere
…any information you could want to know about blogging and marketing
…invitations to fun parties and events
…lunch and dinner treats
…access to all of my secret sources

I think this would be a great fit for a college student who is interested in small business but also has a creative side–it’d be a great way for you to spend your winter break! I’m also happy to write letters of recommendation and stuff like that in the future. To apply, please e-mail me at meg@princesslasertron.com and tell me about yourself and your qualifications. I’ll do my best to respond in the next week.

Click to Comment

A little trivia for when we are on the newlywed game together–nearly every night since I was around eight years old, I have listened to Coast to Coast AM on the radio (although there were a few years in host George Noory’s early years when I missed most of the broadcasts because I wasn’t going to sleep until after the show was over). Now that I have an iPod I download the podcasts and listen to them every night. Except for when I forget my iPod at work. Like last night.

When I can’t listen to Coast at night, it used to take me hours and hours of tossing and turning to finally fall asleep. But earlier this year when Mr. Lasertron and I took Bradley Method childbirth classes, I learned how to fully relax my body and go to my “happy place.” Now that’s what I do when the lull of late-night paranormal radio shows can’t whisk me away to a quick slumber. I visualize my happy place.

_________________________________________________

I go to Kurfurstendamm at Bleibtreustrasse.

I wait for the bus.

I wander around and do a little shopping around Charlottenburg and Mitte, and duck into a dark, cozy little cafe for some light dinner.

And I pull on my gloves, wrap my woolen coat over my favorite dress and sweater, and ride back to the penthouse in my hotel where the doorman greets me and sends up a tray with a coke and a cupcake–my favorite.

_________________________________________________

I can’t wait until I can go back. When I fall asleep I replay moments from weeks spent in Berlin in the past and imagine taking little Alice there, holding her hand as we race to the bus stop, watching her push ahead of me on her tiny wooden bike as we stroll around the park, sharing a flaky croissant on a street bench. I love traveling to Berlin in winter, when the sky is gray and the cold air makes my cheeks rosy. When I can feel a burst of warm air as I walk under the heaters in outdoor cafes. When a gust of wind makes my eyes water, turning all of the bright lights of the city into tiny dancing orbs of light. Was gibt es wunderschöneres?

My travel fantasies are never complete without musing about a packing list. When I pack, I like to base my wardrobe around day dresses–pieces that can hang in the closet and de-wrinkle–and use tights, sweaters, and jackets as accessories to dress them up and down and serve as mix-and-match and layering options. Three pairs of shoes, two bags, and I’m good to go! I’m folding these typisch deutsch pieces from ModCloth into my pink polka dot suitcase as I type…if only in my mind.

1. Winters in Berlin can be a bit drizzly. A cute umbrella like this Rain or Shiny umbrella is essential for pedestrians; 2. The beige tone in these Make the Gradient sunglasses has always reminded me of the flat, singular interior design of East German apartments; 3. Love the shape of this Highest Bidder coat; 4. This Alpine Skiing sweater could be worn over tights, pants, or alone; 5. The smart-looking Rad Retro handbag has plenty of room for everything I need for a day of shopping without weighing down my shoulder or taking up too much room on the bus; 6. The Playground Reminiscence dress could be worn alone or layered under a sweater or patterned skirt; 7. Though I don’t normally wear watches, they are indispensible when traveling. Delicate Moment watch; 8. This bold Taking Sides sweater is perfect for layering over a dress; 9. This Lucky You coat connotes perfect vintage middle-European style.

10. These Crossing the Missouri boots are in my favorite color, and I love the flash of gold in the hardware; 11. This In Good Time watch is the perfect bold color to pop a neutral outfit; 12. I would wear this Un-twill We Meet Again dress to a museum or the Staatsoper alone, or layer it with a jacket and chunky knit tights for a cafe meeting; 13. This Dijon Delivery satchel is in classic German schoolbag style; 14. A bold strapless piece like this Some Like it Spot dress is ideal for layering; 15. Put on a Bow tights represent my favorite repeating motif; 16. These warm quilted KIT gloves are stylish and practical; 17. I always wear flat boots when I travel. The Earnshaw Boot; 18. Perfect for layering over a dress is the Cricket Match skirt; 19. The wooden wedge, the color, the silhouette–all represent classic 1970s East German fashion in these Good Morning Sunshine wedges; 20. Finally, I never travel without plenty of polka dots, like in these Jukebox tights.

Soon we will go back there. We’ll be perfectly dressed. And I’m sure I will sleep very soundly.
xo
meg

Click to Comment

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.

[...]

Click to Comment