Random – Page 3 – Holly Whittlef

March 25, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

BACK AT IT

I've been home from the Netherlands for less than two days, but it feels like oh so forever ago that I was traveling through the land of canals, frites, waffles, tulips and all the marijuana you could ever want ( Instagram proof here ). The trip was amazing of course, but like any time spent away from home, there's always an endless list of things to catch up on upon returning.

So, I've been busting a serious move since touching back down in Chicago to attack this booked-up week. But this morning—after getting up wayyyy too early to finish off some logo drafts—I opened up some old scans of doodles and made this pattern. Ya know, for fun.

I'm learning that even in the midst of crazy schedules, taking just 20 minutes of "me" time to do whatever I want can give me a much-needed mini boost. I feel less anxious and much happier. And since I almost always choose me-time hand-lettering ( or some other form of doodling or drawing ), it also gives me time to practice, sketch out ideas and sharpen my skills.

Until I get some time to play with all my Netherlands photos, enjoy the strawberry pattern. It's got me thinking of spring, and all the delicious homemade coconut oil shortcakes in my future.

Happy hump day, my friends.

Published by Holly Whittlef in Design, Random

March 8, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

SPRING AHEAD

SUNSHINE. Bike rides around the lake. Asparagus. Strawberries. Coconut oil shortcakes! Trips to the farmers' markets. Cooking from my new Amy Chaplin cookbook. Bare ankles. My new Birks. Not having to wear eight layers of clothing to stay warm. Outdoor workouts. Rationalizing monthly pedicures ( loving the nude matte ). Thunderstorms. Spring cleaning. A trip to the Netherlands. Meeting my new nephew. Restoring good self-care habits after a too-long winter. Watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt ( so charming ). Flowers. More flowers. All the flowers.

Just 12 more days, halle-effin-lujah.

P.S. Take a peek at my friend Ashley's new site with the logo + graphics I designed for her. She's an incredible cook, photographer + all-around human being.

[ type created by me for Almond Breeze ]

Published by Holly Whittlef in Random, typography

February 10, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

MISC.

This is the in-between stuff no one talks about.

The spaces in time that are filled not with self-love or triumph, but with thinking, revising, processing, striving, ( self ) doubting, forging on. I'm in the middle of a large handful of projects right now—all of which are neither at their beginning nor quite finished. And so it is... I'm in the thick of it. That uncomfortable place of knowing your work could be great or it could totally flop. It's the doubt-inducing creative process stuff that can drive a person nuts if not managed with hefty doses of yoga, a good latte with friends and Sunday morning hikes in the woods.

In the meantime, I'm dropping by to share a few good finds from the past few weeks ( plus an oldie or two ) that, perhaps, you also may find worthwhile. Enjoy, my friends.

Kale, Blood Orange and Feta Salad. A colorful beauty I made for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board that easily falls into the I-could-eat-this-every-day category.

Speaking of salad, dessert. These Chocolate Chunk Nut Butter Blondies to be exact.

My absolute favorite pin of the week.

This video on repeat.

I bought audio versions of this book and this book this week. Clearly, I'm in self-help mode.

Virunga. Must watch, then donate. Be prepared for all the feels.

A few of my recent Instagram follows : @themidwestival, @tinasmithdesign, @lane.harbin + @veggienumnum.

And I booked a ticket to the Netherlands next month ( !!! ). I've been devouring my Lonely Planet, but if you have recommendations for Amsterdam, Maastricht, Brussels + Liége, hit this girl up.

But finally, THIS.

Published by Holly Whittlef in Random