Ringing in XXMI

Happy New Year everyone! As we bid a fond farewell to 2010, we ring in 2011 with ideas, dreams and goals for what life holds for us this next year. For UNIQLOVE, that means BIG changes ahead! I won't give it away quite yet, but I will tell you that it's something I've wanted to do for years and it's about consolidating, focusing, flipping upside down and presenting myself to the online world with a whole new light. This will take some time, but I promise you that it will be (in my best Oprah impersonation) "faaaaabuuulllouuus!" :)

My most sincere wishes for you for this upcoming year. I hope you take this fresh year to jump at opportunity, leap at possibilities and reach for the dreams you may be too scared to achieve. Get out there and live your happy life everyone! Happy MMXI!

- Amy :)

Vintage Christmas Advertising Fun

Merry Christmas everyone! Just for giggles, I thought I'd share some images with you that I really get a kick out of. They tie right into my love of both design and Christmas. Check out these vintage holiday advertisements!

Because every man knows that a woman would like nothing else than laying on the ground Christmas morning, gently caressing her vacuum.

Coca-Cola and Christmas go hand in hand. How crazy cool is this vintage packaging?

Just what every pre-teen boy wants for Christmas, pajamas to match his entire family. Someone's been drinking too much of that eggnog.

So wrong . . . in so many ways.

Happy heart-clogging holidays!

Because nothings says Merry Christmas more than a family riffle collection.

Love that this looks like a Norman Rockwell painting!

Ewww . . . Karo Syrup frosting . . . 

Merriest Christmas and Happiest Holidays everyone! See you in 2011! :) Amy

How's THIS for a perfect gift for him?

Not sure what to give him for the holidays? Jen Wheeler of Serendipity Photography just announced this wonderful Boudoir special event. Heck, a day of pampering and pics of you looking at your hotness, I'd say that's a pretty awesome gift to yourself! Jen is amazing, you MUST check it out!

http://www.jenniferwheelerphotography.com/blog/boudoir-a-thon-2011/

What a fantastic proposal

Love this proposal story, kudos for originality! :)

Details of Ali and Arron's Gorgeous Wedding!

Check out some detail shots from a recent UNIQLOVE couple, Ali and Arron! These two were simply amazing to work with. Not only did I create their custom invitations, but I also did their fan programs, bathroom basket signs, in memorial signs, donation signs, thank you cards and buffet table signs. Take a peek at a few pics of these custom details of their wedding, photographed by I Do Photography. :)

Fan Programs

Table Setting With Donation Sign

Fan Program With Some Bling

Close Up Of Bathroom Basket Sign

Photography courtesy of I Do Photography. idophotographymn.com

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.

As like you, I have many pet peeves. One on the top of my list is when someone ignores the simple gesture to thank someone for an act of kindness. Whether it's a simple "thanks" for holding a door open for someone, or a formal "thank you" for giving a gift, it's just our duty to respond with gratitude.

In regards to gift giving, proper etiquette states that thank you cards should be sent off within 1-2 weeks after receiving a gift (in general or prior to a wedding), and 2-4 weeks after a wedding (or from returning from a honeymoon if it immediately follows the wedding). And although writing personal thanks to many people can be such a task, "no duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks". So remember, don't ever let your gratitude go unnoticed, send those thank you's!

I can't for the life of me find who designed this awesome thank you card. But whoever did rocks. ;)

In honor of the MN State Fair

Former UNIQLOVE client of mine, the fabulous Katie D., posted an album on facebook today that I just had to share (with her permission of course). She took a pic of everything her group ate during their day at the great MN get-together, and I must say that I'm impressed! Kinda puts my "footlong hotdog and cheese curd yearly routine" to shame. Check out the pics below of all the yummy goodness, and try not to drool on your keyboard while doing so. :)

Puff Daddy on a Stick

Homemade Tater Tots

Water

Deep Fried Cheeseburger

Pina Colada (sans alcohol)

Vegie Fries

Jerky

Iced Americano

Deep Fried Pickles

Hot Dog & Pepsi

Deep Fried Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Beer

Mini Donuts

More Water

Nutella & Banana Crepe

Big Fat Bacon

Red Bull Popsicle

Peaches & Cream

Ice Cream Sandwich - FREE!

Chocolate Milkshake

Pronto Pup

Papa Pronto Pup

Birch Beer

Chocolate Chip Cookies

More Water

Inspiration - Walt Disney

What inspires me? One answer would be Walt Disney. My entire life I've been in awe of him. Not just the Disney brand, the theme parks, the movies or the merchandise, but the man himself who took a modest little mouse and created a world of innovative creativity. I can't even remember how many research papers I wrote about him in high school, or how many times I secretly dreamed of being an Imagineer (and not the employees nowadays, the old-time Disney employees that were pivotal in creating the new and state-of-the-art elements in the Disney Parks). It's almost like a part of me has a kindred spirit for the guy and his message. Maybe that's why I teared up the first time I went to Disneyland as an adult and read the sign "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy". (Fun fact, my husband proposed to me that day. He pointed the sign out to me because he knew our lives were about to change forever.) The magic Walt Disney created has played such a joyful role in our lives, and I'd we willing to bet your life as well. :)

What inspires you?

Au Naturel

Fun fact about UNIQLOVE and just how picky I am about quality. When I have a production day, meaning a day when I am actually printing and producing the final products, I go au naturel! No makeup, no nail polish allowed! Nothing ruins a final piece more than a foundation smudge or nail polish scratch. So no "pretty" for me when I'm working, I'll gladly no fugly for the day in the name of my wonderful UNIQLOVE clients. :)

New Testimonials!

Hi y'all! Just wanted to pop in and share that I've posted a couple of new testimonials on the UNIQLOVE Facebook page. Also look for several invite pics to be added on there soon. Be sure to fan, friend or follow!

Words of Wisdom - Printers

Want some valuable advice that I tell all my clients? DO NOT use a laser printer to print anything which will go through the postal service! Laser printer ink does not absorb into the paper, and instead lays flat on the surface of the stock. In more cases than not, the ink will smear and rub off of anything it is contact with. So instead, use an ink jet printer. You'll be happy you did. ;)

Hot new color trend - Teal

Check out these beautiful inspiration boards created around the hottest color trend I've seen for a long time, teal! I'm telling you, this color is lighting up and is being seen everywhere. Accented with silver for a more formall/cool look, or a tangerine color for a trendier/more energetic feel. This color is really the "it" color of the season. Enjoy!

 As seen on www.banquetevent.com.

 As seen on www.theswishlist.com. Images and Inspiration from Amy Atlas Events,  Project Wedding, Etsy, 

Nikki B’s Paper Boutique, Nordstrom, Me and Matilda, OneWed and MumMadness.