There’s a newly launched magazine that has completely hit a soft spot for me. Seeing the Everyday.
First of all, it’s gorgeous. (And you know I have kind of an obnoxious why-bother? attitude about anything poorly designed.) The photography is excellent. The layouts are well thought out. The paper has a lovely feel. It’s a pleasure to hold and read.
Second, the concept is unlike anything I’ve seen out there on the magazine racks. And it is needed. And at the end of the day, really important. Seeing the Everyday aims to cover the “in-between” moments of parenthood. The non-events that actually make up the bulk of the act of parenting. To shed light on how important these small moments are.
I found the stories and articles authentic and compelling — and loved them for being affirming and positive without being patronizing. I was wiping the tears right and left as I read cover to cover (I’m not kidding when I say it hit a soft spot with me). If it celebrates parenthood and families I can typically be counted as a fan. I’m fully aware that parenting is the most important and meaningful thing most of us will do in our lifetime. It is always good for me to be reminded that the birthday parties and big events aren’t any more important than the down days — and probably much less important.
Lastly, Seeing the Everyday is ad free. As in sans ads. As in there aren’t any advertisements. No really. (And of course, this is partly why it’s so gorgeous.) Consider how lovely that is. Every page is content. Every page is beautiful. How to get one? Via internet of course. Sign up for your subscription here. If you check it out, I’d love to hear what you think.
Oh Goody! Five winners today. Five winners that get to make super cool Blurb books. Delightful! Thank you so much to everyone for participating. And congratulations to the lucky winners:
1) Annie who said, “This is the blurbiest!”
2) Tawnya who said, “Oh, I can’t even say how badly I want this.”
3) wishful thinking who said, “oooh, please pick me! I have been wanting to make a cookbook of my favorite recipes!”
4) Emily and Nikolas who said, “Perfect timing, I’m dying to make a book all about our little boy’s 1st year of life- he’ll be one next month!”
5) Allysha who said, “please, me!!”
Hooray for the winners! Please email me from the link on my blog so I know that you know you won and I’ll get you your Blurb code right away.
Thank you to Blurb!
This is really going to be a fantastic week. Laurie and Laura are coming to New York and we have a jam-packed schedule full of business meetings and lunches and get togethers and drop bys for sk*rt. On Thursday or Friday we’re even hoping to make it to at least a little bit of the BlogHer Business conference. But the coolest part of the week will definitely be Wednesday night.
We want to make sure we get to see friends and internet buddies while we’re all together, so we’re hosting a fabulous meetup. Here’s the 411:
The Sk*rt Paramount Meetup
NYC Wed. April 2, 8 p.m.
Paramount Bar
235 W 46th St (@ 8th Avenue)
par·a·mount [par-uh-mount] –adjective: Of highest importance, chief in importance or significance.
If you’re sk*rty or (Design Mom-y) and you happen to be in NYC, we are going to have a get together on Wednesday, April 2 at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Bar at 235 W 46th St (@ 8th Avenue).
And we totally want you to be there. It’s paramount. Plus, just in case you need more convincing, check this out:
Blurb, the super-cool custom bookmaking company — the very same one that just hosted a Giveaway right here on Design Mom — will treat all sk*rty paramount meetupers to a free book! Whoohoo! That’s right. Everyone that attends will get a code to make a free Blurb book. Everyone.
Make a cookbook. Make a wedding album. Make a book for Mother’s Day. Make whatever book you like. Or try the famous and exclusive Blurb Slurp: Your blog. Automatically slurped into a real book. So freaking cool. Now, it’s even more paramount that we get together.
Seriously. Can’t wait to see you. And give you a Blurb certificate. Let me know if you can make it!
I’m thinking I should probably own these letter and number baking trays. From their website: “Oven-safe to 572ºF and (-58ºF). Cool to the touch within minutes after baking. Make ice, Jello, butter, chocolate, cookies, muffins, etc… Food cooks and browns evenly. Trays won’t retain odors or flavors, and are dishwasher safe. For storing, they fold or bend to fit anywhere.”
See. I’m sold. I’m thinking it would be fun to make letter treats for preschool. Or for some sort of alphabet party. Or just for fun.
So I’ve been blogging for a year and half or so. And I still love it. Loooovvve it. For lots of reasons. One of which is the unexpected and unpredictable opportunities that come up through all these interweb connections. Things like realizing companies want to give free stuff to my readers, making crafts at Martha’s studio, and the chance to start a cool website. But one my the most unexpected experiences so far happened last Wednesday night.
Guy Kawasaki was in New York. He had recently become aware of sk*rt and decided he was a fan. He happened to meet Laura (my sk*rt partner) after a panel at SXSW, and then met Laurie (my other sk*rt partner) in Charlotte at a conference. So of course he figured he better complete the meeting of the sk*rt trio by catching up with me in New York.
I’m sure some of you out there don’t know much about Guy — but your husbands and boyfriends will — especially if they’re even slightly techie. Guy Kawasaki is one of the most well respected men in the business and technology world. He is best known as the Apple Evangelist, the man who helped the world realize how much we all love Apple products. He’s an entrepreneur — a starter of excellent websites like Truemors and Alltop. A connector of people. Author of nine books. Super smart — wise even. Super nice. If you want him to speak to your company about innovation or motivation — and he is consistently in high demand — you’ll need to pay from $45,000 to $55,000. He’s that cool.
So Wednesday night I hung out with him in his hotel lobby (whoever was hosting him had put him up at the super-chic-impossible-to-pronounce-hotel in the meatpacking district). We talked for an hour and a half. Just me and Guy. Having very frank conversation about building websites, selling advertising, answering email, politics, venture capitalist funding, giving interviews, site traffic, ad networks, failing, how much money can be made at different types of ventures, and how Guy likes to play hockey (every single day). No agenda. Nothing to accomplish. Just hanging out.
He had been up and traveling at 4:00 am that morning, and I kept him up way past his bedtime. But how could I pass up the opportunity to hang out with such an interesting person for as long as possible?
Best thing about Guy Kawasaki: he’s an incredibly nice person. And I wish him only the best of luck in all of his ventures. And especially in the hockey rink.
Good morning! You may have noticed my missing posts on Friday. I’ll explain. We had dear, dear friends come visit for the night on their way to Jamaica, and I spent the morning straightening up. While doing so, I realized I had better spend the entire day straightening up because the house was in such a state of disgust-o. But I missed you terribly.
So today I have big plans to post lots and lots of cool things so that I can get back into your good graces — plus I’ll announce 5 winners for the Blurb Giveaway. Yay!
Let me start by sharing this fantastic site where you can find simple, contemporary patterns for children’s clothing. It’s called Oliver + S and the patterns are designed by the talented Liesl Gibson. Although modeled by adorable paper dolls, these patterns are indeed very real and, I’ve been assured, will allow even not-very-good-sewers (that would be me) to whip up something darling for the kiddies.
Extra fun: while you’re busy at the sewing machine, your little ones can keep themselves busy with the actual paper dolls included with every order.
By the way, we loved having Wes and Em come to visit. We could talk with them forever.
My oh my. It is so time for a Giveaway! Remember those Blurb books I posted about last month? From the company that offers the option of “slurping” a blog? The ones that everyone seems to love so much? Well how about if five of you get to make your own Blurb book for free dollars and fifty free cents? Nice, right?
Blurb books are easy to make. High-quality. And have a fast turnaround. Basically, you upload the pretty pictures and the pretty words and you’ll receive a polished book that looks like it came from your favorite publisher. Square, portrait and landscape options. Up to 440 pages. Softcover or hardcover. Starting at $12.95. You have total creative control.
What kind of book will you make? Baby’s first year. An album of 2007. A collection of Grandma’s favorite recipes. A record of your blog. Something for your Mom (Mother’s Day is coming quickly.) The sky’s the limit — and you can find inspiration and book ideas here. Think the book you made is especially amazing? You can even promote and sell copies of it on the Blurb website.
Oh. I love this Giveaway. I’m imagining five of you receiving your finished book in the mail and grinning with delight, then showing it to your family, and getting a big pat on the back for having made something so lovely. I think I’ll spend the afternoon daydreaming about the books I could make — feel free to join me.
[ Edit: I should mention the details. The five winners will receive a code allowing them $29.95 credit for a free book, or toward a book valued at more than $29.95. Happy commenting!]
Thanks, Blurb!
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Random Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until midnight PST on Sunday, March 30th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-The winner will be randomly picked and announced Monday morning.
-What are Random Giveaways? Read about them here.
A friend of mine was looking for a pouch-style sling (read: no rings or snaps) featuring some color or pattern. I sent her to Chic Papoose. They’re reversible, so you get two fabric options in one sling. They’re compact, so they roll up small to fit in your handbag. And they’re easy care — machine wash and dry.
Pretty hair adornments at Glamorous Girl’s Etsy shop. Betty’s bangs are in her face and I am constantly acquiring barrettes and hair pins as I attempt to let them grow. There are so many cute options — I can’t help but find things for me as well : ). Too fun.
