Resolution Charts

I have been reading The Happiness Project, which is a very interesting blog, on working towards happiness. Through Gretchen's blog, I learned that Benjamin Franklin was a creature of habit. He had a list of thirteen moral virtues that he wanted to perfect. He created a scoring chart and tracked his progress everyday (a star system if you will), where he noted his successes and failures. I really like the idea of these resolution charts. I am not looking for moral perfection like Ben was, but I think this is an interesting way to create new habits. It's just as hard to create a new habit, as it is to brake an old one. You need a daily commitment, and I think a resolution chart would really help.

Waterfalls in Brooklyn

This is the newest addition to our Brooklyn landscape. 90 to 120 foot waterfalls, built from scaffolding and powered by green energy. They are highlighting the revitalization of the city's waterfronts. And in Brooklyn, this means the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which will be an 85-acre park stretching 1.3 miles along the East River. This is the most significant park development in 135 years. I'm glad we're here to see it happen.

Creature of Habit

I am a creature of habit. I try to do the right thing, and I try to do it often. Eat healthfully, floss, exercise, work on a schedule (being that I work from home). These things aren't that exciting, but they are the foundation. I have a system that I set up years ago to track my exercise habit. I give myself a shiny gold (or silver or blue) star every time I work out. Being a visual person, I get a thrill from flipping through a calendar filled with stars. It's a visual reminder of what I've accomplished. Also, it secretly feeds my need for praise. I think that is the key, knowing what you are motivated by, giving it to yourself, and tracking your accomplishments. Before you know it, you are a creature of habit.

Rituals

I've been thinking about rituals since my last post. Thinking about how we mark the special moments in our lives. And I've been thinking that in a very small way, this is what we do here at Little Star Soup. Whether it be an illustration of a beautiful bride on a gift bag that makes its way to a bridal shower, birthday plates used to celebrate the latest milestone in your family, or joyful snowmen greeting cards sent out to family and friends. In this small way, we have a ritual of celebrating life's special moments, and that makes me smile.

Pomp and Circumstance

I have been to two special Graduations this spring, and I have yet to hear a proper version of Pomp and Circumstance. I mean the one with the full orchestra. The one that inexplicably makes you weep. My youngest sister graduated college. It seems like yesterday, that I was 12 and she was born. And now she is a college graduate, going through the paces of getting that first job. I wont elaborate (again) on how nervous I was going through that, because she'll read this. I know that she will find a place that needs her, and that she'll want to be. And then it's just a matter of setting your sail in the right direction, and finding your own north star. My dear friend Miss A graduated from nursing school this weekend. She has to take a math class this summer, but she is only steps away from being a registered nurse. A journey she started 5 years ago. A simple decision that her current situation was no longer working set her on a new course. She has definitely found her north star. Both of these graduations moved me, one for its potential, and the second for its perseverance. I really like the rituals of life, celebrating the passages. They say that this person is important to me, this moment is important to me, and a full orchestra never hurts.

The Perfect View

We almost didn't make it to the beach on Saturday. The sky was threatening, and we also knew we should've been having our stoop sale (no yard sales in Brooklyn). But we couldn't resist, and the day turned out gorgeous. We had the perfect view sitting under our umbrella. The drive home was another story though. At times we couldn't even see the road the rain was coming down so hard. It was a perfect summer storm, and still an interesting view.

Young Me - Now Me

I found this on one of my web surfing trips today. I think it is such a cool idea. I'll be digging through the photo albums so I can participate. If you want to join in, click here for more information. To see more examples, check them out here.

Beach Run

The first time I ever ran on a beach was last year. I'm not sure why I waited so long. I've been a gym rat for 11 years now, and have been going to the beach regularly for just as long. I just never put the two together, until last year. My sister was visiting, and we were at the beach. She said she was going for a run, and I said I would join her, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I could run for 45 minutes at that point, so I figured I would be OK.

Running on sand is not the same as running on a treadmill, at all. For one you have the scenery. A horizon stretching out as far as your legs will take you. The sound is not bad techno music like at the gym, but the cresting waves and their hiss as they kiss the shore. The crunch of the sand under foot, and the occasional squawk of a seagull above. And when you reach your destination. When you've run as far as you can. The big blue is just waiting for you to jump in and cool off.

I don't know why I waited so long. Thank you Diana.

Weekend Reading

Hopefully I'll be reading this on the beach tomorrow. It's going to be 90 degrees. I'm convinced concrete holds heat more than any other material, so it's going to feel even hotter. Bring on the ocean breeze.

Personalized

Everyone loves monograming and personalization. It turns a basic product into one-of-a-kind. Now you can personalize your parties. Birthday in a Box offers personalized products for Birthdays and Baby Showers. The Mom-to-be's name on a banner or thank you cards adds that extra special touch to make your party one-of-a-kind.

Stroller Fun

Sometimes when we create a design, we wonder how it'll be received. You should definitely design for yourself, but what you like may undoubtedly not be what an Art Director likes, much less the marketing group, or focus group. And in the end, in this business, the big question is "Will the customer like it?" Sometimes, I think, it's a guessing game, and you just have to go with your gut. I really wondered how this design would be received. I crossed my fingers as it went through the process from 1" sketch to real live product, and happily, it has been well received.

Christmas in June

These are our latest stickers with Mrs. Grossman's. They made their debut at the National Stationary show in NYC last month. From what I heard, they got a great response, and will be making their way to a shelf near you come Christmas.

Mailings...

I have been spending a lot of time at the post office since the Surtex show. Most clients tag which images they are reacting to, and then after the show, the mailings begin. I would usually dread a trip to the post office because of the long lines. After awhile I got smart and brought a book with me, and could usually finish a chapter before it was my turn. But about 6 months ago, they installed the automated machines, and it has been great. Usually there is no one in line, and I can zip in and out. This process should be over in a couple of days, and I will be back with new work.