Last weekend, I had some lady/illustration friends over to celebrate Valentine's Day with some baking. I prepped 10 dozen worth of sugar cookie dough as well as cream cheese frosting, my favorite.
It was nice to take an afternoon on the weekend to bake, talk with friends, and decorate cookies. Super chill.
Happy Valentine's Day!
My fiance and I got hitched this June. Hooray!With limited time and energy between a job and freelance work, I focused on projects that I knew I could handle. I needed to avoid a total bridal meltdown! Some of those projects were our invite, our wedding favors (which also served as our table assignments), as well as signage for the event.
For our invitation, I illustrated the front, the inside map, as well as the assets used throughout the invite. My fiance worked on the inside typography and layout. We decided on a limited color palette of black and yellow to ensure a minimal use of ink. We printed the invitation suite on our own and wanted to avoid buying tons of ink cartridges. Plus the color palette kinda screamed "NYC" to me. Taxis, stoplights, black and white cookies, oh my!
Oh, here's a fun gif of our invite. :)
With the signage, I used the same illustration from the invite and added directional information for the venue.
For the table assignments, it was important to me that they were both functional for the event, but also useful after the wedding. So, I decided on illustrating notepads that would have the table assignments written on them, but could also be used afterwards for list making or note taking. I had a lot of fun illustrating this whimsical NYC scene.
To complete this favor, I bought some adorable pencils from Knot & Bow that were engraved with adorable food pairings. Mac & Cheese, Meat & Potatoes, Pancakes & Syrup!
New York City is bracing for mega blizzard 2015 to strike tonight, so I finally had a minute to play catchup with my blog. Please stay safe wherever you may be. And thank you for reading about our wedding details.
I hope to share some photos from the wedding in the next few weeks. Take care!
When I graduated Parsons in 2008, I had around $51,000* of student loan debt. $51,000*! I was anxious and I was panicked. With my BFA in Illustration, I planned to stay in the city and move in with my sister. Moving back home was not an option. Asking my parents to help me out was also not an option.
*it was actually around $55-56k when including interest.
So I hustled.
The 9 months after graduation was a mix of ego-crushing retail work, interning, learning some new skills at a secondary school, illustrating at night and THEN (!) I obtained an in-house freelance job. A few months later, I finally landed my first full-time job, which was pretty fantastic since it was 2009. Yes, right during the recession. Anyways, the next three years at my full time job, I was making loan payments. Although diligent, I felt like I was just skimming the metaphorical 'fat' on top of my debt 'fat jar'. I was making progress, but it was baby steps. It wasn't until about 5 years in and a gradual increase in salary, I decided enough was enough. It was time be totally aggressive and strategic. I was sick of having every dime I earned go towards my loans. I decided the sooner my debt was gone, the sooner I could live a life of freedom.
So I made a goal. "Lindsey, you will be debt-free by end of 2014." Done. I made up my mind. This was going to happen. I also was paying for a wedding this year. What was I thinking?! Regardless, every month, I wrote down my payments and tracked the balance. It really helped to write every payment down to feel like I was making progress.
During this full-throttle-debt-free mode, the What's the Cost debt calculator was very helpful. It calculates the time range for repayment. The user enters all their debts, the interest rates, the time span they are working with to eliminate it and which debt you want to pay down first. Those calculations helped me swear off shopping or dinners or simply to think of a more economical option. I also found the Pay off Debt app completely helpful track monthly payments. Towards the end, I was throwing all additional money that I could afford to towards my loans. Come this past October, I was able to pay off my last loan completely. I almost couldn't believe it after I submitted my last payment and hung up the phone!
In an effort to pay it forward and help anyone else paying down debt in 2015, I compiled a list of some ideas that helped me pay down my debt.
Big Things:
1. Write it Down: Write down all your debt and just internalize it. You must see it all on paper. Nothing really lights a fire under your ass like when you see the grand total.
2. Payment Tools: Use the snowball method. Use the What's the Cost debt calculator.
3. Pick up a side job: In addition to my full time job, I illustrate at night. With the income I earn from freelance Illustration, I used the 1/3 rule: 1/3 save for taxes, 1/3 loans, 1/3 treat yourself (or if I felt strict, 2/3 to loans).
4. Extra $: Get a raise? Get a tax refund? Apply it to your loans. The biggest motivation for me was when I applied my last tax return and cut my debt by a few thousand dollars in one payment :)
5. Health Care: Go to the doctor regularly. It beats paying mega bucks for a root canal. Also, I have a cheap gym membership. It pays to go regularly to keep active and strong.
6. Simplify: Sell any of your items you don't need on Ebay. Live a life of simplicity. Hold yourself back. Don't buy the designer purse just yet. Do you really need that item? Is the item of good quality and can you use it for at least another 1-3 seasons?
7. Ask for a Raise: In order to have more money to go to your loans, you need to make more. If you are in a situation where you can ask for more money and you feel you've been a great asset for your team, please ask. Reach out to your manager and ask for a few minutes to discuss how you have increased your contributions that would merit a raise. OR, if you feel you aren't sure, ask your manager what more you can do to validate a higher pay rate. When my husband and I were approaching our wedding, it had been about a year at my position and I asked for a raise in my hourly rate. You know what? I got it :)
Little Things:
1. Banking Points: Look into your banking and see if they have any point system that you can cash in on. I was able to convert my Citibank Thank you points to a $250 loan payment. They made the check out to my student loan provider. Woohoo!
2. Rewards Credit Card: Look into a cash back credit card. Just be sure you pay off your credit card each month. Ask for the accumulated cash rewards in a check. Put that check to your loan payment.
3. Shopping: Try getting your shoes fixed instead of buying new ones. That could give you another 6-12 months wear out of them.
4. Yes, this sucks, but packing a Lunch: Invest in some nice glass tupperware, a lunch bag, and water bottle. Fill up your water bottle at work. Pack your lunch and track the days you didn't eat lunch out. That money can be additional money to your loans. You can save 6-30/week, which is at least something.
5. (goes hand in hand with #4) Groceries: Make sure you hit the grocery store. Pay attention to the grocery circulars. Plan your meals with sale produce and meats. Buy snacks at the store while you're grocery shopping so you can bring to work.
6. Nickle and Dime: All my spare change went to loans. Granted, I feel like a loser depositing $26 in rolled quarters, pennies and dimes, but it's something and it can add up to a lot.
7. Cut your fixed expenses: Call your utilities to see if you could lower your month bill. I called Con Ed when our bill went up to $66 from the normal $61. They lowered it back down to $61. Five dollars is not much, but it's something.
8. Gift Giving: Make or bake Christmas gifts or do a gift exchange. If comfortable, ask to forgo gifts. If people ask what you would like and if you're comfortable asking, suggest cash for your loans.
I hope that helps you, whether or not your are on a debt-free journey. Debt reduction takes focus and time and definitely doesn't go away overnight. If you have any more suggestions to add, I would love to hear! Cheers to financial resolutions in 2015!
Two weekends ago, Tom and I got away with his family and family friends to New Jersey's Swartswood State Park. It was my first legit camping trip, ever. When I was really little, like first-grade-little, my family partook in an RV camping road-trip adventure, but we never slept tents. So, to say the least, this weekend really put me out of my comfort zone. You may have seen some snaps on my Instagram, but I was hoping to share some more favorites. If you don't mind, I'd love to share a few pictures.
Cooking some dogs and onigiri, my favorite!
Grilled corn.
Smokey the bear is so iconic and made me nostalgic, which is weird, because growing up in Ohio, I only saw Smokey on commercials.
I'm in a tent. And Miss L is showing me yoga.
Also received an awesome braid by Miss E.
Yum! I ate way too many of these.
Thank you for letting me share! Where do you like to go camping? Enjoy your weekend!
I'm going to pause for a mushy post.
It's a few days post due...but I am so proud of the design work + efforts put forth by Tom for the UNITE FOR JAPAN fundraiser put on by the Unite for Japan team.
Tom designed the logo + took pictures of the event this past Saturday. [You'll see me & Amy in there.] They raised $10000 that night and are still accepting donations on their site here. They have currently earned $17K but are looking to make it to $25K. They really have done a phenomenal job with this.
On the same note, it makes me sad that it's been about 2 weeks since the disaster and it seems like the media is making it 'old news.' I hope that people can continue to donate in the coming months and keep saying prayers for all the heartache that will be felt in the coming months and years plus.
I'm actually really looking forward to Valentine's Day this year.
Last year, we went to a nice dinner that was accompanied by a froux-froux pink drink. It was really nice dinner, don't get me wrong, but don't you feel that there is all this pressure to be romantic and gaze romantically at each other on this one specific day of the year when it is freezing cold and you have to hold hands, not only because you like the person, but because you don't want to wipe out on the ice?
Anyways...
This year, we are taking a baking class together on Valentine's day. I am really looking forward to learning how to make macaroons together. Not only is it a fun activity to do together, but something we can (hopefully) remake and perfect in the future.
More pictures of Heart stuff I have from this year and past years of cooking...
As promised, here are the pictures from my mom's 60th birthday party.
I had a really good time doing these little '60' flags and this date matching game that all tied in with the invite I designed. I even used the left over invites to be thank you tags for our party gifts. (PS these flags are so simple to make....I printed out the flags on sticker paper. Tom helped me cut them out, peel off backing, and stick them on toothpicks. So simple!)
Playing pool!
And happy birthday celebrations were in order for my cousin who turned 15 a few days before my mom.
All pictures taken by Tom Takigayama. He's starting to do custom pictures of families and children. Contact him if you are interested!
This weekend, my family celebrated my mom's big 6-0.
I had a few minutes to post some quick pics from the party before I hit the hay.
I'm pretty wiped out, but it was a speed weekend of fun.
[See invite here that I designed for the party.]
Lots of food, love, family, and fun.
These great pics are taken by Tom. You should check out his site!
I'll post more soon about the party + more pictures. :)
This past weekend, I went to Baltimore to visit my best friend from college, Katie.
Katie moved back home this past May, so I have just begun to adjust to my friend being so far away. Sooo, on a happy note, we had a blast and hung out at Fells Point (where I got my latest addition to my fall wardrobe, my red hat at Hats in the Belfry!).
Anyways, I had a blast w/ Katie and all her old highschool friends, whom are always so kind. I'm looking forward to her trip to NYC in October for my bday. :)
You ever have those moments or nights where something revives your spirit? Brings you back to where you started?
My best friend from Cleveland, Adge, was in New York the other night, driving through on a road trip from Maine to Cleveland, and we were able to get dinner together.
It definitely revived my spirits.
Hi all. How's your week going?
This week, I am feeling a little under the weather. Not sure why I have ZERO energy and have a migraine every morning for the last 3 days, but I would like to feel better as soon as possible because...
...it's this guys birthday this week.
xo i love him because he puts up with my crazy faces.
Hope you are all feeling healthy out there :)
Katie and I met up today for a late brunch at the Fat Hippo on Clinton St. in the LES.
We BOTH got the blueberry pancakes! They were de-lish, but service, just okay. I'm glad my company made up for it.
This weekend Adrienne came to visit and we had Cruz for the weekend.What a full weekend!
The two of them bonded in the short 3 days they were together. Seriously, they bonded (may seem like a stare-down here, but they were pretty fancy for each other).
Good drinks...
Good desserts and coffee!
Good milkshakes and burgers!
Not so good bowlers.
But had a good time trying.
And laughed all the time. I'm looking forward to May now!
this weekend. Me and this girl are going to get into trouble for sure.
[here they are looking at the FDR]
The three of us in a row boat on the lake in Central Park in the summer of 2008. 
Thanks guys, miss you!
I went home to Cleveland last weekend for my cousin Bridget's bridal shower. My mom has been planning her shower for about 2 months and really outdid herself. It was super nice to have all the ladies from the Kerwin side of the family get together and celebrate Bridget. Here are some highlights. More pictures of the weekend on my flickr.
