subjective.

the baked good & whole30 reflections.

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:19:00 -0400

so i did it. three weeks into my whole30, i broke down and created a baked good.

for the record, i totally don’t understand coconut flour. adjusting recipes i find online by adding ingredients usually always ends in a fail for me. it took me so many attempts to even land decent coconut chicken nuggets that I decided I liked grilled chicken better anyway. i tried onion rings and they were so very dry. meatballs yielded the same result. egg & nut allergies make cooking and baking very difficult on a paleo diet.

the plan was to make a really small batch of some kind of chocolate chip cookies, and i found this recipe for 5-ingredient coconut flour cookies. It only makes eight 2-bite cookies and I thought, hey, i can use my magic bullet and add in some Good Life chocolate chips and we are good to go for a quick, tasty grain-egg-dairy-free dessert. and i deserve it. i’ve been so very faithful to my veggies, healthy fats, and protein.

the ingredients to the cookies are simply: 3T Coconut Flour, 2T Clarified Butter, Pinch of Sea Salt, and 1T Agave to sweeten.

Crazy me, I thought I’d add in 1T of Sunbutter (I’ve been looking for a reason to eat this. It’s too sweet and tempting to allow myself to eat by itself), and a few chocolate chips. Then, it was SO sticky and unbatter-like that i added in more coconut flour. Note to Self: Do not add more than the recipe calls for. When will I ever learn?

Well, the batter itself was absolutely heavenly. But I resisted - I really wanted to make my tiny, sweet butter chocolate chip cookies that I’ve been patiently holding out for, so I spooned them out onto some parchment paper and baked them at what the recipe called for, 9 minutes at 365F.

And what do you know? I didn’t watch them. I thought - 9 minutes will make them golden brown. And that is how I found myself with burnt, dry cookies.

Granted, I still tested and ate them. I mean, let’s be honest - they still tasted buttery and contained chocolate - something I haven’t consumed in what feels like forever. But to learn a very valuable lesson… watch the oven, and never, I mean never add more coconut flour than the recipe calls for, even if it is a mere 3T.

I’m not giving up, though - I plan to try to make another small batch after dinner. I’ll try them out on my roommates.. see what the hype is. I will make them perfect and feel completely satisfied. I am sure of it. Or it could be an excuse to consume another dessert while it’s still the weekend. Yeah, I said it.

————————————————-

In other news, I am so pleased at the positive effects from the Whole30 so far. And there are definitely frustrating moments. A part of me feels like I should have tried this experiment when I was married or had kids, so that I could force everyone else to eat my cooking. Being single makes food expensive and avoiding meals and outings with friends really difficult.

1. I have a desire to cook! And eat veggies and healthy fat! I’ve always been a meat-lover, but aside from salads slathered in sugary, cheesy dressing, I never kept veggies in the fridge. Other than cucumbers.

I have a newfound love for guacamole, bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, spinach, and an even bigger appreciation for sweet potatoes. I’m not on the kale bandwagon as of yet.. but who knows what could happen. I eat carrots as snacks. I make lettuce wraps.

I’ve added lots of other meats into my daily regimen. I used to be a strictly deli turkey and grilled chicken eater. Now I experiment with marinades, making veggie meatballs, turkey burgers, sausage, a little bit of steak, and most importantly: uncured turkey bacon. i’m head over heels and eat it almost every day for breakfast.

And honestly, the possibilities are far beyond what I ever imagined. Veggie pasta? Yeah, okay, I bought a vegetable spiraler but it is the greatest creation on earth! I also bought a magic bullet. I use it every day.

2. I have discovered intolerances in my body.

-I think the increased consumption of eggs has been a big red flag, and they seriously make me feel terrible. I’m almost a week into cutting them out completely, and am going to finish the whole30 egg-free.
-Having more than one serving of fruit a day completely breaks me out. I have to watch this very closely. I love high sugar fruits, but am trying to stick to berries and apples versus bananas and pineapple.
-My nut allergy stands strong - almonds are not my friend, even though I really wish they were. I think they are drops of heaven, and I used to just eat them anyway without caring, but it’s been easier to avoid them now with substitutions. Sunbutter is more of a allergy-friendly spread like peanut butter, (a die-hard love of mine) yet since cutting sugar, I can’t eat it on bread. I try to reserve it only for baking and avoid taking a spoon to the jar. Because let’s be honest, after staving off sugar, that is all my body wants to do. A big, giant spoon.
-Things containing too much salt leave me completely and totally bloated. Including organic sauces. I’ve tried making my own, but haven’t had too much luck in that department. I still prefer Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce or Guacamole to my own any day. This may be something I have to live with, but it does help me watch my sodium intake.

3. I have kissed my RedBull addiction goodbye! I really did try to cut caffeine completely, and that was just too difficult for a girl as active as I am, with a day job where I have to focus the way that I do. Maybe that’s an excuse, I don’t know, but I still function much better with it. So my go-to has been a double-shot of espresso, followed by guzzling more water than my body can probably handle. And glory hallelujah, I am no longer dehydrated or fiending to sip on something sweet.

4. My body has definitely leaned out. I’ve dropped weight. Now, granted: this was not my goal for the whole30. But I can totally see why crossfitters do it. My body is much more sculpted. i feel like I can push the limits and improve upon my normal workouts. the funny thing is, since changing my diet, my workouts have actually become shorter. I’ve been able to focus more energy into strength training than the cardio that I used to feel the pressure to maintain to stay at a goal weight. My body fat percentage has also dropped 2%. that certainly can’t hurt a girl.

In terms of what results I haven’t seen from Paleo-living so far:

My poor skin. This was the whole reason I went Paleo in the first place. Now even natural sugar or anything sweet spikes a breakout and I can’t seem to figure out why, since this diet is supposed to be anti-inflammatory. I’ve been faithful. I’ve taken the Vitamin D and Zinc supplements. I’ve focused on the whole foods. But as of yet, it hasn’t done a whole lot.

It’s totally possible that it is hormonal. That even though my diet seems to spike it, diet won’t cure it. I thought I had to check this out and see. But Lord-willing, results are right around the corner.

———————————————————-

Once Whole30 is over, I’ll definitely add a little bit of cheese and grains back into my diet. I may try to make Paleo versions of bread and tortillas instead of actual grains (hard to do without eggs though). But I love my feta. I miss my pizza. I’m 100% sold on the making things at home - knowing what is in exactly what you are cooking, as opposed to a greasy processed mess.

It’s been very nice to crave fresh healthy things.

I’ll do a recap of my favorite recipes and modifications in future posts. I guarantee these will be my new favorite meals post-whole30 too.

cheers!

Whole 30 Challenge - Paleo Lifestyle

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:48:51 -0400

So California has blessed me with many things, but a beaming complexion isn’t one of them. I consider myself to be a fairly healthy eater - with a few cheat days thrown in here and there - but the journey from experiencing no skin problems my entire life to my skin throwing a fit.. let’s just say this hasn’t been an enjoyable experience.

I’ve tried everything over the past year and a half to try to cure the problem. Doctors, topical creams, medications - nothing has worked. these things may have even made it worse. The other day, I ran across a book directly targeting diet as the main cause of acne. I quickly bought the book and read it within the day. It breaks down the importance of putting yourself on an anti-inflammatory diet and resisting as many anti-nutrients (grains, dairy) as possible to achieve a clear complexion.

It’s basically a Paleo diet - and for the first 30 days especially - no tolerance. Strictly fresh meats, veggies, and fruit and nuts in moderation. I’ve never been a huge veggie eater other than salads, so I knew that this would be a challenge. I’ve also never been a seafood eater, so I’ve been sure to take my daily fish oil supplement.

The first few days have been fine, but I realized that I need to cut back on the amount of fruit that I’m intaking, as well as increase my veggie intake and get a little more creative with my cooking. Who would have thought steaming vegetables would be so delicious?

A few of the meals I’ve had so far on Whole30:

- Warm Chicken and Roasted Almond Salad with Spinach, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Olive Oil + Balsamic. (roasting a handful of raw almonds and throwing them on is SUCH a good idea)

- Sun Dried Tomato Chicken + Roasted Sweet Potato Salad - oh my gosh, I know I need to eat sweet potatoes in moderation throughout the month because of the starches, but goodness gracious, this was delicious.

- Spinach Eggwhite Scramble with Salsa

- 2-egg scramble with Turkey

- Garlic Steak Fajitas with Red & Yellow Bell Peppers - BEST MEAL EVER. I’m not a big pepper eater, but for some reason, I felt inclined to try. They were so sweet + delicious, I couldn’t even believe it. I will be making this again very soon. I used Steak Tips, cooked them prior, and then threw them into the skillet. YUM.

—-

So far, I’ve lost several pounds, succeded in cutting caffeine without any withdrawl symptoms (other than being a little more tired than usual - but I can cure this by eating a piece of fruit in my afternoon crash period) I’ve been sleeping a little better, as well - that’s been a struggle for me lately.

Hopes: Paleo is known to increase your energy and increase your workout performance, so I supremely hope that this helps my joints and body’s ability to push my workouts, but most of all, it’s about becoming healthy, enjoying whole foods, and clearing my skin. I’m going to be keeping a diary, so to speak - a food and progress journal to see how I’m doing.

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everyone!

dripp.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:24:15 -0400

The studio is stoked to be working with Dripp, a trendy coffee ship in Chino Hills. If you haven’t caught wind of them yet, be looking out, as they are soon to franchise. You can even vote on where you’d like the next location to open. (hint: go vote for Newport Beach!)

So, what exactly is Dripp?

You didn’t come off an assembly line. We don’t think your treats should either. At Dripp, our goal is simple: we want our coffee, ice cream, and cookies to be absolutely the most delicious stuff you’ve ever tasted. That’s why every item we serve is individually-designed and made to order just for you. From the fresh beans we grind for your coffee to ice cream sandwiches stacked your way, you get customized, personal service every time.

You may have seen the brand identity on design blogs all over the web the past couple of months, as Salih Kucukaga, a studio in Istanbul, did a stunning job. We’ll be implementing some new things for the web, so keep your eyes open!

Take a look at all the goodness..

Cheers!

pantone inspiration

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:51:27 -0400

when I first saw this project, by a French designer at Griottes / Palette Culinaire - it brought a huge smile to my face. as designers, we all took color theory classes, and this is such a fresh, new spin on colors found in nature to create pantones. what’s fresher than fruit for design & a vibrant palette?

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

“life happens while you’re making other...

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:56:00 -0500

“life happens while you’re making other plans.” - BrandonandLeah

adorable duo from Malibu with a breezy, beachy vibe. a perfect picture of what love in day-to-day life looks like. very jack johnson-esque with a female lead. already a fan.

seize the day!

santa monica // day of inspiration

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:15:45 -0500

A few weeks ago, our design team ventured out to Santa Monica for a day to get inspired as a group. We took photos, shot video, & browsed and picked up new books at Hennessey & Ingalls. It was a great bonding experience for the team, a day to bounce ideas off of each other and enjoy the day.

Have I mentioned that I work with a ridiculously talented group of people?

Aaron Kim documented the day on camera, and created an artistic + abstract video, not to mention a badass logo.

Santa Monica - Day of Inspiration from Plainjoe Studios on Vimeo.

Here are a few polaroids & instagram-moments from the day. More to come!

PJS Design Team - Photos by Ed McGowan.

Cheers!

40 days.

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:39:49 -0500

{an opportunity to notice how God is working in our everyday lives}

we’re entering into the season of lent, something I don’t typically practice, but this year, I have a little bit of a different take on things. While some may use this time develop better habits by giving up things (which I am also doing with refined sugar + alcohol) it is also an opportunity to really focus on how God is working through our everyday lives.

With the craziness of the workweek, I know I don’t always take the time to write down how God is working. And these 40 days, I am committed to doing so. It’s the little acts of kindness, the feelings of success and/or fufillment, the great conversations, the enjoyable outings with friends, the deep connections.. these are all little glimpses of God’s plan unfolding and shaping you into the person he wants you to become.

I’m looking forward to the end of the season where I can look back on all the daily blessings and give thanks.

image source: oh pioneer!

new year, new habits.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:42:00 -0500

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” — Jim Ryun

Good motto entering the new year. We all have resolutions, but who of us really ends up sticking with them? Last year, I stayed committed to fitness and sleep, two things that changed my entire lifestyle. But going back and reading through my list of resolutions, and there were 8 that I had not accomplished. Eight. Here’s to a year of follow-through and turning good intentions into healthy and satisfying habits!

New Years Resolutions

6. Run A Half Marathon. In Fall of 2011, I started training for the first time as a distance runner. Okay, so I’m still not incredibly far in my pursuit of loving to run or hitting a runner’s high feeling like I could run forever, but I’m working on it. I ran my first 5K in November with a few girls, and conquered a 10K in December with the best pace I had ever run a mile in. A half is next. Looking forward to Spring and longer daylight hours.

7. Personal Creative Projects. I always intend to strengthen my craft as a designer outside of the crazy workweeks, but I never seem to have the energy. I always see fabulous do-it-yourself crafts and decor with detailed tutorials and intend to create something, but I never get around to it. This year, I am committing to one project a month.

8. Hosting. I’m not sure if this is because I live with three other people, but I NEVER seem to host get-togethers. We have a beautiful home in a killer location across from the ocean, and whether it be having people over for dinner, cocktails, a party, a movie, or a game night, I’m going to make it a point to host.

Happy New Year, everyone!

the new year // resolutions.

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:02:50 -0500

it’s time: 2012 is almost here. i am the girl who gets excited about setting new goals for herself, and this year will be no different.

as i grow older, each year seems to become even more dynamic, and i continue to learn more about myself and what I am capable of achieving. 2011 brought me to a new city, great roommates, and new friends that i couldn’t imagine my life without. my lifestyle has changed into an active one - biking, hiking, plenty of time at the gym shaping up, not to mention my newest challenge, distance running. fitness has become my go-to stress relief.

i recently found a great church home where i have joined a small group to work on building community. my job is transitioning into a more creative position, and i feel like i am finally moving forward again. i went to DISNEYLAND for the first time. and overall, i have really learned aside from my social nature, that independence has another side to it: being totally satisfied with alone time. i have slipped into a very rigid routine, but i love every minute of it, because i am really focusing on myself and what’s good for me at this point in my life.

i’m going to be making a list of 25 goals, 5 per week during the month of January, starting with this last week of December. Go-time!

1. Eat Healthier. This may sound generic, but I’ve focused so very much on fitness, and not enough on digesting things that are going to help replenish my body. This includes branching out from my picky-eater syndrome, as well as consistently taking multi-vitamins. I’m so bad at that.

2. Go to the Doctor. Guilty of not making this a priority, either. Whether it be an eye doctor, a dentist, or a regular check-up, I’m determined to stop pushing these things off and make sure I’m doing all I can to keep my body in check.

3. Get a California Driver’s Liscence. Yeah, I’ve only been here for 2 years now. This one’s been a long-time coming. I guess I should officiate my California residency. And read the handbook. I’m going to need some motivation.

4. Explore the West Coast. There is still so much to see. I’m planning a San Fran trip next month, and I just did a coastal drive from Northern to Southern California with my family, but I’ve done a terrible job of branching out since moving here. I’ve done the usual.. LA, San Diego, Big Bear, Santa Barbara.. but what about Sedona, Portland, or Seattle? These are all on the list for the year ahead.

5. Read. At one point in my life, I was a big reader. I’ve put it off, and I fully believe that gaining information helps you grow as an individual, so I will be breaking out the books this year. Health. Goal-setting. Professional. Creative. I think it will be the year of self-help books and trying to gain insight on what things will help me in 2012.

… 20 to go. 2012, here I come. Stay tuned!

the hidden message of jingle bells.

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:27:32 -0500

talk about something to get merry about! brilliantly concepted, letter pressed infographic, the team at Paragon has deconstructed the traditional ‘jingle bells’ into a tounge-in-cheek self-promotional poster for their clients at Christmas. has anyone else ever realized that there is a made-up word, “upsot” in the second verse of this song?

in conclusion: while ‘tis tempting during this festive season to disregard the dangers of unbridled merriment, one must not permit said merriment to overwhelm one’s better graces. take heed this cautionary tale, lest you fall prey to the agency of bright spirits and at full tilt, become upsot.

clever. witty. i’m smitten.

what I learned 2011.

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:27:26 -0500

I just had to share this awesome excerpt from an article written by Scott Hill about What I Learned This Year 2011. Any designer can appreciate this, as we really are so lucky to be working in a profession with creative freedom, where we get to do exactly what we love and are passionate about. Our challenges consist of learning and growing and excelling in our craft. Thinking about the stress that I’ve experienced working on the business side versus the creative, it amazes me how good we have it.

Check it out.. and be sure to check out the rest of the article and give Scott some encouragement and feedback!

————-

I love what I do. I’d never do anything else. I mean, I kind of want to open a restaurant. But I have a sneaking suspicion I just want to design and brand it, then I’d realize I didn’t actually want to run a restaurant at all. Anyway, what I mean is despite what you see on Twitter, Dribbble, blogs, magazines like Print, CA and HOW, this life is not glamorous. There is no such thing as a design rockstar. And shame on the person who coined that phrase anyway. There are however people we mistake for design rockstars. They get a lot of exposure, they get articles written about them, and they get blogged about. Then what happens? They get flooded with new work inquiries. Cool, but then they spend more time sorting through emails than they do designing the things they’re passionate about that got them where they are in the first place. They get ripped off. A lot. Then they reply to emails of people telling them how they’ve been ripped off. And commenting on blogs about being ripped off. And write articles about being ripped off. They get egos, and then the same people who blogged about them, turn on them and say they’re not a purist anymore. And the worst part is you never get to turn it off. Designers know no such thing as “5 o’clock” as it is understood in the big-people-job-real-world. Your head will always be spinning at all times and you’ll be thinking about your clients and your projects and your friends’ projects and whether they’re getting better work than you. You have to be very intentional and try your best (sometimes with no success) to shut it all off just to pay attention to things like family, church, and friends — or you’ll go crazy. When you learn that balance, then you’re doing something right. I’m still working on that one.

WE’RE SO LUCKY

Despite anything I’ve said before, I can’t deny that we are the luckiest people in the world to have this profession. I got paid a couple months ago to draw a drunk bear. A drunk bear. I got paid. That still bear-ly (see what I did there?) makes sense to me when I think about it. None of us knew when we were little that we were going to be “graphic artists” as our parents call us, but we knew we were going to do something with art. We never had that awful year of college where we had to pick between 45 different majors. Someone said, “You can draw and make money!” And we said “Seriously? Graphic Design it is!” We started playing around with crayons and paint and colored pencils when we were little kids, and here we are 20 years later doing the same thing. Only now we’re providing for our families. It’s a trip. And I pray I never take it for granted. We are blessed as designers and if we ever stop trying to be design rockstars, we might just realize it.

Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did! happy friday.

diy // holiday crafting.

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:26:31 -0500

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer. & for most woman in America.. the season to get a little bit creative & crafty. Below I’ve rounded up a few favorite decoration & diy gift ideas I’ve seen to make your Christmas season a little bit more festive.

Ornaments, trees & an Advent Calendar.

A rustic coat-rack.

Wreaths & Garlands.

Happy Holidays!

grateful.

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:32:00 -0500

this morning, i was paying at the gas station, talking to a woman that works there that i see on a daily basis. i can tell it brightens up her day to have someone greet her and inquire about her life, so i always try to initiate conversation. i had previously asked about her thanksgiving plans, and she replied that her kids never visit, and she would rather be working, because she could really use the time-and-a-half pay. this morning, she told me that her son was kicked out of his apartment and slept in her car last night, and that she really hoped he could land a job interview that he had today so that he could find a place to live.

it’s amazing to me how caught up we can all get in our own problems and material things and overlook the fact that there are really individuals and families in need. this week, i’ve really been in prayer that i could bless others as God has blessed me. there are so many things in my life to be grateful for.

it still blows my mind that i live in this beautiful place - across the street from the ocean, with fabulous roommates and friends. i often worry about my finances, but honestly, i’ve never had to live beyond my means. i have encouraging people in my life to build me up, and an awesome God to lean on in times of trouble when I can’t seem to understand why life is so hard and challenges arise. in this crazy economy, i have a job in my field of study, and work with a great group of fun-loving people and clients every day. the studio even provides us with a gym membership to stay healthy, and fitness has become a new passion of mine, giving me goals to work towards. though my family is across the country, they are still my backbone, and i’m so grateful to have parents that continually show me love and care.

in other words, i am blessed beyond belief and so thankful. life is good.

a little excerpt from a devo book I read daily. it paints a lovely picture..

As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, and with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

- Sarah Young

{image via amanda mabel}

holiday cheer.

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:52:00 -0500

the past several years upon the arrival of the holidays, i have tried to embrace my crafty side making & buying handmade goods, gifts, and decor. this year will be no different, and i’m already scouring the web for DIY ideas to make life in california feel a little more like wintery christmas by the fireside with a blanket and a mug of peppermint cocoa.

i wanted to feature anthropologie and their collection this year - since it is also trendy to buy things that look handmade, which works in my favor. they always do such an excellent job of trying to rope me into buying everything. it’s a sneaky little game. is it ironic to want christmas decorations as christmas presents?

great inspiration; great design. as always, well done anthro.

daily inspiration - park house

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:49:47 -0500

Meet Park House // Land Securities. Talk about beautifully-branded identity by NB, a branding & communication studio out of London.

“Great ideas and clear thinking are the starting point but they’re nothing without crafted design. Attention to detail is crucial.”

More after the jump.

Happy Friday!

-via TYPORETUM

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:32:34 -0500

-via TYPORETUM

daily inspiration - 25/30

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:02:53 -0500

In the spirit of rustic, mountainous escapes, I ran across this collateral today for the clothing line, 25/30. The package includes a map, catalogs, and an assortment of price + gift tags. The maximized use of white space and soft-lit photos keep it crisp and well, dreamy.

find a beautiful place to get lost //

-via Direction Artistique

project: escape.

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:54:42 -0500

Ever since we entered into the fall season, I’ve been itching to take a trip up to the mountains.. to get away & escape my typical surroundings. I am a creature of habit, and so often fall into a routine that the months fly by quicker than I realize what happened. I can’t even believe that the holiday season is upon us.

I am in the midst of developing a logo for a client in Alaska. And you don’t know how exciting it is to work on a raw, rustic concept. It’s freeing to delve into stamps and wood textures, while creating a clean, relevant mark.

Maybe I’ll muster up the inspiration to take that trip, afterall.

Happy Monday!

seasons change. red cups emerge. starbucks has become a...

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:52:00 -0500

seasons change. red cups emerge. starbucks has become a marketing genius, and i love how the taglines for the holidays are based on a customer experience & relationship.

well, done. and i must say, the new logo is looking pretty clean.

my best friend's wedding

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:36:00 -0400

A few weekends ago, on promptly 9.10.11, my best friend married the man of her dreams. I met Dana while in college, bonded over music & graphic design, and the rest was history. I went to highschool with JT, but started really meshing with his friend group in college. How lucky I was to introduce these two, and watch as a beautiful friendship progressed into a love affair.

I’ve since moved away and missed out on I’m sure more than I can image, but was honored to fly home & be a part of their special day. Below are a few of my favorite engagement & wedding shots, from their awesome photographer, Rachel Moore.

Cheers to the beautiful couple!