A Solitary (and wonderful) Weekend

I had a much needed weekend to myself. I didn't go to the gym or socialize with friends or hit the town for drinks or dinner. I suppose that might sound somewhat depressive, but it was honestly the best, most productive weekend. Instead of running around beholden to social obligations or not wanting to miss out on anything happening, I turned my focus internal and just recharged. I spruced up my Etsy store front, built an IKEA storage unit for my studio's closet, cuddled with my puggy and just simply enjoyed the lack of a schedule. The only time I left the house was for a Costco run where I finally stock the refrigerator with more than just booze and condiments. It's so great to be starting the week off this way rather than the norm. Here's to carving out more me time each and every day.

Image:  via h-o-r-n-g-r-y

Wedding Favors: Custom Temporary Tattoos

I fell into my latest new product when I recently become obsessed with everything Lana Del Rey's, including her tattoos. And not being able to commit to a permanent branding of my body, I started experimenting with temporary tattoos and some of my designs.  Quickly I realized that could be a really cute addition to my shop's wedding items. Everyone seems to have a lot of state pride these days spilling into their wedding themes so I figured brides and grooms might get a kick out of custom state (or other themes like mason jars) temporary tattoos to give to their guests as a souvenir and wedding favor.  

New Polka Dot Designs

I love taking on custom design work because it often leads to a new product for my shop. A recent custom loved me chevron design invitations but asked if I could do polka dots for the border instead. And thus a new product line was born! 

Save the Date Postcard Giveaway! Over a 200 dollar value!

Win 100 save the date postcards printed and shipped of any US state of your choosing! Great for the destination wedding or just showing your state pride.

The winner will be chosen at random and chose from one of my state save the date designs and then supply their wedding information and I'll customize the design, print and ship 100 of them to any US address. 

To enter the giveaway:  Follow me and Pinterest and like the postcard on Etsy then leave a comment below from now until February 2nd at 10 pm PST. Shipping only available to US states.

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UPDATE: Congratulations to Jackie on winning the Save the Dates!

Better Late than Never, right?

Well, it took awhile but I'm finally getting these infographic holiday cards I designed out in the mail today. I love graphic signs and symbols so I've been thinking about something like this for some time and it was a lot of fun summing up the year in graphics and short tag lines. Most notably, Tom and I bought our first home that we've dubbed "McSamson Manor" and now share the space with an adorable little puglet name Porter. 2013 has definitely been a fantastic year.

Wishing you all the best in 2014.

XO, Kristen

Free Christmas Photobooth Props

Merry Christmas! Here's a little something from Kristen McGillivray Designs: free Christmas Photobooth props! Just download the PDF file, print on white cardstock, spray to foam board, cut out with an exacto knife, and let the photo shennigans begin! 

Download the PDF here.

Merry Christmas from Porter the Portly Pug

Porter was good enough to poise with me right before I went to SantaCon this weekend. He was a little miffed not to be included in the holiday shennigans. Maybe next year, poochie :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Weekend!

I decorated my first christmas tree in my first house this week and I must say I'm pretty pleased with myself. Move over Martha. Wait, can I say that if I used Martha Stewart ornaments on the tree? Damn it; maybe not. But it's still a pretty great tree.

3 is the Magic Number: Nostrana's Negroni Social

Monday night was Nostrana's 3rd Annual Negroni Social which is a boozy, fantastically industry party celebrating the Italian cocktail comprised of equal parts gin, compari, and sweet vermouth. Nostrana's Roster Bar is run by a fabulous bartender named Douglas Derrick. Each month Douglas creates a new Negroni variation for the bar's menu and the social is an once a year opportunity to sample them all. Or as many as you dare. The event is much more than a simple cocktail party;  there's costumes, music, entertainment and of course more Negronis than you should attempt to drink in one night. This year's theme was magic and featured stalk walkers, magicians, and a contortionist that actually shot a bow and arrow with her feet will performing a handstand. Needlessly to say it was an amazing night. Here's some of the highlights in photos: