New cards...one of my favorite things!

What made me happy today:

I absolutely love some of the card lines we carry at the store, and it is a pleasure for me to be able to pick out which cards I think are right for us to sell. One of the lines we've carried for a while now, has actually recently become a favorite of mine. Redcap Cards has some extremely talented guest artists that illustrate their various lines. Here are some of the brand new cards I recently ordered and fell in love with even more when I saw them in person:

"Birthday Deer" by artist, Jon Klassen. Deer+Balloons+Red & Blue=Amazing! I'm such a sucker for images that include balloons...of any kind.

"Heart Queen" by artist, Naoshi. Her girls are just so sweet and look so full of wonder.

"Homecoming" by artist, Jamie Zollars. I loved it even more after seeing the title.

"Flowers for Frenchy", "Thoughts", and "Birthday Song" by artist, Francesca Montanari. She is probably my favorite artist that Redcap has recently brought on. Geez...I could look at "Birthday Song" all day long.

A big breakfast and a nap

What made me happy today:

1. This morning, Jonathan and I biked to my new favorite breakfast spot in the neighborhood. Over Easy is an adorable and delicious sit down restaurant serving only breakfast and lunch. The owner, who is also the chef, personally welcomed us and thanked us when we left. I love when business owners are passionate about their work. So much that he took the time to treat his customers extremely well. If you live in Chicago, definitely check this place out!

2. I finished my book, "The Most Beautiful Book in the World" by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. It's translated from French, as most books are translated from a foreign language from Europa Editions. Being a complete francophile, I loved the pictures of different parts of France that each of the eight novellas within the book painted. Each story was about a different woman that was looking for love and/or happiness, and most of the time, it ultimately was right in front of her. I really adored this book, but am looking forward to reading something with a continuous plot and story line. I would indeed recommend it though; A pleasant read-over-coffee book.

3. Having the day off was so refreshing! And I spent it doing a whole lot of nothing right at home. I really should have accomplished more, but it was so relaxing doing stuff around the apartment and taking a long afternoon nap.
But back to work tomorrow through Sunday. Then off to New York City on Monday with Jonathan to spend a wonderful week doing whatever we please! We're staying in Brooklyn with a friend who is starting grad school at NYU in September. I'm excited to explore Brooklyn's streets and shops and anything we might stumble upon.

In the new

What made me happy today:

1. Receiving cute new merchandise at the store that I want, but have no use for...yet! I'll have to use these new biodegradable stripey straws by jack and lulu at the next party I throw! (they just debuted the straws at the stationary show in New York, so they aren't on their website, but the lush, colorful stationary on the site will grab your eye!)

2. Continuing the habit of tracking my exercise and food consumption in my new healthy looking Lotta Jansdotter journal. Writing in a nice journal actually motivates me to keep up with everything, therefore trying to eat healthier and exercise more just for the sake that I have to write it down at the end of the day.

3. Riding my new bike with Jonathan. Tonight we biked to a vocal sectional for our soul band. He's helping me overcome my fears of biking on the road, and I love him for it....(even though it may not seem like it at the time) Thanks honey!

This is the only picture I have of my cute bike so far... I'll have to get one of me in action soon!

And it really needs a basket to complete the look!

4. And last but certainly not least, coming home from a sweaty bike ride and cooling off in our bedroom: the only air conditioned room in the apartment.