As usual, I am little late on this but I am obsessed with watching the British drama, Downton Abbey, on PBS. I spent many a hour this weekend watching the drama unfold. I felt like my grandmother saying “Leave me alone, my program is on!” but, hey, she had a point. This is now “my program” and I love it. You can watch Season 1 here and get caught up- season two premiered last night, get on it!
I don’t know about you guys, but this weekend is all about being low key! The last few weeks have been so full of food, friends, wine, late nights that I am welcoming a nice quiet weekend on my couch. Hope you all find a few minutes to tune out this weekend.
Have you ever had one of those moments when you’re in a store and you feel that everything was placed there just for you to buy? When my friend took me into the Brooklyn Art Library right before Christmas, I experienced that moment and then some. Now, I know I have written about this before but I am an office supply geek to my core. The Brooklyn Art Library had every notebook, pen, day planner, vintage tag and knickknack one could ever want. I went in, blacked out, and woke up with a bag of the most excellent little prizes. Not only is it an awesome store but it’s also home to The Sketchbook Project. If you haven’t heard of this before it’s an initiative where you fill an entire sketchbook with your designs, doodles, day dreams, etc. and send it back for the library to catalog. It’s a pretty amazing concept. If you live in the Brooklyn area, it’s certainly worth checking out. I have officially found my new favorite store and a great place to get inspired.
It seems as though I say this every year but 2011 was the fastest year I can remember!! I feel that it was just yesterday I was writing this post while thinking about all that all the exciting things 2011 was going to offer. As my best friend says, 2012 has got to be a good year- it’s an even number. I am very much looking forward to all the exciting jobs, clients and experiences that are waiting for Swiss Cottage {and everyone!} in 2012. Here we go…
It’s hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close. I have worked with some of the most amazing clients and together we have created some incredibly inspiring work. I would like to thank everyone who has ever stopped by this little blog, commented, enjoyed the work, whatever you do- your support keep this thing cookin’! I feel so grateful to have had such a fulfilling year. It might be corny but I truly love everything about what I get to do for a living. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my creative little heart. xo, Courtney
I am heading back to Massachusetts today to celebrate the holidays with my family. There is something really nice about the trip back home for Christmas. I am excited to take a few days off, drink hot toddies with my sisters, have Christmas Eve dinner in Boston- all good things wait ahead. Wishing you all a very happy holiday, I hope you’re spending it with some special people. Now go on, get in some jams and hibernate until 2012!
It’s a Wonderful Life is hands down, 100% my favorite holiday movie / movie of all time. Every year I go down to the West Village and watch it on the big screen. I don’t think there is a single thing I dislike about it. {well maybe how whiny Zuzu is- it’s just a cold girl, get it together!} When I was brainstorming ideas for my holiday card I kept coming back to this movie and how much it means to me. So this year I illustrated a scene from the movie and had it letterpress printed on a warm white paper. I love how it turned out, it’s a real classic.
I miss the days of counting down to Christmas. Back in the day I would create these epic paper chains and tear off one each day until Christmas. We also had the family advent calendar that was pretty awesome. It was a little bear that would move from room to room looking for Christmas. Each day you would velcro him into a different room and finally on Christmas Eve he would “find Christmas”. My little sister and I used to practically arm wrestle for who got to move the bear on the last day. Looking back it makes me laugh that we cared so much but apparently that bear gave you serious bragging rights in the Jentzen home. Only a few more shopping days left, I need to crack on!
Between Pinterest, different design blogs, The Dieline... it’s very easy to find yourself in a bit of a cyber rabbit hole. I sort of love when I look up and an hour has gone by and I have gone from looking at packaging to reading a blog about eco baby diapers- the internet is amazing! The other day I stumbled upon designer Danielle Kroll’s website. Her work is so cute but these state shapes definetly made me smile. I love finding inspiring work on the interwebs.
All images below by Danielle Kroll
I think this past weekend always officially symbolizes the beginning of holiday mania. The first weekend in December is still a little early but by the 8th, 9th, 10th people are ready to get down with the holiday season- myself included! This weekend was full of holiday parties, cookie baking and one too many glasses of wine. {note to self- Nickelback jokes are not funny to anyone but you Courtney.} I spent all of Saturday writing out holiday cards. There is something so tried and true about this tradition for me. Stay tuned for pics of those next week, in the meantime enjoy the madness of the holidays!
