Friday Roundup: Autumn leaves

We may not have distinctive seasons here in the Bay Area (heck, it's been in the 80s here all week!) but I certainly do love the feelings of the Fall season. Nothing says Fall like the changing color of leaves, and I'm feeling inspired by the Autumn foliage in motifs of pretty leaves all around

1. Colour my Life // 2. Fall leaves garland by A Beautiful Mess // 3. Via Oracle Fox // 4. Burnished gold leaf cuff at Charming Charlie // 5. asos leaf floral print piped blouse // 6. Via Flickr // 7. Leaf necklace by edor // 8. Via tumblr // 9. Thistle vase by Jonathan Adler // 10. Leaf boutonnieres by Martha Stewart

Wedding Belles!

Just a few snippets I was able to capture in all the craziness that was my sister's wedding this past Sunday. It was a weekend full of appointments, deadlines, driving back and forth and getting lost a total of 6 times (mimosas at the bed and breakfast was a must that morning), but in the end it was all worth it to be a part of such a beautiful moment between two people who have made incredible sacrifices in their lives together for our country's privileges. xoxo

{ Victory Paper Designs }



Swanky bachelorettes!

Last Friday night I got my party on with my sister's best gal pals (and one fabulous guy) at the swanky Hotel Solamar in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. We stayed in the Choreographer's Suite located poolside to this awesome patio and bar which gave us a direct view to a spectacular fireworks show from the nearby Petco Park. We sipped on punch and bubbly champagne into the wee hours of the morning while snapping pictures in our smile booth and munching on red velvets from Heavenly Cupcake. (I made paper flags for the cupcakes to match the invitations!) All-in-all a perfect send-off for our bride-to-be.

{ Victory Paper Designs }

Pitter patter...

Chevron quilt via Flickr

Hot air balloons over Paris by irenesuchocki

Tree stump print via degree

Toy ship via Pinterest

Cute scalloped camper by Kaelah Bee

Raised donuts by Butterfly Foodie

Summer movie nights via Pinterest

Glittery goodness via tumblr

Design*Sponge book party!

Last night at the Design*Sponge book party at Anthropologie...

Rockin music by Rin Tin Tiger

Photos by { Victory Paper Designs }

Natural stones

I'm in love with the natural elements of these stone necklaces by Kathryn Blackmore of The Vamoose. Each piece is inspired by natural history and vintage finds. The stones paired with gilden cords makes for a rugged yet modern chic look, which knocks these pieces to the top of my wish list (especially the leather and stone bangles!)

The Vamoose

In the Studio: Happily Ever After

I had designed my sister's wedding invitations as a partial wedding gift, but also wanted to give her and my brother-in-law a little extra something to hang in their home as a keepsake of their special day. I gifted them the fairy tale ending "happily ever after" in a beachy pattern of seashells and starfish since they met in Hawaii and are total beach bums. The rustic wood planks give the impression of an old dock with their names and wedding date scripted at the bottom

{ Victory Paper Designs }

Lovey dovey

I'm feeling all lovey dovey after my sister's wedding yesterday! I'm about to head back home, I'll be sure to share pictures from the big day later this week! But until then, here's a little love for you

via tumblr

via My revelment

Less than three emoticon ring by metalsmitten

via tumblr

via ritzybee

Style Me Pretty

Friday Roundup: Diamond in the rough

I love materials that are a little rough around the edges. Anything slightly worn in and a little beat up gives the appearance of a natural beauty that hasn't been run through a machine in some factory a million times. Just a little imperfect for a raw look in which an item's life of being loved is shown in its rugged exterior

1. Live edge coffee table via Emily Henderson // 2. Knit sweater via tumblr // 3. Frayed roses bath mat from Urban Outfitters // 4. Cozy throw from West Elm // 5. Worn leather wallet via tumblr // 6. Rough diamond stud earrings by LexLuxe // 7. Natural bark edge cherry burl bowl by JLWoodTurning // 8. Pigeon Toe Ceramics // 9. Wish Big cake

A CMYK wedding

I'm crazy about the theme of this CMYK wedding featured over on Rock N Roll Bride! As graphic designers, the bride and groom incorporated the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key black) color model into their big day giving an ultra cool punky feel to their wedding. The little glimpses of the bride's colorful petticoat peeping through the bottom of her gown is simply perfect

Rock N Roll Bride

Speaking of weddings, my sister's wedding is this weekend! I'm so excited but not looking forward to giving a speech in front of 100 people at the reception. We also have the bachelorette party tomorrow night which is sure to be rockin (both of which I designed the invites for of course!). I'll make sure to share all the deets from the festivities next week! xoxo

Pitter patter...

These I Steal for You art print by dkim

Origami crane garland from tumblr

Knitted socks and tea from Lyla & Blu

Bicycle basket of flowers via Design Shimmer

Ombre centerpiece via tumblr

Rainy day via Design Inspiration

Wallpaper bathroom via Pinterest

Pretty tea towels

My heart flutters a little at the sight of Leah Duncan's impossibly darling tea towels. I wouldn't dare use them as actual dish towels, I'd want to frame them as a set so I can gaze upon her sketchy and dreamy designs on the regular

Leah Duncan

In the Studio: One must always be different

Our 2012 calendars may feature bright and fun wrapping paper patterns, but I also wanted to incorporate quotes into the layout to serve as a mantra for each month. Each quote really speaks to me in all things love, life, and creative inspirations. The month of July has my favorite quote of the year from Coco Chanel, which reads, "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

I've never really been one to run with the pack, and my social awkwardness makes me prefer to be a wallflower than a social butterfly most of the time. On top of this, as a person of mixed ethnicities I find it ever challenging to fit into either the white box or the Asian box; people see my last name and assume I'm a foreigner to this country and an expert on all things Japan when I've never even been to Japan, and all of my family has lived in America for 3 generations.

As a square peg I know I'll never fit into the circle sized hole, but that's what makes me different as an individual and ultimately irreplaceable.

I created this design to further illustrate the words of Coco Chanel

{ Victory Paper Designs }

Desire to Inspire Pets on Furniture

Okay, so I'm totally one of those pet owners who takes numerous pictures of their pooch and sets them as my screensaver or shows pictures of them to strangers in the grocery store like a proud parent. And here she is shared with the blogosphere: Penny on Desire to Inspire's Pets on Furniture feature! Isn't she a cutie?

Desire to Inspire