LIFE UPDATE

Hello! I've been kind of neglecting the blog (sorry, it's the first on the back-burner when I have to focus my energies elsewhere), but I did want to update a little. First off, what could I be focusing my energies on? Well, web development! Yep, I'm transitioning from the world of design to become a code monkey (term or endearment). I'm taking online lessons, I have a shinny new CSS book, and I'm well on my way to being a pro... well, I'm getting there. I have to say, I kind of enjoy it.  I knew basic HTML, and I knew some CSS, but I never knew the real reasons behind stuff, the logical part. I was so obsessed with design, that it felt like a chore to learn coding, but that has all changed. Once I started really getting into it, and to the point where I could have a conversation about it, I started to dig it. I think it's satisfying the nerdy math/science side of me. Did I ever tell you I took 3 maths in college and only needed one? Yeah, nerd.  I also took a few extra science classes... nerd.

In other news, we have a new guest blogger, Ashley from BlueHaus Studios! Her first post is below this one, and you'll have to check out her blog next Monday when I guest blog for her. We'll be doing a post a month, so be sure to check both blogs.

Also, I've been doing PSD website templates as practice for when I start really designing websites from front to back (yep, I'm going all the way to the back-end developing, yikes). I'm going to write the code for these soon and offer them as templates. In the meantime, here is one of the first templates.

Enjoy!

This is for a fictional company I created, Arizona Sun Resorts.  This template will be responsive, so I did some quick mockups for how I'd want the website to look when accessed on mobile devices.   

Arizona Sun on an iPhone

Arizona Sun on a iPad Mini

Hi, I'm Ashley Meier! {Guest Blogger from BlueHaus Studios}

Hi!  My name is Ashley Meier, and I am going to be a guest blogger for Modern Southerner on the 2^nd Monday of every month. I am a Colorado photographer/creative professional, and am very excited to share my knowledge {and hopefully some spunk!}. By the way, it’s such a pleasure to virtually meet you all. This is the first time I have gotten to consistently collaborate with another creative like myself, and I am looking forward to working with Sarah and connecting with a new reader base. I will be posting about photography, wedding planning, business topics…a little mix of everything!

Now, I want you all to know that I DO have a little southern in me, even though I am Colorado native. My moms side of the family is full of southern belles, and I am actually a “Daughter of the American Revolution” if you want to get specific. I also have a ton of family in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. I did live in Nashville for one year of my life, so I was even able to pick up a little bit of an accent {temporarily}.

I am married to a boy from Kansas, and we are currently living in Fort Collins, CO. It is pretty much the coolest town in the US, and it keeps getting ranked one of the number one places to live in country.  We have lots of microbreweries {New Belgium, O’Dells, Etc.), and love to ride bikes into historic Old Town during the summer nights. We spend a lot of time with our dogs too, a Yellow Lab named Izzy, and a Golden Retriever named Teddy {Bear}. I take way too many pictures of them because we don’t have kids yet. Other than that, we love traveling {Costa Rica!!}, skiing, surfing, camping, going on adventures, and photography {I am even teaching my husband to shoot!}.

Anyways, enough about me!  I can’t wait to get to know you all, and am looking forward to adding a little mid-western flavor to Modern Southerner. 

Ashley {Zenzen} Meier

BlueHaus Studios

http://bluehausstudios.com 

THE PICKLE MANSION

Read More Here & See Original Structure Here

A LOOK AT LOGOS- 2arts Studio

Hello, and welcome to this edition of A Look At Logos! The beautiful Bluestone logo above was created by 2arts Studio in Krakow, Poland for a law firm specializing in helping people recover compensation of any kind. The logo had to portray trust and honesty, and I think 2arts definitely achieved that effect.  I love the modern geometric shapes mimicking the scales of justice, and the clean all caps san serif just completes this beautiful and effective logo.  

Be sure to check out both 2arts' website and Behance for more awesome work!

Kudos 2arts Studio, for making a beautiful logo!

2arts Studio via Behance

FUN WITH TYPE

Here's some Fun With Type! What is Fun With Type? Instagram Photos + Various Fonts & Type Treatments. These are just a self-assigned quick exercise I've decided to share, so not too much thought put into them, just experimentation and fun!  Hence, the "fun" in Fun With Type!  

Enjoy!

Font // Dekar Light

Font // Ostrich Sans

Font // ScalaSans Caps

A LOOK BACK- HEATHER VON ST JAMES' STORY

Almost a year ago I had a guest post from Heather Von St James where she talked about her battle with Mesothelioma. Since Heather's victory over Mesothelioma, she has been on a mission to spread a message of hope to others.  Heather is a true inspiration for not only those going through the horrors of Mesothelioma, but for anyone going through what seems impossible. Heather even said to me, "I believe I am a perfect example that with hope, the odds don’t matter." I couldn't agree more with her. She was told she had 15 months to live, and look at her now!  

Heather, you're a true inspiration!

Make sure to check out Heather's page on Mesothelioma.com, and watch her video. It's a really touching video, and it's nice hearing Heather's story straight from her.  

A LOOK AT LOGOS- Marcel Bachran

Hello. This week's edition of A Look At Logos has branched out a bit. When searching for a logo to highlight on Behance, I came across Marcel Bachran's design for the Back & Forth Music Festival in Berlin which is an acoustic music festival. After scrolling through the project and salivating over the consistency, yet range of this design, I realized this is a student project! Wow, not only is this amazing, but it's amazing at an early stage in the game for Marcel Bachran. I love the color palette, the effective simplicity of the design, and the serious attention to details. Very impressive! 

Be sure to visit Marcel's full project on his Behance, and check out his other projects! Seriously people, I didn't do him justice here. He has tons of other components to his design for Back and Forth!

Kudos Marcel, for making a seriously cool music festival design!

Marcel Bachran via Behance

DIY REVIEW- VIA PINTEREST

 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

DAPPER DUDS- TEXTURES

In this weeks' edition of Dapper Duds I'm highlighting texture play. Pairing different textures together like faux leather (sorry, I'm an animal lover), and black and white abstracts can really make an outfit pop. You don't have to necessarily wear a patterned shirt as bold as this one, but you could play with tie options, pocket squares, or even a patterned belt! Get creative and find your textured comfort zone! 

VERY PRETTY JEWELRY

Like these?  See more amazing jewelry inspiration on my Pinterest.

A LOOK AT LOGOS- OAT DESIGN STUDIO

The Sinclair // A new venue and restaurant in Harvard Sq. Cambridge.

The Wigwam Cabins // The revival of historic 1930's cabins on the Mohawk trail celebrates the progressive optimism of American modernism and evokes the romantic heyday of roadside hospitality. The heritage of this byway is honored through the use of color and pattern inspired by Native American trading blankets.

Trina's Starlite Lounge // The identity for trina and her crew honors the tattoo sleeved, fixie-riding, tall-boy crushing clientele who crave a good chili dog.

In this week's edition of A Look At Logos I'm highlighting an entire firm and several of their designs!  Here are a collection of logos from Oat Design Studio in Boston, MA. I love their whole aesthetic, so I decided to just highlight several of their logos. I think their design is flawless, clean, and modern. Please check out their Behance and their site (it's beautiful and clean) for more amazing design!

Kudos Oat, for making beautiful design!

Oat via Behance