Thoughts on Business Cards

This year has really put business cards on my mind. Not only have I really grown as a blogger, but Colorado has proved to provide so many creative events where afterwards I wish I would have had some little piece of my contact info to hand out. Yes, just swapping Instagram names is fun, but as a professional endeavor, sometimes a girl wants to represent herself a little more elegantly, you know what I mean? 

In a separate sense, however, finding a way to represent myself on a little piece of paper feels a little daunting. Especially in the blogging world, surrounded by so many talented individuals, it can be super easy to fall into the trap of comparing, even comparing business cards! It seems so funny to write, comparing little bits of paper donned with a name, a number, and an email address--but it is true!

So yes, business cards have been on my mind for about a year. But I haven't jumped on them. 

Now enter Printstagram. When I ordered my prints for our Christmas cards this year, I spent some time browsing their other products. I've pretty much decided I need to order squares of my photographs, and perhaps make a flip book, but also I really love the simplicity of their contact cards. Little square cards to represent yourself, with beautiful photographs from everyday life. Not quite the traditional business card (which is why I think they're pretty rad). And I love even more how the people at Social Print Studio entice you to make your own: 

"Create unique Contact Cards using any of your Instagram photos. Add text to our templates or upload your own image for the back. Whether business cards, save-the-dates, or just reppin' your kickin' self, you'll want to spread these cards like wildfire!" 

Neat, right? Besides, how great is the thought of choosing the most beautiful of my Instagram snapshots for the back of the contact cards. Mix and match, taking away the impossible task of settling on one image to represent myself with. Done.

I am thinking simple, you know: my name, blog, and email--and perhaps my Instagram username too. What do you think of making contact cards for yourself? Like Social Print Studio remarks, you don't even have to have a business, you can just represent your kickin' self. ;)

All Photos are from Prinstagram. 

And this is not a sponsored post. I just love this company.

Printstagram Happy

I'm kind of smitten with candid photos. I used to have a polaroid camera that I'd use all throughout high school years, until they discontinued making film for awhile, and it became ridiculously expensive per photo. I still have the polaroid cameras, and still love that instant candid snap of a moment. That's why I like Instagram so much. So this year when I went to make our Christmas cards, I thought I'd try out ordering my Instagrams, and go for a more "polaroid" vibe with the photographs. In the process, I got totally hooked on this company called Printstagram. Have you heard of them? I ordered their Mini Prints, which is a set of 48 individual small prints on thick quality paper. Its such a steal. I ordered just the amount I needed for the cards and had enough of a quantity left over to pick out my favorites from my Instagram feed that I now have started a little collection of in my desk area.

I'm so impressed with this company, especially with the quality of the prints and their customer service. I have been deciding what I am going to order next! There are three really great photographs taken out in Kansas, with the wide open prairie, that Matt truly loves. He keeps on mentioning how he wants them printed. I think I may get a few printed larger, in a set of three or four, that we can hang in the bedroom. ( Or maybe the set of Squares!)

The Mini Prints were just the perfect little touch for our Christmas cards this year. Don't you think?  Have you ordered your Instagrams before? What company did you use? Who would you recommend? I'm completely convinced that I should order my favorite Instagrams bi-yearly ;)

Hello August

SOURCE

Hello August, I wasn't quite ready for you! Before you turn this sunny season into a crisp fall, here's a little reminder of the summer days we had in July. It was a good month! (Photographs from Instagram, @lauren_tien)

On the Farm

Last weekend I went to Iowa with Matt's mom, aunt, and sister. Jayne, my mother-in-law, grew up on a farm in Oskaloosa, which is still run by her brothers and their families. Our day visit at the farm was filled with sweet corn, homemade applesauce, kittens, baked goods, front lawn family time, and wide open space. That wide open space part was my favorite. I didn't bring my canon along, but the iPhon caught a few moments out in the country. You can see more from Iowa on my Instagram feed (@lauren_tien). 

(more farm snippets after the jump!)

Denver Adventures | Summer Lately

You may have noticed that I have definitely been lagging on the DIY front, but you guys, I'm not to blame. Denver is. It has been too gorgeous out lately to not spend our free time in and around the city. And so many places to go! Having lived in four cities our first four years of marriage, my perspective has changed a bit. I took those towns for granted, and looking back, I wish we would have explored more, deepened our roots further, and known the ins and outs of our towns when we lived in them so darn well that we could have written a book about them. I don't know how long we will be in Denver --city proper-- and there are so many things on my to do list. Still, after a year, adventures in this city linger while nooks wait to be yet experienced. So lately, this summer, we have been doing just that--taking the opportunity to explore and get out!

California Instagrams

Ten days in May I found myself California bound, and California loved. Here are some snapshots from my lens that week. (Note the amazing avocados, a trip to Trader Joe's, and year round outdoor pools--all a luxuries I very much miss at times--second to my best friends).

Little Glimpse

Sometimes, photos speak louder than words. I've gathered a handful of photographs from the past week that speak something different than I could write. Sometimes, it feels better to just sit and look, words a few. To me, these glimpses into our little life this past week feel effervescent and cheery.

A Little Bit Girly.

// 1 Matt took me to a coffee shop back in November that had the most gorgeous chandelier for being housed in a little off the beaten path shop. I could feel girly for quite some time sitting there under it's dim glow. And the ceiling! Oh how we love a great fabric. // 2 Foam design in my latte is that simple and unexpected beauty that I love. Its the little things in life. // 3 Target has been good to me with its $5 price tags and this little red number, all I need is some lipstick to match. 

Anything make you embrace a little bit of girly-ness lately? Happy weekend!

Blog Housekeeping, Mr. & Mrs. update, and the heart behind it all.

There has been some major housekeeping going on at Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up. You may have noticed a few changes to the page. Like the very large poppy taking up the top of the screen, the wider space for posts and photographs, and a few new buttons to click on. One is the Facebook "Like" button! Officially, it has been a little over a week that the FB page was created. I was so hesitant for so long for multiple reasons. One may have been the awkwardness involved in only having 7 likes and the fear of, well, promoting a blog that is mainly just me. But thankfully, and what a huge blessing, so many of you have found this little blog to be a treasure, as it is to me, and have decided that officially "Liking" it on Facebook is manageable, and to some delightful. So thank you for your support! And thank you for sharing with others! That is so beyond anything I could ask for.

Another change, is in regards to my personal blog. Yes, I have one of those! Although I can get personal on Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up by the default of my writing style, I try to keep more of the everyday happenings over HERE. Some of you may not know this, but my personal blog was actually the beginning of this online writing (Well, actually, rewind ten years to the era of LiveJournal. Anyone else with me?). The Tiens (pronounced 'teen' like 'teenager) blog started after Matt and I had the biggest party of our lives, our wedding three years ago this past May. And now, just this past June, Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up emerged. And here we are {deisgn/DIY/style HERE, Mr. & Mrs. THERE). Of course there may be overlap, that's all part of it; but some of you may not want to see image after image of the spunkiest crazy eared dog around. And some of you might. If so, you can click the link in the right side bar for the everyday happenings (more like weekly happenings) of Matt and me. It looks like this:

But back to the reason I even bring up the personal blog. It has completely been revamped! I mean, completely. I wanted it to have a new look, new potential, a fresh feel. As a user of blogger, and as someone who is still learning how to design her own site, I went with the dynamic view. It is actually pretty neat because in the left hand corner under the title, there is a drop down menu where you can chose the layout you want to view it in. I guess that is why they call it dynamic, right? Just as you can follow Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up with Google Friend Connect, you can also follow with GFC at our personal blog. Instagram {@Pearlspoppiespinkiesup} and Pinterest {laurentien} is all in one place , if you'd like to connect there as well.

Whew. That was quite a bit of housekeeping! But I have one more thing for you. I've been thinking a lot and honestly, I've decided that having a handful of followers that really enjoy reading about my projects, design thoughts & inspiration, and cooky love for thrifting and setting up house by far outweighs stacking up the numbers. The intent and heart behind this blog is to inspire you {& me} to put to use what is innately deep down inside-- the desire to create, to find beauty in the simple and the rusty, and to take risks with design and do it yourself projects. I know I have learned so much about myself through the process of making and creating and I only hope this blog can be a step stool or a coach in a sense to get you to make, create, repurpose, upcycle, thrift, and all else that fits into that sweet little bundle. Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Lauren