Share On Twitter

Introducing: Alex(andra) {Owner + Lady of Design}

by Alexandra on May 14, 2013

in Us

After having our interns create their styleboards and answer our mini interview questions, I thought it might be a good idea for C and I to do the same, so you get to know the people behind the letterpress a bit better! So here’s me, styleboard style…

- What did you study in school? International relations and French as an undergrad and I went to law school afterward for funsies!
- Where do you hail from? Originally from Sacramento, CA, but I’ve been living in the Bay Area for the past 8 or 9 years.
- What is your favorite typeface? Pretty obsessed with Avanth right now.
- What is your lucky number? Lucky number is 9.
- What is your favorite Bay Area eatery? Tacubaya in Berkeley.
- What are you reading at the moment? Just finished reading The Design of Business.
- What is your favorite blog? The Daybook (www.thedaybookblog.com). I just love her writing style and the simple but beautiful way she documents her life.
- What are your words to live by? “Being kind makes you cool”
- If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do? I would go to Zambia and stay in one of the tree houses at Tongabezi near Victoria Falls. They are insane! I might also climb up to the top of the falls and let C take my picture on the edge, if I’m feeling bold!
- Describe your personal style in three words: Eclectic, Boho, Comfortable
- Where would we find you on a Saturday afternoon? On a Saturday afternoon, I can be found trying out a new lunch spot with C or basking in the sun on our patio with a smoothie.
- Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in old ephemera, design blogs and typography websites!
- What is one thing you love about weddings? I love that we get to create paper goods that our clients will cherish and find precious their whole lives. I love knowing that they will show their wedding invitations to their children and grandchildren some day and it will bring them back to those moments when they felt the most in love.
- Name one thing you want to do/see/try before your next birthday. Before my next birthday, I want to ride a vespa!
- What is your favorite AP design? Right now I really love Tuolumne, but it changes weekly!

In my styleboard I included a few of my favorite things, as well as some images that speak to my personal style. I love layering necklaces and have sort of a relaxed, boho, eclectic personal style. My favorite color is gray and I love vintage furniture and restoring it. The Alameda Flea is amazing for finding beautiful pieces with a feeling of history. I also love decorating my home and tend to think of the style as “Berkeley professor meets artist with a little modern restraint”- does that make sense to anyone but me? Probably not. I also love the AP and have a fascination with hot air balloons. I think bunnies make the best pets and am mildly obsessed with our mini-lop, Blondie. I have really tiny, precise handwriting, which has translated into an obsession with typography and and love for writing of all kinds. I also drink a lot of coffee, heavily sweetened. Poppies are my favorite flower, I like watercolor anything and extensive traveling is my dream.

I will post C’s board and mini-interview in a few days, he didn’t want to be left out!

xox, A

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

Suite Inspiration Board 7: Lovely

by Alexandra on May 10, 2013

in Suite Inspiration Boards

It’s time for another of our inspired suite board posts! Lovely is our most classic, timeless and versatile house design. It can really be adapted for any style, but the way I most like to see it styled is with glamorous, elegant details and a metallic and neutral color palette.

I am a big fan of combining subtle vintage touches with more modern elements, like a classic 60s cat-eye on an elegant bride, paired with a modern, square shaped cake with metallic details. Or a 20s beaded clutch with black nails and a chunky pearl statement necklace. Or a timeless, all script, black and white invitation juxtaposed with a sleek modern sports car as the getaway vehicle. I envision this affair taking place at a large private estate with a stunning, black and white spiral staircase, epic ballroom and romantic manicured gardens boasting a small pond with swans. I think a soft coppery peach is the perfect compliment to a black, white and metallic palette. A beaded and elaborate wedding gown and dapper groom in a tuxedo complete the black tie look. Above all, a wedding designed around the Lovely suite should be nothing short of unforgettable. Le sigh.

Happy Friday, stay lovely this weekend!

xo, A

 

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

Introducing: Marci {Design + Print Intern}

by Alexandra on May 9, 2013

in Interns

Happy Thursday! Today I’m going to share a little about our other talented intern with you, Marci! Marci will be focusing primarily on the design and print prep aspects of what we do here. We had her create the below style board to give you a visual idea of who she is and what she loves.

- What did you study in school? Visual Arts-with an emphasis in Studio Arts
- Where do you hail from? Originally from Moraga, CA
- What is your favorite typeface? Helvetica Neue Ultra Light
- What is your lucky number? Lucky number is 8
- What is your favorite Bay Area eatery? Bianca’s Deli in Moraga
- What are you reading at the moment? Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
- What is your favorite blog? WeLoveTypography.com
- What are your words to live by? “All you need is 20 seconds of courage, and you can accomplish anything.” -from the movie We Bought a Zoo
- If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do? If I could travel anywhere tomorrow I would visit Ireland and see the Cliffs of Moher. 
- Describe your personal style in three words: Unique, rustic, and simple
- Where would we find you on a Saturday afternoon? On a Saturday afternoon, I can be found reading a book, or watching a movie.
- Where do you find inspiration? I like to draw inspiration from magazines and design blogs. 
- What is one thing you love about weddings? My favorite things about the wedding industry are the vast differences in style each bride has, they all have their own unique touch on what they want their special day to look like. 
- Name one thing you want to do/see/try before your next birthday. Before my next birthday I hope to take a spontaneous vacation with my friends. 
- What is your favorite AP design? Harlow

 

And a little more from Marci about the style board she created…
My style board represents all the things I love. I did a study abroad in Siena, Italy in college, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  The painting picture is a close up of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, I love how you can see each stroke of paint here in this photo, it reminds me of my art studies in school, and how I wished I could paint like Van Gogh, but I never quite mastered oil painting.  In school I loved making patterns in my art pieces so I included a couple of pieces I loved that I found online.  I love typography as well, and chocolate. I love the old school type used and also for some reason I am obsessed with ampersands, I just love their shape. The other photos I included represent how I am constantly looking at interior design and fashion images on Pinterest.

 

Welcome to the AP, Marci! We are so happy to have you join us!
xo, A
Image credit: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

Glorifying Busy?

by Alexandra on May 8, 2013

in Us

{source}

I was wandering around Pinterest last night (while watching the Rachel Zoe Project, love to hate it?) and stumbled across this simple quote (see above), and it really struck a chord with me. I know others have posted about this, but I haven’t spent much time thinking about what it really means to constantly be “busy,” both good and bad. So here’s my take:

I used to feel constantly busy in that harried, brink of hospitalization for exhaustion, extreme sort of way. Every day as a business owner can seem like a race from the moment I squint open my eyes, until I finally drift off to sleep. Even if I am not physically at work, I am using half my brain to think about it, worry about it, obsess over it. Only recently have we finished systemizing a lot of what we do and become so organized that we can leave the studio before 7 and enjoy being at home. This feels so incredibly luxurious and while half my brain is still occupied with business thoughts, the rest of me is enjoying some quiet and space. You would think this would be the ultimate dream. But a big part of me is simultaneously wondering, am I doing this wrong? Am I not working hard enough while enjoying the last 20 minutes of sun on the back patio, chopping fennel for dinner or catching up with randoms on Facebook? Shouldn’t I be working more? Even though I feel fully engaged with my work during the day, if I’m not actively doing something connected with it, even while at home, I feel guilty, uneasy and even a little edgy. If I’m not teetering on the farthest end of the “busy” spectrum I feel like something is WRONG. Why is that?

I think it all has to do with this glorification business. We work in an industry full of hard-working, visionary, dedicated entrepreneurs. Total badasses (yes, I said that) who I really admire. Almost everyone is legitimately BUSY in the truest sense of the word. They work until the early hours of the morning, get up before alarm actually goes off and much of the time forget to take lunch breaks. This is also me sometimes. But as I’ve been discovering that I have more time and that I don’t have to be chained to the laptop or press, I start comparing myself to my wedding industry peers and feeling like I am missing out on some important opportunity. Where is my hustle? But then seeing this quote I realized: This is ME “glorifying busy”. It’s not that everyone is glorifying their busy.  Some people are, but more importantly, I’m the one glorifying it and finding myself lacking somehow. Why do I feel like if I’m not constantly pushing myself to the edge of exhaustion that I’m not trying hard enough, even when we have an endless stream of wonderful clients and plenty of exciting projects offered to us? I think what it comes down to is that I need to redefine what I value about my work and my life and how I’m feeling. Happy, relaxed, and blissed out are not invalid and somehow inferior feelings to have. I need to start appreciating that I GET to feel those things and am at a place where I feel that way regularly. I’m realizing that I can be proud of the balance we have created in our lives. It shows a different kind of success, one that I shouldn’t feel ashamed of.

So, this is my commitment to appreciate those quiet moments when I am able, lucky enough even, to enjoy life beyond the AP. I’m going to stop glorifying busy, mine or someone else’s. I’m going to try to glorify being happy, living in the moment and feeling balanced. And when you ask me how I’m doing? I’m not going to tell you busy. Even if I am busy that day. I’m going to reply with happy, exhilarated, peaceful, blissed out, relaxed, or even sad or cranky.  Because all of those are just as good as busy, probably even better. And isn’t that the whole point?

Thanks, for listening.

xo, A

 

 

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

Introducing: Caitlyn {Design + Styling Intern}

by Alexandra on May 7, 2013

in Interns

This is an extra exciting post for me to write because I am introducing one of our new AP team members! This season we hired on two incredibly creative, smart and talented ladies to intern at our studio through the summer. We had so many applicants, it was really difficult to choose just two, but Caitlyn and Marci ended up being perfect fits into our Aerialist Press puzzle.

I will be sharing a little bit about each of them so you can get to know our team a little better. Today, we are staring with Caitlyn! Caitlyn will be focusing primarily on the design and styling aspects of what we do here. We had her create the below style board to give you a visual idea of who she is and what she loves.

We also asked her a few questions to get to know her a little better:

- What do you study in school? I’m studying art history!
- Where do you hail from? Originally from San Luis Obispo, CA but lived in Atlanta, GA for 6 years
- What is your favorite typeface? Fav typeface is Market Deco, because it reminds me of the 1920s
- What is your lucky number? Lucky number is 3
- What is your favorite Bay Area eatery? Fav restaurant is Sideboard in Danville, CA
- What are you reading at the moment? Re-reading a favorite, Pride and Prejudice
- What is your favorite blog? Fav blog is Anne Street Studio, by photographer Jamie Beck
- What are your words to live by? There is always time for coffee.
- If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do? If I could travel anywhere tomorrow, I would visit Paris and spend all day between cafes and the Louvre.
- Describe your personal style in three words: Simple, casual, classic
- Where would we find you on a Saturday afternoon? Hanging out with family enjoying a baseball game
- Where do you find inspiration? Inspiration comes from a variety of things like art, nature, fashion and architecture 
- What is one thing you love about weddings? One thing I love about the weddings is the way couples make their day special by designing it to reflect their personalities – it is awesome to see couples who aren’t afraid to be creative and show attention to detail at their wedding.
- Name one thing you want to do/see/try before your next birthday. I want to see Shania Twain at Caesar’s Palace! A childhood dream! :)
- What is your favorite AP design? Derby (And the Watercolor Swash…)

 

And a little more from Caitlyn about the style board she created…

I began with this Mark Rothko painting that I absolutely love, and then pulled together more images that I thought complimented the natural, ethereal style of his work. I also have a thing for sequins, hand lettering and flowers… so those are in there too :) Overall I think this board shows a little bit of my personal style and taste when it comes to color, art and aesthetic. It makes me happy!  

Welcome to the AP, Caitlyn! We are so over the moon to have you join us!

xox, A

image credits: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

 

 

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

SUITE INSPIRATION BOARD 6: DERBY

by Alexandra on March 26, 2013

in Suite Inspiration Boards

I think the Derby suite has to be my favorite inspiration board to date. I haven’t visited much of the South, but I have read an awful lot about it and have ogled tons of lovely Southern fetes and this design is me falling in love with that timeless, personal and charm-filled style that Southern weddings just seem to capture so effortlessly.

An olive, pale blush and neutral-accented palette with details of vintage horse racing ribbons, silver trophies of all sizes, and boxwood wreaths just seems so right for a derby-inspired event. I love the idea of a magnolia bloom filled bouquet and a venue with a paddock and stables housing elegant thoroughbreds to pop in photos with the bride and groom. Mint juleps in silver vessels passed on vintage trays by smartly dressed staff before the ceremony will make guests feel welcome and at ease as they wait for the festivities to start!

I would love to attend a wedding like this. I’d probably be the one wearing an extra large hat, just because I can.

xox, A

Image sources: chair sash via style me pretty/ silhouette wreath via ruffled blog/ redhead bride / ribbons / pink favor via martha stewart weddings / magnolia bouquet / trophy display / pink boutonniere via 100 layer cake / black stallion by koto bolofo via Hermes / mint juleps via southern living

{ 0 comments }

Share On Twitter

Internship Position Available

by Alexandra on March 25, 2013

in Aerialist Announcements

Now that wedding season is in high gear for stationery folks, we need to hire an intern! We are so excited to bring a new member to the AP team for the spring and summer. We know internships are a great way to get your feet wet in an industry or field you hope to work in one day and we are looking for someone eager to learn about running a small creative business and navigating the wedding industry in particular. This position is for an in-studio intern who would like to gain some hands on experience focusing on social media, design, day-to-day operations and client experience. Please keep in mind that this is not a letterpress printing internship.

Internship Description:

This position will focus on the business and design side of operating a boutique wedding stationery studio. The internship will last 3-6 months, at 8-10 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible and can work around a class schedule. This is an unpaid internship with the possibility of a permanent, paid position at the completion of the internship period.

- fulfillment of sample orders

- invoice management

- order packaging

-  photo shoot preparation & possibly styling

- social media engagement

- blogging projects

- occasional design

- print submission preparation

- pinterest combing

- proficient at using Adobe Illustrator

- Mac friendly (loving or adoring preferred!)

- have a love for paper, printing and typography

- creative and design/style conscious

- flexible and friendly

- curious and eager to learn

- hard working and capable of working independently

- local {must be available to work at our Emeryville studio}

If you are interested in applying, please download our application below and email it back to us (hello@theaerialistpress.com) with your current resume included. We will be accepting applications until April 10th!

Internship Application

photo by Melanie Duerkopp Photography

{ 1 comment }

Share On Twitter

Suite Inspiration Board 5: Atlantis

by Alexandra on March 4, 2013

in Suite Inspiration Boards

I have been a little lax lately with posting suite boards. The week before last our studio press bunny (a sweet lop-eared rabbit named Bun) passed away. Bun was a big part of our every day operation and always greeted our clients with a nose wiggle and whisker tickle. It really threw us and I haven’t felt much like posting. But, I am feeling a little more cheerful and ready to get back in the blogging game. I’ll be posting two suite boards this week to make up for the silence over the last two weeks.

First up is Atlantis. I originally designed this board with the destination couple in mind. A soft mint, azure and cotton color palette combined with natural wood neutrals, a little sparkle and sheer, gauzy bridesmaid dresses that remind you of the sea. Atlantis also features a pretty seahorse monogram that would be the perfect detail to be carried throughout the wedding decor. I am also crazy mad about those McQueen-esque mint heels. Totally impractical to walk the beach in, but too perfect for photos and maybe just the first dance. A little fashion mixed into easy beach style.

I hope you love this easy and relaxed, but still stylish take on a beachy destination affair. It is giving me a total hankering for a nice, long vacation, perhaps Anguilla or the Virgin Islands? Le sigh.

Happy Monday!

xox, A

{ 3 comments }

Share On Twitter

Suite Inspiration Board 4: Clare

by Alexandra on February 16, 2013

in Suite Inspiration Boards

The Clare suite is one of those designs that will look perfect for pretty much any kind of wedding. It is so versatile and classic that it can’t be pigeon-holed for just one type of style. That’s kind of what I love most about it. Every client who orders this design from us inevitably makes it their own and it fits seamlessly into whatever affair they are planning.

If I had a wedding do-over (not that I want one! but still), I think this would be it for me. This board for the Clare suite would be my re-do wedding, if I could create any kind of evening for my guests. It would be held at an old library. There would be book page table runners down every long guest table and possibly hollowed out stacks of books holding lush and unkempt floral arrangements. I would absolutely have a brandy and port tasting bar for after (or before or during) dinner and dancing. I would also, without a doubt, get in touch with One True Love Vintage and have Amanda style some truly fabulous lounge seating areas for my guests to mingle and relax in throughout the evening. I’d likely use old ink jars to hold some kind of favor for my guests and there would be chocolate truffles sprinkled with gold dust absolutely EVERYWHERE. This board is a bit of a departure from a lot of the weddings I see on the blogs these days and I am digging the romantic moodiness of it.

If  you had a wedding re-do, what would it look like?

xox, A

 

 

{ 1 comment }

Share On Twitter

Valentine

by Alexandra on February 14, 2013

in Love

This post was scheduled to go up yesterday, but Word Press likes to toy with me so up today it goes!

image by {toma estudio}

I really love Valentine’s Day. I love seeing all kinds of happy people smiling ridiculously at each other and at random strangers (um, me) racing them to the cheese sample at Berkeley Bowl (the local Whole Foods equivalent) or reaching for the last white corn tortilla package (also me). I also really love having dedicated time set aside to appreciate how wonderful my husband is and how lucky I am to call him mine. And how lucky I am that he likes to make me dinner and bring it to me in bed while I sip a glass of cabernet and ponder how sweet this whole being in love thing is.

I hope you have a wonderful day appreciating someone who cares for you and how much joy  they bring to your life. I sure plan to.

xo, A

 

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries