Young Love (and junk)

Ahhh young love. Young love makes ya feel so good and makes ya feel all squishy and junk.

Which is why from time to time I like to text Bub lil reminders that I, his ever so devoted and caring girlfriend, is missing on him like whoa.

Last Night's Text Message:

I said: Just thinking about you <3 miss ya!

Now, let's play a game. What do you all think Bub said in return?

A) Love of my life where art THOU! Thou is the brightest flower I havs't ever seen. Your beauty so gentle, your eyes so kind. I lovest thee!

B) I miss you too babe!

C) I almost melted the tupperware in the microwave, then I almost burned my hands.

If you guessed B then you are wrong. Also, I don't know anyone who speaks like A. If you guessed C then CONGRATS you speak "bub-lish"

Isn't he the dreamiest? He just knows what to say to make me go all "hay HAY haaay". I thought the part about him stating how he almost burnt his hands off was a real nice touch.

Oh, I never showed you guys a photo from our anniversary a few weeks back! My apologies. We took a lil vacation to atlantic city. As you all know when 2 people go on vaca somewhere its so impossible to get decent photos of the 2 of you together. That is why self timer is my best friend.

Well, at least, I thought it was my best friend.

oh, that photo above? Contrary to popular belief I am not strangling my boyfriend. About 3 seconds before the long extended BEEEEEEEEEP went off bub felt the sudden need to completely screw up the photo.

me: what.was.THAT?
bub: I don't know, I got the sudden urge to drop kick an imaginary door and hold a fake gun.
me: and you felt the sudden urge to do this during our 3 year anniversary photo together?
bub: yep.
me: I'm sorry, am I dating chuck norris??

sigh. I really do love this boy.

anyone? am I alone out here? Beuler?

Monday Photo Madness!

As some of you may or may not know the Bubs and I are moving into a new apartment (what? oh, that sound you hear? That is just the sound of me screeching of pure excitement at the top of my lungs. You'll get used to it)

There is so much that goes into a move.

Packing.

Cleaning.

Piling said packages.

Unpacking said packages.

Then throwing away the old boxes and reorganizing your life.

During this time my shop will be open for orders. I will be updating it periodically BUT I will not be physically able to produce, make or ship your items until sometime in Mid to Late October. I know guys, I'm majorly bummed out too. You have until SEPTEMBER 1ST to get your orders in! Anything placed on and after September 1st will have to wait till we are all moved in!

BUT here is what to look forward to for when I have my Grand Reopening of Yellow Heart Art come Late October!

-My Best Selling Designs in more color choices!
-Completely NEW graphic art necklaces! (I'm talking totally new designs AND materials)

-5x7 are print sets (sold in bundles of 3 or more)

-New art prints that are just illustrative designs with no words (don't worry, I will still be making "word art" prints!)

-Graphic art home decor! (Think dressing up your bed or couch!)

You guys, I am majorly STOKING OUT! (can you stoke out? Cause I totally am)

I thought it would be fun to show some of my old photographs that I used to sell at Yellow Heart Art, so now that we brought in the new, lets go down memory lane with the old!

 one of my all time FAVORITE photos! (psssttt look what I did to the "L" key--didja notice it?)

 A New York winter! (Icicles on our window)

A day trip in the hamptons (was crushing hard core on these 2 shop doors side by side to one another)

I love when my shop goes through another "revamping". Yeah its sad to see some products go, but it is so exciting to give my customers something completely and totally fresh to look at.

OK October, I'm ready for you. LET'S DO THIS!

((ok, October I totally lied. I'm not ready at all, please take your time))

kisses!

Friday Faves! (teal and orange)

Hi Loves!

There are 1 of many color combos that make my heart go all "lub dub" and junk (right? It's "lub dub"? I think thats the sound your heart makes--but what do I know I just draw pretty things on the computer all day, I didn't need to go to medical school for that)

But anyway, now that I have lost all train of thought--oh no, never mind, got it back guys--1 of many color combos I totally swoon ovah is orange and teal. It's up there with mustard and gray, or mint and coral, even navy and white.

Check it out ya'll! (PS-my inner southern gal is coming out) (PPS-I've never lived in the south, so I retract that previous statement) (PPPS-I wish I could say ya'll in NY)

Dandelions and Bluebirds Poppy Garland Headband by Much Love, Illy
She's from the south so she's allowed to say "Ya'll". Also? Side note: I own about 1/2 her shop. No Lie.

Abe Lincoln Quote by Mary Kate McDevitt

I CAN NOT TELL A LIE! (sure Abe, we believe ya)

Leather Cuff/Wallet Wristband in Dandelion by Tovi Corrie
Reasons why I love this cuff: let's all say it with me now "NO MORE PURSES WHEN GOING OUT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS!" this cuff has a hidden compartment for cash! COME ON. That.is.GENIUS.

Coral and Teal Rosette and Ruffle Headband by Baby Birdie Boutique

too bad Auntie Leo has 4 nephews and zero nieces, but I do love all my boys!!

Sunflower Medallion Knob by Anthropologie
Say it with me now: NEED.

Speaking of orange and teal I was mega stoked when Lauren asked me to revamp her current branding. When she gave me the color swatch of her fave colors I let out a little yelp of excitement.

Look what I designed for home girl! I loved it, she loved it, we all loved it. (and this, right here, is why I love what I do for a living) Thank you Lauren for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your shop!

Here is her banner:

her snazzy avatar:

and a "reserved for" image for custom orders!

how FUN is that?! LOVED designing it!

Part 1 of our Trip to Atlantic City!

Ok, so true story: I went to Atlantic City at least 2 weeks ago...and I am *just* finally showing you lovelies photos from our trip now ha (yes I give you permission to virtually "tisk tisk" me)

One of the things that Bub and I really enjoyed doing was going for walks up and down the board walk at night. Ok, so part of the reason why we walked so much was because we may or may not have taken complete and full advantage of the 24 hour "Mrs. Fields" that was stationed in our hotel. 

What?? Wouldn't you buy 14 mini cookies for 9 bucks?? Exactly.

There were lights:

There were street performers:

There were arcades and ICE CREAM:

(yes, "ice cream" needed to be in all caps)

and of course a TON of people (they probably ate a bunch of Mrs. Fields too...)

Have you ever been to Atlantic City before? 

Part 2 tomorrow!

My Heart Is Sad (Etsy Drama)

((update: since writing this post the person has gotten back to me, see bottom for response))

As we all know the reason why I started my blog "Yellow Heart Art" was for it to be an extension of my little shop of art on etsy with the same name Yellow Heart Art.

It took me a good solid 3-6 months for me to get Yellow Heart Art in order before I could even THINK of opening it up and making it official.

There was so much prep:

-designing all my graphics

-buying all my materials

-figuring out the best cost effective way to ship my items

-buying shipping materials

-come up with branding (logo design, colors, theme, feel)

-come up with product descriptions

-come up with store policies

I mean opening up an online shop is no joke. You really need to put your heart into it.

Thats why I was really disappointed this weekend when I discovered this:

What is that, you ask?

It's screen shots from mine and another etsy seller's shops. Anything that is blurred out (like their store name in their etsy banner and the copyright information) is to not give this person any traffic to their shop from my blog. Also, even though I am very upset that they blatantly stole my wording and branding I am not going to blast their etsy on my blog, that is not my goal for this blog post.

I write this blog post because there I sat at my computer a few months back before my shop was even made into an official etsy--and I made countless word documents of all my information. My product descriptions, my product titles, my shipping policies, store policies etc. And there, above, someone just took all my hard work, MY words and MY thoughts and just copied and pasted them like it was no big deal.

Now don't get me wrong, I know people use the "flag" element that I use in my branding, and I know it's not a design element that I invented, but I did make the flag work with in my branding. Now I'm going to have to believe that he/she saw my etsy branding and slightly (very slightly) "re-worked it" for use for his/her shop.

Please, if you have your own etsy shop, do NOT do this. I understand a huge factor in owning an etsy are the products you make and sell. But there is also another factor in owning an etsy: and that is letting people getting know the person who actually makes the products. If you just copy and paste someone else's thoughts you are essentially loosing yourself.

The shop owner in question does have a talent. He/she makes graphic prints as well, and I will say they are talented and do have a gift. I truly wish nothing but great success in their budding etsy shop. I just want them to have success because they were true to themselves throughout the entire process.

Sorry for this blog post, I know you're not used to this side of me, but I figured its nice to show a side of me thats not running around sporting an oversized hoodie while lip syncing "ice ice baby"

Thanks for listening and thank you to EVERYONE for the support--stay tuned! hopefully the seller will stop copying me in the future since I have contacted them.

Take care loves!

***UPDATE***

Since writing this post the shop owner did get back to me. She was very mature in her response back, she apologized for what she did and even admitted that she was wrong for doing so. She is going to update her descriptions and change her etsy banner.

I am SO happy that she was so receptive to me. When writing to her I did keep my composure and even complimented her shop (no joke, she really truly does have amazing graphic prints) She is completely new to etsy and only currently has 2 sales, so I said that I would help her out with any questions that she may have since she was so quick to apolgize and correct the problem. She even mentioned how she admired my shop and felt bad that she had done that to me.

aaaaaand I can finally exhale now! It's amazing how if you approach someone the *right* way you might be totally and completely surprised by the outcome. I was expecting her to be in denial and try to make me sound like a crazy person haha but I am really truly happy with the result. I encourage you all to keep your cool if you ever run into a problem like this--who knows the person on the other end might surprise you.

Friday Faves! (rejoice! she's back!)

Looooooves!!!

(sorry, I have been so MIA lately I felt the need to extend my vowels in excitement for my glorious return)

Ok reasons for being MIA:

-went on vaca last week (awww yeaaah)

-said vaca was awesome

-coming back to a lot of etsy orders and designs requests was even more awesome

-printing out all etsy orders and trying to weed through all my emails was not as awesome

-attempted to make a pizza, but the pizza dough was possessed by the devil and was.not.cooperating

-said pizza turned into an amoeba and not a circle. I was ok with this

-checked out apartments for Bubs and I new digs

-been making new swag for my shop!

I've been meaning to posts pics of my trip with the Bubs (we went to Atlantic City to celebrate our 3 year anniversary) but honestly, again, I've been so busy.

So I will try to have that as a monday post for you loves!

Ok, now onto the good stuff. The stuff you all have been waiting for. The stuff that is probably just as or more so better than the "good stuff" that snapple uses.

I present to you: Friday Faves, the "this stuff is better than snapple's stuff so take that snapple" edition

Wooden Locket - Triangles by So Little Time

ok, mega mega crush alert here. I am lovin' this modern geometric take on a locket! It's great cause I sucked in math real bad in school (like, embarrassingly bad, I mean really who said it was ok for letters to be mixed in with numbers??) so I can walk around with this necklace and be all like "yeah take that geometry look at me I'm sporting equilateral triangles-AND WHAT"

Coral Turban Style Headband by Rayna Jaye

Confession Alert: Turban headbands never. ever. EVER look like this on my head. I wish they did though cause let's be honest, this girls got it.

Copper Wire Wrapped Necklace by Fr33na

Bow Tie Necklace by Fr33na

I wear bows in my hair, around my neck, around my waist, on my bag, on my finger...I think it's time for me to seek some sort of "extreme bow lovers anonymous" group or something. It's getting out of control. 

Screen Printed Necklace in Bright Orange by Larka Designs

oOoo sneaky sneaky, totally thought that was lace all up in there. It's not, it's a screen print OF lace ON fabric. Consider my mind blown.

Yes You're The Fairest by Vol25

Why Thank You Vol25, I think I'm the fairest too! No, really, pretty sure my skin is transparent I'm so pale...but pale can be cool, right? I just gotta avoid making a cameo on the Jersey Shore.

Have you been MIA lately?

Happy Friday!!!

Friday Faves Guest Post!

Ello Loves!

As you are reading this Bubs and I are finishing up our birth-a-versary vacation.

and.we.have.been.having.a.BLAST.

there is one thing though that we did that I will never ever ever (EVER to the 10th millionth degree) ever do again. I rode the this called The Rocket (and oh yes, there is a video that I will share in another blog post) and holy dear baby jesus I almost wet myself.

anyway I asked the lovely Allie over from Amaryllis Truth to fill in for me while I'm gone!

She was stoked. I was stoked. It was stokage times 2.

When you're done reading this go on and give her a lil Holla! She's supah friendly and pretty rad <3

hi guys! i'm allie, stopping by from my blog, Amaryllis Truth. i'm a recent college grad, girlfriend, and now an artist surviving living my dream :)   i was so honored when leonora asked me to do her "friday faves" post for this week while she is on vacation, hope i do it some justice & that you guys enjoy my (pretty random) looking-forward-to-the-fall favorites!

1. free people: speaks directly to my inner hippie. everything i wish i was bold enough to wear... and could afford ;)

2. fall means to me... boot shopping {{swoon}} one can never have too many pairs of leather boots.

3. iced chai tea.  perfectly refreshing for the sticky heat of august, with subtle reminders of the autumn to look forward to :)

4. chinchilly by essie. a chilled out version of spring/earlier summer ultra-brights and pastels.

5. & forts: i'm not sure at what age is became socially unacceptable for adult to play in forts, but nevertheless i still love them.  so romantic (and not to mention, put in a movie and you've got the perfect FREE date night)

Chapter 4: Pacey Moment

Chapter 4: Pacey Moment

Rejoice! Some boy finally nabbed this gal (we'll call him "Pacey"--what? This is the one time in my life I can make pretend that I dated Pacey Witter--just go with it)

Everything was going great! We talked. We laughed. We shared dreams and goals. Pacey and I would take a ride up that good 'ol creek all romantic and junk (ok, that never happened)

it was perfect.

Then, out of no where, Pacey dumps me.

A really ugly dumping too. The kind of dumping that totally side swipes you and completely takes you off guard. No warning. No hints. No "ah-ha" moment (ya know, that moment where someone is dumping you and you replay your relationship in your head and you notice all those subtle changes in them that led to this moment? Yeah, there was no that)

 

I.was.ruined.

Steve and I started to talk more on the phone, like, a lot more. So much more that I remember one day Steve couldn't talk to me one night and he called the next day to apologize for not "calling me to say goodnight"

and I was all like "dude, its ok, its not like we're dating"

at this point he was still in New Mexico finishing up school for the Air Force. He comes home and we start to hang out a lot.

we would play guitar hero

he would never let me win

we would shoot some pool

still wouldn't let me win

he would steal my M&Ms right from my hand

dude, I wanted those.

we would go on a ride on his atv

I would be covered in mud, he would stay dry

we would watch movies together

he would sit all the way on the other end of the couch, while stealing my M&Ms

apparently all this meant he liked me (who knew)

and then, something happened.

one day while on the swings he got in front of me, put his hands on the chains, and kissed me

(finally got my "Pacey Witter" moment)

he asked me to his girlfriend.

I said no.

he waited a few weeks, asked me to be his girlfriend again

I said no.

you guys, i told you this kinda thing would happened. When I see commitment I see hurt (ie: Pacey who dumped me outta no where) and besides, part of me saying no to Bubs twice was because I wanted to make sure I liked HIM, all of him, and that I wasn't making him my rebound. He meant too much to me and he was too good of a guy to be "the rebound".

But he wasn't the rebound.

then, on his birthday, something else happened.

He had mentioned to me how he would love to be able to introduce his family to his girlfriend on his birthday.

I asked him if this was his way of telling me that he was seeing someone else.

He sighed.

and I said yes.

Chapter 3: You are the Dr.Phil to my Oprah

Chapter 3: You are the Dr.Phil to my Oprah

Over the course of the year Steve and I got to know each other and became friends. He was in New Mexico still doing super awesome stuff for the air force and I of course was in New York being a super awesome hippy graphic designer.

We dated other people. (boy, did we date other people…) My friends had dubbed me the "one date wonder" at the time. I'd go on a date with a dude, shrug him off and never call him ever again.

I dated everyone under the sun. An Egyptian pro wrestler (yeah, those exists) a young divorcee, some fireman who was apparently living with his girlfriend (yeah, scumbags exists too) and basically any guy that I met at a bar.

I read somewhere that some chick said "yes" to every guy who asked her out on a date, and I guess somewhere in the back of my mind that stuck with me. I figured "hey, its just a date, whats the worse that can happen?" In fact my friends loved "single Leonora" cause "single Leonora" always had awesome stories to tell.

During this whole year I never had a boyfriend, just guys here and there that would take me out on a date or 2. Commitment freaked me out. Not because I can't be loyal or because I *want* to date a million and one people, but I guess on some level if I didn't have a boyfriend that meant that I couldn't get hurt.

It takes A LOT for me to have a boyfriend. Every guy that has ever been my boyfriend definitely had to ask me out at least 3 times before I said "yes". A year passes and Steve and I (side note: totally weird calling him Steve and not Bub) keep in touch and we are each other's "go-to's" for relationship advice. Like as if he was my Dr.Phil and I was his Oprah.

and then something happened.

The year long "one date wonder" got her a boyfriend.

(and it wasn't Bub)

....chapter 4 tomorrow!

Chapter 2: I'm sorry, you came from where?

Chapter 2: I'm sorry, you came from where?

3 days past and I find the cutest lil black dress (total win side note: said dress has been warn to 3 weddings, 2 fire department installation dinners and 1 photo shoot over the course of 2 years, take THAT extreme couponers. You may get a years supply of toothpaste for free but I've worn a $90 dress 6 times in a  2 years span. All hail me)

The dinner was at the Sheraton so all the fire guys got hotel rooms to stay at for the night. Now I didn't feel comfortable staying the night with Matt so since he had an extra bed in his room he offered it to his friend that was also attending the dinner.

I go down to the lobby and see some dude standing there with luggage. He's talking to matt so I assume this is said friend that is staying in his room with him.

"I'm Steve"
"I'm Leonora"
"I just got in from New Mexico"
"I'm sorry, you came from where?"
"New Mexico"
"So this was planned...?"
"No, bought my ticket 5 minutes before I left--just landed not too long ago"

I just kinda stood there confused.

...the 4 of us got ready together (Me, Matt, Steve and his very very last minute date)

Matt and I and my awesome cocktail dress that has been worn A TON. (sorry still stoked about that)

Steve and his date (and Matt photo bombing)
At first I wasn't really feeling steve, he kept socking Matt in the stomach...

man down man down!

But we all had an awesome time together, and sadly these are the 1st pics ever taken of Bub and I

 way to be classy Leonora.

please just look at my face for a second. Like really look at it.  I don't drink. I've never been drunk, and yet I look totally HAMMERED HA! It's kinda embarrassing but sorta epic all at the same time.

...part 3 tomorrow!