Simplifying

I recently purchased an application called Billings to take over my outdated system of sending manually-generated PDF invoices and estimates. Oh, has it been a time-saver. I've avoided products like Quickbooks, as they seem to be overly expensive and have too many options. So I began my search for something simple, customizable and Mac-friendly. So far, Billings has been worth every penny of its $40 price tag. I was able to import my contacts and create custom templates for my invoices, etc. It also eliminates the need for me to keep a separate spreadsheet of my outgoing invoices—what a pain that's been with my growing client list!

If you're looking for an easy way to keep track of your projects (and you're on a Mac), I highly recommend Billings. It even won an Apple Design Award last year. There's also a Billings app for the iPhone—I can sync the info from my computer so I'll always know who owes me $$ :-)

Time killer.

What type are you? Surprise, surprise—I'm Archer Hairline (emotional, understated, progressive, disciplined). I took the quiz a few months back and then again this week... just to be sure.

goals

I have to face it, I'm a goal-oriented, deadline-driven person. If given a project with no actual deadline, it will most likely fall behind all of the other projects that are needed by a specific date. And it may possibly never be completed. This has certainly been the case with all of the projects related to my business. I have SO many ideas for great projects, as well as things that absolutely have to be done (like organizing my files). But since I don't treat myself like a client and devote most of my time to billable work (or invoicing), I'm left with a stack of things I'd like to do but no great place to start. I know better than that. And it's time I did something about it.

So rather than let the pile become even more unmanageable, I've decided to set some specific goals both in terms of project scope and deadline. I'm setting aside time each week to learn new techniques, even if I only have a half an hour to devote. Also on my list is an overhaul of my website and blog. I have so many projects/clients I'd like to highlight, but must make my site easier to update or it will never happen. That's a lot to tackle, but it's got to be a priority... or yet again, it will fall through the cracks.

Stay tuned for updates! And perhaps a new site design?

blogs that make me drool

eat make read
tasty recipes... from a graphic designer in brooklyn. are all designers obsessed with food? i know i am...

la tartine gourmand
gorgeous food photos

print & pattern
not at all food related—just like the title says. pages and pages of prints and patterns!

decor8
and since we're getting away from the food theme...

good
i just really like this site. check out the infographics.

Brilliant

I picked up this book for a friend a while back and wish I would have gotten myself a copy... take a look!

pink links

It's been a while since I posted some links. So here goes...

Heart card from Essimar

Leg warmers from the Purl Bee

This Is for You by Rob Ryan

Felt hearts by SewnNatural