A Little Sun in San Diego

While you are all working on your wishlists for the shop, I wanted to share some lovely images with you from my recent trip to San Diego. It has been a while since I have been back to my home town and it was such a relaxing and much needed getaway. I found myself realizing how much I have missed the warm sun, beautiful landscape, and easy going pace. Seeing my family was a bonus too!

One of our days there we spent in Old Town San Diego, which is where "the first Europeans settled." We happened to go on a gorgeous sunny day and I found myself inspired by the architecture, succulents, and mexican tiles we encountered. I even walked out with a gorgeous mexican blanket to remember my trip with. Now I am dreaming of moving down there again, getting away from all the bustle of city life sounds perfect. A girl can dream, right?

{all photos by Monkey & The Whale}

Wishlist

Hello everyone! Christmas has come and gone and the New Year is right around the corner. I am already making big plans for this year and I need your help. As most of you know I am a graphic designer and recently launched my own etsy shop, Monkey & The Whale. I have a handful of items in my shop, but it has been sort of hobby up until now. With the new year around the corner, I would really like to make it more than a hobby and turn it into a full fledged business. To do that I need to amp up my product offering and kick into marketing gear. 


To kick things off, I would really love to hear from all of you what types of products you would like to see in the shop and what types of items you look for in general from the "handmade" variety. As you will notice I have paper goods and art prints in the shop, but I am looking to expand into tote bags, more prints/one of a kind art, kiddo items, and even some goodies for the pets. If there is something you've been dreaming of leave a comment with your wishlisted items and I will make it happen. So it is up to you all to send in your Monkey & The Whale wishlist! I can't wait to see what comes in! Happy New Year!


{original artwork by Monkey & The Whale}

Happy Holidays

Christmas is almost here, Hanukkah has begun and the New Year is around the corner. I thought I would usher it all in with a little promotion for all of my clients. The theme this year was gnomes and nature! This all arose from a memory that popped into my head unexpectedly of some rather adorable lawn gnomes that my Dad used to put out every Christmas. I did a little sketchy sketch and off to the computer to create the final card. I decided to print these on a "paper bag" card stock which gave it a more natural feeling as well. You can check him out on my website, here. Who wouldn't want this little guy wishing them a "Happy Holidays?!" I think it turned out pretty great, what do you think?

{photos and original art by Monkey & The Whale}

Merry & Bright

It's that time of year, the best time of year when I get to be cheesy and silly and decorate my house with trees, lights, and ornaments. Having kids allows me to amp up the cheese level even more, which I am so grateful for. I feel like a kid again myself, and I have new appreciation for my parents. Oh how terrible I was every December--searching for "hidden" presents, making tiny tears in wrapped presents to try to guess their contents, tantrums, wishlists two pages long. Even though I married somewhat of a holiday scrooge, even he enjoys some of my crazy holiday accoutrement. If I had my wish we would have the Clark Griswald house, with so many lights the neighbors wouldn't need any on the inside. This is the time when I get to enjoy such wonderful moments with my family. The house is warm and cozy, there is the promise of a new year and a new beginning right around the corner. Our family Christmas card reads, "Merry & Bright," and I couldn't agree more. A time to be merry and bright indeed.

{photos by Monkey & The Whale}