You said what? A Sock? In Your Hair?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Lacey Ackerman

People are so trendy these days, I often admire ones who can make an outfit look like art. I pass as an “artist”. I can sometimes pass as a chef. Once thing, I rarely pull off is being a “fashionista.” Generally, I don’t do well when it comes makeup/clothes/hair/anything girly. You’d think if I can paint on a canvas, why can’t I master painting on my own face?! (putting on makeup). Don’t know what went wrong…went to a fashionable high school, have fashionable friends, but when it comes down to it, all I really ever want to wear is a hoodie, leggings, with my hair quickly tied up.

So when a friend of mine came to me and said, “you’d look good in a sock-bun”…I said “Que? No habla trends.” It’s all is a foreign language to me. Well, thanks to said friend’s 7th grade students, we learned a new, quick, tie-up-your-hair-kind-of trend. The Sock Bun. Genius. Immediately went home to practice. Turns out, you don’t need practice! That’s how easy it is. For once, I can pull of a hair-do, that’s not you’re generic old pony-tail.

My first (and pretty nice, if I do say so myself) attempt:

How To Make the Sock Bun

If you refuse to put a sock in your hair, H&M sells a donut-shaped bun maker. Works even better than a dirty old sock. After you master this, all you’ll notice is ladies walking around with giant buns. Now you know the secret. But hey, the boys don’t know.

Where would my niece and nephew be without my DIY step-stools?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Lacey Ackerman

Every kid needs to brush their teeth thoroughly…EVERY morning and night, even midday, without fail. My hygienist mother always enforced this strictly growing up and would be APPALLED if her grandchildren weren’t doing the same.

So, I can’t even imagine what condition my niece and nephew’s teeth would be in without my beautiful DIY bathroom step-stools I created for them. OK, so my niece doesn’t quite have all her baby teeth in, but she will, and they’ll need to be squeaky clean!

As you know, I like to find any excuse to make a DIY project, so when my sister told me she was pregnant with her first, once again, I jumped on the opportunity. Anyone who loves DIY projects knows that Michael’s or AC Moore carry a plethora of wooden products. Not knowing what exactly I was searching for, I settled on this wooden stool for $9.99.

The first monkey-inspired stool was for my nephew, Robbie, who was born November, 23, 2009. He’s gotten so much use of this stool, it only felt right to make one for my niece, April, born in July of 2012. I took out my Acrylic paints, and finished it off with some HIgh Gloss Acrylic Paint.

DIY Singer Sewing Machine Desk

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

Back in March, I moved into a new apartment, due to lack of space. Lack of space means no room for a desk, which is a crucial item if you are a freelance graphic designer. And this was exactly what I told a friend of mine over a phone conversation, in which she replied, “I have a leftover Singer sewing machine base in my garage.” I saw this as an opportunity for a DIY project, rather than driving all the way to to nearest IKEA. So, I trekked to her house to pick up this awesome, vintage base. However, she failed to mention most of it looked like this:

Cobwebs, spiders, cocoons, rust, dirt…you name it, this thing was covered in it. Reluctantly, I loaded it into my trunk and took it home. This thing needed some serious TLC. And I guess I was feeling up to the challenge.

My first step was to take a ride to Home Depot. There, I purchased steel-wire brushes, rubber gloves, a black metallic spray paint can and a bottle of Loctite Naval Jelly Rust Dissolver. I would describe this stuff as pink Ghostbusters slime. Before applying to the Singer base, I hosed the whole thing down. Afterwards, I applied the slime, very carefully, as to avoid skin contact, and scrubbed the s**t out of it until I cleaned out all crevasses. Hosed it down again and left to dry.

Once dried, I applied about 3-4 layers of spray paint. About two hours later I brought the base inside and placed it into the perfect corner for a lovely mini-office. I am so pleased with how shiny and new it looks. Now it was time to find a desk top that sits on top of the base; glass or wood.

While out for a run in the neighborhood, I came across an old kitchen table set out on the curb. The detachable leaf of the table seems to be the perfect size for my workstation nook. And voilà! My new, hip, vintage desk is complete; and it only cost me about $25.

Sponsors fill the streets of London with the Olympic brand

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/21754/mwm-graphics-and-attik-london-2012-olympics-coca-cola-branding.html

If you are walking down the streets of London today, there is no way to avoid the Olympic branding. It’s clearly visible on advertisements from all Olympic sponsors, and even non-sponsors, although they have to abide by strict guidelines.

Olympic sponsors, such as McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Panasonic, GE, Samsung and Visa, all had a big price to pay for a branding contract (around $100 million to be exact). Yep, its a buttload of money, however, these sponsors would not put in if they did not believe they would make the money back.

Unlike non-sponsors, these companies have the ability to use the Olympic rings and words in their advertisements, such as “Olympics”, “2012″, “medals”, “gold”, and EVEN “London”! Non-sponsors have to be extremely careful…otherwise they will be arrested by the brand police ! <— They actually exist.

With an estimated 11 million visitors for the Olympic Games, I have no doubt in my mind that these companies will see a chunky revenue.

Learn HTML5 with Aquent’s Summer of Learning

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

Whether you’re an HTML beginner or have experience, Aquent makes learning HTML5 a little bit easier on us this summer. Aquent, a marketing and staffing agency, is providing us with four, in-depth, online courses, to make us proficient HTML5 coders! Registration for each course is easy, and its all free.

With Summer of Learning, we will have access to an extensive list of recommended reading, video demos, the ability to interact with an expert instructor, a weekly webinar on different HTML5 topics, and assignments which will help enhance your portfolio.

So go back to school! Learn!

If any small business deserves a grant, it’s Jazams of Princeton

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

“Fabulous fun for everyone”…is Jazams motto. And it’s totally true. I’m a 28-year old woman and every time I step foot into this terrific Princeton, New Jersey toy store, I am reminded of my inner child. And I’ll admit, I have a ploy. It’s usually “I just need to step into Jazams real quick for gifts for my nieces and nephews.” What I’m really thinking is…”I wanna go in there to PLAY!”

Here, you’ll find unusual, quirky toys that you would never see at your local Toys ‘R’ Us, including many which are made out of sustainable materials. Most items in the store serve an educational purpose, all while being fun. The employees are enthusiastic and passionate. The shelves are colorful and packed with cool items, yet organized. And this place is guilty of containing merchandise with some of the most beautiful packaging I’ve ever seen. You can understand why people can’t refrain from impulse buys at this wonderful, local small business.

Speaking of small businesses…Jazams could qualify for the $250,000 Grant from Chase and LivingSocial’s Mission: Small Business. All it takes is a quick, simple vote.

Although not a large store, you will find yourself spending a lot of time here. My only suggestion at Jazams…try not to trip over any little rascals whizzing by on scooters.

Beautiful, quirky video campaign for Victoria

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

The mixture of a pretty model, eccentric art and stop motion was the perfect recipe for a remarkable campaign featuring the Spring 2012 collection of Victora by Victoria Beckham. Quentin Jones is the mastermind behind this visually captivating campaign.

Watch and admire this photo montage video:

Victoria by Victoria Beckham from quentinjones on Vimeo.

Branches Catering Pocket Folder Design

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

A few years ago, I was able to offer my design services to a beautiful banquet facility, Branches Catering; everything from advertisements in popular Wedding publications, logos and marketing materials. Amongst those was one of my favorites…the pocket folder, in which the wedding planners offer to potential clients. These pocket folders contained information such as pricing, menus and vendor options.

The goal was to create a clean design, that shows the elegance and beauty of the venue. The delicate vines were taken from the murals along the walls on the interior of the facility. The pocket folder also demonstrates the organizational skills of the staff, to gain the trust of the client.

To view more images, click here.

“Can I use your EOS ball?”

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

“Can I use your EOS ball?” This is the question I’ve been getting asked on a daily basis, for the past two months. Some of you are probably wondering what on earth an EOS ball is. Others may already know what this means. It means someone wants to use my chapstick! This is no ordinary chapstick. Since I purchased this product, people have been going nuts over it; everyone from my friends to parents and more specifically, my nieces and nephews, who range from ages 1-4.

Being a graphic designer, who frequently deals with packaging for skin care products, this innovative-looking “ball” immediately caught my attention. I spotted it while checking out at the grocery store, and decided to purchase it before I even knew what the product was – no joke! It could have been the earthy/organic tones mixed with the shape and texture of the packaging…whatever it was, I liked it.

EOS stands for the Evolution of Smooth. I’ve yet to try any other of their products, such as body lotion, hand lotion or shaving cream, but I don’t doubt that they are great. Sure, their website design could use a little work, but I don’t even care; because their packaging is just brilliant. You can check out more EOS products here. Make your friends want your EOS ball.

Homemade pizza, customized the way YOU want it

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Lacey Ackerman

Trader Joes is my feaven <— that is not a typo. If the specialty grocery store didn’t lack my home essentials, such as TP, shampoo & conditioner, magic erasers, etc., it’s safe to say it’d be my only grocery store. But Wegman’s will suffice. But aside from that, the food selection is unique and delicious. Plus they have $5 wines that are good! Not to mention, it’s a feel-good environment and you’ll leave with a smile. So there you have it, Trader Joes is my food heaven…refer to first sentence.

Reason I bring it up, is because most of the time, my ingredients formally lived at TJ’s. Now they live in my belly.

So listen, this is not a recipe site, but a site with food insight. This is supposed to be a blog dedicated to my art and the creative industry. I just love food so damn much, I gotta share it. Here’s my pizza! Molto bella! (Lacey pinches her fingers and gives em a kiss, as if she’s Italian).

What’s it got? Spinach, baby bella mushrooms, kalamata olives, mozz, parmesan, and spices and herbs of my choice, all on top of wheat pizza dough. Just because it’s the new year and all. Ya know, resolutions and stuff.

And a before shot: