Best Coffee...

In beautiful Traverse City, the most fantastic and delicious coffee is distributed and roasted by Higher Grounds. They located near the Old State Hospital and Left Foot Charlies tasting room. The coffee beans they sell are certified organic and fair-trade and their business ethic is one of the most sustainable and fairest I have ever seen! Who wouldn't want to support that... and again, drink the best cup of coffee EVER. No joke. 

Another one of my many favorite things about this company is: if you call or order ahead... they do not sell you coffee they roasted yesterday... they roast for your specific order the DAY you come in to pick it up to ensure you the highest quality cup! Genius! 

Again, I love that when I go in and order a cup of coffee, they cater DIRECTLY for me! Gotta love quality customer service! Their drip coffee makes exactly your cup, no more, no less. No wasting is going on here :) If I want it "to go", they do not have your typical paper cups. They serve you your delish cup in a normal mug and ask that you please bring the mug back to the store. Again - no waste. It is incredible. Truly.

Please check out their website: www.highergroundstrading.com and read about them! They're truly a one of a kind business :) 

Image from:  http://coopcoffees.com/images/roaster-pics/hg_espresso_bar.jpg

Kudos to the Eames Lounge Chair!!

Classic.... luxurious... modern... elegant... quality. 

Only a few of my favorite words :) 

These words just happen to describe my most favorite piece of furniture... EVER: 

The Eames Lounge Chair. 

This stunning chair is manufactured and distributed by Herman Miller (Holland, MI). 

Not only is the Eames Lounge chair the standard for comfort, sustainably sound, 

and truly a classical piece... 

it is also part of the permanent collection of the 

Museum of Modern Arts in New York. 

One day I hope it makes its way into my home :)

(photo from hermanmiller.com - check it out!)

Awesome blog!

My brother is currently in Uganda on a dental mission trip... anyone who is interested in reading about this incredible experience here is a link to one of his fellow volunteers blog:

http://minnesotauganda09.blogspot.com

I'm really proud of Jon and his accomplishments... He has recently been accepted in the University of Michigan's PhD program for dentistry, he has really worked hard to get where he is. Jon graduates this May from Hope College, will start school in Ann Arbor this fall, but starts doing his research this summer. He is over in Uganda right now working as a tech... from what I've heard and read, it definitely isn't easy or fun work. There are a lot of kids with teeth in poor condition... It's pretty awesome that these students are helping and making a difference! 

What helps keep me motivated!

After Monday's eight-hour design charette for ASID, I am toast! I was so excited to have gotten everything finished though! It was such a relief :) My perfective wasn't beautiful, but it portrayed the view I needed it to! 

To help relax, I'm trying to focus on graduation and our family vacation to the beautiful Hawaii in four months! It will be the fifth time we've been there, so it will be strictly focused relaxation... no more discovering, maybe some snorkeling here or there, but mostly just laying my the pool with a delicious tropical cocktail! Yummy! It will be just what I need after a very intense year :)

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Erin

Elixir of Love! My first Opera!

Tonight I was fortunate enough to attend the opera, Elixir of Love, at the DeVos Performance Hall here in Grand Rapids! The show was absolutely fantastic! It was my first opera and I truly believe this was a great one to start with. It was sung in Italian with English subtitles (which I have heard is quite common)... I would suggest to anyone who is interested in seeing an incredibly clever and humorous performance! 

Also, if anyone is interested in getting dessert at Bentham's in the Amway Grand... I highly recommend the chocolate brownie thing with raspberry sauce.... AMAZING!!!

Much love!

Erin

(photo from the DeVos Performance Hall website)

New to Twitter!

I am new on Twitter! What a FUN way to connect with people! If you're not on it yet, I highly suggest it :) 

This is a quick blog... but more to come this weekend since I will have a little bit of time!!!

Much love,

Erin

Projects

My first project for my Studio class is due this Wednesday! The assignment is actually a competition judged by Ghiordes Knot (a rug showroom located in the Michigan Design Center in Troy, MI) for students in Interior Design programs throughout the state. We are required to draw and render a perspective that accentuates the rug. Not only are we able to practice our core skills, there is a cash reward for first place and honorable mentions... After the due date (March 6, 2009), I will post the drawing!! 

The rug design that I chose was inspired from the tiles on the floor and ceiling of the Taj Mahal... Once you see the drawing, you'll see that I too, was inspired by the Indian design elements :)

Until next time!

Erin

The first draft of my Portfolio!

Below is my master page layout for my physical portfolio :) Each page will look very similar to this. I'm planning on making a few alterations, but here is a "sneak peek" at what I'm planning on doing! Feel free to give me feedback!

Decisions for the layout:

Anyone who knows me can understand that I live in organized chaos :) I live for it. I love to be busy, but I have to organize it all! I can multi-task like nobody's business, I have lists for everything, and sticky notes are my best friends! Due to this, I felt the grid pattern organizing my drawings, my notes, and miscellaneous items that relate to my project(s) fit my personality quite perfectly :) I did have to research (I have a passion for researching...) to figure out exactly how I wanted to portray myself... what you see below is "me"... on paper! 

Some background on the project: 

The project was assigned in my studio 3 class this past summer as a group project. We were to choose a region outside of the United States, research their culture and food, and apply that information to design the interior of a restaurant. We were given the shell of the building and square footage requirements for each individual "space." After researching the Andalucian region of Spain, my partner Heather and I decided to focus on the Flamenco dance. After fighting with load bearing posts, space limitations, the HVAC system and all of the building codes, we were able to engineer the perfect floor plan and ceiling plan! Not only does it portray the movement and fiery passion of the Flamenco dance, it encourages a similar culture to that of the Spaniards! We chose furniture, fixtures, and equipment that also emphasized our concept. We also kept in mind sustainability and universal design. 

Again, please feel free to leave comments - they are greatly appreciated!

Enjoy!

Erin

Entering the world of blogging...!

Well, here it is :) I'm entering into the next stage of being "in touch." My plan is to use this site to show my progression through my final semester of school... and my transition in the professional world. Which includes showing off the incredible work that is created at Modern Day Floral, since that has become a large part of my life over the last several months! Not only have I realized my passion for event and floral design, I have made some incredible friends :)

This semester, I am finishing up my last (yay!) 12 credits in Interior Design at Kendall College of Art and Design, a CIDA accredited institution. I am taking my last Studio class, a Fantasy Literature course (which will probably be one of my most challenging classes I have taken during my academic career), Professional Practices, and finally - and most importantly - a Portfolio class! There is nothing better than learning how to portray yourself (and your place of employment) in the BEST way possible - especially during "prosperous" economic times like these... ;)

As I start getting further into my courses, I will post portions of my projects for all of you to see :) Please feel to comment... whatever I can do to better my projects will be MUCH appreciated! 

Of course, this can't strictly be all "business" so hopefully I can throw in some fun aspects of my life, since believe it or not... I am able to enjoy my 20's :) 

Enjoy!!

Erin

*Image One : Kendall College of Art and Design Logo *Image Two: Personal Image *Image Three: Personal Image *Image Four: Property of Modern Day Floral *Image Five: Taken by David Ederer