Design for Mankind-Dailies

I just want to give a HUGE thank you... to Erin over at Design For Mankind, for featuring me today in her wonderful dailies section.

"The Dailies is one of Design for Mankind's signature features, and it's just as it sounds. The Dailies is a glance into the life of everyone's favorite artists/designers/bloggers--- from dawn until dusk! All the details, all the goods."

You can rush on over to Design for Mankind and read about a day in the life of yours truly.

Also while you are there make sure to check out Erin's amazing E-zine called "Inspiration", which features marvelous designers/bloggers/artists and everyday people and what inspires them.

Labels, Stickers, Labels

I have been on a sticker slash label kick lately...I think labels add that certain "je ne sais quoi" to items....I use them on my packages....anywho...here are some labels slash stickers that I have recently designed...for your viewing pleasure (or for the hell of it)

Happy Inconvenience Yourself Day!

Happy Inconvenience yourself day! To celebrate this most joyous of days, I have inconvenienced myself quite a ALOT today so far. So you can say I'm having an all day celbration. I will share with you how I have inconvenienced myself today so far...( after reading this you will probably never want to hear the word "inconvenience" again)

1. As I was driving to work at 6:45 am this morning, out of the kindness of my heart I let this bastard (A.K.A a person of the male gender) cut me off thus inconveniencing myself to miss the green light and have to wait a minute and 33 seconds (Yep. I timed it) for the light to change, while the said bastard zipped on his merrily way.

2. As I was planning to park in a very CONVENIENT spot in front of Dunkin Donuts, lo 'n' behold I see a little bitty old lady's head behind the steering wheel of the car behind me, trying to find a spot herself. So once again out of the kindness of my heart I let her have my spot....thus inconveniencing myself to have to park further (much further) down and have to walk half a block for my large cappucino with 3 sugars.

"Hey little old lady...tommorrow is not inconvenience yourself day no more...so watch out!"

While at the post office waiting to hand off my lovely creations to be sent off to the most gracious people with good taste who purchased them...in comes a pregnant lady. My kindness being of such great magnitude, I let her get in front of me. As 20 minutes passed by, it was her turn to send off her mail. When the postal worker finished dispatching the mum-to-be's goods...it was my turn finally and as I went to the window of the ever so friendly postal worker, she tells me her window is closed and I must wait for the next clerk. So, I INCONVENIENCED myself by letting Mrs.Preggers in front of me and having to wait an extra 15 minutes for the next available clerk.

Next time, Mrs. Bun in the oven, I've been there done that...I won't be so kind!

Well kiddies join me in celebrating this wonderful day...share your stories of inconvience with me

Surly Mermaid

Aside from being a pretty chick, funny in a very sarcastic way as myself, kind and friendly she's also extremely talented and that my friends is Surly Mermaid...a fused glass artist/designer who I have become friends with on Etsy....I met Surly (won't give you her real name unless she O.K's it..just in case she's some super hero and her identity is a secret) when she bought some of my Nastee Notes on Etsy and gave me the most amazing feedback. So we started to chat it up and we have become sarcasm spewing sisters. I totally DIG (my favorite word) her work...it is extremely funky and modern. From home accents to fab jewelry (which I own a few pieces and am waiting for Mr. Mailman to deliver some new ones any day now) Surly is totally right on key.

You must check out her work...and buy some...cause the chick prices these pieces extremely low for such amazing workmanship and quality.

Guitar Heroine

So yesterday I had some "me" time...My hubby and my bouncing baby boy went out for a bit and momma (me) opted out and stayed home. I had to catch up on some work and wanted some time to myself. I can't remember when I had the house all to myself and it was pure joy. So I did work and I also played a little. Yes thats right I'm 32 yrs old but I like video games (not all) but I am so addicted to Guitar Hero on the Wii or as I like to call it Guitar Heroine.

To think I had no idea this game existed (there is a guitar hero 1 & 2..thought you should know that) until we got a Wii. Boy have I've been missing out on some fun That's "me" in my black leather outfit

Well the first time I turned it on...I was quite overwhelmed and dissapointed it seemed so hard and how the heck was I going to maneuver that guitar? But as my momma (and I guess everyone else's momma used to say) "Practice makes perfect" and boy have I practiced...I've even taken the guitar away out of my baby boy's 4yr old chubby hands (what kind of mother am I?)

Well not to toot my own horn..I've become quite good...I've even ordered a jazzy face plate for my guitar so I can be a rock'n' roll godess.

My Zebra striped face plate which I'm anxiously waiting for the UPS man to deliver...
So I can practice some more in case Guns 'n' Roses want to make a comeback and have me as their lead guitarist chick.

That's "me" rocking out...doesn't it look JUST like me?

And finally I have to admit I am a karaoke junkie...I have been karaoking since way back in college...I actually call myself a Karaoke Superstar since I've karaoked all around the world (well actually not all around the world...just the U.S, portugal and paris)

To feed my karaoke apetite I have purchased almost every karaoke video game out there (aren't you just jealous of the excitement in my life?)


So aside from rocking out on my Guitar Heroine I also was a vocal diva on my American Idol karaoke game. Have you noticed the street hooker outfits I choose for my avatars? Maybe I was a singing guitar playing street hooker in a past life. Nah..I have entrepreneurial tendencies... I was probably the singing guitar playing MADAME of the whorehouse...yeah that sounds more like me.....

That's Simon (as in Cowell for the 1 person who doesn't watch American Idol who might read this) giving his nod of approval as I belt out a marvelous rendition of Captain and Tennille's "Love will keep us together"

So there you have it...one of the exciting Sundays in my "so called life"

OUCH!!!!!

Ouch..yep that's the first word that comes to mind when I saw these "heel-less" shoes by designer Antonio Berardi in an article in todays New York Post.

I mean yeah they look hot and what girl doesn't want to look hot? But how on earth can you walk in them? I would love to try them out but I don't know if my corn on my left pinky toe would be able to handle it...

So obviously all the celeb chicks are digging them and they are on a wait list...in England already.

So if you want to look hot tip-toeing around and have $3,600 bucks to spare go ahead and buy them , they just went on sale in the U.S.

Let me know if you dig em or don't....

Neosporin & Die Hard

This weekend was the first time this winter season that we folks here in NYC have seen a glimpse of snow...actually it was more like 5 inches of snow...but who's complaining? So I have been home since Friday (with a big case of cabin fever) but have actually been working on some funky fresh designs(and also cleaning my humble abode like Cinderella)...alas the sun was shining today and the little birds were singing and I wake up to a case of Neosporin and Die Hard.

What is that you ask?

Well when my son and I dragged our bodies out of bed...the hubby was already up sprawled out on the sofa downstairs watching Die Hard(that Bruce Willis with lots of blood, shooting and no plot movie for those of us who don't give a rats ass about action movies)

What a joyous and most glorious Sunday morning when you wake up to the sounds of explosions and filthy language on TV...so I gave him the look that I usually do when he is watching trash on TV(which means you have an impressionable 4yr old..who if he hears that will be spewing F*** Y** later on in the day)

So the dear hubby proceeded with changing the channel and by some divine intervention removing his behind from the sofa thus telling me the story of his near fatal hand injury by a deadly tape measure. (Yeah ok so he cut his hand with a metal tape measure the other day...whoah is me...try being in labor for a million hours in agony) So the story continued:

(wanted to share with you the enormity of the wound)

Hubby: "Wow that Neosporin sure is amazing...look how fast my cut is healing."

Me: " Uh huh OK"

Hubby: "This is an amazing product, I'm a big fan of Neosporin"

Me (thinking): "So go do a freakin commercial for Neosporin"

Hubby:"Did you see it...look" (proceeds to shove his hand really close to my face)

Me: "Yeah hon that's amazing" (said with lots of enthusiasm)

So finally I guess he got the point that I didn't care and proceeded to arrange himself in the ever sinking spot of the couch where his coolie has left an indelible impression after so many years.

Well friends that so far is how my Sunday is going...if there are any more earth shattering stories like this one again..I will definitely keep you posted

Have a Happy Neosporin and Die Hard free Sunday

Kristen K. Swanson

Discovering Etsy in July 2007 was a pure joy. Not only as an indie designer able to display my work for others to see and purchase, but as a buyer and admirer of such amazing creativity and talent that is out there. I am amazed everyday by the spectacular and original works of art that you can find on Etsy. One of them is Kristen K. Swanson...... as I looked through the treasuries today...I came across Kristen's work, immediately I was enthralled by the first picture I saw, when I "clicked" on her shop and saw the rest of her porcelain pieces...I was in love. Not only are they gorgeous and unique....but they are in black, white and cream colors which I adore.

Here is a peek at Kristen which I copied from her profile:

"I discovered clay as a sophomore in college fifteen years ago. It captured my heart, my intellect and my creative expression in a powerful way. I knew immediately that my life would revolve around this beautiful material. I finished my degree in elementary education, all the while sneaking into the ceramic studio on campus during the wee hours of the night, spending every available moment developing my skill. I taught elementary school for two years and proceeded to Virginia Commonwealth University to study Ceramics. I have devoted my life first to my family and second to my own expression through clay. "

You must check out her shop Kristen K. Swanson

Blume Box

I love these boxes from blume box...I don't have much space in my office...but I love flowers...and I don't like to have glass vases in case I tip it over and it breaks into a trillion pieces (and then I have to stop what I'm doing to clean up the mess)...these are the perfect solution and the best part is they are 1oo% recyclable and you can decorate them for parties or for yourself!

"A blumebox is an opportunity to add color and style to any floral bouquet, whether creating an arrangement from your garden, grabbing a bouquet from your local supermarket, or having your local florist design a bouquet for you. A blumebox is the perfect solution.A blumebox is more than a vase or delivery box. It’s a gift box for flowers. And the best bit, they’re 100% recyclable so they’re perfect for hospital deliveries, hostess gifts, corporate and social events (big or small) or a self-indulgent arrangement for yourself. Standing 6 and 10 inches tall with radiant color and style, a blumebox is the perfect compliment to any decor. Packaged flat to reduce storage space, a blumebox pops into shape in just seconds (see below). Simply slip the durable water tight bag inside the blumebox, fill up with water and away you go! (Please note: the bag does not take well to thorns; be sure to remove them before filling.) For those wanting to add some creative touches we encourage you to visit our photo gallery for some fun suggestions. When customizing your blumebox the sky is the limit. Ribbon, decals and tissue paper are just a few items that make for great decorating ideas!"

Happy Hoodie-Hoo Day!

Happy Hoo what? You're probably thinking..."Whoah this chick is spending way too much time with paper and not with people" Actually no...I spend equal time with both, I just happen to prefer the company of paper thank you very much.

In my crazy (how many times can one google themselves?) and sometimes meaningless searches on the web, I discovered that today is Hoodie-Hoo Day...it is only celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere...because those poor souls have been cooped all winter in their homes without seeing the sun. It is a day to go chase winter away and bring in spring.

These folks go out of their homes at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo" ( no I'm not kidding)

Since I was feeling quite springy(in a quite chilly NYC) I thought I'd share this tidbit with you. So make sure to mark your calendars, or write a little itty bitty post it note for next year to remind you when Hoodie Hoo Day is. Have a great day and now I'm going to step out of my office put my coat, scarf, hat and mittens on and chant Hoodie Hoo.

French Bull

Here are some hip and ultra chic products by French Bull. I love every piece they have.

"French Bull is a contemporary melamine housewares collection designed by Jackie Shapiro. This modern bold table top line launched at the Accent on Design January 2002 Gift Show to an overwhelming response from the top design retailers in the country."

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these plates "Barcelona"

I'm buying these robot plates for my son

Unraveled

Am so loving these rings....another great find from another great Etsy seller Unraveled These rings are so colorful and unique you must check them out!!!!

I've been tagged

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I've been tagged by Jan from Daisy Janie, so now I will list seven things about myself and tag a few other bloggers to do the same:

1. I have a masters degree in journalism (who would've thunk it?) and a degree in film

2. I'm Cuban/Portuguese..but everyone thinks I'm Greek

3. I'm addicted to trash magazines (have subscriptions to all of them)

4. My favorite color is Black

5. I speak spanish, portuguese, french and of course english

6. I check my e-mail about 50 million times a day

7. My son looks exactly exactly like me I call him my "mini-me"

I will tag: Erin at design for mankind, heather, bella

ABOUT ME

My name is Vanessa Cavaco and I am a NYC stationery designer. I have a passion for all things paper and that is what led me to create my company Vanessa Cavaco Designs.

What started out as an invitation for a friend's wedding grew into something spectacular and very enjoyable.
I have always had a love for paper: pretty patterns, funky and cutting edge designs...Stationery has always been a passion of mine and designing new and fresh styles is my goal.

That is how Vanessa Cavaco Designs was created. After much sucess I launched Nastee Notes and Blue Sugar Press

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your visit!

New Nastee's

My filthy disgusting perverted shameless mind has been working in overdrive....and what do I have to show for it?.....New Nastee Notes...here they are for your viewing pleasure (or for the hell of It) Let me know what ya think :)

Try saying that one fast

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Happy Valentine's Day

What better way to wish all of you a Happy V-Day than with a chocolate box! Thanks for all the wonderful support, I truly appreciate and I'm sharing the love

Valentine's Day Treats

Two days in a row posting about Martha (as in Stewart) you think she would've called me by now. Here are some tasty and quite eye-catching treats you can make for Valentine's Day..found on Martha's website

Note to Martha's assistants assisants assistant if you read this here's my number tell Martha to give me a call 877.244.2823

Valentine's Day Crafty Crafts

Crafts...the word just brings happiness to my ears. I've been craftying (is that a word?) things all my life...I love being crafty and am proud of it. Martha as in Stewart...god I love that woman...she is the Crafty Queen..who knows maybe if of one of her assistants assistants assistant reads my blog she'll make me her protege or something...Anywho here are some lovely crafts that are on Martha's website...beautiful and easy to make for V-Day.

You can find these and other great projects at Martha's website...I just use her first name ya' know I feel like we are buddies or something (yeah I know she doesn't know me but what the heck)

MARCH OF DIMES

Hey all yes I'm posting again today...but I'm here to talk about a serious issue very near and dear to me. This year I am going to participate in the March for Babies Walk from the March of Dimes.

We are in the year 2008 and doctors still don't know what causes prematurity.

My son Christian (that handsome little devil in the picture) was born 13 weeks premature in 2003. My pregnancy was going great until one day I wasn't feeling too well, I was rushed to the hospital and they told me it was better if I would stay there. Of course like every woman who is having a baby I started to panic. My thoughts were "What had I done wrong?"

That was a Friday...the next day Saturday...my water broke, the doctors tried to hold me off as much as they could since my son was still too small and they didn't want me to deliver yet.
So I was pumped with all sorts of medications in order to prepare his lungs in case they couldn't hold me off longer.
Sunday morning came and the pain was unbearable and they had to take me to the O.R. to do an emergency C-section.
As I was screaming in pain the Neonatologist came to talk to me and my husband of the risks that could happen to our son being born so early.

I was extremely sad on top of the pain I was feeling. My son was born at 8:41 am that Sunday morning ....I was only able to catch a glimpse of him before they took him to the NICU.
I was able to see him that night.....this little precious baby in the incubator , I knew from that day that I had to do something so this wouldn't happen to other babies. I've been a proud supporter of the March of Dimes since 2003, I believe with our help they will be able to find the cause of prematurity.

My son was in the NICU for 56 days....but we were lucky all he needed was to gain weight. Other babies were not so lucky.

Today he is a healthy rock and rolling- singing- dancing- I can count in 5 languages-state and country capital knowing-obsessed with cars and know all makes and models-american idol loving 4 year old...(geez am I bragging?)

So please help in a donation of whatever you can to help The March of Dimes. Or just pass along the info on your blogs or to your families

I would greatly appreciate and so would my son!

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes....

I love a beautiful cake actually who doesn't? A couple of years ago I got into a "I want to be a cake designer" kick....so I started watching every Food Network "Food Challenge" Cake contest. I bought every book I was able to get my hands on. I bought every tool required to make and design gorgeous cakes and my loving hubby bought me a professional kitchen aid mixer for Christmas. I took some classes here and there, I visited the Wilton website 24/7. But boy was I in for a surprise after my first cake didn't turn out like the one in the books!!! Devasted..no. Dissapointed...BIG TIME!

<----------------That was my first doll cake. I have made several after that

To make these amazing works of art you need alot of patience and dedication to the craft. I admire all the amazing pastry artists and just regular folks like me who do have a passion for it. I'm not saying I don't have the passion, 'cause I do love baking..it's just the time consuming part which after an hour of holding my buttercream bag doiling out little stars to cover my cakes my hand feels like it's going to fall off.

Well I told you I was going to share some of my cakes that I have made. Honestly they may not look as beautiful as the one in the books or in the cake challenges..but I have to say I gave them all my passion and time and am quite proud of them. I took a flower making class, where I learned how to make beautiful flowers out of royal icing ( really hard sugar that can break your teeth) and that is one thing I'm proud of ...I think I've done a pretty good job at it....well you let me know!

My first ever time working with fondant it was a challenge. The flowers took me about 2 months to make. The cake topper is one of millions I have made(just a note I will be posting my cake toppers for your enjoyment..or just for the hell of it!)

One of my car cakes...wheels and letters are made out of chocolate, covered in buttercream frosting

Lightning McQueen Cake I made for my son's birthday last year. Two cake layers, flat bottom layer then car on top (yeah that took me a while)

This one I made last week for my mom's birthday. I actually cheated on this one (didn't have much time ) so I just made the bottom layer and the royal icing flowers and made a very huge cake topper so my cake wouldn't look so plain. My mom loved it...so that's the important part

And now here are some cakes that were made by professionals...if you have the time and passion to try these out check out the recipes at Woman's Day under Silly Cakes.

Hmm after posting all these cakes, I just feel like baking...think I'm going to do something small and cute.....cupcakes....yes cupcakes!

Windy Sunday...

So today was a quite chilly and extremely windy day here in the Big Apple...didn't do much, well let me rephrase that "didn't do much creatively" but I cleaned my house like Cinderella with the exception of having little mice helping out or pretty little birds singing songs and not to mention a Fairy Godmother who would wisk me away to some exotic island or at least find me a maid.

If it wasn't that I was tripping over clothes or my son's toys...I would have done nothing, nada, zilch.It seems that the only tidy place in my life is my studio where I design which luckily is seperate from my house otherwise I would be tripping over clothes and toys there as well....Who made up housework anyway? I would like to find that person since they loved it sooooo much to come over and clean up for me. And don't get me on the cooking topic that's another thing I'm not friends with....now BAKING that's a different story. Why can't we just eat cake all the time without getting fat or disgustingly sick? Eventually (when I dig through all my memory cards) I will post some pics of my baking trials and tribulations for your enjoyment or for the hell of it

But I did take some time from my cleaning task to take some pics of designs I've recently finished for my Spring stationery line...granted I'm only posting one pic tonight 'cause it's 11:30 pm...I'm tired as hell and I have to wake up at the crack of dawn to go to work...not to mention I was quite lazy to Photoshop em' all.

Well folks it's time for me to hit the sack ---at my age I find I need more hours of sleep...and less time working....Hope you like my new designs!!!

Gorjuss

I'm really into cute stuff ...not sickeningly (is that a word?) cute. Well in case you don't know what I mean...here is Gorjuss , from Glasgow, Scotland....who's artwork is soooooooooooooo cute but in a cool dark edgy way. I love all her prints with the dark colors and am ordering a couple so I can display in my office...check out her work for cute yet edgy art! I just purchased 2 prints the one below is one of them..can't wait to get them !!!

I love this print...I'm so digging her gloves

Hey there Cupcake....

Who doesn't love a cupcake or two or three ? They are little pretty things that just fill your insides with happy goodness...I LOVE cupcakes and have collected a few goodies I have come across...(just to let you know this WILL NOT be the last time I post about cupcakes)

First up...I found this amazing designer over at Etsy called Sorry I'm Late she designs the most cutest, adorable cupcake jewelry, ornaments I've seen...take a look

These are adorable cupcake cell phone charms...I want me one!

Cupcake Necklace & Cupcake Ring

Cupcake Ornament

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Baltimore Cupcake Company

Here we have some tasty and beautiful cupcakes from the Baltimore Cupcake Company.....they are so pretty looking, next time I'm around I will be stopping by

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Johnny Cupcakes
And if you like to wear a cupcake then there's amazing clothing and accesory designer Johnny Cupcakes. I love his stuff (not to mention he's half Portuguese like me), I have 2 tees and need some more items...so maybe I will go online shopping after I finish this post.

I want this!!!! And they're sold out...my luck

Spring Collection

So it's a rainy day here in NYC...but I have been working on my sunny spring collection of notecards. I'm actually straying from my usual colors of black, pink and blue....and am going for some bolder colors in different combinations....here's a sneak peek of what I'm working on. The new line is currently for sale in my etsy shop

Weekend Stroll...

Sundays are basically my only day off from work....so my hubby, my son and I decided to take a stroll downtown to Soho...I hadn't been down there in a couple of months and to my wonderful surprise I found that CB2 had opened up a store on broadway (btw canal and grand streets)

CB2 happens to be one of my FAVORITE stores....I just love everything they have....so I had to take myseld in there....as soon as I walked in I was in a state of complete Nirvana.....I just wanted to snatch everything up...but I actually controlled myself and picked up only a few things.....since my son (fidgety 4 yr. old..was hankering to go to the Scholastic Store down the block)

So these are a few of the items I picked up....

I love these Marylin Monroe plates, I had seen them in the catalog and was planning to order them...but voila I got them yesterday. This lovely vase is in the shape of a milk carton, this lovely piece caught my eye and I snatched it up....

And finally....the circular candle holders that I had been meaning to order for I don't know how long (they happen to match my lamps)...I snatched those up as well....and this amazing dinnerware set with metallic silver motifs.....I love love love it.

Check out more amazing items at CB2

V Day Cards...by Me

So here is another batch of my Valentine's Collection....hope you enjoy....some are sweet, some are cute and some are just plain naughty. Let me know if you like em'

If this doesn't say love...I don't know what does?

And of course for those who hate Valentine's Day you will not be left out...here's the card for you














You can check them out at my etsy shop Vanessa Cavaco Designs

Valentine Goodies...

Valentine's Day is 13 days away...are you ready? In case you're like me... you're not! So I'm here to help you with a couple fab finds....I absolutely ADORE these cards by Artecnica....they are pop up bloom cards that "unfold into lovely floral messages" why send boring old plain cards when you can send your sweetie one of these works of art....

I just love soap...not only does it keep us squeaky clean ;)...but there are wonderful shapes, scents etc.... One of my favorite soap designers is Gianna Rose Atelier Couture Soaps. She has the most amazing soaps, amazing packaging, perfect for any occasion. I love the heart shaped soaps and flower petal soaps perfect for V-Day. You can pick your packaging options for the heart shaped soaps in pretty color or toile wraps.

And last but certainly not least...CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!... Just happened to run across A Sugar Affair on etsy she is the featured seller. All of her wonderful goodies look so delicious and pretty! She's a stay at home mom of 3 kids...unbelievable how she has the time to make these delightful treats. I'm a big fan of baking shaped, 3d cakes etc...and I just checked out her website and she makes the most amazing cakes...and to top it all off she has the Optimus Prime cake I wanted for my son's birthday..wish I was closer to her to have ordered it...truly inspired by her works of art!!! Check her out you will too....