Photoshop CS3 vs. Illustrator

I really & truly dream of designing my own stationery professionally. Right now I have a(n only-slightly-embarrassing, definitely ghetto-fab) creativity outlet, but it's nothing like I want it to be. I think I want to take the plunge and invest in some software to help me digitally design (and ultimately professionally print) cards.

A good friend of mine recently suggested that I invest in Photoshop instead of something like InDesign (way too advanced for my needs) or Illustrator (which I have always assumed I would invest in eventually). Truth be told, I really don't know what to do. Do any of you have any thoughts? (Esp. if you stumbled on this blog and either design stationery or work with either program on a frequent basis -- I'd love your opinion!) Steven thinks that Photoshop (and we're talking CS3, not Elements) can do everything I want to do in terms of graphic design and more. I haven't used Photoshop or Illlustrator, really... so I just don't know. I guess I'm nervous because I've never heard of Photoshop being used for anything like that, whereas Illustrator is primarily designed (at least in my mind) to do those sorts of things.

Ok, enough of my rambling. I seriously need to know what you think. After all, we're only talking about my FUTURE.

And now, back to more important things.

Ok. I admit it.

2 days. I stayed up until midnight two days in a row.

I can't believe myself.

On to New Moon tonight....

25 Things?

One of my favorite bloggers has vowed to blog about 29 things she wants for her 29th birthday. I'm thinking about doing something similar, as I'm actually feeling pretty materialistic about my birthday this year. I don't know if I'll come up with 25 things (yes, 25! it's quarter-life crisis time!), but I think I'm off to a good start.











I do confess, though, that I'm slightly paranoid about this silly list. Remember the time I posted that I wanted something and SOMEONE AMAZING sent it to me? (Note: I still have no idea who!) Please know, dear readers, that I'm not trying to solicit presents. I'm just doing this for fun. (Unless, of course, you're my husband. If that's true, I am indeed trying to solicit presents!)

All that said, check out my wist on the lower right. I'm in the market for a new duvet cover, too, but I haven't decided on a particular one yet. I'm also looking for some nice, white dishes to replace my china -- not china, but a happy medium between fiestaware and china. Something like Mikasa's Antique White:












Any suggestions?

LRLRL: Free!

I have been contemplating doing a giveaway on my blog soon... turns out that Coldplay's doing the hard work for me today!

Click here to download their new live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, for free.











Happy Friday!

HGTV Green Home: 22 Days

Actually, friends, you should read this before you enter to win the HGTV Green Home (not the post, but the comments on the post). Scary! I don't think I'm going to enter anymore. A big thanks to Ashley for pointing that out!

***

Friends!

There are 22 days left to enter to win the 2009 HGTV Green Home. For what are you waiting!?

















I've never won anything before... this would be a GREAT first win (understatement of the century). Don't you think?

If we do win, we'll be moving to Florida, pronto. Not even close to kidding. Seminary, schmeminary.

Good Reason

There's a really good reason I won't be posting for a few days:








That's right; I'm home sweet home until Tuesday!

So far I've been in WV for 24 hours and it's been a whirlwind... but a really fun one.

See you Wednesday! :)

RFOTD

Random Fact of the Day:

I always wash my feet before I crawl into bed at night.

It just makes me feel so much better when I crawl into my (hopefully)(somewhat) clean sheets. Lord help me if I'm ever too fat to hoist my foot up and into our sink (somewhat of a feat, but I manage).

Speaking of being too fat... I may need to lay off the Snickers mini ice-cream bars.

You just don't even want me to post a picture. You'll want one. Or two!

I mean, they're only 90 calories....

The Promise of (a) Spring (Collection)

My hubs kindly got me a $50 gift card for NY&C for Christmas... right around the time I started disliking the store! Ok, so I didn't dislike it, but I went from always finding cute things to never finding anything.

Thankfully, their spring collection has a lot of promise. For instance, don't you love this shirt?


















And what about this purse?


















Now I just need to find something on which to spend $10 (which shouldn't be too hard... fun jewelry, anyone?) to use my coupon ($25 off $60). And since everything is BOGO 1/2-off anyway, the whole thing adds up to be a pretty good deal!

Something about spring just makes me want to go shopping... and pretty soon I'm going to run out of gift cards. Yikes!

Trimmed, Not Cut

How's this photo for a little inspiration not to cut your hair? I got my hair trimmed this morning (no, not cut; trimmed) and I am trying ever so hard not to cut it. Short hair is easy. Long hair?



















[Photo from oh, hello friend]

It's beautiful.

(Looking for a place to get your hair trimmed in Louisville? I highly recommend ZSalon. Cuts range from $25 to $150(!) based on "level of talent"; my stylist, Jeannie, is $45. That may seem pricey, but I never have to worry that they're going to screw up my hair. Plus, it's a no-tipping salon, so no worries about "how much is enough." Oh, and the complimentary head/hand massage seals the deal for me!)