How Mango Ink began and Our family holiday cards the past 10 years
What a fun thing for us to look back when Mango Ink began and see our kids grow and see time pass! When Mango Ink started, Anna was just a baby. In fact, she was the reason we started this company. I asked Ryan to make me an invitation that was orange, had Anna's baby photo along with her one year old photo. He made me THIS! I was in love. He said, "Hey, let's start a business and call it Mango Ink." And the rest is what you see. We are so grateful and so in love with this company, our clients, our photographer partners, our friends, and the creative juices that flow day after day. And it's all because of YOU. Thank you!
Inspired in New York (again)
Traveling to a place that rocks my soul like this city does, always leaves me reflecting. You can peek at what I learned last visit here.
Some things i'm thinking about......
*The ICFF is so full of ridiculous, gorgeous stuff you can't even take it all in.
*Terrance from Dynomighty Designs is super rad. He hosted a party in their Brooklyn studio for all the Designboom artists (that's us!) and encouraged everyone with the most authentic, freeing perspective. He hasn't even read Seth Godin, so he is a natural. P.S. we love their wallets!
*We had our booth in-between two darling companies. Mihr creates gorgeous hand crafted porcelain bowls, spoons, and earrings all inspired by vegetables. Anthroplogie has been talking to her. As they should. The girls on the other-side of our booth were from Indonesia. Traveled all the way around the world to exhibit in new york with their gorgeous purses. This darling couple from Poland, who came to New York to showcase their bracelets, got engaged the night before the Designboom mart started. They are adorable!
*We took a pedi cab ride through central park on my birthday. Baboe, our driver, was amazing. He was a child soldier in Africa. He told us three times, if he didn't do it, his mother, sister and brother would have been killed. He told us to please not be scared of him now that he told us that. He was precious and so deeply hurt by his past. He has been in New York for 4 years.
*Having dinner at midnight is so fun! Coming from the west coast makes it easy.
*When i get overloaded, literally things cannot sink in. My brain was so full. Yet Ryan somehow doesn't stop. He amazes me all the time.
*Coming back to our three kids was amazing and a reality check all at the same time. They are what really matter and I am thankful for them.
*Thanks to my hubby, we got to see Rock of Ages with Jello shots and canned beer. The. Best. Birthday ever!
*Ryan is truly obsessed with airplanes and airports and runways. He is like a little kid every time he get's to fly. By the way, you need to watch this to remind yourself of the wonder in this world that is around us all the time and we complain too much.
*With the excitement and wonder of owning your own business comes lots of self doubt, dark days, and realizing it's really really a lot of work.
*I am trying with all my heart to do one thing at a time, slowly. Do less, get better at my daily rituals, look at cleaning as meditation instead of in my way. And take pressure off myself. I wish to be perfect and check off my to do list each day. But that never happens. ever. And it's OK.
*Taking time to breathe and cultivate rest and play are a MUST. (once again Brene Brown is right!) and learning to unwind without reaching for a glass or two of wine to help relax would be very very mature and helpful. Bring on the meditation and yoga!
This little love of ours....
We are so excited and in love with the new branch of Mango Ink! It's called 08 Left (which is the name of a runway, in case you are like me and had NO idea). It comes from Ryan's super nerdy love of airplanes and airports. No joke. He loves them. Read about it here.
So here begins a fabulous thing that truly comes from a genuine love and bursts from deep within.
For the dreamers, travelers, planet lovers, collectors, and modern art and typography lovers, this is for you. Collect places you have been and remember the wonder of the art of flight and seeing this world and all it has to offer.
P.S. it makes a great gift for grads and fathers!
Use code "DAD" for 20% off.
inspired in NYC
Things I observed and learned as I stepped away from my routine at home.
*We need much less sleep than we think when we are living life with joy and passion.
*I am a minimalist. At least I want to be.
*How can we get that NY energy here!?
*I need to reduce the noise in my life. Whose voices am I letting in?
*Stop complaining and create. Actually it was Karli who told me, from a design conference she attended, but it came alive to me walking the aisles of the Stationery Show. I was reminded to simply Do the Work.
*There is a huge difference in “I made a mistake” (guilt) and “I am a mistake” (shame). Best Ted talk ever.Brene Brown rocks.
*My favorite new exhibitor, who had the best booth+products in my opinion, shed tears as she was setting up, thinking she wasn’t up to standards. (How do I know? Her mom and my mom became friends in the aisle, on the spot, and exchanged phone numbers. One mom to another talked about worrying, about their daughters, and how we take on a lot. Moms are the best!)
*Even putting our best selves out there, we all feel inadequate at times. Talking to artists at the show, THIS was the truth!
*The world is BIG! We are not. Leaving quiet Spokane for GIANT bustling Manhattan, I was reminded at how big our planet is. Wow. Traveling brings perspective.
*Ann Curry told me I was beautiful. She looked right into my soul and it felt like time stood still. Funny right? Um, SHE is beautiful!
*I don’t need more money, just wall paper & spray paint. Jonathan Adler inspired me. (My way of coping with his boutique in SoHo and pretending I don’t want new things.)
*My husband is my favorite person to be with 24/7. This was the longest I have been away from him in years!
*I love that I navigated NYC so well! With maps + taxis + trains. Who knew?
*Ryan paints things on our walls when i leave.
*Katie from Kelp designs has created a community for which I am grateful. Trade Show Bootcamp is the best!
*Most interesting person I have ever sat next to on a plane goes to Reza. Born and raised in Iran, completing his 15th year of school and is one year away from becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon. When he turned 16, his dad paid a smuggler to get him to America so he could have an education and avoid the military. He actually swam across the border. Swam. Sixteen years old.
*Mango Ink is going to have some fun! We brought back amazing products from the Stationery Show and WE are working on new designs. Do. The. Work. right?