The fruits of this weekend

Check. It. Out. These were created by the talented and quite possibly magical Alma Loveland (aka Cicada).

I went to her house Saturday morning and was fed a breakfast of pumpkin-chocolate-chip bread from Dough Boys and Flour Girls, antioxidant-rich blueberries and a blackberry IZZE drink. Then we sat in her stylish office and ate while she just, poof, created announcements, insert cards, and thank-you cards for me.

Aren't they fabulous? And if you're sitting there right now thinking "Yeah well, it's too bad I'm not friends with this Alma Loveland," then you're actually in luck. She's gone freelance and is accepting all kinds of work. I don't know that breakfast is included, though--that might have been an extra thing just for me.

I bought the paper and envelopes at the big XpedX in Salt Lake City, and let me tell you, that place is my new boyfriend. They have everything there. I found cream-colored 30% post-consumer paper--the kind that looks like linen. My secret shame is that there was also some 100% recycled paper in a darker cream, but it wasn't as pretty and cool-feeling. So I didn't get it. And then I went ahead and grilled up some endangered birds in the parking lot, using gasoline as a firestarter, and ate them but then left half of them on my plate. Because apparently that's the person I've become.

Alma Loveland and I went to Kinkos to print them out and the woman who worked there gave me such a deal that I almost leapt across the counter and kissed her on the mouth. My other favorite moment was when the ladies at Kinkos kept squealing at my cards' preciousness and calling other employees over to take a look so that they too might squeal.

Also? Check out the thank-you cards she made. I would totally give someone a present if it meant I'd get this card in the mail. Which I would then frame. And possibly worship.




ps. I need to harness the wisdom of the collective, here. Does anyone know SLC? I'm looking for an apartment within an easy distance of the airport but don't want to end up in any ghetto neighborhoods. Can anyone tell me which areas are decent?

Posted in: a better way to live