Mint

Ack, where do the days go?! Here it is the middle of June, and I’m just now realizing the month has changed and it’s time for this month’s favorite three. Better late than never, yes?

Secret Pocket is a new-to-me find. Blogger Kenzie and I share a love for thrift store finds, and she’s always making something wonderful, like this quick baby quilt.

Mariah blogs from Cape Town, South Africa (what a place to be this month!) and her new blog is full of treasures.

I was a little surprised to look through my list of past blog favorites and not find Danni’s. Danni Hong is a graphic designer, jewelry maker, and bride-to-be. I met Danni at Alt this year and found her to be as sweet as you’d expect.

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Don’t forget to check out past blog favorites in the archives. Blogs chosen for This Month’s Favorite Three receive a free one month ad in the sponsor section.

images: handmade magnets by secret pocket on etsy, deer invitations by alex and kouri via size too small, balloon photo by dorthe alstrup via oh, hello friend

It’s time again for this month’s favorite three!

First up is The Post Family, a design collaborative and blog that Margot Harrington introduced me to a while back. (And they are featured in the latest issue of HOW!). The Post Family began in 2007 in Chicago with seven guys who shared a love for art and design, and wanted a studio where they could collaborate and get inspired outside of their 9-5 jobs. Today, a few of them are self-employed and work in the studio full time, and they host monthly gallery shows which are usually accompanied by live music. Their design blog is a reflection of their great taste and creativity.

I just found Forever is Today via See Saw (another big favorite!), and it took me all of 5 seconds to decide that it was a blog I want to follow. Editor Hilda Grahnat, 23, is studying graphic design in Sweden, and her blog is full of beautiful photos she’s taken of thrift store finds, everyday life, and her beautiful apartment. It’s one of those blogs that you want to spend all day sorting through, back to her very first post in fall 2008. Hilda just opened the Forever is Today shop, so be sure to check it out.

When I first discovered the world of blogs, Creative Comforts was one of the first ones I started reading on a regular basis. I’m sure you’re a fan, too—Ez’s talent for finding beautiful objects, grouping her finds, and placing them in well-designed layouts has brought her a large, dedicated following. I appreciate all the extra effort Ez takes in making each post something special!

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Don’t forget to check out past blog favorites in the archives. Blogs chosen as “this month’s favorite three” usually get a banner in the favorite three sidebar section, but this month I thought I’d try something new… blogs chosen for This Month’s Favorite Three will have a free one month ad in the sponsor section.

images: kelsey dugan via the post family, forever is today, and a peek of shannon rankin’s work via creature comforts.

You know Sam of the beautiful shop Inklore? She recently started a daily lifestyle blog called Good Measure, with ideas for adding little extras to your everyday life. There, you’ll find ideas for you and your kitchen, garden, home and studio. This week Sam is having a great giveaway for her favorite gardening book plus a journal and some napkins she made (below).

Thanks, Sam!

If you’re interested in becoming a Mint sponsor, please get in touch by emailing mintdesignblog at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to give you all the details.

image credits: top, postfossil via good measure and bottom, good measure

Hooray, it’s up! A big thanks to my friend Alison Hinks for all the little illustrations you see (like the rollovers in the navigation!) and to my awesome programmer and friend Eli Van Zoeren for making my design functional. Most of the structure on the blog is still the same, but the navigation at the top cleans up the sidebars a bit and also makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. The search button on the left there is a great way to find past posts, but if you’re wondering where the categories went, check the “topics & features” tab up top.

There a few kinks to work out but I’m so excited to have a fresh face for Mint!

P.S. I’ll be catching up on some freelance projects tomorrow morning, so no morning post—but Margot will be here for Howdy Do It at 1:30.

“March’s” doesn’t sound so good, but this month’s favorite three design blogs are very good! Two are old favorites, and maybe you read them, too? If not you’re in for a treat.

Freshly Blended is a blog I usually read from an RSS feed, and I was pleasantly surprised to visit the site today and see a whole new look. (Eesh I need to read more carefully). Isn’t that header fun? Nicole also keeps a beautiful shop.

Next up is Frolic. I know you know Frolic, right? One of my all-time favorites. I had a blast meeting Chelsea at Alt and hope we will meet again someday!

I just found The Strange Attractor recently, and love it all. Nice to throw some totally non-girly stuff into your week too, right? Or maybe it’s just me. I sure do read a lot of girly blogs it seems…

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You can see past blog favorites in the archives. And, in case you forget which blogs are being featured, scroll down the right-hand sidebar and you’ll see their banners displayed for the whole month.

{images: lisa congdon featured on freshly blended, elisabeth bentz featured on frolic, & alfalfa featured on the strange attractor}

Mint has always been a solo venture, but after thinking and thinking about it (for months!) I’ve decided that it would be fun to bring on an intern. I’m flexible on what kind of assistance the intern could provide, and if you decide to apply I’m open to hearing your ideas, too. I do know that I’d like the intern to contribute 1-3 posts per week and help me with some administrative stuff. Candidates should be interested in art, design, marketing, and have excellent written communication skills. Photoshop or some kind of image editing software is a big plus. I can’t offer pay at this time, but I can teach you what I’ve learned through Mint and my freelance design experience, and I am happy to act as a mentor on your own projects.

If you’re interested in applying, please email me with (1) your resume (or a paragraph on your education/experience if you don’t have a current resume) along with (2) a brief bio including why you’d like to be Mint’s intern. (3) I’d love to hear about what your passions are (photography, cooking, DIY projects, writing, art?) and (4) please let me know what your top 5 favorite blogs are. Just for fun.

Please keep in mind that blogging takes a lot of work and research, and the position will probably require 5+ hours per week and will be a 3 month position. Extra points for Durham, NC locals! You can contact me at mintdesignblog at gmail dot com with the email subject “internship.”

thanks!

{image credit: sfgirlbybay}

UPDATE: Thanks for all the great resumes and nice emails! I’ve found an intern, but I wish there were enough work to go around—you guys rock!

Congratulations to Emily, whose name was randomly chosen for the Hello Tenfold calling card giveaway! (Remember that, way back when? Yeah, I won’t let a giveaway drag on for two weeks again, promise). Emily, I’ll be in touch for your card information!

I can’t thank you all enough for leaving such kind comments on Mint’s birthday post and for your helpful feedback for the 2010 Reader Survey. Thank you, thank you. Your input is always so helpful to me!