10/31/10

T-Shirts For Under $20 Make Great Christmas Gifts!

We are excited to announce that The Spotted Olive™ currently has four t-shirt designs featured on Zazzle's "T-Shirts For Under $20" page! These fun designs are great for gift giving this upcoming holiday season. Check them out!

useLESS T-Shirt shirt


Kawaii Candy Corn Me So Corny T-Shirt shirt


I Love My Little Ghettoblaster shirt


Just Say No To Plastic Bags T-Shirt shirt

10/27/10

Love This! Photos of The B-52's from 1980.

I am a huge fan of old school B-52's. I absolutely LOVED their albums The B-52's and Wild Planet. While other little girls wanted to be Madonna, I wanted to be Kate Pierson. I absolutely loved her and still do. Kate & Cindy always had such a great retro style and vibe. A group of us would often have B-52's parties where we would dress up and dance all night to their songs! It was a blast.

The other day while checking the latest on Facebook, my eye caught some amazing photos as I checked them out I discovered they were posted to The B-52's fan page by Keith Strickland! They were pictures he had taken in Nassau Bahamas in 1980 while the group was recording the album Wild Planet. I totally love these pictures. They have such a cool retro look (well they are retro now!).
























Thank you Fred, Kate, Cindy, Ricky (RIP) and Keith for all the wonderful and fun memories I have with your music as the soundtrack! You were and still are a huge influence and a favorite.







Visit The B-52's official website and become a fan of The B-52's on Facebook!

10/25/10

50% Off Two Day Shipping Through 10/26/10

Save now with a 50% discount off 2-day shipping at The Spotted Olive™ with coupon code SNEAKUPGRADE at checkout!

Fancy Frame Holiday Christmas Card card


To qualify for the 50% off 2-day shipping offer, one or more Zazzle products must be purchased and the coupon code SNEAKUPGRADE must be entered during checkout. The 50% off shipping offer is for 2-day shipping to U.S. addresses only. Offer does not apply to shoes. Shipping charges will apply to oversized orders and orders being shipped on an expedited basis or outside the U.S. Offer is valid from October 23, 2010 through October 26, 2010 at 3:00pm PT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

10/22/10

Scary Good Savings! $5 Off T-Shirts & Bags!

Halloween is almost here and right now you can save $5 on Halloween gear—t-shirts and bags from The Spotted Olive™ with code: SCARYSAVINGS at checkout. Offer ends October 24, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.

Me So Corny Halloween Bag bag


Too Cute To Spook! T-Shirt shirt









Just A Little Batty Bag bag



The Witch Is Back T-Shirt shirt



$5 of the net apparel and bag sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying apparel and/or bag items are purchased and the coupon code SCARYSAVINGS is applied at checkout. Offer is valid from October 20, 2010 through October 24, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This promotion does not apply to screen printed apparel. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

10/19/10

We have been {freshly launched}!

We are excited to announce that The Spotted Olive™ is a  {freshly launched} featured woman owned business on the LaunchHer website!  

Click to read the full feature.


LauchHer is a wonderful company that helps give women owned brands a boost with their businesses by featuring new and fresh companies on their site. LaunchHer also offers consulting services including professional public relations, branding, business development, positioning tools to female entrepreneurs. Additionally, they provide legal services through LaunchHer Law (Jensen | Zitnick, PA).







Sallisha Armour and Kara Jensen Zitnick are the fabulous women behind this amazing concept and wonderful resource to women owned companies. Read their recent exclusive interview at Kate Landers Events, LLC—an amazing woman owned business recently featured by LaunchHer.



I love reading all the inspiring stories and seeing the amazing talent and creativity behind all featured female entrepreneurs in addition to the excellent posts from LaunchHer law! This blog is a definite must follow.

Thank you very, very much Sallisha, Kara & LaunchHer for featuring me and my company, The Spotted Olive™!

10/18/10

Stylish & Cool Bubble Lamps

I just discovered these great Bubble Lamps by famed 20th century designer George Nelson. His work has a very stylish, timeless modern appeal. I can't tell you how much  I love this clean, sophisticated look. The brilliance of simplicity. Originally designed in 1947 and released in 1950, these stylish lamps are now back in full production at Modernica and are available in hanging, table, sconce or floor styles for home and office. I'd love to have a collection of these hanging in my bedroom and maybe a floor lamp in my office. The Bubble Lamp series is even featured as a permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. What great style!

10/17/10

Free Shipping on Purchases of $50 or More!

It's time for FREE shipping at The Spotted Olive™! Now through October 28th at 11:59 PM PST, your purchases of $50 or more (a few products excluded—see disclaimer below) will receive free economy shipping to U.S. addresses with coupon code: FREESHIPFORU at checkout. It's a great time to get some early holiday shopping done for gifts, Christmas cards or holiday postage!

And A Partridge In A Pear Tree-Teal T-Shirt shirt


Holiday Ornaments Mousepad mousepad


Modern Joy To The World Christmas Photo Card card


Joy To The World Holiday Small Postage stamp



To qualify for this free shipping offer, one or more Zazzle products must be purchased with a net sale price equal to or greater than 50.00 dollars. The coupon code FREESHIPFORU must be entered during checkout to receive the offer. The free shipping offer is for economy shipping to U.S. addresses only. Offer does not apply to shoes, skateboards, binders, or photo sculptures. Shipping charges will apply to oversized orders and orders being shipped on an expedited basis or outside the U.S. Offer is valid from October 16, 2010 through October 28, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

10/15/10

60% Off Greeting Cards Today Until 4:00 PM PST!

It's a Friday Quickie Sale with 60% off greeting cards at The Spotted Olive™ until 4:00 pm PST today with coupon code: FFHSCARD2010. Get your holiday greeting and Christmas cards now and save big!

Peace*Love*Joy Holiday Card card


Modern Merry Christmas Polka Dots Folded Card card


 Modern Dots Be Merry Holiday Christmas Card card


 

60% of the greeting card net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying greeting card are purchased and the coupon code FFHSCARD2010 is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from October 15, 2010 12:01pm ET through October 15, 2010 4:00pm ET. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

My Pink Chucks!

Happy Friday! So I've got a pair of super cool pink chucks and I love them! They are super comfy and a true classic. Lucky for me I have small feet—I got mine in the kids section and saved a bundle. I think I paid around $17! Great for running around or lounging around.













































Do you have a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers that you adore? Send us a picture at info @ thespottedolive.com and if we get enough of them, we'll put together a photo collection!

10/14/10

Vegan Cupcakes! YUM!

So I have been working a lot lately and today I decided that I would take a little break and make some tasty vegan cupcakes!! I made "Your Basic Chocolate Cupcake" with "Chocolate Buttercream Frosting" from the fabulous recipe book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. This book seriously has some great dairy-free recipes for cupcakes that rule. Everything I have made has been really tasty and I'm not a good cook!

I followed both recipes and then added my own creative twist! I added organic coconut shavings to the cupcake batter and lemon extract to the frosting. And oh boy, what a yummy combination. :)


Ok, now that I've had my cupcake fix it's back to work! I've got lots of designs sketched out that I need to get created. :)


10/12/10

Sweetest Day Sale!

In honor of Sweetest Day, celebrated this Saturday, October 16, 2010, we're having a sale! Now through October 16, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST, all paper goods and gifts at The Spotted Olive™ are 10% off with coupon code SWEETESTDEAL.

Zebra Print Martinis :: 4.25x5.5 Flat Note Card invitation


LOVE-Cotton Candy Pink T-Shirt shirt


Recipes Made With Love Avery Binder binder


Kawaii Marshmallow Cuties Mousepad mousepad


10% of the net sale price will be deducted when the coupon code SWEETESTDEAL is applied at checkout. For most products, the net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). For Zazzle Custom Stamps, the net sale price is the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage. Offer is valid from October 12, 2010 through October 16, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only. 

Here's a song from one of my favorite bands, XTC. This song will be on my Sweetest Day playlist. Enjoy!

10/11/10

A Beautiful Fall Day.

Fall is here. You can feel the cool crispness in the air. Today was a gorgeous day and despite the lengthy to do list I need to tackle, I took the opportunity to get outside for a bit and enjoy a little of this beautiful day. I'm really happy that even though it is October, I still have my deck furniture and plants out and am wearing flip flops. All of this will change and the season's first snowfall will be here soon, but right now I'm loving this weather. I spent a little time cleaning off the deck, went for a walk and then had a little play time with the dogs. It was a good way to break up the day and has given me the motivation and inspiration I need to get back to work on some new designs.

10/9/10

20% Off Invitations, Announcements & Flat Cards!

Save 20% on personalized invitations, announcements and flat cards from The Spotted Olive™ from now until October 10, 2010 at 11:59pm PST with coupon code: FFHZZINVITE. Now is the perfect time to get your holiday cards and save big money.

Modern Merry Christmas Polka Dots Flat Card invitation


Holiday Love & Laughter Christmas Flat Card invitation


Trendy Paper Goods : Zebra Chic Bachelorette Party invitation


Modern Blue Bird Party Invitation invitation



20% of the invitation net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying invitations are purchased and the coupon code FFHSZZINVITE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from October 08, 2010 4:01pm PT through October 10, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

10/6/10

Freelance Project: Book Design


One of my recent freelance graphic design projects was to redesign a book by a local photographer for the book's second printing. The book is called "A Guide To Colorado's Best Photography Locations" and as the name suggests, it features the best areas in Colorado for taking pictures.

The previous edition of the book was a bit dated, difficult to read, didn't showcase the photography and didn't have much of a "Colorado" feel to it—pastel headers, no full bleed or full page images, not much attention paid to typesetting, etc.

My goal in the redesign was to create something that was much easier to read as well as being visually appealing and showcasing the beautiful photography while maintaining a strong and consistent "Colorado" look. I choose an earthtone color palette with hues pulled from the photography, spent much time on typesetting and page layout as well as making as many of the images in the book full bleed and as large as possible without compromising the principles balance, good design and the ease of reading the information (and there was alot of information).

Above is a collection of photos of the final product. I am thrilled to say that the client was extremely pleased and has even received reports from the book distributor that people are really loving the new edition! I'm so happy to hear that kind of feedback!

10/1/10

Canvas Tote Bags 50% Off Until 5 PM EST!

That's right 50% Off earth friendly canvas tote bags from now until 5:00 PM EST today, October 1st, with coupon code FFHS50OFFBAG at checkout! Super cute bags from The Spotted Olive™ are perfect to use as reusable shopping bags to help eliminate the use of plastic and paper bags in an effort to save our environment! And, our cute Halloween designs are perfect to use as Trick or Treat candy bags!!

Just Say No To Plastic Bags Bag bag



Me So Corny Halloween Bag bag


Kawaii Ghost Too Cute To Spook Halloween Bag bag



50% of the bag net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying bags are purchased and the coupon code FFHS50OFFBAG is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from October 1, 2010 1:00pm ET through October 1, 2010 at 5:00pm ET. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.