MaeMae Paperie: Inspiration

Meet Winston (and Rose!)

It has been quite the journey from starting up MaeMae in my college studio to working on my debut wedding collection album that is launching next month. I have learned so much about the creative process, customer service, and asking for help. These past two weeks have been fully dedicated to getting the collection to the printers and I could NOT have done it without my fab assistant Katie and my intern - ROSE! Rose has been doing work for MaeMae from far away (New Zealand!) for the past year and this summer made the long journey all the way to my studio to wok here. If that doesn't blow your mind I don't know what will. We are having so much fun designing away and learning NZ lingo (my favorite word is "roggie" = roger aka OK).

Above is the last collection inspiration board for Winston, my desert-loving character. Yes he has a pet llama. 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

PS I will be launching some new branding elements in Sept - what do you think of the these triangle number markers??

Monday Must with Marysia Swim

This spring and summer I have been working with the extremely talented designer behind one of the most beautiful swim collections - Marysia Swim. Even though I've asked her several times, I just don't get where she comes up with so many fresh and innovative designs for her swimwear. So brilliant. Marysia and I worked to make her brand more bold + modern. We worked on her lookbook (which is where I got that sneak peek photo in the inspo board above!) and lots of other printed pieces for the fashion shows this summer. Check out her last collection here. Marysia graciously asked me to create my "Monday Must List" for her blog. This is what I'm musting!

/ 1 / Beyonce's 4 album. I listen to it when I wake up, work, clean, cook, workout, you name it. I even got a bruise dancing in my office when I ran into the door jam. Wow. TMI. You have to watch this video of the making of her album. I've watched it 4 times. Inspiring for all creative females (and business owners!) / 2 / Kate Spade notecards. Brilliant cards to send to a friend for having you over for a dinner party. Cheeky yet classy. / 3 / Jill Sander skirt. Her last collection was beyond beyond beyond. I love the styling in this photo as well. / 4 / Eberjay Colette Bra. Amazing underneath something sheer. Best by itself though... / 5 / Olimpia Zagnoli's illustrations. I can't get enough of Jill Sander's last collection and a framed piece from Olimpia Zagnoli in my bedroom would be perfection. / 6 / Diane Von Furstenberg iPhone case in hot pink. Purchasing today. LOVE. I have been waiting for half a year for her to finally make it for the new iPhone. Gotta look chic texting away. / 7 / Alessi Calumet watch in orange. I love the simplicity and boldness of this watch. It feels feminine - but not soft. / 8 / Covergirl LipPerfection. Best lipstick - EVER. And I've tried them all - and then never wear them anywhere. I actually wear this out. Daring. Who knew you could buy it at TARGET for $5! Stays on all day, not drying, and the compliments won't stop when you're wearing it. I recently had a 3 year old tell me she liked my "chapstick." I'm winning them all. I have it in their two brightest shades - Spellbound (bright pink) and Flame (hot red). / 9 / Miu Miu glitter + suede bow peep toe. What's not to love! The shape is brilliant, the mix of warm leather and girly glitter is perfection. The heel is sturdy and not sky-high so you can actually wear these all day with something more toned down. / 10 / Marysia Swim Sardina maillot. The most fashionable take on the classic red swim suit. Watch out, Pamela. And PS it's reversible! Come to mama!

Meet Quimby

Say hello to Quimby. He equally loves linen and lacquered paint. He used to think that was weird - now he's embracing it.

Have a beautiful weekend. xx, Mae

1. Quimby uses these to give all of his host gifts.
2. highlight. your whole body.
3. illustrations created for sweet Quimby
4. I'd wear it. Sass + Bide have hands down the best ad campaigns.
5. I am totally judging this bottle by it's label. gorg branding.
6. if you haven't seen the whole project your life isn't complete.
7. love the contrast.
8. blocky but organic. love love love.
9. want to learn how to use a brush like she does.
10. everything modori is magnif.
11. perfect 10 in design sexiness.

Meet Avery

Meet Avery! A bold and free-spirited character who loves rainbow sherbet. I know that I usually give a little feedback on all the items on the board - but guess what. I don't feel like it and I am giving myself space to not do things that are not required. Notice how you make yourself do things that no one has asked of you or even expects? Yep. That's me. So here's the board and the links. Have a beautiful weekend, bloggies! xx, Mae

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 - my own designs / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Creative Adrenaline

One of the hardest things about being creative for a living is moving steadily (or at a million miles an hour!) forward daily instead of waiting for a stroke of inspiration to hit you. Sometimes in the middle of a project you just get that creative adrenaline rush and for me it reminds me of racing (when I used to swim in high school and college). You feel so strong and filled with energy. But most days aren't like that which is why I try to arm myself with a toolbox of font, illustration, color, and style elements that represent the MaeMae brand. I also am always collecting images - on my phone, on my computer, and all over my studio walls. Last Friday I had one of those creative adrenaline rushes and was hurriedly grabbing a bunch of inspiration off my walls and flipping through the four (yes - four) notebooks I am currently taking notes in to start designing some of my social stationery collections. The above images are from various magazines, newspapers, and books and are hanging on my three bulletin boards, and my walls. It's so funny to me how amongst all the things I have up that these images are so cohesive and perfectly represent the mood of what I am working on. Can't wait to share the final product in September! Have a beautiful weekend!

xx,
Mae

Meet McAllister

This is an inspiration board for my suite McAllister – my mischievous explorer. I guest blogged for Miss Grey two weeks ago showcasing McAllister and you can see it here.

Have a beautiful weekend!

xx,
Mae

1. octopus anatomy
2. ok I just realized that this isn’t a postage stamp… wish it was. oh wait. is it??! (thank you Desi for letting me know that it's a loteria card. so cool!)
3. coolest bathroom sign. ever.
4. can’t stop my obsession with this logo. check out the company it’s for it’s hyster.
5. stunning print.
6. this bottom is high-waisted but folds down so you don’t get a weird tan line. marysia, you’re brill.
7. illustrations for the suite that this inspo board is for.
8. ophelia. i can’t stop looking.

Meet Dakota

1. Henri Gillet. Pure Genius.
2. kind of perfect in any inspo board...
3. gorg gorg gorg. i am a block printer in my dreams.
4. illustrations for new suite Dakota
5. tiger lily.
6. goes with everything.
7. perfect desert-y dish to have some chocolate covered scorpions in. really.
8. best. clutch. ever. marchesa.
9. so much good breathing space.
10. fresh shopping bag.
11. I'd use it for everything.

I've been in my hometown, Scottsdale, AZ, since Wednesday and am certainly feeling the desert love. This inspiration board is for my Dakota suite which you saw some designs for on Monday. As I work on my wedding collection that is launching in September (!!!) I have been creating characters to design each stationery suite around. This character is a lover of both the desert and sea. Hope it inspires you as well. Have a beautiful weekend!

xx, Mae

Tutti Frutti

As I go through the process of creating characters to model my collection after it has been such a pleasure to discover new "friends." If you don't know her - meet Carmen Miranda. The original Brazilian bombshell. The actress + singer boldly showed off her curves and vivacious personality while dancing in teetering platform sandals and donning a hat topped with fruit. Get it girl.

1. The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat - NY Times Magazine editorial. GORG.
2. Vintage travel poster. Want to see what I do with old poster art? Check it out Oh Joy!
3. Luscious fruit illustrations by Christina.
4. Anna knows what's up. I want these in orange.
5 + 8. New illustrations for the collection.
6. An old flyer from the Plaza.
7. Artwork from Copacabana. If you've seen it, who do you like better - Carmen or Fifi!?
9. Topshop flats. If Carmen ever wore flats I am sure she would go for this little number. Jewel beauty mark anyone?

Goddess of the Hunt

This is my favorite collection theme thus far: the goddess Artemis (or Diana for you lovers of Latin - that would be me). She reigns over the forest, moon, and hunting and is the perfect mix between masculine + feminine.

1. This image is so haunting and magical. Brilliant Rodarte. does it again.
2 / 5 / 8. New illustrations / type combination for this collection.
3. Gorgeous vintage book cover.
4. Forest royalty. Get your own here.
6. Goddess of the moon.
7. Modern day Artemis / Diana. Pretty much all of J. Mendel's spring collection is.
9. Get ready for MaeMae wax seals. That's so Roman. SORRY. DON'T KNOW THE IMAGE'S SOURCE.
10. I need about 20 spools. And they aren't even selling them anymore. boo.
11. Major love for this logo.

Have a beautiful weekend! xx, Mae.

Hitched in PS!

MaeMae is going to Palm Springs with Hitched in January!! I am so excited to be amongst a set of talented and successful vendors. (and excited to be headed to the desert!) I will be showing as a featured vendor from Urbanic Paper and it will be my official debut of the MaeMae Collection. A huge thank you to Audrey for all of her support and confidence in me as I have gotten MaeMae off the ground. Can't wait to show with you, lady! xx

This inspo board was inspired by the board the Hitched team - Kelly, Paige, Audrey + Kizzy - sent over to me. The board from yesterday and all the ones I will be posting leading up to Hitched will all be inspo that I am looking at for my collection. Enjoy!

1. Ban.do it now.
2. Ace Hotel - Palm Springs
3. A Persimmon a day keeps the cold weather away.
4. Revisiting my fav shoe of the summer from House of Harlow.
5. Sweet watercolor. The artist was inspired by my home state - AZ! Go Grand Canyon State!
6. I think this would be so perfect for a little desert wedding.
7. There is going to be SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING at Hitched. Be still my heart.
8. You know you're pretty cool when this is your wedding dress.

Happy December, bloggies!

Good ol' Andy

1. Poppy Print Chair
2. I debated for about 15 mins whether or not to rip this out of my book for the inspo board. Worth it.
3. Love the inky / watercolor splash of black on white. And it's a pretend drink. Love it even more now.
4. Dying for this. Why do all the cute cases not have an iPhone 4 version!?
5. So Edie. Sorry unknown source - archived image.
6 + 9. New illustrations for the collection.
7. Warhol original.
8. Saw this at Ross a few years back... complete with a banana coin purse. Why didn't I get it.

Gwyneth Tenenbaum

I love Gwyneth. As in Paltrow. Obviously.

My favorite character she has played is Margot Tenenbaum from the brilliant film The Royal Tenenbaums. I love the way all the players in the story are so distinct and oddly relatable (in parts). You know how some actors just "are" a particular character they played? Gwyneth is Margot to me.

1. Love the chapter stills in the movie.
2. Possible title for another Margot play? Courtesy of Friends of Type.
3. Stanley Chow's interpretation of Miss Tenebaum. Yea, it's for sale.
4. Choice eye liners.
5. Ok, maybe Margot would wear flat oxfords but I have been obsessing over these forever.
6. Type to go. Way to go, Kate.
7. Illustrators are my fav. Fiona has stolen my heart. This could be Margot writing to Richie.

Pink Champagne

1. Brilliant designer find - Ramon Coronado.
2. Illustration created for a client who wanted to meld a crafty object with a crafty fox... his little tail is a paintbrush. He was rejected in the end, but I have some plans for his sweet face.
3. Monki blouse. Birthday present, anyone??
4. A leather lunch box. Why not. I totally would if my lunch actually fit in there. I would need two.
5. Champagne Beau Joie. Die for the 100% copper bottle.
6. Anna See watercolor. I think I like the painting better than the real Gucci shoe. Yes. I said it.
7. Dear Darling Clementine, It's me again. Your biggest fan. xx, Mae

NEET Mag Inspo

Loved making this inspo board for NEET Magazine! Their editor, Stephanie allowed me to choose any theme to base my board around and as the first day of school was always a highlight in my childhood, I thought I would choose a back to school / gamine theme. Check out the magazine to see everything up close! Also loved reading about two of my design heroines in the issue: SeeSaw Design + Rifle Design Co.

Desert is Where the Heart Is

CLICK DESCRIPTION FOR LINKS

1. Mango fruit juice pop
2. Bibby wonder
3. Need this little nugget of chair. And wall for that matter.
4. Hand painted greeting card
5. Alan Chies photo. But the real question is: who styled this.
6. "she had a cocktail in her hand and confetti in her hair"
7. Make something cool everyday. Ok. Check.
8. I've never even been there, but I want the poster. BAD.

Getaway Inspiration

click on the text for sources

1. Loeffler Randall Belinda Pump
2. Illustrations I just made for a wedding booklet in Mexico. Arriba!!
3. Wayne Pate
4. Fffound
5. Pancake + Frank s
6. Anthropologie
7. Rochas = genius. how do people make the sock + sandal look so good??
8. Kate Spade coin purse. Duh.
9. Artichoke. inspiration from the cool bride from #2.
10. Teaser! for my new greeting card set!
11. Rebel Green. genius branding

Pinky Swear

Having a black and pink moment in the studio.

1. Caitlin McGauley. Check out her New York Sketch Book. She is a genius.
2. New illustrations for a 1920s menu I am creating for a client in NYC.
3. Teen Vogue. Zippity do da.
4. Hero + Sound Studio. My new heroes.
5. Peggy Wolf. I want to make these all day.
6. Love everything about this picture from Lonny.

Happy weekend!

P.S. I have been listening to my new fav youtube singer, Jayme Dee, on constant repeat. Check her out.

Summer. Where ya at?

Call me when you get here. My pasty legs want to come out and play.

1. Mizue Hirano
2. French Connection
3. Kate Spade
4. Lora Lamm
5. Nine West
6. Pilpat I wish my legs were even this color
7. Elena Giavaldi
8. New MaeMae piece... unveiling soon.
9. Cosmo
10. Gala Collette

Friday in My Filing Cabinet

How was first Week of March, bloggies? I am just dying to bust out the shorts + swimsuits. Let there be summer. I have been so fascinated and influenced by these contemporary artists who have a retro swagger. Love the texture of line drawings on top of a pattern or swatch of color. So simple and yet the end result has so much richness. Retro is the new modern. For design at least. Hair/clothes, no thanks.

Darling Clementine geniuses from Oslo, Norway. Biggest crush. Top right image is from a salon wall they designed. Total selling point for me.

Lab Partners always does it right.

Naive a book collection of "classic modernists".

New find, Mikey Burton.

Friday in my Filing Cabinet

Once a desert girl always a desert girl. Inspiration for my new collection piece that will be revealed Monday. Have a rowdy weekend.
Collage inspiration I crafted with scissors + tape.

Manu by Lauren Manoogian Triangles. Beige. Black. White. Need.

So I have this bunny rabbit fur coat I bought from a thrift store in college and it makes me look like a football player. My brother Colson strongly advised against the purchase, but I couldn't help myself. Thought it would come in great use in Phoenix + LA. Boy was I right. There is probably one night in a decade where you can wear that thing. So possibly it could convert itself into above pillows from Lonny. Feather love from Rebecca Thuss.

A Friend of Mine throwing out some insane texture.

Ideal outfit from Lauren Moffatt + House of Harlow by Miss N Richie. Yes Nicole.