BLOG DESIGN GIVEAWAY!

So excited to announce my CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN giveaway hosted by A Girl Named Leney. I recently launched MAV Designs, where I capture those raw, organic moments and ideas in life through graphic design and photography. In celebration, let's throw a giveaway party and have one of you out there get a free custom blog design by yours truly!

Head over to her blog to enter the giveaway.

Good luck!

I'd love to work with you all :)

Recent Work: Pink Avenue Blog

Corinne, the fashionable blogger behind Pink Avenue, wanted a clean, chic, organized and sophisticated new blog design for her transition from the name The Lookbook to Pink Avenue. I am extremely gracious she asked me to be a part of her blog launch! She has so much style,  I only wish my closet was half as gorgeous as hers. Plus, she is beautiful...inside and out! Definitely give Corinne a visit if you are looking for fashion inspiration and a cute one year old named Vera!

If you would like to work together on a blog design, contact me and we can get started.

I'd love to work with you!

Recent Work: Fabric Flower Designs Website

I am thrilled and honored to be a part of Fabric Flower Designs branding and website design! Fabric Flower Designs is a small business created by [my best friend] Hannah Hawksworth, that offers brides custom-made fabric flower bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. I am blown away by her talent and have already pre-hired her for my wedding [in 15 years]. Hehe.

We were inspired by her favorite color yellow and that special handmade touch. Since she already had her website built with Wix, I revamped her website adding some special touches and of course a custom logo! Check out her fresh new website and take a look around at her work/services. If you're a bride, definitely get in touch with Hannah about her custom bouquets. She will create something beautiful with you!

What do you think about the site? I'd love to hear your feedback!

If you would like some logo, brand development or web design, contact me! :)

Portfolio Website Launch!

*drumroll*

After some frustrating and self-conscious days, I am excited to launch my portfolio website! Just like my creative journey, it is always a work in progress, but instead of trying to "perfect" every little detail on this website and be scared, I have finally opened up this heavy door. If you would like to take a peek at my personal + professional creative journey, you can now add www.melissa-vega.com to your bookmarks!

You can find all sorts of photography and design on the blog and services I offer including blog design, branding, logo and anything design-related you can think of! I am officially accepting new clients for blog designs, so be sure to roam around the site. If our styles collide, I'd love to work with you.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive throughout this journey.
Just remember, this is just the beginning!
I can't wait what for what is in store + the bright future.

+

Dearest Friends,

Fridays mean:

sleeping in on Saturdays
Sunday brunch
quality time with loved ones
a break
travel
adventure
reflection

So SMILE, because it is Friday and that is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Side note: This is my first attempt at making gifs! A phone call to a friend, Google and some random button pressing, I think it turned out pretty okay. I am excited where this new revelation with take me design-wise!

recent work: one of five blog design

I had the opportunity of working with the lovely Lauren, the blogger behind One Of Five. She was looking for a new blog design to match the changes she has made on and offline. I couldn't have been more honored she asked me to be a part of it! Lauren blogs about the beautiful things in her everyday life. She is also going to Bath, England this summer so you want to definitely follow her along for the ride.

Our design inspirations included using the colors oatmeal + black with a pretty, sophisticated and easy to navigate blog design. We of course used Pinterest to collect our creative thoughts.

As I put together the rest of my blog design online portfolio, you can email me at m.ashleyvega(at)gmail(dot)com for all design inquiries! I am officially taking new clients!

Wrong Decisions

Breathe in, breathe out, Repeat

The art of making decisions has always been a topic for debate. Who is the right kind of decision maker? We roll our eyes at those who can never make one, judge the ones that make them too quickly, translate spontaneity as irresponsible, but tell the ones who plan too far ahead to just relax. What is the perfect formula for making a decision? The right one at that.

Truth is, there is none and sometimes the freedom for making a decision feels more like a burden. We fought so hard as teenagers for the responsibility to make our own decisions, but now that I am in my early twenties, it feels chaotic not having a four-year plan laid out in front of me. There is beauty in this chaos I know, but I have been struggling to find it.

When I make a decision, I think of everything. Even if my decision may seem spontaneous and of the blue, it has honestly been carefully calculated. I am already trying to find solutions to problems I know I am going to have next year April. This is my problem. This has been my problem for months. It is an easier pill to swallow if I say months, but honestly it has been almost a year. Ever since I graduated, my radar for making any sort of plan or decision has gone out the window. My "transitional year" (also easier, less rude way of calling this year) is almost up and I need to get it together.

My heart, head and bank account go at each other like a bunch of crazy felines as soon as the light bulb goes off about a new plan. My heart follows this hopeful idea that everything will be okay, my head makes sure that it is at least logical and my bank account just says NO. Lately I have been listening to my bank account if that gives you a taste of what it has been like.

Well, it's time to stop. I have lost my confidence to trust a decision. Even if other people don't agree, even if it seems a little illogical at first, I need to trust that I will be okay. I need to trust myself that I can handle whatever the universe throws at me. I need to regain my confidence that I know how to make it work and I have the drive, support, motivation and passion to do so, even if my "adult" sensors to live comfortably keep going off. Be happy or live comfortably. It is a constant battle and rare occasion when both can happen together. I applaud those who find that balance.

Sometimes the decision happens for you (like mine for quitting my 9-5 to pursue a graphic design/photography career - more on this later), but sometimes there is no one holding your hand and opening the right door. You can't calculate the outcome of every decision you make. Eventually any decision you make leads you to where you're suppose to be anyway, right?

Be fearless. The only mistakes we make are the ones we don't learn from.

I guess I should go make my decision now.

Photo was taken in 2011 with my first roll of Holga film.

COFFEE TALK 01

 

Natalie over at 23Seveteen hosts "Coffee Talk" every Thursday and it's about dang time I join in the fun! During Coffee Talk, Natalie asks us bloggers a handful of questions and we all link-up and get to know each other better. I absolutely love this idea and am excited to finally participate. Well, here goes nothing!

1. What's for dinner tonight?

Honestly, probably leftovers! I am such an avid leftover-eater though. I absolutely dislike wasting food and sometimes things just taste better the second time around, i.e. pizza. I have the wonderful advantage of going home to my mom's wonderful cooking so there's that, too! I am saving my "going out to eat fund" for this weekend (Hey, Boone!) and next weekend (Hey, Boston!).

2. Top three TV shows you never miss.

THIS IS SUCH A HARD ONE. Unfortunately I do not really watch television shows when they first air, but with things like Netflix, friends with DVR, re-runs on tv websites, I try to stay caught up. Right now some shows that are on air that I hate to miss include Once Upon A Time, How I Met Your Mother and Girls! (I am currently finishing up Brothers and Sisters on Netflix as well).

3. What type of body wash are currently using?

Satsuma from The Body Shop! I have been indulging in this scent since high school! I love it so much my mom used to buy me the gift sets every Valentine's Day. I wonder if she will this Valentine's Day! I can always depend on her to make me feel loved on this "commercially couple's holiday". Anyway, this scent is fantastic. I have always been a fan of the fruity/citrus/sweet scents without it being overbearing. Definitely a great body wash to use in the morning, afternoon or evening. The body butter is even better!



4. Take a photo of what's in front of you.

Part of my living room.

5. What's your favorite fruit?
Hmm....... I am going to have to go with mangoes. Oh wait! Oranges. Wait... PINEAPPLE, but only if I eat it in Costa Rica :) Those three are probably my favorites... they just can't compete with one another!

6. Spring is almost here (well, it's already here for us Floridians haha) show me your go-to outfit
Skinny jeans, Hanes Men White V neck, cardigan, wedges (or flats) and a fun light scarf. I'm a simple girl.

Well, you got to know a little bit more about me :)
Can't wait to read everybody's answers! If you would like, share with me your own answers in the comments below or link up with Natalie!

*top photo was taken a couple years ago at my old apartment in Boone while I was in college.

TUESDAY TUNES | COVERS

PLAYLIST
01. Fast Car - Boyce Avenue feat. Kina Grannis
02. Skinny Love - Birdy
03. The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot - Andrew Belle
04. I Can't Make You Love Me/ Nick of Time - Bon Iver
05. Wagon Wheel - Mumford & Sons
06. Yellow - Sara Bareilles
07. Don't Worry Baby - Jim Hanft
08. Addicted to Love - Florence & The Machine
09. Can't Help Falling in Love - Ingrid Michaelson
10. 1901 - Birdy
11. The Freshman - Jay Brannan
12. I Want to Hold Your Hand - T.V. Caprio
13. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Miley Cyrus
14. Free Falling - John Mayer
15. Imagine - Jack Johnson
16. Grow Old With Me - The Postal Service
17. Make You Feel My Love - Adele
18. Landslide - Dixie Chicks
19. What Makes You Beautiful - Boyce Avenue

Here is a collection of my favorite covers. Part two will come soon.
What are some of your favorite covers? I'd love to hear!

Listen on 8tracks
Album photo + design (c) Melissa Vega

snapshots

This has been my week in snapshots.
Last weekend I got a new phone (because I dropped my Blackberry in the ocean...), but luckily we got a good deal on a phone called the Google Nexus 4G Droid and I'm in love with it! It's like the Sprint version of an iPhone, so instead of having Instagram (which I know a lot of you lucky bloggers have), I have a similar app called My Tubo. If some of you all follow my Twitter, you may find these snapshots familiar, but here's a little bit more detail of my week :]


one
Pins! Pins! Galore.
Since I was 15, I started collecting pins and putting them on the inside roof of my car. Throughout the years, I have had generous friends giving me pins, finding them at Goodwill and of course the occasional purchase. I usually don't go searching for them, they usually find me :] It makes my car seem really young and funky, so I'll keep them for now. Who says I have to grow up completely.

two
Fall is approaching! And I couldn't be more excited. This photo was taken while I was walking to class last week. It's time for boots, scarves, my mustard yellow jacket, uggs and fuzzy socks.

three
As mentioned in the last post, my roommate and I got the opportunity to finally do some crafts! Due to weather, we haven't been able to implement the crafts we've made for their save the date pictures, but hopefully we'll be able to do it soon! I miss crafts. I made a promise to myself I would do more crafts this year. There was even talk of maybe participating in the local Boone Handmade Market? First we need items to sell...so maybe we'll just shop again like last year...haha.

fourRIP beansTalk :[
This was one of my favorite local coffee shops that closed down this past summer. Lots of memories since Freshmen year. Maybe another coffee shop will open up soon, but for now passing that building is a little sad :[ Here's a link an old post where we visited beansTalk for the last time.

five/six
This weekend I have been to Panera Bead twice! They have the best deal on coffee. If you dine-in and order coffee with a mug, you get free refills, so if you're like me studying for the GRE for hours at a time, those free refills start to sound really good. Today I got the Potato Soup in a bread bowl. Ah-ma-zing soup, probably one of my favorites from Panera. Yum yum yum. Panera Bread can never do wrong.

[And if some of you were wondering about all the sudden design changes, it's because my wonderful Dad got me the Adobe Creative Suite 5 for my birthday a couple weeks ago! Yay! So I've been obsessed with designing things and getting more practice. Let me know what you think! I have been getting some graphics from Polyvore, too]


How was your weekend? What was your favorite part?

Designated Designer

I realize I haven't blogged in awhile.
Since there is always a scapegoat, I blame my studies, work and the infamous InDesign program.
Many exciting things have been happening, and not so exciting things in my past couple weeks.

1. Got an internship! Summer internship with the Department of Communications at AppState. I'm very excited. I get six credit hours and have to complete 120 hours (which isn't so bad after spreading it over a 10 week period)
2. Found the Mumford & Sons vinyl along with tickets to see them in Asheville! Ex-CITING.
3. This evening is taco + margarita night!
4. I've had some wonderful entertainment opportunities (which I will blog about later)

Anyway -
I decided to showcase some of the design work I've had to do for my Media Publishing class. I have recently realized how much I enjoy designing things like magazine spreads, business cards or logos. I am merely an amateur but as a public relations major, it's good to have different design skills.

Here's some examples of my work:

Business card idea - designed the logo along with the layout of the card.

  

This was a magazine spread I had to create to represent myself. If you click on the photos, they should enlarge and you will be able to read the text.

Those are just a few things that I've been working on in InDesign.
I hope to learn more and eventually create more things with it!

Off to a Ben Folds Acoustic Concert on campus.
A blog about that later ;)

- melissa