Box Battle: September 2014

Okay, so I sort of have this addiction to subscription boxes... an illness for which there is no cure. There are tons of box review sites out there reviewing individual boxes each month, or comparing one box to another. Instead, I'm going to present my monthly haul in more of a battle royale style... because all of these box subcsciptions are ultimately competing for the same thing...

MY MONEY!

Or, more specifically, my continued commitment to maintaining my subscription.

One box has already bit the dust (sorry, Dottie Box... you just weren't doin' it for me).

So, each month, I will (try to) post a photo of all the stuff I got and tell you which box gets the gold star for the month. As of right now, the monthly contenders are Birchbox, Olive Box, Loot Crate, Box of Happies, and Ipsy.

Now onto September...

Click for larger (sorry about the crappy photo...)

BOX OVERVIEW

Birchbox: It seems like all I get from Birch is sunscreen and hair products... Neither of which I use with any regularity. I did use the shampoo and conditioner this morning though. It was ok... nothing I was excited about. Also in the box was a Pixie lip balm which was alright. The item I actually liked the most was the Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy perfume sample.

Olive Box: The cards were cute, but I really liked the the set of Rifle Paper Co. journals. The little "You Are Loved" stickers got some use... gave out a few to co-workers and hid one in my husbands' ipad case.

Loot Crate: Okay... I knew they were doing a "Galactic" sci-fi theme, and then I learned that there would be an Alien item... and I got REALLY excited. However, I was very disappointed when my Alien item turned out to be a Dallas action figure. LAME. The tribble and Mal vinyl were a saving grace however. The Pop Rocks didn't even last 2 minutes.

Box of Happies: Eh... this month was okay. The silver necklace was cute, but the earrings aren't really my style. The ring I could have made myself. Bottle opener key chain probably won't use. Cupcake flags... eh, I'll find something to use them on at some point.

Ipsy: Loved the makeup bag (think I'll add a short black chain and turn it into a clutch). The double-end eyeshadow brush was really great, and I loved the purple eyeshadow. Lip gloss not usually a color that I wear, but I like that it's neutral. Brown eyeliner pencil is a plus. There was some hair treatment stuff too, but I gave that away.

BONUS BOX

Occasionally I might get my hands on an extra box. This month we were sent a Bark Box at Orlando Magazine for review. It was their June or July box, but it was still fun to see what was in it. The shining star in this box was that pink squid. I fought off all the other staff to keep it. No, I didn't give it to my dog... are you kidding? LOOK AT IT! It now has a place on my office bookshelf next to my sperm whale bookends.

And the gold star goes to...

Ipsy. But barely. Honestly, if Loot Crate hadn't been such a disappointment Alien-wise, it would have gone to them. It was almost kind of a draw. But Loot doesn't have much to worry about. They've more or less gotten the gold star for the last 2 months. But congratulations Ipsy... you've earned my continued subscription.

Till next month, friends...

Making Orlando Magazine: Best of Orlando 2014

Cover for Best of Orlando 2014

Making the Best of Orlando issue was probably one of the most extensive projects I have worked on to date. A lot of planning, prep and design work went into bringing this issue to life. It's a process that actually starts WAY in advance (and I'm talking around, oh, February or so when voting begins). Once votes are tallied, we have to start thinking about the issue, the theme, and how we're going to approach the visuals...

Some time back, our former Creative Director, Jenifer Kresge, and I began brainstorming about the theme. We were both inspired by a Best-Of issue from Hour magazine involving a very elaborate circus concept, and loved how the photography and theme was carried throughout. Knowing we wanted to do something more colorful and conceptual than our Best Of from last year, we began researching possibilities. But, where in Orlando could we find an appropriate venue, let alone the variety of performers and types of acts that were needed? I immediately thought of Treasure Tavern.

Treasure Tavern is a variety dinner show with a pirate/vaudeville-ish theme that's located adjacent to the Pirate Dinner Adventure on I-Drive. The show includes everything from acrobats to magicians, poodle performers and more. They rotate their acts every so often, so you'll get to see something new each time. I had the pleasure of seeing the show some time ago (thanks, Groupon) and I remembered that they not only had a great stage setting but a colorful, diverse cast and props as well.

Treasure Tavern were more than receptive to being featured and open to just about anything we wanted to do. They invited a few of us down to see the current show so we could get a better feel of what they could offer in terms of performers and set. Needless to say, I took a LOT of notes that night and had a ton of ideas by the time the show was over.

I sat down for some creative brainstorming with the Editor and Photographer and we determined what types of shots we wanted to do. The Best-Of list is comprised of several master categories and a slew of award categories, so we tried to theme most of the shots based on those list items. Our goal was to have at least 1-2 shots encompassing each master category, and if there was time and room on the page, secondary shots as well.

Click here to see a PDF of the schedule.

With a general shot list in mind, I began drafting the schedule and call sheet. Let me just say that this was one of the most complex schedules that I have had to put together in a long time. I haven't had to organize anything this complicated since my film school days at Valencia. The day had to be pretty planned out so that certain cast members were able to be released when we were done with them. Each shot also had to have detailed listings of props, set dress, and so forth. It's good to have a least some sort of visual in mind, including what orientation you want the scene shot in, but it's important to remember that not everything is going to go as planned. No matter how well-planned the schedule and shots are, there is always going to be some improvising the day of.

Opening spread featuring the entire cast

The day of the shoot went extremely well. We were a bit delayed getting started, but that sort of thing should always be expected. The entire Treasure Tavern cast and corporate employees were extremely accommodating (lunch was AMAZING... best photo shoot lunch I have ever had). Todd Feren, the production manager who also plays Robb, had lots of great ideas and it was a very enjoyable, collaborative experience. We even had time to take lots of fun, secondary shots, which ended up being much needed in the layout. Again, those weren't planned, and it's the type of collaboration and improvisation that just naturally happens on a shoot. Overall, it was one of the most fun shoots that I have been on (and a record-breaking day for "that's what she said" jokes).

For the design of the issue, I was really inspired by some old vaudeville playbills that I saw on Pinterest. I used an aged paper background to give it a slight vintage look, accompanied by tall, skinny type, accented with red banners. For the photos, we didn't have to do a ton of editing; I mainly just darkened the stage so the scuff marks weren't so prominent. The photographer always does some minor edits and fixes before they are delivered to art.

I had wanted to do something different with the text, rather than the typical list approach. It was definitely one of the more ambitious layouts that I've done; each award was in its own text container and had to be manipulated independently of the others. On one hand, it made edits easy, but just getting everything to fit in the first place felt like it took FOREVER. Overall it took me about 3 full days, give or take. I would have loved to have spent more time customizing and texturizing the type, but I quite literally ran out of time. Deadlines, ya know?

You can see the full feature in my Behance portfolio. Be sure to pick up a copy on newsstands at most Publix's and Barnes & Nobel's between now and the end of August. You can also download the complete digital issue for only $.99, viewable on desktop and mobile devices.

And check out our quickie promo video below, shot by our photography intern, Danielle Tauffer, and edited by former Orlando magazine intern and Valencia alum, Fred Mullins.

Christian's Font Themed Birthday Extravaganza

Turning 30 is kind of a big deal, and for one graphic design friend, we wanted to do something extra specially nerdy: enter the Font Party. The rules were simple... each guest needed to come dressed as a font of their choice. Anything goes. The results were lots of fun, with some unexpected surprises, and even our non-designer friends were able to enjoy the theme as well.

Decorations of green and black filled the room, interspersed with various blocks of wood type and other design-nerdy touches (though not pictured we also had thin, white wood letters that spelled "XTIAN", which we had guests sign).

The food was laid out, provided by friends and the folks at Petty's Meats... Bacon Wrapped Black & Blue Cheeseburger Bites, Crunchy Chicken Tenders, and Coconut Shrimp.

So the place was prepped, everything clean and ready to go, the font management system installed... and slowly the fonts began to arrive...

So, let's meet the fonts...

The birthday boy himself

 Wingdings really wants to know what's in Courier's package...

Pretty soon it was time for cake, which in Christian's case was a giant cookie (complete with typographic HAPPY BIRTHDAY candles, of course).

Then it was time for the font pharaoh to receive his gifts, but for each gift we tested his memories of his friends. We shared his friends most memorable moments and how they met our guest of honor, and he had to guess whose story it was.

For each correct answer, he got to open a gift...

There were fun cards...

Lots of cool gifts we knew he'd love...

And even some photo bombing in the process...

For every wrong guess, he had to take a shot. Helvetica oversaw that.

And finally, we got to Courier's questionable package of the night...

The anticipation was great, as guests looked on in wonder... what would it be???

And then... We got a Clue...

Like, literally... it was Clue... and there was much rejoicing.

Lastly, at the end of the night, it was time to vote on the best costume. There was much deliberation, but finally we managed to narrow down a winner... and by near unanimous vote, the biggest nerd winner was...

The birthday boy... naturally :)

So that was it, our fontastic birthday extravaganza. I leave you with a series of stupid animated gifs. 

And yes, if you are wondering, some of the decorations are still up... 

Poe Murder Mystery Masquerade

Back in October we threw a Victorian-era-Edgar-Allan-Poe-themed murder mystery masquerade (try saying that 5 times fast). We gathered on the night of October 27th, just a few weeks after the death anniversary of the aforementioned author.  The story goes a little something like this...

Ten years ago, lovely Lenore Bainbridge was murdered during a masquerade ball at the glamorous Bainbridge Manor. The culprit was never discovered. It is rumored that Lenore’s spirit does not rest peacefully, but endlessly prowls the halls of Bainbridge Manor, waiting for justice.

Now, all who attended the masquerade ball on that fateful night will gather again at Bainbridge Manor, this time in the hopes that together they can discover once and for all who murdered Lenore Bainbridge so her spirit can finally be at peace.

Each guest had a small role to play and was given various clues throughout the night to share with the other guests.

Myself as Clarissa Bainbridge, the victim's sister
BJ Dupont as Beauregard Charming, the victim's sister suitor
Susan Mullins as Sarah Bainbridge, the victim's sister cousin
Mark Ronhaar as James Bainbridge, the victim's sister cousin
Jason Strickland as Roman Bainbridge, the victim's sister uncle
Christian Knightly as Count Maximilian Freud, the victim's sister suitor
Julie Tyckoson Eliza Valdemar, the victim's sister friend
Dan Bookman as Inspector Auguste Dupin
Paul Love as Dr. Prospero, the family’s doctor
Jenifer Kresge as Dr. Morella Tamerlane, the family psychologist
Brian Hogan as Roderick Usher, guest at Bainbridge Manor
Liz Hogan as Madeline Usher, sister to Roderick
Nick Benedetto as William Wilson, the butler
Amy Benedetto as Marie Roget, the housekeeper
Rita Barnes as Madame Raven, psychic medium
Jason Dilworth as Edgar Reynolds, investigative journalist for the Evening Mirror
Michelle Dilworth as Annabel Lee, poet
James Tryon as Montresor Amontillado, the family accountant
Evelyn Tryon as Virginia Amontillado, head cook

*Props if you can spot all of the Poe references!

While this probably sounds like a really cool thing to shoot, I unfortunately didn't get much of an opportunity to photograph all of the details since I was busy playing hostess (aka Lady Clarissa Bainbridge). Also, I should probably note that, as a general rule, I should not be allowed to operate a camera if I've had more than a few alcoholic libations. Needless to say, the photos that I did take came out terribly. So I've thrown a few old-timey photo effects on them in an effort to make them less offensive to your eyes.

Black and cream invitations, ready to mail out and set the spooky mood of the party.

Upon entering, guests were given an envelope with their name and first set of clues.

Ravens could be found everywhere. Oh, how Lenore loved her ravens.

They even managed to come to work with me.

I always knew that our butler, William Wilson, was involved with Marie Roget, the housekeeper.

Count Maximilian Freud was all smiles, until people started accusing him of murdering Lenore. In the background, police inspector Auguste Dupin and my cousin, Sarah Bainbridge, look on knowingly.

Eliza Valdemar... never really trusted her much. She was always jealous of Lenore.

Madam Raven (far right) discusses clues with Beuregard Charming, while Dr.'s Prospero and Tamerlane listen in.

Madeline and Roderick Usher... all smiles, despite the recent collapse of their home after a terrible storm.

Investigative journalist, Edgar Reynolds, poses with his love, Annabel Lee. Edgar was hoping for another juicy story after all the fame he got for reporting Lenore's murder.

Montressor Amontillado, the family accountant, eyeing me suspiciously. He never did approve much of my spending habits. His lovely wife, our head cook Virgina, cares only for sampling the wine he makes.

At the close of the evening, the guests gather round to discuss the final clues.