Author Archives: J. R. DEFINE

NEW YEARS 2012

Written by . Posted on January 16 | 12. Filed under PERSONAL. 4 Comments.

Steven, Jes and I spent New Year’s in New York with Marc and Ian and had the best time ever. Nobody does New Year’s Eve like NYC. Shoot, nobody does New Year’s Adam like NYC. (Thanks Ian, for that one… I love New Year’s Adam!) I got  a new badass lens that I got acquainted with in the city, so there are tons of pictures—here are some of my favorites. I’m so happy in that damn city.

Reunited after only a few days apart, and happy as clams. These two guys are my favorite. Well, especially the one on the right. Read More »

the INVISIBLE MOTHER

Written by . Posted on January 15 | 12. Filed under FUN STUFF. No comments.

I’m headed to a baby shower this afternoon for a friend whose baby I am eagerly anticipating meeting. In their honor, here is a mother-and-child related post. Maybe you’ll find it as entertaining as I do, and you’ll click through Retronaut’s link to see the rest—because there are more and they’re good.

‘This was a practice where the mother, often disguised or hiding, often under a spread, holds her baby tightly for the photographer to insure a sharply focused image.’

-The Hidden Mother VIA RETRONAUT.

 

MMXII // RESOLUTION I

Written by . Posted on December 27 | 11. Filed under HAND LETTERING + SIGN PAINTERS, PERSONAL. Tagged . 1 Comment.

2011 was a big, exciting year. I was married, traveled to foreign countries: Greece, France, Amsterdam, became a yogi thanks to Joy and Joy, started eating healthier than ever, became dedicated to cardio and weight-lifting thanks to Jes and the right gym (that does flash mobs!), lost weight and toned my body, we bought our first house, started a stamp business and turned twenty-seven. Can you believe there’s actually more I’m not telling you? There is. So here are my resolutions for 2012, starting with number one.

№1: LEARN THE CRAFT OF SIGN PAINTING


image via Typography: 40+ Examples of Hand-Lettering - unstage.

MODERN FARMHOUSE

Written by . Posted on December 07 | 11. Filed under INTERIORS + DECOR. 1 Comment.

Have you seen this Austin home tour on Apartment Therapy? It’s a good one, featuring the home of Roger and Chris Stout-Hazard of Design Hazards which features a few of my favorite things including Americana, industrial, and farmhouse… we have the same buffalo-plaid style curtains in our living room (ours are from Pottery Barn kids, they’re blackout… great source for curtains btw), and I was happy to see their pulls because we just got 5 (of the 12 I ordered) brass Aubrey pulls from Restoration Hardware that they conveniently ran out of as soon as I was ready to order—fricking dumb. We’re pairing them with the Duluth bin pull for the drawers, which I plan to have a lot of since we’ve got about 25 of the Duluth pulls to account for not enough of the Aubreys.

VIA Chris & Rogers DIY + Modern Farmhouse House Tour | Apartment Therapy .


Jack Rudy Cocktail Company

Written by . Posted on November 08 | 11. Filed under AMERICANA. Tagged , . 2 Comments.

In the past couple years, we’ve been introduced to more and more specialty libations courtesy of our city’s best bartenders, you know who they are if you’re a regular… the folks at Anvil. A friend of mine, Leslie, is another trusted source that shares her beer wisdom on her site: Lushtastic. We’re learning more and more about quality ingredients and the difference between being young and drunk, spending the least amount possible on whatever’s on tap and becoming the older, more curious, appreciative drinker. Since my days working at Barneys, I’ve been proud to support American companies as often as possible whether it’s clothing and goods, businesses, etc.

Courtesy of Garden & Gun’s newsletter this morning I was introduced to the Small Batch Tonic released by Jack Rudy Cocktail Company. Handcrafted in Charleston, South Carolina, this artisanal tonic is a raw quinine syrup, much like our favored Q Tonic and contains raw ingredients such as lemongrass and orange zest. I bought two bottles to enjoy during the holidays with friends and family. Looking forward to it’s arrival with much anticipation. Also, great labels, fellas—I look forward to seeing the bottle as much as I look forward to tasting its’ contents.

For $36 you can get your own: Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Small Batch Tonic.

 

Future Primitive and More: CTRL + ART + CREATE

Written by . Posted on November 01 | 11. Filed under ART + DESIGN, Feature, SHOPPING, TYPE + FONTS. Tagged . 3 Comments.

I’m feeling particularly happy and excited today to announce the first unveiling of Future Primitive, my line of rubber stamps. It’s going to be held at Ctrl + Art + Create on Saturday, November 5, 2011, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m at the Heights Theater. I’ll have prêt-à-porter stamps for teachers and people who like to use stamps on their paper ephemera, as well as custom address stamps, bookplates and more that you can order to be delivered in time for your holiday greetings. I’m really excited to do something new and I will be there recovering from Erin + Blake’s wedding which is the night before, so bring me extra coffee! I ‘ve included a preview, but I don’t want to show off too many because most of my prototypes are also gifts for my friends and family, that would kind of give away the surprise—one below easily gives it away, but oh well! Soon I’ll have the etsy shop up and running, then you’ll be able to see ‘em all if you can’t make it. EDIT 11/15: The shop is live! View the rubber stamps that are currently available and let me know if you’re interested in a custom order.

FUTURE PRIMITIVE - wood-handled rubber stamps made by Jessica Define

For the past couple years I’ve primarily designed for the web, and that type of work sort of exists in this alternative universe where nothing is real—it’s not the tactile, primitive sort of design that’s been passed down from one generation to another. I felt like I needed to do something with my hands—something that would restore that sense of historical relevance to the things I design. Future Primitive is a line of rubber stamps that I’ve created to use as stationery, address labels, bookplates, decoration, and as notifications that just make you feel good to use and see. Many are designed to be customized and some I’m planning to offer in little bundles, I hope to see you there!

You should also come to check out Workhorse Printmakers, the letterpress company that printed our wedding invitations who will have their goods for sale and will be doing a make-your-own letterpress poster. I saw that artist Lisa Chow is also going to be there, I’m excited to see her work—I recently met her at my yoga stuido: Joy.

Here’s a Sneak Peek of CTRL+ART+CREATE 2011: 2nd Annual Art Festival | AIGA Houston Blog

I hope to see you there!

CTRL + ART + CREATE

Saturday, November 5, 2011, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m

http://www.heightstheater.net/

Location:
Heights Theater
339 W. 19th St.
Houston, Texas 77008

WEDDING TRAILER x 31 FILMS

Written by . Posted on October 05 | 11. Filed under WEDDING. Tagged , . 4 Comments.

LET ME FREAK OUT ON YOU GUYS FOR JUST A MINUTE. Aaron, our super duper superbly awesome cinematographer @31FILMS just sent us a sneak peak of our wedding film, and it’s blowing my brains out. From the minute I heard the song he’d chosen I got goosebumps, it’s Holocene by Bon Iver from his newest album: Bon Iver. (Sorry, I tried uploading it for you but wordpress says the file’s too big.) It was a special surprise too, because the one song in the world that makes me think of Steven most is also Bon Iver: Skinny Love. So it truly is perfect that one of my most favorite artists in the whole dang world is backing our wedding film.

Watching this trailer brings me back to the day, and I can still feel the cold on my legs and shoulders, and that secure feeling that it was physical cold—and not nerves—that gave me the shivers. I love watching the opening scene with the cherry blossoms, and the little bee. That bee could have stung some unlucky lass by now and may be dead, but she’ll always be my little wedding bee. That was the best day of my life.

I’m glad I didn’t have to hear my voice on the film just yet, that is going to freak me the F out, don’t you just hate hearing your own voice?! Unless you’re odd and you like to, but it irks me. I think I sound like a 13 year old boy. Here it is in all it’s glory—I hope you enjoy it!

Jessica & Steven - The Trailer from 31Films on Vimeo.

This is the teaser for Jessica & Steven’s amazing Texas ranch wedding! They were so cool from the start and we were lucky to work the wedding along with some of the most awesome vendors out there! Enjoy

This wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty’s Texas blog! Check it: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/04/11/texas-ranch-wedding-by-the-nichols-2/

Venue: George Ranch Historical Park
Photography: The Nichols
Invitation Design: Jennifer Blanco of Product Superior
Invitation Printing: Workhorse Printmakers

 

HELL YES, BOOTS.

Written by . Posted on September 27 | 11. Filed under FASHION. Tagged . 2 Comments.

CAN I justify purchasing these Burberry Buckle-Detailed Leather Knee Boots, $795 (Net-A-Porter) by noting that I would wear them nearly every day for at least five years, putting them at roughly $0.67/wear. That’s only wearing them 20 days of each month!

BURBERRY BUCKLE DETAILED LEATHER KNEE BOOT 5

VIA REFINERY29: Fall’s 15 Best Boots Ever!.

F YES SASHA OWEN

Written by . Posted on September 25 | 11. Filed under LADIES. Tagged . 1 Comment.

IT’S TIME TO REVEAL A GIRL CRUSH. I’ve seen this girl and her long, blonde curls in my inbox almost daily. So f what I said about ombre hair, I’m not an ombre hair person; I’m keeping goldilocks around a little longer. Until I can have bouncy voluminous curls, and sometimes not even brush it. I’m easily swayed. Don’t let her sweet smile fool you, she’s a badass.

Sasha Owen. I’m even stalking her blog now. Because she’s a good writer. // Images via OTTE, the culprit for my crush.