HelloGypsy

10/30/2023

Apparently I only post once a year these days BUT a few weeks ago Hello Gypsy turned nine and that feels like something I should document. ✨

I am still mom-ing it up full time over here and running the business during nap time, at the library while he plays trains, at a very cool co-working space with an indoor playground, and of course some nights and weekends.

The struggle of wanting to do all the things that are important to me, all at the same time, is still very real and I have yet to find the perfect balance… but I do my best each day and hope it’s enough. 🤞

I am also so lucky that I have a teeny tiny but wonderful team that I can count on and absolutely adore.

All of the time, I love my kid. Most of the time, I love being a mother (but the tantrums are wild and I really enjoy repeating myself and having not one child or dog listen to a freaking word I say). Most of the time, I love the work we do. And almost all of the time, I love the people we do it for.

So because there’s just too much love and not enough hours, I let the madness of each day continue because I wouldn’t have it any other way. 💖

📸 by .photography

PS
The HG rebrand is still in the works (but I have 100% thrown out the timeline, maybe it will launch in time for our 10th birthday 😝) and I am still learning to go with the flow.

10/19/2022

Hello Gypsy is 8 years old.

I knew I wanted to work for myself in 2007. By 2014, I was ready. For the majority of the last 15 years, Hello Gypsy was my main, and sometimes only, priority. This business and my work is truly, deeply, engrained into who I am as a person.

But long gone are the days glued to my laptop 24/7. Now, instead, I spend most of my time with him, and work comes later.

I surprised myself when I just could not choose work over him. When pregnant, I planned on finding at least a part time nanny so I could get back to work. But almost a year and a half later, I’m still not ready to fully dive back in.

I work when he sleeps. My days are long and overfilled. Especially when he sleeps like s**t. But here I am, trying to do all the things at once. Some days it works out well. Other days are 100% dumpster fires, filled with chaos. It’s exhausting but exactly as I designed.

During my freshman year of college I found a summer internship working for two amazing women, who had a small design firm. I ended up working for them every summer, fall, holiday, and spring break. I witnessed first hand just how a working mother could show up professionally, run a business, and be there for her kids. Even though I was only 19, I thought, I want that. Eventually.

And now in my mid 30s, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. You’d think that setting a goal, working towards it, and “accomplishing” it would be the best thing ever. But, in reality, I’m still figuring it out as I go and don’t really feel accomplished at all. Things are constantly changing and I am learning to be more flexible.

But I’m spending time with him. During these wild, ridiculous, frustrating, precious, little years. And, then in the background, I’m also working. Taking on new clients and projects. Only scheduling calls during nap time. Working late nights and weekends.

This business is a much different version of what it was before. And that’s ok.

Right now, I’m over the moon to partner with clients and creatives who get it. Clients with kids. Clients who agree that it’s okay for life to come first. Clients with realistic deadline expectations.

Doing this work means these last 8 years I have had the privilege to meet the absolute best, most creative, and brave people. And I’m so lucky to keep doing what I do, with the people I do it for.

…

So if you’ve wondered where I am, I’m still here. Doing my thing. Just not on Instagram very much right now. Because there’s only so many hours in the day. 💖

04/01/2022

New work for Camellia Fiber Company — we loved working on this website!

Spin a life of simple luxury | Sustainable yarns, hand-dyed + handspun in the US using the best natural fibers.

03/18/2022

New work for — congrats on your launch today .cubides !!! Can’t wait to celebrate with you (hopefully!) soon!

https://yourcadenza.com/

03/16/2022

If you told me 10 years ago that the guy I just went out with was the guy I’d marry and have a baby (plus two crazy dogs) with, I probably would not believe you.

But that super casual, no pressure, Sunday afternoon date turned out to be the best first date I’d ever had… and the rest is basically history.

From Chicago to Columbus to LA to Nashville and back to Chicago, it’s been a pretty crazy 10 years.

But the two things that have been constant for us is that we *usually* enjoy spending time together and we always push each other to pursue our goals.

So this little shoutout is for Ron, even though he doesn’t use/hates social media.

He’s always believed in me and this business. He learned SEO to optimize my website. He’s set up Google Ads so leads magically appeared in my inbox. He has stuffed and taped envelope liners for clients. And has carried a ton of heavy boxes, filled with “inspiration,” from one move to another.

He’s always told me to dream bigger and go for it. And there’s no way this business would look the way it does without him. 💕

03/07/2022

So *technically* it's snowing again... BUT after a beautiful weekend with lunch on a patio, followed by a great walk on the 606 Trail (plus a lake house mini vacation booked for later this month!), I'm ready for Spring. I'm tired of being inside and all I want is fresh air and more adventures. So this the vibe and color inspo for this month: cool grey blues, lots of green, and warm, natural textures.

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Image credit: via

03/03/2022

Dreaming of the impossible (that one day will become our reality) over here!

It finally feels like the right time for a fresh start: more sunshine, more green, and way less snow. The start of a new season, for work and life, to mix it up, try new things, and dream bigger.

We've got a few exciting things in the works right now so it should be a pretty great month. ✨

02/25/2022

Off the Rack submark from the Mystic collection. ✨

02/22/2022

QUICK shoutout to .creative — we are working on Hello Gypsy's new name and let's just say sh*t is getting real and it's pretty exciting over here. Stay tuned. ✨

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Image from the website redesign photoshoot that Erin and Annalie worked on with me last year.

02/21/2022

Type exploration for a new Off the Rack collection.

02/17/2022

Current mood: surrounded by a whole mess of inspriation that I'm not quite sure what to do with or where to start. But, it's everwhere and there's no turning back. Tell me what's inspiring you lately?

PS I would realllllly not want to be the one responsible for returning this set back to it's pre-glitter/confetti condition.

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Image credit: for

02/10/2022

A few logos and submarks for — congratulations on your first full year in business! 💖 We love working with you and are so proud of all that you have accomplished! ✨💪✨