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provider-of-guardians · 4 years

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Yo, I was adding in numbers for the Sweetheart Asks, but I found myself adding about 3/4 of them, so if it's not too much, do all of them (sorry, lol).

Hooo boy XDD Alrighty then, here we go (Though I do wonder which ones in particular you were curious about? XD)

1) Talk about your first love.

Ah yes. My first love, Miles. He was smart, and cute, and friendly. A little bit childish sometimes, but he was always sweet, and very brave. He’d never back down from helping his friends. He had blue eyes and.. I wouldn’t say blonde, but he had “yellow” hair, you know? (Though sometimes it looked brown) He also had two fox tails, and he could spin them around like a propeller and fly. XD

2) What’s the most beautiful songs you’ve ever heard in your opinion?

Hmm.. Have you ever heard “Emmanuel” in Latin? Hecking amazing, you should definitely give it a listen c:

3) How’s your heart feeling right now?

It feels good ^^

4) What kind of self care is your favorite to do?

Considering what my version of “self-care” is, probably just eating breakfast xD;;

5) What’s your skincare routine?

Showering. :P

6) How did you get to be so beautiful?

Aw shush x//D

7) Do you have any stuffed animals?

Yes, I have a bunch!!

8) Best trip you’ve ever been on?

Hmm... My family went to Washington DC once for my mom’s birthday, that was really fun :D

9) Favorite thing about your room?

Interesting question o3o Hmmm... maybe my bulletin board? I have a growing collection of things on it; drawings from friends, postcards from zines, even a couple of necklaces XD

10) Opinion on love?

It’s very special, and important. You can’t have anything good without love.

11) Are you affectionate?

Yes, so long as the recipient of my affection is willing XD

12) Who do you look up to?

Mm.. my mom X3

13) Favorite poet?

Shel Silverstein!! :D

14) Song that makes you happy? How about one that calms you down when you’re in a bad place?

As of right now, I gotta say “Cold Is The Night” by The Oh Hellos. It’s just a lovely song x3 But as for calming down, honestly when I’m really angry, I’m generally more prone to listen to angry or angsty music before settling down with something calmer, so probably “Nothing Left to Say” from Imagine Dragons, or “Interlude IV” by Zach Callison. Gotta get it out of my system, you know? xD

15) Do you play an instrument?

No, but I wanna learn guitar. I started teaching myself a couple tunes to pluck on it, I should get back to that soon. XD;;

16) Do you do art? Using what (pencil, watercolor, etc)?

I do! I do digital art with an intuos draw, and I draw in a sketchbook with a pencil XD

17) Do you dance? What style of dance?

Nope, I don’t know how to dance xD;;

18) What’s your zodiac sign? Do you believe in astrology?

I’m a Leo :3 And uh... okay hear me out. No, no hang on, hEAR ME OUT-Mmm, not really, kinda? But I will say that things get really.. interesting, if you dig deep enough.. And I wouldn’t put it past God to make the universe that intricate, you know? :P

19) Favorite old film?

Ooh, Singing in the Rain!! :D

20) What’s your hairstyle?

Uhh, straight, I guess medium-length? It got down past my shoulders now, lol. I’ve been thinking about asking Mom to cut it again o3o

21) What weather is the most beautiful, in your opinion?

I guess the most beautiful would be like, partly cloudy, comfortably temps, like mid 70′s or so. But rainy is still my favorite. x3

22) What upsets you most about the world?

*looks at pedophilic rings, human trafficking, etc* Mmm, I could think of a couple things...

23) Are you in love right now?

Uh.. hard to say, I guess. I always have a hard time figuring out my feelings there ^^;;

24) Do you have a crush? If so, talk about them!

Nope, skipping this one! X//D (I mean come on, he might see it X//DD)

25) Do you have pets? Talk about something sweet about them!

Ooh, yes I do! I have a dog named Esther, and she’s my precious baby girl x333 She’s always had just the cutest face, and shes such a snugglebug

26) Do you have a lucky number?

No, but I always liked the number 7, lol

27) Have you ever wished on a star? What about on a fallen eyelash?

A fallen eyelash?? Haven’t heard that one before :0 But I have wished/prayed on shooting stars before, just for fun, and cause why not? xD

28) Do you believe emoji spells to work?

Nope :P

29) Do you believe in magic in general?

Mm.. as much as I’d like to, not really xD Doesn’t mean I can’t joke or pretend though ;3

30) What’s the most beautiful thing in life, In your opinion?

Ooh. Hmmm... I’m not really sure :o

31) Opinion on the color pink? What about baby blue?

Both are very good colors.

32) What instrumental sound is your favorite?

Oh heck, idk if I can choose one! XD

33) Do you like the sound of wind? What about the sound of rain?

Yaaasssss, yAAAAAASSSSSSS

34) Who makes you happy?

My friends and family

35) What makes you happy?

Good music, good food. Ghibli movies XD Cute lil surprises? Like, if I suddenly get a letter or a postcard from a friend, just TOTALLY out of the blue, omigosh my whole day is made XD

36) Imagine your ideal life, the life you wish to make, what will that look like?

Hmm.. I’m never very good at imagining the future, but then again, maybe I just don’t try hard enough xD;; Alright. I think in my ideal life.. well in my truly ideal life, I’d live in driving distance of my internet friends AND family XD I’d like to be married and have kids, (and still have Esther and Princess, of course, lol) and still make stories with my sister. (And I mean like, having them actually written and drawn and posted/published/etc, you know?) I’d like to within driving distance of my parents and siblings, and I’d like there to be at least a small woodsy area nearby where I can just go walking with my husband, maybe find a small stream. We homeschool our kids, and have enough money and time to take them to the park or the library, or to get ice cream sometimes. We go on small road trips in the summer, and I sing to them the songs that my mom sang to me when I was little. (And maybe I can play guitar with it XDD) My husband and I both tell really terrible jokes, our kids either love them or hate them xD

That’s probably all scattery and vague, but I think I’d like a life like this x3

37) Do you wear makeup? If so what’s your favorite type of makeup or specific makeup product? Favorite store to buy makeup?

Nope, I don’t wear any makeup XD

38) Do you wear dresses? If so what’s your favorite dress you own?

Ehh.. I hardly, and I mean hardly ever, wear dresses anymore.. not that I don’t want to, I just kinda don’t have reason to. And, I don’t have many dresses anyway, lol. I do have this one that’s like, green and blue and yellow, it’s kinda cute o3o

39) Ever been heartbroken? How do you deal with it?

Like, romantically? No, lol. But I have been deeply hurt before.. it just takes a lot of time to get past it.

40) Who’s your closest friend? What do you love about them?

I love all of my friends very dearly, though my oldest and closest is probably @savannahsdrabbles. She’s very kind and sweet patient and funny and just deserves all the good things!

41) Introvert or extrovert?

Ambivert ;)

42) Do you like MBTI? What’s your MBTI?

Yes! I’m an ESFJ! :D

43) Would you be a fairy, a mermaid, a vampire, a siren, a or an angel?

Dangit why is there no “werewolf” on this list Uhhh, fairy, maybe? :o

44) What’s the best song a friend has ever introduced to you?

Hm... well right now, I still reaaaally love Interlude IV, so I’mma go with that one XD

45) Parlez-vous français?

Non x’D

46) Most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Mmmm.. idk! :o

47) Where/when do you truly feel at home?

Mm, I guess in the living room, playing cards or Dr. Mario with Mom ^^ But also, when I’m in the woods behind the barn xD (It’s come to my attention lately that I may or may not have an affinity for getting lost in the woods.. xD;;;;)

48) Does smiling put you in a better mood? Try it right now, you’re smile is goreous!

Aw, that’s very sweet XD

49) Favorite shoe you own?

My left bunny slipper.

50) Can you walk in stilettos? Do you like them?

I had to look up what stilettos are, so that should tell you plenty, lmbo

51) Do you feel loved?

Yes :3

52) How do you express love to those you care about?

I try to be extra considerate of them, and take notice of what kinda things they like, so I can give them a really good gift. I especially like to crochet things for my loved ones, things like that person’s favorite fictional character or animal :3

53) Favorite term(s) of endearment?

Hmm, “my dear” and “my love” are really sweet x3

54) Most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?

I’ve never really been ~romanced~ by anyone, sorry xD

55) When is the happiest you’ve ever been?

I’m not sure :o It’s hard to choose just one time, lol

56) Are you happy right now?

Ye c:

57) What makes you smile?

Lots of things, lol. But especially good jokes XD (Or bad jokes, for that matter XDD)

58) Do you laugh a lot?

Yes I do ^^

59) What’s your favorite kind of aesthetic?

Lights glowing softly in the darkness, like candles or streetlamps, but I also hecking love cottagecore XDD (Also, trains driving through the dark while it’s snowing? Oddly specific, I know, but just... idk why, I really love that for some reason???? XDD)

60) Do you want to marry for love or for some other reason (like money)?

For love, of course :P

61) What would your dream wedding look like? Do you want to get married?

I do want to get married someday, but as for my dream wedding, I.. never think about it, tbh? So idk, sorry XD;;

62) Favorite flower?

Morning Glories X3

63) Favorite artist?

Hmm.. Monet’s paintings are really nice. OH WAIT, Bob Ross XDDDD

64) Favorite music artist?

Ah, good question. I never have an answer for this one x’D Actually, I can say that right now I’m really loving The Oh Hellos :3

65) How kind do you think you are? Is kindness important to you?

I’d like to think that I’m very kind (though I don’t mean to pat myself on the shoulder, it’s just something that I try really hard for XD;; (And tbh, it’s something I’ve been complimented on a lot in my life xD)) It is! Kindness is very important.

66) Ever made a playlist for someone?

I did actually! I made a playlist for my friends, the salt girls! XD

67) Do you have anything you do to physically comfort you when your sad? Such as a favorite blanket? Or a relaxing bath?

Uh... no, I guess I don’t? :o Idk, I don’t often get actually sad. Last time I got like, kinda really depressed, I think, I watched Jacksepticeye play Night In The Woods, which.. kinda helped, and kind perpetuated that depression at the same time xD;; That was a funky day XP

68) Early bird or night owl?

Night owl, through and through =w=

69) Morning routine?

Morning?

70) Night routine?

After dinner, I work, do the dishes, sit around and chill for a but (either on the computer or I play games on the tv) and then I go to bed :P (Though on some nights, I stay up and draw after finishing the dishes, and then I’m up for a good few more hours x’D)

71) What is the most lovely quality a person could have in your opinion?

Mmm, a kind heart, I suppose ^^

70) Do you cry often? Does crying help you get the emotions out? Do you feel better after?

I don’t often, (or at least I don’t think I do (saysthegirlwhocriedlike5timesoverBabelastnight)) but it does help me get the emotions out, I think. I just feel tired afterward x’D

71) Do you like hugs?

yES

72) When was the last time you kissed someone?

Romantically, hAHA never XD Platonically? I guess last night? I always kiss my parents good night, lol.

73) Are you small or tall?

I am... small .3.

74) Do you like wholesome memes?

Yes :3

75) Favorite thing about the past?

The past? Like, in general? Idk, you’d have to be more specific about how far back XD

76) Do you ever wonder abou the future?

Sometimes, but I try not to too much tbh xD;;;

77) Have you ever lived in a different country than you currently live in?

Nope

78) Do you like plane flights? Airports?

Airports are cool, but I’ve never flown on a plane, lol. (I’ve SAT on a plane, but I’ve never flown before X’D)

79) Sunrises or sunsets?

Yes.

80) The beach or a forest?

A forest c:

81) What time of day do you tend to be in the best mood?

Hm o3o Idk, I guess mid-afternoon? Just kinda content, lol

82) Do you push yourself to act together and in a good mood even when you aren’t?

>>;;;;;;;;

83) Favorite kind of tree?

Crepe Myrtle! (I love that this question is here XD)

84) Do you care about the health of the Earth?

Yus

85) What did you like most about your childhood, if anything?

Hmm... I liked playing pretend with my sister x3

86) Do you read a lot? What’s your favorite book?

;w; I... used to read more. But I haven’t taken the time to lately x’D (Thinking about trying audio books though) Favorite book... I’mma say The Clockwork Three, by Matthew J. Kirby :3

87) What are you most nostalgic for at the moment?

Hard to say, since there’s so much nostalgia indulgence already. I mean, not only do I tend to re-watch older movies as it is, but now nostalgia is being heavily marketed, so it’s kinda already lost it’s.. idk, effect, I guess :P Oh, maybe Pokemon Gold/Silver though? I haven’t played that in forever :0

88) What’s your favorite personality trait you have?

Oh :o Uhh.. I think it’s a tie between my humorousness and my determination xD

89) List at least ONE thing you love about your appearance.

XD Uhhh, my eyes? I think I have nice eyes :3

90) When was the last time you truly felt calm, without much of anything to worry about?

Mm.. good question >>;;

91) Do you worry a lot?

I try not to XD;;;;;;;

92) The dazzling lights of the city or the relaxing countryside?

Bothhhh

93) Ever changed the shoelaces on one of your shoes? For what reason?

Probably? If I did, it was just cause one of the ends was frayed, lol

94) Favorite pastry?

aaaaaAAAAAAA fhsaklflahfl uhhhhhhhhhh do chocolate chip cookies count as a pastry?? XDDD *looks it up* ..Oh, no, they don’t x’DD Uhhhh.. pfffffffff, idk X’D

95) Do you like doing little acts of kindness?

Yes!

96) How’s your day/night going?

It’s going pretty good, thank you. How’s yours? c:

#provider of ramblings #who are youuuuuuuu

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studioforonda · 5 years

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Fun & Awkward with Natalie Leroux

Designer & Illustrator

www.studioeightyseven.com

Natalie Leroux is the creative behind Studio Eighty Seven, a design studio located in Grafton, MA helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop their brand and marketing.

Recently, we got a chance to interview Natalie about her work and her line of greeting cards aptly named “Fun & Awkward”.

Where were you brought up?

I was born in Massachusetts but moved to upstate New York when I was young.

Where did you get your formal art education and what was the most influential thing about it?

When I graduated from High School I wasn’t ready to give up athletics and go to art school. Instead, I went to the University of Rochester where I played field hockey for a year, and studied studio art and art history. During my Sophomore year at the University of Rochester, I entered a program called Art NY - which was like a study abroad program in NYC. Myself, and a small group of UR students had internships, and took two classes with a UR professor. After interviewing with small marketing firms and big publishing houses, I accepted a position with a commercial photographer. The experience at the internship, and the advice and friendship from the studio manager, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, I realized I was not getting the type of technical training at the University of Rochester that I was looking for. As luck would have it, one of the best graphic design schools in the country, RIT, was right down the road from the University of Rochester, making for an easy transition. . Looking at the descriptions for graphic design courses and typography at RIT convinced me to focus on graphic design. RIT was an amazing school. They really prepared me and other graduates for the real world in art and design.

How did you break into designing in Boston?

With extended family and friends in Massachusetts, moving to Boston after graduation was easy. It took awhile for me to land a job in Boston. But I got involved with the local AIGA chapter, and volunteered for events. I also got involved with Design Museum Boston. Overall, the the design community in Boston was welcoming.

I eventually landed a job as an entry level designer at a small, niche advertising agency. The hours were long, but I was eager to prove myself. I stayed with the agency for 6 years, and by the time I left I was the Creative Director managing some of Boston’s best young designers. My personality is one of a leader, and being a young impressionable manager I found it more challenging than I expected to balance the needs of the individual talent on the team, and the business demands of a growing agency. I left the agency in October of 2016 to pursue my own creative and business endeavors.

What are your artistic influences?

In the past I would say I was heavily influenced by Pop Art. I had a 8’ x 10’ poste rof a Roy Lichtenstein piece on my wall in college. I was really drawn to the contextual history during that time, and the combination of type and image interested me. Now, I find myself inspired by ephemera. Since I was young I spent a lot of time in antique stores and was always drawn to the boxes of old ticket stubs, postcards, and play bills.

Recently, I was working on a wedding invitation suite, and was checking out vintage baseball cards and ticket stubs for inspiration.I love the 1960′s self published zines, and am drawn to 1970′s design, typography, and illustration.

Recently, I am finding inspiring artists and designers from Australia and New Zealand on Instagram.

What are your thoughts on DESIGN?

I find that a lot of small business owners have a vague understanding what branding is, and why it’s important, but have a hard time coming to terms with the value of a professional. It can be frustrating trying to compete with internet sites that offer cheap alternatives to thoughtful, conceptual design solutions. I spend a lot of time educating clients and communicating the value of what I, and other professionals, have to offer.

Unlike household brands, small businesses have flexibility to shake up their brands visually. With a lot of small businesses living solely online, it’s easier to erase what is there and start over. The screen can be ephemeral.

What are your thoughts about Illustration?

I didn’t consider myself an illustrator for a long time because I thought I wasn’t trained, or didn’t seem “good enough”. . Once I got out of my own head a bit, I got less precious about my illustrations. Most of my illustration work is created for the Fun & Awkward greeting card line. The style fits this brand. I am being myself. The illustrations and greeting cards fit the vision I want, and I’m trying to make them cohesive for wholesale opportunities.

When did you start your company?

November of 2016.

How did you get involved with Greeting Card Design?

I started in 2010. I was single and unemployed in Boston. It was an outlet for all the awkwardness of that time. I started putting them on Etsy. Just a handful of cards, about five of them. When I started Studio Eighty Seven, it provided an opportunity to expand. . Someday soon I hope to have them in more retail shops around New England.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am an active person. I ran a couple of half marathons. I practice yoga. I like to spend time outside no matter the season. My backyard has become my favorite gym - spreading mulch and ripping out weeds and other unwanted plants is a great workout. . As a family, we love to explore New England. It’s not unusual for us to wake up on a Saturday morning and decide to take a 2 hour drive somewhere.

What are your future goals?

Short Term, I’d love to get son in daycare one more day a week :) I’m pretty much there! There is a shop in Portsmouth that does wedding invitations and retail. Long term, I would love to have retail shop, and continue to do branding and marketing in the back for small businesses. My husband and I have also talked at length at owning and managing a wedding venue.

Who are your biggest fans?

My Mom, of course! There are also a handful of local women who have been really supportive of me and my card line. The local owner of a dog barkery and boutique, Quite Fetching, has been wonderful to me. We collaborate on card concepts, and they are sold at her shop. I am also fortunate to call all my clients, past and present, fans of my work and business.

My Husband has said about me, “I want to hitch that wagon to her star!”

#studioeightyseven #@anthonyforonda #studioforonda #greetingcards #designer #interview #@natalieleroux #illustration #design #worcester

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