Bookbinder John Bell believes common notebooks don’t do justice to our notes. Notes—in all of their varied forms—should be recorded on notebooks as idiosyncratic and personal as our thoughts. With this in mind, Bell, along with designer Shaun Fox, launched Mirth & Co, a print and design outfit that celebrates the beauty of the handwritten thought. 

As if those who have turned to Pinterest for aid in tracking down that perfect wedding dress or crafting bridesmaid gifts can find no reprieve, this website is a wealth of ideas when it comes to wedding décor on the cheap. Since it has blown up in popularity, it’s no secret that one of Pinterest’s most popular usages is wedding planning. Here are five DIY projects to spruce up your wedding decorations without breaking the bank. Make it a Pinterest project party for you and your best girls and spend the night bonding, making sure your wedding looks dreamy and sticking to that budget.

If you enjoy getting crafty and saving money then you will enjoy this. Using paint chips in a fun creative way for practically nothing. Paint chips are being used in all sorts of different ways such as, decoration, signs, cards, even for lanterns and wall art. I have even seen them being used for party invitations or announcements. The possibilities are endless. This is a fun and cheep way to make something colorful to brighten up your home for spring or a way to announce a spring party.

Take a quick break from preparing for your Thanksgiving feast and make some pretty things for your table! 

(left to right, top to bottom) 
Twig Candle Holder from Fossil
Painterly Party Cups from Design*Sponge 
Botanical Stencil Tableware from Design*Sponge
Cardboard Gourd Place Setting from Design*Sponge
Crepe Paper Flowers by Martha Stewart 

Lazy days by the pool are an essential part of summer rest and relaxation, but if you're like me and can’t handle this Austin sun, you want something more to do with your weekends than get a tan (I mean sunburn…). So how about diving into a few do-it-yourself projects? Give your home that much needed facelift it's been screaming for all winter. Below are a few innovative and seriously fun projects to take on during a day that’s just too hot to handle!

Photograph by Cristina Fisher

Oh, Valentine's Day. That holiday that makes all single people cringe. But not this year, thanks to a stroke of genius by Jodi Frizzel (left) and Emily Lowe (right) of Drunk Dial—the infamous web-based live-streaming call-in advice show. In honor of V-Day, these ladies put together a Mystery Match Up that had all of the East Side begging for a date.

Often, the things we treasure most are the things that we make ourselves. Custom invitations are a perfect way to convey you style, so in the spirit of our Romance + Bridal Issue, here are some DIY wedding inspiration...