Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Lights, Camera, Shoot!


Hey guys, Amanda here!

As a new member of the team, I'm fascinated by the diversity of activities we do each day. Some days we're in the studio designing, some days we're pressing, some days we're presenting, and some days, like today, we have the music on, the dogs around and we're photographing!

We're revamping our website AND doing some awesome publicity stuff so we want our paper to look as amazing as we see them every day.  Here is small sneak peak of some final products:




It's just like us: simple, classic and fun - our paper definitely speaks for itself. We love being creative and hands on, so adding photography to our list of skills is no surprise. Make sure you keep an eye out for some more pictures of our stuff everywhere you look. 

It may be a little gloomy outside in the DFW area today, but it's the complete opposite inside from where I am right now!




Monday, February 21, 2011

We're in a New York State of Mind


Billy Joel did it best when he crooned about the great city of New York and this year, from May 15 - 18, we'll be singing right along.

That's right, we're headed to New York City to set up our very own Kate Reed Designs booth at the National Stationery Show! We've been hard at work designing a brand new line and creating a new, fun way for EVERYONE to be involved (but I won't say too much...yet).

We'll keep you posted as the date draws nearer and for the time being:

Let the countdown begin!
2 months, 3 weeks, 3 days




Monday, February 14, 2011

LOVE ROCKS!


We think LOVE ROCKS here at KRD. Whether you're spending today with your hunny, your best friend or your furry friend, love is in the air!

Happy Valentines Day from the ladies of KRD! Drop us a line and tell us what or who you love today!

In honor of today, here are a few of the things we loooooove...












Friday, February 11, 2011

Love is in the Air



Dress: Vintage Red Halter Dress




Monday, January 31, 2011

Bonjour Mes Amis


Hey guys, Amanda here.

As the newest member to the Kate Reed Designs family, I decided to write a little something about myself, so here it goes:


I'm a TCU graduate who majored in English and Advertising/Public Relations. I'm from Texarkana, but I loved Fort Worth so much (and since I will forever bleed purple) I decided to stay in the area. I love designing and being creative, but I'm also super organized, so my planner is always up to date and color coordinated.

I have a 6 month old puppy named Paris (as in France, not Hilton) who happily takes up most of my free time. She's a miniature American Eskimo (though she shakes in the cold weather. Pansy.) and is so full of energy, she wears me out just watching her, let alone chasing after her! I'm such a mom, though, and take pictures of her more than I do myself.  She's extremely social and more popular at my apartment complex than I am!

I have an older sister who is in Montana getting her PhD (smarty pants) and a younger brother who goes to UT in Austin, both of whom are my best friends. My parents are my role models and as scary as it is, everyday I notice something new about myself that I get from each of them (mostly in a good way).  I love to bake, but my favorite thing is traveling - I plan on being a world traveler, so watch out!

My inspiration comes from the simple things in life. I love looking at small things and items often overlooked and realizing how happy their simplicity makes me. I love the vintage 1920s feel and sometimes (or rather, most of the time) think I'm living in the wrong decade. I love bright colors that pop and clean, straight lines.

I am learning so much here and know I have more to go! Kara and Kat are my greatest mentors and are teaching me more than they know - I cannot wait to make my mark!

Au Revoir, mes amis :)




Saturday, January 22, 2011

Saturday morning humor




I love this.  So funny and yet so true.  Thanks to my friend, Shannon, for sending some Saturday morning humor this way.

As for #11, I had great plans of printing Valentine cards today......not going to happen.  (There's always tomorrow)

Cheers!
Kara
The Adult Truths - Too Funny and Too True


 1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die!

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.


14. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.


15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.


16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud Lite than Kay.


17. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.


18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.


19. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?


20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong!


21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.


22. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.


23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.


24. The first testicular guard, the “Cup,” was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.







Thursday, January 20, 2011

What's for dinner tonight, Crock Pot Chicken Gumbo


After sending a tweet this morning about the greatest invention ever, The Crock Pot, I received many inquiries about the recipe for tonight's dinner.  I found it on Southern Food while doing a Google search on easy slow cooker recipes.  KRD has been in the studio working more than usual this week, so the Crock Pot was a perfect solution for a weeknight dinner.  I sure hope it tastes as great as my kitchen smells.  Our family isn't crazy about sausage, so I doubled the chicken.  Rice and a salad will be added and voila, dinner is served!

Chicken Crock Pot Gumbo

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup cooking oil
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 12 to 16 ounces smoked sausage, sliced about 1/2" thick
  • 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
  • 2 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1 to 2 cups sliced okra
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • boiled white rice

Preparation:

For roux, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan stir together flour and oil until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 15 minutes more or until roux is dark reddish brown. Let roux cool.
Add chicken broth to a 3 1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in roux. Add sausage, chicken, okra, onion, green pepper, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
Skim off fat. Serve with hot cooked rice.
Makes 6 servings.




My well-loved Crock Pot, 11 years and still kicking!

mmmm.....

Happy Thursday everyone, off to Dallas for market tomorrow.  More next week.....

Cheers!
Kara