Secret Dorkdom

Most people don't know about my excessive dorkdom. Privately I am queen of the Dorkdom Kingdom. Need proof?

1. Times I have read Lord of the Rings in full? - Lost count at 12 several years ago
2. Have I ever created my own language? - Yes, well, a written one at least
3. Favorite genre? - Duh, Sci Fi and/or Fantasy...both in literature and media. Ex. Stargate Atlantis, Avatar : The Last Airbender, The Dark Crystal
4. Favorite author - Isaac Asimov
.....

Now. I just HAVE to let you all know about the thing that recently sent my geek world reeling:

~The creators of MYST and RIVEN are creating a new game! ~

That is, they will if they reach their Kickstarter goal. Oh, the hours and notes that my dad and I invested working our way through these games. I say with pride that we never used the help books. If you aren't familiar, MYST and RIVEN are are immersive games that transport you to a new world where exploring and complex puzzling is your only aim. Beautiful graphics and emotive music penetrate your imagination.

This video introduces the world to Cyan, Inc.'s new project, Obduction :


Support them on Kickstarter and get this closet-nerd her next fix! 

In the meantime, get jazzed by looking at some of the concept sketches they have released thus far.

Advice for Professional Millennials

I am 29 and acknowledge that according to some references, I am a Millennial. However, I've worked with a handful of younger Millennials, and I would argue that in workplace function, they are a different generation.

I know several instances where a Millennial's inability to be professional curtailed the start of her career. While it's frustrating, probably some true-hearted Millennials just don't realize how their age-group will struggle to acclimate to a corporate environment.

We've complied a bit of well-meaning advise for any Millennial starting out in the workplace and aiming to grow her career.

1. Show up to work on time, every. single. day.
2. For the first six months, don't ask to leave early, take longer breaks, or change your regular schedule in any way.
3. There are appropriate people for complaining to about your job (your mom and your boyfriend). Your boss is NOT one of them. Do NOT complain to or in front of your boss about your job.
4. Speak English well, not good. Abbreviations and cute sayings are not helpful or communicative. Your goal is to portray intelligence and education, not apathy and slang.
5. Practice using your brain. Think for yourself, learn quickly, don't use your co-workers as a crutch.
6. Understand that there are consequences (cause and effect relationships). Ex.1 : If you don't do a project today, you'll have to crunch it in tomorrow with everything else. It doesn't disappear! Ex. 2 : If you slack in a group project, your boss will know and you will hurt your relationships with your co-workers.
7. Show initiative. When you finish a task, immediately ask what to do next. Look for ways you can help, assist, or contribute, even after your assigned task is done. 

 If you follow these seven recommendations, you will adapt more easily to professional culture, AND stand out amongst your Millennial peers. Good luck!


Thanks to Annie at Pumpkin Scarlet Blog and Ashley with Dirty Helen Paper for help with this post!

Literature Parties : As a Means of Inspiring Myself

What inspires you?

I've been attempting to think critically about myself recently; what do I want? How does something make me feel and why? What actually makes me successful, and what are worthy goals?

There is a conundrum for me as creative business owner; I salivate over efficiency and affective processes and converting clients. Yet my passions beat to create, to make things into something new, to do quality work.  Can I be "awesome" at business and creative? Quality work is creative work, and it takes time, practice, and inspiration.

Blah, blah, blah. Hence my initial question :  what inspires you? I wonder, because I'm discovering what inspires me. What churns my brain and trains my eyes?

It's literature. It's stories. It's characters. It's heroes.

Over the next year, I am going to throw parties inspired by classical literature, previously unread (by me, of course). The parties will be small and intimate, and therefore purposeful. Imagine formal invitations, costumes, drinks and menus derived entirely from the content of the book.

Want to come to a party? Comment below. Have a book candidate for the list below? Comment below.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Short Stories by Edgar Allen Poe

War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Dufoe

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Updates and photos to come soon! 

Playing with Text : Handwritting and Calligraphy

Custom lettering is in the process of rebirth or rejuvenation, but mostly, the process of re-appreciation. With so many diverse and beautiful fonts available for free (and we won't have it any other way!!!), the we acknowledge that there is still something remarkable about "custom".

These are a few of my projects focusing on custom type in the last months. I even jumped into calligraphy! Check it out...

Custom calligraphy for a magic-themed medical software convention...yes you read that correctly. This project was such a treat! Black envelopes with gold liner and gold calligraphy. It took me upwards of 16 hours, but I would do it again.

"Live a Little" created for Dirty Helen Paper Company

Screen print design for a mission trip tee



Check out more designs at lisalangenhop.com

Crayola Color Guides : Melon (A light version of Coral)

People, people. Have you noticed the excessive amounts of coral and mint these days? Every trend-touting female is wearing it; every burgeoning bride is using it. I went into Love Culture last week (please don't judge an almost 30-year old trying to rock her own small business...I need cheap cool clothes!), and coral and mint probably commanded 25% of the store.

I'm jumping back in to blogging with a coral post...or Melon actually. It a light coral. Peaceful but entertaining; expressive but tranquil. How are you rocking the trend this year?

1. Pink Cadillac Cocktail
2. Daytripped Panama Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters
3. Stud Flap-Over Purse 
4. Coral Couch at Decor8
5. Coral Peonies
6. Lux Coral Colourblock Courts
7. Feathers Print at Lotfi