BreeAnn Veenstra

I took a trip to the east side of the state a few weeks ago to visit my brother and his soon-to-be-wife with my mother and her mother. While visiting was definitely on the menu, one of the main objectives of the trip was just as exciting: shopping.

That weekend was a first for many things. It was the first time I set foot in an Ikea, the first time I browsed Crate and Barrel, the first time I shopped at Urban Outfitters (in person), and the first time I experienced an Anthropologie. I have been to all of the websites of these stores, and even ordered off several of them, but setting foot in the physical store is much, much different. And so much better. Ikea was exhilarating and overwhelming (and I'm sure you'll see some of the things I got down the road) but Anthropologie was like a living a distant dream. I think I circled the entire store at least three times before settling on what treasure to bring home with me. I didn't have enough time, or money for that matter, to really browse the clothing, but that was alright because there were plenty other things to feast my eyes upon.

I may have gabbed on a bit in my delight to the clerk who wrapped my purchases, but I'm glad I did because she gave me the one of the best things I came away with: the announcement that an Anthropologie was coming to the city of Grand Rapids this fall. Not next year, but this fall. Hello, November, where are you?

But I digress and will show you what else I walked away with (purchased, not stolen of course!).

I'm a sucker for packaging, so of course I had to take some photos documenting the packaging of my first Anthropologie purchase. I just love the little pieces of tape to secure the tissue paper, which, by the way, happens to feel thick and wonderful in itself. I never knew I could be so excited about brown tissue paper.

I let them sit, all wrapped up and safe, until I returned home several days later. Opening the three bundles made it feel like my birthday.


Here's what I got: mini latte bowl in seafoam, pink striped bowl, and a copy of The Secret Garden as re-designed by Londan-based artist Daniela Jalengka Terrazzini.I had fallen in love with the newly designed classics since I first saw them last year, and now I finally have one of my own to display. I'm looking forward to collecting the rest!

source: the artwork

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

Emery over at Emery Lord recently approached me in need of a pretty little illustration for her blog banner. I was delighted to oblige, especially when she told me she wanted a pink Royal typewriter.

Typewriters are pretty awesome. Pink typewriters... even better.

© BreeAnn Veenstra. All rights reserved.

Credit for the typography layout/design in the finished banner goes to Emery. Go over and check her blog out, she's got some wonderful writings!

I am accepting commissions if anyone else is interested in a custom illustrated blog banner.

Zoey can be quite the fluffy monster at times. Half the time she's a finicky brat, and the other half she is simply an unbelievably adorable fluff monster. Well, now that I think about it, she's always an unbelievably adorable fluff monster.

While some monsters enjoy laying in wait for an innocent passer-by under the bed, Zoey tends to take a more unexpected approach. She's quite possibly also afraid of any monsters that may be lurking under the bed.

Except I don't think the Zoey monster would be quite so content without her tail.

This is the view of my parents' property from their deck, which is located up in beautiful Northwest Michigan.

I really wish I had this view outside our apartment. Until then, I'll just have to visit my parents often for a good dose of countryside.