What a Whirlwind It’s Been

Photo by Alexas Fotos from Pexels

Holy shit, guys — it’s already August.

Which means in less than a month I get married.

Also, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic.

Oh yeah, and I decided to switch jobs during this time, which has added to the chaos.

I’m sorry that I’ve been slacking in keeping up with this blog. I can’t promise I’ll be better over the next month, but definitely after September 12, I should be able to jump on here more often.

In the meantime, though, I thought I’d do a little catch up on life so far and what’s been going on.

This year has been weird. I mean, I know it’s been a weird year for everyone, but I feel like over the last 6 months, everything has changed. At the start of this year I knew it was my Saturn Return (for all my astrology nerds out there, a time in your late 20s when things really start to shift around), but I was not expecting this level of change.

My sister bought a house, and roughly a week later my parents moved back from South Carolina, which has been an absolute dream. Now the entire family is only 10 minutes (instead of 10 hours) apart, and it’s been so nice to be able to pop over there whenever I want to to chat and hang out.

I’ve also been in full wedding planning mode after several months of holding off since I wasn’t sure what was going on in the world and if we’d postpone or have to drastically change things. Luckily, our venue is outside and able to host a socially distanced wedding, I got some sweet Quartantined for Life masks, and we have a short guest list to make everyone as safe as possible while still being able to (somewhat) have our big day. Needless to say, it’s been stressful.

And then because I must thrive on insanity, I switched jobs around a month ago. I’m no longer at the school district and instead took on a job doing marketing and communications for a packaging company, which I LOVE so far. I’m working from home (which I’ve grown to really love) and feel so challenged and inspired by the work. The marketing team is small (but mighty) and it’s been crazy trying to learn everything I can about a global billion dollar business while also taking on new projects and planning a wedding. I’m also taking on a few freelance writing opportunities too, just to keep things interesting.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that we also started the process of looking to buy a house? I wasn’t kidding about the whole “addicted to being busy” thing.

Anyways, that’s life right now. A little chaotic, but honestly I wouldn’t change it (minus the whole global pandemic thing).

Since I don’t love to write about myself and just leave it at that, I thought I’d share a few quick tips of things that are helping me stay sane these days:

  1. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule. Every day I write down my to-do list, an hour by hour schedule of what I want to get done, and leave space on the bottom to list out tomorrow’s must-dos. This has been a GAME CHANGER for my time management.
  2. Get a workout in early. Ya’ll know I love my Peloton, but recently I’ve dedicated myself to Robin’s 4-week Tabata program, and checking something that’s really hard off my to-do list first thing in the morning has been such a great way to get in a good mindset for the day.
  3. Take at least one night off a week. Last night, I sat on the couch and watch five episodes of Real Housewives with a glass of wine and I. Felt. So. Good. Today. I needed a mindless night of doing nothing and it gave me a little pep in my step today to push through some projects. Some days you need a mental health break, so don’t be afraid to take it.

That’s it. I’m sure there are more ways to handle chaos (share them below, please!), but this is what’s been working for me. I look forward to sharing more in this space (but again, no promises until late September) and maybe one day I’ll even write a thorough post about how to plan a wedding in a global pandemic… if I ever give myself a minute to breathe.

Stay safe and be well.

Design Archive

Here are a few of my PDF’s of my graphic design work. In order to view each item, click it to view the PDF. Enjoy.

June 2017 Buckskin News

Jazz Band Postcard

SB 76 Info Sheet

Puerto Rico Donation Postcard

CVSD Budget Forum Postcard_2017-18

Three ways to give back postcard

Central PA Magazine Redesign

Save The Date Design for Art Buzz

Invitation Design for Art Buzz

Program Design for Art Buzz

Cover for J-Lab Report

Photo Package for a Newspaper Design

Charts for Chronicle of Higher Education/Fundamentals of News Design

Redesign of New Media Women Entrepreneur Website

Lufthansa Presentation

God of Carnage Poster

A redesign of the J-Learning Website for J-Lab

J-Lab Website Tools Page

Business Card for Yoga Service Council

Yoga Service Council Folder

Yoga Service Council Letterhead

Monster App Magazine Spread

Typography Magazine Spread

Reddz Trading Business Card

The Voice Magazine Publication

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Book Cover

A book contrasting war images and popular celebrity sayings

Invitation for AEJMC luncheon:

Invitation for AEJMC luncheon

SPCA’s new board begins making changes

By KENDAL GAPINSKI

With 16 new members and a hefty list of accusations and controversies to address, the new Chester County SCPA board will be holding its first meeting on Monday.

One new board member said that change has already started at the CCSPCA and more will be coming soon.

Continue reading “SPCA’s new board begins making changes”

Under Fire: Many question practices at Chester County SPCA

By KENDAL GAPINSKI

The nonprofit organization charged with caring for some of Chester County’s most vulnerable creatures — stray dogs and cats — is itself in need of rescuing, a growing chorus of detractors say.

From allegations of animal abuse, poor management and questionable land deals, the detractors paint a picture of a Chester County SPCA that is harming, rather than helping, the abandoned pets it’s meant to protect.

Continue reading “Under Fire: Many question practices at Chester County SPCA”

Fashion for a Cure combines trends with charity

Featuring exclusive fashion in the name of a good cause, Roxana Muzzammel, a candidate for the Washington D.C. chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Woman of the Year” will be hosting a fashion show called Fashion for a Cure at the Huxley Hotel on Sun., April 28 to raise money for her campaign.

Continue reading “Fashion for a Cure combines trends with charity”

Handbag Ladbags

Wednesday 25th April 2012, 11:26pm

Add vim with a new season tote, says Kendal Gapinski

Miu Miu leather shoulder bag, £550, netaporter.com

Chic and luxurious, ideal for daytime and night, glam or casual.

Zara Plaited shopper, £79.99, zara.com

If you’re looking for chic and simple on a budget, this bag made from buffalo leather is the perfect fit. It’s large enough to stash all of your essentials for work along with your 15 inch MacBook Pro.

Victoria Beckham structured leather tote, £2,300,net-a-porter.com

Designed by Posh herself, this pricey bag is the ultimate work accessory. To add a punch to your summer wardrobe, get the bag in the pretty pastel yellow color. Made from the finest buffalo leather your iPad has ever had the luxury of touching.

Michael by Michael Kors Jet Set bag, £225, selfridges.com

This versatile tote has shorter chain handles for an uptown cool or a longer leather strap to add some glamour. It comes in both black and burnt orange (our personal favourite).

The Akiko laptop bag, €89.95 (£74), mamtakbags.com

This multi-functional bag is made with navy blue with black detailing, and water-repellent canvas. Durability and style in one.

Champman Poacher 16, £149, chapmanbags.com

A man-sized shoulder bag featuring a fully netted exterior section for outerwear, gloves, hats, papers: loads of pockets in this hip and very convenient bag.

Hard Graft 2UNFOLD bag, €598 (£488) hardgraft.com

If you’re a tech wiz with lots of gadgets, then this convertible bag is your best bet. It can fit your 17 inch MacBook when it’s used as a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag.

Leather Double Straps Briefcase, £149, marksandspencer.com

This bag exudes classic cool, but also comes with plenty of pockets and a detachable shoulder strap for a busy lifestyle.

http://www.cityam.com/lifestyle/fashion/handbags-ladbags

Jaguar seals China venture

Thursday 22nd March 2012, 3:14am

INDUSTRY
KENDAL GAPINSKI

TATA-OWNED Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has signed a joint venture that paves the way for the firm to manufacture and sell luxury vehicles in China, the world’s largest car market.

JLR and Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile are seeking regulatory approval for the venture, worth around 17.5bn yuan (£1.8bn), they said in a statement yesterday.

The venture, to be located close to Shanghai in Changshu city, will initially make Land Rover SUVs, followed by Jaguars in the second phase.

The joint venture will also set up a research and development facility, and sell vehicles produced by the venture, the car makers said in a joint statement.

Sales in China contributed 17.2 per cent of JLR’s revenue in the quarter to the end of December, more than those in the UK, the birthplace of the two brands.

Revenues from the country are growing at a huge rate, though the Chinese government recently removed the car industry from its list of encouraged industries, making it tougher for foreigners to win new car projects.

“This is an important step for JLR and Tata Motors moving forward,” said Vineet Hetamasaria, car analyst and PINC Research in Mumbai. “Though this is only an agreement, and it will be some time before we see the results.”

Unite the union welcomed the expansion, saying it “once again proves the worldwide appeal of the British car industry”. It added that it has “sought and received assurances that investment and growth in the UK will continue”.

http://www.cityam.com/latest-news/jaguar-seals-china-venture