In my world a dream office would look like...

The husband and I were wandering around Best Buy the other night and after he had gotten his fill of all the funky gadgets I told him that I needed a moment with Apple. I stood in front of the glorious 27 inch screen and just basked in its glow. Sigh.

Yes, I pet the Apple monitors much like I do my cat. I just can't help myself and I promise I'm harmless :)

I use to work for a place where they loved their Apple products as much as I did and I was lucky enough to get two gorgeous Apple monitors on my desk. I was one spoiled graphic designer.

As I walked away from the Apple display I started thinking about what I would have in my perfect office. My ideal dream location to let all the creative juices flow. And this is what I came up with:

1. Every office needs some art work and every artist needs some inspiration. I would love to have some Mary Blair prints to provide decoration and inspiration for me. I love her use of colors.

2. Hydrangea. My favorite flower and sure to brighten up the "office".

3. Copic markers. These aren't your average kiddie markers. Big girl markers for big on color projects.

4. Pens. I'm kinda picky when it comes to pens. For me they need to be rollerball pens and the bigger the pen the better. See Jane Work

5. Cat tape dispenser and animal staplers. All I can say is, yes please! See Jane Work

6. Stackable animal erasers. In case a little creative block happens you can always stack multi-colored animals until the fog lifts from your brain. Uncommon Goods

7. Pantone color mug. Because designers are a funny kind and we love our design world so much that we need it on our mugs too. Biggest decision, what color am I? Processed or Unprocessed?

8. Letter boxes. I am always aspiring for better organization, and with these pretty boxes I'm sure that would become more possible. See Jane Work

9. MyAgenda. I have one of these now and I love it. It's the first organizer that I have actually stuck with past January 5th. Super chic. MyAgenda

10. Life.doc binders. These are great for organizing a ton of different kinds of information. Necessary for keeping track of orders, passwords and other office information. Life.doc

11. Apple 27 inch monitors. 2 please! This would be the star of the "dream office", besides all the great work that I can create with it of course!

What would your dream office look like?

GPOYW = Gratuitous Picture Of Yourself Wednesday!

According to the urban dictionary, GPOYW = Gratuitous Picture Of Yourself Wednesday!

This can take on a whole new spin with me. The little monster in my life, my cat Wednesday, can't really post gratuitous pictures of herself so I guess that is where I come in.

Even though around here it would be Gratuitous Picture Of Yourself, Wednesday!

I just become a word nerd and a cat woman all in one sentence. A least I have a cute little furball to amuse you with.

Like the booster seat? I'm trying to make amends with her since I brought her to a city and we live in the metro area and there really aren't any birds or wildlife for her to check out. So now she has a cozy place to hunt for animals for her to yell and chirp at. Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, what about you?

Thanks to Caitidid Designs for the inspiration!)

Style Statement

I just finished the book, Style Statement Live By Your Own Design. I had seen some great results from others that had read this book and I love doing personality tests and thought that it would be a lot of fun. I have to admit that at times it was hard for me to go through the whole book just because I was so anxious to find out what my statement was. Think little kid on Christmas, anxious to just get to the good stuff.

I did learn a lot about myself. I kind of figured that my first word, the 80% word, would have something to do with art or being creative because it is just so much of who I am.

So without further ado...I am....




Designed: Designed absolutely positively adores simplicity and things that "make the most sense." They applaud original thinking and effective systems and are innately innovative, inventive, strategic, and intentional. Designed loves to know what the plan is or to improve on it. In pursuit of solutions or creativity, Designed can be an excellent researcher, networker, brainstormer, and visionary. They seek ourt contemporaries and modernizers to nourish their spirit and intellect. On a bad day, Designed can be overly willful or get stuck on the details of a strategy. They strive for mastery and excellence in focused areas. Visual expression is frequently of utmost importance to Designed. They are sincerely open to new ideas and ways of doing things, yet confident in their own perspectives and opinions. Designed dispenses advice when asked but does so with tremendous consideration and restraint.

Comfortable: Comfortable is the consummate pleasure seeker. Physical comforts are paramount and sensual gratification is a fundamental part of their lives. In their best form, Comfortable is easy going, sincerely cheerful, and free from doubt. They can be highly sensitive and when they feel something in their bones, they will do what it takes to regain their equilibrium, whether that means escaping from a situation or facing it head on. Comfortable is like a willow tree, flexible but deeply rooted. Comfortable is welcoming and soothing and always makes time for socializing and celebration. They strive to put those around them at ease, so they are often fabulous hosts-they love to please and accommodate. Nest eggs, back up plans, something to fall back on- Comfortable tend to be focused on security, whether financial or emotional, and will naturally trive to preserve it. Comfortable is a generous spirit.

I can't say that I was totally shocked by my Style Statement but it did surprise me in a few little ways. I thought that art and design would fit in there somewhere but they way that they describe "Designed" does fit me so perfectly. The need for things to make the most sense and be effective. Its a little scary how much of a fit that is. I was also surprised that "Comfortable" was my second word but once I read that description I just knew it was me. I'm a very sensitive soul and the more I thought about it the more I realized how much I crave comfort in my life. I also responded to Refined but felt like the other two words hit those certain qualities about myself that were just undeniable. Overall I feel like "Designed" is what I thought I was and is sort of a reminder that I'm on the right track and being true to myself. "Comfort" shows me how sensitive and in tune I am with my world.

Some of the questions that spoke to me:

My Dream Home Is: Bright colors, warm but simple. Efficient, comfortable space but not too big. Peaceful.

A completely luxurious, outrageous thing that I'd like to own is: High quality, zillion thread count down bedding. Total comfort.

The kind of jewelry that I prefer to wear is: Simple elegance, jewelry with personal meaning. Pearls.

The tools of my trade are: My imagination and my eye for design.

My muse and inspiration are: My husband and the devotion he shows for his work. Simple, clean and effective designs (Martha Stewart). People that are unique and honest to themselves and their creativity (Tim Burton).

What are some of your favorite words: Blessed, loyal, soul mate, inspired

I have felt out of place or incredibly uncomfortable: Networking, small talk. I loathe fake sentiments and people. Being real and authentic is very important to me.

The negative qualities in people that I can hardly tolerate: Being shallow, putting a lot of value into materialistic things, rudeness/lack of manners.

Do you have a style statement?

Waking Sleep Beauty

I've been so busy and so many things to catch up on! I wanted to post about something that is  really exciting to me. 

I grew up in Florida and in art classrooms in the late 80's-early 90's so it should come as no surprise that becoming a Disney animator and working for "The Mouse" was on my list of things to do when I grew up. I loved Disney movies. I loved getting books about Disney animation from the library and trying to teach myself how to draw just like a Disney animator. 

Last Friday the documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty came out  in a few select cities. It's the story about the Disney animators and all the movies that almost never happened. 

I don't know if the movie is showing in my area but there is going to have to be a way for me to get my hands on this movie. 

Check out the trailer below:

My favorite part is right around the 1:35 mark where you see Tim Burton ( Love him!) looking so out of place with all the perky Disney people and then John Lasseter who is now one of the chief creative officers with Pixar and a big part of Toy Story 1 & 2, A Bug's Life and Cars. 

Lots more updates coming soon!

Spring time in DC

I recently completed a map that was for a couple getting married in Washington D.C. Being that it was a wedding that was happening during the spring time I was excited to use lots of gorgeous cherry blossums, which D.C. is known for at this time of year:

I love how the color turned out, lots of pink and green spring beauty!

5 Things I Love

A fun week for me coming up, my sister is flying from Florida to St. Louis to come visit me!

Here is my list of 5 things that I am loving right now:

1.Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka + Lemonade


An iced tea and lemonade is called an Arnold Palmer (named and created by the golf great, Arnold Palmer). In the South they love their sweet tea so someone finally came up with the idea to add some zip to the sweet tea and sweet tea vodka was born. Mixed together this is a great summer drink, with or without the zip!

2. Easter Candy



I have eaten so much Easter candy already and it seems like the bag never ends!
So good though!

3. Style Statement

Style Statement

I started reading this book and I'm really loving it. I've already learned a lot about myself and I'm only about half way through. Blog post about the whole experience to come!

4. The color teal

Just a great color for this time of year, plus I would love to have all these fun items!
Art, Necklace, Cookware, Shoes, Scarf

5. The Sex and The City 2 movie trailer




I really loved the first movie. I wasn't super thrilled when I heard they were doing a second one because I didn't think that there needed to be another one since the first one was so good. I'm still excited about the movie though because I love the friendship between the girls.

Lovely Blogger

I was checking out one of the blogs from one of my classmates from Indie Business, Camp SmartyPants and she mentioned the Lovely Blogger list on Lovely Clusters.




It seemed like a really neat idea so I'm going to submit Wonderland Papers. They organize the list based on your state. Do you think they base it on where you are currently located or where your heart is? Cause my heart will probably always be in the Sunshine State even though I'm located in Missouri. This is my submission.

My name is Laura and I am the artist behind Wonderland Papers. I never really cared much about weddings until I planned my own wedding in July of 2008 and then I become totally in love with all the paper goods that go with wedding planning. I love creating wedding maps and all the unique map ideas that my customers present to me. Finding a way to create the idea in their head, put it on paper and some how surpass their hopes is the reason that I do this. I've had clients tell me that its like I created magic. I like the idea of being a magician :)

The name Wonderland Papers is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I just can't think of anything else that is totally based on total imagination and possibility. This is the foundation of my art.



My business is run off my Etsy Shop, Wonderland Papers

You can check out the goods at the Etsy Shop Wonderland Papers
Check out my blog
See what I'm tweeting about
Or just contact me at wonderlandpapers@gmail.com

Life As A Bookworm

As I have mentioned on my blog before I grew up with a huge appetite for books. Books were always a big part of my life from a very early age and even before I was born. How can that be possible, right? Ok, let's start from the beginning.

My mom always loved the book series Little House on the Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder:



She fell in love with the name "Laura" from the books and that is how I got my name. Kinda neat, huh?

As a child I loved having books read to me. My mom always liked to tell me the story about my favorite book as a little one and how I made her read the story over and over and over again.


How can you not love a story about such a cute little guy? Ironically enough I call my husband the poky little puppy since I move fast and he tends to take his time and check everything out. I guess I was fated from the beginning to have a soft spot for the poky ones :)

When I was able to read on my own I had a lot of favorite books:

and of course

When I got older there were a couple series that I got hooked on. Aren't book series the best? It's like they know that you are going to get addicted and need another fix. And another and another and another....

I think the Babysitter's Club Series was probably my favorite book series. I had tons and tons of these books. Looking back it was a really great book series for a tween and such a special memory of my early teen years. Oh and for those that loved this series too, Claudia was always my favorite and I wished I could be as cool as Stacey :)

I am definitely a person that likes tradition and I hope that maybe one day I can hopefully continue the naming tradition and name my future daughter after one of the inspiring books in my life. I also look forward to reading to my future kids some great new classic childrens books:


What were your favorite books as child, young adult and teen?

Springtime in the Midwest and the South

In the mid west you know that it is spring time because you see a lot of this:

and if you're in St. Louis, a lot of this:


Back in Florida you don't have flowers growing to tell you its spring time because the ground is already too hot and crunchy.

You know it is spring time in Florida when you see this:


All because of this:



The University of Florida Orange and Blue Debut. Also known as the spring game.

It is fun living in an area where all the traditions and customs are new to me and something to learn about. I will miss not being at the UF spring game, but I won't miss the crazy Florida heat!

Etsy Showcase Tomorrow

Wonderland Papers will be part of the Wedding Etsy Showcase tomorrow, April 5th.



Check it out, I'm sure there will be lots of great things in the showcase.

Spring time in the Lou

I'm originally from Florida where you basically only have two seasons, not exactly summer and summer. It's hot there a lot of the time. I'm from the west coast of Florida too where we don't exactly get a lot of rain either so grass isn't green. It's brown and crunchy.

When we moved to St. Louis it was in April and we were able to see all the gorgeous spring time flowers and new beginnings. Spring time in St. Louis is definitely my favorite time of year here. I'm still amazed by all the new life, flowers, and birds happily chasing worms. You don't get that in Florida. Palm trees don't ever lose their "leaves".



I'm anxious to get out there and take some pictures of all the emerging life. More photos to come!