There are many wonderful links and resources out there on the internet for those interested in lending a hand to the relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.  I wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple of sites that are focusing primarily on the displaced children of Katrina.
michele of A Small Victory is running a campaign called Kids of Katrina School Supply Drive, which is raising money and accepting goods, primarily for school supplies and other back-to-school items for those children who will inevitably need to start school soon… more than likely in another state. It sucks to be the new kid and I can only imagine this will be just as we remember, just 100-fold.  If you’re interested in lending a hand or a few bucks to the cause, please visit Kids of Katrina’s School Supply Drive here.
Jett of Decablog is also running a collection campaign for Katrina’s kids, this time primarily for comfort items. Most of these kids have lost all of their toys and things that bring them peace.  I can’t think of a better time for someone to need their woobie or their Mr. Bear or whatever their security is. Jett is raising money and taking donations to make sure these kids find a little glimmer of solace in this chaos.  Please visit Katrina Kids Relief here.

I received an email later on today about another sort a relief… creative in more than one way: Displaced Designer — Helping Designers Affected by Hurricane Katrina Get Back on Their Feet.  I have to admit, it hadn’t occurred to me. But given the computer meltdown I had recently, I can’t imagine losing my whole creative world like that.  And then the thought of starting over…. it’s overwhelming.  If you can help any of these people, please check out Displaced Designer.

Has it been a year already?  Time flies with your surrounded by cheese, I guess!  Our client, Jill Erber, and her specialty cheese shop, Cheesetique, in Alexandria, VA just celebrated it’s one year anniversary.  Last year around this time, we were working on getting her website online for her new venture and it sure looks like it’s paid off!
Last month, Jill and Cheesetique were featured in an article “A Conversation with Jill Erber” in the Washington Business Journal.
I loved working with Jill on her project. She’s fun and open to new ideas and best of all, I got to read about all kinds of CHEESE. Who doesn’t love that? 
Congratulations, Jill, on your one year anniversary! Here’s to continued success!

I recently had the pleasure of working with Chef Melissa DeLeon, the well-known Panamanian Cooking Diva.  Melissa has several sites she writes for that feature different things on cooking, but contacted me about helping her spruce up her blog, Cooking Diva that runs on Typepad.  She wanted a “new-fresh-cool-feminine-stylish design that sets her apart from the rest of the cooking blogs”.  So, I looked to contemporary home magazines and paint samples for color inspiration, taking note of kitchens with warm tones and interesting combinations.  Melissa’s gorgeous food needed a backdrop with a little spice!
Speaking of the food, one word: YUM!  I’m think I need to make this lobster salad (or Ensalada de Langosta).  These indian-style chicken kabobs also sound delish.  I was starving by the time I finished!
Chef Melissa writes in both English and Spanish and has a nice variety of recipes to choose from.  If you’re looking for something new to make for dinner, stop by Cooking Diva and take a peek!

I don’t think our planets are aligned properly today.  In addition to Joelle’s frustrating computer issues, which she is feverishly trying to repair as soon as possible, it seems that Hurricane Katrina has decided to create a little bit of havoc down here in Florida.  Currently my Internet access is up and down and I figured while I have it for the moment I would give my lovely clients a heads up in case anyone is trying to reach me.  It doesn’t look permanent but if you don’t hear back from me right away, I could be experiencing some connection downtime.  As for my friend Joelle, let’s all pray to whomever you pray to, that she comes out of her computer hell soon and unscathed.  Thanks for everyone’s patience!

Well, kids, it looks like I’ve been hit by the Zotob worm that’s been going around, despite my firewall, anti-virus, hokey pokey and voodoo.  I’ll be offline most of today, as I will be getting a new hard drive and safely securing my precious cargo elsewhere so that I don’t jeopardize any of my data.
If you are waiting for an email from me, I assure you I will respond as soon as I am able to. I will be working diligently, intent on remaining on schedule, so I don’t think there’s any cause for concern. But I wanted to make you aware in the event you are trying to reach me or are waiting on a mock-up. It’s on it’s way shortly! 
I appreciate your business and thank you so much for your patience. Have a great day!