Thinking back, I was never big on Christmas wish lists, even as a child. I think there were one or two years there when I thought of a couple of things I really wanted, but for the most part I just had faith that I would get something awesome.

These days, I still struggle when someone asks me what I want for Christmas. I’ve decided to put my foot down and force myself to put into words what I really, really want for Christmas.

1. Great design books

‘Logo’ by Michael Evamy
It’s been called the bible of logo designs and I think that may just be an accurate description. Logo is a compilation of over a thousand well designed logos from around the globe. The designs are sorted into 75 categories such as crosses, stars, crowns, animals, people, handwritten, illustrative type and more, for easy reference and inspiration.

Other books I have my eye on:
Logolounge 4: 2000 International Identities by Leading Designers by Catharine Fishel & Bill Gardner
Hand Job: A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry

2. Subscription to Communication Arts Magazine

www.commarts.com
Hailed the largest creative magazine in the world, Comm Arts Magazine showcases the best work in graphic design, advertising, illustration, photography and interactive design.

3. Bamboo chopping board

www.dandi.com.au
I’ve posted about the gorgeous Lorri bamboo chopping board from Dandi before. I still haven’t managed to obtain it yet, so it’s still on my wish list!

4. Desktop calendar

www.russellandhazel.com
I have a thing for letterpress at the best of times, so needless to say I fell in love with this gorgeous desktop calendar. While I work on a computer all day, I’m still big on traditional items like paper organisers and calendars, so I can say with certainty that I’d use this each and every day. *hint*

5. Ampersand bookends

crowswithbows @ etsy.com - Currently sold out, but gorgeous all the same
I’ve been looking at getting a set of Ampersand bookends for a while now. I mean, what designer doesn’t want these at some point or another?

6. Type tote

www.houseind.com
If there’s one thing I love about design, it’s the typography. This funky tote would be great to take shopping or on day trips to Sydney. It’d also go quite well with the slab pillows that I’m sure someone will end up getting for me!

7. Funky notebooks

www.kikki-k.com.au
A girl can never have enough notebooks, and these ones from Kikki-K are perfect for all of the sketching I have to do during my logo design projects. Useful AND good looking!

8. Owl wall clock

www.modamuse.com.au
I know, I know. Again, with the bird obsession. But come on, it’s a plywood clock with a deformed owl. This would look perfect in my kitchen!

There you have it, my top 8 lusted after items. I may have to buy myself a Christmas present after all!

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Marnie B (moi!) has been selected to contribute in an international compilation book featuring some of the most successful businesswomen, bestselling authors and designers from around the world.

SPROUT Publishing, has released the first title in the SPROUT the Life You Love series called Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs.

Celebrity authors include: Lipstick Queen, Poppy King; EMMY award winner, bestselling author and repeat OPRAH guest, Rhonda Britten; and the number #1 book publicist in the US, Arielle Ford – just to name a few!

It’s extremely flattering to be published alongside so many inspirational women. I have been given the opportunity the showcase my own personal journey to success.

SPROUT the Life You Love (Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs) is a valuable resource for women seeking motivation and inspiration to take their business ideas to the next level. Never before has there been such a great time to learn how to make money from home and from doing what you love.

The book contains 35 authors that are profiled and reveal their key secrets to personal and business success.

Check out Bergan Blue on page 106!

“The SPROUT concept is about empowering people to construct freedom in their lives by following their creative desires,” says SPROUT Publishing founder, Sarah Prout.

SPROUT the Life You Love (Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs) will be available in bookstores everywhere. For more information please visit http://www.SproutPublishing.com.au

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I know I’ve been slack lately. But before you condemn me, let me plead my case?

Well, it’s not quite as dramatic as I make it sound, but I have been very busy and very sick. The last couple of weeks we have been busy finishing up a major installation of blueCart for the Coast’s leading florist, Boydita Flowers Delivered (if you go to their site, rest assured, that is not the site we’ve been working on… we have a major and much needed redesign underway). Jon has been busy customising the software to look sexy and also integrate with Web Chameleon, and me? I have been busy testing the software.

Aside from all of that fun stuff, we’re getting a test site ready for blueCart as it is long overdue. We’re hoping to have one finished by Monday, so I might share it and get some feedback from you all!

Something else that has put a bit of a stick in my spokes is a lack of a PC. Last Friday my PC went, “Hey! I think I’ve had enough of your workload. I know it’s going to leave you in a bit of a bind, but I need a holiday. A permanent one.” And off it went. I’ve been stuck on a Macbook for the last week which has made it almost impossible for me to work. The screen is too small for my usual Illustrator antics and quite frankly, it’s ridiculously hard to migrate your workflow from a PC to a Mac.

Well, enough of the excuses. I promise to pick up my game over the next couple of weeks.

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Cumberland Courier Newspapers holds the True Local Business Awards for 19 regions across Sydney and the Central Coast. Their aim is to acknowledge and celebrate the success of businesses in their local communities. The program unites the local community, and in recognising the success and potential of local businesses, encourages community growth and development.

Nominations and voting has now opened for 2008 and I’m proud to announce that once again, Bergan Blue has been nominated!

2007 saw Bergan Blue as a Finalist in the Professional Services category and we’d love to be able to achieve the same for 2008. If you feel that we deserve a spot as a Finalist, please click HERE then click on ‘Vote Now’ on the right to cast your vote!

By voting, you also go in the draw to WIN one of 20 indulgent weekend packages for two at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal!

You’ll enjoy two nights accommodation in Pine Tree Suite including breakfast, dinner at Seasalt restaurant, a relaxing spa treatment, champagne and a late checkout! The perfect romantic weekend away!

What are you waiting for? Cast your vote!

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