My name is Kate Miss (Yes, that’s really my last name. Yes, my name is Ms. Miss) and this blog was started in February of 2007 with my best friend Andrea. After a while we took a bit of a hiatus, then I came back and took over all blogging duties and blogged about shoes and pretty things and then somehow turned it into a blog about my life. And cat.

As for me I live in Los Angeles as a graphic designer/jewelry designer/photographer. I also roll my eyes at people with multiple slashes in their titles but it’s unavoidable for someone who likes to be busy and creative all the time. I grew up outside of Seattle and moved to New York City in 2005. At the end of 2010 I decided it was time for a change and moved to LA. In the summer of 2011 I left my job as a designer for a trend forecasting company to be a full-time freelancer. I split my time between freelance graphic design (mainly web design) and designing jewelry, which I sell in my online shop. I live with my fiance Will and our cat Wendy. Will is a talented artist, and Wendy is a talented napper. I collect vintage cameras, sea shells and rocks, and may or may not be a plant hoarder.

Frequently Asked Questions & Terribly Interesting Facts

An area for questions I get asked a lot. Please feel free to email me anytime if you have a question! I love hearing from readers. katemiss at gmail.com

BLOG QUESTIONS:

Can I hire you for a graphic design project? What about a photography gig?

Indeed you can! My portfolio is available here.

Can we swap links on our blogs?

You can always add a link to my blog on your blog anytime, which I greatly appreciate, but I no longer have a sidebar link list as it became too much work and hurt feelings to keep it under control.

Can I use one of your photos on my blog?

If it’s a photo I took, you may anytime, but please just link back to my blog. If it’s not my photo but I blogged it, I always appreciate you giving credit to my blog as being the source where you found it.

Can I advertise on your blog?

No thanks, I did that for a while and it just didn’t suit me.

Will you come to an event I’m having?

Honestly, I’m not an event person, but it never hurts to ask I suppose. I like free food and booze. I’m not the best at conversation with strangers. That’s why I’m a blogger! Just kidding. Kind of.

Can I do a giveaway on your blog?

Unfortunately I do not do giveaways on my blog anymore unless they’re for very close friends I want to promote.

Can I send you something I make/sell and then you can blog about it?

I don’t blog about anything that I don’t absolutely love, even if you’re so kind as to send it to me for free. It’s something I really try to stand by. If you want to send me something, by all means, go ahead (email me katemiss at gmail.com) but that in NO way guarantees that I will blog about it.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS:

What kind of camera do you use? Where can I buy this? Do you have any other recommendations for cameras? Do you have professional training?

For digital shots (most frequently used, as seen in my Bits Of My Weekend series) I use a Canon 60D most often with a 50mm 1.8 lens. I previously had a Canon EOS Rebel T2i before that a Digital Rebel XS. I love Canons and think the Digital Rebels are a perfect place to start for beginners in the DSLR world. I’m not super knowledgeable about digital cameras and only know about my camera brand and what I researched, but I found these websites helpful in choosing one: D Preview, CNET, and The Digital Picture. I took photography classes in college (I originally wanted to be a photographer!) and I have some photography assistant experience.

My films cameras are: Mamiya 645 (my very favorite), Canon A-1 (my favorite 35mm), Pentax Honeywell Spotmatic, Mamiya Press 23, Lomo lc-a, Ikon Ikoflex, and a fun little wide angle camera I carry in my bag at all times. I love Kodak Portra 160, Fujifilm Pro 400H for color and Neopan SS 100 for black and white.

Where did you get your glasses from?

My current pair of glasses are no longer sold. I used to have the Fillmore from Warby Parker. Previous I had their Miles frames. My pair before those were the Nebb from Moscot. I like to get a new pair every year as I like change and my eyes get worse every year (yay!)

Where is your bedding from?

Most of my bedding is from DwellStudio. I used to work for them and it’s hard to break my addiction to it – I really think it’s my favorite bedding out there, even if it isn’t the cheapest. If you can save up for it though, it’s so worth it. Or go to their awesome sample sales in NYC!

I’m going to New York on vacation. Where should I go?

This section may expand someday, but until then I will give you a quick rundown, which I recommend googling because I am too lazy to find links. Also look things up on nymag.com and hopstop.com for directions:

See art at PS1, the New Museum on Thursday nights, and The Met.

Eat at Moto, Vanessa’s Dumplings (the Eldridge St location), Walter Foods, Cafe Habana, Flatbush Farm, Saigon Bánh Mì (looks like a jewelry store but has sandwiches to die for in the back), Rye, Soy, Pies & Thighs, and Locanda Verde (if you have a lil extra dough).

Get a snack/coffee at 9th St Espresso, Doughnut Plant, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and the Union Square Farmer’s Market.

Get a fancy cocktail at Elsa, Dram and/or Dutch Kills.

Go shopping in the Lower East Side for boutiques, and on Broadway in Soho for big box stuff like H&M, Uniqlo, Madewell, and Topshop (which I’m not into, but is worth a visit I suppose).

See Central Park, skip the line at the Empire State Building and go to the Top of the Rock instead, take the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty instead of the actual tour (unless you like wasting an entire day waiting in lines?), and go to Governors Island and have a picnic if it’s warm out. Walk through Times Square at least once on a busy night, have your mind blown, and then get the hell out of there.

Wander around the thick of Chinatown – NOT Canal St. Find one of the many bakeries and eat a pork bun if you like savory, or some type of coconut/almond/buttery sugary thing if you like sweet.

I’m going to Seattle on vacation. Where should I go?

I’m in no way an expert as I haven’t lived there in years and years, but I did do a guest post about this on A Desert Fete – part 1 & part 2. It’s a starting point!

I’m coming to LA on vacation. Where should I go?

I’m not ready for that kind of recommending yet! :)