Judge Lindsay Graves

Lindsay Graves, Founding Partner, Content Farm Creative

A writer at heart and also by trade, Lindsay considers herself extremely blessed to be able to meld her creative and social passions with her business so that no day feels like work. As a founding partner of Content Farm Creative, a creative copywriting company, Lindsay brings to the table an adept understanding of language, an application of successful business principles and a commitment to creating content that impresses and delights her clients.

Understanding the importance of life balance, Lindsay values time spent with her husband Benjamin and their three children. Committed to social justice, she is actively involved in non-profit committees, board service and fundraising initiatives for a wide-range of causes. She seeks out fun experiences which broaden her perspective and allow her to stay physically, socially and intellectually active. Lindsay remains inspired by the understanding that each day brings many blank pages, and the words with which they are filled have a power to educate, influence and entertain in a way that extends far beyond her into the world.

What in the World?

Can you guess what this is going to be?

Jessica's Cakes is creating a cake for The Duel of The Design Trend Runway Show. If you can guess what this cake is going to be before we post additional photos of her creation, you can win two general admission tickets to The Duel.

HER Joins the Fray!

The very pink, very yummy energy drink HER is placing a can of HER in The Duel of The Design VIP Gift Bags.

The drink is available at SuperTarget, Lund's/Byerly's, Kowalski's, MGM Liquor Store adn a number of other liquor stores throughout the country. You can mix HER with liquor, but I prefer to drink it as it is.

Meet Judge Jim Leighton

Jim Leighton has worked as a nonprofit event planner for 10 years. Currently as the Director of Events & Programs for Children’s Cancer Research Fund, he oversees some of the largest and most profitable events in the Twin Cities. Jim is also the Immediate Past President of the ISES, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter.

Auction This!

I received a call from a friend saying he wanted to purchase some VIP tickets for The Duel of The Design to donate to a silent auction at a Junior League event that his girlfriend is helping organize.

He sent me an email the next day and said it wouldn't work as they wanted donated items that the guests couldn't just go buy themselves.

After about 30 seconds of thinking about it, I pitched him the idea of auctioning "An Evening as a Television Personality" and being Fox 9's Todd Walker's sidekick for the night. That is definitely not something money can buy!

Personally, I think it will be fun to see Todd working with someone who probably has not done this kind of thing before!

Learning About Letterpress

I was thrilled when I asked Dick & Jane Letterpress if they would consider putting something in the VIP Bags for The Duel of The Design. They immediately said yes!

I've always been enthralled with letterpress. Not just the look of the finished product but the whole printing process. Maybe it the idea of getting your hands dirty...not sure.

In any case, I've been following their blog as they are discussing how they are going about creating a product for The Duel of The Design bags.

Here is a start with the packaging!



You may want to follow their blog, as well, to see what the final product ends up looking like! Dick & Jane Letterpress Blog.

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!

I had to laugh as I was thumbing through the current Minnesota Bride magazine as my eyes fell on table designs by Bungalow 6 Design and Mimi Design. Is it just coincidence that the piece would be running at the time we are getting ready for The Duel of The Design?

Consider it a bit of a preview to the level of talent of the competitors of The Duel of The Design.

Table by The Duel of The Design 1.0 Winner, Todd Pinzuti of Bungalow 6 Design

Table by the The Duel of The Design 2.0 Challengers, Amy Steil and Amy Fuerstenberg of Mimi Design

Photos by Danielle Gernes for Minnesota Bride

I Know It's Not a Food Event....

Granted, The Duel of The Design is not a food event, but we're having some internal debate as to what hors d'oeuvres we should serve the guests. Since the ticket prices are so low, it's not financially feasible to serve enough food to fill everyone up.

So I thought I'd go to the public with a question.

Do you prefer hors d'oeuvres butler passed at events or set up as a station?

(Don't you love it when the event planner turns to the tables and asks for your help?)