Wit & Delight Blog Proves Its Design Chops

By Lexi Green
August 31, 2011

Kate Gabriel’s site, Wit + Delight, challenges the notion that a blog must be designed as a stacked, scroll-able e-journal, with posts containing a photo or two and some words. The graphic designer’s popular design-focused site looks instead like a monthly planner, with four vertical columns showing over two months’ worth of content at one glance. Choose a category (everything from fashion to food, interiors, weddings and her own design work) and the whole site will re-populate to show only related posts. Click on anything that looks appealing, and you can read the full post, along with the dozens of comments it will likely generate.

Wit & Delight

Wit + Delight homepage

Since 2008, the Chicago area native, who now lives in Minneapolis, has been doing what she set out to do in her first post, which she wrote at the age of 24: becoming a “blissfully content, creator of her own destiny (who also happens to make a living creating beautiful, thoughtful things).” She has a full-time job at brand design firm Cue in addition to her freelance work (check out the save the date cards she designed for her own wedding and you’ll want to hire her), and also maintains her super popular blog.

Here’s what she had to say about her jam-packed schedule, her favorite thing about being a well-known blogger and the Eames rockers she’s currently lusting over on eBay.

Wit & Delight

Wit & Delight blogger Kate Gabriel

The Inside Source: We’re in awe of how much creative work you get done in one day! What is a typical day like for you?

Kate Gabriel: There are days I wish I didn't need to sleep. I'm juggling so many things at once, but I'm managing! Here's a rundown of how my day usually looks:

6:00 am: A morning run for "me" time. I find early mornings are the best time to collect myself and get ready for a long, busy day.

7:00 am: Eggs and toast for breakfast while checking emails. Coffee is necessary.

8:30 am: Bike into work.

9:00 am-6:00 pm: Arrive at Cue. A day at Cue usually includes: client meetings, design briefings and reviews, and teleconferences. It's a pretty relaxed environment, so I'll tend to freelance requests if need be, return a few e-mails or finish a blog post. I usually eat lunch at my desk, but I'll take a stroll down Nicollet Mall if I'm stuck on a project. I've also been using Tumblr quite a bit when I need to get the creative juices flowing.

7:00-11:00 pm: Cook a light dinner, respond to emails, dive into freelance work, and plan a blog post (if I'm not totally swamped).

11:00-11:30 pm: Surf the 'nets or catch up on my favorite shows on Hulu.

12:00 am: Hopefully I'm sleeping. But there are many nights I'll dive into work, do freelance work, or blog until I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

The Inside Source: That’s a jam-packed day! What's your favorite thing about being a blogger?

Kate Gabriel: Being a curator and explorer. I love taking the time to curate what inspires me and has helped me grow creatively. It's been cool to see how my taste has evolved over the years.

The Inside Source: On that note, could you tell me a little bit about your personal aesthetic?

Kate Gabriel: I would say that I'm a minimalist with a love for thoughtful embellishments. There is so much beauty in smart, functional design. I'd say I'm more drawn to what a product says or suggests rather than its style or aesthetic. I also didn't expect my blog to become so fashion-oriented. My fashion sense has evolved a great deal over the past two years, and crafting blog posts has definitely contributed to my growth.

The Inside Source: Where do you gather your inspiration?

Kate Gabriel: Art, music, junkyards, architecture, the 1960's… Spending time outside always revitalizes the creative part of my brain.

The Inside Source: What is an item that you have previously featured on your blog that you are still lusting over?

Kate Gabriel: Oh, pretty much… all of it! I'm kidding, but plenty of the items I feature are still on my "lust list" because they're so pricey. But there's so much good and accessible design out there. If you know what's hot now, in six months you'll find a more affordable option somewhere.

The Inside Source: What's the coolest thing that has happened to you since starting your blog?

Kate Gabriel: The virtual relationships I've created with other bloggers are really special. Being in the Midwest, it is hard to make it out to the blogging events around the country. But, there is definitely a great dialog happening in the community. I do have to say; the first time I got "fan"-mail from an industry icon was a pretty out-of-this-world experience.

Take a scroll through some samples of Wit & Delight

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The Inside Source: Any current or future exciting Wit + Delight projects you can tell us about?

Kate Gabriel: You'll be seeing a redesign of the site by the end of the year, along with Tumblr trends, budget-friendly round-ups, recipes, and outfits from my closet and music reviews.

The Inside Source: How does eBay fit into the picture?

Kate Gabriel: I use eBay to look for discontinued items like shoes, bags, jackets and accessories. I've picked up quite a few vintage leather bags through eBay in the past year. I'm still trying to get my hands on an Eames rocker… you'll see me bidding on those guys this year!

Kate Gabriel picked some items, including that Eames rocker, that she could see placing a bid on this year.

Roll over items for details

Eames Style Rocking Chair

“I've been lusting after this chair since I was in college.”

(buy it now price, $799)

Chloe Tan Marcie Bag

“I think this bag is one you could pass on to your grandchildren. It costs a pretty penny, but definitely a good investment.”

(buy it now price, $1,499)

New Hard Wood Skin Case Cover iPhone 4G

“I'd love to add some warmth to my most used accessory—my iPhone.”

(buy it now price, $1.69)

Alexander Wang Strapless Corset Dress

(buy it now price, $445)

Persol Tortoise Sunglasses

(buy it now price, $359.95 )

Wit & Delight Blog Proves Its Design Chops

1. Chloe Tan Marcie Bag: “I think this bag is one you could pass on to your grandchildren. It costs a pretty penny, but definitely a good investment.”

2. Eames Style Rocking Chair: “I've been lusting after this chair since I was in college.”

3. Alexander Wang Strapless Corset Dress: I always come back to this dress. Wang knows how to dress a lady. There's so much sexiness in this dress without it being too vampy.”

4. New Hard Wood Skin Case Cover iPhone 4G: “I'd love to add some warmth to my most used accessory—my iPhone.”

5. Persol Tortoise Sunglasses: “A classic accessory!”

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