mayanrocks.com » design
21st Century.
Saturday, March 30, 2024

chat

My sister is the most technologically challenged person I know (right behind my dad), and one time we were up at my apartment in LA for a doctor’s appointment, and my wifi wasn’t working, and she had like a million zoom meetings to attend that day. I’m like, “Just use your phone as a hotspot.” “What’s a hotspot?” she says. I showed her how to use her phone as a hotspot, and I’m like, “Welcome to the 21st century!” LOL

I have a wireless laser color printer in my room at my sister’s, and I’m at my parents’ house right now, so I asked her to print some pictures of my parents’ bathroom for their remodel. I was surprised she was able to figure it out on her own.

Another time, Shi was helping me with this wedding invitation order and she was using a corner punch to round all the corners. She was like, “All done!” I see a sharp, unrounded corner, and I’m like, “What’s this little guy?” We were at the cafe inside Borders, and we couldn’t stop laughing, we were so loud.

Wayfarers Chapel.
Saturday, February 17, 2024

wayfarers chapel closing

This Lloyd Wright stunner is closing ๐Ÿ˜ญ

It’s a gorgeous glass chapel nestled on a cliff in Palos Verdes, and more importantly, it’s where Julie and Caleb got married on The O.C. ๐Ÿ˜†

I was lucky enough to visit this gem in 2016. Sadly,  8 years later, I’m still unmarried and without child (they do baptisms here, too).

Queen.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

fantasy football ring

File under: Shit I get asked to do because I know Photoshop.

Obviously a dude had the championship ring made since it says, “The Motherfucking king of fantasy football,” even though the ring was made after two girls joined the league (my sister and my ex’s wifeโ€”not me, I don’t know anything about football), and Pammie won last year!

How I Holiday.
Sunday, December 24, 2023

mini chicken and waffles

I think miniature versions of things are the cutest, so I made these adorable mini chicken and waffles. I just bought some Eggo Minis, a tray of Chick-Fil-A Nuggets, these cocktail picks, and served it with some quality maple syrup. So cute!

bread pudding

My chocolate bread pudding fixes things in the universe.

charcuterie board holiday wreath

My charcuterie boards always have a theme ๐ŸŽ„

banana nut bread

I made my banana nut bread last Thanksgiving and was asked multiple times where I bought it! Now I have to make it for every family party.

Is it even an Asian party if you don’t play games for money??? I learned that my cousin’s husband moves really slow after eating edibles and I suck at flip cup when I’m completely sober ๐Ÿ˜…

I was too busy taking pictures of my food to take any pictures of myself, but I wore this cute ass Christmas light strand sequin sweater dress that was festive as fuck ๐ŸŽ„

Peach Fuzz.
Sunday, December 10, 2023

pantone color of the year 2024

The Pantone Color Institute named its color of the year for 2024 and it’s Peach Fuzz. Pantone describes the color as “gentle, warm and cozy, subtly sensual and heartfelt.”

For those of you who think this stuff has nothing to do with you, I present to you this scene from The Devil Wears Prada ๐Ÿ˜†

the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
the devil wears prada movie - cerulean gif
Fonts.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

bathroom sign

I hate that this bathroom sign at my parents’ house is in three different styles of fonts. Sans-serif, serif and brush?! Like, pick one! ๐Ÿ˜ตโ€๐Ÿ’ซ

Also, why am I like this? ๐Ÿ˜…

Scarlet.
Monday, November 6, 2023

Doja Cat – Need to Know (@ Viejas Arena)

I heard from a friend of a friendThat that dick was a ten out of tenI can’t stand it, just one night meClink with the drink, gimme a sipTell me what’s your kink, gimme the dickSpank me, slap me, choke me, bite meUh, wait, I can take itGive a fuck ’bout what your wifey’s sayin’

phoebe bridgers snl

I wanted to dress up for the Doja show and her new album has pearl spiders on the cover. I once saw Phoebe Bridgers perform on SNL in a custom Gucci pearl skeleton ribcage necklace and I’ve always wanted to recreate it. It turned out better than I expected! Plus it went great with my skeleton bone nails.

skeleton bone nails

It’s all in the details ๐Ÿ’€

skeleton pearl ribcage

Bitch, I said what I said
I’d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don’t care, I paint the town red
Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It’ll take a whole lot for me to settle

Transparent PNG.
Monday, October 30, 2023

transparent png halloween costume

A costume only a graphic designer would love โค๏ธ

Bones.
Friday, October 20, 2023

skeleton bone nails

I saw these skeleton bone press on nails, but they were way too long, so I made my own skeleton bone sticker decals with my cricut and white vinyl! Love how it turned out ๐Ÿ’€

Rings.
Saturday, September 30, 2023

hand

Iโ€™m obsessed with my Moon Phase Ring and Skeleton Hand Ring ๐Ÿ–ค

Tea.
Friday, June 23, 2023

marimekko

Got this teapot and teacups from Marimekko, partly because I love the design, but mostly because I left my Blood of my Enemies (JK ITโ€™S COFFEE) cup in LA.

Amazon Prime.
Thursday, May 25, 2023

amazon prime packaging

Can’t I be both???

Meow Wolf.
Sunday, September 12, 2021

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

pacific social

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

Escaped the LA rain this weekend and wound up in this fever dream (@ Meow Wolf Las Vegas)

Ceremony.
Friday, August 13, 2021

deftones tarot cards

Take my money ๐Ÿ–ค

Salami Mami.
Sunday, May 9, 2021

charcuterie board - salami rose

Thanks to all the moms out there (and to tiktok for teaching me the art of salami roses!). If this graphic design thing doesn’t work out, I think I’ll just make charcuterie boards for a living.

Makers Gonna Make.
Thursday, December 31, 2020

custom christmas gift tags

etched whiskey glasses

personalized acrylic christmas ornament

custom kids apron

san diego padres beer

cricut maker gif

That’s a wrap on 2020! Pammie upgraded me to the new Cricut Maker, so 90% of the gifts I gave were personalized (the other 10% was whatever I could amazon prime at the eleventh hour).

40 Years of Mischief Managed.
Sunday, December 20, 2020

hand sanitizer legos

Pammie’s quarantine birthday was magical as hell.

Tiger King.
Friday, March 27, 2020

tiger king netflix

This billboard looks like the first thing I created in photoshop circa 1996. Has anyone else reached the Tiger King segment of their quarantine yet???

Holiday Recap.
Sunday, January 5, 2020

diy christmas gift tags

That’s a wrap on 2019!

diy reinbeers - alpine beer company - nelson

Let’s get blitzen, y’all…

“You smell like beef and cheese alcohol.”

Cuevas family gone wild!

This is what happens when you hide a $20 bill inside a roll of costco saran wrap and tell everyone thereโ€™s $100 in there LOL!

One hour and two broken nails later…

grandma bingo

It wouldn’t be the holidays if my grandma didn’t lose $50 playing bingo and and curse like a sailor while doing so! Ha.

Happy Holidays.
Monday, December 25, 2017

holiday christmas party invite invitation

mason jar holiday gift money m&m candy

diy christmas holiday gift tags typography modern design

That’s a wrap! 🎁

Infinity.
Thursday, November 30, 2017

infinity mirrored room - yayoi kusama

The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away

infinity mirrored room - yayoi kusama

Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity

infinity mirrored room - yayoi kusama

Love Forever (@ The Broad: Infinity Mirror Rooms)

Wonderspaces.
Friday, August 25, 2017

wonderspaces san diego

wonderspaces san diego

wonderspaces san diego

wonderspaces san diego

I’m learning some amazing moves from these guys (@ Wonderspaces)

Rain Room.
Sunday, January 22, 2017

lacma rain room

Tourist trap queen ✌ (@ LACMA Rain Room)

Pammie and I snagged tickets to the last day of LACMA’s Rain Room exhibit on LA’s rainiest day ever and got more wet outside than we did in the exhibit 🌧๏ธ🌧๏ธ🌧๏ธ

Wayfarers Chapel.
Sunday, October 2, 2016

wayfarers chapel

Glass beauty (@ Wayfarers Chapel)

I think I might get married in this Lloyd Wright stunner. I just need to find a husband first! Just kidding (they also do baptisms, so a baby daddy will suffice).

Eames House.
Sunday, September 18, 2016

eames house

Case Study House No. 8 (@ Eames House)

Leave the keys under the mat. I’ll take this house exactly as it is!

DIY Indoor Herb Garden.
Monday, September 5, 2016

indoor herb garden

Happy new home to the Lansangs! I hope they’re better at keeping things alive than I am.

DIY Indoor Herb Garden:

  • Herb plants, $4.98 each @ Home Depot
  • Potting mix, $4.97 @ Home Depot
  • Wooden planter, $12.99 @ Wayfair
  • Chalkboard stakes (set of 6), $8.14 @ Amazon
  • Impeccable penmanship, Priceless
That’s a Wrap.
Friday, December 25, 2015

christmas gift wrapping kraft paper baker's twine calligraphy gift tags

Ways to My Heart.
Friday, November 20, 2015

whole foods market dtla - ways to my heart

You should be writing this down (@ Whole Foods Market DTLA)

Portraits of Hope.
Sunday, October 25, 2015

portraits of hope - the spheres at macarthur park

I cropped the meth heads out of this shot (@ MacArthur Park)

Day of the Dead.
Thursday, October 22, 2015

dia de los muertos - day of the dead - pumpkin carving - sugar skull - coco movie

Pumpkin Carving, Level: Expert

Whitewashed.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015

bates motel whitewashed

Whitewashed (@ Bates Motel)

Goal.
Sunday, March 29, 2015

homemade beer bones dog treats spent brewing grain progress brewing

Did you donate because of the animals or because of my cute packaging, be honest.

I’ve reached 70% of my fundraising goal! Help me get to 100% HERE and receive a bag of these homemade beer bones (they’re dog tested and Rocky approved, if that helps sway you at all).

Christmas.
Thursday, December 25, 2014

diy christmas gift tags

I Loved You.
Sunday, October 26, 2014

i loved you then i googled you - adam mars

…then I googled you (@ Culver City Art District)

End of Summer Shrimptacular.
Monday, September 29, 2014

shrimp boil invitation - seafood crab crawfish chalkboard

diy bloody mary bar

Anthony upgraded his second annual shrimp boil with an invite that tested our friendship and a bloody mary bar by me and the girls. All that was missing was some fried chicken!

Winning combo: Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix + UV Sriracha Vodka + Sriracha Chili Sauce

The Golden Ratio.
Saturday, August 16, 2014

the golden ratio

Leftovers.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014

i'm going home with you - cpk takeout doggy bag

Grad Night.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014

DIY money lei graduation gift

Somebody got lei’d last night (@ Santana High School)

Mr. & Mrs. Olivar.
Sunday, April 20, 2014

DIY typography gift tag for wedding

Congrats #MrAndMrsOlivar! (@ Estancia La Jolla)

errol olivar and aimee lumbo wedding

Every time one of us gets married, it’s like a mini reunion. I love that no matter how many days, months or years have gone by, we can all still pick up right where we left off ♥

DIY Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014

DIY mid-century modern coffee table

I built this coffee table in an ongoing attempt to lower my Ikea to non-Ikea furniture ratio. Yes, this area rug is from Ikea, but The Great Pizza Box Fire of 2014 destroyed my non-Ikea rug, and I needed an affordable replacement! One step forward, two steps back…

DIY mid-century modern coffee table

This coffee table was built the same way I built my mid-century modern side table, but with a few modifications. I used pre-stain wood conditioner this time to prevent streaking and blotching. On a bigger job like this, you won’t be able to hide the ugly parts with succulents and a strategically placed Beyoncé print.
pre-stain wood conditioner
You can follow the same directions I used to build the side table. Just be sure to use these new measurements.

MATERIALS & TOOLS:

CUT LIST:

  • 2 – 1″x12″-6′ common boards – 4 pieces that are cut 36″ long
    (the top & bottom boards)
  • 1 – 1″x4″-6′ common board – 2 pieces that are cut 22.5″ long
    (the side boards)

Since I already had the gel stain and clear coat left over from building the side table, it only cost me $88 to make this coffee table! That’s cheaper than the Ikea rug it’s sitting on…

Say Adventure.
Friday, April 4, 2014

adventure time -  say adventure - gallery 1988

OH MY GLOB <3 (@ Gallery 1988)

DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table
DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table
DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table
DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table

(As featured on Buzzfeed, Elle Greece, Marie Claire France, Diply, How To Build It, Nouvelle Daily, Oh So Lovely Blog, List Inspired, Roomed, and Lighter Side of Real Estate)

I’m obsessed with all things Mid-Century modern, and when I saw this Co-Mod side table, I knew that I needed it in my life. But it was $345. And sold out. And $345. I felt like that needed to be mentioned twice.

Because I’ve mastered the art of assembling Ikea furniture (and tested many friendships along the way), I thought that I should try building this side table myself. I went to Home Depot, showed them a photo on my phone and was basically like, “HOW YOU DO DIS?” If you act like you don’t know what you’re doing (or you’re like me and you legitimately do not know what you’re doing), the good people at Home Depot will help you. They will tell you what paint brush you should use to apply clear coat. They will tell you what clear coat is. They will even cut your wood down to the exact size that you need at no extra charge.

Building this side table was easier than assembling an Ikea sectional sofa!

MATERIALS & TOOLS:

  • 1 โ€“ 1″x8″-10′ common board ($14)
  • 1 โ€“ 1″x6″-6′ common board ($4)
  • Wood Stain โ€“ I used Minwax Gel Stain in Hickory
  • Clear Coat โ€“ I used Minwax Polycrylic in Clear Satin
  • 16 โ€“ 1.75″ nails
  • 4 โ€“ Mid-Century modern legs โ€“ I used 12″ hairpin legs ($61)
  • Sandpaper
  • Hammer
  • Power drill

CUT LIST:

  • 1″x8″-10′ common board โ€“ 4 pieces that are cut 20″ long
    (the top & bottom boards)
  • 1″x6″-6′ common board โ€“ 2 pieces that are cut 14.5″ long
    (the side boards)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Sand your boards. I used 150 grit sandpaper and sanded in the direction of the grain until it felt smooth. After your boards are sanded, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove excess sawdust before staining them. This is probably something you should do outdoors in a well-ventilated area and not inside your 400 square foot studio during the only weekend it rains in Los Angeles. I still have sawdust in places I didn’t know I could get sawdust.
  2. Stain your boards. Use gloves unless you want to have to keep explaining to everyone why your hands are brown for the next three days. You can use an old t-shirt, or if you’re a hoarder like me and can’t bear to part with your ‘I ♥ Haters’ shirt, you can get a pack of paint rags from Home Depot for $4 and use those instead. I used one to apply the stain to the wood and one to wipe off the excess. It dries pretty fast, so I was able to coat all sides without waiting. I only applied one coat, but you can apply more if you want it darker. Let the boards dry completely.
  3. Apply clear coat. I applied it to one side of the boards using a synthetic paint brush. Give it a couple hours to dry, then turn your boards over and apply it to the other side.
  4. Assemble your side table. Use two 20″ boards for the bottom, two 20″ boards for the top, and the remaining 14.5″ boards for the sides. Here’s a helpful diagram:
    DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table
  5. Nail the two top boards to the long edge of the side boards, and repeat on the bottom. Use two nails on each end of each board as pictured. I had someone hold the boards together for me while I hammered away.
  6. Mount the legs. I set the legs 2″ from the edges and marked where the screws would go. I pre-drilled pilot holes and screwed the legs on with sixteen 3/4″ screws. Depending on what kind of legs you buy, you might have a different method for attaching them.

You can build your own Mid-Century modern inspired side table for roughly $78 (for just the wood and the hairpin legs, if you happen to have the other materials). You really can’t beat that price or the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after building something with your bare, wood-stained hands.

DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table

Other things pictured:
Painted succulent pots designed by me (DIY tutorial here)
Task lamp from Target
Beyoncรฉ print designed by me (sold on Etsy)
Bedding from Anthropologie
Bed from West Elm (discontinued!)

Love in 2014.
Thursday, February 6, 2014

there's nobody else i'd rather lie in bed and look at my phone next to

Love, Tissue.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014

i'm there when you're sad - trader joe's tissue

Trader Joe’s tissue, you my only friend.

DIY Christmas Gift Tags.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013

DIY christmas gift tags - typography - kraft paper - baker's twine

Food Porn.
Sunday, October 13, 2013

freelance work

Partly to fund my Amazon addiction, but mostly because I hate myself, I picked up some freelance work designing eblasts for a cooking website during the holidays. I can feel my stomach eating itself looking at all this food porn right now…

Won’t Stop.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Won't Stop Flower Poster Art Print by Bag Fry

All I see is ‘wonton soup’. God, I’m so hungry. And Asian.

Monday Mornings.
Monday, April 8, 2013

not hating life

Trying to stay awake while looking through hot model pics on my new iMac for this microsite I’m designing at work.

My life is so hard sometimes.

Snap!
Thursday, April 4, 2013

yo momma is a shitty graphic designer

you want to talk about mothers white chicks gif

I don’t know whether to be offended or impressed! Ha.
This made my day, Jesse.

DIY Key Holder.
Monday, February 18, 2013

DIY key holder frame san diego ikea hooks

Ikea frame + Target hooks + my own subway-inspired print = a little piece of San Diego in my home away from home.

Yes, that’s pepper spray hanging on the far right. COME AT ME, BRO.

Minnie Mouse Baby Shower.
Monday, January 28, 2013

minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney
minnie mouse baby shower pink dessert table kids birthday party disney

Disneyland is Alicia’s favorite place, and Alicia is my favorite preggo ♥

Vendors:

Old Habits.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013

old habits die hard

Making Spirits Bright.
Monday, December 24, 2012
sippin on jingle juice stemless wine tumbler
spiked hot chocolate in mason jar with baileys
christmas gift tags typography bakers twine design modern
Layers.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

i will properly name my psd layers - photoshop - quotes

I’m going to file this under ‘lies I tell myself’.

Yes, We Kern.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

typography yes we kern poster obama yes we can

Sweet Success.
Monday, October 1, 2012

yellow and gray bridal invitation

Pammie’s bridal shower was a sweet success!

Two, Please!
Monday, August 27, 2012

office

If heaven is a 6×8 glass-enclosed cubicle, then this is it.

Batter Up.
Friday, July 13, 2012

vintage baseball theme invitation kids party

Here’s a baseball-themed birthday invitation I designed for my favorite little slugger ♥

More from my design portfolio here.

New.
Sunday, June 10, 2012

know when to give up and have a margarita quote 8x10 print

New prints are up in my Etsy shop!

Indie Summer.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

indie summer volume 1

My summer soundtrack ♥

Update (6/9): For those of you who askedโ€”and by ‘those of you’ I mean ANTHONY, and by ‘asked’ I mean demandedโ€”you can download all the songs from this playlist here. Enjoy, my lovelies!

Raechel Denise Photography.
Saturday, May 19, 2012

raechel denise photography business card vintage

Kraft + mustard business cards for my favorite photographer, Raechel Denise!

More from my design portfolio here.

MySpace Tracker