illustrated portrait No.101

I've been drawing portraits since Ariel/Little Mermaid days ... and for some reason I have yet to figure out, I  still really enjoy sketching out female portraits. Below is one I did at our annual Creative/Craft Retreat this year and thought I'd share it here. :)

wave collage

Last weekend I got the opportunity to meet up with 13 awesomely talented girls and for 4 days and 3 nights we illustrated, created, quilted, collaged, scraped, designed, photographed and wined & dined. We slept in, caught up on our books & mags, went running (or not ;), and took inCREDible uninterrupted showers. (for Mom's with little ones - this is as good as gold). 

Cherry on top is that you actually get a ton of stuff done during this weekend. I finally wrapped up a project that I've been working on and off for way way too long: filling some blank frames on my wall (See first initial brainstorm here). I ended up going in a different direction (with thanks to my RoXy and Quicksilver catalogs), but it was fun to collage and it's great to finally have a little more color up on the walls. 

floral + denim

I definitely miss my days of being able to wear jeans to work, but there's still a few ways to incorporate denim into my work day. I'm on a mission to put this ensemble together. I need to first find a thin, soft, denim/chambray buttondown shirt and then a great floral pencil skirt. I just love the balance of feminine florals with the masculine denim. Depending on the skirt, there's a few different way to accessorize, which I love. You can also find some awesome denim + floral pairings here.

My illustration and Inspiration from Wendy's Lookbook

Set 1

Set 2

https://www.obaz.com/lookbook/3695

pretty faces

Things have been so hectic lately that it felt really therapeutic to sit down with a sketch pad and pencils and draw this week. I thought I'd share a face that I was playing around with. I think it's really interesting to combine different mediums and then also incorporate more technical designs. I love the endless possibilities and can't wait to explore more.

fashion52: photo challenge (5/52)

For as long as I can remember, I've collected, collaged, sketched and listed all my fashion wants and inspirations. I now have numerous binders and sketchbooks filled – creating my own personal fashion library of sorts. When I'm in a fashion rut, I dig them out, flip through and soak up the styles. :) 

leather handbag love

I'd been searching for the perfect leather handbag since...since forever it feels. A sophisticated, quality, rich brown, leather handbag. And then I started a new job and wanted a new handbag even MORE. 

Here's a bunch that I'd been lovvvving - but unfortunately - most were WAY out of my range *tear* ... so I kept on searchin'.

Lotuff Leather Working Tote • $750

Fossil Vintage Revival Satchel • $298 

Chloe Bag  •  (no longer available)

Stuart Weitzman Flaptote • (no longer available) • $595 

Prada Handbag • (no longer available)

omg, I drool over that last one every time I look at it. *sigh* 

I also did a little pencil/watercolor sketch, modeled after the Fossil Satchel:

Happy ending to my little handbag story. I recently found an amazing bag on eBay for a mere $55. It's that perfect worn-in, soft, brown leather. It's a convertible (both short straps and adjustable cross-body strap) and has tons of pockets and fits my work binder. It's a little more on the masculine side but I still adore it. The color is somewhere in between the shots I've taken - which was is so nice because I think it's really hard to find a darker brown leather that's not too cognac or chestnut. And the smell - UGH - you can't beat that awesome leather smell. :)