Retail Therapy: new shoes

For me there's nothing like some retail therapy to lift my spirits. Finding that perfect "thing" that is "just so you", it's such a high. I've been a little down lately, worrying about life, my career, my future, and just all those issues that us girls worry about. This past sunday after brunching with 2 girlfriends we ended up strolling around my neighborhood and doing some unexpected shopping, and it was just what I needed. I completely fell in love with these shoes, and had to have them (even though I have no business shopping right now...) Well I LOVE them, so much so that I thought I'd share them here with you. Maybe I'll start posting some of my fabulous finds from time to time.

They're genuine leather, pale blush pink, pointy tow flats with square silver studs. Surprisingly, they're Steven by Steve Madden. Originally $129.00, but thanks to Loehmanns and my birthday discount, I got them for $50! (Zappos has them on sale too.) And my rug is a crewel work rug by Williams Sonoma Home... I feel like I'm 5 years old, I don't want to take them off!

New illustration in the shop

In addition to writing a blog, I'm a huge blog reader. I love seeing the rooms people design, the DIY projects people come up with and the outfits that people put together and are inspired by. While looking through some fashion blogs this week I came across Elaine and her blog, Clothed Much. I fell in love with this photo of Elaine sporting her new floppy straw hat and just had to draw her.

It's so funny, I just realized she's the second illustration in a row that I've added to my etsy shop featuring a girl wearing a hat. Maybe I'll come up with another one or two to make "a hat set" for cards, bookmarks, and prints. If your interested in purchasing a print of her click here.

30 and Fabulous!

One of my best friends, Jamie, celebrated her 30th birthday last week. Jamie is one of those girls with great fashion sense, who isn't afraid to take risks and is simply adorable. (don't you agree?!) Knowing how much I love this dress, she wore it to my birthday the week before hers, which is where I took this photo. Happy birthday J, I hope you like the sketch!

(Dress is Free People, bag is Prada, and flip flops are Havianas.)

Wonderful wallpaper

I absolutely love the wallpaper options that are available right now. Besides being a great focal point in a room, wallpaper can also act as the perfect accent to enhance your artwork. Like a fantastic outfit, a fantastic room needs to have contrasting layers and accessories.

Here are 3 styled shots of prints from my shop, that are all enhanced by some fabulous wallpaper. The top and bottom photo's are Ferm Living (my favorite wallpaper company), and the middle one is a floral working sample from my previous job, that never actually made it to production. (Sorry if the photo is blurry, it's a old shot from before my blogging days!)

Mystie

I've added a fun new listings to my etsy shop. Her name is Mystie and she's a bit of a funky fashionista. (I actually hate that word, but for some reason it just suits her and I don't mind it here!)

Here's a little history about me, and why I chose that name for this print: The summer I turned 16 I lived in San Francisco and took classes at the San Francisco Academy of Art. I lived in the dorm, and made friends from all over the country. There was one girl I kept in touch with as a pen pal (yes "pen pal," as in actual letters through the mail because this was before the internet!) and her name was Mystie. She was very artsy and I although I lost touch with her years ago I'm thinking maybe she looks something like this now.

iPhone app

Even though I am a Mac user in every other way, I am one of the unlucky few who do yet have an iPhone. (sob, sob) I do have however, and iPhone application featuring my art work! The creators of iBridalGown contacted me a little while back about purchasing my Rebecca illustration as the background and main image for their iPhone application. iBridalGown helps brides in their wedding dress search by storing all the info as well as photo's of the dresses you try on.

Needless to say, I let them purchase the rights to use it and here it is. Hopefully one day I'll post a picture of my own iPhone with the app on it, but for now here's the image from their site. The app is available to purchase for $3.99 through itunes if your interested. It sounds like a great thing to have if your a bride to be and still on the hunt for that perfect dress.