Fancy Farmgirl

About two months ago I was contacted by the lovely Charity from the River Cottage Farm out in Ohio to create a "farmgirl" illustration for her new line of bath and body products. Charity asked that the illustration be a very girly and fancy farmgirl, who brings style to her homestead. Charity's vision included a country floral print, pearls, flat shoes (because farming in heels just doesn't work) and a chicken!

The River Cottage Farm online etsy shop is now open, complete with my farmgirl on all the labels and packaging. Not only do the products look cute, but they're made by scratch on the farm and packed with natural and organic ingredients. I love a good body scrub and can't wait to try the lip balms. Now for the big decision of which flavor to chose.

All photos by River Cottage Farm

Retail Therapy: Sterling Hoops

For YEARS I've been searching for these hoops. I first noticed them on Halle Berry. They must be favorites of hers because she's been photographed wearing them everywhere from the grocery store to the red carpet. What's so cool about them is that they have a post behind them so the hoop sits on your ear lobe and doesn't go through it. I love the graphic look of them and that they're a twist on a classic. It suddenly occurred to me to check Etsy for them, and voila there they were! India y la Luna's etsy shop is where I was able to finally find my hoops, made of sterling silver, and hand crafted by Gaby in Argentina, making them all the more fabulous...That and the fact that I traded some of my prints in exchange for them! Thanks Gaby, I love them!

Bella Swan . . . a Bride!

As you know I love seeing actual designer sketches. I'm also a big reader and major movie goer. So when I discovered that InStyle magazine reached out to some of bridals best and asked the designers to sketch what they'd envision Bella Swan wearing when she walks down the isle to Edward Cullen, I was trilled to say the least! In Eclipse the dress is described as a early 1900s design of ivory lace that compliments the antique ring Edward gave her that belonged to his mother. (Remember Edward is about 100 years old)

I may have to revisit Eclipse and Breaking Dawn to read all the characters thoughts and reactions to her dress and come up with a design of my own. In the mean time though here are the sketches the designers have created. Although I love all the designers, I'm not sure I love the designs.

At least not for Bella Swans wedding to Edward Cullen! (Omg, I'm such a cheese ball! I know.) But what can I say, I'm such a girly girl. I have to admit it, I loved the Twilight books, and I am completely in love with Edward Cullen!!! (Yes mom, I know, he doesn't really exist. Blah, blah, blah. Just like you used to tell me about Dylan McKay. But a girl can dream can't she?)

Illustrations shown, top: Christian Siriano and Erin Fetherson

second: Monique Lhuillier and Badgely Mischka

third: Prabal Gurung and Lela Rose

bottom: Zac Posen and Max Azria

New Print: Milie

Recently there's something a little out of the norm that I look forward to finding in my mailbox, the J Crew catalogue. This is not because I'm a big J Crew shopper, actually in last year or two I've bought only 2 or 3 pieces. (Their stuff doesn't really fit me) The reason I look forward to their catalogue arriving is because the designs, styling and art direction are so well done. I love the color palettes they put together and they way they style the models, layering garments so they look haphazard and thrown together, yet still come off preppy and classic.

After this last issue I decided to turn one of the kids looks into a illustration for my etsy shop. I really like how she came out so a few more J Crew inspired illustrations may be on their way. I'll keep you posted. In the mean time you can check out Milie in my shop.

Photo above: J Crew Nov. 2009 Catalogue

New Products in my Shop

Manhattan now has a Michaels Arts and Crafts Supply. As if it couldn't get any better it's located in my hood, on the upper west side! This may not be ground breaking news to others but for this crafter, it's HUGE. I will no longer have to figure out how to finagle friends with a car to stop in with me when we're coming or going from the long island outlets or a friends party. And I'll no longer have to run through the store with the pressure of knowing someone's waiting for me. (Because I much prefer to shop alone, especially when it comes to my arts and crafts supplies.) Yes, I'm a crafting nerd, and I know!

So here's the first, of what will most likely be many, new products to be added to my shop. I bought these two notebooks and with the power of twin tak (one of the all time best art products created) have added my Global Girl and Vogue Ready prints to the zebra and houndstooth wrapped covers.

I've also added a few more gift tag listings and hope to add more products categories soon for the fast approaching holiday season.

Trick or Treat

I just ran a few errands in my neighborhood and came across the Incredible Hulk, Batman, and Shrek. I guess this means the Halloween weekend has officially begun! Have a great weekend everyone.

Shown above: Mystie illustration, from my Etsy shop.