A Picture A Day

Happy Friday Sweets! I know I said I would bring Coco and Louie back for the rest of the week but I have something else really cute to show you instead. Coco and Louie will be back, I promise, but for now, take a look at these cupcake topper designs. The unicorn toppers were designed in collaboration with Klicious Cupcakes for an upcoming party and then the ideas just kept flowing. What do you think?

all three designs © 2011 Michelle B., all rights reserved

A Picture A Day

Currently Reading: L.A. Candy

Target.com

I know what you are thinking... are you seriously reading this? But I just needed a light book to read after the last two, much heavier, books. And despite my feeling like a tween reading this book, I seriously hide the cover while reading it on the train so no one knows, it is easy, girlie, and a chic flick of a book that has definitely brightened my mood.

L.A. Candy, by Lauren Conrad, is based loosely on her experiences on The Hills. I never actually watched this show so I'm not sure how much is taken right from the show and how much is absolute fiction, but the book is about two best friends who recently graduated high school and have moved to Los Angeles. One for school the other for an internship at an event planning company that specializes in celebrity weddings. They are young and beautiful and seem to have the perfect California Girl lives. They are approached by a producer to star in their own reality TV show that changes their lives, brings overnight fame, and an incredible amount of drama to their lives.

A Picture A Day

I've been trying to think of what the environment Coco and Louie live in looks like. I know I've drawn them in interiors before, but I wasn't loving the space. It just didn't seem right for them. I wanted something Parisian and bourgeois with a hint of fashion and luxury ... I know, I'm asking a lot of a space that two made up characters live in, but I just wanted it to feel right. What do you think about this french apartment? Is it right for Coco and Louie?

Sweet Muse

Clockwise from top left: Net-A-Porter, Vogue, Vogue, J. Crew

A Picture A Day

Sweet Muse

From left to right: DVF on Shopbop.com, Rachel Zoe on Piperlime.com, and DVF on Shopbop.com

Both photos are from Piperlime.com

From left to right: Bloomingdales.com and Rachel Zoe from Piperlime.com

I know it's a little early, it is still July after all, but I keep looking at and am ready to wear fall clothing. Maybe it's because of the insane heat the last week that I'm wishing for colder weather. I just want to put on a dress with boots, a cashmere cardigan, and some tights, or a pair of jeans with a flirty blouse and cable knit sweater, or a trench and silk scarf with a pair of hunter wellies...

Am I the only one that feels this way?

A Picture A Day

 

The return of Coco and Louie!

So Excited to Announce...

It's been a very productive and busy couple of months as I designed and sketched and coded, and I'm so happy to announce that my new website michellebaron.com is finally live! My first entry about my new branding dates back May, and I had an update here, but I had been sketching and thinking about this change for months prior to that. I'm so happy that my site is finished and I couldn't wait to show it to each of you!

Below are a few screen shots, but you can check out the full site to see the rest.

Hope you enjoy!
XO

 

 

  

A Picture A Day

Currently Reading: Shanghai Girls

barnesandnoble.com

I enjoyed Snow Flower and the Secret Fan so much that I had to read another book by Lisa See. Shanghai Girls is about two sisters, Pearl and May, born and raised in Shanghai. They grew up in a wealthy family but as their father falls into gambling and looses everything their lives change dramatically. They are sold as brides to a Chinese family living in America  in order to repay their father's depts. They have no choice but to make the journey to their husband's home and are forced to act in the role of a traditional Chinese wife, in a country they know nothing about, and with a family and husbands who treat them like they are meaningless. Through all of this though, they know that they are lucky to be together and will figure a way to make their lives better again.

Just like See's writing in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, this story is filled with sadness, and pain, but is beautiful and endearing at the same time. She almost transports you back to the 1930's so that you can clearly see the way they lived, the process of immigration, the styles of clothing they wear, and what they experience and see when coming to America. 

A Picture A Day

Sweet Muse

Loving these casual but pretty hairstyles! Great for extremely hot days like today.

Top photo from {this is glamorous} and the bottom two photos are from the girl in the check scarf

A Picture A Day

A Picture A Day

A Picture A Day

Happy Friday

Happy Friday Sweets! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xo

The top two images are from a screening, at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The bottom image is from Herb Ritts Foundation, Courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery. All three photos are from vogue.com.

A Picture A Day

Over the weekend my mother-in-law was in town and we were talking about things I could do to push my illustrations, and future career, forward. One of the things she suggested was to create shopping bags. Shopping bags are something that most people are using at the super market, etc. and people are always looking for cute ones to use. Above is a sample of one I sketched out. I also would like to try a few with Coco and Louie, and maybe one with an elaborate character pattern. What do you think? Any thoughts on other products or designs?

Sweet Muse

 

There is just something so beautiful about vintage photographs and magazine covers. They are so elegant and classic. I can never get enough. The middle image is of Grace Kelly and the other two are vintage Vogue Magazine covers. 

A Picture A Day

Currently Reading: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is told through the eyes of an old woman, Lilly, looking back on her friendship with her laotong, Snow Flower, in 19th Century China.

Laotongs were contracted to be friends throughout their entire lives forming a special bond stronger than any other relationship they would have. This was very special in 19th Century China, and was a relationship that most women were not lucky enough to have. When Lily and Snow Flower cannot be together they write to each other on a fan in a secret language, nu shu which only women can read, and send the fan back and forth to each of their villages. They are incredibly close and share many important events; from foot binding, to marriage, to becoming pregnant, even war, and illness.

Lisa See writes this beautiful story about the incredible culture, trials of being a girl, and the hardships of life in 19th Century China. The story is filled with sadness, and pain, and is incredibly beautiful at the same time.

A Picture A Day

Meet Aubrey, my latest character.

Birthday!

Today is my birthday and I have to admit that I'm such a child when it comes to birthdays. I get so excited for weeks leading up to it. I even try to guess what my gifts will be and drive my husband and parents crazy in the process. It's an excuse for a celebration, and who doesn't like that!

Tonight will be spent with my husband and family, going out for sushi, and hopefully some sugary sweet desserts!

Have a  great Tuesday everyone!

http://www.birthdaygirlblog.com/

http://www.wasabimon.com/archive/laduree-v-pierre-herme-macaron-taste-test/

A Picture A Day

Sweet Muse

Loving the illustration by J.Crew's accessory designer. It was featured on the J.Crew blog here!

The lines and form are so pretty. Definitely great inspiration for me.

What do you think of the illustration?

A Picture A Day

Illustration by Michelle B. Please do not copy or use without linking back to Sweet Musings.

A Picture A Day

Illustration by Michelle B. Please do not copy or use without linking back to Sweet Musings.

Artist Love: Chesley McLaren

From reading The Gospel According to Coco Chanel I have a new illustrator love, Chesley McLaren. Her style is light and fun with an air of Paris couture. She has worked for clients such as Henri Bendel, Pucci International, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Here are a few of her adorable illustrations:

All images are from chesleymclaren.com/Portfolio.html check out her site to view more of her great fashion illustrations

A Picture A Day

Illustration by Michelle B. Please do not copy or use without linking back to Sweet Musings.

New England Fourth of July

I mentioned in my post earlier today that we spent Fourth of July weekend in Cape Cod. I've only been there once before but I absolutely love it. The entire weekend was filled with family, laughs, way to much food, and lots of relaxation. I am definitely missing it this week. Thank you to the Zimble/Baron/Karofsky families for making this trip so fun!

Below are a few photos from our long weekend. Enjoy!

Delicious ice cream

Nothing says New England quite like lobster and steamers

Mmmm!

And a Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband!