Fashion Friday: Style Crush Emma Stone

I've been thinking a lot about my Fashion Friday posts and what draws me toward style and looks. A lot of the time it's from celebrities, my current "style crushes". What they are wearing on the red carpet, what they wear day-to-day, etc. And most of the time it's on a select few, people who just seem to always look great and who have a similar style to what I myself am comfortable wearing... or WISH was comfortable wearing.

One celebrity that I just can't get enough of is Emma Stone. I think she is a great actress, gorgeous, and has great style. She's laid back and glamorous at the same time. She can cross the line from elegant to edgy and still look great no matter what she wears. Here are some of my favorite looks of hers.

What do you think? Who is your current style crush?

All photos are from Instyle.com Look of the Day

A Picture A Day

A week or so ago I received an email from the very sweet Amanda. Her and her husband were married a few weeks ago and they asked me to create a wedding announcement that illustrates their story and let's all of their friends and family know that they "tied the knot." This has been one of the most fun projects I have worked on. I've been given a lot of freedom and the ideas just keep coming to me. I'm absolutely loving it.

Below are a few examples of the preliminary sketches I've created. They are hand drawn and can best be described as stream of consciousness drawing. Sometimes it's easiest to just let all the ideas out of your head and onto paper inorder to see the good from the bad. And, in this case, that was exactly what I needed.

From all of the sketches I chose my favorite ones and started to work on them in Adobe Illustrator. I've added color and more detail and refined some of the layouts. Then I played with the layout of the announcement itself and tried to figure out the best way to incorporate the words and images to best tell the story. I then created mini mock-ups of the final designs so that I could get a feel of what it would be like to open them in the mail and what adjustments need to be made to make them just right. In total I have four layouts/mock-ups that I'm very excited about. Amanda and her husband haven't seen them yet, but I can't wait to send the designs to them.

For now, enjoy the sketches and I will show you the rest of the process and the creation over the next few weeks.

Happy Friday Sweets!
xo

A Picture A Day

A little hand-drawn attitude for you enjoyment this morning. Happy Thursday!

Copyright Michelle B All rights reserved

Sweet Muse

I love looking at other artists, illustrators, and designers work and when I come across a few that I find particularly inspiring, I just have to share. Below are a few beautiful fashion illustrations from Ann Taylor. Check the rest out on their facebook page! What do you think? Do you like them as much as I do?

All images by Ann Taylor "Ann Illustrated"

A Picture A Day

Last week I had a cute holiday couple as one of my "A Picture A Days." Well I've been working on them, and since everyone kept telling me that they looked like my husband and I, I added our pup, Hammie. It's still a work in progress, I def want to refine Hammie a little more, but what do you think?

Currently Reading: French Women For All Seasons

www.barnesandnoble.com

A few months ago I told all of you about the terrific book, French Women Don't Get Fat, by Mireille Guiliano. It was an incredibly insightful book about the difference in culture, habit, and way of life between the French and Americans.

I'm currently reading, French Women for All Seasons, the follow-up and an even more insightful book about ways in which you can change your life and view food and still enjoy your favorite treats, no matter how bad they are considered for you, as long as it is in moderation. This book breaks down the year, and food, into the four seasons, it has delicious recipes, great stories about Mireille's life and childhood, and a breakdown of food based on when it is "in season" and ways in which you should view food and your plate. 

Have you read this book? What did you think?

A Picture A Day

I've been working with the very sweet Amanda on a customized tote. She saw my French Bulldog tote on Etsy and wanted to create one using her own pugs, Scarlett and Parker, as inspiration.

This is the design we came up with. I'll show you the final product next week. Enjoy the illustration and head on over to her Etsy store or blog, Salvaged Strawberry to learn more about Amanda.

And thank you Amanda for this very fun project!

xo!

Copyright Michelle B. Please do not use or copy without permission.

A Picture A Day

Here's another little sweet image of Kelli the fabulous baker of Klicious Cupcakes. Still not 100% yet, but I'm having fun :-)

Happy Monday!

Fashion Friday

Happy Friday Lovlies!!

A trend that I've noticed and am really loving right now is leather pants and pencil skirts. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to even try to pull it off, but I love the way it looks especially when pairing the leather with a classic cut or style and because of the material it looks updated and a little edgy.

Here are a few looks that I love.

Instyle.com

Alexa Chung for Madewell

Graham & Spencer via neimanmarcus.com

zigoti.com

What do you think?

A Picture A Day

I'm working on a project for Klicious Cupcakes, it's eventually going to be a holiday mailer/flyer. It's not quite complete yet, but I'm calling this girl, Christmas Kelli, She will be in full baking mode surrounded by lots of delicious desserts and gifts for the holidays, but for now she is just an adorable baker decked out in her Christmas baking best.

If you are having a Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Holiday party coming up and need desserts, contact Klicious Cupcakes check out their site for more information!

A Picture A Day

I'm working very hard on the holiday card line. What do you think of this couple? They aren't quite finished yet, they will have some faces in the end, and I'll probably add Louie, but I love the playful clothing. It's almost silly and "ugly sweater" ish but I really like it.

A Picture A Day

A little winter weather inspiration for a new Coco and Louie illustration. Final drawing will be coming up in a few days.

Copyright Michelle B. Do not use or copy without permission.

A Picture A Day

Happy Tuesday!

A little more Mad Men inspiration since I'm getting more and more excited about the party this weekend!

Hand drawn sketches, what do you think, and which should I be? I think I'm leaning toward the middle or the right...

What would you wear to a Mad Men Party?!

Copyright Michelle B. Do not copy or use without permission.

Sweet Muse

Today's Sweet Muse is going to be a little different. I want you to be my inspiration :-).

I want to know your favorite thing about the 1950's and early 1960's. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this time period.

For me, it's the clothes, the beautiful glamorous style. Tell me your thoughts on this era.

A Picture A Day

Happy Monday Sweets!

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was busy but productive and I'm ready to start an equally productive week.

For today's "A Picture a Day" I'm featuring a hand drawn / sketched scene of a busy Parisian street. I think it will make a great card, reusable shopping bag, or just a great image to add to my collection. It's in the very rough stages for now, but I'm excited to see where the idea leads.

Copyright Michelle B, Please do not copy or use without permission and linking back to Sweet Musings.

Fashion Friday

On this Friday in September I'm in full fall mode. I have on a brown tweed blazer, white and grey micro striped long sleeve tee, flared jeans, and butterscotch colored platform penny loafers... love this time of year. But with all that in mind I'm featuring my personal fall must-haves.

Top ten things I "need" right now: 1. Loafers, 2. Red bag, 3. Tied blouse, 4.Pleated skirt, 5.Polka dots, 6.Cable knit sweater, 7. A cape (although I'm not sure I can pull it off), 8. About a million striped tees and sweaters, 9. A floppy hat, 10. Leopard print accessories....

From Right to left, top to bottom: 1. Polka Dots - Liv Tyler instyle.com, 2. Floppy Hat - seventies style net-a-porter magazine, 3. stripes net-a-porter magazine, 4, loafers piperlime.com, 5. red bag - JCrew.com, 6. tied blouse from piperlime.com, 7. cable knit sweater - JCrew.com, 8. Stripes - JCrew.com, 9. Cape - JCrew.com, 10. Pleated Skirt - Tucker Piperlime.com, 11. Leopard belt - JCrew.com, 12. Cable knit turtleneck - JCrew.com, 13. leopard print flats - Piperlime.com

 What are you purchasing / wearing this fall?

A Picture A Day

Another holiday inspiration. Many more to come over the next few weeks...

A Picture A Day

We are having a Mad Men themed party next weekend and everyone is supposed to dress in the style of the show. I'm getting very excited for the party. It's probably my favorite fashion era and I just can't wait to get dressed up. Below is a little inspiration... but do I want to be a June... or a Betty? .... hmmm decisions...

A Picture A Day

A little holiday inspiration... I know I know... a little early, but I'm trying to get ready for upcoming shows and be able to add a holiday line to my etsy site, so, I have to start now :-)

What kind of holiday cards do you want to send this year?

Sweet Muse

I have a new obsession Sweets! And before I tell you what it is, I know what you are going to think... "How far behind are you!?!" but in my defense... or just an excuse... I'm really bad / not up-to-date AT ALL with Social Networking and I know it's time to get with it... so with that preface, Pinterest is my new favorite site! It's filled with beautiful images, great ideas, and lots and lots of people sharing their inspirations! I love it....

Here are a few lovlies I found today, just to give you a little taste, and if you want to see even more, follow me!

Reminds me of Coco and Louie!

 

 

All Images can be found on Pinterest.com

A Picture A Day

Good Morning Sweets!

My apologies for the late start to this week. It's been very busy with my full-time job as well as a few freelance projects and I was unfortunately delayed. But I'm back now, and have a great week of posts to share with you!

For now, let's start the week with a new "A Picture A Day!"

As I mentioned before, I've been working on a website and brochure design for an electrician in the area. Today I have another update for you. Below is the cover and an interior shot of one of the brochure options. It's my personal favorite, but we'll see what the client goes for. As the process moves along I'll continue to give you more updates and I can't wait to show you the final!

What do you think?

Cover design for Precision Electric's Brochure. This design is Copyright Michelle B and can only be used or copied by Precision Electric.

This design is Copyright Michelle B and can only be used or copied by Precision Electric.

Fashion Friday

I'm so excited to introduce a new post today, Fashion Friday! I'll share my current obsessions, coveted pieces, and things I "need" to have or am just loving at the moment.

For fall I'm obsessing over mod looks and patterns... cropped straight leg paints, peter pan collars, ballet flats, loafers, fisherman stripes, polka dots, and geometric prints. The looks and pieces below are all from Elle's current issue and they are so vibrant and fun. I'm especially loving the Chopard Peacock cuff... oh to dream...

What fall styles and trends are you currently dreaming of / need to have?

A Picture A Day

Happy Friday Sweets! How was your week? Mine was a blur but I've worked on a lot of projects, have a lot more coming up, and hopefully lots of fun illustrations to show you in the coming weeks. For now, here's a little bright and fun illustration for your Friday morning.

A Picture A Day

I've been working on a website and brochure design for an electirician and wanted to show you a few of my sketches so far. I'm not 100% happy with them yet and I def want to play up the idea of the electrical drawings more as a desgin feature and not just a background image, but it's a good start I think.

More updates to come soon, but for now enjoy the little sneak peak.

 

A Picture A Day

Good Morning Sweets! I'm sorry for the late start to this week but I have a very special "A Picture a Day" to make up for it. As I mentioned last week, I have been working on a mural design for a nursery. This past weekend was spent in Florida painting the mural and I have to say that while it was a busy three days, it was well worth it and I'm so happy with how it came out.

Pretty flowers and butterflies circle the room, but the main focus was the wall that the crib will eventually be placed on where I painted a pretty tree with fluttering butterflies that should surround the crib and make it look like she is sleeping in a playful butterfly garden.

Below are photos of the process and the final product. What do you think?

Final Mural _ End of Day Three

Full mural all of the colors are blocked in, no details have been added yet

Detail of the mural with blocked in color

Detail of the butterflies with blocked in color

Close-up of the tree with only blocked in color

Detail of the final tree

Detail of a few of the butterflies and flowers

Close-up detail of the final tree

Sweet Muse

In Honor of Labor Day / the "end" of summer, I wanted to show you a few of my favorite looks from the store Reiss featuring lots of texture, pops of red, jewel tones, chunky knits, and leather skirts... mmm I love September.

All four looks can be found here: http://www.reissonline.com/us/womens/lookbook/mainline/