Diary of a Freelancer

Something I really haven't worked on since I left my full-time job last April is marketing. I touched on this idea a little here but it was more to show you one of my favorite illustrations from a marketing/portfolio book that I have been working on. At this point the illustration I showed you has actually been deleted from the book and turned into a post card, but the book is still in process and as each day goes by I like it more and more.

When I first started really thinking about putting together a marketing piece I was nervous. I wanted to create something unique that would really catch someone's eye. Marketing postcards and other things have a tendency to end up in the trash without even being opened so I needed something special. I started bouncing ideas off of a dear friend of mine, and had my brother write a great story for me about a girl who follows her dreams, and it is slowly being illustrated!

It started as a 16 page book, including the covers, and I was worried that this would be to long. That a busy business person would never take the time to read it even if they did love the illustrations. So I've cut the book down to 12 pages (including covers) and really tried to evaluate the merits of each illustration and how much it fit the book. That's probably been one of the hardest parts since it meant cutting some pages with illustrations that I really liked, but I had to keep thinking that the overall goal was to important not to really edit it right.

So right now, I'm only showing you three of the pages, a lot more to come soon... but I hope you enjoyed this peak.

xo

A Picture A Day

OK so I'm not sure that I actually showed anyone a hint of this project so maybe it's a first reveal and a final reveal at the same time. I love this header and I wanted to show you it live!

A few months ago, early December, the lovely Michelle contacted me to create a header for her blog, Stripes & Sprinkles. She wanted a girl in a tule skirt, bowed heels, and a striped shirt holding a cupcake. With those ideas in mind we came up with this blog header.

What do you think?

Check out Michelle's blog, Stripes & Sprinkles and follow her!

xo

Designer Inspired

Kate Spade Billie Dress and LC Lauren Conrad Lace Trim Dress

It's no secret that I love to shop but I'm also a girl on a budget. I'm constantly on the lookout for things that have a similar look to some of my favorite high-end styles but cost me a lot less.

Today's designer inspired post includes the Kate Spade Billie Dress that I have been drooling over. And while I LOVE this dress it is pretty expensive and I'm not sure how often I would actually have occasions to wear it. So when I found this little LC Lauren Conrad Lace Trim Dress I was over the moon! It has that same Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's feel for a fraction of the price.

What do you think? Close enough? Is the Kate Spade dress worth the splurge? Or would you have purchased the Kohl's version too?

Classy Girls

My mama taught me that it's impolite to go to someone's home, especially for the first time, empty handed. What do you think? Do you agree? And as a hostess do you appreciate the gifts?

A Picture A Day

Over the holidays I worked with the lovely Missy on holiday cards, first shown here, and when she asked me to work with her again on illustrations for her blog I was so excited! Above are a few of the first sketches for her. More updates to come soon, but what do you think so far? And which is your favorite!?

I Wish I Was Wearing

Outfit One: Cartier watch, lace peplum top, mint satchel, james jeans, valentino flats. Outfit Two: Paper and Crown Tee and Skirt, Kate Spade Earrings and Bracelet, L.K. Bennet heals. Outfit Three: Drop earrings, bow ring, sailor tee, cutoff shorts, French Connection flats.

I'm sick of winter... I know, I said that during this post too, part one, but I really am. I'm sick of snow, I'm sick of cold, I'm ready for warm weather. And these are three more outfits I want to be wearing. What do you think? Do you have a wishlist for Spring yet too?

A Picture A Day

A Few months ago Brittany from The Subtle Statement contacted me looking for a new blog header. Her blog and style is based on the idea that she always adds a statement piece to her stylishly chic yet somewhat subtle ensemble. Brittany is a fashion blogger and personal style consultant and her blog is awesome.

So based on the inspiration images she sent me as well as the requests that I include light teal, gold, glitter, red soled Christian Louboutin, and elegant typeface options as well as an option like the header of my shop without a full body illustration, I created the sketches. We reviewed the sketches talked about which ones she liked the best and pieces she wanted to keep and we created the finished product and matching business cards that you see above.

This was a really awesome project and it was such a pleasure to work with Brittany. And seriously, go check out her blog, The Subtle Statement.

A Picture A Day

Throughout the month of January I've been working on year end stuff such as taxes, business stuff, and future planning. This is a lot of non-illustration work and it's been a little boring... but I also started working on marketing pieces which has been pretty cool. They include a small book/portfolio to send out to children's book publishers as well as a fashion illustration postcard to send out to other publishers, agents, and sources looking for illustrators. The goal for these is that I will catch an eye or two and gain some more work.

If you follow me on twitter or instagram you've already seen little bits of them, but I wanted to give you a better peak. What do you think of this illustration? Would it catch your eye?