Invitation Illustrations for Brunch Wedding at Valley Green Inn

A good friend of mine is getting married this November. We met on the SEPTA 48 bus, back when we had the same commute years ago. We bonded over knitting, poppy red scarves, and she is just a beautiful person. I'm so happy that she has found such a special partner to share her life with. When they asked me to help them with their wedding invitations, I happily agreed, and knew this was one wedding present that would actually be on time! They're having a brunch wedding at The Valley Green Inn. This is on the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, and is a scenic area to hike, bike, or take your kids, and was so much fun to paint. I was tasked to create watercolor, pen and ink illustrations based on their brunch celebration.I love drawing food. I think it's my favorite thing to draw, tied with NARS lipstick these days. Although I'm trying to not use pen & ink all of the time in my drawing these days, it's probably my signature style. It is so satisfying to fill it in with paint once you're finished (and the ink dries of course, lest it smear!)

I hope you had a good weekend, and were lucky enough to get a Mimosa like I did (thanks to an impromptu brunch with a favorite relative in town for a few hours). I'm still sad I didn't get any cake this weekend, but I'm sure I'll rectify that in the next few days.

These are off to the Graphic Designer who will work her magic next. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Sketches and Clothes and Chicken Scratch

I had some fun today mentally recalling what I put together clothes wise for the past ten days trying to only use items in my capsule wardrobe. I felt like sketching...

Days 7 and 8 were my favorite days, since I wore a new silk scarf that a friend gave to me, and a gorgeous 100 inch strand of pearls my mom gave me one Christmas. The pearls looked especially nice against the black blouse I wore.

I'm still working through my capsule, and I already replaced a few things, but so far it's making my morning wardrobe decisions much easier. It's also encouraging me to work with the accessories I have but never end up wearing!

Fall Fashion Capsule Wardrobe

I heard about capsule wardrobes for the first time from Caroline at Un-Fancy. As someone who flirts with the idea of minimalism, wants to be more efficient in the morning (getting out of the house for work & daycare) and is looking to eliminate daily choice overload, I was hooked!

The idea is that you select a specific amount of items of clothing, accessories and shoes for the season and pack what you won't be using until the next season. Dependent upon what "rules" you follow, accessories and shoes may or may not count. I'll likely count my shoes (forgot to draw my blue suede boots) and be unlimited with my jewelry to switch things up.

Basically, it's a strategic plan for your wardrobe, so that it is edited, cohesive, and items will work well with each other. As an artist and designer, I love having limits, it helps me be more creative and forces me to use what I have. I also am more mindful of the great items that I do have.

It was great timing since Fall has just arrived. After reading a ton of posts on Un-Fancy, I also checked out Project 333 , which was also helpful (and binge worthy). I packed up clothes, put items in the donate pile, and a mend pile.

I went to my sketchbook to figure out my 33 or 37 (still a little undecided) pieces for the next three months. It sounds like such a small number, until you start writing it down, or in my case, drawing it out.

This is my preliminary Fall 2014 capsule. I think I'll buy a white tee shirt, and maybe a green military trench if I find a good deal, but I think I'm good! Side note, I love the drawing app Paper by 53, it is so much fun, though nothing will ever replace old fashioned paper, pencils and paint!

I'm one step closer to having a jumpsuit uniform!

P.S. Look at my sweet little boy drawing too! Sigh, for cuteness...