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Not been feeling inspired, so I've just got a small instagram-based update to post. It has been a hectic week and I've had a lot of work to do in a short space of time, so I haven't really had much time to just stop and smell the roses, just lull about and not think about uni work 24/7. I have become a collaborator of Kanon's blog which you can check out here - I've written an article about Frida Kahlo and her connection to flowers as my first contribution here!

My week in pictures

1. Leather and faux fur = a good combination.
2. Some flower illustrations for a collaborative project I was working on during the week.
3. "I was sad, but then I bought something online. I feel better now." - This statement sums me up in a nutshell.
4. Lovely leaves at the Botanic Gardens last weekend.
5. The rose garden is so wonderful at this time of year - the smell from all the blooming flowers creates this amazing perfume, plus some of the roses are as big as my head and I feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland for a while.

Until next time! x

The Sweet Life

I've been super busy this week and honestly can't believe it is Saturday again. Anyway, this has been the first week of the supposed "break" but it hasn't been a break at all for me - I've been working on uni work all week! At least I am being kept busy, but that's really the only positive thing I can say about being overloaded with things to do! I haven't been much inspired to blog this week, so I'm just going to keep this update short 'n sweet.

I've completed a new illustration this week, the mini GIF version is down below and you can find the static image/s in my portfolio page. I watched a documentary about Helen of Troy earlier in the week by Bettany Hughes, who I think is brilliant because she presents with so much passion and enthusiasm about the subject. I have always been fascinated by intriguing women in history and Helen of Troy is one such enigmatic figure, so I decided to commemorate this illustration to her legend, drawing inspiration from antiquity and nature. Plus, it features leaves! I love leaves, much like David Attenborough (please refer to related GIF).

My week in pictures

1. Finished illustration - a good way to procrastinate!
2. Early progress shot of the illustration in the works.
3. Illustration for a Medieval themed poster design I had been working on diligently throughout the week.
4. Starting to read The Man Repeller book by Leandra Medine, who is pretty much one of my top style icons.

This week's inspiration mood board has consisted of the following - I'm still really inspired by Dolce and Gabbana's Fall/Winter 2014 Byzantine Collection, especially after watching lots of history documentaries focusing on the Byzantine Empire.

Until next time! x

☯

Oh my god, I am honestly just so amazed and scared at how the time files once I get into the uni week! Seriously, how can it be Saturday again so fast?! I've been busy working hard at all my uni projects so I've really not had any time to myself (except to eat, exercise, sleep and all that important jazz) - it's pretty much a full-time career for me. I shouldn't even really be making a post right now because I feel swamped under all my workload, but I wanted to keep my internal promise to myself to try and post once a week. It never sounds like much but when you realise how fast those weeks fly by, it really takes up a good chunk of time!

I've been really getting into making short little GIF animations of my illustrations, just making the subjects in my work come to life through blinking or lip movements. It's a great way for me to practice my animation making abilities, although I really want to get into developing my skills with After Effects more as I've only had a little animation experience with that program and I'm quite terrible at it!

Here's my week:

1. Outfit details - the cuff is by the label From St Xavier and i love the blue stone in it so much!
2. These shorts are actually amazing. They are by Cameo the Label and they feature a chili print!
3. I have become obsessed with kale recently, I know I know...I don't want to be one of those pretentious health food people but I genuinely love the taste of it in a salad or wrap.
4. Finally bought the coveted Alexa Chung book, IT. I haven't read it yet but I've had a flick through and it looks like a professionally diary/sketchbook format, featuring set typography and collaged images and sketches.
5. A recently finished illustration featuring mushrooms! I love a good ol' 'shroom, my favourite fungi.

This week I have been inspired by blush tones and gold. as well as combining these tones and shades with black leather-look items, such as skirts, pants and shorts. I also love holographic items - a clutch or a pair of shoes is an amazing statement to any simple outfit. I also have been incredibly inspired through my research for a project focusing on medieval and historical maps - some of the examples such as the Hereford Mappamundi are so amazingly detailed, complex and mythical. I'm just so fascinated by these artefacts of history.

Until next time! x