Motivation

I've just finished reading a book that a friend recommended to me. I only brought it a week ago but it was so good I've been hooked on reading it every night! I love the way Sophia Amoruso just says it like it is - refreshing when your after some business advice and a general kick in the butt. It's exactly what I needed during this sluggish this time of year, thoroughly recommend it.

Swanky new business cards

Love them! thanks Moo http://uk.moo.com

I've been fortunate to go to some amazing gigs recently, managed to see Little Dragon for my birthday. Loved the stage set up, with Yukimi's crazy outfit and the whole crowd just dancing - one to tick of my bands to see list.

Fox & Feather boutique fashion show

Last Month I got myself a ticket to the Fox & Feather boutique fashion show. The boutique itself is based on Gloucester road in Bristol, an amazing shopping area full of independent businesses and cafes. I used to pass the boutique every day when I lived around the corner, and it always had beautiful pieces in the window along with lots of my favourite labels such as Louche. It was a different experience to go to a catwalk show and great fun to be able to shop after hours, especially since all the proceeds from the tickets went to CLIC Sargent Charity.
Take a look at the site http://www.foxandfeather.co.uk

Our new bookcase is up and its reminded me how many lovely art books Ben & I have, just been spending the afternoon revisiting some of my favourite designers work.

Orla Kiely cake

An attempt at making an Orla Kiely birthday cake for my lovely friend Holly.

Ship to Shore

I spent some time at the Seacity Museum in Southampton recently, to see the 'Ship to Shore' exhibition. I really liked the idea of seeing a gallery space filled with memorabilia and art showing man's fascination with the 'lure of the sea'. It's a fantastic space and a great exhibition if you get chance to visit - also love the logo.

Lemon loaf

A lemon drizzle loaf for my brother in-laws birthday. Label design by Ben Crosskey http://cargocollective.com/bencrosskey

The Jane Austen's house museum

I've been revisiting the classics recently and thought I'd share some photos from my birthday, in which I used as an excuse to drag my family to the Jane Austen house museum. It was such a pretty home where you could really get in the mindset of Austen and her writing. 

Liberty of London

The first few months of my new job have been an eye opener and since I have been learning so much in such a short space of time, it is easy to forget to take time out and explore in my spare time. I've noticed a lot lately that being so consumed in your work is great for furthering your understanding but it's so important to take the time to just do nothing which is why took a little trip over the weekend to visit my friend Emily in London.

Emily works as a senior designer at the very prestigious Derek Rose (http://www.derek-rose.com/), who amongst other things are famed for their beautifully designed silk pyjamas (as seen on Benedict Cumberbatch in the Sherlock Holmes series!). Being another designer within fashion retail, I know that Emily understands why I was desperate to explore Liberty of London for a bit of inspiration. If you have never been to to Liberty's it is definitely worth a look. The building itself dates back to the 1920's and was built during the Tudor revival, parts of it's reconstruction incorporated timber taken from two ships - which gives Liberty's interior a grand feel.

Aside from it's famous architecture, Liberty's is famed for it's classic prints which were an absolute joy to look at.

Where to begin...

I haven't posted anything on this blog since 2013 which is terrible, but I can't believe that we're already into April'14! The tail end of last year was unexpectedly brilliant, but due to the chaos I have been sorely missing just drawing for myself and indeed keeping up with al the lovely blogs/twitter accounts/general wacky and wonderful bits of work and things on the world wide web that always inspires me to keep at it.

I was lucky enough to be offered a job straight out of a two weeks internship with 'Mistral' working freelance as their only full time graphic designer & illustrator which was a very welcome surprise and a massive pay off for taking a big risk to move back home whilst I was on a career job hunt! 

So it's safe to say that I am very much looking forward to 2014 and whatever the year may bring (summers coming!) but I hope that I'll be posting more work updates and recording more of my adventures over the coming months - but for now here's a few bits and pieces that I have worked on so far.

x

Frank Ocean

I have just finished a two week internship and I'm a bit out of sync with the Bloggersphere!

I thought I'd share a new music obsession with you. I stumbled upon Frank Ocean last year and was so pleased that I remembered him again during my long commuting hours. His songs are pretty crooner-ish but I love his videos and he's a pretty interesting writer too.

http://frankocean.tumblr.com/post/54679145322/ive-been-meaning-to-write-you-more-different

Cornelia Parker - What do artists do all day?

Inspiring programme of one of my favourite artists.

Mistral - Accessories Internship

I have just been offered an internship at Mistral Clothing to work alongside the buyers and designers. For my interview I was asked to complete a small task designing and presenting prints for SS14 accessories with the theme of Botanical conversational.

Bestival Diana - 2012

Below you will find a few catch up posts of photographs from my Diana taken at Bestival and whilst travelling last year, it's taken me a long time to afford the printing of these films as we took so many when we were away but here are a few of my favourites.

America Diana - 2012