Picture books, paper goods & pretty things.
Pancakes aren't just for Shrove Tuesday, they are one of the best ways to spend a Sunday morning. We created a pick and mix of fillings. You can't beat the traditional lemon and sugar but the chocolate drops were particularly popular : )
I can't remember how I first stumbled across Holly Exley's YouTube videos but I'm so glad I did. Holly gives a lovely, gentle insight into her life as a freelance illustrator with beautifully made videos. If you haven't seen her channel before, have a little look, it's a lovely way to while away an hour or so.
This little lovely caught my eye as I walked by. It was quivering in the breeze looking absolutely perfect. So much detail in such a little plant. Nature is so clever!
I'll be writing a blog post about mindfulness soon as it's something I practice and think about every day. For today, I wanted to share a little ink creation of mine. Mindfulness doesn't have to be about sitting quietly with your eyes closed. I find some of my most mindful moments are when I am creating. Drawing a pattern like this is so calming. I find myself totally absorbed in the moment and as my mind stills it starts to create things that I didn't even know existed in me.
"But I'd like the pie heated and I don't want the ice cream on top, I want it on the side. And I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream, just whipped cream but only if it's real. If it's out of a can, then nothing." - Sally
Time Out listed their 10 best Autumn films a few days ago and When Harry Met Sally was number three on their list. It really is the perfect Autumn film, cosy, clever and cute. And every time I'm specific about my order in a restaurant I think of the quote above and imagine I'm Meg Ryan : )
A gentle song for a Sunday. White Winter Trees by The Staves. Their voices and harmonies are beautifully whimsical and the animation by Aardman Animations is just magical. Notice how the sun and moon are stage lights which is such a lovely touch.
I first discovered Frannerd via a Comic Book Day hashtag on Twitter. It was early in my illustration journey and I feel like her style really opened my eyes to a way of drawing I hadn't realised existed before. Telling stories with pictures but in a more grown up way. Fran is from Chile but has been living in Berlin, London and Hastings for the last few years. She creates absolutely beautiful YouTube videos following her journey, talking about what it's like to be freelance and giving an insight into her illustration and processes.
Make yourself a cuppa and enjoy her latest video. It may send you on a journey of your own.
I recently finished the latest novel by Maggie O'Farrell, one of my favourite writers. She paints worlds so well and this novel made me feel like I had travelled across the continents as its tale spins from the UK to Sweden to the USA to China, France and Ireland. The story jumps around in time and leaves you fitting the pieces together like a jigsaw. Totally absorbing. I loved it.
Sometimes The Quiet Life is just all about the little bit of joy that a song can bring. This was the first song on my birthday playlist on Spotify. I invited as many friends as I could fit in my flat and we drank champagne and ate cake and cheese (random I know but it's what I wanted!) and danced around the room.
So stop whatever you are doing and have a little dance to this : )
