shop the trend: woven mules

images: Pinterest

the subject of many a Pinterest binge, the humble woven mule is on my must-have list for this years fortnight of british summer; so I've rounded up my favourite leather-free online offerings, as well as some swoon-inducing inspo pics just in case you aren't already allured to their laid-back minimalist charm.

Oasis Evie Bag | Céline Trio Dupe

If, like me, you can't quite justify spending over a months wages on a bag when there are other, arguably more important things, your money should be spent on (e.g rent, food, Netflix subscriptions...) then you understand dupe shopping. 

Not looking for a straight up fake but an inspired design from a trustworthy source at a much more reasonable price. 

Which brings me to this Oasis Evie X Body Bag which is now in the sale for a tenner. A tenner. For a Céline Trio inspired bag that has literally answered all my Pinterest and Instagram envy-induced prayers.

£10.

(I actually paid £15 as I got it a few days ago so D'oh! etc.)

But I have to admit even the original £25 price is an absolute bargain for this bag and I know this'll be literally glued to my shoulder in 2016!

PS I got this on the House of Fraser website so always worth checking other stockists if it goes out of stock on the Oasis site! 

Fashion Illustration: Zuhair Murad Resort 2016

♥ ♥ ♥ 

Fashion Illustration: 'The Fish Gape'

 This illustration accompanies the ground-breaking revelation that is taking the showbiz world by storm and affecting selfie game everywhere: the pout is out; the seductive mouth-slightly-open-but-not-quite-catching-flies is in; and the name of this new pose is as deprecating as ever. 

Behold the Fish Gape.

Yes, Fish Gape. 1,159 Insta hashtags and counting. But, as awful as the name is, the pose is a little more flattering than your standard trout pout so I'm backing this selfie revolution all the way into my illustrations. This particular model I actually drew long before the Gape became the Gape but, in light of recent events, now seemed an apt a time as any to share her.

  

The model I was drawing actually had bright red hair but after painting the eyes and lips first I decided to finish the rest of her in pencil and am so pleased with how it turned out. I really struggle with drawing faces on full body illustrations due to the space limitations so I absolutely relish drawing head-shots like this.

So, I hope you like this illustration and hopefully there'll be more (non-Duck???) face-focused illustrations coming soon.

New Loves

Firstly, how in the world is it the first day of SEPTEMBER tomorrow? 

2015 , I implore you please slow down a little bit during these last 4 months...

And secondly, I would like to share some of my favourite new purchases/discoveries I've made this rather grey, wet and gloomy August. Hope you enjoy!

THE BEAUTY WINNERS

MAC Bombshell

Quite literally the most perfect shade of pink lipstick I have ever laid eyes on. I was out looking for a suitable replacement for Avon's Pink Quartz (after finally admitting that scraping out the dregs with a lip brush in public is really not a good look, nor is it at all convenient) and I ended up finding the perfect match only, like, better. It's the most beautiful, subtle pink but still has that little shimmer to it to - ideal for everyday wear without being at all boring. Did I mention it's perfect? 

Fashion Illustration: Tinie Tempah & Lewis Hamilton

Besides His Royal Highness Sir Lord David Beckham OBE, Tinie Tempah is most definitely thee most stylish man on British soil right no - encompassing everything unique, edgy and urban about Brit (of the Londoner variety in particz) fashion.

Fashion Illustration: Beyonce 2015 Met Gala

Beyonce. Givenchy. Need anyone say more?

Fashion Illustrations / Alexa Chung Met Gala 2015

Two things I've love-love-loved since I was a little'un are art (holla at the kids who had colouring books for entertainment instead of iPads) and fashion (the football kits and trainers were totes sports luxe- just 15 years ahead of the trend). So, for the past few months I've been trying my hand at a bit of fashion illustration.