romance
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Francophile Friday : Frenchie Snuggles

19.7.19

Frenchie Snuggles French Bulldogs illustration  © Shell Sherree all rights reserved
Frenchie Snuggles French Bulldogs illustration  © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Pucker up, good-looking ... it's time for a Frenchie kiss!

Today's illustration sees a spot of canine canoodling.  If these sweet French bulldogs had opposable thumbs, they could also engage in oodles of poodle doodling.  But of course, they do not, so hello: more canoodling.  And on that note ...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

 
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Fairytale Friday: Angela, Mia Pomeranian & a Love Story

10.6.16

@MiaPomeranian and Angela's Fairytale custom illustration © Shell-Sherree
{@MiaPomeranian and Angela's Fairytale Fashion & Fluffballs custom illustration © Shell-Sherree}

Hands up if you're one of the gazillions following adorable animals on Instagram. {Me, too!}  Hours vanish in minutes and even mentions of puppy poo take on certain quirky charm.  {And poo and I are not friends, trust me!}  But behind every gorgeous Instadog and cat, there is a smitten pawrent, and today, I thought it would be fun to chat with one of the lovely mamarazzi behind the lens: mum Angela of @miapomeranian.

Angela engaged me to create a custom illustration ~ a memento that celebrated her special day and included her gorgeous pom Mia, who couldn't be there in real life because their wedding was in Disneyland {Orlando}! I only learned afterwards that their fairytale nuptials were part of the Good Morning America 'Wide World of Weddings' so it's a bonus that we can score an inside look behind that, too.

I had a beautiful time coming up with this illustration for you, thank you!  You gave me a lovely clear brief and free rein as well.  One of your 'must haves' was a reference to the Sleeping Beauty castle.  It conveys love and romance in a single glance, so it was a perfect fit!  Was the castle the reason you fell in love with Disney World in the first place? 

Disney is MAGICAL! Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted a Disney wedding, and never thought it would actually happen! My hubby and I have been together for almost 11 years, since High School, and coincidentally, we talked about getting married at Disneyworld when we were about 17! Who would have thought that dream would actually come to fruition?! The whole experience with Disney was wonderful.  Easy to plan ~ it felt like a true fairytale! I even got stopped by a few little girls whilst wearing my wedding gown who actually thought I was a Disney princess!

No wonder!  You're a beautiful couple, and your gown was very pretty ~ so lovely to draw.  Since the wedding, I’ve had visions of you on a roller coaster and whirling around in teacups!  Did you take your wedding gown for a spin on any rides?

YES! I am so glad you asked! We chose to do a Magic Kingdom photo shoot, where we got to get on the carousel and take a spin on the teacups! It was so much fun!

Photo credit © Disney Fine Art Photography & Video
Angela and Andrew take the carousel for a spin.  Photo credit © Disney Fine Art Photography & Video 

Photo credit © Disney Fine Art Photography & Video
Angela and Andrew with the best cup of tea they've ever had.  Photo credit © Disney Fine Art Photography & Video 

How did it come about that your wedding was part of the Good Morning America ‘Wide World of Weddings’?

It was such a random occurrence! My wedding planner at Disney called me the week before to ask my hubby and me if we would be okay with our wedding being broadcast on GMA, and of course we said “YES!” It worked out so wonderfully, as there were guests who could not make it to Florida and got to watch the wedding as it was streamed live! We did not know that Joey Fatone, former NSYNC band member and GMA correspondent, would attend the wedding until minutes before! It was all such a whirlwind!!

Did it change anything about the way you planned the day?

Not at all! I will say, it may have made my hubby and I a bit more nervous knowing we were being filmed, and that Joey Fatone was attending our wedding!

I love your gorgeous Mia !  It must have been so hard not having her with you for the wedding ceremony  ….  was it ever a possibility? 

Unfortunately, they did not allow dogs in the wedding venue, and while we could have taken her for our outdoor photos, my hubby and I felt it was unfair to fly her across the country for her to not be able to attend the wedding, much less all of the time she would spend in doggy daycare while we were traipsing around the theme parks! However, when we got back to Texas, we had a huge wedding reception for everyone who could not travel to Disney World, which Mia attended. I even bought a fancy white lace dress for her to wear! She was the hit of the party!

Angela, Andrew and Mia celebrate at their special reception.  Photo courtesy of @MiaPomeranian
Angela, Andrew and Mia celebrate at their special reception.  Photo courtesy of @MiaPomeranian
I'll bet she was! If you could single out one moment in the day when you missed her most, when would that be?

It is so hard to single out just one, but I would say - at the end of the ceremony when we were announced as husband and wife, I wish we could have each given her a quick kiss on the cheek as we were exiting the chapel!

Did you bring Mia a ‘kiss and make up gift’ from your travels?

Yes! Disney actually has a line for dogs, and she loves squeaky toys, so we brought her a squeaky yellow Mickey shoe toy, which she loves!

What essentials do you carry around in Mia’s tote bag when you’re out and about with her?

I definitely have to carry her treats (while she is wonderful, sometimes she can get whiney and treats focus her, hehe), her portable water bowl (especially in this southern heat), potty bags, and her favourite squeaky toy!

If Mia was ever stranded on a desert island (perish the thought!) and you could parachute-drop three foods plus a favourite singer to amuse her until her rescue, what and who would they be?

Her favorite three foods would be carrots, chicken, and cookies, and I would love to think she would want to listen to me sing – I sing children’s songs to her all of the time. Hehe.

How would you sum up Mia in three words?

Fabulous, Feisty, and Loving

I'd say those describe you perfectly, too!  Thanks so much, Angela.  It's been a pleasure from start to happy ever after! 

You can follow Mia the Pomeranian's adventures here.  Instant smile on your dial, promise!  And on that note ...

Happy Fairytale Friday to you!


© Disney Fine Art Photography & Video
Angela and Andrew, happy ever after. Photo credit © Disney Fine Art Photography & Video 

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Fashionable Friday : Shimmy Chic Pink

10.4.15

Fashion illustration : Shimmy Chic the Pink Downstairs,  © Shell-Sherree
{Fashion illustration : Shimmy Chic the Pink Downstairs © Shell-Sherree}

Now that we've had a Token Casual Day Chez Shell, it's back to the glammies.  My penchant for bows is only a few steps behind my obsession for ruffles, so today we are shimmying downstairs to answer the door in a soft pink number with a bowed bustle to add some rustle to the hustle.  {Stop me, someone ...}

Today's fashion illustration is inspired by this divine vision, whose gown was most likely ivory in colour, but given the choice between ivory and pink, you know where my brush and palette will want to go.  As for our usual kitty or dog, feel free to decide whether they are hiding under the train or chasing the tail end of it.

Sitting for any length of time would be a waste of a beautiful back view ~ a brief perch at the most, I feel ~ so a leisurely stroll might be the most flattering way to pass the time.  Our Hugh is on his way to chaperone and field prospective suitors.  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

SHIMMY TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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Fashionable Friday : Ruffled Over the Thrill of the Chaise

9.1.15

Fashionable Friday Ruffled Thrill of Chaise ink and watercolour illustration Shell-Sherree
{Ruffled Over the Thrill of the Chaise : ink pen and watercolour illustration by © Shell-Sherree}

Today, I'm allowing my cares to float away on a sea of ruffles tumbling from tangerine waves into pale pink fairy floss ~ and feeling grateful and blessed for so many things.  Expressing love, beauty and gratitude are the ways to my happy place.

Would you like to join me?  We might need another one of those chaises.  What's a gathering of more than one chaise? A charisma of chaises?  Come to think of it, maybe we're talking love seats, anyway ... or fainting couches.  Who can tell under this delectable proliferation of fluffy goodness?  How about I pour some tea while we make up our minds ~ and on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

Inspiration: Giambattista Valli couture Fall 2014

VISIT MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE
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Fashionable Friday: Falling for Wenda and the Silver Ghost

2.1.15

{Falling for Wenda and the Silver Ghost : ink pen and watercolour illustration by © Shell-Sherree}

We've needed smelling salts in the past here Chez Shell {this time springs to mind}, and in all the post-New Year's excitement, we need to break them out again.

Today's illustration inspiration source is Norman Parkinson, English portrait and fashion photographer {and successor to Cecil Beaton as photographer to the royals}.  For me, though, this one's dedicated to his gorgeously glamorous muse Wenda {who makes me want to take copper hair for a twirl again! Join me?}  Wenda over the Rolls {1951} features Wenda in a divine Molyneux satin evening gown and a 1907 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce.

Ours is in perfect working order.  Where are we off to tonight?  The theatre?  A picnic under the stars? A stroll along the boulevard?  One thing's for sure ~ we have champagne and salted caramel macarons on board.  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

Ink pen and watercolour illustration by © Shell Sherree : Falling for Wenda and the Silver Ghost
VISIT MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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Pink Ballooned Pretties: Come Fly With Me

31.12.14


{Come Fly With Me, Pink Ballooned Pretties : ink pen and watercolour illustration by © Shell-Sherree}


'Tis New Year's Eve.  Come Fly With Me is bound to bob up on my playlist tonight, along with some smoky French versions of jazz standards minus the smoke. {Hello, Hipster Cocktail Party on Pandora ! } Close your eyes while looking at this and those balloons could start to resemble pink champagne bubbles, especially closer to midnight.

Today's New Year's Eve illustration was inspired by this whimsical Tim Walker image.  It's hard to go wrong with a beautiful gown and a proliferation of pale baby-pink balloons aplenty ~ but wait!  Could it be?  Is one of our favourite beaus Chez Shell hiding behind that embellished doodad {which might be a giant chess piece? That's kind of where I went with it ... }?  Hmm, perhaps even more magic will unfold ~ and on that note ...

Happy New Year to you !

Ink pen and watercolour illustration by © Shell Sherree : Come Fly With Me, Pink Ballooned Pretties
VISIT MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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Francophile Friday: Et Tutu, Repetto

4.8.14

{Et Tutu Repetto Paris : ink pen and watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}


When I was little, like most young ladies, I daydreamed of wearing a tutu {and still do!}  The dancing side of it ~ hmmm, not so sure of.  My sister and I had a short-lived flirtation with some dance classes but I'm hazy on the details aside from using the back of a dining chair as a practice barre ~ and not often enough to continue on with the classes.  {Fair enough and probably a wise move ... though I'd never have been rejected for being too tall.}

A little something from Repetto in Paris for a fancy dress occasion would be a gorgeous way to see those tutu daydreams through. Their exquisite window displays are more than enough reason to press your nose to the glass ~ and today's illustration was inspired by this one.  

If a street-wear take on the tutu is more your cup of tea, may I suggest this with your tank top colour of choice.  {And possibly an extra foot in height ~ fortunately for me, what I lack in ballet genes, I make up for in those of the high heel variety!}  And on that note ...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS:  Time is nebulous Chez Shell Sherree.  Friday ... Sunday ... let's not concern ourselves with such minor details ...

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Fairytale Friday: Valentine's Reprise

14.2.14

{London Kiss: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

How could I let today slide past without a little something to celebrate Valentine's Day.  {I know it's commercialised, but in the spirit of love, I embrace tolerate accept its flaws along with its good bits.}  In spite of my good illustrative intentions, though, I lost track of time daydreaming. {No need to feign shock ~ you know me too well.}  So I hope you don't mind me dusting off a little something appropriately romantic from the archives.  Here's to love and good old-fashioned pashing, smooching and snogging.  And on that note ...

Happy Valentine's Friday to you! 
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Fashionable Furry Friends Friday: The Gloves Are On

22.3.13

{Darling, We're Home: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

Have turquoise set of wheels, Scotty dog and mascot kitty, will travel.  The fur kids had to be separated a couple of times and if I heard "Are we there yet?" whined one more time... but it looks like all's well that ends well.

I overdid the waist nipping again, so one could be forgiven for thinking we should have packed a lot more sandwiches for the road trip.  {Either that or kitty ate more than her duly allotted share.  She's a growing girl ~ what can I say.}  But the bunch of flowers is a promising sign that we're about to be romanced with a simple but heartfelt home-cooked meal {two ways to a girl's heart within one sentence...}, so we can make up for lost time over the weekend and loosen that belt by the time Sunday rolls around.  I smell welcome home Gin and Tonics in the air.  And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Furry Friends Friday to you!

PS:  Inspiration for today's illustration is here ...  And when one Etsy store closes {mine!}, another one opens: regulars here well know and love Virginia Jones of Paris Through My Lens {source of much of my inspiration, with my eternal gratitude!}  To acquire gorgeous Paris photo prints for your home, please visit her new print store.  'Tis truly lovely.
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Fairytale Friday: Dash It All for Romance

15.2.13

{London Kiss: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

As I write this post, it's Friday in Brisbane and Valentine's Day has passed with a whisper here, but is still present by a whisker there.  Possibly your 'there'.  {And possibly you're there.}  No matter what the day, I thought it was time for a fine romance here Chez Shell.  Life doesn't always mirror art, but one can dream.  From the vintage of the car, we're being transported back to London in the 1940s?  {What I'm lacking in history, I don't make up for in geography, so feel free to correct my vague hazarding of a guess.  And whatever you do, don't catch the number 9 and hope to end up in any of the advertised locations.}  Here's the inspiration for today's little fairytale flight of fancy.   And speaking of time travel, action, romantic leads and ye bonne olde England, I'm deeply immersed in Petrea Burchard's Camelot & Vine right now and loving it.  Don't be bashful, hop over and buy a copy.  Petrea's puppy dog Boz needs a pocket money raise.  {And a pocket, but that's another story...}  And on that note...

Happy Fairytale Friday to you!

PS: Last call for prints ~ end of this weekend, I'll be putting the store on vacation until ... let's just say, "Don't wait up."  Thank you ~ big hugs and thanks for all your support.  I'm looking forward to exploring other creative adventures around the corner... 
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Venerdi in Venice: We are Lions, Hear Us Meep

25.6.10

 

ink & watercolour ACEO weensy, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm]
Acquire this original Meep Miniature here.

Cats big and small love to laze, stretch, slumber in the sun ~ and to indulge in the occasional Faux-Doze for the benefit of potential prey.  These stately lions watching over the Canal Grande in Venice are no exception, except that they tend to stay still for the sake of a regal photo or sketching opportunity, and all they're likely to catch is the odd irreverent pigeon thought.   Thanks so very much to Pierre's Venice Daily Photo for generously allowing me its exquisite inspiration, and especially to Alain Hamon for this particular one.  Grazie mille!!!    

[Post Update 29th June:  Dear Alain has kindly posted my little illo together with his photo at his own blog, and it's lovely seeing them side by side.  Thank you so very much!]

It's a gorgeous fine winter's day here, the kind I'd be happy with all season long ~ mild in temps, a sun that's fully present but mellow rather than roaring, and a few benign little tufts of lazy vanilla fairy floss.  I might even follow the lions' lead and climb out onto the roof to survey the landscape.  And on that potentially perilous note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!
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Meep: Vintage Travel

18.5.10

 
ink & watercolour weensy, 2.25" x 3" [ 6 x 8cm]

This little train goes, "Meep!" What a romantic way to travel.  As long as the porter remembers to load her luggage on board, the goldie-locked lassie looks well-prepared for any chance meeting she may encounter along the way.  And she's already put in her order for poached salmon for dinner.  Two serves ~ one of them minus the lemon butter and vegetables, please.  One has to watch one's figure, you know.

21 comments

Meep: Far From Pedestrian

27.4.10

ink & watercolour weensy, 3" x 2.25" [8 x 6cm]


If one was searching for a new car {and by "new", I refer to something different from what one already has}, one might be tempted to turn a blind eye to the rheumatic rumblings of something that looks like this, for the sake of ~ something that looks like this.   Being a miniature, it can be stowed away easily at the end of the trip, perhaps even in one's portMeep.
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Venerdi in Venice: A Streetlight Named Desire

19.3.10

ink & watercolour illustration, inspiration thanks to Pierre Pareja, Venice Daily Photo

Just as everything inside looks better in candlelight, I suspect everything outside looks better in lamplight.  Our streetlight across the road is functional, serviceable, but cannot hold a candle to a lamp like this one.  This three-in-one model even has its very own rose-coloured glasses.  All the better to see me with!

Grazie mille to the charming and kind Pierre at Venice Daily Photo for his quite breathtaking photo inspiration.  And on that note ...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!
20 comments

A Covet of Cupids

2.2.10

ink & watercolour illustration of print ad, 4" x 4.25" [10.5 x 11cm]

Valentine's Day is a couple of weeks away, so I thought, "A-ha!  I shall pip everyone else at the post and blog about it now."  A-ha, indeed!!  And lest you fall off your perch in surprise at my forward planning, I shall draw your attention to a celebrity fragrance that was released sufficiently long enough ago that you may no longer locate it in a luxe department store, but it may still be loitering on the shelves at your local day/night chemist {pharmacy}, and thus the perfect solution for the last minute gift for blokes to procure on their way to their amour on Valentine's Night.

The fragrance in question is Sarah Jessica Parker's Covet Pure Bloom, resplendent with sweet tropical florals, like mandarin, purple plum, coconut water, tuberose, pikake, jasmine, amber, iris, sandalwood and creamy musks.  By its name alone, it's a nice match for Valentine's Day, as the origin of the word 'covet' according to dictionary.com is "c.1225, from O.Fr. coveitier, probably ult. from L. cupiditas "passionate desire," from cupidus "very desirous," from cupere "long for, desire." 

I have to wonder, though, how many covet the dress over the perfume...
20 comments

Time and Butter-Flies with Guerlain

8.12.09



The party season has started over here, and to help one flitter around, sprinkling the fairy dust of intrigue and desire in one's wake, we can turn to Guerlain, an iconic fragrance house of Paris, founded by Pierre François Pascal Guerlain in 1828 as a "Parfumeur Vinaigrier" on 42 Rue de Rivoli, on the same site as the Hôtel Meurice.

Its perfumed shimmer powder is a "violet scented, sparkling powder" that will "sublimate and illuminate shoulders, arms, back, décolleté and hair."  I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to sublimate myself. This year's 2009 Christmas Collection features a white gold bottle with a long black tassel atomiser, and screened with black lace.  Very elegant.  Very nice.  I just wish I'd known that before I found my clipping from what must have been last year's magazine, and drew you the 2008 collection: Midnight Butterfly.  Oops. Time flies.

I'm kind of glad, though.  The silver and purple-lilac tones of that collection are soft and pretty and feminine, and can we ever have too many butterflies?
19 comments

Friday Fleurish: A Lush of Peonies

27.11.09

pencil & watercolour illustration on cotton paper, 6.5' x 7.25" [16.5 x 18.5 cm]

Flowers always bring out the gratitude in me.  And right now, it's peony season, so I'm especially grateful.

Symbolic of prosperity and derring-do, peonies were also said to conceal mischievous nymphs within their petals, earning the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers. I suspect they are the lushes of the flower world, and I mean that most affectionately, as they are among my favourites.  Each one's somewhat rapid descent from a tiny, tightly wound bud to a frothy, tulle-like handful of sweet, ruffled petals is something to behold.  My beautiful mum bought me a bunch a few days ago, and when we were chilling out in the cold room at the flower market, tossing up how much faith to place in the buds opening, we met them halfway and chose ones that had just started flashing their frills.  By the time I was home, they'd undone the top few buttons of their hot pink blouses.  By the time they were trimmed and in the vase, they'd started dancing le CanCan.  They make me smile whenever I look at them.  They may not be here for a long time*, but they are here for a good time.  And thank heavens for that...

Happy Friday Fleurish to you!

{I found this tip for longevity here, along with some beautiful peonies and descriptions: a daily trim, plus 1/2 teaspoons sugar and a sprinkle of Vitamin C powder per litre of vase water.  Might want to give it a whirl.}
27 comments

Sweetening Up Louis

10.11.09



It's been a while since I made a thinly veiled attempt to inspire a luxury brand into showering me with beautiful free fripperies out of gratitude for illustrating one of their objets de lust.  {Even a light sprinkle or dusting would be quite all right.}

Today, it's Parisian Louis Vuitton's turn, with this bold resin, metal and brass bracelet of jewelled candy.  The pieces include the quatrefoils and flower symbols from its legendary Monogram Canvas {launched in 1896 and inspired by the trend of using Japanese and oriental designs in the late Victorian era ~ according to Wikipedia, at least}.  I couldn't locate this design on the website but I was temporarily blinded by something quite sparkly and spectacular on its home page, so please, forgive me.  {And if anyone from LV is watching, I'm happy to accept luggage in lieu of jewellery.  I'll even forgive Marc Jacobs for this.  You're welcome.}
20 comments

Francophile Friday Fleurish: Fleurs de Katie

30.10.09

 ink & watercolour illustration on cotton paper, 10" x 7" [25 x 17.5cm] 

No matter which flower's your favourite, there's bound to be a posy here with your name on it.  Dear Katie {well known to many visitors here} has just returned home from holidaying in Paris, Morocco and England.  And in the midst of packing before she left, she took the time to email me a photo of a darling Paris flower shop from a previous trip. What a honey!  Now that she's home ~ and possibly having withdrawal symptoms ~ it's about time you saw my take on Katie's trip to the florist to acquire blowsy pink roses {ahem, after splurging on boots next door}.  Thanks again, Katie!!!

Happy Francophile Friday Fleurish to you all!
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Eau de Virginia et Violette

20.10.09





Paris and perfume are as inextricably woven together as Paris and romance.  And if you're wafting along the perfume trail in le Marais, you'll happen upon this delicate parfumerie. And if your sensitive nose detects notes of violet nearby, you might be following Virginia. 

Thanks, dear Virginia, for your kind offer of your photos like this one for inspiration.  If you're a lover of Paris, you'll adore Virginia's Paris Through My Lens.  She has an artist's eye and the photographic skills to do it justice.  Not to mention, she's an all around bundle of fun and smells good!
25 comments
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