/ Shell Sherree

Francophile Friday: French Doors Give Us Paws

5.4.13

{French Doors Give Us Paws: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

I'd lay money a secret society of frazzled home handymen in Paris {should I say 'handypersons' nowadays? Where's my fainting couch, it's all so hard...} spread a rumour once upon a time that peeling paint merely adds a certain je ne sais quoi better left to its own crumbling devices in order to propagate a certain rakish charm ~ say, the architectural equivalent of a three-day growth. {Hard to argue with that.} The inspiration for today's illustration also makes a good case. And with decorative railings like these, the walls could resemble filo pastry and all would be forgiven. {Not to mention the excellent pawholds these beauties provide.} But I vote we wander inside and check out the view from there. Who knows, there might even be a ballroom! I feel a wardrobe change in the air. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Happy in Paris

29.3.13

{Happy in Paris: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

Be happy. Such a simple prescription for life {if a tad hard to observe at times ~ when snivelling into a soft cotton hankie, for instance}. But if one happened upon this fleuriste in Paris, waving its awning and flowers at you and shouting its good cheer, happiness would surely be irresistible. {You can wander over and see a different view on a different day courtesy of dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens.} Our scruffy pooch looks like he's been rescued from a desert island then dragged through a perfectly manicured hedge backwards, but it matters not when there are roses to smell and kitties to play with. Wherever you are and whatever you're doing this Easter weekend, may you be safe, peaceful and happy. And on that note...

Happy Francophile 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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Francophile Friday: Hôtel de Ville or Roundabouts

15.3.13

{Hôtel de Ville Carousel: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

If you've had a rough week, not to worry. What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts. The details are sketchy as to what we lost on the swings and who was in charge at the time {I'm sure we can blame it loosely on last week's adventure}, but I'll gladly accept a carousel ride in Paris to make up for it. Virginia found this double-decker beauty at the Hôtel de Ville last Christmas {thank you for the lovely inspiration, ma chère!} A transeasonal wardrobe choice will cover us in both hemispheres at the moment, and the bag is large enough to stow contraband of the macaron persuasion without sending us off to the chiropractors. {Mind you, a massage could still be in order, not that my arm ever needs twisting on that score.} And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: The charming folk at Winsome Journal kindly lassoed me for an interview recently. If we'd caught up in person, I'm sure tea and blueberry white chocolate scones would have been involved. That's the way they roll. {The printed edition comes out later this year.} Please read on over here if you're curious...

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Francophile Friday: Cafe Ruffles

8.3.13

{Sitting Pretty at Le Pure Cafe: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

I have no idea what's on the playlist at Le Pure Cafe, but with a dress like that, Flamenco music might not be too far away. We're in Paris, however, so perhaps it comes in the shape of a Flamenco accordionist. {Better pass me the smelling salts now.} In fact, our bartender seems somewhat distracted at the possibility of such a phenomenon, and is taking her paws off the job. We'd better take a seat and prepare for a longish wait. {And whatever you do, don't ask for a cocktail or you're begging for a disaster.} Better follow our hostess's lead and stick with a double grande cafe au lait instead. I hear the barista wears his iPod earphones at all times in case of such emergencies. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

{Photo inspiration for today's illustration via here.}

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Francophile Friday: A Fashionable Eiffel Trifle

1.3.13

{Fashionable Eiffel Trifle: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

Oh, look. The Love Bus No.9 has adventurously made the leap from London to Paris, and the vintage styling could almost convince us we've lost another decade in the process since our stop in the 60s last week. Bring back the knotted white men's shirt, I say! {Or has it already come back? I try to keep my finger on fashion's pulse, but I've never done a St John's Ambulance course, so I don't guarantee I'm always resting it in the right place.} While we're so jauntily attired and our imaginary sky this weekend is like the most gorgeous blue eyes you've ever lost yourself in, should we have a pique nique? {Apologies to our Hugh this week, but light brown-coloured sky just won't cut the mustard.} I'll bring the crusty baguettes, fromage and some cheeky bottles of red. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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