/ Shell Sherree

Francophile Friday: Merci, Too

12.4.13

{Merci, Too: ink & watercolour illustration © Shell-Sherree}

I sit here at my studio desk and look to my right at my fading leopard-print letter rack and inspiration board hanging above it, and count almost a dozen handwritten quotes that have settled there since the new year alone. Most along the lines of love, gratitude and faith.

So when I came across another cheery photo of Paris store Merci while seeking inspiration for today's illustration, I took the hint. Any excuse to give thanks. If this looks familiar and you're making a note to decline the offer of a second glass of absinthe with dinner, relax ~ la fée verte is not at work {nor is the green fairy}. This is indeed the second time I've illustrated Merci ~ which I think makes it a first. I mean, the first time I've illustrated a place for the second time {excepting the Eiffel Tower, but she is in a category all her own}. I mean... not to worry. {Pass the absinthe...} In the spirit of keeping things fresh, the cheeky little Fiat Cinquecento has pinker cheeks this time around and our kitty mascot is bringing you pawfuls of flowers to say, "I hope you know you are beautiful beyond measure." {You can check out Virginia Jones's lovely Merci photos over here. Look, more eye candy!} And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Update Friday 19th April: I'm so sorry, I'll be taking a blog breather here and there for the next little while. Turns out today is such a day. I'll stay in touch and notify of my next post on my Facebook page. Until next time, take care and bisous to you...

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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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