Friendly Feature: Illustrators Arise!

Hello, everyone! I didn't think I was going to post anything today since: a.) I have a pop quiz tomorrow -- thanks, Herr Borschers! -- and b.) I can't wait to try out my brand new Inkling! I told you about it. Some of you might not know what it is -- unless you clicked the link I gave you. So the least I'm going to do is show you what it looks like.

Awesome, am I right? I'm trying it out right now. Apparently it's not as rad as I thought it was but maybe all I need is some getting used to, like my Bamboo Pen & Touch. I am hyper excited, though, since the scanner I bought isn't working and I need to do some digital art, like, pronto! I make artworks if you haven't noticed. You can check it out on my deviantart gallery or on my tumblr gallery. You can also click the "Threadless" button on the right and see some of the designs I submitted to them. In celebration to my brand new item, I decided to make a friendly feature of some of my favourite illustrators. Behold!

FEATURE #1: loish (Lois van Baarle)

One of the illustrators I have loved forever. I mean, I've been stalking her on deviantart for years. Her artwork is so original, somewhere between realism and disney-cartoon. And the way she colours! Very soft and subtle but also very fruity. A holland girl who's lived in many countries throughout her life, one of which is Indonesia! I cannot believe she's lived there and I've never met her -- sure, the possibility of that is slim, but still. I found her through her Ariel fanarts, which are adorable.

FEATURE #2: Laumiline (Laura Müller)

She is the very first german illustrator I know. Well, the first one that I know is german. She also has a deviantart page, which I stalk as well. Her adorable artwork mixed with her colouring logic make a beautiful combination, also with the japanese influence. You should know that Ghibli influences her a lot -- as well it should, Ghibli is an amazing animation studio! And her Toy Story tribute artwork is plain incredible. I love how she drew Jesse and Totoro -- since, apparently, he made an appearance in that movie.  

FEATURE #3: minitreehouse (Charles Santoso)

I know what you're thinking: FINALLY a male illustrator! Yes, yes, finally. Here is a talented illustrator who lives in Sydney, Australia. You should check out his vimeo page. The video of his exhibition is really magical. And the design he did for Kinokuniya up there really makes the bookstore really wondrous, wouldn't you think? I mean, a bookstore is already wondrous but this makes it...well, more. He also has a deviantart page, if you're wondering. Santoso is a kind of indonesian name but I don't know if he is one.

FEATURE #4: Gemma Correll

I found out about her from my friend, Shasti. A quirky illustrator from The Great Britain who is in love with her pug, Mr. Pickles. Her creative ideas and her laid-back style of art really attract people. I love her daily journals. Her cat conversations, which you can check out on her tumblr page, are also very one-of-a-kind. Her simplicity is what's best about her artwork and why it is so lovable. Too bad she doesn't have a deviantart account. I would've stalked that one too.

There are actually more artists I want to feature but I need to go study now or...goof around. So that is it for today. I will probably feature some again tomorrow or something. Be sure to check out their pages, by the way. You won't regret it! See you, everyone! Happy midweek in the morrow! ♥

Nape of the Woods

It's already Monday again? God, I can't believe it! Time moves so fast. I'm sure a lot of you guys hate Monday. So did I. This semester, it's all about to change. Want to know why? Two simple reasons: 1. There're only two classes this day -- both my favourites; 2. On Tuesday I have a late class so I can stay up later. Today, however, was a special Monday. Let me tell you all about it over an outfit post.

Last Saturday, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of my college life, I decided to go tights-hunting since I think it's kind of boring that I only have one pair. I was extra excited to find this beautiful pair of tights in H&M. I have been drooling over it since Christmas and FINALLY I got it! So very happy. It's very beautiful! I love how nicely it goes with my LBD -- lacey black dress.

Over the weekend, I saw Elizabeth and Bonnie styled their LBDs which reminded me of my very own LBD -- oh, you remember, it's from this post. I don't think I styled it nicely the first time so I decided to restyle it using a new technique I've been wanting to try out: cardigan inside. Maybe you've noticed that I wear this cardigan under the dress instead of over it. I think it's a new style that's worth a try. It's not all that different than wearing a long-sleeve.

I adore these shots too much to write anything on 'em

Details #1: Don't you just love the pattern details on knit goods? They just somehow give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, wouldn't you think? First time I eyed these tights was online when I was just leafing through the H&M online catalogue. It was near to sold out back then and I was heartbroken. Funny thing, when I went to the store the other day, the first item I touched by accident was these tights! Oh, I'm so glad I bought them. They make my legs look elegant.

Details #2: What's most amazing about a lace dress is the intricate details of its embroidery, don't you think? How very lovely to see many patterns and details of a lace dress. This one in particular has floral embroideries and I looove how it just seems funeral appropriate. A little gothic, no?

It's still a little chilly out here so it's somewhat stupid to go out without jackets on. Since my outside wears this time just seems so adorable, I thought of posting it. Have I shown you this boycap? Well, it's my favourite head accessory! It's also my favourite jacket and scarf. I would probably show you the detail of the scarf later. It's very artistic, like the night sky, I tell you.

Oh yeah, that story I owe you. Okay, so today I just planned to take a bath, shoot some photos, and pick up my brand new Inkling from UPS -- which is in another town. I could just see the dull day -- despite the mountain of assignments and, not to mention, portfolio works I need to work on. I didn't really know where I had to go and how to get there. On the tram on the way to the UPS HQ, I stumbled upon my friend, Atika. I asked her to tag along and soon enough we were on a train then a bus -- the driver was really helpful and kind. Apparently, it wasn't as nearby as I thought and...we had to walk 1,5 km -- it's about 0.9 miles for the Americans -- with almost empty stomachs. After we found the UPS HQ and got all my business sorted out, I asked the employee where the nearest bus stop was. He took pity on us and couldn't believe we walked there! (Yeah, go figure, huh?) He told his colleague about us and apparently someone was on his way home and asked to give us a ride! How lucky! Not all the way home, but closer than we could manage on our own. Thank God! And that was our little improptu Monday adventure. Thanks again, Tika, for the company!

Layered Lancelot

I am extra excited today since I have so many things planned in my head. One of them is running errands -- which I did -- and the others is doing my portfolio -- which is in the process. I haven't finished a piece and already I'm thinking of taking a blog-break. It's okay if it's just to post this one, right? Just a little break.

I just watched Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, by the way. It is really moving. The idea of losing someone, I can relate to. But the other things about meeting new people and stuff, I think it's rather wondrous. Who gets to be so lucky as to lose someone and get many more? Now I want to read the book! And also Everything Is Illuminated -- another piece by Jonathan Safran Foer. Oh! And also The White Queen by the queen of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory. I already read The Red Queen
one. So many books I'm lusting over, so little money and so little time.

Yesterday I found this wonderful blog, one sheepish girl. I love it! I think Meredith is very adorable and I admire how she can knit and her insights in the world of art and design. Thanks to her, I found out about Kelsey Garrity-Riley, a wonderful illustrator from Georgia. And she led me to this creative and inspiring website, They Draw & Travel. It is such a one-of-a-kind idea! Go check out artworks from your locations.

Today's spotlight is this layered dress. It's kind of a layered cake or hair -- damn, now I want that cake. It is apparently very unique -- according to my friends -- since it has all these layers. You see those lines the dress has? They're not ruffled stitches, they're layers of fabrics. Each layer has its own pattern. And they're very adorable, no?

You may have noticed I used a props today. It is my favourite sword! Not like I have any other sword, but still. Having a weapon of some sort -- not like firearms, though, something wooden preferrably -- is somewhat comforting. Back when I was in girl's scout, I got this wooden stick that was so long, it broke in two in the car. I kept the lower half for years and used it to get things from under the bed or something. Sometimes I used it to pretend I was practicing martial arts. Besides, I thought it might come in handy for self-defense someday.


Have a blast at the rest of your weekends, everyone!

All Pun Intended

Happy Friday, everyone! Since I had more than enough sleep last night, here is the extra simple recipe I wanted to share with you guys. It all came to me when I first spotted syrup of different flavours in the supermarket across the street. It got my mind racing. Okay, this isn't exactly a recipe, more like a concoction.

You'll need: Woodruff syrup, soda water (I used sprite because its soda is richer), and lemon

How to: First pour as much soda water -- or any other soda drink you use -- as you'd like into a glass. Pour the syrup into the soda -- and watch the colour change exquisitely. You can pour the syrup first then the soda, I don't think it makes a difference. Squeeze the lemon as hard as you want -- depends on how much juice out of it you want. And voilá! You may now enjoy your Woodruff Soda. It's best served chilled and with a cake/pudding as a side dish.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I looove lemon to death, especially in beverages. They just seem like one simple fruit but give a lot of zest in life. What are you up to this weekend? I think it will be a rather dull one for me, what with the portfolios and all. But you guys have a good time, okay? Cheerio!

Graphically Preppy

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who read my post yesterday. Hope nobody cried though. Yesterday was one of the most emotional days of my life. Funny how most of what happened yesterday happened five years ago as well. Ha-ha. So I was only allowed to mourn for one day -- which didn't really happen because I video called my grandma. God, how I miss her -- and today I am up and running again, half alive but good enough.

Oh, right! Today is International Women's Day! I am so excited that my teachers both mentioned it in class today and all the men just had to sit there and listen to our emancipated ladies -- our teachers -- talk about women's rights and whatnot. A friend of mine, Divina (the girl in this post), got flowers from her boyfriend in regard to this day. How lovely! It's like a better version of Valentine's Day! It is also actually my cousin's birthday but I can't find her online -- she's in Indonesia so...

This combination is like digging deep into my closet. It feels like it's been AGES since the last time I wore this jacket! I don't know if it's quite visible but it's a little loose now. This jacket I bought back when I was somewhat fat. I mean, I still am but I was fatter then. There was a time when I was head over heels over hoodies and this is one of the results. I call it my motorcycle jacket since I always wear it when I ride motorcycle with my beloved -- wind or storm doesn't change a thing.

I love this shot! Manual focus rocks!

Detail #1: This beautiful red slingback which I got for free from Hugger when I bought my first ever pen tablet. Originally, it is a pen tablet case so that I can bring it wherever I go. I've never used it for its original purpose though. Instead, this is my go-to bag when I want to go grocery-shopping or run errands across the street. It's big enough to hold my wallet and cell phones but simple enough so that I don't take too many things with me. The colour also brings more life to my looks.

Detail #2: This is today's spotlight! Talking about graphic tees the other day, I just can't wait to style it in some ways. And...apparently, to this day, I have never done it. No, well, I did once but you didn't get to see much of the design. This is one of my favourites, by the way, for two reasons. One, it's a Threadless original -- which I adore. Two, it's one set with my beloved's tee -- a couple tee.  The design is also simply marvelous and the colour is really unique.

Detail #3: I've mentioned this before, actually (in this post). Like I said earlier, this necklace is a lovely and very lucky find. First, it was a japanese convention. Somehow I found this necklace in such a convention and I just bought it in a heartbeat. One-of-a-kind, indeed, no?

I can't believe tomorrow's already Friday again! Man, time's running fast, huh? Not fast enough but it's making me nervous all the same. Two weeks from now I'll have to submit my portfolios. Oh my god, MEGA-NERVOUS! Wish me luck, everybody! So, uhh, any plans for the weekends? If I have enough sleep today, I might share a little beverage recipe tomorrow. Until then, everyone!