Work of the Week: Kerrie Hess Illustration!

Hi guys and happy Sunday!! I hope that you have had a restful and enjoyable weekend so far. Today I wanted to share the work of one of my favorite illustrators, Kerrie Hess. She does incredible illustrations for designers including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Kate Spade, and is featured in magazines like Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.

I love her expressive style, fluid lines, and use of bright color. Here are just a few of my favorites:

If you like her style, check her website for lots & lots more of her beautiful work!

Also, if you're on instagram, she is one of my favorite people to follow… so inspiring! (@kerriehessillustration)

xo,

Grace

Take a Breath!

With lots going on last week and in the coming weeks, its easy for me to get lost in my to-do list and start inventing more and more stuff to be thinking about.  This image made me really happy when it popped up on my Pinterest homepage.  So simple, so true …  Hey, it's OK.

You made it to another weekend! I hope it is a great one!

flickr

xo,

Grace 

Some End of Summer Finds (Glitterville and Target)!

Hi!! Sorry I have been so absent recently! Charleston with my mom was so much fun; I am sad it is over! After Charleston I drove up to NC to see my sister (yay!) and then finally made my way back down to Florida. It was so great to see some of my family and spend some time back in the beautiful Carolinas!

I recently picked up two sets of serve ware (I guess?) that I LOVE. I have been coveting these Polka Dot Melamine Plates from the amazing Glitterville website. I discovered these SO long ago in Oprah's magazine, and have attempted to order them twice before, both times getting a very depressing email that they were out of stock. They are back available now and I was so excited that I ordered two sets. After waiting forever, they did not disappoint!

 They look like paper plates but are actually melamine and are reusable/dishwasher safe dishes. I think they are so cute and I am so glad that I have eight of them now after waiting for so long! If you like these at all, I'd recommend ordering them soon because I was told this was the last time they would be offered ($20 for a set of four… not bad!).

Secondly, I picked up these Oh Joy! Plastic Goblets from Target and am loving them. I got mine (more summery colors than those linked) on clearance sale in store for only 99 cents… it does't get much better than that.

Since they are plastic, and I think intended for parties, I would never actually use these for drinking, but I think they make really cute, inexpensive vessels for storing and displaying things. I am using one now as easy access cotton ball storage and think it looks really cute.  Love the gold rims!

I hope you're having a great day, and I am looking forward to getting back on my Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday schedule!  Thanks for sticking around :)

xo, 

Grace

Favorite Charleston Restaurants!

Hi again from Charleston! I hope you all have been having great weeks so far. My mom and I are having an incredible time here in South Carolina. Today we went to our future wedding reception venue and got to do an extensive tasting of possible food options, and then went to the bakery our wedding planner (A Charleston Bride --check them out) suggested to do a cake tasting! I am sad that my fiancé "missed out" on this, but at the same time I'm excited because he will get to be surprised by the deliciousness!!

By the way, the bakery we are using, Ashely Bakery  is fantastic and I really recommend them if you ever need a bakery in the Charleston SC area!

AMAZING cake tasting! So hard to pick just a couple! 

Anyway, today I want to feature three of my favorite restaurants in Charleston.  There are so many incredible restaurants here, but these three would definitely be in my top 5! Here they are (in no particular order)

1. F I G 

 (Food is Good)

Fig

Incredibly warm, inviting, comfortable, unpretentious and cozy, this is a Charleston MUST-eat. I remember the first time my parents took me here (circa a decade ago) and thinking it was like no restaurant I'd ever been to before. I was right! I love that they use only local produce and ingredients, serving eccentric food with wholesome ingredients you can be confident are only the best. 

I ate: 

-appetizer-

ricotta gnocchi with sea island grass beef bolognese (and my mom's salad of GEM lettuces)

-entree-

freshly caught mustard amberjack fish (and my mom's fish stew in coquette) 

2. C R U    C A F E

Cru

Classic low country comfort food, served in a historic yellow Charleston cottage with quaint porches, this restaurant exudes the spirit of the city.  It is extremely small, but also extremely comfortable. The menu has a wide amount of variation and the portion sizes are small enough that you can order multiple things (which I love!)

One of my favorites….

-small plate-

peaches n' cream: grilled balsamic peach, honey cream, and bacon jam

3. I N D A C O 

Indaco

This very new (for Charleston) Italian restaurant is absolutely delicious. It is only a year old, but has been thriving in its upper King Street Location. My mom and I had heard great things, and we were NOT disappointed! They have a superior selection of pastas, pizzas, appetizers, fish, veggies, wine, etc. 

The ambiance is also really fun, with exposed brick and beams creating an industrial-italian-comfortable-southern fusion look. I don't know how they pulled that off, but they really did!

I ate…

-entree-

black pepper tagliatelle, carbonara, pork tesa, egg yolk, chives, peccorino romano (and my mom's roasted and pan seared summer vegetables)

Do any of you have any favorite Charleston restaurants?? Or do any of these sound good to you? I am going to go to sleep and dream of food tonight!

xo,

Grace

Hi From Charleston!

I am spending this week in beautiful Charleston South Carolina with my mom doing some wedding planning and relaxing! We arrived last night and are having a wonderful time so far walking around, eating at delicious restaurants, and exploring the shops! I've always loved Charleston and have so many happy memories here so I am happy to be making even more.

I'll keep you posted about our adventures this week, but for now, here are some pictures I've snapped over the past day!

xo (from back in the Carolinas)!

Grace

Also, Tasha from xBeYOUtifulx has also nominated me for the Liebster award! She is super sweet and has a cool blog so head over and check her out!! I am going to answer her questions below! Thank you so much Tasha!!

1. What's your favourite high-street brand and why? 

I'm not totally sure what that means, but my favorite designer is Elaine Turner!! Love her handbags, shoes, and accessories! 

2. What's your favourite season? 

I love the winter. I love the feeling of coziness it gives me, the holidays, and getting to wear comfy sweaters, boots, and leggings. I'm also not a big fan of being hot in general so I prefer cooler temps.

3. What's your style (in terms of fashion)? 

I gravitate towards classic, timeless looking things, especially when purchasing more pricey items.

4. Picture this scenario: if you found out the groom had slept with another girl on your best friends wedding day would you tell her? 

Yes! Absolutely I would. No question!!

5. Are you a cat or a dog person? 

Dogs all the way! I love them so much!!

6. What's your favourite childhood memory?

Being with my family in Guatemala at my grandparents house! There are so many memories of that but one of them would be my favorite. 

7. What's your favourite perfume?

Juicy Couture Juicy. It has been my favorite since I started wearing perfume. 

8. Converse or heels? 

Heels every day!! I love them even though I am tall!

9. Daddy's girl or mummy's girl?

Both! I have great relationships with both my parents, thankfully :)

10. What's your favourite sport?

To watch, Football (American Football). Carolina Panthers all the way!!

Thanks Tasha, xo!

Work of the Week and More Liebster Award Love!

As you read this, I am driving up the east coast to meet my mom in Charleston, SC for the week! I am SO excited about spending time with her in one of my favorite places in the world.  Stay tuned this week for some extra special Charleston fun!

Otherwise, welcome back to a new Work of the Week (with an additional surprise at the end)! This week, I wanted to do something similar to last week and feature another living artist. French painter Claire Basler is one of my all time favorites. She has been painting since the 1980s, and her work could not be more different than the experimental abstraction of the 1980s urban art scene.  Instead, she turned to nature, drawing inspiration from the organic.

I love this quote from her:

The observation of nature brings me the ability to listen and to be open. I am but a link for the transmission of its vitality, its force, its gentleness, its violence, its sensuality.

Its wealth is an inexhaustible source ; its tenacity is a teaching ; its beauty is an emotion that finds itself every day renewed.

                                                                                                                                                Claire Basler

Photo: Remodelista (be sure to check out their post on her studio!)

She paints, draws. creates textiles, and murals. For more, check out her beautiful website! All her works are absolutely enchanting.

Textile 

Paintings (in her home)

Mural

Textile

Secondly, I was nominated by the lovely Matilda from Matilda Elizabeth for a Liebster Award. Thank you so much for the nomination Matilda! It is much appreciated :) Head over to her blog, its beautiful!

Because I have already gotten a nomination from Novelette, and have previously posted my 11 questions (see post here and I will include them below), I am going to just answer Matilda's questions this time around! She asked some good ones!!

Matilda's 11 Questions for me :)

1. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Definitely getting to connect with a diverse group of talented, amazing people who I otherwise would never have the opportunity to interact with! 

2. Do you have any tattoos?

Nope, none! 

3. Shimmery or matte eyeshadow?

Depends on my mood/the occasion, but usually I'd go matte. 

4. What is your go-to hairstyle?

I have thick, long, wavy hair, so I think it looks best and is easiest to style when I wear it down and in loose curls. My favorite thing to do is let it mostly air dry and then add some more defined curls with my flat iron (I'm hopeless with a curling iron and think that my thin flat iron works better for curls anyway!).

5. Do you have any pets?

YES! And I love them SO much. I have two boxer dogs, Henry and Bella. They currently live with my parents but I am trying so hard to get them moved here to be with me full time! I miss them everyday.

6. Where would you love to visit, and why?

There are so many places that I would like to travel, but in terms of doing touristy things on an active vacation, I think I have to say Paris. I feel like its a place I need to see during my lifetime and I would love visiting the museums there. Plus, I've always wanted to go to Versailles. 

7. What is your dream job?

This is a great question! As soon as I started thinking about it, my mind started going in a million different directions, so I'm going to go with what first popped in my head. My mom is from Guatemala and I spent a lot of time growing up there. My dream job would be working for or starting some kind of Non-Profit that helps artists and craftsmen there, sharing the incredible culture and artistry of Guatemala with the world. 

8. Who inspires you?

My mom and dad.

9. What is your pet hate?

When people crinkle or rub newspapers it drives me crazy. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me. 

10. Do you have a favourite dessert?

Cake or Cupcakes! I love frosting!

11. What is your favourite book?

The Harry Potter Series… nothing can beat it for me!

Thanks for the great questions Matilda!

I nominate anyone who reads this and who wants to participate!! I'd love to hear what your responses to my questions are! Be sure to let me know if you participate :)

Here are my questions for YOU:

1. If someone gave you unlimited funds right now to re-decorate your home or re-vamp your wardrobe, which would you choose?

2. What is the one fashion accessory you could never give up?
3. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
4. What made you decide to start your blog and what is your favorite thing about blogging?
5. You're running late getting ready in the morning and have to decide between doing your hair or your makeup. Which do you decide to do?
6. Do you have one go-to beauty product you couldn't live without?
7. What is the fall fashion trend you are most looking forward to trying?  
8. Who is your style icon and why?
9. Where is your favorite place to shop when looking for fashion on a smaller budget?
10. Would you rather shop online or in an actual store?
11. Describe your style in one sentence: 

(to see my original post on this and the rules, click here)

I hope you enjoyed this post and are having a great weekend!!

xo,

Grace

Excited for Fall: Elaine Turner!

Hi friends and happy almost-weekend! Whether you are gearing up for a relaxing time at home, or planning a last minute summer vacation, I hope it is a great one.  As sad as I am about summer beginning to reach its end, although it doesn't feel like it at all, I am really looking forward to fall clothing and accessories.

I naturally gravitate towards neutral colors, especially grays, browns, and beiges, so I love dressing for fall and getting to layer my favorite neutrals together! One of my fave designers, Elaine Turner, just released her fall collection and it is inspired by the Tate Museum in London… how amazing is that?! I've never been to the Tate, but due to its incredible architecture, and vast collection of art, I would love to go. 

Here are my three favorites from the new collection. I'm really looking forward to encorporating army green/olive tones (like the Sheridan Olive Leather Crossbody below) so I think that may be top of my wish list this year. 

The Dahlia in Golden Tan Leather heels are also up there for me because they are perfect shoes for transitional weather or places that don't get super cold in the Winter (like here in Florida).

And finally, I have my eye on the Cloudy Bay Gray Leather Double Wrap Bracelet because I LOVE the grey color with the metallic gold accents… perfect for fall!

Have a great weekend!

xo, 

Grace

5 Favorite Beauty Products: High End!

When it comes to buying beauty products, I definitely prefer getting products at drugstores or Target simply because of the cost.  Whenever I go into a higher end cosmetic store like Sephora, I am sucked in by all the beautiful packaging and colors; it makes it so hard for me to resist picking up a few things!

There are, however, five higher end products that I absolutely love and consider to be totally worth the higher price because they work so well and last for an extremely long time.  I consider these five to be totally essential in my beauty/makeup routine. They're irreplaceable!

The first, Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Wash (8oz bottle $23), is what I've used to wash my face for as a long as I can remember. The smallest amount goes a long way, which makes the bottle last forever. It doubles for me as a makeup remover, and I can honestly say it gets EVERYTHING off my face, including waterproof eyeliner/mascara, heavy eyeshadows, etc. It is super gentle, and has no fragrance. I cannot sing its praises enough… its seriously the best and absolutely worth the price. If you want to try it out without committing to a big bottle, Sephora has the small "travel" size ones available in the check out line for about $10.

Second, bareMinerals Well Rested ($18), is another daily go-to for me. I use it as under eye concealer and also as concealer for any blemishes I may have. This is hands down the best concealer/brightener I have ever used. It makes me look wide awake after even the earliest of mornings (not a morning person here). 

Next, Diorshow Mascara in Catwalk Black ($25) is another favorite of mine because it lasts forever without drying out.  Its always so frustrating to me when I buy a new bottle of mascara and its crusty and dry after only a week or two. Not the case with this one!! Its a very dark black which I love, very wet, and smells like rosewater! The brush makes application really easy and gives my short lashes an added boost of volume and length. I've been using this for about a year now, and I don't think I could give it up!

Number 4, the bareMinerals Ready Foundation (SPF 20) ($29) is my trusted do everything foundation. I used to use it in the loose powder version (also great), but have been getting the ready compact recently and am loving the fuller coverage it gives. I tend to have some redness on my face around my nose and on my cheeks, and this absolutely neutralizes it and makes me look fresh-faced in seconds. Also, because it is a powder and made of minerals, it allows my skin to breathe all day, and even at my sweatiest (I know, gross) I never feel like I have stuff on my face. The SPF 20 is an added bonus because I know I have that extra boost of sun protection. 

Finally, I received the Clarisonic Mia 2 ($149) as a gift three months ago from my fiancé, and I am obsessed with it. I use it every night and my skin feels incredibly smooth and radiant afterwards. It's definitely gentle, but the feeling of deep clean it gives is like nothing I've ever seen before. I've seen a clear difference in terms of acne trouble spots and highly recommend this to anyone who struggles with acne too. 

I hope you enjoyed and let me know what your favorite beauty splurges are!

xo,

Grace

Our Wedding Save The Dates: Minted!

Hi guys and happy Monday! I hope that you all had fantastic weekends and are off to a good new week.  Today I wanted to share with you my experience with ordering Save the Date cards for our wedding. I LOVE how they turned out!

Our fabulous wedding planner at A Charleston Bride recommended the website Minted to us for easily designing and ordering our Save the Date cards.  Initially, I was really nervous about ordering so many without seeing the design/paper in person, but the whole online design process was super easy and fun. I am so glad we took her advice and went with them!

Front:

  All Photography by the amazing Virgil Bunao Photography. Check him out!!

Back: 

(we didn't forget to add the website, it is just obstructed in this example)

We opted for a two sided card with coordinating metallic embossed envelope and I am so impressed with how it turned out.  Honestly, the hardest part was choosing and modifying a design because there are so many templates to pick.  Ben and I loved our engagement shoot with our photographer, Virgil Bunao , so we knew we wanted to include a few pictures in the Save the Date, and that helped narrow down what we were looking for.  Once we placed the order, the completed Save The Dates were delivered within the next 6 days… so fast!

It was so much fun to design and rewarding to see the final result! The paper quality is high (something we were concerned about), and we've gotten lots of comments that people have framed them-- the 5 x 7  size made it perfect for that! Most importantly, Ben and I love the design and think it is a great reflection of us a couple.

If you ever need custom cards or invitations, I definitely recommend Minted! 

xo, 

Grace

Work of the Week: Artist Spotlight on Judith Geher

Welcome back to another Work of the Week post! Today I wanted to do something different and focus on a living artist whose work I love: Judith Geher.   Geher is a Canadian architect who specializes in painting and drawing. The way that she combines the two mediums is something I find alluring and beautiful.  I am drawn to her "sketchy," loose painting style and use of bright colors.  I'm sure her background in architecture plays a key role in her use of line. 

Her work is mostly portraiture, but features more movement and vibrancy than any other portrait artist I have encountered, elevating the genre to a fresh, new place.

Here are some of my favorite works:

Courage, 2011

Spring Cloak, 2010

Lavender Runway, 2012

If you like her style, be sure to check out her website for more!

xo, 

Grace

The Liebster Award

Yesterday I had the beautiful surprise of learning that Emily from Novellette nominated me for the Liebster Award. Novellette is an incredible blog that I, as a fellow literature, style, film, and travel lover have loved following… she basically covers it all!! Thank you so much for the nomination, I am so appreciative! 

Even though I am fairly new to the world of blogging, to me, the most rewarding aspect of it is the ability to connect with amazing people all over the world. This award is a wonderful reminder for me that blogging the perfect opportunity to create community, be inspired by others, spread love, and pay it forward! 

The rules of the award are: 

1. The nominee has to answer the 11 questions posed by their nominator.

2. The nominee has to nominate 11 other people.

3. And then, the nominee must write 11 questions of their own.

My answers to Novellette's questions:

1. Who’s your celebrity crush?

Viggo Mortensen or Chris Hemsworth because both seem like great people in their private lives.

2. If you could learn another language, what language would it be?
Definitely Italian.  I love everything about Italy… the food, the culture, the beauty of it all. I took it for a few years in college but could really use a refresher!

3. Who’s your favourite author?
J.K Rowling.  Her writing was very much a part of shaping me into who I am today, and every time I re-read the Harry Potter series I take something new away from it. I can't imagine growing up without her! I also love Gillian Flynn and will read anything she writes.

4. Besides blogging, what’s one of your favourite hobbies?
I love to paint and create art in general. It is something that has always been a big part of my life. 

5. If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta! no question. 

6. What or who made you start blogging and why do you do it?
I spent last summer working and living in New York City, and I documented my experience in a blog I updated daily. It was basically only for my family and friends, but I loved writing it so much that I decided it was something I wanted to continue doing more seriously.  I continue to do it because I get to connect with incredible people and I love having the opportunity to express myself.  As an artist, it has always been essential for me to have an outlet for my creativity and passion… blogging is a wonderful channel for exactly that!

7. If you could play a character in a movie, who would you play?
This is such a great question! I would love for there to be a film about artist Helen Frankenthaler and I think it would be really fun to play her and get to dive into the art scene in 1950-60's NYC. 

8. Fantasy or sci-fi?
Fantasy.

9. What’s your favourite Shakespearean play and why?
Hamlet because his tragic flaw is his inability to decide and act. I can relate to that as I, too, can be indecisive and it sometimes leads to negative consequences. 

10. You’re stuck on a deserted island and can only bring one movie or TV series, what do you bring?
Everybody Loves Raymond. It is my favorite TV show and would remind me of my loved ones when I would presumably be very lonely alone on an island! Plus, it has 9 seasons, so there is a lot of material to pass the time with!!

11. If you got the opportunity to do blogging as your full-time career, would you take it?Absolutely! 

My Nominees: Check out each of these blogs! They are all great!

1. Annie Lynn's Favorite Things
2. Dolce and Gabriella 
3. Dahj by Daynne D.
4. WTF Is The New Black 
5. Chic in Academia
6. The Garment Rack
7. Rompers and Room Service
8. My Tulletorial
9. San Francisco Bay Style
10. Style Journey
11. Ruffle Tuesday

My questions (if you choose to participate, no pressure at all!): 

1. If someone gave you unlimited funds right now to re-decorate your home or re-vamp your wardrobe, which would you choose?

2. What is the one fashion accessory you could never give up?

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

4. What made you decide to start your blog and what is your favorite thing about blogging?

5. You're running late getting ready in the morning and have to decide between doing your hair or your makeup. Which do you decide to do?

6. Do you have one go-to beauty product you couldn't live without?

7. What is the fall fashion trend you are most looking forward to trying?  

8. Who is your style icon and why?

9. Where is your favorite place to shop when looking for fashion on a smaller budget?

10. Would you rather shop online or in an actual store?

11. Describe your style in one sentence: 

For those of you who respond I look forward to reading your responses! And a big thank you once again to Novellette! Have a wonderful Saturday!

xo, 

Grace

Favorite Nail Polishes!

Happy FRIDAY lovelies!! I hope it has been a great week.

Today I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite nail polishes. Essie and OPI are by far my two favorite nail polish brands because they generally dry quickly (OPI even more fast-drying than Essie) which is a MUST for me because I am totally impatient when it comes for waiting for my nails to dry.  They also both have great/easy to use brushes… also a must for me because as you can see in the "swatches" I did, I am a bit messy at nail painting.

Here's the lineup:

E S S I E

From L to R- "Ballet Slippers" is one of my favorite neutral colors because it is a subtle pink but has a lot of white in it. " Mod Square" is by far my favorite true "Pink" color! It is definitely a bright or hot pink, super saturated with more red tones than purple. "For the Twill of it" is an amazing color because it is metallic/ iradecent so in some lights it looks grey, others a dark purple. Definitely my most favorite color for winter (although I wore it just last week!).

O P I 

From L to R- "Do You Lilac It?" is the perfect purple, not too pastel and not too dark. Beautiful lilac color! "Cosmo Not Tonight Honey?" is a neutral beige-y color made amazing. Metallic, shimmery, and gorgeous, my go-to year round.  "Princesses Rule" is a pink, but has an almost clear base with pink glitter in it. I love it by itself for a more subtle look, but it is also gorgeous as a top coat over a pink or red. "Big Apple Red" is the truest red color I've ever seen.  It is shiny, super pigmented, and just all around wonderful.

I hope you enjoyed and let me know if you have any polishes you love! Happy happy weekend!

xo, 

Grace