the fastest runner ever

This is Nipsey.  He was our family dog growing up.  When we were little we used to dress him in my little brothers baby clothes.  Sadly, he passed away from old age last year.  My mom was/still is devastated, she loved that dog more than anything.  She used to tell him he was the fastest runner ever. To boost his confidence.  Her birthday and the one year anniversary of his passing is next week so I made this illustration for her.  I hope she likes it and it doesn't make her too sad.  I think she will be happy to have it. I've been doing a lot of illustrations of pets lately.  I am sort of a sucker for animals.  I thought what a great gift this would make for any animal lover so I decided to open my etsy shop for customized portraits of your furry best friends. 

vintage inspired wedding invitation

I just put this new invitation design up in my shop. It was inspired my 19th century botanical illustration encyclopedias.  I can be purchased as a poster, mini poster or regular size invitation. If I was getting married again (to the same man of course) I would totally be sending out poster invitations.  How cool is that?! I'm working on Vintage travel poster inspired invitations next.  It's a long process because I hand draw each design first and then color it in digitally so each new design has been taking me over a week to finish but I think the end result is worth it.  Now I just have to find the right bride to want to buy it for her wedding.   What do you think?

giving up the juice

I have a bit of a shocking confession... I am giving up caffeine.  Crazy, I know. But I drink way too much of it and it's unhealthy. Seriously I drink it ALL. DAY. LONG. So I am going to try to slowly ween myself off.   Is there such thing as coffee rehab? I get a major headache if I don't get enough.  I think that means I have a problem. The first step is to admit it. Right now I am down to 2 cups a day and then I switch to water. A helpful tip I learned is drinking hot water with lemon.  It almost fools me into thinking that I have coffee in that mug on my desk.  Until I take a sip. Whatever- the mug makes me feel better.  So with out further ado.  Here is a photo montage in loving memory of the beautiful relationship that coffee and I once had. 

Just so you know, I am dying over the hello kitty coffee!!!

images found via weheartit

DIY salt spray

Natural just-off-the beach waves are so in style right now.  I see them on beautiful models, in j. crew ads and on movie starts.  I love the idea of sexy, beautiful, tousled hair and I wanted to recreate this look myself.   The secret to this natural look is sea salt spray.  A lot of different hair style brands carry this spray but it is super easy to make yourself.

Add:
2 tablespoons of epsom salt
1/2 a cup to 1 full cup of warm water- depending on the thickness of your hair
a squirt of hair gel
a squirt of hair oil- I like Chi silk infusion

mix in a bowl until dissolved and pour into a spray bottle. 
Just let your hair air dry and mist the salt pray throughout your hair.  If it lays too heavy in your hair just add a little more water to the mixture.  Doesn't get much easier than that!