New Blog, New Name!

EEP! It has been some time since I have posted here. Trust that I have been keeping busy, making art and helping* the boy to ready my new blog for visitors!

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I think we have reached the point where I am now ready to share. Please know that the space is still a work-in-progress, so you will be seeing lots of changes over the coming weeks..

Anyway, I hope you will join me over at Pretty Ingrid! Please update your bookmarks etc. with the URL below.

Thank you all :)

New Blog Location: http://www.PrettyIngrid.com/blog

* By helping, I mean acting as the cheerleader while A. brings my design to life. He has done all of the REAL work. Thanks love!

Pretty Ingrid Has a New Home!

Hooray!

For the past several months I have been designing the new website for Pretty Ingrid. My boy has been working really hard writing the code for the site (from scratch!), bringing to life my vision for Pretty Ingrid's new home.

We finally launched the site last Thursday, and I'm so thrilled with the result! There are still some unfinished details here and there, but I'm just too excited not to share :)

 

From the site you can now access my shop, blog, gallery, Facebook page, Pinterest boards and Flickr account. I do want to mention that this blog will soon have a new home at Pretty Ingrid. Right now you can access A Random Walk from Pretty Ingrid, but soon I will be making the switch to a new blog that has a more seamless look with the new site. Stay tuned!

So, here is Pretty Ingrid's new home! Please, have a look around; I would love to hear what you think.

P.S. A HUGE thank you to my boy for working so hard to create a creative space where I can share my work with others. This would not be possible without your endless support! xoxo

Cupcake Anatomy

{Anatomy of a Cupcake Fine Art Print, by Allen Hemberger and Sarah Wilson}

This print is just too fun not to share. Cupcakes are one of my favorite things in life, so it's no surprise that I'm completely smitten with this "anatomy" poster. The frosting and sprinkle toppers are just too adorable! I'm feeling peckish..

{found via The Kitchn}

New Work and Making Plans

This past weekend I was quite the busy bee. I finished a new piece (above), which I will have in the shop this evening. I might list a few versions of this print; the oval one, above, and a few different sizes of the original rectangular piece. I can really envision this light, feminine painting hanging above a makeup table or dresser. That was really my inspiration for the image.

The boy and I also spent a lot of time on a larger project that, *fingers crossed*, I will be able to share with you by the end of the week. I'm REALLY excited about how the whole thing is coming together..

On Sunday we sat down to do a bit of planning for this weekend's trip to Boston. It's so funny; we have been together for more than seven years and we have only ever taken day trips! We thought we would start small with a weekend getaway to the city. We are staying at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, which looks like such a fun place. 

A. surprised me by setting up a hair appointment at Shag, a salon I have wanted to go to for years. I'm going to let them work their magic - no restrictions :) I have an appointment with a cutter who specializes in short hair, so I couldn't be more excited!

We also plan to stroll around Harvard Square, do a bit of shopping and eat some fantastic food. If  you are familiar with the Boston area and have suggestions for great places to eat, shop, etc. please share!

I hope your week is getting off to a wonderful start :)

Dressing in Grayscale

(Annual Kite Festival top from ModCloth, Restricted "Carley" mary jane wedges)

Happy Friday!

How are you, lovelies? I'm so happy the weekend is here. I have a few projects I want to finish in the next few days, so I'm looking forward to the time off. Hopefully I will have a couple of things to share with you next week :)

I actually added both of these gray pieces to my closet over the past week. I think the wedges will be the perfect shoe with the two dresses I got for Spring. I'm not a fan of heels, but these aren't high and the wedge is substantial. I just love the shape and the peep toe; perfect for bright pedicures!

I'm really excited about the top, too. I love the roomy cut and bright little pops of color. Don't the ribbon pieces around the collar look like bunting? I can't wait to wear this piece with some skinny jeans and bright flats. It's a fun, artsy warm weather look :)

I'm usually drawn to brightly colored clothing, but I think these pieces will be really versatile staples. What is catching your eye for Spring?

Twenty-Five

Today marks the beginning of my twenty-fifth year. It's pouring outside, but that's OK. I had a giant piece of birthday cake for breakfast*, so I'm feeling full and happy this morning :)

If this rain doesn't freeze into a sheet of ice by tonight, the boy and I are going to celebrate with a nice dinner out and perhaps a trip to the book store.

Twenty-five definitely feels like a milestone. I'm in my mid-twenties now - crazy! There are some big changes coming for me this year that I'm really excited about, so I'm welcoming this birthday with open arms :)

P.S. This hand painted doily is a new card design that I hope to have up in the shop within the next few days. Hope you like it! 

*Thank you, hun, for making me a cake! xoxo

Saturday Style File: Week Nine

Happy Saturday!

I hope you are enjoying the weekend so far :) My favorite outfit of Week Nine was Wednesday's look. I received the Mango dress I ordered on Tuesday evening, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to wait until Spring to wear it. The dress has a modest length, and plenty of wiggle room through the bottom half which I love. I'm not a fan of dresses that are tight around my legs and hips; it's not the best look for me.

On another note, this week Pretty Ingrid was featured on a blog for the first time! Danielle of The Merriweather Council included one of my pieces in her Weekly Favorites feature. Check it out here :) I am a really big fan of Danielle's work, so this is a big deal for me. Thank you so much, Danielle!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)

Quirky Felt Furries

How darling are these tiny felt animal heads from Planet Fur? I would love a little collection of them hanging in my imaginary studio space, along with these!

Today is my boy's birthday. I made him his favorite coffee cake, full of butter and smothered in brown sugar. He's one happy boy this evening, which makes me smile :)

Found via Hank and Lucy

Sweet Confection of a Dress

This shift from Asos reminds me of a cupcake. How wonderful is the scalloped edging? To me, it looks like frosting :) I'm dying over the little surprise in the back, too! Perhaps that's why I bought this little dress (in cream, left) the minute I saw it over at Oh Joy!

I'm much shorter than the model (I'm 5'5" on a "tall" day, haha). I think the length will be a bit more modest on my body, which I like. I can't wait for this sweet treat to arrive in the mail!

On the Seashore

(Marimekko Pixie dress, Seascape print from Sadly Harmless)

Happy Monday!

I'm really wanting this sweet Marimekko dress. I can't get enough of scalloped edges and Peter Pan collars these days. This particular design has a nautical feel, without being too literal; the perfect dress for summer. 

Isn't this adorable sea-inspired print so fun? The boat, the sharks, the "wavy" beard - I love it all. I want this print for my bathroom, immediately.

Saturday Style File: Week Eight

Happy Saturday!

I think lots of people struggle with the month of February; Winter seems never ending and spirits are generally a bit low. Have you noticed this?

Last week I mentioned that I've been in a bit of a rut, style-wise. For someone who loves clothes, I have a pretty small wardrobe. There are only so many things in my closet that are appropriate for bitter cold and many feet of snow on the ground (we just got another six inches or so yesterday)! I've been relying on a few pieces pretty heavily, just waiting for the weather to warm up enough to begin incorporating some of my more Spring-like items into the mix.

So, this week I will spare you the details of most of my outfit (blue turtleneck, skinny jeans, black ankle booties, blah blah..) and focus on the new piece in my closet - the Spring blouse I purchased from Express! The blouse is fairly sheer and lightweight, with a vibrant floral pattern. I wanted to inject some color into my look this week, so I decided to pair the blouse with my warmer Winter items.

I'm dying to get some bright cropped skinnies to pair with the blouse, along with my favorite pair of yellow flats. I will say, thought, that pairing the cheerful blouse with my Winter staples really did lift my mood on Monday :)

How has your weekend been so far? I'm off to run errands this afternoon, but I think I'll be able to talk A. into having Chinese tonight at the quiet little restaurant we love :)

For those of you who liked this, the card is now listed in the shop!

Neutral Ground

(Satomi Kawakita yellow gold ring, Fabric & Handle tote, Coclico Outro bootie)

I absolutely love color. If given the choice between a cheerful bright and a more subdued hue, I'll choose cheerful 99% of the time. That said, I still appreciate the role neutral tones play in grounding an outfit. Black, gray and brown tones mix effortlessly with the more "exuberant" pieces a girl's closet.  I'm sure I could find a way to work these cheerful, neutral pieces into my otherwise colorful wardrobe!

New Work: Hello, Cupcake

The inspiration for this fun little design is most likely a combination of several things:

- My upcoming 25th birthday in March (!)

- My extreme love for cupcakes (!!)

- My affinity for all things bright and cheerful

- My love for confetti, especially dotty confetti

If I can get my act together this week, I hope to have some cards with this design (size A2) up in the shop!

I'm thinking a batch of cupcakes might be on the agenda tonight..

Mango Brights

I discovered Mango today via the always inspiring You Are My Fave. I can't get enough of the line's bright Spring dresses. I especially love the more modest hemlines and longer sleeves; Perfect for work, but definitely cute enough for play. I'm a fan of comfortable looks that I won't fuss with all day, so a couple of these sweet little dresses would be perfect!

Losing The Fear..

Isn't this thought sort of profound? I can think of many instances where the fear of being "wrong" has complicated my creative choices. "Is it OK to pair this blouse and skirt? Would it be wrong to mix these two prints, even though I love them both and think they work together? Does my newest creative project reflect my true artistic voice, or am I trying to be something I'm not?"

I think that the most inspiring creatives are so interesting and dynamic because they are willing to take chances. The fear of being wrong isn't on their radar, or at least it doesn't prevent them from pushing the envelop anyway. The freshest ideas originate from those who dare to create without question or judgement.

I know I'm inspired to be a bit braver. What about you?

Saturday Style File: Week Seven (On Sunday)

Happy Sunday :)

So, I slipped a bit for week seven of Saturday Style File. It's Sunday evening, but better late than never, right?

The highlight of this week's outfit is my new haircut! I decided that I'm going to rock a blunt bang again for a bit. That is, until I get bored and cut it again ;)

This week's look is more of the same from previous weeks. My standard winter uniform applies here (black turtleneck, skirt, warm opaque tights and boots). However, I did mix it up a bit with a summer top I love and some metallic booties.

Favorite outfit this week:

- Black turtleneck from H&M.

- Black skirt from Old Navy, many seasons ago.

- Blue summer blouse from Gap, five-ish years ago.

- Belt from Kohl's.

- Booties from Born.

Tonight A and I had a homemade pizza topped with sun dried tomatoes and basil. What a fantastic combination! If you haven't tried this, I would highly recommend it. 

Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Making Sunshine

This is the "happy corner" in my office at work. It's amazing what some greenery and blooms can do for your mood while in the office. A. got me some lovely orchids for Valentine's Day, and I decided to bring in a few of the flowers in to the office to brighten up my desk. He ordered them so that only a few of the buds had bloomed when I received them; I get so sad when flowers die! I can look forward to this prettiness for weeks to come!

I need all of the cheeriness I can get this week. I am dealing with some serious post-cold sinus issues, which is really bringing me down :(

How are you this week?

Mixing Patterns and Catching Up

Everything about this look is so, so right. The mixing of patterns makes this chic monochromatic look so much more interesting, don't you think? The hair, the glasses, the glittery flecks - I'm a bit obsessed :)

Tonight I grabbed dinner with an old friend from High School who was in town for work. Wonderful conversation and great food with really fun gal; A very nice Tuesday evening, indeed..

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A. and I celebrated the holiday over the weekend, so tonight was very low key. It was a busy, hectic day for us both so we ended up scrapping our plans to make dinner and just ordered pizza in. Being the sweetie he is, my boy did surprise me with some beautiful orchids and a single orange rose when I came home this afternoon :)

Later this week I just might have to try making these amazing looking cupcakes . I can't resist the wonderfully light texture of angel food cake, and who wouldn't enjoy eating a sweet little cupcake topped in the prettiest pink icing?

If you are attached, I hope you had a wonderful day sharing the love with your significant other. If you are single, today is the perfect opportunity to pamper yourself, because you are fabulous and you deserve it!

Saturday Style File: Week Six

Happy Saturday!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far. A and I went out for a lovely early Valentine's day dinner last night, which was wonderful. We hit a small local restaurant for some chicken picatta, haddock, cheese cake (for me) and Guinness (for him). Tonight we are celebrating a friend's birthday at an Italian restaurant we really enjoy, so I'm looking forward to that..

The outfit I chose for this week's installment of Saturday Style File is what I wore on Friday. The dress is one of the quirkier items in my closet, and I absolutely love it! I purchased the piece a couple of years ago from a local boutique, Bella Luna. I really like this particular store because the owner only carries one of each item in a few different sizes; you are sure to get a unique piece that few others will have. 

Because the dress is quite short, I paired with with skinny jeans and boots. Since I wear the same pants and boots almost every day in the winter, I chose not to include them this time :) I also wore a black turtleneck for added warmth. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

New Work: Punchy Florals

I thought I would take a second to share a new piece I finished up last night. I've been working a bit with gouache, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm finding that my painting style is pretty distinct from my illustration work, and it's been fun to mix it up a bit.

I'm hoping to list this in the shop today, probably as a 6x6 or 8x8 inch print. I think my Spring fever is evident in a pretty big way :)

Loving - Emmadime Knitted

Excuse me, but could Emma and her knit accessories be any more adorable? I didn't think so. I'm seriously wanting the bow scarf (and her blouse)! The sweet mustard headband makes me wish I had long hair, just for a day, so I could wear it. Lovely images, and adorable branding. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Mixing it Up

Lately I've been on the hunt for wardrobe items that will mix up my look a bit. I tend to gravitate towards cute, colorful and feminine items. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to juxtaposing styles in a fun, interesting way. 

My recent boot purchase got me thinking; A pretty simple way to play with different styles is to mix a few smaller items in with my favorite looks. Shoes and accessories are a great way to play with different aesthetics, without fully committing to a new overall "look". 

I really love this season's bright trousers from Zara, and these tough brown boots from Free People are catching my eye. Mixing a bit of salty with sweet, the tailored pants could be tucked into the slouchy boots; The perfect look for the wet Spring days ahead, no?

Saturday Style File: Week Five

Happy Saturday :)

This is week five of my little Saturday Style feature! The look I chose to sketch this week is the outfit I wore on Monday. The look was centered around a thrifted pair of ankle boots I scored for $8 on a Sunday trip with friends to Bar Harbor last weekend. 

The boots remind me a bit of the Frye Engineer Boot, without the hefty price tag. Their look is a little bit tougher than my usual taste, but when I put them on I instantly loved them. I am going to try them with a dress next week, I think.

Favorite outfit this week:

- The blue turtleneck is from H&M.

- The military-style short sweater is from Target. I love the stretchy, incredibly warm material this piece is made of. 

- The skinny jeans are from Gap.

- The ankle boots are thrifted.

See you back here on  Monday! 

Girl Crush: Bri Emery of Design Love Fest

I recently read a feature on Bri Emery over at design sponge, and immediately developed a serious girl crush. She is an amazing creative mind, with such a fun, lighthearted style. The art director of Rue Magazine, the blogger behind Design Love Fest, and a graphic design freelancer, she is one busy gal. She really is a perfect example of someone who has found great success pursuing her creative passion - love it!

It's impossible not to feel a bit more cheerful and upbeat after taking a look at her work. I will admit, after learning more about her story I started researching programs in graphic design :)  

I thought I would share some of the cheerful imagery from Bri's website on this Friday evening. Enjoy the weekend!

Pretty Little Pinwheels from Stone & Honey

.................................................................penny                   ......................                              chiquita

I'm swooning over the graphic simplicity of these pinwheel designs from Stone & Honey. Geometric shapes are really popular right now, and I just love their interpretation of the trend. I think the mixing of the yellow and white gold tones would look amazing against bare skin. Be still, my heart!  

What Dreams are Made of

The lovely Nina had a sweet post yesterday about daydreaming. Like her, I am a big believer in the power of daydreams; they are the stuff of a life we wish for ourselves. I think it's important to pay close attention to the thoughts that creep in while going through the motions of the every day. We can learn so much about ourselves through our daydreams; perhaps even discover hopes that we haven't yet acknowledged.

Like Nina, I think we each have the ability to create the life we want. The first step is listening to that inner voice. Allow yourself to daydream a bit.

Sometimes a daydream is all you have, when life gets in the way. Taxes, bills, work, errands and my sick boy are priorities this week. Busy as I may be with the everyday, I'm still daydreaming about travel, painting, the beach, romantic dinners and warm cookies.

Perhaps a warm batch of cookies will become a reality tonight. The romantic dinner will have to wait until the boy is feeling better :)

What are you dreaming about today? If the big snow storm is coming your way, stay safe!

Saturday Style File: Week Four

Happy Saturday!

This is Week Four of Saturday Style File. I'm finding that I really look forward to sitting down and doing these little sketches on the weekend. It's a great way to keep the creative juices flowing, without stressing too much about how "perfect" the final product is. I limit myself to an hour with my sketchbook, so it's a fun little challenge. By the end of the exercise, I have so many ideas for other projects! This is an hour well-spent each weekend, for sure.

Back to the outfit; I wore this yesterday for a casual Friday in the office and a dinner date with the boy that evening. You probably see a pattern forming with my clothing choices for the lower half of my body. If I choose to wear pants, they are ALWAYS cuffed and paired with a pair of tall boots. This is the only really practical choice with several feet of snow outside, and lots of slush. I hate to wear clunky boots, making it necessary to pack an extra pair of shoes and change when I arrive at the office. So, I find cuffed pants with cute boots is a really practical option during the winter months.

Favorite outfit this week:
- The black turtle neck is from H&M. It's a cold weather staple, for sure. Perfect for layering.
- The little jacket is part of a suit by Willi Smith. Suits don't really excite me, but I liked this short sleeve style. I purchased only the top from TJ Maxx.
- The jeans are from Gap.
- The scarf was thrifted, and a gift from my mother. I have received so many compliments on this piece! I thought the brightness of the scarf would liven up the neutral colors of the outfit.
- The suede zip boots are old, and extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I got them.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This week A's brother contacted us to ask if I would like to donate a few of my prints for a silent auction being held at his law school. The event is to raise funds to support law students who need a little extra financial help. 

As a former graduate student myself, I know how tough it can be to make ends meet while going to school full time. I'm a big supporter of higher education, so I am excited to help in my own small way! 

I was so flattered he thought of me and my artwork. The event will be a great way to reach a new audience, while at the same time supporting a great cause.

These are the five prints I decided to contribute for the event. Let's hope the attendees enjoy handmade! 

Clean Lines and Simple Design: Gretel

I'm really loving the clean lines and simple design of the home goods from Gretel. I think their pieces have a truly modern sensibility, without feeling cold in the way some modern design does to me. The desk lamp and clock would be perfect in a craft room or studio. Each piece makes a statement, without competing against the bright, varied colors and the eclectic mix of pattern and texture so characteristic of creative spaces. 

My work tends to be bright, and the art supplies I have really reflect my aesthetic. I think these simple pieces would work perfectly mixed among the vibrant chaos that is my work space. Perhaps a small splurge is in my future :)

{lamp originally found via Oh Joy}

Dreams Past and Present

As a child, one of my favorite games to play was "boutique". I would carefully display all the toys and knickknacks in my bedroom, as if it were a retail space. My parents bought me a sweet little adding machine, complete with the receipt tape, so that I could to ring up the goods my "customers" purchased. I could play this game for hours; it never seemed to get old.

As an adult, I'm still really excited by the thought of owning my own boutique. It's a romantic idea to me, so full of creativity and possibility. I hope that someday this childhood dream of mine will take shape, in one manner or another. In the meantime, it's fun to fantasize about!

This latest little painting of mine is directly inspired by my hope to one day own a retail space. On Saturdays, after yoga my boy and I sometimes share breakfast at a cafe in the downtown area near where we live. Across the street is a beautiful, yet neglected, old building with sweet little awnings on all of the windows. The space is currently vacant. I can see so much potential in that little building. This is the vision I have for the space, as seen through my mind's eye..

Saturday Style File: Week Three

Happy Saturday!

I was lucky enough to have an extra day off this weekend, because yet another blizzard rolled through the Northeast on Friday. Since I didn't get out of my pajamas yesterday, I had one less day to choose my outfit from this week :) 

I wore this somewhat casual, monochromatic outfit to work on Wednesday. It was lucky I was comfortable, because the work day itself was dreadfully stressful! 

Favorite outfit this week:

- The blue bird print blouse is from H&M. I am completely in love with the sweet print, and it makes a great layering piece over turtlenecks. 

- The blue turtleneck is also from H&M.

- Blue skinny jeans are from Gap.

- Black boots are by BareTraps.

What are you up to this weekend? The boy and I are planning to get Chinese food at our favorite local spot, browse the bookstore and catch a film (most likely The Fighter). 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)

Movie Eye Candy: Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction is one of those movies I just want to escape into. I certainly wouldn't mind having Maggie Gyllenhaal's character's life in the film; she owns her own bakery, has the cutest little home, fun style and a fabulous tattoo :)

The movie has such a whimsical quality to it. I find so much inspiration in the bright, cheerful colors and eclectic, vintage-inspired set design. 

I can't get enough of these yummy images! I just want to make all kinds of candy colored paintings full of pretty florals and cupcakes :)

Have you seen the film? 

{one, two, three, four}

Deep Breaths

This is where you could find me after work this afternoon. Today was a flurry of activity; the perfect storm of chaos and stress that left me absolutely drained by the time I walked through the door.

Sometimes a little rest is so helpful, no? That little moment, when I keep still and allow my mind to relax, helps me to put things into perspective. The work day is done, and the evening is for family and creative time - the stuff that, to me, a truly happy life is made of.

How do you handle a tough day? Is there something in particular that never fails to lift your spirits? I know that my bright cat socks helped me out a bit today :)

Saturday Style File: Week Two

I hope you are enjoying your (long) weekend so far :)

This week's featured outfit is actually what I wore to work on Monday. Dresses with turtle necks, opaque tights and tall boots have sort of become my unofficial uniform this season. It's a really great way to get more use out of warmer-weather dresses that would otherwise sit in my closet during the winter months.

I felt really put-together and professional, yet still fresh and fun; that's my ultimate goal when I dress for work :)

Favorite outfit this week:

- The gray jersey dress is from TJ Maxx. I always have great luck finding deals on simple dresses there. 

- The turtle neck is a plain dark gray style from Target. It's a favorite of mine for winter layering.

- The stretchy belt I found at Kohl's. It's perfect for giving shape to flowy dresses. I used it to cinch this dress for a wedding, and I LOVED the look.

- The locket is from Verabel. This fun piece dressed up the monochromatic outfit.

- Tall black boots are by BareTraps.  

This look was a warm, cozy and comfortable outfit to start the week!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)

Working in My "Studio"

These are a few quick snapshots of the scene on my coffee table tonight. Living in a small space (a one bedroom apartment), I don't have the luxury of a true workspace. All of my supplies are stored on a single bookshelf, and when the creative bug strikes, I work wherever is most convenient. Tonight, that spot was the on the coffee table..

I've become so used to working in random places (hunched on the floor, on the couch), I'm not sure I would know what to do with an actual studio, complete with a desk, decent lighting and proper storage! Then again, I'm sure I could adjust :)