Illustration crush; Katy Smail

Probably you have noticed Katy Smail illustrations around your tumblr dashboard or at WeHeartIt. I’ve been stumbling upon illustrations of this girl for quite a long, but I didn’t know her name until I discovered her blog Thistledown Spirits by accident. 

Katy is NYC based illustrator that creates whimsical stories featuring pretty fashionable pieces and all the pretty thing we love. Her illustrations embellish covers of books and are featured in publications, and she is also doing quite interesting collaborations with photographers, designers and artist. Katy’s work is also special because of her playing with collage technique, so magical things such as birds or flowers often surround her girls dressed up in pretty frocks. And how wonderful are her zodiac illustrations... 

Stay updated with What Kat Does to be surprised by Katy’s magical pencil. 

And visit Katy Smail shop here.

illustration file; Sarah McNeil

Sarah McNeil is very talented New Zealand-based artists and illustrator, whose work has been featured in Magazines like Chikismiqui, Blanket and Frankie. Her illustrated girls are not some super-heroines that jump off the sky or are doing something turbulent, they are tender creatures, which are very often friends with animals so they will whisper to butterfly or will protect a bird. Of course they are all dressed very well and have the sweetest collars and dresses. And wild creatures, even those that we consider of as dangerous, with Sarah’s pencil look very friendly, fragile and happy. Unlike the most illustrations of animals today, especially in children books where they often look like aliens,  this pretty illustrated world is something completely different. You can purchase prints, original illustrations, postcards, stickers and lots of more from her Etsy shop! And please pay attention to names! Pretty interesting creature is this Sarah McNeil. Don’t you agree?

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sweet alphabet craze

When I spotted Robert Ryan’s  paper-cuts on the pages of Vogue back in the days, I immediately was bedazzled with these magical stories of paper. London-based contemporary artist is well known for his exceptional combination of illustration, sweet poetry and paper cuts. Because of his great skills with paper, you can hardly believe these are actually paper cuts. Except embellishing of our favourite magazines, such as Vogue, Amelia and many others or covers of smart words on our shelves, over the years, he had brought his unique and magical charm to our homes, offices and closets. These days there is another collaboration coming out of the Rob Ryan’s charming factory, and this time with Alphabet Bags. It’s nothing unusual for misslikey to spend a day examining Rob's pretty creations, but since the day she saw these sweet letter totes, somehow she’s feeling a huge craze for an alphabet. Just like she is learning letters again.

Price £16.00 Shop here

Illustration file; Amy Borrell

Dear Reader,

Since I am one of the girls that will spend a day admiring illustrations and if you are familiar with my tumblr blog moi, polka dots & Beatles, you can see that I share there quite of lot illustrations that I like. Now, I want to start new series of posts here at misslikey dedicated to my favorite illustrators. I will start with Amy Borrell, one of my favorite illustrators. Most of you are familiar with Amy’s work since she and her blog Cake with Giants are true stars of blogosphere. This Melbourne based illustrator became my crush from the first time I saw her work in Frankie Magazine. Motives like animals, plants, planets, food and unusual characters colored with pale and wrapped up in sweet prettiness…you just can’t do anything but be amazed with this magical illustrated world.

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Blog
Shop

Sweet crush; Sprinkle Bakes

Sprinkle Bakes is name of wonderful blog and also the recipe book by lovely Heather Baird, which is without doubt true artist with sweets. This princess of desserts is also painter, and creates most wonderful pieces of art using flour and sugar. Every time I open her blog I feel like a stepped into sinful and sweet world of Marie Antoinette. And sometimes all I wanna do is to put on my apron and make cakes. In fact I cannot stop looking at her blog. Wait until you see Jane Austen or White Witch from Narnia, you won’t too. I am not the best person in the kitchen so I don’t even dare to think about making Jane Austen cake but her Vanilla-rosewater cupcakes with rose petals are on my to –do-list. So maybe I will try her tutorial tomorrow. Oh it will be Sweet Sunday. A right time to add a bit of sugar to life.

images in collage property of Sprinkle Bakes

Interview with Jaclyn from Audrey Grace

Jaclyn Bethany is owner of  Audrey Grace, pop-up shop that’s going to open its doors on December 17th in Jackson, Mississippi. With clothes by our favorite labels and pieces of art by our favorite artists, Jaclyn created something like our favorite shop in a dreamland. I met this lovely lady few months ago when she contacted me about the collages for her shop, and she is very hardworking and dedicated in the pursuit of only the perfect things for Audrey Grace. Meet this charming girl and find out more about her and the shop in interview below.

Hello Jaclyn, first I want to know how did you get an idea for Audrey Grace pop-up shop?

Growing up, I always loved fashion. I always wanted to open my own business- my own shop. I decided to open a pop-up shop to test the market. The name Audrey Grace comes from my two favorite style icons, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, who I think are timeless and women today can relate to them.

Where shop is based?

My hometown- Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A.

Is there any chance that Audrey Grace becomes a permanent shop?

I would love that. However, It depends on lots of factors and what I am doing in the future. I would love to open a permanent space for Audrey Grace that has a different feel. I think if I opened up a permanent space I would change it around. I've always imagined a tea room within my shop; I think that'd be perfect!

The list of great designers and labels that you going to stock in AG is too long; TBA, Orla Kiely, Elizabeth Lau, Vivetta, Lady Petrova, Rachel Antonoff, Alexandra Grecco, Erin Fetherston…Audrey Grace is really a dream shop. So Jaclyn are there any pieces that you don’t want to sell?

Thank you! Well, I love everything but some of the pieces aren't my size, etc. I have kept a few pieces for myself though. And each day the shop is open I will be wearing a different outfit from Audrey Grace to promote the store!

Tell me a little bit about art pieces and paper things in the shop?

I have worked with photographers, illustrators, and artists from all over the world. It has been such a blessing and a privilege. There are probably around 300 art pieces that will be sold in the shop. Most of the artwork is inspired by style icons and designers that are stocked within Audrey Grace. The Australian artist Caitlin Shearer created a beautiful lookbook of all the custom dresses that are being stocked in Audrey Grace. And your collages are stunning of course!

I read on Audrey Grace’s facebook page that walls of shop will be in Tiffany blue. Can you reveal us a little bit more about interior and décor?

Yes, there is a picture of the walls now, did you see it! So it's just a pop-up shop so I can't go too over the top with decorating although if I opened a permanent shop the focus would be more on interiors. Basically, we are using antique pieces from my home and then the artwork will decorate the walls.

How are you preparing for the shop opening? Is there going to be a party?

There will be a party! Just something special to celebrate the opening on December 17th with champagne and macaroons, of course!

About the process of choosing labels for store…Did you have a plan or it was based on what you like?

No, I didn't really have a plan. I remember starting on Etsy about six months ago and contacting sellers that way. Then I started reaching out to larger labels. It was based on what I liked and what I knew other girls liked but couldn't find.

What about vintage? What can we expect on that field?

Some of the vintage I have sourced myself, others I have asked various stylists/bloggers to source including Ashley Ording of Fancy Fine, Emily Theobold of It Girl, Rag Doll, Jessica Butler, and the stylists behind the London boutique, Koh Samui. The selections are amazing and really reflect the beauty of the store.

Now a little bit about Jaclyn…

Tell me a little about your education and what are you doing besides Audrey Grace?

I am a senior in university, studying acting, it is my main focus. I am currently in a production of Twelfth Night at school and considering applying to graduate schools…I'm so busy! (But a good busy!)

What are the favorite pieces in your closet?

I love my shoes (Miu Miu, Louboutins, Manolos, Charlotte Olympia, etc.) my Mulberry bags, and the things made by Chanel that I own.

Favorite designers?

Well high-end designers- Chanel, Miu Miu, Prada, Mulberry, Rodarte, and Valentino are some of my favorites. For affordable pieces I love Nadinoo, Erin Fetherston, TBA, Nishe, Jill Stuart, Orla Kiely Sretsis, Alex Grecco, etc. Basically all of the labels I am stocking in the store. For basics, I generally wear J. Crew.

Favorite places to shop?

Hmmm.. I love Orla Kiely- her NYC and London boutiques. I like Opening Ceremony although sometimes it's a bit edgy for me. Their NYC store is like a museum. The Jill Stuart and Anna Sui stores downtown are always fun and whimsical. I live in NYC, so when I go shopping it's usually in Soho. Topshop is wonderful too. I love ASOS online- All the best brands in one place. In London, I like the shops Fifi Wilson, Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Whistles, Lucy in Disguise and all the vintage shops on Portobello and Camden Passage.

Favorite movie, book and fairytale characters?

My favorite movies for fashion are Picnic at Hanging Rock and Breakfast at Tiffany's. I was in Australia over the summer and wanted to visit Hanging Rock but never made it! My favorite book is The Great Gatsby, can't wait for the new movie! My favorite fairy tale is Alice in Wonderland.

Do you have a style icon?

Alexa Chung is my style icon.

What does fashion mean to you?

I think fashion is important because it's constantly changing and has basically shaped our conceptions of clothing over time.

Your secret world…how would it look like…what would you wear, where would you live and what would you eat?

Gosh, I have no idea! I suppose I would live at the Ritz in Paris, wear only Chanel and eat Laduree macaroons every day. I really think Amanda Harlech lives that life, actually. So maybe I'd want to be her!

To find out more visit;

Audrey Grace blog

Audrey Grace facebook

Looking For The Summer

Craig Lawrence is aspiring London based designer and one of British wunderkind children raised at Central Saint Martin.
Creative master of knitwear was developing his art-craft as Gareth Pugh knitwear creator.
Besides that, he collaborated with Levi's, Levi's Original, Cassette Playa, musician Patric Wolf and with Alexander McQueen for McQ internet campaign.
His silhouette stands for an art form and magic of knitwear shape makes Craig knits not exactly the garment you would wear to countryside.
He presented last two collections on London Fashion Week (dress on the photo above is from SS10 collection).
Fall Winter Collection was presented in the form of the fashion film.
We will definitely hear more about Craig in the future. Did I mention film is must-see?
image via Blow PR