IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

1. Lana Del Rey illustrated print 6 x 4 inch print 
2. Rachel Antonoff inspired mini zine
3. Great Gatsby a4 illustrated print
4. Louis Vuitton inspired illustrated mini zine
5. Lana Del Rey illustrated stickers
6. Marie Antoinette illustrated stickers

Just a little post for some Christmas inspiration! Most things are under a tenner, in fact most are under a fiver so there's lots of lovely treats for Christmas.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

1. Lana Del Rey illustrated print 6 x 4 inch print 
2. Rachel Antonoff inspired mini zine
3. Great Gatsby a4 illustrated print
4. Louis Vuitton inspired illustrated mini zine
5. Lana Del Rey illustrated stickers
6. Marie Antoinette illustrated stickers

Just a little post for some Christmas inspiration! Most things are under a tenner, in fact most are under a fiver so there's lots of lovely treats for Christmas.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A DIAMOND IN THE FLESH

My Pride & Prejudice illustration is now available in two print sizes, a4 and 6 x 4" in my etsy shop, hurrah! Prints are all buy one get one free for a short while so you could pick up some lovely pastel Christmas presents! 

I'VE NEVER SEEN A DIAMOND IN THE FLESH

My Pride & Prejudice illustration is now available in two print sizes, a4 and 6 x 4" in my etsy shop, hurrah! Prints are all buy one get one free for a short while so you could pick up some lovely pastel Christmas presents! 

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Hello lovelies, how is November treating you? I'm feeling really festive, wanting to burn cinnamon-y candles, bake mince pies for everyone (still haven't yet though, oops!), watch Christmas films although we haven't managed to do a whole lot of sparkly Christmas marathoning because we've been super busy making our living room pretty! Hurrah! Don't you love diy! I'm starting to fall out with it a bit but then you have a lovely new space and it's cool then.

I still have to track down an advent calendar! Have you lovelies got yours yet? I don't think you ever really grow out of that, is twenty-odd too old?! Nooo, I think while I still get asked for ID it's a perfect excuse for buying chocolate meant for children. What are you darlings most looking forward to over November/ December? Let me know, I love reading about everyone's plans & traditions!

In the meantime (whilst listening to my super festive mixtape) I'm packing up lovely orders for you guys! I still have spaces left for custom portrait commissions (psst there's still a huge 20% off too!) if you lovelies want to tweet me @natashalikestea or send me an email velvetwolves@live.com I'd love to hear from you! Have a lovely week darlings!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Hello lovelies, how is November treating you? I'm feeling really festive, wanting to burn cinnamon-y candles, bake mince pies for everyone (still haven't yet though, oops!), watch Christmas films although we haven't managed to do a whole lot of sparkly Christmas marathoning because we've been super busy making our living room pretty! Hurrah! Don't you love diy! I'm starting to fall out with it a bit but then you have a lovely new space and it's cool then.

I still have to track down an advent calendar! Have you lovelies got yours yet? I don't think you ever really grow out of that, is twenty-odd too old?! Nooo, I think while I still get asked for ID it's a perfect excuse for buying chocolate meant for children. What are you darlings most looking forward to over November/ December? Let me know, I love reading about everyone's plans & traditions!

In the meantime (whilst listening to my super festive mixtape) I'm packing up lovely orders for you guys! I still have spaces left for custom portrait commissions (psst there's still a huge 20% off too!) if you lovelies want to tweet me @natashalikestea or send me an email velvetwolves@live.com I'd love to hear from you! Have a lovely week darlings!

CHRISTMAS BLOG: DEE ANDREWS ♥

Fellow illustrator, lover of rabbits for their snuggliness and snuffly noses and Harry Potter fan Dee Andrews shares her take on the festive season, with a love of wrapping (a woman after my own heart!),  Harry Potter, classic Christmas films and her idea of a perfect Christmas, complete with fizzy festive drinks ♥ 

What do you like to do to get in the Christmas spirit?  I LOVE wrapping up.  I'm SO not bothered by what the presents are, but what the wrapping looks like.  So to get into the Christmas spirit, I sit down and wrap all my presents up.

Can you share some Christmas picks? (what's on your wish list?) I have only two things on my wish list.  The Harry Potter Blu-Ray collectors edition, and Harry Potter Lego years 5-7.  Christmas is the only time I get to do this stuff!

Do you have a favourite Christmas film? I love so many!  I have a whole load of Christmas DVD's that I watch, like The Grinch, Love Actually, Elf, Fred Claus, Miracle on 34th Street...

What would be on your Christmas mixtape? We have 'The Jackson 5 Christmas' album and we always have that on at Christmas :)  (I do love a bit of Mariah though..)


What's your ideal Christmas present? Something that a lot of thought has gone into, or shows effort.  

What do you like to do on Christmas eve? I normally am working until about 7 on Christmas eve.  I always sit with my Mum, with a nice drink and watch films after.  Last year we watched Chocolat which is such an amazing film.

What would be your idea of the perfect Christmas day? Normally, myself and my Mum are waiting for my Brother and Sister to come over, so at about 9am we start drinking Bucks Fizz.  Then we all get together and exchange presents, and we'll play with whatever we got for the rest of the day until dinner, then watch whatever's on TV.  Doing not a lot is my perfect Christmas :)


Thank you lovely Dee for sharing your festive fun, warming films & christmas drinks make the season the best! ♥  


images: weheartit

CHRISTMAS BLOG: FAYE WEST ♥

My favourite red haired lovely Faye West has been super festive and kind enough to share some of her gorgeous gift ideas, tales of ballgowns and glittering gold tops, inspiring nostalgia with talk of 90's pop and retro Christmas films, all topped off with a snowy snippet of last year's icing sugar Christmas. I also love her idea of the ideal Christmas! So grab your cup of hazelnut-laden hot chocolate & a gingerbread man or mince pie and read on to discover the festivities of Faye! ♥

What do you like to do to get in the Christmas spirit? It's the Christmas songs that start making me feel a bit fuzzy inside, I actually started listening to Christmas albums mid November this year. All the bells and tinkles, the joy and the fa-la-la-lahs.

Can you share some Christmas picks? (what's on your wish list?)
I already treated myself to the top of my wishlist. I have been after some red suede or velvet platforms for a while now, and had my eye on some lovely Topshops raspberry pink ones with a satin bow. I trawled London from East to West one Saturday whilst visiting, from 8am til 6. And found these at the end when I have nearly given up hope! So they shall come out again or the office Christmas party. http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_58958+2417252789_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women I still would like some red shoes though!

Do you have a favorite Christmas film?
Bad Santa. I was introduced to it one Christmas I spent with friends who hosted a RockMas, we had a black tree, decorated with pumpkin lights, an alternative Christmas soundtrack and Bad Santa which makes me chuckle so much. Plus Billy Bob is rather appealing!

What would be on your Christmas mixtape?
Maria's firstly because it reminds me of being 12 (1996!) and in New Look picking out a gold sparkly vest top for the school Christmas Disco. Spice Girls 2 Become 1 (http://youtu.be/FA5jsa1lR9c), some Slade and Wizzard for childhood memories, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bell rock AND FINALLY Nat king Cole's The Christmas Song. Me and my brother also love music from the films Big and Home Alone so we shall have that on in the background for Christmas Dinner.

What's your ideal Christmas present?
 something that keeps you occupied throughout the day, like a gadget!

What do you like to do on Christmas eve?
 I actually don't mind that am normally always working as you end up being around everyone with that buzz of looking forward to getting home for an alcoholic beverage and your 56th mince pie. At one point before I went to Uni, in my home town, I was working in a clothes shop wth my Mum, best friend, her Mum, her Mum's best friend, another college friend, and it was when Monsoon made us where eveningwear as uniform so was I wearing a ballgown to work!

What would be your idea of the perfect Christmas day?
 New York City with friends and loved ones :)

 Faye's glittering christmas stories have inspired me to put more sparkle on top of all that I do this Christmas! Thank you for sharing lovely!
images: weheartit & Faye West ♥

CHRISTMAS BLOG: HELLO LITTLE FAWN ♥

The very lovely Emma Lucy Watson of Hello Little Fawn has shown lots of Christmas kindness and would like to share with you her wonderful festive picks, what gets her in the Christmas spirit, glittering playlists of the most seasonal kind and even lets us have a peek at her extra special Christmas eve ♥ So read this with a very chocolately hot chocolate, with lots of whipped cream & edible glitter because this is a sparkly one ♥

What do you like to do to get in the Christmas spirit?
I get excited for Christmas from about September it's ridiculous! I really love baking and making, I make use of my Nigella Christmas book every year, I recently made my mum's favourite pecan pie which was delicious! Also, going to little craft fairs, having a cheeky mulled wine at the christmas market, walks with my manfriend on cold days, It's A Beautiful Life at Hyde Park Picture House and picking out decorations for the tree! Simple things.

Can you share some Christmas picks? (what's on your wish list?)

Matryoshka Measuring Cups by Fred.

Vintage Tea Party book.

Betsey Johnson Love Birds ring.

Fifi Lapin print.

Tatty Devine Pierrot Moon Brooch.

Sara Fanelli Postcard book.

Wildwood by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis.

I Love Unicorns perfume by A Beautiful Life.

Do you have a favourite Christmas film?
I love TV film adaptations of classic fairytales and stories like The Snow Queen and Ballet Shoes! A good sing along to Muppets Christmas Carol is always essential.
Forgetting those, I absolutely love Love Actually, so cheese but so feel good.

What would be on your Christmas mixtape?
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - She and Him
Little Drummer Boy - The Almost
One More Sleep 'Til Christmas - Muppets Christmas Carol
It's Christmas So We'll Stop - Frightened Rabbit
Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
O Holy Night - Sufjan Stevens
Silent Night - Priscilla Ahn
In Dulci Jubilo - Swimming
What The Snowman Learned About Love - Stars
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Jackson 5
Christmas Wrapping - Spice Girls
Let It Snow - Bing Crosby
Christmas TV - Slow Club
and my ultimate favourite guilty pleasure.... All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

I made a playlist on spotify with these and other songs, peace, love and sugar plum fairies.

What's your ideal Christmas present?
books because i can keep them forever!

What do you like to do on Christmas eve?
Meet with friends, watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, have a little tipple and open one present early with my family, wrap the last of the presents and paint my nails in glitter christmas colours!

What would be your idea of the perfect Christmas day?
wake up to a cup of tea and my christmas playlist, gather with family around the beautifully lit tree, watch everyone open their presents, collect all the pretty ribbons, eat loads of this chestnut and brussels mix my mum makes, go for a long countryside walk with mittens and hats, stomp in the fresh snow and have a snow fight, watch a christmas film and snug on the sofa, flicking through books and sharing chocolates with everyone.

This has certainly got me feeling much more festive, I have Emma's playlist on and would very much like to re-watch A Muppet Christmas Carol for the hundredth time ♥ Thank you for sharing such a sweet take on Christmas Emma ♥  

images: weheartit & Emma Lucy

HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

lovelies- hope you're all having a lovely time feeling festive and taking time off to chill out before the new year arrives! i've been so busy with work i haven't had chance to register that Christmas has been and gone! here's a sketch of ellie goulding as she's featured in my festive soundtrack and been played quite a lot. might put her in my etsy shop as a print. wishing all of you reading this a very happy new year!

17 more days!

winter wonderland ♥

oooh hello! now i know this is very naughty but i had to get something to treat myself after all it is nearly Christmas! so with my fairy lights up i indulged in some light reading and not so light drinking- to keep me warm of course because the streets were glistening with snow ♥

P.S. while we're on the subject of super cute books if you're thinking of something LOVELY to give away this Christmas there's Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration- it features some of the best illustrators, awesome ethical fashion designers & my illustrations too! available for pre order now ♥