Paperchase at Target

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My daughter and I were at Target, because we are always at Target, and we fell in love with this line of products  called Wonderland by Paperchase.  I love Paperchase stores.  I have to stay away from good stationery stores.  I can't help buying things I don't actually need.  It's like candy to me!.  I used to visit the Borders book store near my last house and stroll through their Paperchase stationery section.  Sadly Borders is no more, and I haven't looked for a Paperchase store near my new place yet.  But now they have partnered up with Target to do some limited lines.

Wonderland is this cute stationery and gift line with a new take on Alice in Wonderland by the artist Jill Phillips out of the UK.  I think her style is adorable.

My daughter had to get this little set for her lunch box.

Unfortunately I couldn't find this line on the Target or Paperchase website, even though it's in the stores right now.

Paperchase does have this other cute line for Target called cutie hootie on the Paperchase website right now.

New Custom Sizes for Prints in My Etsy Shop!

Due to so many requests for different sizes,  I've made custom size prints available in my Etsy shop.  You may select from any of the illustrations currently available in my shop and then choose a size.

13 x 19 print

11 x 14 print

8 1/2 x 11 print

5 x 7 print

1950's Style Tea Party Dress

Hip Hop 50's Shop has come out with some delightful vintage inspired dresses.  There were two dresses that caught my eye immediately.  One is a black and white polka dot wiggle dress and this Vintage 50's Tea Party Dress is the other.  There was only a momentary struggle and then this Tea Party dress won out, which is strange because I usually always go for the tighter wiggle dress style.  But the beautiful black and white floral print really appealed to me, along with the square neckline and the little short sleeves.  I also love the black sash that ties up into a bow in the back, not to mention the tulle petticoat peaking out at the hemline.

I think this dress has a versatility to it that would enable anyone to wear it to a couple of different occasions.  If I added a hat with a little veil or a fascinator, a pearl necklace, and some black pumps, I would certainly feel dressed for high tea at the Ritz or a lovely tea party hosted by a friend.

You can add an extra Crinoline Petticoat under this dress to give it a fuller look.  With this extra petticoat, some red strappy heels, silver hoop earrings, and a red clutch purse, I would be ready to go out dancing!  Can't you just picture Elizabeth Taylor or Ava Gardner enjoying themselves at the Copacabana in this dress?

And it goes without saying I would definitely be all set for a retro 50's party.

Where would you wear this fun and flirty dress?

The Ultimate Shoe Closet!

I would love to say my shoe collection looks like this.  Someday soon! :)

Untitled #33 by debralynn5 featuring thong sandals

Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Perfume Notecards!

The lovely Ivana from Macarons and Pearls requested some Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Perfume Flat Notecard Sets to fill out her "stationery wardrobe".  How could I say no.  So I've taken the watercolor artwork that I used to make the YSL print in my Etsy shop and made up a set of 10 Flat notecards paired with 10 pink lemonade envelopes for her and everyone else who wants to start a "stationery wardrobe".  Happy writing!

1940's Inspired Dresses

I've entered the "Shabby Apple Dare to Design" contest.  They are looking for 1940's inspired dresses, skirts, or blouses.  The 1940's is one of my favorite eras for fashion, so this sounded like fun to me.  I had a bit too much fun and couldn't limit myself to one dress.   Here are my entries:

To me this first dress is the quintessential 1940's look.  It was inspired by an old photo of Lana Turner, but it is a blend of 3 different dresses, including one worn by Barbara Stanwyck in an old publicity shot.  Although this dress can be done in almost any color and floral prints, I chose to paint it in white.  As for fabric, a rayon or polyester.  Something in a medium weight that will drape well.

These next paintings are two variations of the same dress.  They were inspired by a photo still of Ava Gardner.  I envisioned the first dress in a lightweight brocade and the second in a rayon or polyester. 

This next dress popped up in a dream right before I woke up one morning.  It wasn't a very clear dream so I painted it two ways.  The dress on the right with accordion pleats.  I see it in a fabric that will flow while you are dancing.  I call it "Swing Time"  because I see Ginger Rogers wearing it.

This last painting is inspired by all those classic films I like to watch, with Claudette Colbert, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall etc.  They always looked so polished in these great suits and hats.  I show it here in black and white, but I think it would look good in chocolate and pink as well.  Fabric:  A wool blend or gabardine.

Check out other vintage inspired dresses at shabbyapple.com