Fluffy and Furry Saviours : On Sweet Wings and a Prayer

25.4.15

Feathered friend carrier pigeon illustration : On Sweet Wings and a Prayer © Shell-Sherree
{Feathered friend illustration : On Sweet Wings and a Prayer © Shell-Sherree}

Today is Anzac Day ~ and this year we commemorate 100 years since the first landings at Gallipoli.

It's a time of respect and remembrance for all those who have given their lives for their country and those who continue to put themselves on the line today.  Hundreds of thousands of animals have served and protected, too.  From dogs to donkeys, camels to horses ~ and cats {mostly on ships, but yes, they served!} ~ there are countless tales to be told.

And valiant little carrier pigeons gave far more than their weight in hearts of gold, both close to home and abroad. You can read the touching story here of how carrier pigeons helped our troops fighting in Papua New Guinea in WWII.  I'm reminded of this quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Though she be but little, she is fierce!"

In the here and now, animals help soldiers with wounded souls to heal, thanks to organisations such as The Dog Squad which unites rescue dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD.  I spend much of Anzac Day sniffling back tears but some, like these, are happy ones. 

Wishing you a peaceful and loving day.  Lest we forget.
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Fashionable Paris Daydreams : Pink Belle of the Ballgown

24.4.15

Paris fashion illustration, Paris Pink Belle of the Ballgown © Shell-Sherree
{Paris fashion illustration : Paris Pink Belle of the Ballgown © Shell-Sherree}

Well, hello there.  Going our way ? I seem to have forgotten something ... let's see ~ oh, yes.  To put my leg away.  Tsk, tsk.

Today's Paris fashion illustration is inspired by this extravagant Dior gown.  I could have easily been more modest in the translation, but it seems I'm not above showing a little leg.  We've stopped well short of doing a Cancan.  {Come to think of it, I don't know why !  Therein lies an illustration for another day.}

Behold the function in this form.  Much macaron contraband can be obscured in the generous fall of the skirt ~ and it's ideal for kitty smuggling if the invitation states No Cats Allowed {though that could be grounds for a protest in the finest of Parisian traditions.}  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Paris daydreams to you !

WALTZ OVER TO ORDER A SHELL-SHERREE OF YOUR OWN


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Fashionable Friday : Netting a Cat in the Hat

17.4.15

Fashion illustration, In the Pink with Netted Hat and Cat © Shell-Sherree
{Fashion illustration : In the Pink with Netted Hat and Cat © Shell-Sherree}

Uh-oh.  It's hat hair time again.  Just when you thought you were off the hook.  Surprise !

Today's fashion illustration indulges my current state of Jean Shrimpton smittendom.  Here's the original inspiration ~ and if you ask me, there was more than a dash of Cat in the Hat behind that. 

So, let's all have hat hair together this weekend.  It's been pretty breezy here this afternoon, so we might need luxury-length hat pins, but old school glamour does not come without sacrifice.  And we're at risk of getting something caught if we bat our false eyelashes too heavily under that netting, but I'm willing to take one for the team if you are.  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

NET SOMETHING PRETTY at my PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS

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Fashionable Friday : Shimmy Chic Pink

10.4.15

Fashion illustration : Shimmy Chic the Pink Downstairs,  © Shell-Sherree
{Fashion illustration : Shimmy Chic the Pink Downstairs © Shell-Sherree}

Now that we've had a Token Casual Day Chez Shell, it's back to the glammies.  My penchant for bows is only a few steps behind my obsession for ruffles, so today we are shimmying downstairs to answer the door in a soft pink number with a bowed bustle to add some rustle to the hustle.  {Stop me, someone ...}

Today's fashion illustration is inspired by this divine vision, whose gown was most likely ivory in colour, but given the choice between ivory and pink, you know where my brush and palette will want to go.  As for our usual kitty or dog, feel free to decide whether they are hiding under the train or chasing the tail end of it.

Sitting for any length of time would be a waste of a beautiful back view ~ a brief perch at the most, I feel ~ so a leisurely stroll might be the most flattering way to pass the time.  Our Hugh is on his way to chaperone and field prospective suitors.  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

SHIMMY TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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Paris Daydreams : Casual Pastels with a Touch of Fluffballs

7.4.15

Paris fashion illustration : Paris Pastels au Casuale © Shell-Sherree
{Paris fashion illustration : Paris Pastels au Casuale © Shell-Sherree}

The Instasphere has blossomed forth with a proliferation of Paris petals in the past few days.  And very pretty it is, too !

While Spring has arrived in the gorgeous city the Eiffel Tower simply knows as 'home', I suspect a light blazer for layering will be welcomed with open, goosebumped arms for a little while yet.  We're past the tail end wagging of the four day weekend Easter brings here in Australia, but I vote we stay in casual mode for one more day and go walkies.  It also gives us a chance to take Kate Spade New York's Lily Avenue Carrigan tote for a kitty-toting-test.  {Looks like a thumbs up to me.}

I hope you'll join us !  We might even bump into some Nutella crepes while we're strolling.  And on that note ...

Happy Paris Daydreams to you !

PS:  Very limited edition prints are coming to my petite online prints boutique very soon.  Meanwhile, my six most popular Paris prints are still available as open editions for the time being. 

GO WALKIES TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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Fashionable Friday : Minty Fluffy Honey Bunnies

3.4.15

Fashion illustration, Minty Fluffy Honey Bunnies © Shell-Sherree
{Fashion illustration : Minty Fluffy Honey Bunnies © Shell-Sherree}




Fluffy is as fluffy does, and it seems that's become a recurring theme Chez Shell.

Today's fashion illustration is inspired by Giambattista Valli's haute couture spread in Harper's BAZAAR.  {It's not the first time this collection has inspired me.}  I chose it especially for this weekend, as it seems only kind to provide the Easter bunny with shelter in which to camouflage if tuckered out from eluding chocolate-fuelled pocket rockets whose speed is disproportionate to their leg length.

Nestle our bunny into this skirt and our little fluffy poppet will safely disappear for hours of rest, rejuvenation ~ and maybe even a pawdicure.  Our refreshments include candy eggs and macarons in pastel colours {but of course}, and we have plenty of ladders to go around.  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you {and a safe and peaceful Easter to those who celebrate it}.

FLUFF ON OVER TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE


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Fashionable Fancy : Round Midnight Blue

1.4.15

{Fashion illustration : Round Midnight Blue in a Sea of Ruffles © Shell-Sherree}

Round Midnight is one of my all-time favourite songs, written by Thelonious Monk in the early 1940s.  As my Ella is named after Ella Fitzgerald, I'm putting this rendition onto the playlist first. {Forgive me, Thelonious, for choosing this over one of your recordings ... just as I hope you forgave me for calling you 'Theolonious' well beyond when I should have known better.} 

Today's fashion illustration is inspired by vintage Dior from a Lillian Bassman photo in Paris for Harpers Bazaar 1949, so we're roughly in the same era.  The original gown clearly wasn't midnight blue but it's my colour of choice for tonight's twirl around a terrace under the moon and stars. White tuxes for the men, but of course.  Shall we dance?  And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Fancy to you !

RUSTLE OVER TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

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