Shell Sherree

Venerdi in Venice: Romance

2012-02-10T09:30:00.000+10:00

pigment ink pen & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

While I believe it's lovely to make every day Valentine's Day in simple and unassuming ways {a note with sweet nothings tucked in his pocket ... the outline of a heart magically appearing in the steam on the bathroom mirror ... remembering not to call him 'Hugh'}, I'm happy to have a formal excuse to stroll upon the romantic side of life. When I saw this old photo shoot in Venice by Mario Testino {with styling by Grace Coddington} for Vogue US 2005 not long ago, it was easy to slip into the picture and start dreaming ahead of time ... of Bellinis at Harry's Bar {where perhaps we can arrange something like this, but not indulge in too many of their signature champagne cocktails lest we end up looking like this}. And for dessert, dark chocolate gelato and moonlight lapping on the canals. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Francophile Friday: Paris et Le Bon Marché

2012-02-03T09:30:00.000+10:00

pigment ink pen & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

To make amends for my lamentable effort on facts and figures in last Friday's post, I have actually done some research this week. {May I offer you some smelling salts?}

Back in 1852 when an enterprising draper's assistant had visions of what was possibly the world's first department store dancing around in his head, I can only begin to imagine what some of his family and friends might have said. Something like, "Have you been sniffing the fabrics again?" or "Lay off the green fairy {la fée verte}, you crazy dude," for starters. But thanks to Aristide Boucicaut and his wife Marguerite, a revolutionary concept was born, offering "fixed prices, lower margins, home delivery, item exchange, mail order, promotional periods and sales, private concerts, a reading area and much more..." An art gallery was opened in 1875 to further cement Le Bon Marché's air of distinction and forward thinking. Louis Auguste Boileau was consulted for the construction of a new home for the store ~ this one ~ in 1867, and when his son Louis Charles Boileau continued the store in the 1870s, he consulted the firm of Gustave Eiffel for parts of its structure. I guess that makes it some kind of second cousin by marriage to La Tour Eiffel. So without further dilly dallying, please try this on for size ~ or perhaps this. Oh, heh, I mean this, and we shall entrez. A thousand thanks to our dear Katie for the beautiful photographic inspiration for today's illustration. Katie, I chose this outfit especially for you. Edgy but feminine ~ I think you'd rock it! And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Factual Friday: Wherefore Art Thou

2012-01-27T19:44:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7.25" x 7.25" [18.5 x 18.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

There's rarely a deep and meaningful reason why I draw a certain subject matter. "Ooh, that's pretty!" is usually enough. And I remember clearly having that thought years ago over this gracious old dame on Ann Street, Brisbane. She provides one of many delightful little heritage flourishes amongst the standard office blocks in the middle of the CBD. We can safely say she was home to the School of Arts at one time, but I know little else of her history. So about all I can offer you for now is, "Ooh, that's pretty!" and procure some appropriate attire. I feel smocks are in order for our visit. And Singapore Slings on the upstairs verandah to counter the colonial humidity. And on that note...

Happy Factual Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Scootering Da Rocco

2012-01-20T15:15:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

When I sit down to illustrate without a specific project, I often have no idea as to what I'm going to draw. At times like that, I'll resist the urge to spin the bottle and instead, will open my tear-sheet ring binders or the inspiration folders on my laptop, skim through my Pinterest boards, and gaze at the overflowing mood board next to my desk {and invariably think to myself that I need a much larger one, then daydream about gilt frames and somehow ending up wondering what Hugh's wearing today ... and not regaining consciousness until the best drawing light is dwindling fast. Damn it.}

Today, my eyes alighted on a photo sent to me some months ago by Pop Culture Nerd and taken when one of her loved ones was in Paris ~ she thought of me when she saw it. Thank you, my sweet! I loved it and filed it away to wait for little lights to flash over it when the time was right ~ which turned out to be today. And for those of you who are smitten with both Paris and Italy, Da Rocco Trattoria in the 7th arrondissement is made for you... a taste of both worlds. {And the reviews look excellent!} The sidecars are waiting and the red wine is breathing discreetly. We can relax elegantly in trousers so it doesn't matter from which angle the paparazzi catch us. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Factual Friday: Treasury of Brisbane

2012-01-13T19:15:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8" x 7.75" [21 x 19.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

I was ever-so-gently reminded recently that it might be quite nice to don my ambassadorial hat again and show you a little of my local slice of heaven. As my week turned out to be shorter than the length of my To Do list, I donned my white cotton gloves {oh, the humidity} and rustled discreetly through my archives {always better to rustle discreetly through such things} and came up with this: a piece of heritage architecture whose facade connects us to a genteel place and time. The subject for today is Brisbane's Treasury Building, now home to the Treasury Casino and Hotel. {I shall not weep for its lost virtue. The council thankfully made it rewardingly irksome to insert said casino into said lodgings and required all manner of retention of heritage colour schemes and trims, skirting and architraves, yin and yang, Sonny and Cher... what was I saying?} If you look at the Casino's website, you'll see that a sizeable bauble of street sculpture has been added since I drew my illustration once upon a time.

Anyhoo, here we are. Gambling for the weekend in glamorous surrounds. Or we could engage ourselves more productively with some fine dining and live music. Better dust off the cleavage and choose from this, this or this {my personal favourite}. Kir Royale, anyone? And on that note...

Happy Factual Friday to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Florist by a Whisker

2012-01-06T14:21:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

Happy New Year! Special delivery for our weekend in Venice. Our little kitty is just applying one last fluff of the flowers before he pulls on a plump red satin hand-plaited and tasselled rope to ring the doorbell. No need to change out of your silk pyjamas. A cat always appreciates the value of such fineries. Thank you to dear Danielle of VenetiaMicio for the beautiful inspiration. We visited nearby another day, but views like this are worth returning to, and it's been a while since Venice graced us with her beguiling beauty. And it's not every day one's flowers are delivered via boat. Or a kitty cat. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Francophile Friday: Merry Macarons to You

2011-12-23T19:19:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

A valiant effort, though I haven't quite covered the partridge, turtle doves, calling birds and I don't think these little feathered friends would pass for French hens, either. But I have a feeling you'll excuse me for trading five golden rings for this tower of raspberry macarons {if you close your eyes and make a wish, yours will turn into whatever flavour you fancy}. Thank you, dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens, for the lavish inspiration provided by you and Printemps in Paris. I've decided to call this style Bacchanalian-chinoiserie. Could we be daring enough to wear this while we indulge? And when the last crumb has gone, we can visit animal refuges to make donations and give out cuddles. {To give just by clicking your mouse, no money required, please pop over here. Often.}

Wishing you a Christmas filled with love and laughter with those who make your heart sing and your spirit tap dance. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Paris by Carrousel

2011-12-16T16:58:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

When life throws you curve balls, escape to the nearest carousel, I say. What this one lacks in proximity, it more than compensates for in magic. Please slip over to Genie's Paris and Beyond to view the original breathtaking sight in le Jardin des Tuileries, captured by her beautiful eye in the late afternoon winter light, bulbs twinkling and perfectly described by Genie as a 'blue and white wedding cake of a merry-go-round'. Thank you for the very pretty inspiration, dear Genie ~ bisous! I'm not sure how they hold up to snow, but I've arranged for a fairy floss vendor [aka cotton candy] to provide our refreshments in every pastel colour. And not a plastic bag in sight ~ these ones are spun onto renewable-bamboo sticks or paper cones fashioned from vintage Paris maps edged in silk passementerie, depending on your fancy. {There are also fairy floss martinis, but caution: when combined with enough carousel rides, the result can cause hallucinations.} Let's take her for a spin. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Fashionable Friday: Mise/Pretty Far West Illustrated Gift Guide

2011-12-09T13:30:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree - curation by Mise/Pretty Far West
~ see below for links to individual items ~

Fortified by a magnum of champagne and fruit mince pies, we arrive at the second in our little teensy mini-series of illustrated gift guides, curated by a few of my favourite style bloggers and illustrated by little teensy me. Last Friday, we were in Provence with Vicki Archer of French Essence. Today, we travel par avion Pretty Far West to Ireland, where our guest curator Mise can be found plucking dewy blooms from the garden and nonchalantly arranging them in an endless array of Bonne Maman jars, before working some W.B. Yeats into her needlepoint project, perched on her pink and white toile de jouy Louis chair, warmed by her ivory stove as her sourdough rises in the kitchen. All this before breakfast. If ever there was a reason to visit Ireland {and there are many, to be sure}, visiting their Queen of Fudge, Wit and Domesticity is an excellent one. Many of you will know Mise from our ~~frivolous and fanciful~~ deep and meaningful discussions in the comments, so you'll be keenly aware of her inimitable humour and charm, and her choices for our gift guide reflect that in spades. {Hers is pink, I'm rather sure.}

I asked Mise if she could choose anyone to dress up as Santa and climb down her chimney, who would it be and why. To which she replied, "I'd choose your dear self, as we'd surely have the best of chats by the fire, sipping champagne and munching florentines as we spoke of the nature of whimsy and whether pale blue can overcome all strife. I might not insist on the Santa suit, though, if you would prefer to wear a divine frock." Thank you ~ I would be profoundly honoured, dear Mise! I'll get back to you regarding attire, though I'm leaning towards this Tom Ford number, as I know your chimney would be impeccably clean. And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

Mise/Pretty Far West gift guide sources [left to right, top to bottom]: (1) Brian de Staic Fuchsia Earrings; (2) Vogue Pattern Sixties Dress; (3) Joules Bobble Hat; (4) Labour & Wait Milk Pan; (5) Hotel Chocolat Cabinet; (6) Barbican Pendant Lights; (7) Aspinal Vanity Case; (8) Berry Red Boudoir Chair; (9) Runaway Coast Striped Cushions

Fashionable Friday: Vicki Archer/French Essence Illustrated Gift Guide

2011-12-02T11:00:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree - curation by Vicki Archer/French Essence
~ see below for links to individual items ~

One of my minor weaknesses leading into the festive season is fruit mince pies. Not a concept I grasped at all when I was a child ~ I pictured a combination of beef mince, gravy and glacé cherries and couldn't possibly imagine what anyone would find fetching about it. But at some point the penny dropped, and now I'm quite partial. Today, I ate my first fruit mince pie to officially cut the ribbon on my Christmas planning ~ which leads us to today's post. I was doodling around last week and illustrated one of the J.Crew guest gift guides for the fun of it ~ and it led me to thinking it would be fun to do a little teensy mini-series of illustrated gift guides, curated by a few of my favourite style bloggers. And with grace and aplomb, they agreed to play along. Hooray!

Given the fondness for French influence around these parts, our first gift guide is contributed by Vicki Archer, author of the sumptuous books My French Life and French Essence {stories of her life} and dreamy blog of the same name. Vicki created her blog 'for those, like me, who are mad for fashion, interiors, and all things French.' I like to think we're related through our Australian DNA {if you're a genetic scientist, I don't want to know...} She is one of the most romantic souls I've 'met' and she has a way of writing her posts to you and you alone ~ even though you know they are there for all to see.

I asked Vicki if she could choose anyone to dress up as Santa, who would it be and why. To which she replied, "As for Santa… I don't want it to be anyone but Santa because if I knew him… he wouldn't be Santa…. 'Those who don't believe don't receive'… That's what I said to my children when they were small and that's what they say to me…." Thank you, dear Vicki! And on that magical note...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

French Essence Gift Guide Sources [left to right, top to bottom]: (1) Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion Eau de Parfum; (2) ‘Vogue: The Covers’; (3) Annick Goutal Noel 08 Scented Candle; (4) Parisian Pagoda Parasol; (5) Red Wellington Boots; (6) ‘One Hundred Flowers’ by Harold Feinstein; (7) Casio Men’s XL Red G-Shock Watch; (8) The Sunrise Collection Picnic Basket; (9) Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi Tops

Francophile Friday: Américain in Paris

2011-11-25T20:28:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

As night draws its cloak over the warm and fuzzy glow of gratitude and Thanksgiving for our American blogpals, this scene seemed a nice way to tuck the day into bed. {And a thousand thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens for her inspiration ~ merci, ma chère!} Our little kitty looks grateful for her fine view of proceedings at Mondrian in Paris. {And she's grateful for the beautiful souls who adopt rescue animals ~ needed now as much as ever. Please read some of their touching stories gathered at Altadena Patch by our friend Altadena Hiker.}

Apparently bar américain indicates that cocktails can be procured within. I'm willing if you are. I've taken the liberty of sourcing appropriate garments for us to wear. The one-shouldered look is so very 'in' this season. But nothing beats a full skirt as a crafty means of gaining more precious real estate if the bar is crowded. Pop into the fitting room and join us when you're ready. I hear Hugh could be recovering here from his latest iced-tea commercial. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Tea for Tuesday: On Wings of Teacups

2011-11-22T14:00:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

Surprise! I'm back already, with a large pot of ginger tea brewing left of stage. Which is entirely different from left of centre. Or so I'm told. I took this inspiration on a flight of fancy by replacing the perfectly functional handles with golden winged ones. Somewhat cumbersome to drink with, but worth it for elevation of the Fetchingness Factor. Please, take your cupcake at your leisure and I'll pour when ready. No tea party would be complete without some music. Ella prefers her namesake's rendition, though the Muppets come a close second. Stop me now. And on that note...

Happy Tea for Tuesday to you!

Fashionable Friday: Vintage Road Trip

2011-11-18T09:00:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 5.75" x 8.5" [14.5 x 21.5cm]

Bonjour. I have returned. No, this is not a self-portrait, though my hair could easily have grown this long in my blogging absence if I'd allowed it to. Nor have I been driving around Australia with a rakish puppy dog poking his head happily out the window of a charming old petrol-guzzler. But somewhere out there, it made for an attractive photo shoot. {I drew on this for inspiration but its photo credit source has vanished, sorry... probably with a large pastel-coloured picnic basket into an eternal country summer.}

But what's that I hear you saying as your forehead furrows with concern. Où est Francophile Friday? Dove è Venerdi in Venice? Fret not, they will be back! But while contemplating my navel for a protracted period {it's easy, I do yoga}, I thought it might be fun to post more serendipitously ~ more on a whim ~ which feels rather fitting. Often on Fridays, and sometimes not. Perhaps a different day entirely on the odd occasion. Let's take the notion for a spin and see how it goes. All that aside, it's magnificent to see you again. You look even lovelier than before. And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Macarons Stripe You Lucky

2011-10-07T16:37:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Firstly, I must apologise. My hand-engraved invitation to Hugh to announce the winners of my giveaway went astray. Never hire a chicken to do a carrier pigeon's job. As a result, there's no opening number ~ no singing and dancing or sailing in on a highwire {the latter is probably for the better, given he's a bit accident-prone when airborne}. But perhaps I can distract you from your disappointment with some macarons and tea. And this picture of Ella wearing the hat we used to draw the names.

Without further ado, here are the winners of my Paris postcard sets, in reverse alphabetical order to keep us on our ballet pointes: Susan Campisi, Pop Culture Nerd, Petrea Burchard, Ms M, mise, the GyPsY, Favourite Vintage Finds, Cafe Pasadena, altadenahiker.

Felicitations and congratulations to those who ~~bribed Ella best~~ had their luckiest vibes on! Please contact me via shellsherree[!at]gmail.com to advise/confirm your address, and I'll have your postcards on their way ~ enjoy!

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and friendship. As the sun sets on my 3rd blogoversary celebrations, I shall be taking a little break to recharge my blogging batteries. But first, please stay a while. We shall graze on this bottomless plate of macarons and drink from these bottomless striped teacups, or those bottomless rose-coloured glasses, filled with your beverage of choice. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you. À bientôt!

PS: As a valued reader of my blog, you have until 15th October to receive 20% off all items in my store. Simply enter the discount coupon code 3RDBLOG during the checkout process.

Francophile Friday: Boulangoversary & Giveaway

2011-09-30T16:44:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Please join me as we celebrate our 3rd Blogoversary together in this Boulangerie. As both words have at least three letters in common, it seems fitting. Besides, I fell in love with this delightful Paris shop front when I saw Genie's beautiful photo at Paris and Beyond a few days ago and couldn't wait to draw on it for inspiration. Merci beaucoup, ma chère Genie.

Thank you all ~ for your friendship and support in so many ways. It's been lovely growing to know you over the time and my life has been immensely enriched by our banter around the globe.

With the warm benevolence that a Chambord champagne cocktail brings, I've decided to hold a Celebratory Giveaway. Nine sets of my Paris postcards are keen to experience overseas travel - Par Avion, of course. {Set contains one each of the three postcards shown below.} The winners will be randomly chosen. We're not talking about an Hermès bag here, so there'll be nothing high tech about the process. Drawing from a hat, crumpling names and seeing which ones Ella sniffs ~ if you've visited before, you know what to expect. Bonus, whether you leave a comment or not: receive 20% off all items in my Etsy store {until 15th October} by entering the discount code 3RDBLOG during the checkout process.

Every commenter on this post receives one chance in the draw {two for regulars}
'Follow' my blog {click the Follow button up top next to the search box}, subscribe via email, Like my Facebook page, Follow my Tweets, and you will receive an extra chance for each of these. You'll find the links over in the right sidebar. Please tell me in your comment which of these extras apply to you
Winners will be drawn next Friday 7th October at 9:00 am {Brisbane, Australia time} and announced in next Friday's post

Meanwhile, your pastries of choice await. I've brought linen napkins, three candles and a calorie-negation device. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Au Levain du Marais 28, Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75011, Paris

Feline Friday: Is Louis Gilty?

2011-09-23T14:30:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Here's another of those 'in my dreams' illustrations. Someday, perhaps when my Ella has tired of climbing up inside {yes, inside} my ageing sofa to snooze on its hammock-like underside, I'll trade my low-maintenance pieces for something of the more delicate Louis family. And perhaps then, my precious black velvet feline will be happy to sleep on it, rather than within it. I think I'll opt for a gilt frame on the chaise. A whitewash finish could be too matchy-matchy with the oversized mirror. Upholstered in a luscious Designers Guild pattern? Or perhaps in a simple white duck, with tie-on loose covers to be changed on a whim {or when they have been winsomely shredded by sweet kitty claws past the point of no return}. Please, relax while I wheel in the strategic drinks cart to facilitate our discussions. And on that note...

Happy Feline Friday to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Red and Pink Reconciliation

2011-09-16T14:30:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Today, let us reconcile the colour ledger with a marriage of pink and red. Where better than in Venice, a city whose profound watery depths are reflected upon by a profusion of all colours of the gelati rainbow. Where singing and dancing men can switch the ice tea running through their veins for the romance of prosecco. And night falls bewitching as we tie on our masks ~ no carnevale required. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Source of beautiful inspiration for today's illustration: Danielle of VenetiaMicio ~ merci, grazie mille, thank you.

Francophile Friday: Paris Pink and Grey-Gray

2011-09-09T16:00:00.000+10:00


ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Uh-oh. Someone's wearing rose coloured glasses again, turning red to pink and risking the ire of a rouge-determinated anti-discrimination board somewhere on the planet. Or blogland, at the very least. The original is beautiful {my abundant thanks to Genie of Paris and Beyond for her lovely inspiration} but when I started dabbling in my paintbox, this lolly colour brushed itself onto the paper and that was that. To tone it down, I feel it calls for the wearing of something modestly exquisite, along the lines of this vintage grey Dior. What do you think? Let us discuss such matters over our café crèmes and macarons. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Friday Fleurish: Spring is Tweet

2011-09-02T11:00:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Today is officially the second of spring here. The scent of jasmine has been teasing the air for a couple of weeks now. And finally, it's official. What better way to express gratitude for the exchange of seasons than with some happy blooms and a cheeky little bird. And a little splish-splash of matching Bombay Sapphire when the temperature catches up with the calendar. And on that note...

Happy Friday Fleurish to you!

Francophile Friday: Café, Thé, Chocolat?

2011-08-26T14:54:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Yesterday, I ~~gadded about~~ performed clinical caffeine trials at successive meetings with girlfriends: 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. After two half-strength lattes at the first cafe and one half-strength latte at the next, I made the switch to tea for the home run. Silly me ~ if only I'd added some hot chocolate into the mix, I'd have covered all of the bases offered by this charming cafe in Paris. In honour of the fine raspberry and white chocolate scones consumed with cream at the 11:00 am session {and emboldened by a residual caffeine buzz}, I've taken the liberty of giving the cafe a paint job that leans closer to pink than the fire engine-red original over at Virginia's Paris Through My Lens. {Thank you for the beautiful inspiration, dear V!} It seems a very cosy place to nestle in for the weekend {looks like rain here}. My first order will be a hot chocolate equaliser. How about you? Please, pull up a chair. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Ooh La-Ladurée

2011-08-19T20:18:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Ladurée . Lauded by macaron lovers and lamented over by those out of crumbs's reach. And about to open in New York City at 1:00pm on 26th August {according to Laduree's own website as I type} ~ within reach of our chère amie Alexa. Hooray! Her visits might possibly require comfortable running shoes and a water bottle rather than a brief hip-sway in Louboutins. But genuine Ladurée macarons will be on hand in her beloved city, nonetheless. As the NYC store is still having its wig powdered, corset laced and beauty spot positioned, I guess we'll need to rendezvous today at this one on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. It's a sacrifice, but someone has to do it. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Gelati Palette

2011-08-12T10:00:00.002+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Pale turquoise doors with pistachio and raspberry accompaniments. Several colours of the gelati rainbow within a half-dozen paces. The gradual accrual of verdigris and moss thanks to the poetic drip of a languid drainpipe. An overhead cherub with modesty drape so we can retain our G-rating. Kitty cats admiring eternal bronze doorknockers cast in their likeness. {As one would.} Just another colourful day in Venice. Grazie mille, thanks to dear Danielle of VenetiaMicio for the gorgeous inspiration... This door ajar has saved us the trouble of lifting a finger to gently tap-tap-tap the knocker. Could it be a signal our Hugh has returned from his sabbatical? Well, what are we waiting for?! And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Francophile Friday: Roses Alight in Paris

2011-08-05T22:42:00.000+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Soft lamp-lighting is very much at home Chez Shell. Not only could it make an excellent training ground for guide dog puppies, but it's warm and forgiving, and makes everything look better. I've learned never to underestimate the magical powers of illumination. No surprise that this infatuation extends outdoors to the pink streetlights of Venice. Imagine my delight to see these lanterns with rose-coloured glasses in Paris, thanks to Virginia of Paris Through My Lens. {Merci et bises for the gorgeous inspiration yet again, dear V!!}

On a complementary note as we head into the weekend, I'm happy to announce the release of a sweet set of Paris-inspired flat notecards/postcards to the store, in packs of three or nine with elegant cream envelopes ~ for those who still love the handwritten note as I do.

Rose petal macarons and pink champagne all around! And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Meow Jaune

2011-07-29T11:00:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Followers of le Tour de France {and most people with a telly} will know that this year, for the first time, an Australian won the maillot jaune ~ yellow jersey ~ and if a fluffy toy was given for Most Valiant and Humble, Cadel Evans would have won that, too. Afficionados with the gist of tactics and technicalities will wax lyrically about what a beautiful race it was from that perspective. As for me, I just did a big happy dance. Life's simple Chez Shell. In celebration of Cadel's win, I've gone to the archives and dug back a couple of years to find this fine Paris Jaune inspiration thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens. My interpretation heads towards the pumpkin side of yellow, but it's the thought that counts. Rather than be predictable, our kitty is not cycling today, but limbering up for her ballet class. Or endeavouring to open the door. Shall we help her out? And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Furry Friends Friday: Pawchance to Dream

2011-07-22T14:55:00.001+10:00

ink & watercolour illustration, ACQUIRE PRINTS

In the interests of feline and canine equality, please find herewith one puppy dog, enjoying the tail end of the northern hemisphere summer. His humans might be found in a lazy hammock nearby. If you live above the equator, I'm very much starting to look forward to trading seasons with you, and exchanging my hot water bottle and double doona layers for linen sheets and someone to fan me. {Something like this would do. Or to keep it Australian, this. Hugh's on recuperative leave for a few weeks, possibly enjoying his very own hammock...} And on that note...

Happy Furry Friends Friday!