Remember my post about watercolor quotes? Help Ink recently asked me to collaborate with them on an inspiring typographic watercolor design for prints and cards. For those who aren’t familiar with Help Ink, it’s a collaborative project, using the sale of premium and exclusive art to help charities in an exciting way. For every 5 dollars spent, 1$ goes directly for a good cause. Awesome, isn’t it? You’d guess I was more than pleased to team up with them on such a cool project! So here’s the final result:
It’s called Cheers and I decided to go with a quote that simply represents pure happiness for me, through small and unsuspected pleasures, like having a banana milkshake. I’ve always been drawn to this idea of gathering and enjoying all the little pleasures in life instead of waiting for the big happy circumstances.
My print is actually on new-release sale, so better catch it before it’s back to normal price! You can buy it here. & see all the products here. Please, let me know if you buy it, and I’d be more than happy to see a picture of where you hung it! Make sure you check out the other projects too, there are some pretty amazing artists out there! (and I do have to mention my favorite typographer; Jessica Hische!)
Finally, a big thanks to Help Ink for this collaboration! Cheers!
I’m soooo happy to introduce you to my friend Marie Pier, who recently joined this blog as a contributor. She is a graphic designer and web developper by day, and a pet lover by night. Her mind-blowing sense of details and taste for home decor leads her beliefs in the power of a gorgeous home. She’s here to share her passion for home styling along with her obsession with beauty products! Welcome Marie-P! May this be your second home. -M …..
Hey Spring, you are finaly here ! I just wanted to share with you my crush of the moment and one thing that inspired M and I for the DIY concrete project we did last week (don’t worry you’ll see that soon enough). I really like that concrete console table, but it’s definitely out of my budget (443$ !). I may use it as inspiration in a future project! I love the whole concept of this room, especialy its brightness, maybe I’m just tired of looking at the dirty sidewalks.
Anyway, Spring has sprung and I like to take a particular care of my skin during this time of the year to be ready for Summer. I must confess, I cannot skip a day without using the Biotherm serum that I’ve been using for the last year or so. It’s a bit expensive (60$), but you don’t need much to cover your face (and a bottle lasts for about six months, on a twice a day basis) and you can easily save on your day/night cream (you’ll need less in combination with the serum). It really helps to prevent dehydration and it brightens your skin. How do you prepare yourself for Summer ?
Remember my posts about beauty boxes? After being suscribed to Topbox for about 6 months, I decided to try another company I’ve been referred to by a friend; Ipsy. Very similar to all of those beauty box company, delivering beauty products samples to you each month, Ipsy has something more; it’s packaged in a different oh-so-pretty glam bag every time. It costs 16$/bag (shipped to you door) but I can guarantee the products are worth the price! I’ve been more than pleased with every bag so far and I can’t get myself to unsubscribing, even if my drawers are loader with cosmetics. It’s insane! It’s been 7 or 8 months since I received my first glam bag and I wanted to share some of my very favorite products so far!
1. Benefit’s porefessional balm One word? magical! This awesome product is a pre-foundation balm made to minimize the appearance of pores. The texture is insanely soft and it works like magic on skin! You definitely have to try this. get it here . 2. Zoya nailpolish Believe me, I’ve tried MANY brands of nailpolishes but this one has reached #1 in my heart! Easy to apply, no lumps or bumps and lasts about a week without chipping. I’ve received two shades so far but this soft lilac is my very favorite! get it here
3. Mica shimmer powder It’s sold as an eye shadow but I use it as a soft glow on my upper cheeks. Simply love the shimmer! get it here . 4. Malin+Goetz mojito lip balm I’m not a huge fan of lip balms, but this one leaves my lips feeling so hydrated! Gotta thank Ipsy for this! get it here . 5. Benefit They’re real mascara Remeber my post about my favorite mascaras? Well, let’s just add this one. It’s not on the cheap side but certainly worth it! get it here
6. Be a bombshell lip crayon Bright red lipstick is a girl-must-have. This crayon makes it easy to apply, easy to carry, and the smooth texture is fun to wear. I don’t think I will ever get bored of wearing this hot damn shade! get it here . 7. Cailyn eye liner I always wear black eyeliner so when I first unpacked this purple gel eyeliner with a built-in brush, I have to admit I was unsure. Now i’m just obsessed with how good my eyes look with it! Definitely my #1 eyeliner up-to-date. get it here
Some of you might know this, my brother Alex is a tattoo artist. He’s been doing this job for quite some time now and I’m very proud and impressed whenever I see an art piece he did (no wonder why I am so obessed with tattoo designs and all!). He’s been working full-time for Freres d’Encre, a tattoo shop situated downtown Trois-Rivières, ever since the shop opened in September 2010.
Recently, the shop launched their new mind-blowing branding along with an amazing website (all credits to Carolane Godbout and Sebastien Dust Leblanc) and I thought the team and designers deserved a well-done mention in here. Do take time to check it out! And make sure you take a look at the complete behance project here.
I recently had the opportunity to work on a character illustration using watercolor for a friend/client. Then came the idea of drawing myself in different outfits I wear daily and outfits I would love to wear (if my wallet wished the same) to experiment my watercolor techniques. Those sketches gave birth to this new mix&match column; an ongoing serie of self-portraits that I will posting here. Hope you guys like it!
Last week, one of my co-worker celebrated her 23rd birthday. I made her those easy & delicious cupcakes for the occasion. We have this thing at the office that every birthday someone brings a sweet treat for everyone to share and enjoy at mid-afternoon break. I love this idea! Taking 15 minutes in a day to celebrate a friend while enjoying a home-cooked dessert is not much of an effort!
Since she’s very stylish and girly, I wanted to make cupcakes that reflect her style. A few onths ago, Wholeport sent me those hard muffin cups and I thought they’d be perfect for her. A simple blue and purple ombre icing and a few homemade flags matched the cute polka dot cups just fine!
The recipe As simple as ABC, this recipe was created solely out of my love for white chocolate and blueberries. I already had those two ingredients at home, so I simply decided to add some (about a cup of each) to a store-bought white cake mix and bake it like instructed on the box (I figured those muffin cups need a little more baking time than ordinary paper liners). The berries and chocolate chips ended up ad the bottom of the cakes but they tasted like heaven anyway. Colleagues approved!
The ombre icing
I often get asked how I do this ombre icing that have been my signature on many cakes and cupcakes. I should do a tutorial but honestly it’s too easy to explain. Simply prepare two or three small bowls of icing mixed with food colouring to get different shades. Then randomly fill an icing bag by alternating colours (using white with 2 colours gives great results). When pressing the icing out of the bag the colours will mix and you will get a nice ombre.
Will you guys try this? Let me know if you do! &do take time to celebrate your friends, families and co-workers :) It’s always appreciated!
Colours & beyond ; I’ve missed you so much! I’ve been quite busy lately, it’s crazy how much a puppy can change your life.
On my birthday, my dear boyfriend got me, among other things, a lovely Crosley turntable. Since then, I have bought a few records and there are some that I simply cannot stop listening to! The two records I’m addicted to are Dave Hause “Devour” and Northcote’s self-titled album. Believe me, they are played a lot on my light blue beauty.
I bought those records a few months ago when I went to see the two artists play at The Carleton, here in Halifax. The show was great. Dave and Matt played Same Disease, from Dave’s album Devour and Worry from Northcote’s album “Borrowed Chords, Tired Eyes” together and it made me so happy! Their music is sincere and heartfelt.
Northcote I didn’t know Northcote very well so I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to buy the record, but after hearing and seeing Matt on that stage, there was no doubt. He just throws it in your face. His tenor voice gives you chills and his presence cannot leave you indifferent. If you’re looking for an indie-pop record to brighten your rainy days (perfect for Halifax), this one is a must!
Dave Hause – Devour I fell in love with Dave’s music when I first heard his album Resolutions and to my surprise, Devour is just as good. My favorite song on the album is definitely Same Disease, which I listen to all-the-time. The CD plays in loop in my car and the record helps me cleaning my apartment. On stage, Dave’s stage presence is great and the fact that he brought his younger brother, Tim, with him on tour gave some kind of je-ne-sais-quoi. I saw Dave in concert a few times so far and he never disappoints. I’d recommend this record to anyone!
Overall
Yes I know this one is for babies, but I can only hope they offer it in women size! I just loooooove the heart pocket idea, and I need need NEED a new overall for springtime! . Cap Lately, I’ve been thinking about adding this boyish accessory to my style. This summer, I’m planning on doing it! . Hair accessories I should definitely add more bows and hair accessories to my outfits. . Rain boots I just can’t get over how cute, comfortable and practical rain boots are! I wish I had a pair of every color to match every outfit I wear.
Mint oxfords With around 50 pairs of shoes in the closet, I guess you can call me a shoe-addict. This spring, I’m drawn to everything mint and a pair of mint oxfords would be just right. . Pale Jeans I don’t remember the last time I wore a pair of those pale worn-out jeans, although I think they are among the very essentials a girl should own. Isn’t it a shame? Hop, on my shopping list! . Plants Gradually adding more greenery to my apartment is one of my spring goals! Although I’m ridiculously black thumbed, I’m hoping that I can take care of 2 or 3 more plants. Succulents for the win!
Stripes! They make for the perfect everyday lazy/comfy/easy outfits. I just need a new striped beauty like this cute Topshop striped tunic! .
Purse So I’ve been carrying the same purse around for 2 years and a half. Don’t I deserve a new one?! . White Converse shoes
White converse shoes have been on my wishlist for 3 years, it’s finally time I treat myself with those perfect classic & casual beauties! . Gym clothes Having a beach body ready for summer is all about working out! And working out is always easier in cute & comfy shorts!
There’s this project I’ve worked on a few months ago, that I just forgotten to share with you! Since i’m a huge fan of typographic quotes and I had just started experimenting with watercolor, I decided to make a few colorful quotes to improve my techniques. I’ve picked up 3 quotes that really stuck to me at that time. Here’s what I came up with:
Do you like it? I’m also working on a new amazing project using the same technique that I can’t wait to share with you! I’ll keep you posted as soon as it’s done!
You can also take a look at my behance portfolio over here.
Hey guys! I’m proud to announce that I am now blogging for Linen Chest! If you never heard about it, Linen Chest is a Canadian quality home living retailer. They released their blog, LCLiving, a few weeks ago, and I am lucky to be part of that great project! This is a picture from a post I wrote about rethinking hot chocolate (hmm!), you can read the full post here. And check all of my posts here. Make sure you check out my upcoming posts as well !
