Move On Up

Whew! Blogging is harder than I initially imagined! I posted a hiatus piece.. a couple of months ago now, and vowed then that I'd make more of a conscientious effort to get my act together and get back up to more regular blogging. However, since then I feel so much has changed for me and I'm now at a point where I need to start making some big decisions. Vural and I are no longer together, it's been so odd coming to terms with being single again but I'm getting more comfortable with it as each day passes. Everything's been up in the air with me for quite a while; job, family, London life, and unfortunately blogging has fallen by the wayside.

I went out to visit my cousin as she's currently living near Seville and I explained to her how blogging was in a way therapeutic for me. It's been great outlet to get my thoughts together and focus on things that interest me and most importantly make me happy, even if no-one else is really paying attention! So here goes again, another promise to get myself up and running once more. I'm feeling more positive and ready to start heading towards pastures new. Seeing how well my cousin Holly is getting on and visiting friends in Cornwall at the weekend have made me realise I need to really need to put more thought into me, what I want and how to get myself there.

Thought I'd share a few exciting things I've been up to, firstly my personal website-

http://cargocollective.com/EllaEllajo

So pleased with this, to finally have an organised site where I can showcase my illustrations and work across the high street. I've been starting to draw and design for myself again, to have a more creative outlet in my life outside of work which has lead to...

http://society6.com/EllaJoDesign

Yep, I've bitten the bullet and set up a society6 shop. I'm only dipping my toe in at the moment and perhaps need to dedicate a bit more time into designing more cohesive and specific prints, it's a bit allover the place at the moment! Saying that though, I guess that's me.

I love having 'products' online though and it's got the ball rolling in terms of ideas for my own brand-- watch this space in the not so far future! I just need to start promoting the society6 a little, perhaps through pinterest or something. Ive been having fun putting this board together though, let me know what you think, don't be shy! My personal faves are the wall clocks and throw cushions- is it a bit lame if I buy my own stuff?!

So yeah, perhaps this is a bit of a random post but I just wanting to state (more to myself I guess than anybody else) that I'm moving on to bigger and better things and will do my very very best to take my blog with me!

COUNTDOWN

Morning all

Many many thanks for anyone who voted for my print in the Front Row Society competition, just a polite reminder that today is the last day to vote, only 6 hours left! I'd really appreciate your support with this, feel free to share : )

All you need to do is click anywhere on this link & cast your vote!!

Front Row Society

Hello again! Just a teeny tiny post about Front Row Society. I've finally got my act together & started drawing/designing outside of work, which has been really fun I've got to say. My friend came across this competition & thought of me as the brief was right up my alley so here we are! I thought I'd share with y'all as I'd really appreciate your opinion & (hopefully) your vote! Let me know what you think & if anyone else has got themselves back into the creative flow recently...

...and here's where to vote for my submission, BLOOMING MARVELLOUS!! Thank you x

GEORGE

First & foremost here's a rather belated Happy New Year, hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I was unfortunately too busy eating, drinking & being merry while I was home, now I'm back at work I'm definitely feeling the need to get inspired & blogging again! I got back into drawing at home, I had a look back at my uni portfolio & did a few quick linear sketches. I'm determined to start going to life drawing classes this year, & I really want to get back into using my sewing machine too. Perhaps I'll finish my patchwork quilt this year? Although to be honest I think there might be a greater chance of pigs flying...Thought this graphic New Year text went well with my gorgeous new embroidered pillow- a Birthday present from my good friend Sarah which I haven't stopped showing off! Love the pom poms--

I finally bought the kimono dress from Urban Outfitters I've been banging on about for months, £30 in the sale BARGAIN! I was pleasantly surprised to see Sara of the fabulous Waiste blog doing a spot of modelling for UO. Even better, she was modelling a few of my prints! Absolutely love this tile smock, so pleased they went for this print. Think it really suits Sara- her blonde dip dye is a great contrast to the rich deep maroon & it looks so comfortable I just may have to purchase!

Finally, a bit of sad news I'm afraid. I came back to London on Thursday eve to find we had been graced with the presence of mice. Unfortunately this meant we had to give up our much loved budgie George. It wouldn't have been fair to keep him while there were mice around & I don't think we'd have managed to get rid of the mice with his cage being an easy source of food for the little buggars! I was surprised as how upset I was, George is such a character & I hope he goes to owners who fully appreciate him!

So, not a great start to 2014 but onwards & upwards! All images via pinterest apart from my doodles at the beginning of the post, & the beautiful George montage- hope you like! Ps. George was with us & named well before the Royal Prince showed up!

Uniform Appeal

I loved that pink coats had a moment this year, I fully appreciate them on other people, they're just not for me. This satchel from Miss Selfridge is a gorgeous berry shade & a snip at £49 for real leather. I thought the bag was a great base for an outfit I've had in mind for a while. I wanted to do uniform with a twist, the understated collar on this All Saints shirt is perfect for this. The sweet skater skirt from Urban Outfitters is one of mine, the dainty nude roses look great on such a dark ground. Acne Pistol ankle boots have been on my wishlist since they first came out. I have my trusty Mighty boots from Topshop which are a great & affordable alternative, but I just LOVE this pony skin pair on Kurt Geiger. This embellished Roksanda Ilincic coat is incredible, although so is the price at almost £4000!! Topshop as ever has some lovely accessories, really tempted to get this ombre snood-think the colours are quite unusual, & this beautiful ethnic pendant. I think they're the icing on the cake for this simple & chic outfit. Ive added a few alternative ideas that would also work well with the satchel, this floral boiler suit from Topshop is stunning, it looks so comfortable. The sweatshirts are from River Island & could be great chucked over the skirt. Happy Shopping!! Ps. Asos have just started their sale, up to 50% across all departments!!! At least I have the excuse of my Birthday on Friday for already making a few purchases!

Recent Swag

Currently sat waiting for hair dye to sink in, I always manage to get it half way down my forehead, there's just not a glamorous way to diy hair dyeing is there?! Yesterday I nipped out early to Wood Green to pick up a few bits & bobs, inevitably I ended up spending a while wandering round Primark. It's almost impossible to come home without making a few purchases there, it's huge!! I picked out a couple of blazer/jackets, which were not only bargains (£7 & £10 respectively) but they're both my prints! I think these look far more expensive than they actually are-they're surprisingly well made & fit really well, aswell as the prints being pretty snazzy-if I do say so myself! The novelty of finding my prints in store, seeing people in them & of course wearing them myself still hasn't worn off, even after 3 years. These silky pajama paisley trews are mine too, think they're a bit too much for me to pull off though...

I also found these fabulous bejewelled clutches, couldn't believe the £10 price tag for all that embellishment. I love clutches but usually hang back from buying them as I don't trust myself with something I have to remember to keep hold of. Luckily for me these little gems have straps : ) I stood for a while arguing internally over which one to buy & trying to convince myself I didn't need both of them, but I just couldn't choose. Well for that price it would have been rude not to get both right?!

It wasn't until I got home I realised the blazers & the clutches coordinated pretty perfectly..

Also, I don't think I've mentioned the cushions you can just make out in these pics. They're another Istanbul bazaar purchase, hand woven kilim patched together, beautiful!! I had a pile I wanted to bring back, but Vural being the boring sensible one managed to somehow convince me I only needed 2. Definitely shouldn't have listened to him!

Just a quickie

So this is decidedly belated-pretty much a week late, but nevertheless, I've finally got round to posting what I wore! It's been pretty manic at work & having family down with us has meant I've barely been keeping up with day to day tasks such as cleaning the flat, let alone blogging! Enough of my sob story, without further ado here they are, details & all--

From left to right; Monday oversized check shirt courtesy of my sisters' wardrobe with bargain cashmere scarf from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, I think it was roughly £5!! It's so soft & warm it's perfect for the increasingly chilly weather. Tuesday H&M slouchy mono stripe sweatshirt over Asos ombre distressed slip-this is one of my prints! I love the colours in this & the fact that they put it on a grungey shape, really suits the print. Wednesday Primark cropped metallic flecked jumper over Topshop animal dress, another of mine!! Love the strong colours in this print & Im so pleased to see bloggers in this one, makes me feel very proud. Ive pinned a cheap ebay necklace which I think picks out the metallic details & complements the jumper really well. Thursday another oversized H&M sweatshirt. They're such good value for money & I love that the knit is chunkier & looser in this one-you can see this a little clearer in the close up above. The colours are great too, as I've said before, I love stronger tones to brighten up dull Winter days! Friday we were on our way to Manchester, so comfort ruled here. I wore my trusty TS baxters along with this snuggly Primark cardie, it's got tiny sequins sewn into the knit, a lovely touch that meant I just had to have it! The sweet floral Asos cami is also one of my prints, another bold little number! I like that the straps are that bit longer too.

Also, I received a little treat in the post, another ebay purchase I'd forgotten all about. It's a Laura Ashley mono floral midi skirt & I can't wait to get wearing it--

I'm going to be writing quite a bit tomorrow to make up for the lack of posts this week, sorry!