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!

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!

November Wishlist & Northern Love

It's been a manic few days, always is when I go home for the weekend. There's always too much to do, too many people to see & then before I know it, I need to get back to London again! It was a lovely trip though, always good to spend time with your family & I think Manchester is a great place to be around Christmas time. The markets have arrived, I swiftly made my way to the city centre for a hot choc & baileys- ridiculously good there, I look forward to it every year! Vural came too & was able to drive my mum & sister back with us on Monday. Hannah's been flat hunting which, if you're a Londonite, you'll feel her pain!

Here's a snippet of my weekend in photos as promised, beautiful sunset on the long drive home, fireworks, markets, city scapes, SANTA!...all a bit much for someone...

On to more fashionable matters, How amazing is the knitted sweat/floral blouse combo from Zara? This is actually a genius idea, I pop knitwear over my summer tops & dresses a la Keira & Sienna in the Edge of Love to get extra wear over the Winter months & brighten up often drab AW outerwear!

I'm generally more of a dresses girl, if I'm in trousers it's usually jeans. However, this AW, & Im guessing it's partly due to the UK arrival of J Crew, Im into capri pants. The slouchy plaid asos pair are particularly wonderful. I'm also feeling those holographic heels & suede boots- I love knee & thigh lengths for boots, but often find the heel is way too pretty woman, the height on the Topshop pair is perfect. Slimleg trousers go beautifully with printed shirts, tucked in or out. This Zara embroidered beauty is really good value for money. I'm rather proud of this shirt from Urban Outfitters, it's one of my prints (from an UO vintage swatch) that took bloody ages to draw! I'd love to own anything from the hand of Emma Shipley, the colours in this scarf are stunning.

Best of the rest from left to right, bargain beanie (£8!!!), fun fur collar, gorgeous Marc Jacobs & Maiyet handbags, & of course J Crew trews. Cute woolly mitts, & this pretty cranberry bralet are perfect for the festive season.

Finally please let me draw your attention to something wonderful I've happened across on my internet travels...

On the left we have the lustworthy Phillip Lim embellished sweat, with the not so desirable pricetag of £625. On the right, French Connection's budget friendlier winner. Nuff said I reckon!

Date Night

It's our anniversary on Sunday & as the boy is working all weekend : ( we're going out this evening- feels as if we've been living apart the past couple of weeks,we've both been so busy. I'm really looking forward to spending some time together, even if it's only for one night! We're going for dinner & I'm as I'm still undecided on my outfit, here's a few looks (in my humble opinion) that would make perfect date attire...a girl can dream!!

First things first though- up, loose, waves, texture, plaits? eek! Always dark lips, dramatic eyes & look-at-me earrings for big dates though...

This location + the suitably lacey dresses please, wish I was one of those glamourous Italian waifs

Embellishment is always a winner in my book, sexy but still classy, dressed up without looking to 'done'. I am in love with Valentino SS14 (who isn't!)-the stunning embroidered detail, the full length gowns, the folklore theme ahhh!! Also, of course, last years D&G religious iconography inspired shows were genius & truly spectacular- really want to see these in the flesh. If money was no object pieces from these collections would be heading my way sharpish.

However, print rules hands down for me. I think Vural would be genuinely shocked if I turned up tonight without a dash of print on me somewhere! I love the Suno pyjama set, this looks so comfortable whilst remaining stylish & feminine. I want every single piece from Antoni & Alison, their SS13 show was particularly dreamy. I could wax lyrical about them all day, but above all I love how they've created pieces so clever & 'outthere' but still so accessible. I really like the fun element to them, as I do with the marni dress & printed skirt, they're all playful & flirty without looking silly.

I'm a big fan of the maxi/midi lengths that seem to be in vogue at the moment, think they're another way to look elegant without necessarily having gone to much effort- something you'll notice is big on my agenda! The BCBG SS14 was just perfect in my opinion, the first midi below being the highlight for me

I'm also a huge admirer of MSGM, I've been reading up on them recently for work (exciting times ahead to be announced in the near future!) & I think their Pre-fall 12 rose collection was particularly wonderful. I love the mix & match appeal to their pieces, again if I had the dolla they'd all be heading in the direction of my wardrobe . Head to toe MSGM would be perfect for a date as it looks so chic yet fun.

Also, what a fantastic idea to use personalised illustrations for your lookbook, absolutely adore this. Wish I could style Vural up to be my print partner!

Finally (I'm sure if you're still reading you'll be pleased to hear!) here's an inspiration collage to give a feel for what I'm going for tonight. I'm considering posting my outfit tomorrow, but that's heading into territory I thought I'd never stray; the dreaded bloggers' outfit of the day! Hmmm, we shall see... Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Happy Anniversary to us x

All images via pinterest, I do not own any. The 'work' tag eludes to the last image posted