LYST X PAIGE

This month I took part in an exciting little project that I thought I would share with you. As you probably know (I wang on about it enough) as well as blogging, I am a fashion illustrator. The lovely people at Lyst.co.uk were holding a high tea event in New York, bringing a bit of London to the big apple, in collaboration with the denim brand Paige. Elizabeth from Paige helped that lucky blogger gals attending to pick from a range of denim jackets, dungarees and jeans. The girls could customise their denim with a selection of patches, and personalised embroidery. My role in this was to illustrate to bloggers on little A5 cards as a 'Thank You' for attending the event. Although it was a bit of a mad rush to get done, it was so much fun and exactly the sort of thing I'd like to do more of in the future. In the hurry to get them all ready and me being me, I completely forgot to take any good photos of them finished! Although I thought id share with you a few Instagram snaps to give you an idea.

 

If you'd like any illustrations done for yourself, feel free to drop me an email to Helen_Raggydoll@hotmail.co.uk... or you can view more of my work on my Instagram.

 

A big thank you to Hannah from Lyst for the event photos!

 

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IVY JOAN

 

 

 

Neon Rose Raw Edge Blazer - c/o Ivy Joan  | V-Neck Tunic - Topshop | Double Strap Mules - Topshop (similar) | Catarzi Fedora - Asos  

 

 

I can't tell you how long I've been after a longline grey sleeveless blazer, so my day was made when the lovely Hayley from Ivy Joan came to my rescue with little Neon Rose bad boy.

If you haven't yet heard of Ivy Joan, they're an online lifestyle boutique, run from a studio in Suffolk where I live. Personally, when it comes to clothes I am a proud high street shopper and probably always will be. Although, when we're talking home ware, I love nothing more than a one off unique item with a tonne of character. Ivy Joan have everything perfectly covered for me, stocking clothing from brands such as Vero Moda & Neon Rose alongside vintage home ware and gifting. They're products are sourced world wide everywhere from quaint English village boot sales to flea markets in new York and stalls in Morocco. So whatever takes your fancy on their site, whether it be a turquoise porcelain deer or a pair of industrial lanterns, you can guarantee it will have a story to tell. If it's gifting you're after, they also offer a wide range of wall art that can all be personalised... and who doesn't love something made especially for them!

I'm moving out in a couple of weeks, so this website couldn't have come at a better time for me! Don't get me wrong I don't mind a bit of Ikea... but it doesn't excite me. Ivy Joan means that I can fill my home with character, without having to spend a fortune and a lot of time hunting out home ware treasures.

 

I've picked out a few of my favourite pieces from the website that you can shop by clicking the links below. Hayley from Ivy Joan has also very kindly offered my lovely readers a discount code, just type in HH001 at the checkout.

 

Happy shopping!

 

 



Retro Mississippi Enamel Bowl  | Vintage Playing Card Wall Art  | 1950's Bambi Babycham Figure  | 1950's Industrial Floor Lamp  | Vintage Upcycled Deckchair  | Retro Cow Steak Plate

 

 

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LAUNDRY BOUTIQUE

Rust Tassel Jacket - c/o Laundry Boutique  | Vintage levi Shorts | Birkenstock Arizona's | H&M Oversized Linen Tee

 

I make no secret of the fact I love a cheeky bit of fringing, and when they lovely people at Laundry Boutique sent this one over to I couldn't wait to get it on and do a little jig. My poor boyfriend had to deal with me doing a few questionable dance moves while shooting this post, mainly one I call 'the finger point', which is quite self explanatory.

 I was having a no hair & make-up day on this day, hence the tiny eyebrows and pale lips. It had been a really nice day. I went to a really sweet little village fete in the afternoon. There was a bunting everywhere, a coconut shy, farm animals, face painting and lots of families wandering around in the sun. It was so nice, and after all the bad news we constantly have at the moment, it restored my faith in Great Britain and made me feel like a happy kid again. After that, on a little smiley high, I went home and drank a lot of Pimms in the garden. So no time for sitting inside doing make up.

 

A little shout out to Laundry Boutique, a brand I'm super glad I discovered! They have a real folky laid back style, and if you're after a Chloe-eqse whimsical piece with a more affordable price tag this is certainly the place to go. How cute is this little embroidered blouse !? If this, or anything takes your fancy, the gorgeous peeps at laundry Boutique have given my readers an exclusive 10% off discount code. Just enter RAGGYDOLL10 at the checkout. Simples.

 

 

Happy shopping!

 

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XO

XO Necklace - c/o Peggy Pink  | 70's Lace up Top - Asos | Mid Wash Farleigh Jeans - Asos | Fedora Hat - Catarzi @ Asos

 

 

So this is just a wee little post to show you Thursday's outfit of the day. I've had a week off this week, and had visions of me living in my Levi shorts & sunnies sipping Pimms in my sunny garden everyday, but it's been far from it (except today). So I've had to dig my trusty Asos Farleigh jeans out again. I'm definitely going to get them in more colours for Autumn/winter. I just love the cut and high waist. They go perfectly with this top to. I've been wanting a Chloe-esque lace up top for a while now, as has everyone else, and with the bell sleeves this one fits the bill perfectly.

Jobs a good'un.

 

 

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PRAY FOR YOUR HATERS

 

'Pray for your haters' tee - c/o Five Pound Tee | My boyfriend's Topman jacket | Vero Moda Jeans | Birkenstock Arizona's - Jones Bootmaker  | Gold XO Pendant - c/o Peggy Rose Pink

 

 

I've been double denim'ing it up recently, something I haven't done since the late 90's but quite enjoy. I've been badgering my boyfriend for this jacket of his for ages, and yesterday he finally gave in. I would have never really thought to buy my boyfriend denim jacket in actual boy stores, but I guess that is the secret!

 

This little tee is form a site called Five Pound Tee, where believe it or not, their tee's are actually £5. I probably didn't need to explain that, but it does sound a little too good to be true. The idea behind the brand is summed up in their tagline "Live to express, not to impress". Which is literally what they do, stocking tees and hoodies with all sorts of sassy slogans. They're really great quality and fit as well, which I was quite surprised at with the low price tag. I wear my tees a bit oversized, so went for a medium.

 

Also shout out to my really cute necklace. I've been living in the same gold bar necklace that my boyfriend got me for my birthday for ages now, which I still adore...but it's nice to have a little change. I used to be one for a statement Zara necklaces, but now I'm much more into dainty gold chains so this Peggy Pink pendant fits the bill perfectly.

 

Over & Out

 

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HELEN HIRD ILLUSTRAIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emilia Wickstead Fall 2015 | Giambattista Valli Fall 2014 | Giambattista Valli Spring 2015 | Giambattista Valli Spring 2015 | Nanette Lepore Spring 2015 | Giambattista Valli Spring 2015 | Rodebjer Spring 2015

 

 

This week is a super busy one for me, and I'm working really hard on a couple of exciting illustration projects. I don't like to neglect my blog, so thought I'd share with you a few of my more recent pieces from some of my favourite collections. As you can tell... I am a massive Giambattista Valli fan, there's something about their garments that I love illustrating. Every season they always create such beautiful silhouettes and I can never wait to paint them onto my leggy models.

I'm really not one for technology, I don't know how I manage to run my own blog half the time, so all my work is created by hand with water colour and pen. My favourite thing to do is have a make-upless day, sitting at my table for hours with my topknot on watching daytime T.V... paint brush in one hand and a coffee in the other. It's very relaxing... Until I make a massive mistake which I cant reverse with the click of a mouse. Even though I hate to admit it, sometimes I quite like the mistakes in the end. I might swear a bit at the time, but it's the little things you don't mean to do that can give the whole thing a bit more character. (I will remind myself of this tomorrow when one of my gal's eyelashes goes skew-wiff)

 

I promise you I will be back with some outfit posts next week, but I hope you've enjoyed this slightly different post and it's given you a little taster into what I do in my spare time. If you'd like to have a sneaky peak more often into what I'm painting, then you can follow me on Instagram & Facebook or you can visit my website, which is still in the process of being developed.

Equally for or any enquiries feel free to drop me an email to Helen_raggydoll@hotmail.com.

 

 

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ULLR & SKADE

Ullr & Skade Applique Letter Sweater | Levi Vintage Jeans | Asos Healed Sandals (silimar) | Missguided Kloe Coat

 

 

First off, how nice is this sweater? Very weather inappropriate right now, but I have always been one for layers.

I’m a sucker for a sweater with a bit of bold font to... why? I do not know, but there’s something Moschino-esque mixed with Tokyo street style which draws me in. So when I came across this Ullr & Skade appliqué jumper, I was all over it. 

Intrigued by the name and slogan plastered across my front, I read into the brand. The name itself is taken from Norse Mythology; Ullr, the God of the winter games and Skade Godess of ski hunting. The idea behind the brand is to combine Nordic beliefs with British street and urbanwear. Sad as it is admit, I was a bit of a Greek mythology geek at school, I couldn’t get enough of Jason and the arganaughts and the Minotaur. So this strikes a bit of a cord with my inner child and I love the fact that this story is the foundation for each piece, giving the garments and indentity and resulting in a casual chic look.  

The brand is ever expanding, now stocking jewellery in the form of this beaut silver embossed unity cuff & arrow pendant necklace . I spoke to Nick the brands creative director, who I have to say is not only super innovative and brimming with ideas, but an immensely nice guy. He rightfully has high hopes for Ullr & Skade. He plans to not only keep the brand small & chic stocking in independent boutiques, but also aiming to produce collections for fashion week. At the moment all the garments and accessories are unisex, but the idea is to branch off into sub brands like ULLR (mens) and SKADE (womens).

There's something really engaging about Alexander McQueen-esque about this brand, and it's definitely one to keep an eye on. To view the whole range simple visit the website right here.

 

Over & Out

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