Guest Blogger | Rose Tinted Illustrations

Hi everyone! My name is Maree of Rose Tinted Illustration and Design. Lovely to meet you!

I’ve loved drawing my whole life and it has always been second nature to me. I’m from a very creative family who have always been very encouraging of my art.

I finished my Bachelor of Visual Arts with the University of Auckland last year, majoring primarily in illustration. My final project comprised of making my own online magazine called Rose which involved many of the skills I acquired over my degree. I learnt so much at art school not only about creative skills but also about myself and my personal artistic style. It was at Art School where I discovered a love for graphic design and photography. I used to try and avoid any work to do with the computer because I felt it was too cold and distant. Boy was I wrong! I now find it to be vibrant and full of endless possibilities.

My subject matter is centred around fashion, flowers and femininity and often includes the colour pink. I’m a girly girl at heart and a sucker for all things pretty. I LOVE clothes and I always thought I might be a fashion designer (if only I didn’t hate sewing so much). Fashion still plays a central part into my work but it’s not about what’s on trend, it’s about what I love in terms of style. I will probably love pastels & floral prints forever!

I’m fascinated by portraiture because I like the challenge of capturing emotion. The best part is drawing the eyes, (windows to the soul and all that jazz). But the eyes really do make a portrait as they connect with the viewer. My preferred medium is coloured pencils for their precision and fine blending, but I also dabble with acrylic, gouache, collage and watercolour.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll be posting tutorials on here to do with drawing, photography, design and craft.

Nomad Interview: Guest Post

Carla Mallari

www.nomadstyle.tumblr.com

1. When and why did you start blogging?

I started my blog about three years ago, during my sophomore year in university while I was studying fashion design. I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate Qatar's diversity through fashion.

2. Have any tips and advice for to share with us? 

In fashion blogging, just have fun with it! Whatever content you choose for your blog just make sure it's something that genuinely interests you, and resist posts that you think is just out to get readers and hits. But that goes for anything, your best work comes when there's passion involved.

3. What are you favourite blogs? 

 I'm currently following ‘Men in this Town’. It's a photo blog full of men's street-style. I love menswear and each time I land on this blog, the more I'm tempted to try and create a menswear line.

 4. How does a blogger & fashion designer such as you get their name out there?

Network, network, network! Get those business cards rolling, put your charm on and use all your socialising skill set.

 5. Where do you shop?

I shop pretty much anywhere, Zara, Suite Blanco, H&M, Mango, Splash, Top Shop, Warehouse, etc. In Qatar, the style choices are quite limited, but I do manage to find an eccentric piece or two here and there. When I'm out of town, I like to shop at market places and little boutiques. Never online though, it's too tempting and I'm more likely to end up eating cup noodles for the rest of the month.

6. What hobbies do you have? 

I don't know really, my hobby has turned into something that I do for a living now. I do like to go out for a drive and have a gander in the mangroves, get in touch with nature.

7. What do you do for a living?

I do a number of things! I'm a freelancer. I design for independent clothing brands and sportswear lines. I'm also a wardrobe stylist for TV commercials and I style for magazine editorials. I'm beginning to delve into costume design too. And, as you know I run a street-style blog. AND, I almost forgot, I model from time to time.

8. Is there a community of bloggers and fashion designers in Doha?

If so, how can we get connected? 

There is a Facebook group I started quite a while ago for people within the growing fashion industry here in Qatar to network, it's called the Doha Fashion Circle. Since then there has been a few other fashion communities that have started too like the Qatar Fashion Makers (Facebook group) and Middle East Fashion (networking website).

 9. What is the best way to get publicity for your blog and talents? 

It all comes down to who you know, and networking is essential.

  Love Polli xx

Traveling the World.

Why hello there lovelies! This is Ilana from See Me Everywhere, filling in while Sone is off exploring the world and having a grand ol' time.

I thought today I would share some snapshots from Sone's travels, as they are so breathtaking and it really makes me want to pack my bags today and hit the road to go travel Europe! So far they've explored the beautiful city of Rome and as you can see, you cannot go to Italy without enjoying some real Italian pizza! Next off to Tuscany! Jealous!

Make sure you check out her travel updates on instagram :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Ilana
See Me Everywhere

Beauty in Simplicity

Hello everyone, it's Amanda from Here Comes the Sun dropping by today. As you would all be aware by now Sone and her husband have made the move to Dohar, Qatar! I've seen a couple of pictures of their adventure so far and it looks like they're having a blast. I'm sure as soon as they're a little more settled in and the jetlag has worn off Sone will be updating you all on how it's going.

In the meantime I hope you're enjoying these guest posts. The pictures above are by Leslie Thomson. I always admire photographers who can capture so much beauty in the most simple, everyday items. 

Amanda

Here Comes the Sun

Guest post: The Drifter and the Gypsy

 

On My Bookcase

Hello! My name is Micaela and I run The Drifter and the Gypsy blog. I blog about fashion, photography, and life. Today, I'm sharing what's on my bookcase. My bookcase is definitely my favorite part of my room. I display vintage knick knacks, books, and other random thrift store finds. In the corner of the bookcase, I keep letters friends and family have written to me over the past few years. Some of the stuff on display was gifted to me when I was very young. I've never had one favorite item, but rather, my bookcase is a prized collection of everything important to me. What's on your bookcase?

Micaela

Guest Post: Amongst Lovely Things.

Hello friends.
Who doesn't like lovely things? Well when I stumbled across Amongst Lovely Things, I knew this was a shop to bookmark! I reckon if the plates you use to eat out of look pretty, your food will just taste so much better as well (just my theory of coarse!). Filled with so many beautiful treats, it is definitely a little site to check out!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Ilana
See Me Everywhere

Guest Post: See Me Everywhere

Hi lovelies! It's Ilana here from See Me Everywhere and I will be helping out Sone (along with Amanda) to keep you all entertained while Sone is off on her big adventure and settles in.

Today I thought I would share these incredible quirky jewellery pieces by So Little Time. I have been around jewellery and working with it for the last four odd years so do love and adore jewellery more than most people. I just love the sweet shapes and colours used to create these pieces and really does brighten up the mood of an outfit.

Lovely being with you here today and see you again tomorrow!

Ilana
See Me Everywhere

Guest blogger: Voyages of the Creative Variety

Hi. My name is Tori and I'm from a blog called Voyages of the Creative Variety (a mouthful I know!)
I've known Soné for a wee while now. We met while studying graphic design some years ago. And she is sweet enough to invite me to do a post on her beautiful blog!

So I thought I'd share with you all my latest crafting endeavour... A purse inspired pencil-case.
It's been rainy and cold this last week so I pulled out the sewing machine and put the jug on! The result was this pencil-case with a ball clasp opening.

Check out my blog if you'd like to see more of the process.

Thanks so much for having me Soné!

- Tori xx