Illustrated Packing List: Greek Island Hopping

Hello, Hello, Hello My Loves!!

I'm so excited to be back on TWD to reveal my Greek Island packing essentials!! This Friday May 24th I will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, leaving all the stresses of New York City behind ahhhh. I can already feel that Mediterranean sunshine permeating my skin. That reminds me...I still need to buy SPF 100 lotion because right now I'm grossly Snow White. Anyway, it seems that this trip's packing list is all about statement accessories. Truthfully, bohemian white maxi dresses just aren't that fun to draw ;). Starting from the top left:

Mary Katrantzou Medium Print Pouch Clutch

DOLCE & GABBANA Filigrane Embellished Gold-Plated Clip Earrings

mally Lip Magnifier in Sexy Siren

Zac Posen Illesteva Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses

ALAIA Studded Cutout Leather Sandals

Mara Hoffman Pow Wow Printed Bandeau Bikini

I fell absolutely in love with this season's prints and pop color accents like chartreuse, coral, and tangerine. I'm having visions of Santorini's aqua blue waters as the backdrop to my saturated colored ensembles. The outfits make the trip don't they?! How are you all spending your Memorial Day holiday? Have any of you been to the Greek Islands? If so leave your suggestions below.

Much love,

Meag xx

Greek Island Hopping Getaway!!

Hello Hello My Darlings!!

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!! A little under three weeks from now I will be jetting off to Athens to kick-start my Greek Island Hopping Extravaganza. On the agenda is Mykonos, Paros, and breathtaking Santorini. I can't wait to take you all there with me through my blog. This will be my first time traveling to Greece and I've been told just HOW extraordinarily beautiful it is. 

I searched high and low for references for this illustration and finally landed on an editorial from VOGUE Hellas. I wanted it to feel authentic and equally fashion/travel driven. I loved her headpiece as it related to Greek Mythology and the fact that she seemed to mirror my sentiments towards Greek island hopping (eager). I've been devising my packing list to illustrate here so stay tuned.

Before I sign off, I am dying to get recommendations from you all on the "must-sees" of Greece. Leave your comments and suggestions below and don't forget to include any post tips on themes, photos, postcards that you would like to see here upon my return. Thrilled to bring you Greece inspired posts galore and sink my teeth into a new country. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!!

Much love,

Meag xx   

TWD Darling: Julianne Hough

Hello My Loves,

I'm so excited to reveal my third ever TWD Darling - the beautiful, sassy, ubber talented Miss Julianne Hough. A couple of days ago I posted a process photo of this illustration to my Instagram and I was so amazed by the response. Apparently my absolute girl crush on Julianne is shared by many, many others.

My reason for selecting a TWD Darling is never the same. In this case I was completely transfixed with the style evolution of a formerly bedazzled professional dancer to a complete and utter fashion maven. After collecting photo after photo of Julianne's haircut for my own chop reference, my sheer affinity for her outfit ensembles was undeniable. I...just...had...to PAINT HER!!

The deeper I dug, the more I discovered. She isn't just a wickedly dressed blonde bombshell. Dancer, actress, singer, spokesperson, AND shoe designer with e-tailer Sole Society, I'm honestly left wondering what doesn't this girl do? So apart from dreaming of hanging out with her in her closet one day, my only other wish would be that she sees this illustration and loves it. I'm on a mission to get it to her and hopefully (like Kelly Cutrone and Liz Cabral) I will!!

Who's style do you absolutely adore? Is there anyone TWD Darling worthy in your mind? Leave your answer in the comments section below and maybe they will end up illustrated here too.

Much love,
Meag xx

Photos: Jake Rosenberg for Elle.com & The Coveteur

FACE FORWARD

I felt so inspired tonight at Would You Rock This' drawing session titled The Art of Beauty Illustration. Brandon brought two incredibly talented make-up artists on board to create three distinct trend looks for the evening. I kept thinking of the expression "put your best foot forward" which then evolved to "put your best face forward" and voila this post was born.

I was so amazed watching the girls transform from the inside out with each new stylization. It made me wonder whether something as immaterial as make-up has the power to really transform how we feel inside. My Father always says that "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at start to change." If that is true, and I believe it is, think of all the possibilities we have to improve our lives for the better each day.

I leave you with that tiny bit of food for thought because sleep is calling and work can be unforgiving. I promise to be back on the blog very soon with some SUPER exciting announcements and collaborations. Can't wait to share!!

Much love,
Meag xx

SHORT STORY

What's in a haircut? Confidence, insecurity, a quest to be trend right, a desire for individualism, all of the above? Exactly two weeks ago I returned home to Toronto for the Easter Holiday and dared to bare...my neck...for the first time...in years. I chopped off 6 inches back in December and decided to keep going, going, going, gone, up, up, up to my chin. And frankly, I haven't looked back (or down literally speaking).

For months now I've been watching, one by one, as my favorite models (Daria Werbowy, Karlie Kloss, Jessica Stam) went for the plunge or should I say chop. I observed with envy as they made the incredibly brave move to cut the security blanket from their heads. I salivated over February's fashion week street style shots; the inimitable Miroslava Duma racing between shows with the chicest of chic bobs. Finally I decided it was my time.

Hair throughout history has persisted as a symbol of femininity from Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Brooke Shields' Blue Lagoon. Cutting it off feels, simply put, liberating. I feel like I own my beauty more by redefining what is associated with being feminine. I can't help but notice how I appeal to different men with long hair than I do with short. I might even argue that the guy who approaches me with tresses to my chin seems to appreciate a little more just how strong willed I am.

In short (no pun intended) cutting ones hair is no laughing matter; because I happen to think there is a lot more in a haircut than meets the eye. Do you agree? Have any of you cut it all off recently? What possessed you to do so? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Much love,
Meag xx

Living In Your Truth

Oscar de la Renta FW13

What does it mean to live in your truth? How do you find your truth in order to live it? So many people ask me how I came to find what I love and my only answer is my unwavering quest for the truth.

I don't know why I love fashion illustration as much as I do, I just know that it is the most fulfilling, genuine expression of myself. I know that even if nobody saw it as having any value, if no one cared to look, I would still need to paint these miraculous little glimpses into the world of fashion. Because to me, what I do, is like breathing. I couldn't live without doing it. Or at the very least, I wouldn't be contributing the best of me to the world around me (and frankly that's just as terrifying).

We can spend so much time getting caught up in the woulda/shoulda/coulda. But at the end of the day, if you are living in your truth, if you are following your heart, then you probably are exactly where you need to be right now.

If I have any regret in my life, it is the time I spent wasting second guessing myself. I've known all along what it was that I wanted to do but I worried too much about what others around me were doing too. Ultimately, fortune favors the bold, and I don't just mean monetarily. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the leap of faith, for a chance at the reward. I'm not sure I've even seen the reward of my risk yet but what I do know is that I'm grateful everyday that I'm living honestly with myself - who I want to be, who I'm meant to be.

You're probably wondering what any of this has to do with anything, maybe even specifically the look I painted for this post. Trust me, there is a connection ;) Oscar de la Renta, who happens to be one of my all time favorite designers, really took a risk this past season when he partnered with the dishonored John Galliano for his FW13 collection.

Oscar has a label with a tremendous amount of credibility. Taking Galliano under his wing, after he was very publicly ousted from Dior, could have been very damaging to his brand (fashion can be unforgiving after all). But instead of fearing the risk, he embraced an undeniable talent, and delivered one of the most evolved and breathtaking collections of his career. Living in his truth resulted in a beautifully transcendent expression of design and self.

I'm certainly not advocating taking lofty risks with your life, but more like walking away from what you know for the chance of something greater. Living an unfulfilled life to me seems like a much scarier fate.

Anyway my loves, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the topic of living in your truth. What does it mean to you? Wishing you an amazing week ahead.

Much love
Meag xx

Cher & Dionne

Happy Sunday Darlings!!

I've just returned from this week's Would You Rock This? drawing session held at my Alma Mater FIT (*sigh*). Walking through those hallways certainly brought back a floodgate of wonderful memories. We were so fortunate to be hosted by famed illustrator Steven Broadway today, who reminded us that fashion really is all about the gesture, the moment.

I've titled this post Cher & Dionne because his selected outfits felt so reminiscent of my all time favorite movie Clueless. And now I'm wishing I was back in Cali cruising through Beverly Hills. Anyways my loves, tomorrow calls for early morning market meetings so I'm off. I've been making a lot of progress behind the scenes and I can't wait to share the results with you all. Sleep tight...

Much love,
Meag xx