FRIDAY LOVES : GIRLY STUFF

001 Alexa's debut book, IT is everything you'd expect, with it's darling pink cover, pages of selfies, gorgeous illustrations & fashion tips. Go. Get. It.

002. Bobbi Brown, this has been at the top of my wish list for a while now, and although I don't actually own it, it's a high end replacement for my beloved Supercat eyeliner by Soap & Glory, which I still adore, but I'm a girl always looking for the slickest, most liquorice eyeliner.

003 Essie's cleverly named Boom Boom Boom is the sweetest most sugary pink and looks almost as amazing on the nails as it does in the bottle. Like the application and the brush that comes with it.

004 Bobby pins, they are seriously scattered everywhere in my house, even in Matt's car. They disappear and then reemerge as if by magic. But they're so handy and keep my locks firmly in place when I'm drawing or after a vintage inspired 'do.

LOVELIES FEATURE / LAUREN LOVES PARIS

I have a really special post for you lovelies today, it's an interview with my sister, Lauren from laurenlovesparis.

What's your favourite skin are product?

I really like the Monu face mask, it's a hydrating clay mask that's perfect for dry skin. It smells like lavender, really nice. 

What's your must have items in your makeup bag?

the Collection concealer as it's super cheap, compact and great at its job, L'oreal infallible eyeliner is great for lining on top of your lashes for amazing full volume and a nude lipstick, it goes with anything! Rimmel Notting Hill Nude is a gorgeous shade. 

What would you order from Starbucks?

In summer I would have a mango and passion fruit frappucino and in winter I like hot chocolate, no cream thank you!

What pretty magazines adorn your bookshelves?

Company, Vogue, Glamour, Elle and space themed magazines, I like astronomy and Brian Cox 

Favourite trends this season?

Monochrome, classic and timeless, reminiscent of Chanel. Pastels like those in Louis Vuitton collections and it makes me think of cake!

What is your favourite thing to wear?

I'm a jeans, shirt and jumper kind of girl. I want to be comfortable while I study but it also love a dress teamed with biker boots for days off. 

Who is your style idol?

I like Alexa Chung, her style is so pretty and versatile, effortlessly cool and suits every trend. 

What would your perfect day go like?

Start the day with cheese on toast with tomatoes with orange and cranberry juice, 

Shopping, cinema times, I'd treat myself to a seeded cheese toastie from pret with a hot chocolate, 

Have you got a favourite tea?

I like whittard cranberry tea, iced or lipton's lemon or peach tea.

What online shops are your favourites?

Topshop, New Look, ASOS, Amazon, Boots and Superdrug

Where do you love to shop?

Topshop, Fred Perry, All Saints, Victoria's Secret and Lush

Favourite tv show? You can pick more than one!

I love Gossip Girl, Once Upon A Time, the Big Bang Theory, Plebs 'they keep callin me mushroom', Friday Night dinner (I'm a little obsessed with Tom rosenthal) & Friends 'Janine!' 'The routine!' 'My sandwich!' Oooh and I love Douglas Booth so definitely Great Expectations.

Who would you cast to play you in a film?

Audrey Tatou or Selma Blair because you think I look like her. 

You're renting a video (pretend we're back in the 90's) what do you pick?

Pretty in Pink, 80's movie awesomeness

Favourite retro tv show?

Lizzie McGuire, the Wonder Years, That's So Raven, Two of a Kind, the Weekenders (chugafreeze, chilli cheese fries)

Favourite actor?

Tom Hanks, Hugh Jackman, Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, Douglas Booth, Barbra Streisand. 

What's on your mixtape?

wherever you are / one ok rock

somewhere / barbra streisand
flourescent adolescent / arctic monkeys
everyday is like sunday / the smiths
ziggy stardust / david bowie
glass in the park / alex turner
here comes the sun / the beatles

What blogs do you love to read?

lily pebbles, a model recommends & essie button 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Japan, Paris, Dubai, New York California

twitter @laureninparis
blog http://lauren-loves-paris.blogspot.co.uk/
bloglovin laurenlovesparis

FRIDAY LOVES: THE GIRLS EDITION

ADORE YOU 

TGIF TGIF, so while I wish I could play this tune by Katy Perry and pretend it's summer, the reality is more like tea in my pyjamas with the central heating on, tuning in to another netflix marathon. Here's an edition of FRIDAY LOVES, in which I tell you what's been making me happy this week or this month and hopefully you'll enjoy them too!

1. Alexa Chung's IT, oh yeah it's pastel pink, written by Alexa Chung WITH pictures and it's got her very own cat eye on the front in all its glittering glory. Who doesn't love Alexa Chung? This was gifted to me by my little sister, who knows me all to well and it's been off my bookshelf more than it's been on, sitting pretty. If you haven't already got this or at least have flicked through it in your local Urban Outfitters then please do! It's such so pretty! And it's a very interesting read. 

2. Bangerz by Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana (those days are over, I say to myself as I weep into a Disney HM thermos full of fruit and yogurt) Love her or not, this album is actually amazing, that girl can sing! I've had it on pretty much non stop since it came out, my particular favourite is my Friday jam, 'we can't stop' see if you can stop yourself flicking your hair from side to side, rolling your hands and turning this tune up after a working week. 

3. Models Own hyper gel in lilac sheen, this little pastel beauty has been my BFF since I got my hands on it this month. It's such a lovely colour, super easy to apply and it seems to last well (but I'm forever washing up or typing or drawing so my hands get some serious abuse) I think it's going to be a film favourite in the spring and (hopefully) summer months!

4. Right now the Vampire Diaries blu ray box set has been on my wishlist for a while now and I'm still in the 'I can't afford anything but basics' category but when I hopefully do get the pennies I'll be treating myself to this! It's safe to say Matt and I are addicted (that's a subtle term) to the show and if you've seen it you'll know how good it is. 

TREATS

Lovelies, I've extended the offer to give more of you a chance to get your Christmas orders, there's 50% off orders until Wednesday 13th November! Use code NOVEMBER50 in the coupon code section when you checkout on etsy

There's also 20% off commissioned portraits & blog headers for a short time <3

Please tweet me @natashalikestea if you need anything!

YOUR HEART BREAKS, ROLLS DOWN THE WINDOW

MINI ZINES, inspired by Marie Antoinette, Rachel Antonoff, Sretsis, Miu Miu, To Be Adored, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton and Alexa Chung are all now in my etsy shop and looking for pretty bedrooms to live in ♥ Hope you've all got lovely plans today darlings ♥

IT GIRL

Alexa in Louis Vuitton illustration

Alexa in Versace seashell dress illustration 

Alexa Chung, a favourite icon of mine since my late teens, I'm reading and rereading her pastel pink book 'IT' religiously. Here are some illustrations inspired by her, they're postcard size and lovely to slip into a copy of the latest book by the muse and wrap up as a present, or pop in pretty frames.

Velvet Wolves on facebook

WORDS FAIL ME ALL THE TIME

Hello lovelies, it's September hooray! This month means birthdays, picking out pumpkins, burning autumnal candles, more layers and the countdown to you-know-what! I've been snapping away at my prints and little zines and wanted to share them with you. They look really sweet on top of our vintage hide-away desk ♥ More prints are being added to the shop so keep your eyes peeled. What are you lovelies doing to get in the mood for autumn?

listening to Marie Antoinette soundtrack

ILLUSTRATED BADGES

Hello lovelies, I hope you are all having a super lovely summer. I'm spending more time in our little garden and dreaming of darling places to visit.

I wanted to share with you these illustrated badges that you can now treat yourself (or a friend) to. They come in sweet packs of three for £2.50 and you can now custom order packs as well. I'm hoping to get some mermaid ones made along with a few others. If there are any designs which you'd like to see please comment below or you can tweet me @natashalikestea ♥

Pink milk & strawberries ♥

YOU BELONG WITH ME

I'm excited to announce the arrival of NEW MINI ZINES ♥ They are available in both pink & white ♥ Fans of the mini zine will hopefully treasure these and add them to their super pink collection. The lovelies added are Michelle Williams, Alexa Chung, Mulberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Rooney Mara all for the teeny tiny price of one British pound ♥ There's even more to come, so keep your eyes peeled on the etsy front and also on twitter where I'll be tweeting about new things being added to the shop, as well as a twitter (@natashalikestea) MINI ZINE giveaway ♥ All of these have been handmade with lots of love and an epic girly playlist ♥

AUDREY GRACE A-Z

An illustrated A-Z of Audrey Grace's favourite bloggers, icons & designers for a special zine ♥ Audrey Grace Boutique opens March 23rd until the 28th at The Highline Loft, 5th floor, 508 W. 26th Street NY, it's open on the 23rd from 8pm with sweets, wine, the band Supercute, djs The Jane Doze, so if you live near NY or are lucky enough to be holidaying there, then definitely go and have a look there will be delectable treats, fashion, art, illustration etc ♥

ALEXA ♥

A little preview of an Alexa piece I've been commissioned for by Audrey Grace Boutique, read Jaclyn's blog for beautiful interviews, illustrations and fashion, there's an illustrated piece of mine of Vanity Fair on there too! ♥

TO BE ADORED ♥

Illustrations commissioned by Audrey Grace Boutique, inspired by the lovely fashion label To Be Adored ♥

AUDREY GRACE BOUTIQUE OPENING NIGHT &hearts;

The lovely Jaclyn opened her boutique Audrey Grace and was kind enough to share some beautiful pictures of the pretty shop! I'm so excited to have my illustrations in such a sweet place where everything is pastel coloured & so pretty!

Images belong to Jaclyn Bethany x