Things that made me happy in July...

Well, there goes one of the best months of the year, 

(with a birthday, wedding anniversary and holiday thrown in the mix, how could it be anything else?!)

July, you were a goodie!

Here are my favourite things about it...

Enjoying...

a relaxing afternoon spent at Kenilworth Castle with my boys,
which obviously included an afternoon cream tea, mmm...
(pics above)
a lovely week spent in Greece followed by some downtime in the UK

Looking forward to...

jetting off to NYC next month... Printsource here we come!

Reading...
Before I go to sleep by S J Watson
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Snacking on...
these energy bars
these baked tortilla chips
homemade flapjacks

Listened to...
Joy Williams - Mika - Danger Mouse - Jhene Aiko - Years & Years

Feasted on...

lots and lots of naughtiness on holiday!
this avocado and tomato toast with balsamic drizzle
these breakfast roll ups
this teriyaki salmon and broccoli bowl
this avocado egg salad

Drinking...
these fruit infused waters

Discovered...
a lovely Australian kids lifestyle blog, Once Upon a Monday
The Little Loaf blog

Loving...

my new Olivia Burton watch 
(birthday pressie from the hubby)
seeing a preview of the new autumn collection from Paperchase.. artwork from Paper & Cloth, 'Nordic Lights', it's a beaut!

Buying...
Homemade Memories by Kate Doran
these lovely japanese watercolours
A lot on her plate by Rosie Birkett
new Aqua Sphere swimming googles, wooooo hoooo!
(goodbye to my knackered old Speedo ones)
Honey & Jam by Hannah Queen

Wanting...
another holiday...

Sharing...
these amazing edible flowers!
this beautiful floral notebook from the Rifle Summer collection by Anna Rifle

Crushing on...

these colours in the CIFF kids Spring/Summer 2015 campaign

Watching...
Before I go to sleep (nowhere near as good as the book in my opinion) 
Into the Woods (very much a love it/hate it film I think...wasn't keen)
The hundred foot journey (loved it!)

Following...
this instagram account

Giggling ...

at this
(too funny)
and these

Favourite things that happened...
celebrating my birthday and wedding anniversary (busy month!)


So, that was a round up of my month,
how was yours?

(photos used in this post were taken by me for use on loveprintstudio blog, 
copyright of louise/loveprintstudio)

x x x

Etsy shop find...a chat with Melanie Mikecz of Twoems!

Todays sees us getting to know another etsy shop owner, 

and this time its the turn of Melanie Mikecz of Twoems.

Melanie is an artist specializing in digital mixed media; using original paintings and sketches before transferring them into photoshop to complete her beautiful, striking, bold artworks that she then sells in her etsy shop as canvases and growth charts.

Colourful abstract designs and animals feature in her designs and are perfect for your little ones to add some fun to their little spaces!

I'm sharing some of my favourites in this post, but head over to her shop to see more!

So, cuppa in hand, lets get to know Melanie a little more...

1. Can you tell us a bit about you and your background... 

I got my start as an artist by colouring on butcher block paper on the kitchen table at the age of three. 

Since then I have gravitated towards various artistic pursuits (macaroni art in kindergarten, ceramics in eighth grade, painting in high school, print making in college). 

My formal training was in the Visual Communications department at the Washington University School of Art. 

My first job out of school was as a graphic designer at a small firm in Boston. 

I gradually made the transition from full time designer to full time, independent artist/illustrator over the course of several years. 

2. Who is your design hero and how do you stay inspired?

Two of my faves are the French artist, Sonia Delaunay and American illustrator, Mary Blair.

I find social media (mainly Pinterest and Instagram) a great way to get a daily dose of inspiration/procrastination. 

3. Tell us about a typical day for you…

One of the things I love about being an independent artist is that I don't have to keep office hours. 

Typically I like to work a few hours in the morning (sometimes in my pjs). 

Then spend some time away from the studio with my kids in the afternoon. 

After the little ones are in bed, I get back at it. 

Evenings are my favorite and usually most productive times to work. 

4. Can you give us an insight into your creative process?

I usually start a new project with some visual research. 

Then I spend a few hours with pencil to paper sketching rough thumbnails. 

My more detailed sketches are done on the computer (my college art instructors would shudder at this). 

I create the final art on the computer using a catalog of painted swatches that I've amassed over the years. 

5. What art do you have on your wall?

I have some of my own artwork, some of my three year old daughter’s (her favorite things to draw are skulls), my husband’s music poster collection, artwork by Maria Carluccio, Jennifer Mercede and a blank spot reserved for a Sarah Giannobile original.

6. In three words, describe your work…

Vibrant, quirky, happy

7. What’s your favourite book from your childhood?

The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

8. What are your big loves?

My family, art, chocolate chip cookies, crossword puzzles, Hawaii, sangria and sunshine

9. The colours in your artwork are beautiful, so rich and vibrant. 

Where does the inspiration/ influence for this come from? 

Or are they colours that you’re naturally drawn to and enjoy using?

Hmmm that’s a tough one. 

I guess I’m naturally drawn to certain colors/palettes. 

I obviously like bright, happy colors and I rarely use black.

10. What’s the most popular item for sale in your etsy shop? And your favourite?

The animals are the most popular, especially the hippo, zebra, and peacock. 
My current favorite is my Fox in Flowers art. 

We have a bit of a fox theme going on in our house at the moment.

11. What are you working on currently, any big plans for the coming year you can share with us?

I’m just coming back from maternity leave, so I’m not currently working on anything huge. 

I have a new coloring book that just came out called, Creative Creatures.
You can find it at Free Period Press and amazon.com 

I also have some rug designs that should be available soon.

12. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a designer/illustrator?

I get to do what I love all day and (usually) someone pays me to do it.

A big thanks to Melanie for taking the time to be part of the etsy interviews!
(all images above are copyright of Melanie Mikecz/ Twoems)

You can follow Melanie here;

etsy | facebook 

x x x

A holiday snapshot...Santorini!

Time for a little look at the gloriousness that is Santorini..

I really can't stress enough just how amazingly beautiful this place is, seriously...

It's ridiculous.

I'd seen so many images on the internet of this little greek island before we visited, and always presumed it couldn't look as amazing as it does in those photos...

Wrong!

Strikingly bright ultramarine skies, against a backdrop of calm blue seas, cool crisp white buildings and marbled floors, beautiful views...aaah take me back...

(all photos above copyright of louise/ loveprintstudio)

x x x

Colour crush...

A nice soft and pretty, feminine colour crush post for your Friday...

Have a good weekend everyone!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

(clockwise from top left)

x x x

Midweek moodboard...

Time for some hump day loveliness...

Happy Wednesday!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

x x x

A holiday snapshot...Crete!

Well, as promised, here are some photos taken during our time in Crete (Santorini to follow soon).
We had a lovely relaxing week spent at a beautiful hotel near Rethymnon.
A lot of time was spent on the beach where I devoured two fantastic reads, 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed and 'Before I go to sleep' by S.J Watson, highly recommend both books!

There were a few cheeky cocktails, and obviously we overindulged on the food side of things,
(it's a holiday...you're allowed right?)
We spent some time wandering around the narrow little streets of the Old Town, Rethymnon, exploring the shops and crafts, before trekking up to visit the Venetian Fortezza.

Our hotel was right on the beach so we saw some amazing sunsets and had the opportunity to go parasailing, such a great experience!

Well, enough of my ramblings.
Here are a few snaps...

(all photos above copyright of louise/loveprintstudio)

x x x

Party party!

Theres a hint of self indulgence in todays post...

As it's my birthday, I thought I'd do a little party inspired gathering of gorgeous images.

Happy Friday!

Party table - who wouldn't want a super snazzy balloon centrepiece on their party table? 

Party hats - consider me wearing one of these all day with a big smile on my face!

Mini ice cream cone balloon sticks - oh my.... enough said

Confetti girls - I shall be walking around today in a cloud of sprinkles and confetti (ha!)

x x x

A good season of cookbooks...

As I'm sure regular readers of this blog will know, I'm a little bit partial to a good cookbook and the next couple of months sees the release of some corkers!

(cue 'add to wish list' being hit multiple times over on amazon)

Here's a little selection of kitchen shelf candy you can look forward to over the next few months...

Jamie Oliver - Everyday Super Food

27th August 2015

"No matter how busy you are, you'll find that healthy eating the Jamie way is both straightforward and achievable, making it super easy to choose exactly the kind of meals that suit you.

The book is divided into breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and every tasty meal is nutritionally balanced so that any combination over the day will bring you in under your recommended daily allowance of calories, allowing you to enjoy snacks and drinks on the side."

(description above from publisher)

I had to start with Mr Oliver right?

His new book is sure to impress, as do all previous publications. 

Not that I'm biased and own everything he's ever done (not at all)

This ones a definite on the wish list.

Frances Quinn - Quinntessential Baking

27th August 2015

"Whether you're a baking novice or an extraordinaire, you'll find achievable bakes for all occasions. With striking, graphic design and photography and Frances' own illustrations sprinkled throughout, this book will capture your imagination and become the classic you turn to for definitive cake recipes, original designs and quintessential baking ideas."

(description above from publisher)

The next series of The Great British Bake Off will soon be starting on the BBC, and after winning the programme back in 2013, Frances has gone on to produce her own cookbook.

Being a fellow designer before finding fame on the show, I think it looks and sounds like a gorgeous book.

The Great British Bake Off Celebrations

30th July 2015

"Don't just celebrate - bake!

With recipes by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, and from this year's Bakers, this beautiful book is a celebration of everything we love about Bake Off.

From family meals to birthday parties, home-cooked teas to the big dates in the community calendar, nothing says celebration like a home-made bake. So this year, we have devoted our book to recipes that will help you make the most out of every occasion no matter how large or small."

(description above from publisher)

Ooh, look at that, a new Great British Bake Off book.

It can only mean one thing...

Yaaaaaaay! It'll soon be back on our screens.

If this book is anything like the others, it'll be a goodie.

Martha Swift - Primrose Bakery Everyday

8th October 2015

"Primrose Bakery is a brand renowned for easy, foolproof and delicious recipes. And with its 'everyday' theme, this is a book for anyone who wants fun, great-tasting recipes which genuinely work. With our busy lives, any home-baker could use a trusted one-stop baking bible. What makes this bible so special is it's reliable but never boring; it is full of the quirky playfulness that is the hallmark of Primrose Bakery."

(description above from publisher)

I love the Primrose Bakery books so this one will be a nice addition to the collection!

Meringue Girls - Everything Sweet

30th July 2015

"These are the favourite sweet recipes from the Meringue Girls Bakery. Feast your eyes upon unusual edible gifts, cool confectionary and delicious things in all colours of the rainbow. 

Think raspberry & lemon layer cake decorated with splattered buttercream and Persian fairy floss. Flavoured honeycombs from hazelnut & coffee to rhubarb & rose. ‘CRACK’ brûlée tart with homemade vanilla bean paste. Coyo, mango and raspberry rockets and the MOTHER of all carrot cakes. This book is EVERYTHING SWEET - Meringue Girls-style."

(description above from publisher)

I really enjoyed the last book from the Meringue Girls so look forward to seeing what this one has to offer up in terms of yummy sweet naughtiness!

- - - - - - - - - - - 

And here are a few more good looking cookbooks that are already out...

Honey & Jam is by Hannah Queen, creator of the blog of the same name which is absolutely stunning, both recipes and photography/styling.

This one is already on its way with the postman.

Homemade Memories by Kate Doran is currently sitting there nicely on the coffee table being thoroughly thumbed through.

This is a great book and features homemade recipes of childhood favourites, including bourbon biscuits, jammie dodgers, fruit pastilles, jaffa cakes, rolos and much much more!

See Kates blog The Little Loaf.

A lot on her plate by Rosie Birkett looks like it will be a beautiful book if her blog is anything to go on.

A food writer, stylist and cook based in London, Rosies recipes sound delicious!

(all images above from relevant publishers website or www.amazon.co.uk)

x x x

Back from happy holidays!

Well, we're back from some much needed time away and what a time it was!

With a week spent in Greece and the rest at home venturing here and there, with pub lunches, cream teas and other naughtiness, it's time to settle back into 'normal' life, ha!

There'll be some posts coming soon with lots more photos from our time away, both in Crete and Santorini (still can't believe we finally made it there after daydreaming about it for sooo long), but for now, here's a little taster...

(image above copyright of louise/ loveprintstudio)

x x x