Lydia's Xmas Wish List 2015

What's the perfect alternative to blowing all your savings in the shops this Christmas? Draw what you want instead!

Red

The one colour I always gravitate to in clothing is red. And not just any red, but the red. The perfect balance between cool and warm, with a deep rich colouring. It's hard to me to walk past a beautiful red dress. Luckily I won't have to worry about blowing thousands of dollars on this one because it doesn't exist! 

Medusa

Happy Halloween! Yes, we may be one day early here in Australia but just like the little engine that could we've finally started to adopt the ghoulish traditions of America. It only took us, what- several decades??

I could've drawn a witch, a black cat, or even a Sexy Pizza Rat (yes, that actually exists- see below). But I went with Medusa because any girl who can turn a man into stone with one look deserves an illustrated homage.

Proof that adults have seriously forgotten how to celebrate Halloween. :(

Retro Swimwear

Two of the hardest things to shop for as I'm sure most girls can attest to are jeans and swimwear. So in another attempt to draw what I don't have and doubt I will ever find in Brisbane- here is a sunny yellow floral bikini! 

I don't think the high waisted trend would look good on me, but I was feeling the Bridget Bardot vibe here so I ran with it.

Hmong Bags

I've finally found a name for the bags I've been seeing everywhere and have fallen in love with- Hmong bags. A design originating in the Hmong hill tribes of Thailand, these bags really appeal to me with their vibrant colours, intricate design work, and of course their pom poms!

I intend to be taking one of these bad boys with me everywhere I go this summer.

Classic

The perfect red lipstick is one of those beauty classics I'm still trying to get right. While I might not have found my own waxy red soulmate yet, I'm sure 'the one' exists for me out there.. somewhere.

Midi Rings

I've seen midi rings popping up all over the place lately- apparently it's every California Girl's go-to for instant laid-back chic. I'm always up for some new ways to rework old favourites, and I love that more delicate finer jewellery is trending at the moment. 

With my little sparrow bones, I find big chunky jewellery just looks weird on me. So yay for more options!

These are some great ways to wear midi rings..

Sari

A modern take on traditional Indian sari fabric. I'm always in awe of the beautiful rich colours and intricate patterns incorporated into these materials, the dyes they use are so vivid and really appeal to my love of colour!

Martini

Stiletto nails are one of those trends that only look good on a selected few- such as glamorous movie villains.

After seeing 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E' recently and lusting after the beautiful costumes and overall style of the film, I was inspired mostly by the villainess Victoria Vinciguerra. I could imagine her wearing these nails, and lots of opulent jewellery of course...

Holly

Breakfast at Tiffany's is by far one of the most stylish films ever made, and Givenchy's costumes for Audrey have stood the test of time and are still just as breathtaking now as they were then.

But I have to say possibly my favourite outfit from that movie is the simple white tuxedo shirt she pulls on after hopping out of bed, complete with tasselled earplugs and the coolest eye mask I have ever seen! 

And what's a picture of Holly without her beloved 'Cat'?

:-]

Dia de los Muertos

One of my longest standing fascinations has been with Mexico's 'Day of the Dead' or 'Dia de los Muertos'. Ever since I was little I've loved the colours, the art, and the weird twisted idea of the dead coming back to life for one day to celebrate with the living again. It's such a refreshing, less ominous view of death!

And look at this art... what's not to love about this festival??

Pink and Black

Pink and black was without a doubt my favourite colour combination when I was little. I thought it was the height of elegance. I also thought feather boas were right up there too, but let's put that down to 90's fashion brainwashing..

Seriously though, how pretty is this?

Winter

Now this is a perfect winter outfit! I would wear this entire look in a heartbeat. At least I can say I'm the proud owner of this amazing bag. I saw it in Melbourne a few months ago, and it was one of those items I just couldn't walk past without buying. 

And I've learnt from experience that if you don't give in to those moments now and then you'll end up regretting it for years to come. (I'm still thinking about an amazing red trench coat that fit like a glove, and it's only been what now.... 8 years or so?).

If you love it- buy it!

:)

Duck Boots

One day I'll make it to the snow, and I will be wearing some fabulous red duck boots! With snowflake leggings, of course...

Hot Pink

Pink is a wonderful colour- it's been my long-standing favourite for a while now. It's just such a happy colour! Hot pink in particular seems to attract me like no other, especially in nail polishes. The brighter the better.

Hot pink shares its fair burden of stigmas unfortunately; Barbie, bimbo, cheap... And used in the wrong way sure, it could very easily go down the trailer trash path. But as I always like to say-

'It's all about context!'

If you're going hot pink, tone it down everywhere else. It's like leopard print- amazing when used sparingly, and a Eurovision contestant tragedy when abused!

Emma Stone completely nails this colour...

Kalocsai

Maybe I just have a thing for colourful embroidery, but I find Hungarian kaloscai embroidery especially pretty. And how cool are these designs by Alice McCall..

Floral

As the weather here in Brisbane gets colder, I find myself in need of a winter coat. But I guess our weather is too temperate most of the year to warrant the shops stocking a good variety of coats and jackets. 

I'm definitely not one to dress from head to foot in dark colours for winter either. The weather's already so dull and depressing- I think everyone could do with some more colour in their wardrobes this season!

Caroline Issa

During another slightly-addicted-trawling-through-Pinterest session, I found these amazing pom pom shoes from L.K. Bennett, as part of a capsule collection designed by the London-based style icon Caroline Issa.

I might be a bit late in finding them though (as in two years late), because they seem to have completely vanished from online stores. So now I can never own a pair, and will just have to illustrate them into my possession instead!

So unfair. 

:(

Brazil

Ah brazil! Land of sun, sloths, and men in g-strings... (Can't say I'm a fan of the latter, but the first two I'll take any day).

Speaking of fabric too far up ass cracks, I just want to take a moment to clarify here that if the girl in this picture was to turn around, she would definitely not have her bum hanging out of these shorts. One of my pet hates for the past year or so has been trying to shop for a decent pair of denim cut-offs and pulling every pair I see off the racks only to find the hemline finishing well above crotch level. 

Please stop assaulting my eyes, people- cover your derrières properly!

Pixie

Time for a pixie cut! I'm a bit over the whole 'short on the sides long on the top' for guys at the moment- pretty much anything hipster hurts my eyes these days. But for some reason as soon as you put that same cut on a girl, it suddenly looks amazing. 

Not a lot of girls can pull it off (I know from first hand experience years ago that I definitely cannot), but when it lands on the right girl's head.. sigh! (*jealousy*)

Irregular Spots

I've been keeping my eyes peeled in the shops lately for irregular polka dot patterns. It's a nice modern twist on an old classic! It seems to be popping up everywhere from fashion design to interior decorating..

Marilyn

While listening to the 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' soundtrack the other day (as you do), something I was sketching started to take on the form of Marilyn Monroe, in all her pink-and-diamond-encrusted glory.
Here is the end result, inspired by the most famous blonde of all..

No one has ever done glamour quite as well since..

Tory Burch

I found this Tory Burch wooden necklace during my travels on Pinterest a while ago and had to illustrate it- it's so cool! The golden padlock at the back is the cherry on the cake. Genius.

Tamika

Being the wonderful friend that I am, I drew this as a request for my friend Carlee who wanted an illustration for her friend Tamika's birthday. 

Tamika, if you read this- I love your dress, and I hope you had a great Birthday!

Amal Clooney Golden Globes 2015

I always look forward to red carpet events, but the 2015 Golden Globes was a bit of a let down. The only saving grace was Amal Clooney in this Dior gown. Apparently the internet has gone wild over the fact that she dared to wear white opera gloves to a red carpet event.
Who cares?!
A lady as elegant and graceful as that can do whatever the hell she wants, in my opinion. Her dress was a complete knockout.