Under the weather

I haven’t been feeling like my normal self over the past two days. Is it the pregnancy? Is it that I’m eagerly looking forward to maternity leave? Is it that I feel I’m wasting my time? I don’t know exactly what it is, what I know is that, as it stands, my daily routine has gone out of the window, and that the stuff that normally keeps me going is not enough anymore. I can blame the weather as much as I want, but that doesn’t change the way I feel, lethargic, moody, uninspired. This has happened to me before, and I know that it will go away at some point, even without me doing anything about it. But when I’m living it, it sucks and I feel stuck with this grey cloud over my head and not a sign of sunshine on the horizon. I just need to stay still and wait, breathe slowly and take things one at a time. And keep thinking that is my body and brain asking for some rest and quietness.

Corita Kent’s Art rules

 
 
You have probably seen these before, but for me it was a true revelation. I got introduced to Sister Corita Kent‘s art rules by Aslinn Adams, a talented artist and author of Nature Trails 2014 (a natural sketchbook exchange worth visiting!). And I was smitten. Not all the rules apply to my personal situation, but there are a few I simply adore. My current favourite is Rule I – Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while. It fully embraces the purpose of my creative awakening this year as I tend to try one thing and switch to another very quickly without giving it any chance to soar into something great.
I copied all the rules on my sketchbook using my brand new calligraphy set as an easily accessible reminder, but all the rules can be found here.

Pick of the Month: March // My favourite online shop

I casually discovered this amazing shop on Etsy, and I have fallen in love since! The first time I went through this shop I was very tempted to buy almost everything they had in stock, but that was because of my pregnancy hormones, and so glad I closed up the page and went back to it the day after with a much clearer mind (otherwise we would have been bankrupt by now!). I ordered a few essential pieces in one go, much needed because of my 4-month-pregnant belly! And if you are wondering if this is a maternity shop, my answer is NO! but because of their loose designs, most of their dresses can easily house a growing belly and to me it is a relief buying clothes that can be also worn after the baby is out.
So far I have ordered quite a few pieces, dresses and blouses, and I’m so pleased with the tailoring, the fitting and the price. Just check the size of their model before ordering to make sure it fits your height (I’m petite and the length of the dresses was perfect).

PS: This is not a sponsored post in anyway. I just love this shop and wanted to share it.

fruits of the womb // week 22

Yes, I’m using a pack of pasta for this week’s picture as I couldn’t find a spaghetti squash anywhere in the UK!! Also Babycenter says at 22 weeks the baby should be close to 28cm and about 1/2 kg, which is exactly the size and weight of a pack of spaghetti! And yes, I’m wearing my pyjamas, and yes my two year old doesn’t seem too happy in the photo, but she was singing and laughing and moving so much while taking the pictures this was the only which was not blurred. 

Italian sketches

Every time we get to go on holiday I always make big plans on things I’m going to do, especially related to sketching outdoors. Every time I pack my bag with too many colours, pens, sketchbook, and all I can think I might need. And promptly, most of them remain unused and never see the light. This time, I took advantage of the fact that we were travelling just with hand luggage and took with me only the basics: my tiny  homemade watercolour box, my tiny concertina book, one water brush, a pencil and a gel pen. And it worked. The weather hasn’t been great and the time I had to sit and draw was very limited. I only managed to do two very quick sketches, one in Rome, while waiting for the tram, and one in Pisa, while waiting for my girlfriends. Talking about killing time while waiting…