New Blog Home...

It's official! My new blog has launched and I will now be sketching and posting at http://www.joanna-baker.com/blog. I'm really excited to start this new chapter!

If you follow me on Bloglovin, no need to do a thing as they were kind enough to transfer my followers to my new blog home. If you use another blog reader, please change your feed and start following me there. Thanks so much for your continued support... I can't wait to keep sketching!

~Joanna
Website: http://www.joanna-baker.com
New Blog: http://www.joanna-baker.com/blog

Moving Up...

Can you believe it? This month marks two years of sketching and posting on my little blog! It has been a great journey so far, I've made some great friends, met some fellow illustrators, and have appreciated all the wonderful comments and support from you, my lovely readers.

After lots and lots of thought I have decided to take it to the next level. I am busy working on a new home for my blog that will be connected to my website. I plan on posting more regularly and have exciting things in the works to share.

If all goes well, the shiny new blog will go live September 1st. I hope you will continue with me on my adventures and follow my blog at its new location to be announced soon! Stay tuned and thank you for your continued support!

Interview with Elements Magazine...

Happy August, everyone! About a month ago, the lovely Aggie from Elements Magazine contacted me and asked if I'd like to be featured. Of course I jumped at the chance to answer a few questions about my illustrations, favorite drawing tools, and meeting Mr. Louboutin! Hop on over and check out the interview here. Thanks again, Aggie for this wonderful opportunity and your continued support!

Leather & Lace...

When the Fall 2012 collections first debuted, I couldn't stop gushing about the Dolce & Gabbana show... and now the fall line is finally hitting the stores! The bags are gorgeous and cost nearly twice my rent but hey... I can drool and dream =)

SoHo Street Find...

While browsing the streets of SoHo on a summer Friday, I made an impulse purchase (a very rare thing for me) but I'm happy I did. There were tables upon tables of these little bracelets for sale along Prince Street, my friend and I couldn't help but be drawn to the neon ones! Here's mine in action:

I hope you're enjoying a sunny weekend. It's rainy here in New York... but at least that gives me an excuse to wear my wellies =) Have a relaxing Sunday!

Blogger Inspired...

I first started seeing her outfit posts pop up on Pinterest and now I'm obsessing over her closet! Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies always pairs preppy with a dose of glitz and glam. And she's not afraid of color... which makes for a great sketch =) This sequin sweater is amazing paired with skinny jeans and glittery loafers. And a peep of polka dots is perfection! The right outfit really can change your mood =) Happy Friday, everyone!

Wednesday Wishlist...

I get so excited when the new J.Crew catalog comes in the mail... especially when it contains the first glimpses of a new fall collection! Even though it will be at least 90 degrees tomorrow, I'm already thinking about my fall wish list..

1. Polka dotted cashmere... yum!
2. Classy patent flats with a little golden heel
3. Fancy tweed A-line mini skirt

I might even stop in the store this weekend and see them in person. Did you get your J.Crew catalog yet? What are your favorites? I hope you have a great rest of your week... it's been a long one but we're almost there! =)

Milady...

These darling little kitten heels by Christian Louboutin are my third and final pair from the contest. 'Milady' is from the Fall 2012 collection and I love the patent bow.... I'm noticing a theme =)

I've decided that I have been drawing too many shoes recently, it's become an obsession! I must move on to something new... perhaps my new fall wish list... is it too early to be dreaming of sweaters and boots?

The Lovely Mira...

Another drawing in what is becoming a pencil portrait mini series! I think I'll make it a habit to change up my style a bit with these black and white drawings more often... Miroslava Duma is positively 24/7 100% chic. She always looks adorable and wears the most interesting things. I first saw her in a collection of photos captured by Tommy Ton and have been following her style ever since. This image is so lovely, I just had to illustrate! I hope you all had a great week, I'm thankful the weekend is here... time to relax and get some much needed drawing time in. More illustrations to come, including that last pair of Louboutins!

Pair Number Two...

These chic little gold 'turban' flats are perfect for the girl who can't fathom wearing heels all day in the city. I wanted to get a pair of Louboutins that I would actually wear, and given the sizing dilemma mentioned previously, I was lucky enough Bergdorf's had mine in stock. Yay for pair number two!

"Love Me" My Louboutins...

Two weeks ago, I finally worked up the courage to spend my Louboutin stipend at Bergdorf Goodman. I have to admit, it was a little intimidating... I never dreamed to someday walk into Bergdorf's and walk out a proud owner of three shiny new pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes! There was one small catch to the whole thing-- I had to spend it all at once. And that proved more difficult than I thought...

It took me two weekends to find three pairs of shoes in my size. Most of his shoes run small and very narrow so I had to go up a size to fit my big feet! I am still breaking them in and have yet to wear them outside. (Don't want to scuff those red soles!)  It has become a nightly ritual to try my shoes on and walk around the apartment in them just a little bit before going to bed. Pretty silly, huh? The BF just shakes his head... oh well =)

Here's the first pair, "Love Me" from the Pre-Fall 2012 Collection:

I hope you're having a great week =) Stay tuned for more sketches & pics of pairs two and three!

Lucky Little Boxes...

A couple of weekends ago I finally made a very special purchase... and I can't wait to share with you! I'm working on illustrations of my lovely new shoes so until then, the boxes will have to do =) Stay tuned!

Picnic in Central Park...

There's nothing like spending a summer afternoon lounging in the sun on a blanket in central park. We pack up fresh cherries, berries and sandwiches... I bring my favorite magazines and just lie out and people-watch. It's been so hot here in NYC these past few days, hope it's cool where you are! Have a great week =)

Blogger Inspired...

How stunning is Kelly in this photo?! I've been following her blog, The Glamourai, for quite some time now... and became obsessed with her super chic looks and amazing apartment. I thought I'd go back to my roots on this one and just do a pencil sketch, like my school day drawings. Enjoy!

Wednesday Wishlist...

This past weekend we enjoyed every second of the most beautiful weather in NYC. Everyone was out in central park: sunbathing, boating, and picnic-ing. I wanted to bring some of that sunshine into my closet and neon yellow accessories definitely brighten things up!

I pinned this zebra scarf a while back... it's so cute and whimsical! I'm thinking about investing in a statement bag this summer. This one is gorgeous and I'd love it in black or tan. And of course, neon makes everything happier. Have a great rest of your week =)

Gingham Girl...

The resort collections are upon us and Oscar de la Renta did not disappoint. No one has perfected ladylike glamour quite like Oscar. I gasped when I saw this gingham embellished dress on the cover of WWD today. And somehow before I even read the caption, I knew who it was...

Oh, Oscar... you force me to sketch your beautiful clothes until I can one day afford you without sacrificing rent money! Don't even get me started on the shoes...

Happy Tuesday, everyone =) Hope you're loving the resort shows!

Vogue Pug...

Part of spring cleaning involves flipping through my piles of fashion magazines, pulling my favorite images, and organizing them into my inspiration book. One of my favorite tears from a while back happens to feature an adorable pug. (Gotta love pugs!) I sketched this adorable puppy from a Vogue editorial by Raymond Meier a couple years ago and featured him on my website but never blogged about him. Now he gets his very own post, enjoy!

Suit Up...

It's already the second week of May, which means Memorial Day is just around the corner and swimsuit season is approaching! I can't wait to hit the beach this summer and sport a cute suit. There are so many choices out there... I'm thinking something retro =) Have a good start to your week!

1. Anthropologie
2. Anthropologie
3. Nanette Lepore
4. Victoria's Secret
5. Madewell
6. J. Crew

Pencil Portrait...

I saw this image of Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette on Pinterest today and remembered a portrait I drew based on that very photograph back in college. It's from 2006 but I still love it and I will forever hold that movie on a pedestal as one of the most beautiful costume dramas ever envisioned. Oh to be back in school... and have time to devote to large, fully realized pencil portraits!

Spring Cleaning...

It's good to be back at my drawing table. The past few weekends have been completely devoted to spring cleaning and organizing our apartment. It's amazing how much stuff we have accumulated in just a few short years!

Ever since I saw that pink sofa, I've been thinking about redecorating. All of a sudden I find myself researching rugs and pouring over my West Elm catalog. I want to re-do everything, change our color scheme, even sew some curtains (because I can't seem to find the perfect ones!)

Maybe it's just spring fever... so to keep myself from buying everything, I drew an imaginary living room instead =) Have a great week!