TWD Darling: Julianne Hough

Hello My Loves,



I'm so excited to reveal my third ever TWD Darling - the beautiful, sassy, ubber talented Miss Julianne Hough. A couple of days ago I posted a process photo of this illustration to my Instagram and I was so amazed by the response. Apparently my absolute girl crush on Julianne is shared by many, many others.



My reason for selecting a TWD Darling is never the same. In this case I was completely transfixed with the style evolution of a formerly bedazzled professional dancer to a complete and utter fashion maven. After collecting photo after photo of Julianne's haircut for my own chop reference, my sheer affinity for her outfit ensembles was undeniable. I...just...had...to PAINT HER!!



The deeper I dug, the more I discovered. She isn't just a wickedly dressed blonde bombshell. Dancer, actress, singer, spokesperson, AND shoe designer with e-tailer Sole Society, I'm honestly left wondering what doesn't this girl do? So apart from dreaming of hanging out with her in her closet one day, my only other wish would be that she sees this illustration and loves it. I'm on a mission to get it to her and hopefully (like Kelly Cutrone and Liz Cabral) I will!!



Who's style do you absolutely adore? Is there anyone TWD Darling worthy in your mind? Leave your answer in the comments section below and maybe they will end up illustrated here too.



Much love,

Meag xx

Photos: Jake Rosenberg for Elle.com & The Coveteur

FACE FORWARD

I felt so inspired tonight at Would You Rock This' drawing session titled The Art of Beauty Illustration. Brandon brought two incredibly talented make-up artists on board to create three distinct trend looks for the evening. I kept thinking of the expression "put your best foot forward" which then evolved to "put your best face forward" and voila this post was born.



I was so amazed watching the girls transform from the inside out with each new stylization. It made me wonder whether something as immaterial as make-up has the power to really transform how we feel inside. My Father always says that "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at start to change." If that is true, and I believe it is, think of all the possibilities we have to improve our lives for the better each day.



I leave you with that tiny bit of food for thought because sleep is calling and work can be unforgiving. I promise to be back on the blog very soon with some SUPER exciting announcements and collaborations. Can't wait to share!!



Much love,

Meag xx

Meeting Creative Director Jeff Leatham in Paris!

It has always been a dream to meet the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris' Artistic Director Jeff Leatham. Well, I guess I'll have to dream something bigger because I finally met the genius behind the beautiful floral art at one of the most exclusive properties in the world!

I met Jeff while having lunch in the hotel; we were introduced and there was an immediate connection! He's personable, outgoing, kind and full of energy. I've admired his work for years and now I get to rub elbows with the man who makes flowers come alive! 

Jeff and his team of nine assistants take a reported 12,000 flowers flown in from Amsterdam every week and create magic. They produce at least two dozen major arrangements and installations seen throughout the public areas of the hotel each week. Smaller arrangements are seen in suites and restaurants giving guests an up close and personal experience. There is no other hotel on the planet that spends as much time and money on creating these amazing master pieces than the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris.

Jeff is an American from Utah, who once worked as a runway model. Although, he's self taught in floral design and art, I'm sure his love of fashion and early career as a runway model has inspired his creativity. He now collaborates with luxury brands all over the world to create crystal vases, candles, and home sprays, He's even produced three books on floral decor.

The next time you're in the city of light, be sure to check into the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris where you'll be surrounded by floral art and lots of inspiration.

Styling My Closet in Paris and London!

When it comes to haute properties, I love the hotels with fabulous closets. The Four Seasons George V, Paris has some of the most amazing closets that I've ever seen. In fact, the penthouse has a walk-in closet that was inspired by the luxury retailer, Hermes. 

In my beautiful suite, I enjoyed the walk-in closet so much that my friend, Fashion Designer Kate Mack and I decided to unpack my bags and style my closet with all of my clothes and shoes. It was so much fun! It made my suite come alive as soon as you enter the bedroom.

Styling your closet makes it easier to find what you need. It was also easier to pack since I could organize my luggage a lot quicker. Check out my closet below... 

I also brought my fashionable closet styling ideas to London... where I checked into the Four Seasons at Park Lane. Here's a look inside below...

When on vacation or holiday, do you style your closet? If you don't know how... here are my tips for styling a fabulous closet... organize according to what you plan to do for instance, day-time attire, night-time looks and outer wear should be hung in groups. You can also add a touch of class by strategically hanging tops or dresses that glitter with basic colors like solid black dresses or pants! And finally, organize accessories using shelves to locate everything that you need quickly. 

SHORT STORY

What's in a haircut? Confidence, insecurity, a quest to be trend right, a desire for individualism, all of the above? Exactly two weeks ago I returned home to Toronto for the Easter Holiday and dared to bare...my neck...for the first time...in years. I chopped off 6 inches back in December and decided to keep going, going, going, gone, up, up, up to my chin. And frankly, I haven't looked back (or down literally speaking).



For months now I've been watching, one by one, as my favorite models (Daria Werbowy, Karlie Kloss, Jessica Stam) went for the plunge or should I say chop. I observed with envy as they made the incredibly brave move to cut the security blanket from their heads. I salivated over February's fashion week street style shots; the inimitable Miroslava Duma racing between shows with the chicest of chic bobs. Finally I decided it was my time.



Hair throughout history has persisted as a symbol of femininity from Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Brooke Shields' Blue Lagoon. Cutting it off feels, simply put, liberating. I feel like I own my beauty more by redefining what is associated with being feminine. I can't help but notice how I appeal to different men with long hair than I do with short. I might even argue that the guy who approaches me with tresses to my chin seems to appreciate a little more just how strong willed I am.



In short (no pun intended) cutting ones hair is no laughing matter; because I happen to think there is a lot more in a haircut than meets the eye. Do you agree? Have any of you cut it all off recently? What possessed you to do so? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.



Much love,

Meag xx

Eurostar Makes Travel Easy!

 When in Paris or London, you can see two amazing international cities in the same day! It only takes about two hours and 15 minutes by Eurostar to London from Paris or vice-versa. Moreover, you can travel pretty much any time of day since there are 18 daily services between the two cities.

If you book your tickets early enough you can get a good deal depending on your class of travel. Plus, arriving at Paris’ Gare du Nord, getting checked in and making my way through the United Kingdom border-patrol was easy.

The actual train ride was uneventful, but relaxing and peaceful. The scenery is a collection of farm houses with pastures and livestock. Wi-Fi in my cabin would have helped me get through emails and respond to messages, and tweet photos of my journey before arriving in London. 

Once arriving at St. Pancras International, getting my bags on and off the train was a little more work than I am accustomed, but once outside cabs are plentiful and it only took about 20 minutes to arrive at the Four Seasons London Park Lane in Mayfair!

Traveling by Eurostar is pretty simple and cost-efficient. There is also added value with Eurostar Plus Culture and Shopping perks. You can use your train ticket for 2-for-1 entry into world-class museums or 10% discount on select stores in Paris.

When traveling by Eurostar, you have more flexibility with travel time and you have the option of bringing extra bags without a fee. But, you must hire someone to assist with baggage if you can’t do it alone which I found out later.

Living In Your Truth

Oscar de la Renta FW13

What does it mean to live in your truth? How do you find your truth in order to live it? So many people ask me how I came to find what I love and my only answer is my unwavering quest for the truth.



I don't know why I love fashion illustration as much as I do, I just know that it is the most fulfilling, genuine expression of myself. I know that even if nobody saw it as having any value, if no one cared to look, I would still need to paint these miraculous little glimpses into the world of fashion. Because to me, what I do, is like breathing. I couldn't live without doing it. Or at the very least, I wouldn't be contributing the best of me to the world around me (and frankly that's just as terrifying).



We can spend so much time getting caught up in the woulda/shoulda/coulda. But at the end of the day, if you are living in your truth, if you are following your heart, then you probably are exactly where you need to be right now.



If I have any regret in my life, it is the time I spent wasting second guessing myself. I've known all along what it was that I wanted to do but I worried too much about what others around me were doing too. Ultimately, fortune favors the bold, and I don't just mean monetarily. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the leap of faith, for a chance at the reward. I'm not sure I've even seen the reward of my risk yet but what I do know is that I'm grateful everyday that I'm living honestly with myself - who I want to be, who I'm meant to be.



You're probably wondering what any of this has to do with anything, maybe even specifically the look I painted for this post. Trust me, there is a connection ;) Oscar de la Renta, who happens to be one of my all time favorite designers, really took a risk this past season when he partnered with the dishonored John Galliano for his FW13 collection.



Oscar has a label with a tremendous amount of credibility. Taking Galliano under his wing, after he was very publicly ousted from Dior, could have been very damaging to his brand (fashion can be unforgiving after all). But instead of fearing the risk, he embraced an undeniable talent, and delivered one of the most evolved and breathtaking collections of his career. Living in his truth resulted in a beautifully transcendent expression of design and self.



I'm certainly not advocating taking lofty risks with your life, but more like walking away from what you know for the chance of something greater. Living an unfulfilled life to me seems like a much scarier fate.



Anyway my loves, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the topic of living in your truth. What does it mean to you? Wishing you an amazing week ahead.



Much love

Meag xx