I am so excited that after lots of concepting, drawing, and development, my porcelain trays are here! From sketching the original concepts to working with the makers in Portugal, it has been a wonderful experience. It’s just so amazing to hold them in my hands. You can check them out here in the shop. Also, here they are in Lonny!

** Update…Sorry but this print is no longer available

For those of you who are not on Facebook (I’m lookin at you Mom and Dad!) I posted today that I am selling a print and the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I am so sad about the devastation in Staten Island, Breezy Point, and especially the Jersey Shore. Like most N.J. kids, I grew up going to the shore, and it hurts to see the pictures of the aftermath in towns like Bay Head , Belmar, and Seaside Heights. Some people lost everything.

When I posted this Leopard Coat art on Pinterest and my blog, I got a great response, which is why I’ve chosen this one to sell. I am hoping to get a great response again, and to be able to help out a little. Here is the link.

Every once in a while I do some GIGANTIC watercolor paintings. To tell you the truth, the prep for these is more difficult than the actual painting. These were done for Ralph Lauren last week. There were 5 and the largest one was 48″x96″ (!) Usually when I do something that large, I have the paper cut professionally at this crazy studio/workroom called Duggal on 23rd st. This time I was like, it’s Sunday, Duggal is closed, I can totally cut these myself. So I rolled back the rug, rolled out the paper, secured it with some books (and a couch cushion!)

HA! On my last cut, the paper tore 1″ into the 96″ side. Off I went to buy another roll of paper. Then off I went on Monday, with a 20lb roll of paper balanced on my daughter’s stroller to Duggal. At the end of the day, my paper was cut, and I was ready to start the five paintings.

It was a crazy few days, but it all came together. I have to say that every time I am challenged do something huge, or do anything that is out of my comfort zone, and I do it, it gives me more confidence for the next time.

But maybe I was a little over confident of my cutting skills Now I know for next time.

Have you seen this interview with Jenna Lyons and Garance Dore? I think it’s fascinating that she has worked at J.Crew for 20 plus years. It’s very inspirational for anyone starting out as an intern or a design assistant to hear about how she got her first job coloring in rugby shirts! My first design job was taking sports team logos on the computer and sizing them down to fit onesies and baby t-shirts!! And here I am ten years later doing what I’d never thought I would be doing. I love hearing about how people get from point A to point B. I highly recommend watching it!

Real live people watching is my favorite thing, it’s better than Facebook as far as I am concerned Luckily I live on a busy block. With three salons, a preschool, a few teeny restaurants, and about a thousand dog walkers, there’s always something to look at. I especially love the building right across the street that has a bright turquoise fire escape where people smoke, get some air, and talk on the phone.

I think Alex has picked up the people watching gene. When she gets up in the morning, she runs to the window and calls out everything she sees. Then she looks for her ‘friend’. There’s a very busy flooring company across the street and the same man is always there, loading and unloading the trucks all day long. Every morning without fail, he looks up and waves to her, then she gets shy and runs away. Who says New Yorkers aren’t friendly? One day we’ll have to go down and properly introduce ourselves!

I am desperately in love with this coat…..and anything Emerson Fry does for that matter.

Now that the temps are dropping (eh, kinda), and it’s fashion week, I am thinking about fall clothes. Summer is over, and it’s time I trade in my white Levi’s cut-offs for printed silk pants, and my racerback tops for floral button-downs. I saw these two beauties on the street this week, and they will be my inspiration. I mean hello, a bright Hermes headscarf with pastel floral shirt and tweed skirt? Perfection in seasonal transition dressing. And I’ve never seen a stripe I can’t get on board with. 

Part of me wants more of a streamlined look ala Carine. Ok, I did not see Carine this week, but she’s so amazing that when I saw this pic on All the Pretty Birds I had to paint her. She is flawless!! So, which look would you go with….

We are going on vacation today! To my parent’s beach house in Bay Head. Excited to ride some rusty old bikes, stand in line at the bakery, and take Alex to the beach. This will be her second year there, but of course last year she was too little to play. This year we’re going to build sandcastles, eat ice cream, and put her little feet in the ocean. And try to avoid a sand eating situation.

I am officially pinning and though I am late to the party….I am obsessed! I put up some new art as well as tons of my inspiration- so if you would be so kind…go and check it out! http://pinterest.com/caitlinmcgauley/