Princess Laya goes fashion

March is moving along swiftly, serving us little "Amuse Gueules" in the shape of crocuses and daisies in preparation for the big spring celebration, along with some sparkling sunshine - Ahhhh!

Are you thinking spring wardrobe yet? I find myself browsing the spring trends and fell in love with these glamorous headphones for the modern princess by Dolce & Gabbana, since a few years my favorite fashion inspiration. They are actually from the fall collection, as fashion is always moving a few steps ahead of us. Wouldn't it be fun to go shopping with a pair of these on your ears?

Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Take it easy my lovelies and keep warms, as the transition from winter to spring can be a tricky time - and covering your ears can be a good thing!

Color Transition: From Summer to Fall

Recently i was asked by Abbey Jones from Julep to take part in a blog challenge - to  help you transition from your favorite summer brights into some beautiful fall shades. Inspired by flamboyant dahlias i bought on the farmers market where i live, i chose to turn a bright scarlet red of summer into a warmer, slightly darker cardinal red - that goes nicely not only with classic black, but with all other colors that might inspire your fall wardrobe - from golden yellows over berry purples, soft browns and greens to misty grey.

This fall asks women to go easy and let their hair down, which is fine for me. Oversized sweaters, loose pants, comfy shoes are all on the  radar of fashion. To glam it up a notch, try an oversized Diva pair of shades and some extra delightful lip and nail color. 

The red and purple outfit shown here are by one of my have designers, Paul Smith.

Especially on weekends, i enjoy pampering myself a little more and paint my nails. mostly i use a bright statement color for my toenails, and a light pink, natural mother of pearl shade for my hands.  What is your favorite color, when it comes to your nails? 

Since i was also asked, ti challenge one of my blogfriends, to be part in this theme, i tag the lovely Kizzy - have fun doll!

Happy Weekend!

I have never in my life found myself in a situation where I've stopped work and said, 'Thank God it's Friday.' But weekends are special even if your schedule is all over the place. Something tells you the weekend has arrived and you can indulge yourself a bit.

Helen Mirren

I agree with Helen on this one! As an artist and an editor, i don't work from 9 to 5 and just let go on the weekend, yet i do look forward to them, to sleeping in a bit, having a long breakfast with my family, doing some gardening, meeting up with friend, painting my toenailss - and to letting myself unwind.

Some pictures from a recent weekend, that included a "girls about town" day with my lovely artist friend Barbara von Enger. Try our favorite summer drink; Rhubard juice with sparkly water (1st picture) - it's simple, but so refreshing and delicious!

Giambattista Valli Haute Couture

"It's always a love story,"

Giambattista Valli

Inspired by my painter friend Barbara von Enger, who is currently in Paris, i had a look at some of the fashion shows from the  2014 autumn couture collections. I love to look at Haute Couture, because here, we see the designers phantasie at play, without the restructions of normal daily life. These robes are just made to inspire, to charm and dazzle. They are made to stand out and create a fairy tale come true for the women who wear them.

To me, the most inspiring collection was the one by Giambatista Valli (see all the pix here), who artfully combined ombre ballgown skirts with blouses, that resembled crisp mens shirts or Pyjama tops, and who put graphic black & white stripes next to flowers and colorful fluff. What i also like here, is the combination of black shades and twisted scarfs around the heads of the models - they appear like dancers in a modern ballet - and they make me want to paint them!

So, watch out for new fashion sketches here soon - and have a great midweek!

Pictures via VOGUE

Fashion sketch: Trench Coat Look

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

Coco Chanel

Today, i'm headed to town to meet up with lovely fell blogger, artist and friend, Barbara von Enger.

Since  it has been so nice and sunny, i saw us sitting outside, having cappuccino, wearing Ballerinas  - but today it is raining, and a trench coat outfit just seems more appropriate. I don't really mind though, since, no matter where we walk and sit - we aways have a great time!

The above drawing is something from my sketchbook - a look inspired by Elisa Nalin. I colored it, using a painted background that i added on the computer. 

Have a great weekend - and if it rains or not - let the sunshine in!

Sketch: Martine Voigt-Schmid

Audrey in Paris - get the Look!

This season's must-haves by helleka featured in audrey hepburn outfits

Delpozo white top, €1.570 / Ann Demeulemeester cropped pants / Moschino Cheap Chic black and white ballet flat, €290 / J W Anderson evening handbag, €790 / Chanel vintage necklace, €2.210 / Amedeo carved ring, €1.315 / Unframed wall art, €18 / Pont Alexandre III and Eiffel Tower, Paris, France by Murat Taner Art..., €17

White, black & beige = chic!

Überlegst Du, was Du heute anziehen sollst? Vielleicht ist das die Lösung - ein Look, mit dem man einfach immer richtig liegt -  und der doch dieses "gewisse Etwas" ausstrahlt, das französische  Frauen so unwiderstehlich macht. und dich und mich!

Wonder what to wear for the day? Maybe this is it: a no fault look for almost every occasion - but still special and with this parisian "je ne sais quoi" that makes french women so irresistible - and you and me! Have fun stepping out today - catching the sun!

Happy Weekend!

Little red dress, little lemon bag, little green Ballerinas, a Vespa ride and a peek of the mediterranean seaside? - what could be more perfect to celebrate a sunday afternoon in the lovely month of May? 

Oh, right, i forgot the guy who is patiently waiting for us in that little gellateria in portofino, the huge ice cream sundae we're about to share with him, the frothy cappuccino, the walk through town,  the aperitif  later in this special little bar, the seafood dinner and - the Vespa ride home, in the moonlight glistening over the ocean ....

Do enjoy your sunday lovelies,  whatever you do, even if, like in my case, it mainly consists of working on the garden while this guy, who is patiently with you since the last 20 years -  is cooking something italian to keep your spirits high :) I do love working in the garden sometimes, and so i somehow always end up having gardens, that are a huge amount of work. But working in the garden is like creating a huge 3-dimensional picture and it really absorbs me so much i don't want to stop until everything looks perfect. Which never happens ha ha - endless puzzles of life!

Love to you from M.

Picture via Kate Spade

Roadtrip to Cuba

Keep calm and smell the ocean!

Diese Fotos haben mich heute morgen auf die Reise geschickt - nach Kuba!  Die Mischung aus Lässigkeit und Eleganz, die sich vor allem durch raffinierte Details vermittelt inspirieren mich - und das Licht, das in mein Zimmer fällt ist genauso klar und sonnig heute - ich sehe das meer funkeln - Ihr auch?

These pix sent me off to a trip to Cuba this morning! The mix of cool laissez-faire and elegance inspires me - most of all, it's the details  - the chic belt, the flower, the straw-bag ---- just the small things make a special look! The sunlight, that falls into my room this morning feels so fresh and breezy - i can smell the ocean - can you?

Images: Nobody knows Marc

3 Must Have Accessoiress for Spring!

1 Espandrilles: I love these shoes - and missed them in the past years, So great they have a grand revival this season - even Chanel picked up the trend!

2. Tiny Lady Bags: They are small, they are light, they are chic and they instantly make your outfit seem more "Together".

3. The Statement necklace: Just wear jeans and T-Shirt and revamp it with such a glam
piece - it asd SPARKLE to everything!

Who needs new clothes, when you can have these?

Have a bright and shiny monday flowers!

Photos via 1, 2, 3+4 Items on the last 2 pix by J.Crew

Paris in the spring

... because Paris is always a good idea!

Especially when combined with a wonderful person - like gorgeous Anita, from Castles, Crowns & Cottages, who won my Valentines Giveaway.

This is her fashion portrait in the city of LOVE, and she's wearing a  greige tutu along with a chic little sweater and white blouse to dance  beneath the blossoming trees.

I could also envision her as a  fabulous lady from the belle époque, someone who has a salon where artists and writers meet op to discuss their new work. More about this another time.

Have a bright and lovely start to your week -  can't wait to come visit and have a little chat with YOU!

A bit of art & a bit of fashion

The sweet smell of spring is in the air ...

and on my way to do some groceries i see white and pink and yellow, so fragile and so pretty! I smell something like honeysuckle and cherry blossom and the sky is baby blue. It makes me feel happy, but also a little off my usual tempo. Like i just want to sit and dream and let myself float along with the fluffy white clouds. You get it - kind of a difficult day to get some work! done 

The little painting above just swings in this mood, although it was done in the winter.

Am glad the weekend is almost here, although it's supposed to bring rain. I plan to have a stroll over the flea market and the farmers market, work on some drawings i started, meet some friends i haven't seen for a while and dive into the pages of a fabulous new magazine called Scarlet Pink. Fashion, Art, Music, Culture - just love that mix. And am doubly exited because a lovely and talented blogfriend of mine is one of the contributors - do you guess, who it is? 

Pictures: 1: Martine Voigt-Schmid, 2+3

3 hot spring trends, a portrait and a winner

Welcome to a brand new week flowers! 

Has spring started already where you are? In our little corner, i see so many signs of the seasons turning, the earth waking up. And as i got in from the garden yesterday, i also wanted to shed my old skin and revel in a sense of renewal. Am thinking of a little spring cleanse for this week - and also - about putting together some new outfits.

3 hot trends for the coming season i just spotted and instantly loved: 

Two-pieces with Caribbean Flair

(This is something i wouldn't like seeing on myself, as bold patterns don't suit me. But I'd LOVE to see this on a lot of other women as i walk through town, like on my friend, the painter and well known fashion icon Barbara von Enger - see portrait on top. At the time i did this portrait sketch of hers, she was dressed just this way and it looked awesome - and very inspiring to the artist in me.

Artist gear

Now - this is good news for me, because it means i can go out, wearing my working clothes - the ones that i paint with. My working jeans are covered in little dots of paint and so are many other things in my studio. Some accidentally ... but i can make good use of that now ;)

Comfy shoes

Tee hee - how about a pair of these covered in paint? Because that is what i wear in my studio too. And why not give those heals a break more often and stroll around town in one of those? It means, we can do more walking - which is so good for pretty legs - and beside -s i love walking!

But the main thing is: Be yourself and wear, what makes you feel great -
because that is also, what brings out the inner beauty best!
Like - the lovely winner of my Valentine Giveaway.

Anita - from Castles, Crowns and Cottages

I'll be doing her fashion portrait very soon - so look out for it here in the next 2 weeks.

Actually, all the women and dear friends who participated in this are worth painting and i loved to read, what makes them Sparkle. More about that in the next post.

Drawing: Martine Voigt-Schmid. pix 123: elle.com

Valentine Giveaway!

Happy Valentines lovelies!

You are special, you are sparkling and you are wonderful!

I'd like to celebrate this day with a special giveaway:

A colored portrait sketch of YOU!

If you win, i'll do your portrait and post it here. 

I'll also send you a high quality image of your sketch 

and a high quality print for you to frame if you want to.

To participate in this, you have to tell me, 

what helps you to feel SPARKLING?

Also, you have to follow my blog - or tell me, if you already do so.
You win 2 additional entries,
 if you post about this on your blog or on facebook -
and send me the link.

Am so looking forward to your entries and - don't forget to celebrate LOVE!
 The winner will be announced at the beginning of March here.

P.S: Loved this Russian fairytale outfit above - it's a style by Ulyana Sergeenko and i colord it due to my own inspiration. This is, what i'd wear on a carneval ball!

Drawing: Martine Voigt-Schmid

February fashion

Hello lovelies and welcome 

to a sparkly new week! 

February, here in germany, is a carnival month, were people dress up in costumes, have parades and try to not take everything so seriously - hard for the germans ;)

It also is officially the last real month of winter, where the days start to become longer and brighter again and we all start dreaming about spring.

And - of course it's also and maybe foremost the month of LOVE and celebrating Valentines.

So, there are many good reasons to shake of winter gloom and trat yourself - maybe to a special outfit - today. Even if you don't feel like buying anything - sometimes, just combining the things you have in a new way, makes - the special LOOK

Have tried my hands on a new fashion sketch these days, featuring a playful winter look with a super-thick wool jacket, layered over a jeands jacket over a little dress with black tights.

Do you have a look, you specially like for this time of year?

As you may have noticed, i'm still very slow in blogging and commenting BUT this thursday someone promised us to come to our house and fix our phone and intrenet connection. It's been a long stretch of time now, so THANK YOU so much for sticking up with me still.

Am sending you sprinkles for todays cupcakes - and - 

will have a special Valentines giveaway for you this friday!

Drawing: Martine Voigt-Schmid

Make fall fun - with fashion!

To me, fashion is like a hobby. It is light and playful, and when i'm too tired to concentrate on anything serious, but too awake to do nothing, i like to browse through my wardrobe to put together new combinations or try on new things i bought in various ways. 

Fashion is a bit like a game, because it reminds me of, when i was a kid, how i loved to put outfits together for my Barbie-Dolls. Yet it is important too, because when you find the ideal dress for a certain occasion - or just for everyday too - it  makes you feel stronger and more beautiful. It can be defining for the way, others perceive you, plus it is so nice to walk around town and see people, who make an effort with the way  they dress - crazy is better than boring in my eyes ;) 

These are some pix from the fashion blog Nobody knows Marc  recently discovered. The first and the last image show impressions of Russian fashion designer and photographer Ulyana Sergeenko  who is really a master in creating a strong X-factor with her clothing. Her outfits are always fantastic and always ladylike with a twist - like someone who walks just out of the wonderful russian fairytales a loved when i was little.

Have a fun sunday everyone - am sending you autumn sun!

Photos: Nobody knows Marc

painted fashion

When in doubt, wear red ...

Or - wear black and paint red? 

Some new picture from a sunday painting session with my art-sister Andrea König.

She's the woman, who loves to cover all her canvases in deep, bright red - a royal, impressive powerhouse of a color. 

Sometimes we do collaborative paintings - and this time i joined in by adding a mysterious, kind of seductive figure of a woman, who moves through the red, dotted with solver, as though she moves through a silver veil, while listening to her own music ...

It was fun! The painting isn't finished yet, for there will be another layer of silver dots later - i'll show you, how it proceeds.

Monday Love: Spring (Fashion) Fever

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.

Coco Chanel

We have had fresh snow here this weekend, but, spring is definetely in the air and green bulbs are sneeking out fronder the white blankets. As leaves and flowers unfold, it's also time to stretch our wings a llittle, sing a cheerful song in the morning and add some new colors to our wardrobe. Sometimes, i love to play with clothes and create new styles for myself - don't you?

Love this fresh but somehow unusual combination of navy with pastel. peachy shades. The navy gives a kind of strength and structure to the light, sweet macaroon colors. And for me, it looks perfect for the days of early spring, even i'd replace the shorts for something longlegged.

Hope your week gets of to a bright and sparkly start. Will be going to Munich on wednesday, for a business meeting and visit my sisiter and her family, so it will be some busy days for me.

But before i go, i want to announce the winners of my recent eyeglasses giveaway.

 

 Tadaaaaaa!

The grand prize winner for a pair of fashionable
eyeglasses, any pair from http://www.firmoo.com/all-products.html is the lovely

  Monika

The second prize winners for a $30 E-Voucher each, which can be used on Firmoo designer glasses at http://www.firmoo.com/designer-eyeglasses.htm are 

Kathleen

Sabrina 

Arti

It's me  

andrea creates 

Sandy at You May Be Wandering 

Congrats girls, i'll e-mail you personally or leave a comment on your blogs, concerning your prize.

Thank you so much for being part of this!

Giveaway: Win a pair of eyeglasses!

My sunglasses are like my guitar. Patti Smith 

Are you longing to sit outside in the sunshine like me, having cappuccino, feeling a gentle breeze on your skin? Spring is round the corner now lovelies, and – what is better to jazz up your wardrobe for the summer season than a pair of glamorous eyeglasses or sunglasses? With a little bit of luck, you can get one for free now. Firmoo.com, the world's most popular online eyeglasses store, has kindly offered me

1 pair of eyeglasses + 6  E-Vouchers ($30) on designer glasses 

for my readers. Years of expertise in optical industry enable Firmoo.com to offer varieties of fashionable prescription eyewear in high quality yet at extremely affordable prices.

For the grand prize winner (1 person): a pair of fashionable eyeglasses, any pair from http://www.firmoo.com/all-products.html , both prescription and non-prescriptione. 
(Designer glasses and sunglasses are not available to choose.)

For the second prize winners winner (6 persons): each winner will win a $30 E-Voucher which can be used on Firmoo designer glasses at http://www.firmoo.com/designer-eyeglasses.html The vouchers are valid for TWO months since the generation date.

If you want to win:

1. Leave a comment below this post with writing which glasses you'd love to have on Firmoo site http://www.firmoo.com/all-products.html 


2. Follow my blog and tell me you did, if you’re not a follower already

3. Additional entries: easy entry for Firmoo fans on Facebook; easy entry for Firmoo site users; share, re-blog or tweet this giveaway.

The giveaway is open internationally and ends on the 15th of March. 

Winners will be noticed via E-Mail or via comment on their blogs. I’ll  wish you luck!

About the prizes: the first prize which is a pair of eyeglasses DOES NOT include the shipping (In the USA 6.95 $, interntional 12.95 $) however, if there are over 60 competitors joining this giveaway, the shipping of the first prize will be free – so, spread the word please and blog or tweet about this!

Welcome to 2013!

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit. 

John Updike

Howdy lovelies, how are you? Feels like i've been away for a long time now, hibernating in my den. Actually, i have been sick with a bad flu right after christmas and felt the need to just do just nothing for a while, exept being with my family and dear friends, eating a lot of good food, reading and resting.  

So - time to shake of this "jet-lagged" feeling and enjoy a shower of fresh inspiration. Welcome you all to the New Year! Can't wait to come visit and see what you have been up to. Do you have a Motto for 2013? I still look around to know, what mine is - let's see!

Paintings in this post are from the series "Wild Girls". They are available as art-prints in my shop here.