INSPIRE ME - Mab Graves

I first found Mab Graves work on Instagram and immediately started following her. Her work is very dreamy and surreal, with soft colour palettes and contrasting dark shadows.

I love when an artists designs are so individual that you could spot them in a crowd, Mab Graves is a great example of this.

Her website says 'Her work is inspired deeply by science, 60's space culture, fairy tales and old classic literature. She adores narrative and all her works have deep symbolism and stories'



As a fan of fairytales, whimsical images, outer space and dinosaurs my interests are portrayed through her work a lot.

Graves uses her Instagram posts as a diary of her own life as well as her art and the progression of both. This is very similar to how I would like to show my work so you can get to know me, what I'm thinking and why.



Graves has recently collaborated with Kidrobot to create her own Dunny. Dunny's are a collectible pop art toy which feature designs by artists from across the globe. I really enjoy Kidrobot's idea of creating a shape to which everyone can display their design to their own taste, creating such a variety of work with the same goal.

She explained how she based her design on old work as well as her love for the soft toys, Sylvanian Families.


Although I am not an illustrator or painter I appreciate and love all types of art and artistic styles that are different from my own. Graves uses colour palettes that I would love to use within my work. She also bases her work on narrative which is something that gives me many ideas to play around with.

Thanks for reading and have fun creating -

Poppy x

It’s been a while...

So much has changed and I have so much to update you. Where to start?


I completed my apprenticeship!

I finished my Level 2 in Business Administration and was kept on at my job! I am still in this job and loving it everyday.


I’m learning to love fitness.


After a long-term relationship and a habit of stress eating my life away I had come to the realisation I was fitting into a Size 16 better then I was my usual size 12. Neither of these sizes are good or bad but we all know when we’ve pushed the limit into an unhealthy weight.


I realised I needed to make a change and one I would enjoy or I just wouldn’t stick at it. I joined a local gym and worked with an in house PT for 10 sessions of an hour. My gym routine is still constantly evolving as I learn but I feel as if I have come a long way so far and my aim is only to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.






I went back to uni!

Two years ago, little old me quit uni and said ‘No! I am never going back’. This year after starting to embrace change I considered what I love most. Art. I thrive from an artistic surrounding. Something I’ve never spoken much of here.


I took a look at my qualifications, my strengths and where I would like to see myself as an adult. I applied late, only July of this year but I got in to study in September. Now here I am studying a Degree in Visual Communication: Graphic Design.
  




I’ve taken a while to get everything back on track and stay balanced (or so I’m trying)! I have had a think about my blog and decided I want to add more of my art into it, so kind of an 'in the life of an art student', as well as still speaking of everything lifestyle. I hope you enjoy this little twist as much as I do!

Thanks for reading,

Poppy!

What I've Been Up To - March 2016

Hello,

This is a little early I know but it's nice to sit down at the end of the month and see what has been going on.


4th March - My Proactiv+ Skin Kit was delivered, this is one of my most exciting sponsored posts yet, I couldn't wait for it to arrive and give it a go.


6th March - Mothers day. We popped to a local American Diner for lunch and had bought gig tickets for the following week.

12th March -  Lianne La Havas Concert. Absolutely incredible, I wasn't a massive fan before but now I am fully converted. 


22nd March - My hometown is Hastings, East Sussex in the UK. If you didn't know our pier was burnt down a few years a go. Because of my job I had the privileged of going onto the pier to see the last plank being nailed in, by Suggs from Madness. To me this was a pretty big deal, I love supporting anything in my local area and the weather was absolutely perfect, which just put the cherry on the cake,


25th March - I was meant to be working at my 2nd job over the weekend (bank holiday Easter) but I luckily ended up with the majority of it off. The Friday I spent the day have a pub lunch with my parents and then putting up my new bed, these are the little things that make it feel like spring!

What was your favourite moment in March?

Thanks for reading,

PandaVita Organic Baobab Powder - Review & Recipe

A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly been sent a packet of Organic Baobab Powder by the brand PandaVita. I'n not extremely familiar with superfood powders but this gave me the perfect reason to experiment with my smoothie whilst adding nutrients to them.

What is Baobab Powder?

Baobab powder is a 100% natural & organic superfood from the fruit of the magnificent African baobab tree.

Benefits of Baobab Powder

It has an excellent source of Vitamin C (six times more then oranges), is packed with Antioxidants and is full of Fibre. It will give you a natural energy boost (great for those long days) and will also help improve your mood, digestion and immune system.

How to use

You can use the Baobab Powder in a number of ways:

  • As a tonic, 2sp of powder with water
  • Scatter over cereal or oats (great on porridge)
  • Add 1 - 2 tsp in smoothies (see my recipe below)
  • Add to salad dressing and marinades

To make this smoothie I used two plums, eight dried peaches, one banana, one teaspoon of chia seeds and one teaspoon of organic baobab powder. I put all of this in my blender and mixed it with one cup of apple juice.





This is a really filling smoothie and adding the Baobab Powder just helps to gain even more nutritional value. The powder only adds sweetness to the taste of my smoothie which is an added bonus!

I'm really enjoying this superfood powder and cannot wait to try it in more recipes, keep your eyes peeled!

Thanks for reading and I hope you give this Baobab Powder a go!

Poppy x