Monday, January 9, 2012

A Little Change is a Glamorous Thing!

Happy First Ooh La Frou Frou post of 2012,
 lovelies!


I hope you like the new header I created
for the winter season!
The illustrated Ooh La Frou Frou City Girls
are dressed up in their warmest
as they cross Fifth Avenue!
The girls are looking even more chic this year!
Left to right:
Cherie, Belle, Aimee, Tiffany, Alex, Sunny, Hope and Violet.

Now that the New Year's parties are over
and the hats and horns have been put away,
I thought a perfect way to start the new year
would be to just relax with a cup of something cozy
 and chat with you,
my fabulous readers!

Let's begin our chat with a question:
do you know where the name
came from?

It's actually a phrase I created to describe all of the things
 that I love to illustrate. My best definition of
Ooh La Frou Frou is
"all things lovely and chic."
The phrase is made up of a combination of
"Ooh La La"
and
"Frou Frou."
The definition of Frou Frou is:
{Sumptuous, as in the rustling of silk skirts;
fanciful; lavish; chic; chi-chi; icing on the cake.}

The "lovely and chic" things that I love to illustrate
can be anything from
 perume bottles ...

... to chic city townhouses.

Inspiration comes to me from everywhere.
from images on the pages of fashion magazines
and all things soft and feminine ...

... to things with sparkle ...

... and intricate detail ...
What I love to paint and illustrate are things that say
~"City Chic" ~
... golden light from city windows as the sun goes down ...
... the yellow of taxis ... a beautiful cocktail ring on a hand ...
symbols of elegance such as white-gloved doormen and more.

So, it was only natural that one day a year and a half or so ago,
I sat down and created a fantasy group of city girls
to go with all of the other lovely and chic things I love to illustrate!
And when that happened,
a company was born!

When Ooh La Frou Frou began,
 it was envisioned as a card line only.
But the Ooh La Frou Frou dreams
 have now gone from the first floor where it entered,
up up up ...
higher and higher ...

We've begun making some changes on the blog
to prepare for growth ...
tabs will soon appear at the top
and one of those tabs will say "Boutique!"
Soon, items will start to appear in the "Boutique" ...
items that will be embellished with my illustrations
of all things Ooh La Frou Frou (lovely and chic) ...
I'd let you in on some of the things planned
as the year goes on ...
but I think I'll surprise you!

One thing I'll show you ...
we're working on a logo
to accompany some of the upcoming items ...
how do you like our prototype
for Ooh La Frou Frou City Girl?

Along with these exciting future changes,
I will be changing the blog schedule
to be more flexible with my schedule.
Previously on a Monday,
starting next week, blog posts will appear
on any day of the week,
as my schedule allows ...
mostly once a week as always, occasionally twice a week,
and, then again, sometimes a week will be skipped if
I'm on a particularly tight deadline.
I've wanted to change the blog schedule for some time
and with the announcement of our future plans,
now seems the perfect time.
The new schedule will allow me the flexibility to
bring you the very most in fun city chic!

And the posts will be fun and more chic than ever!
I've been working on a new format for them.
Most often, blog posts will be a little glimpse
into a diary of one of the "city girls" ...


... and occasionally, there will be an
"Ooh La Frou Frou Novelette,"
my new fun name for the longer stories!
And mixed in will be fun introductions of
new cards and items in Ooh La Frou Frou's
Boutique line.

So be SURE
to follow on either facebook or twitter
so that you won't miss a thing!



All illustration on the blog by:
Sandy Markwalder,
artist and creator of
Ooh La Frou Frou City Girls.
For custom artwork, drop me a line in the
"Contact Us" section of our website.
To order cards, go here.

Photo Sources:
Champagne
Teacup
Chanel
Townhouse
Woman in Ostrich Feathers
Beaded Dress
Cutwork Dress
Spiral Staircase
















41 comments:

Christel @ Captivated by image said...

Sandy, what fabulous news!! So good to hear all is going well and even better with your illustrations. I just love your new header, it looks very cute and fashionable. Good luck with the blog changes and have a great new year!

Lisa C. said...

That flowing champagne fountain photo makes me want a glass of bubbly. It's 8:30am...Monday morning...oh la la.

I love my champagne...as much as I love the new illustration at the header. You're so talented! :)

Happy Monday!

Faith - My Rays of Sunshine said...

How exciting, Sandy! I can't wait to see all the new changes for Ooh La Frou Frou . . . and good luck with everything :-)

Cheers.

Unknown said...

Love your new header too and well done on new changes.

Love the white laced dress, it's so me!

Take care Sandy

classiq said...

I'm glad to hear all is going so well, Sandy. I love the new header and I'm looking forward to your illustrations and lovely posts. Have a great week!
Ada

miss b said...

I'm so pleased I read about you on 'A very sweet blog'. You are so talented and your illustrations are so cute and chic. I'm your newest follower!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

Vannessa@Luxuria said...

WOW! LOVE the new header and new logo Sandy. I can't wait to see the new changes and how your business is growing ;-)
I wish you nothing but the BEST for your growth and biz Sandy; couldn't happen to a nicer person xx

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Happy 2012! Love your Ooh La Frou Frou City Girls illustrations! Found my way over here thanks to the sweet Kim at a A Very Sweet Blog and I'm sure glad I did. Cheers!

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Sandy! Love your new post for the New year. The header looks Fabulous. Congrats on the plans you have for the blog for 2012, it all sounds exciting. Cheers!
xoxo

Maria

http://onestyleatatime.blogspot.com/

LV said...

I love the new header! What a fabulous post! I loved every bit of it!

http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

Gorgeous Glam said...

I love the new header dear! It's do Frou Frou! I am looking forward to all your great posts this year and the exciting boutique!! Happy New Year and cheers to all things glam! xo -Taj

Anonymous said...

Fabulous new header! You're full of great ideas, I can't wait. I've also been on a "winter blogging break" until today, with just a symbolic post on 1 Jan with this year's shopping list :-) What, other people don't do that kind of thing?

Cecília Bottaro said...

I love this tutorial!!!

Xoxo
http://eleganceporceci.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Yay! You're back Sandy! I missed you! Sounds like lots of exciting things are happening around here--love that. Hope you're having a wonderful Monday!

xo Mary Jo

Johanna L. said...

Amazing blog! Must follow ;) have a glamorous week! xoxo

Elle Sees said...

congrats! Popping pink champagne for you.

Nik said...

I will toast to that! Love the illustrations! Great blog.

xoNS

www.athoughtinthemindof.blogspot.com

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Sandy, I can't wait to see your boutique. I know you have some lovely things in store for us. I truly think it's fab. I love the new header. It is chic!!! I truly believe in flexibility, especially when you want to give things your best. So definitely post when you can. I want to thank you and your readers for the retweets on Twitter. I really appreciate it and my readers love your cards. I can't wait to see who the lucky recipient is. Ahhhh, can't wait for your next post! Thanks for everything doll. Will be in touch.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Sheri said...

Amazing blog!!!! I love your designs, they are super cute, girly and FUN! Newest follower. : )
xo

Julie Walton said...

Great post, and I love the new header!

miss b said...

Hi Sandy - Just to say thank you for visiting my blog and especially for deciding to follow!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

Glitterista said...

Congratulations on all of your success. I enjoy your blog so very much and look forward to reading it every week (I even save it for last so I can really enjoy it). ;)

Cheers to 2012 and many more successes for you and all of the Ooh La Frou Frou City Girls! xoxo

Bring Pretty Back said...

This worked out perfectl Sandy! I just made a nice hot cup of peppermint tea and sat down to read this! Love the header and love your blog!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Fashion-isha said...

Welcome back and thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. I love how you explained it all to us and I can't wait to see and follow the changes!!
xo
Sharon

Annemarie said...

Happy new year, Sandy! I adore your new header! Perfect way to start the year. xoxo

Erinn T || Fancy Napkin said...

Love the definition of Frou Frou......cute blog name, and cute blog to go with it! So happy I came across your page :)

xoET

Fancy Napkin

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Just a note to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that leave your sweet notes for me ... I just LOVE them! I used to leave responses to comments here on the blog but with the new year, I've decided instead to just visit you at your blogs if you have one and leave you a comment there! So glad you're all a part of Ooh La Frou Frou! xoxo

Sandy ~ Ooh La Frou Frou

Layers and Layers said...

So pleased for you Sandy! Looking forward to sharing all of whats new with Ooh La Frou Frou & you :)
Best wishes, Sharon

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Congrats, Sandy!!! Love the new look! You have much to look forward to in 2012. Glad I'll be along for the ride :) xoxo

Anonymous said...

Love the new header - those chicks are seriously chic!

Happy New Year and I cannot wait to enjoy even more glamour with you this year!

xx

Sam said...

Hi Sandy, welcome back! Hope you have had the loveliest festive season and new year. Wishing you everything of the best for 2012. Love the definition of a Frou Frou kinda girl

Stephanie {a dash of GLAM} said...

Love your new header! Thanks for sharing where your blog name comes from : )

Fash Boulevard said...

obsessed with the detail on the dress. adore this post. thanks for sharing, hun. If you get a sec, I'd love to hear what you think of my Gossip Girl inspired look. xo

www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

Mrs.K loves pink and green said...

So excited about your wonderful news!!! Can't wait for all your amazing new "coming attractions" on your fabulous blog...

bridechic said...

Tres chic header my dear-- and as always your words and illustrations are inspiring.

Dale said...

I love the banner, it's so cute I noticed it right away. Love all these pics, and the townhouse is so pretty. The top photo of the overflowing bubbly makes me wanna party...hehehe, Nice post
Have a great weekend.

xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.net/

Margarita Bloom said...

Love the new look..all cuddly and warm but very chic for the winter season! I knew we had the same taste...that's the same photo I used for New Years! I'm very excited to see all the new formats...exciting!

20 YORK STREET said...

This has got to be one of the prettiest sites I've ever seen!

Wow, Congratulations and best of everything in the New Year!

xox,

ML
Twenty York Street
www.twentyyork.com

rebecca said...

header looks fab!!

The Wild Fleur said...

Congratulations on all the good news, Sandy! Your blog is already fabulous so I'm excited to see the new updates you'll be bringing to it :-)

XOXO
Camille @ The Wild Fleur

Georgianna said...

So exciting to hear all your news and plans for the new year, Sandy. And I love the champagne fountain. They are so much fun.

Looking forward to the boutique, too.

xo – g