Golden

Don't you just love this golden season?
It's so magical with all of its lights, music and wonder.
I like to turn the lights down in the house after dark
and marvel at the beauty of the trees glowing
and casting sparkles and shadows all around.
And the golden memories we have
of the holidays from years past and time
that was spent with cherished friends and family
seem to linger and sparkle in our minds forever.

I hope that you're having some very sparkly moments
this holiday season.
I decorated the house early this year
before leaving for out of town for Thanksgiving
and it's really made for
a more relaxed Christmas season.
I may adopt that practice forever!

Speaking of golden,
my fabulous clients are
are golden in my mind and the list
of these "golden ones" is growing all of the time!
They bring me a constant stream of
fun projects and give me the opportunity
to design and create for them ...
what could be more golden than that?

One of the members in this chic group of "goldens"
is Jennifer of Bella Clinique
and I'll share with you
the new illustration that was
recently created for their Christmas card in a moment.

You may remember the first illustration (below)
that was commissioned by Bella Clinique.


It was the first illustration that the logo girl
I designed for them appeared in
(she's named "Bella" and is fashioned after the owner).
I recently posted
where that illustration is now being used ...
as a mural in the spa ...

In the first illustration, above, Bella is carrying
her favorite LV handbag (just like the owner's),
and she is walking in front of the spa window
that's filled with spa goodies.  It's not a coincidence
that the dog on the leash is
the image of the owner's cherished pet!

For the Christmas illustration, below,
Bella is doing a little holiday decorating inside the spa
in front of the spa's cozy fireplace while snowflakes
gently fall outside the window ...
I can almost here soft holiday music

playing in the background ...

To see the holiday illustration on their website
during the holiday season, go here.

Have a simply golden remainder of the week, everyone!
Until later ...

OOH LA FROU FROU

is the blog of illustrator
SANDY M

If you have a custom illustration
inquiry, contact Sandy here.

The photos in this post
were sourced from:
Butter London via
Gold Confetti Dress via

Valentino Rock Studs via
Sparkly Trees in Street Scene via
Sparkly Reindeer via
Sparkly Gold Tree Decorations via
Group of Hanging Gold Ornaments via

Gold Confetti Garland via
Gold Flatware via
Champagne Flutes via

The above custom illustrations
created for Bella Clinique
are by SANDY M
(c) SANDY M 2013 - All Rights Reserved.

Merry Merry!

Just stopping by
to say
Merry Merry
and wish everyone a
fabulous weekend!

It's definitely feeling a lot like Christmas!
I actually love the hustle and bustle of the season and
I'll be out and about this weekend,
whittling down my Christmas shopping list.

Thinking of holiday crowds reminds
me this commissioned illustration,
which was one of three holiday card illustrations
I created a few years ago for a beautiful, luxury hotel,
The Royal Park ...

Enjoy the season, everyone!
Till next time ...

OOH LA FROU FROU
is the blog of illusrator
SANDY M

For custom illustration,
contact Sandy here.

Artwork above (c) SANDY M ~ All rights reserved.

Sweet August

What is it about August?
The fact that it's the last "unofficial"
month of summer makes it a little bittersweet ...

autumn decorations begin to shoulder themselves into the stores,
ads begin to appear for "back to school" supplies ...
and it makes summer lovers like me want to slip our sunnies on,
cover our ears and shout
"na na na na na na na" ...

... not that I don't LOVE autumn, I do ...
so very much, in fact, that it's my second favorite season ...
I adore autumn leaves, apple cider, crisp air, warm clothes ...
but I just like to keep all things in their time
so that we can truly enjoy and soak in the season that's still here ...

And I've been doing just that!
You all know that I've taken a little time off
from the blog for the summer, just popping in now and again to say hello ...
hope you've all been having a sparkling one, too!


In addition to purely enjoying the summer sunshine and beaches,
taking little trips here and there,
enjoying fresh vegetables from farm stands,
savoring summer barbecues and dining al fresco
and ending sultry days with cooler evening walks ...
I spend a good portion of most days, of course, in the studio.
Many of the things I have been working on I'm not able to share yet,
as they haven't yet been released and introduced by my clients,
but I've been very busy, as usual.

I shared the following custom fashion illustration
on facebook and instagram recently
(so please forgive for the repeat to those that have already seen it)

The illustration was commissioned by Aliana of Aliana Events
as a gift for a bride-to-be that loves Dior
to be presented at a stunning Dior-themed bridal shower.
The following photo of the bride-to-be with the illustration
alongside the beautiful Dior cake of the shower

is courtesy of Aliana Events.

I also mentioned on social media recently that the first
SANDY M Illustrated Calendar
will be available for 2014 and will be introduced later this fall!
The following "teaser," of a portion of the calendar cover illustration
{but covering up the townhouse door area to keep it a surprise}
is all that has been shown so far ...
notice the address of this chic city townhouse as the introduction ...
Stay tuned for more ...

Along with all of the details for the calendar,
one of the illustrations I'm currently working on for a client
takes me away to a chateau in France ... I just love how I'm able to
"travel" while I'm working! ;)

Have a sweet remainder of August, everyone!
I'll be leaving the end of next week for a week-long
road trip with my dad ... yep, a father and daughter trip ...
 going back and visiting his roots ;) ...

it'll be fun!

Till later ...

OOH LA FROU FROU

is the blog of illustrator

SANDY M

For custom illustration inquiries

drop Sandy a line here.

Image Credits:
First three images sourced from Pinterest as follows:
Image 1 girl in sunglasses via
Image 2 girl on carousel via

Image 3 sea at night via

Custom Dior Fashion Illustration by SANDY M

Photo of Bride with SANDY M Fashion Illustration via Aliana Events

"Sneak Peek" partial view 2014 calendar illustration by SANDY M