Conceptualizing

When it's time to start coming up with designs for a new collection 

or season, I like to call the creative process conceptualizing. For the

past month or so, I have been knee-deep in "conceptual mode" brainstorming

and sketching new ideas and products. When planning for the future, it's always fun 

to look back to older designs that were widely popular, this one being one that

fits into the best seller category. I've been analyzing it for a few days trying

to figure out what makes this particular illustration so special. Is it the

monochromatic color scheme, the recognizable storefront, or something

you can't quite put your finger on? I'd love to hear your feedback about

this design and what you would love to see more of in the future! 

Tinsley

What is it about summer that has me craving sweet treats and

fun trips to the bakery? 

Wishing everyone a sweet weekend! 

prints available here

Meghan & the Queen

Just a casual train ride and outing with the Queen. Can you

imagine if this was your new normal? Meghan Markle is handling

the transition effortlessly if you ask me. Her wardrobe is adjusting

quite well, too. She emerged in another stunning Givenchy ensemble.

See more here.

prints available here

Something Blue

I'm still pouring over the images from the Royal Wedding. I'm

embarrassed to tell you how many times I've watched it all the

way through. While I know there are some people that share my

excitement over this, I also realize it's time to move on with life. 

So, today I'm sharing an older illustration that was intended to be

some sort of birthday card that never made it to the printing floor.

Not all designs make the cut, so this one will be filed away in the
"unused" folder. I still think she's cute enough to share, and that

dress... need! 

2018 Met Gala

The annual Met Gala is something I look forward to each year. 

It's the debut of the new costume collection inside the Metropolitan Museum

of Art. So, celebrities, designers, and the like show up dressed according to the 

theme. More or less, it's a very expensive costume party. This year's theme, 

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, raised some eyebrows

(take a peak inside the museum here and don't miss this post highlighting

the perfectly polished table settings).

Putting all that aside, let's focus on the fashion and how it might have been one

of my all time favorite red carpets. The theme lends itself to lavish golds and reds,

heavy embroidery, over the top headpieces, and angelic dresses. I loved seeing

different designers' interpretation of the theme. See all the red carpet looks here.

Don't miss my absolute favorite of the night, Hailee Steinfeld wearing Prabal

Gurung. 

prints available here

Lindo

With the news of the third royal baby being born this morning, I've

been glued to the live feed waiting for William & Kate to emerge from

the hospital with the new baby in tow. Anybody else watching?

prints available here

Alan

A casual weekday look for running around town...

Pink Plaid

I don't know if it's because Valentine's Day is this week or what,

but I'm majorly color crushing on blush pink... especially blush

pink coats! Could there be anything better to brighten the cold

winter days? 

Catherine Truman Photography

Shop my favorite pink coats here:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

coat: Revolve  |  bag: Mansur Gavriel  |  boots: Nordstrom (mule version here)

prints available here

Q & A four

Q: How long does it take you to complete an illustration?

A: It really depends! I can knock out a black and white sketch

in 10 minutes without a lot of detail. Custom illustrations take

longer because I'm constantly referencing photos to make the

resemblance as close as possible. When I'm doing sketches for

the blog, I average about 20-25 minutes per illustration not

including editing time in Photoshop. On average, I'd say an

illustration of just one figure takes around 30 minutes to an

hour. Additional figures and background elements add to that,

so Christmas card illustrations of large families can take hours.

So in a non-answer kind of way, the answer is it depends on the

sketch! Clear as mud? See one of my quicker sketches come to

life in a live video on instagram. 

Happily Grey wearing a Fall '18 look from Lela Rose

Punkin

Happy Halloween! 

8

Today officially marks 8 years of BFP! What???

How have I been doing this for 8 years already? It feels like yesterday

when I was still doing it part-time working retail on the side. I'm 

forever grateful for this journey and for YOU! I literally would not be anywhere

without your support, kind words, honest feedback, and so much more.

THANK YOU!!

Mary Craven Photography

Boyd

If you've ever wondered about my personal style, this is

pretty accurate for fall. Distressed jeans. A simple color

palette. Great sweaters. A go-to boot or bootie. I love adding

fun accessories, but I keep my wardrobe simple. What's your

go-to style this time of year? 

Pom Pom

Leave it to Tibi to create the most perfect, jaw-dropping

sweater. I mean.... can I have all the pom poms this season?

I'm also ordering these slides because, well, why not? 

Pairing this sweater with an updated pair of jeans and a

mustard bag + shoes makes it the most swoon-worthy outfit

for fall. 

sweater: Tibi  |  bag: Shopbop  |  heels: Nordstrom (also a huge fan of these)

The Mustard Color, pt. 2

More on mustard...

It makes the perfect accent against this all white outfit. I love

a graphic tee under a more tailored jacket like this one by 

Victoria Beckham. Mix it up even more by adding sneakers 

instead of a heel. The yellow bag completed this look.

Happy Friday! 

jacket: Victoria Beckham  |  jeans: Intermix  |  bag: Tory Burch  |  sneakers: Golden Goose

The Mustard Color, pt. 1

This golden hue has been making as much of a splash as red this 

season. I've been seeing it in rich textures like velvet and suede 

making it reminiscent of a 70s couch. Can't you see it up against

that horrible green carpet? Oh my.

Regardless of how we got here or why this color is reemerging, 

it can be classic and understated when done properly. It pairs well

with camel, black, white, denim, maybe a punch of red (like a red

lip), and cobalt. I fell in love with this velvet tank from J.Crew. I

can see it worn so many different ways. This look carries into

those cooler nights by throwing a black leather moto jacket over

your shoulders. And, obviously, the white boots are a must! This

pair won't break the bank, so they're a good buy for a trendy piece. 

If velvet isn't your thing, see below for some other solid sweater 

choices for a touch of mustard this season:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

earrings: J.Crew  |  tank: J.Crew  |  bag: Henri Bendel  |  shoes: Nordstrom

The Color Red, pt. 3

Today, let's talk about the red bag. It's absolutely the easiest way

to add a pop of red to your wardrobe. It pairs well with pretty much

any outfit. It's a classic believe it or not. You can spend a little bit 

and keep it for years on end. And, it's a sure way to brighten your

day (and your outfit)! I picked up a small red bag from Henri Bendel

a few years ago and still love it to death. I don't carry it every day, 

but it always makes me smile when I do. 

This season, I've been tying to make more calculated choices when it

comes to my wardrobe. I have been weighing the options, checking my

closet to make sure I don't have something similar, and investing in more

timeless choices. I love a good Target or Zara find as much as anyone,

but those are always the first pieces to go in a seasonal closet clean-out.

This bag is something I studied, looked at, and weighed the color choices

for months. It's by a designer I hadn't heard of and doesn't have a logo 

(a major win in my book). So the question was red or camel?

I ended up with the camel because of the previously mentioned

red bag that was already in my closet, but the red is still a top

choice. I love the bag itself and love the comments from the

peanut gallery when I carry it ("do you have a pair of binoculars

in there" // "your bag looks like a binocular case" etc etc). I get it. 

It looks like a binocular case, but I think it's fantastic. It has become

an unexpected conversation piece. 

Shop my other red bag pics that don't necessarily carry the same

conversation piece status but are still great choices:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

bag: Nico Giani via Net-a-Porter

SaveSave

The Color Red, pt. 2

Yesterday we started our coverage on the color red. It is in fact 

the color of the season. If it's not "your color", you can still add

pops of it by way of accessories, mostly shoes. The 60s boot

is everywhere right now in all shapes and patterns (white, floral

embroidery, bright reds, deep maroons, etc.). I love the look of 

a bright red bootie with a cropped jean.... consider it a must! 

Also, consider a pointed toe version of the bootie for a dressier

look. Shop my favorite red booties below:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE

There's also always the option of the Gucci fur-lined slides in an updated red 

instead of black. See more styling tips on all the Fall trends on our 

September Issue Pinterest board. 

So, the question is are you the one on the right or the left?

I always lean more towards a distressed jean with a heeled 

bootie, though I'm making attempts to include diversity this

fall. 

left block heel: Gucci (similar version here)  |  right red booties: Nordstrom

The Color Red

With this warm hue showing up on every major blogger during NYFW, designers 

and stores are taking note. Red is everywhere for fall. It is the color of the season. 

We will cover additional ways to wear red throughout the week, but let's start with a 

yummy oversized sweater. Wear it with a pair of updated jeans and a white ankle boot 

(more on this later... yes, they are a thing). I'm currently searching the web for more red 

pieces to add to my closet. For now, this sweater is a great place to start. 

sweater: H&M (also loving this sweater)  |  bag: Alice & Olivia  |  boots: Nordstrom

Eiffel

When I was working on the fall collection, I kept being drawn to 

an image of a trendy girl in front of the Eiffel Tower because, let's

be serious, Paris is the ultimate source of inspiration. I was also 

pulling inspiration from the current fall trends and what the influencers

are wearing (Gucci t-shirts, booties with cropped jeans, small structured

bags, etc). This is the result and I have to say, I'm obsessed. I want to

be her. 

You can find her on notecards right now with more products to be revealed

soon! 

Landyn

Cheers, y'all. Is it Friday yet?

NYFW kicked off this week and I've been pouring through the

images from the shows (and from instagram) trying to round up 

the latest trends. Not only are the designers showing Spring 2018, 

but the bloggers and tastemakers will be sporting the biggest trends

of Fall 2017. We need to be paying attention! I'm taking notes and will

report back. Meanwhile, where's the wine? Martini? Some sort of fruity

drink? Anything will do at this point...

This cute girl will be showing up on a few new products this fall,

but we're starting with an immediate launch of notecards. 

Shop them here -->