Revolt - an introduction

A couple of weeks ago I got asked to join a team of bloggers doing the Revolt Challenge. I jumped at the chance, because after a few months of illness and putting on a few lbs I'm trying to get fit again. I'm going to be updating you every Saturday with how I'm getting on with the plan.

I started this plan on Wednesday and I'm already feeling the effects (I was supposed to start on Monday, but was away on Monday and Tuesday).

I love exercise in the form of hiking or going to classes with friends, but at home sometimes I can get a little bored of a plan. So far Revolt has mixed it up with a few different exercise videos, they're pretty short and achievable so I haven't got fed up yet. I like that they're usually around 25 mins long so I can fit them in before I start work for the day.

I know I'll find the diet plan the hardest, when I was more active I would just eat whatever I want because I'd be horse riding and walking the dogs every day. It's going to be an adjustment to be on a diet plan. The first week has consisted of a detox menu designed to cleanse your body of sugar. This has been really hard for me as there are tons of eggs and a little meat on the menu, so I've been replacing them with Sunwarrior protein shakes, beans and tofu. I also almost had a heart attack when I saw no avocados on the detox menu, how can I manage that??! 

What I do like about the meal plan though is that there are different options for your height and body type, as a tall girl I think I'd feel pretty deprived eating a diet plan aimed at someone much shorter.

If you want to find out more about the Revolt plan check out the Revolt website. There's tons of info on there, with before and after photos of people on the plan too.

The Bridesmaids - Digital illustrations

A couple of weeks ago I got asked to do some of my digital illustrations for a lady who's getting married soon. She wanted an illustration of each of her bridesmaids to give them as a gift. I have the say, these girls are probably the coolest bridesmaids ever. I've really enjoyed illustrating their fun hats, hair styles and make up.

Each of the frames was based around an object that represented the relationship the bride had with each bridesmaid.

You can see the work in progress of a couple of the illustrations here.

If you'd like your own custom illustration, check out my shop. I also do completely custom wedding invitations.

More of my illustration work.

Purple, Pink & Ponies

If you've known me for a while, you'll probably know how much I love horses and ponies. It's probably a bit obvious since half of my business name is "Pony", the Chops half is another story that I will tell you one day!

A few weeks ago I got asked to paint some of my custom mocassins with ponies and clouds and pastels. I did a little squeal inside, all of my favorite things in one shoe (except for avocados, but I'm not sure that would work well with ponies!)

Here are my finished Pony Mocassins. I love them and I reallllly wanted to keep them.

If you'd like to order some shoes from me check out my shop or email me at ponychopsshop [at] gmail [dot] com

PonyChops and TeeToo's Adventure Time Extravaganza!

You have no idea how excited I am to bring you this giveaway today! I don't often get time or the opportunity to do giveaways including my own work (my Russian Dolls take seriously forever to paint!). A few months ago, me and Andrea from TeeToo decided we needed to turn our love of Adventure Time into a giveaway for our readers.

Andrea is giving away a hand made Lumpy Space Princess pillow (like this one she blogged about) and I'll be giving away my set of hand painted Adventure Time Russian Dolls to one lucky winner!

Here's some work in progress and final piccies of the prizes, you can enter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura Manfre Shoe Design Collaboration

A few months ago, when I was preparing for my uni interview at LCF I started setting myself more design tasks. Other than painting my own shoes I hadn't really designed since studying Fashion years ago.

I've been a fan of Laura Manfre's work for a long time. When Laura said I could use her illustrations on some of my designs I was delighted, I think her kitsch watercolours adapt wonderfully to fashion design.

Here's the outcome of our collaboration, all watercolour illustrations are by her, and the shoe designs are by me. I'm especially happy with the brown cowboy boots. I'd love to expand on that design and do some brogue and satchel designs in that style one day. I think they look like they'd be right at home on the irregular choice website ;)

Back to School bags with Case Luggage

It's only 2 weeks until I move to London now, and 3 weeks until I start my uni course. For an art or design uni course like mine, where I will be carrying lots of material, stationary and a laptop around, a good bag is a very important purchase.

I've been searching the Case Luggage website for some practical and fun bags to take to uni with me, here are some of my favs.

Now of course, before I show you my practical finds, I have to show you my absolutely favorite find. I think it's very apt for this post, as it is London themed:

This childrens London Bus case is by Cuties comes with stickers so you can personalise it yourself. As you can probably tell, I've never really grown out of personalising things, so I think this is perfect.

My actual practical finds look just as awesome and fun! They're by Kipling. I chose the Dallin Wheeled School Bag (right) and the Poona School bag (right). I first noticed these bags for their awesome prints, but it turns out they're really well designed too. The Dallin comes in 3 different prints, has wheels and built in laptop protection. It can also be carried on your back, so it's multi functional and very practical. The Poona is a little smaller and comes in a fun monkey print.

 I also really liked this Umbrella with a matching zip pouch by Knirps and this Converse Backpack.

What are your "back to school" essentials?

Desk of the Day 29/08/2013

This week I've had a realllly fun digital portrait order to work on, and I thought I'd give you a sneak peak of it. I've been working on 5 portraits of some girls with really rad style. It's always so fun when I get to illustrate people with unusual hair, make up and fun hats.

If you'd like your own digital portrait, check out my Etsy Shop or email me at ponychopsshop@gmail.com for illustration enquiries.