How Do You Get Shit Done?

As I've mentioned about one million times before, one of the challenges of working for yourself is there isn't anyone to make sure that you're working hard and getting stuff done. So how do I do it?

Last week I shared my calendar/to do list which keeps my weeks organised. I know exactly what I have to get done each day or every week and I can check all my to dos as they get done. But how do I keep all my projects organised?

Along with my traditional to do list I like to keep a hand written project list as well (pictured above.) Once I get a project I add it to the list with a small description of the project, the price, note if paid or unpaid, and then I write the given deadline or come up with my own deadline of 2-3 weeks depending on the size of the project. Once completed I'll note the date finished so that I can move on to other projects. I think this is a really simple way of keeping track of all the custom work I have to complete and I've never forgotten a project. No need to over complicate things, this works just perfectly for me.

Because I have a very simple style and quick technique the majority of the projects I work on are really quick to complete too. This really helps me stay on track. These projects just take a matter of days to complete if I only worked on one project at a time. Because my turn around time is so quick I never really get bored or tired with a project. This helps me to stay motivated and keep working.

Many people complain of overloaded email accounts which distract them from getting other more important actual work done. I fortunately don't have this problem. I don't receive more emails than I can handle each day and can easily and quickly answer most of them within the same day. I have 0 new unread messages at this moment, and usually keep it that way.

How I get my projects done on good days and bad days:

• Somedays I just have tons of energy and can't get distracted by anything. I can get the majority of a weeks worth of work done in one day. This usually happens on Mondays because I feel bad for not working or have missed working since enjoying a free weekend.
• Other days I have no motivation and I seriously have to force myself to work. I'll make sure to at least check one thing off my list, and then take a break if I must to gather inspiration. Then I'll force myself to check another to do item off my list. It's okay if it's one of the more fun or easier tasks, just as long as something is getting done.
• And then other days just can't get myself to do anything. I'll have no energy, or my head will be in a million places and I can't concentrate on anything. I'll stare at a new white piece of paper for hours, not knowing where to start. I have no motivation and I can't get myself to get anything done, no matter what I try. These days, which don't happen very often, I'll just give up. I'll read, watch movies, go shopping, go for a walk, cook, or bake all day long. I don't get regular weekends, free evenings or holidays like everyone else with a regular job, so taking a free day every now and then isn't so bad. (I'm worth it.) I'll usually wake up the next morning ready to work!

Lazy Weekend

Sometimes it's the nicest thing in the entire world to have a really lazy weekend (and sometimes I feel like the biggest loser in the world because I don't have a wild and crazy full social calendar.) But let's go with it was a nice quiet weekend and I really enjoyed it.

A few quiet weekend favorite things:

• Getting lots of reading done. Currently I'm reading the Game of Thrones series (nerd alert!). I'm on the second book and am actually really enjoying it. It's just so well written. Can't wait until the weather warms up just a little bit more so I can take my reading outside.

• Clean all my makeup brushes. This may sound like a boring task, but I really love the ritual, and can't stand the thought of using grungy brushes on my face. I've started becoming really obsessed with skincare and makeup lately.

• Grocery Shopping. This may be another task that many people can't stand, but I adore it, and Johan doesn't mind coming with me. I love filling the fridge with lots of yummy things to plan meals around. (Gosh I'm such a housewife.)

• A long Sunday bath may be the greatest thing ever. Hair masks, face masks, scrubs, oils, creams, bath bombs, the works. Nothing like feeling like a completely new person before meeting a new week.

New Illustration!

It may be Sunday, and not actually Friday (small oopsie), but I wanted to make sure to show off a new illustration before the week comes to an end. So introducing a rather random new illustration... Cacti. What do you think? Should I create more non-fashiony illustrations?

Hope you have a nice Sunday!

What's in My Makeup Bag

I am so excited to finally share this new collaboration I've started with beauty blogger The Beauty Gypsy! Every two weeks or so we'll feature a new What's in My Makeup Bag illustration of an iconic style icon (similar to my traditional What's in My Bag illustrations). This week I had the pleasure of capturing Mad Men's Megan Draper (You've got to check out her post about getting the Megan look here.) Pretty fun huh?! I really look forward to creating lots and lots of these illustrations.

Blogger WIMB: Julip Made

Hello Wednesday!

This week I had the pleasure of drawing the favorite bag items of a new to me blogger Julie of Julip Made. It's always exciting to get introduced to a new blogger, especially when they have a gorgeous layout... and a love for dogs! (Love that I got to include a doggie tennis ball, and a few treats, so cute.)

You can see the entire series with all the great bloggers featured here on Pinterest.

p.s. I'm always looking for other bloggers to feature (or follow) so please feel free to contact me is you'd like to be featured or know of someone who'd like to be featured.

Studio!

1/2/3/4

I'm so excited that my countdown until moving to our new apartment is today down to 30 days! Yay! I seriously can't wait to set up my new workspace (and the rest of the apartment of course) and 30 days is just going to fly by so quickly. We haven't packed anything, nor have we purchased anything new for the apartment just yet, but we've been doing tons of window shopping for possible items we may need for the bigger space. We've also been collecting a few hand-me-down furniture pieces from family members to help us fill our 69 m2 space. (Our current apartment is just 46.5 m2.)

I can't quite decide on how I'd like my new studio to look. There are just too many possibilities and one can't really plan until actually in the space to move things around. But I must confess I've been really dorky and have played around with a digital floor plan in Photoshop, hehe. I think I'll just let it organically come together. Can't wait!!!

Music or TV?

Thought I'd answer a slightly more fun question this week about freelancing. Spending long days at home working by ones self can get a little quiet, so do I listen to music or watch tv when I work?

Though I sometimes quite like to work in complete silence, I really really enjoy working to my favorite tv series. I don't actually watch traditional television (channel changing and advertisements would be very distracting, plus we don't have cable), I like to download whole series and watch them directly from my computer screen one after the other. Some days I can watch an entire series, and I actually think the structure helps me get lots of work done. Most shows are about 45 minutes long, which allows me to stay focused and in front of my computer so that I can finish drawings, digitally color them or write a blog post or two. When a show is finished I can take a mini break, and then work for another 45 mins or so, and not get tired of working. I don't really get distracted most days by the shows (some days I'm just distracted no matter what I do). I have no problem also with mainly just listening to the shows, and don't have to follow every second. It's just nice to have noise in the background while working.

On the other hand I find music really really distracting. Constantly having to switch songs ever 3 minutes or so, or getting the urge to dance, hehe, is very annoying.

My favorite shows to watch are Crime shows or Food/Travel programs (not gonna lie, my guilty pleasure is dramatic High School Shows too).
I love:

• CSI
• Criminal Minds
• Bones
• Body of Proof
• Castle

• Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations
• Mind of a Chef
• Jamie Oliver
• Nigella Lawson
• A Little Paris Kitchen

and my guilty pleasures...

• Gossip Girl
• Pretty Little Liars
• The Carrie Diaries
• 90210

Recently I've also become pretty obsessed with YouTube. I'm loving Jamie's new FoodTube, and I can watch Beauty Guru's channels for hours; I especially adore all the great British girls.

Do you watch tv or listen to music when you work? What do you like to watch?

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Sometimes it really is just necessary to have something very decedent for breakfast on the weekends. I usually don't like to have pancakes because they make me feel really gross full, not yummy full. But when I saw this Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe here, it just seemed more to my liking. The oatmeal makes the pancakes more filling and dare I say healthier, and the chocolate is, well, delicious! I topped my pancakes with sliced banana, a few flax seeds and maple syrup of course. This recipe was also really great since it only made 4 pancakes, the perfect amount to be filling but not too much for two people.

This recipe is definitely going to be a weekend favorite staple.

Tapas Dinner: First sign of Spring

I had a really lovely weekend!

On Saturday evening we enjoyed a really delicious Tapas-like type of meal, with lots and lots of goodies. It was really tasty and felt like a first taste of Spring/Summer. (We always eat these sorts of meals in the Summer time... plus they're my favorite.) I'm so happy that the weather is finally cooperating; I even packed away all my heavy winter gear. Spring is finally here!

We enjoyed along with a crisp bottle of Gabo do Xil white wine.
• Fresh melon slices
• Marinated mushrooms
• Serrano ham
• Speck ham
• Swedish shrimp
• Smoked mussels
• Chili marinated green olives
• Assorted cheeses
• Salsiccia sausage
• Blanched broccoli
• Smoked mussel mayonaise

We recently saw a recipe for broccoli dipped in a mussel emulsion; here is our version. It was soooo good!

Smoked Mussel Mayonnaise Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 tin smoked mussels
1 egg yolk
Lemon juice from 1/4 of a lemon
Vegetable oil
Salt and Pepper

Start as if you were making traditional mayonnaise, with an electric whisk (just use one of the whisks attached, since the batch is so small) mix the egg yolk with 2 smoked mussels, salt and pepper. When the consistency is creamy begin to slowly add the scented oil from the smoked mussel tin, a tiny amount at a time. Switch to normal vegetable oil and continue to slowly whisk it into the mayonnaise until it reaches a thick creamy texture. Add more salt, lemon to taste if you'd like.

We dipped blanched broccoli in the mayonaise, but we'd also recommend asparagus or shrimp.

Caught in the Instagramming act! haha!

Lipstick Lover

Hello Friday! I actually have a new illustration for you!!!

It's been weeks and weeks since my last shop illustration. What ever happened to my one new illustration per week resolution (oopsie!)

Anywho, I've had this illustration in my head for weeks and I'm so glad I finally sat down and drew it out. I'm also really glad it came out just as I had imagined (that doesn't always happen.) I love love love a pink and red color scheme and I think it will be a nice addition to the shop. Find it here...

Have a great weekend!

What sort of Calendar do you keep?

Since I love drawing by hand I therefore love keeping a traditional write in planner. I love being able to use pretty pens, doodle if I want to, and it's just quicker and easier for me. My boyfriend swears by his Google Calendar but I just don't have as much I need to remember as he does (work hours, school hours, wine tastings, sport games etc.) So my traditional calendar is perfect for me and my job.

My current calendar has the right page to plan your week Monday - Sunday and then on the left side there is a lined page for notes, which I use for my weekly to-do list. I love it! This keeps my week organised and I always know what I have to get done by the end of the week easily.

The B Bar

I'm so excited that The B Bar is finally open for business so that I can finally share with you all these great drink illustrations I created for them. (Well not all, I'll only show you half of them, as they haven't published all 12 just yet, too be fair.)

image from www.shopthebbar.com

When Victoria contacted me with this project at the beginning of the year I was so excited (as you can imagine.) She and Meg Biram were opening a store and they wanted me to illustrate (what the what?!) I thought the project was also a little extra exciting because they were looking for a style that isn't really my regular (comfortable) style. So that was a nice little challenge, and I think they turned out nicely. Plus they were really really great to work with.

Let's take a look...

They feature my usual simple outlines and pastel palette but this time with a watercolor-esk look, which I've only done once or twice before. The watercolor look I achieved in Photoshop after vectorising my inked in lines in Illustrator. I love the simple light tutti-fruiti palette. I should do more work in this style!
Hope you like them :)

Blogger What's in my Bag: Grace Atwood

Yay! It's Wednesday and it's time for another Blogger What's in my Bag. This week I had the pleasure of drawing the bag favorites of the gorgeous and uber creative Grace Atwood of Stripes and Sequins. I love her great blog and aesthetic, and really admire her for all her great DIY projects. (I wish I was crafty!)

I loved drawing all the gold details and the classy tortoise accessories. Such a sophisticated girl!

To view all of the great bloggers I've collaborated with and all the illustrations I've created you can visit my Pinterest board here...

and if you'd like to commission a What's in my Bag illustration for yourself you can purchase this Etsy listing here...

Pros/Cons of Freelancing

I'll start off by saying I love love love working freelance from home. After 2 years I can't imagine ever going back to work at an office/restaurant/'real' job. (Crossing my fingers I'll never have to, and my business keeps growing strong... and I still enjoy doing what I do.)

Freelancing is probably not for everyone, but it certainly works for me. I'm a homebody, a little bit of a hermit, organised, and truly enjoy what I do.

Here are a few of my PROs:

• Being able to decide when/where/how I want to work. My day doesn't have to start at 9 and end at 5, I can work how ever long I please. I can take breaks when I want to. (I don't even have to work at all one day... if I compensate another day.) Being this free is the best thing about working freelance.

• I'm my own boss! I love making all the decisions.

• All the money I make is money I've honestly earned All By Myself. I love that I make a living doing what I love. (What could possibly be better?)

• I can develop/grow my business at my own pace. I make my own deadlines, and control every aspect of what goes into building my business.

• Errands can be completed when the sun is shining and there are few people in stores. I love the simple pleasure of getting my errands done in the middle of the day when people are all at work. I love going grocery shopping when I have the store pretty much to myself, go to the gym when classes aren't completely full, going to the post office when lines are short or riding the subway before rush hour.

• I love working from the comfort of my own home. I don't have to wear uncomfortable work appropriate clothes (I always get properly dressed though, no shlubby sweat pants for this girl), I can bake bread, and cook all day so I can eat proper home cooked healthy meals every single day. (Saves money too, eating out in Stockholm is expensive.) I also love being able to watch tv or listen to music while working if I choose too.

And a few CONS:

• I'm my own boss. There is no one else around to give me a kick in the pants when I've spend far too long 'gathering inspiration' on blogs or Pinterest for hours, slept in too long, or lolligagged when I've got a deadline.

• If anything goes wrong, I only have myself to blame. We're always a bit too hard on ourselves too.

• If my brand/work is criticised, it's difficult not to take it personally. My brand/work is Me.

• No monthly pay checks. blah.

• My work day isn't over when I get home from work, because I'm already home, and my work is my life. Sometimes it can be difficult to not over work or feel guilty if I'm not working all the time, since my work is there in front of my at all times.

• It can get a bit lonely. Sometimes I don't even leave the house for days, if the fridge is full and I haven't gotten any orders to post. I also don't have any colleagues to bounce ideas off of. 

All in all there isn't really anything I can't stand about being a freelancer besides the instable money and turning into a hermit. But my business is growing finally to a point where I'm pretty confident I'll make enough each month, and I've made new freelance friends in the same situation, and we meet up from time to time.

Le Weekend

I had a really lovely weekend. A nice mix of spending time with Johan's family and lots of yard work in Johan's parent's garden. Fun playing lumberjack for a day! We cut down an entire tree and tons of weeds, and annoying thorn bushes. They live in such a gorgeous area outside of Stockholm, and have a really really lovely and wild yard. It's not uncommon to see lots of birds such as pheasants and little deer in their yard. Since we live in an apartment and don't have any space for a garden, it was really nice to  spend the day working outside.  It was also really really gorgeous weather.... until about 3pm when it started to SNOW! What the flip Sweden, it's Spring time.

Here's to a new week!

Pouf! Issue 4

Another gorgeous issue of Swedish Pouf Magazine has finally arrived, full of Spring-y inspiration, and look who's the cover girl, Elsa Billgren, the Vintage Queen herself. For this issue I created all sorts of fun illustrations, a cocktail, a perfect table setting, a map of Napa/Sonoma Valley, gallery wall inspiration and a What's in my Bag illustration of Lemon Breeland. Pretty nice I think! I just did a quick skim of the issue and it looks great, but I look forward to really reading through the entire issue later this evening. I hope you will too!

Hope you enjoy the issue and my illustrations as much as I enjoyed creating them!