To Kristina with Love from Kristina

Hello Saturday!

I didn't write my usual Friday post yesterday because I was a little preoccupied with my new toy. I bought myself a present, an 11" MacBook Air! There is nothing like opening up a new package from Apple. My Goodness the packaging and all the little details that went into designing the packaging are almost as gorgeous as the computer itself.

As much as I'm totally in love with my 27" iMac, I can't exactly take it with me when I travel or just sit with it on the couch to work if I feel like it one day. Going to be interesting to see how often I'll opt for the couch option.

It's nice to spoil yourself once in a while, don't you think?

Week 41

• This week I've really enjoyed watching the trees in our neighborhood change into gorgeous shades of golden yellow, orange and vibrant red. It's just too pretty for words! My only wish would be that the colors would last a little bit longer.

• Met up with a fellow creative Swede for coffee and shop talk, a super cute girly named Lisa. So exciting to meet someone who has a very similar style to mine. It was just so easy to share techniques, rant about clients, and talk about future dream projects together. I was left feeling so inspired and treated myself to two new pens to use in lots of new illustrations and projects.

• Our apartment is for the most part finished, but we're still collecting fun art pieces for our living room gallery wall. This print from Etsy is the newest addition.

• There is a definite nip in the air, and winter doesn't feel too far away, so I stocked up on lots of moisturising products for face, body and hands. Hoping these will help me in my fight against dry winter skin. Plus it's really fun to try out products and scents I've never used before. I think Skin Food is going to be my dry peely cuticles best friend.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Week 39!

This week was a pinch more exciting than my usual boring work weeks. (Not that they're bad.)

• Most exciting: I've been busy working on a second campaign with Westwing Home and Living, a German online flash sale site. It started yesterday and lasts through Sunday. If you're a member you should definitely check it out.

• Second most exciting: I'm going to be interning with the uber inspiring pair Bri and Angela at their upcoming Blogshop in Stockholm this weekend. It has been so much fun helping them out by coordinating with studio locations, and catering and the such. I've also been in charge of picking up lots of goodies over town and at the post office for the goodie bags. Good stuff!

• I also had an extra exciting job opportunity come my way this week. Crossing my fingers it will go really well.

• Not quite as exciting but still, I did a little shopping this week. Bought fleece lined tights. What a genius invention! I'm going to be living in these warm cozy tights until April.

Hope you have a really great weekend!

Week 37!

This week was a real bore. Nothing particularly exciting happened, unless you'd call this ridiculously silly cold that I some how got. (I never get sick, what is this stupid runny nose business?!)

Despite feeling just a tad under the weather I got lots of work done. Finished several projects that I've been working on for weeks. Started a few new ones too. I'll be sure too show them off next week. :)

Here is a nice realistic peek at my desk. It usually looks a bit like this (if not worse.) A few of my necessities:
• Far too many pens
• 3 tins of lip balm, why not. A girl likes options.
• Random jewelry. (That's my Harry Potter time turner necklace, because I'm a nerd.)
• My Sushi stapler... yes
• Tiny candy boxes. (My favorite are the little violet candies.)
• and my tablet of course. I gave it a little makeover with a piece of black paper. *Good tip actually* By taping a piece of paper to your tablet you make it less slippery to use (especially when trying to draw or write.)

Hope you have a nice weekend!

Week: 36

It's Friday, yes!!!

• This week I had this "fabulous" id photo taken. (Actually I'm rather pleased despite the lack of a smile. In my passport photo I look seriously drugged.) I've been putting off this task for months and have been walking around with an expired id card since February. Thank goodness no one actually checks. Step one I got the photo taken, step two is to get my butt to the bank and get my id renewed. Who knows how long that's going to take me to do.

• I've kicked my workout up a notch this week and I'm so proud of myself. Since signing up to track my workouts on FunBeat, where I'm able to see exactly how much time I'm devoting to working out, I've got a real push to get myself to the gym. (No more excuses, though I'm one of those weirdos who actually thinks working out is fun.) Along with my usual 3 days a week at the gym, I've been testing out the Ballet Beautiful workout at home a few times... even bought myself a nice yoga mat. I've been missing the grace (torture) of ballet since quitting 5 years ago, and I really want to keep my long lean muscles so this is a great way of doing so at home. Plus it's really really challenging. BB is kicking my old ballet butt. Try it!

• And then I've been working on illustration projects like usual.

Have a great weekend!

Week: 30

• This week we've been experiencing a bit of a heat wave in Stockholm. How unusual! Having had a nearly non-existent summer last year, it's nice to get some heat in Sweden this year. I've almost forgotten what it's like to sweat. To be honest I've been cooped up most days, and have waited to do my errands in town once temperatures have decreased slightly in the late afternoon. But I've certainly enjoyed warm summer evenings and a pinch of sun time on the balcony.

• I finally feel like I'm all caught up, and back on track with my work. I've even had a bit of time to tinker with the blog design just a bit. I think a change was much needed, don't you? Hope you like the lipsticks and the addition of a little more pink.

Well I really hope this sunshine holds on for a little (or long) while longer and I hope you all have a really wonderful weekend.

Week 23

Hello Friday! I'm so happy you're here!

• It's been a great week and my studio is finally becoming a bit more cozy. I've only got about 1 more box to sort through and unpack and then just get some art up on the walls and it'll be finished (as finished as can be). I'm also considering curtains because I think that will look rather romantic and pretty. Even designed the curtain fabric myself (go me!). All I need now is to bite the bullet and order a swatch to make sure it's perfect and then get a few yards.

• So happy to finally share my guide to Stockholm this week. If you some how missed it, you can read it here in issue 5 of Pouf Magazine.

• I've got a bike! A really rusty old thing but it's still nice and it'll be great for taking a ride around of pretty neighborhood with the boyfriend on sunny summer nights. p.s. We've been having the most gorgeous summer weather for a few days now. Sure hope this holds up all summer long!

• And a few other details from my new workspace. I'm loving the hanging shelves I got at IKEA. Still kind of in shock that I have an entire room to myself. Happiness.


Lastly, I have some rather disturbing news... Someone has stolen one of my scarf designs (only changed background colors, or a few colors) and is selling them across the United States as their own. I haven't licensed the image, so it has definitely been stolen, plus you can see from the images below that it is quite obvious that the design is mine. (I also recall the hours and hours I spend creating it too, so this is just so very devastating.) Just makes me soooo sooo soo very sad that someone would steal my work and I'm definitely taking action (with the help of attorneys) to sort this horrible matter out.

My design:

(At this time I won't be publishing the company name) Their cheap copy:

Why? Oh well, I'll keep you posted on the progress. Until then I hope you have a really great weekend.

Week 13

A Few Wonderfully Amazingful things about this week:

• Like usual I've started work on a few really exciting projects (that I can't tell you about just yet, lame), but when I do you'll be excited! Just a little hint... I'm working on illustrating another book. Yippie!

• Another month has nearly passed so my real count down to moving can finally begin. (55 days until moving day!) I was excited before, but now I'm really really excited!

• I've been treating myself to a few new things lately, via online shopping. I never ever shop online (well nearly never), I just like looking at things in person. But as I've discussed before, Sweden is sooooooo expensive. Even with high shipping costs and even extra taxes when the items arrive in Sweden the prices I've found online have been more than half the price of items I'd find here in Stockholm. The wait is killing me though! I've treated myself to new gorgeous makeup brushes, a little haul of makeup, a book, and new phone cases because I'm getting a new phone. Double Yippie!

• It is still insanely cold and there is still tons and tons of snow, but I swear it's starting to really feel like Spring. Johan and I even enjoyed a fika in the sunshine on our balcony the other day (in all our winter clothes of course).

• Today we are spending the Easter holiday with Johan's parents at their place. Kind of nice to have a free relaxed day out in the country where they live.

Have a great weekend!

Week 10

This week I had the opportunity to go to Swedish conference Webbdagarna with the lovely and gorgeous Ann Charlotte of Pouf Magazine. As you can kind of guess by the name, it was all about the WEB! Two whole days of speakers and presentations about the web, new technology, apps, great websites, and how people are using the web to build their businesses etc. So much fun, and so informative! I have soooo much new information crammed into my head, but I have no idea what to do with it or where to start.

Gah just so many ideas! First off I want to redesign absolutely everything, my website especially (but that would be a pain as it feels like I did that just yesterday), and second I really want to figure out new and exciting ways to present my work or create new work. (The hard part is figuring out just how to do that... hmmm.) I also want to be a little more technically savvy. Felt so behind with the times with all the other 1500 attendees all on their Iphones and Ipads, tweeting and blogging and being all cool on site. I've got a smart phone, but it's getting pretty tired and slow, couldn't take any photos of the stage etc it was just too dark for my phone camera. (Ordered a new phone today, yay!)

So yeah, pardon me while I try to organize all my thoughts and try to come up with all sorts of great new ideas... and also have a great weekend!

image via webbdagarna.se

p.s. This is my 1000th post! How crazy is that?!

Week 8

So this week was pretty dang regular except for the fact that we bought ourselves our apartment. My first ever own apartment and actually Johan's too. You can only imagine our excitement! (hint we're ecstatic!) A place all of our own, which we can fix, paint, renovate however we please, and pick out our very own furniture for. Surely feeling awfully grown up; it's a great feeling by the way.

I've never really had my own place before. I lived at home with my parents throughout college and even for a year after that. When I moved to Sweden I lived with my Aunt and Uncle, and then in my cousin's apartment. When Johan and I moved in together, we lived in numerous furnished apartments of friends and friends of friends. We haven't had to purchase much furniture, and kind of just adapted to however the apartment was set up. Only in this last apartment have we gotten a feel for what it would be like to have our own place, as we've been able to live here a while longer, and have added a lot of our own touches. But the majority of the furniture here is not ours. Now if only the end of May would come sooner, so that it could be moving day.

The week will also finish off on another great note as it's my birthday tomorrow. 29 gah! How on Earth did I ever get this old?! I plan on not doing anything particularly exciting, no parties or anything like that. Maybe just a quick visit to town, to look for a new dress or two, and I plan on enjoying a huge delicious crab dinner. Sounds perfect to me.

Have a great weekend!

p.s. Please excuse the really boring photo of the realtors office. We don't have any photos of the apartment as of yet. Going to rectify that on Sunday :)

Week 5

Holy Moly, 5 weeks have already passed this year, and it's already February! My birthday month! I rather like February, not just because of my birthday, but that sure is nice. I like February because it's a short month, a romantic month, and Spring feels just a bit closer (a bit.) This week was especially fun, as I had lots of new projects to work on, and had a little more going on in my social schedule.

• The week started off with new drawing pads and pens. There is nothing better than a few new supplies to get me to kick start a few new drawings, and want to work work work. Feels like an artist's fresh start!

• Since making Fuchsia's gorgeously fragrant Sichuan chili oil last week, I'm still obsessed, and have been enjoying Asian inspired dishes and snacks all week this week too.

• Published another gorgeous Blogger What's in my bag, featuring favorites picked by Victoria of Vmac & Cheese.

• I've been working on about 24 custom drawings this week too. Sounds rather huge and time consuming, but they are actually rather simple and really fun to work on.

• As a kind of New Years treat I bought myself a membership and a few wine tasting classes with the Boyfriend's University wine society. The classes are held in a gorgeously historical (and insanely old) wine cellar in the Old Town of Stockholm. It's a perfect atmosphere for tasting really delicious wines amongst a really interesting group of people... it's also not as snobby as it sounds. (Very fun and relaxed I promise!)

• Our first tasting was about Bordeaux and Bordeaux copies, held by my Boyfriend (Smarty Pants). We tried 6 wines from around the world, amazing how they all tasted rather similar. Definitely figured out that I'm a fan of the Bordeaux wine style. This bottle on display in the cellar was designed by Andy Warhol. (Neat huh?!)

• And then the week ended really lovely, in the form of another gorgeous new issue of Pouf! magazine. They have a gorgeous new website and blog to explore too. Go have a read!

• Love seeing boyfriend's and my name published together too, we're a great team.

Have a lovely weekend!

Week 4

This week I had all sorts of fun blog things and illustrations planned, but I didn't get them ready in time.  (How shameful!) I love how ambitious I am on Monday, writing a lengthy to do list with all sorts of great things to do... but by Friday, I'm backed up.

• I did get quite a lot of nice things finished, and started on. I've been working on around 24 illustrations for a few different clients. Certainly keeping me busy! Can't wait to show them off as soon as I can.

• And for myself I've been even more obsessed with pattern making more than usual. I have even created a finished pattern that I'm actually very very pleased with. It took a bit of fixing and tricking, two attempts, and a tutorial or too, but it finally turned out how I wanted. A peek is of course shown up top.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Week 3

This week has been a bit of a whirlwind. I almost can't believe it. I received the largest print order of my life, like seriously huge! I've been spending a lot of time preparing this order for my client and communicating with my printshop, it's quite a lot to organize. Major pinch me moment!

I couldn't have asked for a better start to the year.  Finally, I have the opportunity to start new projects and produce new products, and really grow my business. I am really looking forward to see what I can come up with. I've already gotten some drawings and designs planned out. Thinking this is going to be a really fun year!

Oh and the anchovy image? Just random prettiness... and yes I like anchovies.

Week 2

photos via my instagram @emmakisstina 

This week I really got back into the swing of things. Started going to the gym again after a month of laziness (seriously sore all over), planned out lots of fun collaborations with great bloggers for my WIMB series, and I also got lots of fun drawing work finished.

• Created a new header for the blog. Started off with a pastel colored one, but quickly tired of it and moved on to the one shown above. I think it's here to stay... at least for a little while.

• This year's first Blogger What's in my Bag featuring Chloe of The Preppy Diares went live on Wednesday as usual. Been missing these.

• Finished a whole bunch of illustrations for the next issue of Pouf Magazine, which will go live on the 1st of February.

• Created a custom perfume illustration for a Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles loving girl.

• Been wearing a lot of red lately!

• And finally lots of more snowy cold weather to Sweden. It may be dark, gray, and cold, but at least it's pretty.


Have a great weekend!

Week 1

What fun to write week 1 up there in the post title area. Feels like a real fresh start! (so many possibilities blah blah blah)

• Most obvious thing to happen this week would have to be the New Year, 2013! Boyfriend was sick on NYE so our fancy dinner plans didn't work quite out as planned, slight bummer, but we've enjoyed yummy seafood and extra nice left overs all week instead. Great way to start off the year food wise at least.

• This week I finally finalised a huge project I've been working on all December. phew! It was really fun, but still I like a change working on several projects, and getting small breaks in between. I haven't worked in Adobe Illustrator for this many hours in a row ever before either. Me and Illustrator are actually becoming rather nice friends... well, almost. (There were several slight hair pulling incidents.)

• Stockholm turned into a Winter hell. I hate ice! I can not stand not being able to walk properly, without fear of slipping on a ice patch. Sweden either has to cool down again and give us more snow, or warm up so this ice can melt. None of this in between shananigans!

• A New Year called for just a pinch of change here at home. Boyfriend took the initiative to rearrange our bedroom. At first I was totally against it, but now I really really adore our bedroom even more. I may even just show you later later.


Have a great first weekend of the year!

Week 46

These horribly fuzzy photos are from my instagram :) follow me at emmakisstina

Week 46!

Another week has gone by, really really fast might I add. It was a good week for sure. I drew and drew and drew. Worked on a few custom projects (of course), one great What's in my bag featuring Blogger Julie Leah's seriously stylish items, and even created a new print for the shop, Fashion Book Stack. I also started work on a Christmas card design. (Still waiting for them to get finished at the printshop, can't wait to see how they turned out!)

Have a great weekend!

Week 45

Week 45!

 Tjoo hoo! It's Friday! and what a wonderful week I've had. Started out with a relaxing weekend in the country. Getting away from the computer for a day or two is really refreshing; a perfect way to have a productive week.

• Gifted myself with a new cookbook, Rachel Khoo's The Little Paris Kitchen. A wonderful little modern French cookbook by a British girl. (She has an adorable BBC cookery show too.) Been inspired by her recipes all week (probably next week too.) All I want is French French French.

• Matchbook November went Live! Great issue, as always. Did you see my contribution, Anna Wintour?

• Work work work. Been working on a few custom portraits, and blog header designs.

• Even created a few new illustrations for my shop. Pretty Kitties, Cat Flats, and Coco Noir. Trying to get my shop stocked up with new pretty items for the crazy Holiday shopping Season.

• Lately, I've been getting more and more organised. I've always been rather organised for being an 'artist type', but one can always get better. I've been making more detailed to do lists. It's so satisfying checking items off!

• Launched my first illustration in a new illustrated blog series on my blog; What's in my bag: Blogger Edition! This week I showcased my very own items. Super excited about this series and so thankful that many great stylish bloggers want to participate!

• More French cooking, this time inspired by Rachel's Tart Tatin, a salted caramel apple tart. I'll share the recipe soon! (Pink swear!)

• and then last but not least, today I went to another all day course/conference sponsored by the Swedish artist society I'm a member of, on how to charge clients. Nice to know that my fellow illustrators also have a hard time charging the fees they should be entitled to. (Sigh, so is the life of a freelancer, it seems.) It really opened my eyes, and I'll be striving to push charging just a little bit more in the future.


Have a great weekend!

Week 44

Images via my Instagram, emmakisstina

Week 44!

• This week I spent most of my days inside the apartment working, drinking tea, and staying warm. When I did go out for errands, I've made sure to really bundle up, it's so chilly! Really loving my new wool coat, keeps me stylish and warm.

• Took my watercolor set out for a spin. I enjoyed looking and taking photos of the palette more than using it. Hope I'll get back into watercolor painting someday.

• Stockholm is especially gorgeous this time of year. The streets are full of colorful leaves, and I love the crispness in the air. (It's not bone chillingly frigid yet!) Can't wait for all the Christmas decorations and lights to go up at the end of the month though.

• A peek at Matchbook mag's November issue what's in my bag illustration. Who do you think it could be? Goes live on Monday!


Have a great weekend, I sure will. Off to the country for a weekend of great food and wine, long walks in the woods and by the seashore, oh and a bit of rest and relaxation of course.

Week 43

Week 43!

This week was kind of a strange week (and when I say strange, I mean more like fun, and I didn't get much work done). Feels as though I've spent more time outside of my apartment than the usual always at home working in front of my computer hermit style. Suppose it's good to get a refresher week, to gain new ideas, perspectives and inspiration.

• The week started off a little extra fun. I went shopping on a Monday afternoon! I tried on what felt like every black tall flat boot in Stockholm until I found the perfect perfect perfect pair. So in love. They are from Vagabond, and set me back a pretty penny. But they're an investment, wink ;) Also treated myself to a gorgeous new wool coat. Just in time, it's starting to get really close to freezing temperatures.

• Went a quick course on marketing and PR. I'm not sure I learned too much new (keep doing what I'm doing really... just more more more), but it sure was fun meeting other creatives. Bought myself a fancy new notebook to write down all sorts of important notes and ideas. Actually got a few new ideas up my sleeves. (Stay tuned!)

• Geeked out at another wine tasting (second tasting this month) with the boyfriend and his Rents. This time with wine and cheese pairing. I feel like a real grown up.

• I must confess I haven't gotten that much work done this week. I've felt that I've just been waiting on responses, and confirmations... plus maybe a pinch of procrastination. Can say that I have been working on several new illustrations for the second issue of Pouf magazine though.



p.s. It snowed for the first time yesterday! Silly Sweden!

Week 42

Week 42!

• This week went by far too fast. I got a big order from Campadre, yay! Signed my name what felt like a billion times, and then nearly cried of frustration when trying to re-roll the prints perfectly to ship safely. Boyfriend finally got home and helped me. Felt so little and helpless, and silly.

• Brought down all my winter clothes from the attic, and packed away all of my Spring and Summer things. Really happy to see my sheepskin ballet slippers again. They keep my feet cozy and warm when I work from home. 

• Worked on quite a few projects this week, including this pet portrait. There are actually a few I can show you, woo hoo. I'll share next week. :)

• Halloween isn't big here in Sweden, but it didn't keep us from carving a little Jack-o-lantern. Boyfriend had never made one before so he got the honors of carving. It's a masterpiece, hehe!

Have a great weekend!