Best Dressed (Oscars 2015)

I have never watched the Oscars, but my interest was increased this year due to a brochure design that I did recently that had an "Oscar" theme (more on that in the weeks to come).  And I was pushed over the edge when I opened up my instagram this morning to find a flood of beautiful "best dressed" illustrations from some of my favorite illustrators.  I immediately fell into "google stalking" (it's a thing) and found lots of pretty to ogle over and successfully ignore the laundry that has piled up behind me ;)

Overall, this was my very favorite dress (worn by Anna Kendrick—and yes, I did have to look that up...  some of us live under a rock).  I have a few other dresses/looks that I loved, but wasn't sure if you all would be interested in seeing more?
Let me know if you'd like to see a mini series of these gowns over the next week or so :)

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

#OOTDsketches (18)

 Each Wednesday I post some sketches I did the week before of what I was wearing on that particular day.  I've been doing this on and off for the past few years and only recently mustered enough courage to share them with the world!  Here's what I wore last week:

 

Left: I finally got the chance to wear this dress!!!  I purchased it back in February or March and it has been TOO STINKIN' COLD to wear it until now—when it's in the 80s and I'm the only one happy about it, haha
Right: Last official day of teaching for the year—while I was allowed to wear jeans on that day, I have found that it is best to carry more authority rather than less on days full of sugar, excitement and no desire to follow directions.  While I'll miss those kids, we are both ready for a break!

 Left: First day without students, but still without my hubby.  It was a little chilly, so I threw on a light sweater and CLEANED my house!  Specifically the kitchen—I love getting everything deep cleaned and organized.
Right: Hubbard and I went garage sale shopping with my sister-in-law!  It was great to spend some time all together without having to work (we all work at the same school/coach the same teams)

 

The real last day with students was our Field Day!  So much fun, I had not done it before and this time I was able to lead a "team" of students around and even participate in the hula-hoop contest!  Our team finished in 2nd overall so that was extra fun!

  Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!     

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission     This post is linked up with Mix&Match, The Pleated Poppy, Simply Just Lovely, Stylin in St. Louis and V. Infused Lemonade

Sketchbook: The Great Gatsby (Party)

This past weekend, my husband and I were fortunate enough to help a good friend of ours with their granddaughter's 16th birthday party!  It was a grand affair, and not just because it was a Gatsby theme!

All of the girls (and guys) were dressed up and the entire house/deck was decorated beautifully.  We served as photographers, running the photo-booth and walking around to capture the festive moments.  And as soon as it was over, you know I went back into our room and drew up some lovely young ladies in full 20's attire!

   

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

OOTDsketches (8)

Another week has come and gone—here are the little outfit sketches I did this week
 

Obviously, the best part of this was the necklace.  Gotta love a coral and gold statement piece!

 

 

 

Extra warm sweater was extra helpful during our 30* fire drill..

Student asked me if I thought pink and gray looked okay together...

I just looked down at my clothes, paused, and then looked at her.  She laughed ;)

 

 

One of those days where the clothes I wore during the day were more comfy than the clothes I wore to bed.  Another advantage of working from home on Fridays!

        Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!  

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

OOTDsketches (6)

 

Pearls, pencil skirt, animal print and a light blue cardigan... what's not to love?  

Snow day! Guess what movie we went to go see?? ;)  

 Spirt-wear to celebrate our high school basketball team winning the regional championship.  Colored pencils were crabby that day, you'll have to forgive the lack of blending and flow.
(yes, I'm supporting basketball... in a cross country Tshirt.  It's what I've got!)

 

Friday night = date night... at home, haha!  And too lazy to color it in... not even the next day!

      Like what you see? Get your own illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!  

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

OOTDsketches (5)

Another week has come and gone.  I was busier this week, so not as many sketches as there has been the past few weeks.  This time I worked with my prismacolor pencils.  I love the bright colors and the blending, but the pencils are larger and much harder to get any good blending in.

Let me know what you think though—should I go back to the harder pencils?

Work day at home in my bright blue "bat wing" top. Super comfy, though I sometimes think I look prego in it... which is not the goal!

Gotta love leopard print.  I've had this shirt for ages, but it's still a favorite (and I think I got it for like, 5 bucks!).  And paired with a bright red cardigan, it's got all the things that I love.  Pants were black though, but I ran out of time this week :/

Inspired by my recent Blog Stalking post—trying the stripped turtle neck under a blazer and a pop of red shoe.  Not my favorite on me (though it looked better in person, I promise!)

 

 Ended the week with a wedding.  Love this dress—it's my go-to for winter weddings (though FREEZING unless I have the shawl or the reception/church is heated well).  There's some movement, but it's simple enough to help me look good without being distracting.

 

 

 

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Blog Stalking: Jeans & a Teacup

Today's blog stalking is another recently found blog—and another fashion blog! hah

Introducing:

logo idea created by me

Jeans and a Tea Cup is run by two sisters, though only one really posts to it (since I have been following, anyway).  One of the sisters posts on fashion (shown above) and the other focuses on books and food.

Jessica (the "fashion" sister) is not always within my budget, but she plays with some really fun pieces that I would normally steer clear of—and she makes it look good! (like a feather pencil skirt, or metallic silver pumps and sequin... everything)  It is nice to see something different and high trend that is still modest.

Check it out: Jeans and a Tea Cup

 

  All opinions, along with the artwork, are my own.  "Jeans & a Teacup" does not even know that I am doing this!

OOTDsketches (4)

 Another week has come and gone—this time, it was back to work for me!  Here's a peek into my life and wardrobe:

Church-wear in my bright blue pencil skirt (loft?). Unfortunately I ended up changing almost immediately into pj pants when I got home—chic was just not meant to be on that cold afternoon

Back to work—and what a day!  I forgot my hair tie, the button on my shirt decided to jump ship and my students were CRAZY!  The dazed, overwhelmed look was on my face... pretty much all day

Down to business and breaking out the jean jacket.  Much better overall—and my buttons didn't go exploring this time!

The windiest day of all the year—I pretty much blew away.  Love this coat that I got from H&M about 5 years ago, it's warm and girly and RED! (but didn't get a chance to fill it in... maybe next time!)

Leopard (or "snow leopard") print top to spice it up on Saturday for the birthday parties (one on each side of the family!)  Favorite coral necklace for some extra sparkle and a girly pink sweater to soften the look

   

    Like what you see? Get your own custom illustration for your blog, office or desk, HERE     

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Blog Stalking: J's Everyday Fashion

And the "Blog Stalking" series continues with J's Everyday Fashion.  (I know, I know, another fashion blog—but my inner fashionista can't resist!)

 

"J" takes inspiration from celebrity / magazine outfits and creates her own version for a fraction of the cost!  She also takes the time to respond to comments / questions on the blog, and is just all around a sweet girl (from what I can tell, hah).  When I saw this outfit, I just knew that I had to draw it—even though I didn't finish... but I was sick, give a girl a break!  ;)

  All opinions, along with the sketch, are my own.  J's Everyday Fashion does not even know that I am doing this!

Blog Stalking: The Lauren Elizabeth

This episode of "Blog Stalking" features another fashion blog that I frequent—The Lauren Elizabeth blog.

 

Left: Pencil sketch by Katrina Crouch

Right: Photo from The Lauren Elizabeth blog

 

While her style is not always right in line with my own (I tend to be more girly and classic, while she dives into more trendy styles), her general creativity, interest in interior design and sense of humor keep me coming back for more!

Also, she shops both at high end stores and "normal" stores (target, h&m, ect), making my regular stalking habits more excusable ;)

Interested in getting your own portrait drawn/painted by yours truly?  YOU CAN!  Right here!

    All opinions, along with the sketch, are my own.  The Lauren Elizabeth does not even know that I am doing this!