CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Another year, another collection of my favourite things; any and all of the things that I'd happily have Santa drop in my stocking this Christmas! Simply click the titles to shop each item.
(I'm looking STRAIGHT IN YOUR EYES, big guy in the red suit.)

1. 'Haze' Heels, Gorman
These sorbet-coloured delights are a girl's best friend for Summer!

2. Dionysus GG Blooms Mini Bag, Gucci
Gucci. Blooms. Need I say more?

3. 'Tribales' earrings, Dior
I've lusted after these earrings since I very first saw them. Pearls are so timeless, and those stars add just the perfect touch of celestial edge to an otherwise classic, lady-like look. I prefer the silver-tone. I'm a silver gal.

4. 'Pillow Talk' liptick, Charlotte Tilbury
Aside from my favourite 'Very Victoria' shade of lipstick, this is my newest must-have. Charlotte Tilbury's nude perfection 'Pillow Talk' lip cheat lipliner has now been released as a lipstick in the same shade. No more colouring in your lips with the pencil every damn day!

5. 'Iconic Bags' postcard book, Fashionary
Laura Laine is one of my favourite illustrators, and bags are one of my vices. She has teamed up with Fashionary to create this series of iconic handbags featuring her elagantly elongated ladies. That pink Dior deserves to be framed.

6. 'Literally Me' book, Julie Houts
One of my favourite people to follow on Instagram, Julie Houts has released this collection of her always-on-the-money illustrated observations of popular culture, politics, society and fashion.

7. 'Provence' Linen Wrap Top, Miranda Bennett
The colour, the fabric, and the style of this top just give me life. So beautifully simple and luxurious. A Summer staple, to be sure.

8. 'Pink Christmas' cards, Kelly Smith
You have to plug your own wares somewhere.
These A5, oversized, greeting cards featuring a Christmas twist on my 'Cinderella' illustration and come in a pack of 3. Blank inside for your own holiday message.

9. 'By Any Other Name' perfume, Altaia
I have so many go-to fragrances, but upon my last visit to the beauty department I swear I smelt every perfume there was to offer, (and 57 glasses of coffee beans in between) and this was HANDS DOWN the most beautiful fragrance I have ever smelt. In my life. Their logo is also a pair of mermaids, so. Santa, can you hear me?

10. 'The Ventura' hat, Lack of Color
Because it's Summer here in 'Straya and a new hat is a must at Christmas time.
This one from Lack of Color is super classic, yet that raffia edge gives it just a hint of something special!

11. 'Opulent' earrings by Valet, Maker's Mgmt
These stunning resin earrings had me at 'Hello!' Already purchasing a pair of the most sugary sweet pink hoops by Valet, these monochromatic beauties are the next on my list! I just have to re-train my ears to carry the weight of BFO earrings. They'll get there!

NEW YORK

I was recently asked by the Mandarin Oriental New York to share my ideal way to spend 24 hours in NYC which led me to re-visiting some of my favourite places in the Big Apple (even if only mentally.)
It also inspired me to pick up on my travel series again (which featured previously Paris, Italia, London and Tokyo) and you can find this print in my shop now by clicking here.
I took my inspiration from the beautiful Flatiron district - a definite MUST if you're in NYC - home of incredible eats (Shake Shack, Eataly, Taco Taco), Washington Square Park, and also the best place to start a walking tour of lower Manhattan;
East Village - SoHo - West Village - ending on the High Line / Meatpacking District.

View more of my faves in the shots below. (I don't think I've ever shared these...?)

Flatiron

Chrysler Building / Grand Central Station

Brooklyn

East Village

SoHo

West Village / High Line

Saks Fifth Avenue

Bryant Park / Around the World Fashion Magazines & Books

Views of Central Park from the Top of the Rock

100K

I recently hit 100,000 followers on my Instagram page and, pardon my French, I just have to say HOLY SH!T.
I didn't want to make a long, rambling post about this but I DID want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following, supporting, and encouraging me at this little pass time-turned-profession of mine.
I won't lie - I find the internet to be a bit of a scary place at times and the sheer volume of us using these platforms is a little overwhelming. I've never been one to feel extremely comfortable with sharing much of my life online, but the fact is that the number above that follow button, while only a number, is truly humbling. Because, while I don't share my personal life, I do share my artwork and that in itself is a huge part of who I am. That so many of you are interested in it leaves me a little bit speechless. 

As a small thank you I want to give everyone 20% off all prints in my store with code "100K" until Friday 7th April.
You can visit my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

Sending so much love and gratitude out to all of you x

P.S That little 'Thank You' card is by the very clever, fellow Tasmanian, Eloise Lark!

McQUEENS FLOWERS

A really lovely blog post from from the people at McQueens florist in London.
Beginning as a small flower shop in Shoreditch, McQueens is now one of the most well-respected florists in the United Kingdom, working with luxury hotels and high-end clients such as Claridge's, Mulberry, Christian Louboutin, and Harrods.
I was so flattered to be approached for a feature on their blog, talking about my work and all things floral!
You can view it on their website here: www.blog.mcqueens.co.uk

"I'M OUT, BABY!"

...as a man that looked a lot like Patrick Swayze once said during a Summer in the Catskills.
Only I haven't been fired for dancing too dirty, I'm off on an overseas adventure for the next 4 weeks!

While my shop will be closed for the duration of my break (you can purchase prints in-store at Signed & Numbered) I will be updating my blog and social media channels with highlights of my trip!
I made sure to build up a wee portfolio of new work to post while I'm away - suited to each city I visit - so do keep your eyes peeled and follow the hashtag #birdytravels to catch up on what you might have missed.

For now, though, it's Sayonara, Ta Ta, Au Revoir and Arrivederci from me!

BEAUTIFUL.BIZARRE MAGAZINE

"In a splendor of style, elegance, and surreal botanical wonder, sinuous graphite lines and contrasting pops of color awaken a feminine beauty unlike any other. In this alluring paper space a pencil is more than lead and wood. It is the captive instrument of the creator, shaping the story of each delicate subject peering out from the page.
This is the work of Kelly Smith."

The extremely lovely/flattering words above come from the new issue of Beautiful.Bizarre magazine, in which I am very fortunate to be one of the featured artists.
Featuring 12 pages of illustrations and a little article from the lovely Bella Harris, Issue 010 of BB is available NOW both in printed and PDF format.
Visit beautifulbizarre.net for purchase + stockist info!

Thanks Danijela + Bella for the wonderful feature.

ON MY MANTLE

When it comes to easy interior decorating, I have to say that I LOVE the humble mantle place.
It's always the first place I think of to display a new photo or artwork, and to sit a fresh vase of flowers on. I'm forever changing it around.
These flamingo bookends were a wedding gift and the perfect way to stack our favourite books.
To me some books are artworks in themselves - whether it be because of the cover design, the typography on the spine, or a good old fashion coffee-table book that you love to sit down with and pour over for hours on end.
Also featured here is a vintage Chanel ad (found on eBay) and my new 'Paris' poster which you can purchase in my shop at: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

What do you like displaying on your mantle?

A NEW WEBSITE...

They say that change is as good as a holiday, so I thought that it was time to give a much needed update to my blog and website.

It has been a sad state of affairs with my current site consisting for over a year of a lonely little landing page that linked to my many various social media platforms and agency representation.

Blogger has served me well over the years, but I welcome this new, much more condensed, space to call home - from which you can read, shop, and view my illustrations.

One day I hope to create a website that fully encapsulates my work and all that is associated with it. But until that time...this little block of white it shall be.

Please bare with me as I make much needed updates over the next week...

- Kelly