Village of Millbrook

A new J.McLaughlin shop shall be opening in the village of Millbrook, NY on Franklin Avenue.
Millbrook is located in Dutchess County which is considered to be a low key version of the Hamptons in the country.  It is only about an hour and thirty minutes from Manhattan but feels much farther away as the village and the area is pure country nestled alongside the Hudson River.  While capturing this shop, I tried to put myself on that corner of Franklin, out for a stroll to the village of Millbrook, NY.  The sunny yellow awnings smiled at me and welcomed me inside.

  It's time for some happy color. Mix it up with plaids and fresh florals.

Have you shopped for Spring?

pve design for J.McLaughlin

my creative outlet

Let's face it, everyone needs to have a creative outlet.  For as long as I was a little girl, I have been drawing, painting and creating.  Many people always comment that they cannot even draw a straight line.  I laugh and tell them "that's what rulers are for!"

Here is the advertisement in the New York times Metropolitan section with my illustrations for J.McLaughlin for the new outlet opened in Woodbury Centre Mall.  So for those of you that love to shop and also love saving, pop in to the new outlet shop.  The drawings have gotten great mileage and have certainly helped me to grow my creative business too.

I have another advertisement to share from my teenage days that was in a local paper for a shop.  Do you have a creative outlet that is just elementary or natural to who you are?

still at it

 I am still at it,  sketching new shops, homes, places, pets and keeping things humming along.  This happens to be store no. 68 for a client.  I have a few deadlines that need my full attention so in case you wonder why things are a bit quiet, I am needing some "stillness" in order to focus my full attention on getting some work completed.   Firstly, I rough in the sketch in pencil and then work over with micron pen and a water color wash.  Everyone asks how long does a sketch take me to do.
More on that for another post.  There are so many variables that go into each work.

Time to get to work.  As always - thanks so much for your comments and your support.

hello and thank-you

A little Hello and Thanks to J.McLaughlin and the new shop in Southport, CT.  I did this illustration about a week and a half ago and love this announcement and the gratitude expressed as well.  How often do you say Hello and Thank-you?  Stop by, tell them PVE sent you.

make way

Make way for  the newly expanded Boston J.McLaughlin shop.  

Look carefully when you cross the street, the shop is not only on the corner but runs down the street.

I can't wait to make way for a visit the next time I am in Boston - make way J.McLaughlin

around the corner

 It is always nice to know that there are places near and dear to me just around the corner.  I think of these spots when I am sketching.  Here is a corner shop that I illustrated for J.McLaughlin.  They told me that I "nailed" it right away meaning I got it right.

This Holiday, I plan to support many spots just around the corner as well as make items for giving.

Do you have a place you love to go just around the corner from you?  

Party people

On Thursday, June 2^nd the ladies of Westport, Connecticut will descend upon the J.McLaughlin boutique on Post Road to share in a book signing and luncheon in honor of Jamee Gregory’s latest creation New York Parties Private Views.

Gregory has been known to throw lavish celebrations and her new book highlights other notable entertainers across the country. Guests will mingle and browse tunics and trousers from the new J.McLaughlin Summer Collection while munching on delightful goodies provided by Kelsey Banfield, aka The Naptime Chef.

The 5500 square feet Westport location opened just a few months ago and is a departure from a typical J. McLaughlin store. The space features multiple “shop in shops,” within the larger space, including specialized areas for equestrian, resort, urban, children’s and men’s inspired accessories and apparel. And just in time for Father’s Day the men’s collection will be stocked with last minute gifts perfect for the man on your list.

Winner of the Linnea's lights trio of Cote D'Azure Candles goes to this fine blogger. "A place to dwell." Congrats and thanks to each of you for your kind comments!

sail away

pve design illustration

Check out this catalina 3/4 sleeve top for Spring from J.McLaughlin.

I always think a new maritime print can add a touch of smooth sailing to my day.

As I wake to yet another dusting of snow, my thoughts "sail me away" to warmer waters.

Pop over here to look at some new arrivals for Spring.

I'd like to thank Shari of "little blue deer" for giving me back my signature green logo here, after living without it for a few weeks, I realized how much it was a part of my life and I missed it so much. Shari, you are super to work with! Shari does great work and custom blog design.

landlubber

I have always had a love for the nautical look. A striped boat neck, linens, white bottoms, deck shoes and some sort of canvas tote are all quintessentially cruise worthy or not...depending on one's sea legs.

Quite a chic couple sporting such spiffy duds ready for any dock!

Do you bring along something fun on vacation, a festive happy little skirt.

Paired with a shirt or a little tank, this skirt would take me many places.

Perfect for those who are traveling South of the Border, right?

Are you on board for something sea worthy in your wardrobe or are you more of a land lubber when it comes to fashion?

new shop in westport

Post Road, Wesport, CT.

J.Mclaughlin has opened a new shop in Westport and here is the illustration that I just completed~ Does my illustration make you want to shop? Are you in shopping mode?

Pop in and tell them that "pve" sent you!

ye old shoppe

Love this cartoon. Everyone knows that the smallest change in any village storefront or home requires meeting planning laws and the Architectural review boards. I had a good chuckle with this cartoon which reads;

" Damn me! I knew they'd get past those planning laws somehow."

A recent illustration for J.McLaughlin on Madison Avenue. (One of the original shops) Ye olde shoppe just had a face lift, a new awning, a new lantern and a touch of green. Next time you are on Madison Avenue strolling, step inside and see what oldies but goodies are in store.

modify

new and improved illustration for jmclaughlin - men's store 1008 lexington ave.

Very often, part of my job as an artist is to modify or revise an illustration based on a change of mind or a change of sorts according to a myriad of reasons. Very often my instinct will tell me changes even before they have happened. It is funny when we listen to our intuition, we can tweak things or fine tune them to make improvements.

first illustration for jmclaughlin men's store - 1008 lexington ave.

Can you notice the changes?

collectors collage

Years ago, I illustrated this work of art for the cover of a press kit for J.McLaughlin of the stores that they had at that time. I believe the store count was around a dozen. Currently, there are more than 40 stores scattered up and down the Eastern United States from Boston, New York, Nantucket, Palm Beach, Princeton, Charleston, Georgetown and The Hamptons and many more posh locales.

I began wondering about working on a collage of collectibles. I love collages, montages, decoupages and piecing things together. Then I thought suppose you had a collection of objects and you needed to take inventory, what about having them in a work of art. (Jewels, antiques, watches, wine, ribbons, medals, snuff boxes, silver, and the list goes on.)

What sort of brilliant collections do you have that would make a creative collage?

hampton's in my dream

Excuse me while I dream of summering in the Hamptons.

Shopping in Southampton sure sounds Mcdreamy.

Dreaming of riding my bike to the beach with a good book until thoughts of food and more shopping tempt one to stray to another snappy Hampton's village.

A jaunt into Easthampton to pick up some lunch and take the dog to the groomer.

Perhaps a mani, pedi and a facial for moi.

Stopping to admire and sketch things like the charming windmill in Easthampton.

Glad I remembered to bring my watercolors...(in my dream)

Suddenly you are back in the smelly, hot city but happy to realize that you are not the only one who is dreaming of spending the entire Summer in the Hamptons.

After all there is no other place like New York in the Summer!

Savouring dreamy memories of the Hamptons scenes

and dreaming of owning your own little Summer cottage.

Then you wake up and realize that it is all a Southampton's recessionista dream.

Where are your summer dreams taking you?

corner me

I grew up on a corner. Therefore corners have a certain appeal. I love corner, nooks and crannies and here is a new JMcLaughlin shop opening on the corner of 72nd and Lexington in Manhattan. If you happen to be on the corner nearby, pop in and see what you need or want to need. I know something will corner you!

she sells sea shells

J.McLaughlin's newest shop located in Sea Island, Georgia

pve design illustration

As a child, I have fond memories of a few trips to the beaches of the Carolina's and shopping little shops with my Mother and Aunt. Do you remember those little shops full of crafty shells, ladies in shell dresses. I would love a little shop to sell artful creations and souvenirs here.

I would have clean crisp paintings and always something fun on display.

Welcome to my "virtual" sea side cottage with my studio on the left, lots of natural light and natural beauty all around me.

Notice, I love clean lines.

Although I have never been to Sea Island, I would love to have a spot like this with this entrance.

This would be my art studio, lots of white, lots of light and a chandelier. I could easily transform the space for dinner parties. Nothing like a fire with the doors open for fresh cool air.

I could prepare dinners here in this lovely kitchen.

What sort of spot would you own and what would you sell in your Island shop?

relay for life

Shop TODAY, June 12th online at JMcLaughlin and 10% of all online purchases will go back to the American Cancer Society.

What are you waiting for? Father's day is June 20th. Dad will love knowing that part of your purchase will contribute to a "relay for life!" click on JMclaughlin sponsor button to the right.

weekend shopping

Love to escape for a "shopping" weekend. How about Nantucket?

I love Islands or streets where shops are unique.

Places that have one of a kind or mom-n-pop shops.

Do you shop when you are away and purchase items that will bring back memories of a place and time?

What sorts of shopping will you be doing this weekend?

I plan to shop our farmers market and stock up on fresh fruits and veggies and make some gazpacho soup!

Enjoy the weekend!

news in newport

Another J.McLaughlin shop has opened in Newport, R.I. so if your travels take you to Rhode Island, please pop in and see what lovelies are in store. Certainly a befitting location for preppy clothing with a twist. Please pardon my "gray" scan, experiencing some technical difficulities for the technically challenged (that would be moi) have presented themselves in an untimely fashion.
Planning to stay close to New York City, then how about a day trip to one of the burroughs, a new J.McLaughlin shop in Brooklyn. Just look for the charming red shop. Summer is all about red, white, blue and what's new! All J.McLaughlin stores are located on the web site, along with sweet online postcards that you can send to your friends with little messages like, "wish you were here!" Happy Summer shopping and sailing.

locales

I have always been drawn to new locations or to new places that open in a new location. There is something fun about remembering what was there and then moving forward. The above illustration was done for J.McLaughlin, they have a new shop opening in Winston- Salem, North Carolina. I love that when I began illustrating these shops, there were a mere three in New York and now there are many shops in fun locations. Much rather see a location thriving than empty. How about you, any news from your exotic locale?