Shopping in the Rain... again ♥

So i've had a fun day today, instead of sitting at home working on commissions or twiddling my thumbs like I ALWAYS do on my days off... I spent the day in Douglas town instead, and a successful day it was!

I spent the entire morning doing some much needed Christmas present shopping (my nieces are sorted... but that's it) and ok yes I MAY have bought myself a new belt and a new diary for next year as well but in my defence the belt was in the clearance section (£5... bargain!) and technically the diary was free since I got it on a '3 for 2' offer so... yeah, shhh!

And in the afternoon I had to go to a meeting. Shall I call it a business meeting? I don't know, anyway it was a preliminary meeting about a project i'm hopefully going to be working on over the next few weeks and... that's all I can tell you

but stay tuned I guess!

Anyway, back to the shopping times... i thought i'd show you all what my new little diary looks like...

isn't it gorgeous? i've wanted it for aaaaaages so i'm glad i finally treated myself to it today!

actually, I should say it's... 'gorjuss' not 'gorgeous' since it's by the fabulous Scottish artist Suzanne Woolcott and these charming little characters are known as her 'gorjuss girls' 

here are all of the adorable 'gorjuss' diaries available for 2011, you can get yours from most 'Boots' shops here in the UK or they're available to buy online here - Santoro

i've been a fan of Suzanne's work since i was at Primary school, this is the first 'gorjuss' picture i ever saw, and i've pretty much adored her work ever since...

i guess she's always been an illustrator and artist that i've aspired to be like. i mean i really love her work but apart from creating beautiful paintings, drawings and digital pieces she also has wonderful merchandising to showcase her artwork, like these fabulous little notebooks for example... 

her work is so sweet and charming, i don't think i've ever seen a piece she's done and not liked it! i love the girliness of her work, and the timeless nature of it. 

the 'gorjuss' girls' are all modern and yet there's something about them that seems almost old fashoned, the colours Suzanne uses often give them a somewhat vintage feel and look to them but her work is always gorgeous, not matter what.

the sad thing is, poor Suzanne has been suffering greatly recently with health problems and my prayers and thoughts go out to her and her family at what must be a tough time. 

it's heartbreaking to know that her illness might rob her of the ability to create such beautiful artwork but i hope and pray that she recovers. you can keep up to date with all of Suzanne's news here on her super duper blog - Little Gorjuss Things

if you'd like to sprinkle a little bit of goruss-ness into your life then i suggest you give Suzanne's 'Santoro' shop a visit for some fabulous little bags, prints, badges as well as lots of lovely stationary (stationary YAY) and other bits and bobs - Santoro Shop

and for exclusive prints, special boxed canvas prints and even some original paintings... check out her truly scrumptious Etsy shop here   - Gorjuss

and last but not least, if you just fancy a skeet at some of her incredible work, then check out her official website here - Suzanne Woolcott

* * *

ok, i'm off to watch some episodes of Fringe (i'm on a Fringe kick again for some reason) and to munch on my box of chocolate covered pretzels...  YESSSSSSSS (don't pretend you aren't jealous Mike... i SO know that you are!)

how excited was i to find them earlier while out shopping?

on a scale of 1 - 10 i'd say about... 29

that's all folks...

♥ ◕‿◕ ★ xX