Illustration Friday: Wealth

“Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being’s suffering. Nothing. Not a career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we’re going to survive with dignity.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

Illustration Friday: Inside (The Sweet Shop)

Inside the Sweet Shop or is it inside the mind of a Sweet-lovers' dreams?!

Part of my original project - a book of Edwards Lears' quirkiest limericks, seen here!

The Grand Budapest Hotel: Agatha and Zero

An illustration of Zero and Agatha from The Grand Budapest Hotel. I loved this film when I saw it (I've seen it quite a few times since), its a beautifully filmed, typical Wes Anderson colour co-ordinated, with every little detail thought of. From the cinematography to the music and direction of the movie - each character moves as if they are synchronized - to the Mendl's cake boxes designed by Irish designer Annie Atkins - this movie is a feast for the eyes!

New illustrations

These are just a couple of illustrations I've been working on lately. It's been great getting back to illustrating!!!
This first one is a fashion illustration inspired by a photo taken at Milan Fashion Week 2016. 

This one is inspired by a Moyna handcrafted clutch. Moyna bags are all individually hand beaded and embroidered and they are so gorgeous!

Just Popped out for Milk!

holly casto illustration

Sorry about that - took longer than I'd expected! I figured it was about time I got back to this and I’m hoping to be back with some new illustration work soon.

Life has unexpectedly got in the way but I promise I have been having fun along the way. Hope you are all well and I look forward to catching up with you and your blogs!!

I'll be blogging about illustrations, things that I find interesting or inspiring and also about cooking and travel. Any recipes or interesting places you've been to I would love to hear about. I'm going to be travelling around Northern Italy in a few weeks and Budapest, Croatia, Amsterdam and Berlin are just some of the places at the top of my list.

WR x

September Wishlist

1. Orla Kiely Flamingo sweater

2. Orla Kiely Snowdrop Printed Patent Leather Fairfield Bag 

3. 'Spot the Dog' skirt

4. Pandora pearl and 'Darling daisies' ring

5. Rigga Ikea clothes rail

6. Ikea POÄNG rocking chair (love!)

7. ikea plants

8. Indigo Monogram Blue Travel Mug 

9. Bertie tan loafers - TKMaxx

10. Chanel baby blue bag

11. Grand Budapest

12. Olivia Burton watch

What I Made: Banana Bread & Brownies

Banana Bread made with: 

75g Butter
150g Self Raising Flour
2 Medium Eggs
2 Small Bananas (chopped)
75g Brown Sugar
5g Baking Powder (1tsp)
Pinch of Salt
























What to do: 
1. Preheat your oven as follows: Fan Oven: 175° C – Standard Oven: 190° C
2. In a bowl blend together the butter, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt by hand or by using a mixer on a slow speed for 3 minutes.
3. In a jug whisk together the eggs by hand.
4. Then pour the whisked eggs into the above bowl blending for 3 minutes, again whether by hand or with a mixer on a slow speed. Then scrape down the bowl.
5. Gradually add in the banana, constantly mixing for approximately 3 minutes.
6. Now spoon the cake mixture into the baking tin and bake for 50-55 minutes in the pre-heated oven. 7. Enjoy!
























Brownies made with:
110g Butter, softened
85g caster sugar
2 Eggs
55g Self raising flour
55g Cocoa powder
























1. Preheat oven to high heat
2. Place ingredients in a blender to mix or use a mixer (blender probably works better though)
3. Spread mix onto greaseproof paper lined baking tin
4. Bake for 12-15 mins
5. Allow to cool and cut into squares

























Here's to eating brownies and banana bread the whole weekend! : )

August Wishlist Pt 2

1. Vintage floral print from Ikea

2. KitchenAid KSM150PSAQ Stand Mixer Martha Stewart Blue Collection

3. Chanel Lipstick in coral

4. Mason Cash hearts mixing bowl

5. Flamingo Glasses from Ikea

6. Daisy Dream perfume from Marc Jacobs

7. Floral baking tins from Tiger

8 & 9. Coffee and Tea set and Baking set from ikea (yep, I see a reoccurring theme here...trip to ikea needed!)

10. Flour canister from Martha stewart

11 & 12. Turquoise display cabinet & hat stand both from ikea new PS collection

13. Fairylights, pic found on pinterest

What I Made: Shortbread Biscuits

Made with:
150g plain flour 
100g margarine 
50g caster sugar

• Preheat oven 160C

• Cream together the butter and sugar in a bowl

• Gradually mix in the flour

• Using your hands knead the mix together into a smooth ball

• Roll out to about 1/2 cm thick

• Cut out your shapes and place on baking tray

• Bake for 10-15mins

These were so yummy, the only thing I found was that the mix didn't make many biscuits so next time I will be making a lot more and doublin' up on the ingredients. If you don't have a rolling pin (like me, having just moved I need to replace my old one) you can use a bottle (or wine bottle whatever your preference) but it works just as well!

I used my new mixer its so basic but it works. The cookie cutter I used was from Tiger Stores but I think I'll be investing in a larger one, they are teeny tiny great for kids. The shortbreads' nearly gone now so I might need to make some more.....

August Wishlist

1.Eight & Bob Candle from the Conran Shop

2. Daisy Vans 

3. Love sign from purehome.com

4. Roberts Revival DAB/FM RDS Digital Radio Duck-Egg Blue from very.co.uk

5. Chanel lipstick

6. Peonies

7. Forever new luggage tag

8. Fearne Cotton Melrose chair from very.co.uk

9. Yellow lace dress from Debenhams

10. Framed Deer print from Pottery barn