Lana Del Rey is perfect for those rainy days.

Today was so dreary and rainy, but Colby & I had the most fabulous afternoon laughing, eating too many cinnamon melts from McDonalds, listening to music (Madonna's new album leaked! Eee!) and painting. We listened to Lana Del Rey a good majority of the day... 

Funny story. A while back, Colby and I were at MSU redesigning our blogs and just hanging out, and we started talking about Lana Del Rey and discussing how we *hated* her. "Born to Die" had recently been the free download on iTunes, and we had both downloaded it, so we sat and listened to it. We were both like, "ugh, ew, this is so boring and stupid." 

WELL. An hour or two later, we are still in the same room, listening to Born to Die for the millionth time in a row. This time, the reaction was, "well, this isn't so bad...I actually kinda like how dramatic it is..." 

And the rest is history. We now are probably her biggest fans and I think today would tell you flat out - we love Lana Del Rey. Our paintings today were completely dedicated to her. Ha! Imagine that.... 

Colby's finished product is the painting that says "Born to die." Mine are the other 3, and I used lyrics from 3 different songs for each. For Colby's painting and mine that reads "This is what makes us girls," we used a slight variation on Elsie's paint by numbers DIY. The other paintings I did say "It's a love story for the new age" and "Summer's in the air & heaven's in your eyes." Ah, I just love Lana.

Tomorrow is back to work day for me! I haven't seen my kiddos since last Monday. Oh, how I've missed those cute little faces! It's spring break though, so my hours are strange and I get to work 3 days in a row. So that definitely makes up for missing a whole week... sigh.

xo Haley

pea ess. Remember how I said that I can't go long without wanting to change up my room?
Well.... yeah. I spent most of this morning rearranging everything! So expect photos of that soon! ♥

New(ish) Shop!

I originally decided to reopen the shop on Friday... but I was bored, and couldn't wait any longer!

So, the feather painting (that every single one of you seems to love!) is currently reserved for Carly. I am most definitely going to start working on more to list for you, or if you'd like a variation on that, definitely go for the custom painting option, that way you'll get exactly what you want!

I've been out of the painting habit for quite some time, and its been so refreshing jumping right back into what I love. I'm so blessed to have such great friends and supporters such as you guys!

I should have more paintings available in the next few days. Keep your eyes peeled for those! :)

(Visit the shop here.)

xo Haley

*AND*
Have you guys seen this?? A free trip to Paris?! Sign. me. up.

I'm only telling you about this because you have to in order to win.

So. um, sorry, but don't enter. Because I want to win. kthxbye ;)

Etsy Update.

It seems as if a lot of you are interested in me reopening my Etsy!

This makes me *very* happy. Its been about a year since I had one, so it'll take a while to get back into the swing of things.

The way its going to work is I'll probably put up listings for paintings I already have done, but I'll put up more listings for custom paintings. Commissioned artwork is where my heart lies! I love working with people and producing something we both created.

I might also venture into hair accessories.. someday. I've kind of been messing with that sort of stuff lately, so my shop may include all of that eventually.

Okay. I'm off to Florida this afternoon, so as soon as I get back, I'll get to work on listing things for you guys. :)

xo Haley

P.s. I got feather extensions this morning! This is a bad representation of them, but they're so cute in person!

Leaving + Etsy?

The blog may be silent for a few days. I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow and I'll be gone until next Saturday! I'll try to update sometime in between - but I'll be chillin on the beach, so don't expect too much out of me :)

I have been toying around with the idea of reopening an Etsy to sell my paintings and such... I have a ton more free time now, and I would like to get back into painting.

What do you think? ♥

xo Haley

I think all I do is paint.

I have been painting like no other lately! Its ridiculous. And I love it.

Sometimes, I just need to take a [well deserved] break from all things arts & crafts to re-evaluate where I want this "hobby" of mine to go. How I want to develop it, and what I want to do with the talent my grandma swears I have.

Anyways, I've gotten back into it lately, and as someone asked - here is what I made for Blake for Christmas:

My original inspiration for it came from listening to the song "Die Slow" by one of Blake's favorite bands, HEALTH. And also from browsing through Miss Janellybean's flickr and stumbling upon this gem of a journal page. I fell in love with the concept and design and applied it to the painting. Colby helped me out with the layout of it all, too. :)

And!

Cassie came over today and we spent hours laying on the floor watching episodes from the first season of Nip Tuck and eating Christmas candy. And painting. She painted a picture of her tattoo (which is a feather), and I came up with this:

Cass and I were flipping through old issues of Nylon for "inspiration" and I came across an illustration of Peaches Geldof sitting on a tv. This is the result of seeing that picture.

:)

Time for sleepies.

I have a full day tomorrow, and then seeing the Trans Siberian Orchestra with Blake and his parents on Wednesday. Excited! ♥

xo haley

homemade christmas cards, record players, and paintings.

Christmas was absolutely fantastic. Here's a cute card to prove it:

Boyfriend made me a Christmas card! It is pretty much the most adorable thing ever. I think I love it more than the Arcade Fire album he gave me.. :)

I love how he drew a heart, and included his heart murmur, too. Haha. So stinking sweet.

And..as if that wasn't cute enough... on the back, he added pictures of my favorite people!

Jimmy+Emma+Manny = YES. Oh, and then the cast of The Room.

Blake is definitely a keeper.

And this has been playing allll day long:

It is absolutely wonderful. Quite possibly the best Christmas gift ever. Thank you Santa. :)

Andddd, finally.

The point of this blog. I've been painting a lot lately.. I did one the other night for Blake, and then a very last minute painting for Mr. Max's bedroom, and then, this one tonight. I'm gonna keep this one for myself, I think :)

Mr. Blake, you and I have a very, very good thing. And I like you x1000. Don't forget that. :)

xoxo Haley

It's A Fine Day.

I thought you deserved a better picture of the work in progress painting:





Like??
:) I love it.
I've really missed painting, and I'm so glad I've picked it back up again.
Feedback is welcome, of course! :)
I'll be back later tonight with a more legit post, I promise.
xoxo Hay