Wednesday, September 26, 2012

A Vintage Pop

 
 
I've been so inpired by the fall fashion this season.  It's leather jacket, combat boots and scarf time.  It's chunky sweater, leggings and riding boots time.  This season just screams comfort to me, and I'm all about comfort.  One thing you should know about me - is that I can't wear headbands.  Especially the hard ones.  They slip off my head, they dig into that spot just behind my ear or they just don't sit right..they literally cause me headaches!  That's were comfy cotton headbands come in.  Yes, sometimes they still do slip off but I like to attempt to wear one, once in awhile.  Plus, how cute would this piece be to finish off that fall outfit? Even for the winter, providing just the right pop of colour and style. 
 
 
 
I had this lovely fabric passed down to me from a friend.  I can't remember what she used it for, but it's sat in my room for the past few months.  I wasn't exactly sure what to make with it.  One of my customers gave me the great idea to make headbands with it and well...here it is!  I love getting feedback and ideas from my customers.."help a brotha out!!"  I eventually thought I'd want to make into a sweet vintage skirt or a floral blazer but I thought I'd atleast make a few headbands out of it first.  On the plus side -- there is lots left! Watch to see what I create with it next.
 
 
 
 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Getaway

 
Meet Millie. She is the second love of my life :)
 
 
Ever have those weeks where you think "could ANYTHING else possibly go wrong??" Well I had a doozy.  Almost 2 weeks ago, I bought this amazing new phone.   I loved it.  That's right, lovED.  Wednesday last week, my phone decided it wanted to take a little swim....into the TOILET.  It took me about 8 seconds to realize what I had just done.  Yep...my phone was fully submerged and bubbling away while I processed what just happened. 


I definatley had a tough week last week.  And no, not just because of my phone.  When I got a call from my best friend, inviting me and my ma to join her and her mom at the spa, I couldn't turn it down.  I'd never been to a spa and let me just say -- I'm now cracked.  I've been shown a whole new world!!  We lounged around alllllll day in robes and slippers.  We did get some killer treatments too  ;)  There is nothing like being surrounded by the girls that you couldn't imagine your life without.  I had so much fun...drinking wine and eating the most carb-packed meal on the menu.  It was EXACTLY what I needed.  I'm pretty sure I also fell in love with the town. It all reminded me what I'm surrounded by and how lucky I am to have the people I have in my life..
 
 
 
 
 
 
I can't wait to go back!!
 
Obviously the other thing that helps in stressful, hard times -- is sewing..here is my lovely new creations.  I hope you all like, let me know!
 
 
 
 
They just make me so happy!  I have so many ideas and things that I want to try, running through my head.  I can't wait to slowly share them with you, and hopefully attempt them as well!  Also, don't you just love the fresh, crisp air? Breathe it in and bundle up, its getting chilly!
 
XOXO

 
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

So Long Summer

 
Happy Wednesday!
 
I haven't blogged in a few days -- I guess I'm not too good at this thing. I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather, I know I am.  I woke up a couple mornings ago and was still covered in my huge duvet, suprisingly.  As soon as I took it off, I was hit with the cool breeze coming in through the windows.  That cool, fresh, crisp breeze that only accompanies FALL.  It was a great start to the day, until it was time to get dressed for work.
 
Do you ever have those days where you try practically everything on in your closet?  I was having that problem.  I realized I don't have anything nice for work, that was fall friendly.  I have a bazillion tank tops, and I just wasn't feeling my dress pants anymore.  It was time for a shopping spree.  And spree I did.

 
I got belts, a blouse, jeggings and dress pants.  I am one happy girl, and my wardrobe is now Fall appropriate.
 
I got these amazing bangles a few days ago from Aldo, and they have yet to leave my wrists.  I wear them with EVERYTHING.  My boyfriend probably hates me because the set of bangles seems to slowly be taking over every surface of the room. 
 
If you can't tell, I'm excited for Fall. 

 ANYWAYS...I was taking a look at my Etsy shop the other day and decided that my banner was the ugliest looking thing and wasn't really doing my shop any favours.  I'm sure you could agree with me.  The amazing thing about Etsy is that you can find anything you're looking for.  In a  matter of minutes I had researched and found an amazing graphic designer that specifically designs banners for Etsy shop owners.  Here is an example of the amazing work that she does over at FreshLavenderDesigns


 
I can't wait to see what she will create for me! It's been a great experience so far and I can't wait to show you guys what she's made. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer!  Might as well hit those hiking trails and enjoy the nice weather ;)

 
XOXO

P.S. I'm now on Instagram, follow me @ haylstin

Monday, September 3, 2012

New, New, New!

Ahhh, the long weekend! I've been excited for it since, well...the last long weekend!  Well most of the people I know took off for camping and cottaging -- I stayed put.  I spent some time with my mom cleaning, and at home sewing.  I managed to get quite a bit done! I even went back to my roots and died my hair its original colour.  I even gave it a little snippy snip.  Beats a $200 hair appointment ANY day.  This post is all about something NEW.  New hair, new poncho and new line.  Hope you like!

 
VOILA!!
 
Anyways, onto my blog! I am soooo excited to show this to you guys.  Last blog I wrote, I wrote about the poncho that I made and that I LOVED.  After writing that, I decided that I was going to make another one :)  I made a little trip to LENS and after some time on the sewing machine, I came up with this!
 
 
 
 
Isn't she a beauty!! I'm so excited about this piece.  It's light and airy and perfect for fall :)  Pair with leggings and your favourite boots! Plus, has lots of room to layer, for those colder nights!
 
I took the bohemian look and ran with it, as you can see below.  I came across some great fabric and got a little bit of each. This is my Fall Bohemian inspired collection!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I love every single piece!! I hope you do too :) It's back to work tomorrow, and I'm dreading it.  I hope everyone had great weekend, and enjoyed the amazing weather!!
Let me know what you think of my new collection :) xoxo
 
Hayley
 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Dabble On!

Yesterday I saw my little brother off to college.  I cried like a baby! I'm going to miss him very much.  Okay, so he is only an hour away but it was still a big move! I'm also very excited for him.  Everyone in my family is very artistic and he has been the only one to pursue that through school, so to say the least -- I'm very proud of him.  I miss him already though!

So onto my next blog.  If you didn't already notice...I dabble.  I dabble in just about everything. When I first started sewing I was really interested in making clothes.  Now, not so much.  I'm not sure why -- I guess I can't really invest the time that it takes to make a piece of clothing just yet.  The odd time -- I love to whip something up though.  I don't use patterns, like ever.  Which may sound odd.  Atleast everything is truly one of a kind.  Okay, enough babbling. I bought a poncho last winter from Forever 21.  I REALLY liked it, and then I came across this awesome fabric and I couldn't see it being made into anything besides a PONCHOO. Here it is!



Don't you agree?! Unfortunatley, this guy sold :( and not too long ago either..I guess you could say I miss it.  I should probably make myself one.  I can just picture it with some ripped jeans and your favourite pair of TOMS.   It's perfect for fall -- and you know how much I love fall...



I've gotten WAY off track.  I wanted to talk about and show you guys about the work that I do on the side.  I've had friends come to me and ask me for certain things.  I love when they do this :) A few week ago I made 4 pillows for a friends outdoor patio furniture...she picked the fabric and I made the pillows!

 
 
They turned out great. The order also included 2 of these beach bags;
 
 
The fabric was great to work with and the colours are awesome.  Good thing is that I still have lots of this fabric left!!
 
So, there is a few things I obviously dabble in.  I think being a dabbler is great, I get to explore my options and really test my skills. My advice; Dabble on!
 
 
 
 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Relax...

My blog today is about RELAXING.  This one might come from the fact that I just came from a massage.  My first one EVER.  It reminded me that I need to take time to just relax.  I started yoga a few months ago, and I love it.  I'm even considering becoming a certified yoga instructor.  Alright, so my favourite part of yoga MIGHT be final relaxation but the workout is so rewarding at the end.  I suggest it to anyone who is on the fence!

This is my inspiration for the next couple of pieces I made.  I started making these not too long ago, and they've been a big hit.  Thanks to my mother for the idea, of course! The great thing about these is that you can heat them up or cool them down by popping them in the microwave or in the freezer.  They are filled with FLAX SEED.  Throw the yoga eye pillows over your eyeballs and let yourself relaxxxxx. The pressure they put on your eyes is a feeling hard to achieve even from sleeping.

 
I love getting new fabric in the mail! Isn't it pretty? Might be my favourite one yet! I also made a couple of these guys;
 
 
Hope you all like it! Remember I am giving a makeup case (like above) to one person!  The draw will be made tomorrow evening.  You can enter by doing one of the following:

1. follow me on my blog
2.  comment on my blog
3. follow me on twitter (www.twitter.com/hasinspiration)
4.  Like my Facebook page (click the "facebook" tab at top of page)
 
My Swiss Chalet is here! YUMM.
 
 


Monday, August 20, 2012

Update + Giveaway

Good Morning!



Happy Monday!  I hope this week is a little better than last week.  I was sooo happy when it was Friday last week that I could of danced in the middle of the street, haha.  So after a rough week, I was more than happy to welcome a weekend of doing NOTHING.  Well, I did do some things.  I find it hard to do absolutely nothing.  One of those included cleaning my bedroom, and man did I clean it.  I've determined I might be headed for hoarder status. I'm just kidding, but I do have a lot of clothing.  With being so busy, things tend to get neglected or left until a later date.  Sunday, my boyfriend made a quick trip to the little market down the road and came back with these....


Beautiful!! He knows me too well. 


And now for the update and giveaway! Business has been going great.  With any home-made business, I think that there are slow weeks and fast weeks.  I appreciate the slow weeks because it gives me a chance to catch up on inventory.  I obviously like the fast weeks too though!  My Etsy shop is well on its way to 6,500 views.  I have you guys to thank for that!  My blog is close to 900 views now!  I would love to show you how much all this means to me by offering a giveaway! I am going to be giving away one of my cases.  I thought it would be a great giveaway, especially for back to school.  Here is how to enter into the draw to win one:

1.  Follow me on my blog
2.  Follow me on Twitter here; www.twitter.com/hasinspiration
3. Like my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HASinspiration/265714200156273?ref=hl
4.  Comment on this post

By doing ONE of the following, you will be entered to win a custom case.  You can choose from a variety of already made and ready to be shipped cases (available here: www.etsy.com/shop/hasinspiration) or you can customize your own!! To check out cases I've made, visit the "For Sale and Sold" tab at the top!  The winner will be announced on Friday!!

Thank you and I look forward to annoucing the winner!