Watercolors of Pets!

I haven't updated in ages because I've been so busy since I've begun to paint custom pet portraits as a side-business. 

It all started because I painted a little 4x6" watercolor portrait of Pearl and asked everyone who follows me on Instagram whether or not they'd like me to sell custom pet portraits. And it was a resounding Yes!

 The Pearl Portrait that started it all!

From there I've had 17 portraits commissioned since then!

  

These are just some of the portraits I've done for people! And there's more in the queue!

I typically do one portrait every morning from 9:30 am to about 12:30pm and work Monday through Thursday. Occasionally, I'll paint on Friday morning as well if the customer needs it to be shipped out by that Saturday.  Otherwise, I take my weekend on Thursday afternoon til Monday morning.

They're super fun to do and I enjoy it. So, why not!

Let me know if you want to commission a portrait of your beloved pet!

 ♥

Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal

Pearl and I went to Laura's Vintage today because she's started carrying Pinup Girl Clothing! And I wanted to give her a little watercolor painting I did of Pearl wearing cat eye glasses.

Pearl pretty much stays in her bag when I go anywhere. It's easier when I'm in stores that allows dogs because she's better behaved. Otherwise, she'd talk to everyone about everything (I say talk because she barks at people until they pet her). She even got a whole Pupperoni from a little old lady on our walk to the store. Spoiled puppy!

She's ridiculous really.

 Let me just say that Laura's Vintage is my absolute favourite vintage shop here in Upstate New York. It's located on 19 Ridge St in Glens Falls, New York. And, I don't know what I would have done if I had not learned of her store. Since it's a bit of a jaunt, I'm not able to make it over there as often as I would like but when I do, I always find something! I'm pretty sure 90% of my wardrobe has been bought here.

I could literally spend all day in her shop if I could. Every time I go in, I find something else that I hadn't noticed was there when I was in last. And all the vintage packaging, deadstock, vintage tags, it's heaven.

And now that she carries Pinup Girl Clothing, she can accommodate so many more sizes! If she doesn't have your size in whatever style you want, she'll order it for you. How more perfect could this shop get?!
She even fixed my brooch by replacing a rhinestone!

About 60% of my outfit today is from her store.

 40s pinafore dress and belt from Laura's Vintage

Purse from Aunt Katie's Attic Flea Market

Shoes Steve Madden

Head scarf from Troy Flea Market 

 

 ♥

A Walk to the Flea Market

Today was the opening day for the new Troy Flea Market and we went to check it out and I'm so glad we did! There were a handful of merchants there and I wanted to buy so many things.

My gorgeous husband indulged me in letting me snap a photo of him. 

There were quite a few booths with vintage clothing and vintage housewares.

This is Metropolis Vintage's booth and I ended up snapping up a scarf and two 1950s dresses. 
Such great prices that I only spent $33 for all of that! I'm glad I brought my measuring tape to make sure the dresses would fit. Also, if you spend more than $25, you can use your card.

Head scarf and belt from Laura's Vintage

Top from DollMeUpDarling

Skirt from ASOS years ago on clearance

Scarf tied on purse from Troy Flea Market

Purse from TJMaxx

Shoes from Steve Madden 

I've been wearing these tops from Doll Me Up Darling so often because it's been so hot lately here in Upstate New York! And putting up my hair in a bun and throwing a scarf over it helps keep my hair off my neck while not having to sleek back my hair with a thousand bobby pins. Once it cools down here, I promise I'll have more variety in my outfits!

 ♥

Plant Roses and Lavender For Luck

Or paint them.

Yesterday, I finally received my new Aquash water brushes in the mail and I just had to try them out this morning because I was so excited. And since I had bought lavender from the Enchanted Florist yesterday I decided to give it a go! 

I was so absorbed in painting that I forgot my cup of tea on the coffee table. And once I figured out that I had forgotten it, I had to chug lukewarm tea so it wouldn't go to waste. And there are few things worse than lukewarm tea.

This new brush is now my absolute favourite brush for watercolor. I don't need a little cup of water for rinsing out the brush between color changes and all I have to do is squeeze the brush to get a little bit of water to blend! It's amazing and I don't know how I went without it all this time. It will definitely come in handy when I go walking with my sketchbook and little pallets of Winsor&Newton watercolors. And I love how the small brush is able to give me such detail when painting. I can't tell you how much I love it.

I couldn't have a post without an adorable photo of Pearl, though, because how could I not?!

Now, I also got some Strathmore watercolor postcards in that same package yesterday and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a contest where you'd be able to win a postcard from me with an original watercolor painting on it by me? They wouldn't be very fancy or anything and probably just little paintings of flowers or brownstones in my neighborhood with a little letter on the back from me. The contest would take place on my Instagram and not until I've actually painted the postcards. Would anyone be interested in something like that? Leave me a comment and let me know on either this post or my Instagram!

 ♥

A Kiss To Build a Dream On

Today I decided to walk down to the Enchanted Florist because I heard they had some bunches of lavender and I wanted to fill our apartment with that lovely scent because it's one of my absolute favorites (plus I want to do a watercolor study of it tomorrow). Luckily they had 4 bunches left!

 

Head scarf, belt and skirt from Laura's Vintage

Wicker purse from Aunt Katie's Attic Flea Market

Top from DollMeUpDarling

Shoes from TJMaxx

 

It was such a great day today weather wise that I couldn't let myself pass it up and hurriedly got dressed and headed out! Pearl got way more smiles and compliments than I did, which is as it should be. She's darn cute!

The Enchanted Florist is located on Columbia street just off Pearl street and it has the most beautiful store front ever.

While trying to take a photo of my bunches of lavender with Pearl while sitting on a bench in Tricentennial Park, I accidentally got my skirt completely wet from my flowers. So, I had to sit there for a bit to dry off and Pearl really enjoyed the view!

 

I eventually got a good photo with both Pearl and the lavender even though she much preferred to people watch than look at me.

 

Now I'm back at home with the windows and back door open to let the nice breeze air out the apartment.

 ♥

Get the Look!

If you want to get the look from my previous post, here's an easy vintage reproduction way of doing that without breaking bank!

 1-Vixen Vondetta Top in White from DollMeUpInc for $19.99

2-Hell Bunny Red High Waist Capris from Unique Vintage for $48

3-Small woven straw beach tote from Amazon for $15.99

4-Hey Viv! Red Chiffon Scarf from Amazon for $5.99

5-Gold Stretch 50s style belt from Amazon for $9.50

6-Red pointed toe ballet flats from GoJane for $12.80 

Just throw your hair into a top knot and tie a scarf around it and you'll basically have my outfit from Saturday! If you do want some 50s style cigarette pants like I wore instead, you could always troll Etsy for some in your size like I did. And then, you can add the rest of the outfit and get mine almost exactly. 

 ♥

Back In Your Own Backyard

Or park! My husband and I decided to go to the dog park at Washington Square Park today after taking our miniature schnauzer, Pearl, to the vet this morning for her annual checkup.

It was quite hot and humid and Pearl didn't even pay any attention to the other dogs because she was so miserable. So, we decided to head home and chill out in the A/C. But not before we took a few photos of my outfit for today!

 

Scarf and belt from Laura's Vintage 

Top from Doll Me Up Darling 

Purse from flea market at Aunt Katie's Attic

Sunglasses from Fossil 

Earring made from Princess Phone keychains 

And finally, the infamous tartan pants are from LeBunnyShoppe on Etsy! 

It's been quite a while since I've updated because of just being busy and not thinking to photograph my outfits! I'll try to be better at that from now on.

 ♥