aloha.

So, we made it to Maui. And it was everything I hoped it would be and more.

We stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, where they brought us fresh pineapple and cool towels at the pool. (I can tell you, that NEVER got old.)

We were welcomed with leis that smelled so good. As a matter of fact, all of Maui smells good (with the exception of the sugar cane plant.) Everywhere we went we smelled eucalyptus, or flowers, or something else fabulous. 

The weather was perfect too. A nice change from the 100% humidity in Alabama. It was sunny and 75 pretty much everyday and there was 0% humidity with a nice breeze. This made lounging by the pool a pretty easy job. 

We got up early on the first day because of the time change, so took advantage of the morning and took off on The Road to Hana. This is Hookipa Beach, right past the town of Pa'ia, where there were gorgeous views, countless surfers, and even a sea turtle.

We stopped at a fruit stand on the way, where I learned to eat a lili'koi, a.k.a. passionfruit. Did I mention that the pineapple here beyond surpasses any other pineapple I've ever had. I'm really going to miss it. We are getting some shipped home.

There were quite a few waterfalls on the road (which ended up being more like a trail) to Hana. This is Twin Falls. Warning: The water is cold (per Sam.) He jumped off the top! Such a risk taker, that boy!

We climbed a few trees in Kenea, a pretty little fishing town, with probably the most fabulous views of the entire trip if I can even begin to choose. 

This is the Oheo Gulch, just past Hana. I, yes me, Bethany, jumped off a cliff here. These are also known as the "Seven Sacred Pools" and there are more of these "pools" above where this picture was taken with cascading waterfalls into each one. 

Sam and I went ziplining in Ka'anapali. Breathtaking views, and a few breathtaking drops. This was probably one of the best experiences in my life. I look a little scared here...

I tried to capture just how far it was from one platform to another, but the pictures just don't do it justice. I was also hoping to get a picture when I was zipping across, but I was a little to nervous to let go with one hand in order to snap a pic. Those things go pretty fast!

Tim and Bradley were pretty awesome guides and I recommend Skyline EcoTours to anyone who happens upon the beautiful island of Maui!

Hawai'i wouldn't be Hawai'i without a luau! You know you're in a friendly place when you leave your iPhone on the table and come back an hour later to have security take you right to it. 

We also took a helicopter tour. This was unlike anything I've ever done before. Something about views from above just can't compare to seeing the same thing on land. 

We had a great pilot. He was the same pilot that flew Jillian and Reed when they were on the island for The Bachelorette! (He was also a Black Hawk and a lot of other cool stuff, but I thought The Bachelorette thing was the coolest.)

View of a coral reef around Mo'lokini island. 

Our last night, we had dinner at Mama's Fish House. This place had such a great atmosphere and really good sushi. "The Black Pearl" for dessert wasn't too bad either! 

We've had an amazing trip! I hate that it has to end, but I am oh-so-ready to see Nick. I think we shall return for our honeymoon! 

up, up, and away

We are Maui bound!... kind of. 

United Airlines delayed our flight a little this morning causing us to miss our connecting flight in Denver, which is why I am in the great state of Colorado, rather than Hawaii right now. 

It wasn't a perfect day, and it was a long day to say the least, but what's done is done, and life goes on! In the mean time, we are making the best of it here in the mountains.

We're just gonna turn up the music and go with the flow!

After all we will make it to The Aloha State at some point, right? And I did get some pretty awesome pictures of a pretty awesome sunset. Denver isn't all that bad...

 

antiques at the beach.

Over spring break, Nick and I happened upon an antique shop (shop is an understatement...it was massive.) Being the cool guy that he is, Nick was actually the one that suggested we check it out. It was well worth the visit. I had a gazillion pictures of beautiful things that I kept intending to post, but never found the time to do so.  So this past week Kensey and I made an ever so spontaneous trip to the beach and I introduced her to this rather large treasure.  The jewelry was still my favorite and I left with 2 pairs of fabulous earrings from the 1930s.  Not everything in the store is an antique, but even what isn't is just as fabulous. Here are some pictures from my previous trip as well as some new ones. Enjoy!

Beautiful, right?

Loved this huge mirror... it went down to the floor, but the table in front hides the length.

Loved all of the glass bottles... and they had quite a collection. 

How cool is this old pie safe? They were storing hand made soaps and some other random trinkets inside.

I am a sucker for colored, antique glass. Aren't these gorgeous?

Not an antique (at least I don't think so...I guess the mantle could be), but they had these elaborate fireplace mantles covered in shells, starfish, etc. A lot of the stuff was beachy, light, airy, and blue which is right up my alley!

I would eat on these everyday of my life!

On to the jewelry...

An entire case of white and gold. Heaven.

They had pieces of coral in distressed frames around the store. I thought they were so pretty!

newest creations.

here are a few of my most recent paintings. i have been oh so overwhelmed and sadly neglectful (is that a word?) of my blog. more to come soon!

the most amazing candle. ever.

Another thought. Have I told you how obsessed I am with these candles? The Black Currant and Cassis is my favorite, but the beautiful blue jar is absolutely irresistible and the Island Song smell is quite summer-y, so I like to switch it up! They fill a room with amazing-ness from the second you light it... And they are sold at none other than the lovely Anthropologie!

welcome back spring!

Spring has sprung! It was so pretty and warm out today... a nice change from the torrential rains from yesterday. I actually did a little sunbathing by the pool! As you can see there was not a cloud in sight... Is that not the best color blue ever?!

I've done a little painting this week... little is the key word here. Classes have been quite crazy. All the teachers have been piling it on. I guess they have to cram every last ounce of work in before Spring Break. It seems this is always the case in my experiences. I did a 1st birthday canvas for Maggie and the others have been started and hopefully I'll have pictures soon! Here is Maggie's sweet cupcake canvas.

And this is a doorhanger I did for a friend's baby shower. I did it a while back, but it's a cute boy something to contrast all of my girliness! 

sunbathing swag

Being that spring break is right around the corner, I have decided I need new swimsuits. I am obsessed with these! I am so ready for warm weather and a break that I cannot stand it!   

 

It's almost the weekend again! I hope everyone's week has been less stressful than mine... between classes and my job search there has been little time for my blog, but I have managed to paint some things. This is a canvas I did for one of my teacher friends. I think  the colors are so fun and bright! 

In light of the weekend, I hope everyone gets to sleep in and wake up to a face as sweet as this... and maybe not such a bad hair day!