Lavender & Lilies

Come See Me

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:27:00 +0000

at my new blog home!

Follow the link...

11grayblog.blogspot.com

11 Gray!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Good Morning!

I am so excited to show you what 11 Gray is going to look like. Here it is...

The new address is 11grayblog.blogspot.com. Hopefully in a couple of days you will be able to reach the blog at 11gray.com but that is not quite set up yet. Pardon the dust, we are still working on setting up the blog.

My new email is jessica@11gray.com.

I am in love with the new look and I can't wait to meet you all there on Monday!

L&L History

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I have always been surprised by the posts and topics that have brought so many people to L&L. For a while the search that brought the most people to L&L was "ruffled shower curtain". The most visited post of mine over the past three years has been this one all about Tiffany Blue.

The success of L&L is owed so much to my fellow bloggers who got my name out there in the beginning and have continued to support me over the years. It used to be that I got very little direct traffic (meaning very few people typed in the web address and landed straight here). Most visitors were referred from other sites. Pinterest certainly sends lots of visitors my way now but I have to thank all of the bloggers that have featured my blog or just included me in your blogroll. Thanks so much and I hope you will follow me to 11 Gray.

I remember starting L&L and having two readers, my mom and my friend Sam. That was it. Now I get over 10,000 hits a month with nearly two thousand regular followers. L&L has allowed me to reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with friends and family and to share my life and inspiration.

As I move onto 11 Gray, I am looking forward to sharing my life in a more unique and original way. I hope all of you faithful and kind souls will follow me there.

Be sure to check me out at 11Gray.com

May Shopping List

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

This is the last shopping list on L&L and I love it. These are my spring beach faves.

Suit and Top from Anthro. Hat from J.Crew. Bag from Kate Spade.

Happy B-Day To My Hubby

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to my husband!

Source: yellowsongbird.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I am the luckiest girl in the world! You are an amazing husband and a wonderful father. We are so lucky to have you.

Wishes For My Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Ella will turn one year old this weekend. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year. I remember her birth two weeks early on the day of the royal wedding. There are so many things I want to for her so many virtues and traits I want to give her. Here are a few of my wishes for my baby girl...

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: caronedmunds.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: katespadeny.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: society6.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: brightontheday.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Mother's Day Shopping Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

1. Bag, Layla Grayce. 2. Scarf, Quirk Gallery. 3. Necklace, J.Crew. 4. Bag, Tory Burch. 5. Rose Bowl, Kate Spade.

Random Tips and Locavores

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I sort of regretted we didn't celebrate Earth Day too much this weekend with the exception of watching Planet Earth and visiting a new restaurant in Spartanburg, SC called The Farm Table. It's a new restaurant focusing on local fresh ingredients. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

This was my Southern Eggs Benedict. A biscuit topped with a fried green tomato, a crab cake and then poached egg. Delicious!

Here's E on the way home. I loved this little dress I bought at the Gap when I was pregnant with her. It's so cold I had to put leggings on her.

On a change of subject, I have a random Pinterest tip. I found this tip on Pinterest last week and tried it out.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

You wash your towels in vinegar and then in baking soda (In two separate loads. In case you missed 3rd grade science don't mix vinegar and baking soda). It really worked. Check out the link for more details. (This is not my photo).

11 Gray Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

As most of you know I will be switching over to a new blogging home in the next few weeks. On May 7 I will start blogging from 11 Gray. The site isn't quite up and running yet and I will send out a link as soon as it is. While 11 Gray will not be all of that different from L&L, I will be featuring more original content.

Here's a glimpse into 11 Gray

The blog will be all about my faves, babyhood, cooking, children's books, reading, style, baby style, interior design, traveling, thinking about traveling, dreaming about traveling, gift giving, baby food, toddler feeding, cute things, organization, homekeeping and all of that mixed in with a healthy dose of stories about how I make a fool of myself daily. :)

Hope to see you there!

Any Requests?

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

My new blog will hopefully be launching on May 7 and I am super excited. I do plan on keeping some of the content the same as L&L but I do plan to include more mommy material including baby style, shopping, decor, etc.

As I begin to plan and post, what are some topics you would like to see me tackle on 11 Gray?

Final Friday Faves

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:36:00 +0000

It's the last Friday faves on L&L. I have some other things planned for the last few Fridays on L&L.

Here they are.

I have added Imagine to my reading list. It's all about creativity.

I love the ruffle bag from Layla Grayce.

This ikat tray from Haymarket Designs is precious and perfect for summer.

Ella's baby bunny slippers.

We have officially weened Ella off of bottles. She's a straight sippy cup girl now. It's sort of sad. Chris and I fought over who would give her the last bottle. She's growing so fast.

Via Pinterest: Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I found these quesadillas on Pinterest, which led me to the Pioneer Woman website.

I made these and they are delicious! I dolled them up a bit with some extra ingredients so here is what I did...

Monterrey Jack Cheese and diced Pineapple

Plus chopped cilantro

Plus red onion

Plus diced tomato

Plus diced grilled barbeque chicken

top with cheddar cheese

Toast it up in a skillet. Delicious!

B Day Party Planner

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Planning E's First B-Day Party has been something I have looked forward to for a while.

I picked these invites from Tiny Prints.

We decided to do a small party for family only. Of course Pinterest provided most of my inspiration and I loved these two ideas.

So I decided on a garden party theme.

For the smash cake, I love this rosette cake.

And since I scored a vintage highchair from my mom's attic, we plan to use it for the smash cake.

I love this idea of tying twine to the balloons so I bought some green twine from The Party Fairy on Etsy.

I also love these polka dotted straws from The Party Fairy.

I am planning on lots of paper lanterns, flowers and buntings. As for the menu, I am still working on it. I can't wait!

Calling All Bloggers

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Source: mylittleboudoir.com via MyLittleBoudoir on Pinterest

So I announced a few weeks ago that L&L will be closing down soon and that I will be moving to a new blog home at 11 Gray which is currently under construction. I really want to do more posts featuring some great bloggers on the new blog. So I am looking for all sorts of bloggers who would like to be featured on the new blog.

Design Bloggers

Mommy Bloggers

Food Bloggers

Lifestyle Bloggers

Organizing Bloggers

or pretty much any other kind of blogger

I will be sending out a list of questions/ topics and you can pick which one you would like to answer (my baby must haves, my beauty faves, best advice you've ever received, great tips, etc.). I can't wait to get going on these features so comment or email me if you are interested.

Also, I will be offering sponsorship opportunities on the new blog. For my fellow bloggers, I will be offering a special deal so email me at lavenderandlilies@gmail.com for information.

I am excited about the switch over and can't wait to get going.

What's Up?

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

These are the last three weeks of L&L before I move over to my new blogging home at 11 Gray. I will of course be sending the link once everything is up and running.

So how was your weekend? We spent a lot of time working in the yard. I really need to go take pictures do you can see the dramatic improvements we made.

Anyway, the last few weeks of my life have been spent with this...

Yes an old highchair. This was actually my highchair as a baby and I was so excited when my mom said she had my highchair in her attic. Chris fished it out and we refinished it for E's 1 Year pictures that were taken this weekend and for her first B-day party. Here is the finished product

I painted it Spirited Green by Behr.

I also found the new Special Edition of Domino! Super excited.

Also I started reading a new book, French Kids Eat Everything. I saw it on Amazon and I decided to try it out so I can maybe avoid the chicken nuggets and french fries stage.

Also, we had fabulous pics taken by Mira Photography.

Happy Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:42:00 +0000

I loved this when I saw it on Pinterest. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. We are having E's 1 Year Photos taken and I can't wait to share them. Happy weekending!

Spring Style

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Here a couple of things for the ladies I am loving this spring!

Vintage V Neck from J.Crew in Neon Azalea

Aviators from TOMS

Bag from Layla Grayce

Trying Out Blogger for iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:36:00 +0000

Toy Management

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I entered mommyhood proudly stating that my child's toys would not take over my house. Please see below.

My baby girl does not like for anything to be in a container and pulls all of her toys out of the bins when she gets a chance. I use this oversized bins from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child in her room and I have one big bin in our living room to store all of her toys. As her first birthday approaches I am sensing there is going to be an overflow of toys and I am in need of some toy management strategies.

How do you store your children's toys?

Do you have any rules or guidelines for toys? Do you toss toys every time they get something new? Even if you don't have a baby, what would you do?

So far, I haven't had to make any tough decisions but things are going to start getting out of hand and I need inspiration.

Toddler Feeding

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:05:00 +0000

So Ella is officially graduating to a toddler soon. She is on the verge on walking on her own. I really embraced the baby food purees. I loved making them and freezing them. Lately Ella has refused to eat most baby food purees except a few of her favorites so I am trying to find some great toddler recipes that I can make ahead of time and feed her throughout the week. She really likes foods she can pick up with her fingers.

So I need ideas from all of you mommies, nannies, aunts and friends. What do you feed your toddler? I'd love to here from all of those across the pond too. Any great resources?

If you have any spectacular ideas let me know because I am working on features for the new blog 11 Gray and I want to feature all sorts of mommy wisdom.

Easter Weekend Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:31:00 +0000

We had a great first Easter with Baby E. It was her first Easter and it was a lot of fun.

This was her Easter Basket. The basket and liner are from PB Kids. The little car is from Kid O (I bought it off Amazon). The felt eggs are from Target. I included lots of books: Squish Rabbit, Runaway Bunny, BabyLit Jane Eyre, BabyLit Alice in Wonderland and Peter Rabbit. The bunny is from Jellycat (also an Amazon purchase) and I included some small bunny bath toys that you really can't see. Ella's favorite part was the $1 pinwheel I stuck on the side and the Easter grass. :)

This is a very surprised Baby E playing with her basket. I also had her really cute spring pjs for Easter morning but there was an incident about 2 minutes after I put them on her. C'est La Vie.

This is Baby E in her Easter dress right before church. The dress was a gift from a friend when I was pregnant. I held onto it hoping it would fit her in time to be her first Easter dress and it did! Shoes are from See Kai Run. The bow stayed in her hair about 5 minutes total.

Finally, we spent most of the day hanging out with family and watching the Masters Golf Tournament. Go Bubba!

Hoppy Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

and to everyone in the South, a Happy Masters Weekend too!

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Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Easter Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I found a few lovely treats on Pinterest that I think might land on our Easter lunch menu.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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Funfetti Easter Cupcakes

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Rice Krispy Egg Pops

April Shopping List

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

It's time for April's shopping list. These are some random finds that I am loving right now.

First up are a pair of adorable yellow sandals from See Kai Run straight from Ella's closet.

I love this pouf which was a find on Etsy. Find it here. It has landed on Ella's Christmas Wish List already. Adorable kid seating that you can display in your living room.

I have to give a shout out to J.Crew. Their spring shoe collection is amazing and those mustard flats are my fave.

Love the Thomas Paul scarf from the Quirk Gallery.

The Jonathan Adler Giraffe Nightlight is from Nordstrom and I really need this in Ella's room.

The all wooden bowling set is also an Etsy find and has also landed on Ella's Wish List for Christmas.

Finally these precious baby girl shorts are from the Tea Collection.

Weekend Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This is E after brunch on Sunday. Love this outfit. I got it new with tags from a consignment sale near Charlotte, NC. It's from Threads, which from what I can find out is now defunct but was the clothier for PB Kids. Is that right? If they are still open, I need to know!

We had a lovely but busy weekend. Between chasing a crawling toddler, celebrating my sister's birthday and working in the yard it has been rather busy. My husband and I constantly look at each other and say, "I hate April." April is an insanely busy month between birthdays, Ella's first birthday, working the in the yard, etc.

Here is what we were up to...

Working on Easter! It's E's first Easter and I have loved prepping for it. I worked on her Easter basket this weekend. I am sure I will redo it 5 times between now and then but at least I know I have enough.

We had a failed attempt to dye eggs. Between a toddler that was overdue for a nap and my mistaken impression that you could use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar it did not go well. I think we are going to stick to the felt ones I bought at Target for this year.

My sister's busted up chocolate cake. It fell apart on my mom as she brought it over to my house. It was delicious though!

A test run of Ella's smash cake. I am going to make her smash cake and I needed to test run the icing. It worked out well. I am planning on the tiny rosette cake that has been all over Pinterest.

Also, I am really busy prepping for Ella's first b-day party. I don't have the energy to list that to do list but I will be updating periodically. I definitely have some projects set aside for this weekend but it's Master's weekend in addition to Easter so I'm cautiously optimistic.

For the moms, did all of you worry as much as I am about her party being perfect? Really I'm sort of obsessed.