Lee La La

Memorial Day Weekend Must Haves

2013-05-25T01:09:59Z

Cheers to a 3 day weekend where sun and cold drinks will be in abundance. Here are my must haves for a celebratory weekend.

left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (similar here)

Have a safe holiday! Follow me on instagram for fun in the sun updates!

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Strawberry Picking

2013-05-23T03:58:25Z

I attempted to write this post a couple times and each time back spaced the heck out of it until I was left with another blank screen. So then I uploaded some photos of our week that I wanted to share because sometimes photos help inspire me and help the words flow…

We went strawberry picking with Landyn’s preschool class this week to my favorite local farm. I’ve blasted this gem of a place all over the blog through the past 3 years because no matter the season, it makes me feel like I’m getting my needed dose of small town life.

On the hunt for the juiciest of berries…

Landyn’s dress: Dashing Bee

We are winding up on our first year of preschool and it has me feeling some bittersweet emotions. This year has been a year of growth for Landyn and I both as she learned to find her independence outside the home for the first time, understand the world of friendships, and thrive in imaginative and creative play.

I’m so grateful for all these added doses of blessings on my child’s life. The teachers, mentors, grandparents, and friends that fill in the gaps. It truly takes a village to raise a child… surely it starts in the home with mom and dad, but it always works itself out onto our child’s spheres of influence.

…….

And can we get an AMEN for these spheres of influence?

My mom has truly been my saving grace through this whole single parenting thing and I can’t thank her enough for the love she showers onto Landyn and I. She keeps me sane in this crazy juggling act I do everyday and is not afraid to grab the pass when I am feeling the slightest bit overwhelmed. We are so grateful for our Mimi.

Miss Jori and Miss Roya have truly shown my girl the most undivided love and compassion. They understand her shy nature, the transition she’s gone through this past year and have gone out of their way to foster exactly what she needs. They challenge her when she needs that little push and encourage her where she shines.

So grateful.

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Links to my favorite posts

2013-05-23T03:58:05Z

One of the things I love about blogging, is the ability to travel back in time and reread past posts. Going through my archives allows me to reflect back on periods in my life and experiences I was dealing with, and see growth. I enjoy reliving the little moments in Landyn’s life, vacations, new ventures, growing into my personal style, good times and bad, and seeing the beauty in all of it.

I decided to leave you with some posts that I hold close to my heart…

My favorite style posts: 1, 2, 3, 4.

What does it mean to be a single mom?

An introduction: The Boyfriend

My favorite healthy recipe

Weekends are for family

She made me a momma

Mommy vs. fun

Got health with Lindsay

“The talk”

Dear Diary

Happy 3rd Birthday Landyn

Landyn’s Elmo Party

DIY tile photo coasters tutorial

My secret in the mommy hood

DIY Pottery Barn inspired mirror tutorial

…….

Linking up with this gal.

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Weekend Links

2013-05-17T21:14:43Z

This video nailed it on adulthood and freedom and why I do what I do.

A TOMS outlet with your favorite styles starting at $15? Say it isn’t so.

I have a date with Gatsby tonight. Counting down the hours.

This girls new app has put a fun twist on instagram. Who else is loving #abeautifulmess?

Bloggers doing big things. This girl inspires me.

On repeat hard. My favorite performance on Idol last night.

…….

How about a little phone dump…

Have a great weekend.

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Healthy Recipe: Zucchini & Tomato Pasta Salad

2013-05-15T20:54:46Z

We’ve been having summer like temperatures here in southern California so I was excited to bust out this light yet HEALTHY side dish that involves no cooking. I served it with salmon and it made for the perfect lean & green meal.

Ingredients:

one package of mini heirloom tomatoes

2 medium sized zucchinis

1 clove of garlic

1 tbsp fresh basil

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

salt to taste

Directions:

Thinly slice zucchini length wise into thin strips. Cut tomatoes into halves.

In a bowl, mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and salt.

Add zucchini, tomatoes, and basil.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until chilled.

Serve and enjoy!

…………….

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Wedding Style

2013-05-15T18:58:23Z

dress: H&M (available in store only), belt: Gap, clutch c/o: I Made It By Mars, shoes: Jessica Simpson, watch: Michael Kors, bracelet: Bip & Bop, earrings: Stella & Dot

I love an excuse to dress up and last weekends spring wedding in northern California allowed for it. I choose a light coral hue and added some sparkle with my gold clutch and pave chain bracelet. Can we talk about how obsessed I am with nude heels? They go with everything and instantly elongate the legs. A sure’s bet way to dress up any outfit this spring and summer.

I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start.

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Happy Mothers Day

2013-05-12T22:08:42Z

Thursday morning Landyn’s preschool class invited the momma’s into their classroom for a Mothers Day celebration. It was so sweet to step into their little world and see how they spread their wings for those two mornings each week. My shy timid girl got up and performed a song with her class and my heart exploded into a million pieces. Hands down my most proud momma moment thus far. Preschool has been one of the best decisions I have made for Landyn, and to think it was something I had a hard time with in August. That’s what we do as mothers…we are constantly doing what our gut tells us is best for our children and many times that means taking a leap of faith. Well this one paid off and my girl is on her way. I hope everyone gets served muffins and juice by their little’s, is gifted with a handmade place mat and paper weight, and is serenaded in song at some point in their lives. Truly, the best gift ever.

Happy Mothers Day to all you momma’s out there. I spent today celebrating my mom down at the beach in true southern California fashion. I think it took me becoming a mom for me to truly understand the sacrifice that goes into being a Mom. So here’s to you mom. Landyn and I love you to the moon and back.

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Family Matters

2013-05-09T23:15:01Z

What happens when your cousin gets married 400 miles away in northern California?

You pack your bags and road trip it up the 5 fwy because family matters.

This past weekend I did just that and it proved to be one of the more emotional unions I have yet to witness. My cousin Kyle married his soul mate Suzi in front of their family and friends while his mom smiled down from above. My dear Aunt Pam lost her ten year battle with cancer 3 years ago, and I know she was nothing but proud. And while we wanted to make the day as happy as possible, bittersweet tears were involved. Watching his mom’s best friend walk him down the aisle, his dad’s speech, the special photo locket of my aunt attached to the brides bouquet, the mother son dance with his mom’s best friend, it was all heavy on the heart. The day was gorgeous and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them as the embark on this next chapter of their lives.

This past weekend got me thinking… our lives are like an hour glass. A timer of sorts, measuring the passage of time. We never know when the last drop of sand will fall and our time will have run out. With that being said, we are told to enjoy everyday like its our last. This rings so true to me this past weekend as I looked around and saw the void in the crowd and left thankful that my sister and I have both of our parents here living and breathing. While I do not know what tomorrow will bring, my only hope is that my parents continue to witness milestones in my sister and I’s life. I hope one day my dad gets to walk me down the aisle and give me away forever. I hope I can call my mom for many years to come when I’m sick or in need of parenting advice. I hope my parents get to love on more grandchildren and watch them get married and have kids.

Everyday is priceless and can so easily be taken for granted. This weekend was perspective for me.

An added bonus? Time spent with my dad and sister. Just the three of us. Something about being with my dad and sister for a whole weekend makes me feel like I’m still a little kid and age doesn’t matter. Everything is paid for. Clothing choices are commented on. Laughter is in abundance. Perspective is given. Lessons are taught. Heart to hearts are had. The love my dad has for my sister and I radiates onto everyone around him, and in turn we love him fierce. These moments don’t happen quite enough. It’s just what I needed to ease the transition into 30 this week.

I love my family. I love my family. I love my family.

Blessed.

A little “style” q&a

2013-05-08T16:55:06Z

I swapped spaces with this lovely gal this week and I wanted to repost my style q&a from her blog in case you missed it.

Oh and have you entered the TARGET giveaway? If not theres still time to enter at the end of this post!

Lauren: I take awhile to decide what to wear in the morning and can only imagine how that will change once a baby gets here! How much time to have to get ready in the morning?

Since becoming a momma, my morning routine is as simplistic as possible. Granted, I am blessed to work from home so I dont have to put too much into “dressing up” persay, but I still like to look put together. Maxi skirts, skinny jeans and a cute top, and accessories are gold. There are many week days when I will be seen in a fedora to avoid doing my hair…huge time saver. SO to answer your question, I say 30 minutes max.

Lauren: How and did your style change once you became a mom?

My style hasn’t changed too drasticlly since becoming a mom. I am all about age appropriate clothing but I didnt want to put myself in a box just because I was a mom. I think its important to take care of yourself after kids and still feel sexy and confident in your own skin. I may wear my shorts a little longer and save heels for special occassions, but other than that I am the same me I was before kids.

Lauren: What is your go to outfit?

During the winter months (mind you I live in southern california where the seasons are mild), my go to outfit is skinny jeans, a tee, a cardigan, scarf, and some booties or combat boots. During the summer I am more opt to wear a maxi skirt with a tank, or a sundress and a fedora and some gladiator sandals.

Lauren: How do you balance your time between blogging, being a mommy and everything else you do?

Time management and balance are my weak spots. I run two home based businesses and am a work from home single mom so I really have to be on purpose with my days. I usually save blogging for first thing in the morning and in the evenings after Landyn has gone to sleep, and I do my health coaching during the day when Landyn is in preschool or at nap time. I really struggle to find balance with all the social media channels that goes along with blogging, because it’s easy to get consumed in it. I try my best to never let any of it take time away from my daughter. One thing that really helps me is at night before I go to bed, to plan my next day. I make a list of what I need to do in the day ahead and then categorize accordingly.

Lauren: Do you ever worry or second guess about sharing your life on your blog?

When I first started blogging is October of 2009, I was super cautious about what I shared on the internet. The more I grew into myself as a writer I noticed that my open and honest posts is what really appealed to my audience. You have no idea how many people you are impacting when you share your heart and put it out there for the world to see. I really did some self growth in the process because I was always the type of person that cared what others thought of me. Sharing my story with the world allowed me to let my guard down, be vulnerable, and embrace what makes me uniquely me. I try to be as transparent as possible on my blog.

Lauren: What is your favorite thing about blogging?

There are so many aspects to blogging that bless me. Being able to journal my life in photos and words that I can revisit in later years and see growth, has to me the most rewarding. The blog world has opened my eyes to a community of women that inspire me everytime I turn on my computer. I have met girls I would have never crossed paths with that have become fast friends. As inividuals we are constantly growing into ourselves and I think this blog has really fine tuned what makes me tick. It’s an outlet. A testament. A community.

outfit photos: Love Letter Photography

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My 30th Birthday

2013-05-07T21:16:56Z

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Today is my 30th birthday.

I’ve always put a ton of emphasis on birthdays. Whether it’s my own or someone else’s, I love any excuse to celebrate another year of life. Turning 30 though has been a tough one for me. Something about bidding my 20′s farewell and closing a chapter on my youth has been a hard one to digest.

Looking back I marvel at the personal growth that has happened for me in my 20s. It seems like yesterday I was 21, given a green light to freedom where no limits were spared, heart break I never thought I’d recover from, my first run in with death, settling because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time, and a dose of self sacrifice that any mother knows all too well. Looking back, nothing about my life in my 20′s really went according to planned. Prayers went unanswered. Uncharted territory was taken. And I didn’t always get what I wanted. But feeling discomfort and pain from the depths of my soul actually allowed me to get a healthy dose of the reality I was missing. And while it threw me for a tail spin at the time, I wouldn’t change a minute of it. So today I choose to welcome 30, let go of that former version of myself that I no longer recognize anyways, rejoice in what I’ve accomplished so far, and strive for the goals I have set for myself going forward.

And of course no birthday would be complete without a call from my best friend. 16 years to be exact. There was tears involved as she revisited 16 years of memories the two of us have shared. Those old friendships? Hold onto those tight you guys.

…….

Last night I sat down and compiled a list of what my 20s have taught me. Here is what I know to be true…

Family is everything. At the end of the day, they are all you have.

Your parents are human too.

The college you graduate from or lack there of does not define you.

Have a solid group of girlfriends. They are good for the soul.

Step outside your comfort zone. That’s where growth happens.

Admit your faults and embrace them.

Don’t let the opinions of others consume you.

Feel pain. You will come out of it better.

Becoming a momma will stretch your heart in a way you never knew possible.

The right people who belong in your life will come to you, and stay.

If you find a man of integrity, hold onto him tight and never let him go.

It’s okay to feel introverted at times and have a night in with a glass of wine.

That its okay to say no.

You don’t have to please everyone everyday.

{ain’t that the truth}

So cheers to you 30. May you continue to bring me the wisdom as I piece together the rest of my puzzle. Help me to continue to see myself as a work in progress and not let perfection get the best of me.

Thank you ALL for the birthday love all over my social media channels. Your words mean the world to me.

{You can see my post on birthday perspectives from last year that still rings true here}

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