i wish i was wearing this (in that exact spot, which, admittedly, probably has something to do with the book i’m reading) but, in fact, i’m sitting in my pajamas just hoping to get a shower today.

however, i am wearing this really great hand lotion that i think you all would like – la la love, actually:

anti aging hand cream by davines

i am all about anti-aging on the hands.  i hate to be vein but, you know how necks can be a giveaway of age….well, hands are too.  my mom always told me to rub in any of the extra night cream on the tops of my hands – i do.

and besides how much i like this product, i had to share it for the packaging.  because you know, these are the kind of details get me.  every. time.

what are you wearing today?  a cute outfit?  workout clothes?  make up?  no make up?  what does your every day wear look like?  and any new products or packaging you are loving?  i know a lot of questions….so let’s just chat!

i had this post and that post but no post seemed right today.

yesterday, as i drove to ikea, in a giant white pick up truck, to buy patio furniture for my husband to put together, other peoples lives were being pulled apart.  i’m sure your heart is aching with each sound of the newscasters reports.  and the ache of those who have lost loved ones can’t be put to words.  i haven’t even been able to turn the tv on, other than a blaring episode of peppa pig, as i sometimes just can’t take the visuals of devastation.

how to do you handle hard times?  do you hide out?  do you take action?  do you divert your attention?  i sometimes do a little of each.  i hug my loved ones a little tighter and pray throughout the day.

hug your babies today.  squeeze your loved ones.  take a deep breathe.  whisper  prayers.  pay attention to the little things.  give however you are able and take courage.

sometimes we just have to take it.

take it for yourself and whatever trial you are facing.  take it for a friend who can’t find it for themselves.  take it for today, because today is really all we are promised.  take it for your little ones so they know it is there for the taking and where to find it.

and, once you take courage you can take action.  that’s how it works.  whether that is saying a prayer.  giving a donation.  making a meal.  taking someone in.  or whispering words of encouragement.

so lovelies, take courage and take action.

i’d love to hear how you do your taking.

a few ways to take action to help the victims in OKC, even from a distance, are through these wonderful organizations :

American Red Cross- Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, donate online, or donate by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS.If you’re searching for a missing relative, check Red Cross Safe & Well site. And please register if you’re within the disaster region. The site is designed to make communication easier after a tragedy like this.

Salvation Army- Donate online or text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts or make a donation by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. If you’re sending a check make sure you put the words “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157.

Operation USA- Donate online, by phone at 1-800-678-7255, or by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036. You can also donate $10 by texting AID to 50555. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief- This organization says donations will “go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters.”  It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed).  Send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.

image : artwork by landon metz (if you are in need of some beauty today his artwork is gorgeous + soothing).

i found out about laura, affectionately known as the hollywood housewife, from a good friend who reads her blog daily.  laura is a small town oklahoma girl turned hollywood housewife,  for reals.  i quickly took a liking to laura and her blog as she is a writer at heart and lover of books.  her posts are honest, endearing and thought provoking.  and if i’m ever trying to figure out what to read next, well, i know where to look.  laura and i met at ALT and i only wish we had more time to get to know each other better.

My luggage. I travel at least once a month and usually more. This year I’ve already been to Colorado, Salt Lake City, Vegas, Oklahoma, Dallas, and Palm Springs. This bag is from my trip to a blogging conference down in Laguna Niquel. I’ve been home almost two weeks and the thing is still unpacked at the foot of my bed. If I don’t tackle it right away, I get super lazy about it. Come to think of it, this is true for most tasks in my life.

Books. I have a serious book buying addiction. I have more than I could possibly read. And since I bought a Kindle Paperwhite (you can see it peeking out at the top of the stack), the instant purchase gratification is out of control. Lest you think this is a humble brag, I really have forced myself on a hiatus until I make some progress on my current To Read list. I keep a stack of books that I’m excited about on my bedside table, which means that space is never as pristine as I would like for it to be. But I’m okay with that kind of clutter because having books around brings me comfort.

A major theme in my life is Start Where You Are. Too often I’ll talk myself out of trying something new or making a change because it seems overwhelming, or because I feel like I need to be more prepared in some way. But it’s not true. Start where you with what’s in front of you. One step leads to the next to the next. I have to remind myself daily.

/  /  /  /  /  /

so, i this could totally be my monday mess.  i don’t have a unpacked suitcase at the moment but, like laura, if i don’t do it right away than it just might stay packed until the next trip.  what about you?  and books, don’t get me started on bedside books.  ok, do.  i just added this book + this one, over the weekend.  what books are on your bedside table?

p.s. last month i did an interview with laura for all parenting (where she writes a regular column) on moms who blog, you can read it here.

images : hollywood housewife

happy friday!  ok, i know this is not my normal fave friday photos of the week but i haven’t taken a ton  nor had time to go through them.  and, i apologize that this photo is is so grainy (you can see it properly, along with the rest of the gorgeous home here).  i did a big no no and increased the size, but the truth is i just love it so much that i wanted to post it.  i’m totally loving the black and white situation carried outdoors.  we are going to be cleaning up our deck and bringing up the patio furniture and i’m so wishing that i could recover our (pink) cushions in black and then find a pretty flower chandy like that.  viola …. porch heaven!

these past few weeks and next coming ones are crazy schedule wise.  i’m trying my best to just take it day by day.  tonight we are finally celebrating rocco’s birthday and tomorrow night we are going out on a date. and, in between and after that there are a million practices, school parties, organizing and errands to do.

what about you?  tell me your weekend is going to be super relaxing and let me hear all about it!

have a happy one, lovelies!  xo

i also write for euro style lighting and this weeks post is super fun (or should i say how to create it in your home).

A FEW OF MY FAVES  THIS WEEK +
01 / would you make homemade wrapping paper?  i would.
02 / spring cleaning?  how about your pantry?
03 / i still ooh and ahh over her house.
04 / i should be eating this but i’d rather be eating this (it just says welcome summer).
05 / does anybody watch this?  someone told me that the girl looks like me when i was younger.  i’m now kind of sucked in and missing my 18 year old face.

also, don’t forget the tree trial + discount with honest for La La Lovely readers.

FOR MORE  LOVELY + Inspiration : PINTEREST / Chatter :  TWITTER / Conversation : FACEBOOK / Pictures : INSTAGRAM

lately, i love been loving lockers.  like want a pair for my house in a bad way kind of loving.  i envision them in a mudroom looking all vintage and cool but hiding all of my kids things.  coat hooks just don’t seem to be doing the trick anymore.

and what about in the kitchen like the photo above?  that thought never occurred to me.  i’m also in desperate need of a pantry (i don’t have a built in) thanks to the appetites of 4 little (some not so little anymore) la las.  the built in version (pictured) are pretty great, right?

of course, they would great in a kids room or a playroom to hide and organize all of the toys.  i think lockers would also be a great solution and addition to an office holding papers, pens, notebooks, binders, files and everything this and that.  but alas, i’m still dreaming of them to hold my kids things.  i’d even be happy to have a set in the garage collecting our mile high shoe pile.

what about you?  would you use lockers in your home?  have you seen any other great uses for them? i hope to find some soon!

if your looking for other ways to make your home creative and fun, i’m sharing some tips on how to do so over here.

images : megan morton / apartment therapy / rafa-kids / 100 layer cakelet

1/ butter london west end wonderland 2/ benefit smokin eyes 3/ butter london crumpet 4/ mac lustreglass in love nectar

i’m kind of in love with my new sam edelman heels which i lovingly refer to as my princess kate shoes.  because, see…right here.  kind of, right?  i was looking for a pair of shoes to wear to my brothers wedding, this past weekend, with this dress and i wanted something really classic and that i could wear in my everyday style too.  these did not dissapoint.  they are on major sale and hey it is a small price to pay to feel like princess kate for a day.

so, speaking of the wedding i went a little overboard with the nude / natural look.  the above are a few beauty products that i’m loving at the moment.

and if you are wondering about the wedding

it went well.  my brother was so happy which made my heart so happy.  i missed the entire service because rocco was all kinds of wild (no surprise there) so i can’t wait to watch the video.  at the reception we all danced our troubles away and it felt pretty great.  i hope to post a few pictures when we get them.

it’s monday which means there’s usually talk of messes.  today, i thought it would be fun to chat about un-messing.  and by un-messing, i mean cleaning.  like it or loathe it?  it’s debatable, i know.  it’s one of those jobs that is never fully done and starts un-doing the minute it’s done.  so let’s discuss.

when it comes to cleaning i’m always on the lookout for products that work well, are natural, and, of course, affordable.   from my experience this combination is hard to come by (especially in the middle part of the country where i live).  i’m by no means entirely green but i’m slowly making changes where i can.

i currently have a few faves from The Honest Company that i think you might like too.  I’ve known about Honest for sometime but i got to know them at ALT this past year.  i kind of took a big sigh and nodded with a giant yes when i heard their approach to going green, “make small changes and over time it makes an impact.”  for most people it’s hard (and not accessible) to change everything all at once.  and if you are considering, it’s the price tag that usually makes the final decision for you.

so, for me, instead of getting rid of my old cleaning products, i decided to add in.  i simply tried a few new ones before i threw out the old.  i ordered a few things from Honest and have been using them for several months.

these two cleaning products have become regulars + work like a charm + i’ve even found a secret use for both of them :

Multi-Surface Cleaner : like its name it works on multiple surfaces.  i like using it on granite, high chairs, the kitchen table and toys.

my secret use : stainless steel.  i don’t know about you but i’ve bought many pricey stainless steel cleaners over the years and none have wowed me.  i was pleasantly surprised at how well the Multi-Surface Cleaner worked on my stainless steel fridge.  smudges be gone.

Dish Soap :  love it for dishes, yes and yes (and feel so much better knowing my littles cups are cleaned with non toxic soap.  i do a lot of hand washing so this is big for me).

secret use : carpet cleaner.  who knew?  remember my new land of nod rug?  well it’s already seen its fair share of spills.  one winter day it was hot chocolate splattered everywhere and another random day it was smothered cuties crusted into the carpet.  both stains came out with the Dish Soap and a little water.

have you tried Honest?  i’d love to hear what products you love and how you use them.

a few products i’d like to try next are the Healing Balm (i heard some people are using it on their crows feet and blemishes – for real) and the Conditioning Mist (for both myself and my kids).

you can sign up for the subscription service here.

confession : i was always afraid to sign up for a subscription and not sure if i wanted that many products, that often.  but, honestly, it has been perfect.  if you bundle your products, you save more,   and you can mix cleaning, baby, and bath and body products.  you can even change your shipping frequency between 4, 6, or 8 weeks (as needed).  and the best part is that you can easily make selections and updates on the Honest Baby App, which i’m slightly obsessed with.   a few clicks on my phone and ta da everything shows up at my door.

if you’d like to give Honest a try check out their free trial.  and, La La Lovely readers can enjoy $10 off a $40 minimum purchase on first-time orders only (one per customer) with code LaLaLovely10off40.  expires may 20, 2013.

this post is sponsored by Honest.  all opinions are my own.

two, how do you do?  i’ve known you three other times and you’ve been sweet but this time i find you rather bitter.  yes, in the form of my squishy and smiley little guy you could not be sweeter but in knowing this is likely the last time two lives in our home, i feel a little sour.

sweet rocco you are sunshine through and through.  pudgy hands and thumpy feet that leave smudges of happiness down the halls and in our hearts.

+you are so animated with the cutest little expressions that i somehow know that i used to make
+instead of yes, it’s a sure “mmmhmmm” and to that i can never say no
+you insist on going to bed with at least two binkies (memees). preferably three.  one for your mouth.  and one for each hand.
+whatever liam does or has, you must have or do too
+it’s been all about muno but as of last week spiderman (man) it is
+meal times are wild.  no sitting still.  food everywhere.  walking on tables.  begging for coocoo (cookie).
+you can break dance with the best of them
+ we call you roc, rocco the taco, and (i’m sorry) little roc
+you’re favorite book is wild animals by rop van mierlo
+you love to watch common + colbie caillat break it down with elmo
+you just started giving bear hugs and i hope you never stop
+you look up to uLA, Uke and EEum
+when i’m not looking you dance like maniac in your car seat.  but i always catch a glimpse.
+you love to put on my shoes or anyones that might be laying around

by now it may be known that your name means rest.  truth be told you are my most active.  the messes you make are second to none.  i’m always right behind picking up after you or you are right behind me undoing what i’ve done.  your running.  i’m chasing.  but here we are together.  maybe you don’t afford me physical rest but you’ve given my soul some.  that is the kind i need anyways.  the peace of mind kind.  good day.  bad day.  random, nothing new kind of day.  and there you are shining your sweet smile my way and covering me with little heaps of happiness.  giggling goodness back into my serious self.  creating chaos and casting calm into my heart.  finding rest when you rest your head upon me.  it’s all there wrapped up in your pudgy little body and bright shining eyes.

although it’s your birthday, i’m the one who gets the gift.  and i pray that two with you is imprinted in my mind and stamped upon my heart for all the three and four and forty fours that follow.

ahh london.  it seems like it was all a dream.   this trip was somewhat of a last minute thing but i’m so glad i ended up going.  i tagged along with some of my close friends and we went to colour conference  which was pretty amazing.  after a few days at the conference in london i headed south to worthing to visit my british bestie, maggie.  maggie and i have been friends for almost 20 years.  on my very first trip to england i stayed with her family and we’ve stayed great friends over the years.  i spent time with her sweet family, drank lots of tea and chatted and chatted and chatted.

+the colored houses get me every single time.  made a super quick trip to the portobello market with a friend.  could have spent hours wandering about

+we stayed right in the piccadilly circus area which was perfect.  with paul + laduree near by my taste buds traveled to france.

+i brought along my baggu pouch which is my new favorite thing.  it was perfect to slip on my wrist and it held all my essentials.  i have the medium gold pouch and the neon strap.  i’ve been using it almost everyday since i’ve been home too.

+maggie’s mom, Pam Weaver,  has written several books and it was fun to see them at the bookstore

so, i had a bit of money saved up for a new couch and i spent it on this trip instead.  usually, if given the choice, i’ll take the trip every time.  things come and go but memories last a lifetime.  my sister, who kept pushing me to go, said i should be able to live on this trip for a good 6 months and i believe she is right.  i shared a bit about why i went and i can’t tell you how happy i am that i did.  now instead of geting annoyed every time i look at my mangy old couch i just smile.

is it any wonder that today i picked something so proper?  probably not, because as i write this i’m still in my bath robe and pajama pants (which i wore in the car to drop the littles off at school – don’t worry, i stayed in the car).

i’m liking this ensemble quite a lot.  red shoes.  ripped jeans.  the little louis case .  would you wear this?  i’d be feeling all businessy trina…ready to take on the world.

if you are looking for some rugged jeans…i’m loving these destroyed skinnies by free people.

what about you, lovelies?  what do you wishing you were wearing today?

oh, and after my long businessy kind of day, i’d spend my evening here!