I love a good kitchen cart.  Not only are they functional but they add a lot of character and even whimsy to a rather plain kitchen.  Perfect for prepping and super for stacking.  I even love the idea of using them outside of the kitchen.  This is an especially fun idea.

(Ikea The Shiny Squirrel Rue)

Thank you to everyone who participated in last weeks giveaway from UPrinting.

And the winner, chosen via random.org,  is . . . #1 Jess!  Congrats + please e-mail to claim your prize!

Something I want to wear

A little quirk for no apparent reason at all.

Too pretty to eat.  But I’d be happy to oblige.

Words to remember.

A pretty kitchen with a mirror in it.

Although I’ll probably never get a tattoo, I love searching for them.

Always something pretty for the walls.

All my lovings this week are from  Pinterest  as I’ve been speeding some the over there spring cleaning and pinning away.  A few fun things to note: I have a really fun 80′s board / Like Gag Me With a Spoon and I just started a new board for boys called About a Boy.  You can follow all of my pins right here.

What about you?  Are you still loving Pinterest as much as I am?  And anything in particular that you are loving this week?

PS-  I’m over on one of my fave blogs today – SHOP SWEET THINGS….stop by!

Our animal party was wild (I even sported some leopard pants).  Rocco had a great first birthday party.  He went totally nuts over the cake.  Like, it took no prodding at all and I think he may even think cake to be a daily meal now?!  It was so fun to celebrate with family and friends and thank you dear readers for sharing in the celebration with me (party inspiration found here)!

PS. My pink bow is from Ban.do (comes in black + gold too) and I LOVE it.

More party photos over on Instagram.

Happy Friday lovelies.  So, who doesn’t love a little crazy baby face?   Yesterday was Rocco’s 1st Birthday and tomorrow is his party!  I can’t wait to share some photos next week.  Between Rocco’s birthday, family being in town and Mother’s Day, it’s sure to be a big weekend.  What about you?  Do you have any big plans?  How are you celebrating Mother’s Day?

xxoo

< a F E W of my  F A V E S  this week >

01 / Mother’s Day Brunch I’d like to be invited to (And a great recipe if you still aren’t sure what to make).

02 / Such a fun idea for a weekend craft or last minute homemade Mother’s Day gift.

03 / Have you ever done this with Cool Whip?

04 / What is your take on toys?  This makes so much sense.  I first heard of this book from Jora + I’m pretty sure I need it.

05 / Gold gilded notebooks – yes, please!

06 / On the cover of a magazine.  So great to see blogger friends featured!

07 / Olive Us.  Seriously?  Seriously? . . . That is all I can say because I just might want to live in the video.  It is only feeding my, almost hourly, habit of day dreaming about living in France with a brood of babies.

. . . and don’t forget our giveaway!

FOR MORE  L O V E L Y :

Inspiration / PINTEREST
Chatter / TWITTER
Conversation/  FACEBOOK
Pictures / INSTAGRAM

One.  They say it is the longest short year there is.  I know this to be true from 3 other little la la’s but with you, Rocco, its been nothing short of too fast.  If I really think about you being one today, my heart kind of aches a little.

+You easy going.  I’m not sure if it is because you have to be (with 3 olders in front of you) or if that is just who you are?
+You have the sweetest little lips that form the prettiest little big smile that I ever did see (don’t tell the others).
+You seem to have patience, like an old soul, you are.  Thank you for making up for my impatience.
+You say “hi” over and over again, with the cutest of waves.
+You broke the mold and grew straight blonde locks.
+You are very serious about your food and no matter how many new tastes I offer, for now, you only prefer, bread, yogurt, veggie chips, crackers + bananas.
+When I give you your binky at night you, you look for any extras and trade it out for the one I gave you.
+You just started crawling (which is a-ok, by me) and you move in a very steady, thought out kind of way (slightly different from LB who crawled with one leg like a little monkey).
+You are a crumb picker at his best.  You can track down the tiniest piece of something, a whole room away, and then attempt to eat it.  Who knows what has made its way to your stomach so far.
+You love going on walks with me.  You and I are walking partners, indeed.
+You have a scrunchy smile, where you wrinkle your nose + squint your eyes.  You’ve been doing this from the start.
+You are a good little sleeper and for that I thank God!
+So far your words are dog, hi, and Ella.
+You are 22 pounds of pure baby goodness…rippled legs, wrist rolls, dimples and baby cleavage all very appetizing.
+You are such a honey.  So much so, that I really want another.  But I can’t imagine one any sweeter than you.  You are the perfect ending.  The icing on the cake.

Your face lights up the room.  It lights up our house.  Dear boy, it lights up my life.  You know the song, You are my sunshine, my only sunshine?  Perhaps over sang, yes. But the bit about you make me happy when skies are gray…..I’ve never known it to be truer, dear one.  Your name means rest and that you are.  Named on a day and in a time in our lives where rest was not likely in more ways than one.  And, true to your name, you have been the rest that our tired hearts have needed.  Today my heart is still tired and my mind and body weary but when I gaze upon your sweet face little one, I find the rest that I need.  And I hope that, one day, when you find yourself in a time that is tiring, a day or even a season that makes you weary, that you can find the rest that you need in me.  We will always be each others home.  I love you Rockwell Royal and I thank my giving God for you!

Wonder why we chose the name Rockwell Royal? It’s all over here along with some really cute newborn pictures.

Sunnies / Jeans / Nail Polish / Shoes

Still looking for something to make for Mother’s Day Brunch?  I made this salad for Easter and fell in love with it.  So good and perfect for a spring Mother’s Day.

And something to wear?  What about one of these items to add a little pep in your step?

(My Recipes)

I love a good business card.  A good one always tells a bit of story.  It tells you a little bit about who the person (or business is).   Now a days it seems everyone has a business card.  Even stay at home mom’s have play date cards (has anyone come across this in real life?  I wonder?!).  I love when people add a bit of creativity to their cards or the presentation of them (like above).  And, hey speaking of cards, do you remember all of the fab cards I showed you from ALT? And here are what my cards look like).

How about a business card giveaway?

Today’s giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting.  UPrinting prints a number of fun things, like, posters, canvases, magnets, stickers, greeting cards and yes, business cards.

They are offering one lucky winner a chance to win 25o piece die cut  business card printing!

Prize Details :
Sizes to choose from :
2 x 3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×3.5″ Leaf, 2×3.5
Rounded one corner, 2×3.5″ Half Circle Side, 2×3.5″ Oval, 2.5″ Circle

Paper to choose from :
14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated,
(6 Business Days Turnaround + Free shipping)

How to Enter:
*Leave a comment letting me know the most memorable card you’ve come across

*For extra entries (leave a comment letting me know you did so):
-Like UPrinting on FACEBOOK
-Like la la on  FACEBOOK
-Follow la la on TWITTER /  PINTEREST

*a winner will be chosen at random and announced on May 16th.
*giveaway open to US Residents only.

(Imogen Offer)

This Bed.  Such a gorgeous idea.

Lately, I’ve been really wanting a cat, in a bad way.  I think they just make a house a lot more of a home.

and these by Mieke Verbijlen make me particularly want a black cat with white boots.

Hand dipped wooden bowls from Wind and Willow Home.  Happiness stacked.

Vanilla Bean Bundt - yes, please, with a cup of tea.

Geoff McFetridge Wallpaper in Busy Philipps’ daughter Birdie’s room spied on The Glow.

Wish I could just whip my hair up in a braid like this.

I think I’ve covered everything . . . a cat, striped bed, good food, killer wallpaper + lovely hair.  And what about you?  What are you  loving this week?