Wye Oak + good friends >>>

Today is all about work - work - work!  But, I had to stop and eat lunch, so I thought post a little blog real quick while I do.  Last night we snuck off to Austin for a semi-impromptu visit with our rekindled friend Robin and went to watch Wye Oak play at the Parish.  Her adorable cousin works the lights there so we got in all VIP style, we felt suave.  It was a great show and watching her cousin doing the lighting was almost more awesome than watching the band - she does amazingly cool stuff.  We ate at our new favorite restaurant in Austin, Bouldin Creek Cafe, where our friend Katelyn took us last time she visited Texas.  And it just so happened to be two blocks up from Robin's house.  She goes there every morning for coffee!  So we walked to get some yummy vegan food before the show and had good conversation.  It was a great night.  We got home around 3:30, which is super late for us old farts.  So today Im doing the best I can to keep myself on track.  Only a few days left before I unveil this big exciting project Im working on... So, I should get back to it!  But, before I do, look at Violet's hilarious face I caught on film in the photo below!  Is that not so funny???

 James was so cute last night talking about how close we were to the capital (neither of us have been in it before)...  6th street was bustling when we got out of the show.  Its been so long since Ive been to a show right on 6th street I forgot how crazy it gets down there.  For only being 2 hours away, it is soooo different than where I live.  I love it. 

 Time to get back to it.  It feels like there is so much going on this week.  Im having to remind myself to breath and relax to get through it all.  One thing at a time... I. Can. Do. It.

 PEACE,

Laura

That Vintage wood feather earrings giveaway >>>

Im very excited to bring this giveaway to you from Sophie Hill of That Vintage.  I love her work.  I have a ring with this same feather piece on it.  I find she has such a simple beauty in her work, and her pieces are absolutely perfect accessories for the fall season.

To enter, please leave ONE comment including ALL that you did below - If you do all 3 you get 3 points:

1.  Check out That Vintage and tell me your favorite piece
2.  'Like' That Vintage on facebook
3.  Follow That Vintage on twitter

Good luck!  Giveaway will end on the last day of October.

PEACE,

Laura

The Laura Bracelet >>>

Today was awesome... why you ask??? Because I found out a bracelet by an amazing designer was named after me! Thats right!  A few weeks ago I created a pair of earrings that just reminded me of my adorable online companion Moorea Seal, so I named them after her.  And she so kindly returned the favor and included this idea in her new bracelet collection, which is totally rad and I want every single one of them!  I completely did not expect it.  And she nailed it, out of all of them, that one is the most me.  Pretty cool eh?  This is one thing I love about this blogging and art community.  Being inspired by one another in the right way.  Not the... copycat way (which by the way is still happening and even has leaked into my new shop... something Im realizing is never really going to stop)... But, I love when an artist can be inspired by someone in a way that translates into their own art.  It's amazing.  Moorea has done this brilliantly.  I cant wait to get my hands on this bracelet.  The Kelly Ann is next on my list.  Then the Lauren.  Then the.....

Visit Moorea's blog post to see more details about these bracelets, they are each completely customizable!  Awesome!!!  And you get a discount for buying multiples.  Check them out in her shop here. 

PEACE,
Laura

Nico, Violet & Bella >>>

Not to brag or anything (okay, Im totally bragging)... but I think I have the cutest pets in the whole wide world.  Who's with me???  For those of you who are newer to the blog, let me introduce you...

This is Nico.  Our tiny little feathered friend who is so beautifully colored.  He has his own ipod (okay, its really our alarm clock, but during the day its his) and he comes alive when Paul McCartney comes on.  He also really loves a song from Ren & Stimpy (I was completely obsessed with that show when I was little).  He loves to french kiss himself in the mirror.  And he loves when I fold laundry on the bed, we just talk the whole time.  He is quite the silly little guy.  And every once in a while he sheds the most beautiful tri-colored feathers that I use in my feather in a bottle necklaces! 

This is Violet.  Sometimes I can hardly even call her a dog.  She is soooo sweet natured and such a silly love bug.  She loves to chase squirrels.  She loves carpet and rolls all around on it, rubbing her head into the ground and scratching her paws all over it like a crazy girl.  She loves car rides and sticking her head out the window to feel the breeze.  And she loves to eat feathers.  And cat poop.  But she is soooo cute, you just really cant get mad at her.  She gets really cuddly right before bed.  Oh, and she is very scared of storms.

This is Bella.  And as her name says, she is beautiful.  Her eyes look like she is wearing eyeliner.  She is lazy, and a bit wheezy.  She is a mommas girl and follows me around everywhere.  She randomly flops herself on the ground with a loud cat moan and looks up at your to rub her belly.  She steals my water our of my cups.  She loves to lay on top of things out of place.  She loves to roll around in the dirt.  She gets super playful right before bed.  And she has the cutest kitty breath ever (kind of gross i know, but i love it).

PEACE,

Laura

Tent Party >>>

We finally made our first tent party in our new house!  It officially feels like home now.  We used to make one about once a month in the old house, so this was longggg over due.  James left for a while the other day and joking said to have dinner done when he got home by candlelight.  He said it all demandingly, it was cute.  (and totally a joke)  So as soon as he left I started throwing together a tent party.  Its been up for three days, and James is currently laying under it watching Psych.  He came home early from work today b/c he was not feeling good at all.  There is a bug going around his work.  And now Im starting to feel like I may be getting sick.  Not good timing!  Im really hoping I can ward it off.

And guess who I found hanging out together under the tent???  Isnt that so cute!!!  I walked by to go to the bedroom and noticed them.  I love these moments. 

PEACE,

Laura

Dried Flowers >>>

These are the beautiful flowers that my friend Robin (the girl from my last post) brought me when she came over.  Are they not gorgeous?  I love that she brought me dried flowers.  I can keep them forever and remember this sweet turning point in our lives.  And of course, just one photo of them would not do.  I have to obsessively take photos of everything.  A sweet gift from a sweet girl.

Today Im working on lots of shipping.  Since yesterday was a holiday, today is my monday.  And... in 10 days I get to announce something crazy awesome that I cant wait to share with everyone!  No, Im not pregnant, although I am experiencing baby fever again.

PEACE,

Laura

Reconnecting >>>

Funny how being gone from my blog for only two days now seems like forever. This week has brought some pretty amazing things into my life. The day before yesterday we had an old friend visit us.  She was James girlfriend all through high school, and neither of us have really talked with her since school, almost 12 years now!  Its something I think we were all a bit apprehensive about, but at the same time really wanted to reconnect.  She was always someone I felt like I was connected to on a soul level, but being adolescent and hormonal, things got in the way of us ever really becoming good friends.  She came over for a little visit and ended up staying until 9:30 that night!  It was awesome.  We just talked and talked and talked... and re-realized how much we really are alike.  It was pretty amazing.  I can only hope its the beginning of a new beautiful friendship.  She is now in Austin which is only 2 hours away, so Im thinking it will be!  It was very cute to watch her and James interact as well.  He had this goofy grin he couldn't wipe off his face.  I love that we are all adults now and can look back on the past and laugh, and not be weird or jealous.  It feels super grown up.  It also makes for a deeper connection having those roots.  Im just absolutely giddy about it all.  And in a weird way, it has made me feel so much closer to James too.  Something we did together with nerves and courage, and came through with a new sense of understanding of life and relationships.  For the past two days all I have wanted to do is snuggle up under his arms and be crazy close.  

<<< these are just random photos from the week >>>

I got new glasses and they are wayyyyyy bigger than I thought they would be.  Still trying to decide if I love them or hate them.

Miss Violet hung out in the mud yesterday.  She insists on being outside even if its wet out.  When we brought her in last night she was COVERED in mud.  It was crazy!  I had to just pick her up and carry her straight to the bathtub.  And she got a little teeth brushin' while she was in there.  Im loving this rain, but it sure does a number on my dog!

Ive been posting new things in Roots and Feathers as I can, and will be more throughout the day.  I finally listed a few of the things from the sneak peek photos from earlier.  Go check out the shop!

PEACE,

Laura

Daily Outfit >>> Moorea Seal + Ruche

Yesterday I wore my favorite necklace for fall, my triple chevron necklace by Moorea Seal.  I got this necklace a while back as my one 'special' fall piece of jewelry.  I think Moorea is a really special artist, uber talented, so friendly and humble, just an all around cool cat and Im glad our paths have crossed in this huge infinite online world.  And this necklace couldn't compliment my most favorite pants of the season any more, my mustard cords from Threadsence (or Ruche).  Both tops Im wearing are from Forever 21.  I love fall fashion, it just suits my style.  So so happy its here!

Im slowly working on getting the rest of the new stuff for Roots and Feathers listed.  We have company coming today, so Ive been a bit side tracked with cleaning and other errands the past two days.  This morning I woke up to a very rainy day, which Im so grateful for.  We could use a straight week of rain here. 

PEACE,

Laura