Cheesecake & Blueberries >>>

Today, I ate cheesecake for lunch.  And I discovered my favorite new way to eat it, with chocolate and blueberries.  That is all.

PEACE,

Laura

Happy Birthday Mama >>>

Dear Mom,

Happy birthday!  You would be turning 57 today.  Can you believe your baby girl is going to turn the big 30 in less than two weeks?  It will be my first birthday without both you and dad.  Dont worry, Ill surround myself with some good souls.  You taught the value in good friends, and Ive made a few.  I spent the morning sitting by the window, working on a special custom order gypsy flag while listening to Joni Mitchell.  Just about the best way I can honor you I think.  Im about to make a cheesecake too.  Although really, thats just for me since I was always the one that wanted cheesecake for my birthday.  Your favorite was carrot cake, so for lazyness sake, I think Ill stick with the cheesecake.  ...Its hard not to think of you and wish wish wish.  Wish you could see my house, and all my creations, and what a beautiful man my husband has become, and all the ways Ive grown up these past 4 years... etc etc.  That feeling will never go away.  I guess my biggest wish is to know that you and dad are somewhere celebrating together this wonderful day that you came onto the earth.   I love you to the moon and beyond, farther than reality can conceive.

Love,

Laura Lou

Beach Waves - How To >>>

I just wanted to visually share how easy it is to create the beach waves that I have been sporting lately.  They come out slightly different everytime depending on how big or how many little buns I do.  The fewer, bigger buns you make, the larger the waves will be, and vice versa for smaller ones.  I have really thin hair, so 5 is pretty much my max.  The idea behind this method is that you dont have to use any harsh heating methods... but it takes time.  Like several hours for your hair to dry while its all curled up.  So, as you can see in step two, I will gently blow dry the curls before I take them all the way out if Im running short on time.  But if I know Im not leaving the house until after 2 or so, I can pin it up in the morning and then its ready to go when I am!

This beautiful organic handmade hemp tee you see above is from O Bella Organics.

PEACE,

Laura

Threads - For The Roses >>>

Can I just say... I think this is my favorite outfit post of all time.  Mostly because of the beautiful trees, and my hubs took the best pics he has ever taken!  Im so proud.  Im working on teaching him little things each time he takes them, and Im just so impressed!  Yesterday I wore a very simple outfit, but each piece really stood out.  This pretty floral top was my mamas.  I have actually never worn it, thinking I didnt like it on me.  I just sort of held onto it b/c it reminded me so much of her.  Im so glad I finally gave myself a chance in it, I actually love it on me!  The colors in it are so pretty.  And paired with my favorite blue velvet skinnies from Threadsence... perfect.  This pretty pretty chain headpiece was one that I featured in The Bohemian Collective for Moorea Seal.  Ill be honest, as much as I adore it, I was a little intimidated to wear it in an everyday street outfit, but again, Im so glad I did.  With such a simple outfit, it didnt feel as overdressed as I thought it would.  I just kept it as my main piece of jewelry.  (might the first time youve seen me without a necklace on).  So now Im excited to wear it more and more in daily life!  And of course, no outfit is complete without Blowfish shoes, right?  Im starting to think so...  Which by the way, they are having a 25% off all sale right now!!! 

Yesterday I received my first pieces in the mail for the next Bohemian Collective lookbook.  Im starting to get super excited.  I have plans for having another friend model with me for this one!  Im thrilled with the way its turning out so far just in the beginning stages.  This kind of stuff really gets me excited.  I just enjoy doing creative photoshoots soooo much.  

Today I have a laundry list of things to get done... so I better go get started!  Ill announce the winner of the vegan body care package tomorrow.  And dont forget to enter the Intuitive Heart Sanctuary giveaway!  Such a cool thing. 

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday, so Im sure Ill be missing her like crazy.  Not like I already dont.  But you know.  Birthday's are always hard ones.  Maybe Ill create something in her honor tomorrow.  Good god I miss that woman!  Its so weird when I look at pictures of myself, like the ones above, and I see so much of her in me.  Im definitely her little girl.  In every way.  

PEACE,

Laura

River + Friends = The Good Life >>>

Summertime is finally starting to kick in high gear over here for us. We finally took Violet down to the river by our house for the first time since weve lived here. Last year the drought was so bad you couldn't hardly get in anywhere. But since we have had some nice rain this season, it is still flowing.  She loved it.  Her and her daddy did some rock climbing, and her and I went on a nature hunt walk.  The cliffs are so beautiful down there.  The photo below does not do them justice.  And there are tons of swallows that fly all around there.  I cant wait to one day do a creative photoshoot down there again. 

I am loving my crochet bikini top from Motavations.  I also got a brown triangle style.  Love them both.  You can custom order them in larger sizes, which is what I had to do.  Such a super sweet girl behind this shop!  It makes me so happy when I come across other sellers who not only have quality product, but extremely good customer service and sweetness to go along with it.  She has it!

Yesterday we got together with some friends and went back down to the same river spot.  I didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pics... but goodness I need to invest in a waterproof camera.  All I could think about was taking pictures while I was in the river.  The sun was going down behind us and hitting everyone's hair in just the right way, it was killing me.  Oh, and we rode in the back of the truck down to the river, and the sun was shining through our hair blowing in the wind... I just wanted to capture the moment on video so badly.  Sometimes its almost hard for me to enjoy the moment (although I immensely did)... b/c my brain just sees pictures and light.  So anyway, we splashed around the water for a bit, then we all sat in the water with our beers (with the exception of james of course), and chatted till the sun went behind the cliffs and we all got hungry.  Then we went back to the house and grilled some Adolph burgers with Jonny spice.  The only way to eat a burger.  I know someone is going to ask... so Ill just explain.  Adolph's restaurant is james parents restaurant, and they sell the best burgers.  Our friend Jonny (the sweet boy on the right in the first two pics) created a crazy spice that we put on everything, so we call it Jonny spice.  The best combination in the world.

We listened to some music, grilled burgers, hula hooped, played guitar, sat by the campfire, drank some yummy beer, and just had a hell of a good time.  I love these guys so much.  Its such a good feeling to have friends you can completely be yourself with, all of the time.  I snapped some pics with each of these wonderful souls.  Then I put my camera away and enjoyed the night.

PEACE,

Laura

Intuitive Heart Sanctuary Online Retreat Giveaway >>>

Greetings good people!

My name is Lauren Luquin. I’m so grateful to be here to share my works and open my heart to you all. Thank you Laura... I am offering, an invitation to ride the currents with me... Vibes high, energized, nurtured, aligned, stimulated, blessed, warmed by the light of connection with other sisters.

I've created an online sanctuary for women to gather as we journey inward, nourishing our spiritual roots. We will integrate concepts from various nature-based and philosophical perspectives, within the context of a Metaphysical paradigm, and bridge our understandings of Self with that of our Family, Local and World Communities. Intuitive Heart Sanctuary is an online retreat for enhancing Self-Awareness within Community and Nature... This is an eCourse and Social Gathering all-in-one!

The Intuitive Heart Sanctuary is designed to nurture and awaken your spirit with teachings and prompts that guide you into heightened awareness and deep appreciation of all that surrounds you, including signs and symbols in nature and all the beings and events that show up on your life's path. It’s a venue to witness what shows up as the flame brightens between us... Featuring weekly videos, podcasts, a photo gallery, engaging activities, forum discussions, complimentary and inspirational music, and lots of resources to support you as you raise your consciousness and awaken to possibility.

This space is private and password protected, and once you register you are able to set up a personal profile within the group so we all get to know each other better. Everyone is encouraged to share thoughts and photos, and highlight their own offerings and services to the group in subtle ways that make it a sustainable network for branching out and supporting one another.

The Intuitive Heart Sanctuary will begin on 

June 25 - August 19, 2012 for Summer Session. 

 Get the details and read more about my intention for this offering here at,

www.intuitiveheartsanctuary.com

The winner will be invited to join the Intuitive Heart Sanctuary for free! 

<<< TO ENTER >>>

Follow Lauren via facebook

Follow Lauren via her blog

<<< EXTRA ENTRIES >>>

visit her shop & tell me your favorite item

follow her via twitter

follow her vimeo

Please leave one comment with your main entries, and an extra one for each of the extras!

Lauren Luquin is an Artist and Ordained Minister/Practitioner of Metaphysics living in Southern, CA with her husband, 2 children, and their dog. They enjoy unschooling, urban-farming, and natural living. She shares her poetry, stories, and art on her blog at www.laurenluquin.com. You can also connect with her through her Etsy shop VisionWise, Facebook,Twitter, and Vimeo. Join Intuitive Heart Sanctuary for Summer Session at www.intuitiveheartsanctuary.com .  

 

Geometric Fringed Crop Top DIY by Sincerely Kinsey >>>

Today I am super excited to share with you a fun diy from my sweet pal Kinsey.  If you have not yet visited her blog, you must, like now.  It is full of beautiful diys and equally amazing photography.  You will not be disappointed.  Since its sunday, this would be a great way to spend your afternoon.  Go grab one of your hubby's old plain tees that he never wears...

 Supplies: t shirt, bleach, cardboard, masking tape, scissors.
Pantry Supplies: Something to lay your t shirt on when applying the bleach. I used a large trash bag. 

First, begin by cutting off the sleeves, the hem, and create a lower neckline to have the fit of a cropped tank top. Next, cut out a stencil with the cardboard. I chose a simple wave pattern. You will also want to save some of the cardboard to place inside the shirt so that the bleach doesn't leak through to the other side. Next, tape out a simple design onto the t shirt. Now you're ready to begin the bleaching process. I ended up pouring the bleach into a plastic spray bottle, making it easier to aim where the bleach went. I used a heavy layer of bleach, causing it to seep through the tape a little. You can prevent this by spraying a less bleach and wiping it off the top of the tape with a towel as soon is it has contact. Use the cardboard as an outline and be creative! Once the spraying is complete, let it dry in the sun for a few hours. Once it's dry, fringe the bottom of the crop top. Lastly, rinse and hand wash your shirt. The reason I rinsed and washed it after cutting it was so that the fringe would curl a bit, giving it more of a rough cut look. All finished!  

Thank you Kinsey!

PEACE,

Laura

Threads - Mustard + Teal + Orange >>>

First, lets start with these doors, because they are just about the raddest thing.  Since we have been in our new house, we had them by the front door, which was cool... but it just didnt really show them off.  And Ive always wanted to do outfit pics by them, and couldnt because of where they were placed.  Yesterday I got the idea to move them onto our back porch, against our railing... one for prettyness, and two for a little privacy fence of sorts for our porch... since we can see into our neighbors yard from it.  So, Im revamping my porch, yet again, and Im loving it.  I couldn't wait to do an outfit post as soon as they got up, so here we are!  And... my hubby is on a marathon of brownie awards this week...  He came home yesterday and I was sitting on the back porch eating my lunch... and said to him that I wanted to move the doors out there (knowing this might freak out his darling OCD mind not knowing where they were going or how they would look)... he went back inside, and I thought he was making himself lunch.  A few minutes later, I find him scooting the doors along the living room floor with a towel (these babies are megaaaa heavy).  It was the sweetest thing.  Then he proceeded to sweep and clean the whole front of the house where they were.  He has been quietly doing sweet things like this all week, or more.  

Speaking of sweet things he has done... see these adorable orange sandals below???  We were at Target the other day and I spotted them, and realized they were exactly like the sandals I have of my moms (that are kind of falling apart and too big for me, but I wear them anyway)... but of course, orange.  I fell in love... but walked away b/c I didn't want to spend the money.  He demanded that I go back and get them b/c they reminded me of my mom and he wanted me to have them.  So, of course, I listened.  A girl knows when to accept!  Although in the end, it was a win win situation, b/c I had a gift card (that I didnt know how much was on it), and it was just enough to get me these sandals and this cute top without spending a dime.  

Oh, and since I thought I was going out last night on a date with my bestie (got rescheduled), I did the twist my hair up while its wet thing early in the day and let it sit for hours... and my hair got so wavy!  I love it!!!  I think Im hooked on this super easy do.  Maybe next time Ill take pics of the process to show you just how easy it is.   And.... as I mentioned in my last post, I gave myself a mani-pedi yesterday.  I never paint my nails and toes the same color... honestly it feels kind of silly, but I loved all the color going on yesterday!  So different than my norm, but still felt so me.  I basically loved this outfit and felt so good in it.  So comfy.

<<< outfit details >>>

top + jeans + sandals // target

necklace // roots and feathers

ring // f21

bracelets // flourish leather

PEACE,

Laura