Lisa Leonard

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when steve was away for two weeks (mission trip to scotland)

my parents came and stayed for a few days to help out

and keep me company.

and my dad recently got a nikon d5000

so one afternoon we took a photo walk up the trails near our home.

it was so fun to chat about lighting, and aperture

and angle and bokeh.

the above are some of the pics i took on our walk.

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my parents have turned into awesome grandparents.

i also love thrifting with my mom, talking photography with my dad,

and of course just being together.

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how do you connect with your parents as an adult?

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hello friends!

i seriously can’t believe september is here.

the first day of fall is september 23, but i am already for apples and pumpkins!

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we live in a cool climate, near the ocean

so i often layer for chilly mornings and sunny afternoons.

this week i really lost my rhythm.

steve was in scotland for a mission trip for two weeks

and he just got back yesterday (thank goodness!!).

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i’m linking up with lindsey for what i wore wednesday!

1.  cream top, cream sweater, skinny jeans all from target

open toe flats, resale shop

2.  olive knit dress, target

grey sweater, gap

boots, frye

3. jeans, gap

black tan (with ruffle at neck), sundance

cream sweater, gift from steve

same open toe shoes, resale shop

4.  jeans, gap

black dress, target

grey sweater vest, anthropologie

flats, target

5.  same jeans (yes, i wore them three days!) gap

tan tank, old navy

cream sweater, forever 21

scarf, gift from steve (from scotland!)

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what’s your favorite season to dress for?

spring’s sundress and sweater

summer’s simple shorts and tank

fall’s sweaters and boots

or winter’s layer upon cozy layer?

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max and matthias showed me how to whip up some bug stew the other night.

here is what i learned…

if you were a bug, you might think

“wow, that looks like a delicious stew.”

but you would soon find out “it’s deadly poison‘.

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the ingredients might seem simple

[grass, dirt, water]

but mixed in the right proportions and using special tools

it becomes “a lethal drink for flys, ants and spiders”.

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make sure to find an airtight container to store the “deadly poison”

and keep it away from curious little sisters.

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i’m pretty sure it’s organic, safe for humans and never tested on animals.

it should be available at your local hardware store soon, so keep an eye out!

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yep, that’s the best first day of school pic i got of the boys.

and i had to pull teeth to get it!

so i’ll throw it into a ‘back to school’ collage

and maybe it won’t seem so bad!

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i love a fresh start!

in some ways, the new school year feels more like ‘new years’ to me than january 1st!

we’ve got new socks and shoes and backpacks and teachers.

and it’s a great time to take a look at our family and make changes.

here are a few changes i want to make…

*make dinner at least 3x a week

*keep up with laundry (clean underwear, what a concept! ha!)

*get lunches and backpacks ready the night before (to avoid morning stress)

*get through email while the boys are in school (so i can relax in the evening)

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do you have any new [school] year resolutions?

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just a few pics from my iphone.

we are visting friends this weekend

and i got the most wonderful nap today.

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how’s your weekend?

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this is my good friend jen’s little girl.

gracie has tons of spunk packed into a tiny body.

and she makes me happy every time i see her.

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she recently graduated from crib to big girl bed.

in case, you didn’t know, this is a HUGE accomplishment.

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gracie couldn’t wait to show me her new bed.

complete with pink polka dot comforter.

love.

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oh gracie, you kill me!

thanks for showing me your new bed.

you are so big!

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it might be as big an accomplishment as moving into a big girl bed,

but i recently cleaned out my closet (yay!)

have you accomplished anything big or little lately??

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aqua chairs + yellow shoes must be a little glimpse of heaven.

photo shot at punch in santa barbara

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the detail in this flower

and the contrast. totally happy.

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a shiny pigeon perched on a coffee awning. two of my favorite things, birds & coffee.

and white dishes. i don’t have any. but aren’t they sweet?

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oh, carlitos. i seriously love love love your shrimp tacos.

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ok, the giveaway!

2,000+ comments? dang!

aaand… all that cake talk made me sooo hungry!!

our (randomly chosen) winner of the $100 gift cert to LLD and $100 to target

is nancy lefko.

email me at customerservice {at} lisaleonardonline.com.

congratulations!! and happy shopping.

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for the rest of you, if you’ve been waiting to order something

like this or this

you can use code hiphooray for 15% off. {expires friday at midnight}

click here to shop our hand-stamped jewelry.

hello friends!

today marks the first day of school for the boys!

and i’ve been joking that it’s the beginning of summer for me (ha!)

we’ve had such a wonderful summer. but i’m ready for more structure in our week.

we got new backpacks, packed a special lunch for each

and laid out their clothes last night.

yay for a new start!

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okay, what i’ve been wearing…

only four days to show you this week. guess i got busy!

be sure to check out lindsey’s blog for more WIWW!

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1.  strapless floral dress, cheapy boutique in santa barbara

belt, anthropologie

favorite gray sweater, target

black flip flops, bass

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2.  black ruffle top, kohls

black skinny jeans, target

green sweater with yellow flowers, anthro

yellow necklace, me

black flip flops, bass

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3. white eyelet dress, sundance

jeans, gap

fave gray sweater, target

red flats, target

red necklace, aqua necklace, me

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4. man the heat finally hit!

black tank with lace detail, target

jeans, gap

black ballet flats, target

aqua necklace, me

camera strap, sheyb

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question for today.

i feel pretty in kelly green or turquoise.

what is your favorite color to wear?

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yesterday {on a whim} i decided to pull over the car and walk a path to the ocean.

i think the quietness was calling me.

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there was no one else on the path, except for a few lizards

and the occasional bird.

it was so peaceful.

i soaked up the alone time.

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i had my camera with me so i snapped a few little bits of beauty.

little things that make my heart happy.

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and then i made a heart out of dried leaves.

kind of silly, but i love it .

so simple, but so much texture.

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do you ever sneak some alone time?

what’s your favorite way to catch your breath?

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i snuck away for some sister time this weekend.

we met in santa barbara and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

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we had the most {seriously} amazing red velvet cupcakes from

whodidly in montecito.

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santa barbara is such a beautiful place.

lots of mission details.

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we got stopped three times over the weekend so people could find out

what was going on with all that crazy curly hair.

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we had lots of time to talk and

moments when we laughed so hard we couldn’t breathe.

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i love yellow flowering trees (against a blue sky)

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i found these metal letters on etsy.

too fun.

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we are wrapping up summer and

getting ready for school to start on wednesday.

are you wrapping up summer?

any last minute plans??

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so many happy birthday wishes (thank you!),

anything sweet,

the ocean,

sunflowers,

sleeping in (soon to be a distant memory when school starts!),

little girls who come home from school in a cop car,

8:00 sunsets,

matthias setting up all his stuffed animals to watch tv,

polka dot garland,

apple trees,

orange marmalade,

resonating with friends made on the internet,

vintage books,

time with sisters,

kisses from my sweet boys,

clean sheets,

this necklace

and the weekend. yay!

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what’s making you smile?

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hello friends!

it’s my birthday today and i am so excited to celebrate with you.

each of you is such a gift and i love connecting with you through this little blog.

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a friend of mine surprised me with birthday flowers

and i found that darling book above at a thrift store yesterday.

blue + green cover with yellow flowers. what a birthday treat!

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and our living room was asking for a coffee table,

but sectionals can be tricky.

but i found the perfect (ugly) maple coffee table at my favorite thrift shop.

a lucky birthday find!

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which i promptly painted cream

added a super soft rug from target

and a cream throw we already had.

i can’t believe how much it softens up the room.

i might spend a lot of my birthday in this room soaking it up!

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a giveaway seems like the perfect way to celebrate!

don’t you think??

one lucky winner will get $100 to spend at lisa leonard designs

AND $100 to target {yay!!}

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1. leave a comment telling us YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR OF CAKE (yum.)

2. for extra entries… blog it, tweet it (@lisaleonard) and facebook about it.

3. make sure to leave a comment for each extra entry!!

4. we’ll randomly choose one winner a few days.

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i’m off to eat some chocolate chip cake with vanilla frosting!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. {thanks!!}

winner is nancy lefko. congrats!!

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wednesday again!

here is what i’ve been wearing over the last week or so…

1. grey dress with flower (dear diary boutique in santa barbara)

cream cardigan (gap)

skinny jeans (target)

flip flops (bass)

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2. black + white dress (target $12!!)

skinny jeans target

red flats (target)

fave gray sweater (target)

belt (anthro)

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3. dress (target)

jeans (gap)

same gray sweater (target)

same red shoes (target)

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4. dress (anthropologie $29 and so comfy!)

boots (jessica simpson)

long cream sweater (target)

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5. black dress (old navy)

skinny jeans (anthro)

belt (anthro)

black polka dot cardi (old navy)

{my camera strap is sheyb}

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i’m linking up with lindsey over at the pleated poppy!

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tell us, what is your absolute favorite item of clothing??

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an almost empty sky

except for towers and wires

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a huge sunflower

with so much detail and color

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and hilly road

under a tall windmill

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the dried up leftovers

of a dandelion

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the glow of sunset

so bright and sweet

it makes my heart want to burst.

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where are you finding beauty today?

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this weekend we attended a darling birthday party and two beautiful weddings.

today i’ll tell you about the first wedding.

which was infused with beauty and creativity down to the smallest details.

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the reception was held at the bride’s parents home.

they live on a few acres surrounded by hills and expansive sky.

an incredible setting!

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lots of white lights and paper lanterns sweetened the atmosphere.

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guests could type a note to the bride and groom.

the one above says, “you are the mint in my tea.”

love.

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clothespinned photos and simple boutineers.

simple, handmade touches make it so personal.

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the bridesmaids were gorgeous.

and each one wore one of our petite family crest necklaces.

so fun!

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windows, watering cans, bathtubs filled with chilling wine. so charming!

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guests were invited to fill bags with flavored coffee beans.

can you stand all the amazingness?!

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this was the head table.

love the mismatch chairs, the hung windows, the fresh flowers in mason jars.

sigh.

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more beauty and rustic charm.

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the view.

breathtaking.

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they even painted a huge watertower with the bride & groom’s names.

congratulations mr. and mrs. tarr!!

we are so thrilled for you!

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a wedding question for you…

did you {or would you} write your own vows or use traditional vows?