Archive for August, 2010

how to make bug stew.

August 31st | family, matthias

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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!

a new school year.

August 30th | family

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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?

from the phone.

August 28th | finding beauty

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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?

gracie’s big girl bed.

August 27th | thoughts

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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??

little bits of color [and a winner]

August 26th | finding beauty

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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.

what i wore wednesday

August 25th | what i wore wednesdays

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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?

a quiet walk.

August 24th | finding beauty, thoughts

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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?

sister {getaway}

August 23rd | family

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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??

making me happy…

August 20th | family, finding beauty

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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?

birthday {giveaway} closed.

August 19th | jewelry

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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!!