hello monday {link-up!}

January 23rd | hello monday

Hello friends! It’s Monday–a new week and a fresh start. I’m sharing pics of our mantle–all ready for Valentine’s day. I found the antlers at a thrift store and thought they were kind of cool–but my family has had various reactions. Hmmmm…Hello rainy day

Hello fireplace warming our toes

Hello wishing I could sleep until noon {rainy days are like that!}Hello no school {teacher in service}

Hello pancakes and a slow morning {love that!}

Hello to-do list that I shouldn’t put off too longHello white bean chili for dinner

Hello preparing lunches ahead of time so we eat out less {egg salad sandwich anyone?}

Hello blending up food for David and trying to work more protein into his diet {he only eats blended foods}Hello projects for the home.

Hello sprinkling hearts everywhere and getting ready for Valentine’s day

Hello wishing we could paint the kitchen cabinets

Hello sister time tonight–yay!

Hello new week full of projects and ideas

Hello Monday–it’s going to be fabulous. I can just feel it!

What are you saying hello to today? Leave a comment or link up in the comments section!

friday love {instagram}

January 20th | instagram

It’s Friday {I am thrilled!} and I’m linking up with Jeannett at Life Rearranged to share cell phone pics from the week.Matthias’ birthday cake was super colorful and pretty yummy too!

Saturday mornings usually involve pancakes around here. Sometimes with blueberries and chocolate chips baked in, and bananas and syrup on top!

Sometimes an apron can come in very handy.

Left, Steve and I managed to squeeze in a date night last weekend and it was so fabulous! Right, Sunday was Matthias’ actual birthday. We went to CPK for lunch and then let him pick out books at Barnes and Noble. So fun.

David fell asleep in the car and Matthias held his hand. And my heart melted.

My friend Brenda surprised me with flowers this week. I felt so loved!

This feather chandelier at Sally Loo’s caught my eye. Isn’t it adorable?

Mmmm, coffee really makes mornings better.

A very chilly winter afternoon and some birdies hanging around.

David’s new favorite activity is to dump all the crayons out of the box. It’s a pain to clean up, but it’s a colorful mess.

This weekend is mellow—which is just what we need! What are your weekend plans?

huge announcement–wholesale line!

January 19th | events, jewelry

Dear friends, I am thrilled to announce our brand new wholesale line heartfelt by lisa leonard designs!! We’ve been working on this for months–and I can finally spill the beans.The new line is full of beautiful, meaningful pieces that will make your heart happy.And these pieces aren’t available in our online shop–they are just for boutiques and retailers. So incredibly exciting!If you’re a shop owner, contact us at wholesale@lisaleonardonline.com. If you’re not a shop owner, let your favorite local boutiques know about our new wholesale line!This has been a labor of love–not just for me, but for our team. We’ve poured hundreds of hours into the collection and we are giddy to share it with you. I know you’re going to LOVE it as much as I do! Hop over to the shop to get a few more details and request a catalog.

what i wore wednesday

January 18th | what i wore wednesdays

It’s Wednesday and I’m linking up with Lindsey at the Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!
Above, lately it’s all about layers. The mornings are very chilly and the weather warms up quite a bit by noon. Olive blouse and cream sweater, both Target. Rust skinny cords and denim jacket, both Gap. My grandmother’s locket. Bracelet, my shop. Heels, thrifted for $2!Birdie blouse, gray sweater, black bomber jacket, and gray wedges, all Target. Skinny jeans, Limited via TJ Maxx {only $16–I think I might back for another pair!} Scarf, Anthropologie

I see boots in my future–there is rain in the forecast this week!

Matthias’ 8th birthday party

January 17th | DIY, events, family

Hello friends! I thought I’d share some pics from Matthias’ birthday party on Friday afternoon. I tried to keep it suuuper simple–but it’s still always a lot of work. This party came together really well and the kids had a blast.
I thought I’d swing by and get some balloons at the grocery store and it took forever. Sheesh! Thankfully, Matthias loved them, and they do add a lot of fun and color.The cake was just a vanilla cake baked in a bundt pan–but then I separated the frosting into 6 parts and used food coloring to make it colorful. I warmed it in the microwave just a bit so it would drizzle over the sides of the cake.Candles made it even more fun.Paper plates and napkins were from Target.I used paint brushes to hold the helium balloons in place–a couple of the balloons still wanted to fly around.For the party favors, we got each kiddos a box of skittles and they were stoked. So cute.Bonnie Johnson came and taught an art lesson. Matthias chose a power ranger for the subject of the painting. Each kid had a set-up with various size brushes, pencil, eraser, paper towel and canvas. First she she showed the group how to draw an outline of the power ranger in pencil. She went step by step.They did such a fabulous job. I love how each one turned out differently.Matthias blew out his candles, opened presents {he received so many nice things!} and the kids went home. Yay the party was a success!Then we cleaned up the leftovers and went to bed early!

Happy Birthday, Matthias! I can’t believe you are 8 years old. You are creative, smart and insightful. I can’t wait to watch you grow and learn new things this year. I love you so much!

hello monday {link-up}

January 16th | hello monday

These pics are taken at a new cafe downtown called urbane cafe. It’s on Higuera and Morro and it’s my new fave.  I think about it all the time. I’m addicted the the cilantro chicken salad with chipotle dressing. Yum.hello to making the weekend last a little longer

hello lazy morning and cartoonshello to my 8 year old son {good-bye wonderful birthday weekend!}

hello wondering where the time has gone? {i have an 8 and a 9 year old?!}

hello feeling like i enjoy my boys more and more as they get biggerhello avocado, cilantro and lime–such a delicious snack

hello cutting back on artificial sugar and diet soda–and i haven’t missed it much

hello planning for Blissdom. are you going?

hello looking forward to girl time {i need some!}

hello meeting new friendshello washing sheets and towels today {and putting away loads of clean laundry}

hello continuing to organize and menu plan–i’m still keeping up with my new year’s resolution

hello big BIG announcement we are making later this week

hello hardly being able to hold in my excitement!hello ideas to freshen up our home {a little paint and a few throw pillows}

hello loving color–maybe a lime green coffee table?hello family picture that captures our crazy fam–Matthias is grumpy, David won’t sit still.

hello monday! it’s starting off slow and it’s time to GO!

what does your week hold? let us know or link up in the comments section and let us know.

friday love {instagram}

January 13th | instagram

I am so glad it’s Friday! I’m linking up my photos from the week with Jeannett at Life Rearranged. Join us!I was about to take a simple picture of the sky when this bluebird hopped into the shot. I was so pleasantly surprised!

Sometimes even dirty dishes in the sink can catch my eye. I love this color combination.

The other day, David decided he was in no hurry to get up. I think he slept until almost 9am. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Part of the January photo a day challenge on instagram–routines. I just love David’s silly smile. And he sure loves bathtime!

We had a pulmonology appointment for David at UCLA on Monday. Then we spent a couple hours at Universal Studios. Matthias couldn’t wait to get cotton candy.

David sure loves his daddy. And his daddy loves him right back.

I came across this photo of the boys the other day and my heart melted. They were so tiny! We were at a pumpkin patch. David was 2 years old and Matthias was about 10 months. Crazy!

Nothing wrong with polka dots and red shoes.

The nights have been super cold, followed by foggy mornings and then sunshine breaking through. It makes everything look kind of magical.

To celebrate Matthias’ birthday with his class we dipped oreos in frosting {I used blue food coloring} and added a few sprinkles. Way easier than cupcakes and super yummy!

We are celebrating Matthias’ birthday with a few friends this evening and then we are ready for the weekend–and some relaxing. I’m hoping to spend some time creating and some time organizing. What are your weekend plans?

inspiring images; fall in love workshop

January 12th | inspiration

Remember how I told you about the inspiring photo shoots from the fall in love workshop and showed you this video? I finally have images to show you! It was such a magical time together. Four amazing and seriously sweet photographers came all the way from Sweden and with Cameron’s vision, we spent a few days together being creative and dreaming. I styled a couple of photo shoots and here are the results.

Here are the seriously talented vendors involved: Hair & Makeup: The Queens Bees /
Hair Pieces: Lo Boheme / Flowers: Adornments / Decor: Ruby Rose / Video: Joel VanZ / Venue: Flying Caballos Ranch / Stylist & Guest Speaker: Lisa Leonard Designs / Models: Megan & Mason.

When I’m feeling uninspired I browse around Pinterest, hop around my favorite blogs, and if I have an hour, walk around the cute shops downtown. Where do you go when you need inspiration?

what i wore wednesday

January 11th | what i wore wednesdays

It’s Wednesday and I’m linking up with Lindsey at the Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

I didn’t realize how much I love gray and yellow until I wore this outfit! Jeans, Banana Republic {like 3 years ago}. White shirt, Anthroplogie. Gray vest, Target. Shoes, Ambiance {local boutique} by Poetic License.We were just about to leave for church when I snapped these pics. Matthias wants to wear a button-up shirt and boots every day. That bag around his chest is the swag bag from the creative connection conference a couple years ago. He fills it with crayons, paper, books, etc to keep him busy during church. This week it took him about 15 minutes to get bored. Hmmm.  His outfit is from Children’s Place. My skirt, Target. Gray tee, Kohls.  Jean Jacket, Gap. Boots, Anthropologie. Vintage necklace, Ruby Rose.This outift was full of color! The dress was a Christmas gift from Steve {thanks babe!}. Dress, Anthropologie. Vintage boots, Ruby Rose. Denim Jacket, gift from a friend, Old Navy. Chunky red necklace, souvenir from England. Bracelet from my shop {love}.

Today’s question–if you were planning an evening out {or staying in} to do whatever you want with friends or for a date–what would you plan?

daily routines

January 10th | an everyday moment, family

I’m participating in the instagram ‘January photo a day’ challenge and it’s been so fun and inspiring. Yesterday’s prompt was ‘routines’ and I snapped a pic of my morning coffee and David playing in the tub.  My mornings tend to begin with a warm cup of coffee and my evenings usually end with bathing the boys in a warm tub.  Maybe two of the best routines to make for a good day!

Other routines that make our days go smoothly…

Preparing a hot breakfast

Walking the boys to their classrooms at school

Browsing Pinterest for inspiration {and getting overwhelmed with so many good ideas!}

Unloading and loading the dishwasher. I love a clean kitchen

Chatting with Chrissie on the phone for 10 minutes

Sketching creative ideas

Blog hopping to keep up with my favorite bloggers

Snuggling with my sweetie on the couch and watching TV or a movie

* * *

What are some of your favorite routines?