Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

Orange Blossoms

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Welcome dear readers to this edition of Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}! Spring is in the air here in Southern California.  I recently had a lot on my mind {okay, I lied I always do!} and needed a little nature break.  Though, I am a huge fan of yoga, it was one of those days where I needed to be alone with my thoughts and my music.  I decided to take one of my favorite trail walks. Because I was seeking quiet, I continued down a different path that kept me away from the streets and walkways that I often end my walk on.  To my lovely surprise, I landed right where I needed to be, in the middle of an orange grove full of orange blossoms. I believe the smell of orange blossoms is one of the most beautiful smells in the world.  Have you had to the chance to experience that?  As a child, we had orange groves across the main street of our home.  When the spring sunshine came out around late February and early March, those groves would permeate the area with the most heavenly scent.  I felt that I landed there for the simple reason… to take a deep breath and take in that beautiful moment.  When was the last time you did that for yourself?

I know the hustle of life distracts us all, but I do believe we all need those moments to re-energize and refresh.  All those little worries I had jumbled in my ever thinking brain did stop {for about 10 minutes..wink}, but enough for me to let some of those worries go.  Sara and I hope that our Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} gives you a moment to enjoy some peace while feasting your eyes on some of favorite things out on the web.  We wish you a wonderful weekend, and remember if you are an Etsy Shop or Blogger, we’d love for you to link up your favorite posts of the week or your unique shop! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

words of wisdom....

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Hey, friends! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a fantastic week! Any signs of spring in your part of the world? How was your week… do anything fun? My husby has been at the fire station… literally all week long. The kids and I have been carrying on at home… soaking up the sunshine when we can, doing lots of art, attempting to focus on their studies, and doing the runaround with their extra curricular activities. My two littlest ones have birthdays in the next two weeks. Such a bittersweet time…. watching them grow up, another year older. I wish I could slow it all down and keep them little longer. We spent one evening this week looking through old photos on the computer {because I’ve yet to print them… no joke}. We had so much fun reminiscing of special moments in their early childhood years! I really can’t get a grasp on how quickly the time has gone by. It’s been a good reminder to soak up this two-year mountain holiday we are on. That’s kind of how I think of it in my mind. In just shy of a year and a half, we will most likely move back down the mountain and join the real world again… going back to school, possibly work, and buying a house. For now, I’m trying to fully enjoy this time in the mountains with my handsome husby and sweet four… homeschooling, staying in our pj’s until late in the morning, and doing family movie nights and dance parties whenever we feel the desire! It’s been blissful… 

So… how about that lovely quote from Henry David Thoreau pictured above? It truly speaks volumes, doesn’t it?! {I spotted it on Pinterest and followed the link, which took me to the delightful blog… One Beautiful Life. Not only a fabulous quote, but a wonderful post about facing the fear of uncertainty. Such a good read… I think you’ll enjoy it!} Nicole and I hope that you like our other finds this week! Please feel free to link-up with your favorite blog post, or your Etsy Shop! {A BIG thank you to our dear friends Jenny from Be… and Keep Being, and Megan from Yumology, for always linking-up! We love you girls so much! You have no idea how much your support means to us!} Have a wonderful weekend! {xo} [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

Long Beach

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Welcome to this lovely, yet rainy edition of Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}!  Sara and I have been waiting for the rain.  Yes I know, we often brag via Instagram about our lovely weather, but California is in dire need of rain or else those pretty pictures are going look barren and dry.  Speaking of pretty pictures, as a family we were able to get out of our usual 5-mile radius and return to our beloved Long Beach.  Mason requested a visit to The Queen Mary as his incentive reward for filling up his star chart. 

Sara and I met in college and lived in Long Beach up until we both got married.  It’s an amazing and beautiful city. It’s full of off the beaten path shops, restaurants, and gorgeous art deco buildings.  Perhaps you aren’t familiar with Long Beach, or maybe you have passed it by {maybe you’ve heard about it through Snoop {now Snoop Lion}… living in the LBC!}, I highly recommend putting it on your radar and paying this gorgeous city a little visit.  Better yet, email Sara and I, and we would be happy to be your tour guides {wink}! We are also toying with the idea of letting you in on some of our favorite places to go, and fun things to do, while visiting California… maybe through our Instagram feed? By the way, have you had a chance to check us out over there?  It’s the perfect way to get a sneak peak of our recipes on the blog and some of our moments with family and friends.  Go and check us out, and share with us some of your favorite IG feeds!

So… this weekend, Sara and I have a fun list of favorites for you to enjoy! If you are a blogger or have an Etsy shop, we’d be thrilled if you’d link-up to our favorite things! Enjoy the weekend, friends… and feel free to say “hello” by leaving a comment below! {xo} [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

 

Find Joy in the Journey {via: Simply Happenstance} #wordstoliveby

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Happy weekend! Hope you all have had a wonderful, healthy week! The days sure are flying by, aren’t they? Doing this {favorite things} post weekly, always serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly the week drifts by. One of my personal {ongoing} goals is to be more present… focusing not only on the joyful moments, but the mundane everyday kind, as well. Those less exciting moments seem to float by… unnoticed at times. We lose awareness of them, as we go about our day, moving from one activity {or obligation} to the next.

Driving down the mountain earlier this week, I experienced one of those moments. Husby was at the wheel, maneuvering confidently around each curve, while I was my normal self {anxiety stricken, fearing death with each bend, and queasy from carsickness}. All of the sudden, I stopped my train of thought and instead, focused on the beauty all around me… the low clouds, blue sky, and the stunning mountain side. It was a good reminder to find joy in the journey. It isn’t always an easy road {this life we live}… but we can always find beauty and reasons to be joyful if we change our perspective, attempt to be more present, and come from a place of thankfulness. I truly hope that you are finding joy in your life journey…  [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

 

be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow {via simply happenstance}

 :: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

How was your LOVE day?! Perfectly romantic and exciting, I hope! My husby is currently working a 72-hr. shift, so the kids and I had fun crafting the day away! I stayed up entirely too late the night before, making heart garland, and preparing a festive table for them to wake up to. {I’m sure lots of us mamas were up late decorating for our sweet little ones!} 

So… this weekend, Nicole and I have a fun list of favorites for you to enjoy! Some beauty, design, recipes, style… and even a darling video to share with you! If you are a blogger or have an Etsy shop, we’d be thrilled if you’d link-up to our favorite things! Enjoy the weekend, friends… and feel free to say “hello” by leaving a comment below! {xo} [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

il_570xN.269845813:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Oh my Valentine’s Day is next week! Remember those days as a kid waiting and hoping your secret crush would ask you to be their Valentine? This cute saying from Etsy shop Genevieve Santos brings me back to my childhood Valentines cards. Now that we have lived that part of our life, it is fun seeing this holiday through our children’s eyes. Thankfully, we are not quite at that place where they have secret crushes, but this card speaks volumes in its cuteness in how as little girls, you may or may not have sent a boy or two a note asking if they liked you?

Speaking of which, did you have a chance to check out our easy Printable Minecraft Valentine?  One less thing you have to do next week.  If you are behind a bit {Sara and I are…sigh}, we are happily sharing in this edition of Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}, some of our special finds for Valentine’s Day. We hope you find them useful.

Don’t forget… if you are a blogger or Etsy Shop owner, you can now link-up to our Lovelies post Saturday-Sunday! We hope that you’ll join us in the fun, and spread the word! Enjoy the weekend! {xo} [Read more…]