Okay... Valentine's day is more than a month away, but we can't be the only ones seeing pink and red eeeeverything in stores, right? We're feeling the pressure to get. on. the. ball. So let's start off with a fun option for your kiddo's class Valentines. One of your favorite posts from last year was our Valentines day card free printables. You can still download all of these- scroll down below for the links!
As much as our family is ALL about snacks and treats, I wanted to do another non-candy card. I never know if the other moms are like organic no sugar people (Ew. Jk. Not really.) and plus kids love toys, so why not? This year Ari is giving his little buddies Matchbox Cars which he collects himself! Get it? We're the perfect MATCH!
Simply download the cards, print on card stock, cut right on the lines (a paper cutter is clutch here. THIS one is our fav), and tape the cars with washi tape. You can find Matchbox Cars at any toy store, Target, etc. or a great set HERE - dying for that pink ice cream truck for myself!. The cars are about $1 a piece, so not so bad if you have a small class.
Hey everyone! Sorry that you are not getting a blog post from us until Wednesday. Things are a little crazy busy ( in a good way) for L&L. Be sure and follow us on IG for quicker updates!! I have been wanting to share a pregnancy update with you for a couple of weeks now. We just had our monthly check up on Monday, and I am happy to say that everything is looking good! My doctor mentioned that she will be watching as she noticed I have a low lying placenta. She said I have no reason to be concerned about Placenta Previa ( which is truly my biggest fear in pregnancy), but it hasn't stopped me from googling and reading every good (and bad) story that each person has posted online. Ugh!! Whyyyyyy do I even do that?
I guess most of all it just makes me even MORE aware of how much of a miracle it truly is to get healthy babies into this world. I don't take for granted one second of what God is doing to grow this baby boy of ours and bring him into the world safely. He has been moving non-stop.... mostly at night just as I settle into bed :). I am grateful for those kicks. Anyway, I am choosing to not worry or be anxious. I am choosing God's peace, and will continue to pray to Him for my health and for a good report at our next ultrasound.
Weeks: 23 (almost to the 6 month mark. Whaaa?)
Gender: boy!!! Our reveal here incase you missed it.
Sleep: Very restless at night, but day naps are my jam right now. Invested in this pillow, and I couldn't be more pleased! I highly recommend it!
Cravings: French fries, lots of fruit (oranges in particular.... like alll day), salads and lots of water. Much better cravings than I had during my first trimester (junk).
Big sister thoughts: Amara is asking almost daily when we will meet her little brother. It is the sweetest thing, and he is starting to move where you can see the kicks outside of my belly. We try everyday to feel kicks or "see him". We have officially moved the crib and glider out of Amara's room and made it into an official "big girl room". She has adjusted so incredibly well.
Maternity wear: I have been rocking my normal clothes, with the exception of some borrowed maternity jeans from Leah, but planning on investing in maternity tops and some more denim this week. It is time!! Pea in the Pod is having a great sale, and these items are in my shopping bag: jeans , button up , sweater , nursing bras.
Things that bring me comfort and make me feel pretty:
Insoles - I bought these to put in my booties for a Justin Timberlake concert we went to a few weeks ago. We stood danced the entire time, so I had to be prepared. They have been in every pair of shoes I have worn since. They help soooooo much with my tired legs.
I have also been using these serums the last few weeks. They feel SO amazing, and have really helped hydrate my dry pregnancy skin. I also invested in this Personal Microdermabrasion wandduring the Black Friday sale I saw on Mintarrow.com. Totally noticed a difference in just two uses! I am in love!
This shampoo/conditioner is one that I keep going back to. This line is fairly new, and definitely competes with salon products. There is nothing that smells better to me or hydrates my hair more than good ole Suave, ya'll. It makes me feel like I just left the salon.
Stretch marks: none yet. Using this belly butter, which worked wonders during my first pregnancy. Plus, the smell is not harsh at all in my opinion. Planning on adding this and this to my regime as well.
Indulgences: I have been getting pedicures and gel manicures, and will continue to do so until this baby arrives. It just makes me feel good and put together... even on my worst days.
Nursery: ummm, what? This baby needs a nursery?
Thanks for reading! Hope this helps any of you other soon-to-be mamas. I would love to know what some of your must haves are right now!!
My oldest friend, Rebecca, just had Ada, the sweetest little bean you ever did see! Remember her baseball themed bridal shower HERE? We had an ice cream bar then (her fav), so my mom and I went with a whole ice cream theme for her sip and see! I basically have no imagination and wanted ice cream. BTW a sip and see is a baby shower AFTER the baby is born- you sip drinks and see the baby. Get it? Might be a southern thing, I don't know!
Colors and design began with this adorable invitation by Rock Paper Scissors.
Frozen water balloons = the cuter cousin of ice cubes.
Loooove how Rock Paper Scissors designed the ice cream cup labels and cone wrappers!
For the cone, follow THIS template... just eyeball it and make it giant! It's a little tricky, not gonna lie. Cut out and tape the ends of the cone together. Stick the honeycomb ball in and gently tape with double stick tape. I was laying mine flat on the table, so I didn't need to secure it well. If you're hanging them, I'd make them with the tiny honeycomb balls so they'll be lighter.
We got these adorable scoops HERE and painted them. We're thinking about selling these little scoopity scoops painted custom in our ETSY shop- what do you think? They were perfect for ice cream toppings.
Table runner by Kitchen Papers.
I used THIS tassel tutorial and used my Silhouette for the letters.
Here's the new mama Rebecca and sweet Ada! Imagine knowing someone for your entire life, then they're in labor, and you're crying alone in your car just sitting in your driveway so your kids don't get freaked out that you're crying. Yep, that was me.
Ice cream parties are the easiest because there's no cooking or baking! Everything is store bought but looks special depending on how you display it. Sweet and simple!
We hope you guys are enjoying the holiday season. Leah and I are a bit under the weather, which is NO. FUN.
Okay, so wrapping gifts is one of our favorite tasks of the season. Most people loathe it, but we feel like if you buy beautiful wrap, gift toppers, ribbon and use these tips then you might actually ENJOY it. What!?!?! When Leah and I met ( working for our friend, Lauren, at her paper boutique) we were taught the skills to pay the bills by Lauren herself. We offered a professional gift wrapping service that saved a LOT of people from going insane over trying to wrap their gift themselves. Okay, they may not pay our bills, but they do make people envious of your beautifully wrapped gift at your holiday gift exchange. Whenever all of us girls get together, and there is gift giving involved, we almost care more about how it is wrapped vs. what is inside the box. True story! It is just in our blood now.
Here are our tips that we are passing on from one great wrapper to another.... YOU!
Get a great box that is sturdy and has a good shape.
-Wrap your gift in beautiful tissue and seal with pretty tape :) Details people.
- Once your items are placed in the box, then fill all of the extra empty space with tissue paper. This helps your box not cave in when you are wrapping it. This is VERY important. The box structure is everything!!
-Roll out your wrap and lay your box in face down. Pull the edge of your wrapping roll to the center of your box and tape (using regular invisible tape). This is where your perfect seam will be.
- Then, pull the other side of the wrapping roll (the actual roll itself) over about a 1/2" passed the seam you created, and cut.
- Now, turn your box (with the wrap attached) horizontally to where the untaped edge of the wrap is closest to you. Fold over to create a perfectly seamed line. Then, attach DOUBLE-SIDED tape to the inside of the wrap. In other words, put the tape right on the fold that you just created. We use about three strips to go along the width of the box.
- Now time to do the ends! Simply cut excess paper off so that your edges reach about half way down the side of the box. Any seam you are taping directly to the box can be adhered with regular tape. Any of the corners that you fold in and adhere to the paper itself should be taped with double-sided tape.
- Fold in all of your corners just like you would on a regular wrapping job. Remember to keep pulling tightly and doing intense folds to keep the wrap from "bubbling" around the box.
- Turn your gift right side up! We love to add "bands" around our gifts. They help make your pretty wrapping paper go further and adds interest. I chose an old wrap from last year to use as a band over the gold polka dots. Simply cut the band to size (width wise) and wrap it around the BACK of the box to where the ends of the band take up about a 1/4-1/2" of each side of the back of the gift. We are alllllllll about the front!
- I opted for a sparkly ribbon with no bow ( as this gift is for my 16 year old girl cousin). Again, to save ribbon, I just wrapped the ribbon slightly around the edges to the back of the gift and taped it. Double stick tape is preferred here so that you don't see it on the back of the ribbon, but regular tape seemed to hold this ribbon better.
- Choose your perfect gift tag. Don't skimp on the gift tags!! They are fun and add that special touch to your already beautiful gift. Is it bad to say that we are NOT fans of sticker name tags on gifts???
oops!
Host a wrapping party, turn on a good holiday movie, or just grab a glass of champagne and get to wrapping!!! The investment in good boxes, pretty tissue, gift wrap and all of the pretty things that come after truly make the wrapping experience so much more fun! Also, receiving a beautifully wrapped gift can make the recipient feel all the more special.
XO!!
-J
All wrap and gift wrapping goods were purchased at Lauren's boutique,Rock Paper Scissors.
Anyone else in need of an incredible centerpiece for the holidays and have no clue how to do it? Luckily, my extremely talented friend, Matt Bollwinkel, just started a new floral business THISTLE BE FLORAL based out of LA and is graciously giving us a tutorial! I love how he uses unique textures, colors, and shapes that you'd never think of for a centerpiece. He's seriously so talented and funny, and his wife happens to be the same. My face literally hurts from laughing after I hang out with them. They're pretty much one of my fav couples ever.
Is your holiday table naked? Hide your shame with a homemade centerpiece that suggests you have your s*#t together.
Here is what you will need...
1. Fancy Shmancy Japanese flower arranging scissors. Or regular kitchen shears... (Anything between a machete to safety scissors will do)
2. Robert Goulet - "This Christmas I Spend with You". This is not optional.
3. Oasis Floral Foam
4. A cool vessel...such as this tremendous silver antique champagne bucket.
5. Flower Food - pro tip: One packet of flower food and a quarter teaspoon of bleach in your water will make your plants die slower...or last longer if you are an optimist. Pro tip: if you don't have bleach, use mouthwash!
6. Human Food - Your favorite holiday beer (or wine/scotch/kool-aid)
To prep your vessel for the flower invasion, cut the Oasis floral foam to fit and fill with water, flower food, and bleach. Allow this mixture to soak for a few minutes and pop open your human food.
Let's get down to business.
7. Greenery - take some clippings from the christmas tree, your local forest, or a neighbor you feel like stealing from. Source your pretty greens as this is where it all begins.
8. Random "Foraged" (stolen) Berries - If you have dogs or children, use with caution.
9. Magnolia Leaves - these are a classic holiday accent to any arrangement or wreath. Some people spray paint them gold, but who has time for that?
10. Holiday Food - Pomegranates, Pears, Persimmons, Pumpkins etc. Anything that starts with the letter P will do. (Pinecones...not food but totally acceptable)
11. Protea - This is a great "focal flower" that will last the duration of your family's stay and into the new year. Succulents are another great option.
12. Ornamental Kale - Hippie/Hipster approved. These take up a lot of real estate. If you are super lazy, this is a solid addition.
13. Tulips - Great color splash - check out french tulips if you want a sassy option.
14. Star of Bethlehem - Cause its Christmas y'all. (Note they also last for a long time and will continue to bloom for weeks).
15. Peonies - This is the popular girl in school. She hangs out with the funny chicks (tulips) but steals their boyfriends. This is your other focal flower of choice. (Caution: much like the popular girl in school, they are fragile and fall apart easily)
Now that you have your flowers together, you need to process them by removing excess leaves from your stems. The idea is to keep all vegetation other than stems out of the water. The longer your water stays clean (and free of flower goo) the longer your flowers will last!
The first stems to enter your vessel should be the greens.
Follow up the greens with accent greenery such as your magnolia leaves, or the berries I "borrowed" from my neighbors yard. This is the fitted sheet...totally necessary.
Next add your ornamental kale and focal flowers. Do this in a not boring way.
Fill in gaps with beautiful pieces of fruit or pine cones etc. To do this, carefully stab a wooden skewer into your fruit (make sure you don't run the skewer all the way through). Cut the exposed skewer to the depth of your vessel (so no stick is showing and the fruit sits in the arrangement snug as a bug.)
After you have gotten this far, take a step back, grab a drink and give your eyes a minute to rest. Revisit it with fresh eyes in 10 minutes.
Now add your finishing detail elements. Tulips and star of bethlehem are great at filling in the gaps and will add lovely bursts of color as they continue to blossom.
Now step back, admire your work, quit your job, and become a florist.
Thistle Be is Matthew P. Bollwinkel, who was born in Sibu Sarawak Malaysia in the winter of 1980 to missionaries Mark and Elizabeth (Bonnie) Bollwinkel. Upon their return to the United States, the family spent the subsequent years moving from town to town in California and Nevada with various churches. To this day, the place Matt calls "home" is the San Francisco Bay area.
Matt's artistic inspiration includes Japanese imagery and culture, feminism, loud and dissonant music, photographs in old medical encyclopedias, animals, rust, dirt, gold, and and the love he has for his wife Sara and their two dogs Albert and Norman. Matt is a studio musician, a baker, and a business man. His love for flowers began when he was a young boy, but his draw to floral design began in the winter of 2013 when his community began commissioning his work. Matt's notoriety has circulated primarily by word of mouth, as he operates out of his home in Los Feliz in Los Angeles, CA (or in a glass case of emotion….or on location).
For more information or to set up a consultation please contact:
