Instagram Love - Life At Random >>>

First, and foremost, Id like to say thank you so much to everyone who sent me such heartfelt comments on my last post about motherhood.  They all really struck a cord within me.  I left a comment, but I thought Id write it out here too just in case... b/c there were quite a few comments about whether or not I should even have kids, or stating its okay to not have them.  I definitely agree that its not something that everyone needs to do.  I know several adult couples who never had kids and are perfectly happy with that choice... but I should of written in that post that we definitely DO want kids... just are scared.  I really just needed to vent my fears outloud I think.  And honestly, it felt good and took a little weight off.  I know most of the fears are natural... and are only amplified by the emotional loss of my mother.  Id love to get over these hurdles and get to a place of peace with it, which is why I wanted to put it out there.  Im about to be embarking on my 30's, and it seems like a pretty nice time to start the process.  I have watched this idea mold and form through our marriage and I can sense that it is near us, which may just be why the fear has really been kicking in this past year.  Again, thank all of you for your supportive words no matter which way we go with our lives!!!  ...Here are a few more random instagram pics from our week.  My username on instagram is lauramazurek.

I did some rearranging to the house again this week.  My studio was becoming so cluttered I didnt want to step foot in there.  I moved a cabinet out and it made all the difference.  But I had to take my huge painting in my office down to do so... so I must find a spot for it now.  I think Im going to put it over my bed... which is where this dream catcher above was.  Sometimes swapping things out can make so much difference. 

A week or two ago we spent some time out on our friend's ranch.  James played guitar like usual.  One of the only times he randomly jams is with these friends, I love it.

I need to get an outfit post next time I wear this dress, its just soooo amazing!

Ive been really enjoying EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey.  Alot of it is good old common sense, and actually how I already run my own business, but its really nice to have affirmation on alot of things.  Plus he has such a simple way of breaking things down and making good sense of things.  I actually find myself craving to read it before bed.  Yep, I read about business before bed, geeezzz im a nerd!

So, I know many of you are big fans of my lovely mustard yellow owl that I found at a garage sale for only $2!!!  (no im not selling him...)  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, b/c I found another one at a garage sale this past weekend for $5!!!  Its even bigger and its brown!!!  I was so excited when I found it buried under a bunch of other stuff.  He was waiting for me!  Its actually so heavy that I cant hang it inside... so he might be my outside watch owl :)

My ever so sweet hubby surprised me with a thistle the other day.  I felt so bad b/c I was on the back porch writing so I didnt hear the door.  But he sat there ringing the doorbell for like 5 minutes so he could surprise me with it!  Obviously it was a joke, and he was so cute when he did give it to me.  He told his friend... "she didnt even put it in water next to the bed!"... ha ha!

My lovely lamp from Atmosphere Lamp Shades.

(get 20% off this month using the code VIOLETBELLA20)

Just a silly pic of me when I was sewing the other day.  I was so involved in what I was doing I didnt want to stop and get the pin cushion, and then I just got kind of silly b/c of it, and had to stop and take a pic!

Okay, so anyone who knows us well, knows that James does not like alot of food.  Basically in short, he likes chicken, pasta and bread.  Yep.  So with alot of sweet talking, and hesitation on his part, I fixed us grilled salmon over pasta for dinner, and HE LOVED IT!!!  I couldnt believe it.  He actually asked for it the next day.  Score!

I layed on my deck for just a minute the other day and looked up at the sky.  I saw this one vulture fly by and took a pic... and then about 50 of them literally danced in a beautiful circle above me across the sky.  It was so magnificent to watch.  Living in the country, I see them everywhere, but Ive never seen them dance the way they did that day.  I was in awe.  Amazing creatures.

PEACE,

Laura

Instagram Love - Selfies >>>

Just a few of my favorite selfie shots from my camera the past week or so. It still amazes me how much I love simple phone shots.  Most of these were from the day I wore this.  I love the photo of me and James's feet.  The pic of the bathing suit top... that was my mom's bathing suit.  She made it when she was younger than me.  I wish it had bottoms.  Its a bit too small for me to wear out but I love wearing it when Im at home or sunbathing.  Its the prettiest bathing suit top Ive ever seen in my entire life.  I dont think one out there could top this for me.  And Im ridiculously grateful that its still around for me to have.  I think about these things when I want to let go of certain clothes I no longer wear.  I have a pile for my hope chest in hopes that my one day daughter would one day think its cool enough to wear.  I can hear it now... her saying 'oh my god, I cant believe my mom still has this stuff from 2012... who wears these kinds of things???'... ha ha!

I get alot of people asking me what filters I use for my phone shots... I almost always use the Bettie XL lens with the Ina's 1935 film.  When I find something I love that feels like me, I tend to stick with it.  I should probably explore more filters and such, but I always go back to this.  My eyes... love it.

The last two images:  The left one is prints I got made from my recent Oh My Mama photoshoot.  I cant wait to figure out how and where I want to hang them on my walls.  The right one was my little splurges I came home with from the grocery store.  Zooey looked so beautiful in the photoshoot in Marie Claire's may issue.  I dont really buy alot of magazines, just every now and then when I love the cover spread.  The only magazine I get on a monthly basis is Dwell. 

I can hardly believe that the month of April is almost behind us.  How does time do that?  Ive been feeling alot more balanced that I did a few weeks ago.  I feel like Im doing a decent job of balancing my work life with my social life, along with little doses of things just for me.  Playing outside in my garden being one of them.  I noticed some little buggy had a late night snack on my first bell pepper last night!!  My nanna suggested spraying some soapy water on them to keep the bugs off, so Im going to try that.  This spring has sprung on a plethora of these weird looking grasshoppers, and even though I havent seen them lurking in my garden during the day, Im sure one of them was the culprit.  

Hopefully within the next day or so well get some new stuff in the shop.  I have a collection of new feather earrings and necklaces sitting on my desk for a few weeks now.  As well as James new stuff for Skyline Fever.  Some good ones!  Soon soon.  Still working on wholesale orders behind the scenes, but Im starting to see the finish line!!!  Although that usually just means another race is about to begin :)  Also... I am getting closer and closer to being able to talk about a project Im working on behind the scenes that has me soooo very excited!  I cant wait for it to all come together.  My fingers are crossed that my vision will come through on this one. 

PEACE,

Laura

Instagram Love >>>

A little Instagram recap from last week. I really love all the photos I capture on my little ipod.  I took a bunch last night of Bella.  I can hardly believe this month is already half over.  I knew it was going to go by quickly, but geez!  Im very behind on Soulodge, so I decided to take the rest of the lodge at my own pace and stop trying to keep up with the times things were posted.  I feel I did not connect with anyone really (my own fault since I did not put myself out there much)... so I feel I wont be missing out on much by taking it at my own pace.  Starting tomorrow Im going to take a 30 day yoga challenge with some of my online friends.  Im excited to have some girls to fall back on for support.  Its so easy to bow out when you are faced with the day ahead.  Im looking forward to this challenge - or should I say opportunity.

*you can see my instagram feed right on my facebook fanpage wall*

I wore my darling hand-painted headwrap from O Bella Organics.  I love the simple earthiness of her shop, and the soft colors.  The tops she is coming out with are oh so lovely!

I had a HUGE closet sale on facebook this week and almost sold out of everything.  It was an attempt to save up extra money to put towards a new car since we lost James...  It was a great success and I already feel lighter.

A snap from my outfit post the other day.  You can see more here.  Love this necklace from Kiki Koyote.  Isnt that just a cute shop name?

Breakfast yummies.  For those who follow me on instagram, you may notice I eat this often.

Violet sun bathing.  Its been chilly outside lately so she has been soaking it up when the sun comes out to play.

James built me a compost bin this week.  His first time to build anything.  Im so so proud of him!  This is just one layer.  Ill take real pics when we get it out in the yard.  Ahhhh, love him!

Bella just being her cute little self.  One of her favorite spots to sit is the back of the couch.  She just dangles her feet off the back of it :)

I hung up a post card I got from Christina of Spiral Drift on my office wall with my other pretties.  Love these little things.  Im dreaming of rearranging my office space. 

My girl Hillary sent me a love package the other and I was over the moon with big feelings of love...  She sent me lots of my favorite incense (that I only get from her), this beautiful ring below, and some girly face and hand stuff.  She knows how to make this girl feel special.  Thank you my beautiful rain.

James made crepes filled with strawberries, nutella and homeade whipcream.  All by himself.  And built a fire that night.  Talk about a sweet boy.  They were soooo yummy!

Ive been feeling like my body is trying to get sick for the past few days, so my first line of defense was a bath with the salts my friend Hillary got me, my lavender oil and a packet of emergen-c. Not feeling good does have a few little perks :)

PEACE,

Laura

Instagram Love >>>

Just popping in with another Instagram post. These are a few I shared throughout this past week.  If you are an instagram user you can follow me at lauramazurek.

 the most adorable blowfish shoes ever.

 me and my nephew aiden.

 breakfast: broccoli & eggs, jam & toast, fruit

 pics of my parents on my desk.

 going to town.

 reorganized craft space.

bella  helping me make jewelry.

breakfast: yogurt, granola & fruit

 flattened my hair for the first time in foreverrrr.

crazy day after hair.

This week has been a crazy one.  Starting off with finding the most hurtful insensitive email of my life from someone.  Then James hit two deer.  Luckily he is a-okay!!!  We did find out two days ago though that his car is considered totaled, so now we have to get a new vehicle.  Totally did not see that one coming.  And just this week we seriously started talking about saving up for a new vehicle.  Funny how this world works.  Now we HAVE to, and fast!  We will be a one car family for the next several months while we save up for a new car.  I will be honest, its kind of been stressing me out.  Also my nanna's man has been in the hospital and that has been weighing heavy on my heart.  He is going to be okay, its just been rough for him lately and makes me so sad.  And the night of the concert I posted about in my last post, I got super sad about my dad.  Places like Floore's just make me think of all the times going out with my parents... and how much my dad LOVED music.  He would have enjoyed that show.  And we ran into some of his friends that he normally would of gone with, which made me sad.  We were listening to the Smashing Pumpkins on the way to the show, and they have a cover of Landslide, and the words have a whole new meaning now... and I lost it.  I held it together and still fully enjoyed the show, but by the time we got home I was just done for.  My emotional levy finally broke.  And it flooded all through yesterday too.  I couldnt hardly crack a smile all day.  Most days I can accept the reality of it all, but then others I just cant.  I just want my parents here damnit!  Its just been one of those weeks!  Symbolically Im glad tomorrow is Monday.  Time to start anew.  I woke up this morning and decided to just stay focused on work to get me through this day.  I posted lots of new goodies in my Roots and Feathers shop, and Im about to go work more on Ruche.  Keep my hands busy.  (thanks for listening to me vent and rant)

PEACE,

Laura