James and the Girls >>>

Last night we decided to grill our dinner on the bbq pit, always a good choice.  The weather was amazing last night.  Lukewarm with a slight breeze, and we had the golden hour light shining on us.  I always end up being the one to take over the grilling... which I like!  I love grilling!  We had chicken marinated in citrus sauce, zuchinni and corn sprinkled with fresh rosemary, and a bit of our leftover alfredo pasta from the night before.  Yummy!!!  James even ate two bites of zuchinni!  I almost couldnt believe my eyes or ears... Afterwards, since our babies joined us outside, we hung out with them for a bit.  I had to run in and get my camera b/c there were just so many cute moments happening!  Its very rare that James lets me take his picture... especially ones by himself like the close up below!  That is almost a once in a lifetime shot, ha ha!  Okay girls... for this post only, I wont get offended if you tell me just how hot my hubby is!!!  I think he could hear it from someone other than me once in a while, so if you think so, go ahead and say so below :)  Every man could use a little reassurance now and then, right?  (healthy reassurance that is...) 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Its the last day to reserve a sponsor spot on the blog for May.  The XL spot is sold out, and the rest are filling up quickly!  Im very excited to share some new lovelies with everyone next month... good ones!

Ill be announcing the winner of the Crazy Jane Knits giveaway by this evening or tomorrow... So if you have not entered, its your last chance!  Dont forget she has a coupon code just for my readers for this month only, two days left to use it!  Use the code 'violetbella' at checkout in her shop for 25% off anything!

I added a few new things in Roots & Feathers last night, and plan on adding more as I can each day, so stay posted.

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

Oh My Mama - Conceptual Photoshoot >>>

First the first time in a very long time today... I created some photowork straight from my soul and just for me.  So often lately the only time Im taking photos is of my jewelry, or for a lookbook for my jewelry, or an outfit post.  Although I love all of those, sometimes my soul just craves more.  More of the rawness I had when I first fell in love with photography.  The kind of works I use to do before I had to focus on my work so much.  Ive mentioned on here a few times that I have wanted to, but today, I finally just stopped what I was doing and went for it.  To be honest, I played hookie from work today.  Sometimes as an artist, when you feel that stirring in your heart, you just have to go with it.  

These photos are simple at heart.  They express bits of my yearning for my mom.  All of the elements used were pieces of her... Things that came from her home, that were dear to her heart, and are now oh so dear to my heart.  I couldnt help but think of one of my favorite songs by Alela Diane, called Oh My Mama, so I thought Id share it here.  Id recommend pressing play before you start to look at the photos because there are alot of photos.  I dont normally like posts with so many images in one place, but for this, I had to.  Enjoy.   (P.S. Feel free to share these or pin these, but please respectfully leave a link back to here wherever you do.)

PEACE,

Laura

Campfire Texas >>>

Ahhhh, last night we broke in our new firepit. It was exactly what I needed.  I love it so much.  It ended up being just the perfect little pit.  Big big thanks to James and Joey for putting in it.  We welcomed James parents over last night to break it in with us, and they brought our nephew Travis, so he had his first bonfire!  Bella really enjoyed it.  She hung out by it most of the night.  The moon was so beautiful, a sliver with a hazy circle around it, with the bright planets shining right next it.  It was magical.  The subtle breeze in the air was perfect.  It was just what my soul needed.  I smell like campfire this morning which is just about my favorite smell in the whole world.  And I have a tummy ache this morning, ha ha!  I ate two hotdogs, 5 roasted marshmallows and two beers.  As I was eating them I said it was either a recipe for a tummy ache or a migraine... Ill take the tummy ache any day over the migraine! 

Above are just two more pics of my pretty flowers on the porch.  I just love looking at them.  Its amazing what flowers do for your soul.  Just simply by being.

PEACE,

Laura