30 Is Already So Sweet >>>

Today is my birthday!  I have just stepped over the threshold into my 30's.  A good solid number in my eyes.  I feel like its a time in my life where I can still enjoy the youth of my body and mind, but in a more rooted and grounded way, not so carefree and wild, but still free spirited.  Im at a point in my life where I know who my friends are and what they mean to me.  Where my home is, and what it means to me.  Although I will forever be on my own personal spiritual journey of growth and exploration, I feel I have a good sense my human-ness that co-exist with amazing cosmic abundance and support.  I know who I am as an artist, even though that is ever growing as well, I feel like I have finally found my home in my creative life.  Although I miss my parents terribly everyday, Im learning more and more how to allow myself to still be supported by their love that still floats around me in every bird, leaf and speck of dirt I walk on.  

What I hope for my 30's is to become less afraid of doing some of things Ive always dreamt about doing.  The biggest one is becoming a mother myself.  Among many other little things like singing, hooping, writing, dancing, health... all things that I already currently do, but would love to have a bit more wild abandon when I do them, and not isolate myself with them any longer.  I would love to find more peace and healing with the loss of my dad.  Its almost been a year since he killed himself, and of course the emotions have been a rollercoaster.  Id love to one day get to a point where I can daydream about my daddy again in a more beautiful light.  Right now, there are days I can barely stand to think about him because it just hurts too bad... And I hate that, I want to think about him and remember all of his silly quirky things.  I will get there, these things take time and a course of their own, I know.  I also wish to form deeper relationships with some of the beautiful people I have met online in the past few years.  I have truly met some special people through my blog and my shop, and Id love for some of them to really become life long friendships.  

Yesterday was such a good birthday party.  I had myself so excited about the day that by the time 5 o'clock rolled around I had a migraine, and it only got worse throughout the whole night.  But I had such good friends around me that I just didnt let it ruin it.  We went and sat in the river for a while, which felt sooooo good.  The water was just right, not too cold, the sun was also perfect, as it went down... just a warm glow feeling on my cheeks and shoulders.  Truly like being kissed by the sun.  Then we came back to the house, ate some yummy food, chilled in the back yard.  Everyone seemed to love everyone which makes me so happy.  We got to see an old friend we haven't seen since high school... which was *cough* 12 years ago now!  It was so nice.  As the sun went down, they made a campfire, and by the end of the night I just drug the loungechair by the fire with a blanket and pillow and just laid there while they played guitar and sang and talked.  So very perfect.  Both our kitty and pup hung out with us the whole night too, just chillin wherever we were.  I didnt get any pictures worth anything, but thats okay, I have good memories.  I seriously feel so blessed with the friendships I have.  They are few... but true, deep good ones.  People Im completely honored to call a friend.  There were moments last night that almost brought me to tears b/c of their pure love and generosity.  Im kind of IN LOVE with my friends.  For sure.  

Today, after I get a little bit of work done (yes, Im going to work a bit on my birthday, b/c Im crazy like that)... we are going to go see Moonrise Kingdom!  Im sooooo excited to see anything by Wes Anderson.  The trailer looks so cute.  
 
Oh, and those beautiful flowers above were one of my sweet birthday gifts.  They are just the prettiest things ever... What a sweet gift. I got so many amazing thoughtful gifts last night, I wont go into them just yet.  But oh my god, lets just say I was surprised!!!

 ANNOUNCEMENT:
In honor of my birthday, Im having a HUGE giveaway on Sincerely Kinsey today!  AND, if you go enter the giveaway and read the post, you just might find a one day coupon code to use in the shop today only!!! 

PEACE,
Laura

Instagram Love >>>

*adorable shoes are from blowfish*


 
Im back from spending some really nice time with my Nanna.  It always makes my heart so happy to be with her.  She gets me, and is one of the wisest women I know.  We talked alot, played with plants, played skip-bo, and just enjoyed each other.  My brother and his son came over for dinner too, so I played with Aiden until I was just about worn out.  I love that little boy.  Ill share photos soon.  I snapped a million pics of him on my phone.  

Today is catch up day.  Lots of orders to work on.  And... I really need to start planning my birthday since its in 5 days!  And my little get together will be the day before...  Yikes!  Only a few days left of my twenties... 

The pics above are just a few randoms on instagram from recently.  Ive been listening to Julia Stone's new album on repeat.  Literally.  I cant get enough.  I hope I dont burn it out for myself.... I need to slow it down.  But goodness its good.  A few of the songs its like she took the words right out of my mouth.  Love.

PEACE,
Laura

Happy Birthday Mama >>>


Dear Mom,

Happy birthday!  You would be turning 57 today.  Can you believe your baby girl is going to turn the big 30 in less than two weeks?  It will be my first birthday without both you and dad.  Dont worry, Ill surround myself with some good souls.  You taught the value in good friends, and Ive made a few.  I spent the morning sitting by the window, working on a special custom order gypsy flag while listening to Joni Mitchell.  Just about the best way I can honor you I think.  Im about to make a cheesecake too.  Although really, thats just for me since I was always the one that wanted cheesecake for my birthday.  Your favorite was carrot cake, so for lazyness sake, I think Ill stick with the cheesecake.  ...Its hard not to think of you and wish wish wish.  Wish you could see my house, and all my creations, and what a beautiful man my husband has become, and all the ways Ive grown up these past 4 years... etc etc.  That feeling will never go away.  I guess my biggest wish is to know that you and dad are somewhere celebrating together this wonderful day that you came onto the earth.   I love you to the moon and beyond, farther than reality can conceive.

Love,
Laura Lou

River + Friends = The Good Life >>>

Summertime is finally starting to kick in high gear over here for us. We finally took Violet down to the river by our house for the first time since weve lived here. Last year the drought was so bad you couldn't hardly get in anywhere. But since we have had some nice rain this season, it is still flowing.  She loved it.  Her and her daddy did some rock climbing, and her and I went on a nature hunt walk.  The cliffs are so beautiful down there.  The photo below does not do them justice.  And there are tons of swallows that fly all around there.  I cant wait to one day do a creative photoshoot down there again. 

I am loving my crochet bikini top from Motavations.  I also got a brown triangle style.  Love them both.  You can custom order them in larger sizes, which is what I had to do.  Such a super sweet girl behind this shop!  It makes me so happy when I come across other sellers who not only have quality product, but extremely good customer service and sweetness to go along with it.  She has it!

Yesterday we got together with some friends and went back down to the same river spot.  I didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pics... but goodness I need to invest in a waterproof camera.  All I could think about was taking pictures while I was in the river.  The sun was going down behind us and hitting everyone's hair in just the right way, it was killing me.  Oh, and we rode in the back of the truck down to the river, and the sun was shining through our hair blowing in the wind... I just wanted to capture the moment on video so badly.  Sometimes its almost hard for me to enjoy the moment (although I immensely did)... b/c my brain just sees pictures and light.  So anyway, we splashed around the water for a bit, then we all sat in the water with our beers (with the exception of james of course), and chatted till the sun went behind the cliffs and we all got hungry.  Then we went back to the house and grilled some Adolph burgers with Jonny spice.  The only way to eat a burger.  I know someone is going to ask... so Ill just explain.  Adolph's restaurant is james parents restaurant, and they sell the best burgers.  Our friend Jonny (the sweet boy on the right in the first two pics) created a crazy spice that we put on everything, so we call it Jonny spice.  The best combination in the world.

We listened to some music, grilled burgers, hula hooped, played guitar, sat by the campfire, drank some yummy beer, and just had a hell of a good time.  I love these guys so much.  Its such a good feeling to have friends you can completely be yourself with, all of the time.  I snapped some pics with each of these wonderful souls.  Then I put my camera away and enjoyed the night.


PEACE,
Laura