Instagram Love >>>

Here are just a few sneak peeks of some of the photos we took for the next Bohemian Collective lookbook.  These are ipod shots of images on my computer, so of course they are very grainy, discolored, and not full frame... the last one is a sneak of a shoot I did with Katelyn, which I will bring to the blog in a few days.  You can see a real sneak peek over on the collectives blog here.

Speaking of ipod, we might be going to get me an iphone today!!!  Technically in a few days it will be mine.  James phone is up for a super cheap upgrade, so hell be getting it, and then transferring over to my phone line a few days later.  Sweet man, huh??  Hell wait to get his until my phone is up for an upgrade sometime next year.  Im excited to join the iphone world.  I know how much I already love my little ipod, which before I had I thought I would not care for it... Dear instagram won my heart.  btw, my handle on instagram is lauramazurek, if you wanna follow along.
These are just camera pics we took from our first river adventure while Katelyn was here.  It was probably one of my favorite moments from the whole trip.  Katelyn has her work cut out for her with editing almost 300 photos for this lookbook.  Each time she sends me another edited shot, I get more and more excited for the release!  Its so hard to hold back sometimes!!!

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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

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

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