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

Beach Waves - How To >>>

I just wanted to visually share how easy it is to create the beach waves that I have been sporting lately.  They come out slightly different everytime depending on how big or how many little buns I do.  The fewer, bigger buns you make, the larger the waves will be, and vice versa for smaller ones.  I have really thin hair, so 5 is pretty much my max.  The idea behind this method is that you dont have to use any harsh heating methods... but it takes time.  Like several hours for your hair to dry while its all curled up.  So, as you can see in step two, I will gently blow dry the curls before I take them all the way out if Im running short on time.  But if I know Im not leaving the house until after 2 or so, I can pin it up in the morning and then its ready to go when I am!
This beautiful organic handmade hemp tee you see above is from O Bella Organics.

PEACE,
Laura

Threads - For The Roses >>>

Can I just say... I think this is my favorite outfit post of all time.  Mostly because of the beautiful trees, and my hubs took the best pics he has ever taken!  Im so proud.  Im working on teaching him little things each time he takes them, and Im just so impressed!  Yesterday I wore a very simple outfit, but each piece really stood out.  This pretty floral top was my mamas.  I have actually never worn it, thinking I didnt like it on me.  I just sort of held onto it b/c it reminded me so much of her.  Im so glad I finally gave myself a chance in it, I actually love it on me!  The colors in it are so pretty.  And paired with my favorite blue velvet skinnies from Threadsence... perfect.  This pretty pretty chain headpiece was one that I featured in The Bohemian Collective for Moorea Seal.  Ill be honest, as much as I adore it, I was a little intimidated to wear it in an everyday street outfit, but again, Im so glad I did.  With such a simple outfit, it didnt feel as overdressed as I thought it would.  I just kept it as my main piece of jewelry.  (might the first time youve seen me without a necklace on).  So now Im excited to wear it more and more in daily life!  And of course, no outfit is complete without Blowfish shoes, right?  Im starting to think so...  Which by the way, they are having a 25% off all sale right now!!! 

For The Roses by Joni Mitchell on Grooveshark

Yesterday I received my first pieces in the mail for the next Bohemian Collective lookbook.  Im starting to get super excited.  I have plans for having another friend model with me for this one!  Im thrilled with the way its turning out so far just in the beginning stages.  This kind of stuff really gets me excited.  I just enjoy doing creative photoshoots soooo much.  

Today I have a laundry list of things to get done... so I better go get started!  Ill announce the winner of the vegan body care package tomorrow.  And dont forget to enter the Intuitive Heart Sanctuary giveaway!  Such a cool thing. 

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday, so Im sure Ill be missing her like crazy.  Not like I already dont.  But you know.  Birthday's are always hard ones.  Maybe Ill create something in her honor tomorrow.  Good god I miss that woman!  Its so weird when I look at pictures of myself, like the ones above, and I see so much of her in me.  Im definitely her little girl.  In every way.  

PEACE,
Laura

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