Hello…Hello!!!!! How was your Christmas? Your New Years and all of the days in between? It was so good for me to take a bloggy break and just be with family and move at a bit of a slower pace.
As you can see we did lots of baking and then tried to make it through almost all of us getting sick, one after the other (and me, twice). I felt bad because I wanted to do a lot of fun things with the kids but the reality looked a lot more like pj’s 24/7 and more t.v. than is recommended. Oh well. Sometimes you just gotta go with it. I made peace with that and we all made it through and with lots of sugar cookies to boot. In the midst of all of the sick and holiday craziness I felt really blessed to have had lots of cuddles with the little ones, play games with the older ones and just take in the gift of being a mom.
Since we’ve been feeling better I’ve been busy trying organize closets and drawers (all the while avoiding my closet as it is a weekends worth of organization – soon soon). I’ve been like a crazy prego lady neurotically nesting (I know this feeling well…been there, done that, 4 times). But I feel like I’ve got a bit of a fresh start into the new year, which is just what I’m needing. I’ll be back later today (likely) with a bit more on the fresh start business that is buzzing in the air.
And how was your Christmas and New Year’s?
PS – Isn’t the Swedish style gingerbread house so cute? It’s from Ikea, of course. I’m going to be getting one of these kits every year – easiest and cutest gingerbread house ever!
Merry Christmas Lovelies. I’m going to be taking some time off and spending my days with my family over the next week or so. I am in need of some serious slowing down as I’m sure many of you are too (more to come on this in the new year). In the meantime, if you are up for reading, don’t be a stranger, there is plenty of good stuff in the archives and I’ll definitely be over on Instagram (@lalalovelythings) and probably popping in over here every so often.
I hope you all have the loveliest Christmas filled with Love, peace, joy, family and friends. And I wish you all a very happy new year filled with hope and great anticipation of great days that are ahead!
XO. Trina
Inspiration : PINTEREST / Chatter : TWITTER / Conversation : FACEBOOK / Pictures : INSTAGRAM
OK, here is the truth. I’m still shopping and still feeling a little unorganized this year. You? Please say, you too! There are so many great ideas out there that it is hard to decide. I’ve rounded up a few last minute ideas that I’m loving for the little ones this year.
I’d love to know what your little ones are asking for? And what your favorite toys are this season.
01 / Yummy : I love when a writer / illustrator does classics. We have always loved Maisy Mouse in our house & I think this collection nursery stories would be great to add to our library.
02 / Schleich Animals : Animal figurines are always a favorite and are kind of all the rage. These are by far the best, in my opinion. I’m getting a few new ones for Rocco. One year olds can be hard to buy for and these are just perfect. I like anything that can be considered a little collection!
03 / Electric Paper Airplane : I’m always picking up paper airplanes around my house …so you know why not encourage paper airplane making a little more. What boy (or man -ha) wouldn’t love this?
04 / Whale Music Mobile : This is just too cute and pretty much perfect for the baby who has everything.
05 / Jess Brown Doll : These handmade dolls are just the super coolest. Elle is getting past the doll stage so I can’t quite justify it but if you can…please get one, in my honor.
06 / Jane Eyre : Start ‘em young is what I say. I totally love the idea of board book classics and the design is darling to boot. This is, of course, is my favorite book but other classic titles are available also.
07 / Tin Robots : A few of these were floating around my house the other week, while I was working on a special project, and my boys went nuts over them (which of course led to a bit of fighting, but hey, that is how I know it’s a great toy, right?
08 / Felt Mosaic : A fun crafty present with great design in mind.
09/ Chinese Checkers : Fun for the whole family. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never played Chinese checkers but I plan to cross that off my list after Christmas this year.
Next up for favorite gifts is darling Colleen of Inspired to Share :
+To Give: handmade gifts…I’m still narrowing down ideas but I think those are the best and most meaningful. And this year I’m slightly obsessed with packaging! I’m seriously so excited to wrap gifts creatively and personalize each one. Hopefully people appreciate it as much as I do! ;)
+To Receive : in a dream world…a fancy new camera or lens to help take my photos to the next level!
+Ever Gotten : a drawing of my husband and I as a wedding gift. It’s the sweetest thing that perfectly captures us. The drawing is of us in the reflection of the tea kettle in our kitchen. :) (I blogged about it here.)
So tell me, lovelies….are you making any of your holiday gifts this year? And if so, what are you making?
P.S. See more favorite gifts here! And get the details on Colleens DIY pictured above right here!
image : abbey moore
Do you do Christmas cards? This year we did our cards with Pinhole Press. This is the first year I’ve done cards with them, but I’ve always been so happy with any and everything I’ve ordered from Pinhole.
We snapped some pictures of our wild brood and I knew I wanted to keep the look and layout simple, this year. So instead of choosing a card with a lot going on, I opted to be kind of playful with our photo. The baby boys look like little wild cubs (and pretty much act like little wild cubs most of the time too). I’m kind of obsessed with their lion hats (to say the least).
And speaking of Christmas cards, one of my holiday traditions has to do with them. Every year while filing out my Christmas cards I watch Little Women. I found myself doing this a couple of years in a row and deemed it my own little personal tradition….And now I look forward to watching and writing every year.
If you haven’t ordered any cards yet, check out Pinhole Press and if you are all about a good pen… this is the one i’m loving at the moment.
Danish Desktop Lamp / Decorative Flower Ring / Log Basket
Have you heard of Plümo? It’s a London-based catalog and online shopping destination, offering beautiful, eclectic collections of luxury fashion and home décor products. They have so many beautiful options for gift giving. The above are 3 of my favorites.
Plumo is offering La La readers 15% off! Simply use the code: LALA
*This discount is available until 12/16/12 and is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
And to all my UK lovelies….Plumo is offering free shipping this week if you live in the UK.
Happy Shopping!
Today my lovely friend Kirsten from Simply Grove is sharing her favorite gifts:
+To Give: I would love to bless someone with the Weekender from Everlane. It’s the perfect bag for travels and getaways.
+To Receive : I’m obsessed with Chloe and I’m almost out! So of course this is my number wish this Christmas.
+Ever Gotten : A few years ago, a good friend of mine blessed me with a beautiful YSL wool jacket. I will have it for forever.
I don’t think there is anything better than a great weekender bag and some new perfume ….ok well, maybe a YSL jacket is better than both combined (ha). Love these picks.
Whats on your wish list this year?
P.S. See more favorite gifts here!
Happy Wednesday. Today, Jennifer from A Merry Mishap is sharing her favorite presents. Enjoy!
+To Give I’m excited to give my son gifts this year. He just turned 3 and I think he’ll enjoy Christmas and gifts so much more this year than the last. I’m excited to give him a set of the white Fort Standard balancing blocks, but I know the things he’ll be most excited about is a Buzz Lightyear doll, a replica from the movie. He’s become such a fan of Toy Story recently and it’s pretty adorable.
+To Receive : I have a few small things I’d like, not much though. One of the things I’m hoping for is another Vitriini box. I have a smaller one but I’ve been wanting a larger clear one for ages. Fingers crossed!
+Ever Gotten : When I was little I begged my mom for this baby doll that looked realistic. It came in a tiny cloth diaper and closed eyes and it smelled like a newborn. It was so tiny and similar to a real baby, I was desperate to have it! I could imagine myself wrapping it up in a blanket and carrying it around with me. I must have asked for it a few dozen times, my parents had to no choice. Needless to say I got the doll I was hoping for and it pretty much made my year!I’d love to hear your what you’d love to give, receive, and the best present you’ve ever gotten!
p.s. if you want to know more about Jennifer, you can check out her blog here and see her monday mess feature here.
And what about you? What is your favorite gift from childhood? Mine was a real cash register.
