Wednesday, July 30, 2008

one more day...

we've sold 65 so far...which is AMAZING! you guys totally ROCK. the fundraiser ends tomorrow, so get your last minute orders in.
for each necklace sold, $10 goes to the cdls foundation in honor of david's 6th birthday.

lisaleonardonline.com

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

elfin forest

we've been having such lazy mornings...which totally works for me! but i decided we need to get out and do something-- so we headed to the elfin forest for a walk. this will be easy, right? david can hang out in the stroller and get out for breaks to explore while matty runs and plays. uh, not exactly...david was either arching his back and dragging his feet on the ground or leaning his head all the way forward so that i thought the stoller might flip.


matty was fine running and playing, until...


i let david out of the stoller so he could walk. then of course matty wanted to ride in the stoller. david needs a sturdy hand to hold onto and trying to push the stoller one-handed with a four year old inside just wasn't working.


so we doubled up for a while. david was actually happiest when he was sitting on matty's lap...rascal! we had fun, but i was exhausted by the time we got home!

Monday, July 28, 2008

one.two.three.

caught on film (well, digital technically). david steps up on the equipment at the park. here is his step by step guide...
1. stick one foot up on the step.


2. shift your weight forward.


3. And up you go!

oh david, you make it look so easy!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

limited edition...

i've been working on some fun new things lately!

sterling bird strung from brown silk thread and strung with freshwater pearls.


6 brass bangles joined by a large brass ring and adorned with a vintage heart locket. so sweet!


vintage sterling silver, charm bracelet. love, love, love!

you can find them on a new little site i worked up. some of the designs are one-of-a-kind and some are limited edition. when they're gone, they're gone...so hop on over and check it out!

lisaleonarddesigns.bigcartel.com

note to myself...

take time to let matty follow the paths in the sidewalk.
slow down.
enjoy the moment.
what's the rush?

Friday, July 25, 2008

no touch.

it used to be if we left something...anything on the coffee table we could count on david knocking it down. then it got a bit challenging during meals because he started reaching for our plates, napkins, etc. now he is reaching up onto the counters to see what he can grab and pull down. we joke that he has a go-go gadget extenda-arm because i try *i swear, i do!* to move things out of his reach, but the kid finds a way to get a hold of it. so that's way if you stop by our home, you'll find every surface perfect clear and clean...ahh, not really! this kid is into everything!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

a sturdy shelter.

a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter.
this is a variation on the family tree necklace--instead of dots i used tiny hearts for the leaves and it turned out so darling! the verse is taken from the catholic bible.

to order, add the family tree necklace to your cart and request the 'sturdy shelter' design.

and, it's my anniversary...9 years!! so to celebrate you can take $9 off any order. just enter the code 'happyanniversary'. good until midnight thursday.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

capture the moment.

take a series of an everyday, even mundane event.


try to look at the photos with a fresh perspective.
crop the out in a new way. change the color and fade them a bit.

let it be the simple things that remind you how beautiful life is.

capture a memory and keep it forever.

Monday, July 21, 2008

inspiration for a monday.

erin from house on hill road and i did a trade and i ended up the proud owner of this aDoRaBLe bag...
and on the inside she stitched my monogram. *my given name is elisabeth nancy, but everyone calls me lisa* I LOVE my new bag. It is the perfect size for filling up (beach toys, groceries, magazines) and heading out.
She's got great tutorials, beautiful photos and lots of inspiration. Head over to house on hill road and say hi for me!! Thanks Erin, you rock!!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

let's make noise!

we celebrated david's 6th birthday today with a few close friends. what's david's favorite thing to do?? make NoIsE! so that's what we did...i made a 'banging wall' with pots pans and mixers strung from a clothesline.
i got this idea from soulemama's new book.

grandma and grandpa were able to stay for the party which was a huge treat. plus, my dad made his delicious potato salad...yum!


i found some simple wood instruments online, then the kids took them home as favors.

cupcakes, which matty helped me make and david thoroughly enjoyed!

lily in the sandbox.

there, he is! the birthday boy!!

all the kids were so 'helpful' as david opened his gifts. and he made out like a bandit!
thank you sweet friends for helping us celebrate.
happy birthday david!!

Friday, July 18, 2008

weekend.

we are taking a deep breath as we get back into the swing of things after vacation. trying to find beauty in simple things. trying to let things be crazy and not get stressed.

enjoying my parents who are visiting for a couple days. so, so good to have them here.

david took a big step (literally and figuratively) today. he stepped into the house from the backyard. it's just one step up into the house, but he is hesitant to do it. well, he was hesitant. but today he did it. every achievement is so exciting!

we are planning a birthday celebration for david tomorrow. some of our friends are coming to help us celebrate. more pictures to come! what are your weekend plans?

Thursday, July 17, 2008

little red piano



we had a play group/handmade goods sale at joy's house yesterday...which was SO fun. is it bad if three kids are banging on the piano but there is so many kids you don't notice the noise?? it was a full house and a total blast. and i love joy's red piano.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

vacation.

a few days in solvang and a few in carpinteria. lots of time to play and relax.

mr. sandhands...bring me a dream.


pretty sure david does not want to get his feet wet.


david walked blocks and blocks around santa barbara and carpinteria.


ahhh, love a big, soft bed! and a sleepy boy, too.


wall-e was a big hit.


browsing around the bookstore.


lots of daddy love.

to be honest, coming home feels really hard. i loved the slow pace and lazy schedule. i always feel overwhelmed jumping back into real life. oh well, ready or not...here I go!!

Monday, July 14, 2008

inspiration for a monday.

messy crayons.

a jewelry-filled gumball machine. yum.

single bird perched on a wire.

slippers under the bed. with bows, of course.

lovebird boutique and jewelry bar. just the window makes be drool.

what's inspiring you today??

Sunday, July 13, 2008

for david's fans...

we enjoyed the afternoon at the beach today. steve and i thought, 'this will be great. we can bring our chairs, umbrellas and books and relax while the boys play.". Ha...the boys, of course, wanted our undivided attention. once i got over not relaxing, we had a blast.



david stole my beach chair and was such a silly goose. love the tiny, crazy toes!