{5 Lovely Things on Monday}

     My oh my, where have I been?! Two words: GRAD SCHOOL.  Therefore, NO time for crafting- let along blogging... BOO!  So last week, while finishing my last paper of the quarter, I broke down & had to sew.  Now I'm in full on Handmade Holiday mode!  In addition, I realized that being back in school makes me even more excited for Christmas and winter break.

So here are my {5 Lovely Things} on this Monday eve.

{1. My Sister's Chic Mommy Tote}

aka: diaper bag

the glowing mama-2-be & her snazzy diaper bag!

{2. Bring on the Treats}

I found this yummy recipe on EverydayFood.  

It's everything a cookie should be: airy, minty, buttery, with just a bit of chocolate!

photo cred: Everyday Food

{3. Fabric Ornaments}

I threw this pattern from Sew It All in my "to do" binder last holiday season & 

decided I would actually use it this year. These "Have A Ball" ornaments are 

super sweet & kid friendly!

{4. 101 Handmade Ornaments}

Get in on the handmade holiday spirit courtesy of everythingetsy.com

am especially excited to try this tutorial
by jessica jane!!

{5. The Giving Spirit}

Check out glassbaby & use the code "rivkin" & 10% of your purchase 

goes to the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, 

which is a program very near to my heart.

photo cred: glassbaby

salute!

*lucy

{Wednesdays with Willis}

Not a bad way to start this foggy autumnal morning: chai in hand, the pup relaxing on his bed- with the occasional sigh about no longer being allowed on the bed- & I get to gush about being an auntie!!

due to his inability to share sleeping space
 he has been banished to his own bed

Not long ago my sister surprised the whole family by telling us her & the hubby are expecting a new addition in January.  How she kept it in the vault for the first trimester I'll never know!  Although I'm "Auntie M" to many of my friends' kiddos this will be my first nephew biologically :)  And with that comes a whole whirlwind of "auntie duties" like throwing a baby shower!!

To-Do List:

1. She needs a handcrafted gift- check.

Click here for this free diaper bag tutorial

Monday night I finished the bag but can only give you a tiny glimpse 

as I want the final project to be a surprise...

Yes, it's a lot of pink for someone who's
expecting a boy but this mama-2-be loves her pink! 

2. Order Invites- done.

Again, only a preview ;)

3. Shower Favors- done.

Found this great idea on Pinterest &
obviously we'll have many shades of blue nail polish

4. Decorative Banner- check.

Still a work in progress but thanks to Martha Stewart's letter templates it's easy-cheesy!

Now all that's left are finalizing decor & menus with the grammy-2-be...

Happy Hump Day.

cheers,

*lucy.

{5 Lovely Things on Monday}

 

What I'm Most Proud of Accomplishing Prior to the BIG 3-0

      As many of you probably recall I made a "30 Before 30" list last year...well I'm officially 30 now- it feels great btw. Here are the 5 loveliest things I'm most proud of accomplishing from that list!

{1} Visit New Zealand: tick!

(in NZ they say "tick it off your list" instead of "check")

     Since my dear friend, Sarah, returned to her homeland over four years ago I had wanted to visit NZ. Last fall I was at the gym stretching when I got a Travelzoo email alert that flights were on sale. Right then & there I knew I had to pull the trigger-- & what a great decision it was to do so.  It was fantastic to meet her growing family & explore the land of Kiwis land with my favorite travel buddy (aka: the boyfriend).

{2} Develop Sea of Lovely Branding

     Thanks to my artsy sister, Jenna, the Sea of Lovely logo was born.  And after much fine-tuning-- & cursing at WORD while formatting labels-- I developed a labeling process that I'm quite proud of.

{3} See My Family More Often

My sisters & I all live in different states while mom & pop are still in the Motherland 

(aka: MT). I cherish the fact that I was able to make Thanksgiving dinner for my parents- barring the minor turkey mishap- & spend Christmas under the same roof 

with the entire Lechner clan.

Turkey Day weekend

Christmas Day chaos at the cabin

Mom & Dad came for my Dirty 30!

{4} Give Only Handmade Gifts

While I didn't finish my plans for handmade 2011 Christmas gifts I can report significant strides since the turn of 2012.  Sea of Lovely gifts are out in full force!

Look Whoooooo's 1?
Baby Adele & her new "Owlivia" 

{5} Live 5 Minutes from Work

While going through some significant life changes in 2011 I also found my 

beloved vintage apartment. Very few things make me happier than being able to 

run home at lunch to say hi to my Willis :)

{Best of Photo Loveliness from 2011}

Well boys & girls it's time to delve into 2012! I apologize for my blogging absence during the past few weeks & I promise to be back in action. Gotta start the New Year off, right?

2011 was a year of transition & self-reflection for this girl. And that is why I've decided to make the the first {5 Lovely Things on Monday} of 2012 my favorite snaps from 2011. Enjoy & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 {5} Meeting Mr. Jamisen

Getting a first glimpse at one of my bff's first babe.
The look on our faces reminds me of the quote:
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things, hope, a dream of possibilities."

{4} The Trifecta

This pic says it all.
These girls are most definitely my sisters from another Mr.

{3} Father & Son

Portraits of dads & their kiddos never get old-
especially when you've known the dad since they were 8yo!

{2} BF in the Belfry

Taken in the bell tower at my parents' cabin (or compound, rather)
You can see why I like this guy & the scenery isn't bad either ;)

{...drumroll, please...}

{5} Sista, Sista

This pics was taken on Easter Sunday 2011
in Gig Harbor. It may be my favorite
sister picture of all time.

CHEERS!

 xoxo

*lucy.

{5 Lovely Things on Monday}

{Time to get your monogram on!}

I didn't used to be fan of initials on things but something in me has shifted.  

And today's post starts with a project done by one of my sisters.  

It's in our blood to be crafty, artistic & sew.

{1} Give Me a 'K'

Impressive work, Kali!

{2} 'P' is for Pumpkin

While hunting for fall decor ideas I stumbled across this!
Photo & tutorial cred goes to: The Butlers

{3} Fancy, Cheap & Easy DIY

Totally going to make this part of my mantel montage!
Photo & tutorial cred: Craftastical!

{4} 'M' is for ME.

Chevrons in my favorite "now" colorscheme: check.
Available on ETSY from prettymod's shop

{5} Alphabet by Anthro.

Perfect for a little's room...or anyone's room, really :)
Available here

{5 Lovely Things on Monday}

I.am.exhausted.

         You could say this past week has been one of service.  From July 16th to July 21st I played Camp Nurse at Camp Leo (click here to learn more).  Each day was essentially 16hr shifts filled with many blood sugar checks & hanging out with 150 campers of various ages.  The cabin I served as primary med staff for was 14 & 15 year olds; while that may make some cringe I loved it. Seriously.  

And with that I begin this week's lovely things that focus on service & giving back:

{1} Camp Leo

...well that was obvious

Take 1: Can you spot me amongst the teens?

Take 2: One can't be too serious with this crew.

 Being surrounded by such inspiring children, teens & volunteers will be an experience I hold very dear & hope to be part of again.

{2} Big Sista

Meet my baby sister's "little sister" Edith.  
I'm so proud of Jenna taking the time to be a positive influence on this adorable kiddo!  


{4} Swedish SummerRun

This year I walked to remember my great aunt Joan.
Thanks to everyone who donated-- this year over $500K was raised to support the 
Marsha Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Research Center.


{4} STUFF the BUS
Thanks to the boyfriend I was introduced to a great Seattle program, WestSide Baby.
After the bus was stuffed we helped unloading the + diapers that were donated. 
Congrats to the crew for surpassing their goal by leaps & bounds!!

Photo Cred: Patrick Robinson


{5} Cupcake Royal strikes again

Good deeds warrant delicious treats, right?

cheers,

*lucy

{5 Lovely Things on Monday}

Today all things lovely come from finds during my MT travels this past week!

{1} Beth Springer Handbags

I should probably preface this with the fact that I got this bag 75% off at a boutique in Missoula 
and her non-sale items are most definitely not in my budget. 
Regardless, she has a great concept & design aesthetic. 

{2} EOS strikes again

You may recall a previous post including a lip balm by EOS.
Well it turns out their shaving cream is pretty fantastic too!
(found this on a quick Target run in Bozeman)


{3} COLD SMOKE

This Montana girl likes a good brew, 
especially Cold Smoke by KettleHouse that has a smooth coffee-ish finish.


{4} Woodbine Falls

An easy hike with 300ft elevation gain to a lookout!




{5} Exploring the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in Meriweather (my VW Passat)!
note: videos of this production to follow once they upload- it's taking forever!!!

And yes, that IS a GRIZZLY BEAR!!

cheers,

*lucy

5 Lovely Things on Monday

{1} Aunt Joanie

On Saturday, May 14th we celebrated my great aunt Joan's life.
She led a courageous eight-year fight against ovarian cancer & will be missed by many.

{2}Material World

I snagged this book for 50% @ a closeout sale--
can't wait to dive in!

{3} LIVING IN NORTH TACOMA!!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE residing in Old Town?
It means that I can walk down to Ruston Way for a twilight stroll any day of the week.
{sigh of delight}



{3} Just A Boy

I rediscovered Angus & Julia Stone in my music library last week.
Not only is their chill music lovely but the video is an artistic delight!

{4} Something Borrowed
Based on a novel by Emily Giffin (my favorite!)

The boys in this romcom are quite lovely and
it's the only Kate Hudson movie I can stomach.

{5} My roommate Jade attempting to swim laps.

No picture needed-- use your imagination.

Let's just say that I felt like I was teaching "Floaters" again ;)

Enjoy the sun tomorrow- hopefully it's out.

♥lucy