Recently (San Fran, Mohawks, Kite Dates and Summertime in the Water)

Happy Friday...evening!! It's been a while (long while) since I've done a "recently" post so I grabbed my computer and headed to Starbucks once the husband got home (since he has projects to get done) and the babe is asleep. 

I have an iced green tea in hand, a comfy Ninja Turtles shirt on ($4 at Target...heeyy!), messy hair and my prescription glasses on. I probably look like I just got out of bed but honestly, where I live, super casual is the norm.

Anywho, I thought I'd give a little update on life recently other than the shenanigans in the craft room-that will come later.

First things first, I've been watching Creative Live for quite some time now. It's usually playing in the background as I'm working because these workshops are so incredibly enriching in knowledge when it comes to the handmade market and small biz. Seriously, if you are looking to grow your skills and learn new things, turn into CL pretty much at anytime and you will get just that! Best thing is, it's free education too!

Here's the best news yet, I recently signed up to be a part of the live studio audience for one of the workshops coming up and just got an email of approval to attend! I will be in San Francisco next month for a few days (my first time going to San Fran)!! I'm so excited to go and get some serious brain food to feed into my shop! I also get to go with my friend Tara from Laila's Charming Pieces who also got accepted. This is pretty amazing for the both of us!

This trip lends some major guilt though because this means I will be away from my family for a few days. I tried talking my husband into going but since I will be gone pretty much all day at the workshop-every day, he decided that it didn't quite make sense...I guess he's right...I will miss him but it is too great of an opportunity to turn down. I am so thankful for such a supportive husband and family!

Since it's officially summertime-& HOT, we've been spending a lot of time outside playing in the water. Whether it's on the slip n' slide or spraying the hose, these moments make our home feel like HOME.

We had a "kite-flying date" in the backyard. It ended with my kite getting stuck in the neighbors tree with pink streamers tangled around the branches. Maybe next time I will tie my kite strings around Levi's pant loops so he can't let go of it. Ha ha!! It was so much fun while it lasted though!

We made strawberry, banana crepes with walnuts one afternoon. YUM!! This makes me want about 5 more.

This momma's heart stopped when I walked into the living room the other day and saw that my husband gave our son a mohawk! When I agreed to a hawk, I was leaning more towards a little "fohawk" but lo and behold, our baby turned into a little man with his new do.

I'm not going to lose sleep over it though because his hair will grow back and honestly, if he's going to have a mohawk, I'd rather give him one now rather than have him walk through the door as a teen with one! LOL

Ay yi yi!

I went out for a quick mommy date with my friend Tara. We went and saw "Mom's Night Out." After seeing it on Mother's Day and balling my eyes out, I knew it was a must see for Tara as well. As young mothers, this movie is so incredibly relatable! Again, the tears came and the laughs were had.

My husband and I got to spend time with some of our favorite babies (ok, so maybe they are too old to be called "babies" now but they will always be babies in my eyes)! Our little Caleb and Julia came over for the night to visit as they all jumped on the bed and ran around the house with Levi. They are his "besties". 

Summertime in the desert brings evenings that feel like paradise with the warm breezes and cotton candy painted skies. Every night, the Lord's canvas doesn't disappoint.

These nights remind me to breathe and trust as I gaze up at the vast skies.

So thankful for this life.

Bohemian Spring Photo Shoot featuring Love Sparkle Pretty

I am clinging onto Spring for as long as I can. I love the light breeze of the season, the sounds of birds creating music in the sunlight, the scent of new life blossoming from fresh soil and the vibrant color palette of blooming florals. 

Inspired by this season today, I wanted to share this Bohemian Spring Photo Shoot captured by Kristen Booth with hair pieces from my new Victorian-Inspired Collection and gorgeous dresses from Chariot Marie.

Enjoy.

Isabell Floral Crown

Esther Floral Headband

Florence Floral Necklace

Eve Crown

Claire Floral Adornment

Hannah Floral Headband

Eve Crown

Juliet Babys Breath Crown

See more of this photo shoot on Kristen Booth's blog.

Photography Credit: Kristen Booth

Floral Crowns: Love Sparkle Pretty

Vintage Dresses: Chariot Marie

A Little Announcement. CHANGE.

A little announcement.

I've decided to make a few changes. One being my branding, which I'm working on right now (a new look to the blog shall make it's way here soon) and another with my Instagram account. 

I've struggled with my space on Instagram for a while trying to find a balance with sharing my personal life mixed with my business/shop/creative side of my life. Since I feel like both sides don't quite resonate with my community, I've decided to create another account dedicated to sharing life behind Love Sparkle Pretty. 

On my new account, @Kayla.LSP I will be able to share life as a wife to an amazing man, momma to a crazy, lovable little boy as well as my faith, blessings and struggles. 

With this change, it gives me a bit more freedom without feeling selfish for posting about my creativity (because honestly, that has been weighing heavily). So, I ask that you also follow along with this "real, beautiful but somewhat crazy life"- @Kayla.LSP and I will keep my original @LoveSparklePretty space for inspiring creatives, photographers, brides, girls who like "pretty things" as well as shop related updates/sales, photo shoots and new pieces I'm working on.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support!! 

NY PART III: NY Skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial

Part III of my NY trip with my momma. See Part I & Part II.

On Monday, April 28 2014, my mother and  I woke up bright and early in the Upper West Side of NYC (so again, please excuse the messy hair and tired makeup ha!). We walked to the local Coffee Bean right under our hotel to grab a toasted bagel, a vanilla latte and my mom tried her luck at some scratchers. With that, we were off to our next adventure!

We took the subway down to Fulton Street and walked through the seaport down to Pier 16. The aesthetic of the modern design amongst the historic buildings was pretty fascinating.

When we arrived to our Pier, we waited for our yacht, Zephyr-a part of the Circle Line Downtown tour. Once we were on board, we were able to take a ride around the Hudson River to see views of the amazing NY skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Coney Island as well as cruise under the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge! It was the perfect day to be on the water since the sky was crystal clear, the sun was shining and the monuments were gleaming. If you are visiting NY, I definitely recommend this tour. Not only do you get to see the city's historic beauty for an hour from the sea but it's also really affordable!

Ellis Island

Statue of Liberty. She's a beauty. Thank you France!

The Freedom Tower-built after 9/11

After the tour wrapped up, we walked through the financial district and towards the 9/11 memorial.

Once we arrived to the memorial at Ground Zero, it took a while to realize where I really was, what happened in the exact place I was standing 13 years ago and the thousands of precious lives that were lost. Seeing the names engraved around the tranquil double waterfalls made it seem real. It's hard to gather the words to describe the feeling you get when you encounter such a sacred place. It's almost impossible not to look out at each waterfall-which once encompassed the tallest towers in the U.S. and not replay the images of screaming men and women covered in ash and soot.

 I still remember where I was when this tragedy hit, much like most of us. As a 12 year old girl, I remember having dreams of airplanes crashing into everything after seeing what had happened to the World Trade Center buildings on the news.  Even as a girl in Southern California, on the other side of the country, this day has affected me. I pray for the families who have been directly affected by September 11, 2001 and deeply love one or more of the names written in the stone at Ground Zero. 

So solemn.

Taking a peek into the 9/11 museum. It just opened a few weeks after we left NY.

When we left the memorial, we immediately saw Morton's Steakhouse. Since it's supposed to be one of the best steakhouses ever, we made this our lunch stop. I have a fillet mignon burger and my mom had a prime rib french dip sandwich. I'd love to say that I could vouch for the "best steak anywhere" but seeing how both of our meats (especially my mothers) were actually cooked a lot more raw than we ordered (we ordered medium well), it wasn't as best as I would have hoped. The customer service was really great though and the manager was super nice about it. He even gave us some yummy chocolate mousse to enjoy. I didn't mind that one bit!

After lunch, we headed to midtown to do some shopping at MOOD (a very much anticipated shopping trip), enjoyed the alluring and peaceful atmosphere of the New York Public Library and experienced Grand Central Station at rush hour...NEXT POST. Stay Tuned.

See previous NY posts:

NY Part I- Sunrise over Manhattan and Magic in Central Park

NY Part II- How NOT to ride the subway, a bald lady and the Empire State Building