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Friday Five | Let Freedom Ring

July 8, 2016
Neat

The Rhubarb Fizz at Neat packs the perfect punch to beat the summer heat with Prosecco and lemon.

I’m still recovering from my back-to-back vacations, first beachside with my family then lakeside with my boyfriend’s. Ready for the weekend, I won’t let summer slip by without enjoying all the fun and freedom it affords.

Rosé in hand isn’t a bad place to start (here’s 9 of the best), or a cocktail with rhubarb, which my sisters and I sipped at the perfectly curated bottle shop in quaint Alys Beach, NEAT.

As someone who can often dodge being direct, I liked hearing-from a guy’s perspective-that commitment can be viewed as just as much of a fulfilling adventure as traversing the globe or climbing the corporate ladder. Confidence and clarity will cause you to express this and convict the people you love to believe it.

Growing up with six older siblings, I get a peek of what’s ahead and right now, that’s parenthood. I basked in the freedom to go to and from the beach at my leisure and lounge poolside, good book in hand, with little interruption. I can’t wait to have kids, but witnessing what a labor of love it is reiterates what this blog reveals: it ain’t easy.

On that note, we’ve got another baby on the way to round the grandkid count to a neat dozen. With Lyndsey announcing her third, I thought this was a fun series of old-wives-tales of how to tell if a little brother or sister is soon to come. Poll: do you like to find out (and plan the nursery!) or wait until the birth for the ultimate surprise?

This was my billion dollar idea, now sitting amidst prime real estate in Times Square. With create-your-own bowls being a culinary craze, I’m sure tourists, foodies and cereal enthusiasts alike will flock to Kellogg’s to concoct their specialty bowls. I’ll have Life with dark chocolate chips, blueberries and cinnamon, please!

Happy weekend! Soak up the summer. And the sun!

-Molly Bridget of Bridget’s Own Diary

 

Fashion, Featured, Kids, Motherhood

puddle jumpin

April 19, 2016

View More: http://traciling.pass.us/lyndseyblog2
This week has been turned upside down. Flooding in Houston has caused schools to be shut down so we’ve been unexpectedly housebound for the past two days. And maybe more given the fact that more rain is en route. Rain days are so strange to me. Being from Ohio where snow days were like Christmas coming early, snow in my experience is way more fun than thunderstorms, right?! I’m really a jerk to even complain about the rain because we are safe and our home is dry. So many Houstonians have lost so much the past few years because of flood damage. I promise I’ve got this whole thing in perspective, but just couldn’t get out of my grumpy mood given the schedule crashing that comes with “school’s closed” emails. After pouting around for most of Monday I knew I had to right the ship so I took the girls out for a bike ride. Acting like I was of age (2 and 4 years old), we raced through puddle after puddle, the two girls squealing at the top of their lungs with excitement. And it felt so good. I mean, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a while and all it took was some high energy puddle jumping. I may have even squealed a little bit too. They’re saying school will likely be closed for the third day in a row. There better be some good puddles out there….
View More: http://traciling.pass.us/lyndseyblog2
View More: http://traciling.pass.us/lyndseyblog2
View More: http://traciling.pass.us/lyndseyblog2
View More: http://traciling.pass.us/lyndseyblog2

outfit details | rain boots | sweater, old, similar here and here | belt (last seen here), similar here | denim c/o Earl Jeans | sunglasses | handbag

shop my favorite rain boots here…

photos by Traci Ling

Fashion, Featured, Gifts, Kids, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Mom Love Monday | Mother’s Day gifts

April 18, 2016

Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6557-2
It’s been a while since we’ve done a Mom Love Monday on L. Avenue. I’ve missed blogging about everything Mom-centric! I’ve got a lot of really fun collaborations coming up, so you’ll be seeing this series more often in the near future. Mom Love Monday was one of the very first series I ran on my blog and it’s special to me because being a Mom is such a special, integral part of my life.

I’m really excited to collaborate with another Mom entrepreneur today. Atlanta based designer, English Norman, has been silver-smithing and hand-crafting for over 17 years and her name collection caught my attention. You can personalize her gorgeous bangles with important, names, birthdates, anniversaries, etc. I chose to have a bangle made for each of my girls with a custom inscription of their name and birthdate. The bangles are simple enough for everyday and also look great stacked with my other bangles and bracelets. Jewelry is the one thing I rarely buy for myself. It’s personal and I think means more when it comes as a gift. Most of the staple pieces I wear have been gifts from parents, the hubs, friends and family because they mean that much more to me coming from the ones I love. That’s why this collection is such a great gift idea for your favorite people to commemorate the important events in their lives.
Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6407 Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6413 Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6445-2 Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6461 Norman English Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6486 Norman English Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6508 Norman English Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6587-2 Norman English Ailee_Petrovic_160417_L86A6600
outfit details | name collection, personalized bangles by English Norman | romper with lace detail | blazer, last seen here, almost identical version here $64, also love this pink gem and this peachy nude version | handbag *50% off through 1/18 | flats last season J. Crew, similar here $49 and here |

on Leighton | Lullaby Set patchwork dress now available online, also comes in a bubble version

*This post was sponsored by ESN Artisan Jewelry. Thank you for supporting the brands that make L. Avenue possible.

photos by Ailee of Snapshots by Ailee Petrovic

Fashion, Featured, Minis, Motherhood

SALE ALERT: back to school shopping

August 13, 2015


I can’t believe kids are staring school NEXT week. August is just dipping her toe in the water, clearly not the end of summer yet. To celebrate back to school I’m schlepping my two toddlers off to Colorado. It’s our favorite time to go up to CO because most everyone is back to the grind and the mountain towns are ghost towns. No traffic, no lines, just crisp mountain air and lots of outdoor fun!

I am, however, antsy for some back-to-school clothes. Tired of summer brights and ready for neutrals, black, dark green and the seasons’s hottest maroon red for fall. Whether you’re shopping for you or the kids, J. Crew’s 30% off sale does not disappoint. There are so many items on my list, including this short sleeve popover, this corduroy blazer, these boyfriend jeans, these flats, and these leopard pumps have been on my wish list for 3 years now!

Happy almost weekend, y’all!

LZ

p.s. I snapped this photo at a shoot with Cutehead Kids yesterday. Check out this awesome kids clothing line here for some great back-to-school styles! More details about the line in my upcoming Mom Love Monday post.

Kids, Motherhood

What I would say on Mother’s Day….

May 9, 2015

unnamed

What I wish I could say to my Mom on Mother’s Day…

With every scroll through my Instagram feed this week I’m reminded that Mother’s Day just around the corner. And every time I see a post about what to buy Mom or a Mom and me selfie it knocks the wind out of me. This day is always going to be hard because I don’t get to spend it with my mom. It’s conflicting, because I really want to enjoy the day with my kids, but the void that I can’t be with my Mom on Mother’s Day leaves me feeling pretty empty. I think about her all the time but even more so during the time of year that’s dedicated to mothers. And I realized this week what I would tell my Mom if I could get an outside line to Heaven this Sunday….

But first, a quick backstory. I spontaneously flew up to DC to see my favorite band perform at my favorite venue with some of my favorite friends. A lot of favorites right there, woohoo! At first, the details and logistics involved anytime a coach (me!) leaves her team, even if it’s for 24 hours, sounded daunting. Who will watch the kids? Am I a bad Mom for leaving the kids? Will B send L.E. to school in pajamas? Just thinking about leaving was exhausting, (packing, two 3+ hour flights in 24 hours, yada yada yada). But since my Mom passed away I really do feel like the B and I started operating on the “life’s short, live it now” mantra. Especially when it comes to bucket list opportunities with dear friends.

I put a lot of energy into surrounding myself with the people that mean the most to me. You know, the chicken noodle soup friends in life. And as important as it is to be with these VIP people in our life, it’s equally important to have passions, hobbies, whatever it is in life that makes us insanely happy. For some it’s a happy place vacation spot, others it’s playing as many cool golf courses as possible (you know who you are, honey!) My happiness overload activity involves listening to live music. And guess what, this was my mom’s happiness sweet spot too. I was raised around music, it played such a big role in my childhood and I’ve got so many great memories rocking out to 80’s hair bands with my Mom. In spite of the happy memories, I never understood my mom’s interests, style, and what really amped her up until just this week. Side note: why are we so hard on our parents during our formative years? Seriously, I gave my Mom such a hard time about anything and everything. She wasn’t allowed to like Guns N’ Roses, parents should be listening to old people music, right?! And I was always so embarrassed when she rocked double denim and ripped jeans. Currently trendy again and now in my outfit rotation. Ha. And she had more white tees and button downs than I have shoes (that’s a serious number). Classic white and denim was her jam. And I find myself gravitating towards the same look now too. And when I looked in the mirror when I was getting ready for the concert, it might as well been her standing there circa 1981. That night at the concert was magical, a you-can’t-breathe-because-it’s-so-awesome kind of experience. Part of what made it magical was that I felt her presence. I realized that piece of her had rubbed off on me, rocking ripped jeans, a white tee and screaming at the top of my lungs to every single song lyric. I know it might sound hokey, but I’m going to make it through this mother’s day a little bit happier knowing that I spent Mother’s Day week hanging with my Mom at that concert. I just wish more than anything I could tell her how cool I think she was.

Featured, Kids, Lifestyle, Motherhood

Happiness Project|aim higher

April 23, 2015

5 ways to aim higher
launch a blog
enjoy the fun of failure
ask for help
work smart
enjoy now

Um, where did March go? And is April really almost over too? Yikes! I actually wrote a draft for March’s happiness project post shortly after reading the chapter and it mysteriously disappeared onto the island of misfit blog posts. Better late than never?!

The common theme of the 5 happiness mantras for March is growth. Yeah, I realize I’m never going to be 5’8″ even though that’s what I tell doctors and the DMV. That ship has sailed. It’s the other kind of growth that needs my attention, so today we’re talking personal growth. I’m almost glad this post came to y’all a little tardy, because it’s given me even more time to reflect on the relationship between personal growth and overall happiness. And I can honestly say it’s clear to me that I’m happier when I’m growing. Putting yourself out there in life can be intimidating. What if I fail? Fear of failure can be paralyzing. But the actual process of putting energy into aiming higher, whether we succeed or fail ultimately makes us happier because we’re challenging ourselves and pushing the boundaries in life. Adrenaline rushes, excitement, and overcoming the fear of failing is liberating in a sense. For example, I finally overcame my fear of hearing the word “no” and pitched a publication to feature my blog. I put together what I thought to be a compelling email with some photos attached and It felt so great when I finally got the nerve to hit the send button. And guess what? I got a big bold NO. I was crushed when my proposal was rejected. But after a little boo-hooing to the hubs, I was ready to come up with my next pitch. Looking back, I now realize that it actually made me much happier putting myself out there as opposed to agonizing about wanting to take action and then feeling like an inadequate loser for not following through. “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly.” Right?! It really is about the journey. Which leads me to another integral happiness mantra, enjoy now. Need I say more?

photo by Traci Ling

Fashion, Featured, Kids, Motherhood

Lilly Pulitzer for Target launch tomorrow 4/18!

April 18, 2015

lilyfortarget_

There has been an insane amount of hype over this newest Target collaboration with Lilly Pulitzer and I’m loving what I see. I’ll be shopping from my bed this Sunday morning. We’re actually planning a beach vacay in May, so this line launch couldn’t launch at a better time. I’ve got dibs on the green jumpsuit below. And it’ll be hard to not buy one for my mini-me’s too. Also, unlike some of the more recent Target collaborations, the price points for Lilly for Target won’t break the bank one bit. Be sure to check back on the blog tomorrow for a round up of all of my favorite picks from this collection.

lilyfortarget_greenjumpsuit

lilyfortarget_tropicalshiftdress

lilyfortarget_toddlers

 

 

 

 

Fashion, Featured, Interiors, Kids, Lifestyle, Minis, Motherhood

Mom Love Monday, brand crush on Rikshaw Design

March 30, 2015

Lyndsey-Blog-Lyndsey-0077
Hey guys! After a brief hiatus, I’m so excited to bring Mom Love Monday’s back to the blog. Today we’re talking kids clothes, mom clothes, gift ideas, and interior decor. Aggressive line-up for a Monday, right?! Let me explain. I was introduced to Rikshaw Design through their baby clothes and have since fallen in love with the rest of the line. Kind of like Starbucks, I originally eased into the coffee drinking waters with a frappuccino from time to time. Fast forward a few years (and a few kids) and I’m hitting the drive-thru for my morning latte and pumpkin bread for the kids, lunching on a tomato mozzarella sandwich in the carpool line and sometimes an afternoon iced green tea is an essential pick-me-up to make it though the day. Yep, I’m addicted. Like the ‘bucks, Rikshaw also does a lot of things really well and I keep coming back for more. I’m obsessed with the bright colors and bold block printed patterns. But more than anything my love is with Rikshaw’s fabrics. My kids have sensitive skin and their Rikshaw outfits are super soft, breathable and lightweight. Perfect for summers in Houston. And easy to pack for summer vacations. The outfits roll perfectly to occupy about as much room as a pair of socks, no joke.

Rikshaw also does bedding and nursery decor. I’m talking Pinterest-worthy, dream nurseries. (photos here) In a few months, we’re moving the girls into the same room and I’m obsessed with this pattern for their new bedroom. Also in the Rikshaw wheelhouse is baby gifts. A few of my go-to gifts are these blankets, bibs and hooded towels.

Have I worn you out yet?! Well, there’s more, so take a 5 second breather (hehe) and brace yourself for the rest. Rikshaw recently started designing women’s clothes and I’m a huge fan. Boho is so trendy this spring and this top is my preppy version of boho chic. Also, the most comfortable top I own. How cute would mixing these bright Rikshaw patterns be for a family photo?!

Be sure to head back to the blog tomorrow because we’re giving away my fun top so one lucky reader can start her Rikshaw clothing additiction for free!

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outfit details (the girls) | seahorse romper & pineapple cap sleeve dress c/o Rikshaw | sandals

outfit details (me) | embroidered sleeveless top c/o Rikshaw | bracelet c/o Mignonne Gavigan | jeans | shoes | bag (pre-order now, this bag is sold out everywhere!), similar here

photos by Traci Ling