With that said, we did get to hang out and have fun over the weekend. I was sent home from my internship on Friday with a camera in hand, ready to take some pictures of Matt. Matt wanted a few shots at Youth Venture, a teen center he works at every Sunday. So, that’s where we headed first. After that, we went to a trolley stop in La Mesa and took advantage of its cool architecture. Not only did we have fun, but I left the photo shoot knowing what I can do better and what comes easy to me. I’m ready for more.

Matt and I rung in the new year celebrating with Bree (sister-in-law) and Ryan (soon to be brother-in-law). We hit the one year mark on our engagement, took a trip to the Getty, and were looking forward to married life. I designed and sold my custom cup cozies to earn a little extra money for the wedding. They were a hit.

In FEBRUARY my first wedding dress arrived. I modeled it, spun in circles, and then decided I chose the wrong wedding dress. I still can’t believe I was one of those girls who ended up buying two separate wedding dresses. In the end, it all worked out and a sweet Canadian girl got the dress of her dreams (pictured above). I also accomplished a lot as far as design is concerned. Remember this post?

In MARCH, I spend countless hours searching for bridesmaid dresses. Literally. The search ended with an inexpensive dress from Old Navy. What were the chances? This month was filled with a lot of wedding planning. I designed and launched our personal wedding website. I also snuck in a garage sale/ thrift store trip with my mom.

Besides our wedding month, APRIL was the busiest of all. Matt picked out suits for the wedding. I sketched and designed our wedding invitations. I shot behind-the-scene photos of a first aid video and experienced my first ever newborn photo shoot (Baby Brynn). Work, as well as wedding planning, were in full swing.

In MAY, Matt and I celebrated a lot of family birthdays! Becky, Bree, Ryan, my mom, and my dad all turned a year older. We received out first RSVP, which was so exciting. I also started working part-time at my church, Foothills Christian Church, as their graphic designer.

RSVPs kept rolling in in JUNE. It was crunch time when it came to the wedding. Matt and I (mostly I) had nothing but wedding planning on our minds. It really is crazy how time consuming weddings can be if you let it be! We stopped joking about running away to Vegas and the wedding actually felt like it would happen. We found a place to live and Matt moved in. I started packing.

Most of JULY looked like this: miscellaneous craft projects, a half-packed living situation, candy to keep us going, and to-do lists. But, then our wedding day came and went and a blink of an eye!

We had the perfect day. (Wedding photo by Emily Faulknor Photographers) And then we honeymooned in Breckenridge…

It was the best vacation ever. We hiked, jacuzzied, went off-roading in a Mustang (scariest-thing-ever), hiked some more, got massages, explored, and had the time of out life.

AUGUST was our first month as newlyweds. I moved in with Matt and got settled. We bought a bed frame, opened all our wedding gifts, and got used to be married. Things were new and exciting. Matt turned 25 and life was good. At work, I designed my first-ever book cover.

In SEPTEMBER, our niece Evangeline graced us with her presence! Matt and I were so excited to have a niece and I had the opportunity to take newborn photos of her. Sometime during the month, I went on an apple-picking adventure with my two best friends and the only baby in the group so far. We had so much fun.

OCTOBER was my birthday month! Matt surprised me with a brand-new iphone. We spend many nights falling in love with Mad Men and with each other a little more. I dyed my hair red. Everyone noticed. I also legally became “Lauren Lee Miller.” We picked out our first pumpkin together. Then, at the end of the month we welcomed our niece, Berkeley, into the world!

In NOVEMBER, I took photos of precious Berkeley. Matt started a new job. My sister walked the 3 day Breast Cancer Walk for my grandma who survived cancer this past year. I designed a logo for her team and we went to cheer her on. Thanksgiving came and went.

DECEMBER marked the month of our first Christmas as a married couple. With it, new schedule challenges arose as we divided our time between our families. We decorated modestly and spend cold nights cuddling while watching movies. I gathered pieces for my inspiration board, a highlight of my month. We spend New Year’s Eve at home with champagne, homemade goodies, and a movie marathon. It was the perfect way to end an eventful year.

I’m anticipating the next 3 months to be busy, busy, busy. I may be a little more absent than normal and may be skipping even more “Tuesday Love”s that I am now! My father-in-law once told me that successful people find success because all their effort is going in one direction. As much as I love blogging (which I really, really do), at this time in my life it’s going against the grain. Starting tomorrow, I will be working more hours at my day job. I’m looking forward to having more time to work on design projects and be in the office. I really love my job and think the increase in hours will be a great thing. I’ve also taken on a 3 month internship with one of my favorite photographers. I’m expecting it to be challenging and I’m hoping to gain better photography skills from it. It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass by! My part-time/ sometimes full-time schedule is making the jump to full-time/ over-time and I know it will affect my blogging. So, I apologize if I go missing for some time. I feel sad just having to write that! In the upcoming months, please pray that I am able to balance my schedule, learn a lot, maintain a healthy marriage (even if the house gets messy), set aside time for myself (especially with God) and come out of this new season with a refreshed outlook and clarity.

Thank you for following along!

Becky sneaking away at Thanksgiving   |   Wave House, Pacific Beach   |   Driving   | Frozen Yogurt   |   Matt on the boardwalk in PB   |   Downtown SD   |   A pretty ring from my grandma   |   Sunny, PB   |   Newlyweds   |   Pacific Beach, SD   |   My dad   |   Editing Berkeley’s newborn shoot   |   Matt chilling   |   Working from home   |   Matt kissing his phone   |   Christmas project on Thanksgiving   |   Doctor’s appointment   |   Chopping up veggies for a salad   |   Matt at Youth Venture   |   Too many pink polishes   |   November in Santee

1. I think this pose is so cute, especially for a Daddy’s girl!

2. If you see an inexpensive and giant version of this basket, tell me! I want one to put blankets in.

3. My dream kitchen (one of many). I love it.

4. I like these clothes. Mostly #1,2,8,9,10, and 13.

5. If I were given 3 wishes one of them would be for a mantle and a fireplace like this one.

6. DIY colorful ornaments!

7. I won this Kelli Murray print from a giveway on Joanna Noel Waterfall’s blog! I still can’t believe it. Love, love, love! Where should I hang it up?

8. Pretty paper ornaments.

9. I want to make a wreath like these ones and hang it in my window.

10. Mood board tips! Who knew I liked orange and aqua so much? Not me…. until I completed a mood board.

Today I’m bringing you another super easy 3 step DIY project from Pinterest. As many of you may know, Matt surprised me with an iphone for my birthday! A few days later, he found a cheap clear case to protect it. I popped it on and now a month later it’s covered in scratches. Clearly it’s doing it’s job! But, I’m not crazy about seeing all the scratches since it’s clear. When I saw this DIY iphone case on Pinterest I knew I had to try it out! The project is originally from howtonestforless.com. Having a patterned case helps hide the scratches and makes my phone look brand new (since it is)! To top it off, it’s easy to switch out when my mood changes!

Here are the things that you will need:

-your favorite scrapbook paper
-a clear iphone case
-an iphone (duh!)
-x-acto knife or scissors
-pencil
-ruler

1. Step 1: Trace around your iphone with the screen facing up. Using the back of the plastic case, trace the cutout for the camera.

Step 2: Use a ruler or straightedge to cut out the paper with an x-acto knife. The cutout for the camera is the trickiest part. Patience is key.

Step 3: Place the paper in the back of the case and snap it around your phone.

Talk away in style! Feel free to cut out a few different patterns using different paper to switch out as you please!

1. Katie’s red hair.

2. The Pie Hole (like in Pushing Daises, but it’s not make-believe).

3. These illustrated decals (perfect for renters).

4. This bright workspace.

5. This workspace for days that you want to be in a bubble.

6. This post I can relate to about measuring spoons.

7. This illustration of California. With so many people leaving our pretty state, we have to represent.

8. The way Nicole Richie wears a scarf.

9. DIY change purse/ card holder.

10. Wood and foil invitations.

Happy Thursday! Thanks for putting up with my sentence fragments this week!

]]> http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/17/10-things/feed/ 1 http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/12/as-seen-on-pinterest-diy-pedestal/ http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/12/as-seen-on-pinterest-diy-pedestal/#comments Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:03:12 +0000 lauren http://l-and-company.com/blog/?p=2021

While scouring Pinterest with every free second I get (sad, but true) I came across this really cute pedestal.

I love that it’s used in the bathroom to display makeup and other pretty things. Matt and I don’t have any drawers in our bathroom which can be a real pain. We store bathroom stuff under the sink, in an entertainment stand turned shelving (you’ll have to see it to believe it looks good), and on the counter. I hate having messy counters and I especially hate having our bathroom stuff in view for guests to see. But, I thought I would make the best of it and make this pedestal. It’s the easiest project you could ever do. It took me all of 10 minutes!

Supplies needed: candlestick, 1-2 plate(s), gluegun

Step 1: Buy a cheap candlestick and plate that you love. I got my candlestick on clearance at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and my plate at Pier 1. I spent less than $10 total.

Step 2: Center the candlestick on the bottom of the plate and trace around where it lands with a pencil.

Step 3: Using a hot glue gun, glue the candlestick to the bottom of the plate.

Step 4 (optional): Repeat steps with another plate on the other side of the candlestick. Make sure that you glue the bottom of the candlestick to the top of the second plate. Since I have limited counter space, I skipped the second plate.

Ta-da! Now you have a cute pedestal. Easy as pie! Comment with questions!

1. Here’s my kind of coffee table book. Sure, bridges and nature scenes are beautiful, but what beats a book with travel ads from the past 20 years? Nothing. (That was a rhetorical question, Lauren.)

2. Someday, in the far away future, I will make a onesie for my baby that is just like this. I have to say “far, far away” because once you have a ring on your finger EVERYONE asks. Friends, family, that random woman at the fabric store, the pastor of our church… the list goes on and on. Can you relate?

3. I know it’s not the holiday season yet. I know I complained about markets and the holiday season last week. But, I couldn’t resist posting these cards. You circle what holiday you are sending the card out for. I think it’s cute. Found via Anthropologie.

4. This quote is amazing. This room is amazing. That dress is amazing. Did I say amazing?

5. I typically try to stray away from graphic tees because I already look like a 17 year old, but I really like this one. And, it’s designed by the one and only Kelli Murray of Jedidiah.

6. I die a little inside every time I look at my book shelf and these are not in them. Aren’t they beautiful? Not only that, but they’re all classics. The artwork is by Coralie Bickford-Smith. I think I will start collecting them.

7. I’ve been on the lookout for a monthly 2012 calendar that I like. This one is so pretty but also a little pricey since it’s letterpress. But, I still love it.

8. Okay, here’s another holiday-related photo. But, it’s sooo cute! I think it has something to do with the chalkboard, the candy, the white table and walls, and those cute jingle bell trees.

9. What a cute headband! I usually don’t wear them, but I would consider this one because I like it a lot.

10. I like the idea of decorating a nursery in neutrals because toys are always colorful. This room looks a little too much like a grown-up room for me, but it’s still really cute. It would also be easy to transition into a little girl’s room as she gets older. P.S. Not planning a nursery any time soon.

I hope you are a little more inspired now. I am!

]]> http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/08/10-things-i-love-4/feed/ 4 http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/02/tuesday-love-11/ http://l-and-company.com/blog/2011/11/02/tuesday-love-11/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:43:02 +0000 lauren http://l-and-company.com/blog/?p=1981 For the name sake, I think I will always call these posts “Tuesday Love” even though they don’t always come out on a Tuesday. The name has just stuck and for some reason my schedule always permits Wednesday as being an easier day for posting this feature. Without further ado, here’s 10 new things that I love!

1. I was first drawn to this image because of the words “typo.” I’m pretty good at typos. Just ask my boss. Luckily there’s people in the world that are good at proofing things for me!

2. These wood sunglasses are pretty rad.

3. I would love these stackable rings. I would buy four: 1,0,1,0. For the Mr. at American Eagle, no, I don’t speak binary. That’s my birthday.

4. I love this mood board and the giant mess in the background too. I’m due for an inspirational day.

5. I like seeing Christmas cards that aren’t so “Christmas.” By the way, the fall season has been stolen away by marketers who promote Christmas before Halloween. I don’t like it one bit. I would take fall over Christmas any day.

6. I’m not going to lie, my hair is almost the same color as Elsie’s and it makes me like it even more. Cute dress too!

7. I think this chalkboard disc with chalk is such a cute favor on a place setting. It would be even cuter doubled as a name plate. I’m thinking pretty calligraphy would top it off.

8. If I had pattered tape like these rolls I would wrap all my presents in it.

9. This is a cute room for sisters who share. I would have never thought to split up the wallpaper. My sister and I never shared a room. But if we would have, I am sure we would want our heads near each other so we could talk at night… or maybe we would fight. Probably a little bit of both!

10. I really like this post by The Tiny Twig. It’s nice to hear a personal story from a blogger I love!

Happy Wednesday!

Matt and I got to hang out with his sister Tiffany, brother-in-law James and our little niece Berkeley for a little bit last night. We love her. She’s perfect. We love them all! I’m so excited that both our nieces (you may remember Evie from her newborn shoot) will be around this year for the holidays. I can’t wait! Here’s just a few photos from the night.

Oh shoot. That’s not Berkeley! That’s Poka. Tiff and James adopted her when she was a kitty from Matt and I because I’m allergic and didn’t know at the time. We love Poka too. But, I think I love Berkeley just a little more! Okay, a lot more. Stay tuned for another newborn shoot next week!