The Bolder the Better

Hey guys.  Good 'ol Hola Lola will be out of order for probably the next two weeks as we are crazed with work (Florida all of last week... now swimming HARD to try to get my head above water) and when not working and entertaining the kiddos, we are spending all our time trying to launch the new The Bolder the Better (fashion,art, music) blog.  I CAN NOT WAIT to kick this one off! We're hoping within the next week (or two max)...YIKES!!!  In the meantime, please be patient with me here at Hola Lola because I (and the kids) will be back! 

P.S. I must also mention my back has gone out and I'm walking around like a 90 year old decrepit woman. Not even kidding! 

TGIF

Wowsers! IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY!  I put this in all caps because to be short work week, it sure did seem loooonnnngggg!  But, we finally made it and now I'm super excited to get into the weekend to see what it has to bring.  Hope to recap next week but for now, here are some clips from today....

Someone woke up with some major bed-head.  With the curls and all, there is typically some frizz kickin' it in the mornings and I always have to wet the hair-do down to get it looking right. But today was a little more crazy for some reason.  It was so cute, I decided to leave it exactly like this!

My outfit today (which of course includes animal print...Imagine that!).  Top - Zara, Scarf - gift from years ago, Dress (yes, it's a dress not a skirt) - BCBG via Co-Star (a bit obsessed with this local boutique), Tights - Amazon, Boots - Pookie & Sebastion (NYC boutique).  These boots are pushing 10 yrs old and I still LOVE them!

Nothing better than an ice tea with crunchy ice! After very little sleep last night, this helped get me through the work day....

 After I picked the kids up from school, we went to our favorite local burger joint!

Lo can never resist the candy/trinket machines so we got us some staches for a quarter which served as our entertainment while we waited for our burgers to arrive.

Now onto the good stuff...Ahhh...the vino!  P.S.  Love this wine stopper my dad got me for Christmas.  He was SO proud of this gift and could not wait to give it to me.  His quote was "I bought you the second best gift I've ever gotten you"....second to the key finder (also from Brookstone) he bought me a couple years ago (Yes, I'm one of those who is always looking for my keys). 

I hope everyone has a good' weekend!

Back to the grind!

I had the opportunity to take 10 days off from work.  Well, that included weekends and work holidays but it was more time than I've taken in years.  I found when you have a demanding/stressful job taking time off is interesting and it's still yet to be determined if it's worth it.  Here's how it goes...It takes 4 days to get the stress of work and the idea being away from the office off your mind...then you have a few days in there where you actually feel "stress" free (minus the sounds of screaming kids and all other things in life that bring stress)....then there are the 3 days before you go back to work that you start worrying about all that will have to be done when you return....then there are the two nights before when you get NO sleep due to this stress...IS IT WORTH IT?!?!?!? Despite all the stress of work, etc, keeping in mind we work hard to give our family a good life then I guess this makes it all worth it....right?!?!?!? I just wish there were a happy medium.

Even after taking those days off, I still feel like I need a break.  How is that?!?!?  Maybe it's because the holidays had us running around Texas non-stop.  Then, when we got back it was all about getting everything in order at the home front.  So, once again, I'm at a point where I feel I'm hitting an existential crisis.  I hate these moments and really hate kicking off 2012 feeling this way but also know it will pass. In the meantime, we'll just keep cranking along.....working long days, dealing with the sometimes stressful mornings and evenings, try to sleep when possible (my body doesn't allow this much anymore these days), grocery shopping, keeping house in order, etc....it really does seem never ending and at times daunting.  Thank goodness for moments like these to keep us going....

Climbing fences seems to be one of the kids new favorite things to do these days.

Home Slice is one of our favorite stomping grounds in SOCO. Good NYC style pizza.

Munching down on the good stuff! 

Lo wasn't too happy that G tried to snag some of hers.

Ahhh....the good stuff!

A walk home on a beautiful day in Austin.

Happy 2012!

Wow! It's 2012.  Kind of crazy.  I hardly can believe how quickly time flies.  It seems my baby girl was just born and she'll be turning 4 this year.  And, then there's my baby boy who will be turning 2.  Wait...didn't I just have him???? I mean, I'm still struggling with the baby weight from that pregnancy (note to self...don't let yourself gain 50 + lbs). YIKES!!! The good news is it's a new year so I'll make sure and work on that in 2012!

Last year I started 2011 with a blog that was full of optimism (here). Unfortunately, even with all the enthusiasm it took less than 30 days for everything to start crashing around us.  But that's ok....we've become stronger as people and as a family because of it.  We had a year that included much financial distress (the most ever) but we also had our happiest year ever (as a couple & as a family)....funny how that works huh????

This year we're kicking off 2012 with new projects, a new blog and new dreams (more to come very soon).  Rather than making "resolutions" we will set goals and take those goals one day at a time. If we accomplish them in 2012, great!  If not, then there is always next year to keep trying.

I loved the resolutions/goals we set for 2011 - Read more, Run more, Love more, Want less.  These four simple goals have been hanging on our fridge all year.  They are one of the first things we see when we wake up and one of the last things we see before we go to bed. For now, we'll stick with these and add to them as the days of 2012 come and go. 

Happy New Year all!!!

An obsession with print on print!

I've always been a sucker for fashion/style and going BOLD!  I love that 2011 brought lots of fabulous trends.  One of my favorites is the "print on print" trend. I feel this is something I've been doing for years but have really taken it to another level in 2011.  Specifically, when fall arrived as it brought the opportunity to layer, mix and match.  Here are some images I dug up of some of my "print on print" looks I've been wearing this fall and now on into winter.  Of course, most of them involve animal print because I'm AP OBSESSED!

Top - Antrhopologie, Jacket - Can't remember as it's literally pushing 7 yrs since this purchase but I actually think it was from Stein Mart, Jeans - Nordstrom (2010), Belt - Target (2009), Boots - Free People

This animal print top is one of my faves which I wear several times a week.  I will mix & match it with just about any and everything!

Top & Jacket from one of my favorite local stores Co-Star.

I'm also a little obsessed with dots...polka dots that is. I have fun mixing this shirt with bright jeans, scarves of all prints & colors and I really love mixing it with this textured "velveteen" jacket.

Animal print top - Anthropologie, Stripe top - Francesca's (2010), Jacket - H&M (2005), Boots - Anthropologie (2010)

I'm pretty much obsessed with this coat which I got at H&M way back in the day when we lived in NYC.  I love that it has a vintage look.  Heck...considering how old this sucker is, it will probably soon be considered "vintage".  Year over year I never look for a new coat as this one is ALWAYS my "go to".

Sweater - Strut Austin (2009), Dress - Emerald's (2009),  Scarf - gift, Green Jean - Anthropologie, Boot - Free People

Believe it or not, Lola picked this outfit out for me. I had to tweak a few things but for the most part, this is her creation which I LOVE.  Do we have a future stylist on our hands????

Top - Maya Star  - local Austin boutique (2010), T-shirt - Fossil, Jean - Paper Denim (2008), Boot - Free People

I pair this top, t-shirt and boot with something several times a week. They are all "go to" items in my closet. Love the boldness of the colors and patterns.

Dress - Urban Outfitters (2009), Jacket - Urban Outfitters (2010), Scarf - gift from several years ago, Boots - Urban Outfitters (2010).

I guess you could say I was having an Urban Outfitters kind of day.  I bought this dress when I first found out I was pregnant with Gaines to help hide the puffy belly.  I kind of forgot about it until last week and it is now another "staple" item to throw on as it's comfy and great to pair with any print or color.

So there it is!  Evidence that clearly I'm obsessed with pairing prints, colors and more.  I will say that one great thing about pairing prints is you can always turn an old piece into a new outfit.  My strategy is to purchase the basics (whether it be dots, floral, animal print or all of the above) and then pair away. And, don't forget....when in doubt GO BOLD!!!

DIY bags & wrapping paper

I had a lot of very high hopes this holiday season of things I was going to make for Christmas gifts. Unfortunately, we're now down to the very last week and I'm just not sure how much of it I'll get done.  ARGH!  However, we were able to make these adorable little bags filled with goodies for Lo's teachers.  The best part is we had a ton of fun while making them.  It's just this simple....

canvas bags and glittery bags for the goodies.

You can get a 3 pack or 6 pack of these canvas bags at Hobby Lobby.  This very simple canvas bag has become one of my "go to" items when you need to throw together a quick gift (or a special gift) as there is so much you can do with it. 

The artist!

Then it's time to entertain a toddler while making gifts.  Isn't this the best!!!  In the picture above, Lola is making wrapping paper.  Yes, we made our own wrapping paper this year and it turned out really cute. 

We also added some glittery sparkle and a felt cut out!

At one point, Lo took a break from the wrapping paper and started painting the bags for her teachers.  Each bag was special.  Lola would note which bag the teacher was for and then painted away.  She could not wait to wake up the next morning to deliver her gifts.  The teachers went nuts!  This is a great way to give someone special (the teachers in our kids lives) something special!

Here's another idea for ya....

As a birthday gift for the kids aunt, Tia Molly, we got a larger tote at Hobby Lobby and the kids created a "masterpiece".  I grabbed some fabric (animal print of course b/c I'm obsessed) and sewed the sash but you could use ribbon too. 

Then we made a tag using vintage fabric and sewed it to the inside to the bag.  This way, that special person will always remember who it's from.

Give it a try!  It's fun, easy and I can guarantee you that the person you're giving it to will love it!

Off to Houston for a client meeting now.  Happy Tuesday!

Rainbow bright!

I'm all about bright, bright, bold colors (hence the name of the upcoming blog - The Bolder the Better). As I was going through my archives trying to clean up folders, I found I've saved lots of bright images with rainbow like qualities.  Here are some of those that inspire me the most and make me happy!

Art / Photography

Streets

Stairs

  Decor

Kitchen

Party

living space

Food

Orange slices

 Fashion

Neon bows via Of a Kind

Via The Man Repeller whom I'm Ob-sessed with...

Via Honestly WTF - yet another obsession.

I apologize for all the images where there is no source.  I seemed to have misplaced the document used to save my sources on images...UGH!  Thanks goodness for Evernote now which will allow this to never happen again.  Yea to organization!

Happy Friday all!!!

Santa is coming to town...

We've made a couple trips to see Santa this year. The first was this one at Lola and Gaines' International Night program.  Although Lola loved this "Santa" she made us aware that "This was not the real Santa as his beard isn't super white and long" which meant we would have to make a visit to  the "real" Santa too...

Here he is...the REAL SANTA!!! Side note...the polka dot skirt Lo is wearing is a Minnie mouse skirt from one of my old dance costumes.  It has a red sequin belt on the top and also has a tail and suspenders which we removed.  This seems to be Lo's favorite skirt right now. LOVE that she's able to wear it!

On Monday, I picked the kids up a little early from school so we didn't have to fight the torturous lines.  My strategy worked as we walked right up to the "real" Santa.  Lola immediately ran up and hugged him yelling "SANTA!!!". Gaines, at first, gave us puffy lip and cried a bit but then he just gave this stare in which I know he was thinking "Who in the heck is this guy?!?!?!".

Lola had been asking for dresses that twirl and dress up "princess" shoes (ummm...with heels).  We wrote a note to Santa to request these "goods" earlier this month.  In response to this, I (Santa), ordered some dresses that twirl (which includes a righteous petticoat from American Apparel) and the very very tacky dress up "princess" shoes.  OK...so we're all taken care of right?!?!?!?  Nope because this visit to Santa Lola took it upon herself to change up what she was asking for Christmas.  HUH?!?!?!?  As a super obsessive planner, this doesn't sit well with me.  NOW Lola wants a Ariel mermaid type doll thing.  Damn Disney!!!  Lets just say she won't be getting the exact one she requested (b/c we despise the promiscuity of her attire) but we're on a search for a mermaid type doll now.  She'll still get the dresses that spin but since she's no longer asking for the very very tacky dress up "princess" shoes, I've donated those to a child in need.  So even with the last minute change, it will all worked out.

On our "journey" to the mall (I hate malls btw and the word "journey" but still use it), the kiddos also took a train ride where once again I think G was thinking "What the hell have they gotten me into this time?!?!?!?"...

"Let me out!" thinks G.

And they're off...

Happy Holidays all!  I hope to reveal some of our fun Christmas projects we've been working on soon.  Of course, I still have A LOT to make with very few days remaining. YIKES!  I kind of over committed on the whole "Do it Yourself" idea for Christmas this year. Hopefully it all turns out!  Oh, we should have our Holiday cards done this weekend too.  Super excited to see how they turn out.  Yippee!

Through the eyes of a child

The other morning Clay caught this shot of Lola daydreaming.  His quote was "If we could only continue to see the world in the eyes of children".  This photo and the thought behind this statement moved me.  As I went through images of Lo, I found she is often daydreaming....imagining...  To a child, the world is a magical place...they aren't yet aware of all the stresses life can bring or tragedies that take place around the world daily.  Really....wouldn't it be nice to live just one day through the eyes of a child!?!?!?

Daydreaming in the grass.

More "deep thoughts".

Daydreaming by the creek.

Lola was fascinated by this Buddha we found at a park near our house.  She was entranced and in this position for a little while.  I wonder what she was thinking????.

I couldn't publish this post without a picture of our little guy deep in thought.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We're in FULL ON Christmas mode around here which is causing me to slack on the blog.  This along with a hectic work schedule and getting the new Bolder blog ready for the new year (Yikes!).  We have so many fun holiday projects going on at our house right now which is causing quite a disaster zone.  Here is just a little taste....

The Christmas Tree!

After a long week of traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, Lola would not let us go home without first making a Christmas tree purchase.

Gaines' new thing is climbing chairs.  After a few big falls, you would think he would learn his lesson...not so much!

Boppity!

Boppity, the elf, arrived and quickly got a new make over!

The end result!

Holiday projects in the making!

Clay and Lo were inspired by the holidays and made this little village out of construction paper.  Ironically, this little village is also the inspiration for our upcoming Christmas card.  Can't wait to reveal this one.  May be the best one yet!

Christmas antlers.  Inspired by the picture of the cow above.  I actually have big plans for these antlers but this project will have to wait until after the holidays.

Fabric/felt for Lola's stocking.  Will have some other fun fabrics and small-bits for the other three stockings.  More to come on this!

The sparkly stuff!

Tree garland.

Inspiration for a holiday wreath.

Lo and I made these glitter letters which will be fun ornaments for the tree.

  
Finally, the holiday brew of choice!

This is just the beginning. Lola is beyond excited about Christmas this year which is making this all a magical experience. Can't wait to reveal the results!