Aloha from Honolulu! Hawaii is such a happy place and the air really does smell like coconuts!
Hope you enjoy following along at #lvtakehawaii on Instagram and Twitter!
Love,
Wife C
TWO FOR ONE
Today is the day!
We took our 7:00 am flight from DFW to LAX, and in a few hours we’ll be island bound!
Claudio is from California, so we’re going to take advantage of the West Coast while we can!
If it isn’t evident…I love Instagram. So I’ll be giving sneak peaks of our trip as seen by my iPhone.
We’re doing a lot of traveling this season and we love going back and reminiscing.
So we had to make a hashtag. (Can you see our kids in 10 years? “Mom, hashtags are so old school.”)
So check out #lvtakehawaii and the ever present #losvallejos for more fun along the way!
I hope everyone finds some time to relax this weekend!
Love,
Wife C
Clare Elsaesser | Etsy
I wish I could have all the wall space in the world. I would fill it with paintings, prints, lithographs and just about anything else I can hang up.
I love finding treasures.
Often I find myself cruising around Etsy and occasionally I find items that I absolutely don’t think I can live without. I found that feeling from this amazingly talented artist, Clare Elsaesser.
Her work makes me think of the soft lines of early European painters. There is so much peace and sweetness in these pieces.
If you go to her Etsy shop, you will see the term “giclee” print. This means they are digital prints of original paintings. How amazing is that? Such beautiful texture captured in a digital format.
I don’t own any of her work quite yet, but I will anxiously await my moment of purchase and the hanging of a new treasure on my wall.
Thank you for such beautiful work, Clare!
Love,
Wife C
Summer Shoes | Under $100
I searched all 48 pages of the Nordstrom shoe section just for you, in search for the trifecta of summer shoe-wear…for under $100.
I had 3 requirements to make this list.
I started by looking for the perfect brown sandal. I wanted something with a rugged feel, but still keeping simplicity of summertime. These Franco Sarto slip ons would be great for going to brunch, running to the market, or even to the beach!
Then I went in search of a summer bootie. (pun intended) I thought about grey or even a minted blue. But when I saw these Topshop white pep toes, I died. They’re fresh and bright without sacrificing the chicness of a trendy heel. These would be great for a summer wedding, seeing as the heel is thick enough, you don’t sink in the dewy grass. You could also pair them with jeans and a slinky tank for a balmy night out.
Last, I came upon these quintessential black braided slings. The double strap gives it a more sophisticated feel, while the simple soul and traditional clasp keep it casual. These are perfect for everyday wear and they will never go out of style.
Happy Shopping!
Love,
Wife C
Styled : Bill and Kathy
I had the pleasure of styling a dear family friend’s intimate wedding reception. Bill has been my dad’s closest friend and confidant for many years. His sweet and absolutely radiant wife, Kathy, is just so wonderful.
They had a small ceremony in Paris, TX earlier in the week and my parents hosted their reception in the backyard. It couldn’t have been a sweeter event.
They wanted a shabby-chic look with a southern charm. 
Just look at this beautiful couple!
They are an absolutely joy!
The florals were light, airy and fresh.
My dad is a photographer and my mom is a hair dresser. I grew up with an innate eye for position and detail. 
Since this was a simple and low-key gathering, it was decided that cupcakes would be perfect. But to keep the wedding theme, we had to have a small cake-topper. Literally, it was a cake that was a topper. Brilliant!
How wonderful is that??
Most of the decor came from our own wedding…including the entertainment!
How can you not love that face? Colin Boyd has been such a great friend and musician to our family. Such joy!
I wish I had more photos, but to tell you the truth, I was just having too much fun with some absolutely beautiful people.
Here’s to Bill and Kathy, we love you!
Love,
Wife C
Hawaii Playlist 003
This time next week we will be in Hawaii, on the beach, sipping piña coladas and sunning.
I wanted to make the perfect lounging playlist…so here ya go!
Also, you can catch Temples T O N I G H T at Club DaDa in Deep Ellum! See ya there!
Love,
Wife C
Precious Stones
You guys.
This was so fun!
I bought a few whole geodes and cracked them open myself…with a hammer. The process of watching a somewhat unsightly rock burst open to find beautiful, crystal-like forms is so invigorating! It’s too bad I don’t have any photos of that…it really was entertaining. (Not to mention a great stress reliever) I used the larger pieces for decoration but I wanted to carry this small nugget around with me, so I made a necklace!
Supplies:
1. Small wire, the size of the wire depends on the size of the stone
2. Your stone, this can vary from a geode or crystal to jade or a rugged piece of flint. Up to you!
3. Something small and cylindrical to help wrap the wire
4. A chain of your choosing (I like mixed metals, so I chose gold since my wire was silver)
Let’s get cracking (pun completely intended)
1. Take a simple piece of wire and flatten it out.
2. Place your geode in the middle of the wire and wrap the short edge around the extra wire
3. Take something small and cylindrical, I used the tip of this mechanical pencil, and create a loop to put around a chain.
There ya go! I chose a vintage gold chain I came across, but you could use anything from leather to thicker chain links!
Enjoy!
Love,
Wife C
Making Waves
I am so ready to take a little time for some serious R&R.
Even though this year is just barely a fourth of the way through, it has been one crazy year so far.
When planning a trip, deciding what I am going to take and wear is among one of my favorite parts. This year, it seems I have developed a jewel-toned street style.
Recently, I discovered that the mens t-shirts at H&M fit perfectly and give me that effortless look I’ve been searching for. I have obtained quite a few since that discovery and I love just throwing one on and giving it a little front tuck on the way out the door.
My girlfriend Ashley sent me a picture of those cat-eye sunnies at Nordstrom and I have been pretty much obsessed with them. I love the retro vibe they give off, so I’m totally stoked to wear them with my streamlined high-waisted swimsuit.
A little over one week and counting to relaxation station.
Love,
Wife C
Seven Years
This week will be bittersweet.
While I will still continue to work with children for a little while, this is my last full time week at the place to which I have referred to as my second home for quite some time. I have learned an invaluable amount of knowledge during my stay and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have received simply because my boss decided to, “take a chance” on me.
I served as a great many things. Friendly face, confidant, manager and friend, saleswoman, role model and even the punch line of a few jokes. But, nothing has become more real or evident to me than my love for making those around me as happy as they can possibly be.
Hellen Keller said, “True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
A worthy purpose. Serving my community through the enrichment and support of our children is, indeed, a worthy purpose. But I am reminded of those that carry out the teaching to our younger generation and I smile as I remember the support I was able to offer them as well.
During this journey I met some incredible people. Educators that exude compassion and love for their craft, business owners that keep full speed ahead and encouraged me to keep moving and keep creating, students that astounded me with their wisdom and love…I am truly humbled by each and every person I met.
My dad has always said, “You change every seven years.”
When you’re born, you are completely helpless, you need assistance and caring every moment of the day. Then, when you’re seven, you can dress yourself and feed yourself. You have a sense of responsibility for your actions and you are beginning to understand there are benefits and consequences. Your moral compass is developing. Before you know it, you’re 14. You’re coming into that awkward phase of puberty and adolescence. Life is confusing, and you start to feel and control your emotions for the first time. After junior high and high school, you legally become an adult at 21 years young. You are walking around in this big world trying to find your place. By 28, you may have a family or career, or you may still be looking for yourself. Hopefully, you continue on for another 10 sets of seven years, continually growing and evolving, adapting to your surroundings and learning each step of the way.
If we’re using my dad’s theory, then I’m currently in my third set of seven year phases. I’m striving to make choices that I will later appreciate in cycles 4 and 5.
It was difficult to take a step down. It was difficult to make a life change. But, I am walking away with a new sense of self.
I have found renewal in the end of something great and I am taking away many friends, mentors and wonderful memories.
A lot like the phases of the moon, you have different sides and they can appear changed to different people and different places. You stay the same being, but your perception is changing every day. Remember to exude positivity and shine bright, even in the darkness.
Love,
Wife C
All photos via Los Vallejos Blog
Caterday 002
I love music, but even more than that, I love sharing music.
I recently asked my brother’s girlfriend if she knew who Sarah Jaffe was…
she didn’t.
That had to change.
It prompted me to put together a playlist of my (current) favorite ladies in music.
Here’s to Cate.
Enjoy
Love,
Wife C
Los Vallejos Blog 