Three Oh!

June 6, 1981 My baby sister, Kayla was born.  
I claimed her as "my baby" immediately. 
 
My first time to hold Kayla. 
Mema, Kayla, Me doing a marvelous job feeding Kayla & Mom
Kayla Marie, 1981 ready for the world! 
 Kayla's first Christmas!  Christmas in our family was a huge deal growing up.  Each year we all went to pick our tree thoughtfully deciding if it should be flocked or unflocked. We played Christmas music as we unpacked all the ornaments and ooohed and awwed over each one as we decorated together.  
I believe I am singing to Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas album while Kayla being as helpful and adorable as ever. ;)
Kayla and Dad. 
It's an understatement to say that Kayla adored her daddy.  
Great Grandma Armstrong (Mema's mom), Mema, Kayla and Me

Hello cutie!
Step ball change!  

 I do believe Kayla was the hoola hooping champion over & over again. Dad made everything into a competition so I'm certain we were hooping it out to see who could outlast the other.  I can't remember if she was the hooping champion or the roll the hoop and run through it champion.  ; p

 And yes, she wanted to hit me most of time (and did a fair amount) but one thing has always remained the same, we've never been alone, we've always had each other and always will. 
Sweet sister!  Happy happy 30th birthday, welcome to your third decade of life!  Mom and Dad must be freaking out... they have children in their 30's!  It's crazy!  
I am me because there was a you and I am forever grateful to have YOU as my sister.  I celebrate every one of your 30 years today and I am missing you like crazy. 
Happiest of happy days!  I am so glad that you were born!
With love,
Lacy    

20 things I've learned from my Mema

 Mema and my littlest sister Kallie

Today is my Mema's birthday and of course you should know because if you knew her you'd want to call her and sing to her too.

You see she's quite frankly one of the most amazing women I've ever known and she will safely hold the title of one of my heroes for my lifetime.  I often talk about writing down all the things she teaches me so today I thought I'd give it a start in honor of her very special birthday.

20 things I've learned from my Mema:

1.  Love is family.  Family is love. 
2.  Fortune cookies are best by the dozen.
3.  Good shoes.  One must have good comfy shoes.
4.  Pat don't rub.  That goes for your face and stains alike.
5.  Save. Save for a rainy day.  It will rain.
6.  Seashells and sandcastles are to be much loved. 
7.  You can do almost anything with vinegar and baking soda.
8.  Veggies are best when chopped up in thin little sticks (they actually get eaten that way).   
9.  Bins.  When organizing one always needs bins!
10.  A bargain is something to be proud of.  **I must tell you that Mema lost a contest when she was a teenager b/c when asked if she would buy the beans that were on sale even if they were not on the shopping list she said YES she would.  She stands by her answer to this day and I am certain those beans on sale saved the day more than once.   
11.  Water and patience can grow almost anything.   
12.  Buy one really nice piece of furniture for each room in your home and grow around it.
13.  Cards signed XOXO mean more than you could ever imagine.           
14.  The best gift is time spent together.
15.  Flowers can be princess crowns when strung together just right. 
16.  When you have nothing else you always have your sister.
17.  One always needs postage stamps.
18.  A woman can do anything she sets her mind to.  Anything.   
19.  Your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you have.  Listen to it.  Use it.     
20.  Always celebrate birthdays!  Birthdays are very special!

Happy Birthday Mema!  I love you oh so very much!  I celebrate you today and always.  I am so grateful that you are my Mema.  Thank you for all you've taught me and continue to teach me.

XOXO
Lacy 

Today

My little brother enters his TWENTIES!  
It's fabulous and surreal.  
He's grown up.
photo credit: Owen Semple
Little brother, I am so glad that YOU were born.  I've loved you since before we met and you continue to inspire me with your passion and enthusiasm for living your best life!
Here's to you and to the possibility of all things good!  I raise my Kava to you baby brother!
Happy 20th Cody!
xo
Your
Biggest sis,
Lacy

Heirloom

Mid week last week Cliff visited his parents for his mom's birthday.  
He came home with a box wrapped in old newspaper and said it was a wedding gift.    

A handwritten note from Cliff's dad's (his name is Cliff too) grandmother is tucked inside.  Grandmother Irby gifted them the WM Rogers & Son silverplate for a wedding gift years after the fact.   Cliff was a boy when they received it.  Better late than never, right!

The little details are so sweet.  
The pattern is called April and a quickie web search revealed an advertisement for it.
Luxury silverplate at Why wait prices!  Love that!


I think we'll use it this Thanksgiving!
Hope you have a wonderful week full of treasures. 
xo
Lacy

Island Girl

I said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm on an island.

She said:
You are and I'm right there with you.  We're drinking Miami Vices.

I said:
Miami Vices?

She said:
You know 1/2 pina colada 1/2 strawberry daiquiri.

---

Irony is that my little bro is actually on an island, like one of the best islands around, Hawaii.  Heartbroken. And what I wouldn't give to hug him.  Missing my sisters and little brother extra lately. The world feels very big today and I feel very small.

I hope this finds you feeling mighty.  Mighty indeed.

Looking forward to a day soon with umbrella drinks.
Lacy

Recents

Photos from life of late.
First things first!  
The lacylike labels are IN and I'm stupid happy about it!  If you look closely you can see the whole family in this picture... Cliff in the mirror, Ned in the box the labels came in (of course) and The Hinge on the chair!  Too cute.  
 Lacylike Soaps, Soaks, Salts, Lip balms and Arnica balms are all dressed in labels and oh so happy!
They are patiently waiting to be photographed and loaded to the store.  But for now if you are anxious I will certainly take your order!  
You can see the full line of offerings on the reveal posts here, here and here.  
and of course you may reach me at lacylike@gmail.com

 We're resiting taking our Christmas decorations down.  Boxing day came and went and we still have our happy holiday goodies scattered around.  NYE... I'll box it all up on NYE.  It's made me deeply happy to have two little good smelling trees in our house.  I think that's been my very favorite part of this Christmas holiday.
 He's taking over my schedule.  I'm not opposed to it.

Kayla testing out the aerial slings at Breathe.

Cliff is having breakfast.  Ned is hoping he can have some too.

An old photograph of some of Cliff's family that his mom pulled out while we were there at Christmas.  It's in PERFECT condition and I just loved it so much I had to photograph it.  Yeap-- picture of a picture.  It's a school photo of her three older brothers, Otto (2nd row, left side on the end), Fred (2nd row, right side on the end) and Ed (top row on the far right end).  I just love how proper it is.  Each girl is holding her bible, ankles crossed and everyone is looking on their best behavior.

He appreciates the packages that make crackle. I appreciate that there were packages at all.

A few of my favorite gifts. Actually they are the ones that fit into the shoes so I went with that. ha!  You'll notice a lens cap!  FINALLY I have a new lens cap!  The first one tragically flew out the airplane window when I was taking pictures.  The second one... I think the second one decided to go home to the sea one day when we were at the beach (couldn't blame it).  At any rate I have 2 new lens caps!  Wheeeee!  If you make a lacylike lip balm purchase you might recognize some of the twine ;) in your shipment.  I'm telling you right now, it's cute!
The HOT studio at Breathe.  We are in the final push to opening.  Days are long and chaotic, my name is worn out by noon with all the lacy-ing that's going on and it's all perfectly wonderful.  At the end of the day when everyone goes and I'm there alone I pick a room, sit and breathe.  I lay on the floor, look up at all we've built and I am grateful, tired but grateful.  

An old lamp at Cliff's folks house.  I'm always amazed at little pieces of furniture that fade into the background of life...things we have for years that are really nothing special.  This just caught my eye for some reason on this day.  I am in awe of how sturdy and substantial things used to be made.  This is definately a lamp that says- hey I WILL LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD much unlike some of the lamps we'd run out and buy at Target today. 

In a burger joint bathroom of all places.  LOVED. IT.  Yeap I almost always have my camera... even in the bathroom.  In all fairness it was in my purse (ok really big purse bag thingie).

 Rawrrrr!  You know... It's I love you in dinosaur language.
Meet Rex...


This is Cliff's old Land Cruiser Jeep (that lives at his parents house) that will one day get a proper paint job and overhaul. I could give Cliff a super duper surprise I'd give him his Land Cruiser all polished up and good as new.  Rex could use a sprucing in the worst kind of way. 

So that's what I've been up to lately! Whatca been up to?
xo
Lacy

p.s. if you are Bay Area Local we are offering 2 free days of yoga on the 1st and 2nd at Breathe!  C'mon down!

A note of thanks.

Thank you all so much for the sweet notes and thoughts about Cliff's dad.  He's lived a long and full life at 88 years old but it's still overwhelming to see the transition in progress.  No matter how prepared you say you are the reality of life and death (especially at this time of year) feels extra tough.  The strokes took most his right side and most of his speech but he still lights up when he sees Cliff and attempts a crooked smile when I try to make him laugh.  We totally get each others sense of humor.   

Cliff and his mom have started reminiscing and telling funny family stories from when Cliff and his older brother were little.  They are laughing and joking and remembering happy times but I can't help but cry because I see it all unfolding before me.

I took a photo of Cliff's dad while there (I keep calling him Cliff's dad b/c his name is Cliff too and I don't want it to get too confusing).  Cliffs mom was mortified that I'd take a photo of someone in the hospital but of course it didn't stop me.  I find the moment beautiful.    

Cliff is handling all of this with such strength and grace.  Once again a difficult situation is bringing us closer together and I'm seeing all the things I fell in love with shine through.  He is calm, capable and moves with purpose.  He's the guy who makes you feel safe by just being there.  He is thoughtful and considerate.  He patiently works to communicate in a way that his mother can understand.  He's losing his father and he keeps checking in on me to see how I'm doing with all of this.

So thank you.  Thank you all for your love and support.  I know it gets harder from here but I'm grateful to have a place to speak truth and receive love.

Lacy

Thankful

For Thanksgiving some of the family was in Texas and some was here in Calif.  
We were grateful to have mom, Cody and Kallie at our table.

The Table!

I made posters for the family with each person's favorite quote for them to take home. 
Posters inspired by the fabulous Elise.
Kallie is in school at the famous Le Cordon Bleu.  She made some amazing pain au lait and chocolate ganache cakes.  I had the best time watching her work.  She made it all from memory, I am still completely impressed!

making pain au lait

Roasted Brussel Sprouts, so good!

My new apron from Aunt Mary!

Prepping the night before with mom

Ready to begin the big meal!

Cliff made his oh so tasty Potato Leek Soup!

After dinner Cody prepared Kava Tea and explained the significance of coming together and how it's used in some Hawaiian ceremonies.  We sat in a circle and passed the tea filled wooden bowl each taking time to say what we are thankful for.  It was a really sincerely lovely way to end our Thanksgiving dinner.  
This man was among my list of things for which I am most grateful.    

Kallie's amazing chocolate ganache cake with candied pistachios

Laughter, our family does laughter really really well.

Not the best chin flattering picture of us but a great moment.

Thankful for this little love, of course.

Our family pile near the fire place.  I love having Cody behind the camera to capture moments like these. 

I hope this finds you properly recovered from last weeks festivities and back into routines that make you happy BUT holding on to all that love you share with those you are thankful for. 
xo,
lacy

What do you see?

When you look in the mirror--- what do you see?  I love notes on mirrors.  I left Kallie a little love note on the guest bath mirror while she was here for Thankgiving.  I can't help but think... if we woke up each morning to a little truth and sincerity would we start being easier on oursevles?  Would we start to believe those little truths and allow it to transform us into the unstoppable women are meant to be?  
I think we would!

Leave yourself a little mirror love note this week! 
For one thing it feels totally naught to write all over the mirror in eyeliner and for another thing YOU DESERVE A LITTLE LOVE! 
Do it!  Be good to you!
Love you, love you always!
Lacy