THREE YEARS MARRIED

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J + L

Today marks three years of being married to James Peter Liira. I love him more now than ever before. After three years, we're still getting to know each other as we slowly unravel layers upon layers of our hearts. We were asked by a friend recently, how marriage really is. Marriage is hard. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done yet it's one of the best. Your own selfishness often rears it's ugly head in marriage. To be so vulnerable with one another is freaking scary. Your heart is on the line often but it's okay because he's in my corner. We received some marriage advice a few months back on when it's hard to sit down with the other and remind them, "I'm here. We're in this together and I'm not going anywhere." 
It's late and I'm blabbing now but I wanna say that JAMES PETER LIIRA I LOVE YOU. I love you more now than ever before and tomorrow I will love you even more. I'm thankful for the way you love me, the way you encourage me, the way you make me laugh, the way you make me glow.

Happy three years married...here's to a billion more XO

ps. all photos by AMERIS

5 BACKYARD PARTY IDEAS

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Outdoor party idea

My birthday is coming (August 28th, incase you were wondering ;) and this year I'm throwing a backyard bash. In my early 20s I loved hosting huge themed birthday parties (i.e. Hairspray themed, Pretentious Party, Trashtastic, Gangsta, etc) but for the past few years I've had more intimate gatherings. I know my 30th (next year...aaahhh!) will be real big (& golden) so this year I'm throwing a dinner party in our backyard. I'm thinking a summer-boho vibe... lights, low table, wildflowers in jars, candles, rugs and pillows. 

Obviously I went to my number one source for inspiration (PINTEREST)...and here's what vibe I'm digging.

Boho Backyard Dinner Party
Backyard party
Boho Dinner Party
let's gather
delicious

1 & 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

How good are all of those?? So much inspiration to drool over...and that food above (#GOALS) ???!

Have you had a backyard dinner party? If so, I'd love some tips!!

XO,

laura

HELLO HOLIDAYS

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image via designlovefest

I'm officially on holidays!!! Yesterday I went to Vancouver for the day, today I'm going to the spa, tomorrow we're going camping and at the end of the week we're celebrating three years of marriage...BOOYAH!

I told you awhile back that this summer was gonna be the summer of rest and for the most part it has been pretty restful but this week will be extra restful because OMGEEE I TURNED MY WORK EMAIL OFF! The last time I took some extended time off work was July 2014...ha! I love my job but I'm excited to have a week to rest, play and dream...oh it's gonna be good.

Hope your day is extra sweet today.

xo,

laura

 

BLAZERS 4 UGANDA

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Blazers 4 Uganda

Have you heard of Ethreeone? It's a blog designed to empower women in the professional world through fashion. My friend Brina started it and she has a super exciting campaign that I so want to get behind it! 

Blazers 4 Uganda

Brina is going to Uganada in September to help with Watoto's, Living Hope. Living Hope is an amazing initiative that exists to restore dignity into Africa's most vulnerable women. 

So before Brina leaves to Uganda she has an exciting initiative: BLAZERS 4 UGANDA. She is collecting gently used blazers to bless those women with blazers. I love it. These blazers are a small but powerful gesture to remind women in Africa that there are women in Canada who believe in them! If you are in Victoria, Brina is collecting blazers until August 26th and then she'll be heading to Calgary before she heads out. So if you're from Victoria or Calgary and have a gently used blazer to donate, email Brina at bmartens@ethreeone.com and make sure you check out her blog post all about it!

I'm so excited to donate some blazers and guess what? Brina will be snapping pics of the beautiful African women in them, so you can see which future world changer is wearing your blazer!

So excited for you Brina!!

 

XO,

laura

WEEKEND READY

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weekend ready

image via death to the stock photo

We made it to the weekend...BOOOYAH! This week seemed to go by pretty slowly...probably because I have two days of work left and then HOLIDAYS COMMENCE!!! I'm so excited to go to van for a couple days and then go camping! (yes...I'm excited to go camping!!)

 If we're friends on facebook, you may have seen my status on how I've started watching Friday Night Lights!! I was looking for a new series and tried to watch one episode of PLL, but I just couldn't get into it so I started FNL....and OH MY GOSH! #OBSESSED I'm on episode 9 of season 1 and I feel a binge coming on this weekend, ha. 

Anyone in the #ssheartbookclub ? My goal was to read 10 books this summer and I'm happy to report I have 3.5 left to go! I know we only have a little bit more than a month left, but I'm confident I can getter done. I checked The Shadow Queen out from the library but I want to save it for camping so I'm doing all that I can to not open it yet!

I started looking at Aritzia's fall collection. #DREAMY. I want a dark pair of Citizens. Seriously, they are my FAVE jeans ever (they're in this post!) So comfy, so flattering, so gooood....just the price point is on the high side :( but maybe I'll get some birthday $$ to scoop up this pair...And while we're dreaming for fall, I definitely have my eyes on this bag and these boots.

Well hope you have a wonderful weekend! I have a pretty chill Saturday before me. Last weekend I surprised James and cleaned out our office. All that's left to be done is filing (thrilling, I know!) But it's a good excuse to watch and episode (or 10) of FNL #HELLO.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

XO,

laura

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