lingering daydreams

self portrait, poetry style

by Lila on September 14, 2013

Blogtember Day 9. Self portrait

My former students probably know best that I am a lover of poetry. So when I was prompted to create a self portrait I thought immediately of writing a poem. A little nerdy? Yes. Embarrassed by it? Not at all.

I Am From

I am from two carpenters

I am from
waking up early
morning Denny’s hot chocolate
and “It is what it is”

I am from
words from books rocking me to sleep
I am from
chicken coops and tree houses
I am from
family trips and mud puddles and jumping off rocks

I am from
sand castles
ocean waves
salt water soaked hair
and hiding in dunes

I am from
a duffle bag
stuffed in a locker
packed for a week of
rotating homes

I am from
singing my sister to sleep
storytelling
watching her grow
into a friend

I am from
feet pounding down the field
blocking goals
skate blades cutting fresh ice
and flying pucks

I am from
teaching
unraveling needs like puzzles
supporting in moments of tears
and loosing it in laughter

I am from
picnicking
wandering
and dreaming together
from falling in love
early
and staying in love

That is where I’m from
and who I have become

{ 8 comments }

{crush} favorite etsy shops

by Lila on September 11, 2013

For Day 7 of Blogtember we sharing links to our favorite online shops. Given that I have my own etsy store, I thought I would show the community a little love and share my other favorite etsy shops.

Lepun has gorgeous stud earrings that I am crazy about. I have had the ones below on my favorites list for quite some time now.

il_570xN.442742826_tv7w {mustard geometric earring studs}

Nesta Home sells incredible home decor items. My particular favorites are their driftwood art pieces.

{driftwood modern industrial art}

If you are crafty like me, you’ll definitely want to check out Creatiate. My favorites are the gorgeous, handcrafted geometric stamps, like the one below. {modern triangle stamp}

Foxy Vida has some of the cutest diaper bags and accessories I’ve seen. Given that I am going to have a little one in December I’m hoping for one of these amazing chevron stripe bags. Too cute!

{diaper bag with changing pad}

When it comes to linoleum block prints I always find myself perusing the pieces at The Big Harumph. I love the sense of humor and the graphic style. There are already several in my home. You might recognize the print below from my nursery mood board…

{banana bike print}

Don’t forget to stop by my little corner of etsy. I sell custom cake banners, wine tags, garden makers and other unique finds at Lingering Daydreams.

{oh boy cake banner}

Can’t wait to read about other people’s favorite spots…

{ 1 comment }

{life} the moment i chose a different path

by Lila on September 10, 2013

{my old classroom at Emerson Elementary}

Blogtember Day 6. Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.

When I read this prompt, millions of moments flashed through my mind. Picking one felt hard. But I settled on the day I went from being on the path of a child psychologist to that of a teacher. Funny, because now I am on the path of a small business owner, but that is another story for another time.

Growing up for me, like for so many people, was an adventure filled with peaks and valleys. One valley was the divorce of my parents. It was challenging to watch them leave each other and when I got around to deciding, really deciding, what I wanted to be when I grew up, I remembered the people who had helped me through that time. I decided that I wanted to support kids like me, who felt confused and sad and bewildered. So I started college and signed up for psychology classes.

I loved my classes. Psychology and sociology were endlessly fascinating. I had professors that inspired me. I felt I was on a good path. Then, one fateful day sitting in a lecture hall, my professor led a discussion on access. Who were we going to talk to in our line of work? She pointed what maybe should have been obvious, but for me wasn’t until that lecture. The children who I would be given the opportunity to help would have to meet a lot of criteria. They would be from a family with the financial means or medical insurance to pay for services. They would be from a family that believed in seeking help from a therapist. They would be from a family who was willing to admit that their actions were causing strain on a child they cared for deeply. I began to understand that the children I had imagined working with might not be able to find their way to me.

I walked out of class that day a bit baffled. Three years of my college career had been spent working to obtain something that seemed might it not get me where I wanted to go. The professor had mentioned two careers that might interest those of us looking to work with a broader population. Social work and teaching. The idea of being a teacher resonated with me. It was something I had done for years as a sailing instructor at Lake Merritt. It was something I had said I wanted to be when I grew up as a kid. It was something that I hadn’t taken seriously as a career until that moment.

That lecture connected the dots for me. It helped me realize the great, far reaching effects that teachers have on the students they spend every day with. That day I took a second look at what UCSD had to offer in the way of teacher training and started working toward a minor in education.

Although I am now on yet a different path, my work as a teacher for the past six years is something I hold close to my heart. I think of the students I have taught often and carry them with me.

Thank you to all those teachers who stay late, take the time to get to know their students, and who carry those students in their hearts day in and day out.

{ 1 comment }

{escape} diy retreat

by Lila on September 9, 2013

Last summer my cousin Kate and I journeyed to Arizona. It happened serendipitously. I was reading her blog and she mentioned Miraval, a retreat/resort where food, yoga, guided mediation, and more are a part of your all inclusive stay. I left a comment and a couple months later we were getting on a plane. That retreat ended up being a turning point for me in many ways. It provided the space I needed to clear my mind, get centered, and reconnect to my hopes and dreams.

When summer rolled around this year, Kate and I chatted about our fond memories and the huge breakthroughs of that trip and decided we wanted to do it again. Ideally we would both hop on a plane to Arizona again and bask in the luxury of Miraval, but with time and funds a little tighter this year we had to go a different route. Being the do-it-yourself girls that we are, we quickly devised a plan for a diy retreat, where we could escape, meditate, and reconnect with our inner selves without going so far and spending so much.

To pull it off all we needed was…

1. A Place to Escape

A place to escape can be hard to find. I am lucky in that my pops owns some land up in a little place called Comptche, near the Mendocino coast. It was perfect; not too far away, but far enough. An airstream trailer parked by the pond and a barn fully equipped with a kitchen provided us all we needed. Another bonus, Comptche is far enough off the grid that there is no cell phone reception or wireless. Our adventure not only took us away from the city, it took us away from the interwebs.

2. Quiet Places

The quiet alone was calming. Making sure that there is a quiet place to sit and reflect seems to be to be a crucial part of the diy retreat. The pond is a spot that can’t be beat. The water is still. The breeze ripples through the reeds. The dock for me is the perfect spot to read, mediate, chat, draw, think. I couldn’t have asked for better.

3. Juice

Retreats in my mind go hand in hand with yummy wholesome food. My cousin and I are both a little in love with juicing, so it was a no-brainer for us to bring up a juicer and plenty of produce. Kate has the magic touch when it comes to juice, so she was put in charge. We had three different juices that are included here for you to take with you on your own retreat.

juice 1 (pictured above):

2 smallish/med beets
6-8 carrots
1 pineapple
ginger

juice 2:

2 bunches of kale (use different kinds for variety or add in spinach or chard instead)
2 green apples
2 pears
3 stalks celery
1 cucumber
1 lemon
ginger

juice 3:

1 bunch of spinach
1 pear
3 red apples
2 cucumbers
3 stalks celery
1.5-2 lemons
ginger

4. The Gallon Challenge

Drinking water is often hailed as a healthy thing to do. Recently I had been hearing that drinking a gallon of water a day can help you cleanse your body, clear your skin, and loose weight. We figured out how many of our individual water bottles it would take to reach a gallon and checked them off throughout the day. It felt good to be hydrated and having a goal was incredibly motivating. On the way home we even stopped by Target to grab some rubber bands to help us track our water consumption throughout a normal day. Each time I fill my water bottle I move a rubber band until there are no more rubber bands to move.

5. Inspiration

Can’t have a retreat without a little inspiration. My cuz introduced me to Gabrielle Bernstein a while back and I have become a fan. For you it might be a different book, a different guru, or a different mode of inspiration all together. Regardless, it seems important to bring a guide bring clarity to your trip.

6. A Partner in Crime

I don’t think I could have made this trip happen without my partner in crime. Kate helped me think about myself in new ways and gave me feedback about all the thoughts that rolled through my mind. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and share a meal with provided a sense of community.

It was a grand escape. The horses that live on the land hung out with us sporadically. I floated in the cool water of the pond. I had space to think about the big questions that often get brushed aside when the necessities of life push me forward down my path.

All in all, I’d say that our little diy retreat was a hit-and-a-half. I highly recommend it!

Don’t forget to check out Kate’s breakdown of our escape here.

{ 3 comments }

{go local} sibley volcanic regional preserve

by Lila on September 6, 2013

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

Hiking with friends, discovering labyrinths, peace and quiet.

A snack, a large water bottle, camera, a little something to leave at the center of the labyrinth.

Whatever you pack in your bag.

Tucked into the hills of Oakland lies a park that has a secret. It is the home of a traditional labyrinth made of rocks and ready to be explored. Caley loves labyrinths. The one nearest and dearest to her became her first tattoo which she describes by saying, “I don’t carry my heart on my sleeve, I carry it on my ankle.” Anyway, her love of labyrinths led us into the Oakland hills in search of one that isn’t found on the Regional Park Map.

We arrived with one tiny water bottle, Caley wearing shorts, me in flip flops. Well prepared as you can tell. I was surprised by the number of trails and quarries there were to explore and wondered whether we would find what we were looking for.

After asking for advice from a couple professional dog walkers, we headed up the trail and hoped that when we made it to the top we would see a labyrinth waiting for us below. It felt exciting to be searching for something not on the map as we wandered we talked. Reaching the peak, we spotted our destination and decided to head down the cliff that lay in front of us, me with my prego belly and flip flops and Caley with her shorts and little water bottle. The path looked sketchy from the top, but even sketchier from the bottom. Caley took out part of a tree as she slid down one part of the trail. After our harrowing trip down, we were rolling with laughter and surprised to find a paved hiking path on the other side of the quarry. But what is life without a little adventure…

Labyrinths are interesting. Caley explained that although they are often confused with mazes, they are quite different. In a maze there are multiple paths and dead ends. In a labyrinth there is only one way in and one way out. You go into a maze to get lost. You go into a labyrinth to be found.

The idea of being found rattled inside me. I walked the path, felt the breeze, and let my buzzing mind settle. The center of the labyrinth had small artifacts left by earlier travelers. A bottle with a message tucked inside. A rock with some drawings on it. Things left to be found again.

It was a peaceful kind of spot. Leave it to Caley to help me find tranquility mid-week, in Oakland, in a place not found on a map.

{ 4 comments }

{highs & lows} august 2013

by Lila on September 5, 2013

Jeff and I try to check in with each other regularly by asking about each other’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your day? What was the hardest part of your day? Upon some reflection, I thought it might be a way to reflect on the month. So here we go, the highs and lows of August 2013.

Highs

Working on a maternity photo book with my hubby has been a meaningful way to slow down and acknowledge the incredible ways my body is changing and to think about the fact that we have a little one on the way. Watching this bump grow, feeling the little one kick, and spending quality time with Jeff has made this month particularly special.
Traveling to Groveland for our 5th year wedding anniversary was definitely a highlight. We played games, went swimming in the lake, watched the stars, and most importantly had time to pay attention to each other with no distractions.
Hiking with my sister.
Hanging out with my mom while she painted the nursery. I tried to help, but she made sure I rested, only breathed in fresh air, and remained calm even when it turned out I didn’t have the right color paint. Moms are awesome.
Making juice from our garden.
Seeing old friends at Emerson Elementary. It was surreal not setting up a classroom this year and felt so good to touch base with them.
Shopping and talking with my mom-in-law. I feel so lucky to have such a strong support system in my life.
The family fantasy football draft was a riot. Much to our surprise, and Jeff’s delight, even grandma has joined in on the fun. Twelve glorious teams. Can’t wait to see who pulls out ahead.

Lows

Saying goodbye (for now) as my little sister headed off to college. I’m so excited for her and her new adventure, but I have to say I’m going to miss having her close. I’m easing my pain by putting together care packages and chatting on skype, but it isn’t quite the same as having her here.
The hardest part of this month revolved around my little urban flock. Blink started crowing at 6 o’clock in the morning and as a result had to find a new home. This broke my heart. It also broke the heart of one of the hens. She started self-mutilating, which isn’t all that common in chickens. Her injuries got worse and worse. My heart was broken for a second time when we woke to some really gruesome wounds. We took her into the vet who said the best thing would be to end her suffering. I’ve never had to do that before and hope I never have to do it again.

What are highs and lows of your life lately?

{ 2 comments }

{nursery} mood board

by Lila on September 2, 2013

Getting started on the nursery has made me feel even more excited about the little one on the way. Sitting in the rocker, looking at the blank walls, and dreaming up what the future holds is a new favorite activity. We are renovating the old and bringing in the new for a cozy modern look. Fun projects ahead!

1. Crib: I’m a little in love with the Oeuf Sparrow Crib, which is pictured here. Happily I found a more cost effective option in the Babyletto Hudson Crib. It has the same modern, clean lines for a fraction of the cost. We’ll see what we end up with…

2. Changing Table: We found this beauty on craigslist. It is currently undergoing a little makeover. The results will be up on the blog soon.

3. Be Brave: I love this little shop on etsy. Great prints. I’m hoping to add this metallic touch to the nursery.

4. Bike Print: Also love this shop on etsy. Also great prints. I snapped this up a while back. Love how it pulls the orange from the pouf into another part of the room.

5. Cube Shelf: You can count on IKEA for modern, reasonably priced shelving options. I like how the modern lines of the crib pair with the modern lines of this shelf and contrast with the traditional warmth of the rocker and changing table.

6. Pouf: I want a splash of color and a piece to use as an ottoman for the rocker we already own. I love the idea of orange with the light aqua color of the walls.

7. Mobile: I bought these high contrast art cards from a little shop on College Avenue awhile back and found a hanging clip display that I plan on using to turn them into a mobile.

8. Rocker: This rocker used to reside in my dad’s office until I whisked it away with me. Now it has a new home and is the only piece of furniture in the nursery. Comfy and cozy in a great color, what more could I ask?

9: Teak Tables: I immediately fell in love with these dip dyed tables when I saw them in this nursery. Perfect spot for a bottle and a picture book to perch I think…

So that is what is in my head so far. I’m definitely looking to add to the print collection. I’m envisioning a small gallery wall above the crib. We will see where we go from here.

Don’t forget to follow my nursery pinterest board here!

{ 2 comments }

{diy} mr. & mrs. ring boxes

by Lila on August 29, 2013

DIY-Ring-Boxes I was so honored to help out with Nick & Sharilyn’s wedding by making these charming mr. & mrs. ring boxes. I was completely inspired by the ring bearer box Sharilyn had pinned and immediately had an idea. The happy couple was planning on having two fabulous little ones as their two handsome ring bearers. I thought it would be sweet if they each had their own box, one for the mister and one for the missus. The rope handles allowed the little ones to hold the boxes and the wood grain gave the boxes character.

MATERIALS:

Wooden boxes (I found these at Joanne Fabrics)
Rope (hardware store)
Stain (hardware store)
White Paint Pen (crafting store)
Sponge brush
Rag

TOOLS

Drill
.25″ drill bit
Small screw driver
Hot Glue Gun

STEP 1 – Drill Holes for Handle

Pre drill your holes before using the large drill bit so that the lid doesn’t split.

STEP 2 – Remove Hardware

Be careful to keep the small screws, hinges, and clasps somewhere safe while you stain your box.

STEP 3 – Stain

Use a sponge brush to apply the stain and quickly wipe it off with a rag. Be careful if you purchase a dark stain and a light wood box. The longer it is on, the darker it will get. The mister was kind enough to stain the boxes for me. Didn’t want his prego wife inhaling the fumes.

STEP 4 – Cut & Tie Rope Handles

Cut two pieces of rope that are the same length. Then thread them one at a time through the two holes. Tie knots at the end to secure the handle.

STEP 5 – Reattach Hardware

You can do this before or after attaching the handle.

STEP 6 – Write Mr. & Mrs.

Use the white paint pen to write Mr. and Mrs. on the interior of the box lids. This detail made for some beautiful pictures and video!

STEP 7 – Cut Batting

Cut batting to fit the width of the box and fold over multiple times to create a pillow for the rings to rest on.

STEP 8 – Cover Cushion with Burlap

Cut out a piece of burlap that is 2 inches larger than the final pillow. Cut the corners of the burlap, leaving some overlap. Using a hot glue gun, attach the burlap to the pillow by gluing the edges to the bottom side of the batting.

STEP 9 – Secure Pillow to Box

Hot glue the pillow into the box, tucking the corners carefully in place.

Last, but certainly not least, here are the cuties that carried the boxes with the happy couple.

Follow me on pinterest to find your next inspiration!

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{celebrate} honey bee rehearsal dinner

by Lila on August 19, 2013

A party is always fun to put together, from making the invitations to deciding on a menu. The Smyths recently hosted a backyard rehearsal dinner in honor of Nick, my bro-in-law, and his lady Sharilyn. It was a garden party like only they can put on, with the vintage parachute hung with lights and lanterns, delicious food, and gorgeous details.

{flowers in honeycomb vase filled with yellow & white flowers, yellow & black striped straws with vintage bee}

We knew we were hosting this dinner in the beautiful garden of the Smyth’s home. Mama Debbie knew that she wanted to sew linen overlays and hang the white parachute; a classic, classy look for such a special dinner. And I couldn’t help but want to fill the whole thing with a honey bee theme given my recent obsession with the honeycomb craze. Plus what’s cuter for a dinner filled with love than bees, honey, and flowers?

Each place setting was adorned with a jar of local honey from a neighbor’s honey bees. A label on the top greeted each guest with, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.”

To add a little extra romance to the mix, lanterns were lit, yellow flowers were freshly potted, and glitter letters reading “love” were hung above the fireplace. The yellow and black details throughout the garden tied the party together. The honeycomb pattern was subtle and refined, with a little garden flare. The bees gave a nod to “the birds and the bees” which I enjoyed. It was the perfect theme for this rehearsal dinner.

Everybody helped make it a special event. Even my nephew pitched it. The loveliest group of ladies you’ve ever met came over and helped with everything from preparing food, to serving, to cleaning-up afterward. The whole crew got involved in making this a special night for Nick and Shar, who beamed throughout the entire evening.

Debbie and Dan sure know how to throw a party!

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{go local} dolores park, sf

by Lila on August 16, 2013

LOCATION: Dolores Park, located at the intersection of Dolores & 19th street

GOOD FOR: Sunny day chillin’ out, reading stretched out on a blanket, playing board games with friends, munching on yummy local eats

IN MY BAG: Sunscreen, good book, camera, money for Bi-Rite picnic, travel size games, picnic blanket

LOCAL BITES: Bi-Rite Creamery, Bi-Rite Market, Dolores Park Cafe

It has been a foggy summer here in San Francisco. I love the fog, it has its magic, but when the sun does peek out, it is always nice to take advantage. What better way than spending quality time with my sister and getting a scrumptious picnic from my favorite market. Perfection.

Everything at Bi-Rite is ridiculously yummy, you can’t go wrong. We settled on some random cheese, bread, nectarines, olives, and splurged on a mushroom lasagne that they heat up for you before you leave. Tried and true people, so good.

As I unpacked the eats, Caley ran over to Dolores Park Cafe and picked us up a chai and a vanilla latte to sip on. Yum.

We spent the afternoon lounging on the picnic blanket, discussing life, and eating. My sister is somebody that you can talk to about anything. She listens and gives great advice. She is who I want to chat with when I feel myself slipping toward the dark side. Doesn’t get much better than good conversation, good food, and a beautiful day.

And what better way to end the day than by stopping at Bi-Rite Creamery. The flavors they boast are unique showstoppers. I got basil and peach. Caley settled on basil and honey lavender. We were happy.