I’m pretty sure most of you are familiar with Lisa Leonard Designs by now, but if you aren’t, then let me introduce you… meet Lisa Leonard Designs. I love how modern and simple her pieces are. I wear my gold from any angle necklace all the time and I love our little celebration banner for marking special days. Behind her beautiful jewelry is an even more beautiful soul, and her story is quite inspiring. I’ve met her in person, so I can truly attest to how genuine she is! I’m sure if you take a look around her shop (and blog), you will be hooked (and you’re wallet might be a few dollars less). Totally not my fault. *wink*

For Cakies readers, you can get 15% off all non-sale, handmade items excluding the hope{full} line using the coupon code CAKIES15. Also, Lisa Leonard Designs is giving away 2 (TWO!) $50 gift certificates to the shop. Here’s what you can do to win…

1. Visit Lisa Leonard Designs and tell me your favorite piece.
2. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway and leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

Now, if you do all of the things mentioned above, you might even be able to up your chances by getting your name in 4 times (just remember to leave separate comments for each)! Fantastic, right? If you’re overseas, you’re welcomed to join in. The giveaway will end at 8am PST on Friday, July 19th and the winner will be announced via twitter (follow me on twitter here) on that day. Good luck!

lisa leonard designs shop...
lisa leonard designs blog…

The big girls got their first pair of sneakers! We braved the mall crowds and the crazy parking lot to take them to the Nike Factory Store, and we were reminded again how much we dislike the mall, especially on the weekends. Ben and I are always baffled at how the US economy is supposedly not good, but the malls are always full! I thought we were doing bad?!! We don’t get it. We also almost fought as we were trying to find parking because he didn’t do what I thought he should do to find parking, and he had his own way to find parking, which turned into bickering, and then he said, “We’re already frustrated about parking, let’s not make a fight about it.” I said, “Okay, I’ll close my eyes until we park.” That saved me from my need to share my opinions and we did eventually fight a spot, and the bickering stopped.

At the store, Brave found the sneakers she wanted rather quickly, but True didn’t find any she liked, so then we were off to the New Balance outlet. True found 2 pairs she liked (one was turquoise, the other black), and there was another pair Ben and I liked better, but she couldn’t be convinced to pick it, so we were there for an hour as she decided on which one she liked the best. She kept doing “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” but it wasn’t helping her. She finally settled on the black ones, picked out some sparkle black laces, and she was a happy gal. Then she said, “Mommy, can you get the turquoise sneakers for Christmas?” This girl already has her Christmas list ready.

This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…

Glow says, “I don’t know” and “Over there!” She’s so cute and I love being her fave.

True has her first loose tooth! I need to take a million pictures of her smile because it’s about to change!!!

The girls all got hair cuts. True and Brave wanted bangs and Soul got her first trim!

Google reader is officially gone, so if you want to still follow along, you can read Cakies via bloglovin’.

Love my brass triangle earrings from Burdees!

This how to make a rug with a shirt project looks insanely fun (and time consuming)!

My baby sister is the cutest!

I’ll finally have some free time this weekend to answer emails and comments, so if you’re waiting to hear from me, hopefully it will be soon. I will try to get to as much as I can, but please know that I am extremely thankful for each one of you that takes the time to read here, comment, or send me email.

I’m so thankful to have celebrated our 8th anniversary. We had no plans and no gifts. Ben went to work (and worked late), and we just had a sushi dinner at home. I’m so thankful for even these simple moments. We will go on a special date later to celebrate (when we’re able to get babysitters), but I really am just happy to be with him (and have our four girlies). I love my Benny!

Happy weekend friends! I love weekends because Ben’s home! Yayers!!!

Langostino Sopes. I’m a seafood gal, so I really love this! Ben kinda made it up one day and it is so yummy! We’ll have to put together a recipe to share because this really is one of my faves. No joke. It’s in my top 10 fave dishes for sure.

Tilapia Poke. I used this recipe, but substituted the tuna with tilapia. It’s just as good in my opinion.

Week 7/15 – 7/19

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Easiest Posele (first made here)
Wednesday: Spaghetti
Thursday: Orzo with Feta, Basil and Shrimp
Friday: Fish Tacos

It’s been almost a month since I shared our meals and that’s because I haven’t been cooking that much. We had various things pop up over here that required my attention, so sometimes Trader Joe’s is just the key to survival. I have to weigh it all out and remember something said in “The Good Mom, “My kids care far less about how presentable their dinner is and far more about how healthy their mom is.”

Ben’s family vacations were often spent in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico. His family travelled to the Taos and Tres Ritos area year after year to go camping, and this year, we’re all going to start our own memories there! We’re pretty excited because his mom and sister are meeting us there too. We can’t wait for lots of relaxing and hiking (I’d love to go river rafting too!). Ben and I are going to try to sneak out for a date at some point, and if any of you are from the area or are familiar with it, I would love some recommendations on things to do and eat in Taos or Taos Ski Valley!

Do you have any special trip planned this summer?

(Photo above is Ben circa 1981. I imagine if I had a son, he would look just like that!)

I’m so excited to be a contributor to Babiekins Magazine! See how to make my mini papier-mâché hot air balloon and Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches; it’s the perfect thing to fill these summer days. This issue also has a super rad spread featuring Karen’s (Misha Lulu) daughter and the Ace Hotel (New York). Bela is one of the coolest kids I know! Check out the magazine here...

8 years ago today, Ben and I became a family, and with every passing year, our family just kept on growing.

I remember that morning quite vividly…

I woke up in my bedroom at my parents’ house and everyone was still sleeping. The reception was going to be in my mom and dad’s backyard, so it was already partially set up for the festivities. I walked outside and was in awe at all the beautiful flowers that were already displayed. I was so excited, but everyone was still sleeping, so I went upstairs, busted into my parents’ bedroom, and yelled, “I’m getting married today!!!” I woke them all up so they could share in my giddiness. I had so much joy and was totally ready to be Ben’s wife!

I love being married to you Ben Bratcher! Happy anniversary!!!

on the girls: clothes, misha lulu (except brave’s skirt is from american apparel). shoes, mix of thrifted, gap kids, and salt-waters. on me: top and skirt, thrifted. braided clogs, c/o lotta from stockholm.