(Lov) // Mother's Day

When Brendan asked what i would like to do for Mother's Day, I told him that I wanted to get out of Austin.  There are so many great little towns all over central Texas...and day tripping is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon.  We picked Wimberley, which is just about 45 minutes away.

The main square is filled with vintage shops, antique shops, cafes, and boutiques. 

Creek Side Vintage was my favorite.  They specialize in vintage from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  They had AMAZING stuff... 

I'm kicking myself today for not buying this lovely lithograph.  She was a bit pricey, but I'm feeling she might have been worth it. 

It was a beautiful day to walk around from shop to shop.  

Each one had so many wonderful things to look at...and Lydia did a really good job of "looking with her eyes and not with her hands."

Once we got hungry, we made our way to Cypress Creek Cafe. 

Handsome Husband. 

Sweet Little Girl. 

Happy Mama. 

A perfect way to finish the day.  I hope all you Mama's had a great time with your families!  

(Lov)e,

-k.

(Ed) // Diving In.

I've never been one to exercise. The only exception being a few years in my early 20's when I was going to the gym where my brother was a trainer so that I could be abused and yelled at...  oh the memories. I haven't done much since. Lately, I've been feeling how truly out-of-shape I have become.  


Over the past few months, I've been doing more color services than ever and they are beginning to take their toll.  Back, neck, and hip pain are often the result after a long day of applications, foils, shampoos and blow outs.  Posture is HUGE in hairdressing, and if your body is weak... you will pay for it in the end.  Not to mention having an active toddler who weighs over 30 pounds who insists I join in on her activity. By the end of most days... I am a grumpy, hurting mess. Pain and weakness are pretty good motivators to make a change.


We have a family membership to the YMCA, but we mainly use it for the pool on weekends. For some reason, I just can't find the motivation to drag my (and Lydia's ) butt there each day to work out.  And because I am so NOT a gym person, I don't really know what to do once I manage to get there.  I usually aimlessly wander from machine to machine doing a couple of reps (probably incorrectly) before getting on the treadmill for about 20 minutes. Yes, it's better than nothing, but it certainly isn't addressing my problems.


I've always been a highly sensitive person, at least in the physical sense.  I FEEL everything and unfortunately I most often let it control me...which super sucks (my "fleshly" way of describing it) because I'm a total control freak.  And what I spend my time trying to "control" is my pain. I find some sort of weird comfort in my routine of remedies... medication, ice packs, heating pad, Epsom salt baths, essential oils, massage, and chiropractic adjustments.  It's all reactionary control... which is the most exhausting kind because it's an illusion.  My methods may lessen or stave off  the pain for a while, but I'm never able to control it and will typically let it have it's way with me until it passes.  THIS, my friends, is no way to live.


Having an at home, natural birth taught me many things.  The most important being that I needed to change my relationship with pain.  In the beginning few hours of hard labor, I was stalled out at 3cm and not progressing.  Each time I'd have a contraction I'd imagine I was in the ocean.  With each rush of pain it was like watching a giant wave coming towards me and I would have one of two reactions.  Either I'd be afraid and try to run back to the shore in order to escape the pain "wave" all together or I would try fight the pain by jumpping up as the "wave" hit in an effort to keep my head above water.  The problem with the first approach is that it's impossible...the wave is too big, fast, and strong to get away from.  And with my back turned in my effort to escape, I would get knocked down and emerge more exhausted an ever. The problem with the second approach was that the "fight" impulse makes the body ridged and tight as it anticipates the pain. And when you are trying to "open" your body, the last thing you need to be doing is making it more closed off.  This approach helped to lessen the pain a bit, but it certainly wasn't helping me progress. 


It was my wonderful midwife who helped me realize what I was doing wrong.  It was almost as if she got into my head and joined me in the ocean.  She reminded me that this pain had a purpose and that it was not to be feared or fought against.  Rather than running from or trying to jump over the pain, I was supposed to relax, take a deep breath, and go directly into the pain until I found myself on the other side.  That next contraction I inhaled and dove into the wave.  I was completely present and channeled the power of the pain into opening up my body.  In just one contraction, I went from 3cm to 5cm... amazing.  


The lesson here is that the only thing I can control is my will...not pain and certainly not my circumstances.  And with that understanding, I've realized the futility in trying to control the results of having a weak and undisciplined body. True control is found in choosing to strengthen myself;  to train my will to relax into the inevitable pain that comes from being in the corruptible body.  I can prepare or I can suffer... it's always my choice.   


So I'm making some changes.  Thanks to good 'ol Netflix, I have instant access to two wonderful videos. I have and will continue to alternate between the two EVERY DAY during Lydia's nap time.  

Crunch: Super SlimDown

Crunch: Candlelight Yoga

Yoga and Pilates are ideal for me because I need to strengthen my core, loosen and lengthen my ridged muscles, improve my breathing, and correct years of bad posture.  I haven't been at it for long, but I can already feel it changing my body.  This morning I was so sore it hurt to get out of bed, but I did it with a smile because THIS kind of pain if different.  THIS kind of pain is a result of doing something good and productive.  THIS kind of pain is a product of my body getting stronger.  THIS kind of pain has a purpose and isn't a result of inactivity and bad habits. THIS kind of pain reminds me that I have chosen wisely. 


My motivation for making this change is to improve my quality of life.  I want to feel stronger and be in control of my will.  I want to enjoy my job, family, and life as much as I can without pain getting in my way.  I want to stand on the shore and run with excitement into the ocean of life knowing that there is nothing to fear or fight...diving into the waves with confidence and the knowledge that I will indeed be stronger on the other side. 

(Lov)e,

-k.

  

(Lov) // Water Babies

This past weekend, my Brother, Sister-in-Law, and Nephew came to Austin (from Dallas) for a quick visit.  We spent most of Saturday in my Father's backyard watching the kids have an absolute blast! When it was time to water the lawn, we found out that the real fun had just gotten started...

I think this was the first time either of them had ever played in a sprinkler.  Lydia LOVED it, while Samuel was a bit unsure.  It was such a sweet day with lots of laughter, baby hugs, and kisses.  We are very grateful that Lydia has a cousin so close in age (Samuel is only 10 days younger).  We all look forward to many more fun times at my Dad's house and are already thinking about the next visit... SLIP AND SLIDE! 

(Lov)e,

-k.

(Lov) // I heart Instagram!

I posted my first picture on Instagram on October 17th, 2010.  My initial usage of the app was for enhancing my not-so-great iPhone pictures with it's varied selection of filters.  I didn't "follow" anyone nor did I have any "followers" for at least the first 8 months.  As some of my Facebook friends joined, I began to follow a few people's feeds. I continued to use IG mainly as an editing tool and never "liked" or left comments on other's posted photos. As with a lot of social media, I was only scratching the surface of it's capabilities and wasn't really interested in going any deeper than satisfying my initial needs.  The turning point for me was when I began, on occasion, taking a peek at the "popular" page.  One day I saw this lovely picture posted by Miss James aka bleubird...

@bleubird

This picture lead me to her even more lovely BLOG... which has honestly changed my life.  I began "following" her that day and still find her photos to be some of the warmest and most beautiful on IG.  She shares pictures of her day to day (family, food, home, travel etc.) which are nothing short of pure magic. It was bleubird who helped me open up to the COMMUNITY aspect of IG.  I saw how she used it as a spring board for her blog, how she connected with other blogging Moms all over the country, and was weaving a uniquely personal tapestry of photos for her family.  It was by her example and though our connection that I was inspired to find other wonderful women who have greatly enriched my life...

@murrjohnson

A beautiful blogging Mama who just had her second little girl almost 3 weeks ago!

(Murr is VERY dear to my heart)

@kerigiordano

A fellow graphic designers, Mama, food lover, and ETSY shop owner. 

@bc_m

  A homeschooling Mama to 4 (I know!) amazingly cute kids.

@frecklewonder

Another blogging Mama and ETSY shop owner who is a master thrifter and chicken keeper.

@missmessie

Wife, Mama, ETSY shop owner, lover of vintage pyrex, and wearer of super cute glasses. 

@mrsjasminedee

A wife, mother to 5 (blows my mind), and women of faith.

These are just 7 of the many ladies I have gotten to know over the last year on IG.  Through pictures and words... we get to peer into each others lives, sharing our thoughts, feelings, encouragement, and advice.  Some I would consider friends even though we have never met in person. I pray for these women, I celebrate their milestones, I look forward to seeing their lives each day, and am very grateful that they (like myself) chose to fully use this app to make our lives a bit more connected. If you are on Instagram, I am @kellyvlass... come find me!

(Lov)e,

-k.

(Lov) // Home Sweet Home.

Welcome to our little home!  

Our dining room.  You may notice the Salon chair... I seem to always have one to do friends and family cuts. 

Lovely flowers from my husband. 

View from our front door. Yes, in Texas we proudly display our fly swatters.

Peeking around the kitchen. Would you care for a banana?

  Doing dishes in is an endless task, so it would have been unrealistic to put them away for a picture. :)

Lydia's room. 

Lydia's desk is a table that Brendan's Dad made many years ago. 

It is her favorite place to color and do her puzzles. 

Our Bedroom. 

This room is in the SW corner and  has the most light.  It is the where I grow my herbs. 

Brendan's practice space.  

A print I got from ETSY that hangs in our room.  So very, very true.  Thanks for stopping by!

(Lov)e, 

-k.

(Lov) // Three Years.

It was three years ago today that I married my husband Brendan, although in my heart... I married him long before we said our "I do's".  I truly couldn't ask for a more suitable partner to share my life with. He is a kind and patient man whose love for me seems to only be getting stronger and yet more gentle as time goes by.  I am not the easiest women to be bound to... I can be very guarded, stubborn, and difficult. Yet, with all my faults, he continues to see in me what I often don't see in myself and sings my praises to music that I seldom hear.  He knows that rather than a feeling, love is a choice...and each day he chooses to be thankful for the one that he made in making me his wife.  And as his "chosen",  I am slowly learning how to be a blessing to him so that I might honor the love he so freely gives.  He is my best friend, lover, brother in Christ, and the Father of my little girl.  I certainly couldn't, and will never, ask for anything more.  

(Lov)e,

-k. 

(Be) // Spring Hair Trends

Source: PA PHOTOS/LANDOV

Short Layered Bob with heavy side-swept bangs. 

Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty

 Soft, short Pixie with lots of textured layers. 

Source: APEGA/ABACAUSA.COM

Face framing Bob with heavy, blunt bangs. 

Source: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Long layered Pixie with side swept bangs. 

Source: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Collarbone-length Bob with soft fringe bangs.

Source: Tsuni/GammaUSA

Long Bob with choppy layers.

Source: Larry Busacca/Getty

Long Layers with a light, sweeping fringe. 

A change in Season is a great reason to try a new hair style. These are some of my favorite Spring trends as features in InStyle.com.  Hop on over to their site and use their Hollywood Makeover Tool to see how YOU would look with these haircuts!  THEN... Come see me and get a makeover in real life!  Happy Spring everybody! 

(Lov)e, 

-k.