Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday Treasures #5

It's been a while since I shared my Tuesday Treasures! Have you guys been in a Target lately? They have all this cool new stuff and I have so much trouble not buying it. This week I wanted to start by sharing some items from Target's Patch NYC Look Book, which are super irresistible!

Owls AND mushrooms AND foxes!!!  
Do you see the owl in the middle? I love this!


I also wanted to share a few of my favorite items from The Mitten State, which sells the neatest Michigan apparel! I haven't bought a shirt yet, but I look at their site all the time! They also donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. Aww, what a great company!



Their stuff is great, and my birthday is coming up soon - just sayin'!

Happy Tuesday!


Monday, August 27, 2012

Giveaway: Heather Pritchett Illustration

UPDATE: The winner of the owl print is Kelly! Congrats, girl!

I'm excited to announce my third giveaway today, Heather of Heather Pritchett Illustrations has kindly offered up one of her adorable owl prints to one winner. All you have to do is like her facebook page! There are additional ways to win below. After my owl post yesterday, I'm thinking I could use some more owl lovin' on my walls, and I love all of these guys - I think I'd choose #3 - what about you? You'll certainly get to choose if you win! 

Heather has also graciously offered 15% off any order on her Etsy Shop with the coupon code lovelyllorys. I hope you decide to take advantage!



A little about Heather - "After I graduated art school a year ago, I started taking work as a freelance illustrator/graphic designer. My Etsy store is a way to sell my art that's more independent and self-motivated, somewhere where I can create and sell whatever I'd like. I live in southern California, and I hope I never have to leave. It's the most beautiful place on Earth!"

Southern California is really beautiful! I bet she finds a ton of inspiration for her designs there. Thanks for letting me host this giveaway, Heather! 

You have until Saturday at midnight to enter the giveaway, and I'm trying out a widget this time, so no comments necessary (although I'd love to hear what you have to say)! Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, August 26, 2012

My Collections: Owls

As a precursor to a new giveaway I'm hosting tomorrow (check back!), I'm sharing my owl collection with you! I know it's like super cliche to have an owl collection now, but I started mine a few years ago, so I think it's legit. I went around the house getting things to photograph, and the collection is actually pretty sizable these days! I even have a.) more here than I didn't photograph and b.) more at my parents' house, so I'll get to do a follow-up post at some point! Something to look forward to: )

Above, left to right: Mug from a thrift store, mug from China Town in SF, painting I did of the picture frame in the below picture, cookie cutter that was a gift, and figure/not really sure of its actual purpose that I found at a thrift store.

Golden figurine from thrift store, iron-on labels that were a gift, picture frame from Urban Outfitters, napkin holder from thrift store, clips from IKEA, tea light holder from UO, little figurine from Target's dollar section, flower-owl figurine from thrift store, little figurine that was a gift, owl made of stones that was a gift. (Paper underneath is from World Market).


Clock from a thrift store. It works and is totally silent, so I love it!


Owl Always Love You decoration from Urban Outfitters, container from Urban Outfitters, bottle opener from UO (super sturdy), catch-all from UO (yeah, redundant, I know!), hot plate holder from thrift store, white container from UO, and two containers on the right end from thrift stores.

Cuff from a stand on the island of Hvar in Croatia, "Give a Hoot Don't Pollute" pin can't remember from where, two rings - one from Forever 21, the other from Rue 21, necklaces - Forever 21, gift, yard sale, etc., and a candle holder from Bath and Body Works. The painting is by my friend Brea. So detailed!

Tank top from Forever 21 and bag from Kohl's.

Towels - all gifts, mostly from Kohl's!

There you have it. I haven't been thrifting much lately, but all the well-known stores around here seem to lack owl things (darn hipsters). So I have to dig off the beaten path, but that's half the fun! I can't buy everything owl thing I find... or can I? Anyway, what collections do you have? I shared my mug collection here, and I also collect mushroom things, vinyl, pin-back buttons, and a few other things. I've always been like this - my mom claims I brought home used napkins from birthday parties, but I don't remember that.

Happy Sunday! And remember to check back tomorrow for the giveaway I mentioned: )

Friday, August 24, 2012

Brush: A Painting Experience

Last night Andrew and I went with several co-workers to a studio called Brush in East Grand Rapids. I hadn't heard of it until we were invited, but you go for a couple hours and they teach you to paint something - last night was wine bottles. We paid a flat fee of $35 which covered the canvas, use of paint and brushes and other supplies, the instructor's guidance, and the great tunes that kept us entertained. They also have beer and wine and snacks available. What more could you ask for!?
The signs on the paint told you how many pumps of each to add to your pallet. For some reason I ended up using a lot more gold than called for.

Very clearly the before picture!

Mary, me, Andrew, and Kay getting amped!

They served Blue Moon! I was set.

Another before shot. All the paintings on the wall are included in the different classes you can take. Shout out to Cory on the left who set the whole thing up! Thanks, Cory!

We began with our background. Our teacher, Tanya, would give us an instruction, then turn up the music to give us some time to work on each step.

Moved on to outlining and filling in our wine bottles... I stopped listening to directions when she told us which colors to paint which bottles. I didn't want the same painting as everyone else!


(Some of us concentrated harder than others)


And we emerged with our finished, professional paintings! It was fun to see everybody's. They all turned out really great but all so different!


The whole group!

What a fun evening. I am intrigued looking ahead to my birthday (September 15th) on the calendar, which is called Morning Mimosa Open Paint. If I don't make it then, I definitely think I'll be back soon for another art lesson! What about you? Do you have a place like this in your town? Anything similar? I'd love to hear about it!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Newsroom on HBO

I want to first remind you all that this is the last day to enter my Lil Prop Shop Giveaway! It's not too late to have a chance at the camera necklace. Thanks to all who have entered so far: )

So the season is almost over, but have you been watching The Newsroom? Andrew and I have been obsessed since the opening scene of the first episode, which I think was the point, but it is so good! I'm glad HBO had the guts to be like, "hey, the news isn't really telling anyone the truth because there are powerful people in charge who have so much money and special interests, that they actually control what you get to hear." Also, "the USA isn't the greatest country in the world and if you still think we are, you're part of the problem." It was a big deal that they went after the Koch brothers in an episode, but I feel like as HBO, that was even pretty ballsy. Anyway, they are close to being caught up with the present, so I'm wondering how future seasons of the show are going to go. I predict that they'll do some flashing back - maybe to Mac in the middle east? What do you all think? Have you been watching it? Do you recommend the West Wing? I've been told I need to watch that if I like the Newsroom.

Well, check out the very first scene - watch the whole thing! Do it!


And then remember that you can't resist Sam Waterston in a bowtie!

What a cutie.

Let me know what you think!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

That Lil Prop Shop Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is Ashley! We have communicated via email and I will be sending her the necklace. Thank you everyone who entered!

And now for my second giveaway! Angelina from That Lil Prop Shop has kindly supplied me with a pretty lil camera necklace to share with one of my faithful readers! All she asks is that you like her on facebook (leave me a comment so I know you did it)! Super easy! Here's the prize up for grabs:

It's oh-so-lovely!

Angelina has an etsy and ebay shop for her newborn baby photography props - what a great idea! I know I have a lot of photographer friends out there - make sure you check out her affordable shop to stock up on your backdrop and prop needs.

The knit fedora and necktie from angelina's shop are ahh-dorable!

A little about Angelina: "I work at home full-time selling on Etsy, eBay and Amazon. Proud wife and mommy of two great kids and one on the way. Live in fabulous Southern CA. Love all things photography and baby!! My family and I love photography and it is our favorite hobby to do together...Noticed there was a need for affordable photography props so I started creating my own!!"

Thanks, Angelina! 

To enter my That Lil Prop Shop giveaway:
"Like" Angelina's facebook page (and leave a comment telling me you did)
And for an extra entry, follow my blog, Lovely Llorys! (and leave a separate comment telling me you do)

Winner will be chosen at midnight EST, next Wednesday, August 22nd. Good luck!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Johnny Flynn // The Wrote and the Writ

check out this la blogotheque video - andrew and i just discovered this johnny flynn track yesterday. we keep listening to it over and over!