LAURA UTZ
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Indiana Invaders Mini Academy Photos {SO darn cute}

9/26/2014

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A couple of hours before Paxton's soccer practice yesterday, the head coach emailed and asked for me to bring my camera to help another parent snap some shots of the cutie-pie "mini" soccer academy, whose players range in age from about 5-6 years old. "Absolutely!" was my immediate reply. I haven't pulled out my digital SLR in quite awhile (thanks iPhone...) and it was super fun to do so. 

I had the pleasure of shooting alongside Meredith Santucci, a fellow soccer mom who shines so brightly when it comes to anything creative + beautiful. I swear - anything she touches is simply to.die.for. Truly. Check out more of her incredible talents here.  We sort of took a "divide & conquer" approach, so my photos feature only half of the players in the Academy while she has photos of many other kiddos.

It was hot, fun, sticky, sweaty & quite honestly - a hilarious adventure filled with smiles and lots of water breaks! Take a peek below!
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Modern Vintage Gallery Wall

9/25/2014

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For years now...I have wanted a vintage gallery wall in my home...and it finally happened. I knew I wanted to feature old photos of both mine and my husband's family and then incorporate some other artwork. 

A few months ago, I painted our dining room and added some picture frame molding below the chair rail. The walls are Galveston Gray (AC-27) and our trim is Ancient Ivory, both by Benjamin Moore.  I wanted to combine typography, some recent silhouettes I had designed of my kiddos and old family photos, while creating a nostalgic wall of with plenty of texture to keep it warm and interesting. 

I did not arrange anything out on the floor beforehand. Instead, I first selected old family photos from bins in my basement and albums at my in-laws. This was my favorite part! I found some sassy, young photos of my parents, my in-laws dancing in their younger years, my dad upside down kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, my mom, sisters and me going downhill on a log ride at Six Flags in the early 80's, my dad is his Notre Dame marching band uniform - it was hilarious! Next, I went out and started hunting down cool frames in various shapes, sizes and textures. I found some at garage sales, thrift shops, TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Hobby Lobby and then also painted a couple of oldies, but goodies that I had sitting in my basement.

After searching through family quotes on Pinterest, I came across one that I thought fit my theme beautifully: "There are two gifts we should give our children. One is roots, and the other is wings."  LOVED it. I typed this up using Photoshop, printed it out, and hung it in a frame I had leftover from an old piece of artwork that we were no longer using. This was going to be the center of my wall and then I worked out from there, just spacing the photos and wall art as I thought necessary. Clearly, I am not afraid to mix + match and I love that it wasn't an expensive project! Every time I walk through my dining room now, I smile. 

Wall Art starting from the left:
Today I am thankful | Lou la Belle Designs
Silhouettes | Lou la Belle Designs
Gold scroll | Hobby Lobby
2 Mirrors | Thrift shops
Rustic Arrow | Lou la Belle Designs
Dates Our Lives Were Changed | Lou la Belle Designs

If you're local and are looking to create a gallery wall in your home, but aren't sure exactly where to begin - shoot me a line + I'll help you get started on yours today!
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OMG Dad is 40 | All About That Bass + Bang Bang

9/21/2014

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It's been quite a busy September over at the Utz house! Dad turned the big 4-0 on Friday, September 19. Since the 40-10-40 party at our house that night was only for "grown-ups," we are still celebrating daddy throughout the weekend.

We made a little last-minute "birthday video" in honor of dad. Enjoy! 


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Baby Gift | Initial Wall Art with Rustic frame

9/11/2014

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Baby gift time! Sweet baby Georgia was born about 10 weeks ago and is the sweetest thing you ever did see! 

This is a hand-painted wood piece featuring a first name initial as well as the first + middle names of the baby girl with a rustic gray-washed frame added to the perimeter of the design to add some more color and texture. 

The design measures about 18x11".

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Here Come the IRISH {FREE} Sign Give Away!

9/10/2014

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{FREE} Sign Give Away! The Fighting Irish are off to a great start this season and Lou la Belle Designs is giving away a “Here Come the IRISH of Notre Dame” hand-painted wood sign ($35 value) for FREE! Who wants it? Simply SHARE and LIKE to enter and I’ll choose a lucky winner at random this evening. Measures approximately 18”x11” + delivery and/or shipping is included!
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    Hello there! Welcome to my teeny tiny space where I share a little home inspo as well as my passion for teaching and working with children. Thanks for stopping by!

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