Hello everyone!  I hope your week is off to a lovely start!  Mine certainly is — I had such a sweet mother’s day on Sunday and I’m still beaming about it.

mother’s day 2013

We started the day at church and I served in the nursery.  There was a visiting family with a young boy (about 2 years old) and he initially had a hard time adjusting to the nursery, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.  He took to me for some reason and I spent most of the service just holding him.  He actually fell asleep in my arms (so sweet!!) and woke up content to spend the remaining time playing with Olive and his other nursery-mates.  It reminded me that although I am not his mother, I can nurture and love other children as my own.  For many years before I had Olive, I longed so much to be a mama.  I want to send a special encouragement to any of you out there who may be in that circumstance now.  I fervently pray that God will open the doors for you to become a mother soon, but urge you in the meanwhile to love on the kiddos around you in your life.  There’s lots of love to go around!

After service, I grabbed our customary Sunday lunch on the way home: In-N-Out burger, of course! We scarfed it down quickly since Olive had fallen asleep in the car, and then we drove out to the charming town of Los Olivos.  Erik took me to get my favorite Enjoy Cupcakes (yum!) and I devoured the pistachio lemon chardonnay + banana lemon creme treats.  We walked around a bit (truthfully we were just chasing Olive around town as she excitedly ambled about, greeting everyone in sight) but the unseasonable heat had us headed home early.  😉  We then spent some time browsing the aisles of Home Depot (hilarious, I know… We are both fixated on home stuff right now!) before having delicious Korean food for dinner.  Toward the end of the day, Erik had Olive hand me “her” mother’s day card.  Erik, being Erik, had helped her pick out a card that was for encouragement (not Mother’s Day…haha!) with a chihuaua and a dumbbell on the front.  Inside it said, “You’re stronger than you know.”  I just about died of laughter!  He also helped Olive write me a sweet note and she signed her name with her own hand.  I’m not gonna lie — I was impressed with her penmanship.  😉

photo via @enjoycupcakes on IG — love Amber & Kevin and their incredible cupcakes!

All in all I had a lovely day with my little family.  I got exactly what I had hoped for: some time out of the house with my two favorite people!

Before I sign out today, I wanted to share my excitement about my new bag.  I was on the hunt for a knitting bag but wanted something large enough to double as a travel tote or carry-on.  I discovered Piggledee on Etsy and followed the links to Asako’s blog.  I was instantly SMITTEN with her beautiful creations.  She makes backpacks, totes, knapsacks, zippered pouches and more, all using beautiful fabrics, many of them in quirky Japanese prints!  The bags can be used for tons of purposes, including cosmetic bags, travel bags, pencil cases, changing pads, washcloths, reusable lunch bags, diaper bags and more…  Although I’m not a cat person at all, I couldn’t resist the whimsical kitty print in grey for my big tote.  I also added a large zip pouch to use for cosmetics when I travel, and for my notions when I’m knitting.  😉  I found it hilarious that I was ordering a travel bag for my trip to Australia from a seller who is based in Sydney.  Oh, irony!  Asako is also a fellow Cal grad (Go Bears!); it was fun to learn we had so much in common!

I just received my bags yesterday and I couldn’t be more pleased with them.  They are well-made and beautifully constructed.  Asako herself was a pleasure to work with from start to finish, and her kind communication and speedy shipping were much appreciated.  I can’t wait to revisit her shop and pick up many more goodies in the future!  Today I am thrilled to giveaway TWO of her fabulous pouches!  The winner will win BOTH a large grey cat print zippered pouch, and a slightly smaller pink cat print pouch.

To enter:

  1. Like Love and Splendor on Facebook
  2. Comment below and let me know what you’d use the pouches for if you won!
  3. If you follow this blog on Bloglovin’ and/or follow me on Instagram, mention it in the comment for extra entries (1 each).

You have until Thursday, May 16th at 9 p.m. PST to enter.  I’ll announce the winner this Friday, the 17th!

Thanks for stopping by; see you again soon!

Comments (13)

  1. rachel: May 14, 2013

    Sounds like a lovely day out! 🙂 I’d use the cat bags for my makeup.

  2. I’d use the pouches to organize sisi’s travel toys for our trip to Mexico. They are the perfect size for her little cars and trucks. olive is getting so big! she looks so grown up, even compared to when i saw her just a few weeks ago. also, i follow you on bloglovin 😉

  3. Hannah C.: May 14, 2013

    That adorable stuffed animal peeking out from the tote! I’m looking for something to haul some good summer reading with me to the beach. 😀

  4. Rivernik: May 14, 2013

    Liked on FB as Solarride Rivernik
    I’d use it for storing my jewelries :3
    I’m following with Bloglovin’ as Solarride Rivernik

  5. Tammi ishibashi: May 14, 2013

    Sounds like you had an awesome Mother’s Day <3

    I would use the cat pouches to hold my crotchet hooks and other craft notions so they don't get lost in my bag

    I follow you on Instagram 2tammi

  6. borami c: May 14, 2013

    The bags are adorable. I would use the bags to organize my diaper bag.

  7. julie martin: May 14, 2013

    CATS! HAHA. You make me laugh. This would be super handy for homeschooling on the go goodies for us this season! AHHHH we are crazy!!! :P)P

  8. Deanna B.: May 14, 2013

    Adorable print! I’d use them for makeup/jewlery, perfect for travel.

  9. Regina: May 14, 2013

    What a wonderful way to spend Mother’s Day.

    The pouches would be perfect to store snacks for my daughter.

    Follow you on both Bloglovin and Instagram!

  10. Lina H: May 14, 2013

    Big one: baby ‘accessories’ for day trips when diaper bag isn’t enough. Little one: makeup.. my husband said I needed a new one the other day.. It must really be time then! Following on Instagram + bloglovin.. and liked on fb

  11. Priscilla: May 14, 2013

    My co-worker just told me recently how much she loves your blog. She suggested to me to read it since I’m expecting a baby girl next week. The cat designs are cute! I will put the trial size items in the pouches. I just start packing things into the diaper bag. I realize I need a small pouch to put misc. items, trial sizes bottles, etc. The pouch would come in handy, it will be easy to use and easily recognizable instead of digging thru the diaper bag to look for small items.

  12. Priscilla: May 14, 2013

    Also follow you on Instagram.

  13. Ting: May 15, 2013

    Beautiful photos!

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