Lisa Leonard Designs

betrayed by a jumpsuit

May 24th | thoughts, what I'm wearing

Let me tell you of a love story that ends in betrayal. It has nothing to do with that silly, smiley little boy and everything to do with that innocent looking jumpsuit!

No sooner had I sung the praises of jumpsuits {they’re so comfortable! perfect for travel! like wearing pajamas!} than I ended up in an airport bathroom stall exposing myself to the entire room. I checked and double checked the latch to make sure the door was latched–but as soon as I undressed {the whole thing has to come off basically} and sat down, someone went into the stall next to mine and as their door closed, it jiggled my door free. I couldn’t reach the door so I had to scoot as quickly as I could to get it closed again. Once I was alone again, I just started LAUGHING! It was a laugh or cry situation, if you know what I mean! I had been betrayed by my beloved jumpsuit and stabbed in the back by my fickle bathroom stall door. It was like they planned it and conspired against me.

Two hours later I ended up in the airplane bathroom {basically one square foot} with nowhere to hang my jean jacket except on top of my head and a floor that was so wet, I didn’t want my pants to touch it. Ugh! So I’m holding my jumpsuit off the ground and trying to balance my jacket on my head and maneuver in a tiny space. This jumpsuit–whoever thought they were a good idea?! Oh wait, me!

Moral of the story, while I love jumpsuits, I’m never wearing one for travel again. They simply can’t be trusted! I’ve learned my lesson!

diy: jewelry stand

May 23rd | DIY, inspiration, jewelry

I am VERY excited to share this diy with you! And it is really simple to make! Are you ready??

Supplies used:

- tree slice (purchased at Michael’s)

- old spindles from the back of a thrifted chair (so fun and inexpensive!)

- flat copper wire

-finishing nails

- wood glue

All you have to do is mark where you want the spindles (you could also use wooden dowels from the craft store) and glue in place. Once the glue set, hammer a finishing nail through the bottom of the base into each spindle. Then you just wrap the tops with wire! It’s that simple! I loved using wire instead of string because it remains taught and it is easy to take on and off for easy access to the jewelry. You can make it however big or small you would like!

I’m ready to make another and get all my jewelry organized–how about you?!

a pretty dress and a sad story

May 22nd | what i wore wednesday, what I'm wearing

Hey friends! I’m linking up with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration! Today I’m sharing a gorgeous thrifted dress. But just to warn you–the end of the story is a little bit sad!

Chrissie {my twin sis} and I hit some amazing thrift stores in Kansas. We basically thrifted our way from Kansas City to Newton–and we had some seriously good luck. She found so many adorable treasures for the home and I focused on dresses.

When I saw it on the rack, I thought, this cream, wool dress looked like it might have potential. I loved the ruffled bottom and the detail around the neckline. I thought the lack of a waste line could go either way–so I tried on the dress and I loved it. Score!

At the craft house I washed in on a very delicate cycle and laid it out to dry. It came out perfectly.

But once I got home, I washed it again {on a delicate cycle} and it completely deteriorated. Maybe my washing machine isn’t delicate enough? One of the arms was hanging by a thread the the bottom of the dress was ruined–completely misshapen. I had to throw the dress away. There was no hope of saving it.

Outfit details: Cream dress, thrifted. Boots, Fossil. Gold swivel necklace, my shop. {I’ve got David on one side and Matthias on the other}

So cream, thrifted dress, although our time together was too short, it really was sweet.  I’m so glad I have a few photos to remember you by. The day we spent together was a very special one–mostly because I was with dear friends, but it’s always fun to wear a pretty dress. Goodbye, cream dress.

Celebrating Steve {St. Louis}

May 21st | adventures, family

We had a wonderful time in St. Louis. I’m thankful all of us {even my mother in law} were able to travel back and be part of this special day. It will be a historical day in our family. Steve worked hard to accomplish this goal–and it needed to be celebrated!

We got to see some old friends.

Matthias made a new friend. It made his trip so fun!

There was lots of ceremonies and lunches and services and waiting. The boys were troopers! This pic cracked me up!

Steve’s professor was a hit with our boys. We got to have lunch with their family and it was a highlight of the trip.

Two stylish boys with bowties. Love!

We made a custom keychain for Steve. We’ve been teasing the boys that they’re going to have to start calling Steve ‘Dr. Daddy’

We explored downtown–the arch was beautiful!

We saw the courthouse where the historical Dred Scott case was held.

We had the BEST frozen custard. How good can it be, I thought? Pretty darn AMAZING! Yum!

The City museum was awesome. We loved it!

Steve, I am so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for working hard and showing our boys what it means to keep learning and to be a good father and husband. I love you!

hello monday {back from St. Louis}

May 20th | adventures, family, hello monday

Whoa, Monday–how did you get here so quickly? We landed at 10pm last night and we’re not ready for you yet! Just a little more sleep?

Steve graduated with his doctorate on Friday evening. He’s now a doctor of ministry. So if you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. If you have a biblical emergency, he might be your guy!

How about some hellos?

Hello tired. Hello grumpy. Oh you want some happy hellos? Okay, I’ll try. Let’s see…

Hello sunshine.

Hello morning coffee {so glad to see you!}

Hello cherishing sweet time spent with my boys. I’m so thankful.

Hello photos to edit.

Hello laundry to be washed.

Hello friends to see. Yay!

Hello new week. Hello fresh start.


DIY: mini poms

May 17th | DIY, inspiration

Ready for some inspiration?

 And wouldn’t a pom garland be fun? Are you ready to make some poms?!

one wish

May 16th | finding beauty, finding love

When David was a couple of years old, my sister asked me, “If you had one wish, what would it be?” My first thought was, David wouldn’t have a disability. But then I tried to imagine David without his disability. He wouldn’t look the same or act the same. He wouldn’t be small or spunky in the same way. He wouldn’t have his sweet little button nose or his huge carefree grin. If I woke up one morning and David didn’t have a disability I wouldn’t recognize him. And he wouldn’t be my David, my sweet boy, whom I love with all that I am.

In that moment I sat there completely baffled. Of course David’s disability brings many challenges, but when I realized I wouldn’t change it because I love David–just the way he is, it made me feel hopeful.It made me want to stop wishing things were different and embrace the way they are. Life is full of imperfections, isn’t it? But there is beauty to be found. Even in the darkness and the muck there are little rays of light. I want to focus on the beauty and not waste time wishing away the hard stuff.

So if I had one wish, what would I wish for? I think I’d wish for contentment. That’s where my heart finds peace.

mixing patterns with a vintage dress

May 15th | thrifting, what I'm wearing

I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!

I discovered this little gem of a dress tucked away in a thrift store in Newton, Kansas. I think it may have been waiting just for me. The $2 price tag meant she had to be mine. 

I think happy girls are the prettiest, don’t you?


Photobomb by David! Nicely done.

Outfit details: Dress, thrifted, $2. Leopard print heels, Target. {I’m on my second pair–my first pair wore out! That’s how much I love them.} Belt, ever+mi crush. Gold connected hearts bracelet, my shop. Happy girls bag, Moxie Clothing. {swag from craft weekend}

This dress makes me want to sip tea in the sunshine while having a long chat over lunch with a dear friend. Doesn’t that sound perfect right now?

craft weekend {part two}

May 14th | adventures, inspiration

I’ve got more pics to share from Meg’s craft weekend. Are you on the waiting list? It such a magical weekend!

Waking up in the craft house means it’s definitely going to be a happy day!

Map wall–love.

If you anything about Meg, you know she has a knack for COLOR.

Chrissie and I stopped on a long, quiet road and snapped a few pics. She is part of me, my twin sis–and a weekend away with her is a the best gift ever. I’m so thankful we both have husbands who pick up the slack and let us get away.

After craft weekend, Chrissie and I headed to Kerry’s dairy farm for some cousin time. We got a full tour of the farm. So fun!

I don’t like to play favorites, but a cow with a heart shaped mark on his head? Yeah, I totally fell for this one!

They have a loft above the barn where they host dances and weddings. Tons of white lights make it absolutely magical!

I got a tractor ride. Oh yes I did!

 An awesome treehouse! And Kerry’s husband Dan made the most AMAZING mexican dinner I have ever eaten. Pretty much perfection.

We thrifted our way to the airport on our last day there and I found two more adorable outfits–I can’t wait to share. And we stumbled on a diner with rocking strawberry cake. {Not that I’m eating sugar. Ahem!}

Tomorrow we fly to St. Louis for Steve’s graduation ceremony and I’ve been terribly sick with a stomach bug. After 5 days my doctor put me on antibiotics. I’ve got two days to get better. Send up a prayer for me?

easiest outfit ever {hello monday}

May 13th | hello monday, what I'm wearing

A worn in denim top, flowy skirt, comfortable sandals and pink lip gloss makes for maybe the easiest outfit ever. And the perfect thing for a morning where I don’t have much brain power!

Are you ready for a brand new week? I’m not sure if I am–but ready or not, it’s here. How about some hellos?

{outfit details: Skirt and belt, ever+mi crush. Denim top {similar} Target. Sandals, thrifted. Peach bangle, thrifted. Saffron bracelet, my shop. Gold tiny cross necklace, my shop.}

Hello feeling loved. Don’t you think Mother’s Day is a great thing? Moms should be celebrated. Steve and I both have amazing mothers.

Hello getting ready to head to St. Louis because Steve has earned his doctorate–and we’re heading back for the ceremony. So proud of you, babe!

Hello laundry. and more laundry.

Hello eating healthy. We’re going on week three of avoiding sugar and carbs. I have more energy and I love that!

Hello sniffly David. boo!

Hello haircuts. I need one and so does David. Matthias got one last week and looks spiffy.

Hello sunshine. Love.

Hello more coffee. Just a little bit more and I’ll be ready to go.

Hello thankful for a brand new week!