desktop calendar :: december

I can't believe it's already December. Time is going by way too fast.

I am busy with the Christmas card rush, but wanted to get this calendar up for

you all to enjoy. I just love the little deer and the non-traditional color palette.

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missing in action :: update

Sorry I have been MIA the last month or so. We had a rough month with some health scares. Our baby Cosette wasn't gaining weight or growing so they did some blood work on her. That blood work came back with a couple elevated liver enzymes which could mean all sorts of different liver diseases (hepatitis, biliary diseases, liver damage, etc). So I spent the next two weeks in and out of the lab getting test after test done. Poor baby girl had to get pricked so many times and she was such a champ about it too. After a lot of tears, prayers, and blessing from my dad, everything came back normal. We spent our Thanksgiving holiday in AZ with my entire family, and our doctor called to tell us the good news just a few days before Thanksgiving. We definitely had a LOT to be thankful for this year. It turns out that my milk is just full of protein and not calories so she was a little malnourished. Sadly, I had to stop nursing her and move on to formula. She is a new baby and so happy and content. Poor little thing was just hungry. So sad, but so glad we were able to figure everything out and that nothing serious was wrong with our baby girl.

caitlin wilson design :: textiles

My beautiful and very talented friend Caitlin, of Caitlin Wilson Design, launched her highly anticipated textiles website today. Be sure to run over and snatch up your fabric by the yard, or custom made pillows. There are so many cute color combinations and prints, that it is almost impossible to choose just one. Congratulations Cait, I am so excited for you!

desktop calendar :: october

I am loving all the black and white halloween decor floating around the internet and blogging world. I decided to follow suit and do a spooky black and white October desktop calendar.

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kidlark giveaway :: the rustic alley

Allison from The Rustic Alley is doing a kidlark giveaway on her blog. Christmas card time is coming fast, so take this chance to win a free custom christmas card design. Head on over to her blog to check it out.

baby shower :: cosette's

My amazing friends and family threw me a shower for Cosette about a month before I had her. I have been meaning to post these pictures, and am finally getting around to doing so. We had a fairly large group of ladies, so they got a private room at Lucille's BBQ. My friends made a darling BBQ invite that I will post tomorrow. They also decorated the tables with my favorite flower, peonies, and the cutest party favor. It was very low key, but such a fun time. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and family surrounding me.

the darling and delicious cake in a jar party favor

the beautiful peonies in antique turquoise mason jars

the party people

eight months prego and feeling it

me (8 months pregnant), my sister Brooke (6 months pregnant), my SIL Shelly (9 months pregnant)

enjoying the gift opening

a special thanks to my talented friend Kristy for documenting the evening

custom invitations :: vintage baby shower

Some friends and I are hosting another baby shower next week for a dear friend. These are the shower invitations that I made for the event. We are going with a sort of vintage/classic baby theme, with vintage blocks etc. I will let you know how it all turns out.

good eats :: smore's cups

image via texas cottage

A few days ago on Pinterest, I came across this recipe for Smore's Cups. If you remember this post I did about Smore's cookie bars, then you already know my love of anything with the word "Smore's" in it. I have yet to test out this recipe, but they sound amazing and they are so visually appealing as well.

fun find :: classics at costco

Today on my weekly Costco outing, I stumbled upon these children's books.

I got a set of them from Anthropologie last year where they are $16.99, but you can get yours at the local Costco for only $10.49 each.

So RUN don't WALK.

DIY :: block print

I am sure a lot of you out in the blogging world have already seen this DIY on design sponge, but I just had to share.

I love the uneven appearance of the pattern you get by using the block stamp.

Check out the full tutorial over at design sponge here. I can't wait to try this out with my own design.

desktop calendar :: september

In honor of the kids going back to school last week, I decided to do a "school" themed calendar. This month there are two versions.

1. The Plain Chalboard

2. The Pendant Chalkboard.

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family reunion :: boulder, utah

It has been a VERY busy summer over here at the Lark household. First, we welcomed our sweet baby girl and moved a few days later. Then two weeks after that, we went to Boulder, UT for my family reunion. Andrew had to stay behind and work as did my sister's husband. So we braved the drive alone with 8 kids between us and a ten hour drive, oh and a sick kid. It was all worth it to spend 5 glorious days with almost my entire family. I look forward to these reunions every year. Usually we stay in CA at the beach, but we changed it up this year. My sister's in-laws have an amazing ranch in Boulder, UT which is near Bryce Canyon. It was so relaxing and so beautiful. Plus the kids loved all the hikes and outdoor activities. I also love when we all get together because we get to take our yearly family photo. Remember this one last year? This year my sister and I made shirts for everyone, modeled after the American Apparel Helvetica T's. More details on those to come.

desktop calendar :: august

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birth story :: cosette isabelle lark

I have been enjoying our sweet new arrival, but decided that after a month off it is time for me to get back to work. I am still in shock that are family went from this...

to this...

with the arrival of this sweet baby girl

I am so thankful to the talented Ashlee Raubach and the amazingly beautiful moments she captured during the delivery. Check out the birth story here, the maternity session here, and the newborn session here.

Baby time :: countdown

I am being induced tomorrow morning, so baby Cosette will be joining us shortly! Wish me luck!

guest blogger :: the thirteenth

Today I am a guest blogger over at The Thirteenth. Go check it out for some fun party planning tips! Yes I have been a total slacker in the blogging department, but we are in the process of moving and baby girl could join us any day or any minute for that matter!

fun find :: maxi skirts

I am LOVING all of the maxi skirts that are out right now. They are perfect for my prego body, and I especially love that they will fit comfortably even after I have my baby. They are definitely forgiving and comfy. I got this stripe one from Anthropologie that I love and I wanted this solid one. So when I found a similar solid one at Old Navy for a fraction of the price, I thought it was too good to be true. I bought it in both colors, and I am in LOVE. Obviously not as stylish as the Anthro one, but definitely a very close second and you can't beat the $25 pricetag.

desktop calendar :: june

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foodie :: smore's cookie bars

{click image to enlarge and print recipe}

My friend Rachel introduced me to these a few years ago, and I have been addicted ever since. They are heaven on earth and you can't eat just one. She got the recipe from here.

baby essentials :: bloom alma crib

For the first few months, we plan to keep the baby in our room/walk-in closet. I thought about just using a pack n play, but then decided I would LOVE to get the bloom alma crib. I loved the crib, but did not love the $400 price tag. So, we headed to Craigslist to start our search. We ended up finding the crib and the universal changing tray for quite a steal. Isn't it the best feeling in the world to get something you want at a fraction of the price?

It was almost as good of a find as when we found the nurseryworks bedroom set for my son's room. We got the bed, dresser, and night stand all for $600 and together it retails for more than $4000.

DIY :: I'm so glad you were born...

I saw this idea over on Oh Happy Day yesterday, and knew I had to do something like it for my hubby's birthday today. Because it was so last minute, I obviously didn't have time to have everyone mail me their thoughts. Instead, I sent out emails and texts to friends and family asking them why they were glad Andrew was born. I then made an 11x17 poster that said "I'm So Glad You Were Born". Next I printed out everyone's contributions on individual 3.5x2 in. cards and put them in little kraft paper envelopes and sealed with numbers that I also printed. It's his 29th birthday, so I only put up 29 envelopes, but there were over 40 total. So after he opened the 29, he still had a few more to read. I loved hearing him laugh and ooh and aah at what everyone had to say. Needless to say, he LOVED it!

fun find :: atlantic-pacific

{image via atlantic-pacific}

A little while ago, I stumbled upon the blog Atlantic-Pacific. It is a daily log of outfits. Not only are the outfits amazing, but I love love love her hairstyles. It's a great place to look for inspiration when you feel like your wardrobe is blah. After I looked through all of the posts, I felt like I could go into my closet and put together similar outfits. Obviously with my prego belly, it's a little more difficult but it gets me excited to lose this baby weight!

baby essentials :: kidlark favorites

1. Marc by Marc Diaper Bag

2. Bugaboo Bee

3. Aiden & Anais Bamboo Swaddlers

4. Ergo Baby Carrier

5. Plum Organics Baby Food

6. Boon Baby Spoon

7. Playtex Drop-Ins Bottle

8. BabyGap Nightgowns