With it being Valentine’s Day this week, I thought I’d share something that’s been on my mind lately: Self Love. I know, I know it seems that “self care” and “self love” have been buzzwords lately, but for good reason. It’s so important to take the time to fill ourselves up so that we can pour into others. The world needs who you are meant to be and I believe practicing some self love is the first step in living that truth.

<h3>So here are 8 ways I’ve been practicing self love lately and, of course, I had to draw them out.  These things are simple, but sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference.</h3>

And if these resonate with you too, this drawing is available as a print in the shop! It would make for a great reminder on your desk, I think.

1. Get outside for a walk.
This may seem so obvious, but guys, I need this reminder to get outside. I NEVER regret it. There’s something about being out in the fresh air and moving a little bit that brings me back to life.

2. Trade the screen for a good book + tea.
This is what I’m reading lately! And Vanilla Comoro by Harney & Sons is my favorite tea  (it’s decaf, which makes it perfect for evening.)

3. Start a gratitidue journal.
Go ahead and treat yourself to a brand new journal (isn’t that the best feeling?!) Listing three things you are grateful for each day will do wonders, but don’t stop there- add drawings, photos, dried flowers. Light a candle while you journal to make it a nice experience for yourself! Write poems, lists, whatever sparks joy to you.

4. Write your feelings in a letter.
I’ve written many times about the benefits of letter writing and one of those benefits is that it gives you the chance to get your thoughts and feelings out of your head and onto paper. It’s therapeutic like journaling in that way. Plus, those thoughts will help deeper your connection to the recipient. Deep, meaningul, real relationships are incredibly needed in order to live a happy, fulfiled life. Not ready to share your feelings with someone? You could also try writing a letter to yourself or future self.

5. Smile at yourself in the mirror.
This is another one that might sound silly or overly simple, but it WORKS! Just try it. There’s something about it that will make you feel kinder toward yourself. Everytime I look at myself in the mirror, I’ve been making a conscious effort to smile and it’s been elevating my mood.

6. Drink infused waters.
We all know the benefits of drinking more water, but I just struggle with it. If I make it a little bit more special though, I’m more apt to drink it. It just feels like a treat with really minimal effort at all!
Try this strawberry mint water: 3 strawberries sliced 5 mint leaves whole 32 oz of water *infuse for a few hours or overnight for best flavor
Other great combos to try: cucumber & lemon, strawberry & basil, blackberry & ginger, mango & raspberry.

7. Prioritize rest.
This one is the most difficult to me. I have come to accept my personal capacity (it’s different for everyone) and work with that. Learning how much rest I need has been crucial to my well being! That way, I can look at my obligations in any given week and make better decisions about what I can and can’t take on. It’s really an act of self love to say “no” sometimes. Learn your own rhythms, capacity, and prioritize the rest that you need.

8. Diffuse lavender.
Lately, I have been loving essential oils and learning all that I can. Lavender is one of those amazing, must-have oils beneficial for a host of things. In particular, though, diffusing therapeutic-grade lavender when you need to relax or before bedtime is a game changer! Even my husband thinks it’s made quite the difference when we diffuse it at night.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and are feeling inspired to start your own self love practices! What is at the top of your list for self love? I’d love to hear it in the comments!

One of the quotes I mentioned – “the world needs who you were meant to be” – is also a new print in the shop. I just LOVE this quote so much. It’s a great reminder to help us realize the importance of operating at our best selves. Find it in the shop along with the other prints mentioned in this post here! 

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Hey friends! Today I wanted to share something I’ve been SUPER into lately… essential oils!

For the past few years, you’ve heard me talk about cleaning up what I use in my home and on my body. As part of this, I’ve dabbled with essential oils but only a few that I purchased at Target. I’ve come to find out, the quality of these oils is just not there. When you are using the real, therapeutic grade stuff, they can be SO powerful for a host of things. I had no idea what all essential oils can help with and there’s so, so much.

So, thanks to my friend Jessica Numbers I got my Young Living starter kit and have literally been a sponge soaking up all the information I can find, especially when it comes to the safety and use of oils for baby. (Currently reading this book!)

I’m fascinated and excited and still very new at all of it, but feeling empowered to make this part of my daily life. Okay, so where are my oily friends?! And if you’re like me and just dabbling or using Target oils, here is a link to the Starter Kits. Let’s learn together! I’ve had mine for a few weeks now and am amazed at how much you can do with it! Plus, it’s really fun.

I wanted to share just a few things I’ve been doing to focus on wellness and start my essential oil journey:

Set up a Bedroom Oil Diffusing Station

There’s something about making a pretty space that gets me excited and helps ensure I will actually use something! This little station is nothing more than a diffuser that I had purchased previously (there is a diffuser that comes in your kit and it is pictured above; I have this one in my living room!) sitting on an antique metal tray to hold the oils I’m currently using and catch any drips. I can also store oils in this cute basket I got from Good Call Vintage.

I also keep a glass of water on my dresser to make filling the diffuser easy and convenient. Little tip: Fill the diffuser in the morning so it’s ready to go at night when you are tired. This station is such a simple thing, but it’s helping me use the oils and keep myself organized.

These are the three go-to oils I’ve been diffusing at night:

Peace and Calming: This is definitely my favorite oil so far! I’ve gone through an entire bottle already and purchased a roll on too. The smell is lovely, I could wear it as perfume. It feels great to have something to go to when I’m feeling anxious or worried.

Lavender: Lavender was my first experience with oils, but I’m happy to now have this wonderful, high quality version. I LOVE LOVE the smell of calming lavender in the bedroom especially. I’ve also been using a few drops on wool balls to pop in the dryer.

Thieves: The McKeehan household has been battling some on and off colds and general ickiness since the beginning of the year! Thieves is a great immunity blend.

All three oils come in the starter kit!

Create custom diffuser & roll-on blends:

I am so grateful for the resouces Jessica sent to me and the reserach I’ve done of what all you can do with essential oils. Like I keep saying, there is SO much. I started to dabble with some additional diffuser blends and also blends that can be created into roll-ons. Not only is it benefical for wellness, but I love the fact that you can customize the oils. I’m having fun with it! I made my first roll on just today! Woohoo! It is a combination of Thieves, frankincese and lemon. I’ve been using it on the bottoms of my feet to fight off a cold.

Here are just a few of the diffuser blends I’ve been working my way through:

Keep Learning:

I know I have so much more to learn and I want to, of course, be certain I am using the oils safely and appropriately. For example, I had NO IDEA you could ingest essential oils, but with Young Living oils marked “Vitality” (in white bottles), these oils can be ingested. I’ve been dropping one drop of lemon in my water and using a drop of Thieves Vitality in my tea. Most essential oils, like the ones you find at grocery stores CANNOT be ingested. This just goes to show how much there is to learn, but how powerful this knowlege can be.

Those are just a few of the things I’ve been doing to start this journey and I hope to share more in the coming weeks as I become more familar! What are your go-to uses for therapeutic essential oils? I’d love to hear in the comments!

And inspired by my newfound appreciation for essential oils, I drew this new print I’m calling “calming herbs!” you can find it in the shop here.

If you’re interested in beginning this journey too, find your Young Living Starter Kit here! Let’s oil together!

 THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. THAT MEANS A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR PURCHASE THROUGH THESE POSTS HELPS US JUST A LITTLE TOO! THIS CHANGES NOTHING ABOUT YOUR PURCHASE PRICE, AND WE ARE NOT ASKED TO FEATURE THESE ITEMS. THESE ARE JUST THINGS WE CAREFULLY PIC BECAUSE WE LOVE THEM AND THINK YOU WILL TOO! THANKS FOR HELPING SPREAD THE LOVE! XO

Happy February and Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! This month’s drawing came as a result of feeling nostalgic for little packages of conversation hearts, perforated valentines, and homemade, decorated card boxes. Wasn’t Valentine’s Day so much fun as a kid?! I hope these free wallpapers make you smile this month.

To download for free during the month of February 2020 use coupon code: DDFEB20

Download Wallpaper >>

Friends! If you’ve been following for a while, you probably know how much I love designing for Mixbook! Mixbook offers custom photo cards, wedding invitations, calendars, and books. I’ve purchased their products on several occasions and have had the privilege of creating designs that you can customize for yourself! See the entire Lily & Val collection here.

This newest book just might be my favorite yet…

Inspired by my own baby girl and the L&V nursery collection, I’m so pleased to say this sweet custom baby book is now available!

The entire book has a fairytale feel with hand-drawn woodland illustrations and sweet hand lettering.

Take a peek inside:

I love the soft, hand-drawn gingham background patterns!

I was going for a feminine and sweet look. I just love this page that brings in a bit more of that storybook feel.

The best part is, you can customize the entire book! I cannot wait to make one of these for Vienna. I have SO many photos I want to get off of my phone and into a special keepsake.

I hope you love this new addition to my Mixbook collection as much as I do. What other photo products would you like to see? Let me know in the comments. Thank you, friends!

Start customizing your Lily & Val Baby Book!

Happy new decade, everyone!! For the past few years, I decided to make January’s desktop download my personal word of the year. Lettering it out has been really helpful for me to set an intention for many aspects of my life and actions in the year ahead. I’ve found a word of the year to be less intimidating than a huge list of goals and I love looking back to see how that word has shaped my year. I also like to have this visual reminder on my screens and thought it might resonate with you, too.

This year, I couldn’t choose just one word, it’s more of a phrase. Humble & deep. It’s based on one of my favorite Mister Rogers’ quotes.

Here’s the backstory:

“A high school student wrote to ask, “What was the greatest event in American history?” I can’t say. However, I suspect that like so many “great” events, it was something very simple and very quiet with little or no fanfare (such as someone forgiving someone else for a deep hurt that eventually changed the course of history). The really important “great” things are never center stage of life’s dramas; they’re always “in the wings”. That’s why it’s so essential for us to be mindful of the humble and the deep rather than the flashy and the superficial.”

Goodness, this cuts me to the core. Ever since I read this quote a few months back, I haven’t been able to shake it. This is what I want my life to represent in 2020 – the notion of substance over shallowness. I truly believe the simple things become the big, important things. Not only that, I’ve come to realize just how caught up I’ve been in the flashy and superficial. Here are a few of the ways that has manifest for me: an over obsession with portraying the right image, making it seem like I have everything together, spending my time in search of praise and acceptance (which will never feel like it’s enough), choosing unimportant ways to spend my time instead of taking small steps to invest in what truly matters. Social media can play a big role in perpetuating this….get more likes, grab attention, etc. These struggles are hard to admit, but I want to share in case there is someone feeling this pressure too.

Here’s what I want instead:

• My offscreen life to be tended to way more than my online life.
• My artwork to be an expression of what’s in my heart without the over concern for how it will be received.
• Depth in relationships.
• Trust in God’s plan and timing for my life.
• Release the pressure of thinking I should be farther along in various aspects of my life and instead, just be where I am, finding joy in that.
• Embrace the reality that seemingly insignificant things might have huge implications and impact.

…A humble and deep 2020. 

So here are this month’s downloads! I thought a soft, loose floral with humble pencil writing struck the feel of simplicity I was trying to convey. I hope you enjoy!

To download for free during the month of January 2020 use coupon code: DDJAN20

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Each year since 2014, I’ve been writing these yearly recaps. It’s been interesting for me to look back on all that has happened with Lily & Val throughout the years and I’m so glad I have this record to look back on. The 2019 recap, though, feels very different to me.  I debated not writing one this year because on the surface it doesn’t seem like there’s much to say, but on the contrary, 2019 was a transformative year on many levels, many of them personal. I experienced a lot of change, the greatest joy of my life, but also struggle and questioning. I’m still working through a lot in my mind and that makes it difficult to write a review from “the middle” but here it goes anyway.

I have to pause to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been following the journey of Lily & Val and supporting me. Each year when I look back on the last I’m filled with such gratitude and honestly disbelief at where this little company has taken me. You all are such an encouragement.

The most important milestone of 2019: it was the year I became a mom.

Welcoming sweet baby Vienna to my life has changed me and I want to say so many cliches right now, but I will hold back (even though they are all true).

I spent almost half of my year pregnant, while the other half was spent navigating a new journey and my greatest role, motherhood. It’s been challenging and certainly the hardest thing I’ve ever done. At the same time, she brings a light to my life and I didn’t think my heart could love the way it does. I love this little girl so much it hurts.

Her arrival was also a pivotal moment in my concepts of slowing down and productivity. There was fear in taking a break, but I am so happy I did. I’m still creating new definitons of productivity and finding my footing as a mama + business owner. I know I will get there.

Let me back up to another major change that happened this year:

In February, Mak accepted a new role as the Creative Director at our church Northway Christian Community. This was another major life change because for the past ten years, Mak and I have been in business together. I’m going to be honest, this transition was hard. When you’re so used to working together every day and then suddenly that changes, it was a struggle. This is what I wrote back then when I made the announcement: “Now, we enter a new journey and it feels strange, yet exciting! I know he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be although neither one of us could have EVER predicted it (isn’t it funny how God works?! Especially in the midst of all our planning.).”

Although it has been difficult in many ways, I know this is exactly where Mak is supposed to be. For the past several years he felt that there was something more for him, that his talents and gifts weren’t being fully utilized. But he patiently waited. We had many heart conversations along these lines, but we had no inkling of what this would look like and he wasn’t actively searching for a new career. After an incredible set of circumstances transpired that we know can only be God’s hand at work, this opportunity presented itself.

Watching Mak blossom over this past year in his position has been another joy to me! He feels called to do what he’s doing and it’s a pleasure to witness and support him. I am so incredibly proud of him for his willingness to step into this calling despite the fear and stepping into the unknown.

It’s impossible for me to separate the business from the personal this year and I don’t want to. Everything that happened was through the lens of these major changes and my art is so closely tied to my state of mind. The pressure of running my business did take a toll. And when there’s pressure, creativity can become stunted. I definitely felt this and as a result, I made some bad decisions. Then, somewhere along the way I stopped trusting myself. I’ve been incredibly proud of the work I’ve put out this year, but it came with periods of mental angst. Sometimes creativity goes through a valley and I’ve learned that it’s okay! I beat myself up for a lot of 2019 because I felt like I was falling short, but I’ve been making efforts to change my mindset and build in new creative outlets for myself to release some of that pressure. I’m still a work in progress, but I know I’m on the right path.

Here are a few other highlights that happened in 2019:

Releasing the L&V Wedding Collection and seeing it for the first time in Barnes & Noble!

Teaching a brush lettering class at Anthropologie in Georgetown. I loved exploring D.C. after, too!

It was such a joy to draw the Nursery Art Collection as I was expecting my own little one!

This was my probably my favorite design of 2019.  I drew it especially for Vienna’s room.

My love of Mister Rogers continued strong in 2019. I was so excited for the movie!

My favorite chalkboard drawings to date were for my baby shower.

We visited the Farmers Market almost every week during the summer when V was born and it will forever be imprinted on my mind as a major part of 2019. It’s the little things.

I expanded my line with Mixbook with new holiday photo cards. I love collaborating with them.

We launched a line of L&V scrapbooking supplies (washi tapes, stickers, stamps) to go with the Keepsake Kitchen Diary.

And also released a brand new Kitchen Diary –the Baking Edition. These books are still my favorite product and passion! To see them continue to be so popular just makes my heart full.

As 2019 comes to a close, I feel ready for a new year and can’t wait to see where this journey continues to take me and my family.

Again, I can’t say thank you enough for your continued support and encouragement. It means the world to me.

Happy New Year and new DECADE, my friends!

A few months ago we introduced the latest in the Keepsake Kitchen Diary series – a Baking Edition! I just love this version to hold all of your sweet, pastries, cakes, pies, cookies and, of course, the memories and stories that go with them. You can read all about the Baking Edition here.

With all the Baking diaries going out as holiday gifts, I thought I would share some fun gifting ideas. These pairings would make a super sweet gift plus a lovely presentation! Who doesn’t love to receive a gift with extra special packaging?

Tie on a Baking Themed Ornament:

I just love ornaments as package toppers & tie-ons. It’s a simple way to really spruce up your wrapping and such a nice extra keepsake for the recipient. I rounded up some of my favorite ornaments that would be perfect pairings to go with the Baking Keepsake Kitchen Diary (or any of the Kitchen Diaries, really!)

Pink Kitchenaid Mixer. I’ve had this ornament for years and it’s one of my favorites. Although I couldn’t find the original, this one is similar and just as cute!

Croissant. This is the first ornament I put on the tree this year! Originally from Anthropologie, but it appears to be sold out. Find a similar one here.

French Baguette – so realistic looking!

This Retro Fridge – how cute and I love the mint color.

Chocolate chip cookies! Such pretty details and there’s chocolate chip illustrations featured in the baking diary.

Pumpkin Pie! That glitter whip is darling.

These two ornaments in the cake domes are adorable!! Gah! I love them both and they work so well with the illustrations on the diary.

A sweet rolling pin and festive with the red handles for holiday packages. 

Pair it with a Meal Planner Pad:

Each Kitchen Diary has a meal planner pad that has been specifically designed to coordinate. This is the pad that coordinates with the Baking Diary!

Baking-Themed Wrapping Paper:

You guys! This paper is STUNNING! Truly I just want to frame it and hang in my kitchen. It has a French Bakery theme and the prettiest colors. It would also be cute for wrapping this Boulangerie print…or this one! 

The wrapping is sold as individual sheets available at Paper Source here.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and found a little inspiration for your Kitchen Diary gift-giving!

Shop All Lily & Val Keepsake Kitchen Diaries

 THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. THAT MEANS A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR PURCHASE THROUGH THESE POSTS HELPS US JUST A LITTLE TOO! THIS CHANGES NOTHING ABOUT YOUR PURCHASE PRICE, AND WE ARE NOT ASKED TO FEATURE THESE ITEMS. THESE ARE JUST THINGS WE CAREFULLY PIC BECAUSE WE LOVE THEM AND THINK YOU WILL TOO! THANKS FOR HELPING SPREAD THE LOVE! XO

I just LOVE the fact that nostalgic ceramic Christmas trees are coming back! I was feeling sentimental for the one my Grandma had one, so I decided to draw it! Her tree was my favorite Christmas decoration growing up. I loved taking the tiny bulbs in and out and rearranging them. Looking at this tree just makes me so happy and brings back all those warm and fuzzies.

I appropriately named the drawing “Grandma’s Tree” and after hearing from many of you on Instagram, I decided to draw a white version too! I never had a real white version, but I have to admit, I love it too! It’s a bit more playful and whimsical.

I think these trees bring back happy memories for so many and that makes me love them even more.

You can find both version of Grandma’s Tree as prints in the shop now!

I’m SO excited because I think I may be receiving my Grandma’s actual tree!! Ahhh! Fingers crossed, but I reached out to my cousin and it could be happening! I think I will cry to see it again.

I know many big box stores are carrying the ceramic trees this year, but I found these on Amazon that I thought were so beautiful. I think these are my favorite reproductions. Of course, if you can find vintage ones at an antique store that would be amazing.

White Ceramic Tree

Green Ceramic Tree

This green one is cute with a more decorative base.

Do you own a vintage ceramic tree? Do they make you nostalgic too? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Guys! They’re here! I’m so pleased to show you the Lily & Val and Dearest Mine hand-drawn keepsake lockets collaboration!

I am so excited about these pieces of wearable art!

About The Lockets

Each design has been hand drawn by yours truly then Lori of Dearest Mine takes the artwork and prints it on the most gorgeous metallic paper. The colors are exceptionally vivid and the image has a unique three-dimensional quality. The paper has a lovely pearlescent sheen and it’s simply stunning in it’s antique finish brass locket.

The art image is sealed with a glass-like coating for protection and shine and the locket hangs on a brass rolo chain which is finished with a lobster clasp.

Each one is handmade with lots of love.

Inside the locket, there are 2 empty recessed oval or circle areas (depending on the locket) for you to mount your favorite pictures of your own choosing.

These would make such lovely gifts for the holidays – and extra special when you fill them with sentimental photos.

Lockets have a secret message inside… Once opened up, there’s a treasure inside. Ultimately it’s a truly human expression. We show on the outside what we want people to see, but keep on the inside only what we know. Lockets represent the deepest part of the human self…the outside and inside together. – Lori of Dearest Mine

I just love how these turned out! Let me know which one is your favorite. I think the bee and large floral are mine, but I really love them all.

I love how the “Let Them Eat Cake” locket pairs beautifully with the Keepsake Kitchen Diary Baking edition. A lovely gift for the lady who loves to bake!

Shop the entire Lily & Val Locket Collection from Dearest Mine here.

There’s no place like home for the holidays! I hope this cute snowscape for your tech reminds you of the coziness of this season! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

To download for free during the month of December 2019 use coupon code: DDDEC19

Download Wallpaper >>