Living Lola Style: 2013

8/21/13

MOVING DAY

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3/5/13

In Morris, IL parents are scrambling to entertain their kids today. Yesterday was the Illinois Holiday, Casimir Pulaski Day and today, an unexpected snow storm cancelled school for a second day . So, what are parents to do?

Leave the house, buy yourself a well deserved cup of coffee, pick up some groceries and stop into Lola's where there are TONS of creative and fun activities to entertain the kids. Here's a few of the favorites:

1. STICKER PADS

Remember Colorforms? These stickers pads are similar with more than 150 reusable stickers to play with on 5 fun scenes. Lola's carries 6 different sticker pads, for both boys and girls.

2. 'DECORATE YOUR OWN' KITS

Paint your very own kits include banks, figurines and more. The banks that can be decorated include cupcake bank, piggy bank, and a race car bank. There is adorable rubber duck that can be painted then used in the tub. There are also two dinosaur figurines that your son or daughter can paint then display on their book shelf. These kits are perfect because they come with the project, paint, stickers and paint brush - all in one handy box.

3. PAINTING

Are you raising the next Van Gogh? Encourage your budding artist with paint with water books, finger paints, watercolor paint sets, and paint pads.

This seasons must-have accessory for any toddler artist is Water Wow. Fill the paint brush with water, paint the pages, color magically appears, then dissapears once the water dries. Perfect for dining with your parents!

4. COLORING

Coloring is fun whatever age you are. Lola's has Jumbo Coloring Pads with 50 Different Pictures, Crayons, Non-Roll Markers, Non-Roll Colored Pencils, and Blendy Pens. Make your world colorful!

5. CRAFTS

Nothing was more fun as a kid than a good craft project. Put the phone and ipads down and create! Lola's has tons of projects: Sand Art, Swirl and Spin Art, Suncatchers, Wood Models and Princess Wand Kits. These kits come with all the paint, wood glue, sand, stickers or brushes you will need.

There is no reason you should ever hear the words, "I'm bored" with Lola's in town! Open Monday - Saturdays 10am - 6pm. See an item you want, but you don't live near Morris? We can ship anything, anywhere! Give Lola's a call: 815-513-5788 or send an email !

--- Happy Snow Day!

1/30/13

CHECK THIS OUT

WE ARE FAMOUS !!!!

Lola's was thrilled to be featured on the Shop Small 2013 blog. This is a great blog focused on the whole idea of Shopping Small! Here is how the author describes the blog:

"In nutshell, I’m sick of chain restaurants and stores. As a small business owner, and a mom, I think it’s important to support the independent shops & restaurants that are passionate about what they create and sell.

November’s Small Business Saturday’s popularity has increased dramatically over the years. But, really, can’t we support these businesses more than once a year. We seem surprised when the 'little shop on the corner' goes out of business. But as my brother-in-law likes to ask 'when was the last time you shopped there?'

I decided to challenge myself to a year of shopping small. Wondering if I can truly find everything I need for my family, without breaking the bank, and finding some amazing gems along the way. "

Check out this blog and follow the Shop Small journey!

1/28/13

MIGHTY WALLETS

You know who's awesome? You are!!!

It's true! And awesome people need a Mighty Wallet.

What's a Mighty Wallet, you say? It's an absolutely amazing Tyvek wallet, no stitches, you can write on it, very thin but its REALLY tear resistant. And I mean REALLY. Like I used my muscles and I couldn't tear the sample. This is stuff is crazy.

AND..its recyclable. So when you are done with it, you can recycle it! Be green!

And....it comes in a whole bunch of nifty designs! These are just a few of my favorites at Lola's but we have bunches more! They are only $15 so that's a great deal for you or your sweetie!

stop by and check it out!

allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/23/13

BEING CREATIVE

What does it mean to be "be" creative?

Is it that you are especially talented and could sell art for millions of yen?

No.

It's the incurable, ineffable, irresistible desire to create.

To put yourself out there, to risk.

So don't trying "being creative" just DO.

You already have all that you need.

Being creative is willing to make messes and mistakes, and then clean them up.

In life, and on your kitchen counter.

Nobody is perfect.

To put some beauty into the world, even if only your eyes can behold it.

To release anxiety, stress, grief. When you do, someone finds it and realizes they are not alone.

allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/21/13

LOLA'S NEW GIRL

Becka!

"My name is Becka and I am a music-loving, cat-hugging, scrub-wearing, cake-baking, photo-snapping, wife-to-be. My blog is about the ramblings and dabblings of my daily life. You will most likely find me in a pet store with an arm full of kittens or standing in a pile of drool at Anthropologie–but most of the time I am in the kitchen pretending I am Ina Garten (denim shirt included)."

Becka is the newest member of our team, and a bubbling cauldron of energy and enthusiasm.

She blogs at: http://chronicenthusiasm.wordpress.com/

Stop by and say hi at the store, and her blog!

allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/18/13

CHILL OUT

Feeling stressed out lately?

Me too! Winter has that draining effect on almost everyone.

Here's some things to do to "chill out"...

1. Read. You know that book you've been wanting to read, just never have the time? Take the day (afternoon, hour) off and go read! Grab and blanket and cuddle with a book on the couch. Seriously. Dive into some Hemingway, H.G. Wells, Treasure Island, Les Miserables, Heidi. Classics are good for the soul.

2. Eat. Not encouraging gluttony here, but the opposite in fact. Instead of pounding some Mcd's when you are stressed, take the time to treat yourself nice and make a delicious, healthy meal. I suggest a lovely salad with cold cut chicken or turkey for some staying power. Add some winter fruit and your good to go!

3. Cuddle a baby. No baby available? Then take the time to appreciate someone else in your life. Cuddle with them if possible!

4. Change some artwork in your home. Switch it up! Instant mood improver!

5. Spend some time with your pets! Animals are proven to improve a bad mood, plus you can play paparazzi and take a bazillion adorable pics of them....

This is my guinea pig, Sherlock. She loves the spot light. (not really, but I don't care :)

6. Take a walk. "But it's cooollllddd" So what? It's not gonna change, so channel your inner Eskimo and embrace the snow and chill. Just make sure to bundle up! Trust me, you'll feel much better after!

7. Go shopping. Unless you've got a massive debt problem, go peruse your favorite shops. Don't have a lot of cash? Lola's has very reasonably priced stuff for your snowy days ahead! We get new stuff in all the time, so come check us out.

Thanks for stopping by!

allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/16/13

LOLA DRINKS

I don't know about you, but when the weather turns cold, I turn to hot chocolate. I'm always looking for ways to spice it up and invent new flavors for my choco. Enter the Rolo White Hot Chocolate...

The idea is pretty simple. Heres what you need:

Rolo White Hot Chocolate
Two or three little Rolo's, or other carmel filled chocolate candy
A packet of high quality white hot chocolate
Hot water or milk

Dice up some Rolo's, place them in the bottom of the mug, then add you packet of white hot chocolate, followed my hot water or milk. Add a split Rolo for garnish, and ENJOY!

XO Allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/14/13

PHOTO CHALLENGE

Hi there! I've decided this new year that I was going to a photo challenge, 365 photos at my home and Lola's! Already I can see an improvement in my photos! Here's an update and a glimpse at some of the goings-on.

4/365

Lola's has new window lights, vintage gym lights! So neat.

9/365

Beautiful vintage cameras for sale at Lola's

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A cozy day at home for me :)

5/365

Thanks for stopping by,

xo allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/11/13

LOLA DRINKS

Are you feeling well?
Are you sure?
You look like you need a hot toddy....
I've got just the thing for you!!

Lola's Apple Hot Toddy
1 measure whiskey
2 measures apple cider
Small amount of honey
Cinnamon stick

Heat apple cider and whiskey and stir. Then add a small amount of honey and a cinnamon stick and ENJOY!

Oh...and feel better. :)

"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"

-Mark Twain

-Allie

- Allie Luallen is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

1/10/13

'66 THE CHIEF

We have this Morris High School yearbook from '66 in our store, and I got a kick out of some of the pictures, and was inspired fashion wise by some spiffy outfits. Thought you might enjoy a peek.

We have this yearbook for sale at Lola's if you want to own this piece of history. :)