How I started my online business; as a mother of four, Mompreneur

Mompreneur, who me? When I became a mother I looked at my baby and said to myself, “I want to be there for you, I want to be present in the moments that make you proud“. Since starting LD Design Loft, people have become curious about my experience in this new business. I’ve been interviewed by University Design students, online coaches and it’s a subject during coffee chats with close friends. I’m always so delighted to share my experience since it has been so positive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no billionaire… well not yet ;). I’m still a work […]

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Dreaming of a family photo gallery on this bare wall.

Do you stare at a bare wall and wonder?

I’ve worked with clients who have asked me to come up with what to put on their boardroom walls and other areas of the office.  To get this right I like to take a photo of the space and note the size I’d like to take up for a print. Then I go on my Photoshop software and play around with my ideas. It got me thinking of my walls at home. If you’re like me, I bet you have so many photos sitting on your computer or phone. I’ve been dreaming of a family gallery for a while now […]

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Modern Christmas Cards from LD Design Loft

Top Holiday Designs, Motherhood and Overcoming self-doubt

Zazzle has selected their favorite Christmas card designs this holiday season and I’m excited and honored to be part of this group. I’ve now learned to create for myself but validations of my work is certainly welcome. Hey, I’m a real person and it’s amazing to get noticed and recognized. Designs from these collections have made the Editor’s pick if you want to check them out, here they are below. Minimalist | Modern | Greenery Wreath Christmas by Lorena Depante Minimalist Modern Merry Script by Lorena Depante   View the full HolidayZ Design Challenge Winners post here.   I’m always […]

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Family night fuhnel cake with ice cream

Keeping Family Night Alive

“Why do we have to do this?”, I remember asking my mother as a teenager. That’s because she insisted that every Wednesday night we gathered for Family Nights.   I’m the first to admit that at the beginning I thought it was so corny. Being teenagers we felt we had so many other things we wanted to do. Like be on our phones or go out with our friends. At the time there was a lot of resistance.   I have to give it to my mama for being faithful to having these evenings. Family Night just meant that we […]

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Julia splashing in the ocean, sand and beach.

Do you dare to dream?

Some day I’d love to take the whole family on a vacation and see our kids splash in the ocean and play in the sand. Since my youngest was born we haven’t been. Do you have a dream board? Well I do. It hangs on our bathroom wall. I see it every day. This is one of my dreams. I also have other things on there. One in particular jumped at me a few months ago. It was “To give more” We had planned for our family vacation in October for our 10th anniversary but it seemed like it wasn’t […]

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First day of Kindergarten, Mom and son

First Day of Kindergarten – how I really feel.

I told a friend that I was emotional when my third child entered kindergarten a few days ago. He had this surprised look in his face as if to say… “Really?! Shouldn’t you be used to it by now” Maybe I should be, and maybe I could avoid feeling emotional. Truthfully, I don’t want to. I join the other mothers that want to feel, because I get to relive and remember the times my baby needed me. They all enter the big world with different readiness. And we are fearful how they will adjust to all the changes. I mean for […]

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first day of school chalkboard editable printable

First day of school – How to make it fun.

Oh I’m not gonna sit here and pretend that the first day of school is super fun! But there are ways that I have found over the years to help prepare us. When it was time to send our third child to kindergarten, we had him in pre-school activities to expose him to social settings and routine. I recommend doing that if you can. Making school a big deal — since it is — includes some creative and thoughtful planning. I’ve always admired those who post chalkboard signs. I love the answers children give, it changes over the years and […]

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My boys and I. A 4 month old and my 2 year old.

Don’t Wish it away.

“Don’t wish it away!” Wise words from a friend whose children are grown and on their own. She said that when she spotted this photo on my desktop wallpaper — time flies. My children are at that stage that only mom will do. It can get overwhelming and tiring but she’s right!! You know she’s right! ❤ . The other day my husband said I left the garage door open and when I tried to recall what happened I had to laugh. I got home and quickly dropped some groceries in, when my 1 year old and 3 year old […]

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thanksgiving gratitude place cards

A grateful heart is a happy heart!

FREE! Thanksgiving place-setting ‘gratitude card’ template The other day I was on Twitter  and came across @garyhgoodridge and he tweets “Remember the days you prayed for the things you have now.”  This absolutely struck a chord and got me thinking. Why do I feel like I’m on fast-forward mode most of the time, I’m so guilty of missing moments. How about you? This tweet got me thinking in so many levels, starting with our home. How could I forget how my husband and I prayed and hoped for it; the timing had to be right because we had other family […]

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Room To Share

Childhood memories built here. (Create personalized wall art. – encourage sisterhood) As I stood outside my two daughters’ shared bedroom I was excited that I’ve finally finished reorganizing their space. I suppose I can tell you that the cute little things were gifts from generous family and friends purchased from Potterybarn Kids, HomeSense and the likes, but the room has a different story to share. It reminded me of something a lot more significant. I’m the middle child and the only daughter, I loved growing up with brothers. I knew about comic books, sports, wrestling, superheroes and Nintendo but a part […]

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