Welcome to Lavender Elizabeth

Hello everyone and welcome to Lavender Elizabeth, a place to share some of my favorite things and memories!

This blog has been a long time coming. In 2012, I had the idea to create a blog where I documented life in my twenties called Love, My Twenties. In 2013, I created a wedding blog, Dear Wedding Day, where my love for event planning began. In 2016, I wanted a place to share my testimony, so started The Light that Carries Me. I constantly had ideas and wanted somewhere to share them, so started new blogs. I recently had the realization that there was no reason I couldn't combine all three - that's what a lifestyle blog is after all! And so, Lavender Elizabeth was created. Here you will find adventures I'm having in my twenties, wedding planning updates, DIY projects, recipes, spiritual growth, and so much more! (All three of my previous blogs have been imported into this one, so nothing will get lost from my blogging past. LM20s begins here; DWD here; and TLTCM here.)

Who is the girl behind the blog? I am Ainsley Elizabeth Laven - a 25-year-old living in the Midwest. I am co-owner of Southern Magnolias Events, a company my sister and I run bringing wedding and event planning to Central Illinois (and anywhere else it takes us!) My sister, Bethany, is my best friend, roommate, and business partner - you could say we're somewhat attached at the hip. I am incredibly close with my parents as well. My dad's job forced us to move around every 3-4 years, so we became our own little unit. We also added two dogs into the mix, Kinchie and Whinnie, who are the cutest things ever.

To learn a little more about me, here are 10 quick facts:

I am in the process of learning more about photography (my first big-girl purchase was a Canon 6Ti).

I found my love for typography and calligraphy this year and love to practice it.

I have friends from each place I've lived and love that I have those connections.

I have two chronic illnesses that sporadically change my world (you can read more about them here and here).

I am incredibly logical and like to think things through, but also have these bouts of creativity that are so fun.

I keep a prayer journal where I document my life to God and monitor how He moves in my life.

Lists are my life. I have them for everything.

I love to color! I find it so relaxing. (If you need a recommendation, my favorites are by Johanna Basford.)

Having my nails painted makes me feel infinitely more beautiful, so I make it a point to get my nails done every couple of weeks.

I love TV. I watch a lot of shows and am super involved in each of them. My current binge: Frasier on Netflix.

I am so excited you've found yourself here and cannot wait to dive right into the world of Lavender Elizabeth!

Photos by Meredith Washburn

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