What do you think?
Rate this book
La La Lovely: The Art of Finding Beauty in the Everyday
Through beautiful designs and imagery, LA LA LOVELY invites readers to find their true identity where there is brokenness, discover the love of God, and design their own special place of beauty.Author Trina McNeilly has been blogging for nearly a decade. While she spent her days sharing beauty, looking for lovely things, and redecorating her childhood home, her parents' unexpected divorce shattered her ideals of "home."Through this journey, Trina learned that beauty is not beyond the laundry pile, chipped paint, dirty dishes, broken table or broken life. It's right in the center of it. Trina found that God IS beauty. And that he invites us to look, discover, uncover and find because when we find beauty, we find God. In LA LA LOVELY, Trina shares stories and inspiration from her journey of finding, and being found, by beauty. You will find deep matters of the heart along with practical pointers on things like decorating your home, finding your style, and creating beautiful spaces. Each chapter offers essays, beautiful photographs, design tips, and practical advice for creating a place of beauty and belonging no matter where you live or what you're going through.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2018
14 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Trina McNeilly
2 books36 followersTRINA MCNEILLY is a writer and founder of La La Lovely, where she has been blogging for nine years, sharing matters of the heart and design related finds. With an eye for beauty, Trina finds inspiration in styled spaces, other times in the broken places, and everywhere in between. Through soulful writing, in the voice of trusted friend, she shares her finds and all about being found. Trina’s work also includes creative direction, styling, and design projects. Trina lives in her hometown, near Chicago, with her husband, and four children. Her new book, LA LA LOVELY, invites readers to find their true identity where there is brokenness, discover the love of God, and design their own special place of beauty.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
July 17, 2018
La La Lovely: The Art of Finding Beauty in the Everyday by Trina McNeilly is a beautiful book filled with a series of essays full of stories and inspiration from McNeilly. There is beauty in both the design of this book and in the prose.
La La Lovely is divided into three parts. Each section contains essays that encourage readers to find beauty among the broken parts of their lives. McNeilly shares hard places she went through and how she came to find beauty through the hard things with her faith in God. She also shares practical advice on decorating your home, finding your own style and creating your own kind of beauty where ever you are.
I was not familiar with McNeilly's blog, La La Lovely before reading this book. I don't know if some of the material is also on the blog. I do know that I enjoyed this book so much more than I ever expected. La La Lovely isn't all fluff and pretty stuff as I thought it might be, although there is some of that. Instead, I appreciated McNeilly's heartfelt writing as she shared stories from her life. I could relate to so much of what she shared. More than that, I felt encouraged through her writing and a connection with her words that left me wanting to live my life better. I especially appreciated the chapter where she shares about her grandmother. My grandmother passed away last year and I could understand much of what she shared on a heart level even though our stories are different. I also enjoyed the lighter parts of the book where she shares decorating tips and design ideas. There are also some places in La La Lovely t the end of her essays where she invites readers to answer questions and even some journaling spaces to write directly in the book. I would encourage any woman to get a copy of La La Lovely for their own reflection.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
La La Lovely is divided into three parts. Each section contains essays that encourage readers to find beauty among the broken parts of their lives. McNeilly shares hard places she went through and how she came to find beauty through the hard things with her faith in God. She also shares practical advice on decorating your home, finding your own style and creating your own kind of beauty where ever you are.
I was not familiar with McNeilly's blog, La La Lovely before reading this book. I don't know if some of the material is also on the blog. I do know that I enjoyed this book so much more than I ever expected. La La Lovely isn't all fluff and pretty stuff as I thought it might be, although there is some of that. Instead, I appreciated McNeilly's heartfelt writing as she shared stories from her life. I could relate to so much of what she shared. More than that, I felt encouraged through her writing and a connection with her words that left me wanting to live my life better. I especially appreciated the chapter where she shares about her grandmother. My grandmother passed away last year and I could understand much of what she shared on a heart level even though our stories are different. I also enjoyed the lighter parts of the book where she shares decorating tips and design ideas. There are also some places in La La Lovely t the end of her essays where she invites readers to answer questions and even some journaling spaces to write directly in the book. I would encourage any woman to get a copy of La La Lovely for their own reflection.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
April 1, 2018
First, I love the feel of La La Lovely in my hands. This book is a great hardcover book that feels more than just any book. I feel like I am reading a sophisticated book that is luxurious.
Trina is a transparent writer who writes bearing her heart on her sleeve. She isn't afraid to bare her soul and her unending grace is felt in this book. Not only a designer, but someone who can weave words together, La La Lovely is experience journeying to hard places in your life where maybe you felt that all hope was lost or maybe places where your buried deep pain, but Trina brings life to brokeness and allows each piece to mend into something whole again. The reader discovers that each broken thing serves as a greater purpose and story for someone else, not only themselves. I loved this book!
This book helped me deeply reflect in areas of my life where I did not want to travel, but needed too. It also helped me to find peace, grace and love. I also had moments where I need to give grace and also allow God to mend some spots where I didn't realize needing mending. This book has helped me looked at things more intentionally in my life and give myself more grace. I am so thankful for La La Lovely. I am giving a couple copies to a few people in my life who could benefit from it. I give this book 5/5 stars. A favorable review was not required.
Trina is a transparent writer who writes bearing her heart on her sleeve. She isn't afraid to bare her soul and her unending grace is felt in this book. Not only a designer, but someone who can weave words together, La La Lovely is experience journeying to hard places in your life where maybe you felt that all hope was lost or maybe places where your buried deep pain, but Trina brings life to brokeness and allows each piece to mend into something whole again. The reader discovers that each broken thing serves as a greater purpose and story for someone else, not only themselves. I loved this book!
This book helped me deeply reflect in areas of my life where I did not want to travel, but needed too. It also helped me to find peace, grace and love. I also had moments where I need to give grace and also allow God to mend some spots where I didn't realize needing mending. This book has helped me looked at things more intentionally in my life and give myself more grace. I am so thankful for La La Lovely. I am giving a couple copies to a few people in my life who could benefit from it. I give this book 5/5 stars. A favorable review was not required.
August 9, 2018
I really felt like the author had read my diaries! She said so many things that I have thought to myself and, not only that, but we like so many of the same things!
This book is for anyone who finds their world turned upside down by circumstances out of their control. For the author, it was finding that her parents were getting a divorce after decades of marriage. It made her feel like she could not depend on the normal things of her life any longer and I know exactly how that feels.
She is so honest and open about how she felt going through all these things. She felt lost and alone. I’m sure you’ve had something happen that makes you feel like there is no normal – nothing to hold on to – but here’s where the author helps to direct us. To Jesus. She reminds us that God is always there and working all the loose ends of the bad things into a good thing. It is during these times that we need to rest in God and rely on Him.
She also shares how she tries to make the atmosphere around her lovelier. She creates spaces that make her feel calm and peaceful, yet homey for her family. There is a lot of wisdom in this as we all need our homes to feel as peaceful and welcoming as possible, especially in the hard times when we just want to hunker down.
I also liked the questions that she asks in each chapter. It really makes one focus on what is important, especially our faith in God. I love this book and received an ebook to read for my review, however, I liked this book so much, and it made such a difference in my life, I am going to buy a hard copy of this book. Obviously, I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
This book was provided to me for my honest review by Faith Words
This book is for anyone who finds their world turned upside down by circumstances out of their control. For the author, it was finding that her parents were getting a divorce after decades of marriage. It made her feel like she could not depend on the normal things of her life any longer and I know exactly how that feels.
She is so honest and open about how she felt going through all these things. She felt lost and alone. I’m sure you’ve had something happen that makes you feel like there is no normal – nothing to hold on to – but here’s where the author helps to direct us. To Jesus. She reminds us that God is always there and working all the loose ends of the bad things into a good thing. It is during these times that we need to rest in God and rely on Him.
She also shares how she tries to make the atmosphere around her lovelier. She creates spaces that make her feel calm and peaceful, yet homey for her family. There is a lot of wisdom in this as we all need our homes to feel as peaceful and welcoming as possible, especially in the hard times when we just want to hunker down.
I also liked the questions that she asks in each chapter. It really makes one focus on what is important, especially our faith in God. I love this book and received an ebook to read for my review, however, I liked this book so much, and it made such a difference in my life, I am going to buy a hard copy of this book. Obviously, I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
This book was provided to me for my honest review by Faith Words
August 7, 2018
This review and many more like is are available at
Read Till Dawn
.
This was very different from what I thought it was going to be.
I was expecting a how-to book, a guide to slowing down and finding the beauty all around me. I thought it would have inspirational quotes, beautiful prose, pictures of lovely items, etc.
It had some of all of those things, but to a much lesser extent. The majority of the book is actually made up of McNeilly's reminisces about her own life and lessons she's learned from personal experience. On one level, it's interesting–and some of her mini essays have points that I think are important, like learning to not miss happiness by stressing about small things.
But on another level, it's kind of boring. I'm not a mother. I don't have a house. I don't follow her blog. I feel sorry for her that she had such a hard time with her grandfather and grandmother dying, plus her parents getting divorced, all within a couple years of each other, but lots of people have sad stories. I'm not really any more interested in hers than I would be in anyone else's.
The truth is that if someone wants to share lots of details about their life, from their childhood to adulthood, I need to either be already invested in them or they need to make their stories directly applicable to my own life in some way or other. McNeilly's stories didn't really meet either of those criteria, so I wound up flipping through the book by the end. If you're in a situation more similar to hers, or you follow your blog, then you might find the book more interesting than I did.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was very different from what I thought it was going to be.
I was expecting a how-to book, a guide to slowing down and finding the beauty all around me. I thought it would have inspirational quotes, beautiful prose, pictures of lovely items, etc.
It had some of all of those things, but to a much lesser extent. The majority of the book is actually made up of McNeilly's reminisces about her own life and lessons she's learned from personal experience. On one level, it's interesting–and some of her mini essays have points that I think are important, like learning to not miss happiness by stressing about small things.
But on another level, it's kind of boring. I'm not a mother. I don't have a house. I don't follow her blog. I feel sorry for her that she had such a hard time with her grandfather and grandmother dying, plus her parents getting divorced, all within a couple years of each other, but lots of people have sad stories. I'm not really any more interested in hers than I would be in anyone else's.
The truth is that if someone wants to share lots of details about their life, from their childhood to adulthood, I need to either be already invested in them or they need to make their stories directly applicable to my own life in some way or other. McNeilly's stories didn't really meet either of those criteria, so I wound up flipping through the book by the end. If you're in a situation more similar to hers, or you follow your blog, then you might find the book more interesting than I did.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2018
`La La Lovely` is a Christian Living hardback book with brilliant photographs, inspiring essays, and design tips by author Trina McNeilly. The tagline reads as The Art of Finding Beauty in the Everyday.
Trina was an everyday blogger, just like a lot of bloggers. She would blog about her world, where she lived, Then she discovered it was all beauty. Beauty is a child's laughter, a grandmother's hug, and a beautiful sunset. Beauty is what she wants the reader of her book to get, to see. I appreciate that she attributes this beauty to our Creator, God. She says we are naturally creative because we were formed by a Creator.
At the end of each chapter is a list of suggestions to do; it may be a prayer, a place to write your own list, a list of questions to think about and answer, or something else. I prefer having these suggestions so I can reflect back on the previous chapter.
Trina begins her book with brokenness. Her parents are getting a divorce, her grandfather is dying. Yet among all her brokenness she happily gives birth to another blessing. She realizes two of her children will remember life when her parents were together and two of them will never know.
In her book Trina walks through both her childhood and adulthood, giving the reader a glimpse of both. I recommend this book to fans of memoirs.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
Trina was an everyday blogger, just like a lot of bloggers. She would blog about her world, where she lived, Then she discovered it was all beauty. Beauty is a child's laughter, a grandmother's hug, and a beautiful sunset. Beauty is what she wants the reader of her book to get, to see. I appreciate that she attributes this beauty to our Creator, God. She says we are naturally creative because we were formed by a Creator.
At the end of each chapter is a list of suggestions to do; it may be a prayer, a place to write your own list, a list of questions to think about and answer, or something else. I prefer having these suggestions so I can reflect back on the previous chapter.
Trina begins her book with brokenness. Her parents are getting a divorce, her grandfather is dying. Yet among all her brokenness she happily gives birth to another blessing. She realizes two of her children will remember life when her parents were together and two of them will never know.
In her book Trina walks through both her childhood and adulthood, giving the reader a glimpse of both. I recommend this book to fans of memoirs.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
April 9, 2018
The first thing I want to say about this book is how pretty it is. It is hardback and smooth. The interior pages are cool to the touch with more smooth! The cover has a single yellow rose - which for anyone who knows me knows how significant that is! That is my review on the "hardware." Now the soft goods.
Searching always brings us to a place of comfort and belonging. Trina starts the journey with a devastating change to her family dynamic - she confesses, "Many days I sought comfort in the computer over God's Word..."
Who of us have not 'been there, done that?'
Then, in chapter 13 she says, "It would be wonderful to have a little cottage with an English garden by the sea. But the place I dream of now is a person. Jesus is my place. He is my home."
How beautiful is that?
Her book is a series of essays. "Look for a Lovely Thing." "Clearing the Cache." "On Friendship." "On Acceptance." "Heaven Knows." "A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places."
The author writes on the soul of the home and dying in our striving and yet we are striving to be less than who we really are.
There are color photos and almost 400 pages of goodness!
I highly recommend this book for the one struggling with brokenness who needs a really big dose of encouragement and hope!
Searching always brings us to a place of comfort and belonging. Trina starts the journey with a devastating change to her family dynamic - she confesses, "Many days I sought comfort in the computer over God's Word..."
Who of us have not 'been there, done that?'
Then, in chapter 13 she says, "It would be wonderful to have a little cottage with an English garden by the sea. But the place I dream of now is a person. Jesus is my place. He is my home."
How beautiful is that?
Her book is a series of essays. "Look for a Lovely Thing." "Clearing the Cache." "On Friendship." "On Acceptance." "Heaven Knows." "A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places."
The author writes on the soul of the home and dying in our striving and yet we are striving to be less than who we really are.
There are color photos and almost 400 pages of goodness!
I highly recommend this book for the one struggling with brokenness who needs a really big dose of encouragement and hope!
June 5, 2018
This book, written by a design blogger, is wonderfully put together in appearance, with glossy pages, and great photographs throughout. The writer looks at how to look at beauty each and everyday, whether in the person's home, or outside with relationships.
It is a Christian themed book, with some Biblical verses but in, but it is not preachy. Even if you are not into the Christian faith, the book gives great suggestion on just making a better person in the world, but using symbolism of house designing.
This book should be sought out at bookstores just to look at the great packaging used in creating the book. It is geared mainly for women, but men can take away things from it as well.
For an in depth review, go to https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
It is a Christian themed book, with some Biblical verses but in, but it is not preachy. Even if you are not into the Christian faith, the book gives great suggestion on just making a better person in the world, but using symbolism of house designing.
This book should be sought out at bookstores just to look at the great packaging used in creating the book. It is geared mainly for women, but men can take away things from it as well.
For an in depth review, go to https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
May 5, 2018
The first thing I noticed about this book was the cover. I love it. It's made of great material and feels good while holding it, unlike a lot of hardcover books.
I was unfamiliar with the author before reading this book. Now that I know she is a blogger, I will definitely check out her blog. I thought the book was well-written and enjoyable. It is a collection of essays about how to find beauty. I assumed going into this that much of what was written would not apply to me, but I was wrong. Overall, I found this an enjoyable and heartwarming read.
I received this book from one of the Goodreads giveaways and am not required to write a positive review.
I was unfamiliar with the author before reading this book. Now that I know she is a blogger, I will definitely check out her blog. I thought the book was well-written and enjoyable. It is a collection of essays about how to find beauty. I assumed going into this that much of what was written would not apply to me, but I was wrong. Overall, I found this an enjoyable and heartwarming read.
I received this book from one of the Goodreads giveaways and am not required to write a positive review.
July 6, 2025
I feel bad not giving this more stars because I can picture the reader who would love it. But I wasn't that reader. This is a self-help book for Christian women who are deeply feeling, sentimental, and nostalgic. I'm a Christian woman, but not one of the other things. I try to be understanding about the emotions others feel, but her world-altering event felt pretty standard to me. Again, that says more about me than her.
What I did enjoy were the quotes and scripture she highlighted. I felt she combined them in lovely ways, and the idea of finding beauty in the everyday is something that resonates with me.
What I did enjoy were the quotes and scripture she highlighted. I felt she combined them in lovely ways, and the idea of finding beauty in the everyday is something that resonates with me.
August 28, 2019
This book was a God-send for me. Trina and I are circumstantially different but kindred spirits in heart and mind. Her insights, humor, creativity, and wisdom brought me such joy and highlighted each day I spent reading this precious book. The book title is cute but doesn’t do justice for the contents: each chapter unfolds pearls of wisdom in finding a full and beautiful life in Gods love in the midst of our messy, troubled, confusing lives. She mentions her work is to help restore the broken and mend hurting hearts through the work God has done in her own life- thank you Trina, well done.
July 30, 2018
this book was everything i hoped it would be and more. i am an admirer of pretty books, just seeing the cover, the way the pages felt and the beautiful design of this book won me over. then i began to read, and everything that was said spoke so much into my soul. i felt like i was reading the thoughts in my own head that i can never put to words. highly recommend this book
September 8, 2018
I loved this book! I definitely want to own it because it is beautiful. I also marked a lot of pages with book darts. I appreciated the author’s vulnerability in finding ways to find beauty when life is hard and how it comes back to remembering that we are Jesus’ beloved.
April 1, 2018
Lovely book.
April 28, 2018
inspirational
May 7, 2018
Trina is a kindred. Love her eye for design and beauty. She also shares great truths in this book. Really enjoyed.
May 9, 2018
Beautiful book - both words and images. Life is full of good and bad moments...find the lovely in all of them.
October 25, 2018
This is a truly lovely book. I read a chapter every morning, giving myself time to soak in all the wisdom and encouragement and goodness it holds. Get the book today. You won't regret it.
January 28, 2019
A good reminder to slow down and take comfort in the small things that make life beautiful.
May 6, 2020
I was very inspired by this book, and found the author very heartwarming and real.
June 29, 2020
I loved reading the reflections Trina has written. It has helped me look for the every day beauty.
November 6, 2022
One of my favorite devotional memoirs. I always get a lot out of reading this.
November 5, 2024
Loved this book. Such a great reminder of finding beauty in the day to day and surrounding ourselves with things WE love.
July 18, 2025
This book captivated me right from the start. Not only is La La Lovely extremely well-written (a must for me), but Trina is a gifted storyteller and the images in this book are gorgeous. I was so taken with the idea that “beauty is God”...and we don’t simply find God on the far side of picturesque and pristine. He meets us in the mess and the brokenness. This book makes the PERFECT GIFT because it is both visually beautiful and has a message that we all need to hold close and be reminded of over and over again.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews