Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Self Evident Truths

I have recently discovered TED talks. This one, discussing the "fifty shades of gay", is an important one. iO Tillet Wright gives a very eloquent voice to the story of our sexuality, and asks the question: who is responsible for equality?



The answer is, of course, we all are.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Have you been..


here?

This picture is so green, I think it looks fake! Well, it's not. It exists. And I got to visit while visiting one of my best friends in Japan a few years ago. Today, I'm feeling reminiscent of the beautiful places I've been and excited for the journeys I've yet to take.

I hope you take a moment to notice the beauty around you this weekend. xxox

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Do You Juice?

If you know me, you know I am shamelessly in love with coffee...


but recently I discovered a new source of energy in those juices they sell at Starbucks:


Granted, they cost about the same as a venti, blended coffee (which is about $13 right?), but they're totally worth it if you're wanting an all-natural jolt.

When I was pregnant, Zac would make me home-made juices (my favorite was apple, beet, and carrot), but since I haven't been able to sweet talk him into making me those lately, I'll gladly settle for these!

Here's to our health. xxox

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sick baby


Yesterday James got his first cold. I think he handled it pretty well (above). Me, on the other hand.. I cried, I panicked, I was kind of a mess. Zac and I contemplated taking him to the ER since he had a fever and is so little, but after talking with our doctor and him responding well to the tylenol, we figured out he'd be okay. He is such a trooper- he was even smiling and cooing while under the weather. What a cool kid.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Where to Eat Wednesday: Lemonade


I've got a great suggestion for you today. As the name implies, Lemonade has a wonderful assortment of flavored lemonades, that I certainly suggest. But I like to go there for the "Southern Californian Soul Food" as the website describes it. Look forward to fresh, healthy mixtures such as their seasonal mission fig, arugula, blue cheese and sherry shallot or heirloom tomato, basil and fleur de sel. You can choose a few options to make a plate, so lunch ends up being an assortment of flavorful mixes. If you can't picture it, here's a little help:


If you're in the mood for something a little more hearty while you're there, Zac likes the braised beef. They've got great baked goods also, so you really can't go wrong!

If you're in the West L.A. area, I go to the one on Abbot Kinney in Venice- but it looks like new locations are popping up in places like Manhattan Beach and even LAX. I hope you can check it out!



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Backwards Fireworks

Check out this mesmerizing fireworks display. In reverse! It's so magical- what a cool idea.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Inspiration

I'm very excited to share a guest post today from someone with a very inspirational story.


Heather Von St. James contacted me recently to share her story and increase awareness about mesothelioma, a cancer that she was diagnosed with shortly after giving birth to her baby girl. Her story hit very close to home since recently learning that my best friend, Kim, is fighting her own battle with cancer while pregnant with her first baby girl as well. Two very important things that these two women have in common other than cancer: beautiful spirits and a desire to help others through sharing their experience.

I can only imagine how terrifying Heather's situation would be- but Heather is an example of how to overcome it, and she is sharing her story to help prevent others from being diagnosed with the awful cancer she was diagnosed with- because it is one hundred percent preventable. Take a moment to read her story and visit her website for more information on Mesothelioma:

Why I Embrace Each Moment of Life
by Heather Von St. James

On August 4, 2005, I was blessed by the entrance of my beautiful daughter, Lily, into the world. My husband and I couldn’t have been happier as family and friends surrounded us to celebrate, but life was soon to change.

Shortly after I returned to full-time work, my health headed downhill quickly. I was short of breath and easily exhausted, and I was losing five to seven pounds a week. Most people would probably attribute this to my body adjusting to being a new mother, and I did at first. After a while, though, I knew it was something more than that. I finally decided to visit the doctor. After a barrage of tests, my doctor gave us terrible news. I had malignant mesothelioma.

With no treatment, I had little hope of surviving to Lily’s second birthday. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my husband to raise Lily alone, and I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving Lily to grow up without a mother. He and I chose the most aggressive treatment option available. We flew to Boston where I was to have my left lung removed in an extreme procedure called an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Meanwhile, our daughter flew with my mother to my childhood home in South Dakota. She was going to live with my parents

During my time of recuperation in the hospital, people from my past surrounded Lily and my parents to support them. Girls I had babysat as a teenager now helped by watching my daughter while my parents worked. Lily grew and developed like any healthy baby, surrounded by all this love.

My mom sent pictures of Lily to my husband via email. He would then print them on a community printer and bring the grainy copies to me in my hospital room. There, my new support group of caregivers would gather around my bed and “ooh” and “ah” at the pictures of Lily rolling around or eating solid food. We all tried hard to choke back the tears. While I knew she was in the best care possible, I missed my little girl dearly. She was the reason I was fighting so hard.

Today, years after my fight with cancer, I realize how much good came from that time. My daughter still shares a strong bond with her grandparents that remains regardless of how many miles lie between them. I have learned to appreciate all the little blessings life brings, and my family tries our best never to take any moment together for granted. You never know when all this could be taken away. The best advice is to embrace each moment of life you are given.


(I can't get over her sweet little girl and her cool tattoo!)
Thanks Heather!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

How cool is science?


In just one year, we've made some pretty amazing advancements in science: robotic arms controlled by your mind; spray on skin; invisibility cloaks, and self driving cars- pretty impressive, human race!

I'm not sure if I entirely trust the source, because some of it just seems like it can't be real! But you know what they say, if it's on the internet- it must be true. Check out this list of 27 crazy advancements in science in 2012, it's super interesting.

On a related note, my grandmother asked me the other day what I hope James will be when he grows up. I rather quickly responded: a scientist, who will solve global warming. No pressure. :) Or maybe he'll just like science, I think that'd be pretty cool too.

Did you like science growing up? I never felt like it was my strongest subject, but I wish it was, there's so much interesting work to be done in the field! I definitely admire all you scientists out there.

(image via a buzzfeed)

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Strength



My best friend, Kim, recently started a blog in response to the overwhelming experience she's going through. She was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer, after finding out that her and her husband are expecting a baby in May. Trying to comprehend that someone I love so much is going through something so, I can't even think of a worthy word, but, hard, I guess, is very difficult. However there is one story I would like to share about her that I think will give testament to her character very simply.

She tells the story on Fighting for Two that her father in law told her that he admires her fighting spirit, and her response was that she has no other option. This is Kim. What's so great about her is that she believes this with all of her heart. I'm so glad that she doesn't think that there's any other option, because that spirit is what makes her uniquely her, so fun to be around, and such a fantastic human being. I also think that spirit is the strength that is going to get her and her little one through this unscathed.

I really recommend you check out her blog for yourself. In just one day, she's already gotten an amazing amount of love and admiration in response to her story and just because of who she is. I know I admire her, that's for sure, and I'm sending all of my love her way.


(pictures of us having fun in China and Chicago, circa 2005 and 2008)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year to you!


So what did you do last night? Did you stay up? ;) I'm ashamed to say 2 years ago Zac and I were in San Francisco and went back to our hotel early (because it was cold, and my dress was too tight... but that's another story). And that was PRE-baby, mind you. But this year, I'm proud to say that we rung in the New Year wide eyed. Even James woke up for the festivities at our friends' Kim and Esteban's apartment. We ate a lovely dinner with them and their families and learned a new tradition. The tradition is to eat 12 grapes to ring in the new year and for each grape you eat you make a 'wish' or happy thought for 2013. I liked it!

So here's to my 12 wishes, and yours too. What would your 12 wishes be?