Holiday Cheer

There isn't anything terrible about this two year old. Check out our first pro family picture session we did with Megan Small, a local Alamedan photographer:

Megan was so sweet, and her mom was the best assistant (luring James to smile with funny duck impressions, bubbles, and COOKIES!)

Best of all, the Oakland Redwoods where we took these photos were beautiful. It reminded me so much of Temescal Canyon, where we got married. It was a fun outing and I look forward to going back with James and Zac for a hike someday soon!

Music

You know that music that just brings you back? The Wallflowers, Vertical Horizon, Matchbox 20, Alanis Morrisette, Third Eye Blind. Those do it for me.

I was just listening to the 90s Pop station on Pandora, and after quickly giving a "thumbs down" to the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys, I was able to mold this type of 90s alternative theme music that defined much of my adolescence. And let me add, there were so many one.hit.wonders (although very credible one hits!). But it's amazing how listening to a music album could be like looking at a picture album, you know? Music can bring back so many memories and feelings, like those decades ago aren't actually that far away.

What music does that for you?

Cut a rug!

We bought a rug!

The Snow Peak Wool Rug from West Elm to be exact.

It took (literally) months of deliberation, planning, justifying, receiving donations, and being neurotic, but it's official- it's on it's way now!

I know it seems ridiculous. I mean at least to me. Seriously, how much thought can go into one.freaking.thing. I like white, but what sane mother of a two year old buys a white rug? I like shag, but Zac says shag will be too hard to clean. I even got a free design consultation from West Elm. (did you know that exists!? Kind of overrated, I have to admit). Although, it did help steer me in the right direction. I can't wait to show you an "after" picture of it in our living room once it arrives.

Next up is a coffee table! Any suggestions? At this rate, we'll buy one by 2015! ;)

What I do without cable:

I buy more books than I probably should:

In this case, polar opposite type books. I used to have a goal of reading all the classics (i.e., Invisible Man) that I never read growing up. Although I was always a good student, I was never much of a reader as a kid, so I had lots of catching up to do. So, in college I read things like The Fountainhead (loved it) and Anna Karenina (never finished it) for "fun".

But in recent years, I've been more into fiction and books that require less thinking. I suppose this genre change has been partially in response to all of the stressors I deal with in my life as a social worker. When I'm reading fiction now, I often want to wind down, not get stirred up. So when I bought Invisible Man yesterday, I figured I should temper it with something that might make me laugh a bit. And so far, Mindy Kaling does not disappoint. I recommend it already!

What are you reading lately? I also bought James this book since it features a little boy named Sam who likes to dance.. just like his dancing Uncle Sam! ;)

Before He Turns Two (in a month!)

The many faces of James: 

Imitating (what I think looks like) a tourist with that cap:

Making funny faces at ourselves to the camera:

Being his sweet self at the bagel shop: 

I wanted to use this space to help me log James' growth and help me remember some of his milestones. At this point, he's talking up a storm (as my mom would say:). Today, he started saying "open/ close" when playing with his legs and opening and closing them (which I consider impressive, unprompted correlations-- but you know, I'm biased). He says "chocolate milk "A LOT. haha. This morning, when I opened the door at 6:15 in response to his "MA MA" calls, he greeted me with "Morning!" just like I usually greet him. It's pretty amazing, and I can actually feel my heart warm and my lips turn into a smile as I write this and reflect on all the loveliness that is watching a human being grow up. It's very easy (for me, and I'm sure many of us) to focus on the challenges of the every day.. and there are challenges every day don't get me wrong, but it makes taking the time to stop and reflect on all the glorious goodness that is also in that every day that much more important.

I hope you're all doing well. I know I haven't been in a blog writing mood lately. I think in response to coping with the many changes that have recently gone on in my little family's lives (moving to the bay area, finding an apartment, a job, child care, turning 30 (!), missing my friends and family, and adjusting to all of that..), lately all I want to do is either straighten up our house (challenging with a 1.75 year old), or veg out and watch Felicity after a long day (I'm on Season 4!). As the summer nears its final stage though, I see myself doing more yoga and hopefully writing a bit more.

So here's to lofty goals! :)

Because Fridays Are For Dancing

Oh man. Things have been busy. I swear before having James I had no idea what I would do all day with him. But now I understand, and it can be exhausting! And wonderful of course. :) But between finding an apartment, moving in, finding a job, finding a child care, hanging out with my little man, going to beautiful weddings, and seeing wonderful friends and family, so far this summer has been jam packed. And that's okay. I just don't want to forget to stop and smell the roses. You know? So here's to a fun and laid back weekend. Do you have any plans?

(image found via JCrew on Pinterest)

Green Lemonade

Do you have a juicer? I FINALLY used mine since moving in to our new place, and made this green lemonade that I read about in Raw Detox Diet. It's delicious, and pretty simple:

- 1 head romaine or celery
- 5 or 6 stalks kale (any type)
- 1 to 2 apples (as needed for sweetness- the author recommends organic Fuji)
- 1 whole organic lemon
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (optional)

I didn't have celery/ romaine, so I used spinach instead. And I plan to stock up on ginger for next time. But the apples make it sweet and the lemon makes it tart, so it's a great way to get all the nutrients from the kale and spinach if you don't otherwise get enough greens (like me).

Will you try it? I know I plan to make it all the time!

What's your interior decorating style?

Do you even have one? I'm not sure I do. But since we got the apartment we were soo hoping for (yay!), I have a week to brainstorm how to arrange and update our furniture to make it as beautiful as some of the pins I see on Pinterest ;) (or at least attempt!).

I've found that I'm drawn to mid-century modern. There's something about the old mixed with the new that I love. Comfort of course is an important factor in any home, so I also like cozy, rustic looks as well. I wish I was better at this whole interior design thing! As for now, I'm just browsing through apartment therapy articles to try and get some easy tips on how to make the new place shine. Please let me know if you have any advice!

(photos all found via pinterest)

Oh, Alameda

I think I love you.

Zac and I applied for an apartment in Alameda this weekend, and we cannot wait to hear if we get to call this place home! It came about kind of unexpectedly, after looking at places all throughout the bay area, when this semi- affordable (for bay area standards) place came up in the little island east of SF, we figured we'd check it out. We were mildly familiar with the area because Zac's brother, Brett, had lived there a few years back. It's close to the city, where Zac is currently commuting 3 days a week, and I keep seeing job opportunities for myself in Oakland (just next door), so we figured it had some good potential.

Well, we ended up falling in love with a little 2 bedroom triplex just a few blocks off of Park St, the town's main drag. The area is filled with antique shops, young families like us, and last Saturday, apparently, a vegetable festival. And random fun fact: Alameda has one of the nation's best flea markets! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but please, cross your fingers, and your toes, that we get this place. We really want it.

Sending lots of love to you on this Monday night.

(pictures above all found via Pinterest)

My Gym

James joined My Gym yesterday, which sounds so funny because don't you just imagine him around a bunch of free weights and treadmills? :) It's actually a gymnastics sort of toddler "gym" similar to Gymboree, but better in my opinion. I met a nice mommy at Santana Row the other day and she told me about it. Being the "out and about mommy" that I am (I'll explain later), we thought we'd check it out. He wasn't too into circle time, but he'll get there. He loved the trampolines and the mini basketball hoops though (that's my boy!)

All of the photos I took at the gym ended up blurry (of course), so I'll leave you with this little gem from the other day:

Anyway, I've missed you! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying spring time wherever you are. xoxo

What I'm Reading:

A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren.

Being unemployed has it's perks and it's stressors. One perk is that I get to check out quaint little bookstores with James when we're scoping out potential neighborhoods to live in. Yesterday, while doing this, I picked up Warren's book. I was looking for Ralph Nader's new book after hearing him on NPR, but I guess it wasn't out yet. Anyway, who knew I was so into political books,? But I so am. And listening to Nader on the radio was inspiring as well, he's a very intriguing speaker and I can't wait to read his book next. But first, I'm super interested in learning more about Warren's insights and life as well- I've only read the first few pages and can already feel the social worker in me getting fired up!

Anyway, I know I've been gone a while, are you reading anything new?

For fun

I haven't even seen Footloose, or even a full Jimmy Fallon episode. But this video made me smile:

Makes me kind of want to watch the movie just for the cheesy 80s vibes. Plus it would be fun to celebrate turning 30 the same year as Footloose!

Changes

In case you didn't know.. I'm moving from Los Angeles, from where I've called home for the last 9 years of my life since my dad died and my mom moved here, and I officially didn't go "home" to Las Vegas anymore. I've grown up here. Not in the adolescent way, but in that twenty something way. It's where I met my husband, got married, had my first baby, lived in the same apartment for more than five years, it's where I met some of my best friends and was still able to stay connected with friends far away.

And, I'm okay with leaving. Maybe it's what's left of the wanderlust in me, but I welcome the change. I don't want to live in the same apartment building for thirty years like my dad did. Although I love that he did. He was living his dream, acting in LA. And now I'm living mine. I'm going to have a "big" family, live in the 'burbs, but close enough to the city, and hopefully buy a house and save up enough money to travel the world bit by bit. That sounds like a pretty good life to me. But I'll still miss my first true city love, Los Angeles.

Place has always held a lot of importance for me. And this goodbye is going to be hard. I've got a lot going on, but I hope in the crazy mix of all the responsibilities associated with moving your life to a new place, I get to take a minute to think about how this old place has shaped me. And I think to properly say goodbye to it, I need to reflect a bit on where I've been and where I am now. Who I am now. That's a tall order. Thanks for letting me do it with you.

What's going on with you lately? Any changes?

Do you like a girl in glasses?

As you may know, I wear glasses. Everyday. I think it's been about two years now. So last week, after forgetting what my face looks like because I always have my Paul Smith's on, I got contacts. And this weekend I spent nearly two and a half hours trying to get the darn things in and out of my eyes. Although I think I'm getting the hang of it, I don't know how much more patience I have in me. Maybe I should just get these new glasses instead?:

(I'm thinking tortoise shell full frames or retro semi-rims)

At first, (as I was about to pull my hair out in frustration with the contacts),  Zac was like: "oh honey, you'll get it, don't worry". And after two hours, it turned into: "maybe contacts just aren't for you". Well, I'm not one for quitting, but I also don't like to torture myself. I'll let you know what happens.

(top photo found on pinterest, bottom photo/ frames from warby parker)

Where to Eat Wednesdays: Connie and Ted's

Connie and Ted's is a fairly new place that my friends recently introduced me to after seeing The Book of Mormon at the Pantages (!). The food is seriously legit. I ordered the lobster roll sandwich with coleslaw (Zac contributed the fries).  AND I got to start with a few oysters, my fav! You should try it.

Embarrassing story

Well, I have a new one... and it's called "Taryn jumps of a ski lift and fractures her wrist":

Did you see it? Me jumping off of the ski lift at the end? How could you miss it! It's taken me over two months to post this video here. Even now when I think about what happened my mouth drops in embarrassment! Recently, when I mentioned going skiing again sometime, Zac was surprised that I'd even want to after just fracturing my wrist "skiing". Well, I told him, I didn't actually hurt myself skiing, it was the jumping off of a moving contraption that was my problem. Oy. Don't make fun of me, I'm still sensitive about it! :P

Here's to getting up after you fall! xox

What are you watching?

Currently, my TV watching includes Friday Night Lights, The Bachelor, and some of The Olympics. I just finished season 3 of Friday Night Lights on Netflix, and I'm hooked. It took me about half way through the first season to really get into it, and now I'm in love...

... with Kyle Chandler. 

I just watched him on an interview with Ellen from 2013, and he was as sexy as ever. The Texas accent is real, he's been married 18 years, and is awkward and down to earth. But really, I think I'm in love with his eyes.

Do I sound like a 13 year old girl? Have you seen Friday Night Lights? Any celebrity crushes at the moment? I'd love to know I'm not the only one.

How California is this?

This week, I attended two meetings which included practicing yoga AT WORK. Does this happen outside of beautiful California? I hope so! Needless to say, I'm grateful for my profession's focus on self care. Next up: yoga retreat for my 30th birthday ( I hope!:)




(photo of the lovely Rachel Brathen doing SUP yoga)

Make you laugh Monday

To my friends who don't want kids-- this one's for you. Made me laugh! My favorite part is the advertisement at the bottom that reads "as seen in every travel magazine". ;)



I hope your Monday was a good one!

James' favorite things

- Stomping his feet
- Making elephant sounds
- Eating spicy foods
- Being incredibly cute, as seen here:

At our favorite pancake joint in Manhattan Beach, Uncle Bill's.

And playing with his new shovel from his Auntie Kim and Uncle Esteban. 

I like to call this one James Beach, and if you frequent Venice often, maybe you'll get my nerdy pun.

He's 16 and a half months already! Here's to growth!

13 year old doing a TED talk

Incredibly insightful, intelligent, and inspiring. It's so reassuring to hear such thoughtful perspective come from this young guy. And it shines an important spotlight on the path traditional education has taken.

What do you think?

Detoxifying house plants

Did you know that having house plants can purify the air in your home? It makes perfect sense, I just never realized it. There have also been studies showing that people with house plants report lower stress levels!

You learn something new everyday. I'm going to go out and get me a (easy to take care of) plant asap! And if you're interested, here are 19 other ways to de-stress right now. 

LACMA with the family

I can't remember the last time I've been to the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), so since we were finally all healthy this weekend, we thought we'd venture out, and I'm so glad we did!

I was joyfully surprised by how kid friendly LACMA is. There's lots of fun exhibits, like the spaghetti-like-walk-through-yellow fun area (not it's official title) above. James loved it!

And of course the well known Urban Light installation in the front of the museum was a good time to play 'catch me if you can' with James.

And this "Metropolis II" installation was a super cool treat for all of us. It's like a giant hot wheels race track with a real live operator in the middle of it all (see her there??)

Afterward, we went across the street and ordered some food from the food trucks parked outside. And other than James biting his tongue and my hot dog being less than awesome, it was a great day.

If you're free tomorrow, and live in LA, admission is free! While I'm sure it'll be busy.. it should be a fun time! I'm planning to go back for Story Time at the Boone Children's Gallery since it's free on Mondays and Fridays at 2. Do you like museums? I actually like galleries more because I feel overwhelmed at museums sometimes. There is never enough time to see all of what they have to offer. And that was certainly the case today. But instead of trying to fit it all in, I'll just plan to go back. So, will you visit?

Paralyzed

So I do this thing where I want to get so many things done, that I kind of don't know where to start/ don't want to start because I really just want to relax-- so I get paralyzed in this in-between place where I'm worrying about doing things that I'm not doing, which isn't productive at all. This was an issue for me at times before being a mum, but now that my productive hours are limited to when James is sleeping, this has become even more of an issue. 

Does this happen to you? Any advice?

I try not to be too hard on myself because I know I end up getting things done in the end, but this does seriously stress me out. I'm simultaneously judging myself about not doing something and trying to give myself a break and not worry about it. It'll get done. 

Maybe I just answered my own question. Stop judging myself. Sometimes you need to just take your pants off and go to bed.

Pretty waves

I thought this was a cute blog post on "you know you're ready for a haircut when..."

If you recognize her, apparently this blogger was once on American idol. I never watched the show, but I like her hair! Now I just want to know how she styled those waves.. my hair is almost this long again!