awkward + awesome.

awkward. 

-Ordering Chinese takeout and having them ask if you need the bigger portion of rice since your order is obviously for two. Nope, thanks.... just me in this fatty party of one. 

-Showering with the fear of death in my soul because there is a bug next to me on the curtain. But being way too scared to kill said bug in my state of nakedness. 

-Strolling through Costco and having your heart stop and your body pee just slightly because of the crazy loud noise the ninja-like manager's radio made when she crept up behind you. 

-Telling the mechanic you totally don't need a ride home, thanks, and then having your actual ride show up 20 mins late while you casually hang outside the sidewalk waiting. 

-Taking pictures of yourself for your blog outside a very busy body apartment complex. What? I look amazing and totally need to capture this moment for my blog. Sorry you aren't my kind of special. 

-Realizing that every one of said above self-portraits involves the kissy face. Apparently that's my comfortable look. I can deal if you can.

 

awesome.

-Having my two very first international orders happen in the same week. Beautiful Blendings: the shop is blowing up worldwide bitches. Sorry, bitches is my excited word. 

-Planning a HUGELY exciting, very crazy BIG, ultimate among ultimate giveaways to happen oh so soon. You might pee. It's ok, I've totally done that this week.  (see above: re: awkward)

-A full day spent with the sweetest of guys. Including dinner, movie, snuggling, wine AND "Funny Face". Real men watch old movies with Audrey Hepburn in them. 

-Planning a rad Valentine's surprise for your super sweet guy and realizing you already have like three other gifts planned. 

-Strangely craving all things healthy and none things bad for me. I am the snack food queen but this week I've been de-throned and my pants couldn't care one bit!

-This pin, oh ya and this one, and definitely this! Oh my!

Thanks again to Sydney for the inspiration for writing these. 
She's definitely in the awesome category.

Why I am having trouble doing what I love.

It makes me sad not to be blogging.
I have so many ideas in my head of pretty thoughts and DIYs that I want to share with you.
But alas, life has been really keeping me from that.

Source: artistlaraharris.tumblr.com via Tara on Pinterest

But I want to explain.
So you know that I'm not just a bad blogger.
Or lazy, or tired of it.
Cause I'm most certainly none of those.
But this is why…

Source: loveisthethingwithwings.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

 MY DAILY ROUTINE {give or take a few details of course} ::


6am-Wake to an annoyingly loud alarm that fella must get up for. Thankfully I get to stay cozied up in bed for a bit longer and he will reset said alarm for me.

6:45-Goodbye kiss. <3

7:30-Alarm again. Must get up. Shower, coffee {waiting for me, thanks babe} and out the door in a flustered hurry {always}; by 8:30.

8:30-9ish- LA traffic!! Ugh. Enough said.

9ish-2 or 3pm- Nanny the sweetest boy {6mos} and try to work, email, sometimes blog from my iPhone while he sleeps.

3-4:30-  Head home. Eat something. Clean up house, try to fill orders, answer emails or blog if time. Get ready for job #2.

4:30pm-Drive to Job #2 and yell at terrible drivers about being better humans. {truth}

5pm-9:30 or midnight/1am- Serve people beer, wine, food and whatever else ridiculousness they may need. {Please tip your server!! Please.}

And after everything I'm back home. Trying to force food into my mouth. Trying to stay awake for a quick show on TV with my equally exhausted fella, and trying to pry contacts from my tired eyes only to plop them back in first thing in the morning.

Source: traceysthoughts.tumblr.com via Tara on Pinterest

And the weekends? Those are days in which laundry, cleaning, events {there are ALWAYS many of those with a brewer for a man} and all other chores get tended to.

I wanted to share this because… well because my true heart loves to write. My true heart is still working toward a full time professional career in writing.
And my true heart loves this blog, this community and reading your writing, your comments, and stories from YOU.

Source: bookfessions.tumblr.com via Tara on Pinterest

But I wanted you to know why I'm not the kind of blogger who can spit out 3-4 posts a week with beautiful photos {I also don't own a camera beyond my iPhone}.

I wanted you to understand that when I do have even an hour to myself, I'm either sitting at my laptop with 100+ tabs open {yes I open EVERY post separately because I love the full experience} or I'm agonizing over what to write for you.

Source: impatientlyprayingforpatience.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

OR, rarely I am creating something for my shop, a friend, or family member.

I don't ever have time for books anymore, I know nothing about the Hunger Games craze or even why I need to care; but it's ok because I have my blogs.

So please understand. I'd love to be following my heart. But circumstances are against me a lot. But I hope you'll stick with me. Cause in a few months… my schedule's a-changing. And I cannot wait.

Source: myconcretesky.com via Tara on Pinterest

Thanks for being my bloggy friends.
Xo.

twenty-five.

When I was little I always had this grand thought that 25 would be THE age. There was something special about the number and I had a strong feeling all my life that something would HAPPEN at that time. Of course I never had any idea what the "something" should or would be.... but it never occurred to me to care.

Source: picturesandquotes.net via Taylor on Pinterest

I did however at least believe that by 25 I would be married, most likely either have one child or be working on it. ;) I thought I'd be settled into a career that I got from having accomplished my Bachelor's degree. I pictured a house with cute photos of my family everywhere and one of those fellas who makes you CRAZY but in the best way and you cannot believe really exists.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I had all kinds of dreams. I thought I'd have myself figured out.


Boy, was I wrong.


I turned 25 in March of this year. My fella turned 30 (sorry babe!) three days before me so I threw him a big surprise party at his favorite brewery. He got to snowboard and see lots of friends and family and I was just SO HAPPY to do it for him. Honestly though, that BIG DEAL 2-5 that I had been waiting my ENTIRE life for... turned out to be just another birthday. There was dinner and a movie date with my love, but nothing life changing occurred.

Source: google.com via Mary on Pinterest

And since turning 25?


Well, a lot has definitely happened this year. Starting a WONDERFUL blog and learning about an amazing community of people. Starting an amazing handmade business that allows me an outlet to be creative and share that with others. Leaving Oregon. Leaving my beautiful little girls (that I nannied for) that I ADORE and I'm sad to be without everyday.  Moving to California. Living with a BOY. Being totally in love. Not working a real life job for a few months and feeling the loss of income. Figuring out what I genuinely want to do as a career. Trying to figure out how to achieve that while still paying the bills. Getting published as a writer (and PAID!).

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

a lot has happened. 

But there are still days. When I think.... "I'm 25. Almost ALL of my friends are married and most of those also have babies. Many people my age own a house and a car. Almost everyone has a pet of some kind. People my age are HAPPY in their CAREER."


And me.... I'm working two jobs that aren't my passion but I'm doing to pay the bills. I owe $40,000+ in debt from school. I live in an apartment and would DIE for a house (even just to rent) and a dog (and cat too!). I own a sewing machine that I'd love to have time to learn to use. I KNOW I could be a fantastic writer if I could just get a job full-time. I have SO MANY goals.....

Source: funkyvintagekitchenblog.com via Tara on Pinterest

So really this isn't a post to say... "gosh my life is so not cool". 

It's a post to say I'm working at it. It's not where I thought it would be, or where the majority of others may be... but that's not my life. 

This is a post to inform my childhood self.... 25 is just another number. It doesn't stand for anything. Just go after what YOU want for YOURSELF and the rest will come. Oh, and try not to be so grumpy. And wear sunscreen. And drink water. Ugh, nevermind..... too much to tell you. Just remember the first part. Mkay?

Source: flickr.com via Tara on Pinterest

So don't worry if you aren't "where you think you should be"  whatever your age or place in life is. Also don't compare your life to others. This is your journey and it's unique to you. If you don't have something that you want....figure out how to get it.

Source: darlingdexter.com via Chelsey on Pinterest

And remember to let go of all the worries once in awhile and just be. Chances are there's something to enjoy just about today.

How to Cook {if you don't like cooking}

It's no secret that I am not the best cook. That's why fella and I are together. He likes to cook. I don't but still need to eat. Thus, true love was born. 

But now he's working looooong hours everyday. And I'm not as much. So I feel like I want to have a nice hot meal ready for my hungry man when he gets home. How very June Cleaver of me right? 

via

But the problem I have with cooking... besides not enjoying it all that much.... is that I didn't ever really learn how. AND add to that, I've been living by myself most of my adult life (by choice of course) and when you are feeding just ONE person.... you can get by with lots of pizza and spaghetti and less basically anything Julia Child would approve of. 

But here's what I've learned from wanting to be a better cook; even though I don't like cooking. 

Take your time

Source: juztimage.com via Jillian on Pinterest

I am completely guilty of getting all flustered trying to make every component of the meal come together perfectly at the end. It's not important. Take your time with each step, know that mistakes are ok {there's no perfect recipe} and just stay cool.

Work with ingredients that you know and love

Source: themarionhousebook.com via Tara on Pinterest

If you try to cook something that uses ingredients that you don't like or are unfamiliar with; chances are you'll just end up frustrated. Plus, you either won't like the end result or you'll try to change the recipe as you go and it might not work out. That's not to say you shouldn't try new things.... you should for sure. Some of my favorite recipes involve foods I've never had {hello...turnips!} but work up to it. Start... with what you love. 

Read reviews on recipes

Source: thesmallobject.com via Casey on Pinterest

I have learned that with ANY recipe I try, it's important {and time-saving} to first read other people's reviews. Typically I'll read through a page or two of responses before I even head to the store to buy the ingredients for a recipe. Nothing's better than someone who has already done the trial and error. They can tell you what was good, bad or even some favorable changes. And leave a response if you do make something and have new tips to add.

Look EVERYTHING up

Source: aisletoaloha.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

It seems silly probably but I'm terrible at converting anything metric. And if I see an ingredient that sounds strange, I immediately hop on google and find out if I have it or where I can possibly find it. Spices are the most challenging because they cost so much and typically you only need a pinch. Many times I will see if there's something I already have that I can substitute.

Ask questions

Source: inomthings.com via Tara on Pinterest

People LOVE to help. I have a very hard time asking for it, but when I do....I'm always surprised to see how easy it was. If someone made something amazing that you enjoyed, ask for the recipe! Better yet, ask if you can prepare it together sometime. Friends are where most of my favorite meals have come from. 

Watch ridiculous amount of videos/food network/pintrest

Source: theculinaryenthusiast.net via Tara on Pinterest

The internet is amazing. I can't tell you how much I have learned how to do, just by watching videos online. It's sad to say but I probably could've skipped ALL of school if the internet had been around. But sincerely it's the BEST way I can tell you to learn how to cook on your own. You can see how everything is done and how it's SUPPOSED to look. You can know what it means to "brown the garlic" or what the inside of chicken SHOULD look like when fully cooked. Trust me, not a mistake you want to make. Take advantage of what's to offer online.  My favorite sites are Food Network, All Recipes, Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box, A Collection of Passions, Whole Family Fare, and of course Pintrest.

Stay in your comfortable zone at first and then start taking risks

 

{Caution: Above video is hilarious.....but contains adult content. Language mostly.....because of all the drinking.}

Just as the drunk kitchen chick knows.... cooking needs to be fun. Because it's difficult. So you can keep it simple and fun, or stress.  Now I'm not saying you need to be drunk while cooking, in fact it seems to be more dangerous than anything else. BUT, my point here is to say just start with something easy. Don't try to pull off some crazy complicated recipe when there are SO MANY delicious easy ones you could start with. AND, don't worry if it doesn't turn out perfect. It's about having fun. And usually, people will smile and tell you it's great anyway. Because they love you.

Let me know if you have any cool tips to add. Or recipes..... I'd love to hear 'em.

Fall Faves

With October first happening....tomorrow... I decided to share with you some of my faves for fall by courtesy of PINTREST and ETSY. This may or may not be a post that's a bit sad for me because honestly, I'm very homesick for the beautiful Portland, Oregon I just came from {with the leaves changing colors, the cool crisp breeze perfect for scarves and warm drinks like pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider}. California does not have much in the way of fall. So PLEASE someone enjoy these beauties. For me. Please and thank you very much.

{1} LuBeth Designs{2} Twillypop {3} Beautiful Blendings  {4} lifeatthetable {5} Naptime Diaries
{6} lunarbelle {7} Sewn Natural {8} calabasascandyco {9} raynajaye

And for some lovely pins....

Source: gallery.me.com via Pippa on Pinterest

I sincerely LOVE this outfit. So cute and looks entirely cozy also.

Source: charminglittlenest.com via Alicia on Pinterest

PUMPKINS! I want a home that I can deck out in cute pumpkins like this.

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Mitzi on Pinterest

What a great and easy idea for decorations. I wonder how long they last!

Source: vogueitgirl.tumblr.com via Russell on Pinterest

Fall is coming. At least for some of you. The end.