from the passenger's seat

when you're a terrible driver and the type to get a bit stir-crazy in the city, the passenger's seat is the best place for you to be. 

first,

First we eat, then we do everything else. 

- mfk fisher

photographing the little things

I used to bring my camera everywhere. In college especially, after getting my first little DSLR, my camera was always in my bag or hanging on my shoulder whether I was at a house party or in a park. Somewhere along the way I stopped doing that, choosing to bring the real camera only on roadtrips or adventures or big events. I've felt stifled creatively lately, feeling envious of other people's images; jealous that I don't have anything to photograph. Which is just kind of stupid. I realized that, though it may feel like a hassle, bringing your camera on silly, day-to-day trips is the only way to stay in practice and stay creative. So, my new goal is to get back to photographing life in the small ways - like Sunday trips to the market. Life's good. 

waxing sentimental, or where home is, or an introduction

I suppose it's a rite of passage, a strange surge into adulthood, when your parents move from the house, town, and even state you grew up in. Their new city, while filled with your family, the carriers of that real heart-home, isn't yours exactly. Perhaps the town you grew up has been marred in some way, so you won't call that home. Maybe you're like me, and you've made a few small, temporary homes in places you've inhabited since moving from your parents. I've been wondering lately about where home is for me, because LA doesn't quite feel like it and San Diego, while forever one of my favorites places, wasn't quite it either. For me, deep in my soul, my sleepy college town in Washington was, and still feels like, home.

Though I've left and most of my close friends are gone too, passing the university on to the next set of twenty-somethings on their own for the first time, Bellingham holds an intrinsic, essential hold on me. In my time there, everything changed and formed and broke and was put back together in a way that confused and awed me. I guess that's unremarkable; normal happenings in the time between 18 and 22 years, but nevertheless that is home for me, for now.  

I could go on waxing sentimental about that town and it's memories, but I digress. All that to say that I am very happy (in the sappiest of ways, as you can tell) to work with a company that is located, driven, and fully staffed by the beautiful people of Bellingham, Bramble Berry. I actually worked at Bramble Berry for my last summer before moving to San Diego, so getting to play with and photograph these supplies was a nostalgic time, and one I am grateful for! 

Bramble Berry is a huge supply shop with everything you need to make things like soap, candles, body butter, all-natural makeup, essential oils, and on and on. I have these soaps in my kitchen and bathroom and they are oh so soft and also fill the room with the slightest, yummiest scent. From ombre soap to coconut milk or avocado oil soap, I kind of want one of each.  I have a few tutorials coming up with them, including a sumptuous coffee scrub - check back later this week, and visit their site to learn a little more! Oh, and a thanks in advance to Angela for being the best hand model/fellow DIYer a girl could ask for. 

wildy, messily, marvelously

happy, happy weekend! 

“We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.” 

― Anne Lamott

life lately, and thoughts on authenticity in social media

Okay, let me get real for a moment: ever have one of those rage dreams where you are yelling at someone, telling them everything you wish you could in real life? They are therapeutic in a way, but also a hard-to-ignore message that you are holding in some truth. I had one of those dreams last night, and part of the conversation was this person saying to me "and we see all your pictures on the internet, you're off living this picture-perfect life..." to which crazy-dream-me replied with plenty of screams and yells about how they had no idea about my life, etc etc. Putting together collages from my instagram always makes me think of this. They always look fun and easy and colorful, which makes me feel like I have to add a disclaimer to the post insisting that there are tough things going on as well. It's a strange tension between wanting to show the little beautiful moments of life as well as desiring to display the hard parts in authenticity. We've all read countless articles and manifestos on the subject, but I'm not sure I'm any closer to figuring out my balance in this regard; or for that matter, any closer to not making assumptions about others based on what they choose to share via social media. So, as I continue to figure this out, here's another disclaimer for this collage of moments: life is hard, but life is good. 

fashioned to dream in

There were days when she was very happy without knowing why. She was happy to be alive and breathing, when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day. She liked then to wander alone into strange and unfamiliar places. She discovered many a sunny, sleepy corner, fashioned to dream in. And she found it good to dream and to be alone and unmolested.

The Awakening, Kate Chopin

Favorite thoughts from a favorite work. 

hi, Monday.

It's Monday. And while that happens to be my day off, for most of you it's probably a day where you have to wake up, put real clothes on, and be an all-around adult. And I encourage you to do so...but toss some whimsy in there. Wear ridiculous, heart-shaped sunglasses with that sensible pencil skirt. Buy a donut, with extra sprinkles. Blast Beyonce on your way to work and move that booty in your seat. Steal a bouquet from the cherry blossoms among the trees in your parking lot. Kick ass at whatever Monday means for you and never give in to the absurdity that growing up means growing dull. Own Monday. xo!

a closed mind

just a thought for your Tuesday. I saw this somewhere last week & it's been rolling around in my head ever since, so I had to put it down on (theoretical) paper. Here's to ever-expanding minds! 

birthday grams

Every year, I have a big birthday + Christmas party with a huge group of family and friends. It's just that thing that really marks the season and brings so many people I love together. This year, being in a new city and far away from all those people, I knew it would be different--and at first, that really freaked me out. I missed my friends and family, missed the tradition and, if I'm being honest, the hooplah of it all. 

But if this move is teaching me anything, it's that different doesn't mean bad. In fact, in most cases, change brings something much better, once you get past the strangeness of it all. And so, I had a very different, very fun, very California birthday that included a very fancy dinner, paddle boarding for the first time, ice skating after a pitcher of mimosas (read: dangerous), time with my handsome boyfriend, Superman, desserts on desserts, sushi, shopping, laying on the beach....keep in mind this was all over a few days, if you're keeping count on the meals. My sisters and boyfriend made me feel very special and, though I missed my friends, calls and texts from home made me so happy. So there, self: don't be a baby. Change is good. And so are birthdays.