Yesterday was National Take Your Child To Work Day, and it marked our 6th year of participating in Google's Take Your Child To Work Day at their campuses. Every year, Google does something special for the mini-Googlers so they can get hands on in the world of technology, science, math, and teamwork; the company is truly family-friendly and they host events all throughout the year for Googler kiddos. We always look forward to this one, I even check Delilah out of school for it. I think it's important to see and experience what real life is like, and where Daddy spends his day at, there are plenty of valuable lessons to be learned that can't be taught in the classroom.

Quiet Time In LA? Beach Please!

If you find yourself in LA and want to get away from the chaos and people but enjoy the beach, there's a cute, quiet, seaside little niche wedged between Venice and the airport called... Marina Del Rey.
 I have a lot of love and nostalgia for Marina Del Rey, I think it's a very beautiful spot that many Los Angelinos overlook; I mean, it doesn't have major landmarks or Hollywood status, there's not really a "tourist destination" in it, honestly it's mostly residential and quiet... and I think that's what I love.
I first fell in love with Marina Del Rey when I decided to explore the LA Bike Path that leads from Culver City to Marina Del Rey. At the time, I had just moved to Culver City and was biking around and exploring my new stomping grounds; I came across this gigantic concrete river thing called "Ballona Creek" and started biking down it and realized "OMG this thing leads from my house to the ocean, I know what I'm going to be doing for the rest of my time here". And that's pretty much what I did a few times a week—I biked to the beach. Can you blame me?

I just want to take a quick sec to say I'm sorry for the delay, I have battled (and defeated!) a super raunchy and exhausting cold; I'm a tough girl usually, but that cold was no joke. So sorry.
And now, without further ado, let's resume!

The Hollywood Sign Is My Spirit Animal, Here's How To Hike To It!

I will never forget the first time I hiked to the Hollywood Sign, it was a hike dreams were made of; I was unbelievably excited to see such a legendary icon up close + personal! I felt like I was going celeb-spotting at Mastro's Beverly Hills on a Friday night—I was guaranteed to see a famous figure.
While there are plenty of spots around LA to catch a glimpse of the famous 9 letters, there's only one way to get a view from behind it, and if you want a selfie with the LA skyline + the Hollywood Sign together, you'll need to get to this spot—I will tell you how!
I hiked to the sign pushing my 4-year-old in the jogging stroller and totally not sure of what to expect, and what the hike ended up being was so much more than what I planned...

Why 4/20 Is A Meaningful Date And Why I Celebrate It Every Year

I sat here staring at this post for forever, wondering whether or not I should post this. My mind is racing. I've written a blog, erased it, closed it, returned days later... and here I am.
I haven't gotten too personal on here, but my heart is heavy and I'd like to share something.
This weekend marked the day of 4/20, and although this date means different things for different people... to me, it's the day my brother died.
Although it's been years since the accident, the pain and void, especially today, feel unbelievably raw and real.
Every year I write a tribute to my brother, and this is my first year with a blog, and what better place to share these feelings than here.

I still look for you.
Still.
Everywhere I go.
I look for your face, your smile, your eclectic style, your shaggy blonde hair, your charismatic persona, everything... as if you just ran away, as if we could just run into each other again, as if you're out there hiding somewhere, living a long happy life.
I'm still trying to find you,
And I'll never give up.
Every tall athletic boy I see hiding beneath a head of blonde locks, every boy playing guitar, every boy skateboarding with his friends,
I look to see if it's you.
But every time I look... it's not you.
And then I remember,
you are everywhere.
But I'll never stop looking.

I wrote that on the morning of April 20, 2018... Friday morning. I have spent the last 13 years trying to cope with my brothers death, trying to come to peace with it, trying to move forward, but I'm very much still pinned.
Have you ever had someone close to you pass, and you still look for them while you're out and about? Or maybe see someone that resembles them and you look closer to see if it's them? Or something reminds you of them and you intensely?
Death and mourning are both fascinating things with no timeline, rulebook, or guide; everyone handles death differently, I suppose we're all doing the best we know.

Happy 4/20, Andy, I love + miss you ♥️

My favorite beach in Los Angeles

Phew, you guys! It's been a whirlwind of a week dancing around Los Angeles, I am just as in love with that city as ever. This trip was my first visit back to LA since we moved away 2 years ago, and even in that short amount of time, LA has grown and blossomed so much! I think the most substancial change is Santa Monica's face-lift... omg, it looks SO good there! We lived in Santa Monica for years during all the major construction by the Pier, and to finally see the finished product is astonishing... the Light Rail, the walkways to the beach, Tongva Park, the vintage lights strung along Colorado; it's picture perfect.
Walking through LA brings back a flood of wonderful memories, I loved my years there and loved raising my daughter by the beach. Of course, after visiting every beach there time and time again, you find the LA coast beach hidden gems. Though each beach in LA has its perks, from the drum-circles and skaters in Venice, to the tourists lined along the coast in Santa Monica, to the gorgeous cliffs of Malibu taking wave after wave in the surf; each beach is its own.
So.
What makes a beach good? The truth is, it depends on who you ask.

We're Going To California!

To kick off my website launch, Spring, and just to celebrate life in general, it's time for some Cali sunshine, Venice Beach Boardwalks, strolling Santa Monica, and palm tree lined streets... yes, LA, I'm looking at you!
I feel like I should have been born in California, when I'm there, I feel at home. Seriously, Los Angeles has a little bit of everything I love... from beaches, to shopping, to city lights, and glam nights!
Today we are flying to one of my favorite places on Earth, a place I called home for 7 beautiful years, a place that helped sculpt me into the woman I am today... see you soon, Los Angeles!

happy girl!

I will have so many awesome things to share with you guys when I return! I know LA like the back of my hand, I've been to all the hot spots, dined in the finest restaurants, and bumped shoulders with A-Listers... I know what's hot, and what's not- this trip will be full of good food, my favorite hangouts, and some must-visit areas of LA for travelers.
See you soon! xoxo

Bow Subscription Review April 2018 - Little Poppy Co

If I had to name the mother of bow subscriptions right now, the one everyone knows about and follows on Instagram, it would hands down be Little Poppy Co. With a massive 108K following on Insta, ads on every platform, and a pretty interactive group of followers, Little Poppy Co is the most well known bow subscription shop online.
Opening my mailbox each month and finding a little pink package inside is such a giddy feeling, I love opening up my bow subscription boxes every month and Little Poppy Co's is no exception.
April bows have arrived!

My Husband Works Where?!

This happens to me often. I'll be filling out forms at a Doctor's office, or chitchatting with my hair stylist, or just having small talk with a mom at the park... and eventually my husband and our life gets brought up, leading to his field and career, and 99% of the time I get some kind of reaction when people discover his employer.
So yes, let me go ahead give you the big reveal.
My husband works for Google.

Bow Subscription Review: Sweet Cheeks Shop March 2018 Bows

     I have scrolled through hundreds of Instagram pictures seeking new and upcoming bow shops, and Sweet Cheeks Shop was one that really popped out when I first began my journey into bows. Their monthly bow subscription archive was impressive and so I gave it a whirl starting November 2017; I received December's bows around mid-late November and loved what I found... plaids and eggnogs and reds, oh my!
     When January's bows arrived, I was a little disappointed in the variety and cancelled my subscription... only to have MAJOR regrets after seeing their next month's bows. And the next months. And finally I resubscribed!
     That's the beauty of bow subscriptions, you never know what you're going to get... and when you follow a shop, and watch them grow, and see their creativity spark— you will probably love what you see!
By the way, if you're looking for a way to organize your bows, I have a free DIY Bow Organizer Tutorial here.
     For April, Sweet Cheeks Shop completely nailed Spring with delicate sweet lace, a burst of bright yellow, and a fresh mint suede with pops of gold... so much yes!