Adventure with The Brows Family!

 

 

As I've mentioned both here and here, it's been waaaaaay too long since I've hung out with this family. They are so awesome I cry a little every time I'm around them. Tears of joy and laughter that is. Seriously though, I find myself tearing up from laughing so hard several times in an hour when we all get together. It's a nutty bunch for sure.

Sunday we had an adventure day in which we took Baby Brows to The New Children's Museum. I didn't know what to expect but I figured Lil Brows (I guess we can't really call him Baby Brows any longer, look how big he is!) would have fun and I would have fun seeing what all he got in to.

First we stopped at El Pollo Loco because I was very hungry and I ordered what seemed to be a really complicated burrito (BRC no rice) which we laughed about and then went on. Lil Brows was a little sleepy but he gratefully accepted my french fries that I passed his way on the car ride.

When we arrived the first thing we did was walk through a maze. It was cute nicely decorated, and all of us fit through the holes somehow. Impressive. After some crawling around we took a look at the clay area as well as a painted car. Lil Brows didn't care for the clay or the car, but the wood dowel for rolling out the clay definitely caught his eye. He carried it around for a bit there after.

Next Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s decided it was time for Lil Brows to play some drums. And that he did. He LOVED it. He used the drum sticks given and he also switched it up to the popsicle sticks he had borrowed and that wooden dowel. Unfortunately TNCM put the drums in the same area as a giant bean bag and a reading corner... so the other families in there weren't as stoked... we may have had some sideways glances. Here's the deal patchouli Dad*... don't blame Lil Brows or us... the museum put them in there, obviously they don't actually want you napping in their museum, they want you to explore everything and eat in their cafe and get out! So we helped with that. Move it along people, move it along.

Next we spent some serious time making bridges and other structures out of blocks that Lil Brows would leave alone until they got really good and then would give them a little push. Bless his heart.

After the blocks we moved on through the other rooms pretty quick, the rain house was Lil Brows other favorite place, he ran around in there with the other kids and we a tad upset when we took him out until we showed him something else, like the rock climbing wall. Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s climbed it but he had no interest so away we went again to run cars without wheels around and get some bubbles going.

By the time we hit the bubbles we were all feeling a little hungry so Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s suggested a walk to Heavenly Cupcakes... nobody said no.

The cupcakes were delicious. I only managed half of mine, there was an oreo inside as well as the chocolate cake part and the intense amount of frosting. 

We rode back to Casa de Brows and chatted while Lil Brows ran around like a little crazy person (oh cupcakes) and then it was time for me to head back north for Sunday dinner at my dad's house.

I can't believe how much Lil Brows has grown, I mean, I can but it's just crazy that I use to hang out with him before he could even walk. I saw his first crawl and his first steps! And now he's talking, running around and drumming like a little man! Goodness they grow up so fast. I can't wait for the next adventure!

xoxo

*he looked a little hippie like... I apologize to those who like patchouli

Onward and Upward: Six Questions

Since this is the first post I'll explain a little. Onward and Upward is a new series where I explore my thoughts, wishes, dreams and other things. It's a little bit of introspection and a lot a bit goal sharing. Sometimes I will find questions from another blog post, sometimes from books... feel free to join me in answering the questions or even leave some that have helped you in your day to day life.  

I filled out these questions months ago and I kept putting off publishing them in a post. But I kept coming back to read the, and I liked my answers and they didn't change much over the months. So here they are, feel free to answer your own.

I don't remember where I got these from, if you know shoot me a comment and I'll link back!

1. What do I absolutely love in life?

reading, photography, toy photography, some old things like trinkets and memorabilia, looking good and put together, freshly washed, cut and dyed hair, new piercings, new tattoos, a good conversation with a friend, plans, a new love interest, feeling wanted, feeling appreciated, feeling attractive, dancing, feeling strong, feeling smart, feeling necessary, feeling creative, sharing something great with others, making the perfect recommendation...

2. What are my greatest accomplishments in life so far?

- Daphne Loves Derby at The Epicentre selling 300+ tickets which then led to my boss getting them booked and the show selling out.

- Graduating college cum laude

- being a part of a kick ass essay writing team for the Media Literacy class, the essay was entered into a competition

- getting through the hard winter in Portland

3. What would I stand for if I knew no one would judge me?

Write, make art, paint, run my own business, teach classes, train dolphins, life coach, plan events, blog for money, be a nude model for an art class

4. If my life had absolutely no limits and I could have it all and do whatever I wanted what would I choose to have and what would I choose to do?

Friends, family, time with both, enough money to live comfortably and send my child to college.

If this started tomorrow I would move into a one bedroom in San Francisco and start writing for online and in print publications. I would travel around, take pictures, go to seminars, blog, learn, teach, share, make blankets, read, drink tea, cook new things sometimes in a clean and bright kitchen. I would learn piano and Spanish and see the sun and I would have a perfect wardrobe of classic pieces. I would be able to fit my life (sans bed, desk, nightstand and a couch) into my car to move. I would have a clean house with a beautifully made bed, whites, grays, dark blues and a tad of yellow. I would have a kitten and a boyfriend. I would have a pole to train on and a studio to go to and I would perform at least a couple of times a year. I would be strong but constantly working to be stronger and more flexible, to improve in several types of dance outside of pole (contemporary, tango, shakira type... hip hop).

My sleeve would be under way not at a complete halt. I don't need anything to be there immediately I just want progress and right now I still feel that I am at a stand still. I would have time to take pictures weekly, adventures to go on, prints to sell...

5. What would I do if I had one billion dollars?

Move to SF

Book my 6 month trip to Argentina to study spanish and photography

Come back and study more photography on the east coast

Live in a beach house on the east coast and write

exercise

Visit, if not live in, Nashville Tennessee

Take classes on graphic design, photoshop, painting, writing, finance

All the places I would want to live in wouldn't be 70's style, they will have a decent view, big windows, good window coverings, access to pole classes and exercise studios, a nice bathtub, natural light in every room. A room for a pole.

6. Who do I admire most in the world?

Lauren Conrad

- down to earth (seems like), true to self,

Dad

- hard worker

- dedicated

- determined

- stable minded

Tara

- lives her life with little apology for who she is

Emma Stone

- funny, smart, pretty, talented, multi faceted, down to earth

Hayley Williams

- great voice, great attitude, powerhouse voice

Zooey Deschanel

-funny, quirky, cute, smart, talented, charismatic

xoxo

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52 photos in 52 weeks: Week 34

 

These were taken at The New Children's Museum when I had an adventure with The Brows family. I know it's been a bit, but if you'll remember my Wednesday With Baby Brows series... it was so good to be reunited. But I've said that already... in the last post. And I'll probably say it again in the next, when I share more pictures from the day.

As for the photos, this day/venue was challenging for me because I am still learning, by guesswork and trial and error, how to shoot in manual. Challenges are not to be frowned upon though, I'm learning and I don't think any one picture was perfect lighting wise but I was switching between and giving it my best shot and heck, none of them came out horrible. So there's a feather in my cap for working in Manual in an environment with constantly changing light.  

Until next week (or next post really)...

xoxo

Currently

So much going on per usual. I thought about that phrase before I typed it and realized that many (any) could say that so much is going on, I mean, in our body alone so much is going on, let alone what happens with our day to day interactions and routines... but that's not what I meant.
What I meant was, there is a lot going on in my mental sphere that I have to organize, relabel and rework to create a happier me. 
I've been having really great hang out sessions with some of my friends, one (food pictured above) was brunch with my lovely friend Jesse. Her and I went to, well, yeah, obviously, The Encinitas Cafe and ate, and ate and ate. The waitress was impressed and told us to come back because we know how to eat. Good thing I was wearing a dress, my stomach would have hated the confines of pants after that delicious meal.
I finally got a chance to hang out with The Brows again. It's been about seven months and let's just make a promise to ourselves (you have really no control over this blog world, but I'm including you anyway) to never let that much time pass again before another hang out. Seriously not cool. But going to The Children's Museum was awesome and getting cupcakes and laughing until I cried at the jokes we made about anything and everything. Much, much needed laughter for an otherwise serious day. 
Rach and I went for Thai food and chatting at this delicious place called The King and I in San Marcos recently. So good. Thai Society in Encinitas is also good for Thai food, I found out a few days later for the second to last family dinner we had before T went back to college.
There's been some drinking, jacuzzi-ing, eating, laughing, watching shows, falling asleep on people's couches and all sorts of other things that happened to normal people when they were younger but I just started experiencing now. 
This summer has been one to remember, full of jobs (3.5), beer, tequila, sun, photoshoots and just all around shenanigans. It's coming to an end though, and with it's end comes a need to buckle down just a little harder. But until then, here's some currently for ya:

Reading: 
Just finished reading: The Hobbit, The Summer We Read Gatsby and Ender's Game. I'm still reading The Girl's Guide to Depravity (funny read, definitely not all serious) and still working through The Fire Starter Sessions.
My next fiction book will probably be The Night Circus and I have checked out Freakonomics and What French Women Know... I don't know if I'm going to end up reading both but we'll see. I have about two more weeks with them before they go back.

Watching: 
Only Pretty Little Liars really, unless I'm at a friends house, then whatever they put on. I bought and watched The Hunger Games with a friend the other day. It was still good the second time, though I didn't cry. Most likely because said friend is a dude and I do my best to never cry around dues, including my dad... though I always end up at least tearing up around my dad. We have tough conversations sometimes. Good, but tough.

Thinking about: 
Moving out, about making money stretch, about setting up new habits, about teaching myself how not to freak out and turn what currently looks like this hard, unpleasant road into a challenge that I can meet, beat and go forth from. 
Making me sad: 
The lack of rain or lower temperatures. I like wearing sweaters, scarves are awesome too. You know what's really awesome? Rain. Yeah, not like constant rain but way more than San Diego rain (which could mean just 5 days of rain really...not even in a row). 
Also, a good friend of mine, Miss Rachael, is leaving for college here soon. Those who work with her have decided it's just not going to be the same without her. There may be tears the day we say goodbye... from our friend Josh. I'll probably not cry until later in bed while eating semi stale rice cakes or something. 
Making me happy: 
I got to see The Brows on Sunday and it's been way, way, way too long. They are fantastic, hilarious people and Baby Brows is growin up. He's more like Talkin' Brows now. Sheesh. I was crying from laughing so hard (a kind of cry I will do around a guy) within 10 minutes of seeing them. It was quite fantastic. 

specific prompts from Sometimes Sweet

xoxo

Happily Wasted

First things first, my love for Taylor Swift... even better, her new song and lyrics in an incredibly creative display. Watch above!

The rest:
Let's just get to the point then shall we #1. (40 ways to feel more alive)
Blog brainstorming (I must say I first typed it as brain blogstorming...) with Elsie and Emma. Love those ladies.
I'm so in hearts with Kinsey's gorgeous hair and natural make up
Oh it's time for another adventure with Ms Lisa again... until then I can enjoy her self portraits. They are just so dang good!
Carnivals and fairs melt my heart a little, especially when they are the scene to a photo shoot.
Brandi writes a bit about curating her life... I'm intrigued and want to know more about her processes!

Do you have any links you absolutely need to share with someone? Leave them in the comments!

xoxo

52 photos in 52 weeks: Week 33

 

week 33 was self portrait week... well, more like it was self portrait day. I was getting ready, I was house sitting for my dad and they have this bathroom with so many mirrors and such great light I couldn't stop myself from taking a few pictures and playing with reflections. Nerd? Maybe. Definitely. Guilty as charged. 

I feel like I need to take more pictures. I feel like I'm lagging a bit, like I'm not taking my camera out nearly enough. I get shy around my friends. I don't take pictures of them. Maybe if I did long enough they would just get use to it and expect it. I love having pictures of my friends. 

When I bought new memory cards for my camera I received a coupon for 100 free prints from costco so I decided to print out a lot of pictures of friends no matter if they weren't the most flattering to us. If the moment held good memories it was picked and printed. I'm going to make a collage here soon. 

I also made myself a blurb book of instagram pictures. It was a bit expensive for the fact that I didn't have a theme going, but it was a thing I wanted to do this year and so there it was. No time like the present and what not. 

Other than that... not much. Well, that's not true, lots of hanging out with friends, lots of working, some reading, and obviously not that much blogging. Here's to getting back to a little more even schedule. 

xoxo

Burn Bright

via

After reading a post by Brandi over at Not Your Average Ordinary I thought I might share some thoughts of my own.

The subject: intimidating women 

I am not a heartbreaker (that I know of), I don't find myself to be drop dead gorgeous, and up until recently I didn't think myself to be much smarter than the masses. Many have told me otherwise since I was born (first parents and then those who didn't have the first baby stars in their eyes...) but my own brain, often the perfectionist enemy, wouldn't listen.

I, like many other women before me, have found myself change slightly (or exponentially) when interested in certain guys or even certain friendships with other women. I've grown quieter with some, louder with others... I've tried to censor what I talked about, I've tried to keep out certain parts of my life and it's always left me feeling exhausted and frustrated.

I found early on, well, maybe in high school, that when I changed who I was, what I liked or what I thought for other people, my motivation to do things and enjoy life would diminish. Soon I stopped apologizing for who I was, what I liked, and what I wanted to do.

Soon I found myself wondering: Why would I tone down who I am? Why would I soften my shine? 

If someone finds me to be intimidating and can't get past the intimidation to get to know me then it's not meant to be anyway.

Yes it's frustrating to constantly feels like I am scaring guys away. To not know if they disappear because they want someone dumber, less enthusiastic or less expressive. But it's even more frustrating to dumb it down and then eventually let it out and still have the person walk away. 

When I try to dumb it down, when I leave things out or hide parts of who I am I feel like crap. I feel like I'm only showing part of who I am and that I'm telling a lie. I have learned time and time again that starting out a relationship hiding things isn't going to work for me.

So here it is:
I will not dumb down my enthusiasm, my mouth, my occasional vulgarity, my willingness to be silly or my wants in life just to keep a person around. It’s surprising to me how many people stick around (some of which even fight to stay in my life) and so I figure I’m doing something right at least part of the time. I will apologize when I have offended someone or have done something wrong, but change who I am or dull it down? Where’s the fun in that. 

I feel like dulling my shine is like giving someone almost in season berries when I could be serving them, in season, bursting with flavor fruits. No one would order the dulled version of their perfect food... The person (or persons... who knows in this life) that I am suppose to be with are attracted to my qualities already, they aren't looking for some half baked me, just like I'm not looking for a dulled down, less passionate, contained them. 
While my passion, my excitement, my facial expressions, my intelligence, perceived  beauty, hair color or tattoos might intimidate or scare people off, they also draw other people closer. Someone out there will love my enthusiasm and may even have a boat load of his own, and we’ll mutually intimidate each other and giggle about it for years to come.

Ladies (and gents) have you found yourself dulling down what you are, what you do, what you like etc so as not to intimidate someone you want to be friends (or more) with?

xoxo