Life Lately – Happy New Year!

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Happy Year!

I hope you had an incredible holiday season and your New Year is off to a great start!

I’ve been away from this space for far too long and I have missed it. My hiatus was a little longer than I had anticipated. My dad passed away on October 29th and I needed the time to grieve.

He was a very private man, so I don’t want to use this space to eulogize him. However, what I will share is he was the best dad ever and a very kind man. I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body. He lived a good full life, one that he was happy with and in the end, that’s all that really matters.

On the morning of 31st of December, what would have been my Dad’s 85th birthday, we got up early to watch the sunrise and scatter his ashes. It was a beautiful morning. My dad would have loved it. And I believe he did. I saw a yellow butterfly an hour after we released his spirit. It was a peaceful morning that brought some much needed closure.

So, as cliché as this sounds, the end of 2019 was truly the end of a chapter of my life. But thankfully in every end, there is also a beginning.

The year 2020 is all about RENWAL and NEW BEGINNINGS for me.

As for this space, I hope to use it as it was intended. As a creative outlet as I discover my second act.

May 2020 be full of bright new beginnings for us all!

Lx.

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Happy Friday!

This time last year we did a little road trip to Oak Glen, CA to go apple picking. Apple picking is an East Coast tradition that’s as American as apple pie and I wanted Jackson to experience it at least once.

Oak Glen, CA is about 90 miles (about 1 hour and 30 minute drive) east of Newport Beach, CA. It’s a bit of a hike but well worth it. 

The farms are all beautifully decorated. The leaves on the trees are turning colors and there are apples to pick!  

Actually, there is more to do than just apple picking. You can press your own cider, enjoy hayrides, run through corn mazes and/or sunflower fields, kids’ crafts, animals to be seen, country music to be heard, shops to be explored and more. 

Apple Of My Eye!

Our kiddo loved picking apples and exploring the local area (which means something). It was the perfect way to kick off the fall season.

Should you feel up for an adventure this weekend, here are a few things I learned from last year’s day trip to Oak Glen:

  • There is more than one farm – Riley’s Apple Farm, Los Rios Rancho, Willowbrook Apple Farm, Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard to name a few – and each farm offers different activities so do your research in advance. 
  • It’s extremely busy making it difficult to find parking.
  • There are a few restaurants in town but I would recommend packing a picnic lunch to save money and avoid the long lines. You can always buy some treats at the orchard’s merchant shops to add to your picnic and sample the local fare.
  • Because the town is mile high in elevation, you will find it about 10-15 degrees cooler than its surrounding So Cal valleys, so bring a sweater.

Wow, I got a little off topic on that trip down memory lane!

Any ways, here are some links from about the web that caught my attention this week.

  • How much is that piece of paper worth?
  • Female entrepreneurs reshaping how we connect and do business.
  • With our oldest heading off to university next fall, this one hits close to home for a few reasons.
  • Instagram is rolling out a new anti-bullying feature call “Restrict“.
  • It’s OBVIOUS why you don’t need a PhD to enjoy wine.

I hope you have a great weekend!

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A pretty fall planter – Roger’s Gardens

Happy Friday!

I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. Workout, pedicure, hair appointment and grocery shopping. I didn’t say it was a tough one, just busy! We don’t have any big plans for the weekend. Well, unless you count yet another seven year old birthday party we will be attending on Sunday afternoon. It’s a pool party so I’m sure the kiddos will have fun.

Below are a few links from around the web…

Now that it’s fall, it’s time to start making soup. 

Physical decline as we age is inevitable, but Smart Exercise Keeps You Younger for Longer.

We made Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos on Tuesday night and they were delicious! They would also be the perfect Friday night dinner.

I’m totally on board with the snake print trend, but I can’t let go of leopard print and feel this skirt would get some use over the next few months.

A very cool apartment in Ahmedabad, India.

Believe it or not, our six (almost seven) year old has decided he doesn’t want to go out for Halloween as such, I’ve been racking my head for some alternatives.

Thinking of doing a post graduate degree, some interesting thoughts here, and here.

Remember when we had a President that posted things like this.

For the design enthusiast living Orange County, CA, have you heard the news?

Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope it’s a good one!

Image: Life + Style ReDesigned

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Hello Monday!

What did you get up to this weekend?

We SLEPT in!

Our little human alarm clock didn’t go off at 6:00 am, so we stayed in bed till 7:00 am – not just on Saturday, but Sunday too!

I know, it wasn’t the longest lie in but I honestly can’t remember the last time we slept until 7:00 am. So, it was a real treat for us.

Our kiddo has always been a good sleeper, but waking up at 6 am has been the norm for the past 6 3/4 years. He’s at an age where he can get up on his own, go downstairs to watch cartoons and make his own breakfast – I’m talking a bowl of cereal – but he still chooses to loudly announce to us each morning “I’m ready to wake up!” 

I’m a morning person, so the early mornings don’t bother me. But every now and again it’s nice to sleep in, even if it’s only an extra hour.

Here are a few links from around the web:

  • These look so light and fluffy and ’tis the season for pumpkin everything so, I’m sure I’ll be making them next weekend.
  • Now that the weather has changed ever so slightly, I’ve got my eye on this sweater for daytime and this one would be perfect for date night!
  • Will you be ditching the dye anytime soon? I myself can’t decide but clearly, Jennifer Aniston has made her decision.
  • Time to rethink  Rose All Day ?
  • Check out this California cool home.
  • The secret to properly bake a potato.
  • My husband is going to do this in October and he thinks I should too!?!

It’s time for me to workout. So, let’s do this Monday!

Image: Life + Style ReDesigned