Freedom Day

Gosh, sorry y'all. I was off living life yesterday, and I'm sure you just missed me terribly.

Right?

Sure.

I hope you all enjoyed your day of freedom from work (hopefully) and from the British (WOO!). You know, personally, I can take or leave the 4th of July, as a holiday. It's okay. But I enjoyed myself yesterday.

My parents throw a party every year due to their excellent view of the Santa Barbara fireworks, and of course I usually attend. Plus my sis and her boyfriend were in town for the weekend, along with her pup.

I'm always happy to help my mama out in the kitchen, so I spent the first part of the party there, and the second part drinking a bottle of wine.

Wiiine.

But let's not talk about wine, let's talk about food. And freedom. (I did go to the new SB CorePower yesterday, and freedom was the theme chosen by the instructor. FREEDOM!)

That whole introducing food groups slowly? Didn't work. Freedom is hard. But, you know, nothing has affected me awfully terribly. So that's good news.

Also in good news: I actually can handle freedom, in some ways. I have not gone crazy on portions, or on options. I had a few things the last two days that stray away from the way I've been eating the last month, but I wasn't tempted to go hog wild and binge on anything or everything. I was content to eat like a person.

Win for me.

Freedom tastes great.

'MERIKA.

Star Trekkin'

Last night after therapy (rescheduled from Wednesday since I had my work BBQ) I met up with my daddy-o in Culver City for Chipotle and Star Trek! Super entertaining, I recommend it.

However, the intent of the film was probably not for me to walk away with a crush on the villain, but that's what happened.

Mmm. Benedict Cumberbatch. So weirdly attractive.

That is all.

Venice Views

I'm on a roll this week, guys! Three nights in a row, I've done social shit. It's like I'm a real person.

Friday night's event was a celebratory dinner for my baby cousin whose only three years younger than me, who just graduated from UCLA like a boss. We went to C&O Trattoria near the Venice boardwalk, and I got to see my grandma and aunt and uncle and various family members. A grand time was had by all.

Pictures.

And...yeah.

Dad Date Style

I went out to dinner with my father last night, who is working with a company in LA right now. While we only went to the restaurant on the corner, I took it as an excuse to you know...wear clothes, since I rarely go out in the world.

LOOK.

A STYLE POST.

Haven't seen one of these in a while, have you?

• Top by Naked Zebra
• Jacket by Forever 21
• Skirt by Lily White
• Shoes by Aerosoles
• Jewelry by ?

The Whole Crazy

My father is a nut.

A loveable nut, but a nut just the same.

For the last, oh, four or five months or so, he's been quite fixated on his new way of eating, The Whole 9, which is in essence, Paleo minus the stupid fucking "caveman" schtick. No wheat, no dairy, no gluten, no sugar. No legumes, no potatoes. No soy. No joy.

Daddy-O claims this way of eating gives him tons of energy, helped him lose weight, and eradicated most of his cravings for the "bad" things. He's quite the evangelist.

He's been on me to try it too, but I respond with a) I don't like to eat by cutting out entire food groups, 'cause I live by moderation and restricting something is the best way to guarantee I'll eat nothing but that specific thing, b) I'm 25 and I don't really need more energy, and c) I like cheese.

So last night, I started talking about how with my raise, I really really really want a MacBook.

And then my dad bribed me.

He asked how much money he would have to pay me to get me to try The Whole 30, which is (obviously) following the program for a full 30 days. He really things that it will be great for me and my health, and apparently thinks bribery is the way to get me to do it.

He knows me well.

I said, "Buy me my Mac."

Done.

Buying my new laptop today, starting the program tomorrow.

Hello, Paleo!

 

MY MAMA'S HOME Links

My parents arrived back on American soil last night. Yayyyyy!

Today, we'll be dining out in Hollywood and seeing FLEETWOOD FUCKING MAC.

Enjoy some links. I'll be off living life and drinking drinks.


22 Dreamy Art Installations You Want To Live In

Oh my stars, this is so amazing. The brains on some people, I mean seriously...I want to frolic in the rain palace, and play in the sticker room...ALL OF THEM.

We've Asked The Pros: What Are The Best GIFs Of All Time?

So, have you heard? Apparently "gif" is supposed to be pronounced "jif". Like the peanut butter. I will not be pronouncing it as such, but hey, via GoFugYourself, check out Refinery29's compilation of the best gifs. G-IFs.

Helen Mirren Has Tea with Dying Boy After Actual Queen Says No

God, I love this woman. She is grace and class and everything I want to be. What a lucky boy.

15 Grandmas Killing It On Facebook

Bahahaha. My grandma has a FB but never uses it. I almost wish she would.

And last but lost least, unless you're living underneath a rock, tomorrow is the premiere of Season Four of "Arrested Development". OH. FUCK. YES.

Check out these four clips from the new episodes. Personally, I have not watched, because I want it to all be fresh and new. But I'm linking them for you, because I'm generous like that.

Mama's Little Princess Bride

Last night in therapy, I cried a lot.

I don't always cry, despite the fact that I've taken to referring to it as my "cry hour". But I've struggled the past few days, and while I've been pretty gentle with myself, haven't been too vicious in my head, and haven't fully thrown myself off the cliffs of insanity, it's been hard.

Five minutes in, we kind of figured something out.

I miss my mommy.

It's so silly, I know. But it's also not. As I mentioned, my parents are on a cruise in Italia, so I've lost my daily chats with my mom. And that's basically my only constant comfort and contact with the world outside my head. Sure, I have friends I chat with online, my Biff to text, and people I talk to at work, but of course that's not the same as an actual conversation about your day and your feelings with someone who cares about you.

Yeah, I'm twentyfuckingfive and I really need my mommy.

Stupid Italy, TAKING HER AWAY FROM ME.

(And my daddy.)

I knew on Sunday that my little binge was fueled partially by loneliness, but I pushed away that realization the last couple of days. Together with my therapist we realized that could very well be a big component of my struggles this week. It's not so much that I just MISS MY MAMA, it's that I need that connection, that structure. I call her every morning when I drive to work and every evening on my way home, and usually speak to her at least one other time throughout the day, and I've been doing this for...years. Since I left home.

I even realized that maybe I sometimes subconsciously call her as a substitute for doing self-sabotaging things. Like Tuesday, I planned on lunch yoga, and instead around the time I would have left and got in the car to call her, I instead decided to eat chips and be a lazy cow. I can't guarantee there's a direct link but it's something to think about.

My therapist said maybe the reason I struggle so much with self-regulation is that I'm so used to having a primary relationship, my mother, as a steadying force. Without that this week, I have no one to call when I'm struggling. Obviously I need to work on my relationship with myself, but it's not necessarily a bad thing to rely on the support of a primary person in your life. It's just not always going to be my mama.

God, I'm going to be a gem of a bride, right?

Meowther's Day

Okay, that pun was awful.

I'm sorry.

But hey, Happy Mother's Day! If you are a mother, or you have a mother. Or you like mothers. I hope you're having a good day, full of love, cards, and food. Isn't that what these commercialized holidays are all about?

My mama flew away to Italy on Friday, because she's fancy like that. Which means, alas, I will be without our daily phone calls for two whole weeks. I kind of don't know what I'm going to do with myself.

I may be a little co-dependent.

Anyway, the only Mother's Day celebrating I'll be doing is with my Mr. Tree, who sent me this oh so sweet card last week:

Funny, the handwriting looks kind of like my mom's.

Happy Birthday to my predecessor.

Happy Birthday to my sister, who turns 27 today. Daaamn. This is how I imagine her today.

She doesn't read my blog, which is totally fine because now I can talk about her without her reading it and getting a big ego.

We have an inside joke about how she left etching on the wall of my mother's uterus, bits of wisdom and insight for me so I'd know what to expect when I emerged into the world. It's in moments like that, when we joke together and share a sense of humor other people can't quite get, that I love her beyond measure.

I love my sister because she's ridiculous like me, but she appears to not give one flying fuck what people think. She'll say what she thinks, do what she wants, dance whatever crazy weird dance emerges from her soul, and it's usually hilarious and entertaining for all around.

She's tiny and adorable and blonde (usually, currently brunette like me and sometimes a redhead) and beautiful, with a memorable face, kind of Kristen Bell-esque.

She's always entertaining, usually good-intentioned, sometimes sympathetic and often impossible. We don't always get along, I will admit that without pause, but when we do she's a great sister and friend, and I'm grateful to have her.

Even if she tried to steal my birthday Barbie that one time when I was four.

Easter Morning

Twenty five years old, and my mother still makes me an Easter basket. Despite our lack of religion, or observation of any other Easter tradition. 'Cause she's the best mommy in the whole wide world, obviously.

• An extremely generous Bed, Bath, & Beyond gift card to pair with one from my grandma, to buy new towels and other exciting things for my apartment. You know you've been domesticated when that titillates you as much as a shoe purchase.
• Much needed Neutrogena makeup remover wipes.
• Delicious pomegranate and citrus scented bath products.
• Cadbury creme eggs, 'cause everyone knows my love for them. My Biff also gave me a package of minis last night. And I already ate a box by myself this week. I need to freeze some of these to enjoy throughout the year, when they are scarce and I'm deprived. 

Thank you, Mom!

A Lady's Worst Fear

It seems a cultural certainty that every woman fears becoming her mother. This particular cliche runs rampant in our society, and I won't deny that when I was younger I too thought this was something to avoid at all costs.

I realized this weekend as I stood handing out sandwiches at the Barbara Ireland Walk, wiggling my booty to the sweet, sweet sounds of some Earth, Wind and Fire, in many ways I am exactly like my mother.

And I am pretty content about it.

I will dance wherever I am, even if no one else is, just like she always has. I'm sure I will embarrass my children just as she embarrassed me as a kid, but isn't that what moms are for?

Honestly, my mom is pretty much the best. The best mom, the best woman, the best human being, one of my very best friends (don't be jealous, Biff). 

If I end up just like her, I'll be pretty damn lucky.

In Birthday Vino Veritas

According to Facebook, the entire world is drinking beer (most of it green) to celebrate some holiday honoring St. Patrick of the Ireland Nation. It's like, a thing.

I'm apparently too classy for that shit, 'cause I just got tipsy on wine all day.

Yes, this is the culmination of my birthday celebrations. I will stop now, I swear...although my sister still hasn't given me a present. What a bitch, riiiight? JOOOOKE. Yeah, but really. Done with the birthday whoring after this, swearsies.

I may still be drunk.

PICTURES.

And some talking, also.

Yes.

We headed up to Los Olivos around 11:30. The second we rose above sea level, left Santa Barbara and headed into the mountains, the fog cleared and the sun brightened up the inside of the car, and Deuce perked his head up from the back seat.

OH YEAH WE BROUGHT THE DOG.

First we hit the Stolpman tasting room, and enjoyed salads from Panino on their outdoor patio, and also enjoyed you know...wine. Fully approved of their tasting offerings, 'cause obviously I have a very sophisticated palate and am able to differentiate between good and great wines.

Then we wandered around Los Olivos for a bit, enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Oh, it's snowing where you are? I'm sorry, I'm such a bitch. I had to take off my sweater 'cause I WAS HOT.

My mom insisted on taking me to the garden store, which was wise on her part. 'Cause it was a magical paradise and I loved it. I took a gazillion pictures, everywhere you turned was some fascinating novelty or nifty discovery, I could have spent hours there looking around.

Next we headed to the Melville winery and again lounged outside, drinking, with a view of their vineyards and shade for the sunned-out pup and myself.

Then we drove all the way to Lompoc to the "Wine Ghetto", a row of warehouses with wine production facilities. We wanted to try the Longoria tasting room, and it was definitely worth the trip...of course, once there we found out there was a tasting room in Los Olivos too. Oh well. It was nifty to see all the big barrels and shit. Mmhmm. Poor Dubsie had to stay in the car.

Then home. I drunkenly dozed on the way. Then dinner, now drinking more wine, because that's just absolutely necessary. Obviously.

And there is birthday cake.

CAKE.

"It's my birthday, I'll get high if I want to..."

Or, you know, drunk. As the case may be.

While wine tasting.

The celebrations continue this weekend. More on this later. I'm off all day with my parents in the Santa Ynez Valley, drinking vino, and taking pictures, and being a lucky little bitch.

Listen to Florence cover Drake.

Now listen to it remixed.

Walk for the Cure

Today, I did something good for someone besides myself.

Imagine that.

My mom has worked with the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara for years, so I have participated in their events and volunteered with the organization sporadically since high school. Today was their annual Barbara Ireland Walk for Breast Cancer Research, and 100% of the money raised goes directly towards research at the Cancer Center.

A few weeks ago, I put my sponsor sheet up on the white board in my office kitchen and wrote a note that I was trying to raise $100 for my walk. I'd earned it within a few hours. Within a day, I'd doubled it. I am still completely blown away by the generosity everyone at my company showed! By today, with my coworkers' help and the assistance of  two friends from Weight Watchers, I earned almost $500 for the cause. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me!

It was a beautiful, if chilly and foggy morning in Santa Barbara . My mama had to get up super early to be there for registration, and my dad and I headed down around 8AM to be there for the kick-off. The energy was awesome, everyone was there to show love and support for friends or family that have had their lives touched by cancer, and I was so happy to be there to help out my mom.

Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, herself a breast cancer survivor, was there to say a few words.

The event is hosted by, obviously, Barbara Ireland, mother of Kathy Ireland. Who was there, so of course I took a creeper pic, with Barbara in the background. Is that better or worse than asking to take a picture with her, like one lady did?

You could run or walk a 5k, 10k or 15k. along the foggy coastline. I walked the 5k with my daddy ('cause this squishy bitch don't run yet), who went on to finish the 15k running/walking. We did it in about 40 minutes or so, which is pretty quick, right? I don't know. I'm a speedy walker. My heart rate monitor was on the fritz, but I got my sweat on.

A bunch of business in Santa Barbara donated their time and services to create a "Spa Zone" for participants after they finished their portion of the course. You could get a manicure (which I needed, but didn't get), a 10 minute massage (did it!), a chiropractor adjustment (no), or attend a mellow 30 minute anusara yoga class (well, duh). Then I volunteered at the lunch booth for a couple hours handing out sandwiches, chips and water to the hungry walkers.

It was such a wonderful event and I'm so happy that I not only participated, but got to volunteer my time and help out. It was great to see the wide variety of people who showed up, from the very young to the very old, from the cancer survivors in shirts that proclaimed, "Yes, they're fake. My real ones tried to kill me!" to their granddaughters who insisted the whole family turn out for the walk. Everyone was so positive and friendly, and I'm just glad I got to be a part of it.

Also, dog in a stroller.

A Hollywood Birthday

Last night I celebrated my birthday with my parents in our usual way: dinner and a show.

We dined at Katsuya in Hollywood, which is one of LA's trendiest sushi spots. I'm a big fan, though my favorite Japanese spot in town remains Sugarfish. Katsuya first introduced me to the joys of crispy rice with spicy tuna a few years ago, which I enjoyed along with a california roll topped with sauteed shrimp, mushrooms and asparagus and albacore, almond and eggplant in a miso glaze. Oh, and two watermelon cucumber mojitos, and a chocolate lava birthday cake dessert. NOM.

For our show, we saw the Catch Me If You Can musical at the Pantages theater, which I've mentioned before is my favorite venue. So beautiful! Catch Me If You Can holds the coveted title of being both a favorite book AND movie (others include The Virgin Suicides and The Princess Bride), so I was so stoked to see it on stage and it did not disappoint. The show is tons of fun, with catchy, retro songs, all the charm and wit of the film, and great sets and costumes. The lead actor was phenomenal, and the supporting cast all did a great job. If the tour comes through your town, I recommend you check it out!

I'm headed up to SB for the weekend so of course the birthday celebrating will continue for a few more days. I AM A BIRTHDAY WHORE. But last night was absolutely fantastic and I'm so grateful to my parents for always giving me awesome bdays. We were reminiscing last night about the various ways we've celebrated over the last few years, and I'm so lucky they put in the time and effort to do such fun things with me.

I guess they kinda like me.