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a kind 2018

February 2, 2018 by Lara Leave a Comment

I’ll be the first to admit, it wasn’t a happy New Year. No big New Year’s plans and no compelling need to see 12:01. Whereas I don’t think I could keep my eyes open last year with our three month old, this time I had no interest in it. I think we went to bed around 10PM and the next morning, I tried to pretend it was just another chilly day. With each “Happy New Year” I had to nod and agree to in passing, I looked to the calendar, wondering when that would finally fade from being the preferred greeting. Because to me, it’s not. The idea of a New Year with no new memories with my mom was – and still is – unbearable. But here we are just the same.

Usually I’m excited about planning the New Year and thinking through my resolutions but, no surprise, I didn’t do that for 2018. Now we’re one month in, and the only goals I have really set are for my day job. I just finally sent out the last of our holiday cards today, haven’t worked out since New Year’s Day (my one nod to January 1st, a five year tradition I’ve had) and I’ve been embracing eating pretty much whatever I’ve wanted to consume. [Read more…]

reflection on 2017

January 6, 2018 by Lara Leave a Comment

I usually love to pause for a bit of reflection and going through the highs of the year and do a summary in the final days of December. This year, I had a bit of a hard time putting down words and just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I think there’s something good though about traditions and, of course, stopping to focus on the good. This will be short, but I wanted to try to do the same for 2017.

This was a big year for us. We moved out of the city in March and closed on our new home on Cinco de Mayo. It’s been a busy year of trying to figure out what homeownership means, addressing some unexpected issues, and adjusting to full-time ‘burb life. We also celebrated our second wedding anniversary. [Read more…]

missing mama

December 31, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

The holidays have almost come and gone, but they felt like they never arrived this year for us. The tree went up and the cookies we’d planned to make somehow went into and out of the oven, but it hasn’t come close to being the same.

I could never bring myself to imagine a world without my mom. Every time she referenced this day, I shrugged it off. Mom had overcome so many things over the years that I don’t think I ever thought there’d be something she couldn’t surpass. In my mind, she’d always be invincible. Larger than life. Yet somehow a little over 2 weeks ago we suddenly lost my best friend.

My mom taught me so much over the years – from big things like love, selflessness, overcoming heartache and standing up for myself to the little things, like her love of baking, her impeccable skill for getting stains out and ability to find the most gorgeous home decor elements at Marshall’s. And she taught so many others things, too. We’ve been watching comments come in over the weeks on Facebook from those who were her students, other students at Grissom High School or Huntsville Middle School who knew her, fellow band parents and those who went to church with my parents. Reading those stories have given our family so much joy.

38 years ago she took a big chance on having me – the biggest one possible. While 38 years will never come close to being enough time, I’m thankful for every one of those beautiful 13,971 days we had together. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect mom.

I don’t know what heaven looks like, but I’d like to think it looks like Destin, Florida – her favorite. Peaceful, seagulls overhead, and my mom smiling, reaching for my hand to walk with her in the sand.

I’ll be there, Mom. Someday.

We are helping to raise money for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in her honor. If you’re interested in helping, please visit this link and indicate in honor of Linda E. Ruth to my attention, notification address of 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Thank you.

italian dinner at bestia

December 7, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

When I made plans with some fellow Tori fans to attend the three LA shows at the end of the tour, I set a goal to go to at least one nice meal in Los Angeles. I did some research on hottest restaurants in the area and polled some friends either who currently or have previously lived there and the obvious must visit was Bestia for some top notch Italian fare. I thought a reservation would be impossible, but lo and behold there was one 5:15PM reservation waiting for me on OpenTable. [Read more…]

[giveaway] teeth whitening with smile brilliant

November 28, 2017 by Lara 18 Comments

There are three things I firmly believe are necessary for successful parenting – a great partner, a support network of family/friends, and caffeine. Lots of caffeine. T supported number three with a beautiful push gift – an espresso machine from Breville. And boy has it served its purpose. We’ve plowed through coffee from Birch, Eataly and, most recently, Orleans Coffee. Unlike cappuccinos I’ve bought at coffee shops, making them at home means I can get a perfect rich and thick layer of foam. Those of you who have visited us at our new home know that I’m pretty obsessed with this.

It also means it’s super easy to have not one but two in a morning – which, though lovely, has meant my pearly whites as of late have been looking a tad… well, dull. Know he feels the same as well. [Read more…]

waffle menu at 4 brothers breakfast

November 27, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

We were out running errands one weekend and I thought we should use that as an excuse to try a new restaurant. When I read about 4 Brothers Breakfast in Warren, NJ, I knew that was exactly where we needed to go. The owners are originally from Alabama and I read their waffles, biscuits and sweet tea were more than worth the visit.

Thankfully I knew based on looking on the maps, but this is a spot tucked into a strip mall. We were there early on a Sunday morning but made reservations just in case on Yelp. It wasn’t a problem when we arrived but when we left (around 11:30/noon) the place was hopping and we would have encountered a wait.

[Read more…]

homemade biscuits

November 26, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

My favorite things about the fall are definitely all things apple and pumpkin, with a dash or nutmeg and/or cinnamon. Yes.

Earlier this fall (when it was randomly 80 degrees, to explain the clothing in the image below) that meant apple butter – something I have to make at least once every fall. Apple butter can’t be made without its sidekick – biscuits! [Read more…]

episode 2: trusting your instinct as a parent

October 21, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

So excited to finally share our first episode with you! When Samantha’s daughter continued to have issues with reflux, she had to continue to push various medical professionals to find out the underlying issue. Listen to her story, a reminder of why parents have to trust their instinct and advocate on behalf of their children.

streamlining accessories

October 10, 2017 by Lara Leave a Comment

Most days, I’m doing good to tackle the main to-dos of the day. Oftentimes I’ll admit I even forget my wedding ring. Accessories beyond the ring have been left off the morning checklist altogether.

No more. Moms, I’m sure you’ll agree that workdays are the prime time you should wear that necklace or bracelet, since your little one won’t be grabbing it nonstop while you’re away from home. Here’s an easy list of four things to put to the side so you can easily grab the best option for you on your way out the door to take advantage of the fun of the added bling. [Read more…]

i promise you this

October 6, 2017 by Lara 22 Comments

Today is your day, baby boy.

I started this post back in late September, when motherhood was approaching but I thought I had a few weeks left to finalize it. I planned to get this live before I finished packing my bags for the hospital — but a certain little boy had other plans!

In reading these ideas, some of this I’ve done. Some of this is in the plans. And some of this — well, let’s just say that this is a good reminder of all these important things to not lose sight of along the way.

. . . . . . . . . .

Now that we are counting days and not weeks, it feels super real — well that, and my “basketball-esque” belly at the moment that serves as a constant moving reminder of just how close we are to our little boy’s arrival.

I remember writing a post what feels like not too long ago, though it was 8 years ago at this point, when I brought home my dog. At the time, I was excited yet terrified. Such a fun new addition to my world, yet so many new responsibilities, many of which I couldn’t begin to imagine answers for. I know that’s only a tiny touch of what we have in store for us with our upcoming addition. [Read more…]