THE WOUNDS OF WISDOM CANNOT BE HEALED a twenty something in NYC in the early 1990’s I bought a one way ticket and packed only what I could carry comfortably. After graduating college, I decided to move to New York City to be a photojournalist. I did not know anyone, and I had never been there. I arrived on Thursday, got a job on Friday, found an apartment on Sunday and started working Monday. I lived in a 4th floor walk up in Brooklyn Heights and I worked at a photo agency in Manhattan. Absolutely alone, although surrounded by more... Continue reading

With kids - there is a lot of driving around and my husband and I have always tag teamed the responsibility. Great system for two very busy people. Lately, our vision for our life has been evolving into a much more meaningful existence. This means, less stuff, less responsibility, less to take care of , more time together, more quality time together, more meaningful time together. So, we have been taking advantage of the transit (aka driving our daughter to and from her events and activities) for time together as a family. Driving from Hollywood to Santa Monica on a... Continue reading

Applaud those who reach. Support those who try. Believe in those who do. Appreciate their road. Continue reading

My daughter just turned 13 and despite the warnings of what is to come, I am not afraid. I am taking responsibility for making these the best years of our relationship and I plan to do everything I can to connect with her (and her friends), and to be there for her. To guide her, to listen to her, to encourage her, to heal her, to respect her, to be in awe of her, to talk to her, to know her, to give her space, to keep her close, to open doors for her, to protect her, to empower her,... Continue reading

Instagram is the forum for tweens to express themselves, show off their fashions, and to connect with each other. This week, there has been an outpouring of love amongst the tweens that I find lovely and amazing. Since many of the kids will be switching schools, they are posting photos and notes to each other telling the world how much they love each other, what their friendships mean to each other, and honoring each other in a really beautiful way. Like a yearbook post for the world to see. What a great example of social media making the world better... Continue reading

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We watched, we loved, we cried. There is nothing better than crying together at sad movies. Today my daughter and I watched the Notebook. Our second intentional sad movie together. Phantom of the Opera was our first and will always be a tear jerker...but this story of young love through the ages was very meaningful today. Next up will plan to watch (and cry with) A Trip to Bountiful. p.s. Hachi - is another tear jerker we accidentally watched. Not for the faint of heart. Continue reading

When she was three, my daughter asked me if she could be a tiger and I said SURE. Fifteen minutes later I came downstairs to take her to preschool and found her tranformed. Before freaking out about the fact that we were going to be late for school and that she was covered in ink....I grabbed my camera and photographed her. I hope that I will always encourage her be who she is. I pray that I will always enjoy her self expression. I know that I will always document her journey. p.s. my favorite details are the infinity sign... Continue reading

The other day I was talking to a friend about the cafe and all of a suddent I got it. The fact that I have a restaurant had not quite sunk in until that moment. It was sort of magical. When you are creating something, you are in it and doing it and making it happen- and sometimes it is hard to step back and actually see what you have done. Life takes time and effort...and moments of pause to reflect. Continue reading

I always wanted only one . After she was born, my husband and I would talk about it and we were both good with one. Twelve years later and I know it was the right decision for us. I truly believe that having more kids was not my path to more happiness. I love my one and I have never regretted not having more children. I love each new phase and I welcome her growing up. She is pretty good at it. Of course I worry about all the normal stuff. Will she be a good person? Will she find... Continue reading

photographer + foodie = food porn Continue reading

We value the parts of our lives that we have invested in - with our time, our selves, and our money. And yet, time moves so quickly that it is hard to keep up and keep everything pretty and stay in love with what used to move you, and to enjoy all that you have. This feeling has been bearing down on me of late - a sense of inability to do it all and a deeper inability to appreciate it all. I walk around my full life and see only the things that need cleaning or fixing. I find... Continue reading

‘There is nothing more practical than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.’ Rev Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ Continue reading

COMMITMENT: doing what YOU SAID you were going to do, long after the feeling you said it in has gone.... Continue reading

The BEST speeches are the ones that SAY SOMETHING meaningful. When you win a big award, we know you have to thank the people (agent, manager, producter ,husband, kids) who helped you achieve the award - but on a televised awards show, the acceptance speeches should be based in something great to say. via practicalandmeaningful.typepad.com Continue reading

My daughter was invited to celebrate her friend s' 12th birthday and she made him a pair of custom high heel shoes - which were at the top of his wish list. Made with Sharpies and love. And HEART. Continue reading

This year is off and running and I find myself holding on with all my might to navigate the twists and turns that life has provided. 2013 will be a time to regroup and rethink....everything. Already leaning towards creating a more simple life at the end of 2012 - I welcome the opportunity to regroup and rethink everything we do, have, need, use, store, and create. I want our life to make sense. I want our stuff to be useful. I want to discard what we no longer need or use. I want to create space to be a family... Continue reading

The rules have changed. When I was growing up, all my friends lived within walking distance and we were able to interact organically. We went to the local school and our parents all knew each other. We did not set up play dates. We did not communicate on instagram or via text. The world was less complicated and yet, more connected. These days we send our kids to Charter schools and Private schools - which means the kids come from all different parts of the city in search of a great education. Academically, these schools are a godsend, but Socially,... Continue reading

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short – enjoy it.. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check. 9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 10. Make peace with your past so it... Continue reading

When motivation for your own path dims, take time away from your life and show up for someone else. Support them. Meet them. Encourage them. Take care of them. Spend time with them. Listen to them. Do it to do it and expect nothing in return. Chances are, it will fuel you back into action - and you will be more on track then if you stayed stuck in your head unmotivated. Continue reading

When you are doing something you love, the effort feels effortless. hard work can be heart work Continue reading

From Halloween to New Years, I fumble around in a state of hecticness that literally knocks the wind out of me. This year is especially challenging and I cannot quite get my bearings to enjoy any of it. The end of the year means more to do and less time to do it I am buried with tax responsibilties, three businesses to run, holidays to celebrate, a family to make memories with, paperwork, employees to thank, clutter to clear, and life to live. I hope to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all the forward movement in my life,... Continue reading

Ask yourself these questions. What motivates me? What am I good at? What is important. What gives my life meaning? My list is varied but you can see parts of it shining through every thing I do. Building things. Shaping people's experiences. Providing jobs. Feeding people. Knowing. Working hard. Loving hard. Organization. Seeking. Documenting. Sampling. Doing good. Creating spaces. Encouraging others. Standing back. Family. Details. Friends. Meeting people. Making a difference. Believing. Soul work. No regrets. For the long haul. Identify your bliss and make that your life's work. Continue reading

There is a lot of talk when you are an entrepreneur about what "you" specifically bring to the table in terms of your work and your business. My friend Jan calls it your secret sauce. This past week was busier than usual with big events, parties, and catering ON TOP of the usual cafe, art studios, and crafty work. I thought about farming out the baking of the rainbow cakes since I had so much going on - but ended up doing them myself. As I was assembling them, I was inspired to switch up the order of the layers,... Continue reading