I don’t believe in New Years resolutions. They’re too big. They’re too much …
I don’t believe in New Years resolutions. They’re too big. They’re too much too quickly and only set us up for disappointment. Lose 10 lbs, work out every day, become fluent in French, and learn to play the guitar. Ok, so some of these things were sort of (breezily) on …
2016 was one of my best years yet. One that came with big changes, …
2016 was one of my best years yet. One that came with big changes, lots of good, and some not so great moments, too. I’ve always been pretty upfront about things I’m struggling with but right now, I’d like to focus on some of my favorite moments from 2016. Conor and I celebrated …
You probably know the pain and grief associated with losing someone you were close to.
You probably know the pain and grief associated with losing someone you were close to. But how do you grieve for a family member you didn’t know very well at all? Am I mourning the loss of the person’s life that ended far too soon or the relationship we’ll never have? Am I …
I woke up to endless texts from friends and scrolled through Facebook to …
I woke up to endless texts from friends and scrolled through Facebook to see post after post about heartbreak and fear. And with tears in my eyes, I tried to process what just happened to our country. As a woman, small business owner, and someone who hopes to be a mother someday–and …
A few months ago, Conor and I filled out an application for a new …
A few months ago, Conor and I filled out an application for a new dog through Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue. We took turns going back and forth between feeling ready and wanting to wait. And then we saw this face. …
One of my readers asked if I'd share an "about me" post a …
One of my readers asked if I'd share an "about me" post a few months ago. Better late than never, right? Whether you've been a reader for a month, week, or year, chances are there are at least a few things you don't know about me. …
I have some exciting news that I've been meaning to share. And now …
I have some exciting news that I've been meaning to share. And now that I'm a few weeks away from a big change, it's time for an update! …
When I started blogging back in 2007, I never imagined it would lead me to …
When I started blogging back in 2007, I never imagined it would lead me to a career in design. Or that I'd travel to visit a friend I met through blogging, spend 3 days in Chicago, pack up and move to the Midwest, and then launch a women's lifestyle website.
In November 2009, I found myself in Chicago for 3 days. 9 months later, I left my …
In November 2009, I found myself in Chicago for 3 days. 9 months later, I left my family, friends, and perfect California weather when I moved from the west coast to the midwest.
At 29, I was finally figuring out what I wanted to do with my …
At 29, I was finally figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. We had just launched The Everygirl, but I wouldn't be salaried for another year, which meant things felt pretty unstable. I had been in Chicago about a year, just went through a breakup and found myself single …
Each year, I set goals for myself, and one is always to give …
Each year, I set goals for myself, and one is always to give back. I usually find some small way to do something, but it never feels like enough (for me). 2016 became the year I was finally going to take some action, so I signed up for The Her …
Starting over in Chicago is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s …
Starting over in Chicago is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s where I learned how to be on my own, met people who have changed my life, and launched a website with a fellow Chicago blogger that would change everything. And today, that website turns four. The Everygirl was a …
If I’ve learned anything the past few years, it’s that circumstances and expectations …
If I’ve learned anything the past few years, it’s that circumstances and expectations do not have to define you. I moved out of my mom’s house a month before my 28th birthday, a fear of flying kept me from traveling for almost 10 years, my grades were underwhelming at best, and I …
Earlier this week, I received an email from a reader who, like me, …
Earlier this week, I received an email from a reader who, like me, works from home and is about to relocate to a new city–something I did over 5 years ago. I was never great at making friends and didn’t put much into maintaining relationships, but that’s changed a lot …
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. Whenever one year ends and another begins, I can’t help but think about how much things have changed the past year (and several years). And is it just me or does each year seem to fly by …
Tomorrow marks 5 years in Chicago. That’s half a decade. The first few …
Tomorrow marks 5 years in Chicago. That’s half a decade. The first few months after my move from Los Angeles, I’d wake up every morning, look at Buddy, and then out the window, and was sort of in awe/shock that I lived here. I’d have these random “I can’t believe I …
I’ve always wanted to be a part of one of those really close …
I’ve always wanted to be a part of one of those really close families. You know the ones I’m talking about. Think It’s Complicated, Father of the Bride, or While You Were Sleeping. Parenthood. Gilmore Girls. Modern Family. Not perfect. Just (mostly) happy and very close to one another. Unfortunately, I …
Well, I’m 32. And as ordinary as today was, it was one of …
Well, I’m 32. And as ordinary as today was, it was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had. Simple, relaxing, and perfect. I woke up to a flower delivery from my mom (thanks mom) and received lots of texts, calls, and messages via social media (because that’s a thing, …
When I find something I love, I dive right in and never look …
When I find something I love, I dive right in and never look back. I’m sure that on some level, you can all relate, whether with a hobby, job, relationship, or workout routine. But I didn’t do it with just one thing. I went from living at my mom’s house …
A few months ago, I made the decision to disconnect from Facebook. I …
A few months ago, I made the decision to disconnect from Facebook. I deleted the app from my cell phone and went from constantly updating my status and checking in (mostly at CrossFit and when I was out with friends) to never checking in and sharing the occasional status update.
First, I wrote about my journey to Chicago. Time passed by rather quickly, …
First, I wrote about my journey to Chicago. Time passed by rather quickly, and before I knew it, I was writing about my first year in Chicago. And then my second. And now, another year and come and gone, marking three years in Chicago. Three. Years. There are still days …
It’s my first Christmas alone in ten years. I was in a relationship …
It’s my first Christmas alone in ten years. I was in a relationship from 19-28, and we broke up when I moved to Chicago almost two and a half years ago. After a few months apart, we decided to get back together and spent the last two Christmases in Chicago.
