A little about me…

Music was my first love. At age 5, I started doing musical theater and was hooked after that. I performed with many theater companies including Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera. In 2006, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry from the University of Southern California. I have sung the National Anthem for the Los Angeles Clippers basketball and Galaxy soccer teams. I’ve played shows at the Viper Room, Room 5 and the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. I have also shared the stage with Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and Russell Watson. As a singer/songwriter, there is nothing better than telling a beautiful story.

I have always loved to write. To tell stories. Sometimes even just observations. Writing helps me bring the wildness of life into focus and gather my thoughts. It gives me clarity and often times a sense of calm in the chaos. I love to tell stories. My own and others. I believe we are all connected by our stories and can learn so much just by opening our ears and our hearts.

So first and foremost this blog is about seeking the best life we possibly can by re-defining how we see daily life. Through storytelling, discovering delicious food, raising kids, inspired decorating, leaning into marriage, tackling adventures and hunting for all things pretty–I can’t wait to go on this journey with you!

A few last words…

A year after graduating from USC, I married my college sweetheart and we have since been married almost 13 years and live in Southern California. We have three beautiful little girls (ages 9, 7 and 3 years) that are always keeping me on my toes. When I’m not writing, you can find me chasing a preschooler pretty much everywhere, hanging with my hubby, shuttling kids to/from practices, sipping Pinot Grigio, reading a great book (I love Rachel Hollis!) attempting to keep my garden from dying, or folding a bottomless basket of laundry.

Again, welcome, I am so glad you are here.

     

Hi there, I’m Jen.

And I’m so glad you are here. Welcome. One thing I have learned in recent years is how daily life can go from the ordinary grind to the only thing the heart desires. How the simplicity of the every day truly is a celebration when normalcy is shredded to pieces.

Seven years ago my husband, Justin, suffered a ruptured appendix and life as we knew it was turned upside down. By the time he went to the hospital his body was completely poisoned and doctors later told us that he was a walking miracle because people who are that sick usually do not recover. As a young mom to two little girls, at the time ages 3 & 1 year, the only thing I could do was lean into my relationship with God and put one foot in front of the other. Our lives became filled with surgeries, daily IV infusions, doctor appointments and follow-ups, ER visits and preschool drop offs. For the next year my hubby was in and out of the hospital and we did our best to make it through each day. By the grace of family and friends, we truly felt Gods love and were able to survive such a terrible situation. Seven years later, my rock star husband has fully recovered and we even added another little girl to our family.

That time in life taught me that every day is precious. There is so much beauty around us, but sometimes it is hard (if I’m being honest, it is really hard) to slow down and actually see it. I am still so guilty of this. Launching this blog is my love letter, little reminder to stop and smell those proverbial roses. Lets seek that beauty together.

About Jen