Sara Bareilles & The Relationship Lifecycle

Months ago my brother in law surprised my sister and I with tickets to see Sara Bareilles (& One Republic) at Chateau Ste. Michelle. He also took into consideration that my sister would be 8 months pregnant by then and paid extra for seats. Talk about big brother of the year, right?

The concert happened on Labor Day and after a weekend in Portland, we barely made it to the concert in time. But soon enough I had a bottle of wine in hand and Sara B was front and center performing.

I first discovered Sara Bareilles nearly 10 years ago. I was going to college in Southern California and she was a regular at Hotel Cafe which was a local music spot for indie artists. It was love at first sight.

Over the past 8 or 9 years, she has become my musical best friend; her songs are my constant companion through life's relationships. She is a singer that can get you through the highs and lows just like a best girl friend.

These are just a few of my favorite songs...

When your story involves Mr. Wrong:

For when you are heartbroken....



For when you are ticked off...


For when you are ready to move on....




When it's Right:

For when it is still nerves and sideways glances


For when you realize it's for keeps...

Connect to AndBubblegum Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

A simple reminder

Today is one of those rare Seattle evenings that nothing could keep me in the office after 5:30. It is so stunning that even with an injured foot, I would still rather walk home then get on a bus. 

And after my slow walk home, I sat down in the park outside my house on a washed up log and couldn't help but take in the wonder and awe.

I am not sure what is going on in your world right now but I needed this moment. I need to take a moment to watch the sunset and reset. 

Lest you forget, life is beautiful. 

Connect to AndBubblegum Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

30 Before 30: Flying Trapeze

When I lived in San Francisco, I happened upon an aerial arts school that taught flying trapeze but I never had the chance to go. I kept this wish in the back of my mind after I moved from SF and continued to look for similar schools with each city I moved to. Seattle did not disappoint.

I finally took the leap... no pun intended... on Tuesday with Emily and Amy. Amy had been a few times before and was on to more challenging tricks. She was gracefully from get go. Emily, who was just as green as I was, picked up the tricks without a second thought.

Me? Well, I was a bit awkward... but we knew that would happen before I even started. It's my brand. And yet - I jumped off, did a trick, and made a catch.

When I first made my 30 before 30 list, people were encouraging but they also thought it was a little silly. What is does a catch on a flying trapeze accomplish? This, and the other 30 before 30 items, put me out of my comfort zone. They force me to try something new and risk failing.

I am not going to lie... I have watched the videos from last night over and over again. I am not ashamed to say I am so proud of myself. I was really scared and I didn't think I could do it. But I still tried, risked failing, and was rewarded with a catch.

Connect to AndBubblegum Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

1. Get a pixie haircut.
Completed Dec 12, 2012
2. Go on a vacation alone.


3. Karaoke.


4. Camp.


5. Learn to longboard. Or at least attempt it.


6. Complete a catch on the flying trapeze.
Completed Sept 24, 2013


7. Throw a fancy dinner party.


8. Run a marathon. (But I will settle for a half)


9. Visit Canada.


10. Travel to a country I have never been before (not Canada).
          Completed May 9, 2013 with Amsterdam

11. Revisit my best friend in Florida.


12. See a football game in the south. War Eagle.


13. Learn to grill.
Completed April 2013
14. Attempt snowboarding... again.


15. Take a cooking class. 
Completed Nov 11, 2012 at Pantry at Delancy
Pie Ninja
16. Hold my future niece or nephew.


17. Treat my parents.


18. Make a pie from scratch.
Completed Nov 21, 2012 with a Ginger Apple Streusel "Pie"
19. Find the perfect swimsuit.


20. Decorate a christmas tree.


21. Ride a motorcycle.


22. Explore 5 states I have never visited before.


23. Conquer my reoccuring NYE resolution of reading 50 books in one year.


24. Learn to french braid.


25. Take a 2 week vacation: 2 consecutive weeks.


26. Build something... that doesn’t come from Ikea.


27. Do one cartwheel.


28. Matchmake a couple, successfully.


29. Wear my navy blue special occasion Florida dress.


30. Be apart of something momentous, memorable, and national. Subjective... deal with it.

BONUS: Be awesome every day.

How to be a Garage Sale Ninja

Oh, garage sales.

They’re so fun to visit, so not fun to plan and execute. First off, I will give credit to my wonderful Mother, who is the Queen of Garage Sales. Anything I put forth in this post is wisdom from my mom. 

And so, How to be a Garage Sale Ninja:

8 Minutes

8 Minutes.

The exact amount of time it took me to

powder my nose,
reapply lipstick,
fluff my hair,
order a rooibos tea,
pick a seat,
adjust my outfit,
change seating positions... twice,
clean my glasses,
pull out a book,
pretend to read,
take a sip of tea,
re-adjust my seat again,
and tuck my hair behind my ear.

Real Simple

Do you read Real Simple?

It is my favorite magazine and the only one I read cover to cover. A few months ago I was picked to be Real Simple's Reader of the Month for October and I am so excited that the magazine is now out on the stands.

It may not be the book I keep saying I will write but it does delight me.

We’re not checked bag people

My boyfriend Ryan and I were discussing our impending 10-day trip to Italy while at dinner with my family (Buon Giorno from Bella Italia!) a week before we were scheduled to leave. When I mentioned not being able to transport a certain beauty product because I would not be checking a bag, my family was confused, and then Ryan came out with that little line above. “We’re not checked bag people.” Shock, awe, and maybe even a little disgust ensued.

Roshambo: A love story trilogy

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Nearly a year ago Free People presented Roshambo, a short story starting Sheila Marque and Christopher Abbott (Girls' Charlie). I always fall for the missed connections and second chances... especially when they feature Charlie from Girls.

In Pursuit of Perfect

As women we have a tendency to sell ourselves short.

We are...
too thin.
too fat.
too loud.
too quiet.
not smart enough.
not pretty enough.

If only we had...
better hair.
longer legs.
tanner skin.

We are in pursuit of perfect.