A Boy's Mama

{4 Months}

I always told myself that I would never be one of "those" moms who tearfully exclaimed every month (week)(day)(hour) in disbelief about their baby growing up.

yet, here we are, once again.

sniffle.

Baby Bean is four months old,

going on

backing-out-of-the-driveway-in-his-car-headed-for-college-to-kiss-girls-other-than-me months old.

whimper.

Doesn't help that he's already a big boy for his age

and especially

doesn't help that I recently began reading {this} book.

321 pages describing the ultimate mother and son bond.

By page 10, I was getting misty eyed

and by page 27,

you don't even want to know,

but it involved some crazy extended breastfeeding plan.

yeah.

things just got real up in here.

I am so officially one of those moms.

I'm like, the president of the Those Moms club.

oops.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

My Nail Beds Suck...No More

{Minted}

I've been painting my nails more often these days.

And for anyone that actually "knows" me,

the fact that I even have ten anythings to paint is something blog-worthy in and of itself.

{Years of competitive sports induced anxiety led me to become an all-around biter, picker, chewer, and peeler}

However,

pre-natals, hormones, and sheer willpower have finally triumphed.

It would appear that I have completely clawed my way back into friendships with Essie, Deborah, and Nicole once and for all.

Not to mention,

my skills with the brush aren't too shabby.

Thank you Korean genes.

P.S.

Anyone have a polish must-have that I should know about?

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Whim Wham Weekend #27

authentic spring weather/midnight dinner {here}/baby bean now has a fedora aka life.is.complete/{this} movie/coffee & card games/{these} smoking slippers

A weekend of walks through the park.

plus,

two days in a row of wearing a fedora/leopard slipper combo

while playing cribbage

drinking coffee

and reading the news.

62 was the temperature

and

my age this weekend.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Q&A

{view collection here}

Ten years ago, I was scouted in my local mall by a modeling agent.

There I was on a normal Saturday afternoon being a typical (albeit above average height and awkwardly gangly) 14 year old girl goofing off with friends inside the Candy Factory.

A tap on my shoulder and a business card in my wallet later,

I entered a world of comp cards and go-sees.

a world of uplifting industry standards and unending rejecting criticism.

By age 17, I was presented with a choice.

cramped models' apartment in europe

or

whatever else in the world I could dream of doing.

The photos. clothes. makeup. lights.

all fade away.

It was tiring being "in" one season and "out" the next.

Continually having to change myself to fit the mold.

I needed to find something constant.

something true.

And I did.

That's why I feel so drawn to companies like {The Monument of Our Hearts}

spreading the message of real beauty,

while making some rockstar clothes along the way.

TMOOH founder and friend of a friend, {Brett Clouser}, recently answered a few of my burning questions about life, style, and purpose.

Good stuff.

...

*How is a clothing company re-defining the typical version of beauty?

This is a great question. The Monument of Our Hearts is dedicated to helping people see that their beauty and worth come from within. We are sending the message to people that their beauty stems from something inside of themselves rather than solely on the exterior. Our main logo, an upside-down heart graphic, acts as a constant reminder of our internal beauty. The idea behind it is pretty simple, when you’re wearing one of our shirts, the logo is upside-down to others but in perspective to you. This reminds you to forget about trying to fit into a physical beauty ideal and letting your beauty shine from within.

*Has there been any difficulty in finding acceptance, (especially in L.A.), with this outside of the “beauty- box” message?

Whenever you’re taking on an initiative that contrasts mainstream culture it can be hard to find acceptance. We have definitely experienced some setbacks from some media and retail channels because of our messaging but that is totally understandable. I don’t think TMOOH would be in existence if our message was happily digested by mainstream culture. Our message of helping people see their inner beauty and infinite worth within may never be en vogue but it is relevant to each of us. Sir Winston Churchill said, “kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” The resistance is inevitable and obstacles are in place for us to overcome every day.

*Is there a story behind the upside-down heart logo?

When you look at the heart from an external vantage point, the heart is upside down. However, if you’re the person wearing wearing the shirt and look down, the heart is in perspective to you. This acts as a reminder to be true to yourself and let your beauty shine from within.

*Favorite TMOOH shirt/product?

Right now, I am loving the heart logo raglan with the charcoal graphic on black. I think it is a highly versatile piece for almost any wardrobe and acts as a constant reminder for me to find my worth within is much needed. Every time I put the shirt on at the beginning of the day, I take one of the TMOOH mantra’s which are printed on the inside of the shirts and meddle with it for that today. Last time I wore it I was contemplating how to integrate the following line into my daily life, ‘aim for excellence, not perfection.’

*Best part of/or experience in this whole journey so far?

I wrote part of my story on the blog a few months ago which summarized some of the struggles I’ve personally endured while working with TMOOH. There are two things specifically I am grateful about my journey thus far. First, I have been able to use the mission and some of my experiences working on TMOOH as a catalyst on my journey to finding my own inner beauty and worth. Secondly, there was a girl who messaged me a few months ago that said “For the first time ever, I looked into the mirror and actually believed it when I told myself I’m beautiful.” Hearing those words touched my heart and reaffirmed the whole reason I started TMOOH three years ago.

*Do you have a personal style icon/influence?

My style is a mixture between Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia), Johnny Depp, and 1990’s Will Smith & Saved by the Bell cast. I tend to define my style with a minimalist outdoors aesthetic, neon/bright tee’s, bohemian/eclectic styling, and 20th century workwear.

*What inspires you most?

I’m inspired most by seeing people believe in themselves to the point where it inspires them to chase their dreams and impact the world. I’m also inspired by seeing or hearing from people who are progressing on their journey to find their infinite source of beauty and worth within.

*If you had to sum up what true beauty is, in a few words?

Beauty is authentically loving yourself.

*TMOOH claims that, and I quote, the shirts are “as soft as a unicorns mane.” True or False?

True story....but you’ll have to feel them to truly find out.

...

Thanks again Brett!

Next up, baby sizes, right?

TMOOH Info

{Store}

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Birthday Girl

Today begins my 24th year of this adventure called life.

And judging from the previous 23, these next 12 months will be no exception.

bring it.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

An Emotional Rollercoaster

{in 20 seconds or less}

he pulled out the big guns.

baby tears

oh the power in those tiny teardrops.

I'm sure the government could somehow harness that power for good...

in the meantime,

he basically has me wrapped around his little finger

with those

big bluegreenish puppy dog eyes and that pouty lower lip.

don't even get me started on the corduroy overalls.

not fair, baby bean.

not fair.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Spring Snow

After last week's sunshine taunt, I quietly tucked away delusions of yellow polka dot bikini grandeur yesterday morning.

Spring will come, all in due time.

Right, Oregon? Right?!

I may or may not have not-so-quietly yelled that out the window at 8AM. with a little fist shaking action.

Then we, {I} proceeded to, {simmer down}, whittle the hours away nestled underneath cozy fleece blankets, and scurrying outside for a fresh air-espresso run. Blasting equal parts heat and Coldplay in the car.

It was a day filled with books, candles, slippers, and cuddling.

Plus, rice krispy treats and hot cocoa for breakfast and lunch.

That's right Oregon.

breakfast and lunch.

You can't snow on my parade.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Whim Wham Weekend #26

me me me time

Weekend Highlights

*mama/baby play date with {Becca} {Lauren} and {Kira}

*girls' afternoon getting pedicures. Thanks Grandma Bess!

*spending as much time outside as possible while the sunshine lasted. I'm pretending I got a tan. {this} bronzer always makes it more of a reality.

*a cheery old grandpa sporting a bowtie and ray bans drove past us in his convertible and complimented me on my straw fedora.

There are so many things I like about that sentence.

*celebrating my sweet friend Julia's birthday. highlights within a highlight: gorgonzola fries and billiards.

*celebrating my sweet dad Jim's birthday, with garlic parmesan fries.

*celebrating my sweet weekend's existence, with even more fries. from Five Guys.

*Baby Bean has a real official humane bedtime now, through the night. I could hug and kiss and share all my fries with him for the rest of my days. that's a lot of hugs and kisses. and judging from this weekend, thousands upon thousands of fries.

*we sure do love him, but we sure do love our free evenings full of books, kettle corn, movies, and smooching.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Blue Sky over Blog

{muggin}

This week we're having a little too much fun basking in some surprise sunshine.

Lest I remind you what part of the country we live in,

the word "sunshine" in and of itself brings cries of celebration to our translucent faces and tears of joy as we scramble for the nearest pair of sunglasses...

found covered in dust.

and cobwebs.

Needless to say,

we'll be outside.

looking freshhhh.

...

P.S.

Want something fresh...to read?

Check out my girl Stephanie over at the ever-so-beautiful blog, Big Mario Life.

Holla

"Hello fellow Whim-Whamers! I'm Stephanie and you can find me at my blog, Big Mario Life. During law school, I realized that balance is essential to a happy life. That's when I developed my Big Mario theory (which you can read more about on my About Big Mario Life page) and started this little bloggity-blog to document my journey towards a more balanced life. You'll find posts about food, fashion, photography, traveling, The Boyfriend, and, of course, my guinea pig daughter Molly. She has the cutest guinea pig bum on the planet. That's a fact. I also just recently left my law firm job to start my own photography business so you may see a few posts about all that fun stuff, too. Come on over to http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com and say hello! I'd love to meet you!"

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Slumber Party

oh these two

Last night, Daniel and I were talking about life stuff.

I love those midnight conversations, whispered against

the glow of streetlights and quiet whir of stillness.

Sometimes we talk about nothing.

or everything.

And maybe during last night's conversation,

I mentioned something about how life is not necessarily what I imagined it would look like at {almost} 24 years of age.

It's better.

Then Baby Bean squirmed in his crib.

Let out a tiny yawn.

and farted. in rapid succession.

As if he knew we were discussing how good life is, and sounded in reply

"you're darn tootin"

Couldn't have said it better.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

March 19th

{CHRISRANN}

the month of march is many things to me.

*spring break.

*st. patrick's day.

*10% chance the sun will make an occasional appearance.

*90% chance the march showers will make way for the april showers, which will bring...may showers and so on and so forth, until the sun finally makes an appearance in mid-july and we celebrate by attending about 30 weddings smashed in between then and august.

*seven birthdays in my family circle

*three birthdays in my friend circle

and one birthday all for me me me.

well, me and Amy O.

everyone has a birthday twin or two or 5 million.

mine happened to be in my town. at my school. in my class.

the nerve.

So.

we had a joint birthday party in the 4th grade at Skate World.

stuffed our faces with pepperoni pizza and buttercream frosting.

soared 'round and 'round that smooth oval shaped rink,

flapping our arms to the chicken dance.

the faint smell of hot dogs intertwined with sweaty socks wafting through the air.

the party,

was great.

the whole sharing the spotlight thing...

who am i kidding.

this birthday bird was meant to fly.

solo.

and

the smell of sweaty hot dog socks was not faint.

...

but, if those perfectly minty friendship bracelets were to appear under my birthday tree all happenstance and like,

I would share.

I could do that.

Daniel, are you taking notes?

yes. I said birthday tree.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}