What Ana Does

I'm looking for some luck. After job hunting for weeks, I've been finding really interesting opportunities, but not getting a lot of responses to my inquiries. And I shouldn't take this as rejection. But I do. Not hearing back on things feels like rejections. And it's tough. I recently discovered this Feng Shui book I've had for many years, and I remembered how well it actually worked. It's really all about moving your stuff around your house, to unstick your chi and allow new opportunities and fortune to enter in. And I'm all about that. So I've identified that my "career" gua is our entryway and maybe a little of the garage. Both areas have been a disaster since we moved back in, so maybe it makes sense that my job hunt hasn't been so smooth. Little by little, I've been moving stuff in and out. And using tips, such as writing down the job I'm looking for ... so the universe knows what to bring me. (Isn't that calle...

It's 1996. I board a train in St. Paul headed to Rhode Island where I'll be a domestic exchange student (yup, that's a real thing). My boyfriend at the time and sister Liza see me off. I'm a wreck, but I'm confident in my decision to follow my dream and go to college on the east coast. Even though I've never ever been to the east coast. And certainly never ever been to Rhode Island. And I don't even have any family or friends there. It's completely foreign to me. And I've never been on a train before but the ticket to Rhode Island was cheaper than air travel (though, this was pre-google so I had a hard time making that comparison), despite it taking two days of travel. It just sounded more "romantic." So ... I get myself loaded and find a seat and stare out the window and ... I start crying. Sobbing. I sit in the bathroom as the train leaves and I cry harder -- that crying that hurts your belly and produces little whining noises. It...

To continue the Tote project for the summer, let's tackle the Park and Tennis Totes. This summer, Leah is taking a Sunday tennis class at a nearby park. This gives Alice and I the perfect excuse to play outside for an hour. Here's the lowdown on the tote ... The Park Tote Park Tote This is the bag that will have a hundred things to do outside, so we don't get bored waiting for Leah and fall back at staring at our iPads. Sunscreen Hats Rain gear - jackets and umbrellas Picnic blanket Books Coloring books/paper Deck of cards  The kite I got on sale at Target two years ago And I'll toss in snacks like clementines and granola bars, and icy water bottles. Tennis Tote All this bag includes is our ... tennis rackets, one for everyone in the family new containers of balls larger practice balls water bottles and sunscreen so we can head to a park at a moments notice and practice Leah's new-found tennis skills. We'd likely bring along the P...

Ever since quitting my job, I've been restructuring my life. It's taken time (a lot of time) to figure out how a day without going into an office works. How to focus on what exactly I need to do on my computer (ie. job hunting and writing) instead of going down a twitter or blog wormhole and getting nothing done. And balancing that time with the small everyday household tasks (laundry, dishes, dishes and dishes) with the larger stuff I want to accomplish. My To-Do lists (minor and major) are miles long. It's all so overwhelming and I find myself at a standstill; where do I even begin? I've tried some strategies to get myself on a daily schedule or even a weekly one but they don't last more than a few days. My weeks differ so much. We travel, Dave travels, I was sick, the girls are home from school, the weather isn't cooperating, etc. I'm finding that each week is so much different than the last, and that's really unexpected. I figured a schedul...

What do you call people that you follow on Instagram or read their blogs but they're not really your friends or celebs or actors? They provide great ideas, inspiration and food for thought. And they feel like sorta-friends but they don't know you. And it becomes kind of awkward when you talk about them in real life. For example, I'll watch Emily Henderson's instastory and Alice will ask "who's that?" from over my shoulder and I'll answer "oh that's Emily and her son Charlie." And she'll ask "do you know them?" and I don't. But kinda I do because I get snippets of her work and family and see inside her house and read about her lives daily. And not in a weird stalker way, she's creating this content on purpose. I mean, it's like reality TV but in teeny doses. So the term in Influencers . That's what I'm told. They are Influencers because they have a lot of followers/fans and are experts in some field. A...

If there's one thing I take away from this little sabbatical as a stay at home mom it's this: I really enjoy creating things with my hands. When I was a working full-time, driving kids around, stressing about dinner and passing out at the end of each day, crafting was very low on my daily priority list. Weekends were about spending time with family, maybe painting a wall and reading. Not much else to cram in there. But now that I'm home all day and have gotten some really big house projects done, I'm able to indulge in just crafting to craft. And with the holidays, I have the best excuse to create holiday decor things for family members and to pretty-up the house. I forgot how much I love to make things. I have bins and bins of crafting supplies that I've been collecting here and there but never had time to sort through and create. Now free time is finally here and I'm totally indulging in it ... and feeling sincerely grateful for it. Anyway, here's ...

Most of my DIY projects are inspired by what I have laying around the house. I don't like to throw out perfectly good materials. I had this extra plywood from a project my husband finished and had a fun, FREE idea for a Halloween craft... Spooky Halloween Silhouettes! Here's the step by step ... 1. I found three pieces that were imperfect squares and spray-painted them with white primer that I had in the garage.

Here's what I'm currently loving ... The Man From U.N.C.L.E . -- this movie was on my must-see list since it came out: the two main actors are SUPER HOT, it's a Guy Richie movie and they are always quotable (we trade quotes from Snatch almost daily) and what's more fun than the Cold War?! Oh, and I'm a sucker for Hugh Grant. But David thought it looked boring, so we didn't go. Then, David saw it on a plane without me and said it was "boring." So I waited. Finally it's out on HBO and I made time to watch it ... and I thought it was awesome. Sure, it's missing all the intensity of the new Bond/superhero movies, but it's fun and Oh! the eye candy all around. Lots of expensive suits and cool Italian cars. The one thing I would add -- just one shirtless scene. Is that too much to ask? It's S'Well! It Really Is! My S'well bottle - I don't know what witchcraft is at work but the water in this bottle stays cold,...

I love browsing Etsy to find new and fun items (who doesn't!?) ... and adding them to my favorites list for future consideration. Then, when I'm feeling weak and in need of retail therapy, I have a little cache of goodies to look at. Here's from my latest browse ... 1. I love this  adorable fat quarter  with the bikes in the park. The colors are a little different and would make a delightful quilt! Future Bike Quilt?  2. I'm a big fan of music quotes in art. I have a few on my walls already, and I'm always on the look out for more. This Bruce Springsteen quote would memorialize Leah and Alice's first concert experience brilliantly. Bruce Springsteen Quote!   3. I love these bright and cheery hoop earrings ! They've been in my Cart forever -- just waiting for that day I have a good excuse to buy them. Beaded Hoops. This shop is Full of Cheerful Jewlery 4. This shop is full of cut-out paper art. What a medium! I really like the color com...

In an interview with  Entertainment Weekly musician Ray LaMontagne's talks about how his new album came together: "I don't regularly practice meditation," he says. "But this is as close as I come. I get very quiet and talk to whatever energy is out there. 'I'm here,' I say. 'If you want to play, let's play!' [Then] little melodies filter down. That’s how this record happened." So, yeah, I'm going to have to buy the new album. And that's that. What if we all took time to listen to that quiet energy around us? Related posts: Read more favorite quotes

From Chronicle Books I recently erased this saying from the hallway blackboard after about a year of looking at it. It's one of my favorite inspirational quotes and a good reminder to not take beautiful things for granted. Just a little something to get you through the rest of the week. Related posts: All my favorite quotes

Because I'm not that kind of girl who knows a lot about beauty products, when I find something I like that works, I'm super-excited about it. Here's a few things that are working right now ... Bumble & Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo and Conditioner - I have used a lot of shampoos and conditioners. Changing your brand helps control build-up, and that's a fact. But it's not often I find one that makes my hair feel as clean as this does. And it smells great, too! Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - I have had the SAME bottle for just under a decade, I'm not kidding. I only use a pea or two size of this oil before I blow dry my hair. Works to control those wispies and make my hair shine! I started using it on my kid's hair as a detangler, too. Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish  - Tea tree oil, I've found over time, is too harsh on my skin. But if I dap this oil on a pimple, it will quickly diminish it. And make it go away a lot faster. Chamomile Ma...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the holidays are not too far behind. So what's on my mind this month? Here's the list ... Boots for Leah - She needs something to keep her feet warm as the temps dip. Do I spring for the $100 Uggs? She's not old enough to feel the pressure of buying the "cool" label (right?!), so can I just get the cheaper off-brand? Is there a more water-proof option? These are my current thoughts around this not-as-significant-as-I'm-making-it purchase. The Dress From The Loft I'm LOVING Clothes from the Loft - These woman's apparel mall stores (Loft, Limited, Express, etc.) have a 10-year cycle for me. Most of the time I'll walk in and immediately walk out -- nothing in their collections says My Style. Then, once every 10 years, they create a line that is just for Me -- and that's what is going on at the Loft this month. I bought a bunch of outfits, got good deals on the sales, and now I probably won't...

Oh yes, I was in the sun and sand all week. We'd wake up and decide: pool or ocean? Nothing like a family vacation to paradise. My Toes Related posts: More vacation stories

I have a favorite bowl. Like all favorite things, this one has a story. I bought this little white bowl at Pier 1 my junior year of college in Newport, Rhode Island. It felt grown up to buy a pretty white bowl that I could use in my dorm. And I was thrilled it was something I could afford. Almost two decades later, it has been moved to new kitchens, survived a few drops -- one resulting in a chip -- and the enamel is wearing away. Which just makes it all the more appealing. My Pretty, Pretty Bowl It's the perfect size for a small serving of cereal, or yogurt with fruit or a generous helping of ice cream. And fits nicely into the palm of my hand. Related posts: Other stuff I dig!

As I sit here, the snow if melting and the sun in shining ... I'm starting to have visions of spring. I hate winter, so I'm not too sad to see it go. However, I am sad to put away my most favorite thing about winter ... these boots. Last fall, I started shopping for boots to get me through the dreary winter months and found two that I loved on Zappos. I sent links and sizes to my husband for easy Hanukkah shopping. (See? I'm a good wife.) I didn't know WHICH I'd get, but I would have been happy with either. I got these lovely Sorels in a wine and grey color. I wore them EVERYWHERE this winter. They looked awesome with my skinny jeans, and great with tights. I could wear them with or without socks. I even brought them to San Diego over Christmas and wore them in the morning and evenings when the temps dipped. And they got compliments everywhere I went. Ugg boots, you see them everywhere. But these Sorels are unique and practical. I won't miss the bi...

Here's the best way to spend a weekend morning:  Fill a table with cookbooks, back-issues of magazines you haven't read yet, your grocery list, your weekly menu planner, to-do notebook, plenty of tech so you can check in with social media and listen to music, and a hot cup of coffee (with lots of milk). Don't forget to throw in a soft blanket and send the kids away on a sleepover.  Then, simply bask in the glory of Me time.  

Me and My Honey 2003 First, let's flashback to the Christmas of 2003. I was dating THIS guy and out of now where he buys me a Singer sewing machine as a gift. I don't recall ever hinting about wanting one or pointing it out at Target. I really don't. So I was pretty darn surprised when I opened it up. I mean, what BOY buys a GIRL a sewing machine? So, obviously, I married him. Meanwhile, I learned all that I know on my new machine, creating a ton of projects from kid's clothes to curtains. It was dependable, light and very simple to use. And one of my favorite all-time Christmas gifts. Thank you, honey! Opening My Singer So, flash forward to this weekend and my Singer of 12 years throws in the towel, just as I was about to start the quilt for baby Leo. Jammed gears and no ability to reverse join the tension control that gave up months ago. I consult my Mom and she concurs, it's time for a new machine. Oh joy! A few years ago in New Jersey I took a ...

This is why I love books so much; I'll read a passage in a book that explains something about myself that I never could put into simple words. Or never thought deep enough about to explain. Like this: "Part of the problem with parties was that I couldn't even tell what the goal was, so I never knew when I was done."   I have more in common with Isabel from Maggie Steifvater's Shiver series than I care to admit, and this quote rang so true for me I grabbed a pen and underlined it. Then remembered it was a library book. Whoops. This quote is from Sinner , a new companion book to the Shiver series that ties up the Isabel/Cole storyline. I stayed up past midnight for the last few nights because I couldn't put it down. So good. Go read a book. Related posts: Read more quotes

After the holidays we decided we just couldn't take the dishwasher only doing half of its job. We don't blame it, it's likely the same age of the kitchen -- so maybe 12 years old. That's pretty old for a dishwasher. She just needed to be put out to pasture. The New Dishwasher - Hardest Working Appliance in Our Kitchen We did some research and found good reviews on the Bosch brand. By chance, my sister has a Bosch so I got to use it over Christmas. It didn't take long to settle on the right model and set the installation date. Yippee! It does clean mighty fine. Even peanut butter is no challenge for her (though, we are pre-rinsers, so not a lot of PB makes it in there, I promise). And it's soooo quiet. We usually run it in the evenings, and with the old one, we'd need to turn up the TV volume to compete with the running water/motor sound. This one, there's a light whoosh sound occasionally, but you'd need to be standing next to it to hear...