University of Three

I hope that I’ll be a mother who is able to give her child the same things my parents gave to me - never doubting that I was the center of their world, that I had a real sanctuary around the dinner table every night in our own little university of three. 

And I want to be a parent who works to improve that world around me. 

I was raised to believe that if you can do something, you should do something. 

- Chelsea Clinton - 

Evolution is Everything

Congrats to Rihanna on her Vanguard award at this year's VMA's! Girlfriend has killer fashion and confidence. She totally inspires me to #workworkworkworkwork.

As she said in a recent Elle magazine article -- 

"As far as I could remember, fashion has always been my defense mechanism. Even as a child, I remember thinking, She could beat me, but she can NOT beat my outfit. And to this day, I think about it. I can compensate for all my weakness with my fashion. 

Fashion is my way to say who I am - and to be very loud about it at times. 

My desire for control is born from my need to be constantly changing. If I'm not doing something new, I'm not interested in doing it all. Evolution is everything."

Parenting Triumph

Our mothers are human, not the cookie-cutter ideal. Our moms make missteps. What’s important is how much they loved us. 

I’ll always remember these platitudes my mother said to me, like “Your job is your life insurance. Don’t ever let anybody take it away from you.” 

The other day Ava said, “Well, Mom, you said that drinking water with lemon is good for my body.” I burst into tears, going. “Oh my God, you listen to me!” Parenting triumph.

I was 23, when I had my first child. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was young. It was shocking. When people ask, “When’s the best time to get pregnant?” I say, “Pick the best day for when your entire life is gonna change.” There’s no good time to have your world turned upside down. 

As Ava becomes a woman, I'm proud that I taught her to not be ashamed about any of her experiences. Live life fully, with curiosity and love, and be brave.

Don't regret anything. Everything that happens in your life - the good, the bad - is meant to happen. [Reese Witherspoon, Glamour]