Remember my friend with the pool in this post? It's Claudia! Claudia and I worked together for years and I am super thankful that we also became good friends. When we see each other it's often with our mutual friend, Cat, and the three of us have created a special space where anything and everything can be discussed, and often laughed about. She is wise beyond her years, smarter than I will ever be, and just a delight to be around. 

I always try to put a picture in my Q&A posts that in some way represent who I'm interviewing. A rainbow popped into my mind as soon as I started on this post. Beautiful, cheerful and colorful. 

Bits and Pieces 

Where do you live and with whom? 

I live in San Jose, CA with my husband, Matt, and two dogs Charlie and Murphy. We adopted Charlie this past October, and found Murphy wandering the street in front of our apartment in April. We’re still figuring out our routine. 

If you didn’t have to work for money what would you do? 

Where to begin?? Live at the beach, become a Pilates instructor, volunteer at the local library and animal shelter, take long trips, enroll in art classes, open a quirky bookstore with chairs so comfy you’d never want to leave, go to spin class every day, learn how to restore furniture, try to flip a house…

What did you have for dinner last night? 

Matt and I went on a date and were going to try this new trendy, upscale restaurant but the wait was so long that we decided to go to our quick Mexican joint down the street. Best. Flautas. Ever. My belly couldn’t have been happier.

Choose five words to describe you. 

“Not throwing away my shot.” 

What keeps you up at night? 

How do we get Trump impeached? How can I have more of an impact? How can I better check my own biases? What am I going to eat for dinner tomorrow? Maybe I should learn to watercolor. Oh shoot, I forgot to write that email. Should I get bangs? Did I really do [insert embarrassing thing] five years ago?

What inspires you? 

The natural world gives me energy. I must be part plant with how much sunshine I need. That said I do miss a big East Coast summer thunderstorm every now and then. I also find a tremendous amount of inspiration in the notion of endless possibilities. I’ve had the ability to change my circumstances several times in my life, sometimes on a whim, and reinvent myself along the way. It might be why I like grocery stores so much – the thought of all of those ingredients waiting to become something together or stand out on their own. 

What do you do for “me time”? 

Curl up with a good book, cuddle with my pups, head to the beach, or have an at home spa day. I’ve been wondering if it’s time I learn how to curl my hair with a wand so that might be next.

Some of Your Favorites

What book are you reading right now? 

I’m a chapter in to The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith, the pseudonym for JK Rowling. I recently finished The Cuckoo’s Calling that features the same protagonist and it’s a great whodunit. The most recent book I finished was The Little Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, and it was fantastic. 

What song or album are you playing on repeat right now? 

“Thunder” by Imagine Dragons from their Evolve album. It’s the perfect beat for a steady run or lifting weights. 

What is the one beauty product you are obsessed with and would recommend to all your friends? 

I’m completely obsessed with my Nars Orgasm 3-in-1 stick. It’s a classic, looks good on every skin tone, and has the perfect amount of sparkle for summer.

What is your favorite item in your closet?

These beauties. They saw me all through summer and are the perfect mix of comfy and chic. Easy to wear with pants, skirts, and dresses, and like all Toms they only get more comfortable when you wear them more and more.

Go to adult beverage? 

Right now I’m trying to perfect a dirty martini with two olives – it’s a built in snack!

Life Questions

Give me three words to describe your life right now. 

Very, very full.

What is one thing/area of your life you currently do really well? 

One accomplishment I've been most proud of recently is perfecting my shrimp and grits recipe, which is huge for someone with Southern roots. I've added a California twist with kale instead of collard greens and adding Tapatio. 

Also, deciding to keep Murphy {a cute little dog she found on the streets near her neighborhood that no one claimed} who was the most skittish dog I've ever met, has been a huge commitment and I'm glad Matt and I saw it through. Training him has taken more patience than I knew I possessed. He wouldn't let Matt go near him for the first month, and I had to sleep on the floor or sofa with him because he was so scared. He's like my little pocket pup now, though, and keeps making improvements every day. I wouldn't want it any other way.

What is something you wish you were currently better at? 

I’d really like to start prioritizing my physical and mental health again, even if it’s a 30 minute cardio session, and not thinking that I need to be in the gym for two hours. But, hey, the first step to solving your problem is identifying your problem!

Name a few things you miss the most about life five years ago? 

I’ve really tried to think of a few things, but I’m happy with where the last five years have led.

Can you tell me about something that you have experienced recently that you didn’t see coming when you were younger? 

One thing that I've had a lot of fun with that I didn't fully expect was how much I love getting to introduce Matt as my husband. I saw it coming since I knew we were getting married, that part wasn't a surprise, but I really didn't anticipate how much enjoyment I'd feel getting to say husband. 

If you picture yourself five years in the future, what does life look like then? 

A handful of stamps on my passport, embracing my voice and prioritizing what’s important to me, learning to say no, hopefully adding a little baby to our family. One thing’s for certain, it involves a backyard because two dogs in a third-floor loft walk-up might be making my butt look good, but I’m ready for green space.

Can you tell me one piece of advice that has had a big impact on you? 

My sister has this saying, “Is it helpful? Is it kind? It must be one or never mind.” Every day I find myself using it, and it’s an easy way to check yourself to see if what you’re about to say or do is going to be productive. I love the sentiment of it. One of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how I need to start applying it to myself, too.