the list diaries. chapter 013 -- do you make goals for the new year?

image courtesy of tkow

the list diaries. 
chapter 013.

I’m not much of a goal-oriented person, at least, not to the extent of writing them out and looking back regularly checking my progress. It’s not like I float through life aimlessly but I’m no Jordan Ferney. I wasn’t even very good at coming up with goals when I was a working professional.

But last year I jotted down a few notes early in 2018 and they turned into a list. Bam! I think because they were on my phone and I saw them and was reminded of them frequently, a tiny seed of motivation was planted inside me and the list turned into a sort of contest against myself: how many can I accomplish in the year? My goals weren’t big, life-changing goals; some of them were kinda silly, like wearing more lipstick and statement earrings, and growing my eyebrows out. Others stretched me, like preparing at least one new recipe per month—I enjoy cooking and baking but I have a history of sticking with what I know. I liked having a list of attainable, measurable goals in 2018 and this year I’ve done the same. In fact, I just finished my list. Here are a few—take a look:

• Keep a cleaner apartment home (clean the bathroom and tub!)—my apartment is not a wreck but there’s always room for improvement when it comes to household chores, #amiright?
• Write a blog or Medium post each month—writing is a good practice for me to keep up
• Write a monthly family letter (month-in-review)—I used to be really good at keeping up with a weekly family letter and then I wasn’t anymore; isn’t Instagram enough?
• Send thank you and birthday cards—don’t you like receiving real mail, too?
• Prepare [at least] two new recipes a month—I’m discovering a true joy in taking the time to cook and bake; plus, cookbooks are so pretty these days!
• Finish compiling my [favourite] recipes online—maybe I’ll print them into a book of my own someday
• Less TV, more reading—I’ve compiled a list of books I haven’t finished reading and a few I already own or have downloaded that I need to read, all before I buy or borrow any new books; and honestly, I love TV a little too much so a break isn’t a bad idea
• Go out on a husband date each month—#keepthemarriedsparkalive

Do you start the new year afresh, ready to take it on? I’m usually ready for the new year but it’s often with loads of mixed feelings, usually eager to put the last year behind me and nervously excited for what the new year holds. 

Are you a hardcore listmaker with goals already in mind before the new year rings in? Not me. I do love a good list, like for the grocery store, but I’m honestly new to making a list of goals for the new year. And, admittedly, I’m digging it.

Are goal-oriented people more successful? Not in my case really, but I’m proud of myself and satisfied with my personal development in 2018, and that’s enough. Maybe I should do a solid year in review for 2018? Again, I refer to Jordan Ferney—she is a constant fountain of inspiration. #howdoesshedoit?

So much wondering. Good luck, and hello 2019!

the list diaries. chapter 012 -- does anyone blog anymore?

image courtesy and credit

the list diaries. 
chapter 012.

I spend a decent amount of time these days looking out my apartment window. traffic hustles by. people move from here to there. strollers and nannies and dogs and workmen and trees wave in the chilly breeze. clouds move from the direction of the bridge over the city. our windows are filthy.

- - -

our apartment is small for our family, but I love it. I love the combined efforts to make it as efficient as possible. we constantly purge and reorganize and micro-tidy every corner. right now I'm staring down our corner shelving unit, wondering how it can be better arranged. there's a possibility I watch too much Fixer Upper.

- - -

it's chilly in San Francisco and for the first time, I'm envious of summer weather in other places. I want to be out in the sunshine with baby boy and dipping our toes in the pool or stretched out lakeside. summer dresses and lightweight clothes are calling our names but jackets and sweatshirts win in the end.

- - -

I want to eat all the food: birthday cupcakes, Thai takeout, pizza pizza pizza, hotdogs with yellow mustard and chopped white onion, turkey sandwiches on toasted whole wheat, ice cream, chicken wild rice casserole, lasagna, kale caesar salad, cheeseburgers, popcorn, fried egg sandwich on an english muffin, japanese fried rice, my mom's fried chicken, salt and vinegar kettle chips, roasted potatoes, and so many others. food, please.

- - -

the truth is, I don't need all my nice sweaters and silk blouses and skirts and blazers. being a stay-at-home mom has changed my wardrobe and I like it. both wardrobes have fit my life at its current stage and that makes me happy. but it's time for some of my nicer duds to get the boot -- check out my eBay shop.

- - -

do you ever roll your eyes at people who claim they've found their calling? I do. all the time. even when I say it about myself now that I'm a #SAHM. I love this new role -- being home with my baby and taking care of him and our living space. it's more satisfying than I imagined. 

- - -

can I buy a house yet? 

can Joanna and Chip be my friends? 

can Iron Chef America return for a couple more seasons? 

can I have a farmhouse sink? 

fresh flowers, please.

- - -

baby boy is awake. 💕

the list diaries. chapter 010 -- who's in my earbuds.

images courtesy of 1, 2

the list diaries.
chapter 010.

I love a good playlist, and for me, music is as seasonal as my clothes. I prefer my old rock and classics, like America and the Carpenters, Gordon Lightfoot, Fleetwood Mac, in the summer when windows are open and daytrips to state and national parks are the usual. spring is upon us in the bay area and soon it will be time to put my winter playlist to rest -- although some will likely overlap. for now, here's who's in my earbuds.

• Say Lou Lou
• Bat for Lashes
• Rationale
• Leisure Cruise
• Laura Mvula
• Wet
• Katy Perry
• Sia
• Cat Power & Coldplay
• Color of Clouds
• Kina Grannis
• Karen O & Ezra Koenig
• Feist
• Natasha Khan & Jon Hopkins
• The Bird and the Bee
• Susanne Sundfor
• The Radio Dept
• Amason
• The Secret Sisters
• Beck
• Florence + The Machine
• A Man Called Adam
• Poe
• Rachael Yamagata
• Ray LaMontagne
• The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger
• Glass Animals
• Lorde
• Angus & Julia Stone
• Cat Power
• St. Vincent
• Koop
• Zee Avi
• Flight Facilities
• Charlotte Gainsbourg
• Keren Ann

I need music for nearly everything. I listen on my commute to and from work -- sometimes I rest my music and turn on NPR. I'm plugged in when I'm writing -- this usually requires something classical, like Mozart's Requiem. I'm plugged in when I'm walking about the neighbourhood and when I'm running errands. I'm not often listening to music when I'm at the office, however. is that surprising?

the list diaries. chapter 009 -- things I can't live without.

image courtesy of tkow

the list diaries.
chapter 009.

we all have those things that we cannot live without, like water or a hot shower, salt and pepper, our collection of hot sauces. below is my random, incomplete list. what's on yours? 

• my suzy cat
• my dreams of someday
• sundae spoons and ice cream
• my glossier products
• black tights
• eggs and toast
• my family. my whole family
• my phone
• butter
• a cast iron skillet
• the morning kiss goodbye
• opportunities to write
• a good dictionary and thesaurus
• grilled cheese sandwiches
• sunday afternoons
• lip balm
• a hair tie
• nivea body lotion
• my faith
• classical music
• my husband

the list diaries. chapter 008 -- things I like to eat.

images courtesy of ohhappyday and gthegent

the list diaries.
chapter 008.

I love food and I love to eat. as my appetite has fluctuated during this pregnancy, I've come to learn there are staples to my diet -- foods I love more than others and, simply, can't live without.

• ice cream, particularly breyer's strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla
• a juicy cheeseburger on a hearty bun, topped with lettuce and mustard, pickles and onion; salty fries on the side
• fried eggs from the cast iron skillet on my own stovetop and toast -- one of my favourite dinners; I like my eggs for dinner, not breakfast
• a toasted turkey sandwich with mustard, pepperoncinis, crispy romaine, tomatoes, and havarti cheese with applesauce or cottage cheese on the side
• green curry with beef from our favourite local thai restaurant -- for takeout, please
• one of my husband's signature grilled cheese sandwiches
• steamed broccoli with salt, pepper, and some butter
• a bowl of homemade granola or kashi's heart to heart honey toasted oat cereal and the milk that's leftover
• steamed milk with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon sprinkled on top
• oven-roasted yukon gold potatoes with salt, pepper, and olive oil

unlike other women, I haven't experienced any weird or odd food cravings (mr. brooks hasn't had to make any middle-of-the-night-runs to in-n-out or 7-eleven) or aversions. my diet has remained mostly the same as it was before becoming pregnant, the only difference is sometimes I can eat a little more than I could (or should) before. occasionally I'll crave more salt or a super sweet treat, like a cupcake with a mound of frosting on top, or I'll give in to that tiny bag of cheetos and eat a handful, tossing the rest in the garbage. 

eating is as fun as it was before I was pregnant -- the major difference being that I like eating at home with mr. brooks rather than go out. home food tastes the best, lately, and it's more comfortable for this growing belly. 

the list diaries. chapter 007 -- mothering on the brain

images courtesy of motherly and hatch newsletters

the list diaries.
chapter 007.

since the moment I thought I might be pregnant, back in August while at the lakehouse on family vacation, this baby has been on my mind day and night. and now that I'm two days into my 3rd trimester, baby brain has skyrocketed and the pressure of how quickly these last weeks will go is beginning to set in. not only are there a number of things to buy (even with our plan of keeping it simple), the list of to-dos is quite lengthy -- and no doubt I'm forgetting a few things. 

things to buy:

• the first round of newborn diapers
• a rocking chair or glider -- a comfortable seat for nursing and napping
• a car seat 
• a stroller
• a diaper bag, or determine which bag in my current collection could serve as a non-traditional diaper bag

things to do:

• decide my birth plan 
• build my hospital go bags, one to keep at the office and one for home
• write a labour plan for the office, just in case my water breaks at work 
• start attending breathing and labour prep classes
• hire my maternity leave sub at work -- can't abandon my team!
• plan out and complete as much work in advance as I can, particularly related to my ongoing branding and culture projects
• decide what my returning-from-leave work situation looks like
• line up someone to care for Suzy while we're at the hospital
• draft out an approved visitor list, and the timeframe

amid those lists, I'm still a wife and a stepmom. the duties and responsibilities that come with those roles cannot suffer just because I'm pregnant. however, my most important to do right now is to continue building a safe place for baby boy Brooks to grow so that when it comes time for him to show his face to the world, he'll be ready. #icantwaitforapril

the list diaries: chapter 006 -- my mom's amazing life.

mom and me on my wedding day, October 12, 2013; photo by TRR Photo

the list diaries.
chapter 006.

that's my mom. my incredible, spirited, young-in-heart, cute and beautiful, creative mom. and someday I want to be like her and be able to enjoy my later life like she is. this is my someday list -- in part.

• all children must be grown and living away from home. they are welcome to return at anytime with their own families but this part of my life is for me and mr. brooks.
• land. countryside land. with hills. if there's a small body of water -- even better. and some woods. so owls can nest and bunnies can flee.
• pets. perhaps a couple dogs, a few cats, a jersey cow or two, maybe a few goats, a burrow, an alpaca, chickens, and a few ducks.
• a large kitchen to continue perfecting my family recipes and discover new dishes to try out. a wide expanse of cupboards to hold my dishes collection. and a massive farm table to host dinner parties to taste the classic family recipes and try the new dishes. and a deep farm sink. 
• a cattle company to rent the hillsides when the months are warmer. bulls, calves, and lady cows roaming the property is something I cannot live without.
• time for creative activities, like writing and reading and dreaming up new gardens by the wood-burning stove.
• plots sectioned off across the property for gardens -- fruit, floral, and vegetable. and lots of bird feeders. and a wall of windows to watch the birds peck and flutter.
• time with mr. brooks to take summer walks down to the local ice cream dairy. or ride our bikes along the path parallel to to the train tracks. 
• the simple life, an opportunity to enjoy where I am, and how I arrived there. the chance to look back at my accomplishments and just sit back in the rocking chair on the front porch and snap peas.

my mom has the best life. she often refers to it as mundane but every time I'm home and get a peek into her world, I find it the most satisfying definition of simple. maybe that's the-country-mouse-living-in-the-city talking. regardless, it's pretty special. 

the list diaries: chapter 005 -- I vote for hope.

images courtesy 1, 2, 3

the list diaries.
chapter 005.

I didn't vote for Trump, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that knows me. And while I'm devastated at the turn of events and nervous for the future, I'm standing alongside President Obama and Secretary Clinton -- remembering the sun will come up tomorrow and to not lose hope. In the midst of such a tragedy, I thought it helpful to remind myself of what I do vote for and some of my hopes.

• more time with family
• honesty with ourselves
• more productive me-time
• reading books
• more time in the kitchen
• more sleep
• less candy
• more hugs
• more benefit of the doubt
• more kindness
• more patience
• more fresh air
• less darkness
• more white lights
• less clutter
• purpose
• a future for each woman in her chosen path
• more cronuts from Donut Savant
• more nights by the fire
• more snow angels
• herbal tea and popcorn
• snuggles with pets, babies, and nieces and nephews
• sunsets
• my someday farmhouse

We can all benefit from sharing our hopes with each other, and that in no way is my entire list. If you feel like adding your two cents, you're welcome to.

the list diaries: chapter 004 -- talking skincare.

images courtesy of glossier.com

the list diaries.
chapter 004.

when I arrived at work today, two packages from Glossier were on my desk. hooray! a couple coworkers noticed and were curious because they'd seen the new Glossier banners around San Francisco; one coworker was even the recipient of a long-stemmed perfectly pink rose the day Glossier was in town. so we started talking and I thought I'd share my list of Glossier beauty and skincare product must-haves.

• Milk Jelly Cleanser I love this in the morning to gently awaken my skin
• Priming Moisturizer lightweight; you can barely tell you're wearing anything
• Stretch Concealer the BEST concealer I've ever touched to my face
• Super Bounce, Super Glow, Super Pure super serums to super improve my complexion
• Perfecting Skin Tint a lightweight base that pairs nicely with the concealer
• Haloscope I like to use this on my eyelids
• Balm Dotcom the answer to troubling dry spots
• Generation G if you're not a lipstick person but want the colour, choose this; I wear crush

and should you choose to give them a shot, and I encourage you to, use this promo link. let me know how it goes.  

the list diaries: chapter 003 -- cross streets.

the list diaries.

chapter 003.

with such agreeable weather in san francisco most of the year, i frequently walk home from work. it's a great way to relax, get some time to myself, exercise (without even trying), and enjoy the city. during the hilly walk, i cross 22 streets.

• folsom
• howard
• mission
• market
• post
• sutter
• bush
• pine
• california
• sacramento
• clay
• washington
• jackson
• pacific
• bernard
• broadway
• vallejo
• jones
• leavenworth
• hyde
• larkin
• polk

the list diaries: chapter 002 -- san francisco.

the list diaries.
chapter 002.

lately i've wanted to hop on a plane and leave this hilly city in my past. start anew. and then other times i trip over a memory and find myself falling in love with san francisco -- all over again. 

• the jasmine-filled evening sky. the aroma is nearly palpable. 
• the convenience of four grocery markets within walking distance. 
• how still and quiet the city is in the early morning. 
• the option to walk -- everywhere; undaunted by the endless uphills climb. 
• the views. 
• the fog.
• everlane.
• tartine.
• the ferry building.
• miette -- where i can get the best macarons outside of paris. 
• the plethora of cuisines to choose from. 
• the fresh fresh air. it always seems to be moving. 
• how close the wilderness is. 
• tulle elk.
• fentons.
• avocados every day.
• the bar method studio.
• observing the personal style of passersby. 
• seeing familiar faces in this big little city.
• going away and coming home. 
• reminiscing over "firsts" with my mr. brooks. after all, this is our love city. 

there are times when i'm awed by the romance of this city. it's no wonder why there are so many poems and songs written about this place. but for me, the magic and wonder ebb and flow, much like the rolling hills through the city. this is my everyday town and it's easy to get caught up in the stink, the mess, the tiny living spaces, the traffic, the hassle of parking, the funny seasons, and the gritty beach -- until visitors come and remind me of this wonderland i've stumbled into ten years ago.

apologies, i do not remember the source of this image

the list diaries: chapter 001 -- from walgreens.

i haven't been writing on the blog for a while. what can i say? life stuff happened -- creative juices were zapped to near extinction and other mindful resources were reallocated. but this morning, walking back to the office after an errand to walgreens, i was amused at the contents of my bag. along a couple more blocks and i had come up with a new and easy way for me to resurrect my blog presence with... 

the list diaries.

as i continued to walk back to work i considered the idea -- a weekly post with a list. surely i have enough things to write a quick list about, like the things i buy from whole foods; or the white things i have in my closet; or the list of things in my beauty cabinet. still, i'm amusing myself about the idea but figure i'll give it a go for anyone out there still hanging on with me, refusing to let so many pretty things wither away and die.

the list diaries.
chapter 001.

• dove deodorant because the travel size stick is running out. this is a full size stick to keep at work because i'm showering here 3 mornings a week after bar method class.
• 6 bags of almond m&m's because 2 bags are not enough of my favourite work snack.
• aveeno shaving lotion. simply the best one out there.
• aveeno face wash that my skin actually agrees with! it washes off my makeup without leaving my skin feeling tight or overly squeaky clean. 
• jergens self-tanning lotion -- the need is real, people. like one of my husband's friends said, "There aren't enough sunglasses in the world for the amount of blindingly white thighs walking the streets of SF today."

my shopping intent was only the first 2 items but my basket quickly filled up with other must-haves. and i only have myself to blame because instead of grabbing my stuff and getting out, i wandered the aisles looking for cool stuff i didn't know i needed. does that ever happen to you? 

image courtesy of emily cox pahnke's instagram