California

Momma Loves: Ana Schechter

When I was a little girl, I loved my teddy named Bobby and he came everywhere with me. As a pre-teen I cherished my Caboodle and coveted the makeup and nail polish that would fill it. As a teenager I was obsessed my guitar and...

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Summer in October

Apple picking this year was a little different than in years past. For starters, it's 100 degrees. For this area it's pretty typical for it to be warm this time of year, but I can't recall it being this hot out. The kids have been swimming...

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Mellow Summer Atmosphere

It's day four of summer vacation, and I finally feel like we've downshifted the soundtrack from the Ramones to a slow and breezy Beck tune. That could also very well be the calling card of my seventh month of pregnancy, because I feel as though I'm...

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A Lovely Day

I've been really fortunate, in my opinion, that I haven't necessarily had to work for the last five or so years since Zoe was born. Before Justin was accepted into Dental School, I was working as a manager at a boutique and was able to...

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Back to NYC, Back to Me, Back to my Belabumbum

My first trip to New York City after our move to Santa Cruz in August was in late February this year. I was so anxious to stand amongst the towers of endless buildings and see if I felt any different than I did when we...

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Big City of Dreams

From where I sit at my desk in the corner of our master bedroom typing this, there are three diplomas on the wall. All three belong to my husband, and he worked incredibly hard for those achievements. Rather than being a brag-wall for himself, those...

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Playful in New York City

I get asked all the time if I miss New York City. Our move from one of the largest cities in the world to a cozy beach town on the opposite coast was pretty drastic, especially in terms of culture shock. The truth is that...

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Make Time to Play

Like any seasoned, spoiled Californian, I've caught myself cursing the gorgeous weather more than once. A terrific snowstorm is currently engulfing my Manhattan and there is a part of me that is longing desperately to be there to see it. Christmas feels more Christmassy when...

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This Sweet Life: Traditions with Theo

I truly loved living in New York City. It was, of all the places that I've lived, the one that made me feel the most alive. No matter what kind of day I was having, how I was feeling or the troubles I was facing,...

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West Coast Allergies: Room to Breathe

My husband and I moved to California with lofty expectations for our son's seasonal allergies and asthma. We moved to New York City before he had shown any signs or symptoms of either, so naturally we attributed his reactions to the environment. We began Jack...

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Moments in Santa Cruz

Life in Santa Cruz is much different than life in Manhattan. In fact, one of the only ways that it's similar happens to be one of my favorite things about NYC: The people. Minus, of course, the always-moving mentality and attitudes. There are a lot...

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Anchors Away

I don't compartmentalize well, in my mind or tangibly. Everything moves along together down the stream and I travel with it, keeping the flow as well as I can. The last month has proven rather difficult for me to follow the rhythm and tide of the...

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