2012 was a blur. All I know is that I had a baby. My daughter turned three (!!!). The hubs and I celebrated four years of marriage and six years of togetherness. And I championed through one of the most challenging years of my life, all while still giving a rats ass (most days) about what I wore. That's a victory in itself, if I do say so myself.  Here, I break down some of my favorite moments and some of your favorite looks of the year:

I spent a big part of 2011 and 2012 working in Home Design for Calypso St. Barth. It was a great experience and so inspiring on so many levels. I truly believe that fashion, art and interior design are one in the same, and if I am feeding at least one of these passions, I'm a happy mama. A special moment for me - organizing and leading a collaboration with Dress for Success.

Big into white jeans for cold weather - Paige Denim (L&R) (L) Calypso St. Barth cashmere, H&M necklace, MRKT sandals (R) Striped tee, Vintage boots, Vintage blazer in both.

I was starting to feel a bit weird early January, so I took a test. Yep! Preggos. Here in this beach shot I was looking for content to post and wanted so desperately to be anywhere else. So I was dreaming of a shoot I did for Sunset Magazine and the glorious beach I got to visit. If you've missed all the hype that Princess Kate is bringing to the subject, have a quick read about it. Hyperemesis is no joke. In my case, I had to be on meds to stop vomiting and I was extremely ill for 16 weeks.

(L) Sweater - Calypso St. Barth. I remember showing up for work one day and seeing this sweater on display. I had to have it. I stripped off my AA Floral jumper and made it happen. Worn with Genetic Denim & Vintage seed bead necklace.

By March I was feeling much better and ready to tell the world about my pregnancy but still had to wait to share the news. A tiny bump was starting to appear and I was still trying to find ways to hide it. A fun collaboration with JewelMint led to this post, which inspired an artist, the amazingly talented Amy Lynn to paint me. The hubs surprised me soon after with the purchase of it.

My favorite red beret, Calypso V-neck tee & JewelMint Bolero neck piece.

Some fun events I had the pleasure of attending and covering. A tastemakers event with Hip'tique in honor of Marilyn Monroe and a Designer Networking event with Calyso St. Barth and some of the most talented interior designers in LA.

(L) Hatch Collection Dress, JewelMint Necklace, Vintage accessories. (R) Calypso Dress, Forever21 Tuxedo Blazer. 

Come mid-summer I was getting huge and decided to just embrace the bump! I challenged my preggo readers to do the same and find a way to feel sexy and stylish at the same time.

(L) Thrifted leopard dress, vintage denim & bangles (R) Vintage dress, Forever21 accessories.

August was a huge month. Stella was turning three on the 28th, and baby boy was due right around the same time. So I threw her butterfly birthday bash two weeks early, as to not steal her thunder and go into labor on her big day. Bodhin James arrived August 31st.

Baby girl dress via Zullily - the best online sample sale site for the little ones! Little Bo is wearing a super soft onsie from Kicky pants at less than 24 hours old.

A favorite cap to the year was doing some really fun collaborations via my advertisers over at Blogher. This post was one of my faves - a transformative beauty post on makeup - Less is More, with Sonia Kashuk products for Target. Here, I was showing how to either do a bold lip, or smoky eyes. Two of my go-to looks. 

Sweater - Calypso St. Barth cashmere. Makeup products by Sonia Kashuk for Target. Waves courtesy of hot rollers - try it if you haven't! 

I'm so excited to see what 2013 has to hold! Looking back, things are never what you expect them to be, but I think there's a lesson somewhere in there about letting go... Thank you so much for continuing on this journey with me. I love you all.

Vacation in Tahoe ~ off to the airport!

Old Navy Chambray, Gap Tank, Saint Grace Leggings

United Colors of Benetton Coat (similar) and Nest Diaper Bag

Well, we made it home from our winter white vacation in Lake Tahoe. My friend from back east was laughing that our idea of vacation is snow shovels and snowmen, while the rest of the world chases the sun this time of year. Living in southern Cali will do that to a family. 

We had the best time. We relaxed around the fire, made crazy huge meals, sipped champagne in a hot tub as a near blizzard swirled around us, and watched through the eyes of a child, all the wonder and joy that this season can bring. 

We're so grateful to have had the opportunity to stay in a beautiful home, surrounded by some of the people we love most in the world. After all, that's what it's all about. 

More next week. 

What I've always dreamed of... {Happy Holidays!}

When my photographer friend snapped some photos of us for our holiday card this year, she and I both agreed that the first shot perfectly captured the moment of my pure and utter happiness. In her words; "Look, Tanya! It's what you've always dreamed of!" Indeed. Truth is, I can't think of anything else I've ever wanted as much as my own family, the love of my life, a little girl to dress up for Christmas and decorate a tree with... and a son to bring home from the hospital and call my own.

I'm going to be taking next week off from the blogging world to soak in all the happiness, this wonderful holiday, and the three beating hearts beside me that make up everything that means anything to me. 

Have a wonderful, joyous holiday. I hope it's beautiful for you too! 

With love, 

T xx

Great gift idea - DDF Micro polishing System ~ on sale $45!

A little while back, I was visiting a girlfriend in her brand-spanking-new, single girl apartment (it was fabulous, and my married, pregnant self was living vicariously through her freedom at that moment) and I couldn't help but devour every square inch of her new home and the luxury that went along with being single. Don't get me wrong, I am completely in love with my own space, my two kiddos, of course, the married life, my awesome hubs... but what I mean by luxury is that not one corner was dedicated to elmo dolls, bath toys, toddler destruction, infant swings, dirty man shoes. It was all girl. It was all hers. And all lovely.

Anyway, after making my rounds and oohing and ahhing after every turn of my girlfriend's brief but exciting tour of her apartment, I made it into her bathroom to wash up. Amidst the every day items that any woman would need, (no brightly colored rubber duckies in sight) I noticed a serious little scrubbing machine by her toothbrush. I peeked at the label, DDF. Then I realized I had also been noticing how good her skin had been looking lately. Just then, I felt like I had been let in on a little secret.

Now, I've never used one of these babies, and I'll be the first to give you a good review when I do, but the DDF Revolve 400X is supposed to be the best of the best because it doesn't just vibrate and exfoliate, it polishes and transmits energy to the skin, producing microdermabrasion results at home. My girlfriend raved about it. And her glowing skin was all the proof that I needed.

I'm so happy to be partnering up with Blogher to give you a special PROMO CODE to get this baby on major sale! The timing for this one and for all the holiday shopping couldn't be better! So check it out here on sale for $45 bucks (normally $98) when you use PROMO CODE DDFMICRODERMA.

{Offer good through January 31st, 2013 with free shipping!}

Nudge Santa, get it for yourself, or for that fabulous, single girlfriend living in that lovely little apartment you like to go visit from time to time.

Happy Shopping, loves!

I wore this to dinner + Holiday Nostalgia and Birthday Wishes

Although my birthday isn't officially until Wednesday (stay tuned for an awesome giveaway post then), I was lucky enough to start celebrating over the weekend. Being a December baby, my birthday is always so closely intertwined with all the holiday celebrations, and that used to drive me nuts as a child. But now it just makes me happy. The sweet nostalgia of it all, bundled up for cold weather with warm feelings for the end of another great year. Like a pretty wrap-up to the twelve months past, all tied up in a big red bow... and the voice inside my head - you are now one year older, savor this time.

And I do. 

The twinkling Christmas lights at every restaurant, the menorah on our dining room table, the gift giving to others, the parties, the baking, the smell of a fresh tree in your house, the babies in feet pajamas, the dressing up and going out... the love and smiles of friends and family coming together and making plans... 

I could go on and on. I'm just feeling really grateful lately. 

I hope you are too. 

Vegan Oat Banana Cookies

I spent the day yesterday wrapping presents, cuddling up to my little love and visiting with two of my very favorite girlfriends over very good rosé. One of my gal pal's is a serious vegan. (I mean, serious. Did you know that a true vegan doesn't even eat honey?) Anyway, I love the challenge of baking up a sweet treat for her, because in the process I usually find a pretty healthy recipe for my fam. This one is adapted from food.com (I lowered the sugar content, added a banana & substituted coconut oil) and they turned out fantastic! 

With all the holiday gluttony surrounding us, it's sure nice to have a relatively healthy option! These are seriously yummy! Just the right amount of crunch and chewy middle. Let me know if you try them! Have a fabulous weekend, friends! 

Yeilds: 3 dozen

WW points: 2

Vintage Jacket + Zara Pants + Luxury Tee

We've been having a few fabulously bright and sunny southern Cali days lately, which would normally piss me off. (It is the end of the world Christmas time, after all.) But instead, I've decided to go with it and dress for comfort, while still trying to be seasonally appropriate.

I love this vintage blazer I found a while back. I love the neutral colors, the weight and thickness of it and how it's shaped at the shoulders and waist. The pants are Zara that I found at a resale joint for... oh, about $15 bucks I think? They feel like pajama pants. (Dying to get the sequined ones in the same shape here!)

The tee is the only pricey piece in this outfit and I have to tell you something - it makes a difference. I'm a big bargain and vintage hunter, as you know, but you have to add in some luxury to keep it balanced. Luxury tee? Yes, this one by Twenty retails for over a $100 dollars. Did I pay that? No. But I just might. If I compare it to some of the cheapos in the closet, (sorry, Old Navy, you have a good one here) there is no contest. I've been wearing this baby non-stop.

Belt - Free People

Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Faux Snakeskin Flats - Via Ideeli
Tee  - Twenty (similar version here)

Video Release Party for Mama P-Dog's "Imma Maid" on Funny or Die + Lisa Dempsey Makeup

This is my girl, Priscilla. (Isn't she gorgeous? Tall blonde, mom rapper, wait for it...)

And this is my sis, Lisa. (Killer style, my best bud, makeup artist extraordinaire)...

Lisa is responsible for transforming Priscilla from bombshell to "Mama P-Dog"...

In the music video, as well as at the event.

Mama Dog rapped and ranted and thanked her crowd... Then we screened the official music video for "Imma Maid". (Currently killing it on Funny or Die!)

Funny mom rapper, Mama Pdog song "Imma Maid" - watch more funny videos      

If you missed my post here, you may not know that Mama P-Dog invited me to sing back up for her debut track and perform in the video when I was close to 9 months pregnant! Which was fitting because, well, the song is about busting your butt as a parent. (Talk about working mom!)

It brought down the house! We had so many amazing supporters there and it was one of the most hilariously fun times I've had all year!

Make sure to check out the video, pass it along, and don't forget to vote on Funny or Die!

"Imma Maid" will soon be available to purchase on iTunes.

Peace!

Out the door, that blue dress again, oh, and weight watchers really works.

Out the door to the premier party for that music video I told you about here.  I can't get enough of this blue dress. It was originally gifted to a famous movie star (for real) but through the grace of fashion Gods it ended up in my closet by way of really nice friends.
I'm starting to feel so great in my skin again. Not that carrying a baby isn't one of the most incredible experiences the female body can endeavor... but man, getting back to my pre baby size just feels good. I gained 40 pounds in this pregnancy and set a goal to be back to my goal weight by this week. And although I'm just a few pounds shy of being on-the-nose, I'm feeling pretty darn proud of myself.
Can't wait to share pics from the the music video release party. Check back in tomorrow for full coverage and a link to the video! Have a fabulous week, friends! And remember, you can achieve anything you set your mind to! xx

Darker Hair & Hippie Roots

Two things that I will never tire of: Dark, dark hair (still considering the cut) and hippie inspired wardrobe pieces. I feel most like myself in this combo.

Embellished Top - Calypso St. Barth (avail here)
Vest - Forever21 (longer version here)
Wooden Bangles - via thrift

What Not To Wear is casting!

Hey, hey fabulous friends! Do you know anyone in LA in need of a makeover? One of my best pals is casting for the next season of What Not To Wear! Details above! Or shoot me an email and I'll connect you. 

Tree finding

Five seconds after these photos were taken, the rain came pouring down. Luckily we found our tree just in time. I told you I wear this hat a lot.

A little sparkle, A little rain...

Hello December. Love this month. Love this rainy weather. Love that the festivities have begun {already one holiday party down} and there are still many more to come! We shot our family Christmas photos last night and finally got our tree up! It's only half decorated and our house is an explosion of tinsel and tiny tot destruction, but these are good problems to have. This month is already jam-packed with things to do, people to see and dinners to host. So I'm glad I have something as easy as this sparkly sweater to throw on over leggings and still feel rather festive. It's Donna Karan Collection from a couple years back, but I found you similar here and here.