This was our holiday card. The idea popped into my head when my husband and I were watching the news one night, exasperated by the many current issues, our hearts stirring with emotion. How do you raise children in the United States today?

This is how: You teach them to have a voice. You teach your little girl that although we haven't yet had a female President, someday we will - and someday it could be her. You teach your son what it really means to be a feminist - that he is wonderfully unique, but his future is not more important than the little girl's sitting beside him. That when he grows up and works for, or runs a company, his paycheck shouldn't be bigger than his female colleague's, simply because he's a white male. You stand up for equality and equal rights every day by giving your children experiences and friends and languages different than their own. You ask them hard questions. You ask yourself the same. You listen and respect the relatives and friends you may have who believe in carrying weapons, and you ask them with love, to consider fighting for change, not because we want to take away their rights, but because we want stricter background checks and tougher laws. Because our children are worth it.

Stella's tee, my tee, Bodhi's tee (no longer avail), Rick's tee

All photos by Ryan West 

*The below post was originally posted on my Instagram and Facebook page on December 27th, 2018.

Last night while watching Mary Poppins Returns with my two kids at the Cinemark at Howard Hughes, a disturbed person covering their face with a hoodie, came into the theatre, banged on the wall and started yelling at the audience. Nearly everyone jumped up in panic mode, expecting the worst. Expecting gunfire. I covered my son underneath me, knowing that my husband had my daughter. In an instant my thoughts were that I might die, but that I had to get my kids out safely. This is the current "normal" in the country we live in. Even though (thank God) this person didn't have a gun, THIS is simply what we EXPECT now. A beautiful movie and holiday experience turned in to a terrifying one. People running out screaming, my children crying and traumatized. It makes our holiday card seem that much more poignant now. I ask you with love, to consider fighting for change. 

More feelings captured with my sweet girl, and another reason to speak up. The Forbidden Words tee I'm wearing is by Les Lunes and includes Trump's seven forbidden words for CDC to include in their reports for funding. 

I love you, Stella! And mommy is so proud of you! 

Code TANYA15 for 15% off at Les Lunes

Forbidden Words Tee

Women Supporting Women

Hello 2019. Happy to see you go, 2018! Well, except the part that my babies are getting bigger and more amazing every day, and growing up so fast and I wanna press pause to cherish them sometimes. Man, I was hit with a lot of lessons in the '18, some of which slid in at the last second, knocking me beside the head with a slightly painful "hey, you're not going that way!" But sometimes you need a lesson that big to keep you on the right path. 

I’ve been reading Rachel Hollis' book called Girl Wash Your Face and there is a chapter called “I’m better than you” about women judging one another. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with my husband on this one topic. “Why do women do that?” He asks. “Men don’t really do this.” I’ve realized that I’ve been up against some serious judgement in my life over the years and it’s almost always been from another woman. With that said, I've thankfully come across more good than bad. And to those who have been a constant, solid and uplifting relationship in my life, I am so grateful. I have some wonderful girlfriends and colleagues. And that’s something. But still, it stings when it happens to you, and when it does, you have to check yourself, the situation, and what is really going on. 

One recent situation was so ironic because the whole basis of the project was supposed to be about women supporting women... And as I sat there with a woman and listened to her tell me that I was inferior, and not as good as the other women in the project, I realized something, she was just plain being mean. Perhaps I’ll never know why, but I think it has a little, no, a lot to do with perception. If you’re looking to find the worst in someone or something, you’ll usually find it. It wasn’t about me. It never is. What I’ve learned is that when I’ve judged other women, (and we all have) it’s usually due to some issue I have within myself. And to those I’ve ever made feel less than, I’m sorry. Strong women lift one another up! Strong women encourage with kindness and confidence because another woman’s work or success doesn’t intimidate them. So let’s keep working hard, appreciate the good, and put our own kindness where our mouth is. #2019 

Les Lunes Jumpsuit

I'm so excited to share my first holiday look of the season! As soon as Halloween passes, it's ON and I start planning my looks for all of the upcoming holiday parties. This year I have one piece that will take me through so many different events that I had to share.

The Les Lunes Paul Jumpsuit

USE PROMO CODE: TANYA15

for 15% off!

I've had a relationship with Les Lunes since I did a video for them back in my Séchoir days, and have used some of their pieces for my styling gigs. (The Les Lunes menswear is absolutely to-die-for soft, and my hubs is obsessed.) 

I love this Paul Jumpsuit because it feels like pajamas but is so chic! Oprah wore it to rehearsal for the Golden Globes and everyone flipped. She added it to her favorite things list and it makes sense. It's lovely and flattering on so many body types. (Did I mention it feels like you're wearing pajamas? SO comfortable!)

I also love that it can be dressed up or down. Red lips and killer heels, or your favorite cozy sneaks or shoes and you're good to go. 

They also have a similar Stella Jumpsuit without sleeves that is equally perfect. 

If you have a moment to browse around the site, you'll love the loungewear and dresses too! Don't forget to use code TANYA15 for 15% off everything on the site!

Happy shopping, lovelies! 

Femme & Fierce

“No one knows what you have been through or what your pretty little eyes have seen, but I can reassure you ~ whatever you have conquered, it shines through your mind.” 

― Nikki Rowe

Gap Jacket (last season)

H&M - boyfriend jeans

Les Lunes - Forbidden Words Tee

Get it here with 15% off! (Use code TANYA15)

Family Halloween Costume - Grease

Happy Halloween! In case you're still scrambling for a costume, I've got one for you! We stumbled upon this idea when friends invited us to a sing-a-long at Venice High School, where they filmed the movie, Grease! 

I immediately googled all of the looks and realized we had pretty much everything in our family wardrobe to make this happen. (Bonus that my daughter humored me and dressed up as a matching Bad Sandy.) We curled our hair in rollers and pinned it to the side. I had faux leather jeans that were perfect, and a fitted long-sleeve tee that I just pulled down over my shoulders. Stella had black leggings and an off the shoulder, black top. Don't forget the sexy pumps!

Our friend happened to have a Danny wig which my hubs rocked (lol), but I think you could get away with styling your hubby's hair appropriately. 

My little man was just perfect as a T-Bird because we had already had a leather jacket in his arsenal. He was so into the idea of being a singer, so we went for it. (Maybe he was the "Teen Angel" character?) Don't forget the white tees and jeans for your dude, and you're done! 

Be safe and have fun tonight! xx

Halloween Costume - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We had the chance to dress up a few times this year for Halloween and it's always so much fun to get creative! Even better when I can use my back stock of vintage clothing for an authentic costume!

I've been obsessed with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel since I binge watched it on a rare and free weekend alone over the summer. A 1950's housewife becomes a famous comic when her husband leaves her for his secretary and what better way to cope than to make jokes about it? Meanwhile, she's also FABULOUS. The wardrobe, the makeup, the hair, it's always been a time period I've adored and if you haven't seen it, you need to.

Here was my inspiration:

Women in those days dressed to THE NINES, even to BED. I loved that idea, and was so excited when I realized I had the perfect authentic nightgown to wear, so I went for it!

The only challenge was the hair. I knew I could just retro curl my own, (which I love to do in life anyway - have you bought these Bed Head Bubble Rollers yet?) but to actually look like Mrs. Maisel, it needed to be brown.

I went to a wig shop and found a really great choice, but the price tag (around $60) made me angry, so I decided to get the cheaper wig and just cut it myself. Since the wig was a super long straight wig, and synthetic hair can't be curled, I just chopped and pinned it. I found a silk robe tie that used to be my great-mother in law's and tied it around my wig to further secure it all.

 Some vintage earrings, red lips and blue eye shadow, and I was good to go!

When I showed up to my friend's house and she was Rosie aka "We can do it!" I was giddy. Talk about female empowerment.

Hope you find some glamorous Halloween inspiration!

Bye Bye Summer - my favorite look of the season

I'm such a "throw on a dress and go" girl in the summer. Maybe I just don't have the patience to get creative with styling during the warmer months, so if I find an amazing dress that can take me from an event, or dinner and drinks out with the hubs, and I don't have to think about it too much - that's a winner to me. I love this white lace dress I found at Nordstrom Rack. It's so feminine and pretty!

Astr the label lace dress

I skipped right over the first day of fall (I've been way too crazy busy to blog like I used to) but wanted to document my summer style for 2018. So looking forward to what's next - my favorite time of year for holidays and fashion!