5 years of living in LA will do a lot to a person. From my experiences here I have had some good, some bad, sad and a ton of good memories. When I moved here 5 years ago I pictured myself now in a completely different way. One of my goals was to be a working actress in TV/Film and to be a well known blogger. Which I have yet to achieve either.
I'm not mad nor am I giving up on that dream. It's just funny how much time went by and how so much has changed. I felt like I was so grown up finally moving into a city I dreamed about for so long with my boyfriend. Within one year of living in LA I had lost my job, became Christian, and moved back in with my mom in LA who thankfully got a job offer in LA within 2 months of me losing my job. God works in funny ways and even though year one seemed to take a completely different turn I wasn't mad.
I learned a lot about myself within the last five years. I learned that in life it's okay to slow down, it's okay to not feel okay and also that sometimes not everyone in your life stays long term. I also learned that it's good to try new things and to get yourself out there. If you would of told me before I moved to LA that I would be involved in a church I wouldn't believe you. My faith has been a huge part of my life since I started living here and I am thankful that God opened up my heart to him. My church community has been a blessing and I am very thankful that I even got to reunite with an old friend there.
As far as acting goes; I am currently working on updating my headshots, uploading new monologues, working on writing and completing my passion project this year. I feel like I wasted some time not working on my goals/dreams over the last 5 years but I feel like it was supposed to be this way. I feel like I've developed thicker skin and a new view on how to approach my goals. I am extremely thankful to be able to still be out here pursuing my dreams and hope to make some major moves this year. I think God for this opportunity and to my family/friends for their support too.
My first year in LA posing by the famous Samuel French which has recently closed. I'm so sad it's gone it's been a huge part of my acting journey since I started acting. 2nd Year in LA at LACMA2015 working on a web series I co-created, co wrote and starred in. It was an amazing experience to create my own content and bring it to life. My 3rd Year in LA with friends in El Compadre for my Birthday.This was one of my favorite memories ever! I got to visit the set of TEEN WOLF while they were filming their last season. Here's a pic with Stiles' famous jeep from the show. 10.2.16 the day we got engaged in MalibuIn 2017, I completed 3 levels at Second City in Hollywood and I can't explain how much fun I had here! I have never laughed so much in my life watching shows and doing improv in class. Took time off to focus on my wedding. 10.21.17 we got married! I still want to do a blog about our special day! Maybe on our two year anniversary! Did a few Cinespia nights in 2018! This is by far one of my favorite things in LA to do!Saturday morning hikes at Fryman My birthday brunch at Mama Shelter is still one of my favorite birthdays thus far!My little family <33.21.19 took new headshots!Read more
Girl time for me is very important especially when all of your friends live in different area codes. I noticed the older you get the harder it is to compare everyone's schedules and pick a day. One of my best friends suggested we have a tea party at this spot called, Morning Lavender OC. As soon as I looked it up and saw how cute this place was of course I was down!
Knowing the type of location we would be in we all decided to wear floral dresses. I happened to stumble upon on this cute little floral dress from Forever 21! I paired it with my Taupe Steve Madden heels in the style Lulla. I am obsessed with 70's style so when I found out Steve Madden had these 70s-esque cute wooden heels in taupe I knew I had to have them.
When the day finally came I made my way over to one of my old hometowns Tustin where this cute little shop is located and met up with my girlfriends there. We reserved our tea party at 10am and from what I can remember I think you have your spot for two hours. As soon as you walk into Morning Lavender you're presented with so much cute girly decor and literally feel like you're living in an Instagram photo. You will find yourself saying, "Omg so cute" at least 100 hundred times while you're there!
We had our tea party outside on the patio which is adorable and perfect for a sunny day. As soon as we sat down we were greeted by our waiter who was very attentive and also very helpful to accommodate our friend who has a nut allergy. Our tea party spread included: finger sandwiches, scones, a petite yogurt cup and a strawberry croissant. All the treats were extremely delicious and gone within seconds! We also got to choose a total of 3 teas, I believe since there were 3 of us. We ended up choosing the Earl Grey Lavender, Marrakesh Mint and Peaches & Cream. All three were phenomenal and it made me appreciate tea much more since I'm more of a coffee gal. We really enjoyed our time there and decided to check out the boutique inside once we were finished.
My friend introduced me to lavender drinks and let me tell you I love them now! So you know I had to try the lavender latte while I was here, also because Lavender is in their name. I wish there was a location in LA because I would be getting one frequently if I lived close. It was so good and gave me a ton of energy. I will definitely be getting another one when I visit Orange County.
The boutique was gorgeous and filled with so many eye catching outfits. I had no idea that Kim from Lace and Locks was the owner, which explains why this place is so cute! If you're looking for a good day date with your girlfriends I highly suggest visiting this place. It's the perfect place to have lunch, chat and shop with your friends!
It seems as if this question has been haunting me this whole year. Well not so much haunting but following me wherever I go. No joke I've been asked this in auditions, doing a quiz, improv, meeting people for the first time, etc. What can I possibly say without feeling cocky or even thinking of what answer I would pick? What would the Dos Equis man say??
So this got me thinking...What does make me interesting?
My memory. I feel like my memory stores just about every bit of information. For some reason I feel like I remember everything and anything. It can be the littlest detail but sometimes it freaks people out to the point where I "forget" things if you catch my drift. In order to avoid feeling awkward.
I'm a huge dreamer. I have huge ambitions and love to always keep busy. Now I know there is a difference in keeping busy and actually doing work. I'd like to say I'm getting better at both.
I feel like I'm a pretty good listener. I truly love hearing about other people's stories because I always think you can pick up something from everyone. One thing I learned in acting is when you pick up different people's behavior/body language you can understand how people work. I find learning more about people fascinating since everyone has a different story to tell.
Now I can sit here and try to name things but I won't. I feel like we were all made different for a reason and the little details about one another are interesting to find out. We're all special in our own ways and we need to never forget that.
This week I challenge you to pick up something interesting about a friend, co-worker, stranger, etc and compliment that person. You might just learn a thing or two from someone. Life is too short to forget little things or to not learn more about people.
We are well into Fall but in California we are still feeling the heat of summer. I always joke around about how California only has two seasons. Let's be real we get sunshine, we get a little rain and than we get something in between. This is how it goes 365 days a year for us but you know what I wouldn't have it any other way.
So how do you mix the two seasons you wear your favorite lightweight dress, pair it with a flannel and some sunnies then head on ova to the nearest pumpkin patch.
I guess I didn't go to the nearest one but when I was living in Orange County I was near Tanaka Farms. There's just something about going to the the pumpkin patch and being surrounded by bright orange pumpkins and plants that brings a smile to my face. I texted the bestie earlier in the week and asked if she was down so we headed there this past Saturday.
The weather that weekend was kind of brutal I won't lie. Even in a lightweight dress and a hat I felt like it was still summer. I knew as soon as I got back I was going to want a cat nap. We chilled there about two hours, from getting lost in the corn maze, taking pics, sipping on lemonade and just walking around. Despite the heat we still had fun and I got to take home two mini pumpkins!
Even though it may be hot around during our "FALL" I think it's still fun to get to go to the places around California that make you feel like you have a chance of Fall. Whether it be the pumpkin patch, getting dressed up in fall gear to get coffee, watching scary movies with friends, or watching it in a movie.
You just have to make the most of it!
OUTFIT Deets:
Dress: Fashion Q
Flannel: GAP
Necklace: Vanessa Mooney & Venice Beach jewelry stand
It's been on my mind lately how paying attention to time isn't always a good thing. Now I'm a firm believer in if you want something you'll make it happen. It's so crazy how sometimes we get in our own way when we're capable of so much more. Also one thing that I'm sure everyone's guilty of is comparing yourself to other people. With so much social media at our fingertips and more social media apps coming up it's easy to doubt yourself. I've always thought of our generation as having our own "TV SHOWS" Just think about it everyone's on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We always know what everyone's up to these days or at least we show people what we want to see. When in reality we may really be at home snacking on chips, texting, doing whatever while you're watching netflix. Now there is NOTHING wrong with that I repeat nothing!! It's just I feel like sometimes we create these illusions and we lose sight of ourselves.
I've felt like I've been falling into this trap of feeling like I'm not good enough lately and I'm not afraid to admit it. I've always been hard on myself and with my birthday in December creeping up on me I've felt like I've yet to accomplish all my goals this year. That is until one thing crossed my mind.
You really are never too old to accomplish a goal! Also the more time spent on worrying about things is the less time you have moving towards a goal. It's all so simple and yet it seems so hard. I guess it's hard not to get a little jealous when it seems like everyone's accomplishing milestones and yet I can't even figure out what I'm going to eat for dinner (Am I alone on this one, anybody?). So it got me researching on how to be more successful and these are the points that stood out to me that I wanted to share.
Celebrate your own accomplishments and celebrate others. We often forget that even just making little steps can count towards our goal. Think about what you've accomplished and give thanks to yourself! (Just don't get cocky!)
Count your blessings. Just looking at what you're thankful can immediately brighten up your mood.
On the Woody Show they had a segment regarding job making cuts. Well let's fast forward to the part that stood out to me. Woody said, "What would you grade yourself as worker?" That hit me because that's something I definitely need to put into perspective. I feel like that is something that will help me get back on track because sometimes we think we deserve more when in reality we need to check if we even do deserve it.
Happiness is a choice. One of my friends always tells me this when I'm down and it is so true. You really do have to choose to be happy and you'll eventually believe it.
STOP saying there is no time! It's true because we really do make times for things that are more urgent or enjoyable. Fall in love with your career/passion again and make the time! I promise you that you'll be more thankful for the time you put in than the time you wasted.
Hope this helps anyone feeling the same! Also I leave you with the below quote. Because come on it's fun to be mysterious and not let people's opinions get in the way either!
Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, live happily and tell no one, people ruin beautiful things.
After many months of trying to retrieve my website back and long nights of even trying to manipulate the codes on my site. (HACKER'S SUCK!)
I'm BACK!!!
Let me tell you I did not want to start all the way back at square one. But I thought about it more and hey this can be a good thing. RIP to all my previous Teal Loves Gold blog posts. You treated me well :( also I worked so damn hard. What can you do?!
So I pulled a Selena Gomez and started my Revival.
