new year's day + a side of blogger's block

it's late. the boys are in bed. josh is still at work. it started raining this week and i can hear it coming down hard. el nino they say. it finally showed up. heavy and uncaring, but without thunder as promised from the weather folks, which i'm a bit bummed about.

i'm at my desk. in our office. my beloved space heater placed squarely in front of my legs. the wine has been poured. check. check. check. it's the perfect night to write about our first day of 2016. but unlike the rain, the words never came. now. two days later. still nothing. ironically, dry as a desert.

it happens. the writer's block. when it comes to a post i want to be perfect. i have so much to say, or not much at all. it won't come together. something in the story i haven't worked out in my head yet. the missing piece. the light bulb that suddenly goes off mid-sentence. and the post just takes off.

it's dark, rainy and getting late. two vinos down and i still and can't explain why this one means so much to me. or why it warrants writing and caring about. it just does. ugh. i am stuuuuuck. i start checking the listings on redfin, and new arrivals from my favorite shops. what i always do to cure the block. bright spot, the shop page has been updated:->

so, enough with the drama already. this block turned ramble/rant can stop here. and i'll just say it. on new year's day, we cheeks, per family tradition, went to venice beach. and it was glorious. and you'll just have to trust me since my words have failed me. sorry guys. it's rough coming back from my longest vacation since maternity leave. which is NOT A VACATION. but still better than working. we did capture a few cute moments from the day, so it's not a total loss. now on with the post. finally.

love you guys!

it's hard to believe just a week ago i was walking on the beach barefoot. we are all happy for the much needed rain, but digging your toes in the sand in january? this is why i love it here.

the canals. this place is magic.

always stopping to admire the succulents.

ok, is anyone else a sucker for boardwalk crap? i loathe souvenirs but gimme some fun cheapie sunnies any day. and i'm always on the lookout for a replica venice beach t-shirt i rocked as a kid. my dad bought it for me during a trip to venice after i begged for it. it was white + teal + hot pink. and rad. i know i have a picture of me wearing it somewhere, and will share it as soon as i hunt it down. and then maybe somebody will find me that t-shirt!