a Taylored Approach
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12/10/2020 0 Comments Get Yourself a GrantHello to my adorable website I have so very missed but purposefully avoided. . . it's time to share a piece of my 2020 story. Like most of us when the pandemic started, I had high hopes for a new hobby with the spare time I would have. Don't get me wrong, I created every beaded bracelet, molded myself some glittery trinket resin dishes but the one thing I avoided was my feelings which is typical Tay. I put them far away, naively thinking the isolation was a moment in time and what life was before would quickly come back. Looking back on these last 9 months, I've discovered more about what I've needed in my life in a way that hit me head on. I needed change, a new perspective. I needed goals outside of work that pair back to the desire for a corner office. I needed fresh inspiration. I needed to create a life in the midst of being busy creating a living. I needed the right partner. I needed to find another layer of determination in myself. The work push and pull was always a known thing in my life I couldn't exactly figure out the balance of. And while it's something I still strive for, I've realized I need to give myself a break. And thankfully, in a year which under the covers has felt heavy and sad, there were big moments I am forever changed by and ironically, most were all outside of the WFH laptop. It's been difficult to put this year into words which is why I avoided this sweet little space and as weird as it sounds, getting thoughts to paper makes what I've experienced these last 9 months more real. I love working but work too much. I love living alone but am alone too much. I love overpriced martini's. I didn't give myself enough time to think about what I want for my future and with the pandemic, all I had was time. White space. Time to think. Time to think about what I might not have focused on. But it's not all doom and gloom because with all of the things you think you don't have, double that and it's what you do. Everyone has a 2020 chapter filled with trials and small celebrations. We all have a story to tell as we look back on a year like no other but it's taught me the common thread of who I've surrounded myself with in this life. . . resilience. When I started my blog (well photo journey) years ago, it was grounded in a fluffy element of surrounding yourself with pretty things. A life motto, right? And for me, it still truly is. Things that make you feel happy, secure and cozy even if it was with a ceramic cat or pretty pink chair. My home was always an escape. Little did I know years later, the cove I've created on Chestnut was exactly the place I needed when being home was where you had to be. So what have I learned? What did I accomplish? What am I grateful for? Here's Tay's top thoughts with of course, a side of pretty photos. 1. I have the absolute best tribe. I've always known I've cultivated one hell of a gal pal group but this year I understood just how special those friendships were. 2. Ironically, in the midst of spending so much time alone, I spent more time with my parents. I realize this is a huge privilege and one I did not take lightly. When the studio apartment felt a little too crammed, when my mind was running a little too wild, the south bay escape became routine. Of course, filled with Fred's dirty martini's but it was much more than that. I'll look back in forty years and be thankful we had those moments. Family over everything. 3. I have the best instinct. That little voice in my head is a strong one. One that usually remains patient, reserved, thoughtful but she has one hell of a gut. 4. Give me Dateline and The Undoing, any day. Thanks to my grandma, Mary Lou, I will forever have the creepy crime gene. Pair that with some fantastic skin care routines & I've unlocked the formula to make your soul sparkle. Ladies, four words; Augustinus Badar Rich Cream. You're welcome & yes, it's worth the price tag. 5. Going to a wedding during Covid will make you realize what is important in life. 6. I branched out of my nook and met my neighbor who moved in a year ago. What was a happenstance type of meet turned into a friendship I was so surprised by. We've challenged each other in a new way to get out of our bubble and go after things we want. 7. I bought my first car. What was another weekend spent in the south bay was another moment met with happenstance. I had seen a two-tone Jeep in the Marina and thought it could be a cute car transition for me. A little edgy and sporty for Tay. And on a Saturday morning whim, we drove by Steven's Creek and there she was. A white + black little beauty just waiting for me. 8. It took me nearly two hours solo but I put up palm print wallpaper on a small accent wall in my studio when I was feeling like home needed a little refresh. When the directions boldly stated it should be done with two people , I laughed and thought, well they aren't me. . . and I was right. A lot of determination, a step ladder with a pair of heels and kitchen utensil to get the positioning just right, I did it on my own. I'm just bummed I didn't think of adding it sooner. I immediately bought two more rolls just to have for the day I create a closet filled with it. 9. When you spend a lot of time alone, you quickly realize one thing; you don't have someone to share this life with. . . yet. It's taught me I don't want to spend another pandemic by myself. I want a partner, someone who would be at home in a twinkle lit nook. And now there's one more requirement, he'll have to win over Grant which leads me to #10. 10. I became an aunt. The job of Auntie Tay Tay was one that I knew would come someday but one I never ever thought would bring so much meaning to my life. It opened up a sensitive bone in me that is overwhelming and a love I never knew could exist. When you start crying reading bedtime stories, you know you are a changed boss lady. A quick story on Grant. I will never forgot the morning I found out his name. I was on a team Zoom and couldn't get my internet to work so took the call from my phone. Thankfully, no one could see me on video because after 15 minutes went by and that text came through, "Meet Grant Taylor Beadle," I was brought to uncontrollable tears. I was so moved I could barely get the words out, "He has my name!" I knew having a sister would be special but you never realize just how tight that bond can be until moments like that. In a name you have forever, a name I've always loved for myself, I get to share it with a little guy who has made this crazy year the most joyful one. The instant mood boost of 2020. As we finish out this year, I hope you are able to find happy moments, be thankful for those in your life and realize, this is just a small blip where we'll look back and think, I grew. I persevered. I came out of 2020 a better person than I started it as, recognized the little wins in a big way and that's a little something to celebrate.
xoxo, Tay
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3/24/2020 0 Comments Thinking in Pink These DaysLife is sure a lot different than it was two or so weeks ago. You could get endless martinis after work at Epic, jaunt across the street in your fluffy slippers for coffee on Sunday morning & spend hours snooping on Chestnut. What seems like little luxuries as we reset life has me thinking about ways I can get back to my creative roots. Diving into the Tay Approach photo archives as I dream of Palm Springs & sharing my home must-haves getting me through this quarantine, just to name a few. So I thought, why not spread the love and send a daily dose over the next few weeks. Take you away for a minute or two as we figure out our new normal. Spread the twinkle light, cozy vibe and pretty thoughts from my little abode on Chestnut Street to your home.  What better way to kick off some fun inspo than with photos of my meet cute at a pink hotel in Palm Springs a few years ago. The Sands Hotel entrance gets you ready to blast off into a cactus filled paradise. There's no view to the inside until you swing open the mahogany doors and you know it's gonna be dreamy. Plants on pink (which is a great Instragram handle if you haven't visited yet) was this little hotel location to a T. It was the cutest hideaway with the best burger and chicest bathroom. It made me feel like I took a trip into Alice & Wonderland with the geometric tile + giant tub. And as you can imagine in a place filled with striped cabanas, sunning by day and masking by night, it's on my top 5 post quarantine trips I need stat as my current tan fades and my hopes of normalcy counts down. Until next time with a new vision to inspire you. Take cozy care. Think of glitter & dream of a pink getaway in the near future.
xoxo, TAY 8/19/2019 0 Comments The Art of Taylor-ing UpWell hello there, the Tay Approach, I've missed you. Maddie (my very sassy and might I add pretty machine) has rebooted and is finally ready to get back into the writing game. To be honest, this was a post title I came up with in January and now here we are in August. I wonder (yes ala Carrie Bradshaw), why did I abandon an outlet that made so happy? Sadly, the only word that comes to mind is burnout. Looking back at the last 10 months, yes.... 10 months (!!!), it makes me sad that this curated place has gone that long without attention. So I figured an appropriate catch up would be a collage of my favorite snaps from the last 300 days. Take the journey across each of the thumbnails as I tell the stories of #1-20. 1. I visited my bestie in Palm Springs for a much needed getaway. I was greeted by the most delightful view of pink, ever. Flamingos. Following the sea of pink, I made it to the top of the Bump & Grind hike. I complained the entire way. 2. Then we shopped in the cutest pink building where I captured the light just right. 3. I surrounded myself with fun prints at Lolo for dinner with my work wife where we cheers-ed to another fabulous year of working together. Year #6 in the books but heck, who's counting? We later decided to splurge on designer friendship bracelets which is still by far the best accessory decision I have ever made. 4. I bought a disco ball for my apartment to remind me to always sparkle. (Thank you Amazon). It's become one of my favorite accessories and currently resides in my kitchen. Knick-knacks are still alive and well in the cozy Chestnut abode. 5. I discovered the most unexpected coffee shop in San Rafael on morning errands probably to find a cactus for my house. There were so many photo ops but this fuzzy little nook was my fave. 6. By Memorial Day weekend, I was ready for a vacation so ventured back down to Scottsdale for 4 nights away. I brought a book I read 5 pages of, caught up with girlfriends and was determined to be tan to show something for my trip. Luckily I've held onto that bronze-y color for a few months and even accented it with a little blonde. 7 + 8: I took myself out for a drink date alone (second time ever) and was greeted by the most adorable pink wallpaper. Anyone who is going to Scottsdale and needs to surround themselves in the cutest scene, go to The Canal Club. I'll meet you there. I wore my favorite leopard cami, ripped skinnies, took my vintage LV gal out on the town and was in bed with Dateline by 8pm of course. 9. The last 2 nights of the Scottsdale trip was a splurge checking myself in to the Andaz. I upgraded to a King Casita and it was hands down the best money I've ever spent. As Sunday night approached, I got teary eyed looking at the sunset because the vacation was everything I wanted to be, a little hiding place. 10. The following month I visited my Nordstrom bestie in Long Beach. She took me to Lido Marina Village where we brunched with froze and I had to document this pink chair sighting. 11. The most special part of our weekend was brunch at The Cabana Cafe in the Bev Hills hotel. We cocktailed and snacked in a striped booth and it was bliss. I loved the look of the gold bell carts and pink wall. Figures. 12. I recently reconnected with a preschool friend and we sipped martinis in palm print heaven. Leo's, you never disappoint. Well, actually all you need are blue cheese stuffed olives and you are perfection. 13. I discovered Tamber Bay Vineyards over 4th of July weekend where I met Margot. Besides the 3 bottles of wine I stuffed in my bag, this kitten was the highlight of that day. 14. After soaking in Calistoga, we ventured to RH Yountville where I had the best burger of my life. The side of chandeliers were not a bad view so I need an excuse to go back. 15. For my monthly Marina night out, we stopped by Westwood where I lasted all of 30 minutes. Luckily by cocktail #4, I let someone take a photo of me. I fit so perfectly in the decor, I had to. 16. I rearranged my apartment for probably the 5th time in 6 years but I think the new layout is finally sticking. The coyote fur will always be draped desk side. It's too chic not to be. 17-20: Photos of my favorite things from a brand I've been obsessing over for the past year and a half and one that noticed my blog insta, Sunday Forever. My place is curated with their crystals, my wrist stacked with their red strings and charms for good luck and my apartment now smells of coconut when it needs a refresh. The founder is someone I'd be friends with in real life so when Ashli reached out asking for me to be part of an Ambassador test program; I was ALL in. Her motto; green juice in one hand, a martini in the other, how could I not be sold? More to come on this partnership but I so connected with her career journey. If you find yourself wanting to live your life everyday in their kimono robe, email me. So there you have it. 300 days summarized in 20 photos but there's been a lot in between. New shows I started streaming when I needed a mental break, special girlfriends I am so lucky to have in my life and a career that keeps me striving for more, striving to be better and striving to reach for what's next. Until next time which I hope is not in 2020, thank you for catching up with TC. xoxo, Tay |
