Search Results for: home tour

Odds and Ends No. 2

by whoorl

1. Alright, ladies. It seems from the tweets and emails and comments I’ve received, many of you will be rocking these pants soon. Since they were on final sale, I said a little prayer that they look smashing on all of you. (They will! I know they will!) I think I have some more of those 1 item/several look-type posts bouncing around in my brain. Adding to the to-do list!

2. Hair Thursday. Here’s the deal. I’m going back to the old days with the Hair Thursday stuff. Anything written about hair will be posted here, as well as the Hair Thursday site. (So what I’m saying is that if you subscribe to the whoorl feed, there is no reason to subscribe to the HT feed. Saving you from extra RSS clutter. You’re welcome.)

I’m not promising lots and lots of posts, but I am going to do an old school HT makeover once in awhile. I had a cathartic moment last week and deleted every single makeover request saved in my inbox. We’re starting fresh, people. If you would like to be considered, please send me a photo (NOT A TINY ONE WHERE I CAN’T SEE YOUR HAIR) and answer these questions. Simple as that.

3. I published two posts this summer about my ongoing tattoo removal at Hair Thursday. If you are interested in following me on this looong journey, the first post and video is here and the second post is here. I am also doing laser hair removal on my underarms, and the results are freaking fantastic. I seriously can’t believe I waited this long. Would that be a post you are interested in reading over here?

4. This week’s Babble post is looking for ways to help Wito improve his fine motor skill development. If you have any tried or true tips, I would love to hear them!

5. My bearded boyfriend Ray is playing at The Greek tomorrow night, and I am literally counting the minutes. The last time I saw him, I was pregnant with Wita, sitting second row center and taking crappy photos with my iPhone.

So close I can almost touch your beard.

This weekend, I’m most definitely not pregnant and sitting nowhere near the front row, but I can’t wait to hear his voice again. Anyone seen him on this tour yet? I’m dying.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shhhh…Don’t Tell Wito!

by whoorl

While strolling through Downtown Disney last week after tackling Space Mountain, Wito noticed a huge Cars 2 banner hanging from the local theater. As the world’s biggest Cars 2 fan, the child was beside himself.  Disneyland Excitement Level: 2. Random Cars 2 Banner Excitement Level: 150. (I’ll never get it.) He just stood there, transfixed, while I impatiently tapped my foot because I desperately wanted to get home after a full day at Disney.

Like many children, Wito is not a fan of getting his photo taken. He squirms or looks down or makes a crazy Jack-Nicholson-in-The-Shining-face or basically anything he can to ruin a photo opp. So excuse my bewilderment when he looked at me earnestly and asked if I would take his photo in front of the banner.  Sure, kid.

Wito and the random Cars 2 banner.

We’re exactly one week out from the premiere of the movie, and Wito’s mental status has moved from Total Excitement to Absolute Loss of Daily Focus.

You guys. Little does he know, but earlier this week, he was invited to an advanced screening of the movie. A screening that is happening TOMORROW. TOMORROW WITO WILL SEE CARS 2. He is going to completely lose his mind when he finds out, which I’ve decided will be on the way to the theater. (Squeeeeeeeeee!)

Do you know what it’s been like keeping this secret for the past few days? It’s killing me! I feel like I’ve got some Cars 2 Tourette Syndrome ready to manifest itself at any moment. “Wito, would you like some more OHMYGODMEYOUCARS2MOVIETHISWEEKEND milk?” It’s just very exciting around here right now. In my head, at least. (Thank you, Disney, for the opportunity!)

My (BEST) friends at Disney are also offering a giveaway for your little Cars 2 fans!

A CARS 2 t-shirt (in youth sizes of S, M, L, XL), a CARS 2 set of 3 bumper stickers, a CARS 2 temporary tattoo sheet (2 per winner), and a CARS 2 puzzle. Just leave a comment on this post before June 23rd at 6pm PST and you’ll be entered to win!

I’ll be back to report on the big surprise next week. (Of course, little miss Wita just came down with a 102 fever, so I’m praying Wito stays healthy for the big day.) Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Marriage Ref: Whoorl Edition

by whoorl

Here’s a poll for you. Please vote! Do it for the Whoorl family!

The key details:

Husband is at a Masters viewing party in the neighborhood.

Husband texts saying he will be home when the tournament is over.

Husband returns home one hour and thirty minutes after the tournament ends.

Wife is thoroughly annoyed.

Husband thinks wife is being “ridiculous” by requesting that he send her a quick text at some point letting her know that he will be late.

Question: Is it “ridiculous” that wife requests a text update when husband is running over an hour late?


Neilochka’s Great Interview Experiment

by whoorl

As part of Neil’s Interview Experiment (have you not signed up yet? Do it!), I was super lucky to be interviewed by the very funny Shash of Diary of a Crazed Mommy.

1. I read on your blog that your husband is an interior designer. Is your home like a spread in Elle Home or is your home more relaxed and lived in? Do you have any say in your decor, or does Wito really have the last word?

I think our home has all of the elements you mentioned. D is such a talented designer, and I really look forward to entertaining guests in our home. On the other hand, he’s a collector of many (OHMYGODSOMANY) things, which can present quite a challenge given we live in an area where space is a very precious commodity.

One thing I am really proud of is that our house hasn’t turned into a den of kiddie crap. Everything that Wito plays with can be tucked away out of sight from visitors, although keeping it that way is a constant adventure on my part. CONSTANT.

Overall, D thinks the home is our personal space, but I was granted a few shots for those who are interested.

2. I notice you live near a beach. Can you give us a general location of where you are and what the best thing for you is about living so close to a beach?

I live in coastal Orange County. I love living within walking distance of the beach- whenever Wito gets antsy, we pack up the stroller, head out the door and within ten minutes we’re making sand castles and playing in the waves. The ocean is good for mama’s soul.

3. Where did you grow up? What is your favorite grade school memory?

I grew up in Oklahoma and have fond memories of playing kick the can with all the neighborhood kids at sunset.

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and who would you go with? What would you do while there?

I would travel to Italy (specifically Florence), mainly because I studied the language in college and was mildly obsessed at the time. It’s pretty depressing that I gave fluent presentations in Italian throughout my last year in college and now can’t remember a damn thing. Do you think it would all come back to me if I visited?

My dream travel situation would be with D, Wito, my parents and Lala’s family. That way, we could experience the sights, the food and the culture together. (Plus, I would have built-in babysitters. Let’s be honest.)

5. I have been following you on Twitter. You seem to have quite an obsession with Blues Clues. Care to elaborate? Who’s a better caretaker of Blue, Steve or Joe?

Ha! Actually, I had never seen Blue’s Clues until last week when I checked out a channel that SAJ had told me about. I watched two episodes with Wito, but was confused as to why there was a different dude on each episode. I immediately twittered my friends, who explained the whole Steve/Joe thing. I’ll have to get back to you on the caretaker issue after some careful analysis.

6. Are there any plans to continue Whoorl’s Running Blog? Suggestions on the best shoes to run in?

Man, there are so many things I would love to blog about, with running being in my top 5. However, my Hair Thursday website, daily posts at ParentDish, and weekly column at (toberevealedsoon) have filled up most of the time I previously used for rambling at this blog. I’m beginning to understand the concept of “not enough time in the day”. (p.s. – hey concept, you SUCK ASS.)

(Oh, and if you have a neutral gait, I highly recommend these.)

7. Tell us a little more about this new love affair with Ramón. Favorite chord? I’m playing Guitar Hero myself and have found my wrists really hurt after awhile. Does the same happen to you and how do you combat it?

Oh, I do love Ramón. 5 months and counting…

My fingers ache more than my wrists these days, but I play through the pain, BABY.

8. How did Hair Thursday get started?

The seed was planted here and I got the go-ahead here.

9. What makes you laugh? Cry? Burp?

Laugh: Wito’s intense excitement when he says the alphabet. 30 Rock. Finslippy. My husband’s horrible attempts at falsetto. The way my father creates new words, such a chezigs and wintomint. This video.

Cry: Sick babies. The evening news. This father’s love for his son. The Spice Girls Reunion Tour.

Burp: Spicy food. Although, it’s more of a hiccup-type spasm that my entire dad’s side of the family possesses. Thanks, dad.

10. Favorite swear word?

Fuck- with an emphasis on the “f’, like “ffffffuck”. Be sure to clench your jaw for the ultimate effect.

11. Will you be at BlogHer this July?

I had a great time last year and it’s definitely geographically closer this time around. I would say a strong maybe.

12. Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?

Vodka on the rocks.

13. I read you have an addiction to instruction manuals. What is it about them that addicts you?

I’m all about the details. I want to know how things tick, as well as every possible way to manipulate an object.

14. I also love online shopping. Care to share your favorite online shopping spots?

As most of you know, I have a sick obsession with J. Crew. I fully enjoy purchasing enough for a small country on the website and then returning three-fourths of it at my local retail store. They really love me over there.

Other than that- Etsy, Shopbop, Oompa, Running Warehouse and Sephora.

15. Finally, any thoughts on the Pats – Giants game?

I never in a MILLION years thought the Giants would pull it out. When Eli threw the winning touchdown, our Super Bowl guests went completely ape shit. Wito was running around with his hands in the air, yelling “Tothdow! Tothdow!” I can’t imagine what New York was like last night.

Thanks, Shash! I can finally say my FAQ page is finished. Hell yes.

You’re From The High Plains, Whoorl

by whoorl

Yesterday was one of those days that just physically kicks you in the ass. Repeatedly. The kind of day that makes the middle of your back burn and ache; the kind where you find yourself exhaling as you finally, FINALLY melt into the couch at day’s end. And I totally over-emphasized the couch-exhale bit last night, similar to Kyra Sedgwick’s character in Singles when she is about to brush her teeth before Steve Dunne shows up at her door.

Can we talk about Singles for a bit? Like the fact that it was released in 1992? 15 YEARS AGO?! Dude, I’m old.

I’m pretty sure I’ve memorized the entire dialogue of Singles. God, I LOVED Cliff Poncier. Most likely because I was dating (in a Janet/Cliff kind of way) a long-haired brunette band member at the time who looked remarkably similar to Cliff. Interestingly enough, they also shared the same IQ. We had an extremely deep and intellectual relationship. Alas, I was not an amazon woman and we eventually parted ways.

Moving on.

My shiteous day revolved around the beach. AGAIN. Really beach, what the hell?! The beach and I are headed for disaster. That, or couples counseling.

We have been experiencing early June gloom (or May Gray, is that what we’re calling it?) for the past week. Yesterday, between the hours of 11 and 1, the sun miraculously parted the clouds, the angels were singing and I knew it was time. I packed up the jogging stroller with my beach gear:

1. Sunblock
2. Hats
3. Sunglasses
4. Phone
5. Camera
6. Diapers and wipes
7. Crazy pop-up tent (fucking fucker)
8. Beach blanket
9. Bottle
10. Cheerios
11. Toys
12. Burp Rag
13. Are you catching my drift?

Say goodbye to the days when I could throw on my bikini and iPod and head out. Noooooo sir. Now, it’s an Olympic event that takes WAY too much planning and thinking and planning and thinking. Anyway, we finally got out the door and started the walk to the beach. I use my jogging stroller at the beach because the large front wheel glides effortlessly through the sand, unlike my eleventy trillion dollar Bugaboo. The only problem with the jogger is that it’s pretty hard to steer when you aren’t actually jogging. Which is pretty much a BITCH, people. Turning tight corners makes me want to cry (cue the middle-of-the-back burning). Whatever, we made it there. Quit blubbering.

We found a great spot, opened the tent (fucking fucker) and things were great. Before I go any further, you must know that our pop-up beach tent is dangerous. Literally, you pull it out of the bag, throw it on the ground and run like hell, hoping it doesn’t smack you in the ass. However, the biggest issue is folding it back up. Now, being the planny planner that I am, I practiced folding it up SEVERAL times before we left for the beach. I didn’t want to be that dumb ass that can’t fold up the damn tent.

Doesn’t look that difficult, right? Little tent, you don’t fool me…

Janet, I could not be fooling you less. (Who can name the scene?! Anyone? Anyone?)

After relaxing for a mere 45 minutes, the damn clouds rolled in and it was time to make a move. And this is when I would have given anything for a wingman with a camcorder. Because the tent-folding episode would have provided much entertainment on YouTube.

I could not get the damn tent to close. I tried and tried and then forcefully tried, which bent one of the rods the wrong way, resulting in a big 1 – 2 PUNCH right in my face, knocking me down on the sand in front of several beach-goers. Oh, and did I mention there was a hottie hot men’s volleyball tourney going on? Awesome!

Just imagine – glistening, sweaty hot dudes spiking the volleyball on the horizon. Oh wait, what’s that in the foreground? Is that a woman WRESTLING a pop-up tent to the ground? DUDE, the tent just knocked her OUT!

30 minutes later (yes, 30 – THREE ZERO), when it became clear that 9-month-olds can suffer from utter embarrassment, I called D at work. “I CAN’T GET THE FUCKING TENT TO CLOSE! I’M LEAVING IT HERE! ON THE BEACH! I DON’T CARE! (clenched teeth) People are laughing at me. What?! Yes. YES! I don’t want to drag it home! FINE!”

He said maybe it could be salvaged – he had a point. I had to find a way to get it home, but this type of tent doesn’t “fold” or “collapse”. It’s like a huge juicy zit, just seconds away from exploding all over the mirror. If you press one side down, the other side pops up. It was a huge pain in my ass.

Somehow, I managed to contort it into a 6-foot-long pressure cooker, laid it on top of the impossible-to-steer jogging stroller and attempted to walk home, trying to keep the breeze from turning it into a kite. All I can say is, that was one long-ass walk.

When I finally arrived home- sweaty, sandy and STINKY- I tried to get the tent through our back alley gate. Wito was sleeping in the stroller, so I was attempting to be quiet when the tent exploded and hit me in the face AGAIN. You guys, Whoorl done lost her shit.

To all of my lovely neighbors: I’m very sorry for the slight disturbance you may have heard yesterday around 1 pm in the alley. You may have witnessed some cursing, kicking, yelling and possibly, lots more cursing. And yes, the altercation was fueled by an inanimate blue and yellow object.

BUT, HE STARTED IT.

Needless to say, the tent is no longer salvageable.

About

About Whoorl

Hello! I’m so happy you are here. I’m Sarah – a wife, mother, writer, and lover of beauty, inside and out. I relocated with my husband, 15-year-old son, and 11-year-old daughter from the beaches of Southern California to Oklahoma, where, indeed, the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I started this blog in 2005 on a whim, and many years later, am still writing about my favorite things. Namely, clean beauty products, perfectly disheveled hair, finding your style over 40, and how to be a better citizen of the world.

I’m a total information addict lifelong learner, so I love to share my finds with you and I’m equally as happy researching the perfect red lipstick as I am voter suppression tactics. #justcallmewellrounded

For questions, collaborations, or to request a media kit, please email sarah@whoorl.com. See below for press mentions and/or appearances.

Sarah In The Press