Irresistibly Contagious

[adrilars]

Refrigerator: we have ketchup, old spinach, and a 1/4 can of @sprite left. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Me: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #refrigerator #me #spinach #ketchup (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

Another book review for you! #abookiread ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This time, a cookbook! I won’t claim to be an expert on food or cooking, but I think I’m pretty close to expert level at eating food. So that’s why I feel I have merit in reviewing a cookbook. It’s the first one that, from us, has a 100% delicious rating from the recipes we’ve made. It is the *fairly* new @smittenkitchen book by @debperelman. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I read an interview she did. The interviewer asked her why she didn’t hire professional photographers or writers. She said that she wanted to be the one to create genuine content for her readers. And then at the end she added, “...and I’m lazy.” Which I thought was hilarious. And a little like me.😂 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #cookbookreview #smittenkitchen #bestrecipes #recipesuccess #adrilarsblog #adrilarswrites #bookreview #bookreviews #booksofinstagram (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

I’m often stumped at how to celebrate someone on their big day. I usually default to food or food. Ha.🤦🏼‍♀️ I thought that this might be a common struggle…? Read: tell me I’m not alone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So I wanted to create a ‘gift guide’ for Mother’s Day that has less to do with things and more to do with words, because words are my real expertise(and also eating dessert, but you can’t teach that, it’s genetic). On my blog are 4 ‘gifts’ that you can get the person that mothered you, plus a few books I think would make great gifts because books. And my own thoughts about why Mother’s Day isn’t for only biological mothers, which is why I used the phrase ‘person that mothered you,’ Feel free to share it with someone you think could use it. 😉 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #worldoflittles #inthelittleworld #minimalmotherhood #motherhoodrising #slowlivingforlife #candidchildhood #childhoood_unplugged #playeveryday #clickinmoms #everythoughtfulday #bewhereyouare #hereiam #alicejeanbean #pnwlife #pnwonderful #mothersdaygifts #mothersdaygift #giftguide #ontheblogtoday #linkinbio (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

That ‘propped up on a recycling bin and a cinder block, self-timer’ life. #thatlife #selftimer #doitforthegram #alicejeanbean #superintopointing #andsayingdat #datlife (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

One time I interviewed to be a flight attendant. During one of the breaks I met a guy who said he had built a design company that was featured on Oprah and their business exploded. Then he told me that he dated Nate Berkus but broke up with him because it just wasn’t working. And I thought, “Wow. There is no way they’ll hire me over this guy.” And I was right. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This picture has nothing to do with that story. I just want you to know the kind of measuring stick I’ve been using for the last couple of years. #nateberkus #flightattendantreject #yougoglencoco #alicejeanbean (at Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park)

[adrilars]

I frequently get on and off the ‘I’m-a-piece-of-crap’ train. Yesterday, while riding the train all the way to crapville to live a crap filled life, I listened to @amyschumer on @oprah’s @supersoul podcast. She talked about how she was raised to be confident and never gave in to the world telling her she shouldn’t be. And she referenced her new movie @ifeelpretty. So I watched the trailer and all the clips I could find. While talking to Oprah she said that in a moment of doubt about who she was and her body and her self she said, what if I just love myself the way I am instead of beating myself up for not being something else? Or something like that. Don’t quote me. And then it hit me. Why do I feel the need to be mad at myself for who I am? I don’t even really think it’s because I’m comparing myself to someone else. It’s just this vision in my head of who or what I think I should be and for what? So I can spend my time being mad at my present self for not already being my future self? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Maybe I’ll get there someday and maybe I won’t. But does it really matter? Shouldn’t I just do the things I think are right and fulfilling and joyful and stop chasing this enigmatic future? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes is the answer. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In order to get off the crap train I like to listen to podcasts, #rageclean the house and go outside. Anything that helps you that I should add to my list? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ifeelpretty #everythoughtfulday #amyschumer #oprah #supersoulsunday #pieceofcrap (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

“The ying of it, the yang of it.” -Liz #yingyang #gaiserconservatory #spokane #pnwlife (at Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park)

[adrilars]

I planned on writing a post with all the stats of the past year with Alice. But it actually turned into thoughts about nostalgia for our baby’s baby-ness. Also I don’t enjoy math. Now that it’s finished I read it a few times to proofread and it’s made me pretty emotional each time. Turns out these thoughts are pretty important to me and this baby is too. What a year. What a time. What an Alice. 🎉 #alicejeanbean #firstbirthday #butreallysecondbirthday (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

I guess I’m of the ‘plug your nose before you jump’ class. Anyone else in there with me??🙋🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ (at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas)

[adrilars]

I took this picture while Alice was pulling leaves off a different plant. #sorryotherplant #worthit (at Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park)

[adrilars]

Another story about when I thought I might die, #ontheblog! I haven’t told this story yet because it makes me seem kind of pathetic. But I’m okay with being pathetic now. It’s fine. I started writing it the other day after I posted my really inspiring #mondaymotivation post. I don’t usually toot my own #hilarioushorn, but this story turned out FU-NNY! I hope my pathetic-ness brings you joy! #goodforthesoul #funnystories #storytime #tellmeastory #impathetic #blogger #igbloggers #creativepreneur #creativehappylife #herestothecreatives #adrilarsblog #adrilarswrites #adrilarslife #igwriterscommunity #thewritecommunity #hereiam #writersofig #mywriting #amwriting #pmwriting #pnwdiscovered #makemeanauthor #alicejeanbean (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

Here’s some #mondaymotivation for you! If I can climb this incredibly steep, slippery piece of granite then you can do anything! #halfdome #cantdome ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Except that I didn’t climb it. I turned around and came back down. But I’m sure you’re a lot braver and stronger than me! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So...you got this!!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Go get ‘em, tiger! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Put it all on the line! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Step up to the plate! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you can dream it, you can do it! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Live, laugh, love! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Make lemonade! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Or as Tyler says when I go on an outing by myself(usually the grocery store or Papa Murphy’s): paint your heels red! Kick up the town! 👊🏻 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #motivated #mondayquotes #mondaymood #yosemitenationalpark #californian #nationalparks #imgoodatclimbing #hikewithme #granite #rocks #goodforthesoul #hikecalifornia (at Half Dome Yosemite National Park, California)

[adrilars]

I took a shower the other day(I mean, every day, I shower, yes), got dressed, put on a little makeup and then brushed out my wet hair. Looking at myself in the mirror I thought, Why did I wash my hair? This is so much work. Now I’m all wet and have to spend more time drying it and it doesn’t even look that good once it is dry.” I stood there for a minute trying to think of reasons why I keep washing my hair(other than to avoid having critters living in it🤢).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Are there things you question? Why you wash your hair, eat/cook real food, vacuum the same stupid, dirty floor, put makeup on or shoot, why you even put clothes on some days? I came up with a few possibilities.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Sometimes I feel like my feelings all get stuck in my hair and my hair feels heavy and riddled. Washing my hair makes me feel like all those things can go down the drain and I can start over.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. Sometimes you just need to check something off your list✔️, you need a freakin’ win. And let’s be honest some of these are pretty easy wins.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Being an adult, and also a kid, can be so monotonous. Do the laundry, wash the dishes, pay the bills, do work you get paid for, do work you don’t get paid for, fold the laundry, pick food chunks off your clothes, get things out, put things away, etc. Sometimes you just need to do something that you really don’t have time for but that will make you feel like you have control over your life.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Am I crazy? Is this like a weird phenomenon of people that work from home? Or people that are supposed to be working at home, but then fall asleep on a pile of laundry that you’re supposed to fold? Or is it something everyone thinks about? It’s not just me…right…?😬 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #adrilarsiscrazylars #amicrazy #pointing #vscomom #pnwlife #spokane #spokanephotographer #pnwphotography #pnwblogger #minimalminimalist #minimalism_world ##workfromhome #workfromhomemom #myshorteststory #adrilars #alicejeanbean #writersofig #igwritersclub #igblogger (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

Wishing it was spring. #Alternativecaption: This is a pretty picture of some pretty flowers because there are none in Spokane right now, that I’ve seen. It’s windy and cold and raining off and on and so now you know the weather. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Also, check my stories today for a really interesting story about my eyelids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #weather #raining #spring #cold #dsfloral #acolorstory #flowerschool #flowers #adrilarswrites #adrilars #provo #springflorals #spokanewa (at Provo, Utah)

[adrilars]

Before you panic, these were free headphones that quickly turned into an #AliceJeanBean toy.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do I ever wear headphones? No. Did I get them just to take this picture? Yes. Why? Because I didn’t actually read the book I’m highlighting on my blog this month, 😬I listened to it on @audible_com. I so love reading #books, actually holding them because I get to write in it and fold corners down and carry it around with me.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Honestly a lot of my time right now is spent doing tasks that occupy my hands but definitely do not occupy my brain, ha. Work, laundry, dishes, staring into the abyss…doesn’t take much brain power. So this month I’ve been listening to audiobooks instead of sitting down and reading. I finished a couple, but I chose just one to share on the blog, maybe I’ll share the others someday.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you want to go straight to my post about the book, go ahead and click the link in my profile, but I’ll talk a little bit about it here if you need some convincing to read the whole post.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Credit to @ashka5 for choosing this book for our book club, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have read it for a long time. The book is Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas. The book is hilarious and charming. She tells funny, poignant stories about her family that made me snort laugh. Yet it also made me question myself.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
10/10 would recommend! Go read more about it, along with some favorite quotes! And if you want to try audible for free there is a link on my blog—two free books and a 30 day trial! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #audible #audiobooks #adrilarsreads #abookiread #bookreview #adrilarsblog #booksofinstagram #bookshelf #bookgoals #alicejeanbean #readersofinstagram #igbooks #igreaders #igreads (at Spokane, Washington)

[adrilars]

One thing we talk about often is the fact that when we’re done with school we won’t have built in long breaks at random times throughout the year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We try really hard to live it up when there is no homework or tests or projects. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Often that turns into feeling lazy, or stressed that we’re not YOLO-ing(do the kids still say that?). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sometimes though we plan a few fun things and then fill the rest with what we feel like we want to do in the moment. This break ended up being one of those times. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Other times we usually end up reminding each other that this is our vacay time and it’s okay to do what we want. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you have any tricks for soaking in your break time? I often find myself trying to find ways to be where I am. I’d love to know what you do that’s helpful! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I posted a little life-ish update on my blog. Just a little about where we are and what we did and didn’t do(ha!) on break! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bewhereyouare #springbreak2018 #playgrounds #swingsets #myshortstory #alicejeanbean #writers #copywriters #writerslife #blogginglife #blogger #storiesforus #larsenpost #adrilarswrites #adrilarsblog #adrilarslife #gradschoollife #ptschool (at Comstock, Spokane)

[adrilars]

I feel grateful for the ability to change and be better than I have been before. I also feel something more than grateful for the belief and faith that I’ll have my Tyler and my Alice forever, whatever forever is. I’ve loved seeing everyone’s posts today, thank you for sharing! #eastersunday #resurrectionsunday #becauseofhim #ldsconf (at American Fork Canyon)