16 JUN 2018 · Jr has graduated high school and has taken it upon herself to use her scholarships on big ticket items. Cue the chancla.

16 DEC 2017 · Jr responds to my last podcast about how and why women celebrate and allow boys/men the same confidence that he uses to harass and disrespect women, and how throughout the years we lost sight of where the line is, which makes it difficult to know when to call a man out for sexual misconduct. Up until recently, the line had become so blurred, that women have questioned if a man's behavior was inappropriate enough to out him. With all the accusations and media coverage, we can at least begin to openly discuss that this behavior has gone on for much too long, and if we as women have the power to build so much confidence in a man that he uses it against us, we have the power to strip him of that confidence all the same.

9 DEC 2017 · I believe there are no coincidences in life. Today was jr's senior project presentation, (which she took the liberty of borrowing a "professional" outfit from my closet for). It reminded me of the workshops I used to host for my students when I worked in the trade school industry, where I would guide them on the do's and dont's of interviewing, including what not to wear and how our social media presence plays a huge role in how employers see us. "Coincidentally", I received a message today from one of my former students who reached out to tell me she finally ended a relationship with her long term boyfriend, who she says was the scumbag employer I spoke about in my workshops, who she said was the "nice guy" who disrespected women and got away with it.

27 NOV 2017 · We're up at 1:30 am stressing over life, jr is working on college apps while I'm juggling ivylove work, but leave it to us to squeeze in an impromptu podcast about everything from why I let my 17 buy me a washer, to why she insists she's not getting accepted to any college. Her advice to teens about to enter senior year : DO MORE. My advice to teens who don't take care of house appliances: YOU BREAK, YOU BUY.

1 OCT 2017 · "We were supposed to go to college together"; the first words my best friend said after I told her I was pregnant. We were both high school seniors and at different high schools, after her family moved to a different city. That year, I helped her move into her dorm room at USC, where she snuck Jr and I for weeks on multiple occasions when we were between places to stay. I guess you could say jr experienced the college life early on, and today, after 14 years, we all walked the campus together as my best friend gave Jr a personal tour of her 4 years as a Trojan, in hopes she will follow in her footsteps. 💕

8 SEP 2017 · There is something unsettling about being a small business and not being able to help every cause that comes your way. I remember 7 years ago, when the Haiti Earthquake hit, I designed tees to donate proceeds to Red Cross and jr was so excited to help me sort and package dozens of tees to ship out one night. Since then, we've tried to give to various causes but haven't really felt like we've made a difference, which is something most of us struggle with. That hasn't stopped jr from wanting to do more and this year, with the help of her ASB team, and our dear friend Mayra, launched the #strengthinKindness campaign; A campaign that is really making a difference. Proof that every little bit counts when you have a team with people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and dive in. Thank you to everyone who has helped this little project come to life. 💕

14 AUG 2017 · With back to school approaching and the extreme violence in Charlottesville, the topics of bullying and racism have been weighing on me more than ever. I discuss a current racist situation with another business that reminded me just how powerful our words are to our children as they grow up but most importantly, when we think they're not listening. While I will admit that my parenting has been an unconventional, and hit or miss experience, one of the topics that has always been vital in raising Jr has been that any group of friends who supports you but not others, IS NOT YOUR GROUP.

28 JUL 2017 · Jr tells about her first day at her first job ever! From almost fainting in the kitchen to getting her first $20 tip... she describes her first day as "one of the best first days".

27 MAR 2017 · I can't remember the last time I cried this much for these many days. What started as a great month, with jr starring in The Little Mermaid musical, and ivylove hosting a mermaid pop up at the show, ended in my car being completely ransacked and my purse being stolen, along with 3 months in cash sales. While coping with that loss, I had to get jr ready for what might be her last spring break camp before she leaves the nest for good... and having her boyfriend attend camp with her this year doesn't make it any easier. Meanwhile, my friends and family restore my faith in humanity by creating awareness for ivyloveshop and bring my sales up in attempts to recover some of the money stolen. 💕

15 FEB 2017 · It's Valentine's Day! Jr went on her first date and as much as I'd like to save her from any heartbreaks, I also want her to know I understand what she is experiencing when it comes to young love. I let her go on a 3 hour lunch date with her favorite boy, who has not only patiently courted her for over a year, but has exceeded every expectation and obstacle I've set out for him! Relentless, this boy. All jokes aside, I am realistic at the fact that she has gradually built a connection with someone who is, before anything else, her friend.