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SketchMelt

{SketchMelt show at the Nerdist Showroom}

I wrote earlier this week about getting some unsettling career news that threw me into a tailspin and left me in a bit of a funk. I was on the fence about writing about it, but ultimately decided to because sometimes the blogs I read seem so perfect, I leave feeling bad about myself. So, I’m trying to get the courage up to share the not-so-perfect parts of my life, too, so you will know I also feel lost sometimes, and don’t spend all my time baking cookies and flaunting my shoulders and singing with the birds in my backyard like some Disney princess. I mean, yesterday, the hardest I worked out was trying to wedge myself into an old pair of pants and zip them up. (I lost that battle.)

But it made me feel better to write about it, and to hear from you guys. You know I’m a Type A control freak, and right now I’m trying to learn to let go, enjoy the journey and trust that if I follow my joy and work hard, things will be okay. I went to a workshop this morning about blending your passion into your career. It was led by a human behavior specialist, and she kept hitting home to want what you already have, to be in the present. She said if you’re not making 100 mistakes a day, you’re not living. The idea of making a mistake gives me hives; I’m harder on myself than anybody.

In a funny turn of events, I made friends with a woman on the elevator up; we made small talk and then she spun around the room, everyone’s face lighting up when she came up to them. She knew everyone. She was beautiful and looked like she came straight from Drybar; I was donning my “homeless chic” look that’s my go-to when I have a 2nd dinner around midnight the night before. And I’m not going to tell you the last time I washed my hair. I thought, “That’s why I’m here. I need to learn how to be like her.” We chatted more after the talk, and as she was leaving she said, “I was supposed to meet you! You have the life I’ve always wanted.” Which made me laugh, because I was thinking the exact same thing about her.

The grass is always greener, right? And us ladies tend to be so tough on ourselves. So, my goal for myself is to want what I have. Stop beating myself up for the things I haven’t achieved, and appreciate what I have and keep doing what I love. Today, I’m taking stock of what I’m grateful for. And as always, the top of that list is YOU for reading this blog and in that, supporting this dream of mine to be an entertainer. Thank you!

double date

Tony and I went on a few double dates with couples we really love, like The Michaels (that’s not their last name, they’re both named Michael and they’re in love), who recently joined the newlywed club! (Apologies for the creepy devil eyes on my face, I hope you don’t have nightmares.)

I got to be in two really fun shows this week – SketchMelt at the Nerdist showroom (pic at the top of this blog) with my brilliant friend Drew Talbert, and Sunday Night Sex Talks, a storytelling show that my friend Jessie runs and has been asking me to do for over a year. I kept saying no because I was scared. And then I said yes because I was scared, and every time I’ve done something that scared me before, it ended up making me feel fulfilled and powerful. Which is exactly what happened on Sunday. People laughed, and I remembered there is no high like standing on a stage making people laugh. And I’m going to keep doing it for free until people pay me to do it because I love it. OKAY, UNIVERSE?

pretty toast

I made this cherry ricotta toast for breakfast and it was so pretty, eating it made me feel like a legit blogger. So I took a picture. (This is not a humble brag, it is a full brag. JUST LOOK AT THAT TOAST!)

old computer

My trusty old computer finally died. I took a picture of the keyboard with the letters worn off to remind me clearly how much I love to write.

A League Of Their Own

My friend Kara‘s daughter paid homage to A League Of Their Own for Halloween, and it brought me SO MUCH JOY.

happy text

Tony’s friend texted him this and SAID I LOOK LIKE A MERMAID. Thank you forever, my new best friend.

EarthJustice

Tony and I attended a party for Earthjustice, to celebrate the opening of their L.A. office. Talk about being inspired. (Before you think I’m self-righteous, just know I earnestly exclaimed to Tony, “We need to help the planet. Let’s get a Tesla!” Don’t worry, I hate me, too.)

kitten

Tony helped save this kitten! I wanted to save the kitten, but luckily our friend Richard stepped in and kept my animal hoarding at bay by offering up a perfect home for this little love. (Richard also happens to be the genius web designer behind Heels in the Hills. HIRE HIM if you ever need one. I love him.)

paul + acasia's wedding

Tony sent me this picture he found on his phone, from a gorgeous wedding we went to a few weeks ago. I like it because this dress makes me feel like Pippa Middleton.

thank you

Casper sent me this beautiful // delicious thank you gift, and it made me feel so fancy and professional!

dad + dogs

I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with my dad lately. He likes to dress like Indiana Jones when we walk the dogs. (He needs to learn how to “find his light,” though.)

horoscope

This is my horoscope for the day. I’m skeptical about astrology and tend to only buy in when they say something I want (like today), but my best friend loves Susan Miller and checking the app in the morning makes me feel closer to her.

hot tub maggie

It’s finally feeling like fall in L.A. It rained earlier this week and we went in the hot tub (I meant to google if that was an electrocution risk, but forgot.) Tony took this picture of Maggie creepin’.

Happy weekend! What are you grateful for?

6 Comments

  • Heidi Hawk says:

    This is one of my favorite series from you cause it always gives me the opportunity to reflect on what to be thankful for. I totally agree you with you on being hard on myself—rejection really crushes me. But then I try to remember–things happen for a reason and there had to be a good reason why it didn’t work out that way when it did.

    I’m grateful for my relationships this week–my husband, my mom, my dog, my family, my bestie. I have one of the best support groups in the world and I’m so thankful for them.

    I also LOVE your keyboard image. What a great thing to remember. I think you need to hang that by where your work–frame it, make it cute–your passion will be staring you in the face every day. I know I’m so glad you have a passion to share your words with me as a reader every week. Have a beautiful weekend Annie!

    • Annie says:

      Oh man, I’m crying in public right now! THANK YOU for this! You’ve been such a loyal reader and supporter, and it means so much to me! It sounds like you’ve got a beautiful pack of hearts that love you surrounding you, too – having that support group is everything. Love hearing what the people who are kind enough to follow this blog are grateful for, too… Thank you for writing! (And for the kind words, too.) Have the best weekend!! X A

      P.S. LOVE the idea of hanging a picture of my busted up keyboard for inspiration :) I’m totally going to do it, I’ll share a pic once I have!!

  • Judy is insane in all the best ways. Thank you to Tony Cavalero of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock for helping us to adopt her!

    • Annie says:

      I HAVE TO MEET JUDY!!!!! And as Tony’s pro bono publicist, thanks so much for the full acknowledgment, I’m really working to make sure people address him as such from here on out. Because really, what’s the point otherwise?

  • Kailynn says:

    Wait…that mermaid is a bit freaky – in the best way possible. Pretty sure you must moonlight as a portrait model for aquatic artwork.

    • Annie says:

      Girl, if that were a viable career you better believe I’d be chasing it with all my heart. #GOALS. Thank you for reading // supporting the blog!!!! X A