Gia Ilole
Gia is a native Californian who has lived all over the state from San Diego to Trinity County, plus Washington DC for a short time. She recently relocated to Ventura County with her family to build a compound property together with her sister’s family so that they could always share wardrobes and parenting responsibilities for their 5 combined children at home. Gia graduated from UCSB with a degree in Linguistics (which she thinks entitles her to make up words). It took her just three years, as she was eager to graduate early to go live with her long distance boyfriend and his toddler daughter at the time. That seemed to work out, as the boyfriend got promoted to husband years ago and her step-daughter promoted her to grandmother recently! Gia’s husband is from East Africa and runs their Bed and Breakfast in Tanzania from near and far. Gia is a Human Resources Director who has a major obsession with watermelon and eggnog lattes, depending on the season.
After School Snack-Time Memories
My nephew famously told my sister, years ago, "You know what a boy likes when he comes home from school?"
Milk and Warm Cookies
It's great advice, honestly.
So, there is one (age-old) idea for an after-school...
5 Simple Elements for an Amazing 4th of July Party
I adore holidays. I look forward to them early. In March, I envision the pumpkin patch I’ll make for Halloween, and the costumes I could wear. In August, I daydream about taking the kids...
What A Good Morning Makes
I can be an embarrassment in the drop-off line apparently.
Sometimes I have the audacity to pick up a work call on bluetooth while waiting for the slow SUVs and school buses to cycle through...
Who Needs Plans?
With life as full as it is these days, I can't decide if the bigger struggle is to make a plan ahead of time or to spontaneously have a get together!
Both are tough because...
5 Life Lessons from our Trip to Tanzania
There are a million articles I could write based on our recent trip to Tanzania, where we (mostly my husband) opened a lodge (his home country) over the pandemic. From ways to sleep better...
Holiday Blank Space
Scheduling Nothing
As we head into the holiday season, I automatically start looking at my calendar and penciling in dates for holiday dance productions, concerts, and parties. And on the outlook this year, I automatically...
Girls’ Trip! Take That Instagram-Worthless Trip
Last year for my oldest best friend's 40th birthday, she came down to Ojai to visit me. Ojai, the land that all the LA stars love to invade for weekends of spas, wine tastings,...
The Case for more Screen Time…Together
One of my sisters commented (after a unanimous group-text agreement that my balloon sleeve dress was totally reminiscent of the Puffy Shirt episode of Seinfeld) that families rarely watch television together anymore.
With so many...
Ojai Day Trip – Stop to Smell the Orange Blossoms
It is an absolute perfect time for a day trip to Ojai. The temperature is perfect and the entire valley smells like orange blossoms. This is not an exaggeration! A spring break trip to...
My Caprese Garden
I've never been much of a gardener. It could have been the lack of time, the lack of space, the lack of knowledge, or the combination of all of the above. But I have...