on Counting Them Again Even More

Lincoln Center,

Henry Elliot's little paw reaching out to ask someone (not me or my mom) to play,

lemonade,

Layla June in a ruffled dress,

sending the scary email,

having a couch to sit on,

having a chair to sit on,

oatmeal chocolate chip cookies,

watching an Opera at The Met,

re-usable tote bags,

meditation,

big ideas,

little steps,

callbacks,

making vegan mac-n-cheese,

listening,

the return of the red head,

so you think you can dance,

stretching,

saying yes,

not knowing, 

saturday night high fives at bed bath & beyond,

craigslist,

the woman who carried the chair down five flights,

possibility,

dry shampoo,

lauren graham,

pulling on a cozy sweater,

painting,

stacks of notebooks,

serving with your talents,

asking questions,

feeding them by hand,

my green jacket,

singing,

acting,

writing,

Love.

i am grateful for you.

previously: 4 / 3 / 2 / 1

on MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE

This all started the other day. I was bounding out of my apartment, when I saw a girl across the street, mid-walk with her dogs. She had her face pressed into the furry face of her larger pup, and was talking softly to him, soothing him. And I thought: girl, you are my people.

So, without further adieu:

Girl on the street, with your dog standing on his hind legs, front paws wrapped around your waist, as you lean down to meet him face-to-face: you are my people.

Man bopping down the street, keeping beat with his steps and singing along nearly at full voice: you are my people.

Elderly couple who caught me mid-stretch, waiting for the elevator, and said "you better use it while you got it": you are my people.

Friend that referenced getting her tiara on as a way to celebrate a personal victory: you are my people.

Other friend who texted me a quote about keeping your head tall so your crown won't slip: you are my people.

My clients who tell me extravagant dreams with a look in their eyes that I won't be able to give words to: you are my people.

Older gentleman, carrying your dog on your waist, as though he was a toddler, one leg on each side of you, upper paws around your neck: you know you're my people.

Crazy facebook strangers who add me so we can share even more dogs in need, even though we've never met, have very little in common, and are far apart in distance and age: you are my people.

Girl explaining to her visiting relatives that the bags they have just offered to carry aren't very heavy at all, not in comparison to what she carries around during the week: you are my people.

Those who dive right in, and have no need for small talk when there is passion to discuss: you are my people.

Boy who took me on a date at 8:45 in the morning because that's the only free time we both have, face lit up with excitement for each piece, listening intently to me: you are so my people.

Girl that yells out each order as it is set on the counter, cause she does not have time for the loud customers everywhere: you are my people.

Room full of peers who were throwing their hands in the air, responding aloud to certain phrases, and yelling out in pure joy as the singers poured their souls out: you better believe you're my people.

Girl sitting to my left, just a few feet down, a book in your arms, legs crossed indian style, a total look of contentment on your face: you are my people.

Henry Elliot & Layla June: you are mommy's little furry people, yes you are, mommy loves you (you knew I'd sneak them in, right?).

Mr. President, calling out BSL for the bullshit that it is, and being super freaking cool always: you are my people!

Friend who took my hand, pulsating love from your being into mine, as you wrapped up a conversation with someone else: you are my people.

Girls on speaker phone, taking turns telling tales, interrupting each other, calling each other out, laughing: you've been my people since before we were really people.

Who are your people? xo

p.s. do you know what the title is from? I'll give you a hint: Lin-Manuel Miranda: you are my people!

on THREE YEARS WITH HENRY ELLIOT

On July 27, 2010, Henry Elliot Raleigh Alexander Anderson made his way into my life and picked me to be his mommy. This past Saturday, we celebrated three years together with a little outing to PetSmart. His sissy came, too, and he graciously allowed her to share in his day (as he was raised very well by his momma and is a polite and loving little bear). Check his face below, I just die.

Henry and Layla each picked out a toy. Hedgehogs for everyone! A tug-o-war style guy for Hens-El and a little pink one for La. Both mega-squeakers and good to toss.

Above: Henry: "Mom, this is the best day ever!" Layla: "I judge you."

Sleepiest bear in the world.

I don't know if you guys have caught on yet, but I love this tiny man with my entire heart. I still remember sitting with him on my dining room floor on that first day, how scared and small he was, and his foster mom asked if I was interested in keeping him or not. I immediately felt horrified that she even asked - this was my dog, my Henry. I just knew it. There's a bumper sticked commonly spotted on many a suburban vehicle, that reads: Who Rescued Who? (do note: I totally want one of these) and it couldn't be more true about my Hen. He saved me, he taught me what unconditional love looks like, what it feels like, and what matters.

Hen has taught me, you know, an exceptional amount of things. But this year, with the addition of Layla June, he's taken it up to a whole new level. Here's a few of the lessons baby bear has given me recently:

1. The people who love us are always there waiting for us. We can't be separated (truly separated) from those that share our hearts. Therefore distance ain't nothin but a different time zone.
2. We don't know what's coming next, but we can choose how we handle it. When I came home with La, Hen basically tried to eat her. He pouted and was hurt, but then.. he changed his mind. Decided to be friends. This past week, they attempted playing together (I cried). If my baby dog can choose the higher road, then I can, too.
3. Show your affection. Hen has taken to resting his head on my hand as he falls asleep. This gentle action makes my heart fill up and burst with love.
4. Treats are important. Have them often.
5. Fresh air is nearly always the answer. Leaping and playing in grass will also aid you in any decision making.
6. You have to play. You just have to. Daily. Often. Silliness and play time are clutch.
7. Get vocal about the people you love. This boy basically screams at the top of his lungs every time I come through the door. I could be gone 5 minutes or 5 days, and it's a freaking party up in here.
8. Sharing is cool, but sometimes you need to whine or gripe about someone trying to take your toys. Let it out, and then try to practice sharing again.
9. Naps. Naps, my friend. Very important. Fluff your blankets and pillows around a bit, too.
10. Words aren't as needed as we think. Henry tells me exactly what's up with his eyes, body, and actions.
11. Rejoice. Dance. Leap. Wave your front paws (arms) around wildly. Smile as wide and as big as you can. Show joy with your entire body. Wiggle. Shake your tail. Kiss the people you love. Roll around on your back. Stretch. Wear your love all over your body.

This is the story of how we came to be & this is what I wrote on our one-year of togetherness.
(Important to note that those years were really rough, and I was not in a great place. You'll catch on as you read some of the snark and hurt laced between those words.)

He is still, by far, the number one best decision I've ever made. He is my best friend, and I'm so proud to see him interacting with other doggies and people, and to see how much he's grown. The best lesson of all that he taught me, is that we all truly just need love and to know we are wanted, and trust that we belong. Those things heal us and shape us into our bravest, best selves.
Oh little bear, I love you so.

ON #notestoself vol. 2

& that's about all i have to say about that.

leave a comment and let me know what you're giving thanks for right this minute.
keep up with all the #notestoself over at @kerryingon -- xo

ON Dollars For Doggies ENDS MONDAY!

UPDATE: I am somehow magic(k)ally only $99 shy of my goal. When I set the goal I thought I was being ridiculous.. but since I am ridiculous, I did it anyway. And now here we are, just $99 shy of making it! THANK YOU to everyone who already donated. Your generosity is insane and warms my heart. If you can take a second and tweet, FB, share this post, I'll be forever grateful. xoxo

Last year, for my birthday, I asked friends & family to donate to an animal rescue instead of buying me any presents. The result? $600 and my best birthday yet. This year, I'm sweetening the deal with an amazing GIVEAWAY and by reaching out to the incredibly supportive blog community to see if we can beat last year's total for two amazing dog rescues. Without further ado, I present to you...

With these kindhearted bloggers...

Ten Feet Off Beale / Katilda / Head Over Heels 

Let Me See You Sparkle / Of Corgis & Cocktails / Bubby & Bean

Heather Hearts / Walking In Memphis In High Heels

And these generous businesses...

Ziva Mind / Viesso

All to benefit two incredible rescues:

Second Chance Rescue NYC / Dogs Without Borders

Here's what you'll be entered to WIN:

a dog print from Bubby & Bean // gorgeous teal triangle earrings from Katilda

beautiful lavender earrings from Walkin' In Memphis In High Heels // custom hoop art from Ten Feet Off Beale

$25 Sephora gift card from Heather Hearts // $25 Starbucks gift card from KerryingOn (that's me!)

custom blog header and social media icons designed by Of Corgis & Cocktails

$25 Etsy shop credit from Let Me See You Sparkle

$20 Etsy shop credit from Head Over Heels

the stunning Muuto Flow Jug, generously donated by Viesso

and.. a FULL Scholarship to ZivaMind, generously offered by Ziva Meditation!

To Enter, please make sure you complete your donation here.

The minimum donation requirement is $1 but if you can give more,

the dogs and rescue folks would surely appreciate it :)

The giveaway will run through the end of the day (11:59 pm EST) of May 20th, 2013.

THANK YOU so much to the generous bloggers and companies for their support,

and Thank YOU for donating & Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ON Counting Them {Four}

Patience,

Henry Elliot,

Lady Laylee LaLa,

waking up to flowers that have bloomed,

being outside without a jacket,

dancing,

the sound of a whirling fan,

singing,

stretching,

waiting,

not waiting,

instagram,

my momma,

pushing through it,

root beer,

asking scary questions,

asking total strangers scary questions,

the kindness of others,

meditation,

catching the train just as it's arriving,

mexican food,

the way you look at me when i talk,

the way you look at me when i surprise you,

really just the way you look at me,

psalm 59:16,

Broadway shows,

palm trees,

Demi Lovato,

fresh air pouring into the room,

ceiling fans (& the longing for a ceiling fan),

brainstorming,

bravery,

kissing,

short skirts & being young enough to wear them,

lace,

a stack of new books to dive into,

central park,

listening,

brussel sprouts,

avocados,

painting,

Love.

i am grateful for you.

previously: 3 / 2 / 1

On giving thanks, giving thanks

If you've got lungs that take in air, give thanks.
If you've got feet that carry you from place to place, give thanks.
If you've got Love in your being, give thanks.
If you've got the ability to speak, give thanks. Loudly.
If you've got hands that can touch, give thanks.
If you've got ears that hear and eyes that see, give thanks.
If you've got a list of things you're wanting in your life, give thanks.
If you've got books in your possession, give thanks.
If you've got silence to think in, give thanks.
If you've got patience for yourself, give thanks.
If you've got big, lofty, seemingly impossible dreams, give thanks.
If you've got food in your fridge, give thanks.
If you've just got a fridge, give thanks.
If you've got a sky, and trees, and flowers, and birds to look at, give thanks.
If you've got clean water, whenever you want it, give thanks.
If you've got clothing on your body (and more in your closet), give thanks.
If you've got a computer to type on, give thanks.
If you're reading this post, give thanks.
If you've got the ability to move your hips, twirl around, stomp your feet, give thanks.
If you've got a window to open for cool air, and a blanket to cover you for warmth, give thanks.
If you've got a job - any job - give thanks.
If you're unsure how it'll all work, give thanks.
If you've got a favorite color, a best friend, a heartwarming memory, give thanks.
If you've got a high school diploma, give thanks.
If you've got a college degree, don't you even start with me, you better be giving thanks.
If you've got the ability to sing, give thanks.
If you've got people in your life that love you, give thanks.
If you've got faults, give thanks.
If you've got fear, give thanks.
If you've got truth, give thanks.

We are lucky, we are lucky, we are so unbelievably lucky. Let's give thanks.

ON yesterday wins (warning: BABIES & PUPPIES ahead)

Wednesday was wonderful.

It started with an audition with one of my favorite casting directors. Followed by being offered to sign at a new agency (!!!). This alone would have made Wednesday so very wonderful.

But then.. then there were babies. BABIES! Twins, in fact. Cutie, sweetie, lovey, funny, giggly babies. A little boy and a little girl who just stole all of our hearts away last summer. It's amazing to watch them grow, and to see how very much a boy the little boy is, and how very much a girl the little girl is. Best friends were there, too, and we coo-ed and commented on how baby feet are most excellent.

Then LaLa and I got a lot of work done from my office (read: my bed) and I got the giggles myself over how very much I love my new job and love working from home and love my life. She got her own puppy giggle over the flowy dress I had on (which I tried to capture for you in that photo up there, she was wrapping herself up in the skirt portion, I just could. not. deal. with the cuteness).

After we finished our work, in an oh-my-god-will-we-finish style, we hopped a cab to Aunt Julie's where all of LaLa's other Aunties were waiting to meet her. Also, this was a girl's night dinner party, but mostly La decided it was about her. See the picture above of two of her Auntie's looking down? That's because they were talking to her. We ate mostly healthy, delicious things.. but those cupcakes did us in. We never saw them coming. And we tried to do an outfit photo for you but I'll tell you what, an oversized jean button down mixed with a flowy dress, does not make for the best photo opt. But in person? In person this outfit was getting rave reviews. Someday I'll be the type of blogger that photographs outfits daily but today I am not.

This whole week is just so magickal. I am a grateful girl.

ON counting them even more

Lady,

patterns,

target,

flea markets,

the feeling of not being alone,

being alone,

long drives,

vegan thai iced tea,

stretching,

kissing,

more kissing,

and also some kissing,

how i met your mother,

taye diggs right there in front of me,

a working, non-cracked phone,

remembering what it feels like to be without a phone,

trusting in it,

skype,

avocados (which i imagine are on every list),

late late nights and early early mornings,

chocolate,

record players,

hipster glasses,

doggie sized t-shirts,

sitting in the passenger seat,

pie,

awareness,

meditation,

instability,

faith,

the kind of boots you can rely on,

the kind of man you can rely on,

people who help rescue animals,

deep breaths,

afternoon walks,

lollipops,

trader joe's,

driving in circles,

my bravery,

your bravery,

clear communication,

sending letters and cards and gifts,

sliding in socks on wooden floors,

patience,

Love.

i am grateful for you.

ON Counting Them Some More

late night creativity,

henry elliot,

library books,

stretching,

the one train,

photobucket,

first position (the film),

first position (the stance),

elephant sanctuaries,

peacefood cafe,

not knowing,

red sparkly nail polish,

lincoln center,

patience,

having a table to eat at,

and chairs to sit in,

the crunch into an apple,

one pink wall,

the words "it's about damn time",

abcfamily,

broccoli,

jason katims,

momma,

emails from The Universe,

eyelash curlers,

late nights in brooklyn,

live theatre,

paper plates,

the people who selflessly work to save animals,

pajamas,

the ability to take a breath in and let one out and repeat,

mint green,

recognizing the differences between now and before,
almond milk,

saying yes,

saying no,

meditation,

dancing as you clean/eat/wash/dress/brush/sit,

authenticity,

stationary,

purple pens,

knowing you will when you want to,

Love:

i am grateful for you.

part one / part two

On Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

To be honest, this is my least favorite holiday.

I am a vegan, you know. The whole giant bird on a table just doesn't sit well with me.

But.. the actual meaning behind today.. the giving thanks.. I am so down with that.

So, like many others have today, here's a little list of some of what I'm grateful for.

I am grateful for.. 

my Henry Elliot Pup, curious minds, creativity, music,

being able to hear and see and speak and smell and dance and stretch and sing,

elephants, making art, figuring out challenges, asparagus, feet to stand on, manicures,

food to eat, my bed, the books I fall asleep with in my bed, my family, my girlfriend soulmates,

this here little blog and the people that read it, the humans that defend and care for animals,

laughing from that place right within your gut, abcfamily shows, big dreams,

tomatoes, gut instinct, letterpress, fresh flowers, interior design, tedtalks,

making out, giving, avocados, the silent way truths are spoken, meditation,

the people that are sent to us for reasons beyond our understanding, chocolate, peonies,

pianos, sand in your toes and your car and your clothes, knowing, not knowing,

airports, tea, mentors, seekers, dogs, lavender, live theatre, joy racing through you,

poetry, hummus, blank paper and purple pens to fill them up with, maps,

your mind and your heart and your mouth and your face, scrabble, patience, and myself.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? xo

On Polaroid Travels

sometimes i daydream about where else i would want to be right now.. 

 maybe in disney world .. or perhaps disneyland..

could hop a plane to san francisco .. or maybe off to LA..

or in a cozy chair, my favorite one in the whole world .. or fast asleep in one backstage..

maybe riding bikes in portland .. or at the best bookstore in denver..

 i'd fancy to be lying by the water in miami .. or indulging at Real Food Daily..

or looking at beautiful coastal views in chicago .. or by the santa monica pier..

although if we're being honest, there's few places i'd rather be .. than right next to this little boy.

the good news with playing this game is that when i'm thinking of where i'd jet off to,

i get to remember how many incredible places i've been lucky enough to see.

and instead of lusting after everywhere else, i find myself counting my blessings. giving thanks.

and then somehow, it comes to be, that the more i give thanks, the more exciting life gets,

the more adventures i'm given, and the more i remember that wonderful truth:

that we are always exactly where we are meant to be.

xo

On Counting Them Again

the taste of ice cold lemonade on a hot day,

the realization that a giant smile is plastered across your face,

long drives with your best friends,

the perfect stillness of a place in the middle of nowhere,

fresh flowers,

mason jars to put them in,

finding a free afternoon and using it to finally clean the bathroom,

saying yes,

finishing a task that feels unending,

little paws tapping the side of the bed to see if you're awake,

slumber parties,

avocados,
patience,

kyle chandler and connie britton,

fancy dresses and high heels,

farmers markets,

new ideas,

smiles exchanged,

being as brave as possible,

bodies of water,

your body,

my body,

keeping a tiara next to the bed,

the gentle ease into fall,

the sound of the voices of the people you love most,

saying no,

meditation,

pizza,

Love:

i am grateful for you.

{first round can be found here}

On Skylines and Puppies

This past weekend, I had myself a little impromptu staycation of sorts.

High above central park, all of a sudden I understood why everyone wants to live here.

The best part of all? It was beautifully, deliciously, intensely.. quiet.

That's right: QUIET. In the middle of Manhattan. That, my friends, is the very definition of luxury.

Nicole (pictured above) came to visit & Noah (The Fluff) was an excellent host.

The weekend was filled with lots of talking, playing, lounging & Loving.

It's true that peace should always live in your heart.. 

but the next best option may very well be this apartment :)

(& yes: that is the orange dress I can't stop wearing. see? i really can't stop!)