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With two small children at home, I am no authority on the best movies or top music of 2009 (did I make it to the theater more than once? who exactly is Taylor Swift?)

But one thing I continue to make time for is fashion. Even if my house is tragically messy, my Instyle magazine will lull me into fashion fantasyland for at least a few minutes.

So from the

It is rare to know the exact moment, to the minute, that your life has changed forever. For me, and many Santa Cruzans, the time was 5:04 pm, October 17, 1989.

I was an eight year old girl, growing up in a rented turn-of-the-century duplex on Cedar Street, downtown. Usually busy at an after school activity like dance or music lessons, that afternoon my whole

This will be my first Mother's Day. My twins are not yet big enough to bring me breakfast in bed or make me a finger painting, so I thought I'd swap it around and note why I appreciate them!

Appreciation #1: You smile (and make me smile!) even at 2am. Seriously, when has the middle of the night ever been so adorable?

Appreciation #2: You notice the little

I've always noted that the best things come from scary, anxiety-driven events. To get married, you have to walk down the big long aisle in front of hundreds, to get your driver's license you must pass a terrible exam, to have a child you must go through the pain of birth (or the adoption process, maybe even more scary).

 So today, on election day, a find

Often it feels like all news is bad news. In the spirit of happy and positive things in the world, I share with you the cutest picture I've seen this week:

 

CANEY, Kansas (AP) -- Oh, my! Three tiger cubs at a Kansas zoo are getting some maternal care from an unlikely source -- Isabella the golden retriever.

1. Long days of sunshine
2. Crisp watermelon eaten on the deck (seed spitting contest to follow)
3. Reduction of school-related traffic
4. Flip flops for day or night
5. Sweet corn with a little salt and butter
6. Good movie releases in the theatre
7. General acceptance of laziness
8. Hammocks
9. Fresh homemade lemonade
10. ………You tell me!

If you're looking to save money on gas and are fortunate enough to live in Santa Cruz, biking is an excellent alternative available to you.

 You don't need a fancy bike or silly spandex, just some basic wheels and comfy clothes will do.

 If you're a little "rusty" (you or the bike) take it slow and give it spin! What could it hurt to try?

Am I selling

The past year has been long and difficult for both me and the population at large. With our next presidential candidates finally official and the school year coming to a close, I say it's time for some much needed R&R.

If we could all—teachers, politicians, parents, children, everyone—stop and appreciate the things that are good and right, summer could