by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Happiness, Health, My Dog, My Organic Life, My Photography, Travel
It’s been over a month since my birthday (oops!) but I’ve really wanted to share it because it was action-packed and involved travel, the beach, camping, hiking, great food, the puppy and I was so prepared this time around!
Josh and I spent the day at the beach in Malibu the day of my birthday morning and it was just lovely!
^^ beautiful California drives .. anywhere … make me happy ^^
^^ beautiful sky reflections… ^^
^^ puppy got a bath! ^^
^^ epic work outs vs epic reads 😉 ^^
Last year I started my first birthday tradition: camping in California!
Last Year, let’s call it: Year 1, Josh and I had never camped before, and for some reason didn’t really research anything about camping before we walked 5 miles up (and down) a mountain, set up our tent, and realized when it was pitch black that we didn’t know how to make a fire and had barely brought any food! We had also brought the dog, dog food, and plenty of water for her, but we forgot to bring her any toys or treats! Thanks to the kindness of strangers (Bear, we will never forget you) not only did we get taught some kick-ass wilderness skills on the fly (seriously… it was pitiful) but we were forever grateful and were sure to do our due diligence this time around.
We’ve hiked quite a bit since then, and we now live in the same mountains that we camped in last year. I’ve started more fires in my fireplace in the new house last Winter than I care to even remember (it’s not so fun when you actually really need it for heat!), so we were much more prepared for Year 2!
The first perfect thing Josh found was the camping spot itself. Point Mugu is listed on almost every “Best Hiking Trail” list, not only in California, but on practically the whole internet. The amazing reviews about this place just go on and on!
It’s located in Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean shoreline, with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts. There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing. The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area.
Plus, it’s dog friendly!
Basically, it’s right up my alley. 🙂
There must have recently been a forest fire, because all of the trees were black and burned up, but in this absolutely breathtaking way there was greenery growing on the underside of every plant! So, so amazing! I love seeing signs of new life!
There are infinite hiking trails to go on, so we were always on some kind of epic adventure! Josh wandered off a time or two to tackle some hikes I was just plain not prepared for, but we both ended up with crazy beautiful views over the mountains and to the sea! What we planned to be a surveying hike took us over an hour, and I could have gone for way longer if we weren’t getting so hungry that we eventually turned around for the sake of filling our bellies! A Park Ranger wagged their finger that you’re not technically “supposed” to bring the dog (oops again!) but we did anyway, and she was fabulous and we had a wonderful time.
^^ more signs of new life! ^^
It’s incomprehensibly vast when you get up the hiking trail and realize how far you are up the mountain. Especially incomprehensible when you first see the sea. Before that it just looks like layers and layers of mountains. One of the first things we mentioned was “Can you imagine what it would be like for the first people who ever discovered this?”
Just. Wow.
I am so grateful to have had the adventure!
After our hike we cooked up some grub and went out to get some last minute supplies. On our way back we saw the most amazing neon pink, orange, blue, purple, green gorgeous sunset and stopped along the way on some adjacent sea mountains to get a good view and watch it go down!
As if the night couldn’t get any better, we cooked up some s’mores for dessert, played guitar and fell asleep under the stars to the sound of the waves!
The next morning we woke up super early and headed down to the beach with puppy.
^^ these two just kill me… ^^
There was no one down there, and she loved it! She chased the waves… the waves chased her… we chased her… she chased us… 🙂 A dog’s paradise!
When we got in the car Raelie immediately fell asleep so fast her face was hanging over the edge of the seat like this:
Too cute! 🙂
I really had an incredible, amazing time and I can’t wait to do it again! I hope to go back many times before the year is up and I can’t wait to recommend Point Mugu to everyone living! I really had the most incredibly beautiful birthday and I feel very grateful for it.
Happy and healthy life!
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Love & Light
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Give Back, My Dog, My Organic Life
It’s my BIRTHDAYYYYY!!
I really really REALLY enjoy my birthday. Not only does it mark off the first of one of my favorite months of the year, it’s me and Raelie’s 4 year Anniversary of adopting each other!
Her Rescue Story is actually pretty beautiful: Raelie’s Pitbull Dog Mom was pregnant and was abandoned at a Kill Shelter. After a few weeks, she was scheduled to be put down.
Little Shelter, a no-kill shelter on Long Island ( I recommend them whole-heartedly), was informed that this precious pregnant pitbull was going to be killed, and they swooped in and rescued her.
The next day (!!) Raelie’s mom gave birth to her and 8 other pit/lab mixes that were put up for adoption after their Mom was fostered out. Why this is important is that if she had given birth at the Kill Shelter, herself and all of the puppies would have been immediately put down. 🙁 Had they waited another day to rescue, it would have been too late.
After going to see her and picking her out in August, I was waiting for approval for quite awhile. Then, Little Shelter called me on August 31st and asked me if I could come pick her up the next day, which just happened to be my birthday!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Don’t mind if I do!
I can’t believe I brought this little munchkin home 4 years ago today. She’s changed absolutely every aspect of my life in the best way possible. I am so grateful to have her.
Raelie, you’re the best dog daughter a human could ask for.
( ^^ the first night I brought her home 🙂 )
(first minute of our first day in the house 😀 ^^ )
Time flies when your whole lives together are kisses and cuddles. 😉
I feel absolutely majestic today. Thank you all so much for your lovely wishes!
I want one thing and one thing only this year: to make my dreams come true.
Pledges over at my Kickstarter begin at just $1, so if you’re looking for a way to make someone’s big day and put a smile on their face and support some great things, go for it .
And thank you so much in advance. <3
And thanks for holding September down with me, cherubs. Looking forward to another golden year!
Love & Light
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An Exclusive Look Into … THE WAKE UP EP!
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Happiness, Health, Mental Health, My Dog, My Organic Life, My Photography
6. Grace Jones singing, hoola hooping and dancing IN PUMPS in this video:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdwEgzDNb2w&w=560&h=315]
RIGHT?!
5. Love Is Everywhere
This is probably one of my favorite things and I encourage everyone to try it. I’ve been “seeing hearts everywhere” since I was 16 – the first time I got an SLR they just started popping up all over, and since then, I get visits from them on some of my hardest days. It’s a huge affirmation to me that I am never alone and that Love is all around us, just waiting for us to be receptive to it. Leaving yourself open to the possibilities of Love and Happiness being around every corner is essential to cultivating it without needing anyone or anything else.
Sometimes it’s a misshapen tree, sometimes it’s a heart cloud, or a water stain or some graffiti, but they come up in the most unexpected places and always when I’m in the middle of making a very difficult decision. I have a #seeheartseverywhere hashtag on instagram that’s gotten a little following and that makes me smile! 🙂
It also opens up other doors in life to keep your imagination open. I got this book a few months back, and when I finally went to read it, around halfway through this was stuck in the pages:
It was a testament to a lot of things for me: Love, Fate, Coincidence, Perserverence ( after all, if I hadn’t gotten through the book I never would have seen it!) and just complete Remarkability. It was exactly what I needed to hear that day.
4. This Graffiti in Venice:
Thank you to this person! Made my day!
3. This video of 11 month old twin girls FREAKING OUT from Happiness and DANCING at their Dad playing them music:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0pRYYwdSCw&w=560&h=315]
2. Fun In The Sun
Even on crap days in SoCal, the beach is absolutely beautiful, the weather is temperate, and you can still get a tan without an ounce of sunlight (someone please explain this to me!) There’s dudes serenading you with violins music WHILE singing, other guys walking on glass, cold organic beer and 1,000 reasons to smile. Love you, Venice. 🙂
So maybe you don’t live on a cabana on Venice Blvd. (trust me… neither do I). But you can absolutely make a picnic with a loved one, or your dog, or your Mom and go lay in the grass and soak in the sun! Leave your phones at home and bring a good book! This is the perfect time of year to be a little lazy & a lot of lovely!
1. Dog Birthdays
Raelie’s Fourth Birthday was yesterday! Four! FOUR! Do you know how old that makes ME?! Time flies when you’re having fun, and we’ve been through a lot of good times together! She’s seriously the best Dog-Daughter I could ever have asked for. Since I was shooting yesterday, we’ll be celebrating today (I’m making Organic Doggie Biscuits and jerky!), meaning I don’t have any photos yet, so until then I’ve compiled some Dog Birthday photos for your enjoyment for the occasion. Cause what’s cuter than a dog birthday party? I can’t think of much!
Omg I want them all.
Thank you very much!
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Love & Light
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Music, My Dog, My Organic Life, My Photography, Rescue
Hey Lovelies! TGIF!
I have a wonderful announcement!
FOR THE NEXT MONTH (June 28-July 28th) HALF OF MY PROCEEDS from Visual Exchange will be donated to Karma Rescue!
Karma Rescue saves at-risk dogs from the high-kill Los Angeles area shelters. Karma provides each dog a new beginning and finds them safe and suitable permanent homes through adoption, advocacy and education. They even nurse any sick dogs back to health using Puppy Vitamins and other animal friendly medicines to ensure the canines in their care can go on to enjoy bright and healthy futures.
They run COMPLETELY off charitable contributions and I owe shelters like this one everything for giving me the opportunity to adopt such an amazing and loving creature as my Raelie.
If you like my music and you like puppies, click the link!
It will give you a 1 and a half minute preview of the song, which only costs 99 cents. 🙂
You can also watch the cinematic Music Video for Visual Exchange here:
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/56114670 w=500&h=281]
I am super happy about this opportunity and would love to say a huge:
Thanks everyone!!
For your continued Support & Love to make this World a better place! ?
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Love & Light
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Green Beauty, Hindu Doggie, My Organic Life, My Photography, Product Reviews, Skincare, Uncategorized
Happy Saturday! Me & Raelie say “What’s up?” from Venice Beach!
What a productive week!
I’ve had a bunch of meetings with acting, modeling and talent agencies to secure one that is willing to work strongly with me on my goals. I’ve gotten some wonderful feedback which I appreciate immensely, met some remarkable people, signed a few contracts and still have a few meetings scheduled before I’m ready to announce who I’ll be working with, but I am VERY excited to say the least so far!
I’ve been singing my little heart out on some new tracks for hindu doggie, American Plugs & writing my little heart out for a follow up song/video for Visual Exchange while gathering super talented musicians to work on some new tunes. I’m excited for you guys to hear it all!
I’ve had a lot of phone conversations to secure ecofriendly and organic brands for the Around the World Lookbook, and packages have been coming in droves with absolutely beautiful (seriously, I am absolutely speechless at the quality and thought that goes into these pieces!) eco conscious, handmade & organic brands! I’ll be teaming up with another couple of blogs to bring you more Organic Life, which has been a goal of mine since before I can remember. I really love spreading the love!
All very exciting news, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve been saying my Positive Mantras and kissing the ground, believe me! 🙂
But meeting after meeting has been rough on me, and the travel from my secure little House in the mountains down to Hollywood for meetings, casting, & music has been rough on my skin. I’m really not used to wearing makeup, the whole of what I do wear is minimal, and my skin has a tendency to dry out, flake, and crack in the sun if not tended to properly ( or if makeup is left on it for say, hours at a time… which just happens to be a huge part of my job :P). Combine that with Los Angeles’s striking 75 degree March weather a week after coming home from New York, and you’ve got a Beauty Blast! 🙂
I’ve been rocking me some Bubble & Bee this week, which is just fantastic not only because whipping this adorable packaging out at a casting or a shoot gets you a zillion questions, but because Stephanie Greenwood, founder, is another scientist and a girl after my own heart. And you know how I love supportive my scientists turned beauty gurus [ call it Self-Love 🙂 ]! I can’t say enough about this company! One Google search will tell you everything: everyone who’s ever tried them is simply in love! And Bubble & Bee’s Coconut & Lime Lotion Stick is 100% organic, contains no water ( almost impossible to find!), contains no synthetic chemicals or estrogen mimickers, goes on smooth, doesn’t wash off like water-based lotions, heals dry hands fast, is airline permitted (so important for me! So many of my beautiful products have been thrown away at TSA!), has a convenient application, great value, great for sensitive skin, no animal testing, & gluten-free. Seriously, what more could you WANT! It’s perfect for chapped hands, feet, elbows! And perfect for travel!
Okay seriously I don’t know what more to say about this Raspberry & Vanilla Body Butter except that it’s my absolute favorite scent and I wish I had invented it! Raspberry. And. Vanilla. AHHHH why didn’t I think of that? 🙂
Organic shea butter moisturizes deeply, delivering essential protecting lipids to the skin, while organic coconut oil with retained coconut meat keep this formula smooth but not greasy. It’s perfect for after-bath moisturizing!
Last (but certainly not least!) to treat my face I’ve been using the Bubble & Bee Organic Certified Face Cream (For Women).
With only 3 super important and organic ingredients, it fights wrinkles, dry skin & aging without any nasty ingredients or water added! A small amount on the face and I’m good for the rest of the day. I cannot tell you how tremendous that is! On the East Coast I’ve had to put moisturizer on all day long to no avail! Remember:
A big THANK YOU to Bubble & Bee for being true to their customers, and a big thank you to everyone on their support not only of this blog, but of my entire life: all of my little endeavors, my music, my writing, my ideas. I appreciate your responses to my heartfelt approaches to you all for creative input, and you dealing with my stubbornness about . I know sometimes I may come off kind of preachy, but I really believe in this stuff, and I love you all and want you well! 🙂
Do yourself a favor: relax, check out Bubble & Bee, do some healing research, listen to some good tunes this weekend & spread the love!
An early Happy St. Patty’s Day to all my fellow Irish & to my Irish readers!
Love you all!
Love & Light
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