The Cultured Pearl

06/07/2026

05/31/2026

Made a resolution to go see live music once a month. Best resolution ever.

05/26/2026

We live in a small place, so I’ve been trying to turn our patio into an extension of our living space. It’s also where we store bikes, wetsuits, sports equipment, and grill…so I’m trying to make the most of every inch. 🌿

I’m starting with low-maintenance succulents and trailing vines that will hopefully soften the walls and eventually spill over the edges a bit.

The bench doubles as storage, but I also want this little corner to become a peaceful place to drink coffee and write in the mornings.

Still a work in progress. I’ll share more once everything fills in.

05/22/2026

Freshman year in the books

05/19/2026

Feeding teenagers during the summer is no joke—it’s a part-time job. What are your hacks?!

05/12/2026

nature never disappoints.

05/06/2026

These are the sound bites from 25 years of photoshoots that have stuck with me—simple advice that’s relevant at any age.

1. Accentuate, don’t overcorrect:
When casting, I’ve noticed it’s almost always the more natural faces that stand out. Over-tweezed brows, too much filler, or heavy lash extensions make a face harder to photograph.

2. SPF is non-negotiable:
This is one I’ve heard over and over again. Wear sunscreen everywhere, no matter how long you will be in the sun—and don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands. That daily exposure adds up.

3. Your everyday wardrobe matters: Wearing soft, forgiving clothes makes it easy to lose track of fit. A tighter waistband keeps you aware of your shape before it’s too far gone.

4. Keep skincare simple:
Great skin—especially when you’re younger—often comes from doing less, not more.
Many of the models I’ve met believe that their skin improved when they stopped overloading it with products.

These are simple flexes that you can start today—without spending a dime. It’s never too late to start.

05/03/2026

I always forget how good these are until they show up again.
Good for your skin, your digestion, your heart—
a beauty routine you can eat.

05/02/2026

As I’ve gotten older, my makeup has had to evolve too.

I started noticing little things…My eyeliner felt harsh.My lipstick looked too colorful. Even my mascara started reading slightly blue.

So I made a few small shifts:

Eyes: I use a creamy, smudgy shadow crayon all over my lid, then add eyeliner only to the outer top half. It gives definition without closing off the eye.

Lips: I stopped chasing color and started matching my natural lip tone. A beige liner + lipstick, lightly blended, makes everything look softer and more in sync.

Mascara: I mix brown and black to get a richer, more neutral tone. It defines without that stark or overly cool look.

Nothing dramatic—just small adjustments that make everything feel more like me.

(And this pretty late afternoon California light helps too.) 🧡

04/25/2026

One of my favorite little upgrades.

Reworked the layout to gain counter space and added a hidden spot for coffee and cold drinks. It made everyday things just a little easier.

Turns out small spaces are fun to figure out.