Sincere Tara

Whipped up some cupcakes from a box mix today just so I could make colorful spring flowers! 🌸 #TaraBakes #TaraBakes2023 #Cupcakes #SpringBaking https://www.instagram.com/p/CqHBr8MsdvSkpgXouGulerqMz0SmKToSaKa77A0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A perfect use of googly eyes, if I do say so myself. Plus, when it prints labels, it’s sticking out a long white tongue now. 😆 #ItsTheLittleThings https://www.instagram.com/p/CnpZTSrOZTras_SQF1TbTlqSejet6oD_6D6a5E0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Solstice!!!! Happy Yule!!! Here’s this year’s Yule Log—I made a carrot cake and cream cheese frosting from SCRATCH!! The cake was over baked, no Hollywood Handshake for me, but it was yummy with the frosting! Here’s to the return of the light. #WinterSolstice #Yule #YuleLog #TaraBakes2022 #YuleLogCake #CarrotCake #BakedFromScratch https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmb3dPkL5PYbcStMGBDeIUn0bOATG7MT6csIxU0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just some solid advice from @headspace the other day. And super true right now. Take a minute. https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPc-lyPPS0H3JQD9hos7jOxBpfLryK9GOLzok0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Lauren gave me a Tea #AdventCalendar today too! Day 1 is Chocolate Truffle!! 😮 #TeaAdventCalendar #AdagioTeas @l.chaha https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwPqJcOXUa3HQaTB9hZLsVZDGv6QBfX8xJGGk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Juliet gifted me this awesome subscription box from @hagswagbox and I loved this first one SO MUCH. Everything smells amazing and the quotes on the box itself spoke to my heart. I cannot wait for the next one, and I’m in love with this one! #WitchyThings #WitchyBusiness #WeAreAllStarStuff #HagSwag https://www.instagram.com/p/CluK-LFvLcF3f9k9RXDYz61ivluDV8Uz5lk6PE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

So this is 40. A mermaid and a Ghostbuster. I like it. #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkcSs2vsCUbrmfnc1d-HOj47sOt-MAf_MVQeaQ0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We may all still be sick and/or recovering, but we took a moment to squeeze in a little of the best of New Smyrna today. My mermaid heart is glad we did—even if it was just a brief visit. And I think my folks’ pool has magical properties as well, so that’s handy. 🧜🏼‍♀️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CkKUZU9MtU47OPD8_6Cqfa8T64a_ex_ZWuNFNk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#DisneyBounding!! We went as #Groot, #Drax, #Rocket, #Thor, #Loki, and #ScarletWitch! I liked our ensembles. Disneybounding is fun, even if it’s surprisingly chilly and everyone has to buy a hoodie immediately. 😆 #MarvelDisneybound #CasualCosplay https://www.instagram.com/p/CkHvCm7MNTfuBNgigGDWInrmsVgLvhtoCziiXk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Lots more pictures to come (soon, I swear), but this is a sampler of my birthday, driving up from the Keys to my folks’ house in NSB. I’d never seen their house! We had a lovely lunch at a place in Jupiter I’d researched and found, called Dive Bar Restaurant, at just past the halfway point of our drive. Then we had a nice, calm evening, ending with ice cream cake and the Halloween episode of the Great British Baking Show. There are new wild things to add to our list of nonsense (like our fridge at home dying while we’re away), but my birthday was a good day with my folks, my husband, my kiddos, and a surprise Hillary who was dog sitting for my folks during the wedding! I got a light up Birthday Girl banner, really lovely gifts, and felt loved. Thank you to everyone who took time to send me wishes and happy stories today. Love you all. Here’s to 40! https://www.instagram.com/p/CkFLhXys0Hp6Goo50KFEs9isWozm8wm9z_3Tq80/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Oh hey. As of this post, it’ll be my birthday in 50 minutes (I hope to be sleeping). It’s been a DOOZY getting through the last week of my thirties. It’s been a true test. And I think I passed. I’m ready for my forties. I don’t dread it. I don’t call myself “so old” for turning 40. I feel like it’s a rite of passage. I made it here. Sometimes clumsily, sometimes luckily, sometimes confidently, and sometimes with help. I’m happy to turn 40. And I humbly ask that if you’ve read all this, please tell me about a time I made you happy, or something about me that makes you feel happy. 💜🧡🖤💜🧡🖤 #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkCm3Oss0acEFcLSLE7FSIrzyvXZwA1V4eO22M0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This was my 30th birthday (2012). We hosted an Enchantment Under the Sea Dance at DFBRLTR (an artists’ venue) and I made a DeLorean dress. I made a playlist of 1950’s songs, included Jonny B. Goode, and we danced the night away. I loved this party so much, and I think of it often. #TaraSchileTurns40 #DeLorean #BTTF #enchantmentUndertheSea https://www.instagram.com/p/CjvdVC3rQWBORVLkhJE60vKQGotBuNsEIujKpY0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Some of you may know about my “collection.” I started collecting Ferris wheel rides in big cities in 2008 with the London Eye. It’s such a cool way to see a place! I’ve now also ridden the Niagara Falls Sky Wheel, the Las Vegas High Roller, the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel, the Navy Pier Ferris wheel, and the St. Louis Union Station Wheel! I love my little collection and I love sharing it with people I love! Maybe I can find one in the Keys next week! #TaraSchileTurns40 #FerrisWheels #FerrisWheelCollection https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjsi04BsG_pQqEQC_bZcRwvXsHYW6mIFxb4U4w0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I saw “Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar” today and it was SO funny. So today’s picture is for them, and for Florida, and for laughs. #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjoO7m1rjWXtH2amQcfiRMu821r9QbZgJGDEEw0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

All right, I’ve chosen these pictures today because this costume is about to have a new life with someone else: my son. I’m remaking it to fit Harrison for Halloween this year. He wants to be a Force Ghost. And since I don’t wear it often, altering an existing costume I made is way less work than making a new one! But this served me well. #TaraSchileTurns40 #HomemadeCostume #JediCostume https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjk2F_hswg4pqvh5swdiKSpMLAyPNc0EI-OfZY0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=