A Trade-Off

Sometimes we have opposite work schedules.
However, when we are together, meal making is a trade-off:
I make most weekday dinners, and he makes weekend breakfast.
(And his breakfasts are delicious.)

Being Creative

Words & Photography
by Jessie Herbert

...going away to draw or paint, or to be creative where I don't have to follow any rules.

A habit that I recently find myself getting into is pulling myself away from the hustle and bustle and high emotions of life, and going away to draw or paint, or to be creative where I don't have to follow any rules. I can just let my mind float on nothingness and bask in the truth that despite the ever-changing relationships and busyness of life, creativity stays with you through it all.

Wonderful Quote

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged

to find the ways in which you yourself have altered."

- Nelson Mandela

On Photography

Words & Photography
by Beth Beeson

The beauty of photography, is you have the ability to capture a memory.

I find complete joy in that.

Rome: Street Scenes

Words & Photography
by Cassandra Dias









Exploring the many avenues and alleyways of Rome, Italy with Anthony was one of the most exciting times of my life. There is something about getting lost in a foreign city that is both nerve-racking and exhilarating at the same time.

There is something about getting lost in a foreign city that is both nerve-racking and exhilarating at the same time.

It forced us outside of our comfort zone, having to revert back to paper city maps instead of using our iPhones, and trying to communicate with locals in a language we were not familiar with. But, in the end, it made us realize we are fully capable of navigating our way back home, wherever home may be.

The Sleepover

Words & Photography
by Amanda Kohr




Last weekend, I joined eight of my previous college roommates for a brief reunion in the cozy cluster of Logan's Square, Chicago. We spent three nights with one another, all cuddled up on beds, air mattresses, and sofas. We lit a fire, drank wine, and wondered aloud about what our lives would eventually look like.

We lit a fire, drank wine, and wondered aloud about what our lives would eventually look like.

The slumber party is not just for children. This habit of sharing and connecting is a beautiful activity that should be celebrated well into our adulthood. Our slumber party was a night of Halloween movies, falling leaves, and eating mini Almond Joys and Heath bars in massive amounts. It's a simple way to relax and feel gratitude for the gift of friendship.

Wonderful Quote

"What a lovely surprise to finally discover
how unlonely being alone can be."

- Ellen Burstyn

Seattle: Downtown

Oh, Seattle. You gloomy, gritty, gorgeous city. You are one of my absolute favorites.

Portland: Little Big Burger

Portland, Oregon was one of the stops on our road trip vacation back in January of this year. It is such a cool city packed with so many great food spots! We stayed in the Pearl District, and a lot of them were within walking distance from our hotel. One of my favorites we happened to come across was Little Big Burger. And their name really was the perfect description! The burgers were smaller than ones we were used to, but they had big flavor! They allow you to customize them with local cheeses and organic veggies, and they also had truffle fries (yum!) and a small selection of craft beers which was nice. It is definitely a place I'd recommend!

Little Big Burger //
122 NW 10th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97209

Thoughts On Morning Coffee

There is something about a morning coffee that is so satisfying. For me, it's less about the caffeine fix, and more about the pleasant warmth and comforting taste. It is a relaxing little time-out before my day even starts.

Sand Between My Toes

Words by Sandra Wallace
Photography by Cassandra Dias



We woke up to a beautiful, sunny, clear Sunday morning and made our bi-weekly run to Costco. After unloading our food at home, we made our way over to Goleta Beach. It had been quite a while since we’d been there, but the Beauty in the Waves post made me eager to return. It was around 10:30 and the temperature was just right. Not too hot, not too cold. As I removed my shoes and dug my toes in the cool, wet sand, I could feel the tiny particles massaging my feet. A wonderful feeling of “Ahhh!” surrounded me.

Strangers who would normally pass by on the street without really seeing us were quick to give us a friendly, “Hello!”

Walking in the sand brought back wonderful memories of spending time on the beach with my two children many years ago; building sandcastles, splashing in the ocean, and searching for seashells. I was surprised to only find one shell on the beach today that was intact. I decided to leave it where it was, in the hopes that some young child might spy it and place it with their other mementoes.

I noticed that walking along the water’s edge seemed to bring out the easiness in people. Strangers who would normally pass by on the street without really seeing us were quick to give us a friendly, “Hello!”. We ended up walking for over an hour in the sand and agreed that we should try to make this a regular outing.

When we reached home, we were extremely exhausted, really hungry, and greatly satisfied.

Beauty in the Waves

Words & Photography
by Cassandra Dias















To me, the ocean feels like a home away from home.

I could have spent hours up on that pier, looking down at the waves rolling past me. The way they folded upon themselves with such ease, overlapping each other; the surfers gliding over and slipping under them. I was in awe of those perfect, glassy shades of turquoise and sea foam green.

I was in awe of those perfect, glassy shades of turquoise and sea foam green.

I watched as those white fizzy bubbles would eagerly rush up onto the golden sand, and then, just as quickly, recede back into the blue just to swell up once more and do it all over again.

For a brief half an hour in a busy day, this was my happy place.

Hermosa Beach Pier //
1 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Brunch With Friends

Words & Photography
by Cassandra Dias



There is a magical time of day during which one could sit down for a meal at an hour that is just too late to be called breakfast, and a little too early to be labeled as lunch. I'm talking about brunch, a.k.a. my absolute favorite.

It is a time to sit leisurely and chat in extent. Pleasant conversation over warm meals and bottomless mimosas.

In my humble opinion, brunch is a meal best spent with friends. It is a time to sit leisurely and chat in extent. Pleasant conversation over warm meals and bottomless mimosas. Catching up on recent events having occurred during our day-to-day lives that have impacted us. Giving specifics about new and exciting endeavors, and getting all the details of the juiciest stories.

This ritual of eating and conversing during these few fleeting hours is a practice of habit that is good for the soul, and one that I so look forward to.

Taste on Melrose //
8454 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Start of Something

I love a fresh start, and this blog is getting just that! Habit & Home (formerly Moon Face) was formed with the hope of bringing strangers together by recognizing similarities in one another through verbal and visual storytelling. Named with the intention of publishing content relating to people, the habits they practice, and their unique perspectives on where and what "home" is, Habit & Home is a place to connect, to be inspired, and to gain insight by being allowed a small glimpse into the private lives of others.

Here, you can browse through an ever-growing collection of ideas and memoirs of writers, artists, photographers, designers, crafters, cooks, and all those who are interested in inspiring, and being inspired by fresh concepts and moving narratives.

We are so happy you've stopped by!

Warmly,
Cassandra