I’m a content creator and writer at-my-core, but I’m as equally proud to be a wife and obsessive dog and cat mom who loves exploring her native city and learning and growing with the world around her.

Currently live in

Austin, Texas — born and raised. I have a 512 area code; I’m the real deal. A unicorn, one may say.

My life partner

My high-school-friend-turned-husband, Aaron. And yes, our names rhyme. It’s adorable. And also puke worthy. But mostly adorable.

My (fur) children

Bonnie (the sassiest, goofiest Basset Hound), Clyde (a Rottweiler/Boxer mix, ever-loyal, protective and cuddly), Berlioz (a stray-gone-full-spoiled black, short-haired cat) and Thor (the softest, long-haired, gray and cream cat who is always on-edge and meows to empty corners of the house — aka ghosts).

Favorite story I’ve ever written

That’s like asking someone who their favorite child is — we all know you’re not supposed to have a favorite, but you secretly do anyways … and you still lie to everyone and yourself out loud and say, “They are all my favorite!”

In all seriousness, I always take on and execute work that I’m really proud of because I wouldn’t have it any other way, so it’s hard to have a favorite. But if I had to pick, it would either be the time I broke news on a sex sting operation before any other major news outlet (the story wasn’t anything to rave over, but the fact I scooped it up first was thrilling), when my story went viral about how this family of four in a quaint, Oklahoma town transformed two silos/granaries into their dream home, or how I wrote about one man’s mission to restore a large sum of land in the great Central Texas Hill Country back to its natural state.

Favorite reads

Again with the hard-hitting questions! Nothing as of recent has topped “Three Women,” by Lisa Taddeo. It’s a must-read, no matter what gender you identify as. In addition to that, I would say my Top 5 reads (recent and of all time) are: “The Corpse Had a Familiar Face,” by Edna Buchanan, “Tiny, Beautiful Things,” by Cheryl Strayed, “Normal People,” by Sally Rooney, “Me and White Supremacy,” by Layla F. Saad and “On the Come Up,” by Angie Thomas.

Favorite place I’ve traveled to

In the states? Boston. I loved the atmosphere, the food, the people. Overseas? Scotland. It’s beautiful, the people are hilarious and wonderful and I’m drawn to the cultural, historical architecture, monuments and stories. Trip highlight: I got to shout “FREEEEEEEDDDDDDDOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!” at the highest peak of the William Wallace monument after climbing a 246-step spiral staircase. Here’s the proof. Dreams really do come true.

Favorite local meal

An avocado margarita with homemade pork and chicken tamales at Curra’s Grill. But if it’s a “treat yoself!” kind of day or if I’m in a particularly bougee mood, I’ll devour east coast oysters by the dozen with shoestring fries and a gin martini at Clark’s Oyster Bar.

Favorite animal

Giraffes. I have a giraffe figurine in every single room of our home. I also have a giant giraffe stuffed plush animal in my office, lurking in the background … being a fly on the wall on that one Zoom call to see if you were actually on mute or if you just weren’t paying attention. He’s watching you.

Favorite decade

The '80s — no contest. Musically and culturally. “Hey, Siri — play ‘Head Over Heels,’ by Tears for Fears.” BRB, gonna go scream-sing this in my car on the way to the grocery store …

My teams

My alma mater, Oklahoma State Cowboys (“Loyal and true … SO! TRUE!”), and the Denver Broncos (“IN. COM. PLETE.”). I take football … too seriously — nicely put. So don’t expect an invite to come over and watch the game. No offense, but it’s for your own good.

If I had a theme song for my life

It would be “That’s Not My Name,” by The Ting Tings. Except the chorus would go something like,

“They call me Karen. They call me Terry. They call me her. They call me Tara. That’s not my name.”

Am I exaggerating? I wish I was. Week = made when the barista spells my name right. You pronounce it as Tear — in. T-a-r-y-n. Not that hard, y’all.

Where you can find me off the clock

I’m usually gasping for air under a cuddle pile of my fur children, with the occasional pug we’re fostering, on the couch binge watching a drama or thriller TV show/film with a bag of Dot’s pretzels nearby. Oh yeah, about the pug — I’m the Foster Coordinator for the Pug Rescue of Austin. I’ve always been obsessed with pugs since forever and it’s my job to help match them with the best foster/environment for them until we find them their forever home. You can even find me driving around town — pug in tow — transporting to their foster or to the vet. But I have a life outside of my pets and rescuing pugs. I swear. When it’s hot (and it almost always is) I’m at the lake with a fully stocked cooler and hoarding all of the SPF 70 sunscreen. When it’s cold, I avoid the great outdoors at all costs and build an igloo of blankets on top of me with a book in-hand. I’m also known to be hanging out with friends at a small dive bar, jamming at a music festival, going on an Airbnb getaway with the girls or annoying my husband while he’s playing video games so he can give me some attention.

My dream vacation

Japan. My husband and I have said from the dawn of our relationship that if we got married, we’d go to Japan celebrating an anniversary together. Our very first quest when we arrive will be to find a hole-in-the-wall ramen spot and then run full speed into a sea of cherry blossom trees.

Other random quirks that make me — me

Collecting/burning luxury candles, drinking exceptionally tasty coffee, taking hot yoga classes, going to the local farmer’s market, hunting for art by local, independent artists, decorating my home (also known as the great never ending project), saying ‘y’all’ an excessive amount, staying up past my bedtime, sleeping in too late on the weekends, trying new food and local restaurants, making a case for why string cheese is the most underrated snack of all time, cooking or baking a new dish/treat I found on Instagram, shouting at “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” on TV whenever they give the final rose of the night to that one contestant we all know producers are just keeping on the show for the entertainment factor, buying another pair of shoes I don’t need, catching a glimpse of dust on a surface to then conduct an overly thorough cleaning job to the entire house, host spontaneous karaoke/dance parties in my living room by myself for myself, spending countless hours online shopping and then never buying anything, scrolling through all of my pet pictures on my phone (the only pictures on my phone) thinking about how I’m going to have to take bereavement leave when they pass away and if you’re still here after all that rambling — bless your heart and thank you for coming to my TED talk.