#taraschileturns40

[starina23]

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

[starina23]

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=

[starina23]

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=

[starina23]

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=

[starina23]

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=

[starina23]

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=

[starina23]

Ohhhhh I stayed up too late finishing this wonderful book. This first picture is the moment after I finished it. The second is this morning, still thinking about how it all ended. Dear @veschwab, you are a wonderful author. This was a triumph. And perfect for Halloween season. #HalloweenRead #BooksForHalloween #GreatBook #VESchwab #Gallant #EverythingCastsAShadow #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjdTnKNOHFAgHaveL0FYg0khfok7qbaz-nTZmM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

Today’s picture is a nod to my inner demon. The one who tells me people don’t care about pictures that don’t have Ryan or the kids in them—pictures of me are boring and selfish. The one who tells me I should be embarrassed for making a big deal about my own birthday. Our inner demons are mean. They’re bullies. And screw ‘em. I’m here, celebrating this path to 40. Even if it’s a fight. #TaraSchileTurns40 #InnerDemons https://www.instagram.com/p/CjbHothuirGlRFD6FKVtsN_qYGX2enGqyfe-Vg0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

You know what’s wild? Spending different chapters of your life in different places or with different people and realizing some people don’t know certain versions of you. Some of my closest friends have never heard me sing or seen me onstage, but other people in my life know how much I loved those things and did them all the time. Just weird how life changes. It’s all a journey. Here’s to the next time I’m able to perform again. It’ll probably blow my kids’ minds. 😆 #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjVe7EculKPzxbCQ1dijlXUgdH9qHsKWaBXsz40/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

This picture is so much happiness that my eyes have disappeared entirely. That was the year so many people sent me a birthday card with instructions not to open it until Oct 23rd (organized by Ryan). I was DELIGHTED, to say the least, at my pile of wonderful happy notes and cards. I have always loved getting mail. 🎃 #TaraSchileTurns40 #HalloweenBirthday #ILoveMail https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTYRQBu14P_r4QVEGbE02kFQa0OvVvz2cQA8Q0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

Really loved the #SandersonSisters cupcakes I made today! #HocusPocus2 was super fun. 💜💚❤️ #TaraBakes2022 #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjJ8Aqcspg8jzVYoidNKn2Qsm1njVd4j-6uvfA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

Today’s picture is from New Smyrna Beach a few years ago, my hometown. Thinking of my beach today, with this hurricane Ian madness, and missing my family. #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjGCwYkuaa67Arp2mJ3GYmZr-BKlvst5EPsAO00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

Today’s post is two versions of me, or at least that’s what it feels like sometimes—the curly and the straight. The curly version is my natural, wild hair, which can be pretty or an unmanageable nest. The straight version feels controlled and tamed, and can be pretty or look stuck to my head. Over the years, I’ve tried less to force my hair into straightened submission and have started allowing it to be curly and wild more often. Sometimes being wild feels nice. #TaraSchileTurns40 #CurlyHair https://www.instagram.com/p/CjEhOrnM-SNFRa7WjRIgglyC39i26MWw4nOvKE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

Today’s picture is to celebrate my renewed love of reading. I went a few years without reading much, but I’m back to juggling several books at a time and devouring great stories. My original goal a few years ago was to read 12 books by my next birthday, but I surpassed that. So now I just keep track of how many pages each book was and I have a grand total for the year. Some books are small, books I read aloud to the kids (currently the Borrowers series), some are big and heavy and wonderful (currently Gallant and The Near Witch, both by V.E. Schwab). I love having this love back in my life and I’ll keep reading forever. #TaraSchileTurns40 #LoveofReading #PracticalMagic https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci71k-zLq6KheyPK4OYdnumZY3dhI-bCpI9YGk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

It’s Fall! Today’s picture is from a day one fall where one of my besties took me on a surprise adventure for my birthday! I’ve always loved Autumn, especially because of my birthday, but also because the change in the year speaks to my soul. I feel most alive in the fall. #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciz8GHVOyua5g5iKNbeRmGpUoYzxt0t7Mf7mLM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starina23]

I spent a lot of my thirties pregnant. Four pregnancies and three babies from age 31 to 37. I was in awe of my body and what she could do. I felt proud of my belly for the first time ever. And the third trimester with each of these boys was an exhausting home stretch that lead to an exhausting newborn phase at home. My thirties were for making our family. Now my forties will be for adventures with these three wonderful kids I grew from scratch and their awesome Daddy. #TaraSchileTurns40 https://www.instagram.com/p/CivCwPbOMhs-RyhFG2vBO-N6YIM9SnddzJwLyc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=