Sick Day

I haven't been posting because of pure exhaustion. I've been stuck at home, sick with a really bad cold. Curse my weak immune system!

So I'll find better things to write about next week. I'm approaching my 50th post and I think it's super exciting! It doesn't mean much to anyone but me really. :)

Thanks for anyone reading this post! I know it's boring, but look around my blog and you'll find something else you may like. :)

Please follow my blog and I promise to write things you're interested in... if you let me know what you want to read about. :)

THANKS READERS!

--Kaylee

How To Crimp Your Hair With a Straightener

I'm obsessed with my straightener!! I use it everyday to either straighten, curl, and now crimp my hair. It's fantastic, and I'll teach you how!

So I use a CHI. You can look at/purchase one here: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2091315&productId=xlsImpprod3850103&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=1chi2012&categoryId=cat1000001 (but we got mine at Costco for cheaper). This waving technique was actually shown to me on a different type of straightener. I'm sorry that I don't remember exactly what brand it was. But it seems to work just fine on my CHI. The only thing you need are those rounded edges (look at the yellow part and how it rounds on the sides towards the black, since it all heats up, that's what helps it wave or curl).

These are my before pictures. I had straightened my hair earlier before work so it was pretty straight when I got started. Sorry for my cheesy smile...

So the technique is fairly simple. Take a strand of hair and press it into your straightener. Now instead of just smoothing the straightener down your hair, tilt it up and down while slowly going down your hair. It's a little difficult to explain. Basically just twist your wrist up and down while smoothing out the strand of hair. Above is the photo of my tilting it up...

... and this is me tilting the straightener downward. Does that make sense? Please leave a comment if you don't get it. Maybe I'll make a video so you can better see how it's done.

It should look something like this.

In the picture above, do you see how I'm tilting the straightener? Just tilt it back and forth. Sorry for the weird doll-like face. It's hard to make pretty faces while doing your hair and taking pictures at the same time.

The final result! I think it looks really pretty and this only took me like ten minutes on my hair! My hair isn't incredibly thin, but it's not that thick either, so the time would vary depending on your hair type.

I also want to point out my new mascara. I have a love/hate relationship with mascara. It's my favorite type of makeup, I wear it everyday, no matter what (even swimming, thank you for water-proof!) but I cannot find a brand that I love. Still can't. I've tried lots too. So if you have any suggestions, let me know.

The mascara I'm currently trying out is the Mega Plush by Maybelline.

Currently, I'm really liking this mascara. It makes my eyelashes look longer, which is good because I have fairly short ones. It also keeps them very soft. I hate mascaras that are really heavy on your eyelashes and when you touch it, the mascara seems all crusty and hard. But Mega Plush doesn't do that. When I feel my eyelashes with my finger, it feels as if I'm not wearing any mascara! And I really like that. It's very light and freeing. So far I like this mascara. But I usually stop liking my mascaras after a few weeks.

So if you have any fantastic mascaras you'd like to tell me about, I would be very grateful!

Well that's all for this blog post. Thanks for reading! I hope my directions for crimping your hair weren't too difficult. If you have any questions, please leave a comment! I usually respond to all the comments on this page, so just keep in touch!

I LOVE MY READERS!!!

--Kaylee

Happy Autumn!

I love autumn! Saturday was the first day of fall and the mountains outside my house are looking gorgeous!!! I love the changing colors, Halloween, my birthday, and the cute clothes I can wear in the fall. So to celebrate the start of fall, here are some beautiful autumn photos!!! (all taken from my Pinterest)

A lot of these photos I got from Christine Kysely's Pinterest page. Now I've never met or talked to her in my life, but her photography is incredible and inspiring! Check it out yourself here: http://pinterest.com/christinekysely/. 

If you more specifically want to look at her collection of autumn photos, it can be found here: http://pinterest.com/christinekysely/autumn/. 

--Kaylee

Blondes!

I've done posts similar to this, with just a bunch of hairstyles shown on a certain hair color. Obviously, you can do the same hairstyle no matter your hair color, I think I do this just because of an OCD thing. Ha. All these photos came off my Pinterest page. My hair and makeup Pinterest album can be found here: http://pinterest.com/kayleero/hair-makeup/.

Okay, I don't know anyone who would do this braid at their wedding. But it's awesome and on blond hair. :)

--Kaylee

The Things I've Learned By Being in a Serious Relationship

This post has been a long time coming. I really feel that having a serious boyfriend, and us planning on getting married someday has really changed me and my perspective on life. This isn't just advice for people in relationships!! These can be applied to anyone! I've learned a lot of things just in the past  11 months that we've been dating. It's almost been a year! And to celebrate that, I want to share with my readers the things that I have learned by being with Chris.


1. Everyone Has Flaws

Nobody is perfect. I'm certainly not. I have tons of flaws, and Chris is no different. But it's learning to look past those flaws and the little things that may bug you. This is something you shouldn't just learn in a relationship, but in life. You can't constantly judge people for their little flaws. Some people are very sensitive about those flaws, and if you're constantly chastising someone for their flaws, you aren't helping anyone. Acceptance is key in both relationships and life. Flaws don't matter. Just look past them.

2. Love Takes Sacrifice

This is probably the most important thing I've learned. Chris and I have sacrificed a lot for our relationship. I moved back home with my parents, two hours away from Chris, so that I could save up money for college. I'm about $8000 in student loan debt and I don't really want to take out any more loans (doesn't look like that'll happen though) so saving money for now is great for me. But it means I can't be with Chris all the time. And while we see each other every weekend, it's a struggle. Chris has sacrificed too. He has put off some of his soccer goals so he can continue working to make more money (to buy me a ring). 

I think the most important thing I've learned about sacrifice though, is that I don't care. I want to do all I can to make my life with Christopher perfect. I don't care that I'm putting school and dance on hold for a while, because I'm more concerned with making my relationship work. Relationships take some sacrifice, but it's worth it.

3. Stop Being Selfish

Quite honestly, I didn't think I was very selfish until I got into a serious relationship. It was more I was constantly worried and concerned about myself, and now I'm more concerned with Chris and making sure he's happy. I'm a dancer and as much as I wish Chris could come dancing with me all the time... he's not very good. He wants to play soccer and go fishing all the time. I'm terrible at soccer, but he's trying to teach me. I've never caught a fish the 20 something times I've gone with him, but I go anyways, because I've learned that we can't just do what I want. We have to make each other happy. I've learned to stop being selfish, and to do what he wants as well. 

4. Sometimes Other People's Happiness is More Important

I've suffered from depression since I was in middle school. I still do. But I lived my teenage years more concerned about my own happiness (or the lack thereof) than anyone else's. But by being with Chris I've learned something that changed everything. I have to help him (and others) to be happy too. I can't be constantly concerned with myself.

What I've found to be amazing in this relationship, is that when he is happy, I'm happy. I sincerely want him to be happy! I worker harder now everyday to make him happy. Our happiness seems to go hand in hand. We're a couple and I know it sounds crazy, but we share most of our emotions. Or rather, we feed off of each other's emotions. I can always tell when something is wrong with Chris, even through texting. And I will do anything to make sure that he's happy. This is another one that can be applied to people not in relationships. Sometimes it makes you happier to make someone else happy. 

5.  Take Time For Adventures

I was in a relationship in high school where I just got bored. Maybe it was because I was 18, maybe because we just weren't right for each other, but I just got bored. We did the same thing over and over again. With Chris, we don't get bored. I'm always happy to be with him, never bored. More importantly, we try new things, go to new restaurants, visit new places, and constantly go on special dates to keep us from getting bored. 

I've found so many wonderful dating advice for married people on Pinterest. My favorite would have to be this:
http://shannonbrown.typepad.com/life_in_general/2011/01/lets-go-on-a-date-january.html

Take time to date. Like really date! Last Valentines Day was incredible! I've always hated Valentines Day, but Chris made it fantastic for me! We got all dressed up and went out to dinner and a movie (the movie was a surprise, I only knew about the dinner). The best part was him picking me up for the date, flowers in hand. I got the jittery, butterflies in stomach feeling that you get on a first date. But it wasn't our first date. We had been dating for three months by then. Some of our dates are still like that. I get so excited and anxious because I know he'll make the night extra special. 

6. It's Okay to Have Some Fights

My dad when I first started dating Chris was very protective. He would always ask me questions about how we get along, what I don't like about him, and what arguments we've been in. When we started talking about marriage, my dad sat me down and told me the importance of arguing. It sounds really weird, but it's important. Chris and I do argue sometimes. We had a really big fight back in January where I thought I would have to break up with him. But by arguing, you learn about each other.

I think it's knowing how to argue that's most important. I can't really yell. I'm just a very quiet person. So when I argue, I cry my eyeballs out and explain everything that's wrong and everything that I'm upset about. Chris doesn't really yell either (which I'm very grateful for) so our arguments quickly turn to discussions, and those discussions turn to agreements and ideas that we then turn to solutions. Arguing in a relationship is about finding a solution. It's not about proving that you're right and they're wrong. It's about creating a healthy safe environment by both acknowledging each other's need and wants and learning to adjust. 

7.  There are Always Hard Days

Living apart means that we have more difficult days than other people. But even when we were living in the same city, things would be hard. Sometimes it's a bad day. Some days I wanted my space, and Chris would realize that, and I would get irritated (sometimes it had to do with me being a girl). Sometimes things are hard but being in a relationship means that you work things out. Don't let one hard day bring you down. 

8. Love is Most Important

Expressing your love for another person is amazing. When you truly love someone and are willing to give all you have for that one person, you know. And you have to share it with them. I dated other guys that I thought I loved. I thought I might marry them. But until I met Chris I never knew what love was. Now I do. Love is a feeling that is very hard to explain. But trust me when I say, you'll know when you find it. It may not be love at first sight, it wasn't for Chris and me, but you'll know in time. Everyday I find a new reason to love Chris, and I truly believe that from now through eternity, I will always find a new reason to love Chris. 

Don't settle for a love that won't last. For love that isn't real. When you find it, you'll know. And it's the most special and wonderful feeling that you'll ever know. :)

If you have any other tips for relationships or important things you've learned, please leave a comment! I would love to learn more and hear what you have to say!

I LOVE MY READERS!

--Kaylee

Wizard of Oz: Mr. Potato Head!!

I absolutely love The Wizard of Oz! I grew up always watching it and singing along! I have Wizard of Oz posters, bags, shirts, and the new special edition DVD. I'm thinking I might decorate a future child's room with all my Wizard of Oz stuff (here's hoping I have a girl...)

So when these Mr. Potato Head's appeared on my Facebook wall, I was thrilled! I totally want these! I think they are funny and adorable and in my experience working in a daycare, little kids love Mr. Potato Head.

--Kaylee

What a Woman Wants

http://www.whatawomanwantsshow.com/

So tonight I had a girls-night-out with my mom and we went to the What a Woman Wants Show at the South Town Expo Center. It was so much fun! I wish I had taken pictures to share with you all!

If you're nearby, I recommend checking it out, it goes till tomorrow and it's lots of fun. Here are the highlights of my adventure tonight:

• Buying 4 new tank-tops, leggings, and two long sleeve shirts from Luxe.  http://luxecouturefashion.com/
• Signing up for a drawing to win free laser hair removal (oh pretty please let me win!!!)
• Free samples anyone???
• Exploring all the many boutiques that had set up booths there (there were tons, if I wasn't with my mom, I would have bought a lot more)
• Eating a 162 calorie pizza through WIO ( http://www.wiodiet.com/ very delicious too, they had rolls there as well that were absolutely divine! My mom's friend Brandon also worked there and gave us lots of samples.)
• Wildtree oils. Very delicious! ( http://www.wildtree.com/Home/default.aspx)
• Getting business cards from multiple places that look exactly the same! ;)
• Getting pestered by people.
• Learning how to crimp my hair with a straightener (defiantly trying this out myself!!)
• Winning a $15 off coupon for a weight reduction place (it's funny, it looks like you're getting an ultrasound, but they are really just killing the fat cells. It's pretty cool if it works. They say you can lose 1 1/2 to 2 inches off your waist in one session. But $15 off won't do much, it's very expensive.)
• Entering contests to win other free stuff!
• Delicious soups! I had a taco soup and a cheddar/broccoli soup, so good!!!
• Seeing this ride... thing... for kids... it was a stuffed animal cow... that you sit on... and it is on wheels... and rides around... I WANT ONE! 

Seriously though, if you don't already have plans this weekend, check it out! :) http://www.whatawomanwantsshow.com/ And if you can't make it this weekend, there is another one planned for this December. So if you want a little bit of fun and the possibility to win drawings, go! 

--Kaylee

USU Ballroom Team 2012-2013!!!

... I am sadly not on the USU Ballroom Team 2012-2013...

I decided to move home for a year to make money before going back to school.

I'm dying inside, not being able to dance for my team. That's my team! I feel like I have some ownership of it (even though I really don't). I'm just not ready to let it go...

So I'm the creator and main administrator for the Facebook page and group (http://www.facebook.com/pages/USU-Ballroom-Dance-Company/114584308643929 check it out). And because I'm not there I've had to, very reluctantly, give permissions for others to edit the page. I'm very upset about this, because I'm not ready to let it go.

On our group page, it's for team members only. And while I'm an administrator, there is now another administrator. And they are removing of last year's team members if they are no longer doing team. I'm so scared they are going to try and remove me from the page! Yes I'm an administrator, but Hans has all the permissions I do. But I created the page, so it just doesn't seem fair. More than that, I've worked really hard to create a fan base on our Facebook page! (seriously, http://www.facebook.com/pages/USU-Ballroom-Dance-Company/114584308643929, check it out and like the page if you're anywhere near Logan, it gives information on all team events)

I know it's childish, I know it sounds stupid, I know I'm acting like a whiny little kid, but I just can't let it go. I've been on the team longer than anyone else, and am going back next year. Please don't kick me out yet...

Also, check out our website:  http://usu.edu/ballroom/ !!!

--Kaylee

Why I Love How I Met Your Mother

So this summer my boyfriend and I spent most our days in his apartment watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. For anyone who doesn't know, it's like a love story in reverse. Ted is telling his kids how he met his wife... but the story never ends. I have seen every episode through season 6 and most the episodes of season 7 (except the ones that I needed to see the most). But I'm obsessed, I've gone through the episodes on Netflix twice now, and am now watching some for a third time (I might as well just buy all the seasons on DVD (or if any of my readers love me enough...)).

Anyways, here is my top 10 list of why I love How I Met Your Mother.

1. Barney Stinson. He is the lowest on my list because he is a disgusting character. Awful really. But I love Neil Patrick Harris so I have to give him credit for that. And this video highlights the very few fun and good qualities of his character. So enjoy!

2. The cast is pretty cool. I don't love Robin, the actress or the character, but she's alright. (also I agree with Neil Patrick Harris in this video, the Price is Right episode was awesome)

3. Just the show. Here are some awesome clips!

4. This musical number: (I wish it had the actually video... if you can, watch the episode Girls vs. Suits on Netflix, this song is at the end)

5. Robin Sparkles!! My best friend, this is her ringtone. :)

6. Lily's wedding dress. I have another blog all about weddings, so I'm kind of obsessed (click on Everything is for Love under the main page photo and it will take you to my other blog).

7. The Slap Bet! If you haven't seen the show, the slap bet was made near the beginning of the show (when Robin Sparkles is first introduced) but it keeps coming back through the seasons. I love it, it's so funny!

8. Marshal is the best! (these are the outtakes, I apologize for the swearing!!!)

9. Lily and Marshal are so perfectly cute together!

10. Lily's Outfits. Seriously. That's my favorite thing about the show. I want almost everything she wears on that show. Mainly her boots. Here are some fabulous examples:

Working In A Daycare

So I've been working in a daycare for a few weeks now. It's a part of a gym and parents can drop off their kids while they're working out. I work in the area that mainly deals with children 6 months to 6 years. We are called "The Nest".

I LOVE MY JOB!

I don't care that I'm only making minimum wage and only work part time. That doesn't matter to me because I'm doing what I love! I get to play with little kids and get paid for it, and I couldn't be happier.

There's an area at my work called the baby room, that's my favorite (a surprise to the other girls working in the Nest). I love taking care of the little babies. I don't care that they rip out my hair and scream in my ear. They are adorable! Holding a baby in my arms reminds me of innocence. I think about how cute and innocent they are and the potential that each baby has. They can grow up to be anything!

I'm so grateful for my job! I can't imagine being happier anywhere else. I love working in childcare!

--Kaylee

App Review: Bubble Shoot

Okay, I know that I'm almost 22 and probably shouldn't be playing games like this, but this app is seriously addicting!

Bubble Shoot by Runner Games has 4 1/2 stars on the Amazon App Store (I have a Kindle Fire, I use the Amazon App Store). It is a free game, which is always nice. It's a very typical, traditional game. There are so many similar games out there. This one has lots of levels in both Arcade and Puzzle modes (arcade is easier, and usually funner). Basically you shoot the same color bubbles to pop the others. I don't know how to describe it any more than that...

I love this app. And hate it at the same time. I waste way too much of my time playing it. But it is the only app on my Kindle Fire that I haven't gotten sick of in a few days. I've been playing this for weeks. I do recommend it if your up for a simple, yet sometimes challenging, game. It's easy and free, so why not just give it a try?

--Kaylee

Wedding Bouquets