Happy Tuesday 4/28/15

My writing project

The finale of Chuck (tears, so many tears...)

This video

Feeling successful

Getting faster at work

The Avengers comes out Friday

Tax returns

BuzzFeed quizzes

Gym visits

My laptop

Painting my nails

My fish Duke

And Chris for making life better when things get hard

Happy Tuesdays are about making a list of the things that have made me happy. No details, no stories, just the simple beautiful things in life that bring happiness and joy.

If you'd like to join in, stop by every Tuesday and share your post with me!

Pinterest Project: Writing

Hello there! I have a new segment on my blog! Yay! This new segment is called Pinterest Projects and every month I will do at least one project of something I've pinned on Pinterest. If you know me, you know I'm addicted to Pinterest and pin a lot of things, but I never actually do anything with those pins. But this should change that. It can be a craft, recipe, cleaning or organization project, sewing, going on an adventure... anything really. And you can follow me on Pinterest HERE to see what types of things you'll probably see with this segment. I'm excited so here we go!

This first project though is a little vague and I can get into too many details. This past month though I have been working on my writing. I have a big writing project planned that will be starting up on this blog around June and it'll be awesome and terrifying but I'm so excited for you to finally read some of my fiction.

So for this Pinterest Project I built up my Writing Board on Pinterest and have started following tips and tricks for my writing. And while I can't tell you everything because it would ruin the surprises coming up, I can show you some of the pins that have helped me during this project.

I have a very sporadic style of writing and I can't focus on one chapter at a time. So I've been working a lot on outlining things so even when I skip a few chapters, I still know what those chapters are supposed to be like and what I want to do with them. 

I've also dealt a lot with Writer's Block in the past (I'm sure you could tell because it affects this blog as well) so I've been pushing through and forcing myself to write, but not in a mean way. Even if it's just a few sentences, I make myself write each day. Progress is progress no matter how slow you're going. 

I think that the best way to build my writing technique is by reading. But I don't read nearly as much as I should be. I'm always looking for new books and this was a great pin for me to help find new stuff. 

And in case you're wondering, I think I was very first inspired by The Phantom Tollbooth . And I honestly can't tell you what it's about, I've long forgotten the details of it all, but I remember being a little girl reading this book in school and being transported to a different world and I wanted to do that. I wanted to make my own world. I had a big imagination as a child, and still do, and all of that is what goes into my writing. I think The Phantom Tollbooth really sparked my imagination. 

I'm also in love with Romeo and Juliet , and I get questioned about it a lot because it is a tragedy and it's Shakespeare so it's complex, but I honestly love a good tragic romance. Real life isn't all fairy-tales and that's what Shakespeare taught me and I love it. 

I have a blog post about the 10 most important books in my life and you can find that HERE. 

"Don't just start stories, FINISH THEM." I started typing up stories on the family computer when I was pretty young, and I never finished a single one. This has always been my problem and it's something I've been working on the past few years as I try tackling multiple books at once, and fail. Currently I'm focusing on one thing at a time and it's making the writing process easier for me. 

I first read these Pixar rules for storytelling about a year ago and I was blown away. This is honestly the greatest writing advice I've ever been given and I've worked hard to double check my writing to see if it's following these rules. 

I'll admit a Tumblr post about Sherlock is a weird thing to put on my Writing Board, so let me explain a bit. Firstly, I'm obsessed with Sherlock . I've seen every episode multiple times and I'm constantly looking up things like this on Pinterest. But this post really stood out to me as a writer because I want my writing to be as good as Sherlock. I want depth in my relationships, in actions and decisions, in everything really. I swear every time I watch Sherlock I catch something I didn't before and that's what I want from my writing and something I strive for. 

I used to resist advice. I was always writing for me and didn't want other people telling me how to do it. But that's the thing, I can still be myself and take advice like this. It will only improve me.

Lastly, I've had to recognize that this is a long and difficult journey to get to where I want to be. I have high expectations for myself but I will only be able to achieve them if I take it one step at a time. 

I've always loved writing and I'm so excited to start sharing my writing with you (hopefully June). Don't forget to follow my blog and social media so you can be the first to know what it happens. 

What's In My Purse?!?

Empties

April Snow

You may be thinking these are old photos that I decided to put in randomly since my last  fashion post was pretty sunny. But nope, my latest fashion posts have all been in order. I've mentioned before how strange of a winter we've been having. There hasn't been much snow at all and it's been considerably warm. But Mother Nature decided to change that and throw snow at us mid-April. It was also fun since the day it snowed, my coworker and I went for a walk during our lunch break without any jackets on since it was 68 degrees, but by the end of the work day it was snowing like crazy! 

Living in Utah basically my whole life, I have a pretty good winter wardrobe, but I feel like I don't show it that much. I'm obsessed with boots, sweaters, leggings, and my coats, but I don't take many winter outfit photos due to the lack of sunlight and my work schedule. So even though winter is over for most people (and two days later, basically over for us as well), I'm excited that I finally get to show you guys a part of my winter wardrobe. 

This sweater I got for Christmas from my husband and he picked it out all by himself. Every time I say that, people get impressed. He did a great job. He says he looked at my Pinterest board to help him figure out what I would like. Pinterest is my favorite. In a few days I'll be sharing a new segment on my blog called Pinterest Projects and every month I pick something (or multiple things) from my Pinterest boards to work on. I'm excited for this new segment and excited to tell you what I've been doing for this month. 

Anyways, since my photos today have snow I want to briefly vent to you about how weird it is to me to see other bloggers posting pictures in summer clothes in the sunshine. Going through my Instagram feed is really odd sometimes to see people swimming at the beach when I'm building snowmen. 

Well I hope you enjoy my very dark winter outfit. It was actually snowing when I took these. I don't think you can tell very much but it certainly was cold!! 

Sweater: Kohls

Skirt: Promesa

Socks: K.Bell

Boots: Mudd

Necklace: Foxy Originals 

Elephants

I don't know what color my hair is trying to be lately. I dyed it a short while ago and it was supposed to be black, but my hair always wants to be red. So I'm considering actually dying it red. Like THIS kind of red, or THIS. Or perhaps more of a red highlight like THIS. Or you know, trying dying it black again like THIS. Too many options!! I love playing with my hair though! Lately I've been trying out different hairstyles. Mainly braids. I've been having fun with it and once I get better I'll do tutorials on my YouTube page (PS, I have one hair tutorial up already on how I curl my hair, check it out HERE). But I also have been letting my hair stay more natural lately instead of abusing it with heat, so below is mostly my natural hair, just a little tweaking with my straightener in a few places.

Anyways, I'm in love with this outfit because it's simple. It has a lot of different pieces that makes it look a bit fancier, but it's so comfy and cute. My necklace isn't very visible in these pictures, but I won it from my friend at Styled By Blondie! I'm in love with it and have had fun putting it with different outfits. My latest obsession has been necklaces and I wear them all the time. I want more though....

Well I hope you enjoy this outfit, because I sure do. And I hope you have a fabulous day! 

Boots: Overstock

Pants: ???

Tank Top: Head Over Heels

Chambray Shirt: Kohls 

Necklace: Foxy Originals

CREATE THIS SAME LOOK:

A Touch of Pink

These pictures are not the greatest, just to warn you in advanced. It was really cold, I had to get to work, it was the best I could do. 

This is one of my new favorite dresses. It's from Old Navy. Lately I've been so in love with Old Navy. They have great prices and great stuff. I am beginning to wonder why I stopped going there. 

But yeah... I love this dress. Not much else to say I guess. Enjoy! 

Dress: Old Navy

Shirt: Old Navy 

Socks: K.Bell 

Boots: Overstock

Create this same look:

Slow Down

Life, I need to talk to you

Can you spare a minute just to tell me what to do?

And I'm trying to climb this hill

I can feel you pass me by like I'm standing still

The things I gotta do

I'm feeling you leaving me behind

And I know I don't wanna go down this road alone

And I'm running out of time

So slow down, you're losing me

And I can't see what you want me to be

So slow down 'cause all I know is I can't go

As fast as you have got me spinning round

I'm barely hanging on, slow down

Why the moments pass me by?

Memories that I can't keep as hard as I may try

Oh life, you're so beautiful

I wish it wasn't so but I can only stay until

Though you say I gotta go

God only knows when that's gonna be

With all my might I'm trying to keep up with you

And now you're running away from me

So slow down, you're losing me

And I can't see what you want me to be

So slow down 'cause all I know is I can't go

As fast as you have got me spinning round

I'm barely hanging on, slow down

So slow down, you're losing me

And I can't see what you want me to be

So slow down 'cause all I know is I can't go

As fast as you have got me spinning round

Oh, look at how you got me spinning around

I'm barely hanging on, slow down

This post was previously ridiculously long. I wrote for a very long time about my stress and my depression, but I deleted it all. Because once I wrote it down, once I let it all out, I felt better. 

The song above has been in my mind a lot lately because I've been dealing with a lot. There is so much stress in my life and things have been really hard. I just want my life to slow down. I want a break. I want a minute where I don't have to feel like this. I want to feel like myself again...

Style Icon: Demi Lovato

From the very beginning of this blog I have talked about my love of Demi Lovato. She is such a role model to me and I honestly love her so much. She is such an inspiration to me as a person, but she's also a style icon for me as well.

In high school I wanted her hair and throughout high school and my first few years of college, I had my hair specifically dyed to look similar to hers. And while now I don't have the desire to have her current hair (shaved side, crazy colors), a part of me will always want the way her hair once was (not that her current hair isn't awesome too, she totally rocks it, it's just not for me). But I've always loved her style as well. From her days on Sonny With a Chance and Camp Rock to now, I still love her style.

Demi always has a bit of a rocker in her. She'll wear a skirt with a leather jacket, or "Converse with my dress" and I love that! She also wears black as much as I do. Black is my favorite color. Dressing down or dressing up, she knows how to pair different items together and make it work. Her hair and makeup is always flawless, but she's also a huge promoter of #MakeupFreeMonday and often posts a makeup free photo on Instagram once a week. Through everything she's been though, she's all about having a positive self-image and uses herself as an example as much as she can. She loves her curves, different hair colors, and her freckles and isn't afraid to share them.

Demi Lovato has such a wide, but wonderful style and she always has and always will be one of my style icons, and most favorite celebrities in existence. And now, like always, here's a million pictures of her.

I think her makeup is gorgeous in this.

I'm always tempted to dye my hair red like this, but maybe a bit darker...

Ah! Her hair and makeup is incredible!

I've been joining in on #MakeupFreeMonday lately, and you should too! 

Also, if you've made it this far, CONGRATS! But I want to apologize for my lack of fashion posts. I'm trying to get into the habit again of taking pictures every night. So hopefully I'll have some soon! 

Happy Tuesday 4/7/15

Easter

Easter egg hunts

General Conference

Writing

Winning a necklace

Getting 10 new Twitter followers this week (WHAT?!?)

Massive paycheck (all that overtime was so worth it)

Jimmy Johns

This month's Pinterest Project (more on that soon)

Suspenseful Chuck episodes

Seeing Insurgent (even though I hated it)

New makeup routines

Jokes at work

And my very best friend Lauren's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!! 

I wanted a funny picture of us and this was the winner. 

What Easter Means to Me

This has been a strange week for me. It started out with lots of pain from my wisdom tooth coming in, giving a Young Women's lesson on the resurrection, then trying to figure out how to pay our bills this month, and then I had my friend, Bubba, pass away on Wednesday, and then after Wednesday it's been a blur...

Things have been crazy for me and part of me just doesn't know how to deal with all these changes and trials going on in my life right now. But I'm happy that it's Easter weekend, because it allows me to reflect on what Easter really means to me.

Last Sunday my lesson for church was on the resurrection. It was the hardest lesson I've had to give so far. I'm good at abstract kind of things, but a specific event/topic can be intimidating, especially when it's something as significant as the resurrection. But I was so happy to be giving that lesson before Easter, and after hearing about Bubba, I'm so happy I had that lesson to start my week on.

I believe that through the resurrection I can see Bubba again. Through the gospel I am sealed to my family, to Chris, for eternity. I couldn't imagine my life without Chris or my family, and the resurrection allows me to be with them forever.

Easter is about the resurrection, about the fact that Christ rose from the dead to give us eternal life, to be with us forever. Because of the resurrection I know that my prayers are answered, that when I need help he's there for me, and that I can see my friend Bubba again.

Bubba

I was eighteen, just moved to Logan, and was trying out for the ballroom team. I was terrified I wouldn't make it. Terrified of my first year at college. Terrified of being away from my family. Through the practices, a boy came up to me and told me I would make it. He had confidence in me, even when I didn't.

I made the team and later learned this boy was Bubba.

We had fun together on ballroom. He made my freshman year of college memorable and exciting. We spent two years dancing together, joking together, getting Jamba Juice's together, and having fun.  Then Bubba got cancer and stopped doing ballroom, but I tried to keep contact with him and let him know I was always his friend and I would always support him.

Bubba pushed through chemo and went back to living a normal life. But that year I left Logan, I didn't see him again for another year.

One day after getting married and moving back to Logan, I decided to randomly visit my old ballroom coaches. Bubba was there and greeted me happily, like he always did. We talked a little, joked a little, and I enjoyed seeing him again. I had missed him.

Today the world lost Bubba.

Lost his loud, happy laughter. Lost his big smile. Lost his jokes. Lost his friendliness. Lost an incredible dancer and teacher. Lost him from this world to move on to the next.

It doesn't matter that I haven't spoken to him in months, Bubba had an effect on my life and he was a good friend. I loved him and he will be missed. Everyone who knew him loved him. He was such a fun person to be around and made you feel happy and loved.

I love you Bubba. I'm glad you no longer have to deal with your pain and medical issues. I know you're in a better place now. I know your safe and happy. Goodbye Bubba, I love and miss you.