Will Blogging Ever NOT Be Hard For Me?

That's a serious question. I want a serious answer. For reals, I make all these goals, I set plans, schedule posts, have a ginormous list of posts I want to write, and then I still go over a month without posting. Will blogging ever become easy for me? And if so, how do I speed up that process?

Despite having a freaking long list of posts, I'm in a writer's rut. I can't even get myself to work on Heroes & Villains which has an actual deadline and is insanely important to me. If anything, that should be my focus, but I can't even bring myself to do that.

I've also filmed quite a few videos to put on my YouTube channel, but once I get to editing, I panic that they aren't good enough and just discard them. They still exist, but will probably never be posted for public viewing.

I'm just stuck between my high expectations and reality. See, I have a very, very vivid imagination, which I love and I think that's what allows me to be a writer. But in my imagination, I see myself as a successful blogger, YouTuber, and writer. And when I realize that I started my blog four years ago and nothing has come of it, I get insanely discouraged.

I've never been the type of person who always believes in myself. In fact, I've spent many years of my life struggling with self-loathing. I am so good at putting myself down and making myself believe that no matter how hard I try, I won't amount to anything. I started writing stories at the age of 10. Freaking ten years old! I'm now 26 and have nothing to show for it but Heroes & Villains (which, again, I'm very proud of, but still, it's not a published book).

Let's not forget that life gets in the way. I would love to travel and do more posts about that, but I've never had a job that allows that. And I hope to someday be able to blog as my job in order to do that, but how do I get there if I'm always at jobs that keep me from blogging?

I know I'm overthinking it. I think that's a family trait. But I can't help that I get so caught up in what I want that I can't see the present for what it could be. I can imagine blogging as a career all I want, but unless I take the time today to do something about it, that dream will never come true.

I want to rebrand a bit, change what kinds of posts I do. I think that giving myself a more specific niche will help me to actually blog.

I've read dozens of blog posts about "How to be a Successful Blogger" or "How to Make a Career From Blogging" and I keep looking at those posts as things that I can do in the future. But I need to start looking at them as things I can do now. I'm certain I could make my dreams a reality if I just learn to stop being lazy, stop thinking about the unrealistic future, and focus on what I can do now.

I am honestly, probably one of the laziest people you will ever meet. Today I didn't leave my bed all day. I didn't even take my dog outside to let him pee. Granted, I am also sick so there was a slight necessity to my laziness, but even I am getting to a point where I'm sick of my own laziness.

And instead of lying in bed listening to podcasts (I personally love Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig) and watching YouTube videos (I think my Thatcher Joe obsession is getting to be a little bit too much) why didn't I just work on one of the many blog posts I have planned? Even if it doesn't get posted for a while, why didn't I just start?

I don't really know what this post is about, other than letting you know how much of a failure I often believe I am, but I hope (and I can only hope) that this post leads to more soon. Better ones. Much better ones. In fact, I have a good one coming in a few weeks. It's currently my only planned post, I'm very excited for it, but after it's posted I don't really know what else to do.

Anyways, I should end this post now before I embarrass myself too much because, quite honestly, I'm embarrassed to admit all this. Especially the thing about not letting my dog out to pee. In my defense, Zoram laid around and slept all day with me. He didn't whine or show any signs of needing to go until I started putting shoes on to pick up my husband from work. But I am sorry Zoram. I love you very much and I know you can't read, but I hope you can find it in your little heart to forgive me.

And to end this post here's a picture of my adorable dog.

Oh... And this picture was taken on the bathroom floor of my new apartment... which I never mentioned on here that I moved and barely even said it on social media. I'm failing. Sorry.

January Favorites [2016]

So we are bringing back monthly favorite posts this year! I will probably switch back and forth between a written post or a video post (like my 2015 favorites) to add a bit of variety and fun to these monthly posts. I have a better layout and categories so hopefully this year they won't be as sloppy...

However, today's is not going to be good at all. I just can't think of any favorites. But we'll go over a few things that have made this month great.

To start off, I'm going to make monthly playlists of the songs I've listened to most that month, or possibly themed playlists (like for Christmas). These will all be on my Spotify account, so be sure to follow me on Spotify to see my favorites throughout the month instead of just when I post it. I have a wide variety of music I love, so it's difficult to categorize what genre you'll see in these playlists. But for this month they are just recent favorites. So you can get listening to my favorites as you browse through the rest of this post.

(And I want to both warn you and apologize that this particular playlist is more calm/sad songs. I absolutely love sad songs, those are my favorite kind, but also it's been a difficult month for me.)

Firstly I want to talk about my favorite/most popular post on my blog this month, which would be "My Dog Almost Ate My Ultrasound Pictures Today". This was quite possibly the hardest post I have ever written. I don't believe I've ever been hysterically crying while typing up a blog post before, even when I talk about my depression. My miscarriage was the hardest thing I've ever had to face in my life and I'm still healing emotionally from it. Thank you to everyone who supported this post and supported me.

BEAUTY

I seriously cannot think of favorites for this month! But I can say I've been loving my new makeup routine. It's very dark around the eyes, but I'm obsessed. Also, all my makeup products are pretty amazing because a few weeks ago at work I cried for about an hour and a half and my super dark (slightly emo) makeup didn't smudge at all. I think they should make makeup commercials about women getting dumped and crying, because isn't makeup that stays what we're all really looking for?

MOVIES AND TELEVISION

This month I had the incredible opportunity to see Sherlock: The Abominable Bride in theaters. To be able to see a BBC television show that I'm obsessed with in a theater in my hometown was the highlight of my month (although I came home from that to Zoram almost eating my ultrasounds). It was so insanely good!!! I love Sherlock so ridiculously much!!!

This month I've also been able to see the latest seasons of New Girl and Parks & Recreation, as they were added onto Netflix. These are two of my favorite comedy shows and I love them both. Nick Miller is amazing, he's my favorite thing... like ever.

SHOUTOUTS

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom today!! I don't know where I'd be without you! I love you so insanely much and hope you have the best birthday ever!!

Fiona M. wrote the most amazing comment on yesterday's post (How Social Anxiety Makes Me Feel). As I'm transitioning this blog to talk more about my mental health disorders, it is my sincere hope that something I say can help someone else. Fiona has already made me feel that way, and for that I am truly grateful. Love you Fiona!

Kate of Kate the (Almost) Great has been my teammate this past month. She was gracious enough to allow me to advertise this blog on her own blog, and she's been given me Twitter shout outs the past few weeks (and loving Zoram almost as much as I do). I truly love her blog and her, so please, please click the link to read about her. She's an incredible, strong, beautiful person, and she deserves all your love and kindness.

One last shoutout to all those who have added me on Snapchat because they want to look at Zoram. That's the trial of having the cutest puppy in the world I suppose. But if you would like to look at daily pictures and videos of Zoram (and some of Chris and myself too) you can follow me @cowgirlkaylee22.

_______________________________________________________________

Ugh. Sorry this post is so short and boring. I can't think of favorites, it's been a weird month. Please check out my Spotify, I've been going crazy making playlists lately and I personally think they're awesome. Don't forget to also follow me on all my social media, because I'm trying to post more on those. 

Thank you for reading!!! 

Blogger's Maternity Style - Blogtober Day 16

So I don't have an outfit post for you today. I feel like my stomach kind of popped out this week (or I've been eating too much popcorn) but I'm still a little insecure about showing it. It doesn't necessarily look like pregnancy yet, more like weight gain, so I'm not ready for fashion posts yet.

However, I am going to start taking weekly photos to see the change in my stomach and I will be posting those.

Because I'm not doing my own style yet, I'm going to be showing you some of my favorite maternity fashion posts from other blogs.


Anna Saccone

This girl has some of the cutest, and simple maternity style posts. I love how it all just looks so comfy and cute. A lot of her posts for her second pregnancy include oversized sweaters, and if this year we have a typical Utah winter, I could easily wear oversized sweaters for most of my pregnancy. And that sounds just wonderful to me. Her most recent ones also include her adorable daughter so they are even more fun to look at.

A+ Life

Courtney from A+ Life is one of my favorite bloggers. I feel as if we have similar blogging styles, very open and honest just talking about life. She's not necessarily a fashion blogger, but she does the occasional fashion post (again, kind of like me). I like her maternity style a lot. Again it's very laid back, just comfy and casual. She's also just the sweetest person I've never met or actually really talked to and she had two absolutely adorable daughters. If you haven't found her blog yet, you really should take a look.

Fred Rongo

I grew up with Kalee from Fred Rongo, I love her to death, she was part of the inspiration to do fashion on my blog, and when I first found out I was pregnant I immediately went to her blog and stalked all her old maternity posts. She wore the absolute cutest things while pregnant. I honestly don't know how she did it. Doing my own hair has been making me sick, yet she somehow looked beyond gorgeous in all her maternity posts. Ugh. I'm not even that far in my pregnancy but I'm already jealous of how cute she was pregnant.

The Freckled Fox

This girl has the most gorgeous hair in the world, just so you know. This is another fashion blogger that somehow managed to look so put together in all her maternity posts. Seriously some of her posts are like high fashion, super classy, just amazing. The above picture is one of my favorites though, because it's closer to what you'll see me wearing through the rest of my pregnancy. But please please go look at the link to her maternity posts, because each one ends with a short letter to her little one and it's the cutest thing ever (and I may borrow that idea, but differently).


I'm excited that my stomach is starting to show even if it's also a little intimidating, but I'm also super excited to start dressing it and showing off my bump. I will be working super hard to make sure I get all the Fashion Friday posts I can during my pregnancy so you can always see how I style my baby bump, but just bear with me this week till I'm a little more comfortable showing it.

Welcome to Blogtober 2015!

I'm sure you're all painfully aware of how little I have been blogging recently. It's a shame really. I do so much to get you all excited for upcoming things but then nothing actually comes. I don't want to make excuses... but I actually have a really good one. That you will be finding out about probably next week.

I was browsing through Pinterest like I do everyday and came across something called Blogtober. Now this was done on the blog Helene In Between (and possibly other blogs) last year, but in an attempt to kickstart my blog once more I'm doing it this year, not really caring if other blogs are doing it or not (I haven't done the research, I don't even know).

The whole idea is to blog every day for the month of October, which I'm sure you realize is going to be a huge struggle for me. I'm nervous that I'm going to forget or skip a day, but I'm trying really hard to plan this out so I get every day in. I'm hoping that in doing this I'll remember how much I really do love blogging and I can get back into the groove again.

Today's post is fairly boring, just explaining what Blogtober is about, but here's a brief look at what you should be seeing this month on my blog:

• Fashion Friday posts
• Happy Tuesday posts
• Creating my Halloween costume
• Halloween decorating
• Fall activities
• Learning more about me
• And a special surprise

The Blogtober post I was inspired by had prompts for everyday of the month so I've been using tons of other blogs to inspire different blog posts for this month and I'm very excited to write up new things that will help all my new followers to learn more about me. While I'm not giving you prompts to do, I would love it if you would participate in Blogtober as well, just making an effort to blog daily in October. 

I love all my readers and love that despite having been gone for so long, I still get new followers every month. You are all incredible and you inspire me with your sweet comments and the support you've always given me. This month is about showing my gratitude by giving you more to read from me every day. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Blogtober!! 

Feel free to join me on social media with the #Blogtober2015! 

ALL BLOGTOBER POSTS:

Day 1: Welcome to Blogtober 2015

Day 2: Glasses & Flannel

Day 3: My Favorite Things About Fall

Day 4: My Travel Wishlist

Day 5: Just For the Laughs

Day 6: Happy Tuesday 10/6/2015

Day 7: Web Video Wednesday

Day 8: Dream Date Night & Men's Style

Day 9: Lil' Pumpkin

Day 10: Yes, I Am Pregnant

Day 11: Thoughts on Being Pregnant

Blog Makeover Survey/Giveaway!

Hey ya'll! So at the end of my post yesterday I added on a quick survey to help with my blog makeover. I'm writing up this quick post with that same survey to try and get more responses.

I have loved all the responses so far, you guys are the greatest, but I really would like more feedback to help me out and help the future of this blog. I love this blog and I love all of you and I want this to be a place where we're both happy and can enjoy what's on here, so I need your responses to help me out.

If you are having any problems filling out the survey please let me know so I can try to fix any issues. You do need to have a Google account to access the survey at the bottom of this page.

Otherwise, share this with your friends and family so I can get as much feedback as possible. In fact, anyone who shares this survey on Twitter will be entered into a giveaway for a $25 gift card to the store of their choosing!! Just copy and paste the following Tweet into your Twitter feed and you'll be entered:

Hey friends! Please check out #TheDancingCowBlog's survey and enter to win a $25 gift card!! @cowgirl_kaylee, http://goo.gl/jvAS9U 

You will only be entered if you share the Tweet and fill out the survey before next Friday. So get going and you could win! Thanks friends!

THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

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:

March Favorites

Welcome to my March Favorites! To read all my other Monthly Favorites post CLICK HERE! 

FAVORITE BLOG: Me, You, and Hayley Larue

Have you ever met someone and you just click? That's how I feel about Hayley over at "Me, You, and Hayley Larue". (Which is a bold thing to say because I'm not sure if she feels the same way.) She left a comment on my blog so I headed straight over to hers. Not only is her blog beautiful, but she's a great writer, an incredible dancer, and she has a very enchanting blog! Also we both have an uncle that works at Disneyland, we both dance, and our birthdays are one year, one month, and one day apart. I just absolutely love her blog and all her beautiful pictures and quotes. She's amazing and I love finding new friends through blogging!!

FAVORITE WEBSITE: 100happydays.com

As I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is I want to do with my life, I realize that I need to gain my more positive attitude and just be happier! So I found the 100 Happy Days Challenge and knew I had to do it. With the stress of school and moving to a new state, I felt now was the best time! My 100 days ends in the middle of June and hopefully by then I will have gained a more positive outlook on life. If you haven't already, I urge you to take the challenge as well and spend the next 100 days finding what makes you happy in your life. Follow me on Instagram to see all my #100happydays posts!


FAVORITE WEB VIDEO: Bitman Begins

Do you remember that Youtube video "Charlie Bit My Finger"? Well this is the celebrity version from Jimmy Kimmel, and I absolutely love it! They really should get the Hemsworth brothers together for a movie. That would be entertaining to watch...


FAVORITE SNACK: Brookside Dark Chocolate Goji and Raspberry Flavors

This little treat is beyond delicious! Not only that but it's not incredibly unhealthy either! Well it is if you eat as many as I do, but I don't feel quite as guilty eating this as I do with other chocolaty treats. They have different flavors like blueberry and pomegranate but I like the raspberry best.

FAVORITE SONG: Say Something

This is quite honestly the most beautiful song ever. I'm so incredibly in love with it, especially this version of it. In case you didn't know, I want to someday be an author and as I'm working on my book this song and this version just keeps playing in my head. I'm so in love with it!

FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW: How I Met Your Mother

Every now and then Chris and I re-watch our favorite shows on Netflix. This month we went through How I Met Your Mother again. It's a special show for us because when we were first dating it helped us connect together as we watched it together for the first time. I love this show... but I am so insanely disappointed in the current season. It's such a let-down and the worst final season ever. But I was so happy to finally see Barney and Robin get married and I'm super excited for Ted to meet the mother!!!

FAVORITE MOVIE: While You Were Sleeping

I didn't go out and see any movies this month and we actually didn't watch very many at all, but I did introduce my husband to While You Were Sleeping so I'm counting it as my favorite this month. It's an older one but Sandra Bullock is super cute in it (and basically all the time, she's a favorite of mine) and it's just a cute and funny movie. So if you haven't seen it already, you should check it out!

FAVORITE APP: QuizUp

My husband and I are so in love with this app and we just quiz each other all the time! It's so fun being in this never-ending competition with him to see who knows our favorite things best! If you don't already have it, you should definitely download this app because it's super fun and you can play against me!!!


FAVORITE/MOST POPULAR BLOG POST: What I've Learned From 10 Months of Marriage

Compared to my other "What I've Learned from ___ Months of Marriage" posts, this one wasn't that exciting to me. It was short and thrown together at the last minute. But I'm glad people like it. It makes me happy that my marriage is exciting to other people. My one year anniversary is in May and I have some big marriage posts planned for that month, so don't forget to follow my blog so you won't miss out on any of them!

Also this month, for some strange reason, you guys keep looking at my One Month Till My Wedding post, which is kind of funny to me. Next month is one month to my one year anniversary, so maybe that's why.

This Monthly Favorites post is a bit shorter than others, but it was a very interest month for me. Drop by my blog tomorrow to see my Monthly Review of March! 

The Dumbest Thing Ever

So a horrible thing has happened. Some horrible error occurred and nearly all the pictures on my blog posts of 2014 vanished. It was horrible, depressing, and I can't even begin to explain just how devastated I was when I figured it out.

I went through all my fashion posts and put the pictures back on, except for my first one where the pictures were not only deleted from my blog, but my phone, and my computer so they no longer exist, seriously, can't even explain how angry I am.

So I apologize for all the posts with a lack of picture, but if you could do me a favor and help me find the ones with pictures missing I will (hopefully) be able to put the pictures back up. We'll see how that goes.

Seriously though I can't think of a time where I've wanted to run around screaming more. 

February Favorites

I very last minute decided to do a Monthly Favorites post for this month so it is very haphazardly thrown together and it's kind of short. But it's been a while since I did one and I've been wanting to start doing it again so why not now?

FAVORITE BLOG: A+ Life

I don't remember how I found this blog this month but I started reading and knew I would always, always, always keep reading. There are very few blogs out there that are so beautifully well written that you can't stop reading and this blog is becoming an inspiration for my own. I want my readers to never stop reading. It's a work in progress though.

FAVORITE SNACK: Brach's Conversation Hearts

And it has to be this brand and look like this. And preferable it's the larger size. Brach's hearts are so much softer than other brands that for me, who has this fear of biting into hard things, I can enjoy them like a normal person. I ate two bags of the large ones and one bag of the small ones. Good thing they only come around once a year!

FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW: New Girl

I had seen a few episodes before, but this month I found three seasons on Netflix and have been majorly binge-watching!!! I'm obsessed. This show is so funny and great and it just makes me so happy! And yay for me for having a husband who tolerates me watching it all the time.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Lego Movie

My husband and I have seen it twice and we're obsessed. It's so funny and happy and we just love it so much!! (Random Tangent: I was editing a paper and it was really bothering me that she said "and" multiple times in a sentence, but as I'm writing this I realize I do it too sometimes, but never in a school paper, but am I still a bad person for doing it?) Go see The Lego Movie!!!

FAVORITE/ MOST POPULAR BLOG POST: I Hate College

FYI, this category is not determined by me. I base it on which post that I've written this month has had the most page views, and I Hate College is the winner. This post now has a follow-up post FOUND HERE. This post was written in anger but it's sadly incredibly truthful. Again, I haven't made a final decision yet, I do still appreciate your comments and suggestions, they are very helpful and I am super grateful.

My I'm Moving to Texas post was a close second and worth mentioning because some people still don't know about this drastic change in my life that I keep waking up having nightmares about moving. Since our move less that three months ago was kind of a disaster with packing up our stuff, I'm so stressed about a more serious move like this.

FAVORITE EVENT: My St. George Trip

It was so incredibly fun to leave the cold and go to St. George. I seriously love St. George and always wanted to live down there. I loved being able to swim and to explore and to eat good food! It was so great celebrating my AMAZING husband's birthday and it was just a fantastic trip!

Tonight we're seeing Brian Reagan! But I don't think that will top the St. George trip... we'll see...

What were your favorite things this month? Leave a comment and let me know! Visit my blog later today for my February Review!

THANKS FOR READING!!

An Awesome Giveaway!!

Hey friends, my good friend Kalee from the fabulous blog Fred Rongo is a beautiful designer and she is giving away a free blog design!!!

Oh my gosh! Was I not JUST SAYING I wanted to change things up on my blog? I'm writing about her giveaway on my blog to try and get more entries so I can win!! Ha ha. But I also want all my readers to be aware of this amazing giveaway and enter yourself. To find her giveaway CLICK HERE. Thank you so much for reading!!

Unhappiness // I NEED YOUR HELP!!

If I'm being completely honest with myself, I am unhappy with this blog. Despite my love of writing, it isn't turning out the way I had originally visioned. And after working hard on this blog for a year and a half, isn't it about time I make it how I want it to be? 

So starting in March there will be some major changes happening on this blog. It'll be going a whole different direction. I'm reorganizing and rearranging everything, posts will be different, the style of my blog will be different, and much more! 

Because of all of this, I'm asking for your help! Please leave a comment below with any suggestion for my blog! These can be about anything! Tell me what you like, what you don't like, what you'd like to see different, what you think I should add, etc. I want this to be a blog that can be enjoyed by everyone, so please leave your input to help make it better! 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 

1st Annual Ultimate Valentine Card Exchange!!

Broken Laptop Adventures

Hi friends! For any of you who follow me on Twitter, you know that my laptop is broken. I'm currently on my husband's laptop but we aren't very good at sharing one laptop which means I will not be posting as much. I will also be using computers on campus to write blog posts, but that means I can't use all the pictures I have on my laptop.

PS, speaking of losing things on my laptop, for anyone who knows me well, you know that I have always, always, always, wanted to be a best selling author. Or at least have a book published. Lately I've been writing a lot in my book and it's getting really good... and then my laptop dies and I can no longer access the document. I'm not happy. Luckily I have a dad who can get the files off for me so they aren't lost forever.

Anyways, I suppose a broken laptop could be good for me. It means I'll spend less time goofing off and more time doing homework... on campus... where I feel like I can't goof off with social media because there are people watching. So maybe this is a blessing in disguise and my grades will get better. It's a possibility.

Please follow me on Twitter where I am posting all about my broken laptop adventure. Because it's really hard for me to not have one.

As I said on Twitter yesterday here's a quote from Phoebe Buffay on Friends: "If you'd like to receive emails about my upcoming shows then please give me money so I can buy a computer." It's the same here too. If you want me to blog more, help me buy a computer (PS, I'm totally joking, I don't expect anyone to buy me a computer, I'll be buying a new one with my own money sometime in the future).

Anyways, I should go, my husband needs his laptop to do an assignment... but I also have an essay to write... see, this isn't going to work out very well. Don't worry, I'll be going on campus soon and staying there till I finish my essay (and other homework).

Don't forget about the Blogger's Valentine Exchange starting February 1st! Read about it HERE. 

THANKS FOR READING!!! 

Five on Friday: Huge Announcement!!

It has been a long time since I've done a Five on Friday post! I do these posts as a link-up with The Good Life Blog. It's a great way to meet new bloggers so if you can't joined in already, you should! 

one

Classes started back up last week and I already feel behind. I suppose it just hasn't fully sunk in that I'm back in school and I just want to work and do my own thing. I have also been sick a lot so I did not start out on a good foot. Not to mention that my classes are all pretty boring, yet a ton of work. I have to read six Shakespeare plays, and five Robert Louis Stevenson books. Anyways, school's back in session which means (if my record holds true) I'll be writing more posts on this blog to avoid doing homework. Because that's just what happens.

two

I have been sick for forever and I am so supremely sick of being sick! My goodness! And it just keeps getting worse and doctors don't help and I'm sick of it. I don't have much else to say on the matter, just read my post from earlier this week although, I did visit the the doctors again and had a fever, got more pills, missed two days of classes and got way behind, and missed an entire week of work. Major hit financially, but it was really good for me to rest this week.

three

My obsession with Meghan Rosette has grown. I think I'm onto full blown stalker now. I majorly stalk her on Instagram and Twitter but mostly I just sit on my couch and watch her Youtube videos, wishing my wardrobe could look half as good as hers, or if I could even own half as many things as she does. She's just a very bubbly and uplifting person and that's why I love watching her so much.

four

I want to become more of a fashion blogger!!! This is partly because of my Meghan Rosette obsession but also of my love for my good friend Kalee's blog, Fred Rongo. After seeing Kalee's success I grew jealous and realized that the two most popular types of blogs out there are fashion and parenting. I'm not a parent yet but I can certainly attempt to do fashion. So in the upcoming weeks I will be adding a Fashion tab to the top of my blog and posting much more about my own personal wardrobe (even though I'm struggling to like it) and also hair and makeup stuff. If you have any helpful suggestions or tips for me please leave a comment below!

And now drum roll please... Here's my huge announcement!!! 

five

Starting February 1st I'm doing my own link-up!! This is a special Valentines Day link-up that I hope to do annually. Remember in elementary school when we made little mailboxes and everyone in class handed out little valentines to everyone? Well this is sort of like that. Except that these are E-Valentines meant to represent you and your blog (but honestly you could just make a Valentine like the picture above and I'd be happy with that too).

Please spread the word about this upcoming link-up because... after linking up your own Valentine, you can vote for your five favorites and the winner with the most votes will win a $25 gift card to Target (the price may go up if I can find helpers to share this link-up and contribute, leave a comment below or send me an email if you'd like to help out). Full details will come on February 1st and voting starts February 2nd, so mark your calendars and get ready for the Ultimate Valentine Card Exchange!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay updated with the Valentine Exchange and other happenings on my blog! 

THANKS FOR READING!!! 

Further Confessions of a Penny Pincher: A Note On Yesterday's Post

Yesterday I posted THIS POST about the "Confessions of a Penny-Pincher" with tips to saving money. And as I looked over it as it stood proudly on my blog, I realized it really is a list of confessions, of the things that I wish I did more. Sure I use FAFSA and visit the Dollar Store for most my items but I also love fast food! I eat it way more than I'd like to admit. Saturday night I ate McDonald's French fries after I had already eaten a full meal!

I don't coupon, my credit card is maxed out, we never make grocery lists, we're always driving, and we are overall just wasteful with our money. And this needs to change! We are so poor. So very very poor. In fact, I can't afford to buy new body lotion so I have to keep using the stuff that makes me itchy (don't worry, it's not that bad).

Basically this follow up post is to warn my readers again that I am no expert in money and my tips from yesterday were just things that have been working for us. I wish we had more money and were able to handle our money better but we're newlyweds and we're still getting used to our combined incomes and sharing a bank account. We're still learning and I hope to share all the things we learn with my incredible readers.

I want to thank all my readers for your constant support! I recently had a reader email me about a job I could apply for and I've never been more grateful in my life! You all are incredible and I feel so blessed to receive all your great comments and good thoughts. I LOVE ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS!!

October Favorites

For any new readers, at the end of every month I make a list of my favorite things from the month. I got the idea off of Youtube. To see all my other Monthly Favorites, CLICK HERE! 

FAVORITE YOUTUBE-ER: The Piano Guys

These guys are absolutely fantastic! And they're from Utah like me! You cannot deny that these guys are incredibly talented and deserve all our support! This is probably my favorite video from them, but you should definitely check our their Youtube page and all their other amazing videos.

FAVORITE WEBSITE: Worn On TV

I love this website so much because I'm always jealous of what celebrities are wearing on TV. However, this website also makes me sad because I realize there is no way I can afford clothes like this. I recently pinned this on Pinterest...

..and it's so true. I swear I have good taste, but I just wear jeans and T-shirts all the time because I can't afford much more than that, especially now. That's why I stopped doing my Outfit of the Week posts, but don't worry, they'll come back someday because I liked doing it.

FAVORITE SNACK: Lofthouse Cookies

I'm addicted. Honestly. I've had four of these packages this month. They are festive and fun and I've always been in love with these cookies. So since my birthday is next month feel free to send packages of these cookies my way (wink, wink). Just kidding, but honestly, I love them. And just looking at this picture makes me crave them again... I have a horrible, horrible addiction...

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Duck Dynasty

This show is AMAZING!!! It's so funny! I've seen episodes before but learned this month that I can watch all the episodes on my Kindle Fire through Amazon Prime (to learn more, click on the Amazon links on the right sidebar, I promise you it's worth it!). If you haven't seen it, "Duck Dynasty" is a show on A&E about a total redneck, duck huntin', camo wearing family that made it rich by creating duck calls. I love this show, it's so funny but it's also great because they are a very humble and religious family that truly cares about each other. I hate watching shows like "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" because they are so annoying and rich and just seem so unhappy all the time. "Duck Dynasty", they love each other and they don't take advantage of being rich. They are just a wonderful family to watch and I love the realism of it. Their family is real, the Kardashians are so fake.

Anyways, super long rant, but if you haven't seen it, definitely check out "Duck Dynasty" it's such a fun show and honestly it keeps you laughing the whole time. There are so many jokes and memes from the show, so here are some of my favorites:

FAVORITE MOVIE: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

This is my Halloween movie. I first watched it last year while making Halloween decorations and fell in love and ended up watching it a million times and buying the album. I love this movie so much for so many different reasons and I just want the whole world to see it and love it too. I can't really explain why I love it without spoiling everything. So if you've seen it we can discuss why I love it so much, but if you haven't seen it you'll just have to. It's only like 40 minutes and you can actually watch it on Youtube by CLICKING HERE and please click it! You can also watch it on Netflix which would be better quality, so take your pick (Unless you're under 16, and then I would ask your parent's permission first, because it is NR). :) Also, who doesn't love Neil Patrick Harris???

FAVORITE SONG: The Way by Ariana Grande

This song has been stuck in my head all month and I sing it at work and annoy my coworker all the time. It's fantastic. I love Ariana Grande! The main thing I want for my birthday is her album, Yours Truly, and my husband knows this so he better get that done. Ha ha.

FAVORITE WEB VIDEO: Andy & Amy's Haunted House

I posted this for Web Video Wednesday last week and got a big response. It's just so funny and I'm sticking with the Halloween theme for this post. Ellen clips are like my favorite thing ever and this one is just too perfect, although I would be acting exactly the same, if not worse than they do in this video. I hate haunted houses.

FAVORITE BLOG: The Good Life

This month I started linking up with Five on Friday with The Good Life. It's a great blog and I love looking at all of the Five on Friday posts and I just love participating in it!

FAVORITE/MOST POPULAR POST: Halloween Decorating Under Ten "Bones" 

I love that people liked this post! I did it because I'm incredibly poor but it makes me so happy to see other's liking it. I really am proud of all that I was able to accomplish with such a little amount of money, and people love it! The witch in the window looks so good at night!

This month I've also been getting a fantastic response lately from my Study Tips post, maybe because it was recently midterms. Anyways, I liked writing that post as well and am so glad that other's like it too.

FAVORITE EVENT: Little Bear Bottoms

I loved going to Little Bear Bottoms with my husband!! You can read about our adventure by CLICKING HERE. It was just so much fun and I love spending time with my husband!

These are all my favorite things of the month! 

Leave a comment and let me know about your favorites from the month! 

September Favorites

FAVORITE SNACK: Popcorn

Honestly, I've always been addicted to popcorn, but this month I've had a ridiculous amount. I LOVE POPCORN!! The other day at work, they were showing Space Jam (because why wouldn't we show Space Jam at a college student center?) and they had this table with bags of popcorn and cans of soda. I (very sneakily) stole three of those bags. I'm so addicted...

FAVORITE TV SHOW: How I Met Your Mother

I've always been in love with HIMYM! But just this month did my husband and I start catching up on the eighth season. I just love it so much and I'm happy to be watching it again.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Star Wars

Chris and I had a Star Wars movie marathon this month and I was reminded just how much I love these movies!! All six of them!! But this time particularly I enjoyed episode 3. It's just so sad but so good... even if some of the acting is silly. I also learned this month that my coworker has never seen Star Wars and I was shocked! So if you've never seen Star Wars, you really need to!!

FAVORITE SONG: Roar

I wish I could say it was a different song... like Atlas or Almost is Never Enough, because I listened to both of those a lot this month too. However, Roar is just so empowering and it's been fantastically guiding me to be more confident. So I have to give it credit for that.

FAVORITE WEB VIDEO: Tonight You Belong to Me

I have watched this video so many times this week! I am so in love with how adorable it it! I just love it so much!! I don't have much more to say about it except that I love it. Again.

FAVORITE BLOG: Grasping for Objectivity

This has always been a favorite. It's the blog I wish mine could be. However, this month particularly I loved this post because it's so simple, cute, and silly. She's a fantastic writer, super funny, and she always comments back on your comments, making you feel important. She also is currently home schooling her daughter in first grade, and as a future first grade teacher, she's a great help to me. Check it out!

FAVORITE PRODUCT: Got2B Beach Trippin'

I love my sleep so I don't always have the time in the mornings to do much to my hair. This product is amazing at giving my hair a natural wave/curl kind of look that is super simple and fast. I just spray and scrunch. I've been using this all month and even though the bottle looks small, I haven't run out yet, not even close. So it last a while too. This isn't an official review, but I do love this product.

FAVORITE/MOST POPULAR POST: The Cache Valley Checklist

You guys are incredible to be supportive of this post! I absolutely loved writing it and I cannot wait to complete all the items on this checklist and would love for you to all check back and read about my adventures!

FAVORITE EVENT: Real Salt Lake

I'm cheating on this one because it was actually in August, however, it was after I wrote my August Favorites post, so I'm squeezing it in here. I don't know if you can tell, but in the top picture, that's Ty Burrell from Modern Family. Yep, he was at the Real Salt Lake game! It was a great game! Chris and I absolutely love Real games because they are just so much fun!! 

I'll redeem myself by also adding a September event:

I wanted this so badly to be my favorite, but I was sick and miserable. The above picture is from The Great Gatsby Literary Ball held on the USU campus. It was such a cool event! There was dancing, poker, food, and they played the new Great Gatsby movie. We mainly just watched the movie because I felt so sick. I hate being sick. I was wearing a Latin ballroom costume that works as a 20's flapper girl dress, I also gave myself a fake bob with my hair (that Chris really loved and now he wants me to cut my hair, not happening). I had been really looking forward to this event, and I did have a good time, but it wasn't as fun as I had hoped because a) I was sick and b) I didn't have any friends there to hang out with, just my husband. It would have been more fun if we had been in a little group. Oh well though. 

These are all my September Favorites! Leave a comment if you like these posts or have any suggestions for me. Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway before October 6th! 

Thank You

So I don't have anything exciting to write today. I have a lot of homework I need to focus on and I have quite a bit of reading to get done (for school and for my Book Club) so this post is going to be short and basically about nothing. You can stop reading now if you'd like.

On September 7th I celebrated reaching 20,000 page views and I was so happy. Unbelievably happy!! It felt like such an amazing accomplishment for me and I was so proud of myself, and I was so happy that people, like you, enjoyed reading my blog!!

Now, only nineteen days later:

I cannot thank my readers enough for all the love and support that you continually bring me!! I love writing on this blog and I'm so glad that you enjoy it too!! 

Don't forget to continually leave comments and emails with suggestions, questions, comments, stories, poetry, song lyrics, your own life story... I don't care, I just love to hear from my readers!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! 

As a side note, I'm officially thanking you with a Giveaway, I'm writing about it tomorrow, but if you've been reading this post and click on the link now, you can find the giveaway is already open for entries today! Don't forget to enter!! :)