Holiday Elf Duties with Martha

I do mean THEE Martha Stewart...

If I would've been one of Santa's elves, I would've been Head Elf of the Gift Wrap Division. I enjoy wrapping presents so much that I put a bit more effort in than is required by most everyone. I wanted to share my little creations with you all and hope that it gives you some holiday inspiration as you embark on the last weekend (Sunday, really) before the big day. I had a little help from Martha Stewart as I used her Rustic Christmas Gift Wrapping Kit (I loved the paper bows, stickers and sparkles!!), some brown [and red] paper for my holiday version of "brown paper packages tied up with strings", and sticker letters in gold and red sparkle for the tags.

 

Yours xx

My Moments of Christmas Magic

I was 18 and decided that I needed to have a Christmas tradition of my own. On Christmas Eve, I logged onto Netflix and decided that, each year, I would watch "The Polar Express" as it was one of my favorite holiday books as a kid.

"The bell still rings for those who truly Believe."

Photo

I believe  in Santa Clause.  I should rephrase by saying that I don't believe that Santa comes down ever chimney in the world and delivers presents - but, I do believe in the magic and mystery of Christmas and that the man in the red suit represents all that magic.

My Moments of Christmas Magic:
-spending 2-3 days with my family
-driving up to my garage and seeing the Christmas tree in the big front living room window
-shopping and wrapping up the perfect gifts for family and friends to show them how much you care #holidayelf
-attending Christmas Eve mass where the children's choir re-enacts the nativity scene and sings the same songs I sang 13 years ago
-making and decorating Christmas cookies
-driving around with hot cocoa and looking at Christmas lights, especially this year *giggle giggle*
-Christmas Eve at my Aunt's house with all our Zerr family gathered together laughing, eating, and enjoying each other
-watching the Polar Express :)

I believe there is magic in Christmas time - and I believe in Santa Clause, and my hope is that the magic of Christmas finds you and yours this holiday season.

Yours xx

Blogmas? : It's Never Too Late

Christmas is just around the corner and I realize that I haven't (really) fulfilled one of my New Year's Resolutions. In the last two months, I have had multiple things that have changed - new job, new home, and well, I feel like I'm coming into my own in adulthood now. 2 years later...

 This week I have been able to spend a lot of "me" time. I decorated a Christmas tree, hung out with my friends and family, and had a very large Thanksgiving meal (bless my parents for eating and cooking Thanksgiving dinner twice just so their spoiled daughter could bring leftovers back to her house.) But really I just wanted to say, I hope everyone is ready for the last month of 2014. I know it is very cliché to say that it has flown by but, it has.

It is an interesting concept  - the idea of returning to an unchanged place only to discover the ways in which yourself has changed. (Probably murdered that quotation...)

I have moments where I don't think I have changed at all; I'm still 15, running around with the biggest care in the world being how I'm going to do on my chemistry test, and what defense we have to run in our upcoming basketball game. But, I have. I don't really worry about things too much anymore. I've realized (may have been in the past week and a half or so) that worry really is just a waste of time. If I am concerned about something, I just need to ask some questions, and get my butt in gear and solve it. Most of the time, my worries are unfounded. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch - my trivial worries are insignificant.

I did go on a bit of a rant there, ay?

I haven't fulfilled the resolution of spending more time doing the things I love and I regret it. I know, I know, silly. I got too wrapped up in worries, and the stress of work and the like of life that I pushed aside the things I needed to do to keep me sane. So, for December, help me make a pact to spend 30 or so days, fulfilling this resolution because it is never too late.

Yours xx

PS Yep, 2 months later... HI! :D

Thankfulness

Today is about thankfulness.

Thankful for the small moments like this that happen and the perfect fall tree - so pay attention. 

I'm thankful for my family. My mom for being my best friend; my dad for being my confidant and inspiration; my brother for being my personal superhero and the only one to make me laugh without trying. My family for their unconditional love, support, and for being the best people to have in my corner. 

Thankful for God who formed this place that is full of life, love, and even the worst thing, death. Without him, I would not be blessed with all these "things." Thankful to live in a place that has four seasons with the wind, rain, sunshine, sleet, and snow...sometimes all in one day. It is a great place to grow up. 

Thankful for my brain for challenging every day ideals, thoughts and running my life to success it is, thus far. My emotions -- the ups and the downs, the happys and the sads, the goods and the bads -- because combined, they have created me. Thankful for choice. It runs my life, allowing me to make my own mistakes and celebrate my wins.

 

Thankful for my friends for laughing at my jokes, listening to me talk nonsense and always being up for an adventure. Thankful for the people who suck. They have shown me who I don't want to be. The same for the people who rock. They have shown me the power one person can have.

 

Thankful for Google. It has the answers for even the stupidest of questions. My phone, tablet, and Internet connection for keeping me close to those I love when I am miles from them. My Keurig for warming the water that makes my tea that warms my soul. Thankful for music for silencing my terrible singing voice and allowing my kick ass rhythm to dance and jam. Thankful for the brave, genuine, creative and intelligent authors that pen books, novels, short stories, and poems for my enjoyment. 

 

Oh and my eyes  -- I really like them.

 

 And I'm thankful for you for reading this.  You're beautiful.

What are you thankful for?

See you tomorrow!

Yours xx

Sephora, BBW & Ulta Collective Haul

 

 

 

 

I am a consumer. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, a sale, and beauty products. I'm also a curious bee, and like to see what people have in their shopping bags so, I assume most people are like me and want to see what I have purchased in the last two months.

This is quite an accomplishment for me. All the items pictured were on sale, free, or with coupon/discount. I have become a coupon lady. I'm serious. I don't like to buy things unless they are on sale. Anyone have coupon tips? I'm a newbie and want to save all the money I can in the upcoming months -- big adult life plans and all that jazz.

First tip on saving money: Spend less time at Sephora, and Bath and Body Works. Yeah, that might be a good place to start....

Hope your Monday was easier than mine. I don't bounce back from a Gypsy weekend like I used too. That, or the 5am start time this morning is what hurts. (Thank god for naps.)

See you tomorrow!
Yours xx

Fashion Friday: Overdress

I have always been the girl in jeans; never in sweatpants. I was fashionably repressed by school uniforms from 1^st grade until senior year of high school. When there was an opportunity to wear something other than those navy slacks and my blue polo, I took it. Never dress down, always over dress. This was a tactic in style and fashion I learned very young and has stuck with me. I live in a place where this is not the norm. It is completely acceptable to go out in sweatpants, no makeup and poke fun at the woman dressed to the 9s. I have been that girl in sweats and it was one of the most uncomfortable situations I can remember. Jeans are my sweats.

I enjoy spending time on my hair and makeup. I enjoy dressing up to go to the grocery store or out to dinner. Nothing beats it. Make the occasion and dress for yourself. Every day is an occasion – dress for it! There are holidays, parties, concerts and weddings, but what if you want to wear your red shoes and red lipstick on a Tuesday? I say, why the hell not.

See you tomorrow.

Yours xx

#lovetober

The first step to overcoming an addict is admittance: I admit I am addicted to Instagram. I spend hours trolling through feeds and suddenly find myself liking images from people that live on the other side of the world and have 6 cats. Yeah, this is my life. #nofilter

When one of my favorite bloggers, Gala Darling, started #radicalselflovejuly, a month long Instagram photo-a-day challenge, I was all amped up on Mountain Dew to play along. I never imagined I would be one of THOSE people who participated in an Insta-challenge. Initially I find them full repetitive posts such as selfie, #tbt, your dinner; posts not involving a huge amount of creativity, consistency and, honestly, sense of community. #RadicalSelfLoveJuly was a different story. It was filled to the brim with love, creative images and belonging. I found some pretty sensational ladies on the last adventure. So, I just knew that when Gala started another challenge for October, tagged #lovetober, I would be an enthusiastic participant.

 

Starting yesterday with Flower Power and ending on the 31^st with Halloween! I would definitely recommend joining me, and the other fine ladies, on this, bound to be fabulous, journey. And, yes, I’m blogging every day in October as well as posting every day on Instagram. If you didn’t know me by now, October is sure going to inform ya!

See you tomorrow.

Yours xx

Something about October

 

There really is just something about October. It is the calm before the Holiday storm. The time of year when pumpkin patches can be found on highway roads. Autumnal colors of burnt orange, red, and yellow blend together in the canopy of trees on your street. Summer waves good-bye and winter wiggles in quicker with each passing weekend. I spend humid August and September afternoons lusting after overcast, breezy October evenings. My favorite color is October. There is nothing particularly exciting about October in my planner. No major holidays spread throughout it, no vacations planned, no pressing appointments – just another month in the turn of 2014. This is why I’m blogging my month of October.

 I am going to be blogging every day. I did this last year with Blogtober. Previously Blogtober focused on prompts but, this year I am just going to let the writing spirits take control. I’ll share everything from “Life Lately..” to product reviews, #ootds, and all the goodies you’re used to finding on here. Thank you for letting me have this little corner, erm, more like the edge you fold over to hold your place to answer a question asked to you while reading a novel (…sorry, I digress), to share my October with you.

See you tomorrow.

Yours xx

OOTD: Seamless Motion Capturing

 

Several weeks ago I met up with my friend Meagan, as you can see she is super talented behind the camera. She had an art project that needed completing for her photography class. The assignment was to do a shot all about capturing motion. She had to capture multiple images and combine them into one photo creating a seamless action shot. Naturally, it was a chance of severe thunderstorms and we went to a park surrounded by metal objects to get the shots we needed.

 

My outfit:

Denim shirt is from Forever 21. It has sporadic white letters (B, L, A). I wore a white pocket V-neck and my black Rockstar Old Navy jeans. My sunglasses are from Target and my lipstick, is well, this might shock you, Sephora Matte Lip Cream in 003 Strawberry Kiss.

 

I decided to be truly obnoxious with my facial expressions on the swing set. Guys, it takes a lot of guts to jump 6 inches from the ground off of a swing. As usually we had an absolutely hilarious time during the shoot, as after.

 

Yours xx

Essie Fall Collection (In MINI!)

In a recent trip to Ultra I found this adorable kit of 4 Essie polishes. They are all from their new fall collection and miniature sizes. First, what a brilliant idea by Essie. Not only do I get 4 new polishes, but I get 4 from the new collection and in mini size. For a nail polish addict, this is great. I will now spend my time (and money) on these 4 set collections.

 Second, what an array of perfect fall colors. They is a gray, a red (almost burgundy), a navy blue and a brown. I didn't think I would wear the brown at all, but I like it in an alternative to black for fall. You all know I'm a lover of gray and red polish. The blue is a bit of out of my nail color pallet but, is very pretty for a little something different.

I only used 1 coat and the color is not opaque at all! One coat, top coat and you are done. Very great for quick color changes that I tend to do. Just another great collection from Essie -- what more can you say!

Yours xx

OOTD: Getting my Indiana Jones On

My best friend and her husband (whoa, that was a weird to type...) visited my lovely city several weekends ago. We had a blast shopping, exploring the city, and just being around each other. I forget just how awesome these people are and then I spend about 30 minutes with them and yep, my friends rock.

I did some outfit pictures and purchased a little something that I have completely fallen in love with...a hat. Yeah, I bought a hat; more specifically, I bought a burgundy wide brimmed hat. I looked a little like Indian Jones and Carmen San Diego but, nope, don't care.

I bought it AFTER I thought my outfit was completed. Granted, I liked my outfit without the hat, but I couldn't resist.

I hope you all are enjoying September as much as I am.

 

The boots are from Target. I purchased them last year after falling in love with $500 Ash boots. Yeah, this is a close as I am going to get to those for quite sometime. Also, I made a cheeky little jewelry purchase... Alex and Anil Phoenix Wrap in gold. It has a bit of meaning behind it...maybe I will share in a later post. My trusty Old Navy Rockstar jeans in black, a dark green tee shirt, and statement necklace that reminded me a lot of a darker opal.

 

I tried parting my hair different (read: butt part). Can't decide if I like it or not, let me know what ya think, ay?

 

 

Bestie's Hubby was doing a bit of playing with my camera while we were in the coffee drive-thru.

 

 

Aren't they cauuuute!?

 

We spent majority of the day laughing!

  

 

 

Yours xx

 

The Giver: A Review

It has been about 10 years, I was an 8th grader, since I have read The Giver. I vaguely remember loving it, and when I heard it was going to be a movie, I was pretty pumped.

I went to the film last week and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Jeff Bridges was the perfect Giver. Cool uncle Jeff rocked it OUT! Meryl Streep was incredible and the actor, Brenton Thwaites, was a great Jonas. So, obviously, casting was outstanding.

























The visuals were stunning. I enjoyed that Jonas was getting the memory of color and emotion, the movie would change from black-and-white to color. It was a visual representation of the transition into Jonas' rebellion. I smiled when the memory of color The Giver gives to Jonas was that of a sunset on the ocean. I thought it was beautiful.

I do have a slight issue... When the action got "intense", the camera got a bouncing. It was too bouncy for my preference and could've shown the emotion/intensity without it.

The movie did an excellent job of portraying emotions with frequent flashes of memories, use of color, the concept of losing emotion all together. I left the theater believing in the necessity of feeling all emotions, and relieved that I could. A thought-provoking movie that I am glad I saw, no matter how hesitant I am of those book-movie movies.

Yours xx

Life When You're Single

I'm two glasses of wine in on a Friday night and I might regret posting this is in AM, but, YOLO.

 

 

*raises glass*

Cheers

xx

Summer Book Haul

I went to a little place named "Barnes and Noble" where my people are called regularly to spend a ridiculous amount of money on books they absolutely need.

Let me know if you have read any of these books, have feelings on them in general and/or would like to see a review on it.

 

 

 

Yours xx