Crowley Party

Valentine's Day.

2012-02-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

Trevor and I tend to have low key Valentine's Days, which suits our personalities very well. So far every year we have given each other homemade gifts (which is usually a form of food haha), and our favorite treats, and this year was no different. We had candy for breakfast, dessert before dinner, and enjoyed watching Zombie related television. It doesn't get more romantic then that... or more us :)

Right now Trevor has been so stressed out and busy with Law School, and I have been working a lot, so going out just isn't really appealing to us. We just want to stay home, and be comfortable, together. Actually spending some time alone. It was a great night, just want we needed, and wanted.

Am I bugging the crap out of you with my Instagram photos yet? haha I will try and lay off of them for a bit :) What can I say?!

This Valentine’s Day I couldn’t help think back to when I was a kid. My parents had a way of making every holiday so magical. I hope to be able to do that for my kids. Valentine's day holds some of my fondest memories of my childhood. I remember always being very excited for my Dad to come home. He would bring home my mother a big bouquet of flowers, then individually come up to my two sisters and me and give us a single flower with a note that said, "Will you be my Valentine?" I Love you, Dad. Although I expected it every year, it didn't take away from the excitement. It is probably one of my favorite memories of growing up, and of my Dad.

May 20, 1995

Although I have had many Valentine’s over the years, my first Valentine was my Daddy… and I am pretty sure no man could ever compete with that.

I hope you all had a great day with loved ones yesterday! What are some of your favorite Valentine's Day traditions? Past or Present?

I have pretty much decided that if Trevor and I ever have little girls, he will just have to bring them home a flower :)

Oh, and that S'more pizza. BEST THING EVER.

scenes from the weekend :)

2012-02-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

The weekends really don't last long enough....

follow along here.

or here :)

Portrait Shoot Giveaway!

2012-02-09T07:16:00.000-08:00

Alrighty folks... today I have SUCH a great giveaway for you guys! You should all be very excited :)

Sami Jo is an adorable (no really, go check her out she is adorable) photographer here in Utah, and she is being extremely generous today!

She is a lifestyle & portrait photographer that specializes in weddings!

She is offering one lucky person a 45 minute portrait shoot which includes 35 images. She is available to do the shoot in Cache Valley, Salt Lake area, or Provo. So all my Utah readers, or people who will be in Utah, get going on entering this giveaway!

Check our her goods...

Pretty great huh?! Okay, so as bloggers we all know we like having our pictures taken :) haha

So here is how to Enter:

Make sure you leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry!

Mandatory:

Be a follower of my blog.

Like Sami Jo Photography Facebook Page!

Do you really really really want to win? Okay, here are some bonus options you have!

Bonus:

Be a follower of my twitter account, and spread the word!

Blog about this giveaway.

Post a link about this giveaway on your facebook! (@mention my facebook wall!)
Go check out her photography blog and tell us what your favorite shoot is!

Did we give you guys enough ways to enter?!

This giveaway closes at midnight on February 16th, the winner will be announced February 17th :) Good Luck! &whoever wins, I totally want to see the end result!

(Oh and if you have won a giveaway and I haven't got back to you yet, I apologize! Christmas was crazy! But I have not forgotten about you!)

birthday girl.

2012-02-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

My Birthday weekend was great! I wish I could have dragged it out for the whole week. By the end of Sunday night I was pretty bummed out that the weekend was over. The weekend was full of lots of yummy food, sleeping in, spending quality time with the hubberz (thanks Trevor for the best birthday in a long time!) friends, and did I mention lots of yummy food?! hahaha

Thank you all for the birthday wishes via comments, facebook, and twitter! :) I am feelin' the love!

Oh and if you didn't notice, I am on Instagram now! Let me tell you... this app is addicting!
Come find me so I can find you :)

twenty three years.

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like every child has an age in their head when they think they will be "old." Well for me... that was the age of 23. I know that this is laughable now, to think that 23 years old means you are "old" but that is truly what I thought. Being 23 seemed SO far away, and it seemed like being that age meant I was truly an adult, and when you are a kid, you think all adults are old.

So here I am. I am now 23 as of today (the day after ground hog's day) and do I feel "old"? Well yes and no. I have graduated from college, I am married, I am working full time and supporting me and my husband while he goes to law school. I guess you could say, I am an adult! But I still feel young. I guess that is where the term young adult comes in.

You always try to imagine where you will be in life at certain ages. To be honest, where I am now, what I am doing, and who I am with, is not really what I imagined.

But life has a way of changing your plans on you... and I am so grateful for that. I truly am happy.

Some fun things Trevor pointed out to me about my birthday today...

This birthday is as close as I will ever get to celebrating my golden birthday, seeing I was three when that happened. You see Trevor pointed out that I will be 23 on 2/3 :) haha

Trevor also said to me (with a big smile on his face mind you)

"I was 23 when I met you :)"

Zumba!

2012-02-01T06:38:00.000-08:00

I recently joined a gym and have had a lot of fun attending a bunch of different classes. One of those classes is Zumba. The other day some of the girls and I that go together were talking about how you start to feel like you are really getting good... like you must look as good as the teacher because you are having so much fun... then you take a peek at yourself in the mirror... and well...

HA HA, Does anyone else experience this?!

New Year Blogging Party - Link up!

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

HOSTED BY: Casey Danielle & Alycia

Fortunately but unfortunately there were just enough of you to be paired up! Making it dead even.... which meant I didn't have a partner, which is fine, I was busy enough answering all your e-mails, ha!

I am just happy you all got to spread the love, and hope you all enjoyed your goods, maybe made some new connections for the new year of 2012! Hopefully we can all meet some more people through the link ups! Hope you all have a great year in blog land - 2012!!

Let's get this link up party started...

POP!

2012-01-29T14:48:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law got me stuck on the cinnamon rolls in a can. I mean nothing is better then homemade but when you want something quick, I now do these.

However since getting them I have found a new fear of mine. Opening them. OH MY WORD, the pop it does scares the living crap out of me... no joke. I am literally afraid as I go to open it.

I have now resorted to Trevor having to do it because it scares me so bad. Just the unexpected arrival of the pop gets to me... I hate waiting for it, and it makes me nervous.

At least the end result is yummy :)

some favorites...

2012-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

via pinterest!

Gosh I wish I was brave enough to pull that short hair... or if I could guarantee it would look that good on me! haha I am loving the color blocking, the sequins, &the yummy treats!

Got a favorite post? A favorite picture? Favorite finds from the web, or Pinterest? Link it up here!

*If you want to link up on my blog, please put my button at the end of your post or on your blog! Or at least link back to it. Kapeesh?!

San Diego.

2012-01-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

I have had the opportunity to travel to several different places, and I still feel like San Diego is one of the best places out there. Call me biased, but I am just in love with that city. One of the days while we were down for Christmas, we met up with some of Trevor's friends who happened to be in town as well.

We tried to plan a fun afternoon for them to enjoy some of the many fun things you can do while in San Diego. They wanted to go to an aquarium so I suggested we hit the Birch Aquarium that is close to La Jolla. It was fun to see all the different type of beautiful sea creatures that exist in the world. Amazing. If you have the time though, you should really go to Sea World! Going to Sea World was the high light of our vacation, and probably my childhood, haha!

Afterwards we took them to see the Seals. If you are down in San Diego, you just HAVE to go to see the Children's beach that was taken over by the seals. Seeing the seals is one of my favorite things to do while back at home. They got a kick out of it, and who wouldn't love seeing some wild life that close?

After the seals we got onto a ferry that takes you from downtown San Diego to Coronado Island. Coronado Island is where I would live if I could live anywhere in the entire world.... *swoooon* We had some lunch and then rented bikes and rode them around the island. IT WAS SUCH A BLAST! I forgot how much I love riding a bike, and beach cruisers are the best kind :)

This Seal was not to happy about the seagull, and he let him know it! haha

We rode our bikes all the way to the famous Hotel Del, and enjoyed the beach and Christmas decorations at the hotel for a bit. Did you know you can ice skate on the beach at the Hotel Del? haha Pretty cool. All in all it was a great day! I love me some San Diego :)

arm pit hair.

2012-01-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my curling hair tutorial post.... it has taken me a long time to grow my hair out. I got my first hair cut when I was in the 3rd grade, and I didn't even need it. I just begged and begged and begged my mother to let me get one. You see my older sister had hair down to her butt, and I was so very jealous. My goal when I was younger was not to be an astronaut or a vet... it was to have long hair. Mermaid hair to be exact. Don't know what Mermaid hair is? Well, it means your hair was long enough to cover your cha chas :) haha I am dead serious, that is exactly why I called it that when I was little.

Here I am on my first day of First Grade. This "waterfall" hair-do as I called it was my go to favorite at the time. Along with wearing newborn headbands :) haha

It never really grew that long over the years and I finally decided to chop off what little I did have around my freshman year of college. I thought having short hair would make my life easier... but I came to find out that my naturally curly/wavy hair... became uber curly when it was short. It slightly resembled Shirley Temple, but after she had blown up in a microwave. So I started to grow it out after my Freshman year. I haven't cut it since (not counting trims) It should be past my butt right now don't you think? I mean... we are going on three in a half years...*sigh*

It has taken forever but I think I can finally say I have made it there, haha. How do I know this? Well I recently got a gym membership and have been going to lots of different work out classes. The other night at Zumba I felt a tugging on my pony tail.

First thought....

"Who the heck is pulling my hair?! I am attempting to drop it like its hot right now! Not cool."

I turn around and see no one trying to pull my hair. Then I thought maybe I was imagining things. Hmm, that was odd.

Then I feel it... something is in my arm pit? Hair? Okay, it is totally normal to find hair in your arm pit... but this hair was blonde and long, what?!

During my dancing around, my pony tail had found its way into my arm pit! I was pulling my own hair the whole time!

From a girl who has never had long hair... this was a whole new experience for me! I had no idea this could even happen! Has this happened to other long hair girls? Please share! haha

I think that night was my initiation into the "Long hair club" and I must say... I was pretty excited haha :)

friday favorites

2012-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

I think I have started so many different things on this blog! But oh well, that's the beauty of a blog right? The fact that I can do whatever the heck I want with it! I have done a couple different "pining" for the weekend posts, and I still want to do some of my favorite recent finds from Pinterest. But I want to make it a little more general, and open it up to whatever I am loving from the week.

via pinterest!

So I figured we could start doing a link up on this here blog! You guys can link up whatever your favorites are from the week! Your favorite post you posted that week, your favorite pins from Pinterest, a favorite picture, conversation, video, outfit... you get the idea right? So what have you been loving this week? Your link ups will be visible on my blog for the whole week, so Link it up!

*If you want to link up on my blog, please put my button at the end of your post or on your blog! Kapeesh?!

Point Loma.

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

On one of the many beautiful afternoons we spent in San Diego over Christmas Break, we headed up to the Point Loma Lighthouse. I always love going there. There is something very special about light houses, in their meaning, their solitude, in their beauty. It was a great afternoon, and the view we got of down town San Diego was breathtaking!

The boys being silly....and a little scary.

Putting my new yoga pants to good use! Don't FALL! haha

carbs & sisters.

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Do you know what happens when your little sister lives really close to you? You get to hang out. She might also come over and have breakfast with you.

~~If you give a mouse a cookie~~ If you give your sister a slice of cinnamon bread, she just might eat the whole loaf. Okay, so maybe it wasn't just her. But we polished that sucker off pretty fast :)

Oh and ~~if you give a mouse a cookie~~ if you give your sister a slice of cinnamon bread -- She's going to ask for a glass of milk.

Tide Pools.

2012-01-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

It was such a beautiful clear and sunny day, when all of a sudden this almost magical, mystic fog rolled in. We watched as it slowely engulfed the coast, and resulted in the beach looking as if we were in a dream.

The tide was really high, and at one point some people got drenched. Overall it was a fun afternoon exploring the coastline of beautiful Point Loma :)

Now you're just somebody that I used to know.

2012-01-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

I honestly can't stop playing this song over and over again.

I originally saw the first video that I have posted, which is a cover, and it is amazing.

I liked it so much I decided to find the original.... and I loved the song even more after.

Please enjoy them both.

P.S. I am happy to find that there are SO MANY of you that want to participate in the New Year Blogging party! It is going to be a lot of fun :)

2012 New Year Blogging Party!

2012-01-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

HOSTED BY: Casey Danielle & Alycia

Today I have a fun treat for you all :) I wanted to do something fun to kick off 2012 in blog land and thought… “What could be better than a virtual blogging party?!”

&what kind of party would it be if there were not gifts involved?

So after some collaboration with some fellow bloggers, we wanted to start the year off right and do something that will help us all to connect and get to know each other better.

Each blogger who wants to participate will be randomly paired up with another blogger to do a gift exchange with! All packages must be shipped out so they can arrive to the other bloggers destination BEFORE January 31.

Then on January 31, 2012 we will all post about the other blogger we received a package from, and about the care package they sent us!

So where does the party part come in? Well you can all then link up the post you wrote onto all three of the hosts’ blogs, for one giant link up party!

The care package can be full of whatever you want to give! But we suggest keeping it simple, and would like to put a $10-$15 price cap on these packages. Just make it something small and fun, that you know would make another person’s day. Who doesn’t love getting something in the mail?

Try to get to know the other blogger, and send them something that will put a smile on their face. Maybe something to help them accomplish one of their New Year’s resolutions, or something only another blogger would appreciate? Be creative! If you are having trouble thinking of something, you can always e-mail one of us for some suggestions.

So how will this go down?

Any blogger who wants to participate will e-mail me their name and blog address. (the sooner the better!)

crowleyparty@yahoo.com

Each blogger will be randomly paired up with another blogger, and will receive that blogger's e-mail and web address.

It is then up to those bloggers to give each other their shipping address, so they can send each other a little care package! (try and get to know your new blogging friends!)

Make sure to ship out your care packages by an appropriate date, so that the other person will get their package BEFORE January 31, 2012.

Then make sure to write up a post about the person you met, and what they sent you! &Don’t forget to link it up to ALL THREE of the blog Hosts, to spread the love and meet tons of new bloggers!

Oh and here is a button if you guys want to spread the word on your blogs!

*just copy and past this code into an html widget on your blog!

Hope we can all meet some new people in the blog world, spread smiles with some gift giving, and have a great New Year of blogging in 2012!

Murder Mystery Dinner.

2012-01-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

I like to think my family is a lot of fun, and I am always excited to come home when everyone is together because we always have a great time. Over the last several years, I have gone out dancing, to a party or done something of that nature for New Years Eve. This year my brother-in-law Justin planned something I have always wanted to be apart of. A Murder Mystery Dinner.

We invited over some friends and we each got a "character" to play in the story. To add to the fun my parents took us out to a thrift store to get our costumes :) Trevor ended up liking the jacket he got for his costume that he has already worn it in "real life" haha. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, most of his clothes have holes in them anyway, and he was playing the part of an alcoholic/homeless looking caretaker, so it fits. My name was Tatiana, and I was playing the role of a hunter women who collects furs and leather :) hahaha I was there to help with the wolf problem they had going on in the town.

The gypsies... who ended up being more then they appeared. DUN DUN DUN.

Trevor being creepy.

I didn't even see he was in this picture until after I was looking at them all haha.

My mother, who was a very religious, spinster woman haha

My grandma the maid, who ended up being a vampire. Who knew she could be so scary?! I might not ever be able to look at her the same way.... hahaha.

Now on to the Kinect dance game :)

Trevor doing the "Soldier Boy!" haha

The night was such a blast. The dinner involved several murders.... yes, even I died, vampires, deranged rats and wolfs! We had the lights out for the dinner, and it was kind of like a choose your own path/story style. Justin did such a good job hosting the night and it was so much fun! I would love to be apart of another night like this.

We then topped the night off playing a dancing game on the kinect that my mom got for Christmas. I seriously want a kinect now, those things are SO FUN. I also might just have to post the video of Trevor we got dancing.... but that might be too cruel, and he occasionally reads this blog... so I would be in trouble :) After a couple more games, some sparkling cider and a kiss, I was off to bed. Not too shabby for the start of 2012. I love my family.

2011 in Review :)

2012-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

So I am going to follow the trend and do a 2011 review on my blogging! I just put together some high lights of the year that were documented on the blog, it is fun to look back! :)

I wrote about our horrible first apartment, with the crazy smoke alarm!

I also shared some cute and easy crafts you can do with jewllery you already have!

Talked about being a San Diego girl in the land of ice, and running into problems like freezing my hair!

Shared some yummy recipes here and here and here. OH and we can't forget here.

Celebrated birthdays! &got my husband to sit still for some pictures :)

Had lunch with Senator Orrin Hatch and Mark Zuckerberg, the same day we were in line behind the Jimmer and his fiance... that was a crazy day!

Went on fun outings with the family. I love being with family.

Graduated from the University of Utah!

Moved to Provo and got glasses!

Made awesome and fun trips back home to San Diego and hung out with my best friends! &me and my best friends always have a good time!

Tried to celebrate all the little joys in life :)

Discovered the joys of dry shampoo, and even shared a my first vlog about curling your hair!

I also shared my inability to say the word Bumble Bee correctly... and then elaborated on that by doing an accent vlog!

Shared more about me in an ABC123 post! as well as some tips on this crazy world of blogging!

I talked about that time I ran into Shia Labeouf...

I started pinning on Pinterest! I also shared the news that I was a vampire.

Sliced my hands open like an Idiot!

Got bangs again! :)

Spent a lot of girl time with my little sister :)

Tried to find the right balance and place for my blog in my life.

Had an amazing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family :)

Looking back at all these different posts make me smile :) There are also so many things that were not documented on the blog. I am so thankful for so much joy, love and fun that I have in my life. I am also grateful for the hard times and trials that make me a stronger person.

I hope to continue to improve and grow, make new friend have and have new experiances in 2012! I can tell it is going to be a great year :) Looking forward to sharing some of it with you!

Christmas Day!

2012-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Oh Christmas is the BEST day! Our Christmas Morning started with my nephews jumping on top of us to wake us up. Fun.

P.S. Make sure you wear a shirt to bed if you have nephews around.... just sayin' haha!

Love me some Canadian Traditions :) Poppers! I got a little joke inside along with a flash light, and of course the traditional paper crown!

Christmas Day Highlights!

+ My two year old nephew screaming during a quiet moment in the church service, "I want a new IPhone!" over and over again. TOO funny.

+ The beautiful choir performance at church and my sister's Oboe performance (oh yeah, didn't you know? my sister is a professional Oboist.)

+ Monkey Bread.

+Brand new, beautiful, YELLOW, Camera Bag :)

+Trevor's face when he realized I filled his stocking full of goodies, he totally forgot about stockings!

+My nephews faces when they saw their Santa gifts.

+Pulled pork crock pot sandwiches.

+Lots of Canadian candy.
+The gorgeous blanket my Nana made for us! WOW. It couldn't be more ME :) Thanks Nana!
+Beautiful Christmas Dinner with the family.
+Skyping with my little brother ALEX on his mission in Chile :)
+Having a sweet, beautiful new little niece be born the week of Christmas, our beautiful Christmas present! We got to Skype with her too :)
+Having a beautifully set up Turkey Christmas Dinner, with Canadian poppers &everything! Did I already say that? Oh well, it was that good!
+Being surrounded by family that constantly makes me laugh and smile.
+Wonderful homemade apple and pumpkin pie. My dad makes the best pies I have ever had.
+Before opening our Christmas gifts, opening our Jesus Box. Our Jesus box is full of kind deeds and service we have witnessed other people in the family doing throughout the month. We do them anonymously and read them aloud before we open presents. This is such a fun tradition that really keeps the spirit of Christmas surrounded by its true meaning.

Hope your Christmas day was as great as mine!

Christmas Eve!

2012-01-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas vacation! As you can see from my absence, I thoroughly enjoyed mine. It was jam packed with non stop fun! I was LOVING being home. I never feel as comfortable as I do there. The sun was out the entire time we were there, P-E-R-F-E-C-T weather, got to love San Diego!

Christmas Eve we have the tradition of going caroling to the neighbors and then doing a Family talent show. Last Christmas we had at my house, I had Trevor teach me a song on the guitar and surprised everyone with my new skills. This year I kind of forgot to plan something, and Trevor wouldn't let me tag along with the magic trick he did. Who knew Trevor had some pretty impressive magic tricks up his sleeve?! Love it. Anyways, I just ended up reading the history behind Nativities which I thought was pretty interesting.

We usually have a large dinner made up of appetizers (if that makes sense?) but this year my brother made dinner for his talent portion of the talent show. My brother Ben served a mission in Mexico, and he decided to cook us all a traditional Mexican meal, it was soooooooo yummy!

We grew up with the family tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. That present was always new pajamas! This is a tradition I would love to continue on in my family, but we will probably wait for when we have kids, since Trevor and I don't really wear pajamas :) haha. Were underwear sleepers.

But the last couple years of being married, I found I was missing opening a gift on Christmas Eve. So I decided I still wanted to open something on Christmas Eve. So since Trevor works out a lot, and I try to work out a lot haha I got us some new gym wear. I got some fun new running/yoga pants and Trevor got a couple work out shirts. I think this will be fun to do until we have kids and can start the pajama tradition with our family :)

The best part of the night was when my nephew opened up his Christmas Eve gift and burst into tears when he saw it was pajamas.... because "pajamas are borrrrring!" haha He cried for quit a while, and it was hilarious. Such a classic. Trevor didn't know what his Christmas Eve gift was and as a joke after opening up his, pretended he didn't like it (in attempts to be like Evan) and I almost fell for it too! Meanie.

After we ate some of the best tacos ever, went caroling to our neighbors, had the family talent show, opened up Christmas Eve gifts, and read the story of Christ's birth, and put the kiddos to bed...we opened up the games. I am not the biggest "game" person, but my family has introduced some really fun ones that I have found myself totally getting into. Needless to say, we played into the wee hours of the morning.... and I totally lost my voice! haha

Sheba also decided to enjoy some Christmas Eve dinner :)

Oh and check out my parents Christmas Tree! If only you could see it in real life. It is a REAL tree, and it was the BIGGEST most FULL tree I have ever seen in someone's home.

It looked and smelled beautiful. It was just perfect!

Me and my older brother Ben had some fun playing around with our nephew's laser swords :) haha & to all a good night!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T06:24:00.000-08:00

Okay so it isn't Christmas today... but it is close enough right? I mean, no offense, but I will not be blogging on Christmas day. Sorry folks, I will be soaking up whatever rays are left down in San Diego :) as well as enjoying being with my big, loud, crazy, fun, never boring family!

I hope you will all be doing the same! So here is to a great holiday weekend :) See you all in blogland later, after we have gained a few more pounds, a few more wrinkles from smiling, and have been rejuvenated with the holiday spirit!

Remember our Christmas card from 2010? We went very simple.... this year I jazzed it up a bit!

Here is our Christmas Card for 2011 :)

*The quality isn't as great because of the scanner I used, but you get the gist!

I made this card using Heritage Makers!
*you can find me as your consultant under Alycia Leavitt

Heritage Makers is a great online story book making site, and anything else you could possibly imagine making! I have tried every online scrap-booking site over the years, but none of them compared to the creativity you can reach using HM. Heritage Makers has SO many creative options out there, I don't feel "stuck" using some layout that I don't really want, I can be as creative as I want to be. If you arn't creative, that is fine too because they offer so many great pre-made layouts!

I have been using them so much it got cheaper for me to just become a consultant (you get discounts as a consultant!) I can post more about the benefits of this great site later, but until then... you can read all about it, and why I use it here! -- just click on my story! If you are interested in learning more, just email me at:

celebrateyourlifeHM@yahoo.com

----Oh and the best pat of using HM to do my Christmas Cards? There is an option you can pick for them to put them in envelopes and ship them out for you... HUZZAH!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! CHEERS! :)

girl's night.

2011-12-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just need a girl's night. Thankfully my sister lives in p-town here with me and we indulged ourselves in nail polish, chocolate, and pizza rolls :) Oh and some Never Been Kissed.

Does it really get much better then that? I say not.

The hubberz even got to study and play guitar without being disturbed, so he was pleased with the girl's night too :)

CHOW CHOW FOR NOW :)

marching on.

2011-12-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

Top: LuLus Jeans: F21 Shoes: F21

I like to call this my marching shirt :) I feel like I am in a marching band when I wear it. Totally random statement but it needed to be said. I can't believe I even got away with wearing these heels for a bit that day, like I mentioned previously I have been crossing my fingers it wouldn't really snow here in Utah until we were already gone to San Diego for Christmas.... and it looks like I am going to get my wish! Huzzah!

The forecast says it isn't going to snow until well after Christmas :) An entire fall semester without snow.... now that is a Merry Christmas!

Anyways on to some other random ramblings about my life...

Why is it so impossible to get mascara off? Is it just me, or do you feel like you almost scrub your eyelashes off and still don't get it all gone? Anyone have any good suggestions for some make up remover that does the job without leaving your eyes sore and hands tired?

How is it I seem to keep every room in our apartment clean, except our bedroom? I feel like I am starting from scratch every Saturday that I have to clean our room! BAH.

Why do people feel so comfortable in their cars? I have now seen people, picking their nose, eating their snot, getting dressed, reading newspapers while driving, reading books while driving, doing make up and nails while driving, and are you ready.... brushing their teeth while driving?! Yup, she even opend the door at the stop light and spit it out. Classy.

----People are nuts. Although I would be lying if I said I have never got dressed while driving... I was at a stop light so it was safe okay!

I also somehow managed to do it again. Go months without shaving. There is apart of me that loves that my husband could care less. He is "A" okay for the al natural... I think he wold do good in Europe. However there is another part of me that wishes he hated it, because I feel like less of girl when they aren't shaved. Dilemma. Comfort over beauty?

----Please tell me I am not the only one who goes months without shaving? :/ haha

Alright folks, give me some random ramblings about your life?

"pining" for winter fashion

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Gosh I love fall and winter clothes :) Just threw together some winter fashion items for you today! I always find myself pining for a new closet when I am pinning on pinterest.

Have you caught the play on words there? Apparently some of you keep on thinking I am misspelling it. But my "pining" series are things I find on pinterest that I am pining for :) get it? okay. thanks.

via pinterest.

Anything you are "pining" on pinterest? Link up your inspirations!

I have been doing my link ups through the simple add your website to a list style. I think people prefer to have an actual image upload to the link up, but I always hate when blogs have a huge post covered in those images. Thanks to Mrs. E Tells Tales I have learned that I can do a link up and have a scroll bar so it keeps the post clean! Again, I just I hate when blogs have HUGE link ups that take up their whole web page.

So what do you guys prefer? Should I do an image, link up each week at the end of the week? Or keep what I have? I was thinking of making it so you can link up anything, not just pinterest related posts, but just anything you are loving that week that you posted about.

Is this something you guys would want to participate in? I would select "random" so it will constantly change who shows up at the top of the scroll bar! Then the links would stay up all week long.

accent vlog.

2011-12-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

So I have seen these accent vlogs going around for the past several months. I know I am way behind the trend... but I thought it would be fun to do one!

disclaimer...

Yes, I am in my work office, but NO I am not making a vlog while at work! I came in on a Saturday to do some extra stuff and thought it was a quiet place I could do it without disturbing Trevor. With that said.... here you go people :)

could this video still be any more awkward? haha oh boy...

Say the following words:
Aunt, route, wash, oil, theater, iron, salmon, caramel, fire, water, sure, data, ruin, crayon, toilet, New Orleans, pecan, both, again, probably, spitting image, Alabama, lawyer, coupon, mayonnaise, syrup, pajamas, caught
Answer these questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that curls into a ball when you touch it?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

So do I have an accent, do YOU have an accent?

Oh and who knows what a garburator is? No cheating! haha :)

18 for 30?

2011-12-12T06:17:00.000-08:00

Top: Shop Kempt Jeans: Silver Boots: Steve Madden Necklace: Shop Kempt

YAY FOR FALL! Can I just say how super giddy I am that it hasn't really really snowed here in Utah yet? Coming from San Diego, it is the #1 thing I hate about Utah. I hate living in the snow. By some stroke of luck, it hasn't really started snowing. It isn't sticking. I don't mind, and just hope it can hold off until we go to San Diego for Christmas :) That would be an entire fall semester without SNOW! WOW.

On another note...

I usually don't quit things. I like to start what I finish. But can I just say I am so over the 30 for 30?! I am struggling. I had all the outfits picked out and just hadn't finished taking pictures of all of them. Do you know how hard it is to take pictures of yourself in clothes around a 9-5 job? Um. Yeah.

The second something becomes like a chore to me, I am over it. So I am sorry to announce that I have decided to end at 18 out of my 30. I think that was a good run, no? 18 outfits for you all. I am not taking one more picture in those same clothes haha.

It really was a great experiment, and I did learn to see my closet in a whole new light. Some items of clothing I hardly ever wore, I ended up wearing way more then I thought I would or even could! So it was really fun to do that.

But have no fear, I still love clothes and would like to keep up with a once a week fashion post. So just expect to see more of the other items in my closet then you did before, like today's post for example :)

Kira & Evan

2011-12-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

You may remember me talking about my older sister Kira and her son Evan. My nephew Evan was born with a disease called SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Fortunately for Evan there is a brand new special preschool for children with special needs right in his community! They do therapy with the kids, and cater to their individual needs. Some might say luck, but I think we all know that God loves his children and takes special thought and care for them.

The local news station in the city where they live interviewed my sister Kira and my nephew Evan. They are highlighted through the whole clip and I thought that they did such a great job! I am so proud of Evan and all his hard work, and for my sister Kira who works tirelessly to make sure he gets what he needs and more. I was a little surprised when I got emotional watching this --- I mean it is more informational then anything.... but I just know how much they go through and how much they love their son, and how much we all love him, so I guess that is where the tears came from when I watched this :)

sing a little tune.

2011-12-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

The other day the song "Firework" by Katy Perry came on. I told Trevor how this was one of Sydney's (our niece) favorite songs. It made us smile, and we started talking about what was the earliest favorite song we could remember having. We both then got on you tube and shared our favorite songs with each other. It was pretty fun :)

Mine was a toss up between these two...

I love You, Always Forever - Donna Lewis

Or
I couldn't find the official music video on youtube, so I thought p.s. I love you in the background would suffice :)

As I Lay Me Down - Sophie B. Hawkins

Trevor's favorite was...

Jungle Land - Bruce Springsteen

Do you guys remember one of your first favorite songs?

multiple meals.

2011-12-07T04:20:00.000-08:00

For the most part, Trevor and I agree on what we eat. We love a lot of the same foods. But some things we are so off on. For example, I hate chocolate chips... he loves them. I love cocoanut, he hates it. So sometimes we find ourselves getting different meals and desserts depending on our moods. I don't advocate having separate meals, but sometimes you just want what you want, and you don't want to have to compromise. (Now don’t get me wrong, Trevor will eat anything I make for him and vice versa!)

But since we are young, and don’t have kids.... if there is a meal we want while we are out at the grocery store... sometimes we will just do separate meals. Obviously this is a habit that will end once we have a bigger family. I am not going to prepare four or five separate meals someday! Haha

Trevor was wanting chocolate chips, something I never make haha, and I was wanting peanut butter cookies. So we just got both! We also couldn't decide on pizza or pasta.... so we just made both :)

What can I say.... my only defense is that our bodies are just storing up for winter?!

(you can kind of see the cow lick that Trevor has to deal with on a daily basis... it goes around the whole side of his head, haha poor guy)

Trevor also might be getting too comfortable eating dinner in the front room while we watch a show. EEKK bad habits I know. We live like college students.... but to be fair we kind of are college students? haha Please tell me we are not the only ones with some bad dinner habits?! haha...

renovations & some changes.

2011-12-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

Oh changes... I got bangs again! You see... it is really really hard for me NOT to cut my hair. I get bored and want to chop it off... but I have been trying for so long to grow it out, and I know I would hate myself if I actually did cut it. You can read more about why over here.

So in attempts to get a change without cutting the length off, every now and again... I get bangs. Then I grow them out and repeat the cycle. So here we are again... bangs! &Every time it makes me feel like I am back in middle school. But they looked a lot worse then... I digress...

Remember how I was wanting to make some changes to the blog?! Well there is nothing like a fresh new start. New bangs, new blog? I say Sí. I have spent a lot of hours learning how to design my blog, and I am pretty darn proud of all that I have taught myself to do. However I have been wanting to take my blog up a notch in design, but have had no time to teach myself like I had in the past. I work 9-5 and then try to get my errands done before places close at 6, and then have to pick up Trevor. Then I need to come home and cook, clean... you know all that domestic nonsense. I have been busy to say the least.

I have always loved Connie's blog design, and she is self taught herself too! Obviously she has way more tricks up her sleeves then I do, so I was very excited to pull in her help. I think she did a great job putting together what I wanted.

Along with the new fresh look, I took some time to go get recharged and am ready to be back to blogging in full force. Like I said before, I just needed to regroup and get some direction, decide what I wanted with certain things. Thanks for those who bared with me as I learn to simplify my life and fit blogging into that.

I needed to get some balance and order, and I am so happy I did.
Cheers!

P.S. Did you win a giveaway from last month? Check it out...

Bijou Market Giveaway Winners: lower case letters Emma Meredith Kylee
(I will let you guys pick which prize you want, by WHO e-mails me first!... ready set GO!)

Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion Giveaway Winner: Kacey!

French Macarons Cooking Class with me Giveaway Winner: Mandy!
e-mail me if you won.

roller coaster.

2011-11-22T14:17:00.001-08:00

via pinterest.

I haven’t posted that much this week, sorry about that. Things have been a little hectic here at work, and with Trevor embarking on Finals. Every once in awhile I get into what I like to call a "blogging funk." A blogging funk is where I step back and realize there is something not aligning up the way I want it to when it comes to my blog and blogging.

I remember earlier this year I was so swamped with school before graduating that I had NO spare time. Keeping up with my blog became too much, and doing it because I "had" to took the fun out of it. So I stopped blogging for two whole months. I re-charged and came back after the stress of the end of my Bachelors Degree. I just needed that break.

This time around it isn't a break that I need, but more of a direction. This blog started out as a place for me to document about my life, the everyday even mundane things that Trevor and I do together. It was intended to be about my family and for my family. Along the way, I got sucked into the creative world that blogging can bring. Fashion, Crafts, Design, and must say, I love all of it. However... I think I have lost a bit of the true intent of this blog. I still will and want to post about fashion, and the creative things I am apart of... but I want to blog more about me and Trevor again. I really feel like that aspect of the blog has been missing for awhile, and I want to change that.

I guess you could say I feel like I am in blog limbo land right now.

Blogging can be like that, well life can be like that. You think you have a direction and you hit a high, or a low and it can leave you confused. I wouldn’t say I am confused, I know what I want to do, and I just need to implement the changes.

I have been trying to simplify my life, and I want to bring that goal into to my blog as well. So expect some changes around these parts in the near future. Nothing major, just trying to stream line all of ideas. I am excited to have some more simple organization to my blog, where I can have a better balance of all the things I love about blogging and my blog in particular.

I want to “do it all,” without losing the balance of all the things I love, without losing myself in it. So please be a little patient with me in the next week or so :) Cheers!

Macarons at the Bijou Market!

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Normally I do my Pinterest "Pining" posts on Friday, but I decided to feature something just as sweet today, literally. Mercedes (a fellow Canadian herself, love that) has a great blog called
Merceds White French Macarons.

Mercedes has mastered the one thing most people are scared to ever make on their own, Macarons! She says it better then I do, "I began making Macarons as a sort of culinary challenge while waiting for my US immigration papers to be processed. I decided that while I wasn't working I wanted to learn how to do something "hard." I love Macarons and had always heard that they are a pretty tricky cookie to make--so decided to go for it. It took over a year for me to figure out what I was doing (they really are THAT hard to make). Making Macarons, however, turned out to be so rewarding that when my green card finally arrived, I decided to bag Islamic Studies and open my own business. The rest is history!"

Remember this post and giveaway where I mentioned Bijou Market? Well Mercedes will be there selling her Macaron mixes and even classes! You heard that right, classes. How cool is that? To see what fun the cooking classes can be, check out this video of a class she taught with a bunch of local bloggers here in Utah!

So who will be there November 18-19, in Provo, Utah at the Historic Southworth Hall

116 West Center Street Provo, UT 84606?

I will be there Saturday morning into the afternoon, so I hope I see you guys there, and I hope you check out Merceds sure to be, enjoyable spread!

UPDATE:
Merceds is being SUPER generous and will be holding a Macaron Cooking Class with me and I get to bring along a reader! So this will be a giveaway to come learn how to make these cookies with the help of a Pro, along with me :) Who is in? If you live in the area, or will be able to get here, ENTER NOW!

How to Enter:
Be a Follower of the Blog & Let me know why you would want to learn how to make a Macaron!

Gold Bond Ultimate: Sheer Ribbons Body

2011-11-16T05:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

When Gold Bond Ultimate sent me their lotions, I was very excited to try them out. Growing up in San Diego, you not short of any moisture in the air (hence the ocean right in your backyard), so when I first moved to Utah, my body was in shock with how dry it was here. My lips were (are) constantly chapped here, the first year here I woke up with bloody noses ALL the time... gross I know! My skin was always so dry, and I have tried many products to try and find something that really sunk into my skin and kept in moisturized during the day. Well... I think I may have found it! &how exciting it was something that was sent to me?!

No joke this stuff is super thick, and super moisturizing. My mother-in-law even commented on how soft my hands were. They come in two different scents 'Natural Silk' or 'Pearl Radiance' and I can't tell which one I like best, because one is a more subtle smell, and the other has a clean smell, which I like the option of both because sometimes you want different things depending on your mood. At the end of the day I just love how well they both moisturize my skin that LASTS all day.

Oh and the lotion literally comes out like a ribbon! hence "sheer ribbons!" I love it.

The Gold Bond Ultimate line has several great products! More information can be found at http://www.goldbondultimate.co…

There is a $1 off coupon for $1 off Sheer Ribbons lotion at http://www.sheerribbons.com/ (take your coupon and go to your local Walmart store!)

Now for the good stuff. One of you will win a 6 month supply of this lotion sent to you, which has both of the scents in them! :)

How to Enter:

Be a follower of the blog.

(one entry)

Tell me why you are most interested in trying Gold Bond : Sheer Ribbons lotion?!

(second entry)

Good Luck!

little notes for today...

2011-11-14T06:47:00.000-08:00

Dress: BCBG Blazer: JCrew Shoes: Target

This lace dress is something I use to only wear to church or for really nice events. Since trying the 30 for 30 I have found SO many uses for it. I am shocked at how it is my most used piece of clothing in my 30 for 30! Although I am tired of this 30 for 30 challenge that has taken me forever to do haha, I am happy to have found a way to use some of my not used clothing items!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Hand,
Please stop flaking all over. You are scaring people.

Dear Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels,
You will be the death of me.

Dear Christmas,
You can not come soon enough!

Dear 11.11.11 @ 11:00 a.m & p.m. (yes, I made two wishes that day!),
Please come true.

Dear Self,
Get up at early before work and go for a run, JUST DO IT.

Dear BYU Law School,
Please let my husband come back home :( baah. I really understand why they call Law School Spouses, Law School Widows.

Dear Dishwasher,
After not having your in our lives for several years, we are so grateful for you!

Dear Brandon,
Wish I could be there for your swearing in today! GREAT JOB! :)

What are your life's crazy, funny, silly, and celebratory things as of late?

"pining" for random fun stuff

2011-11-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

I have a board on my pinterest account called "random fun stuff" and that is where I put all the random hilarious things you can come across on pinterest. I thought I would make a board of some of the crazy things I have found on it :) haha Enjoy.

&just because today is 11.11.11

via pinterest.

Anything you are "pining" on pinterest? Link up your inspirations!

staying connected.

2011-11-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

via

I often feel bad that I don't have the time to reply to each and every single one of your comments. I use to try to, but the task would soon get very daunting! I hope you know that I DO READ THEM, every single one, and I appreciate the time you take to even say something to me on my blog.

I have long avoided getting a Facebook Page for my blog like so many people do, but I have come to realize that this might be the best place for us to interact on a more personal level. I figure more people have a Facebook, then they do twitter, so why not get a Facebook Page and we can chat on there?!

So now, along with my twitter account, I will be posting blog related stuff on my Facebook page, questions and conversations. I would love for it to become like a forum, just stuff that isn't as easily doable in the blogging format. What do you think?

I hope to see you guys over there!

I am excited to get to know you all better :)

Bijou Market :)

2011-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

I will never forget when I first moved to Utah and heard about the Bijou Market. Of course I headed down from Salt Lake all the way to Provo just so I could go! They always have such great stuff, and my favorite part about it, is buying stuff that you don't have to pay shipping for! Hurrah!

This year they are taking it up a notch, and they will be having a Bijou Market not only in Provo, but also in Salt Lake City! Read all about the details here. I hope to see you all there! We should probably just make this into a blogger meet up event, who is down?

Emily, one of the amazing women behind this event (who's blog I have been reading since Day 1 of my blogging) is offering you guys such a sweet giveaway today. To spread the love, we will have multiple winners for this giveaway!

Are you ready for this goodness? Here we go.

$100 credit towards a custom wedding invitation design with The Spark Collective

$15 8x10 "You and Me" die cut by AnnMarie Loves Paper

$25 Plush Studio decorative pillow

$6 Bow Trio by Shay Jay

(These vendors agree to ship within the continental US)

How to Enter:

Mandatory

Be a follower of the Blog

(I do this because people who win should be people who actually read the blog! der)

One Entry

Optional Ways to Enter (Up your chances!)

Tweet about this Giveaway!

mention @alyciagrayce, and @BijouMarket

Second Entry

Blog about this giveaway

(leave a link)

Third Entry

Visit the Bijou Market Blog

and tell me what items/vendors you are looking forward to seeing!

(fourth entry)

Good Luck!

&if you guys want to get a group together to the Provo one, let me know! I would love to meet some of you guys!

&Speaking of luck... did you win one of the giveaways from last month?

T.G.I.F. Giveaway winners.

Shabby Apple Necklace winner.

Custom Canvas winner.

Harvest Banner winner.

*wipes brow* that was a lot of giveaway winners!

Mixing Patterns

2011-11-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

Top: Billabong Skirt: DownEast Boots: Steve Madden

As cool as this 30 for 30 has been in terms of me seeing my closet in a whole new light, I am not going to lie and tell you I am getting tired of it and want to post some other items I have in my wardrobe! haha Soon, soon I tell you!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Monday,
You are here again? I swear you come around way too soon for me.

Dear Hand,
YAY you can wash help wash the left hand wash hair now! You can open jars, and food packages without too much pain. You do look like gross snake shedding his skin, but we are getting there :)

Dear Life,
You never cease to amaze me with your curve-balls. Life decisions can be tough, but I am feeling at peace.

Dear Utah,
We were doing so good there for awhile, why did you have to go and start winter on me. Lame.

Dear Kyna,
Thanks for having me guest post today!
Dear Self,
Be patient with the changes you want to make. Things will happen.

Dear Bathtub,
I have missed you all these years.

Dear Readers,
I feel the need to simplify my life, I think this blog as well. More on that later.

What are your life's crazy, funny, silly, and celebratory things as of late?

"pining" for home :)

2011-11-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was feeling homey today :) P.S. do you see those adorable pig book ends?! Did you know pigs are my favorite animal? I collect pig things... so I think I need these!

via pinterest.

Anything you are "pining" on pinterest? Link up your inspirations!

perfect timing.

2011-11-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Last night couldn't have come at a better time. I am apart of a group called Law Partners. It is a group of people (mostly women) who have spouses in law school. We meet up for dinners, and different fun activities. They hold forums where they bring in different people to talk to us. Last night they brought in a Professional Organizer. I almost didn't go, but BOY am I happy I did.

It is exactly what I needed.

As you can see from my previous post, I have been having a hard time keeping up with all my commitments and different things I have to do during the day, as well as things I would like to do. Marie C. Ricks has written several books on organization, and she has a lot of experience going into people's homes and helping them organize their lives.

At first I thought, I know how to organize it is just a matter of doing it. Right? Just DO IT. However there is so much more to it then that! I also learned that you can organize so much more then your home, did you know you can organize your relationships?! I wish I could put in one post everything I learned last night.

All I know is, it was just the boost I needed. I feel ready to get more organized in my life, I feel that need to SIMPLIFY. I need to make my life more simple then it is currently. I have a lot to think about.

so many excuses.

2011-11-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Since moving to Provo I have been trying to get used to a new routine. I feel like Trevor's mother because we share one car and I have to drop him off and pick him up from school :) haha I don't mind, but I am trying to get comfortable in our new little life here. As I reflect on my routine I can't help but think about all the things I wish I got done in a day.

We all like to make a lot of excuses.... here have been some of mine lately "Oh I don't have time to run or work out today" or "I am so tired, I don't think I will read my scriptures tonight," because I know as well as anyone else (unless you are lying to yourself) that you have the time for whatever it is you want to do in your day. If it is important to you, you WILL make it happen. If I really wanted to get my run in before my energy is drained by the end of my work day, I would wake up at 5 a.m. and get it done. Which means I would have to commit to getting to bed earlier. If I really wanted to read my scriptures every night, I would spend 15 or 20 minutes less online (reading all of your blogs! ha!) and just go do it. Why is it so hard to just DO the things we really want to do sometimes? I know what I want, I know I am capable of doing it, so why do I feel like I am so full of excuses, so lazy? Sometimes I use the excuse that I deserve the "break" the down time. But I know as much as I love that break, I would enjoy the feeling of doing everything I want and need to do so much more.
I know for a fact I could get all the things I need to get done if I didn't let my body control me, and instead let my mind control me. Does this even make sense? It is simply will power. What do you guys do to help you stay motivated? Any tips? I have tried a lot of different things, and I know at the end of the day it has to be pure will. I seriously want to wake up at 5 a.m. and do my work outs, and be ready and awake for my day with a healthy start. I want to be better about morning and nightly prayers and reading my scriptures, so I just need to DO it. I know life is all about the progression. Trying to be better each and every day. But sometimes I just get disappointed in myself because I know.... I KNOW that I CAN do better. So why aren't I?

Welcome November! - CLOSED

2011-11-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that it is already November?! Time is flying by, and I kind of need it to slow down please! To celebrate FALL I have a fun giveaway for you guys, yes that means we are running TWO giveaways at once! &don't think I have forgotten about the Shabby Apple or T.G.I. Fridays giveaways, I will announce the winners for those soon.

Today, in honor of fall, we have the Caitlin from Cait Create offering you guys an amazing giveaway!

A beautiful Harvest hand painted wood pennant banner!

Valued at $30!

You should check her shop out and see all the other great stuff she makes! One of my favorites would be the I Love You Because Chalk Board! How adorable is that?

How To Enter

Mandatory

Be a Follower of the Crowley Party

(one entry)

Mandatory

Go to the Cait + Create Shop and tell me what you love!

Bonus Entries!

Tweet about this giveaway mention @alyciagrayce or

(second entry)

Blog about this giveaway

(third entry)

Follow Cait + Create Blog
(fourth entry)

Like Cait + Create on Facebook

(fifth entry)

And as a special treat, Cait is offering a coupon code "FALL15" to get 15% off if anyone orders from my shop during November.

WINNER IS TAYLOR!

Taylor said...

I am a follower of the Crowley Party!

November 3, 2011 3:57 PM

EMAIL ME TAYLOR!

crowleyparty@yahoo.com

Express Suits!

2011-10-30T14:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Express couldn't have had better timing! Since I started working for an Attorney, my wardrobe needed a business wear face-lift. I was thrilled to see they had so many amazing options to choose from! Usually business wear looks too much like mens ware, so to see a line full of girly, structured tailored, business pieces was so refreshing! Don't worry though, they still had a great line for the men. But I was blown away by their women's suits section. When I saw this vest with the lace back, I was sold! I get to have a business piece in my closet that is great for work, but still has a hint of my personality to it.

Really, if any of you are looking to get a more professional look into your wardrobe for work, check out Express!

Express sweepstakes

For a limited time, enter everyday for a chance to win a $500 suiting makeover from Express! That would be one amazing prize :)

Which suits do you guys love? (how about that killer red women's suit?! Where would you wear your suit? Work, networking events, job interviews?

"pining" for halloween :)

2011-10-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

Since Halloween is approaching, I thought I would do a Halloween board for my "pining" series.

I LOVE Halloween!

via pinterest.

Anything you are "pining" on pinterest? Link up your inspirations!

Make It Personal - CLOSED

2011-10-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Alexandra is the sweetest girl who is very passionate about what she does. When I saw her work with the canvas she did for me and Trevor I was thrilled! &I already have it up in our new apartment :)

Today one of you lucky people will get a chance to have some of her great canvas work for your own!

She does custom work, so really you could have anything! Alexandra is giving away an 8 x 10 canvas of your choosing! Pink Sparkles & Love is very fitting for her girly and fun pieces of art.

Seriously though, her work is adorable.... I am DYING over her TOO CUTE "Keep Calm and Study On" Canvas she has on her Facebook page.

So WHAT are you waiting for. Enter this GIVEAWAY!

1 entry

Be a follower of Crowley Party

2nd entry

Like Alexandra's Facebook Page - Make It Personal

3rd entry

Tweet about this giveaway - @alyciagrayce

4th entry

Tell me which Canvas you would get if you won?!

WINNER IS:

amber said...

I would choose the wedding love canvas!! its such a cute idea :)

October 27, 2011 8:00 AM

EMAIL ME AMBER!

crowleyparty@yahoo.com

stripes with a pop of color.

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Top: F21 Jeans: Anlo from Piperlime Shoes: Forever Young Necklace: ShopKempt

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Hand,
Thanks for finally being able to MOVE! Even though you aren't totally there yet :)
p.s. Please stop itching.

Dear Left Hand,
You rocked it this week! You made cookies, cupcakes, cleaned the house and washed dishes all on your lonesome.

Dear Utah Weather,
You are starting to feel cold. I am not liking it. Please rewind back two months, thanks :)

Dear Cheese,
I love you... on everything.

Dear Law School,
Please bring back my husband.

Dear Mary,
Thanks for having me guest post on your blog :)

Dear Jamie (best friend),
Maybe we should stick to texting, because every time we call to each other we talk for house. Last phone call OVER 3 HOURS! haha yikes. We could go for days....

Dear Readers,
No, I did not have to go to the bathroom in the second photo, even though it would appear I am holding myself? bah.

What are your life's crazy, funny, silly, and celebratory things as of late?

I am a Christian.

2011-10-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

So far with my blog I have not gone into the topic of religion too much. But things have been on my mind lately with recent events politically, and I just wanted to get my opinion out there, even if only a few people read it. You guys may have picked up on the fact that I am a Mormon. "Mormon" is actually a nickname for our church, and the church I belong to is actually called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Recently in the media people have been commenting about their opinions on whether or not Mormons are Christian. This whole discussion brought me back to an event that happened to me in high school. I had a couple friends start an Athletic Christan Club, made of people who liked to play sports and were active, that were also Christian. However my friends were having some problems getting people involved and were needing more people to join. I figured since I was Christian, and I played three sports for the school that I would help them out and join. So when I told them I would be happy to join, they told me no. I asked why not and they told me I wasn't Christian, I was a Mormon.

Hmm. I hadn't known they weren't the same thing. I was pretty hurt, and tried to explain that I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior, who died for me. But I wasn't allowed in the club, and I wasn't going to argue it.

I understand there are people out there that don't consider or recognize Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as Christians. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I don't want this post to become an argument over that.

I just felt like with recent things going on currently in the media, and certain statements made by Jeffress, that I wanted to make my opinions clear.

I am not a member of a cult.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe that Jesus Christ was the only Begotten son of God the Father, as well as a Prophet and is my Savior and Redeemer. I believe that he died for me, for my sins, so that I can be clean. He is very much my personal Savior. I don't go a day without thinking of the Atonement, and feel so incredibly blessed to have this knowledge in my life. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I know many of you might not be religious, or some of you may agree with the notion that I am not a Christian.

But I think everyone is entitled to their beliefs and these are mine.

Since I have had some questions since this post, I thought I would direct you all here.

"pining" for yellow.

2011-10-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

If you haven't caught on yet from my blog... yellow is my favorite color!
Always has been, always will be.
Just looking at it makes me happy :)

via pinterest.

Anything you are "pining" on pinterest? Link up your inspirations!

also, don't forget, TODAY is the last day to enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway!

no more apologies.

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I went to a Utah Blogger meet up the other week and had a blast. I felt so comfortable around the other girls and I really was myself around them. This isn't to say I am not usually myself... it is pretty hard for me to be anything but myself. But it got me thinking about who I am, and how I am on this blog. I share a lot of who I am on this blog, but I find myself holding back certain things because of fear. What if I offend someone if I say this? Or what if someone judges me if I do this and post it?

While I don't really hold back too much on my blog, I definitely edit myself. At first I thought I was doing so because it is the courteous thing to do if you know other people are reading your blog, but then I realized it is mostly fear. Fear of what people might say or think about me. Some of the girls that night of the blogger meet up were surprised at how outgoing I was, loud, and fun... yeah, I will say I am fun, haha. This kind of made me realize just how much of my personality I must be holding back when it comes to my blog, because if you ask any of my friends in my personal life, they would tell you I am a good time.

I guess what it all comes down to is... just because you read someone's blog, doesn't mean you really know them. You can only convey so much of who you are over the internet, over a blog, with words. Some people don't want to share everything, sometimes people's personalities might read a little different online then they really do in person. Some bloggers I have been following for the past two years, and I feel like I really know them. While I might feel a connection, I do have to remind myself that just because we are online friends that chat every now and then, doesn't mean I fully understand all the things that make up this person.

So I guess what I have come to is, I want to be a little more honest on this blog about my thoughts & feelings and not fear so much what other people might think, or if they will be offended. I don't want to offend, but sometimes people are sensitive, lets be honest haha!

I know I will always edit to a degree when it comes to my blog because I don't believe in saying everything that comes to your mind just because you thought it. If we all did that we would be in big trouble... but I would like to be a little more brave when it comes to sharing. Being a bit more open. It is easier for me to do this in person because I have a great sense of reading people. I can tell if someone is comfortable or getting uncomfortable, and I know how far I can take a story or a conversation based off that. I can't do that online. I can't tell if you are feeling weird, or sad, or mad or anything. I can't read your body language or emotions because I am not WITH you. Usually I have the mentality that, this is my blog, if you don't like, don't read it. And I still do agree with that, your blog is YOUR space, do what you will. But at the same time, I do care about other people and if they are misunderstanding me, or if I am making someone feel uncomfortable. Am I making any sense?

These are pretty random and jumbled thoughts I have going on here... but I was just curious... what are your views on this when it comes to blogging?

Have you felt that some people make assumptions about you based on your blog?

Do you feel yourself editing your content sometimes because your afraid to offend people, or that others will judge you?

Just some food for thought. Let your brain just chew on it for a bit.

life's little notes.

2011-10-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Dress: BCBG Top: BP Nordstroms Shoes: Target Belt: New York Company

WOW...is this for real? Not one item of mine from Forever 21? haha
p.s. just a side note... this was obviously taken before the hand tragedy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am doing a new spin on my Life Should Be a Party posts, by addressing life's crazy, funny, and celebratory things, in little notes :)

Dear Self,
Stop thinking that you must have forgotten to do an assignment, you graduated in May and even though it feels weird to not be in school because it is Fall... you are DONE!

Dear Pringles Can,
How come I can eat you so quickly and not even feel full? Dang you magical can. The fun DOES stop once you pop by the way.

Dear BYU students,
Please learn how to walk and follow traffic rules while driving. You will die if you run red lights on your scooter in an intersection without a helmet, and you will die if you cross the busy street without looking!!!

Dear Life,
Thanks for always coming through for me! I finally found that second job I needed and ended up with the most ideal situation. Now I don't have to get a restaurant job where I work nights and weekends and would have ended up with NO time with Trevor. YAY!

Dear Life,
You know how I thanked you earlier for always coming through for me?! Well no thanks for the glass slicing my hand wide open this weekend. that was not so fun.

Dear Grandpa,
Thanks for the funny texts to try and lift my spirits!

Dear Hand,
I am amazed at how the slightest movements make my hand ache. The human body is amazing and you never really understand just how many little muscles make up everything you do until you injure yourself.

Dear Readers,
Thanks for all the nice comments, I am feeling much better. Still a left handed person stuck in a right person's body... but much better, thanks!

What are your life's crazy, funny, and celebratory things as of late?

I am an Idiot.

2011-10-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

I learned some valuable things yesterday.

1) Don't do your dishes in your underwear.

2) Throw out even slightly chipped glasses.

Now I guess I should tell you how I learned these two things the hard way. Saturday morning I woke up in a great mood. Trevor went off to the law library to study, and I made plans to clean up the apartment. I was feeling energized and had a list of things I wanted to get done.

Because I am super cheap and don't like throwing anything away, I insisted on keeping a chipped glass. I mean the chip was so blunt I didn't think you could possibly hurt yourself on it.

I was very wrong.

In my rush of doing dishes, I cut myself. We have all cut ourselves before, so when I saw the blood I thought no big deal. I covered my hand for a few seconds (you know that magical hold we do on our cuts, hoping that it will miraculously heal it, or make the cut not so bad?) but when I opened my hand.... I knew something was very wrong.

What gave it away? Oh just my skin opening up and my hand muscle peeking out at me saying...

"HEY! I have never seen daylight before, this is cool!"

Except it was so NOT cool. I had never seen a real life human muscle before by the way, so I was slightly fascinated. But I was in pain so I didn't have much time to be fascinated. I just sat there for a minute, trying not to freak out. I got my phone and called my mom... then I let myself break down. I knew it was bad enough I needed to go to Urgent Care. I don't know why but I needed the comfort of my Mommy to tell me to calm down and call Trevor. So that is what I did.

You guys have to realize... I have never had anything happen to me. I mean I did sprain my wrist once, and I fractured my foot. But other then that... I have never even had a cavity. So I was really scared of the thought of getting stitches. Waiting for Trevor to get home felt like it took hours. Which I guess I needed since trying to dress yourself with one bleeding hand in the air (trying to elevate, like my mama said!) made for a challenge. Lets just say the image was pretty comical. Except I wasn't laughing. I didn't get far, so when Trevor came home he had to help me get dressed. I guess I got a quick glimpse of what life will be like when I am an old lady... or heaven forbid something tragic happened to me.

So Trevor came home and checked out my wound... he barley looked at it and knew we had to go to the hospital. So off we went, after Trevor did up my pants of course. Awkward.

I have an irrational phobia of needles, so I was trying not to freak out. The sweet nurse, who was my age (wow... am I really old enough that the nurses are my age now?! what?!) tried to make me feel better by saying how the numbing shot felt similar to what they do for cavities... remember I have never had a cavity?! The doctor shook his head in disbelief at this... and really didn't believe me when I explained that even Trevor had never had a cavity. Hopefully this means less dentist trips for our kids in the future. I digress...

I had NO idea that they put the numbing shot IN YOUR WOUND. DIRECTLY. I started to cry a little bit and felt like a total looser. I quickly gained composure, I didn't want to look pathetic. I didn't watch of course.. I mean who would watch someone put a needle under you skin, literally on your hand muscle? The doctor did it about 6 different times mind you... eekk. It hurt, but wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank goodness for modern medicine. How did poor people get through this stuff back in the day? ouchie.

The doctor was very nice. He was actually from near my home town back in San Diego, so we chatted about that. He even complimented my nice neon pink nails, haha. He was trying to make me feel better I think. I wont lie though... for some reason him being from back home, made me more comfortable.

So 5 stitches later, and 1 Tetanus shot. I was done.

Oh wait... and one almost as painful bill, ouchie. There goes my Christmas/Birthday present this year :(

I should have known better to keep around a broken glass... so even if its just a chip in the glass... that can do damage too! Lesson learned.

&I should have known better about the dishes in the ginch too. Yes... sometimes I say ginch, thanks for that dad, haha! Growing up in San Diego my family has had its share of fire scares. My family has been evacuated from our home on more then one occasion. My dad always told me I should wear pj's to bed in case we ever had to leave in the night.

For some reason I never thought of what would happen if something bad happened when you weren't wearing anything... but now I know!

I thought the pain was over... but the the numbing shot wore off... and now I feel like my hand is on fire. &no amounts of pain killer is helping. BAH.

So there you go people... learn from me.

1) GO NOW &throw out a anything with a slight crack in it.

2) GO put some clothes on.

p.s. by the way, I am not even remotely ambidextrous. typing this with my left hand took forever.

"pining" for the weekend :)

2011-10-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

Remember my "pining" for the weekend post? Well I decided to keep it going! I figured there are just as many of you out there who are in love with Pinterest as I am, so why not all share in each others inspirations?!

use this button, or just link back to this page in your pin posts if you want to join along.

Every week, if you want to join in, you can put together some of your favorite pins, and link up right here! You can do it whenever you want, so lets pin away people :)

curly hair tutorial.

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have had lots of questions about my curly hair, and how I do it. First, I just have to say how flattered I am, and this is why (here is a little background on my hair). It didn't really come in until I was about 10. You think I am joking? Soon I will post some pics of what I looked like as a kid. I was born as bald as they come, and my hair took forever to grow. My hair wasn't long enough to do pony tails, braids or anything fun... so my mom would had me wear new born headbands. Yup. Or the infamous "waterfall" hairdo where she would grab whatever I had on my head and put it together and clip it. Yes, a simple clip could hold ALL of my hair together. I didn't get my first hair cut until I was about 8 I think? &I didn't even really need it, I just wanted one so bad, to feel more normal and like I fit in, haha. Like a GIRL!

My hair still takes forever to grow, and to give you an idea, it was a short aline cut when I met Trevor, and I haven't cut it since I met him (excluding trims).... That is THREE years people! Three years and this is how long my hair is? So it has been a long journey, me and my hair... and I just got to say, I am excited anyone ever even noticed it. It has been 22 years of trying to "make it work" and I think we might be getting there.

Shabby Apple Giveaway! - CLOSED

2011-10-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

I have a special treat for you guys today! A Shabby Apple Jewelry Giveaway! Did you guys even know that besides amazing vintage inspired dresses Shabby Apple had a woman's jewelry line?

Today one lucky reader has the chance to win the Light as a Feather necklace!

How to Enter

Leave a comment for each separate entry!

Be a Follower of Crowley Party

(one entry)

Like Shabby Apple on Facebook!

(second entry)

if you do this you can get in on special promotions and exclusive discounts, who doesn't love that?!

Tweet about this giveaway!

mention it to me @alyciagrayce

(third entry)

And last but not least, is there a certin dress you have been eyeing at Shabby Apple? Or something else you wanted if you don't win this giveaway? Shabby Apple is offering a 10% off coupon code for anyone who wants to purchase something! How generous is that?!

All you have to do is enter "crowleyparty10off" and it will expire in 30 days, so hurry up if you want to get something!

You have until next week 10/21 to enter!

GOOD LUCK!

also check out this great offer....

WINNER IS CERRISSE!

Cerrisse said...

I follow your blog.

October 11, 2011 9:56 AM

EMAIL ME CERRISSE!

crowleyparty@yahoo.com

take note. . .

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

The winner of the $50 Medium Ad at Casey's Blog (LUCKY WINNER!)......

L!$@

Email me for details Lisa! :)

Also, you should check out my guest post I did over at Jodi noted,

AS WELL as the guest post I did today over at

Little Miss Momma! :)

good morning monday :)

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Top: F21 Skirt: F21 (man I sure like F21 huh?) Boots: Steve Madden (Girl) Necklace: Anthropologie

I realize I just wore this shirt in my last 30 for 30 post, but I don't care. It is so comfy I wear it all the time :) &don't lie and act like you don't repeat either every now and then!

Little celebrations in my life as of late...

+ Listening to old messages of my nieces and nephews on my voice mail :) *sigh* too adorable.

+ Nice strangers. It is always refreshing when you run into a total stranger, who is nice! :) Always makes my day.

+ Peanut butter filled pretzels. enough said.

+ All I am going to say is MONSTER! &there is a handful of you that know what I am talking about haha oh man, the poor people of Kneaders Bakery... we are sorry! wait, I AM sorry! haha

+ Meeting some amazing girls at the Utah Blogger Meet Up! I had such a blast :) Seriously, I think I made some friends that I will be actually planning outings with.

+Knowing that I can always call my parents for advice, no matter how old I am :) Thank you!

+ Sleeping in Saturday after such a long week, waking up and kissing Trevor's back and shoulders. That may sound cheesy, or it might be too much information, but I love it, so it goes on the list for the week :)

What have you been celebrating in your life lately?!

I am extending Casey's $50 Ad giveaway until tonight! So ENTER if you haven't! You don't want to miss this one!

Also, don't forget to enter to win a free T.G.I FRiDAYS! meal, there will be 2 winners for this giveaway :)

"pining" for the weekend :)

2011-10-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Pretty sure that the word "pining" works in a variety of ways when it comes to Pinterest... because I am literally "pinned" to my seat for WAY TOO LONG sometimes when I get on! haha In fact, I have even been avoiding it on the occasion because I know I don't have the time for it. Man it is addicting.
I figured I spend enough time creating my boards I may as well start sharing some with you. I think I might start posting some of my favorite pins of the week, on Fridays or Saturdays. I think I will call it "pining" for the weekend, get it?! haha I am so funny right? ha probably not, but I thought it was a clever play on words.

So on to the Pins shall we?!

Anyways, just thought I would share some lovely images found via Pinterest.

Come and find me because I love to be inspired by everyone's boards!

Here are some fall inspired pins for you, since I am feeling fallish... is fallish a word?!

Found Via Pinterest

P.S. Casey's awesome $50 AD giveaway ends this Sunday, so hurry up and enter for a chance to win a spot! She has over 3,000 followers so you will want to get your hands on this if you are looking to promote your blog, shoe, or website!

Check back next Monday for the winner and a new great giveaway!

Also, check out the fun guest post I did for Megan! :)

Giveaway! - T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One” - CLOSED

2011-10-07T07:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of T.G.I. FRiDAY'S for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I will admit it people, every once in awhile Trevor and I don't have the time to plan our meals around our busy schedules and we eat frozen food! But every once in awhile I am bored out of my mind by the options... I mean... mashed potatoes, some rubbery steak? So when I saw that T.G.I. FRiDAY’S had come out with a line of frozen meals... I was excited to see all the different kinds they had to offer.

T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One” has nine new entrées inspired by the bold and fun flavors of the famed T.G.I. FRiDAY’S restaurants. From Sizzling Steak Fajitas to Cajun-Style Chicken Alfredo, the new varieties infuse a fresh new flavor and shake things up in the frozen food category.

So which one did I get? The Prime Rib Stroganoff! Trevor loves Prim Rib and we were both surprised with how much flavor was packed into it :) nom nom nom.

Right now T.G.I FRiDAY'S is having a Fun Freezer contest and there are some pretty amazing prizes available. You guys should enter or at least vote for a freezer.

Today I am offering two coupons for T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One" That means TWO winners will get a coupon that redeems one of the meals.

All you have to do is be a follow of my blog and tell me which meal you think you would want to try!

TWO WINNERS!

WINNER IS REBrown!

REBrown said...

The mac and cheese with chicken looks so good.

October 8, 2011 12:12 PM

AND

WINNER IS CHESTNUTMOCHA!

chestnutmocha said...

It's so perfect for Friday!! I;d love some chicken fajitas!! Thanks for sharing!

October 7, 2011 8:34 AM

Both of you girls e-mail me!

crowleyparty@yahoo.com

trevor's salad.

2011-10-05T04:40:00.000-07:00

One of you asked about some healthy quick recipes that you could make. I haven't posted a recipe for awhile, so I thought I would share this yummy little salad that Trevor just made the other day. If you ever want an idea for a good salad, all you need do is talk to Trevor. He is the master of salads. I mean he makes me eat one for dinner six nights a week... I wish I was exaggerating!

Trevor got the salad dressing recipe from our family friend (thanks molly!), and it is SUCH a good salad dressing. I mean it had to be good if my husband stopped in the middle of the dinner to ask how she made it haha :) You guys will love it!

Trevor's Salad

Salad of your choice

Carrots

Avocado (mash up)

Steak (cut into thin slices)

Put it all together and toss it! See I told you it would be easy :)
(Trevor acctually put it all in a tupperware bowl with a lid and shook it all around so he wouldn't get his hands dirty from the avocado.)

Grasshopper Spit Dressing
1 part Red Wine Vinegar
1 part soy sauce or Bragg's Liquid Aminos (better for you)
1 part honey, sugar, or some Stevia (no particular brand)
1 part olive oil (you can leave this out if you want)
Enjoy!!

This is Trevor's smile when he doesn't want to be smiling :) haha Love him.

my little secret...

2011-10-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

So now that it is October... and we have been friends for a bit... I thought it was the appropriate time and season to tell you guys something.

...

I am a vampire.

watch out bella.

mini joys.

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tops: F21 Jeans: F21 Shoes: LuLus

Life Should Be a Party....

+ Me being down about something, and Trevor totally playing the comfort role. He can be so sweet sometimes, and for that I am thankful.

+ Listening to Trevor create beautiful music. This weekend he worked really hard recording some stuff and the outcome really was amazing! Such a talent.
+ Papa Johns Pizza, because lets face it. It is the BEST!

+ Trevor pretending to be a puppy. More on that later.
+ Feeling like I am finally getting Provo down. This came much faster then learning SLC ever did!

+ Did I ever mention how happy I was that The Amazing UTES crushed BYU? Oh, I didn't :) YAY UTES!

+ Spending Conference Sunday with my sister and her boyfriend and Trevor. The best breakfast double date ever :)

+ Being uplifted by the beautiful talks at Conference on Sunday. I needed a spiritual boost, and it was perfect.

Link up your Life Should Be a Party Posts here!

$50 AD Spot Giveaway- Casey Wiegand

2011-10-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

If you don't know Casey through her blog yet, then today is your lucky day! I am in awe of her beautiful artwork, family, and passion for God. A visit to her blog will definitely lift your spirits :)

Today she is giving away a $50 Medium AD size spot on her blog (which has over 3,000 followers!) so if you are looking to promote your blog, business, whatever, then this is the giveaway for you!

How To Enter:

(leave a separate comment for each entry!)

Be a Follower of Crowley Party!

(one entry)

Be a Follower of The Wiegand's Blog!

(second entry)

Tweet about this Giveaway!

@mention me.

(third entry)

Blog about this Giveaway!

(fourth entry)

Good Luck Folks!

This Giveaway will run until October 9th (one week!)

Dry Shampoo!

2011-09-30T05:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TRESemmé for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

So I have heard this stuff works miracles, and I have been dying to get my hands on some. My sister uses it, and it seems like everyone is using it now! And lets face it, we all have had those mornings where we slept in, there isn't time for a shower, and our hair could use a wash! Also they say it is good to not wash your hair every single day, but if you are a blonde like me, you know how hard that is too... because by the end of one day, it looks horrible and shows grease way more then any other hair color.

Before the only place you could find dry shampoo was in specialty beauty stores, but now you can go pick it up at your local grocery store! I got TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo and couldn't be more excited! There are actually different kinds you can get depending on what you are looking for. The full line includes:

o Strengthening Dry Shampoo: The formula, with B12 vitamins and keratin, helps strengthen hair and leaves it full of healthy body.

o Volumizing Dry Shampoo: The formula, with mineral clay and citrus, removes oil while injecting hair with salon-gorgeous volume.

o Smoothing Dry Shampoo: The formula, with Vitamin H & Silk Proteins, refreshes your straight style by removing excess oil, impurities and odor to ensure your smooth look lasts.

o Moisturizing Waterless Foam Shampoo: The formula, with Witch Hazel, Citrus, and Aloe Vera, refreshes your hair by removing excess oil, impurities and odor while moisturizing hair.

So here are some tips on how to use it!

- Do shake vigorously before use and in between spray bursts for best results.
- Do lift sections of dry hair and spray lightly at roots
- Do spray in short bursts, holding 8-12 inches from head
- Don’t spray it like hair spray (all over and continuously)
- Do leave in for 1-2 minutes.
- Do use fingertips or a brush to distribute product evenly
- If clogging occurs, remove nozzle and rinse the nozzle under warm water, then reattach.

AND VOILA! Clean and refreshed hair in minutes :)

&if you are feeling really excited you should check out this

and enter her give away for a $500 Gift Card to Target to a lucky viewer!

Hope you guys found this helpful. I know when I first got my dry shampoo I had no clue how it really worked! haha

bumbo bee... or bumble bee?

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Top: F21 Shorts: Hurley Shoes: Target

I don't know what it is about fall, but stripes and oxfords just seem to fit perfectly with it :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So they say you learn something new everyday. Well this weekend I learned something new. I can't believe no one has ever pointed it out to me before. I was talking to Trevor and trying to tell him about this "bumbo bee" and he kept asking me what the heck a bumbo bee was? I was getting very frustrated because how could he not know what a bumbo bee was. I was like "Come on Trevor you know what I am talking about, a bumbo bee, they are yellow and black... they sting, a BEE!" He replied with... "Oh you mean a BumbLE Bee?" I just stood there frozen. How have I been saying bumble bee wrong my entire life?! haha I have always spelled it correctly but never noticed how I just bypassed the l and e and added an o when I pronounced it. Then I really started laughing when I realized my pronounciation is actually a seat for babies... oh man.

I have since been trying to say it properly and it just isn't working for me. I guess I will be saying bumbo bee for the rest of my life. 22 1/2 years later is too late to start changing when it comes to my speech I guess, haha. This conversation got me thinking about other words we say differently. I am also guilty of saying mElk instead of mIlk. Yup, I am a melk girl. But I say pillow right, which doesn't make sense because if I say melk then I should say pellow.... but I hate when people say pellow. Oh man the English language, words, accents, all of it.... can just be so funny sometimes. What do you guys say that is off?

So go grab yourself some melk, sit outside in this beauitful fall weather, and don't get stung by a bumbo bee :) alrighty?! haha

&this one is just for kicks :) oh the animal sarah can bring out of me haha

free samples, &crazy people.

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Dress: DownEast Top: F21 Belt: F21 Shoes: Target Necklace: ShopKempt

Can you believe I finally made it into the double digits with this 30 for 30? haha I know I was a total slacker and I am now closer to the fall 30 for 30 then I am the summer when I was supposed to start. Oh well. I am getting them done now, and I am seeing my closet in new ways everyday!

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Life should be a party...

+ Going to concerts with the hubberz and loosing your hearing. Not sure I want to celebrate that exactly, but it was a fun night :)
+ Girls night with a friend :) Thanks Alex!
+ Going back to San Diego to be apart of one of my best friends weddings. It was perfect.
+ Getting alone time with my parents. Growing up with 5 siblings this has never really happened until this year.
+ Gold glittery nails!
+ Costco runs with the hubberz. Even though you Provo people are crazy, I have never been in such a crammed busy Costco in my life, and so many people greedy for samples! haha I mean, I know we all love the free samples... but wowza people, you would think you don't eat!
+ Costco Gelato... pistachio :) yum!
+ Loving being able to see everything with my glasses... it is a whole new world!
+ Watching the hubberz play guitar. I must say, I still think it is totally hot :)
+ Meeting blog friends in real life! I got to meet Lindsey when I was home in San Diego. We called it out blind e-harmony date :) haha It was fun! Isn't her little one a doll? He was pretty great.

What have you guys been celebrating lately?!

Advertise on Crowley Party!

2011-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Are you a photographer, crafter, artist, small business owner, blogger, or simply just an amazing human being? If so, and you are looking for a place to advertise your skills, then you have come to the right place. I would love to help you promote your work, site, blog, or whatever!

I am happy to be offering affordable rates to help promote you! All sponsorships are 100% Full-Circle Sponsorships which means every penny that is generated via advertising on my blog goes back to advertising on other blogs so you, in turn, reap more traffic! I benefit if and when you do!

All advertisements will roatate periodically (except the XL-AD) throughout the month so that everyone gets decent exposure!

Advertisement:

I am now offering three different ad spaces!

One X-Large Ad (200 x 200) per month

email me for rates.

Large Ad (200 x 120) for 30 days

email me for rates.

Small Ad (200 x 80) for 30 days

email me for rates.

Payment is done through PayPal. Please set up a PayPal account (it is free!), because when you don't I have to pay a small fee to accept the payment.

You can reach me at crowleyparty@yahoo.com if you are interested to know more about rates and details about how this would all work!

Giveaways:
You do not have to advertise on Crowley Party to be able to do a giveaway on my blog! If you are interested in doing a giveaway or any type of promotion, simply just email me.

Partnerships:
I would love to partner up with my fellow bloggers! If you want to do product reviews, guest blogging etc. that is something I would love to do! Email me the details.

Remember sponsorship positions may be acquired at any point during the month, so don't hesitate to contact me :)

shall we dance?

2011-09-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Love this little moment captured at Jamie's wedding.
It makes me smile :)

Also, sorry for dragging it on! The winner of the $100 Sephora giveaway is Tiffany Larson!
email me for further details :)

abc. 123.

2011-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

top: billabong jeans:silver shoes: soda

Get to know me ABC's.

Age: 22
Bed size: Queen
Chore you hate: Washing the dishes. This might be because Trevor and I didn't have a dishwasher for the first two years of marriage. It sucked.
Dogs: I grew up with a Beagle, and I loved her, her name was Bridget. Trevor grew up with a Boxer, and his family now has two of them. We debate all the time over what type of dog to get. I really want a frengle. He just really wants something that is big, haha. We will see what happens!
Essential start of your day: I should say breakfast but I always skip that, I should say morning prays, but I am bad at that one too. I guess the most consistent essential part of my day would be a quick morning snuggle with the hubberz... I love those.
Favorite color: YELLOW!
Gold or silver: I use to always say silver, but gold has its place too. I say don't make me choose!
Height: 5'6"
Instruments I play (or have played): Well I did played the recorder in 4th grade! haha No but really I actually played the flute from 5th grade to 8th grade. I have been playing the Piano since 5th grade, and officially stopped taking lessons my Senior year. I need to practice more because I have lost a lot of that. Since marrying a guitar player I have learned one song :) I hope to learn more!
Job title: I am a Legal Secretary for an attorney here in Provo. Oh and a wife :) Trevor still likes to call me his "girlfriend" though, haha.
Kids: Not sure what this means exactly... but yes, I want them? haha
Live: Currently.... Provo, UT. But I will claim San Diego/Canada whenever I feel like it.
Mom's name: Lisa
Nickname: Oh man, are you ready? Belle, Alycia Belle, Leesh, Lee Lee, Sisha, Pumpkin, My little cutie (that's the husbands for me hehe) and Sunshine.
Overnight hospital stays: Not yet.
Pet peeve: People who crack their knuckles and people who chew with their mouths open! Of course my husband does both.
Quote from a movie: I have SO many.... but I have always been touched by the Birthday toast given in one of my all time favorite movies, The Count of Monte Cristo.... Make sure you at least start at the part I am talking about 1:26

"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine!"

Right or left handed: Choose the RIGHT!
Siblings: I have 5 siblings. 2 sisters, and 3 brothers. I am the 4th and am sandwiched in between all the boys!
Time you wake up: Depends on the day. Sometime between 7 and 8.
Underwear: I wish I didn't have to wear it, haha. That's right for a long time I had the opposite problem of Tobias the Never Nude (Go watch Arrested Development already!)
Vegetables you dislike: Squash. I HATE squash.
What makes you run late: When I can't find my keys. It happens way too much.
X-rays you've had done: Teeth, & my wrist.
Yummy food you make: I would like to think everything I make is yummy! haha I don't know. I make a great box of Kraft Mac n Cheese (I don't follow the rules and create my own thing with it. yum)
Zoo animal: The San Diego Zoo is the best. I think my fondest memory is seeing the baby Panda that was born. Doesn't get much better then that. Since you don't get to see a baby Panda everyday I would have to say the Hippos, the flamingos, or the Giraffes!

I would love to see you guy's fill this out too :) Happy Hump Day!

our time.

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Tops: F21, American Eagle Jeans: F21 Shoes: Target

Well the books cost a fortune, but at least he has been getting good use out of them. Trevor has been reading non-stop since before class even started. I guess law school has officially arrived in our household. I already understand the joke people say about law school wives being law school widows. I am so used to Friday nights being our time together, but I had to wait hours for him to be done reading before we could have dinner together last week. I can already tell that we are going to have to take advantage of the time we have available and put it to good use. I think we realized that after the past couple weeks, so a bit ago we spent Saturday morning, after some studying of course, bouldering. Something neither of us have done before. Let me just say it reminded me just how much I need to be working out, I have no upper body strength! But I got better the longer I kept at it. We had a lot of fun :) After not seeing too much of him throughout the week, it was fun to do something together. In a strange way I think it has made our relationship better. We have less time together, but because of that, the time we do spend together we try and make really special and fun :) At the end of the day I am just happy I married someone who is such a hard-worker. Love you Trevor.

love language.

2011-09-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this on my blog before, but my younger sister Sarah has a hearing loss as well as an Auditory Process Disorder. Going into all of that is another post all together, but today I wanted to share something she shared with me.

Her boyfriend sent her this you-tube video he found.

It melted my heart. So if you have a few minutes today, this will put a little smile on your face :)

blog, blogging, bloggers.

2011-09-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

(not really sure why I posted this picture with this post, haha. maybe because blogland can feel crazy sometimes? or maybe cause I talked to Jamie my bestie last night &I miss her haha)

So when I had my "ask me anything questions" post, I got questions that hit all different areas. Some about blogging, some about beauty/fashion, my life. So I thought I should just group them and address them separately. So I thought today I would start with the blogging questions I got. Here we go!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

What made me decide to start a blog?

I figured I may as well address this very important question first. What made me decide to start a blog? Well I have actually talked about this on my blog before. So first let me send you over there! So that is the longer version, let me give you the shorter version. I started a blog because everyone in my family had one, and my dad was giving me a hard time about not having one, and that he wanted to be updated on my life since I was away at college. So I started one. I hardly ever used it. It was called "Alycia's World" original eh? haha Then when I got engaged I started searching online for wedding ideas/etc. and got sucked into wedding blogs, and from there blogging in general. It wasn't until after I was married that I really started blogging. I love the world of creativity that blogging fosters, sharing ideas, and stories about each others lives. Blogging can be such an inspiring and uplifting pastime, and I am addicted to the "happy" it provides!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blogging Tips

Now usually when people ask for blogging tips it means they want their blog to go "somewhere." When I started blogging, I was in it for the journal keeping aspect and sharing my life for friends and family. Little did I know that my "family & friends" would grow to include people from all over. ---that's YOU guys by the way! ;) Some people blog just for that, and others want to find some form of "success." Success is different for everyone, it is all about how you define it. What do you want YOUR blog to be? Do you talk about food, crafts, fashion? or do you not want to be defined and want to blog about whatever you feel like? I guess that is me, the "Lifestyle" blogger? But just like with anything, if you have a goal, you need to make a plan to get there. So if you want a "successful" blog, however you define that as being, then you need to set little goals to get you there. Here is some insight on what I think makes a big difference in blog-land.

1. Presentation. We have heard this all of our lives right? Your blog layout and design is the readers first impression, so you want it to be attractive. We all define attractive differently, but I have found that the less clutter someone has on their blog, the more appealing it is. Try and keep things clean and organized. Presentation is 50% of blogging in my opinion (maybe more!). Also, it doesn't have to be expensive. 99% of my blog layout I taught myself how to do through google search, and didn't pay anyone anything to design it. Now they have that great template designer, so there is really no excuse anymore when it comes to blog design!

---- Part of the presentation when it comes to blogs is PICTURES! We all LOVE pictures on blog-land, am I wrong?! While people love to read good content, a picture says 1,000 words. So try your best to have great quality pictures. Not everyone can afford a really expensive camera, and I am a big believer that you don't have to have one to find success in the aesthetics department of your blog. However you must understand people will judge your blog based solely on the quality of the pictures! Most cameras today are great quality, your point and shoot should be just find. Read up on how to actually use your camera so you are getting the most out of it. It amazes me how little people know about their cameras! (trust me I still am learning too! haha)! Just be aware that people like pictures :)

2. Blog for YOU. A lot of people start blogging and think it is going to happen faster then they expected. Well for some people their blogs just might, but for most of us gaining followers or getting comments takes time. I was blogging for almost a year before I got significant people commenting or following my blog. That is why it is important to be blogging for YOUR happiness, because if you are trying to blog for other people, that is no fun, and you will just end up being disappointed. So don't get discouraged, if you are having a fun time blogging and you are enjoying it, others will start to enjoy it too! Stay consistent and put forth that effort and eventually the readers will come, if having readers is your goal.

3. Be consistent and sincere. You can't blog once a week and expect people to keep on coming back to your blog. When you are consistent, readers are engaged in your blog! Some people say they run out of ideas to blog about. I am not really sure how to answer that one, except see above. Know why you blog, and where you want to go with your blog, and your content should follow. If you are really starving for ideas, see what it is you like to see in other people's blogs. What are they writing about that you love and are interested in or inspired by, and find ways to do that in your life and blog. Back to being consistent, some people find that a blogging scheduled helps. I have kind of applied that to my blog, but have also found I don't like being tied to or limited to a schedule that has been set. That goes right back to blogging for YOU and making YOU happy :) When you are happy blogging, you will also be sincere. People like to relate to other people, and by being genuine and sincere people will connect with that. This is the best part of blogging anyways, the connections we make with other people! Show people you are human, trust me, chances are... they are human too.

---another aspect to this is people who blog simply to make money, get famous, get free stuff, or get invited to places. Those who get into blogging solely for those reasons are destined to be disappointed. As mentioned before, people can tell when you are being genuine or not. Readers can tell if people are blogging for the joy or are solely in it for the perks. This isn't saying people can't enjoy the perks that can come from blogging, but it shouldn't be the only reason they do it! Also don't rush into accepting sponsors! I didn't even think about accepting sponsors until I had over 1,000 or so followers. Even then I was afraid, I mean why would anyone want to pay me to put their buttons on my blog?! But people had started to ask about it, so I figured, if there is a need for it and people want it, I can provide that for them. I still feel weird about it today! When you start to put a price on your blog you're also turning it into a business. People are paying for something and expecting that in return, you can't blog whenever you feel like it if you have people counting on you. You have made a commitment with someone. That doesn't mean you have to post every single day, I take days off all the time. But I usually never go 2 days without blogging. At the start of this year I was so busy with school work right before I graduated. I probably went two months without hardly blogging. I just did NOT have the time. Trying to blog and do school and managing it all at that point was too much for me. I took a much needed break, because trying to get things done because I thought readers wanted it, made blogging not fun for me anymore. That would not have been a good time to have sponsors on my blog, it wouldn't be fair to them, right? I didn't get sponsors until I knew I could commit the time for my blog, me, and for them!

4. Be Respectful. Your readers and sponsors are the ones who come back every day and read your blog! Don't write them off or treat them poorly! You can do things to show your gratitude with an awesome giveaway, or guests posts. Not everyone can do this, but who doesn't love a good giveaway from time to time?! If you have the time, respond to questions and comments. I really do try to do this, but it can be hard when you get so many and have things to do during the day. But people like to know their not being ignored. (I swear I read every single comment people! THANK YOU!)

5. Source Content. Part of the "respect" mentioned above is sourcing where you borrowed or took anything offline. Sometimes people are worried they will loose followers if they have links to other people's sites and blogs, but your readers are not going to leave you because of that, in fact they will probably appreciate you sharing the wealth with them! If you don't know the original source for your pictures, etc, be open to someone sharing it with you. Then link appropriately!

6. Network! Get your name out there! Don't be afraid to say hello or email your favorite bloggers. If there is someone you want to interview, ask them! Go ahead and trade buttons with someone with a similar readership as you and even taking out sponsorships on larger blogs that have a following you wish to have! Don't be afraid to branch out to other "genres" of blogs... crafting, recipe/food, fashion, mom blogs, etc. The more the merrier! Pass it around! If you are not active in the blogging world, commenting, talking, sharing, how do you expect anyone to know who you are? Very few people will just "find" you!

7. Don't be annoying. Don't spam people's blogs with your link. No blogger likes when people are just trying to get you and your readers to their blog and leave their links and other sites attached to their comments. Just by leaving a comment you leave a trail to your blog if people want to read it. I don't think it is necessarily bad to leave links in the your comments leaving, BUT just make sure you are not coming off as trying to fish for followers! It all comes back to being genuine. If you leave comments, you should be genuine as well! Another aspect of being annoying, is some people are turned off by auto-music playing on blogs. Some people don't care, others do. I say, do what YOU want for your blog. Just a tip if you are trying to take your blog "somewhere"--- it does bother some people. So if you care what other people are thinking, you might not want to have it, but change the setting so it doesn't just start. But again, let me reiterate, do what YOU want!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sorry for the novel people, YOU asked remember! haha I hope this helps people to find/achieve whatever it is they are looking for when it comes to blogging. I know that for me, blogging became an outlet at a time of my life that I didn't even realize that I needed it... and boy did I need it. I throughouly enjoy creating, reading and being inspired by all of you. I enjoy the friendships and words of encouragment, jokes, just all of it. I think you know what I mean, or you wouldn't be here right now reading this, right? haha

So since I just yabberd on for forever (this has probably been one of my longest posts in terms of writing!) haha Why don't YOU guys share some of the tips/frustrations/whatever you have to say when it comes to blogging or people's blogs?!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

that time i ran into shia labeouf...

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Blazer: Jcrew Dress: Down East Shoes: Target

So when we graduate from high school my parents like to give us a big gift. They base this gift on our passions and interests, something they think we will really love. For example, my older sister Kira is an amazing oboist. She is actually a professional oboist now, but when she graduated high school she was going off to school to play and so my parents got her a brand new beautiful Oboe. My siblings interests all seemed so obvious to me, and when it came to my senior year, I had no idea what I would be getting. I have always been a lover of history and travel, and so when my parents sat me down and told me that me and my mother would be going to Europe, I was BEYOND excited/surprised. I was so giddy and so thrilled. Why do I bring this up?! Well one of the places we went to was London, of course, and we were touring around on those lovely double decker buses. There I am absorbing the sites in London, when guess who walks onto the bus?! Shia Labeouf. My mouth just dropped right open because I have been a fan of his since Even Stevens and then when he played in one of my favorite childhood books on the big screen (Holes) I was hooked. I was little surprised because he was shorter then you would imagine, but still, I was STAR STRUCK. I got the nerve to go and sit up right behind him, and my mom kept telling me to ask him for a picture (I mean who runs into famous people and actually has their camera with them?! lucky right?!)
But I couldn't move. I was just staring. Of course he saw me staring, I mean I was the only young person on the whole bus, I don't think anyone else knew who he was. But he looked right at me and kind of smiled, and he knew, that I knew who he was. At one point it looked like he was waiting for me to say something to him, but I couldn't. I remember thinking, "I don't want to interrupt his time off, touring the city. He wants to enjoy himself and not be interrupted by a silly girl like me." Eventually he stood up to get off the bus, and I just continued to stare as he got up and started to walk off, he smiled at me and left. He got off the bus to get onto another one, that is how the tour buses work, they take you to different parts of town etc. and I saw him get onto the next bus, and sit down. Our bus hadn't moved yet, and apart of me wanted to grab my mom and follow him. He pulled out a banana and started eating it, saw I was still starring at him, and smiled again, with a kind of wave attached to it. Then our bus drove away. I can not believe I didn't just say "Hey, I have been a big fan for a long time, mind taking a picture with me?!" How hard would that have been?! I mean I was right there, no crowd of girls fighting me for his attention, nothing. Oh well... I spent the rest of the day thinking how maybe if I had talked to him he would have been swept off his feet and he would have asked me to be his date for his red carpet appearance for the London premier of Transformers. Darn.
So random long point of this story is.... the other day when Donny Osmond walked into the same ice cream store that my mother and I were at... she wasn't going to go up and say hi to him. Then she remembered how I was when I was sitting next to Shia and how I regret not saying anything... and she went up to Donny cool as a cucumber and had a great conversation with him! Lucky woman. Where was my courage when I needed it?! haha I never would have thought of myself as the "star struck" type haha... Oh well, more power to you mama, you go girl! :)

UPDATE to the story... I did get several pictures of the back of his head, some profile shots and him eating a banana. :) haha

sorry nana :)

2011-09-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Top: F21 Vest: F21 Jeans: Silver Shoes: Soda

You guys sent me some great questions! &I can't wait to get to all of them :) I am thinking that some of them might need their own post. So I will get to working on that. Until then, keep asking away!

So I have been HORRIBLE at posting my 30 for 30... I am bad bad bad. I feel like every post I have done for my 30 for 30 has always had an apology attached to it, not cool. So I am going to try my best to finish posting the rest of them! (Sorry Nana!) --- Yeah you read that right, my Nana loves my 30 for 30 posts and is wondering why she hasn't seen any of them for so long. So I have to make it up to her!

Life Should Be a Party....

+ Spending the weekend with my parents :) I love when I get to see them!

+ Making new friends, sounds cheesy but some of the people I am working with are a hoot! Shout out BROOKE! :)
+ Finding a yummy pizza place! Like Trevor and I need anymore good pizza places.... Pizza will be the death of us. If we ever going missing for a couple of days, come check our apartment to make sure we are not in a Pizza Coma.
+ Going to the Pratt Family Reunion and learning so much about my heritage. I love love love genealogy!
+ Feeling like I can finally find my way around Provo without getting lost.... maybe.

+ Having ice cream with some blogger friends, I love when you can finally meet in real life! haha

+ Running into Donny Osmond while at the ice cream store and having your mother go up to him and embarrass the heck out of you! But I am happy she did :) He was of course her idol growing up! haha More on that encounter later...

Link up your Life Should Be a Party Posts here!

(If you are not following the guidelines to the posting rules, aka, don't have a button up on your blog, ahem! then I will be deleting you from the list! sorry folks, that is just how the cookie crumbles!)

P.S. My $100 Sephora Giftcard Giveaway has closed, but since it is Monday, &we all need some pick me ups on Mondays, I will be letting any of you who haven't already have ONE LAST quick chance to enter. You have until midnight TODAY! GO!

? questions ? bueller ?

2011-09-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

There have been some new readers around these parts and I figured we should start to get to know each other a little better. To start things off I figured I would let you all ask me, or Trevor, ANYTHING you want! Be kind people. Simply just post the question in the comments section, tweet it to me, or email me and I will create a post where I answer your questions! Unless it is something totally odd ball inappropriate :) But then again, I tend to be inappropriate, so I might just answer it anyways haha! THEN in return I will do a post where I ask YOU guys a bunch of my own questions, in which you can reply in your own blog post, or in the comments section. So be careful I just might ask you the same sticky questions you ask me!

I am excited for us to get to know each other better!

ready, set, ASK!

unless you don't have any questions for me.... then this post will be really awkward, ha.

my stinkin' flip flops!

2011-09-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

So today was one of those days where things just can't seem to go right. Trevor and I share a car, and today was my first official full day of work at my new job. I am a legal secretary for an Attorney here in Provo. So of course Trevor was running late, and since I drop him off at school, that meant that I was now running late. Usually I am early. I literally show up to work sometimes half an hour early, because I seriously hate being late. So I rush home to finish getting ready so I wont be late for work on my first official day. I rush to my car, I rush to work, I am pulling into work when I look down and realize, I put on my everyday rainbow sandals. MY STINKIN' FLIP FLOPS! If you could only see where I work you would understand how horrified I was. The building looks like a Mansion, everything in it is really nice and the employees all dress to match and there I was in my beach sandals. Normally I would have been so early I would have had ample time to go home and get on some new shoes, but of course with my luck, not today! Dilemma. Then the thought comes into my mind that my little sister's apartment is much closer then mine, I call her.... she is of course already at class and she doesn't know if anyone is at her apartment. I decide to take the chance and go to her place hoping someone is there who will let me in so I can pick through my sister's closet for some shoes. I knocked, and knocked, and knocked. I mean were in Provo, maybe some stranger off the street will be kind enough to just let me borrow some of their shoes on my good word that I will return them?! haha It was seriously a thought that crossed my mind. Yeah I guess I was that desperate. So I keep knocking. No one answers. (I found out later someone was home! UGH!) By now I realize I am going to be late for work if I go back to my place and get some shoes, so I decide I better call into the office and the girl who is training me insists it isn't a big deal if I come in with my sandals on. So rather then be late, I came into work today wearing really nice clothes, and some flip flops. groan. I was so embarrassed, but no one really seemed to mind. I love how your brain fools with you when you are uncomfortable. I swore everyone was looking at my feet, haha. Really they weren't, I was just paranoid. Anyways, I absolutely hate when days go like that! *sigh*

What a great way to start the week, I swear Holidays sometimes are like a double-edged sword. They are fun to have, but when they are not that long, for example a long weekend, it just throws me off! Hope you all are having a better start to your week haha :)

Labor Day!

2011-09-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all enjoying your day off. I know I am! Since it is technically the end of summer, Trevor and I have lived it up this weekend spending tons of time together :) I have missed him since he has been cooped up studying since school started. I love how Labor Day just happens to be on a Monday, perfect timing for a life should be a party post :)

Little to Big things I am celebrating in my life as of late...
+Discovering a new Strawberry Lemonade brand. It is yummilicious &if you like Red Robin Lemonade then this is the next best thing you can get at your grocery store! I am in love, haha.
+ I am loving our new apartment and ward we moved into :) Excited to meet new people and make some friends down here in Provo.
+Loving the summer sun that is starting to die down so it is bearable. Fall is the best season here in Utah in my opinion.
+Spending all day at the water park with Trevor :)
+Stuffing ourselves with all you can eat pizzas... the dessert ones get me every time!
+Sending my bestie really inappropriate yet hilarious voice mail messages.
+Getting a job that had over 130 applicants, I was so nervous, and I am so excited :)
+Having a husband be so sweet to me because I was in pain. Um yes, embarrassingly enough I chafed in between my legs from the shorts I wore to the water park! Weird?! Um yes, haven't had that since I was like, oh 6 years old! haha
+Buying a cute hot coral/pink sports bra to give me a boost towards being better at working out, since I have gotten lazy lately &have been drinking way too much for this strawberry lemonade.
---(On that note, how is everyone's 30 for 30 coming along? I am trying to find a better way for all of us to talk about it, any ideas? Maybe if I had you guys around I wouldn't have skipped a couple days :x yikes!) haha

Link up your Life Should Be a Party Posts here!

P.S. 4 more days to enter the $100 Sephora Giveaway!

hairy situation.

2011-09-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

This is my hair after I blow dry it :) haha Beautiful I know!

My hair is naturally wavy, and super super thin. Because the wave in my hair is in between curly and straight, I usually always have to touch it up with an iron to go either way. Although I have always hated having such thin hair, I think it is the reason why I am able to either curl or straighten my hair really well. So I guess you could say I get the best of both worlds! (at least this thin hair can offer me something of value, haha) But with that said, thin hair tends to fall out... when you brush it, style it, pretty much when you move it at all haha. So I am always looking for products that can minimize this for me. Because I get tired of people picking hair off of me, and I bet poor Trevor is tired of finding long strands of blonde hair all over the apartment.

My old straightener was on the fritz so when the very nice people from Misikko sent me over a top of the line flatiron I was beyond giddy! They sent me over the Hana and I didn't hesitate to whip it out and give it a try :) The Hana is a 100% pure ceramic iron, which is the best type of iron you can be using on your hair, plus ceramic iron also don't rip out as much of my thin hair, BONUS. Misikko has all different kinds of brands when it comes to hair care. One brand they also carry that I love is the Chi Iron which my sister-in-law swears by (she is a hairdresser)!

The Hana is actually one of the first affordable 100% ceramic irons out there &it was featured in Marie Claire and Redbook magazine, so that is saying something!

Voila, straight hair! &I didn't even loose any hair while straightening it :)

Sorry for the gross yellow lighting from the bathroom!