500th post

I have been thinking this past week about what to post for my 500th blog post. At first I thought I should do something over-the-top, but when I really thought about it, I decided against it. You see, for the past couple months I have been thinking a lot about my life. And, since my blog is about my life, I thought this was the perfect time to share with you what I have been thinking...

I have never had a lot of money.

I have never be given hand outs by my parents just because I wanted money for the mall.

I have never had a beautiful singing voice.

I have never been the best dancer on the stage.

I have never painted a picture.

I have never been able to speak in front of crowd without looking down.

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I have felt alone.

I have cried myself to sleep, many times.

I have been deeply hurt by the words of others.

I have faked being sick so I didn't have to see my "friends" at school.

I have been whispered about.

I have a problem with caring too much about what people say.

I have cried over my weight.

I have failed.

I have been scared to speak.

I have been afraid to try.

But after all of that, I have grown.

I love that I can design.

I love that I can take "junk" and have the vision and ability to make it beautiful.

I love the true friends that I have.

I love that I can cook pretty much anything I set my mind to.

I love my determination.

I love that despite my lack of funds, I am content with what I have.

I love that I can capture an audience.

I love that I can be a friend.

I love that I can capture love with a camera.

I love the kind of wife I am.

I love who I am.

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I'm happy with the life I have.

I'm happy I have grown.

I am happy I have The Tedward.

I'm happy that I choose to be happy.

I'm happy that I eat right and exercise.

I'm happy I have the dearest friends.

I'm happy that I have found myself even though it took a while.

I'm happy with this crazy, beautiful, wonderful life.

I'm happy

I love

I have

I am

Since it's my 500th post, it's celebration time. If you haven't commented before, it's time to do so! It's a commenting party. Introduce yourself, and if you remember, tell me how you found me! xoxo :)

just some ideas...

Here are some great ideas from me, to you....
Thank you, and proceed to read:



idea #1
I am sure all of your have heard the horrendous screeches and cries of the Twilight fangirls from across the world...if not, that cat you heard crying by your window last night, was NOT a cat. That was probably me. Anyway, they fired the girl who plays Victoria and hired someone else. Now, nothing pisses me off more than a recasting. So here is the idea:
Let's all gather our pitch-forks and beat up Summit Entertainment. Ready? Let's go.


idea #2
Ya'll can come over and bring your "grungy" towels to help me sop up the terrible flood in our kitchen. No...the flood was NOT sent because we have sinned. More like, ghetto dishwasher. How did I know this? Because I didn't see a rainbow or a dove anywhere. Trust me...I checked.

idea #3
I love monograms. I love them so bad. I went on over to Joann's and purchased a ginormous cardboard "B" and medium sized "L" and "T". The large letter was about 8 dollars, but when you use a 40% off coupon, it's pretty reasonable. You can get the smaller letters for 3 dollars.

I then spray painted them white....

and came out with this...
I plan on adding upholstery nails to the border of the letters, and then hanging them in our bedroom. Sorry for the blurry picture. I was a little mormon-tipsy. Meaning...I ate too many sweets that night.

idea #4
I had the best recipe idea the other night, and I just had to share with you! I usually make my own pizza dough, but I was in a pinch (whatever that means) so I bought the pillsbury kind. I then sliced very thin tomato slices and cover the entire surface. Then drizzle a small amount of olive oil and then sprinkle with garlic salt. On top of the tomatoes, lay plenty of baby spinach. And then about 4 slices of prosciutto, cut up. Then with about 3/4 cup of part-skim ricotta, mix it with pesto. Dollop the ricotta on top of the spinach and then sprinkle with a bit of mozzarella. Bake, and eat!

idea #5
Yet another, recipe.
I found a recipe on Picky Palate and then totally adapted it. I bought some ciabatta rolls and then spread a bit of butter on them. I sprinkled garlic salt and then garlic powder on them. I layed a pile of spinach on top, and then on the other half of the roll I layed a slice of provolone cheese. I baked the rolls in the oven for about 10 minutes. While it was baking I prepared some tuna the normal way but added ricotta to it. Yummo! When the rolls were all melty, I took them out and then layed a bit of prosciutto on them, built the sammies, and voila!

even though ted looks pissed...he totally LOVED it...

idea #6
oops...one more recipe.
I made this for family night on monday. I took a bag of fat-free popcorn, and popped it. I then took about 4 TBS of butter and a hand full of marshmallows and a half cup of white chocolate chips and melted them all together. I needed to add a titch of milk, to make it thin enough to pour. I poured the mixture onto the popcorn and tossed. Pretty much the best thing of my life.

idea #7
You all have heard the talk of "statement necklaces" being the new "it" thing to wear. Especially if you team a statement necklace with a basic tee and jeans. Well, being not very rich...meaning, being poor, I couldn't justify forking out money for a necklace to wear with jeans.

I decided to buy a basic chain necklace from Walmart...

I then bought some safety pins, and faux pearls.
I strung the pearls onto the pins and then attached the pins to the chain necklace.
This picture doesn't do it justice...the necklace totally rocks.
I think I got 8 compliments on it the other day...srsly.
And it only cost me 6 bucks! Yesssssssss.

So...if you want, try these things out and let me know!

favorites of the moment

Last week I featured some of my favorite blogs on the internets...

This week I will be featuring a myriad of other favorite things...

 

 

1. favy things to collect

these are all things that, if i see them...i have NO choice. i HAVE to buy them...

 

apothecary jars...

i think i own 5 of them, now.

 

 

vintage mirrors

i can't count how many i have...they are just so dreamy.

 

vintage owls

i have owl trivets, owl art and owl milkglass. i love these little cuties...

 

 

 

2. favy foolish music to jam to..

the following, i love to listen to, ALONE in my car. you know the kind of music i'm talking about. music you'd be ashamed to admit you like...

 

demi lovato

i freakin' love her.

 

the jo bros

love their disney-ness. haha

 

 

3. favy nail polish color

i ALWAYS have this pink OPI shade on my toes.

 

 

 

4.favy movies of all time..

these are movies that i will never grow tired of.

 

while you were sleeping

i love sandra bullock in it. i love that sierra thinks bill pullman is cute. i love everything about this cute cute movie!

 

 

sleepless in seattle

this movie always makes me so happy. it is the PERFECT romantic comedy. and i LOVE the music in it. used some of it for my wedding video (true story)

 

 

better off dead

i have professed my love for this movie numerous times on this blog, and i will do it again. this is the BEST comedy you could ever watch. i die every time.

 

 

5. favy patterns...

these are patterns that you can find all throughout my home...srsly.

 

black and white polka dots

the bigger the dots, the better! i love the mod look...

 

 

black and white damask

but i don't discriminate against colored damasks, either. it's in every room in our home.

 

 

black and white houndstooth

love it. i dream of having a vintage sofa covered in houndstooth when i open my interior design office. sigh...

 

 

 

6. favy mascara...

i swear by the awesomeness that is this mascara...

 

almay "raisin quartz" mascara

this mascara was specifically designed for women with green eyes. i have been wearing this same shade for over 5 years now, and i promise you, it makes green eyes stand out. PLUS it's hypoallergenic. do yourself a favor, green-eyed girls, and buy some!

 

 

 

7. favy smells...

all of these scents send me into day-dream land...

 

orange blossoms

smelling orange blossoms make you grateful for arizona..

 

 

homemade bread

i love smelling homemade bread baking in the oven...it's so homey..in a non-gangsta way...woot woot!

 

 

fresh roses

nothing makes me swoon, more. well...besides The Tedward...but, whatev. if any of you know of a good rose-scented perfume, let me know!

 

 

 

8. favy celebrity style icons...

i love all of these girls' style. love love love...

 

blair waldorf

i heart blair's style..but who doesn't? i am in awe...

 

rachel bilson

she is just too cool for school. i love her vintage looks. i love that she wears minimal makeup and is such a natural beauty. and i love her in The OC. the end.

 

 

camila belle

i have loved her since "when a stranger calls". she is definitely one of the most classy and beautiful girls in young hollywood.

 

 

 

the end.

a healthy debate {secrets}

I hate secrets.

I hate hate hate hate hate hate them.

I always beg The Tedward to tell me what he bought me for my birthday, christmas or valentine's day.

He is a sucker, because he always tells....I am happy :)

With my mom...she is good. She won't tell me a thing. And never budges.

The fool.

Anyway, I hate secrets.

 

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

 

 

Ted and I have always told each other everything.

I like knowing that we can confide in each other.

I also like knowing that my girlfriends know when they say, "this is a secret" they mean...a secret from everyone else...just not your husband.

When one of my best friends told me she was pregnant...and asked me to keep it a secret, she said, "except for Ted...of course".

Now THAT is a secret I can keep.

 

But, what about you?

 

{one} Do you think it is okay to keep secrets from your husband?

 

{two} Are there times it is better to confide in a friend, as opposed to your husband?

 

{three} If your husband said, "I can't tell you...this person asked me not to tell you," would that bother you?

 

 

Spill it!

sara without an "h"

One of my favorite things about blogging, are all of the friends I have made (and keep making, each day!). I never thought I would have friends from all parts of the world...but I do! And it's amazing. I love that all of them bring something to the table and contribute in the comments, and truly make me think. I love that they each inspire me and touch my life in some way each and every day. Love it! And for those that question if I really read all of the comments, I do. I read each and every one and I savor them, when they come in my inbox :)



I got to know Sara via twitter. Amongst the other people that respond to my tweets, she really stuck out because (1) she looks exactly like Alice Cullen...seriously. And (2) she is just too darn sweet. I love her :) I eventually found her amazing flickr and witnessed her jaw-dropping photos. Sara really captures stunning photos that take your breath away. I immediately knew that my blog readers had to see her work too! So here we are...


Q. When did you start taking photos?

A. I started taking photos just for fun back as a kid. There was nothing special there. In college I was the Photography Editor for our school newspaper for a bit, and I got sent to take photos and started getting interested. I left that post (too long to get into) and just started shooting for fun, and voila, here I am, strangely booking a few jobs!


Q. What was your first camera?

A. My first camera was a film one, with one of those little flash cubes that you had to replace every 4 shots. Like I said before, I wasn't shooting anything special, just futzing around. I got my first digital camera (Canon point and shoot) senior year of high school, for my senior trip to Disney World. I got my second (another Canon point and shoot, which I still use) my junior year of college. Currently, my main camera is a Canon EOS 40D that I got a little over one year ago, after graduating college. I've got two lenses, a 28-135 and a 50 1.4. I just rented a 17-40 for two weeks. I've had it for about an hour and am already in love with it.

Q. Do you prefer film, or digital?

A. I prefer digital. Mostly beacuse I don't have much experience actually shooting with a film camera. I know, I'm terrible. My dad has an amazing old Minolta 35mm in the closet though, and I plan on experimenting with that in the near future. My grandfather also has lots of old cameras, and my dad and I are going to tackle those together.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration for your photos?

A. Inspiration comes from everywhere. Books I'm reading, plays I've seen, lyrics I'm listening to. Sometimes, the best photos happen because I'm just plain bored. Instead of sitting around, I'll set something up, and just see what works, and usually end up with a photo that I love.

Here are some of Sara's photos and her dialogue to go along with them...


"flowergirl"

In a "fairy garden" at a wedding reception site. I love the mist.

"institution"

A set. Smirking and warm to terrified and cold. I thought my haircut would go well with the first photo, so I did a followup.

"jason/megan" My best friend and her fiance (who I am also bffs with now). Engagement photos.

"kevin/nick" a promo shot for a play called "Honor and the River." This was published, booyah!

"goodbye hair"
When I chopped off all my hair. Well not, ME, my hairdresser. Went from bewbie length to that.

"bella"
Back when I had lots of hair, I did a "Bella in New Moon" shot. I still love this one to bits.

"john"
I love shooting Improv shows, because you get faces like this.

"gabby"
One of the most gorgeous dancers I know. We had a whole long shoot, but this is my fav from all of them.

"box"
Me. In a box. Thought it was fun.

"eyes"
People seem to like this one. I don't get it. Honestly.

"wildflower"
These grow ALL OVER my town. Literally. Everywhere.

"vonnegut"
A quote. It almost feels fairy tale-ish to me. Idk why

So, what is your favorite photo?

Do you know of any photographers you love? If so, share them in the comments!

And don't forget to stop by and say hi to Sara, here!

PS...I have a "happy post", a photo shoot, a DIY and a "before and after" post coming next week!

camera phone

Honestly, the main reason why I love picture messaging is just so I can send a lucky person in my contacts list an extremely random picture throughout the day.

The other reason, is so that I can collect randomness to post on this blog...

1. I soooooo looked like a receptionist the other day.

Which is awesome, because I rarely look like a receptionist.

I look more like a 15 year old. That's why I cut off my face in the pic so you wouldn't say I looked like a 15 year old. Awesome.

2. I like to read GQ during lunch at the library.

You know...for their enlightening articles.

And that's the only reason!

Obviouspice.

3. The-not-cute-Jonas-Brother's Fiancee looks like Haley Duff.
Am I right, or am I right?

And he looks like a not-hugh-jackman-version-of-wolverine with them chops.

4. I'm not ok with this...but too much of a pushover to say anything about it.

I only order veggie subs at Subway, with no condiments on them. You'd think they would give me a little more veggies. One tomato? 6 bell peppers? 1 cucumber? and 8 olives? Me=Starving.

5. Have you ever studied Cheesecake Factory's decor?

I do...every time.

I present to you..."The Eye of Sauron"

&...."Traffic-Cone-Lighting-Fixtures"



6. I am suspicious....
I find a cigarette butt or a beer can on our doorstep at least twice a week.
Either someone is trying to set us up...
Or The Tedward isn't very good and hiding things.




7. I think someone needs a tan...

Sierra and I thought she was lookin' a bit pasty.

Yes. That is Goodwill. (The mecca of awesomeness)


8. What the heck is going on?

One night my family discovered Zach was quite limber. All of a sudden, everyone was on the floor proving their limber-ness too. Except for me. I was taking a pic and sending it to twitter.

muuuuuuahahahaha!

the end...