Yeah, Yeah

coat: F21
dress: ASOS
shoes: gift from my mum similar
hat: h&m (but borrowed from my sister)
photos: Raquel

I know I said I was going to announce some Black Friday deals over the weekend and I just totally didn't. I hope none of you were waiting tooth & nail for that. If you were, my apologies, as it was, though, I just didn't really feel like doing it. ;) I'm sure those of you who went Black Friday shopping manged to snag some snazzy deals without my help. ;) In other news, I should probably be talking about Cyber Monday deals right now, but I have other things I'd like to talk about if you all don't mind. ;) Aaaand no it's not about my problem with overusing the winking emoji, although, that is probably a discussion I should have with myself at some point because I wink more than a sleazy European. ;) See what I mean? Anyway,  today I'd like to talk about the fact that 9 times out of 10 I feel like I have "the game" of a sterile 80 year old. I have absolutely no clue what to do in flirty situations or how to come off all "hee, hee, cute, cute, batty eyelashes". Honestly, I don't know how girls do that. Half the time I feel like, "Duuuurp, the weather is real nice and I'm rull excited 'bout dat new Star Wars trailer" (Whenever I describe my derp moments my voice for some reason transcends into "Hill Billy" mode;). Also, whenever I'm talking to a guy I suddenly get all thirsty and no, I don't mean Urban Dictionary "thirsty" I mean literal thirst. My mouth gets all dry and icky and you know what happens to you when you get a dry mouth? You get STINKY BREATH! Which means that I'm then just coming off as a stinky breath dweebus who's thinking to herself, "I swear I brush my teeth three times a day, and I'm generally a much more interesting person!" Oh well, one of these days I'll get the whole "bat my eyelashes" thing right and I mean, I'm only 22. I've got time, right? Don't answer that. ;) Anyway, enough of that. I'm just embarrassing myself by over sharing my weirdness with you all, and believe you me, I do enough of that in real life. Here are some Cyber Monday deals for you all to enjoy!

40% OFF OLD NAVY WITH CODE: CYBER

30% OFF ASOS WITH CODE: ILOVEMONDAYS

BANANA REPUBLIC 40% OFF

EXPRESS 50% + FREE SHIPPING

40% OFF GAP WITH CODE: GIFT

25% OFF MADEWELL WITH CODE: GIFTON

25% OFF MODCLOTH WITH CODE: CYBER MONDAY

NORDSTROM 30% OFF


Much love!

Gratitude

source: Free People

I know I said I might be popping in today for a quick post about Black Friday deals but I feel like sharing something a little different with those of you who stop by today is much more important. I feel like during the holiday season it's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything going on around us or to even get caught up in over stuffing our faces with yummy food that we often forget to really consider why we're gathering to celebrate in the first place. As many of you already know, I am an immigrant so, for my family, celebrating Thanksgiving was more of a conscious choice than it is for most. Our celebration of this holiday didn't stem from tradition rather, from the decision my parents made that celebrating a holiday all about gratitude was something our family should partake in. All of my life I have been a worrier. As a worrier, I so often let my perceived "difficulties" overcome my view of all of the beautiful blessings that my life is made up of. Today I'd like to list just a few of those many, many, blessings in hopes that it helps me better cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

1. As always, the first and foremost blessing in my life is The Gospel of Jesus Christ and his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The peace, happiness, and blessings that The Gospel has brought into my life are innumerable. I have felt lifted, reassured, and often times guided forward through the power of The Gospel and The Atonement. There really is no greater blessing in my life than my firm testimony of these truths.
2. My family. Life just isn't worth living without family. My parents have done more for me than anyone could ever do. As each day passes and I'm better able to realize all of the hard work and sacrifice they put into getting my siblings and me to where we are the more grateful for them I am and the more astounded I am by their love for us. Not only that, but the relationship I have with my siblings is my most cherished relationship in life. The love and support I get from those three goobers is just incredible and there is never a day when I'm not excited to see them! They're seriously my best friends, and I wouldn't want it any other way!
3. A strong, healthy, and functioning body. I know this one may sound odd, but it's something I really am grateful for. It's something simple and basic that can be easily overlooked but when I think of all the people in this world struggling with health related issues I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for a body that is healthy. It's so easy in today's society to see our bodies through eyes of criticism. To look in the mirror and only see that which we would change, but let's pause and be grateful that regardless of those couple of "extra" pounds, stretch marks, or whatever else it is we may see as being "wrong" with ourselves let's be grateful that we're alive, that our hearts are beating.
4. A home that is like a piece of heaven on earth. I'm so incredibly grateful that my home is a place I actually want to be and look forward to being in. I'm grateful for the spirit of peace, tranquility, and happiness that I feel every time I come through the doors. It's my safe harbor and I love it. 

I hope you all take a moment to consider your blessings, enjoy your time with loved ones, eat plenty of yummy food and finally, enjoy the video I'm linking below!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Common Denominator

Guys, I totally wrecked my legs the other day at the gym. I had the brilliant idea of going alone (if you know me, that's never a good idea). I had just had an HPV shot -which, ladies, if you've had one then you already know that those things hurt like a mother trucker aaaaand they come in a series of FOUR so you can't just get one and be done with it!- so my arm was all sorts of sore and achey. For that reason I decided I'd just do legs. So, I start my workout feelin' pretty good, then I think "Eh, it doesn't really feel like I'm doing much. I'll just do a little more. And a little more. Aaaaand a little more." I didn't stop doing "a little more" of the insane exercises I come up with until I realized I still had to book it to the chiropractor. Long story short, that night I started feeling it a little bit so I thought, "Meh, I guess I did work out sort of hard." BUT then, the next morning, I wake up thinking, "OH MUH GOSH. I've died. I'm dead. My legs don't work anymore! I'm PARALYZED! I've ruined my legs. They're broken. I broke them!" Ok, ok, so I'm exaggerating a little bit. I'm not quite that dramatic but you get the point, my legs were CRAZY sore. Mind you, as a runner I'm pretty accustomed to the "mild" soreness you get from long runs or speed runs BUT I haven't cross trained in months because I was allowing my back to heal so I completely forgot what it felt like to be genuinely SORE. Why do people work out again? ;) Anyway, moral of the story, don't work out alone! Bring somebody along with you that can tell you, "Hey maniac, we've done enough. Let's go." :)

sweater: c/o OASAP
skirt: c/o ChicWish
boots: F21
photos: Raquel

I was so super excited to post this look because of that cute Christmas tree in the background! Plus, for those of you gals that go to church on Sundays, this is your go to ensemble right hurrr! Sweater, maxi, boots. You won't feel a lick of that nasty cold and you'll still look uber cute while still being toasty! Plus, no shaving required! Which pretty much means you can start growing some fur on your legs for extra warmth and no one will be the wiser! ;) Now, personally, this is more of a week day outfit for me and not a church outfit. Why, you ask? Because I have absolutely no scruples when it comes to wearing dresses sans tights along with five inch heels in the winter! Cold, schmold. There is nothing in this world that could stop me from pulling out ALL the stops when it comes to dressing up for church on Sundays. *CULTURE LESSON* This is a common denominator amongst most Latina women. If you've ever been to a Spanish ward, you know what I'm talking about. Latinas dress up for church like we're going to the Miss Universe pageant. We pull out our best dress, tallest heels, cutest accessories, do our hair up nice and pretty, and make sure our make-up is on point! That's just how we do. ;) Anyway, if I don't pop in tomorrow to announce some Black Friday deals then I'll say happy thanksgiving now. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Much love!

The Theory of Everything

Dudes, I'm sooooo tired. Like, always. I know it's partly, ok, MOSTLY due to the fact that I haven't been going to bed till midnight, buuuuuuut my phone/the internet always seem way more interesting right before bed than they do during the day. I just can't help it. ;) Also, can I just stay 22 forever? I'm really loving it and I don't want to let go of it just yet. And, yeah, I know I still have four months left of being 22 but we all know how months move by CARAZZZZZY fast! Also, the more time I spend being a sort of "grown up" the more I realize that it sort of sucks. Grown ups have too many bills. It's pretty poopy. Can't life just be free? Pretty please? ;) Aaaaalso, have any of you seen the latest "Hunger Games" movie? I still haven't and I actually don't know if I ever will. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was a HUGE fan of the books and the first two movies but I'm just not very into it this time around. I'm feeling very blase about it. Anyone ja feel or is it just me? I'd actually much rather see, "The Theory of Everything". Now THAT is a cool lookin' movie.

sweater: c/o OASAP
leather skirt: h&m
shoes: BASS
photos: Shailynn

Guys, I seriously have nothing to say about this outfit other than, this sweater rocks! It's slouchy, cozy, light weight, and the perfect shade of gray. The end. Amen.

Much love!

LOVE THE REAL YOU!

Guys, I've been sooooo excited for this post from the moment that aerie contacted me and I got a package full of these lovely goodies in the mail! First, because I'm such a HUGE fan of the Aerie Real Campaign. Second, because they're seriously the ONLY store I buy undies from so I had a minor freak out when I saw they had emailed me, heehee! I remember the first time I noticed one of their "re-touch" free photos. I had a complete double take moment from the sheer shock of it! I ran home and told my sister, "Guess what?! I was just in the aerie store and one of the pictures in the store was of a girl who had a couple of stretch marks on her butt!!! Isn't that the coolest thing ever?!" In the spirit of butt stretch marks being awesome and all lets get on to what this post is really about, self love. Such a tricky topic. I've already talked about my own personal journey with weight here and I could do that again today because it played such a huge role in my own journey to self love but let's be real, as heart felt as that topic is to me, it's an exhausted one. Not because it isn't important, but because if we're being honest nothing is more frustrating/annoying than a skinny girl hopping up on a soapbox to say, "Hey, I was sort of chubby once, I hated it, it was hard, but guess what? I'm skinny againnnn! Hooray!" Not. If we're being honest that's just straight up annoying and kind of unproductive. It sends out the message that, "Hey, I was unhappy being a little heavier but now that I'm not heavy anymore I can be happy again because my level of happiness is only dictated by how small the number on the scale is." Again I say, NOT. Was I at one point that type of girl? Sure. Name a girl who hasn't been and that is a girl who's straight up got her shiz together and we should learn her secrets. Everyone has got their insecurities and 90% of the female population has felt insecure about their weight. (That's not an actual factual figure so don't quote me.) Whether it's because they get shamed for being too thin or they get shamed for being too large. There seems to be no medium here, we're all getting shamed for the shape of our bodies and the only ones who seem to be passing the "test" of what's acceptable are the PhotoShopped models. What's up with that? Taking it further, though, there's this obsessive pressure put on us as females to reach the idyllic "size zero". Do you know what the value of zero is? NOTHING. The number zero has no value. How sad is it that we're essentially pushing ourselves to reach "no value"? Even now that I believe that I've come leaps and bounds in loving the REAL me I'll still occasionally find myself thinking, "Why can't I be a size zero that actually looks like a size zero. Why do I have to be a size zero that has a big butt and wide hips?" Uhhhhh, and even that statement right there shows that even I still have work to do if I felt it necessary to underhandedly flout my size.When it comes to size, WHO CARES?! Are you physically healthy? Then guess what? You've passed the metaphorical "test"! The only one who can give you permission to love yourself is you! Self love is a choice. Choose to be happy with who you are, regardless of how big or small you are! I promise you, nothing shines brighter than self love and happiness! The most radiant girls on this planet are the ones that are happy and have a deep sense of self worth! Remember that the root of ALL love starts with SELF love!

tshirt: c/o aerie
kangaroo print boxers: c/o aerie
socks: aerie
phone case: c/o aerie
#aeriereal undies: c/o aerie
shrug: c/o OASAP
photos: Shailynn

I'm happy because I'm alive, I have amazing people in my life whom I love, I have a safe home, and countless blessings! A scale doesn't rule my happiness or level of self love because I choose to not LET it! I'm happy and I LOVE the REAL me! And in that spirit, what are some of YOUR traits that make up the REAL you that you've learned to, or always have, loved?! Here are some of mine!

1. My big ol' butt and birthing hips. That thing is planetary but ya know what? I like it. I have my own planet. ;)
2. My wide toothy smile, that when it comes from the heart, causes my nose to scrunch up. I used to hate it but what the heck did my parents pay for braces for if I was going to hate on my big teeth?
3. My freckles. They're hard to notice in photos, but they're there. When I was a kid I was insecure as heck about them until my little sister told me they were my "sprinkling of brown sugar".
4. The fact that my under-eye "sleep baggies" don't go away until at least noon. Annoying? Sure. Do they make me unlovable? Heck to the no!
5. Dimples, dimples, dimples. I've always loved my dimples even, though, when I'm old they're just going to be two MASSIVE wrinkles. I'm looking forward to it! ;)

I can't wait to hear the traits you love about yourselves! After all, it's those little quirks that make us unique that are truly beautiful!

Much love!

*A big thank you to Aerie for starting a campaign that's all about loving the REAL you, stretch marks, muffin tops, and all and for showing us a wide variety of equally beautiful models as they really are!*

Annoyances

You know what's super uber annoying? When you're just peacefully minding your own business and your brain goes, "You know what we haven't thought of in a long time? That one time that super embarrassing thing happened. Heehee. You should think of that now." That's been happening to me this whoooooole week. It's like, "Thank you brain, that's exactly what I needed right now. It's not like I just barely got over being embarrassed by that or anything." Super annoying but ce la vie, right? Also, I have some preeeeeetty exciting life news to share with you all but I'm going to be super annoying by doing that thing where I tell you I have super exciting news but I don't actually say what the news is. So ha! ;) Just kidding. I'm only holding off on announcing it because, ummmmm, as with all things in life I want to have cute announcement photos to go with it! (No, I'm not pregnant. Sickos. I'm not even married.;)

coat: Old Navy
top: ASOS
leather skirt: h&m
slip ons: American Eagle
umbrella: Target
photos: Roxana

In case you couldn't tell by the fact that I've posted twice in a row about it, I love this coat! It's seriously the perfect basic coat. It goes well with everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! Not to mention it's all sorts of warm. In fact, I suddenly don't hate the cold as much anymore from how bundled up this baby keeps me. Who knew all I needed to get accustomed to the cold, these past 18 years of living in Utah, was to get over my "this-outfit-is-too-cute-to-ruin-with-an-annoying-coat" thing? Go figure. ;) Also, this leather skirt. It's UH-mazing! This is my first time actually posting about it but I've pretty much been wearing it like crazy since I got it way back in September. Is it crazy that September is already considered "way back"? Also, guys, camel and black? Best color combo in the history of color combos. Aaaand, leather and wool? B-E-A-UTIFUL. (Bruce Almighty reference anyone?)

Much love!