See Ya 2014

Ever have one of those days when you just wake up brimming with confidence? I'm having one of those days. Heck, I'm having one of those weeks! It's like that Foster the People song, "Life on a Nickel", that says, "Hell yeah, I'm awesome. I'm awesome." (Sorry for the expletives.) I think it's just because, like I said yesterday, I know who I am, I like that person, and I'm happy with that person. Sooo, "heck yeah, I'm awesome" and so are all of you! 2014 really was such a great year and I think it's time for my cheesy "highlight reel"! Let's get started! Top moments: My little sister leaving to serve as a full time missionary for the LDS church in Canada, turning 22 (holla!), finally getting to see my all time favorite band, The Goo Goo Dolls, in concert thanks to my awesome older sister, working at the DMV (this is a weird one, I know, but strangely enough, I really liked that job), moving onto a "big girl" job at Ferrari Color, getting my first car EVER (this was huge for me because I used to just carpool, run, or take public transportation everywhere), transferring universities (whoop, whoop!), and just all the moments in between full of laughter, smiles, and love shared with family and friends! Really, this year I've been so grateful for my group of girlfriends! They're all such great girls and I love 'em with all of my dang heart! :) Life is so great, and there's nothing like a New Year to really make you appreciate that so jump and dance!

sequin jacket: F21
GooGoo Dolls tshirt: merch table, also available here
jeans: c/o SheInside
photos: Shailynn

Whelp, loves, this is my last NYE outfit for you all! This time I was going for "edgy-rocker-casual". I went with sequins, because, duh, it's NYE and to complete the look I pulled out my handy dandy Goo Goo Dolls t-shirt and distressed acid wash jeans! Also, I just wanted to go full out "edgy wild" so I put on ma purple wig! I know, I know, I'm so weird. ;) Oh and, once again, I just have to say Shailynn is awesome! When I told her I wanted to put on a purple wig and just jam out, instead of looking at me like I was a whack-o, she was all for it! She be way cool. ;) Anyway, you all know how crazy obsessed I am with music so I obviously put together a New Year's Eve playlist and I've been full on jamming out to it pretty much nonstop! Anyway, I'm linking it below so give it a listen! I seriously hope you all have a fabulous NYE and stay safe!!




Much love and Happy New Year!!!!

Girls Like You

All of 2014 I've had the most awful time sleeping. For starters, I've shared a room all of my life so when my little sister (with whom I shared a room) left on her mission I learned something about myself. I can't sleep alone. I need someone to talk to as I fall asleep. Kind of embarrassing? Maybe, but I have no shame. ;) Next, since my car accident in May that messed up my back in major ways, sleeping just sort of became uncomfortable. Something always aches and causes me to wake up at random parts of the night. Why am I boring you all with these sleep details? Because I am once again up at a random time of night typing up a post. Which, you all know is no good because that means you're about to be bombarded with extremely weird half asleep thoughts! You're welcome. ;) *Side-Note* I am listening to a pretty bomb playlist right now and it's making my half asleep self very pumped and feel like running a 5k right now would be the best idea. Then again, though, what doesn't seem like a good idea when one is half asleep? Also, Mike Posner, you guys, whatever happened to him? He was one groovy guy. Kay, let's tackle these weird thoughts of mine. I have LOOOVED being 22. It has been by far one of my favorite ages. "I don't know about you, but I'm feelin' twenty-twooo!" That was definitely an anthem this year. ;) I just feel like I really know myself as a person now, I know who I am, what I want out of life, where I want to go with life, and maybe not exactly how to get there but at least definitely how not to get there. Along with really knowing myself, I've sort started feeling like, "This is me, take it or leave it. My world is not dictated by how many people like or dislike me." That isn't to say that I'm some sort of butt head that doesn't believe in change or growth. I'm constantly working on being a better me and being more Christ like. For me, "take it or leave it" just means I know my personality, I know my quirks, and I don't think there's anything wrong with who I am. I'm a dreamer, I get distracted easily, I love cheese & peanut butter (not together, obviously), I'm a book loving, comic reading, cartoon watching, movie obsessed nerd, I constantly quote movies, I mishear 90% of what people say because I'm sort of deaf, I LOVE music and I will sing & dance to almost any song I hear no matter where I am (I'm actually dancing right now as I sit on my bed typing this), I have a FIRM testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I have absolutely no qualms when it come to sharing this with anyone/everyone, I love humans and I truly believe that being kind will get you far, "It is always brave to be kind", no one ever regrets being kind, I have very grandma like tendencies but I also have very childlike tendencies, I think old people and kids are the most magical and in tune people so I sort of love the fact that I'm like an old little girl, and that's me. If you ever meet me I can assure you I will do my best to be kind to you and be your friend but on the flip side I also know that there will always be people in the world that just won't "get" me and that's ok. That's just life. There's ultimately only one person I need to worry about pleasing and being able to meet without embarrassment or apology and that's God. So here's to continuing to be myself in the New Year and continuing to grow as a person!

dress: F21
sequin jacket: F21
sheer tights: h&m
photos: Shailynn

Time for another New Year's Eve look! This look is definitely my "go big or go home" look! There's no time like NYE to really go "out" there with fashion choices so I decided to go a little sequin crazy and pair this rose gold sequined dress with this gold sequined jacket! I just thought it was out there, fun, flirty, and just a little crazy! Also, tights, tights, tights y'all. They're your key to pulling off a dress or a skirt without freezing your buns off! Especially if you're a local, and you're in Utah because we're about to have a record-breaking-cold three days! Be forewarned! Anyway, I know I say this, like, always but Shailynn is SOOOO bomb. Seriously, this girl knocks it out of the flippin' park as a photographer EVERY SINGLE DANG TIME. I come to her with my crazy weird ideas and she's always, always game and ALWAYS manages to make my ideas actually look good. Girl's a genius. Book her for photos! Anyway, that's all for today but be sure to check back tomorrow for my last "NYE" look!

Much love!

Winter Wonderland

I have to say, that never in my life have I had the opportunity to be anywhere this sublime. There is something just so quietly magical about this scenic spot that it feels almost palpable. There is just such an innocence to these untouched surroundings that quiets the heart and really makes you listen. In moments such these, surrounded by the quiet beauty of God's creations I wonder to myself how anybody could reach such spots and not instantly know that there is a God. For me at least, there is no question as to how such beauty came to be. Being in this most awe inspiring location made me think of a precious moment my sister and I shared last Christmas season. It was the first Christmas we would celebrate since the passing of our very beloved grandma, who had been the biggest harbinger of the Christmas spirit in our home. It was with heavy hearts, aching from missing her sweet presence, that we went out on a drive one snowy night to run some errands. As we were pulling into the deserted street that led to our destination we saw a scene of such tender beauty that our ache was forgotten and replaced with other more sweeter emotions. Standing in front of us, as the snow was gently falling, were two deer and their small fawn slowly grazing. That scene of such quiet innocence brought to us such a feeling of peace and overwhelming testimony of God's love for all of his creatures big and small and his perfect plan of happiness for his sons and daughters that the unspoken prayer for comfort we had been holding in our hearts had been answered. My sister and I are part of an eternal family and because of that great blessing and the great sacrifice of he who's birth we celebrate this time of year we know that as loved ones pass on they will just be joining the ranks of those who will greet us with open arms when our time comes as well. I am so very grateful for The Gospel and the blessings it has brought into my life, most especially the blessing of an eternal family and I look forward to the day when I will have the opportunity to go through the temple myself. To me, there is no greater joy than time spent in quiet scenes such as this, replete with manifestations of God's love!

sequin shawl: F21
dress: h&m
photos: Rachel

I hope you all are enjoying your holiday season and remembering the reason why we celebrate! I also hope you'll all take the time to watch the video I've linked below!

Much love!