nailed it again

I'm particularly proud of this flower.
So much so, that I'd give it a thumbs up.
Wow. That was cheesy. Make it stop. 

I'm home for the day. Like, home home. Mis padres house, home. So, I don't have the names of the nail polish colors for you today. Also, don't feel too excited for me getting to be home. It's because I have to go to the dentist. I am not pleased. But, it also means I get free laundry. So, you can go right on back to feeling excited for me.

Also, you know how most people think Monday's suck? I like them. Don't judge me, please. Really though, it's a fresh week, back to the routine... I dig that. What do you think? Do you like Mondays?


Song of the day week:

Seriously, guys. I keep putting it on repeat. Which is potentially bad, because I'm sure I'm gonna get sick of it. But, for now, I'm loooovin' it. 

Shirstin's Bridals

I have been so excited to share this photoshoot with you guys. Because it's a bridal sesh, I had to wait until after they got married (which actually was like, a month ago) but then I spaced it for a little bit and got busy, etc. So, meet my beautiful, gorgeous, stunning cousin, Shirstin. I loved taking her pictures. (Even if it was so cold that I thought my hands were going to fall off. :)

If you're friends with me on facebook, you may have seen this shot. Isn't it killer? Seriously, the ice was awesome. And the lake was so frozen that she got to walk out on the ice for some of the shots.
Also, there was a film crew filming a music video over by us. Legit. 

Favorite shot. Seriously. She is SO pretty. 

f to the riday

Guys. Friday afternoon is bliss.
Being graduated is awesome. You know why? Because I got off work at 2 and now I have the weekend ALL to myself. No homework, no reading, no studying, no nothing.

In celebration, I'm snuggling up with my laptop on my giant bean bag named Benjamin and together we're stalking all my new blog friends from the facebook follow fest. (Side note: welcome, new friends!)

Tonight, I'mma go to the institute activity. They've rented out an entire gym. (Like, not a church gym... but a get a gym membership kind of a gym.) Also, there will be a Zumba instructor there. And we all know how much I love the guts out of Zumba.

What are your weekend plans?

IDK, my BFF, Ashley??

Hello Elises lovely readers! Elise's blog caught my eye over a year ago and I have loved it from day one, I am honored to be guest posting for her! She is a fellow aggie, a funny blogger, and I will never get over her bowling ball story! She is amazing, am I right?

My name is Ashley, and I blog over at Refreshing Imperfection. A lifestyle blog about everything I love, it changes everyday. I dont claim to be a relationship expert in the slightest, but I am very very happy with mine, and here are some tidbits of advice I took from others throughout my life- that I will pass via blog to YOU!

We are all at different stages, here is some advice to fit your life- wherever it may be..

So you think you want a DATE...

1- Be you. Dont pretend to like things you dont like in an effort to win someone. Don't pretend certain things don't bother you, if they actually do. I guarantee being YOU and finding someone who loves every bit of YOU will guarantee a more successful relationship.

2- Don't make a list. You know,THE list of what you want, need etc. Give everyone a chance. You never know how you will mesh with someone, and how sad would it be to miss out on someone who is great for you- because he likes star wars? cough cough ;) I am married to the polar opposite of what my 'list' was, and he is literally the perfect match for me.

3- Be the kind of person you want to date. If you want someone who cares about school, you need to. If you want someone who is spiritual, you need to be. If you want someone who is healthy, you need to be. Not only is this simple and practical- but you can guarantee you are improving yourself every day.

4- Its not me, its YOU. The best advice my dad ever gave me for dating was ask the other person about themselves as much as possible. I have a little ticker in my head running at all times, and I always try to ask people 2 questions about them for every 1 they ask me. If you sit in any date scenario and talk about yourself the whole time, you wont have a 2nd date.. guaranteed.

5- Have a well rounded relationship. The healthiest relationships have intellectual aspects, spiritual aspects, and physical aspects. You need to engage in all 3 aspects to keep things balanced. If you have a relationship that is strictly physical- but you cant carry on a conversation- it wont work out, and visa versa. Get balance!

Now onto MARRIAGE...

1- Make the most of the time you have together. Chances are you will be busy. Everyone is. My husband is gone at work, or night school from 7 am until 9 pm. So when we actually have time together we make the most of it. No computers allowed during our alone time. We make fun plans on the weekends etc. I also take Justin lunch everyday during work so the kids can see him too.

2- Go to bed at the same time, and no TV in your bedroom. This was one of my favorite pieces of advice when we were engaged. Pillow talk isn't only fun, its the key to constant communication every day. If we dont get to have a single uninterrupted conversation during the day thanks to the kids- we can count on our pillow talk time before bed.

3- Love Notes- we write a lot, sometimes its a just a text message, sometimes its on a post-it on his steering wheel, sometimes its on the back of a receipt he gives me for budgeting, and most of the time its on our shower wall. We have bathtub crayons in our shower, and each day we write each other a little note in there, our shower wall is covered in dorky little love notes, its my favorite part of the morning -seeing what he wrote for me before he left for work.

4- Don't husband bash. There are 2 things I despise: husband bashers, and husband molders. Of course there are things sometimes that drive me crazy, but I talk with him and only him about it.  Also, I dont mold my husband. He is who he wants to be. I never asked him to change his job, or major, or hobbies to fit a mold of what I want. I never 'make' him to do anything. And it goes visa versa, I am me- and he lets me be everything I am. After all, I fell in love with HIM. Everything he likes, or has- is a part of him. I'll take the whole cake. thankyouverymuch.

5- Enforced Bedtime. While having kids was once of the best things for our marriage (nothing EVER compares to being parents together) it also added one of the biggest stresses. Our alone time was cut to almost nothing. Once we started enforcing an early bedtime (my kids go to bed at 7:30) it gave us at least 3-4 hours a night of alone time. We use that alone time wisely. Sometimes its eating dinner together, sometimes its games, sometimes its couching it up and catching up on the dvr. But we have this guaranteed time together every night. Its ESSENTIAL.

I would LOVE to hear any advice that you readers have for how you've made your relationships healthy and happy! Add them in the comments to share with us!

Thanks for reading, Elise's Pieces readers!

Feel free to stop by my blog anytime at Refreshing Imperfection.

-Ashley

Seriously guys, check Ashley's blog out. I ADORE her. And someday our lunch date plans will actually work out, I'm sure of it. 

dear boys 21

favie from last week comes from Miss Katrina whom I love.

Dear Boy,

Because we can't do the first best thing...

Love, Girl







And now...




Dear Eiffel 65,


You can walk past my window any time. Kthx.


Love,
The New Girl




Dear Captain Awesome,


Why are you even still here? I want to know what on earth you're doing. 
I don't understand you at all.
Also, ignoring me in Panda Express is not very cool.


love,
"Supergirl"




Dear Pirate boy,


I may or may not have pretended you were an oreo and dunked your head underwater with morbid commentary about how now you couldn't breathe. Harsh? Maybe. 
Then I ate you.


Love,
Elise




Dear Big Tuna,


Rumor has it that you like her. Actually, the entire universe knows you do. Man up and ask her on a date.


Love,
Elise




Dear Simba,


It's been real. Actually, it's been everything but real. And seven months of pining over someone who is too busy chicken everything to take a girl on a date is not healthy. So, I'm moving on.


Love,
Elise




Dear Superman,


Convince me.


Love,
Elise




Dear Copy Machine at Work,


I love you more than boys. Except it would be nice if you could properly print a 15" legal document on letter-size paper. Let's work on that.


Love,
Elise

Linky Party Time!

- Please link up only Dear Boys posts.

- You gotta put the button on the post. (Just copy the HTML below the button to slap that little guy on there).

- Make sure you check out the other Dear Boys posts that are linked up.

- Spread the Dear Boys lovin'. 

 

<center><a href="http://eliseypants.blogspot.com/search/label/dear%20boys"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OHuERUFE-hE/TlLBQi4llOI/AAAAAAAAC9I/c6bW28tgzwE/dear-boys.jpg" /></a></center>

my life in youtube

in conjunction with my last post:

motivational song of the week:

watch it 17 times (and still think it's funny):

Also, I started work today. Mostly, I trained today. The only thing I legitimately did was email a fax. (P.s. I'm having a love affair with our copy machine.) I think I have officially learned enough to not break anything or hang up on anyone. So, that's good.

And now I'm doing laundry at 11:00 at night so that I don't have to wear swim bottoms as underwear tomorrow. (Perhaps I should have saved that one for a things I shouldn't confess post...) 

how to date an engineering major

Back in September, I was chatting with one of my friends about how many of the guys on campus are Engineering majors and how chances are, most girls at USU will try to date an Engineering major at some point in their college career. Thus, "How to Date an Engineering Major" was born.

I've been researching and interviewing Engineering majors here and there since that day. I also asked for input on Facebook this past week. So, without further ado:

How to Date an Engineering Major

Disclosure: This post is intended to be more humorous than helpful. The majority of statements made are generalizations and are potentially not true of every Engineering major. Not a lot of *real* scientific research went into this post. Oh, and I did use Wikipedia. There goes all my credibility right out the window. 

First, get their attention. 

Source: quickmeme.com via Elise on Pinterest

Though the quickest way to a man's heart might actually be through his ribcage, it seems the quickest way to an Engineering major's heart is through his too-busy-doing-homework-to-make-food stomach. If you're a good cook (see also: you can make more than toast), you've got an in. 

If cooking your crush meals isn't your style, the next best way to get an Engineering major's attention is by using nerdy pick-up lines. 

• "Being with you is like switching to polar coordinates: complex and imaginary things now have magnitude and direction."
• "How can I know hundreds of digits of pi and not the digits of your phone number?"
• "Excuse me, I'm attracted to you. According to Newton's laws of gravitation, you're attracted to me too."
• "Honey, you're sweeter than 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097494459230781..."
• "Hey, can you tell me the oxidation state of this atom and your phone number?"

Once you've got their attention it's time for conversation. I've come to the conclusion that you don't have to be nerdy, you just have to be accepting of nerdy. Also, don't fake understanding of things they talk about, simply be interested in the things they explain to you. After all, "the learning curve to converse to an Engineer is a steep one." 

Nerdy things that you should act interested in include but are not limited to:

• Mohr's Circle
• Star Trek
• Car Engines
• Actually, any kind of Engine
• Auto CAD 
• C++
• Algorithms (see also: Rubix cubes)

Source: christinajax.tumblr.com via Ali on Pinterest

Next step: Impressing them on the date. Alexis, is married to an Engineering major and compiled this list of suggestions:

• Ask them to help you fix something.
• Always use a coaster.
• Make sure your clothes match.
• Ask them what they want to invent.
• Tell them you built something.
• Build gingerbread houses with them. Like woah.

Once you've reached this point, you have to realize that during the school year there are two kinds of Engineering majors: Already married Engineering Majors and single Engineering majors. So, if you've gotten yourself an Engineering major significant other (EMSO) over the break, once the semester starts you'll need to remember these things:

• To them, homework might just be more fun than watching TV. (Unless Big Bang Theory is on.)
• They're going to be very busy. Don't judge the success of your relationship by how much time they spend with you, but by how much of their free time they spend with you.
• Engineers like to have fun, but not just any kind of fun. It's a lot more fun if they can do something that shows off their Engineering skills.
• To the optimist, the glass is half full.
  To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
  To the Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

When it all comes down to it, Engineering majors do often believe they don't have time for a girlfriend, but somehow many of them end up with wives. I think if you convince them you're worth their precious free time, they'll make it work. As with most relationships, be patient and "let the chips fall where they may". Your Engineering major crush might just need a little extra push. 

Or, you may just need to have this conversation:

XKCD

Special thanks to: Karen and Mr. Fab for the pick up lines, James, Jaiden, Jay, Theresa, Kara, Wendy, and other facebook friends for their input, Alexis for her first-hand experience, and Sheldon Cooper for being awesome. 

I am so insanely blessed.

Today, I was going to post the "How to Date an Engineering Major" tutorial I've been working on/researching, but I'm postponing that until tomorrow. I've got something more important to blog about.

Ladies and the 3 Gentlemen that read my blog,
I got a job.


Here I was, graduated and freaking out. I have nothing tying me down I could do anything with my life. Yet, I feel at home here in Cache Valley. Something is holding me here. Maybe it's just my friends, maybe it's something more, but Cache Valley is where I want to be. So, I made a decision: I would job hunt in Logan until my housing contract is up in April and if I hadn't found an opportunity in Logan, then I would branch out and look elsewhere.

So, I hunted. I filled out application after application with all the same repetitive information. (In case you wondered, I type 70 wmp and yes I do know how to use Microsoft Office). I'll spare you all the details, but today, I was frustrated. I was expecting to hear back about a job yesterday and I didn't. I knew that if I didn't get the job, it simply meant there was another opportunity, but it still was discouraging.

Today, I almost caved in and just vegetated and watched episodes of "Good Luck, Charlie" all day while eating Mac and Cheese out of the pot. But then I realized, I have every reason to be happy and to keep going. Heavenly Father has heard my prayers for guidance and for an opportunity and I need to keep seeking those opportunities.

Source: freshpickedwhimsy.typepad.com via Elise on Pinterest

So, I came home and I filled out more applications and put together a portfolio. Just as I was finishing up my portfolio, I received a call and was offered the job I was expecting to hear about yesterday. I guess it's not up to me to define "perfect" timing.

Source: tissosweetcandy.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

So, I have a job. One that I really wanted, that I feel will work well with my schedule and my wants. And I get to stay here in Cache Valley where I want to be.

When all else fails, keep the faith. Remember that God has a plan for you. Strive to do what's right, and he will bless you. Always.

super vague rant post

I'm frustrated with stuff.

I'm excited about other stuff.

I spend waaaaay too much time in my day thinking about other stuff.

And all I really want is for some stuff to actually happen. 

dear boys 20: pinterest edition

Favie from last week comes from Karen @ All Because of Charlie

Dear Poopy Pants,
What have we been feeding you? You smell terrible. But I still love you. Also, remember that time today where you gave me a hug? That was nice. You should do it again some time soon.
Love,
Your Mommy

(I might be biased on this one because, well, Charlie is my favorite baby.)

Dear readers,

I've chosen not to black out my blog today but I am definitely in protest of SOPA. Click here to learn a little more about SOPA and sign the petition. 

Love,

Elise

Dear world,

Source: Uploaded by user via Elise on Pinterest

Love,

Elise

Dear J-dub,

Source: redbubble.com via Elise on Pinterest

Love,

Sensei

Dear boyd,

Source: hawksconfusion.tumblr.com via Elise on Pinterest

Love,

Elise

Dear M@,

Source: i.imgur.com via Elise on Pinterest

Love,

Elise

Dear Simba,

Source: Uploaded by user via Elise on Pinterest

&

Source: dearrrdreamer.tumblr.com via Elise on Pinterest

Love,

Elise

Dear Captain Awesome,

Source: nerdquirks.tumblr.com via Elise on Pinterest

Yeah. Potassium to you too.

Ever-so-cordially,

Elise

Dear Bloggers,

Write your own DB post (pinterest edition or normal), put that cute little dear boys guy on it (copy and past the html below the button directly into your post), come back here and link up your post, read others, bask in the glory of dear boy-ness.

Love,
Elise

<center><a href="http://eliseypants.blogspot.com/search/label/dear%20boys"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OHuERUFE-hE/TlLBQi4llOI/AAAAAAAAC9I/c6bW28tgzwE/dear-boys.jpg" /></a></center>

I like today

Base coat: Essie's First Base,  Pink: Peach Daiquiri, (some day, I might branch out to other colors, but right now I'm having a love affair with this shade of pink.) Glitter: NYC's Starry Silver Glitter, Top Coat: Seche Vite

Great hair day. Just sayin'.

Also, I went on a major cleaning spree today. This oven is sparkling.

I like today. My hair is rockin', I'm all cozy in a hand-me-down hoodie, and I got to do a photo shoot with the missionaries today. 

Oh. And this totally happened:

Explanation: The "Angel Elder" is a model (when he's not spreading the gospel). We were way excited for him to be in the district photo shoot, but then he got called to be AP, so he wasn't able to come. 

One of the sisters had joked with him that we'd Photoshop him in. So, while we waited for the Elders to be ready (yeah, for real) we googled his pictures and found this gem of him with angel wings. 

Yep. It's been a good Tuesday.

things I probably shouldn't confess, take two

I watched waaaaay too much of this show this weekend:

consequently, I'm in love with a fictional man named Grayson.

I ate an entire box of Mac and Cheese today. All by myself.

Once, when I was a child, I locked myself in my parent's room and drew all over the back of their door with a pencil. Then, I wrote my sister's name on the door so she'd get in trouble for it.

Today, I watched the Justin Bieber movie with my cousin. I teared up a little. As usual.

I think plucking my eyebrows is miserable. So, I vote that I either get a rockin' job where I make enough money to afford weekly eyebrow waxing or... okay, no option. That's my vote.

I get unreasonably anxious before photo shoots, dates, and certain phone calls.

Oh, not my confession, but yesterday my roommate wore two different pair of brown shoes to church and didn't realize it until the opening hymn.

I don't like Taylor Swift very much. That being said, I don't hate her anymore. Also, I have major T-Swift hair envy.


Your turn. :)

Growing in the cold

Today, I just have a little present for you.
It's called, an entire free album.


No promotion, no reason.
Noise Trade gives out free albums all the time.
(You should sign up for their emails.
They didn't even ask me to say that.)

Oh, but really, I posted it here because I LOVE me some Jess Penner
So, let's be music twins and jam to this album all day.
YES.

dear boys 19

Fave from last week comes from miss Becca @ Clogger's Life

Dear Institute Boy,

You are gorgeous. I wish you would ask me out. I actually dreamed about it last night.

I hope I see you again next semester.

Sincerely,

FB Stalker

I feel like I could have written that myself. Institute, FB Stalking... oh life.

Dear boys,

I'm sorry I lashed out at you on facebook and threatened to punch you all in the nose. Your noses can take comfort in the fact that a- I can't punch and b- I've forgiven you. 
All the same, it would be nice if you all manned up a little and stopped frustrating us girls. 

Love,
Elise

Dear pirate boy,

I don't even want to date you and I'm frustrated by the mass confusion you cause. 

Love,

Elise

Dear Penny,

I miss you across the hall. Who are we supposed to tell our boy problems/stories to if you're so far away in your fancy-schmancy new apartment?

Love,

Elise

Dear Ronald McDonnald,

I heard that you were way awesome, but now I'm convinced you're just a jerk-face poo poo head. 

So... put that in your crock pot and cook it. 

Love,

Christina (The roommate)

Dear Big Tuna,

You are the one who sparked the whole "I want to punch all boys in the nose" thing last night. I have this roommate, and I'm positive you're diggin' her chili. So, man up and take her on a date already.

Love,

The roommates. (Aka, nose punchers)

Dear Simba,

:)

Love,

Elise

Dear J-Dub

You know that thing... it's called dating... where you talk to a girl and ask what she's doing Friday night... and then you invite her to do something with you on Friday night? You should try that out. 

After all, "the beginning of the semester is the best time to work your magic," right?

Love,

Sensei & Co.

Dear Bloggers,

Write your own DB post, put that cute little dear boys guy on it (copy and past the html below the button directly into your post), come back here and link up your post, read others, bask in the glory of dear boy-ness.

Love,
Elise

 

<center><a href="http://eliseypants.blogspot.com/search/label/dear%20boys"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OHuERUFE-hE/TlLBQi4llOI/AAAAAAAAC9I/c6bW28tgzwE/dear-boys.jpg" /></a></center>

sweet cuppin' cakes

Base Coat: Essie's First Base, Light Pink: Sinful Colors' Soul Mate, Dark Pink: Essie's Peach Daiquiri,
White: Sinful Colors' Snow Me White, Top Coat: Seche Vite
Also, I used a very fine translucent glitter over the top of the white.

Plus also, I'm adding cupcakes to my list of I'm-bored-and-graduated-and-can-only-spend-so-many-hours-a-day-applying-for-jobs hobbies. I made Butter Pecan cupcakes yesterday. And today, I made those delightful looking Chocolate one's with my cousin Alicia. Paula Dean mix, Paula Dean cupcake wrappers, and Paula Dean patterny sprinkle things. (I feel like I'm cheating on P-dub and Ray Ray).

They were delightful. Also, Alicia is a rock-star flirter. She delivered some of those tasty cupcakes to boys. Now they love her.

mustache

Base Coat: Essie's First Base,  Tips: Essie's Borrowed & Blue,
Stache & Dots: Pure Ice's Black (creative name, right?),  Top Coat: Seche Vite

I thought about doing mustaches on every nail... but it took forEVER. So, I just put a stache on one nail.

Also, everyone went back to school today. I went to institute. You see, I don't have classes, and I haven't found a job yet, sooooo it's either sit at home and play Perplexus or go to the institute and make friends. So, I partied at institute. I went to 3 classes. And I kind of love it.

Oh, you don't know what Perplexus is? It's this.



Don't worry. I am on level 80.

today I am happy

Today, I feel like I have hope.
Today, I feel pretty.
Today, I feel my Savior's love.
Today, I know my Heavenly Father has a plan for me.
Today, I will see my Mill Hollow friends.

Yesterday, I read almost an entire book. It's been a long time since I've been that absorbed in a book and I loved it.

I think I just woke up on the right side of the bed today.
Today, I am happy.

I paint my nails and I read

Base coat: Essie - First Base, Blue: Essie - Borrowed & Blue,
Pink dots: Essie - Peach Daiquiri,  Purple dots: NYC -  Chinatown

Can we all tell that I'm not left handed? I re-painted all of my right hand after this picture and it improved... but still doesn't look anywhere near as good as on the left hand.

Guys, job hunting is not thrilling. Good news, though. I checked out 8 books from the library yesterday. So, that should keep me busy for a while.

I'm currently reading this one: 

Next up is this one:

What are you reading right now?

dear boys 18

Two favie letters linked up last week:

MJ from Daily Delight
Dear Thompson Square,

Do you know how excited I am I get to marry you? And spend eternity with you? I get all giddy like a little girl when I think about this and how much I love you.  You put a smile on face and I can't wait to see you when we're not together. You make me so happy and I am truly the luckiest girl in the world because I get to be with you! Thank you for being the best and being all mine!

Love,
Your soon to be wife :)

Cute, right?


Also, Laura from Simpleton Pleasures
Dear Ex,

Don't forget about our lunch date next week. We can talk about your biceps and new girlfriend.

Your Friend,
Shut Up, This is Healthy

I died. You should go read the rest of hers because,well, you'll pee your pants. 

Source: marzipan5toast.tumblr.com via Elise on Pinterest

Dear Jim Halpert, 

We should be married. Minus the fact that you are a-fictional and b-your fictional character is married to Pam. If we ignored those things, it'd be bliss, I'm sure.

Love,

Elise

Dear Ogden Technaglass Man,

You are the nicest and cutest Technaglass Man I've ever met. I've only met three, but you beat out the other two by a landslide. I'm thinking about driving down to Ogden for all my future windshield needs.

Love,

Cracked Windshield Girl

Dear Simba,

You're still cute and you're still my favorite.

Love,

Elise

Dear Walter S. Bacon,

Man up and moisturize, okay?

Your friend,

Elise

Linky Party Time!

- Please link up only Dear Boys posts.

- You gotta put the button on the post. (Just copy the HTML below the button to slap that little guy on there).

- Make sure you check out the other Dear Boys posts that are linked up.

- Spread the Dear Boys lovin'. 

<center><a href="http://eliseypants.blogspot.com/search/label/dear%20boys"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OHuERUFE-hE/TlLBQi4llOI/AAAAAAAAC9I/c6bW28tgzwE/dear-boys.jpg" /></a></center>