Wednesday, February 29, 2012

dear boys: blast from the past edition

A while back, I was chatting with one of my favorite Ashley's (Side note: Recess. That show was the bomb. I wanted to be one of The Ashley's.) about my dear boys posts. (Side note #2: did you know that I really do read every post that gets linked up? Pinky promise. I try to comment when I can, but I do at least read them all. You guys rock.)

Okay, did you follow any of that with the side notes? Here's the point: I was talking to Ashley and she said she had been thinking about doing a db post where she wrote letters to past boyfriends/past dates/past crushes. You better believe that I loved the guts outta that idea.

And so, in celebration of leap day (okay, it's totally unrelated to leap day, I know.), we're doing dear boys blast from the past edition. Word up to your ex-boyfriend!



Dear Chancho,

Remember how the first time you held my hand it was in an oven mitt? And Abercrombie had to pay you 5 bucks to do it? Romantic. ;) Good times though, good times.

Elise


Dear Agent Lego,

Oh, the late night MSN messenger conversations we had and stuff. Thanks for all the help with my Chemistry homework and for always being an awesome friend. Even though I had the hugest crush on you for a while there in high school, I'm beyond happy that you married my dearest Breefa. You guys make my top 5 list of favorite married couples. Oh, and though you probably don't remember it, I owe you a giant thank you for inspiring my blog's name and stuff.

You rock,
Agent Retard


Dear Rockstar,

Sometimes I think things could work out between us again, but then I realize that we've both grown up and we have different plans now. And I'm okay with that. But if you wanted your plans to be dating me again, I'd probably give it some consideration.

Elise


Dear Fresh Thumbs,

I miss you, Pal. I think it's about time for you to come back from your mission so we can go bowling with the crew.

Love,
Bingo Breath


Dear Raoul,

Three words: Choir Tour Romance.
One more word: Why?

Elise


Dear Kevin,

Remember how Kella texted me in the NoYes building and told me she found a boy for me to marry and then she told me I was sitting right behind you and so I took a creeper picture of the back of your head before I even met you and then after I did meet you I joined yoga club just to spend more time with you but then never went because you never went? Oh, also, I totally still have the picture.

Love,
Elise-a-bella


Dear Jerk,

We really did have some good times way back when. Sledding in China and prune juice arguments. I have to admit, you really are quite charming. And even though it can sometimes be over-the-top, I really have always had a lot of respect for your insistence on being a perfect gentleman.

Thanks for the memories,
Laundry


Dear JJ,

Ohhhh if only you knew the late-night MSN conversations my friends and I would have about you. Also, if only you knew about all the times I came into work just to see you. Also, if your dad ever asks, I never drove past your house just because I knew where it was and he definitely did not see me...

Love,
Elise


Dear Green,

Nobody knows this, but you have an entire blog post dedicated to you. I wrote it months ago, but still haven't posted it. Maybe someday I'll share our story, maybe I won't. Either way, you should know that I still think about you on a daily basis. I think there will always be a tiny place in my heart that aches for what could have been and hopes that some day you find your true happiness.

Love,
Pink



Okay, team! Link up those dear boys/dear girls posts! They don't have to be blast from the past posts, you can do a regular dear boys post if you'd prefer. Just make sure you put that handsome little db guy (or girl) on your post!



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Friday, February 24, 2012

Secret Shine Project

You've all heard of The Shine Project, right? Ashley is the bomb. Seriously. She is changing the world because she dreams big.

The Shine Project

When she posted on Facebook asking about some help with a secret project, I got so excited. And now, I get to tell all of you about this secret project.


Pass It Forward was designed to get people to do little things, everyday, that makes an impact on the community around them. Pass it Forward is designed around a card (read card that I've attached now so you understand). Each card is given a unique ID number. Lets say we're at McDonalds, and I decide to pay for the person behind me in the drive through. I'd give the cashier the card, and tell them to pass it along to the next car when the give them the food that has been paid for. I then go home and log into the website that was on the card, and find my unique ID number. I log into it, and add my information... My first name, city, and a description of what I did....
Let's say the person behind me was you, you would pass it forward to someone else, and then would go home and do the same thing. From the very beginning, you will be able to track where your card goes, and how many people you affect just by doing one simple act of kindness.


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Sometimes, I get bogged down with being too busy, not wanting to offend people, etc. I justify not serving people and make up excuses. But every time I overcome that and I serve, I am so filled with joy that I don't know how I can ever make up reasons to not serve again. Last weekend I went to a special needs dance. I was nervous to dance with those amazing people because I wasn't sure what to say to them. I focused on how different they are and I let myself feel uncomfortable. But, when I let myself relax and just have fun being with them and dancing with them. And I found pretty quickly that I was learning from them. There I was, serving them and supposedly blessing their lives, but in the end I was the one being served.

In my opinion, that's the point of Pass It Forward. Creating service opportunities and inspiring other people to serve. Are you feeling the excitement that I'm feeling?


This is what the back of the Pass It Forward card looks like. I can hardly wait for mine to come in the mail! Next Friday, I get to blog about what I did with my card and link up to The Shine Project blog. 

Also, I highly suggest reading Ashley's post about this project on The Shine Project blog.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

room sweet room

I've lived in the apartment that I live in for 4 years now. I also have moved out to work at summer camp every summer though. So, each year when I move back in, I redecorate. Because, let's be honest, I love the excuse to buy/make pretty new things for my room. Decorating a college apartment on a college budget can totally be fun. Even if I didn't move out and back in every year, I'd still find excuses to redecorate. I'm way too flighty to be happy with my color scheme for very long.

Welcome to my bedroom. :)


That cute aqua table used to be a sewing machine table. I bought it at DI last year for under $10 and spray painted it with Bahama Sea Krylon. 

Funny story about the E hanging on the table: I bought cute grey chipboard letters at a boutique in Vernal but somehow managed to get the letters E, L, I, S, and F. I got an F instead of a second E. I didn't realize it until we were far away from Vernal though. So, I ended up buying a wooden E from Hobby Lobby and mod podged it. It was too heavy to hang with sticky tac though, so it's been hanging out on that table ever since. 

My bed spread was on clearance at Walmart, I sewed both pillows,
 and all the milk glass vases on my table were thrifted. 


Made these beauties with Kamille. You better believe we jammed out to JB and talked about how excited she was for her magical adventures in Taiwan while we wrapped our letters.


I have a secret love for water colors. Not in an I'm-a-professional-watercolor-artist kind of a way but more in an I-like-to-use-water-colors-the-same-way-I-did-in-kindergarten kind of a way. Pretty sure this picture was inspired by a craft Thursday on the Whatever blog.


This is the cleanest my table ever gets. I try, I really really do, but I'm a clutter kind of girl. Mandatory bedside table items: Scriptures, Journal, cup of pens, vase of pens, milk glass bowl of jewelry, zebra stripped eye mask (I've become a sleep diva since this post.), and my princess book. Not mandatory, but oh so exciting all the same: My sparkly frame with my song lyric water color art and the card I got from my favorite missionary today.


Photo heart collage that I've seen all over Pinterest...


Found that beautiful frame at Down East Home. It's Velcro-ed to the wall so I can use it as a photo prop. Just like the heart chalk board in the frame. Also in the frame: my valentine from my family and my bumper sticker that I got for cleaning the sink last night. (For you non-cache valley people: that means you eat a ridiculous amount of ice cream out of a metal sink at the local diner.)

The white board was made for me by my roommate, she found it on Pinterest and made it because she knows I love Pinterest. The Ken doll is also from her. She gave me a boyfriend for Christmas. 


Probably my two favorite things on my dresser: 
My Apricot Vanilla body spray from Bath and Body Works and the IWA theme. 


My room is crazy. I pretend to have a color scheme, I post my own art work like my walls are my mom's fridge, and the only reason my bed is made is because I was taking pictures for the blog. But, I love it. It's my space, it's who I am.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

dear boys 24


Dear Nikon,

Good luck with Ella. Woo her guts out.

Love,
Master


Dear Nachos,

Pinterest. Tee Hee.

Love,
Elise


Dear tall boy in institute,

Perhaps if you keep coming to class, I'll maybe actually speak to you.
Yep.
Maybe.

Love,
Elise


Dear Superman,

You are by far one of the nicest, kindest, most thoughtful boys I have ever met. 

Love,
Elise


Dear 4-10,

Thanks for being a good sport. 
I'm okay with us not being in love. 

Your pal,
Elise


Dear boy in the Bollywood movie we watched last night,

You're dreamy. Don't tell Christina, but maybe I don't hate Bollywood.

Love,
Elise



Y'all know the drill. Write a dear boys (or dear girls) post, put the appropriate button on it, and come on back to link that baby up! 




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Monday, February 20, 2012

call me maybe




It's been a while since I had a JB fangirl moment. I discovered this song on Pandora the other day and have been lovin' it ever since. And NOW, there's a music video with my girl, Selena and JB? Shut the front door. Seriously. I don't know what it is about this song, but I'm totally diggin' it.

Oh, and that Selena and JB almost kissing moment?? What?

Happy Monday!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

happy




You know how sometimes you just need a reminder? Or three?

#1 was that video. Thank you, Natasha Louise.
#2 was this article. Thank you, Alexis.
#3 was this article. Thanks, Ashley.

I've always believed that life is way too short to waste time being unhappy. Today, I am so grateful for a Lord who loves me enough to place these 3 little reminders in my blog-stalking path so that I could remember to be happy.


What's making you happy today?



Thursday, February 16, 2012

a lengthy introspective post about creativity

Lately, I've been less than happy with my photography, my blogging, etc.

I felt like my creativity up and went out the window, down the street, and on a plane to somewhere far far away. I was getting super antsy before all my photoshoots, I was blogging because I was expected to, I posted less pictures on my blog because I wasn't pleased with how the pictures looked or I was too lazy to take pictures. Most of all, I was only doing things to meet people's expectations, not because I wanted to.


Then, I was talking to this girl about this girl who we went out for froyo with. (Aren't we all cute and tall and BFF-y?)

Anyway, Elisabeth (on the left) was saying that she loved reading Ashley's (on my right) blog because Ashley had posted once saying that she didn't blog for other people, she did it for herself. She blogs what she wants when she wants. As Elisabeth was saying this, I thought to myself "That's totally what I believe! If you don't love what you're blogging about, you shouldn't do it."

And then I had to admit to myself that I wasn't blogging because I wanted to anymore. I was blogging because I felt like I owed it to my sponsors and to my readers. But let me let you in on a little secret: When I post the most random things at 11:00 at night just because I felt like blogging, those posts get a way better response than the posts that I write at noon when I know people are most likely to be online to read it and I force myself to write something. Funny, huh?

I also have been realizing that I'm less pleased with my photography because I spend the time in the photoshoot trying to impress the client with my awesome photographer-ness and professionalism. While that's great and all... I was so worried about impressing my client, that I stopped getting to know my client and trying new, creative things. So, I had photography down to a formal, professional routine. And that is not what I love about photography.

So, a couple weekends ago Elisabeth tagged along as my assistant for a photoshoot with our beautiful friend, Whitney. I was determined to take my time, be creative, and not worry about impressing her but just have fun. And when I did, I got this:




I think life just gets this way sometimes. We put limits on ourselves and do things for other people- to impress them and try to live up to their standards. But life is for us- to make out own choices and create our experiences. If we rush things and only do things to impress others, we lose the beauty of it all and lose sight of the true happiness of life.

Be yourself. Do things because you want to, because you love them. Learn and grow on your own time schedule. Create your life the way you want it.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

dear boys 23

Favie from last week comes from my like the hurricane friend, Katrina:

Dear Dream Boy,

'Nuff said.

Love, Over it



It helps that I looooove me some Demi.


Aaaand now,




Dear Superman,


You're super and all, but I'm maybe not feeling it. 
But the other day I was. 
So maybe tomorrow I will be again?
Awh man.


Love,
a very confused elise




Dear Show Off,


You're getting married this weekend and I really am very happy for you.
Really.
All the same, it'd be nice if Pandora would stop playing our song.


Love,
Elise




Dear Chick-fil-a (the actual restaurant, no code name here),


Thanks for being my valentine and being so delicious. 
Also for having chick-fil-a sauce for me to drown my i-am-single-on-valentines-day sorrows in.


Love,
the new foursquare mayor of the local chick-fil-a




Dear J-Dub,


I'm not proud of you at all, unless you want me to be. 
If that's the case, I'm so blasted proud of you.


Love,
Sensei




M@,


Look! I made you urbandictionary famous!


Love,
35173_1337




Dear Nachos,


What the what?


Love,
Elise


Dear Pizza boy,


Thanks for hitting on me with extra garlic sauce. 
It made my day. 
Just remember that I use a whole lotta garlic sauce on my pizza and that might just make me a little less smooch-able.


Love,
Your favorite customer






Last week I got an email from my new pal, Elder Mighill. He, being a boy, writes dear girls posts and requested a button more appropriate for his posts. So, check out my little DB man's new best friend!




And now, dear boys is no longer gender exclusive. Woot. Plus, it's really only fair to allow boys to write us letters back, amiright? So, same drill: Write a dear boys/girls post on your own blog, slap the most appropriate button on there, aaaand come back here and link your post up. 



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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

valentimes

Today, I joined the 15% of women who buy themselves flowers on valentines day.
And, my goodness, I love them. I got just what I wanted!
So now I have pretty red tulips in an aqua vase.

And because this day just wouldn't be the same without this video, I give you:


I hope you all have the best Valentines Day ever.




Sunday, February 12, 2012

heart

The heart is a funny thing. 
Heart break? Less funny. 

I had a profound realization today.
The things we get heart broken over, are usually things our heart has been holding onto.
Things we love.

Thing that we give our whole heart to, those are the things that hurt the worst when it comes to heartbreak.
I think when we hold things so close in our hearts, we protect them. And sometimes the only way to let go, is for the grip that our heart has on those things to be broken. 

And I don't think that means that we have to forget about the thing. I think a little piece of each thing we have ever loved will always stay in our hearts. Sometimes it's a bigger piece, sometimes it's a faint memory. 

I think God knows how we will let go and how we can grow. 
He gave our hearts a huge capacity to hold things close. But, he also helps us when it's time to let go. 
And with his great divine love, when our heart truly is broken, we can turn to him and he will heal us. 


Have you heard the song, "Come Thou Fount"? 

"Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above."

The Lord asks us to come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I think in the times when our hearts are broken, that's when they are truly open and ready to learn. 


Thursday, February 9, 2012

cloud pants

If there were a way for me to share my brain with you, not only would you understand the concept I'm about to share with you perfectly, but you'd think it was the best idea ever. Although, that might only be because you were using my brain.

But since I can't share my brain with you, I am going to try to explain the great idea that is (are?) cloud pants.

So, one evening I was chatting with some friends about what we'll wear in heaven. (You know, your average Sunday night college student discussion.) M@ suggested that we'll wear white robes (cliche. inorite?) And that is the moment when I came up with the best invention since, well, the invention of inventing. (Perhaps it's times like this that explain why I've had no luck dating engineering majors...)

Two words: Cloud. Pants.

Now, before you get all weirded out, let me clarify: they will not be see-through. Do you feel less awkward now? Good.

Cloud pants. They will have the softness properties of a cloud, but will not be foggy or transparent or anything like that. Imagine pants made of cloud, but in a fibrous way. The most earthly thing I can think of to compare them to is perhaps fleece. Think, fleece pajama pants only not fuzzy and made of cloud (think: the feel of cloud, again, not see-through).

They're gonna be great, kids. Also, today I debated making them only in short and tall sizes so that all you normal-sized people out there can experience the awfulness of i-don't-fit-into-any-of-these pants shopping. But, I'm 92 percent sure you're not supposed to spite people in heaven. So, cloud pants for everyone!

And this is your que to either a-tell me you have no comprehension of what you just read or b-sign up for the cloud pants waiting list.

pansies

belong in gardens, not in relationships.
File:Orange violet pansies.jpg
via
see also: how to not be a pansy


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

dear boys, youtube style

Favie from last week comes from my BFF, Elisabeth at Imma Walking Fashion Crime:


Dear Slapstick,

I'm still glad you notice me.
You are seriously my favorite male.

Sincerely,
Elisabeth

Everyone girl a favorite male in their life. Of this, I am certain.


And now, dear boys. Youtube style.


Dear Boys in general,



Love,
Elise


Dear Logan Boys,



Love,
Elise


Dear Mr. Almost Astley,



Love,
Elise


Dear Superman,



Love,
Elise


Dear Green,


4 years later, this song still makes my heart ache for you.


Love,
Pink




Okay, team. You know the drill. Dear boys on your blog (it can be youtube style or not) and link up the post back here. Make sure you slap the dear boys button on your post by copying the html and pasting it directly into your post. Y'all are the bomb.



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Monday, February 6, 2012

IDK, my BFF, Chelsea?


She's my cousin. I'm going to be her when I grow up. That is my life goal. Never mind that she's like 6 years younger, I'm still going to be her when I grow up.

Seriously, she's the bomb. Even better, she's totes dating Justin Bieber. (Don't give me any of that photoshop garbage, 'cause this picture is on FB, which mean's it's totally legit.)


Over Christmas break Chelsea was giving me Being Chelsea When you Grow Up lessons (which are about as rigorous as an episode of ANTM) and she shared her three life motto's with me. (I dunno, what's a motto with you? Thank you, Pumba.)


  1. Classy, not trashy.
  2. Sequins are okay for every day.
  3. Sparkle and shine all the time. 
I've been trying to incorporate these mottos into my life. I've discovered that I need to buy more sparkly apparel, because I totally dig it, but I've been scared and haven't bought any. So, I am committing to the blog world to stop being afraid of the sparkle. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

there is nothing sexy about self-worth

Lately I've been taking issue with the whole concept of being sexy.

Sexy essentially means being sexually inviting, yes? Let's dictionary dot com that one...

sexy  (ˈsÉ›ksɪ)

— adj  , sexier , sexiest
1. provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest: a sexy dress ; a sexy book
2. feeling sexual interest; aroused
3. interesting, exciting, or trendy: a sexy project ; a sexy new car
Okay, so definition 3 is a more casual use that we've developed. But, the real meaning of the word is provoking sexual interest. You agree? Good. I knew you would.

So, here's my beef about it. #eliseisonhersoapboxagain

As women, we are told constantly that we need to be thinner... to be more sexy.
We need to wear more revealing clothing... to be more sexy.
Blah blah blah... to be more sexy.

If our goals are to be more sexy... then really, our goals are to have more sex?

Being single, yes, I want to attract men. I want to date, be in a relationship, get married, and yes, when the time comes (and it's a healthy part of my marriage) I want to have sex. But whether or not you choose to have sex before or save that until after marriage, why is that the focus in dating and relationships?

Ladies, we are worth so much more. 


We have value beyond how we dress, our weight, and who wants to have sex with us. None of those things define our worth. Pope John Paul II once said that "the problem with pornography is not that it shows too much of a person, but that it shows too little." Who we truly are is not about our body. It's not about how much we make someone want to have sex with us. Who we are is deep within us the things we value, the choices we make, the person we want to become. When we dress "sexy" we take the focus off who we are, and put it on what we are. We become objects of pleasure, not women of worth.

I love this video because it totally puts things into perspective.


So, I don't want to be sexy. I want to be beautiful. I want to dress in a way that shows that I know my worth. I am confident in who I am and what I want out of life. That's why I'll continue to choose not to wear bikinis, short shorts, etc. I'll be feminine, elegant, pretty, and gorgeous because I value who I am more than I care about the pressure of the world to be sexy. Because I am worth that.




Friday, February 3, 2012

peanut butter toast with sprinkles



Say hello to the most seductive Cinderella you'll ever meet in your life.
When I was little, I loved peanut butter toast with sprinkles on it. I don't know how it all started and, yes, I am aware that it's not a normal thing to put sprinkles on your peanut butter toast. In fact, this girl always thought I was crazy when I did it. To be honest, I think my dad probably offered me peanut butter toast, I turned him down and he put sprinkles on it so I'd eat it. And then, of course, I always wanted sprinkles on it. Still do.

Something else got sprinkles on it this week:


Base coat: Essie's First Base, Blue: Essie's Borrowed & Blue, Sparkles: NYC's Starry Silver Glitter,  Top Coat: Seche Vite (As always.)

Nail polish may be the only shiny thing to grace that finger for a while. At least I didn't paint it grey this time...
Last night I let my roommate borrow some of my nail polish. She used my pink Essie polish. Today, she raved about how it stayed on through all 3 hours of the oven cleaning she did at work. Then she says, "what was that called? Effie?" Yep, 'Effie' is the bomb.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

awkward & awesome thursday

Awkward:
- Old man walks into work today and says "Young Lady. I'm looking for a therapist." First funny: Young Lady (Which is only funny if you're a Mill Hollow kid). Second funny: Therapist. I was all prepared to explain "Sir, this is a real estate brokerage..." and then he explained himself.
- My dad gave me a gift card for pizza on Monday. So, I invite my sister and cousin to go get pizza and we go on over to Papa Murphey's and order our pizza and hand the guy the gift card thingy. He runs it, it doesn't work, he looks closer, hands it back to me and says "Uh, this says Papa John's..." Sweeeeeeeeet.
- Runny noses. No explanation needed.


Awesome:
- Pay day. Pay day. Pay day.
- 4 months minus 2 days until my birthday.
- this:

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

dear boys 22

Favie from last week comes from Jocee at Cupcake Dictionary:


dear jared,

your face is out of whack. but apparently it's only like that on tuesdays and thursdays?? i like your face alot better on sundays, mondays, wednesdays, fridays, and saturdays. just my opinion. you can do whatever floats your boat. as long as it's not the titanic.


i'm not trying to be offensive,
but it's true.





Also, my friend was telling me this week that he wished he could write a couple dear girls posts, sooooo, I told him he could share. So, from guest contributor J-dub:



Dear Girl,

I thought you were done with your ex and I'm clearly more awesome than him. Why don't you just let that ship sail?

Sincerely,
Kinda interested

Dear most college girls,

If you gave guys half as much attention as you do your own roommates you would have more dates than you know what to do with.

-all of us college guys

And in response:

Dear J-dub,

I think it's about time you had a "what just happened?" moment. So, man up and moisturize and ask the girl on a date! :)

Love,
Sensei and co.



Dear Eiffel 65,

After performing a left-hand check, I've decided it's best if I revoke my potential crush on you. 

Love,
Not-a-mistress



Dear Superman,

Hmmmmmmm....

Love,
Elise



Dear Walter S. Bacon,

I am done with you. I know someone else who might not be... but I've decided you're a wedgie punk face.

Love,
Elise



Dear Arizona boys,

You will be falling in love with me, Nichelle, and Elisabeth in March.
Please plan accordingly.

Love,
Elise



Dear Logan boys,

As of right now, I'm planning on asking the copy machine to be my Valentine.
Maybe you can change my mind.

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'. 



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