sweet land of liberty

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.

Perhaps my most favorite. 

I love fireworks, barbecues, family time, patriotism, picnics, popsicles...

I love all things Independence Day.

I also really love the things America represents.

The ideas of our forefathers. Liberty and Justice for all.

One nation, under God.

We are such a blessed nation.

God truly does bless America.

 Printable here.

Printable here.

instafriday

instagram is my BFF.

Like Nichelle, but an app.

Also, speaking of BFFs, my BFF, Janielle, left on a mission this week. 

I miss her a lot and it's only been two days.

But, life is good. 

And like I said, instagram is my BFF.

@eliseypants

 1. #dailybedhead with some Vintage Wanna Bee lovin'.

2. Just call me Deb. I'll sell you boondoggle.

3. #dailybedhead.

 1. Keepin' it classy. I have a crush on Buzz Lightyear.

2. #dailybedhead collage. 

3. Inspirational quote.

 1. Hanging out in a gazebo with my roommate, Tami.

2. Tami in a tunnel. #androidography

3. Cool sunset reflections on the water at First Dam.

 1. Sno Cones with Elisabeth.

2. Raspberry with cream.

3. #iliveatsnoshack

 1. Lemon water in a mason jar through a straw on a vintage sewing table that I spray painted aqua. #pinterestismylife

2. First Sanpellegrino eva. I actually didn't love it, but it sure is a pretty can.

3. No bake cookies.

 1. Headed to work.

2. My Lisa Leonard necklaces came!

3. So in love with my heart ring from Jessica's Jewels. 

1. #ireallydoliveatsnoshack Passion Fruit with cream was a great idea.

2. Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card!

3. A pizza picnic with Phineas and Ferb and my roomie.

dear boys 40

Dear brace face, aka City Boy

I'm feeling very meh about you and thus feeling a lot better about me.

Love,
not waiting around for you to make a move anymore


Dear Flamingo,

I didn't give into your peer pressure, your puppy dog face, or your threatening me with fun.
I'll let you in on a secret: If you threaten me with strawberry lemonade, I'll cave.

Love,
Elise


Dear Babe the not pig,

Still don't have a crush on you. But, of all the people I don't have a crush on, you've been voted most likely for me to have a crush on at some point.

Love,
Elise


Dear J-dub,

Let's play Monster Mash again.
I don't remember if that's what it's called, but you know what I mean.

Love,
Elise


Dear Nikon,

It don't mean a thing if she ain't got a ring also applies to mission calls.
There just isn't a catchy rhyme for it.

Love,
Elise

P.s. If the papers aren't in, go for the win? (I'll keep working on it.)


Dear C-3PO,

I'm not sure if I'm fond of you in a dating way... or in the way that I'm fond of wikipedia.

Love,
Elise


Dear Justin Bieber,

I'm breaking up with you. I'm disappointed in your new album and in your... you.

Sincerely,
A former Belieber


Dear Boy,

Nichelle and I were reminiscing about you the other day.
You caused so much stress.
I miss you, but I don't miss you.
I hope your life is awesome.

Love,
Elise


Dear beanie baby,

I should not date you.

Love,
Elise


Dear platypus,

You're dreamy.

Love,
Elise

Dear boys peeps:

Write your DB post, put the button on it, and link it up over here.

Then, go read the other DB posts linked up.

Share the DB 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>

<center><a href="http://eliseypants.blogspot.com/search/label/dear%20boys"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--8VwchQJtrk/TzwyseRcLwI/AAAAAAAAFWc/cYff_uG_0rU/s225/deargirlsbutton.png" /></a></center>

IDK, my BFF abcde?

Eryka from abcde is visiting us today. And I'm over there today. It's a blissful bloggy friendship we have. 

Hi Elise's Pieces readers. I'm Eryka I blog over at abcde. I blog about my life as a wifey. I am a pinterest a holic, pasta lover and the type of girl who gets way too attached to movie/book and tv characters! Let's be friends! 

Elise and I are swapping blogs for the day so after you check out my post go on over and read hers on my bloggy blog. Elise asked me to do a Dear Boys post. You know how she is awesome and does those all the time. I love them. 

Dear Summer, 

You sure snuck up on me. Where is this year going?

Dear Husband, 

Thank you for loving me through all my imperfections. I love you babes!

Dear Kirsten Stewart, 

How are you the highest paid actress? I will never know what the world sees in you. I guess they love the constipated look you give in EVERY movie. 

Dear Sno Cones, 

I love that its Summer and you can be found on every corner. Get in my belly! 

Dear Blog Friends, 

I love each and every one of you! 

There you have my little notes. I love new friends so come on over to my blog and say Hi! Be sure to check out Elise's post!! 

Hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday! 

XO

Eryka

help for Haiti

Hey, friends!

My aunt and my cousins are leaving on a service trip to Haiti soon.

They have had lots of wonderful donations for their trip and are very excited to go.

Because of shipping regulations in Haiti, they need to take all the supplies with them on their flight. 

They have 8 of these bags full of supplies and it will cost $65 to take each bag to Haiti.

To help them out, I'm offering a special deal.

If you buy an ad space from me today or tomorrow, I will give you two months for the price of one.

I also will donate all the ad proceeds to their Haiti trip.

If you can spare a little change, I'd love to have you as a sponsor and help them out.

life is good

download printable here

My life lately has been hard.
Just, stuff. Personal stresses, car troubles, being super busy, etc.

At the same time,
my life lately has been really good.
I've learned what is important to me.
I shouldn't stay learned. I'm still learning.

I thought to myself the other day "You know, I'm either super busy or incredibly bored. Why is there never any inbetween?" And suddenly I realized: if I'm not super busy, I'm bored out of my mind. I must like being busy.

I'm pretty fortunate to have a job that I like, friends who want to spend time with me, a family close enough for me to visit, and a car to have problems with. I have seemingly endless photos to edit because people want me to share my talents with them. I have design projects to work on because I get the opportunity to intern with an amazing organization.

I spend a lot of time thinking about what's wrong in my life, wishing for things to be better, wondering why I don't have the same blessings my friends have.

I don't spend enough time being grateful for what is right in my life and the blessings I do have and hoping for the blessings to come in the future.

I've talked with a couple people recently about the difference between wishing and hoping. Wishing is a nice idea. We wish on stars, eyelashes, birthday candles, 11:11... I like the idea of wishing, I like the idea of granting people's wishes. But you know what I like more? Hope. Hope requires belief. Hope requires an understanding that there is someone out there waiting to bless you and help you. Hope requires faith that He will bless you with the righteous desires of your heart.

Once I remember how blessed I am and how much hope I have, I realize, life is so good.

instafriday

instagram: eliseypants

 1. That one time that I nailed my Wreck This Journal to the wall for people to draw on.

2. Bowling with my little brother.

3. Cubby and E Dizzle. Bowling names are the best.

 1. Steak for my sister's birthday.

2. WhoNu cookies are not Oreos. 

Oreos don't taste like vitamins.

3. Strawberries were on sale. :)

 1. & 3. Daily bedhead.

2. Sister bedhead.

 1. My sister's birthday roses.

2. Sunset through the blinds.

3. On a Neature Walk with Rya, Stina, and Nichelle(a).

1. Tire swings and 11 year old friends.

2. Roommates. :)

3. Curly hair and my Gussy Sews headband.

555. Giveaway.

You all rock.

Seriously.

I love blogging because of all you people.

Your uplifting/inspiring/funny/kind comments make my day.

The fact that I can ramble about boys I want to date, jewelry I don't have, and Justin Bieber

 and you still care to read my blog is awe inspiring. 

5 is my favorite number for many reasons.

Here are 5 of them.

1. E is the 5th letter in the alphabet.

2. My name has 5 letters and begins and ends with E (the 5th letter).

3. The number is roundish and squarish all at the same time. How aesthetic.

4. The 5s times tables were easiest for me to learn.

5. I was born in the 5th month of the year.

So, I'm celebrating. 

You and 5. 

And giving away 5 things.

To 5 winners.

1. From Vintage Wanna Bee,

the winner's choice of rosette headband.

2. Also from Vintage Wanna Bee,

a blush rosette necklace.

3. From Jessica's Jewels,

a (suuuuper cute) silver bird's nest necklace

4. From Finding My Way in Texas,

a Large ad space on her blog. ($8 value).

5. Also from Finding My Way in Texas,

$10 credit to her shop: Lonestar Lovlies.

Aren't you all lucky little duckies?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go, fight, win!

And thanks for being awesome. :)

dear boys 39

Favie from last week comes from the darling Michelle Corinne:


Dear Apartment Complex Neighbor,
You are very attractive, but still slightly awkward. This makes you even more fabulous because I'm awkward too. We should be friends and then you should ask me out.
Love,
Michelle



Dear 11 year old boy from the park,

Thank you for spinning my roommate and I on the tire swing.


And making sure I had the app "Rage of Bahamut" on my phone.


And for quoting all of the ASDF movie to us.


If you weren't 11 years old and you didn't eat your toenails, maybe you could be more than my pretend boyfriend.

Not really calling you my boyfriend because it's illegal and weird,
Elise

P.s. I hope I helped you level up with that promo code I entered in RoB.


Dear Flamingo,

You are a rockstar. Thank you for threatening me if I didn't eat offering me your left over Chick-fil-a yesterday. I'm sorry I turned you down and made you sad.
Also, I'm excited for the secret photography sky diving adventure.
Yay October!

Love,
The crazy aunt


Dear the three amigos,

I know which one of you I'm rooting for.  And we know which one of you we think will win.
But, we could be surprised.

Love,
The older roommates


Dear Walter S. Bacon,

She wants to punch you in the nose. But she'll get over it when she meets handsome happy valley boys.
;)

Love,
Elise
Dear City Boy,


Don't forget about me. Please?


Love,
Elise

Dear boys peeps:

Write your DB post, put the button on it, and link it up over here.

Then, go read the other DB posts linked up.

Share the DB 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>

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textersations and slashtexts

This post is brought to you by the number 6 and the letter katilda.

I understand that katilda is not a letter.

Also, the number 6 has nothing to do with anything. 

I just wanted to go all sesame street on y'all.

Seriously though, go textersation stalk katilda.

You won't regret it.

Stina

You are a fail whale, (not a fat joke)

So there's an attractive boy in front of me in class... then he had a girlfriend... blah! What kind of university is this? I would be a B plus girlfriend!

Every time I see Rachael Ray, I think of you. You are Rachael.

Wish Bear

I would tell you to get in love, but I think I'm jealous of him, so instead I think you should pop his bike tires.

Shli

Look! Grandkids!

Jessi

J: I have institute from but I can't remember what time

E: It's cancelled tonight, there was a fire in the building

J: Oh ok then I am free.

In the last 24 hours blogs have been very good to me. Just thought I would let you know.

'I dont know why I like to drop it like its hot mom I just do.' found that on pinterest

WendI

My roommate is making sheperd's pie tonight for dinner. . .it makes me think of you. . But why?

I can't even express how wonderful I think that idea is. Perisously.

Brad

The air mattress is not good enough her name is danielle

You should come over jeff needs wisdom

Oreo

Are christina And...boy over there falling in like with each other?

Other than sixth graders giving me tree cookies and primary kids telling me I smell good, my boy life isn't too exciting.

Actually

Are you two looking appreciable

M@

Did you find boys to snuggle with during your legitimate like a child born in wedlock movie?

M: Your “Kate Spade“ supports SOPA.

E: Ew, she does?

M: Yeah, but so does Nintendo and Sony. We can't judge them too harshly for making poor decisions.

Big Chevy truck in front of me with a license plate “Justin-B“. Very manly.

E: Today, I dedicate rick astley's together forever to you. In a non creepy way.

M: Today I dedicate Bryan Adams Everything I Do to you. In the same non-creepy way.

M: “At the Beginning with You“ playing at Smith's. Wut?

E: Donna lewis and richard marx baby. It's on love songs after dark all the time.

M: Maybe I don't listen to love songs after dark enough... Apparently.

E: LSAD is sway great.

M: El sad. How appropriate.

Was it you who likes I Can't Believe it's Not Butter, or just Fabio.

E: We're coming to get you to get your tb on!

M: But I like my tuberculosis off...

(tb=twizzleberry=froyo)

E: You know you're tired when Papyrus starts to look like an acceptable font choice.

M: There there. You wanna talk about it?

E: No, I'm okay.

M: Good. At least it wasn't Comic Sans.

Try perhaps duckface plus short, strong bursts of air.

M: Keep [your fingers] crossed the whole time.

E: But won't they get stuck that way? Or does that only apply to faces?

M: I don't think that even really applies to faces, Elise.

E: Whaaaaaat?

M: I dunno. It didn't work when I tried it at least. And I haven't met anyone with a face stuck "like that". That's all I know.

Steph

You should play the accordion.

Jeff

Guys are stupid girls are complicated and life makes no sense

(Not) Mason

E: I have strawberry milk for you

M: Awesome!
E: I can probably bring it to you, I just don't know when yet.

M: Sounds great- I'll wait up.

(This is around 8 pm... Mason is not a go to bed early kind of a guy)

E: Okay

M: Can you bring toilet paper?

E: No. Did someone steal your phone?

E: Just kidding! I totally have the wrong phone number.

M: Not as far as I know. But you might have the wrong number... I just figured since you were bringing groceries I would stock up... I live in North Carolina (really) and a hurricane is coming. Have a nice night! :)

And the #slashtexts

(aka: Nichelle slash Elise textersations)

E: we're going to have really well designed weddings because we've had so long to plan them

N: So True. When they ask us to marry them we can be like, sure, let me make a dozen phone calls and we can get hitched tomorrow. #beprepared #girlscoutsofweddings

 Everyone loves bacon. Even the jerks.

N: My stomach is in knots.

E: Rub some bacon on it?

N: Haha, okay. And then on the date I will smell like bacon... AKA I'll be irresistible.

E: Exactly. Bacon is the answer to everything. Except for what flavor do you want your milkshake. That answer is not bacon.

N: That answer is Reese's.

E: and he'll be like "hey, wanna go on another date this weekend and fall madly in love?"

N: and I'll be like, do I ever?!!! *smooch*

N: So in reality, our dating lives are practically perfect. 

E: Yeah. We have boys that might like us. We are living the dream!

N: Every girl wishes that they would one day have a boy who might like them. 

N: We should also make a board game... How to get out of the friend zone. It would be fun but also educational.

E: Like chutes and ladders! 

dear boys, you rock.

I whine about boys a lot.

Every Wednesday, in fact.

And I try really hard to keep things up beat and positive.

Even when I'm complaining.

But it's really easy to get caught up in boy bashing.

"Boys are so dumb."

"Boys suck at dating"

etc.

Here's the deal, team.

Boys are actually very awesome.

The media is full of awful messages about gender.

Women are supposed to be stick skinny and have flawless skin.

Men are supposed to have washboard abs and look like Ryan Gosling.

Women are supposed to remain feminine, but do everything men can do, and do it better.

And here's one that I have a big problem with.

In sitcom after sitcom we see the father figure in the family put down. He's expected to be the breadwinner, and that's about where his value ends. How often do sitcom moms make "dumb dad" jokes?

Home Improvement, anyone?

Tim's an idiot and Jill is the perfect housewife who keeps everything together.

Tim has his own TV show where he is constantly being injured. When he returns home from work, he’s constantly in trouble for causing some dilemma at home. Near the end of the episode, Tim always seeks the advice of his neighbor and solves the problem. Jill, his wife, is always “proved right”. Now, this may not seem a problem, but what is it that this show has taught us? Jill is right and solves all the families’ problems. On the opposing side, Tim has been displayed as stupid, incapable, and less beneficial to the family than Jill. 

We can't blame it all on the media and we can't blame it all on ourselves.

I do, however, think we need to acknowledge that something is wrong here.

We need to have respect for one another.

We need to remember that people have flaws.

And girls, we need to stop the boy bashing.

Today, being Father's day, I want to take the opportunity to be grateful.

Boys, Men, Fathers, Brothers, etc.

You truly are awesome. I know that so many of you try your hardest to be good. 

I appreciate that. 

I have a lot of respect for you guys.

Asking on dates? It's scary.

Rejection? It sucks.

I'm sorry girls can be impatient and inconsiderate. 

We all could make things easier on you.

And we could stop complaining and start being kinder.

The truth is, we really do really like you.

You're not perfect.

Girls are not perfect either.

It's a beautiful thing, the plan of happiness.

Our true, full potential is only reached once we are sealed to someone.

Men and women are meant to be together.

To complete each other.

To become perfect together.

So, let's stop the whining. 

And the boy bashing.

Yeah, dating is awkward and challenging.

But I think it was invented that way on purpose.

How else would we really learn about ourselves, learn how to communicate, and figure out how to solve problems together?

Can't we all be more respectful and have better attitudes?

Dear boys,

You rock.

Love,

Elise

favorite

via

via

via

via

via

But most favorite:

Mi hermanita.

(Not for sale)

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Love you tons.

instafriday

 1. New outfit.

2. Just Love.ly Things headband.

3. Raspberry lemon snow cream. Summer in a cup.

 1. #slashtexts we talk in code a lot and we think we're funny.

2. Lunch with Elisabeth, Nichelle, and Shaylee Ann.

2. More #slashtexts

 1. Maddox milkshakes.

2. Sunday afternoon: popcorn and reading.

3. Arby's cups give me pep talks on bad days.

 1.2.3. #dailybedhead

it's a thing.

 1. Inventing card games with Psych references. #sbpd

2. Summer camp t-shirt and a cardigan. 'Cause that's totally not how I'd wear it at camp.

3. Cool lens flare.

1. Birthday present.

2. Isn't it so pretty?

3. We're dating our blogs. It's fine.

we need boyfriends

instastalk me: eliseypants

bloggy bloggy blog blog

If you don't speak blog, you may not care to read this post.
Also, this is a blog. Just as a side note.
(I mention this because I'm not sure how you made it here without speaking blog.)


First item of business. The DIY Blogger house.


Super cool, right? Also, I met them. And you know how it's all noisy in the background when they're speaking? One of those chatty voices is me partyin' it up at Breathing Space.


Next.
Let's talk about how I got to meet my bloggy BFF, Shaylee Ann.
She doesn't live in Canada.
She did visit Logan though. We went to lunch. It was blissful.
I adore her. I have for a while, in fact.
And, we are failures as bloggers because we didn't even take a picture.

But, I fixed that.



Let's discuss. Elisabeth likes to carry her cute wallet under her arm instead of putting it in her purse. Also, she did not have braids yesterday, that is just how I always picture her in my mind. Shaylee really does have suuuuper gorgeous long pretty hair. (And she's very short next to Elisabeth and I, but we still love her. :) OHMYGOSHWEHADLUNCHWITHAMYADAMS. Just kidding. I'm so funny. Nichelle loves it when I make you look like Amy Adams jokes. But I made up for it with some Vintage Wanna bee product placement. And I gave myself one pocket because I didn't know what else to do with my hand.
We're all holding hands because we're BFFs now. Also, none of us wore dresses.


Another thing. Let's talk about how bloggers are actually really cool people.
We are. You are. All of us.
There is something about bloggy friendships that just isn't the same as anything else.
And it's different. There is definitely a lack of the interpersonal part of the relationship, but at the same time, when you read someone's blog, I think you just understand a deep part of them that nobody else does.

I feel like I'm rambling now. I just got on an I love blogging kick.
(Let's be honest, when am I not on an I love blogging kick?)
I'mma stop. Please comment about how much you love blogging also.
And about what a great artist I am.

Happy Thursday!

dear boys 38

Favie from two weeks ago comes from Michelle at Confessions of the Deathcab's Cutie:


Dear Ampersand,

Today, I make a commitment to use you much more often, on account of your awesomeness & classy ways.

Sincerely,
English Nerd

I LOVE me some Ampersands... & Boys.


Dear boys.


Dear babe the not pig,

I have less of a crush on you.
I do want to set your roommate up with Nichelle though.

Love,
Elise


Dear finnifer,

Your missionary emails make me feel like a proud mother... sister? Fellow camp counselor? Either way, I'm proud of you. And I miss your guts.

Love,
Sonny


Dear i before e,

Pinky touching is cool and all, but you should man up and hold her hand.

Love,
Elise and Nichelle


Dear Buzz Lightyear,

You're the only one who understands me.
Thank you for being such a great pillowcase.

Love,
Elise

P.s. I drool over you. Ha ha.


Dear g-unit,

You have awful timing.

Love,
Elise


Dear City Boy,

Yep. Still.

Love,
Elise

Dear boys peeps:

Write your DB post, put the button on it, and link it up over here.

Then, go read the other DB posts linked up.

Share the DB 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>

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