Fashion Show!

I just had my designs in my first fashion show!!!! Words can not describe how wonderful it was! I really don't know how I pulled it off, but it went amazingly. I had some seriously great models, and great support from my family. My Mom even flew into town just to see it! I dedicated the show to my grandmother. She was so inspirational in me starting to sew as a kid. I wanted to do what she did. She passed away two weeks ago. I had showed her drawings of all my designs when I had visited her a few weeks before then. I have no doubt in my mind that she was helping me, and pushing me to get my designs done for the show tonight. I know she would be proud.

I don't have the professional pics yet, but my amazing mother came and took some pics for me!

Fashion Show

I AM GOING TO BE IN A FASHION SHOW!!! Is this real life? I seriously cannot wait. Since finding out a week ago today, I was entered into the fashion show, drew up the designs, bought half of the fabric, and now have a partner in crime ;) Only 3 months to get it all done? Bring. It. On.

I thought I would give y'all a taste of where I'm at on this crazy endeavor of mine, and I'll try to update often. Here's a couple of the sketches :) sorry about the bad quality, there is pretty much no good lighting in my apartment

I pretty much can't even sleep because I'm too excited that this is happening. Or at least that's what I tell myself. I try and do things that I am afraid of on a regular basis, and having my work out there where everyone can see is definitely high up on my list. But it is so worth it, I have been dreaming of this since I was a little girl. I can't wait to see my work on a runway.

The fashion show is all for charity, and it's looking like there will be 2 shows, 2 days in a row, and I will give more details when everything is totally finalized.

I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to put myself out there.

Summer dreaming and short hair

So, I know it's January, but I'm feeling some serious longing for summer. I miss those long hot summer days. Which of course made me start thinking about swimsuits and shorter haircuts.

For example if I was to cut my hair I have found a couple of top contenders
January Jones (my old boss always said I looked like her)


Then there is the Karlie Kloss, which is pretty much the new Jennifer Aniston layered look


And finally there is the edgy Emma Watson!


Obsessed.


Now for the top contenders for this years swimsuit

this gorgeous white one piece (Zimmermann laughing gull white one-piece halter swimsuit. Nylon/elastane.)


The scalloped bikini (similar here, and here)


Or a cute cut-out?

Resolutions and Reflections

2013 was a very good year for me. It was the first full year of being married o my sweetheart. I love him like crazy! Spent the first week of the year in Hawaii. We spent a month in Europe on a ballroom dance tour. We made some great friends, and got to know each other better. I became a red head. We moved 2 times. We traveled a lot. Bradley got a great internship and job, I had a job and then quit it when I couldn't move to part time during school. I got offered a new job starting next semester. And to top it all off I went sledding for the first time since I was 5! There's been some amazing moments this year, and here's to making next year even better!
here's a few pictures of some of my favorite moments from this year, dance shows, California, Europe, etc.









Admittedly I am pretty stereotypical with my resolutions. I really want to get fit, eat healthier, and have a clean house (or apartment in my case), and to magically become a better more caring person in general. That being said, I still generally forget what my resolutions even are after about a week, cause seriously I'm usually travelling around the holidays and how the heck am I supposed to remember what I actually decided on at midnight. Last year I didn't even celebrate new years eve, even though I was in Hawaii. I ended up falling asleep at 8 pm due to a nasty cold. So this year I'm determined to make some real resolutions, and write them down and post them so I can't forget.

1) Diet. Just because I am no longer crazy allergic to a billion foods, doesn't mean I should eat all the crappy food again. Time to Bring back the protein shakes! They are much better for snacks than say, half of a chocolate orange. Or a giant bowl of lactose free ice cream (just cause it says it's lactose free doesn't mean it's healthy)

2) Exercise. I really need to start working out on a more regular basis than once a month if I ever expect my back to hurt less. I am resolving to work out 3 times a week as soon as school starts.

3) Organizing. I am establishing and following the if you get one clothing item you got to get rid of another, no more obese closet syndrome, cause goodness knows I hardly ever wear half the clothes I have.

4) Cleaning. Make the bed. every day.

5) Spiritual. Read scriptures daily and go to the temple regularly

That one time I almost became a model

One day, I decided to quit my job which had me working full time along with school full time because I was concerned about failing classes. Then I got worried that we'd have NO money so I decided to apply to a part time job... as a model. It was an open thing and I got accepted for a test shoot. and by accepted I mean I had actually applied for a sales job but they told me I should be a model.
When I was younger I had sworn off modeling as even a possible profession because I feel like the industry in general tries to make women feel bad about themselves. I am naturally tall and skinny. I do not want any girl to feel less pretty just because she is not as skinny as me. I am not sure I could ever be happy knowing that I made other women feel bad about themselves, since I really think that there are SO MANY beautiful women, that just don't believe that they are.

But... this was a gig with only one boutique, and they seemed to have a variety of models. It seemed ok.

So then I got to the test shoot, the first thing I noticed is that we were supposed to model A LOT of tank tops. I am not exactly a tank top wearer even during the summer. I'm a lot more comfortable covering those shoulders up. But luckily they had me try on some jackets first for my shoot. Phew.
The second thing I noticed was that every girl actually working there had some seriously large boobs. Like I am talkin D's and double D's, and most were as skinny as me! I am a solid B cup. Me and my photographer joked with each other about being small chested. She was awesome.

Then they asked me to wear a tank top... With a sheer back... then they added a bracelet. Tiny wrist+ Giant bangle = not the best look. Especially when the "model" in question is way uncomfortable in this super sheer tank top. I'm pretty sure the photos were more of me grimacing and looking uncomfortable than of me smiling.
Afterwards they told me I did a great job and that they would contact everyone within a week.

A week came and went before I finally got an e-mail of rejection. They were "going a different way." To be honest, I was relieved. I felt like I had been compromising my morals for a job.

Soon after receiving the e-mail of rejection I received a different e-mail... My photo and submission had been accepted onto http://www.stopobjectification.com/ !!!! Perfect timing. There is nothing wrong with modeling, I have many friends who are amazingly beautiful models. But I was really uncomfortable modeling tank tops and that feeling of being objectified. I have been objectified so many times in my life, and I want to be so much more than "cute and skinny" which is my most common compliment. I want to be a great mom to my future children, I want to be a great teacher who cares about her students, I want to make a difference in the world, and not be someone else's clothing advertisement.

Alright, So I have definitely gone on long enough for one night. I just wanted to share these recent escapades.

Please enjoy this picture of puppy and my bearded dragon lizard 'almost' looking like friends!

Cheesy Quinoa

Be still my beating heart, I have found a new favorite dish to cook. It is quite possibly the most ridiculously easy thing to cook and it is SO GOOD! The hubby was obsessed. It's good to fiind something he actually Wants to eat. The man gets bored of food so much faster than I do (different cereal every week, but none of the healthy stuff! Drives me crazy) So me, being a little bit of a health nut, it is always hard to find healthy, affordable, delicious meals to make. Especially ones that take less than half an hour to make, cause let's face it Who has the time? between juggling school, work, internships, and an attempted social life it is nearly impossible to eat healthy on a budget. That's why this dish is so perfect! I am a huge fan of quinoa, ever since I realized I am gluten intolerant it has become a staple in my diet. Also, it is super fast and easy to cook! I have made it twice in the past week, I cannot get enough.

The best part about quinoa is that it is SO EASY to cook! I just put a cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water in a pot, get it to boiling, then turn it to low and put a lid on it for about 12 minutes. Always fluffy every time.

So i got the original recipe from this awesome blog here

The best part about it though is that you can definitely change it up a ton! So when hubby and I made it the first time I lessened the cream cheese (and used the low-fat kind), used extra sharp cheddar because it has less lactose and added in some hillshire farms sausage slices to up the protein content! Also next time, since hubby liked it so much, I'm going to sneak in a bunch of vegetables ;) just to get that extra serving of vegetables into the day. Hubby even made the suggestion of having it be our contribution to Thanksgiving dinner with the family! That's when I know it is a successful recipe.

Five Things Friday

Things I am obsessed with right now

first off, leather pants, or pretty much leather anything. So obsessed. Something about fall makes me love it even more than normal! (All vegan, of course) and then there's the booties, a girl can never have too many. Oh, and have i mentioned the faux fur vests? so dang cute!

fave five friday by munchkin28 featuring a cream vest

Jane Norman cream vest
$64 - janenorman.co.uk

Free People black skinny leg pants
revolveclothing.com

La Fée Verte legging
anthropologie.com

Jessica Simpson lace up heel booties
lordandtaylor.com

GUESS by Marciano ankle booties
guessbymarciano.guess.com

Another thing I am loving right now are these super cute pillowcases! his and hers... These ones are from Etsy. I might just have to make some his and her pillows of my own for hubby and my room


and the fifth thing is my favorite quick at home workout video
it's only 10 minutes, but it is great!