A couple of new loves

Floral scarves are oh-so-pretty.

Found here.

This stuff is fantastic. It makes my hair silky smooth. I've fallen in love and I'll never go back.



Wishes for my 27th

Every year, my darling mother asks for a birthday list. I've started posting it online because she is one of about five people who read my blog, and I know she'll see it. :) Since it's November, and I'll be 27 in a little less than 27 days, here's the list-ee-o:

1. mobile from Ten Thousand Villages to hang in my classroom. It's of children around the world.
2. wake-up light. I know it's a little frivolous, but I still think it's cool. Maybe it would make me into more of a morning person?
3. necklace with M and J on round charms. Questions? Ask Melanie. :)
4. bathroom scale
5. strand of pearls from Forever 21
6. black flats
7. work/grading bag (big and cute, please :) ) I'd LOVE this one.
8. nice pen
9. another watch band
10. Mary Englebreit's Fairy Tales. To add to my collection. :)
11. Cinderella
12. Twig bobby pins. Just wishing....
13. new (solid color) purse
14. candles and pillars
15. external hard drive
16. Moneyball
17. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
18. The Time Keeper
19. Emergency Preparedness stuff (This Sandy stuff has me thinking...)
20. a fancy date
21. dance party, dance party, dance party!
22.  27 of something :)
23. tights
24. a "Crafternoon"
25. ANYTHING from Desert Book. Jenny? Jenny?
26. Tickets to ODT's It's a Wonderful Life

And the one thing I want most of all?

26 candles. My, that was a beautiful birthday.

27. lots of time spent with people I love

Remember that time when I did a 5K even though I had mono, and then I slept for the rest of the day? Yeah, those were good times.

Even though I had been newly diagnosed with mono (for the second time, I might add) Josh drove with me to Ogden for the Color Vibe 5K. I met up with one of my teacher friends there and her cute kiddos (including one former student and one current student).

I didn't run... I walked. I figured that was the wisest course of action. Josh held my hand the whole way, and I honestly had a blast! We were drenched (drenched?) in color, and we danced around to lots of crazy music, including Eye of the Tiger. Because really... how can you have a race without Eye of the Tiger? I can't wait to do it again next year (hopefully I'll have licked the mono by then. It's a beast, I tell ya).

 Yay for Yellow!

 Look at that beautiful scenery. (I'm talking about the mountains, not Josh. Although, he's pretty nice to look at, too, now that I think about it.)

 Is that Josh or Cookie Monster? I just can't tell.

 We crossed the Finish Line. Yellow, Blue, Pink, and Purple... and then all the colors in a burst of goodness??? Pure joy.

 Doesn't it look like he had a great time?

 Mwah!

Please look past the crazy hair and tired face. I DID have mono, people. Still, it was a fantastic morning!

Snapshots of my life...

according to my iPhone

Yummy ice cream!

 BYU??? Blech!

 The annual Conference Ride and lunch in Heber

Color Vibe 5K in Ogden

30 for 30: Post #1

If you read Mellie Jane's blog, you might already know that the Hortin sisters are currently trying out the oh-so-popular (at least in the fashion blogging world) 30 for 30.

Here's how it goes: you choose 30 pieces from  your wardrobe (no small feat, I assure you) and you create outfits for the next 30 days, using only those pieces. Accessories are fair game, as is jewelry, but shoes count as part of the 30 pieces. Sound simple? Yeah, that's what I thought, too.

It turns out that this is really more of a challenge for me than I originally anticipated. You see, 30 things seems like a lot until you really start getting down to brass tacks. So far I've stayed true to the 30 items I chose, but I've only taken a few pictures. Here are the outfits I've put together so far in the challenge.

blazer: H&M

boots: Nine West

skirt: Ralph Lauren outlet

shirt: H&M

scarf: San Diego Zoo

My favorite so far!

shirt: DownEast Basics

pants: H&M

scarf: H&M

sweater: remixed from a dress from JC Penney

bangles: H&M

denim jacket: second hand from roommate

skirt: The Nest on Main

scarf: Christmas gift from a dear friend

shirt: DownEast Basics

boots: Down to Earth via Gardner Village

shirt: DownEast Basics

skinnies: Old Navy

boots: Down to Earth

scarf: Gift from FB (That stands for Former Boyfriend)

cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger Outlet

shirt: DownEast Basics

skirt: Ralph Lauren Outlet

shoes: Nine West

colorful bracelet: Sidewalk Sale in Preston, ID

cardigan: H&M

undershirt: H&M

plaid shirt: Target

skirt: Nordstrom

Pattern mixing like a boss.

dress: DownEast Basics

boots: Down to Earth

belt: Nine West

bracelet: gift from Grandma

Here are a few things I've learned so far from this challenge:

1. If you're going to take pictures of yourself wearing things, and you live by yourself, you must have a full length mirror. You must also get used to poor picture quality. Sorry, blog friends.

2. Choosing from such a limited selection means you have to jump out of your fashion comfort rut and try mixing things together that you  normally wouldn't. That's how I ended up mixing stripes and plaid... and now I love it!

3. When you choose those 30 pieces, please make sure that everything you choose goes with at least one other thing you chose. It will just make your life easier.

4. It's good to choose a few things that are "work horse" items - they go with anything and are great foundation pieces.

Well, there you have it - 30 for 30 in a nutshell. If you would like to see what the other Hortin girls are wearing, here's Melanie, Jenny, and Carrie.

And if you'd like to see other fashion bloggers' takes on 30 for 30, try here, here, here or here.