Flashback Tuesday

I have mixed feelings about this flashback....it does make me laugh, but only once I'm done being nauseous.

Once upon a time, the summer of my freshman year of high school, I think, I went to a youth retreat for church. On the last day, the leaders created a "Fear Factor" experience for us, with the overall message of Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of a good courage". One of the challenges involved drinking a smoothie that was made of a chili cheese dog, potato chips, oreos, and orange soda. Yes, it was just as disgusting as you think it was. Whichever team finished the most cups of the smoothie won. I ended up being the only person on my team to actually finish a cup. Darn competitive streak. I swear, I will never forget how that smoothie tasted. 

This was me after the competition. I was not a happy camper - but I laughed through the nausea! And my team thought I was awesome:)

The Slash Blog!

Okay, so I just discovered Nichelle and Elise/their blogs, but I'm already head-over-heels. Their blogs are inspiring, funny...they're good, people. When I saw the first announcement for the creation of The Slash Blog, I was super excited - and now it's live! Read on to find out more....

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Meet Nichelle and Elise. Nichelle blogs at Vintage Wanna Bee and Elise blogs at Elise's Pieces. 

They are BFFs and they think they are way funny slash, they are actually pretty funny.

Elise and Nichelle met in a Women's Organization that focused on personal growth, faith and sisterhood. After becoming besties, and realizing they blog were obsessed with blogging, they decided to create 

The Slash Blog!

The Slash Blog is a sisterhood that focuses on faith, friendship, service and sisterhood. 

Click here to learn more about The Slash Blog and why it's called, "The Slash Blog".

The Slash Blog is officially live as of today! Head on over to check out this new blog that focuses on and is based on friendship. Elise slash Nichelle invite you to join along with their Weekly Inspirations, Weekly Challenges, Weekly Uplifting Printables, Monthly Serviced Projects and more! Head on over to the blog, 'Join The Sisterhood', or just come by to get a smile or a laugh! 

Check out The Slash Blog here:

{BLOG} {FACEBOOK} {TWITTER} {PINTEREST}

The Slash Blog is also having a "Slash Bash" in honor of the new blog launch!

If you are in Northern Utah, or Southern Idaho, Elise slash Nichelle invite you to come to this Super Awesome Blog Party! Please RSVP on the facebook event here. 

If you would like to get involved, have questions, want to say hello, have a funny joke, or have a charity or organization you would like to see on The Slash Blog, you can send an email to The Slash Girls at:

theslashblog@gmail.com

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So go! Check it out - and thank me later:)

Santa Cruz

A conversation:

me: I took a day trip to Santa Cruz!

other person: Cool! Did you go to the Boardwalk?

me: Um, no.

other person: Oh. The beach?

me: No...

other person: What did you do?

And here is the answer:

The Mystery Spot is, like, the coolest thing ever. It's this place where the normal laws of physics don't seem to apply. As in, balls roll uphill. It's like there's more gravity there, or this weird magnetic pull, or something  like that. Near the center of the Mystery Spot, inside a tool shed, there's this "17* lean" that everyone experiences, where you're leaning way more than is ever normal. It's crazy, because you can stand on the very edge of a table, and you'll be totally leaning off of it, but you don't fall. However, if you jump off, you crash into the wall behind you. Not that I tried. And you can just walk up the ladder on the wall like it's a staircase. We had a really great tour guide - if you go, try to get in Mac's group. There was minor nausea and dizziness involved inside the shed, but it was totally worth it.

I don't know about you, but when I think "Santa Cruz", I think of the beach. I definitely do not think of a forest - but that was the second destination. We didn't do much at the Henry Powell State Park besides hike a small trail through a grove of redwoods {gorgeous!}. But the idea of doing my morning runs on that trail was enough to make me seriously consider moving there...


Fellow Californians, where do you go on vacations?  I'm totally open to suggestions!

It's FRIDAYYYY!?!

Linking up with Lauren for HIGH 5 FOR FRIDAY!

This week has gone by way too quickly! Don't get me wrong; I love the fact that it's Friday...but can I have, like, three more Fridays after this one? To get everything done? Sound good? Great.

images 2, 4 & 5 are all off of Pinterest ... I don't remember where from exactly, but gimme some slack?

#1) Santa Cruz day trip yesterday! More about that tomorrow...

#2)  By becoming the answer to someone's prayer, we often find the answers to our own.

DIETER F. UCHTDORF

And isn't it lovely?

#3) I am loving my red pencil skirt to death. I'm going to have to whip up another one - I do have a gray shirt just sitting around...

#4) My friend's brother got home from his mission this week! I don't actually know him, but it was definitely a highlight of my week. I can't believe it's already been two years...it doesn't feel like it at all. But I've loved hearing his stories - maybe now I'll actually meet him sometime!

#5) Romans 15:4 - It's so true! And it works like crazy. I am soooo glad to have the scriptures in my life!


Happy Friday - make the most of the weekend! I'll be cramming in all the work I possibly can, and doing a temple session tomorrow. Bliss!

Dear Boys,

Dear Guy at JCPenney's,

I didn't mean to stare. It's just, I have this huge thing for red-heads, and you fit the bill quite nicely. But you were looking, too, so why am I apologizing?

Yours,
The Girl at JCPenney's



Dear Duck,

Come on - a girlfriend? Really? Not cool. We totally had something last month.
But I'm over you. Just in case you were wondering.
But if you decided you didn't actually like your girlfriend, I might decide to be un-over it.

Let me know...
Turtle



Dear Runner,

I'm not a stalker! I told you, I met your sister a couple of weeks ago, which is why I already knew everything that you told me about your family and your running. Why I didn't just keep that fact to myself, I don't know. But still...please don't think I'm crazy. You were kinda nice....

Love,
Niamh



Dear D,

Please work on being less awkward.

Thank you much,
The BFF



My dearest Spaniard,

Love me? Please?

Lovelovelove,
La Senorita




Dear Colors,

I'm really not an idiot. Just because I introduced myself to you twice means nothing. It's not like you were helping the conversation along at all.

Love,
That Dumb Blonde




Dear Zach-attack,

I was really excited when you actually remembered my name.
Then you ruined it by telling me that you were pretty sure the only reason you had been able to was because you had been practicing remembering things while drunk, so remembering things while sober was a breeze.
Great going.

See ya...not,
NEEV



Dear Elise-who-is-most-definitely-not-a-boy,

Best. Idea. Ever.

Lovin' dem boys,
Niamh

"Hey, Wanna Save a Life?"

That's the text Kayla Jo sent out to recruit people for the  DKMS bone marrow drive we were volunteers at.

www.getswabbed.org 

We helped register hundreds of bone marrow donors - amazing, selfless people who were willing to sacrifice  to help patients who they've never met. At the drive, after they registered, the swabbed their cheeks. These swabs will be tested to see if any of them are matches for current leukemia/blood cancer patients. If they are, their marrow will be used in a bone marrow transplant for that patient. They could save a life. I have crazy huge respect for these individuals. They taught me a lot about sacrifice - especially the man who, as he was filling out his application, said, "I'm kinda of scared that I'll actually be a match and get to save a life, but you gotta do what you gotta do to help."

So a huge thank you to anyone out there who is registered as a bone marrow donor! Even if you never end up being a match for a patient, your willingness is amazing and touching.

If you're not registered, and you'd like to be, head on over to getswabbed.org.

Jersey Knit Pencil Skirt {A Tutorial}

Or, All Right, I'm Legit Now

I saw this tutorial on Merrick's Art and loved it, but I don't own any pencil skirt to trace. However, I've had this {unexplainable and unreasonable} thing against pencil skirts {much like my former thing against jeggings}, and I didn't own any pencil skirts to trace. So I had to do it my own way.

Nothing makes you feel like a legit blogger like posting an actual tutorial. And so, without further ado, I bring you the

PENCIL SKIRT FROM A MAN'S T-SHIRT

tutorial

#1) Get a man's t-shirt. Mine was from my dad, but you could steal it from a brother or significant other - or if all else fails, but one at the 99 Cents Store (over here, we're all cheap thrifty). Mine was size XL.

#2) Make your pattern. I taped a couple pieces of old newspaper together, but you could probably use anything. You'll need to take your measurements. Measure in the marked places in the image below, and measure how far in between those lines. Divide each of those measurements in half and use them to make your pattern.

This was my pattern:

#3) Lay the pattern on the shirt (which should be inside-out), lining up the bottom of the pattern with the bottom of the shirt. Pin around the pattern.

#4) Sew with a zig-zag stitch along the inside of the pins

#5) Cut off excess fabric

#6) Fold over top and sew to make waistband

#7) Turn right side out and rock it!

It is so incredibly comfy - and I'm pretty sure it has more leg-room than most pencil skirts. I think I'm going to have to try all of the trends I'm against right now, seeing how much I love my pencil skirt and skinny jeans!

E-mail me or comment with any questions!

Linking up with Sundae Scoop at I {Heart} Nap Time, the Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table Dreaming, Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou, Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff, the DIY Project Parade at the DIY Show-off, Craft-O-Maniac Monday at Craft-O-Maniac, Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple, Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog, Talent Tuesday at Vintage Wanna Bee, Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife, Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios, Create and Share at the Trendy Treehouse, Adorned from Above, Hookin' Up with HoH, Show Off Friday

here

High 5 for Friday... {YUM} Edition!

This time around, it's all about food. There's been so much of it this week, and it's all been so good!

#1) I woke up early the other day to make...chocolate chip pancakes! A girl's got to indulge every once in a while!

#2) Cheap kiwis make me happy - cause then we get tons! How do you eat your kiwis? I eat them with a spoon, like you would eat a cantaloupe. Is that weird?

#3) SALSA! Wimpy not-so-spicy-cause-I-can't-handle-that salsa, but still salsa. 

#4) Fresh pasta salad - the only thing that could have made it better would have been tomatoes. Too bad the tommy-toes in the garden are still puny...they're getting there!

#5) Strawberries....yum. I'll put whatever fruit we have on an English muffin!

It's all so stinkin' GOOD!

P.S. Is this not the cutest ipad case EVER?

via

You could win one! Check out the giveaway at Adventures in Dressmaking!

Treasure Hunting

This morning, I went to a pretty amazing used bookstore. I lovelovelove used bookstores, and used books in general. As long as they're not falling apart, I'll take a used book over a new one any day. It's a special treat for me if I buy a used book and find that it was annotated by the previous owner. I like knowing what they thought or found important. It's kind of like making a new friend, without having to actually do anything out of my comfort zone!

Today I picked up 5 books:

Hard Times and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

The Collected Sonnets of Edna St. Vincent Millay

Emily's Quest by L.M. Montgomery {the third in a trilogy that I haven't actually read, but come on-it's L.M. Montgomery!}

A Double Life by Louisa May Alcott {apparently she wrote thrillers before Little Women}

An amazing Thursday to you all!

Oh, How Pinteresting!

I don't know about you, but I love Pinterest. It's a bit addictive. I don't actually have a Pinterest account, but I could browse on it for hours....and I do. No, really - for hours. I ought to get an account already.

You know what else is addictive? Bad X-Factor/American Idol auditions on YouTube. Hee-larious!

Anyhoo, these are some of the pins that have caught my fancy lately:

pinned by anna via fashionworship.com

pinned by taylor via lovemaegan.com

pinned by lisa burt via http://theglitterguide.tumblr.com/page/4

pinned by jeffrey berrios via bitrebels.com 

pinned by manthan tripathi via awwww just cute

pinned by kati feines stoffchen via gogokim.blogspot.com

pinned by andrea marie via behance.net 

pinned by kaitlyn noreen via sailboatwaves.tumblr.com

Happy Wednesday!

Edification

When was the last time you read Romans, chapter 8? Apparently it's been way too long since I have. I read it last night.....and, wow. Since I started reading the New Testament, no chapter has hit me so hard.

//1//2//3//4//5//

Those are some of my favorite verses. They're so uplifting and comforting! I'll definitely be coming back to this chapter often.

Have a lovely Tuesday!