Playlist #1- Gooooooood Morning!

The one thing I wanted in the mornings for this last summer was good music to help wake me up! I started taking a few morning shifts at 7 AM (I know, ridiculous or what?), and used particular songs to help get my day started!

SO I compiled a list of ten songs, as you can see, of what I consider to be decent morning/wake-up songs. Granted, you may start getting mad at whatever song you use every morning, so I definitely suggest you try switching it around every other morning or so. Something like that.

Anyways, I put up these videos and my reasons of WHY this is a decent playlist. Enjoy:

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. 
There is a slight possibility I have watched too much Supernatural. But come on! This song never gets old. Never. My mother would try playing different songs in the mornings to get us kids up for the day. As annoyed as I always was... you cannot stay mad at this song. Not even Sam Winchester can. Not really.

Good Morning by (trio) Singing in the Rain
Speaking of another song that never grows old... this is ageless! And can you believe it took me about twenty years to learn what this complete song was? yeah, I never heard the whole thing until I spent more time with my grandparents and they started showing me the ropes of the good ol' days and musicals. Because it's freaking awesome. And come on, Gene Kelly.

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!
I think that's right, anyways. Pretty sure. This song is just too catchy and amusing to be left in the dust, am I right? And there's really not much else to say to it. Jam out and enjoy it!

Roar by Katy Perry
I am not a huge Perry fan, and the chorus scripting realllllly annoys me for multiple reasons. But it's also really catchy and I have yet to hate it being stuck in my head. So it made the list, basically. Good way to start the day. Plus at the very least, you can watch the music video and get a good laugh, right?

Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
It's fun, it's catchy, and again, I cannot resist dancing to it. The main trick to get up in the morning is to immediately start moving, after all. And what better way to start this all out than to start dancing, am I right??

Wild One by Flo Rida
This is the main song I used for this past summer to get me up. Though the beginning isn't ideal to use to get up, it starts off decently and helps you wake up that way. You can shake it out as you crawl out of bed and start your day! It worked for me, at least.

Jessie's Girl by Rick Sprinfield
Ever since I first heard this song during "13 Going On 30" I have just adored this. I actually have a nail polish color- electric pink/purple called Jessie's Girl. It's pretty freaking awesome and yes, the name is most of the reason I keep and wear it. I couldn't resist! This song is just so... snazzy!

I Like The Ones by Austin Gibbs
Thanks to "The Maine' band, I got to listening to Gibbs. He's got a country twang to his rock and roll and though this song is a bit grungy... I can't help myself. Plus, I saw this guy live. And let me tell you... it's freaking worth it. The vibe is so strong in this song, you cannot lie there in bed listening to it, I promise you. You will at least be twitching along!

Wake Up by Two Door Cinema
I keep promising myself I will listen to them more. And I mean to. And you know what? I will. Because they are worth it. Because this song is worth it. It's a might slower than I prefer for the mornings- but add this to your list towards the end, and it'll keep things running smoothly as you get ready to begin your day!

San Francisco by The Mowgli's
It's one of the many new songs I'm listening to it, and I really enjoy it. I like it. A lot. And it's perfect to finish up as you brush your teeth, grab your things, and head out the door for a brand new day!

Okay, so what do you think? What songs get you started in the morning?

November, November, November....

Less than five weeks left of school!

Plus Thanksgiving break, so...

Basically, like four weeks left of school!

Anyways, things are crazier than ever- I'm working about 40 hours a week as of next week, GAH. Plus school is crunching down. AND I'm plotting for next semester (can it get any crazier?)

And the holidays are abounding! Halloween is over and on to the next one.

I am hoping to be able to make it to see my family up north for the holidays. They have a new house and everything! Should be pretty awesome, am I right?

By the way, I'm doing the crazy thing I have always said I would never do: 

Listening to Christmas music already!

I know, insane, right? But I'm so ready for the season! Are you??

Story Book Parade

The other day Katie, as relief society president in our church ward (huge calling, huzzah!), was asked to find a few volunteers for the Story Book Parade!

It was called something along those lines, anyways.

Anyways, so we headed out a little after one to get prepped up. We got our other roommate Kali to come along, along with Katie's Ryan. The current beau. We met up with our bishop and some more friends from the ward and then, as we admired other costumes, we divided the ones we were given!

Choices: two princesses, a dog, a bear, a turtle, and a hare.

Since I was never a big fan of hunky costumes, I am more than willing to admit that I definitely preferred the princess costumes. However, I am able to acknowledge that I don't exactly look like one, especially with my glasses and short hair. And short stature, let's face that. So I shrugged and accepted my fate as:

The turtle!

It got amusing and remained amusing for ten minutes. Not so much as Katie spent laughing at me, but whatever. I teamed up with Kali because she could barely see through her huge mask head. It was so hot and stuffy- try wearing a pillow pet on your head in the sun. It's not easy!

Us animals met up at our station with a couple of kids and such, who loved our costumes. And we headed out!

At first, Kali and,  I just were going to link arms and stroll around and wave. But eventually we gathered the courage to start high-fiving kids. Then they started hugging us. Then they got excited for a "ninja turtle" (sorry, not actually a fan), and eventually I fell so behind, I had to run after my float!

Try running in a fat suit and two pillow pets on your head in the sun. With your hair in your face. And not being sure if those pillow pets are really staying on or not! Tricky or what?

But still, the kids were adorable and I kept running along. Luckily my untied shoe didn't trip me, I didn't fall over kids, and I didn't even pass out! Because I'm pretty sure I was really, really cutting it close. It's been an hour and I'm still really hot and dehydrated.

Overall, I'm glad I wasn't a character while working at Disney World. I might have died. But I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it out, and I'm so glad I got to do it with Kali. She's such a doll and we had a good time laughing together over the whole charade!

October Musts:

So I don't think I really did a post all October.

For that, I apologize.

In my defense, it was freaking nuts! My family moved, I had midterms, I actually started hanging out with people, and I have three jobs. I know, right? But it's a blast and I love it!

But here are October Musts:

(unfortunately I had to miss out on half of them this year due to my insanely busy schedule. But starting up next year again, I will do better!)

Make pumpkin bread

Make pumpkin cookies

Make other awesome holiday treats

Take pictures of leaves changing colors

Eat candy corn with peanuts (it's a... family thing? perfect way to go!)

Plan out your costume

Plan others costumes (because you obviously know best!)

Make cut outs of crows, bats, pumpkins and witches!

Buy a black crow from the dollar store anyways and give him a post to watch others

Decorate the house appropriately

Pull out your winter clothing

Watch movies*

*Movies consist of:

Young Frankenstein (best enjoyed on Halloween Night)

Frankenweenie

Beetlejuice

Hocus Pocus

Halloweentown

Addams Family

Ghostbusters

Paranorman

Coraline

Edward Scissorhands

Corpse Bride

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy

The list goes on....

And there you have it, my friends. The October Musts. Am I missing anything??

Fa-SHUN

Okay so I said would do a piece about fashion and thought I would get it through really quickly!

Not that I'm saying I don't love fashion- because I do enjoy dressing myself (and friends) up all the time. It's just when it comes to magazines, celebrities- there, you will lose my interest.

Let me start this off with: FASHION IS YOUR OWN THING. 

Meaning it's an "eye of the beholder" kind of deal. We all have different fashions. I mean, ten years ago my sisters thought I really needed fashion help. Now, they always want to borrow my clothes. (To be fair,I like borrowing their stuff too).

Not only is it in the eye of the beholder BUT it's got to work for YOU as in soul and body. Especially body. Please, yes, the body.

Zooey Deschanel

Step One:
So figure out your shape!

Here are a couple of sites if you are not entirely sure:
Find Your Body Shape
Body Shape Calculator
And there are dozens more!

Me? I don't quite cut an hourglass shape like my sister or the athletic one like my other sister (thanks guys for taking my favorites), but the delicious pear shape. I just need caramel and I'm the whole deal!

Haha, but seriously.

Olivia Wilde

Step Two:
Know what to high lite and what to hide!

We'll use my shape for example, obviously. It's the best I have to work with. And I adore compliments because it means I'm doing something right. I am emphasizing particular features that I want to work best with.

I emphasize: my waist. It's fairly quaint.
AND most importantly: it takes the attention away from my hips.

My best chance: Fitted at the waist, and loose falling down. I don't want attention to my thighs personally, so I hide those.

What do you want to high lite? (Emphasize/Show off/Make bigger)
Your chest? Wear something showy and bigger. Like ruffles.
Your waist? Like I said, show how small it is. Make an hourglass figure.
Your legs? Short cuffed pants, tight skirts
Your hips? Plum tops and skirts will add volume!
Your shoulders? Off the shoulder and strapless.

What do you want to hide?
Make smaller.
Hide your chest? Wear plainer tops and suit jackets. Cardigans sometimes make them bigger.
Hide your legs? Long skirts and heels if you're daring. Wear pants well fitted- NOT baggy.
Hide your hips? Emphasize the waist then- or even block that and wear something empire waisted!

Emma Watson

Step Three:
Try it out.

The only way you will know for sure is to test it out! So be daring! I am still trying to convince Katie, who has lovely long legs, to wear those flowing pants. Which I can't wear because I'm short and have big hips and not great legs which will only look chunky in those.

Also, look for fashion icons with your shape and try that out as well. Even those who aren't your shape, you can try- like most of my fashion roles.... Yeah. Hm. I should work on that. But still ;D

Also in this step: be willing to admit what you can't wear. I cannot do the short skirt and leggings. I can't do it and it kills me. Skinny jeans are also an insanely risky venture for myself.

But be willing to go crazy and try all sorts of things, in all sorts of different colors and designs and such!

Charlavail

Warning:
I am not trying to make anyone feel bad about themselves. Fat or thin, skinny or chunky, blonde or brunette (or redhead!)- 95% of women are self-conscious and somewhat insecure. Don't be. Learn to love yourself, whichever body shape you have. Is a square better than a triangle? All shapes can be beautiful. So dress yourself up and feel free and be comfortable!

**Pictures are of outfits I enjoy as well as a few of my personally favorite fashion icons. 

It's just my thing. 

So what's yours?

Me

And Pesto!

So the other week-

I know, a while ago. Anyways-

I made pesto!

Katie came in towards the end to assist with the finishing touches and be my ever loyal taste tester. For some reason, I leave that to her and not myself. Even though I always love my food. But.... okay continuing on-

And here's a simple recipe.

Okay to be honest, this isn't specific. It's three recipes mashed together and instructions taken from Katie's huge and awesome cook book. Just saying.

You need: Measuring cups and a food processor.

Ingredients:
1.5 cups basil "crushed"
2 cloves garlic
1 cup toasted pine nuts
2 tbspn olive oil
.4/.5 cup parmesan cheese
3 pinches sea salt
2 tsp parsley


Instructions: I cut the basil to go easy on my machine, you can do what you will. It took me about an hour, though. Put those in the food processor with the salt and oil olive. Toast and chop pine nuts, toss in and let grind for 20 seconds. Crush garlic, chop parsley, and put the rest in. Grind until fine.

And that should do the trick!

Ours was a bit thicker than I expected which more olive oil would have taken care of, but we liked it the way it was.

The basil and parsley was taken right from Katie's fresh garden, too!

Overall, it was a success and even our roommates thought it was delightful! This made about a full cup worth, to be honest and could have made more with more oil. But it's been a few days and we still have it and it's lasting us a good while- a little goes a long way!

Minimalists

By now, I'm sure you've all heard of them. They've put out documentaries, put together a fabulous blog that us bloggers can only pray we will someday attain. They've done TedTalks, and so much more.

The Minimalists. They're actually really cool.

Two friends who formed a habit and are sharing it with the world: minimalism.

And being the junkie and hoarder I grew up as, I've been working on trying to reach their ways. It's been a long process, but I assure you, so far, there has been much success.

Of course, half of it's there because of Katie.


We haven't had to share a room in months but once it was time, we also knew it was time to toss some items. Five bags later, I still have twice as much as she does- but we're a lot better off with it!

And there's always things to toss. I've already started another bag!

So between the famous Minimalists and my darling Katie, here are some tips:

It's not always about having a little amount, but keeping what you value. Yes, I have like two shirts in my closet that I rarely wear, but it's because I value them. Like I said, I'm a work in progress. But if you don't value it- junk it.

If you haven't worn it in a year (they say six months but hey, it's ok), then you will not wear it in the next year. Junk it.

My personal lesson: those 'together' outfits are great. You know what I'm talking about- that fun belt you have just for that special skirt, or those shoes that only work with that fun shirt. Guess what? It's not usually worth it. If you have an item that goes with only one thing, and it's not getting worn very much, then junk it.



One of my next posts is going to be on shopping, which I know sounds stupid but trust me, you might gain another skill even about junking things. Stay tuned!