Sunday Best: Greasy & Fabulous

jacket: Gap, top: Adornit, pants: Head Over Heels, boots: Shoe Carnival, shades: F21, light bulb necklace: Sharing Shine

It's about to get real up in here. Hygiene is overrated. There, I said it. I mean, you don't want to be smelly and force your stank on all of society, but when it comes to washing hair . . . yeah, I rarely do that. I went a whole week not washing my hair and I'm more proud of that than I probably should be. 

You see, I got my hair colored. My hair doesn't hold color exceptionally well. So to avoid washing all my money down the drain (quite literally), I went as long as possible without touching that dreadful shampoo bottle. My worst hair days are also my clean hair days. Am I alone in this? 

Anyway, these photos were taken on Wednesday, which was like, Day 4 of my dirty hair. And you know what? I felt like a rock star. I felt like a rock star with my dirty hair, floral top, and orange pants. I guess I was trying to get that same feeling across in these photos with my cool-as-a-cucumber poses, but I really just ended up looking awkward. Story of my life. 

I also went to my sister's first track meet of the season in this outfit and it was so perfect. I love track & field a bunch. My sister did great, and I thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the sun rays.  

Well . . . that's all I have to say. Have a stellar week or something. 

Current Events

Current mood: Restless. It might be the change in the weather, and now I'm just wanting summer and to be outside always. It might be the fact that I know I'm going on vacation in a month. I don't know what exactly it is . . . but I'm feeling restless to the point of losing my mind.

Current project: Brian and I made a headboard for our bed over the weekend. Fine, Brian made the headboard and I told him what I wanted it to look like. That husband is mega talented. I love that I get to benefit from his skills. I'm so in love with our bedroom. I'm actually excited to make the bed and put laundry away nowadays because the room just looks so darn good when it's clean. It's crazy how putting forth a little effort on something can change your perspective. I kind of hated our bedroom before. Now, after a couple Saturdays of projects, it's my favorite room in our bungalow.

The headboard has lights behind it too. Here's a photo to show that off . . . but just know it's much cooler in person.

Currently craving: Chick-fil-A!! I wanted those nuggets and that Polynesian sauce very badly for lunch today. But I resisted and had a hard boiled egg instead. Still can't get those waffle fries and a Cherry Coke off my mind though. Why does all the good tasting food have to be so bad for you?

Currently reading: Flygirl by Sherri L Smith. I bought this book on a total whim. It was used (but still in stellar condition) and only cost $3. It's truly a treasure and one I'm glad to have on my bookshelf. I have an obsession with books set around WWII time. The story follows a black girl who passes for white so she can join the WASP organization. It's absolutely crazy to me that people were and still are treated differently because of skin color. This book has also made me extra grateful for the women who came before me who were brave enough to follow their dreams (in a time when it wasn't so popular for women to do so).

Currently watching: I don't watch much television. Yesterday I made the mistake of turning it on when I got home from work, only to discover a marathon of America's Next Top Model was on. I immediately got sucked in and watched three episodes. I cleaned my kitchen during commercial breaks so it aint all bad.

Current tunes: I've been on a late 90s/early 2000s kick. Third Eye Blind radio on Pandora has been my jam lately. Like the rest of the world, I'm also obsessed with Uptown Funk.

Currently looking forward to: Our big vacation to THAILAND!! I cannot wait to kiss an elephant. Not looking forward to that looooong flight though. Hopefully I'll get some reading and writing done.

Currently wearing: Combat boots, grey jeans, grey shirt, and a maroon button-up . . . complete with a baseball cap. I'm real classy casual today.

Currently eating: I've been eating yogurt with granola mixed in every morning like it's my job. Freaking delicious.

Currently loving: My new hair for spring, courtesy of my lovely cousin, Megan. She did such a rocking job. I'm obsessed. I'm also loving this spring weather. Going outside and hearing birds chirping makes my heart so happy. They've been eating out of our bird feeder like mad lately. It's fine, I'm just sort of a crazy bird woman.

Currently wanting: A bengal cat. Google them and you'll want one too.

Currently missing: My little bro. I'm ready for him to come home from his mission already. I know he's doing great and important work, but I'm just getting antsy to hug him, argue with him, and laugh with him again. It's going to be awesome having him in Logan with me this fall.

Currently avoiding: Cleaning my office. It's bad, guys.

Currently trying: To go to bed earlier (so I can get my butt out of bed earlier), to drink more water, and to communicate more with the Man Upstairs.

Sunday Best: Headbands to the Rescue!

top: H&M, jeans: Kohl's, meow loafers: Delias, earrings: F21, headband: Claire's

I have a feeling my headband collection will see new growth over the summer. I turn into a gross human being during the warmer months. My inner child comes out. I get extremely dirty and cry at the thought of having a bath. Okay, so I'm not that bad. I bathe on a regular basis. But I do avoid washing my hair at all costs. 

My hair is extremely dry and course. I've found that one of the best things I can do for my locks is minimize the washing. While shampoo might make my hair smell good, it strips it of all its precious natural oils. I know it sounds kind of gross, especially since I workout every morning and put in a good sweat, but I tend to only wash my hair maybe twice a week. Since I dyed my hair red in the past month, I've been holding off on washing even more so (why must red fade so quickly?). 

Luckily, my hair doesn't get noticeably greasy until maybe the third or forth day without washing (I'm disgusting). However, there are those moments when my hair starts looking questionable and it is much too short to pull back in a ponytail. That's where cute headbands step in and save me from tragic bad hair days. I bought the above polka dot one a week ago and I've already worn it three or four times. Yes, headbands might just be my new favorite accessory. 

I don't know though, Munch the Pooch made a pretty cute accessory in that last photo. We matched with our black and white outfits ;).    

Truth Tuesday

• I'm thinking I'll make Fohawk Friday a regular thing. 

• On Friday, I tried a new soup recipe. Taco soup. Turns out the recipe I followed made enough to feed a whole army. We ate it for the next three days and even invited people over to help us finish it off. You'd think we would be sick of soup. But then we were like, "Soup feeds a lot of people. Let's make a new soup and invite our neighbor friends over." So that happened last night. BWell and I tried a chicken enchilada soup and it was great. To top off the soup party, one of our sweet neighbors brought HOMEMADE bread. And my other dear friend brought the most delicious dessert that gave me an instant sugar high. So basically, soup parties are good things. You should take part in a soup party. Find the taco soup recipe I used here and the chicken enchilada recipe here. 

• I've never seen an episode of "Breaking Bad" or "New Girl" or anything else that's cool for that matter. I don't watch much TV. 

• I interviewed a world champion arm wrestling woman yesterday. Being a journalist is my favorite thing. 

• Tomorrow will mark four years since Brian and I went on our first date. Time flies when you're having fun. 

• The best way, and basically the only way, to keep my house clean is to invite people over.

• Pink proved at the Grammy's, yet again, why she's the coolest. Her performance was probably my favorite. Taylor rocked it too . . . but you just can't beat the acrobatics while singing act. 

Sunday Best: Paisley Print & Other Nonsense

top: Target, leggings: Maurices, boots: gift

I have a crush on paisley print all of the sudden. It hit me out of nowhere.

Also, I kind of hate doing Sunday Best posts because they make me feel conceited (really, blogging in general is starting to make me feel conceited). But I DO think it's important to feel beautiful and to express yourself. I think one's style can accomplish both of those things. I'm just glad I only pose like an idiot for outfit pictures once a week.

I washed my hair with baking soda last night after reading this article. I'll let you know how it goes. I have dry and course hair naturally so I'm hoping this solution will help. Also, I once watched this mini documentary about beauty products and how many harmful things are in them . . . it almost made me want to quit makeup and hair products cold turkey.

And now that I'm on the topic of hair, I'm almost 100% set on shaving part of my head. Undercuts, baby. Go ahead and add to those who have said, "You'll look like Miley Cyrus." It only fuels the fire and makes me want to do it more. And I'll probably start acting out like Miley too. Just keep me away from all construction sites where there may be wrecking balls in the area.

That could make for an interesting Sunday Best post.

What is Beauty?

When I was a little girl, I believed that long hair was a sign of beauty. Every Disney princess I knew of had long hair. I would read my picture book about the story of Rapunzel. Her long hair won her a guy. I never read stories or watched movies where the heroine had short hair. It was always long, shiny, healthy, and flowing.

I grew my hair out and for a while, it was long, shiny, healthy, and flowing like the hair of the Disney princesses I watched on-screen.

Then it was the summer before I would go to middle school. I was no longer the little girl who wore scrunchies in my hair and jelly shoes on my feet. I now had a mind of my own. At an age when so many are self-conscious . . . .I was strangely confident. I was prepared to enter the world of lockers and gym class with a bold new look. I was ready to get rid of my hair.

I clipped a picture of Halle Berry out of a magazine and told my mom to schedule a haircut appointment.

I remember how light my head felt after cutting off my thick chestnut brown hair. I ran my fingers through the short and spiky tresses and I felt so beautiful. It was my own kind of beautiful. Not the kind of beautiful society had tried forcing me to believe in.

As women, we live in a world where we are constantly told we must meet some certain standard to be beautiful. Skinny is beautiful. Long hair is beautiful. Bronzed skin is beautiful. Straight teeth are beautiful. Dark eyelashes are beautiful. We spend so much time applying makeup over blemishes, eating less and working out more. We all too often look in the mirror and see all the things we wish to change about ourselves in order to fit this definition of beauty.

Well, we are being lied to.

Beauty isn't about looking a certain way or fitting a specific mold.

Beauty is being comfortable in our own skin. Beauty is in speaking kindly. Beauty is living our lives in a way that makes us happy. Beauty is in the way we act and the way we carry ourselves.

I recently cut my hair off again and I keep having moments of doubt. I become conquered by my insecurities. Is my nose too big? Do I look like a boy? Did I make a mistake?

Then I try to remind myself of that preteen who so boldly cut her hair because she wanted to. She deserves some self-love. She is worthy of confidence. She has the right to feel beautiful.

I hope tomorrow you'll look in the mirror and notice all the things you like about yourself. I hope you'll feel beautiful and be slow to judge yourself too harshly. I hope you will speak kindly to yourself. Beauty can be found in all things. You are a beautiful soul.

I have short hair, a flat chest and stretch marks on my legs, and I'm beautiful.   

Sunday Best: Back in Black

top: Kohl's, skirt: Maurices, tights: TJ Maxx, heels: Kmart 

I have been MIA from the blogging world and it's felt so good.

It's been all future planning, celebrating, turkey eating, Black Friday shopping, and Christmas decorating over here.

Oh, and you may have noticed from these photos that I totally cut my hair off. It's liberating and terrifying at the same time. Every girl should chop all their hair off at least once in their life.

I wore this black ensemble for a day at church. I had to teach the lesson in Relief Society (I was a sub). I, for some reason, got so ridiculously nervous. Not to mention, I forgot to take my wool coat off so I wore it during the whole lesson. Wool coat + nerves + pleather sleeves = really sweaty armpits. TMI?

Have a fab week. Whether you choose to wear real leather or fake leather, you're still awesome.

Truth Tuesday

• I enjoyed myself thoroughly last week at Selena Gomez's concert with my mom and sisters. I shamelessly sang "Slow Down" at the top of my lungs. Also, Emblem 3 was the opening act and who knew, they have a lot of awesome songs besides "Chloe". Ironically enough, we went to this concert for my little sister, Chloe's birthday. While it was a fun girls' night, I couldn't help but think of my brother who is currently serving an LDS mission. Jace (that's my brother) has always had a huge crush on Selena Gomez. That's why I tried my best to bring a bit of Jace to the concert with us. Seriously, I crack myself up. I emailed the below pictures to him and I hope they make him laugh. We are going to start taking this cut-out of Jace with us to all major events/vacations.

• I bought orange juice recently and I had never been so happy to buy a fruity beverage. The best buy date was Christmas Day. The holidays are coming! 

• I think I've sat in our hot tub every night this week. Thank you people we bought our house from, for leaving your hot tub behind. It's being put to good use. 

• Eating applesauce makes me gag. Therefore, I don't eat applesauce. 

• For some reason, I can never take Harrison Ford seriously. He's always so stern in all his movies and it makes me laugh.

• More often than not, I forget to take the tags off my new clothes. Oops. 

• Today I told Brian I wanted a Great Gatsby-themed birthday party. He laughed and asked me if I was a 16-year-old girl. 

• One of my favorite songs of all time is "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. Don't judge. 

• I often have moments where I miss my short hair but then I brush those moments off. Well, this time I can't seem to fight it. I want to cut my hair. I mean, when I get on Pinterest and search through photos of Carey Mulligan and Michelle Williams can you really blame me? I'm open to advice. To chop or not to chop? 

From Split Ends to Fresh Starts

It's outstanding how making subtle changes (or big changes) can give me a new fresh outlook on life. Something as simple as coloring my hair and trimming off some dry ends has turned me into a new woman. I wake up in the morning ready to tackle the day, starting with styling the mop on my head.

If there is something in your life that needs changing, embrace it. Sure, change can be scary but it can also be exhilarating and rewarding. Get rid of those "dry and damaged ends" in life that are dragging you down and start fresh.

Get that haircut, go after that new job, start that project, make that move, follow that dream. Big or small, positive change is healthy and essential to get where we're going.

xo Happy Monday

Truth Tuesday

• I am just mind-blown by this pretty area that surrounds me; this valley I call home. Sheesh, I'm blessed. We went to Bear Lake for Labor Day, even though it rained on and off all day, and Logan Canyon had me in awe with her beauty. Some of the trees are already in the beginning stages of changing colors, which makes me thrilled.

• September through December . . . it's my favorite section of the calendar. So happy September is here and I feel like it's going to bring plenty of good things with it. 

• Since I didn't work yesterday, I keep thinking today is Monday. But then I realize it's actually Tuesday. Tuesdays that feel like Mondays are one of my favorite things, because the weekend seems to come extra quickly. 

• Sometimes on long drives, I enjoy talking the lyrics to songs. Even better, whisper the lyrics to songs. It makes the most endearing love songs sound like they're coming from an obsessed stalker. 

• Should I be worried about myself since the two items at the top of my "Kelsey wants to buy shiz" list are kitty shoes and overalls? 

• Brian and I were talking about how we coped with our anger when we were younger. I used to chuck rocks at a stop sign. I think that's, like, against the law, probably.

• I finally saw Django Unchained. I was really disappointed. I think maybe I just had too high of hopes since everyone was all, "Oh gosh, best movie ever." And I know what you're thinking, "Oh, it was just too violent for you and you couldn't handle it." Nope. I'm just a girl who gets impressed by solid story lines with well-developed characters. The story line was, meh, alright. I felt no connection to the characters. On the bright side, at least I got to stare at Leo. Too bad it took a whole hour until his character was even introduced. 

• I don't own a brush. It's kind of a pain and I should maybe think about buying one. Or I could always shave my head because that would be a lot cheaper and save me tons of time.   

Five Feel Goods

Just wanted to spread the joy of five things that have been making me feel good today (besides the fact that it's the start of a long weekend). 

1. I've had this obsession with listening to 70s Folk Music on Pandora every morning while I get ready. Through doing so, I've fallen in love with Fleetwood Mac. Two of my favorites from them are The Chain and Landslide.

2. The "Meow Loafers" from Delias. I'm googly-eyed over the black ones. I could wear Luna shoes everywhere I go.

3. The messy bob sported by Kate Beckinsale. Pretty sure it's a faux bob but I think it would be a cute actual bob too.

4. Munchkin is this strange card game that our friends introduced to us recently and I think we will buy our own in the near future. If you love board and card games, look into this one!

5. A quote I discovered a couple nights ago on Pinterest and something I want to ask myself regularly. Wouldn't it be great to do something for the first time every day?

Enjoy your weekend! Mine will be full of hiking, shopping and hopefully some boating too!

Sunday Best: Super Duper T-shirt

vest: Smith's, t-shirt: Wet Seal, pants: Kohl's, boots: Kmart, necklace: Nordstrom

I saw this t-shirt in Wet Seal a while back and had no choice but to buy it. I mean, it's an Avengers t-shirt. Duh. I'll be saving so much money on t-shirts with the plethora of super hero movies that come out. 

Captain America 2? I'll wear this t-shirt. 

Thor 2? This t-shirt. 

Avengers 2? You guessed it, this t-shirt wins again! 

I also wore this shirt to Iron Man 3. I bet you could have guessed that. 

So you get the idea, it really pays off that I bought this shirt. In all honesty, I would probably consider this t-shirt an investment. 

Also, sometimes when BWell takes my outfit pictures, he talks me into doing ridiculously stupid poses. Such as acting like a super hero. Or flexing like a super hero (and the end result is a picture of me looking constipated). I think we can all agree I should never be a fashion blogger, for obvious reasons. I should also not pick up the career of being a super hero. But I will continue wearing super hero t-shirts to work and feeling like I'm hardcore. 

Speaking of work, my boss still has made no mention of my blue hair. Which makes me very happy. I have yet to be labeled as "inappropriate" at work. Although I did ask if we could turn Rush Limbaugh off the other day, which may be a bad thing. But I just couldn't hear him say "Obama" one more time or my head would explode. Sometimes I hate politics. 

Always Aggies

Remember that one time when we graduated from Utah State University? That was a good day (which I was actually surprised about). I waited all day long for something to go terribly wrong. You see, high school graduation was a close disaster. I barely made it on time after my less than reliable van broke down and I couldn't get a hold of anyone to come and save me. I remember jetting in, out of breath with my cap sliding off my head. Whew, that was stressful.

USU graduation was low stress. It was a beautiful sunny day. My hair curled just how I wanted it to. And I was surrounded by all my favorite people. Win. Win. Win.

Brian also walked with me so we avoided going through two college ceremonies. Thank the heavens. I appreciate him so much for being supportive and willing to walk with my college so I could be with all my friends and news peeps. What a guy. I am happy he made me a True Aggie years ago while standing on that block "A" by the light of a full moon. And even more happy he made me his wife. Sometimes I wonder why in the world we got married so young. Are we crazy? Well yes, we are. But there isn't anyone in the world I'd rather be crazy with.

 So there you have it. We are USU alumni now. I'll be that obnoxious mother who one day buys my newborn Aggie apparel. I'll probably also play the "Scotsman" on loop next to my belly while the babe is in the wound. Settle down, now. I'm merely being sarcastic.

Now we have diplomas, grown-up jobs (okay, Brian already did), and graduation robes that we have no clue what to do with. I'm thinking Halloween costumes. Zombie graduates maybe? Brian is considering wearing his around the house as a bathrobe. Hey, the fabric is quite silky. He might be onto something.

Also, that subtle chunk of dark hair is blue. Yeah, I think I'm really cool. I have Aggie Blue hair. 

Truth Tuesday

• While everyone was watching football on Sunday to see who would be playing in the Superbowl, we were like, "Hey, Cinderella is on abc family." 

• I actually really like watching football and I love the Superbowl. But I have kind of quit caring about professional sports. I think I just lost respect for pro athletes after they whined about not getting payed enough. Get a real job, meat heads. 

• On the subject of professional athletes, I am thrilled about this movie coming out in April. Jackie Robinson. There's a man who played for the love of the sport. I wish more athletes were still like that. What a truly inspiring man. 

• Cache Valley's air is disgusting right now. I think I'm gonna get lung cancer.

• It it was socially acceptable, I would wear my bathrobe all day e'ery day. Thanks to my baby sis for giving it to me as a Christmas gift. I could live in it. 

• I'm not too crazy about girly lotion. The fruity/flowery aroma of it is usually just too much for me. I like to stick to the simple stuff that gets the job done. Lubriderm, baby. Or I love Aveeno. Brian refers to them as "man lotions". Whatever you want to call them, they make my skin feel super soft without feeling super greasy. And I don't smell like a flower pot after. As far as girly lotions go, I am quite fond of the Victoria's Secret collection. Those are girly lotions I can appreciate. However, my bottle of Lubriderm is much cheaper. 

• I think I am addicted to cherry coca-cola. 

• Would you judge me if I said I've been adoring this song? Maybe it's the Valentine season approaching that's doing it to me. Or maybe it's just that I love Billy Joel.     

• My hair fits in a high bun. Last time such a thing happened I was in high school. Long hurrs, here I come! And short hair, thanks for the fun few years. You made me feel like a grownup as I entered a grownup world. Here is a picture to prove it: 

And I just won't tell you how many bobby pins are in the back. . . 

Truth Tuesday

• I hate to say it, but January irritates me. It's always a slightly depressing month. Thank the heavens  I was born into the world early and didn't wait for my January due date.

• I am not sure I have ever bawled in public as hard as I did during Anne Hathaway's solo in Les Miserables. My whole body was trembling. And then later that night, I had a headache from all the crying. Boo hoo. Seriously though, she was perfect. 

• I want to throw a masquerade party more than anything. Then I can decorate a mask. And wear an old prom dress for no real reason. 

• I can't even describe to you how much I am currently adoring this song.

• I would be more than thrilled to own Angelina Jolie's entire wardrobe from The Tourist. She looks so classy in that movie. And Johnny Depp is. . .Johnny Depp. He still runs around like he is Captain Jack Sparrow. But I still love him. 

• Brian made me try my first ever McRib yesterday. I don't think it's really meat. It might actually be made of rubber. Brian is still upset I'm not a McRib lover. 

• A hair appointment must be made. My bangs are still crooked from the last time I totally botched them.

• I am anxiously waiting for this and this to arrive on my doorpstep. And when they do, perhaps it will be time to clean out my closet (I think I'm out of hangers).

• I wore earmuffs for the entirety of the day yesterday. I wore them while I made dinner, while I did yoga, you name it--I probably wore them. But it's been in the negatives nonstop here. The high of twenty today made it feel like paradise, allowing me to shed the muffs and show off my ears again. 

• Sometimes I do random side jobs. Like yesterday I helped a friend with a tutorial video he is working on for a guy's website. He wanted someone to do the voice over for the tutorial and I came to mind, so I guess that means I have a somewhat pleasant voice. So maybe sometime you will hear me annoyingly directing you to do things. "Now enter your email address and press next in the lower right hand corner. . ."