"Practice Makes Perfect"

Only two more days left at home.  I get to make the long drive back to the WAX on Monday morning.  Christmas always comes and goes way too fast.  This week I finally got to do some shopping and I think I was deprived because I went a little crazy.  Okay...not THAT crazy but I did get more than I intended.  Either way I thought I would catch you up to this week's activities.

I was having a really good hair day so I thought I should share.

I am making name tags for the girls on my hall so I thought it would be fun to make little chalk boards.  They are not finished yet but I will add their names and tie some string to a piece of chalk then they will be placed on their doors.  Pretty excited about these.  Hope they like them :)

Yesterday I got creative and attempted the "Prim & Proper" from The Beauty Department.

It still needs some work because you can see a lot the bobby pins and random pieces of hair sticking out but I'll figure it out.  I'm trying to find a good hair style for my friend's wedding. Choices, choices...

Lastly I thought I would show off some of my recent purchases.  I snagged this blue sweater at Forever 21 and paired it with a sheer button up shirt.  Also, check out those vintage looking earrings I picked up!  I didn't realize until after I got home that they were clip on but I still like them.

Since it is New Year's Eve I thought I might attempt another hair tutorial... I'll post pictures later.  Hope you end the year the way you want to and that 2012 brings more happiness and joy than the last.

Happy New Year.

"Vintage Christmas"

Christmas has come and gone already.  My family Christmas was one of the best yet.  We spent the day reminiscing and looking through old photo albums at my grandparents house.  Not to mention my near death experience at dinner (I'm exaggerating a little).  My little brother has the tendency to say things that cause me to laugh hysterically and he just happened to say it right when I was taking a drink.  Let's just say it went up my nose and I couldn't catch my breath.  If you were wondering what he said, he said he wants to be in charge of making the slide show for my wedding which if you knew him, you would laugh too.  Anyways here is a recap of our Christmas!

My Dad's Dad came to visit for the Holidays.  Let me just tell you that one day is about all I can handle.  I love Him but we'll just leave it at that.

My family played some hardcore domino's on Christmas Eve.  I'd like to say that I won, but that would not be true.   

This is the "pimp" hat that my little brother got for my older brother.  Again, you just have to know my little brother.  He is ridiculous but also hilarious.  If it was not for him I don't think we would laugh as much as we do.

Todd and I decided we needed to class things up a bit, ergo the glasses.  Notice the lemon that Todd placed in his.  Ryan decided to outdo us later and perfectly assemble his lime (show off). 

Later at my Mom's parents house we looked through old photo albums of my mom.  She was not to thrilled but we kept taking pictures for future use.  Now she is threatening to blackmail us with old photos one day.  Good thing I was a cute kid :)

My Mom's mom is really sick and unfortunately we never really knew her when she was well but I found these pictures of her when she was well and look how amazingly cute she is!  She is extremely fashionable.  I  would like to have some of these old clothes!

This was probably my favorite part!  When we were looking through photos I saw this picture (the one on the left) and said "hey there's me!"  However, that is not me, it is my mom.  I'm not sure that you can completely tell but I looked a lot like her at one time! (I'm on the right^)

 We ended the night at the IMAX to see the new Mission Impossible movie.  Our Christmas was the best yet with laughter, near death experiences (wish I could relay some of the quotes from Todd yesterday) and family.  Hope your holiday was as good as mine!

Merry Christmas.

  

"Raindrops & Popcorn"

Yesterday was a favorite day.  Mostly because I love rainy days and yesterday called for the rain boots to come out and play!  

Monday night was also Family movie night.  We decided to go to the theater to watch the new Sherlock Holmes movie (not quite my taste).  We had fun spending the evening together and Dad was forced to share his popcorn!  After the movie I decided to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and catch up on some reading.  I started the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and now I am addicted!  I read the first book in one setting and am already half way through the second.  If you haven't had the chance to read them you should.  Not to mention watch the trailer for the upcoming movie!  

Today's forecast is SNOW!  I will be parked on the couch with this book in hand!

"Sunday Best"

This morning at church was the annual Christmas Play.  Oh the memories...especially since they did a repeat of a play I was in back in the day.  However I think my performance was outdone today.  Thankfully I do not miss the days of church Christmas plays.

My hair was producing some major static today and I found my little brother's "glasses" so I had a little fun with my iPhone camera...Enjoy.

Someone is a little bored.

"The Last Night"

It was the last night of the semester so the 8 of us RA's loaded up with our Dorm Pastor and his wife to downtown Fort Worth for dinner and lights.  We went to a Hibachi grill for dinner and let's just say I should have brought my fat pants (not very different from my "non-fat pants").  So since our stomachs were recovering we decided to take a stroll downtown and look at the huge Christmas tree in the center of the town.

The view from the roof of the parking garage...not too shabby.

Finished the evening with some peppermint herbal tea to settle the "rumbly in my tummy."  Such a wonderful night to end the semester and tomorrow I travel back home bright and early!  So excited to be home.

Goodnight Sleepy heads.

"The Fishtail"

One of the quickest and easiest ways to do my hair 10 minutes before class; The Fishtail Braid.  Every time that I wear my hair like this people always ask how to do it, so I am posting a tutorial from Lauren Conrad.  So simple and efficient...Oh and it looks cute.

http://youtu.be/ZyZkowmdZv8

Hope this helps in case you don't already know how and remember it doesn't need to be perfect.  The messier the better!

"The Morning After"

Is it possible to have a bridesmaid hangover?  I am pretty positive that is exactly what happened this morning.  It was an incredible weekend of friends and tears as I watched one of my best friends say "I Do" to the man of her dreams.  Lots of laughter, tears and dancing as we celebrated the coming together of two wonderful people.

The Rehearsal dinner...

There are more pictures to come.  These are just the few I was able to take with my phone.

Then... the day of the wedding and the beginning of the "bridesmaid Hangover."  Bright and early at 8:45 to begin the day of pampering and getting ready.  Didn't get home til after 10 so it was a LONG but absolutely wonderful day! 

The beautiful bride getting ready.

Again... there are many more pictures to come.

Oh and did I tell you that I caught the bouquet?

Not actually sure how that happened.  I looked down and it was it my hands.  I tried to hand it off due to the fact that I am the least likely person to get married next but they refused saying that I caught it...

I guess it's not the worst thing to happen to me.

Congrats to the most beautiful Bride and her "husband."  Such an incredible weekend! (more pictures to come).

"3 Stages"

This is my day in 3 stages... 

Stage 1: Daytime in the Car

Stage 2: Sunset in the Car

Stage 3: Night in my car

It is amazing how you can pass an entire day sitting in a car.  So there you go, that was my day.  Now it is time to put this tired driver to sleep.

Goodnight Sleepy heads

"Thanksgiving & things..."

I realize I haven't posted in a while.  It has been a busy Thanksgiving and I have not had the chance to upload some pics to celebrate the holiday.  Can I just say that any day dedicated to shopping automatically becomes my favorite!  So yes...Black Friday and I had our fun and my bank account is exhausted :)

It all started with the 6 hour trip back to Wichita...thankfully my iPhone kept me company.

I came home to find my poor little puppy (on the left in case you were wondering) sick as can be.  He had to stay overnight at the vet and came home only to break our hearts at his unusual lack of luster.  Thankfully he is doing much better now oh and check out the banana pudding my mom made for me!

Finally, my favorite part!  I, like millions of other Americans all across the country braved the cold weather and got in an incredibly long line to get a bargain.  Now my room looks like a mall exploded!  Let's just say I had some success.  Thanksgiving is over, Black Friday conquered, my room in need of some cleaning and this girl is ready for bed...

 Goodnight sleepy heads.

"Aftermath"

After the busiest week I've had in a while the weekend was extremely vital in winding down and coming to a stop...too bad that didn't happen.  This week was full of long days and late nights followed by a busy weekend of me being stuck in the dorm thanks to RA duty (no biggie).  Filming for a project, Mighty Ducks 2&3, Dinner & basketball game, and dinner at my Professor's house made for one busy but enjoyable weekend....(glad it is over)!

Did I mention I am going home Tuesday for Thanksgiving break?  Because I am!

Goodnight Sleepy heads...

"Undeniable"

The Christmas spirit is alive and well in our dorm!  Last night we spent approximately 5 hours working on the decorations for the lobby (my sleepy eyes could not stay open).  The finished product was well worth the time put in.  The gentlemen in our dorm are truly the most spirited and creative when it comes to Christmas decorating so I applaud you gentlemen (look at that tree made out of lights! So genius).

I cannot end this post without telling you how "undeniable" God has been in my life as of late.  It amazes me how right when I begin to doubt He shows himself faithful.  My trust is completely in Him and His plan.  He is at work in my life and I am excited to walk it out.  Overwhelmed by his love, undeserving of his grace and trusting in his will.

Goodnight Sleepy heads...

"Stress & Relief"

Monday was the longest day of my life up to this point (and no I'm not over exaggerating at all)!  Classes, meetings, classes, the pile of homework that accumulated, meetings and more meetings...bed time did not come til 2.  Regardless there was a glimmer of hope in the midst of that long day -- recognizing how much God is at work in my everyday life...absolutely priceless.

Not to mention the Christmas decorating that occurred on our floor last night.

Did I mention that pile of homework?  It is all done now and the puppy chow and Christmas decorating more than made up for it.  And how about that snowman/woman that the girls made on the wall?  She's a beauty.  I walk out of my room with a smile on my face with a hall that looks like this.

Goodnight Sleepy heads...