Friday, April 27, 2012

so it has come to this


I don't know about you, but I'm having one "h" of a week.

So let's have ourselves a good laugh while we move on to the weekend, shall we?


Let the Sexy Sax man Sergio serenade you on your hot date tonight..or if you're lonely he will surely make good company.


Who can deny this Little Lad?! I don't know why he wasn't asked to perform at the Royal wedding.  Or at the very least, Edward and Bella's.


Oh Ellen.  You just keep getting funnier.


Happy Friday!




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

sheila's life lessons

Yesterday, while floating along on my cloud of a bike, I pondered life and it's wonders.

It's quite unfortunate how little time I spend doing this.  Pondering life I mean.

It really is so great. Isn't it?

I particularly love how something so simple in life can bring us so much joy. And can make us better people.

Something as small and insignificant as a bike. A bike named Sheila.

If you don't remember or have somehow forgotten what Sheila looks like, here she is. In all her glory.


She is purple. The color of royalty.

And that's a good thing, because she is actually considered royalty around here.

She does have a basket now too that makes her oh so pretty. I am the owner of the sweetest bike on the street!

Stop drooling.

Sheila's been a real standup gal. She's been with me through it all. "All" of this last month and a half that is.

I've learned some life lessons during this time. Some I hope to pass on to others. Some I hope to never relive again.

1.  Taking your shirt off during high traffic times is a no.

On my way to school a few weeks ago it was a bit chilly so I had a sweatshirt on. Dumb idea, because I always get hot in like the first 30 seconds, but anyway after about 10 minutes I was basically sweating. So as cars drove by, I stopped to remove my sweatshirt. I was fortunate enough to pull off my shirt in the process as well. Which I didn't realize until it was off completely. So I struggled to put it back on quickly, but it was too late. The damage had been done. Now my whole neighborhood thinks I'm a floosy. And they know I'm into lace. I am ashamed. Lesson learned.

2.  There are signs everywhere.

I tend to ignore advertising while I'm driving, mostly because it's annoying. But when you're biking it can't be avoided. And really..there's some gems out there that just shouldn't go without recognition.

Thanks local carwash. I really needed this inspirational message today. I feel so motivated to clean my car and kneel down in prayer all at the same time. Weird.  

3. Fashion shows are even better on a bike.

You can't wear just anything on a bike these days. It's important to consider fashion when riding your bike to the store, school, or even just a nice stroll down the block.  This essential rule has caused me to seriously reflect on my biking attire. I give all credit to Saved By The Bell, because the show's really been my inspiration for my latest fashion finds. I want those peeps driving by in cars to know that I heart the 80's! 
  My pumped up kicks. Bring on the neon!

4. "Hey girl, I love the way you look like a maniac after riding your bike for an hour."

 I'm confident that Ryan Gosling should have a "hey girl" caption that goes a little something like this. Because he always says the things that girls love most.  And the truth is you and hotness do not go together after cruising on your bike. In fact, you probably look like a crazy person. But that's alright, because if you're like me, you've got an awesome husband who sees you and says,


 "Baby your hair looks AWESOME!" with the most amount of sincerity and sweetness that you could ever dream of. 


And that's when you know.


Life is soooo much better with the beach cruiser of your dreams.


And little moments of undressing in public, sweating like a wild animal, and ridiculous hair become so worth it when you realize that your life would not really have been complete without the lovely bike that brings so much happiness and the man who let you buy it.


Life is GOOD. 


Lessons learned.



Thursday, April 19, 2012

hug it out


Two days ago I was at one of my favorite stores, because some of the most delicious things were on sale.

Me and sales go together like cinnamon rolls and sunday morning. It's just meant to be.

So there I was, ready to stock up on the best Sweet Potato chips in all the land when I see the shelf is empty.

Salt and Vinegar. Sour cream and onion. Barbeque. Lame. Lame. Lame!



It's really embarrassing to be found crying in aisle 7 over sweet potato chips, but sometimes real life just smacks you around a little too much and what you thought was an already awful week has immediately turned into devastation beyond measure. Someone had gotten there before me and cleaned that shelf out real good. Not even a crumb left.

The kind sales boy told me if I came back the next day, they would surely be restocked.

Last night I walked into Sunflower Market with my head held high and proceeded to find that my beloved Sweet Potato chips had indeed been replenished. So I did what any irrational woman at 10pm would do.

I purchased every single one.

Yup I have now become that person. The one I despised less than one day earlier for clearing off that shelf like she was preparing for Armageddon knowing that it could not be survived without the appropriate snacks.

I did also acquire some Pirates Booty and a bar of some delicious smelling soap during my sweet potato escapade, so it wasn't all with the purpose of ruining someone else's day.
But then, in a moment of self-assessment I found myself wondering how often this  happens.

How often do I get frustrated, because of something someone has done, only to find myself at some point doing the exact same thing? And of course justifying myself all the way home, because this was different, right? I was in need of those chips and that other person was just a jerk out to offend me with their selfishness. 

What an interesting predicament we have here..do I accept this realization? That I am no better than the person who wronged me hours before?

Alright, I know I'm just speaking about chips here, but do you get it?

It reminded me of this story I read a few years ago about a woman who stayed angry at her husband for YEARS, because he always splashed toothpaste onto the bathroom mirror.  She later realizes he wasn't the only one...



And I also recalled a story told to me by a woman who heard that glue sticks were on sale at a craft store so she went and bought all FIFTY of them.  The cashier saw all those glue sticks and commented that she hoped there were some left, because she knew of people who wanted to buy some too.  The woman just smiled and laughed as she bought every last one.  Pretty cruel, but karma did return the favor as it turned out later than all the glue sticks melted and were deemed completely unusable.

I know that these are all very small things. Chips, toothpaste, glue..

But I think it's obvious there's something bigger going on here. 

I recently heard some very poignant thoughts concerning this bigger picture I'm talking about..

"Jesus taught: “Forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not … [stands] condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin”3 and “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”4

Of course, these words seem perfectly reasonable—when applied to someone else. We can so clearly and easily see the harmful results that come when others judge and hold grudges. And we certainly don’t like it when people judge us.
But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt."

I have listened to this talk almost every day for the last week. And lucky for me, probably because I have all these thoughts about "mercy" and "forgiveness" and "not judging others" going on in my head, I finally saw in myself what was being talked about. 

It's a painful process to accept that you are possibly hurting others in the same way that some hurt you.



I think today is a good day to be better than we were yesterday. You aren't perfect. Neither are the people around you. 

Accept it. Self-Assess. Correct your attitude. Stay Humble.


And find someone to hug.



Sunday, April 15, 2012

hey girl

So Ryan Gosling's a big deal right now, eh?

Is it just me or does being married sort of make me not care at all about that guy.

Although I will say I do love finding these. Because they are hilarious.

Here's just a few of my favs...









Andrew just saw this and said "ha you wish I said that, huh?"

Oh Men.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

midweek drift


Sometimes we all just need a little break from life, eh?

Well I know I do.

Because I just spent hours of my life at the school of hair and really the last thing I want to be thinking about is school or hair.  Or anything related to either of those things.

So let's take a little vacation to dreamland by listening to the song I'm dying over right now...



This girl's voice is incredible. Her music plays on my iphone over and over and over.

I.Love.


Sunday, April 8, 2012

scenes from an easter sunday

Happy Easter!

Hope yours was splendid and reminded you of those childhood days when it was you searching for brightly colored eggs, dressed in your sunday best.

I was reminded today that I am still the only one on the planet that loves peeps.

They are delicious. I don't care what anyone says!

Also we watched "Elf" today, because it's Elle's fav and she was depressed when we put a stop to her eating all the jellybeans. Happy Merry Easter Christmas?

Easter dress, Sunday best
 
Bucket filled surprises..

Mama and the Babe


Ellie just couldn't contain her excitement
bike riding in the fresh air

life is beautiful with these two

pooped from a long day of f-u-n

I love Easter.

Here's one of my favorite Easter videos! I'm so thankful for my Savior and I know He Lives!




Love!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

the 80's: the lovely edition

I've come down with a case of 80's love.

This is where 80's meets lovely...

 
neon and lace
 
leggings with lace  

carefree denim tops
it's all about the color 
keep it casual

dress it up
treats with a bit of color

hire someone to make you look this good..
Jellies chic 
or all grown up

where real fashion begins

polkas done right

i want that mint telephone..

shade that sun away
these would go with almost anything

or just let your eyes do all the talking
Are you suffering for 80's love too? Tell me what you're loving!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

oh the horror..


'Tis the weekend!

Hallelujah.

Although I admit that life is so short and we need to take opportunities to enjoy it as much as possible.

Today for example I saw something that I hope to never see again.

But I carpe diemed the crap out of today. I did.

There I was driving to school when I came upon a stoplight. Naturally, this is the perfect time to stare at other drivers and pedestrians.

Girl with awesome shade of lipstick? Check.

Boy staring in a daze counting down the seconds til the light turns green? Check.

Man with finger up his nose like he's reaching for the sky? Check..wha?

It was bad peeps.

Real bad.

So bad that I couldn't look away. Eyes wide, mouth open. Then the light turned green. But I couldn't take my eyes off this guy. Or his nose.  I wanted to, but I could not get over the fact that he was picking his nose with all of his might in crazy traffic, middle of the day, when all of us have arrived at a complete stop.

I turned right, but was forced to keep staring because he was STILL going at it and almost 2 minutes had passed. And then he saw me.

Staring at him like a dang fool. He caught me red-handed treasuring every moment of his nose picking glory, probably assuming the worst..which is that I would laugh out loud to myself in my car and then proceed to tell everyone I know.

We both just looked at each other. Dumbstruck at the moment we just shared. I might add that yes his finger was STILL in his nose at this point.  But there we were. Two strangers. One nose. Endless fright of that image returning to my mind.

We've all heard the stories. Some people pee in the shower. Some pick their noses in public. Some wear white socks with sandals.

But I pray none of you ever have to witness what I have seen today.

Seize the day! With caution.

And sweatpants. Don't forget the sweatpants.

Happy Weekend Lovelies!


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

a cure for the mondays

Dinner at The Blue Lemon



My husband really is the sweetest.

I usually like Mondays. Mostly because everyone always complains, "it's monday already?" and it's apparently trendy this particular day of the week.

But not to me. I like them. Partly because everyone else hates them. And partly because they're really not all that bad. I usually go to Target on Mondays so I guess I'm just setting myself up for success.

Except this last Monday. It was just no good. No good at all.

I even went to Target, but it did little to cheer me up.

So I did what any self-respecting 29 year old woman would do.

I complained to Andrew about it and then lied in bed for an hour in hopes of sleeping away the day.

Until he came in to rescue me from my pity-party-lameness to announce that we were going to go to dinner and perhaps stroll through some of my favorite stores.

Because shopping does wonders for my soul.


You know you married your true love when he patiently waits for you to explore aisle after aisle of beautiful things.


She was mesmerized by the lights,people, and all the pretty things. Just like her mama.


 Replace Macy's with Nordstrom and you would have Perfection.


Elle has 2 ear infections so she deserved some new kicks.


h&m. romantic dinner. best little family in all the land.

I was cured by love. Andrew and Ellie love. 

So here's to all the fellas who are so good to the women that love them..you are appreciated!

And to all the little babes who bring us so much joy just for being so little and sweet.


Mondays still rock my world.



Sassy Pepper Winner!

As promised...

The Winner of the Primary Colors Banner is...



"I would love to win this one of a kind primary color banner! It would look great in my living room."


Congrats Bug! Please email me at abrisun@live.com for more details!

Thank you The Sassy Pepper for being so bomb diggity awesome and sharing this giveaway with us!

**also don't forget to use the code APRIL212 to receive 25% off any order from The Sassy Pepper during the month of April!


Love!

p.s- if winner has not contacted me within 24 hours a new winner will be chosen.

Monday, April 2, 2012

i heart Saved By The Bell


Yesterday on Facebook I almost had a heart attack.

Twas there that I learned that the greatest show of all time has finally hit Netflix.

Nevermind that I own every episode on dvd thanks to my beloved husband who is always so wise and picks up on my subtle hints.

As in I declared one time that the only way Christmas would really be Christmas was if I received every season of SBTB in my stocking.

I don't know about you..but Saved by the Bell really taught me a lot about life in my teen years.


1.) Drugs are lame-o

So true, friends. So.True.

2.) Great fashion never goes out of style

Look around peeps..the 80's and 90's are back. With a vengeance. I just consult these three ladies for tips.  I think the buyers at F21 just watch reruns of SBTB for inspiration.

3.)  Cell phones are the wave of the future


Just look at this trendsetter. Isn't he so cute. Z + A = 4eva

4.) Real friends are there for you when it counts


Enough said.

5.) Some people were born to be used car salesmen

Let me assure you no one loved Zach more than me, but he could talk anyone into anything. He just might be selling someone a crappy Dodge Neon right this minute.

6.) Every adult is a kid at heart



Mr. B...so great at giving terrible advice and showing up at the most inconvenient of times.


7.) Sequels are NEVER as good as the original

 This never should have happened. We all know this.

8.) Great shows lead to timeless art pieces

  Priceless.

9.) Teenagers deserve a sweet hangout spot


My dream burger joint.


And now..I'm off to continue my quest in turning Andrew, Ellie, and basically everyone else I know into ultimate SBTB fans!


If you're a kid at heart be sure to enter this sweet Giveaway courtesy of The Sassy Pepper!