The Royal Wedding: Kate's Dress.

Yes, I stayed up until 3am (okay, I took a small nap) to watch this..

I mean, come on.  It's the wedding of the CENTURY! 

How many of you were crazy and got up to watch this like my sister and I did?

Stunning.  I think she nailed it.  I'm not going to lie, I was really worried about what her dress would look like, but she exceeded my expectation.

Oh my, I just love this lady.  She is breathtaking!

Look at that lace detail.  Did you know she had this lace custom made?  Nobody has ever worn lace that looks like this.  I am in love with this lace detail.  The neckline, the sleeves.  I can't wait to see what designers are coming up with at this very moment to copy this history-making dress.

The happy couple: The kiss!   So cute.  I seriously love weddings.  Almost as much as I love Kate Middleton's dress.

you better believe I will be updating you on this dress and the impact it's made.  I want to make an illustration of this dress.  I adore every bit of it.  The silhouette, neckline, sleeves, lace detail, and especially the simplicity of it all. <3

Always More For You

today's guest post is from one of my dear friends, the extremely talented Ashley, from Whimsical Musical

 With the end of everything, comes change.

End of the semester, end of a job, end of a relationship, end of summer.

Dear friends move away,
doors slam in your face,
and you suddenly find yourself with the
need to adapt and carry on.

In these times,

you may feel heartbroken,
weary,
dreading the road ahead that looks
so unfamiliar,
so altered from the one you planned to walk.

But there is something more for you down that alien path.


You can give your heart and
make more quality friendships,
befriend the world
one person at a time.

It is that trying,

that effort to continue on well
that builds the muscles in your body.

 And those friends are never truly gone,

that boyfriend has molded a unique shape in your heart,
that job gave you experiences you'd not have elsewhere.

 They all live inside you as memories,

lessons,
patches in your quilted life.

You can always take one more step.

Turn one more page,

and there is always something more to your story.

What is beautiful?

Sorry this is picture overload.  But you've got to see these.  I guarantee you will look at these pictures and think they're all gorgeous.  I know I do.  And not one of them are society's mold of what is beautiful.



thank you Dove for these images-(-you've probably seen these before in magazine ads.)









If you're like me, you've struggled with self esteem a bit because you don't look like Katie Holmes or Megan Fox.

  And you feel intimidated when girls/women you think are stunning are critical of themselves. 

 You wonder what is wrong with you if someone you think is gorgeous thinks they're not. 

Well let me tell you something.  Being your best you is beautiful.  Think about the friends you've got.  All of them look completely different yet all are beautiful in their own ways.  Am I right?  I know I am.

  If we all fit into that mold how boring would it be? 

Let's be our own beautiful, be more confident in our own skin and be the best us we can be. 

 Seriously though.

t minus 9 days!

I'm going to be 24 years old in 9 days.

24!

That's so old.

(Okay, I thought 23 was so old.. but 24 is really so old.)


and in only 9 days!

I have a few things on my birthday wishlist this year

this mascara

this lipstick

and

this headband


it's going to be great!

a really scary word

something that has really been bothering me lately:

divorce.

it's a legit fear i have.  but at the same time i'm not even dating anyone right now and am not even close to thinking about getting married any time soon. 

i've got way too many friends my age or younger who have gone through a divorce. 

my age or younger.

i'm not old, people.


it freaks me out.
i hear horror stories almost daily. daily! i declare at least once a week that i am never getting married. 

for other reasons than just divorce, too.



people tell me,

just don't think about it
cross that bridge when you come to it


but i do think about it.  probably too much. 


hopefully that fear will go away soon. 
i keep praying that it does.
i have faith in my heavenly father's plan. 

and i understand that stuff happens.  that things dont always work out the way you think/hope they will.

all i can do is be my best self, take it one day at a time, and work really really hard.  That's the point of this life, right?

meh

it's just been one of those days


i would really like all of these please.

a. because cupcakes alwayws make me feel better.
and
b. i love anything that comes in every color. colors make me happy.

Sleeping Beauty

ever noticed how different Sleeping Beauty is compared to the other classic Disney movies?

you'll notice next time you watch SB all the geometric shapes, and how everything is very horizontal or vertical.  Nothing too whimsical in Sleeping Beauty!

You've probably never even noticed how it doesn't fit the mold of the other Disney movies produced at the same time. (...Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, Pinnochio, etc)

Did you know that Sleeping Beauty actually lost money and they had to lay off many animators because of it?  I couldn't believe it!  Not only is SB one of my all-time favorites, but I think the animation is breathtaking!

captured perfectly

okay.

this

will be my wedding's color scheme

someday.



until i change my mind.

3 months cannot come fast enough!!

i had the videos embedded but they are far too big.



so go here for the trailer
and here for a behind the scenes look

i got the chills watching these, just fyi.
i can't believe it's all coming to a close in a few short months.


this just means i will be planning myself a trip


here


and


here



you all know I am a huge hp fan. you better believe i'll be at walmart at midnight tonight when part I comes out on BluRay so I can watch the first scene of part II...




baaah! can't wait. oh my lanta.

just some more thoughts

just so you know, life is not a race.


example:


most of my friends my age are done and graduated.  and have been for a few years.

i could have been done at this point in life.


but because i'm not
sometimes i get down on myself.


and then i realize that if i wasn't in school right now
right at this time.

i would not be able to take advantage of the opportunities i get to. right now.

i am thankful for where i'm at.  i'm slowly moving but that's because that's what needed to happen.  it's what needs to continue to happen. 

for a reason. 

and sometimes(most of the time) we don't know why we do certain things

but in the end it all turns out better than if you were to plan it yourself.



rambling thoughts, yes.  what are your rambling thoughts on the subject?

spring clothes

I cannot wait for spring to finally come. 


Dear Utah weather.

make up your mind!!

love, erin.



spring = I want these things for my wardrobe:

this dress

and

these shoes

some rules I (try to) follow

1.  dress like it's a special occasion.  even if it's not.  trust me, you'll feel better about yourself instantly if you take the time to care about presenting yourself(which, I don't do often...but when I do it's worth it!)

2.  only buy expensive-looking clothing. expensive looking being key words (i'm a major clearance/sale rack shopper) but as long as it looks expensive it's probably made well and will last longer...right?  that's my philosophy,  anyway. 

3.  only follow trends that flatter.  no way are you going to find me in a t-shirt dress and leggings!  flattering styles (which are almost always classic pieces) always trump current trends... which brings me to #4

4.  only purchase items which have lasting-power. no sense in spending my money on something which is only going to last a few months trend-wise!  right?


happy shopping!

once upon a time



Erin's art was(is) featured in the student show





her piece even won an award





and all her friends came to support her!  ...(what is my hand doing?....)

 The following story you can skip---I just want to remember this in the future! 

Okay.  Tonight was seriously awesome. 
1.  Totally unexpectedly won an award!


**How I found out

I was running late naturally.  [they really stress about being on time to see who wins the awards]  When I finally arrived more than half hour late I walked into the Art Museum and walked over to the front desk where I asked if they had already announced all the awards.

This man said "Oh, yes, they have.. What's your name?"

"Uhh, Hi, I'm Erin"

"Hi I'm Adam Bateman {the curator of the exhibit}.  It's truly nice to meet you, congratulations you won an award!"

Me in shock:  "whaa... uhh...waaahhh...more mumbling...Nice to meet you!  Thank you so much!"



2.  I ran into an old professor who is totally over the Italy study abroad.  He says this to me:

"Is one of your pieces featured here?"

"yes.."

"well, show it to me!"

"okay!"

I show him mine, and tell him about it...

"Well you must come with us to Italy next summer!  Let's stay in contact.  I think you would be perfect and it would be such a wonderful opportunity for you!"


"YES PLEASE!!"

a disney world tutorial

I'm a huge Disney Parks Fan.  I feel like this post is long overdue.  People could argue all day long about if Disneyland Park or Disney World is "better".... the only similarity is that they're Disney parks... but I think they're completely different and I love them both for different reasons.  I could go on about this but that's not the point of this post. 


I'mma tell you about what I think the highlights of Disney World are.   I also apologize for how LONG this post is. 


Disney World is made up of 4 main theme parks, with 2 water parks and Downtown Disney.  I'm just going to focus on the 4 main parks.

The Magic Kingdom.  That's the one that's most like Disneyland Park with similair/a lot of the same rides. 

 

my mama and I waiting in line for Peter Pan's Flight(in Fantasyland)--one of our favorites!

the siblings and I... brother is now a foot taller than me.. this was 3 years ago.  

in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom..Notice how HUGE the castle is!  There's a restaurant inside!

My Favorites at Magic Kingdom:
1.  Space Mountain.  It's the best at Magic Kingdom
2.  Snow White's Scary Adventures
3.  Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
4.  Mickey's PhilharMagic  A fun 3D show




One of my favorite times at any Disney Park was when we went during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  If you can--try to go then!




Disney's Animal Kingdom  basically a huge zoo with a few attractions/shows and parades with a Disney flair.  It's super fun, but can be done in half a day! 

My favorites:

Anna being eaten by a T Rex in line at Dinosaur, the scariest ride I have ever encountered. it was on this ride where I discovered my true fear of dinosaurs.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.  This is the best ride ever. Ever. Hands Down.

the iconic Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom.  This thing is HUGE. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios 
My favorites:


Rock n' Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith
The Great Movie Ride
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Beauty and the Beast --Live on stage!

Twilight Zone-Tower of Terror

I love the old Hollywood feel at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Epcot


You have got to see the World Showcase at Epcot.  It's so great and really fun to explore!

Just Chillin in Italy, nbd.

Epcot is known for its miraculous flower gardens! 



You probably know Epcot as 'the park with the giant golf ball'.... it's not a golf ball.  It's home to Spaceship Earth

pray for shea

I've known Shea since we moved to Utah over 16 years ago.  Her father and mine were college roommates and my mother and hers were instant friends and have stayed so all these years later.  Shea's my age, 23.  She is awesome.  My dear friend  Shea has been going through a really hard time lately.  I can't even imagine what she's feeling right now. 


you can read her story/updates here

please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  Never underestimate the power of prayer!

Love you, Shea! 

okay i'm addicted.

in five years time we could be walkin' 'round a zoo

I read this post by the brunette bombshell:

just a thought. a fleeting, passing, unforgivable thought.

the girl's greatest fear--if the girl was really honest with herself--was that you could find the man--the man you'd follow to the ends of the earth--the man for whom you'd lay down your life and sacrifice and work and love for--and that he'd then find that woman.

in someone else.

because the fairy tales told as a child never allowed for this possibility. and perhaps they should have?

 
 
I tried to comment on her post but for some reason my computer is having major issues.  So I'm going to share my thoughts here.
 
I don't believe there is just one person I'm meant to be with.  Of course I'm going to end up with just one man, but I believe there are many out there who I would be my best self with. 
 
Does that make any sense? 
 
 
Her post was so heart wrenching.  Because we've all been there.  We've all felt that heartache.  Where you think you've found 'the one' but it turns out it isn't so.  But I think you have to feel that before you can truly know how good you've got it once you've found it.  Yeah? 
 
 
While my love story hasn't been written yet, I love love. 
My heart melts reading love stories and watching wedding videos.
 
for more of my thoughts on this subject go here

alice lane

i cannot get enough of this chair.

or this headboard.

or this couch.

dear alice lane,

will you please furnish my future home someday? 

it would be much appreciated

and i would be the happiest old gal on the block.

yours truly, erin

a bouquet i love



pink and orange ranunculus
white freesia
vendella ivory spray roses
pale orange tulips



I miss playing with flowers.  I need to find a way to be able to do this again asap. 

the twitter

it took me awhile to get on the twitter bandwagon


i didn't understand the point.. i still don't think i do.


but for some reason it is so fun.

the same way facebook was so fun when i first joined.




so.

the twitter.


let me explain it a little bit to you the way i wish someone would have explained it to me.

@fashiontrainee  (this is my username, we'll use as an example) 

when i make a tweet (it's kind of like a status update on facebook..) it looks something like this:

 fashiontrainee: i love justin bieber!

or if i wanted to say it specifically to someone i would type their username as well...
or sometimes i like to do it in place of a name

fashiontrainee:  i love justin bieber but probably not as much as @makinuvbetter

this sends the tweet to all my tweeps(i call the people that follow me tweeps?)  and it'll also send it to jordan-makinuvbetter even if he doesn't follow me. okay?

now there are trending tweets which are set apart by this: #

i also use the # as an afterthought..

fashiontrainee: i love justin bieber but probably not as much as @makinuvbetter  #he'sobsessed  #neversaynever

okay.. the #he'sobesessed is my afterthought

and

#neversaynever is a trending tweet

capish?


anyway.. just thought it'd try to explain it to you non-tweeters

so join!  then follow me. and i'll follow you!  it's great fun

happy tweeting!!



also have you seen this video?  josh groban cracks me up..

....so do kanye tweets.