and another thing for that matter

There are some amazing women out there.


these women are (to name a handful)




talented


funny


beautiful 


and


smart




ps all the women mentioned are all of those things and much more.  and i am super lucky to call them my friends!  
i know you're jealous. 


happy Wednesday!  

Ps Sorry I've been m.i.a. lately.  life has kind of taken over for the moment, and it's only going to get more busy from here.  Only 6 more weeks and I will be in Italia!  I've still got some posts up my sleeves though, so stay tuned! 


Ciao!

the help

It's often been noted that before the civil rights era, the American South, while more racist than the North, was in one way more enlightened: Even at the vicious height of Jim Crow, blacks and whites coexisted with a casual and enduring day-to-day intimacy. They'd been living intertwined lives, after all, since the days of slavery. The Help, an emotionally enveloping, sharply alive big-canvas adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's powerful 2009 novel, is rooted in that truth more deeply than just about any Hollywood movie I can name. It understands that the ''separation'' of the races in the South wasn't just a crime — it was a grand illusion.
via


i don't know if you've seen the help

if you haven't

make time and go see it


made me laugh
made me cry (at least 4 seperate times)
made me thankful
made me angry
made me want to make a big difference.
made me think.


i can't even express to you how it moved me.  those black women truly cared about the kids they raised.  they raised them.  not just nannied, babysat or cared for.  raised.  only to be treated like {less than} dirt when the kids grew up.  can you imagine?  they were truly christ-like people.  they loved their enemies.  i have so much respect for the women portrayed in the film.  i don't know if i would be able to just handle something like that and turn the other cheek like they did.  it definitely made me appreciate what i have.  it made me want to reach out and help other people. 

it was just good.

what did you think about it?

to: you. love, me.

it's just that.

i love journaling.
always have.

you remember this post?
so you know.
i have many a journal.




i can't wait to print out this little puppy via blurb and have it in book form.


to show my kids someday.


because
you see,

in my penning journals, it's mostly things like

today i _________...
oh man i can't believe i'm up at _______ hour..
my classes are_____...


so mostly, it's just very documentation-y..(is that even a word?!.....deal with it.)


but here, i'm writing to somone.

even if nobody is reading.


hello, are you there?


so


someday when i'm long gone people will get a feel for who i really am. 

that's what i want to think, anyway.


blogs are just the greatest, aren't they?

food for thought: sunday edition

God bless you to realize where you came from and the great privileges that are yours. If the veil were rolled back and you could just see one glimpse of God’s great eternal plan concerning you and who you are, it would not be hard for you to love Him, keep His commandments, and live to be worthy of every blessing that He has had for you since before the foundations of the world were laid

–Elder LeGrande Richards

some advice

here's how to spot a jerk of a boy:

he probably wears pooka shells.
or a gold chain.
he probably has really good hygiene practices(good thing...)
let me rephrase. ahem. he probably waxes/plucks his eyebrows.
he probably sports a fake tan
he probably checks himself out in every/any mirror he can find.



here's a visual of what he might look like as a disney character:

you know the type. 

the type where i am not interested... at all. 


so move on, buddy.  move on.

I love Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

"Be strong and of good courage.  You are truly roayl spirit daughters of Almighty God.  You are princesses destined to become queens.  Your own wondrous story has already begun.  Your once upon a time is now."

don't take any wooden nickels

3 posts in one can't-sleep 1am hour. So sue me, I have a lot on my mind I suppose.

So.  I've been thinking about this one a lot lately. 

In fact, It's something I think about all.the.time.

Achieving Goals.  And not just any goals.  The unachievable kind.

If you would have asked me 6 years ago when I graduated what I would be doing in 6 years I would have told you something like this:

oh you know, living the dream... (with nothing really in mind for myself..)

i didn't dream big back then. 

that's all changed.

...

Don't take any wooden nickels.

I thought that was just a funny old-person saying.

But thinking about it more:

It means.  Don't take anything unless it's completely worth what you have to give. And. Don't let self doubt keep you from achieving your unachievable goals.  You can do anything you put your mind to.  I'm serious. 

So what are you waiting for?

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

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.

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?

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?

who, me?

be yourself! {everyone else is already taken.}-not sure who made this statement. but i love it.


yes, that's caution tape in the background. and yes, i have squinty eyes and a scrunchy nose when i smile.

photo taken by jalene. she's incredible.







seriously though. 




sometimes i find myself

a. comparing myself to other girls. (photoshopped or not)
b. saying {thinking} ridiculous statements about myself (see a.)
c. wishing i was more like insert friend's name here. (I have some incredible, beautiful, thoughtful, crafty, creative, awesome friends.) 

catch my drift?


but i have to remember that i'm me and i'm not going to be anyone else any time soon
(or ever)

i can, however, try to be the best me.

and i do try.  every day.

Nelson Mandela is one smart guy.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?Actually who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to manifest the Glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some; it’s in all, everyone.

And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

so.

there you have it.

i guess i'm stuck being me.

and i like it.

read my other reminders on this subject here and here.

a little bit of fashion history

Okay kids.

I know some might think fashion is just about clothes and runways.  And it is, most of the time..

But listen to how neat this is.

(well, I think it's neat, anyway)

Let's go back to the Seventeenth Century (1600-1700)

Ladies were wearig petticoats, pantaloons, large gowns with stomacher and skirts with modestes and secrets (the over skirt and under skirt... how funny they're called modeste and secret. pronounced mow-dest' and sek-ray')  Sleeves were puffed out, and long.

Then in the 18th Century (1700-1790) style evolved [like it always does].  Women were still wearing large intricate gowns.. These are the types of dresses you would see in Pride and Prejudice, with chemises, stays, jumps and hoops.

Gentlemen were always dressed to impress and so were the ladies.

And the women were always modest.

In the 1800's a few peculiar things happened.

One being Joseph Smith's first vision and the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

(which is what my focus is on in this post..)

This is when a few major things in fashion also happened.

Dress became much more casual. (more casual than it had been...Not the sweat pant sort of casual Stacey and Clinton talk about)

Dresses became more form fitting

Hemlines became shorter.

Now I'm about to get churchy on you.

How interesting that as soon as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth is when satan decided to start influencing the world in so many different ways.  One of them being in fashion.

By the late 1800's necklines had plunged, hemlines were shorter, dresses were form-fitting and women even started wearing pants.  {gasp!}

styles kept evolving and by the Twentieth Century

modesty became a thing of history for most of the world.

Immodesty was acceptable, and even portrayed as innocent in magazines.

Call me old fashioned but I love being modest in what I wear. 

it feels good to be modest. 

Tell your friends.

Modest is Hottest.

Right?

More fashion history lessons coming soon.  I think it's fascinating and fun.

life lessons learned

from working fast food


don't judge a book by its cover
i feel judged all the time working fast food.  all the time people i know will ask me where i work... and after i tell them they laugh or say "still?' or something to that effect.  it drives me crazy!  little do they know my big plans for myself and how amazing my place of employment is with working around my school schedule and giving me as many hours as i need/want.  this has taught me that i truly shouldn't judge anyone because i don't know the whole situation!

don't make such a big deal over little things
countless times there will be people who lose their temper over not getting extra pink sauce.  or we forgot to put pickles on their cheeseburger.  people get seriously so upset that they'll curse and yell at us or demand free food.  it is ridiculous!  it's taught me not only that people make mistakes (go figure!) but i need to be patient and understanding.


be nice to everyone; even if you're in a terrible mood
people who are in a terrible mood put me in a terrible mood.  the world would be much brighter if everyone was just a little bit more kind.  so not only do other people need to be nicer, i need to be a happier person as well. 


it is possible to be healthy when you eat out
confession: i've eaten at my place of employment at least once a week for the last however many years i've been working there!  i am happy to say that i have maintained or lost weight and have made healthy choices when i eat there (not ALL the time, i have the occasional french fries and shake)

food for thought II

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly. Buckminster Fuller

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Live the life you've imagined.
Henry David Thoreau


If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!
Jonathan Winters


We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.
Stevie Wonder


People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.
Zig Ziglar

victim of creepy texts

...Have you ever been a victim of the "flirty"(aka creepy) text?

I came across an article in a magazine, which will remain nameless, giving seventeen year old girls ideas for sending your crush a flirty text. 

I was curious and read through them, and not only was I creeped out that people would actually send texts like that... I was surprised that I myself have been victim of the creeper-text.

The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.
-Bruce R. McConkie

.just dance.

wii.

just dance.

it's hilarous amounts of fun.

talked my parents into playing.

it was quite the treat.

especially

if you

know

how coordinated

my dad is.  Ha. It was quite

the treat.  But seriously you should

check it out.  It's great to play with one other

person or with a plethora of people. 

either way it's the bomb dot

com.  And now I'm just

rambling because

I quite enjoy

this little

pattern

I made.

fin.

What I know for sure.

As I was twiddling my thumbs in the Long Beach airport awaiting the flight back from sunny California, I decided a good way to kill some more time would be to pick up a go-to magazine.  Naturally I tried to find Real Simple and Martha Stewart Weddings, but since I subscribe to RS and MSW was nowhere to be found, I picked up the O magazine.  That's right, kids. Oprah.

I used to tease my mom about watching Oprah every day, then highschool rolled around and I started to join her.  I've truly grown to love the show, and the magazine isn't bad either.  It's kind of Real Simple meets Martha Stewart---just without all the darling layouts and paper art that is the appeal of Real Simple.

Anyhow, as I'm reading through it, I guess Oprah writes a one page article every month.  And titles it What I Know For Sure.  

Here's what Ellen DeGeneres knows for sure if you're curious 

Anyhow, it got me thinking.  What does Erin know for sure?

I think I do know a lot of things for sure.

But lately {lately this thought tends to be all the time more recently} I've been thinking about reaching my full potential.  I want nothing more than to be successful and to be completely happy doing what I know and love. 

How funny that Oprah's article this month was about reaching our full potential. 

Reaching your potential as a human being is more than an ideal. It's the ultimate goal

She talks about discovering who we are, dealing with problems as they arise and living each day to be better than you were the day before.

Doesn't it ring a bell? 

It just clicked again; 

What I know for sure.

I've been progressing toward reaching my full potential every day.  One day at a time.  I know for sure that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be made perfect and reach our full potential.  Because, my friends, through Him, everything is acheivable.  If you can dream it, you can do it.  I'm serious.  I know that for sure.  

 He is our Savior, and He is the author of your great expectations.

-Thomas S. Monson

Dear My Life,

Where are you leading me?

Where am I going?

Who am I?

You are really confusing me right now. Why?

Why?

Wow.



Prayers are welcome.


Love, Erin.