travel necessities:flight

Now that finals are over, our entire life is packed in boxes, and Adi is at my sisters for our trip; life is returning to a relative calm. But to make the 14 hour day we're going to spend on planes more enjoyable, I have a couple necessities I consider critical to travel with, and why not share them so you don't all think I've died? Exactly.

1. A chunk sweater to be comfy and cute during your journey, and not look frumpy. LC thank you.
2. Fashionable travel pillow that isn't one of those weird neck brace looking things.
3. Comfy shoes. Where would I be without my toms?!
4. A good book. See post below.
5. Some sugar to male me happy on the ride (thank goodness Starbucks are common outside of Utah). Double choco chip frappachino for me thank you.

Next time you guys hear from us we'll be in tropical Hawaii! Aloha!

 (At LAX. 1st layover.)

Holiday Reading

I ordered this for our little vaca to Hawaii to read on the plane and the beach...

...I hope it holds up to all the claims of how amazing it is in comparison to Hunger Games. Someone mentioned violence? Is it yucky graphic? Anywho any other great book suggestions for the plane ride would be highly appreciated.

happy

Found this and it made me laugh...and remember when I was in kindergarten and I thought the way to impress a boy so he'd like me was to be knowledgeable about his favorite TV shows. Looking back I may not have been so wrong...

A Kid's List of Things That Are Romantic

Happy Weekend!

About time

I thought it was about time I made my secret...not so secret. No, not prego. I started my photography blog over three months ago, but I've been super slow starting it up. And its still in the works. But I thought I should finally announce it for my friends whose pics are up.

Photographic Euphoria

Enjoy!

If you need to relax

Just take a quick listen to this. I love listening to classical music while I write the dreaded necessary papers for almost every class now that semester is coming to a close.

Fill in the Blank Friday

I do have to admit, I love these. By the way, for all you followers of Say What? I just got too caught up in school work and other pressing issues this week to get around to researching for my planned post. So sorry for it being MIA this week. I promise it'll be back on schedule next week right on time for thanksgiving.

(Me holding Adi like a baby. Because I treat her like one. And she loves it)

One of the blogs I love to follow {the little things we do} does this every friday, and sometimes when I fill in the blank my answers surprise me.

1. A nervous habit I have is...clenching my jaw. I do it a lot. When I'm stressed, nervous, mad, concentrating, writing papers. Hence my having TMJ. Which drives the hubs crazy when we eat together. Especially cereal.

2. something that makes me sad is... when I have to leave the apartment and Jer isn't home so I have to put Adi in her pen. Her sad puppy eyes make me feel so sad. All I want to do everyday is stay at home and play with her.

3. Today I am thankful for...my religion. I wish I was better about praying, reading the scriptures, and going to the temple.

4. my favorite room in my house is...my bedroom. Not in that way though. It's my favorite because it's where I cuddle on the bed with Adi until Jer gets home, its where I watch netflix movies on our TV, and its where I relax.

5. I can't stand...left lane huggers. Seriously, it's like a disease in Utah or something. Especially in Utah County. People are just so oblivious when they drive and so inconsiderate of others. I swear, if it weren't illegal there would be a lot more people with tires getting shot out so they'll get out of the lane.

6. If I had an extra $100 dollars to spend today I would...go to the new H&M that opened up. I unfortunately had to buy Adi dog food and groceries with this last paycheck and since eating is more important that clothes, the food won out. But I'll be really happy when I finally get to go and bring some beautiful things home.

7. the last person I hung out with was...jenna shaw. yesterday. we watched the first wives club which was awesome. and she helped me fold laundry. It was pretty chill.

Happy Friday!

-M

We're not apartment people

Oh the joy's of living in an apartment complex. This is the first of our marriage, and in the previous two houses we have lived in we never ONCE received a noise complaint. We also didn't receive any complaints at our last apartment about Adi 1) not being on a leash and 2) not having her poop cleaned up the instant it hit the ground.

Maybe it's just that we're not suited to live in apartment complex's because we're just not that uptight about all the little things? In addition we're not the type to go complain to the office or the apartment managers when something happens we don't like. If you were really to make me mad I'd calm down, and then let you know kindly so you could (hopefully) change your specific behavior that is bothering me.

Well for some reason, our neighbors are too afraid to tell us when we do something that annoys them...? So instead of saying something to us, so that we can fix the SPECIFIC issue, they go complain to the office who then sends us nasty letters without really knowing any of the details.

Today we got our second. The first was about Adi's poop being left for more than a day, and this one is about "constant drumming and obnoxiously loud music". Yeah, cause we totally have awesome, light shaking dance parties with 'obnoxiously loud music' and such up in here. Or we supposedly invite drummers over for the day to bang on our walls to annoy our neighbors...?

We do leave our music on quiet enough you could talk over it (and its Motab music so no drumming that I'm aware of) so that Adi doesn't have anxiety attacks when we're gone and destroy everything. Additionally the longest we're gone for is only four or five hours maximum so its not 'constant'.

Isn't there just something about living in a close community such as apartments that makes you feel like your neighbors are trying to find anything they can to get you in trouble? Or kill your dog for that matter?

Either way, we are officially in the hunt for another house basement to occupy until we can get into a house of our own. Until then, we will keep down the noise of our dishwasher, and breathing so not to bother our neighbors.

Heaven forbid we sneeze until then.

Truly a Woman

Remember how I posted about this gorgeous swimsuit a while ago? Well like a typical woman, I changed my mind about four or five times until I decided on this sweet little number to take to Hawaii. After all, if I want to get tan I really do need a two piece.

+

Normally I wouldn't ever wear this anywhere I know anyone. But then again, I won't know anyone in Hawaii except my hubs and parents. And I've been working on my abs. Hopefully they'll be in shape by Dec. 16th!

p.s. I saw this idea of color blocking swim pieces on pinterest that's why they don't match. I myself think its pretty cute and colorful!

Hunger for the Games

Totally and completely addicted to these trailers. I could hit repeat continuously and still be enthralled. March 23rd can't come soon enough!

PP: puppy problems

We've spent this evening weekend trying to contact various family veterinarians and furiously scanning the web for an possible ideas or solutions to an unending problem that has occurred to sweet Adi post spay operation.

There's no way to describe it, other than she frustratingly, unnoticeably (until moved), and unawaredly....leaks. It seems to come in spouts. No pun intended. She'll be fine for weeks and then one day BAM! wherever she sits or lays expect a puddle (or on our furniture a wet spot) to be left behind. And then she'll be fine again for weeks.

Other than being unaware of it and being very afraid that we'll get mad at her once she sees the wet spot, she gives us no warning or indication of what could be causing it. Its really like she just goes incontinent for a day. A lot of the info on the web states that she could have a) kidney stones b) a UTI-Urinary Tract Infection c) allergies or d) damaged nerves to her bladder after her spay surgery...?

And the suggested remedies are anything from cranberry pills (to clear up any possible UTI or kidney stones), doggy diapers (to merely control the tide), to hormone treatments? Possible diet changes include anything from cutting out all grains (i.e. allergy to gluten?) to going strictly vegetarian (I can barely afford to feed myself regular food let alone expensive vegetarian food for my dog).

Ah! Where is the voice of reason?! I don't know what needs to be done except that we don't like dealing with the clean up afterwards, Adi feels guilty and miserable that she is having accidents, and I'm concerned there's some underlying serious issue going on that we're not aware of.

Does anyone have any suggestions to get my puppy back to her healthy-loving-spunky self?!

Any first hand experience with this?

Seriously anyone???

I like to think I drink

Sometimes, on a random whim I drag the Hubs to random stores where I can buy random ingredients to make random drinks to satiate my random cravings. No, I am not pregnant. Just wistful of my childhood memories.I made these for two awesome sets of people, our wonderful fun playmates from Draper the Shaw's, and my old roomies at our roomie party. Both occasions were lovely.

Italian Sodas: the best party drink you could ever please family, friends, or guests with.

Start with a clean empty class and then...
fill 1/3 with crushed ice

 
pour in flavor syrup of your choice until it almost reaches the top of the ice

fill 1/3 with 7up
fill remaining 1/3 with half and half

Stir lightly, finish with a dollop of whip cream (optional) and a cherry on top (optional).

Divine.

Hope everyone has an amazingly happy weekend!


-J&M

Say What? Bathroom Hygiene

So this post may seem rather sexist, but I am going to direct the majority of this post towards men because according to a study noted by the NYTimes only 75% of men really wash their hands compared to 90% of women (source).

"It's not about education," said Dr. Osterholm. "It's about hygiene education. We have a problem at hospitals with doctors and nurses who don't wash their hands after seeing a patient. You can't get more educated than that."(source)

Men's issue with hand washing after number one

The idea to do this weeks Say What? comes from an issue very close to my home...quite literally. My husband actually. After noticing that he only washes his hands post bathroom sitting visit, I was really grossed out to say the least about his bathroom habits. After asking about it, he insisted that he didn't, "pee on myself so why should I have to wash my hands?" my initial retort was, "because that's disgusting!" But after some research I've concluded on a much more educated reason of why he should ALWAYS wash his hands.

"Your boxes-shorts region- from belly button to mid thigh-is crawling with germs known as coliform bacteria" (source), and it can transfer from your private parts skin to your hands in the short time it takes to go number one. Consequently if you don't wash your hands afterwards, that coliform bacteria- which can give you serious and possibly fatal infections if it enters into the blood stream- will be spread to everything you touch after going pee. So its not a matter of if you pee or don't pee on yourself, its an issue of transferring germs to others in spite of not peeing on yourself.(source)

Now I can see many of you men saying, "Me? Have germs on my privates? nah." Well, in truth even showering and washing that area won't get those germs out because its more porous. Since your hands are not as porous it is much easier to wash the germs off them with simple soap and water. In fact, probably the most cleanly man around still has plenty of germs in his unders' because they're extremely difficult to get off! (source) So just get over it, you have the germs on you. Right now. Yes, you! So even though you think peeing on yourself is the only reason you should wash your hands, think again. And women remember, if you continue to allow your man to think its alright to not wash their hands after going number one, you are directly saying it is OK for them to spread all kinds of nasties around your house and onto your children as well. Think about it.

Hand Washing in General

Now, in the stats listed above only 90% of women and 75% of men wash their hands, which leaves 25% of men and 10% of women who don't. So aside from the well known e.coli which you can pick up from fecal matter that makes you sick (source), there are also these diseases you can contract...

          Hand-Foot-Mouth disease from coxsackie virus from fecal matter causes blisters in your mouth and on the bottoms of your feet,

          Hepatitis A from food that was contaminated with fecal matter (yum!) attacks your liver and causes nausea and vomitting,

          Shigellosis also from contaminated food but this causes awesome uncontrollable diarrhea (looking for a way to shed some extra pounds?)

          and Giardiasis that causes gas, cramping, and more diarrhea, which you can get from hand to hand contact and untreated water also contaminated with fecal matter.

(source)

Don't those all sound lovely? Makes you really want to go out and shake peoples hands knowing that most likely one or two of them didn't wash their hands after their last bathroom trip. Or go out to eat aware that your waiter possibly didn't wash their hands either?

Another rather troubling issue that I didn't even think of, is people not washing their hands after changing diapers. I've actually watched many new mothers not wash their hands after changing diapers at church. So not only do they get their own babies germs on the baby themselves, but also spread it to whoever and whatever they come in contact with at the church. 

Cleaning and Education

So how do you help keep your own home clean from bad germs and bacteria getting spread from those guests or family members (gasp) that don't wash their hands post bathroom visit? Key places to clean and disinfect are the toilet handle-which personally I rarely remember to clean when cleaning the toilet-and the sink handles as well as the bathroom door knob on both sides.(source)

To help bring those numbers up from only 75% of males and 90% of females we need to educate our children and those around us who are unaware of the diseases and issues that come from not hand washing when you go to the bathroom. Potty training is hard, but implementing hand washing each time you help your little one to the bathroom is not. If you get them in the habit early, just like buckling seat belts each time, they will retain that habit later. And women, even if it feels like a loosing battle with your man, show them the evidence that it really is important to wash after each bathroom trip.

Sorry for all the potty talk, better to be aware than to be ignorant though!

-M

Admit it {you eat your kids halloween candy}

Love this. I totally know that Jer and I will do this to our poor kids. For reals.



Hey, I remember my parents did this to me, so its only fair I'll get to do it too right?

Forgetting what life is about

Sometimes, when I get so caught up in the lists, to-do's, tasks, jobs, cleaning, homework, dates, reminders, alarms, I forget what life is really about.

Often its those small moments that steal my heart, that make me feel stronger and braver than I ever could be, that gives me that out of body experience that mentally makes me say, "I will never forget this." It can be anything from teaching someone something that is precious to me, seeing something so sacred to me, or holding hands with the hubs and not knowing where his fingers end and mine begin.

It's days like today that I am reminded in every small thing each reinforcing that I am loved. It's days like today that I am awake and amazed by all of the tender mercies and kindness's I am given by a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally and those people around me.

Today, especially I am so grateful for my husband and everything he does for me. I am so lucky to have found him, and even more lucky for him to have loved me like he did and does.

"I have died everyday waiting for you. I have loved you for a thousand years, and I'll love you for a thousand more."

Fairy-tales do come true, I'm living one.

p.s. who is going to see the movie this was made for (Breaking Dawn)?

p.p.s. thank you to Jane from Harley&Jane today. It was a beautiful message to encompass what I have been feeling of late.

Say What? VitaminWater

Any requests, suggestions, or ideas for future Say What? posts please email them to me at melissajoymills@gmail.com

So for all you athletes or those who are doing anything you can to be healthy including changing your diet, make sure to read the fine print on all food and drink items you buy and don't just go with a companies word that it's 'healthy'.

“The way that vitaminwater is marketed and positioned it’s made to look more healthful than other sugary beverages, but it’s not – it’s still just a soft drink,” said Margo G. Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy

source

I along with the many of people who wanted to read those spunky quotes, and look all schnazy and healthy with my bottle of VitaminWater drank it a great deal my freshman year of college. I thought it was good for me based off the sole fact that it contained a great deal of my needed daily vitamins. And of course that it contained the word Vitamin. I mean come on, anything that has 'healthy', 'vitamin', or 'diet' in it is good for you right? This was before my nutritional class, and also prior to some research into the issue.

To start with, just check out the label on any bottle of VitaminWater. On average they each contain about 33 grams of sugar and 125 calories per bottle. That may not seem a lot to you so let me put it in plain words. That's more than a 12 oz. serving of Coke (source). Now do I have your attention? In addition, the second ingrediant is Crystalline Fructose. Ever heard of it? Neither had I. After some quick research I found that it is, “produced by allowing the fructose to crystallize from a fructose-enriched corn syrup" , which essentially is High Fructose Corn Syrup. (source)

So you're not really drinking something thats good for you. In fact, the majority of it is SUGAR. And not just any kind of sugar, but the kind of sugar that is known for causing serious damage to your liver, and it can make your aging process speed up. HFCS=early wrinkles. In addition to this kind of sugar being essentially HFCS, is specifically has trace amounts of arcenic, heavy metals, and lead.

Well what about all those awesome vitamins on the label? They're still good for you aren't they? Well there are two different types of vitamins and minerals. Water soluble, and fat soluble.

Those that are fat soluble vitamins to be absorbed and used by your body have to be ingested with a meal, or else they are just passed through your system (source). Additionally the water soluble vitamins that are included in VitaminWater are most of the time not needed in the typical american's diet as they frequently already have their daily required amount from other natural sources. Vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin are needed in such small amounts, that they frequently have already been acquired in a day and are also just passing through unneeded.

Granted, if you are a completely fast food eating, nutritionally starving person, some of the vitamins in VitaminWater would be benenficial. But for the majority of people, they don't need to drink VitaminWater to gain those essential vitamins.

So do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Ingesting arcenic, making my kidneys work hard to filter out those unneeded vitamins plus all that extra HFCS that I really REALLY don't need on my butt and thighs makes my answer a resounding no.

And besides, VitaminWater doesn't even taste that good.

p.s. the saddest thing of all of this is the VitaminWater can keep going on marketing that its good for you even though it really isn't. Read this article on their awful marketing ploys and see if you even want to support this company.

p.p.s. what kind of surprising things have you learned about some of the products you use that you wouldn't have ever guessed were an issue?

Fleck's of Gold

Are your precious 'flecks of gold' falling only upon yourself? Or are you spreading them for good?

Facta non Verba.

Translation

This is why I love my church. Find out more here.

Feeling a little brown?

Turn that frown upside down!

This will surely give you a reason to smile, I just love me some Caro!

Personalized Plate

Found this great idea like many from none other than Pinterest. Love that program, link, what is it technically? Anyways, like I promised I'm going to start giving step by step instructions but this one wasn't too hard at all.

What you'll need is...
a plain plate- I happened to have one lying around by they're plentiful and cheap from DI
an acrylic permanent pen- the only place I found one after a great deal of searching was Hobby Lobby. The brand is called painters.
masking tape or painters tape, just something that is easy to see and stick and restick
and lastly what you want to inscribe printed off from easy reference- I wrote our song on the plate which is 'Lucky' by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz

1. Make sure you're plate is CLEAN or else the marker won't stick.

2. rip a piece of tape long enough that is could go across the entire length of the plate and still have some hanging on the edges. You'll move the tape down every couple of lines. Its purpose is to help keep the writing straight.
3. start writing! The more scribbely, the cuter

4. if you make a mistake no worries, I just wiped any mistakes off quickly with my finger. Make sure to do it quickly though because it dried rather fast.
5. Let it sit in the sun or even the oven for a while (heat on of course) to help it cure.
6. display for all to see.

Happy Weekend!

Say What?: Air Fresheners

For our second health Say What? I wanted to do something that was widespread, and that I had NO clue about personally until I did some real research. 


"A test of air freshener products recently conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that 12 out of 14 popular air freshener products contained a chemical known to be harmful to the health of humans, called Phthalates." 

 (source)

Of course, many things can cause 'harmful effects'. Driving can cause harmful effects for goodness sakes, but unfortunately this commonly used device marketed by multiple companies and stores is 1) not tested for health problems or effects by the USDA and 2) effects not only humans, but pets as well. Therefore, it really is a problem that needs to be spread by word of mouth and will not be controlled by the govt. 

Specifically air fresheners (any brand) from plug-in's to air-soles, when burned or sprayed puts out dangerous chemicals called Phthalates which not only cause multiple problems from epilepsy to incontinence in animals, but can cause serious effects such as reproductive problems and hormone disruption in humans. 

Of course your chances of cancer or reproductive issues from a small exposure is small, but people who use these such as myself by a $8 starter kit and then buy the refills by default consequently have them burning almost 24/7. 

When I brought this up with my physician and asked if it could be a partial cause to my constant headaches/migraines he said it very well could be contributing. That really got me going into checking into the details of Phthalates. 

If you are looking for any more reasons to not use store bought air fresheners, they also can cause neurological issues from prenatal exposure, and also increase carcinogenesis (cancer) by damage to your liver.

Just google it if you have any remaining doubts. 

But wait, don't go and throw away that expensive plug-in you have. There is an easy, affordable and HEALTHY alternative. 

 

Most plug-in's look like this, and the refills obviously come in the little things you stick up into the plug-in. The 'scent' in the bottom is what is bad for you. 

An easy solution is to dump out the 'scent' or liquid and then refill with an essential oil. I went to Target and found an essential oil that I really liked and was pure and undiluted. Mix 1 part water to 1 part oil, remove the wick from the refill and pour the essential oil solution you made into the refill. Replace the wick and you're good to go. 

This continues to keep your home smelling wonderful, while not being a health hazard.  

 

-M

fall fashion for date night

About a week or so ago I decided to treat myself after an awful ten days of hubby gone hunting while I was stuck at home doing five midterms that week. These are the items I found online from Target, and might I say I love them, how they make me feel (sassy in case you were wondering), and how many compliments I got on them. Plus they were first worn in a holy place.

(Both The Oatmeal Wrap dress and Cheetah print stilettos were found at Target)

Love me a date night to the temple with the hubs! They don't happen often enough!

p.s. don't mind how the focal point is off in the bottom two pics. We're still working on that when Jer takes the photos.

deals and steals: Maxi Skirt

Remember how I said we stopped off at Nordstroms? Well, that wasn't completely an unplanned shopping trip.

I found this beauty online, and truthfully have been searching for an affordable cute maxi skirt that fits well for quite some time. So of course I was overjoyed after I got the hubs to agree to take me.

Lily White Maxi Skirt $26

Imagine this in a heather gray and you'll fall in love. Perfect fall color to pair with bright, rich sweaters and chunky brown belts. Plus when the only other maxi skirts (the few) that I've been able to find are around $50, it made me feel like this was a COMPLETE steal at merely half of that.

Would you ever wear something like this? I do have to admit it exudes a slight hippie aura, but truthfully its so comfy and goes so well with multiple looks that I just can't make myself not wear it almost every other day.

addicted

In the car, at home, doing dishes, in the shower. You name it, I listen and LOVE every note dripping with old time band feel this woman sings! Take a gander why don't you-

Caro Emerald "That Man"

I also suggest this video.

Fashionista Feelings

Remember when I blogged about this great find?

Kohls: Lauren Conrad Blouse

Well I finally found those photos of when I first wore it...

plus my newly (now old) dyed hair.

I feel quite confident in it+my dyed hair. It's lightened up quite a bit since then.

Maybe its time to dye it again!

p.s. I can't help but feeling like I'm this girl when I take fashion photos.

Missing him

Sometimes hubby goes hunting.
But never for this long.

This has made me a complete emotional wreck you'd be glad to not run into.
And he forgot to call me each night like he said he would.
Which made me even more depressed/sad/upset/lonely/worried/anxious.

Sometimes, more frequently than I'd like to admit, I burst into tears when, I saw couples holding hands, was asked when hubby would be back, was asked how I was doing, or was doing laundry.
And all this during the midterms week that I had five tests+an english paper due.

Most nights I'd try to comfort myself by having Adi sleep in his place. Except for last night when she peed on the bed and then puked by my head. At 3 AM. But I still love her.

Finally hubby called, and after I bawled, sobbed, cried, and hysterically tried to talk through tears hubby got the point that he shouldn't leave me alone for this long.
Especially when my car almost broke down twice, and I got yelled at a lot this week.
Maybe he'll remember that for next year's hunting season......


But probably not.

Sometimes after six long days of being away from my hubby, I get so excited about him coming home the next day that I can't fall asleep.

But always, I hate+loathe+despise hunting.

To infinity. And beyond.


The only cure for a mood like this is Steel Magnolias. I've watched it about four times this week.
Thank goodness hubby gets home tomorrow.

Say What?: Nails

So I have really been wanting to start doing a medical fact post each week, mainly because there are so many crazy new health facts that come out in the news that are important to be aware of as they aren't normally something your doctor tells you about. And as someone in the health field, they are completely fascinating. So I decided that I want to start doing this each week. You of course can avoid them, but I intend for the information to be important new findings that really do impact your health, and especially directed towards women since well that's mostly who I feel reads this blog (but no offense to the male population who do as well, we love to have you visit as well). So here goes.

"UV nail dryers are most often used to 'cure' gel nails, but they're also used to harden some acrylic nails and traditional polishes", which can lead to, "women ha[ving] cancer on the backs of their fingers".

source

Earlier this week quickly announced on the radio, was this study which discussed the link between women who frequent the nail salon, and skin cancer. The last thing that I'd ever think of when going to get a set of fake nails would be skin cancer. Damaging my nails, yes. But cancer? No. It actually rather scared me. After doing some research into it, I got even more scared about going to get my nails done when I read this article regarding skin cancer on your cuticles. "Getting a manicure can harm it [matrix] if the equipment isn't sterilized. And when a drill is inserted under the cuticle to smooth it, the matrix cells can be ground up so badly that they cannot regenerate. Nail sculpture chemicals can also drip down into the matrix, causing damage.  'When the matrix cells are damaged, they may never grow properly again, and the nail will always be deformed'", which ultimately, can lead to skin cancer as well.

source

Um hi, who knew that getting fake nails could be so risky? So yes, you can skip the UV hardeners at the end of your manicure or pedicure, but what about when they grind down your nails, which can permanently deform your nails? That's not the first thing your doctor warns you about if he sees you have fake nails on.

So obviously, not everyone is going to get skin cancer from the UV lights, and its probably really rare to have your nails permanently damaged from one trip to the nail salon, but what if that is your way to pamper yourself? If you go every month? What about twice a month? Every week? I will openly admit I love getting my nails done, along with almost all other women. Maybe in a year I go three or four times, in comparison to some sweet ladies I know who go almost 24 times a year. And I rarely use those UV dryers, but what if it only takes one time to damage your nails permanently?

Is it worth it? That's up to you, but read these articles fully to educate yourself so you can pick wisely who will do your nails if you want them done. And skip the UV dryers at the end of your nail visit. They just aren't worth it!

p.s. along with the increasing possibility of skin cancer from using the UV lights, and permanently damaging your nails, you can also get fungal infections from unsterilized equipment, and it takes months to grow out your nails after fake nails. To me, that really tips the scale to doing my own nails at home. Plus its a whole bunch cheaper.

p.p.s. the whole segment of Fighting Skin Cancer that was on Good Morning America is online here.

-M



I hope you'll let me know what you think of this all, and if you like this new weekly occurance.

mental health day

Since muzzle loader elk or deer or moose (whatever) started Wednesday and the hubby was going to be gone for four+ days, we decided to take tuesday off from work and school to spend time together. Which was divine, since it indcluded going to the park with Adi, stopping off at Nordstroms, and eating yummy Greek Slouvaki.

And multitasking a manicure and a tan at the pool for a good couple of hours. I love our mental health days, I always feel so pampered on those days because I get my honey all to myself, and we get to do whatever we feel like.

I can't believe that its already starting to become fall, where did the summer go? Christmas is right around the corner, which is insane! But wonderful as we will be spending it in Honolulu, HI. Any must do things, or places to eat on Oahu let us know. We're open to any suggestions!

Hope everyone's having a great week!

p.s. whoever thought of getting groups of men together to go hike in the mountains after large stupid animals is not my favorite person right now. But at least it gives me an opportunity to finish home-making our apartment. (Is that even a word?) I will put up pictures of everything polished and pretty + my remaining DIY projects I've done in the past little while.



Our unexpected expensive trip to Petco

As it is one of Adi's favorite places to go not only for all the delicious smells (which we often buy) and the cute kids walking around she can lick half to death, but also because its the only place where she can go into a store and beg mom to get her new toys. And I don't really dislike it either. Its always a fun adventure and way to spend time when we head down to the local Petco.

But this time when I walked in, something other than dog toys and treats caught my eye.

Welcome to our family Danger!
Isn't that an awesome name for a little fishy?

Adi gave me a cute little queer look like, 'what in goodness sakes are we going to do with him?'

Well, he's already found a nice home on our kitchen counter. And to think I swore I'd never get a fish. We'll see how it goes. Does anybody know if beta fish smell really bad like goldfish do? That's why I didn't chose a goldfish. And beta fish just look plain cooler. 

Happy Saturday!

p.s. check out the most adorable hot dog ever!

I thought it'd be the most perfect halloween costume ever, but it was a little pricey!

when it all gets too much

when school+work+marriage+being an adult becomes overwhelming, I log onto pinterest and search inspirational quotes. This is my favorite one so far. Puts it all in perspective. 

Happy Friday Friends!

awkward vs awesome

which rules out?

awkward for the day: trying to inconspicuously write this post while the MDT and young ambassadors dance and sing and act and talk in obnoxious accents all around me. Quite literally over me too. I was climbed over at least three times. By guys. In ballet tights. If you don't know what MDT or young ambassadors are...think funny, hilarious, and obnoxious all at the same time. And yet they are so fun to be around.

awesome for the day: I was told I look like a dark beauty with my newly dyed hair. Thank you, I rather like it myself!

and yes, these occurred within five minutes of each other.

p.s. I shall be posting pics of my new hair-do tomorrow...after I take pictures. You'll be so impressed, hubby did it all himself as I bent over the kitchen sink. Go hubby!

Wall Decor

As in both of our other apartments, it was only right to continue this fun wall mural I've assembled of our wedding pictures, and now add in our family pictures as well. I think it turned out spectacular!

You may be wondering how to make one of these wall murals yourselves. You can find great tips and how to's on a couple of websites here, here, and here. Personally, I like to just lay all of them out on the floor, reorganize, and then work from one end to the other hanging them up.

I love having this wall in our apartment, it creates a great dynamic and adds color and character to the room and overall feel of our apartment. Maybe you should consider doing this in your house. It draws comments from every single person who sees it. I'm very happy with it.

 

p.s. don't mind my nasty post dance clothes self

Kohls:Lauren Conrad blouse

You know what is better than finding a great cute shirt that you can picture yourself wearing with a lot of different outfits? 

Finding a CHEAP one! 

Originally $45, on sale for $36, plus back to school 20% off, plus a 20% off coupon, plus a $10 off coupon, makes this shirt even cuter than it already is!

It sounds like I coupon. I promise, I don't.

That's one thing I LOOOOVE about Kohls. You can walk in find something, and walk out with it for only a fraction of the cost. LOVE.

p.s. can you figure out how much I paid for this shirt? I can tell you it was less than 1000 pennies. 

Amazing eh?!

Double do-do

Ever since becoming engaged, and then married I was always concerned about loosing any of the smaller diamonds from my ring or band. I habitually check them not only to straighten them, but also to ensure that nothing has gone missing. And I do this often; primarily to help raise my chances of being able to retrace my steps if a stone does go missing.

Well the fact of a busy day in addition to a very off or poor luck day hasn't helped anything at all. Quite down to earth it has been a bad hair day, a running late kind of day, and a bad traffic kind of day. And a busy one too.

Between going to class, stopping off at work in Provo, and then coming home to do dishes, laundry, wash the floor, pick up and organize, and lastly to give Adi a bath I feel like I've been everywhere. And with little time to check my rings.

So of course you can understand why in horror I found that one of the diamonds from my wedding band is MISSING!!! Sad day. What to do what to do.

As many friends have pointed out, I should take it to our Jewelers and they'll replace it if its under warranty. But unfortunately we used a personal jeweler, and we didn't insure it either. Understandably I'm at a loss of what to do until we can save up the money to replace the small diamond.

Any votes on if replacing the small stone with a CZ diamond temporarily is a bad idea?

-M

p.s. whoever can name that movie from which my title comes from is basically awesome.

non malicious sprain

So tomorrow I get to take this bad boy off,

after wearing it ALL weekend, and today at school.

Trust me, it was an absolute joy to walk in around campus. Especially since my classes are on opposite sides of campus. And I didn't draw to much attention to myself thank goodness. (can you sense my sarcasim?)

Except at a family dinner/bday party Sunday night where everyone got a good laugh out of how I sprained two toes Friday night. 

And I know everyone wants to laugh today, so here goes. 

Friday night when I got home from work at ten thirty, Jer and I took Adi out to run around and burn off some energy. So we commenced in baiting her to come to one of us then the other would run, and she would turn and chase. It actually was a genius idea because she was WORN OUT afterwards. Except for that last run down of me where she literally, ran me down. 

Well specifically she jumped at me as I was trying to make a turn, knocking my feet out from underneath me; which I then landed rather badly on. 

After a day of contemplating and a great deal of whining (on my part) about the pain, Jer finally suggested insisted I head to the local Instacare Saturday night. An hour later I walked out with the foot brace on, a diagnosis of only sprained toes, and a badly bruised ego.

The woeful foot. It's the left one if you can't tell. See how its all swollen on the inside of my foot?

Ok, well it isn't super obvious via this picture. But it was. I promise. 

The doctor got quite a kick out of my trying to make the whole experience seem like it was all my fault and that my dog wasn't malicious. She just suggested I try to not have my dog chase me. Or teach her not to jump. Which we're working on. It's just not really sinking in quite yet.

So, did I learn my lesson? No, not really.

Just today I ran and had Adi chase me in my boot and all. I'm sure it was quite a sight.

Happy Monday

-M

Always Remember

This weekend is a special one. Specifically tomorrow, is a hard memory and a day to remember those who have gone before us without cause or reason. Tomorrow is a day to find a way to serve others in honor of those whose lives were cut short.

It's the tenth anniversary of 9/11. 

What will you do to honor your fellow Americans who lost their lives that day?

-Melissa

My brain fart day this week

My sweetheart came done to p-town today to bring sweet Adi to see the vet (she licked the stitches to much to where her insicion was starting to open). In addition to being worried about that, today has been an interesting and cynical (on my part) day.


The awkward:

I discovered this morning one of my favorite perfumes smells like it's rotten. Sad.
I forgot to shave my legs this weekend. Sorry to the guy in modern dance who had to support my nasty hairy leg today.
As I was sneaking my shorts down to cover my unders while walking to my first class, I outright ripped my pocket seam...oops. So now I have a gapping hole in my pantalones.
Lipgloss exploded onto the kid next to me in my religion class as I was trying to apply it...how do you possibly clean that up with only one tissue?
Sorry to the guy who gave me car advice and then I called my dad to ask the exact same question. It's not that I don't trust your opinion...its just that a girl needs to call her dad first.

And the epitome of awkward today, I had an awful time balancing while changing for dance in the bathroom stall and therefore was banging quite a bit on the walls...and someone banged back from the other side of the stall. What do you say after that, hello or sorry?


The awesome:

On a whim I suggested we watch an episode of 24 last night since I'd heard it was good...and now we're addicted. Already six episodes down, only 196 left.
I listened to Sara Bareilles the entire drive down to school this morning. I love her. She makes me happy.
My english professor completed her email today in ergophobically yours. How freaking awesome is that? I love english professors.
I found this drink called Muscle Milk in Macey's grocery and LOVE it! Plus it gives you 25% of every vitamin or mineral for your daily need.

And finally, I got another pair of TOMS today. They are so comfy! I think they kind of look like elf shoes, but they are so stinking comfy. When will my obsession end you ask? I don't know.

Overall, a great and awful day all at the same time. I just have felt...off. Oh well.

Happy Wednesday!

-M

p.s. I LOVE it when everyone updates their blogs. 

...so update!

Cone of Shame

The end of August marked Adi's six month mark which meant time for her to get her little women organs taken out. Sadly Jared had to work the morning of her appointment, which meant it was left up to me to take her and pick her up.

We were lucky enough to find the Orem County Spay and Neuter Clinic, who for the month of August had a special of only $40 for lab mixes to be fixed. This really was an amazing help to us because a normally vet would have charged around $200, which we couldn't really afford at all.

I had to drop her off by seven in the morning which was hard for me to get her there on time and then I had to wait around until one to pick her up. I spent the entire day worrying about if she'd be ok, but of course everything turned out perfectly. Well as perfectly as it could have gone.

I brought home a very sore, scared, and tired little puppy. The general anesthesia wore off by the next morning and she started eating then as well. But unfrotuantely as she woke up, she started becoming aware of her stitches, and liking them.

The bad thing about it all is that the stitches are water soluble. So slobber and her stitches were a bad combination. So I had to stop by Petco and get her this little decoration...

...and she hates hates HATES it. So we've restricted to only making her wear it when we're not home and during the night when we can't stop her from licking it.

I'll be glad when her wound is completely healed up by next friday.

Happy Friday!

-M

p.s. she's super clumsy with it on...and we can't help but laugh. How mean is that?

bargain hunter:TOMS

Truthfully, I resisted for a LONG time against getting TOMS. Everyone had them, they weren't that cute...etc. I just found reasons to not like them. But like a lot of trends and popular things, there really are reasons why they are so popular and continue to be a high craze.

Since I finally bought my first pair and have broken them in, they are SOOO comfortable. But the price was still a little much to swallow. So when I heard from a friend at work that she found someone who buys TOMS straight from the factory in bulk and then sells them for $25 a pair, I was like 'Sign me up!'

She gave me the contact info, I dropped by this nice lady's house today after school and bought two pair for me, and two pair for a friend.

They had everything from the classic toms, to a couple patterns, to the glitter toms, to the wedges. All under $35 a pair! So truthfully, I feel a lot better about these TOMS that I just got, then my first pair from Nordstrom.

But I guess it took me actually finding a pair that I liked the look of to be open about the brand in general.

Is everyone else like me where they resist the popular movements, or do you jump on the bandwagon quickly? I think I can attribute it to my stubborn nature. :)

Yay for TOMS!

-M

p.s. if you live in Utah and thus would like her contact info...I may be inclined to give it to you. If you ask nicely :) 

OCD much?

So along with the 2.3% of the U.S. population who have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I can proudly say that I have it as well. It runs in the family, and truthfully if I didn't have it, I think I'd be the weird one in my family. Both my parents have their own forms of it, as do I. Of course mine takes a more hilarious, and yet aggravating (for Jared) form. I'm not a germaphobe OCD nor am I a neat freak. On most days that is.

My form is more of environmental control habits. Like on any music or volume setting it can only be on evens or numbers divisible by five or else it bugs me until I change it. i.e. the first place setting cannot by a 1, 3, 7, or 9. And the toilet paper has to be placed so that the paper comes from the top and not the back. And yes, I change it to that in all of my friends houses if I use their bathroom. Weird right?

Other random things that bothers me is when our DVD's aren't alphabetical, my jeans aren't all folded the same way, and if doors (specifically closet doors) are left open. Likewise, glasses all have to be stacked the same way in the cupboard, the keys have to be hung on their key ring, and if there is spare change or dollar bills in my wallet, I have to organize and file it by value.

Truthfully, the list just goes on and on, but some of it is so insignificant I don't notice it is something that bothers me until it isn't the way it should be. Normally I don't notice my odd behavior until Jared gives me that 'are you serious?' look and says something.

I don't know how to better describe it other than its like this itch that if I don't fix whatever it if that is bugging me, it will bother me even when physically I am not aware of it. Like after I've left the bathroom, or once the volume indicator goes away. And then I have to change it anyways.

Most people I guess would consider a lot of these things an inconvenience, and although for some people OCD is a major inconvenience (for ex. Howie Mandel), for me it has just become a routine part of life. I don't know how life would be without those impulses, and I'm actually grateful I have them since it makes my house cleaner (in my eyes). So there really is a method to the madness.

Does anybody else have those little quirks they just can't help but do? 

Happy Tuesday

-Melissa

want it...need it?

Ok bargainistas, is this something I should jump on immediately?

J. Crew Asymmetrical Ruched Bandeau Tank

org. 88.00 sale 49.00

I LOVE this swimsuit, but its still quite a chunk of change...ah I just know how hard it is to find cute swimwear especially when its swim season. And we now live somewhere that has an easily accessible pool until late Sept. and opens early May. So I need another swimsuit right?

I am resisting spending the money, but the color and cut is so cute!

advice?

Adi poochi

This is the second update in a row that is solely for Adi. Can you tell we love her much? I really feel like my mother side has come out because of her. But of course, that doesn't stop me from having fun photographing her.

This is my favorite shot for the month of August...I had some free time, found a fun location that wasn't to hot for her, and shot away.

Of course this picture came from a whole grouping of photos that I happened to take right after I got my 50 mm f1.8 canon lens. But I just really love this shot because it just shows how calm and what an at ease personality she has. And of course how wonderfully fluffy as well! Doesn't she just look soft in this shot?

But as our friends Katie and Rob pointed out today, the picture I've put up do not do her any justice as to her actual size. She is now at least three feet tall when standing on her hind legs, and weighed in at 42.5 lbs this morning. Crazy how fast my adorable little baby has grown into a teen puppy!

oh poop. literally.

So yesterday when Jared left for work, and before I got home from work Adi spent approximately six hours in her pen. By pen I mean a gold ten foot square dog run. It has a little door thats opened by lifting the handle and then pushing on the door. Well apparently Adi is smarter than I thought. She opened it sometime yesterday while neither of us were home...and I came home to house disaster.

You see, Adi has this thing that when she's alone she finds whatever is moderately edible and rips it to shreds. Specifically paper. But she also has a hankering for power cords.

And there were two trash cans, and two tissue boxes within reach. Plus Jer's computer charging cord. Needless to say, we'll make sure that its completely latched and this time has an extra lock so that even if she gets the door handle up, she won't be able to push it open.

But plus that she had a little accident in the midst of all the shredded paper. Business one and two. And although it wasn't a big deal to clean it up, I'm afraid that she has gotten confused as to where the potty is. This morning I sent her out to go to the bathroom, and she came back as if she was done. I went into the bathroom, came out and then caught her in the act. Of course I freaked out and made sure she knew that was bad and took her outside again to go there.

Ah, what do I do? I was just so glad to have gotten past the puppy potty stage. We hadn't had an accident for at least a month and a half. And this is the first one in this new apartment. I'm just so frustrated, because I thought I had her trained and then one little accident and she is untrained?

Advice? tips?

-M

p.s. who thinks the word poop is funny?
p.p.s. does talking about poop make you feel awkward?

fashion alert concern

So, I've basically become victim to DSW's email trend alerts and I hate to admit....that marketing scheme of sending me pictures of really cute shoes via email...is working. Big time. Three new pairs of shoes in almost a month? I mean come on. I am normally really good about not buying that many shoes...ok that's a lie. But I try.

And truthfully, I fell in love with these first ones. But the second ones are what caught my eye at first...but I'm worried that the entire color blocking shoes is going to be this decades version of the big clod shopper shoes from the 70's that they wear in the new Mamma Mia movie during their performance...I mean, does anybody think that they're popularity will last more than a season or two? Seriously, do you? Still I love them. Advice? Opinions? Something people.

OR

which do you prefer? Think will last (stylewise) longer?

I dunno. Now I'm thinking I don't like either...ugh. I am such a woman.

HELP!