the girl who was on fire

let's talk about the hunger games.

I loved the series

(except for the last part of the last book in which I have major qualms)

if you loved it like I did you'll want to go here and check out the casting for the movie.

Rue

primrose

president snow

cinna

caesar

gale

katniss

peeta

haymitch

what do y'all think?

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!”

The Ritual

image source

I don't know how many of you watched the show Gilmore Girls, but there is a great episode where Emily and Lorelei are getting ready to go to bed and Rory is watching them both unintentionally do the same beauty before bed routine. Lorelei catches on and stops immediately. It is a moment that I think many daughters throughout the ages have had, the discovery that you've accidentally or intentionally started taking after your mother.

I have been thinking about my beauty rituals (or current lack thereof). What sticks out most in my mind is what I used to do every Friday for four years of high school. Every Friday rain or shine, I woke up, put on my cheerleading uniform, pulled up a pair of awesomely high socks, my "cheer" shoes and tied a white grosgrain ribbon in my hair before heading off to school. Then, after classes were over the real makeover would begin, green and gold and blue shades of eyeshadow (not as garish as it sounds), sparkles, blush, lots of mascara, and enough Aqua Net to put a hole in the Ozone layer. It may have been over the top, but there was never a night when I didn't feel like I looked my best when I walked out to cheer for a game.

Now, I barely have time to throw on a coat of mascara and lipgloss before I sprint out the door. Lately, I've noticed that my devotion to cute heels has even waned, and I've been opting for flats more and more. I've also noticed that I feel less and less confident about how I look. It wasn't about the shellac, so much as, taking the time to care for myself. Starting in college, when late nights studying or giggling or dancing led to much later mornings wearing sweatshirts and UGG boots around campus I stopped making my beauty ritual a priority. 

For the month of August, I want to create a new and improved beauty ritual to start off everyday feeling confident. Does anyone have any suggestions or favorite parts of their morning ritual? I've got my own list of favorite products but I'm always open to trying new things. Do you have a favorite product that is part of your beauty routine? Is there some part of your routine that you learned from your mother? Or that you hope to someday share with your little girl?

I'll do some sort of updates at the beginning and end of next month to share my plans and how it all turns out.

terrible.awful.

I made the tragic mistake of deleting picassa web albums on my google+ account. I don't use picassa for photo editing and I had no idea what they were or that they were linked to my blogs hosting all the images I had ever posted. now all those images are gone.

I am dying.

my blogs are toast.

don't make the same mistake I did.

the mormon women project

I thought I'd share this, I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of a church that really sees our troubles in today's society and seeks a way to ease them. I have not suffered from an eating disorder myself but I certainly do feel a tremendous pressure concerning appearance. Being a new mom changes you a lot, there is a significant growing that you must do in order to nurture your little one and while most of that comes naturally and simply, the physical changes you undergo are not always pretty. I'm not even sure what size I am now but I know that with time and exercise and the love of my heavenly father all things are possible: even skinny jeans.



"Women everywhere struggle with eating disorders ranging from poor self-esteem to extreme starvation and/or bingeing. The fact that there is a stigma that accompanies these issues makes it hard for these women to find help or even feel comfortable telling their husbands and family about their struggles. That makes it all the more difficult, since talking about it not only makes it easier for the person struggling, but helps others by letting them know they are not alone."

"This digital library will show that among the 7 million women currently members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is stunning diversity and strength that may not always be recognized. The MWP is particularly interested in highlighting the righteous choices women make in all circumstances and locations. It celebrates women who have made deliberate choices — with the help of the Spirit and personal revelation — to overcome personal trials, magnify motherhood, contribute to communities outside their homes, or be converted to the Gospel."

(via nienie dialogues)

Truly, Madly, Deeply in Style

 

image source

In case you haven't heard, this fall, Banana Republic will be offering all of the outfits above and quite a few more in collaboration with genius Mad Men stylist Janie Bryant. First of all , if you aren't watching Mad Men, head to Blockbuster, Netflix, Redbox or Apple TV and get started. As if brilliant writing and directing aren't enough the clothes steal almost every scene.

And I can't wait to actually by some pieces inspired by my favorite show. Her incredibly wearable and modern take on late fifties/early sixties fashion has me head over heels, the epitome of vintage chic. Not only does Ms. Bryant know how to style Betty, Joan, Peggy, Trudie and so many other beloved characters to a "t", she also give great style advice in her book: The Fashion File. Whether you check it out at the library or buy a copy, I promise you won't be sorry. Even for the most vintage wary girl her tips from choosing the right styles for yourself, making sure you've got the right stuff on underneath, and how to shop for just the right thing to polish off your look will be valuable.

Don't fret Matthew Weiner, Janie Bryant, and Banana Republic have no idea who I am, I just thought I'd share some pretty clothes and a fun style book.

its about time

ok, this post was was long time coming.

secret is out

...is A.MA.ZING

if you aren't a member on this site and want an invite, leave a comment and I will sendie mc send.

if you are like I was until a few weeks ago (totally out of the loop on what pinterest really is or what it is about) let me explain:

its essentially like an online vision board.

you create your own digital board with virtual pins.

when you see something on a blog or website you like you simply "pin it" (by clicking one button that you download to your book mark bar) to one of your boards (home, style whatever...) and voila a picture is added to your board with a link back to where you found it. the link back is crucial. 

you can also re-pin from other pinterest member's boards and follow friends.

its a fantastic way to stay organized (opposed to saving images to a folder on your desktop like I used to do) and get creative ideas.

trust, you will LOVE.