YW Activity- SPA Night

For the last couple of years I have been in the Young Womens Presidency in my LDS Ward. (Please visit here to learn more about my faith.) I started out as the secretary but am now serving as the First Counselor over the female youth group. I thought it would be fun to post some of our more successful mutual nights or cute activity ideas.

One of our leaders thought up this activity based on an activity that she remembered doing when she was younger. We called it a "SPA" Night. The leaders brought a bunch of beauty products from home, like nail polish, bath/foot soaking fizzies, and face masks. We induldged in a little pampering with the girls, painted each others nails and relaxed. Then, near the end of the activity we gave each girl a SPA Journal, which stands for Scriptures, Prayers, and Answers. We encourage the Young Women to keep a journal seperate from their everyday journal, using this one specifically for inspirational and favorite scriptures,  insights and revelation from reading their scriptures, daily prayers and the answers they receive.

We did this activity the week before General Conference and further encouraged them to watch General Conference after saying a prayer and to look for specific answers to questions they might have. We asked them to record thier experience in their SPA Journals. The activity would work for any time of year, but I think it works well before General Conference or Girls Camp, a time when they can start practing writing in their SPA journals right away.

I made some cute little handouts for the girls to take home as well. I got the small baskets and loufas from the dollar store and filled them with some homemade bath salts that I already had on hand. Handouts for all the girls only costs me $3, and it shouldn't be too much more if you need to buy supplies to make homemade bath salts. Heck, you can even buy bath salts at some dollar stores or in bulk at WalMart.

Overall it was a successful night. It was pretty laid back and easy but had a good spiritual punch to it as well. Here are some links to others who did similar activities with thier own spin for some more ideas, or of course, look it up on Pinterst for tons of ideas.

Some Sweet Talking Girl

 

Sugar Doodle

 

Marci Coombs

 

Walking Worthy

 

 

Black & White, what makes it work

Black and White is such classic color combination and it never really goes out of style, but for some reason I cannot get enough of the updated black and white trend that is everywhere right now. Seriously, I'm helping plan my younger sisters bridal shower and I just want to make EVERYTHING black and white. My sisters/ co-party throwers have to remind me, "Where's the color Amber?"

Oh, let's pause for a moment. Did you catch that little tid-bit in that last paragraph? Yes, My sister is getting married!!! My LITTLE sister!!! I think it is insane, I still think of her in diapers, but alas, she is an adult now and that girl is getting hitched! She was scheduled for an LDS mission last time I posted about her, but some handsome lad just swept her right off her feet and changed her plans. So excited for her happiness!

Any who, my desire for everything black and white made me stop and think for a little bit. Why am I (and lots of designers out there) loving black and white so much lately if it's really always been kickin' around? I decided to analyze myself and think about what makes black and white work and what does not? This is what I came up with.

First up, and probably the biggest part of the most recent trend I'm loving, is having crisp geometric patterns. I think this is the quickest way to make black and white feel updated and clean. It just makes my eyes happy.

Next, the BOLD factor. A small black and white strip just doesn't do it for me the same way that a big and bold black and white strip does, you know. The bolder the better! Something that really grabs your eye and calls out for attention.

And finally, I also am really loving those classic pieces that are some how being updated by our tried and true black and white combo. It feels like home and comfortable, but also new and fresh at the same time.

Lastly, as much as I love black and white trending right now, I have also seen it done badly. The most sure ways to suck the life out this duo is making it too fussy and fru-fru. If there is detailed or intricate patter, or honestly, just something very girlie, it doesn't do it for me in black and white. I like the masculine side to this color combo.

I also don't think that black and white has the magical powers it takes to revive dated patterns and shapes. Taking a 1990's floral pattern or furniture shape and pairing it up with our contrasting friends just doesn't quiet cut it. Somehow I think it just makes it more obviously dated.

Finally, if something looks really cheap it's not going to float in black and white. That will just conjure up images of the Las Vegas strip and yard long alcoholic beverages to me. Maybe that is because I live in Las Vegas, I'm not sure. But if something already look cheap from the start, then black and white again isn't going to save it. It may even make it look worse.

So that is my .02. I am trying desperately not to just buy everything black and white these days while still looking for ways to bring those crisp, clean, and bold ideals into my life. I will have to share pictures of my sisters shower and all it's black and white goodness this summer! There is some yellow and green in there as well for the shower, so I think it will look amazing.

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The Blog Reno

There seems to be a lot of rules about blogging these days, how many times you need to post, how many tweets or instagrams you should post a day, how to create "your brand," and lots of classes on how it should be done. I don't think that this is that type of a blog, blogging is not my day job. I blog to try and keep myself motivated to do my odds and ends around the house. I blog so I have somewhere to talk/write about design, crafting, my day, work, or whatever (this also helps keep my DH from having to listen to hours of me talking about paint colors). I blog because I'm MUCH better about blogging than keeping a journal (although, I could still be much more of a consistent blogger). I blog for a creative outlet.

Blog-o-sphere complaining aside, I like blogging and think it's a fun hobby. I hope this blog helps give others ideas, or is a happy stop in someones day. I hope it is a good creative outlet and helps bring more beautiful things into my life, and maybe even a few others if I can help it. Recently, I don't feel like my blog is working for me. I mean, I've been at this for years, and I have tried to re-design, streamline my topics, or create a "brand," but it just isn't my jam. I think I just want to blog about whatever is going on in my life, not just design or home improvement. For example, I also am very involved in my church, I also happen to work a couple of jobs and have gained nifty skills, I'm obsessed about my dog. Things the world must need to know, right?

Okay, maybe not. But I've decided to try and give my blog yet another little renovation. Make it look better, be more organized, and just in general work better for me (and in turn, hopefully for others as well.) I read blogs a lot, and it's always fun to go to their site and BAM! Everything is different and pretty and organized. Well, like I said, I'm not that kind of a blog. And in the wise words of Sugar Brown "Ain't nobody got time for that!" So instead, I think I will take you along in my journey  of a BLOG RENO.

I don't plan on doing anything too crazy, just streamlining it all really. I also plan on writing more about what is on my mind or inspiring me at the moment and not worrying about weather it fits within a "brand." I basically will just try and make the blog work better for me and for others. I have so many projects around my house right now it's not even funny. I need to get re-energized and blogging really helps me do that, keeps me more organized as well.

Here is my beginning "to do" list:

Streamline Labels
Add "buttons" for social media and stuff
Add an Instagram Roll
I like links to blogs I like and topics instead of them cluttering up the side bar
Make "Search" field in side bar
remove the blogspot header
Make it look sleek and cleaner overall
Use my real camera for pics and rely less on my phone camera

Now, knowing me, it might take me a year to get this done. It's real life over here, but my goal is to try and do something blog-clean-up related at least once and month and share my wisdom struggles. I just put it all out there so I hope I will follow through. After all, that is why I'm blogging in the first place. Wish me luck!

What to Wear to a Wedding

Our family has been blessed to have two weddings coming up in the family this Spring. Lucky us! In our family even if we aren't bridesmaids or part of the official wedding party, the family always tries to dress in the wedding colors so that we look cohesive for the family photos.

My sister-in-laws wedding's colors are navy blue and gray (like a dark, gun metal color). My brother-in-laws wedding's colors are teal, royal blue, and purple. You know what this means? I think I might want to go shopping. And I never want to go shopping. But just because it's a good excuse, and you can never have too many cute dresses, and it's pretty and Spring, it's all making me want to bust out my wallet and buy something. Here's what I've been eyeing so far (least expensive to more expensive).

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This dress actually comes in this blue and teal. I think I could make the blue work for both weddings maybe? Do you think it is in between enough to work for navy and royal blue? I think I could dress them up a bit with a cardigan, tights, and jewelry. Our weddings aren't usually super formal anyways.

 

 

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This is more royal blue. Pretty, simple, and budget friendly.

 

 

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I love the leather ties on the side, but don't like that if I wanted to wear a cardigan (as I do almost every day) that I would cover up the cutest part of the dress.

 

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I love Anthropologie.

 

. . .and then I went crazy for ASOS

 

 

 

Sadly, I don't think they have my size in a few of them (top middle, teal, and bottom right), but I would gladly take any of these dresses. I am VERY sad that they do not have the teal dress in the bottom middle. It is so very very pretty! I have never ordered from ASOS but always hear good things. Maybe I will be brave and test them out.

 

I think the floral navy dress could work for both weddings as well, but is it weird to wear the same dress for both? My siblings are on the same side of the family, so it's likely to be the same crowd for both weddings. It makes me think I need two different dresses.

 

I seriously only shop when I am just trying to spend time with friends or family and they want to go shopping. It is not something I do in my spare time, and I've been away from it for so long I feel kind of lost. Where else is a good place to go dress shopping?

 

The "Little" Things

I have been somewhat stressed lately. I've been working a second job since November to help save and better prepare us for whatever might be down the road for us in our pursuit of parenthood (as I discussed a little bit here.) Working two jobs is a big stress on my time and leaves me feeling pretty drained some days. I don't know how people work 80 hour weeks? 60 to 70 hours has me pooped! My crafting, decorating, and couch surfing time has been GREATLY reduced!

I have also had to swallow my pride a bit, which is silly, because I know that what I'm doing is honorable, and it's a good thing for me to take control of whatever part of our situation I can. But when someone from high school walks into the cafe your working at with your fellow teenage co-workers, sometimes I can't help but blush. Then I just get mad at myself for being embarrassed over having to take a second job to save up some baby money and put us in a better position. It's obviously totally worth it and I shouldn't worry about such stupid things, right? Now, if only I could the blood in my check to behave accordingly.

Anyways! This is not a woe is me post, contrary to the above. Even though I may be stressed lately, it has just brought my attention to being so happy and grateful for the small (and maybe not so small) things of life. I am seriously so freakin' blessed I can barely stand it. Here is what is making me smile lately.

My youngest sister turned 15! I can't believe our baby is so grown up! She wanted to go cosmic bowling and I was more than happy to oblige.  It was a super fun girls night.

My husband is the most hilariously sweet person I know. I came home the other night to find flowers and this note on the kitchen counter. Read the note, it had me cracking up for a good five minutes.

The 49ers are going to the Superbowl, okay this one isn't really for me, but for my main man. He was very excited, which in turn let me witness this hilariousness (Too bad they lost last night, the seen at this house was pretty different last night from this video.)

I got to have an amazing Saturday OFF with my mom and little sister where we partook in manicures, lunch, and shopping. It was the best day I've had in a long time.

The Killers concert. Enough said.

I finally dusted off the bike for a good MLK bike ride out to the dam.

Lastly, and biggest of all- my little sister has been called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I could not be more proud and excited for her.

 

See, can you believe I had so many happy events in just over a month? Like I said, totally blessed and thankful!!

Mo Babies Mo Problems - What bugs me about the healthcare system

Okay, I try not to put my truly personal business out on the web, but I just want to take a moment and have a little rant about our health care system. I am so fed up and sick of it! Please indulge me and allow me a moment for a temper tantrum. As some may know, my lovin’ husband and I have been struggling to have a child these last 5 years.  I don’t like to talk about it really, because it is deeply personal and probably the biggest struggle and heart break I’ve had in my life so far, so I’m not really going to get into that here. I’m just putting it out there to explain why we get to deal with the lovely medical system.

The first time I wrote this post I gave a brief synopsis of the path that we’ve been on, but even though it was vague and tasteful (and very therapeutic for me to write!), I am not going to share it here. Instead of those dets, I’ve created my top 5 pet peeves we’ve experienced with the medical system so far:

1-      Why are patients not allowed to talk? Hasn’t study after study shown that all doctors need to do is allow their patient to talk for about 2 minutes, to not only allow the patient to feel heard, but also to allow for a more proper and concise diagnosis? With the 3 doctors I’ve seen I don’t think I’ve been able to get out 3 sentences together. A couple minutes out of their day for each patient isn’t going to put them out of business, I think it would only give them more.

2-      How can insurance companies still be getting away with not covering such a common and serious medical issue as infertility? If preventing/terminating a pregnancy is a suitable medical need that is covered, how can the reverse not be suitable as well? I’m not trying to say that women shouldn’t be allowed birth control or anything, just that if medication to prevent pregnancy is insurable, then medication to promote pregnancy should be as well. Also, our insurance coverage has significantly deteriorated in the last 5 years, even though I’ve kept good jobs that were supposed to have amazing benefits. I basically feel like I don’t even have insurance with my high deductible plan, everything seems to be coming out of MY pocket.

3-      It’s all about the Benjamin$. Not only are doctors inflating their pay by requiring un-needed test, but some doctors are requiring you get ALL tests done from them. It doesn’t matter if the tests were already ran by another office, it doesn’t matter if you really only need to be tested in one or two areas- it seems like they are requiring ALL OR NOTHING.

4-      It may be all about mullah, but nobody seems to want to talk about it! Letting you know the amount of money you will be paying for these tests and services is not a concern or priority for most doctors. Maybe they don’t like to discuss it because the cost would have you running scared ($3,000 out of pocket for an introductory blood test? Yeah, that happened. How could that not instill fear in the hearts of patients?), but I still think it needs to be given its own weight and conversation. I would not hire a contractor or purchase a sofa without first knowing the costs. Why then would I participate in some of the most vital and personal services of my life without first knowing the costs?

5-      Control. I feel like all power or control is taken away from the patients. I have absolutely no say in what or how I want to move forward with possible medical problems. They have all the cards and know the game, while I have no cards to play and have no instructions for the game. I am completely at their mercy. Not that I would want to tell a physician how to do their job or anything. I wouldn’t want anyone telling me how to do my job, but I feel like there is no balance.  Everything is on their terms.

Okay. So that is my rant. Pretty sad isn’t it. I know I am whiny, but I can’t help being frustrated with the whole thing. And because I can’t imagine living this life and not getting the chance to be a mother, I really have no choice but to deal with it. Put on my big girl pants and move forward. It sucks . . . so is life. But life has taught me that those things which are really worth having, and have the biggest reward, are not usually easily obtained. Being a parent takes crazy sacrifice, We have just started to sacrifice our sanity a little bit earlier than usual for our kids. Onward with doctors, onward with adoption research, onward with foster care research. It will come in its own time, I know, it is just hard. 

Merry Christmas!

 

Hope you are with your family this week and Christmas finds you well!