UPDATE

I have to take a minute to post about the classes I am taking next semester. I am finally in my Early Childhood Ed classes which makes me so excited! I am taking Intro to Early Childhood Education and Intro to Child Development. I'm also taking a writing class which is pretty standard. I signed up for Introduction to Nutrition because, well it was one of the only "applied sciences" offered that interested me. I'm also taking Acting Fundamentals, which is...an acting class. 

Any ways I'm really excited to start this new semester. I just know it will be much better than my last. Well I need it to be actually.

In between getting ready for hubby to come home & Christmas I haven't had much time to post. Hope your holiday preparations are running smoothly! 

DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater

I have to share the ugly Christmas sweaters that my best friend and I made for a party.

THE STORY:
While sitting at dinner my best friend and I were talking about what we were going to wear to an ugly Christmas sweater party. Erin says "I wish I could somehow say that I am the ugly sweater." I replied "Just put an ugly picture of you on the sweater!" Thus our magnificent Christmas idea was born.

We scoured Goodwill and found two red oversized sweaters, and a few matching ornaments as well as some wreaths.

We printed out some very gorgeous pictures of ourselves and duct taped them onto the front and back of the sweaters. We glued the other ornaments on and hung some off of the sweaters.

We pinned the wreaths in our hair and had an ugly picture of the both of us on the back of our sweaters.

We had a great time and even though some of the stuff fell off of our sweaters we still looked adorable. This was extremely fun and different from every other sweater at the party!

December Goals

1. Try my very best on my finals

2. Work, work, work!

3. Make the best of the week I'll have with my husband

4. Figure out a schedule to work out & stick to it

5. Make some Christmas gifts!

Going to an ugly Christmas sweater party this weekend! The best friend and I have a little trick up our sleeve for our sweaters! I'll let you see the finished product later. Anyways, while shopping I found this adorable sweater.

Too cute and I had to get it, I'm sure my family will get a kick out of it when I wear it to Christmas! I really want to go thrifting soon for some oversized sweaters. There were so many to choose from! An oversized sweater + leggings + boots + scarf = a perfect daily outfit in the winter! I am so excited to put together my special surprise sweater for the party. 

Hope you college kids are surviving the wrap up of the semester. I am struggling, bad. Doing some extra credit tonight and tomorrow and just hoping to squeak by and pass these classes! HAPPY END OF THE SEMESTER! It's almost winter break. Just hang in there ( :

Do you want to be an angel?

Last night I along with tons of others I tuned in to watch The 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I loved all the cutesie little outfits and the walking and poses. I also thought all of the little themes per all of the outfits in the show fit into were adorable. Shoutouts to Justin, Rihanna, and Bruno because I thought they all were amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the fashion show! I was working on a paper while watching it as well. Gotta love college. These were some of my personal favorites --

(source)

The Biebs was also looking adorable. I just love him. 

Anyways, much later in the night while checking Twitter I saw many girls online bashing the Angels. Comments such as "that skinny is not attractive", and "probably anorexic" floated around the cybersphere. I happen to think these women are gorgeous. I have enough self love and respect to celebrate others beauty. I however, was trying to counteract those thoughts! I even challenged my followers to post some #bikinipics of their own! It got me thinking, why does watching something like the Victoria's Secret Fashion show make women so uncomfortable? Why are we not comfortable enough with our own bodies?

I have to say, these models are not the scary, skinny, unattractive ones. I think the Angels are toned, I think they have a figure. They work really hard for the figure that they have. 

We could all look like Angels! If you want to, you just have to work really hard.

It bothered me that someones first defence was to call them anorexic. I've dealt with a lot of body image issues in my life. I have battled eating disorders and to me, they are not something to take lightly or joke about. I always felt like no one understood what I was going through and honestly how could they? I felt like I alienated everyone around me. I had to retrain my brain. I will always have issues with my body. I am now more comfortable with my body, most of the time. It's been a long road. Loving yourself and the way you look is not easy by any means. I often don't see myself the way others do. As I'm growing up I'm becoming more comfortable in my own skin. 

I knew I had made a large stride when after watching the fashion show I wasn't in a state of self-loathing. I was actually inspired. I could have a more toned body, if I worked for it. And I promised myself I would. I am going to work to look like an Angel for when hubby gets home from deployment ( : 

What a goal!

Anyways lovelies, what did you think of the show?

What was your favorite?

Bloglovin'

If you're a blog junkie like me then you may already follow all of your favorite blogs on bloglovin.com. I find it's an incredibly easy way to never miss another post from your favorite blogs. If you don't know anything about it, try it out! I have recently put my blog on bloglovin, be sure to follow if you want!

I also made myself my very first button! Pretty soon I'm going to be creating a page with buttons from my personal favorite blogs so be sure to grab mine if you want!

Happy tuesday, it's the week before finals. DEAD week. Ironically that is truly how I feel. My roomie has mono and I doubt it will be long before I catch it to.

I'm beyond ready to be done with this semester and be on break &&& to have KENDALL HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Have a fantastic day!

Favorite Finds!

Since it is getting close to Christmas I thought I would compile a special wishlist of sorts with my favorite items from some of my favorite shops. A lot of these will be army related but the shops I mention represent all branches of the military and I'm confident you could find something to fit your own needs!

The first shop I'm highlighting is Love and War clothing!
I love all of the designs in this shop, for every branch there is something I would love to wear! There is tons of variety in this shop!

1. I love this off the shoulder sweatshirt because she took one of her original designs and instead of an 'O' in love she customized it for the army & replaced it with an army star! 

(buy it here)

2. I want and will eventually buy this sweatshirt! I'd like it in 'pewter' or 'red'. It is just so cute and sparkly and looks very comfy! These are completely customizable too which is also nice.

(buy it here)

3. THIS TOP. Because let's face it, it's the truth! I don't mind reminding the people around me of that simple fact either! This also comes in a red sweatshirt.

(buy it here)

4.  WEAR THIS TO THE GYM DAILY. I mean I love working out, honestly I do. I get lazy when it comes to actually getting to the gym but I love being up in the gym. I'll add this to my collection of get fit gear soon! I personally like the orchid color!

(buy it here)

5. Okay, I couldn't help myself. I love these little panties. The saying just makes me giggle!

(buy it here)

The second shop I'm highlighting is Military Dolls!

Mrs. Colleen Neal has worked hard to produce not only fashionable clothing but has succeeded in creating a great brand! These are my faves from mil dolls!

1. Report for booty panties, how could you not love these! Too cute!

(buy this here)

2. One thing I love about Military Dolls is the use of fonts! And the branding on each top in a tasteful way. The patiently waiting top is perfect for a girl going through deployment

(buy it here)

3. A SCARF! I'm too obsessed with scarves not to love this mil dolls scarf! I also love the signature Military Dolls design.

(buy it here)

4. Perfect for the gym! Everyone will know you are there for business. Love the saying on this fitness top!

(buy it here)

5. I love that she brands the tops so tastefully. I love this racerback it's perfect for the gym or layering to wear just about anywhere!

buy it (here)

The third and final store I'm highlighting is At Ease Designs!

I actually own a product from this shop! A deployment bracelet. My husband bought it for me right before he left! I love the variety of items she has in her shop.

1. I already know that her jewelry is great quality and I just love this little necklace, could be worn with anything!

(buy it here)

2. I love this one because I love the little boots ( :

It's a cute bracelet overall!

(buy it here)

3. I love this cute little saying & it's a cute top in general! 

(buy it here)

4. Red Friday top. This one is nice because it's a conversation starter.  A perfect time to tell anyone about your SO and what Red Friday means to you! Just make sure you wash it throughout the week so you can wear it every Friday! I also love the detail on the back.

(buy it here)

5. It doesn't get easier, you just get stronger. This is a nice mantra! Can I just say that I love that it is printed on a soffee top?!

(buy it here)

So that's my wishlist and those are my favorites from my favorite shops! Hope I gave you some ideas for what you may want to ask for Christmas! Don't forget to check out those shops for your own favorite finds!

Wishing you & yours a Happy Thanksgiving

First things first! HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I hope you all have a magical time with your family and friends today. I'm inspired by people who go and volunteer on Thanksgiving. Personally, I have three Thanksgivings to try to make it to today. I am working Black Friday so I won't be getting caught up in crazy deals and running to try to get a special gift. I've been thinking about what I am thankful for. It might be the same as your list but this is the first year (excluding worksheets in elementary school) that I've seriously contemplated what I am thankful for. I attribute that to my husband. I think he has truly shown me that I have so much  in life to be thankful for. So! Here is my list of what I am tankful for.

1. My husband, he is sweet, caring, challenging, headache forming, panic attack inducing, and perfect. He is everything I could ever wish for and want. I am so in love with him that I will never want anyone besides him! I've realized how thankful for him I truly am.

2. I am thankful for my family. I haven't ever truly realized the power of family, this past year has opened my eyes to how much my family loves me and how much they will do for me. I'm thankful for my new additions to my family--Kendall's family. This group of people has been there for me since day one. They have gone above and beyond and have truly shown me their love. I'm thankful for my mother, she is an incredibly strong  woman and though sometimes we don't agree she always seems to try to put her own feelings aside to see my happiness. I'm thankful for my father and my stepmom, I haven't always been the closest with his side of the family but within this past year especially I have felt very much closer to them and they have gone out of their way for me more than a few times this year. Last but not least I am thankful for my Aunt & Uncle. They have always made up for what my parents could not provide for me. They treat me as if I am their own child. I know they think I only come see them when I need something but they never shy away from helping me when I need it. They would hate to see me go without and they do everything they can to make sure I don't. These are just a few of the amazing people in my family. I love all of my siblings, cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. 

3. I'm thankful for my support group of friends. They are each unique in their own ways. Alexis for always being there for me and for worrying so much about me and always having my back. JT for being the funniest person I know and for always being my ride home. Josie for being the best roommate anyone could ask for and for putting up with my messy ways. Erin for being the best friend anyone could ask for, for always listening to me, for never judging, and for being my twin. Julian for being my singing buddy, for always being there, for goofing around with me, for buying me food, and for being my best friend. These people are all my best friends. Now that they are in my life I cannot imagine how I would be without them. 

4. I'm thankful for a working mind and body. I'm so blessed to be in good physical and mental condition. 

5. I'm thankful for my talents. Though I have few I am talented in some ways. I'm a pretty funny person. I'm not a pop star but I can hold a tune.

There are so many things in life to be thankful for. I didn't want to name material things but yes I am thankful for a home, laptop, bed, cell phone etc. These simple things are things that we take for granted sometimes. We are so used to having our cell phones that we kind of don't remember what life was without one. (sad I know!!!) Think about everything you are thankful for. Basically everything I touch I am thankful for! 

My husband is not home for Thanksgiving this year. I'm trying to enjoy the day as much as I can. I wish he could be here watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with me and traveling from house to house for dinners today. I haven't experienced a Thanksgiving with him yet, but I still feel as though something very large is missing from this Thanksgiving. I'm praying that he still enjoys himself with his friends. 

Happy Thanksgiving my friends, hold your family close, have lots of turkey or tofuturkey, and get your gameplan ready for your Black Friday shopping spree.