Chocolate

Let's talk about chocolate.

I love chocolate. Love.
If I could choose between a new car and a life supply of Lindt Chocolate bars... I would probably choose the car but I would definitely stop and think about it.

But there's a problem. If I ate as much chocolate as I wanted to, this would be my life:

So, I have devised subtle ways to scratch the itch without totally going over board. Recognize this beautiful thing?

Yeah, say hello to 850 calories. You practically have to run a half marathon to cancel that out! Thankfully, You can have the EXACT same taste for just 150 calories!

These are delicious, easy and cheap. All you do is melt a handful of choco chips, dip your orange slices, sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt, pop in the freezer for 5 minutes and VOILA! The perfect chocolate treat!

If you are one of those awful people who are skinny no matter what you eat, or (like me) can be persuaded not to care about the calorie count if it looks yummy enough, I also recommend these:

Recipe found here.

Never Do Things With Your Eyes Closed

Q: Why do parents keep sexy time things in the nightstand?

A. Easy access
B. Hide them from children
C. So they don't confuse lube for their hair serum and rub it into their newly washed hair.

Correct answer?
C guys. It's C.

$20 Office Makeover

After the first week of work, I've decided I need to make my desk more personalized. The room I'm in is already bright with natural light and has a fun orange wall, but my desk is a little stark compared to my neighbors.

On a budget of $20 this is what I came up with.

Some wall quotes. These are the easiest things in the entire world and super cheap, each one of these cost $1 to make. You don't even have to have good handwriting. Just pick a quote and loop your letters to fill the space. (Also for all you walking spell checkers, I realize I'm missing an apostrophe, I added it after the picture.)

An initial and a clip board for my daily to do list. Again, the hardest thing about this is waiting for the modgepodge to dry. These cost about $1.50 a piece.

Some picture frames.

And of course, I use bunting for everything. It's an easy way to fill a huge space for the price of paper and string. I got this paper from Hoblob, and it's the best pack I've ever bought! I spent $15 for the pack, and still have 40+ sheets to use and expand on what I've done so far.

Also, I found this card while I was looking for supplies.

"If I could hug you with eight arms without totally freaking you out... I would."

First Day

First day at the new job!

Outfit courtesy of Mrs. Cindy Ellsworth (Yes my mom still picks out my clothes for my first day)

I am officially a jewelry designer! Work started with a bang, we need to present our our ideas for Fall Market on Wednesday! I spent the day researching trends and styles. Get this... they ENCOURAGE using Pinterest during work!!! WHAT??!? Did I stumble upon the best job ever?


Oh and apparently my deepest level of concentration comes when I'm fixing my hair for a picture:

Remember that one time we spent New Years Eve at Glen Beck's house? I can't post the pictures from our tour, but I can post pictures that resemble what I saw:

Well, not quite Beauty and the Beast library, but they did have a sliding ladder... so pretty much.

There was also a buffalo on the wall behind us. Which kind of looks like Beast. (All you can see is his Santa hat, but I promise, it's a buffalo.)

And at the end, I got to kiss my prince.

In conclusion, my life is like a Disney movie. Except my candle stick has never had inappropriate relations with the feather duster.

Resolutions

Listen to this:

"I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right."
- Hushpuppy, Beasts of the Southern Wild

New Years Resolutions:

1. Stick to the 7 day carb cycle.
So I did two things that made me want to actually change my eating habits forever. I watched this movie (available on Netflix)

And I read this book

Directly after doing that, I walked over to my kitchen, threw most everything out, and started fresh. Since, I haven't eaten or had the desire to eat/drink fast food, soda, candy, baked goods, ice cream, pizza etc. If you are looking for eating habits that are manageable and don't leave you hungry, cranky, and hating the world, I seriously recommend at least reading the book.

2. Learn and establish budgeting habits.
I spend money on all the wrong things. AKA going to the movie theaters twice a week instead of buying the furniture we desperately need! (Breck's dresser is a large suitcase.) I ordered this book and I'm hoping I can make over my money spending habits.

3. Set aside at least 10 minutes a day of scripture reading or writing in a journal.
How embarrassing is it that I still stink at doing this?

4. Each month participate in a random act of kindness.
I'm excited for this one! If you haven't read about the 35th Birthday experiment, It will definitely put you in a good mood. Read it here.

5. Read one educational book a month.
This month is

So far it's really, really boring. Just give me The Hunger Games or something!!!

DIY Christmas-ish

Happy Holidays!

I am currently snuggled up in a big quilt enjoying a snow day. I really never thought I'd see one of these when we moved away from Utah, but lo and behold, I had my first white Christmas!

I mentioned a few posts ago that I was aiming to do a DIY Christmas, and guess what? I failed miserably! No surprise, but I'll still show you what I came up with!

For my mom (who if she didn't get married might of become the pigeon lady in Home Alone 2) some painted TOMS.

My dad used to always say this fun little poem to us called their "Their Once was a Puffin." I rewrote the poem, illustrated it, and then made him a little book. These are a few of the pages:

For my youngest sister-in-law I painted a pair of The Walking Dead shoes. (That is supposed to be Daryl... I am not so good at portraits.)

And my grandma's and aunt got some homemade cards

That's kind of where the success ended. I bought a canvas to paint something for my other sister-in-law. After working and reworking it for hours... it pretty much turned out like puke:

... so we got her some Bath and Body Works and house supplies instead.

Raquel (Christmas fanatic) got this little jewel:

Mammaw got a pedi/mani certificate.
Bo got a purple Nike golf shirt.
Kate got a paper cutter and a book of scrapbook paper.
My brother got this awesome game. (I game it to myself for Christmas too)
Breck got a keyboard for his iPad/2K13/John Varvatos Cologne (he smells soooo good!)
And Dalo got a big bone. :)

I also got to help a few other people with their Christmas presents! Niles knew they didn't make Vans in his wife's favorite color anymore, so he had me make some just for her. (With a little bit of extra character in the back!)

Kirstin asked me to do a little "family portrait" of her sister and their dogs.

It was a great Christmas! Made better that it was filled with 2.5 hours of pure joy as I watched Les Mis. I thought Russell Crowe sounded just fine, thank you very much.

Oh and this happened, and I am probably going to take the original picture, blow it up and put it in our living room:

Miracle

Hi friends! Today, I feel like this:

Why you ask? WELL I'LL TELL YOU GOOD PERSON!
1. I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB!

2. It's a super cool job that I can actually explain without confusing people! I'll be a jewelry designer for a company that sells to Dillards, Nordstroms, etc.

3. I will make the same amount of money plus I FINALLY will have insurance so I don't have to be so paranoid about getting hurt/sick! AND I get to work doing something I LOVE!

I AM SO HAPPY/LUCKY/BLESSED!