.

2010-11-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it, I leave Wednesday for my mission! Thank you to everyone for being there for me and helping me take this step!!! I am just really anxious right now:) My heart is so full of joy for everyone who came to my farewell and have sent their love! Big kisses to you all. Check out this fancy smancy blog for the next 18 months for updates on letters and pics that will be updated by my mom and friend Devany. I would love to hear from you beautiful people so here are my addresses:

MTC address ( I'm there for 3 weeks)
Sister Erica Lamb
Indiana Indianapolis mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
USA

Mission address
Sister Erica Lamb
Indiana Indianapolis Mission
1980 E. 116th St STE 200
Carmel, IN 46032
USA

You've Got {Mail}

2010-11-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

After quite the day at work and 439 panic attacks later, yeah it was one of those days.....I was so relieved to be home. I received a letter from Sister Lisa Summers who is serving in my exact mission. I tell you the timing was perfect, it's really been one of those weeks actually. She answered so many questions and shared a beautiful testimony and included an adorable picture of all the sister missionaries in my mission. They all look like they are oodles of fun!!! There are only 14 sister missionaries in my mission, so I'm excited to be able to get to know them. It was a small and simple thing that I needed and I'm so grateful for Sister Summers and for her being in tune with the Spirit. It helped me get my focus back to know this is what the Lord needs me to do, and I had a better attitude at mission prep last night too:) I also found out that my best friend Marie Miles and I report to MTC at the EXACT SAME TIME...woot woot! It's been such a tender mercy to be able to go through this journey with her. The Lord is truly in His work!!!

Happy Friday

so {fresh} & so {clean}

2010-11-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

I get asked here and there what I do to take care of my face. This is something that I have had to learn and experiment what works best for my skin.

My routine:

Wash my face every morning and every night

Moisturize every morning and every night ( even if you have oily skin, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize)

Try not to touch my face throughout the day

Drink water

I don't sleep on the same side of my pillowcase (I flip my pillow case over and then use a new one; I know high maintenance, but think about it when you go to sleep all of your hair products and who knows what else is on your pillow and so it just keeps things fresh)

I try and exfoliate every 2 weeks as well

Also with your makeup brushes wash them OFTEN

Some products that I use that are good for your wallet as well:

Oil of Olay Moisturizer
Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash (Foaming face wash is good for acnaic skin)
Burt's Bee's Replenishing Lip Balm
I just wear MAC Studio Fix powder and not liquid foundation ( I will do a post about powders and liquid foundations)
A litte doo dad that I purchased at Target one fine day was the Neutrogena Wave, it's a face wash machine thingy (it's really little) that vibrates to exfoliate and deep clean and my skin seriously was so soft after I would use that.

Hope this helps:)

Rica's {Tip}

2010-11-11T09:16:00.001-08:00

Okay I need your opinion so please please please leave your comments! I want to start doing little daily makeup tips and tricks and whatever else comes to my mind:) I do get some people that ask me about this and that when it comes to makeup and I could talk about makeup all day, So it's up to you if you want to see more beauty talk:) I also need ideas for a name for my daily tips, so don't forget to share ideas as well. I might do a little giveaway for the idea that I use...so start sharing!!!!

I love makeup and I love having a range of products from MAC to N.Y.C!!! If there is one makeup product that I could take with me on a deserted island, it would be Mascara. I tried this new mascara from CoverGirl and I love it! LashBlastFusion. I don't even have to use an eyelash curler, it's incredible. It gives me the length and the volume I want from a good mascara. I usually do two coats and on the second coat I sweep the mascara wand to the side, rather than just up, which makes your eyelashes look a little longer. Don't forget to twist your mascara wand as you pull it out and put it back in, it will last longer than if you were to pump it.

New {Blog}

2010-11-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

So my friend Devany had a brillant idea and her and my momma are going to keep up a missionary blog for me. Aren't they the sweetest??? So while I'm off to Indiana check out my mish blog for letters and who knows what else will be on there.

{www.sisterericalamb.blogspot.com}

So for the 7.3 people that read my blog, add THIS to your blog list:))) I will still be using this blog till I leave so keep showing it some love.

{Boo}

2010-11-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Spent my Halloween with these little darlings.

{Ruffled} in Indiana

2010-11-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, I'm kind of obsessed with weddings...oooo I just think they are so wonderful and dreamy. I have a lot of wedding websites that I keep up with because I just get an absolute thrill creating and getting ideas for my own special day, whenever that will be:)))) So I adore, dream and love this site Ruffled. The most recent blog post was from a wedding in Indiana, for any of those who are behind the times, that is where I will be serving my mission. OH......MY......GOSH......love everything about this wedding from her dress (I have always wanted a short wedding dress and you bet your boots I will) to the sixties inspiration. Here are some of my favorite pictures...oh lions and tigers and bears I just can't get enough:

i {HeArT} makeup

2010-10-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

Despite rain, wind, and just pure coldness we got some great shots of these darlings. I had so much fun doing their makeup and styling the shots. Dani did an amazing job and captured the vision perfectly! Enjoy....

2010-10-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is my mission president and his wife, her name is connie collins.....yeah we are going to get along...I'm so excited to meet them

{Guess} What?

2010-10-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Indiana, Indianapolis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I leave December 15......the same day as my best friend Marie...and my other bestie Kate will be in the MTC too....yay for spending Christmas together:))))) As soon as I read where I will be serving it felt soooooo right. I'm so excited! There is also a girl in my singles ward that is serving there now so I'm praying we get to see each and maybe we can be companions! In my booklet that I received with my call, great news, in the section on the dress standards for sister missionaries, they used to have Amish models but now it's adorable and happy and just oh so cute! My mission president and his wife seem like the kindest people so I'm way stoked to get to know them and do my best for them and the Lord. I got the sweetest little gift from my good friend Terry Lynn, and I'm just determined to put my whole heart and mind in this wonderful work. The church just announced they are building a temple there and oh my heavens I'm just so excited to learn more about this wonderful place that I KNOW the Lord needs me to be. BAHHHHH I need to get ready....2 months......

2010-10-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

My mission call is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned tomorrow for even BIGGER news. I'm in such a delightful mood today I want to share something that makes me happy...this album...Anchor....by Mindy Gledhill. I would describe this album as:

fanciful
darling
love
beautiful
adorable

Her first albums are more spiritual which is so beautiful and I just fell in love with her sincere voice. This album is more about affairs of the heart and she describes love in a whimsical way. I bought it at ladies night at Deseret Book last week and I think I have already worn the CD out in my car but ooooo I love it so much!

These are two of my favorite songs on the album, the lyrics are so romantic and just oh so cute.

This & {That}

2010-10-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

First things first, wasn't General Conference amazing!!!! I had the opportunity to go down to the conference center to the Saturday afternoon session with Amy and Marie and also some friends from Australia that Amy and I met when we were there last year. I have been listening to the talks on my lunch breaks this week because there were just so many wonderful principles that I definitely needed to hear. I may be a little too excited about this but oh well. Our family received our awesome special issue of the Ensign this month, which is all about Temples, it's absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to start reading it! Along with that came a catalog of resources for callings, gospel study, etc. I was looking through it and there they were, study guides for the New Testament, Doctrine & Covenants, and Old Testament. I know what you're thinking but I have been looking for these specific study guides forever!!!!! I have the Book of Mormon one that I got from when I was in seminary and I loved it and I have no idea what happened to the others. This last time I read the Book of Mormon I used it and oh my heavens it helped me so much. It helped me dig a little deeper and truly gain a testimony of the truths I was reading. It sounds a bit juvenile just cuz it is from the good old seminary days, but I love it. So I have been looking everywhere for the other three so I could continue studying the standard works. I got online last night and ordered them right then and there. They were also inexpensive and so that was just another blessing:)))) Anyway you should check out the site {www.store.lds.org} Who knows maybe you find some hidden treasures as well.

P.S. I know, I know this statement is getting old believe me I've gone through every human emotion possible but I should be getting my mission call next week or the week after.

P.P.S. Shout out to one of my besties...Happy Birthday Kate!!!!!!!!!! She leaves on her mission to Thailand in 2 weeks and I'm going to miss her terribly but I'm so proud of her!

Whimsical {Makeup} Photoshoot Event

2010-10-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

Save the Date

{Saturday, October 23, 2010}

I am planning a fun filled day to celebrate being a girl

I need models and I need them to sign up ASAP!

There will be 3 sessions throughout the day - I can only do about 5 girls per session so sign up fast.

Session Times: {Please sign up HERE for time slot you would like}
9-11
12-2
3-5

More details to follow. You may sign up by:
emailing Erica Lamb~RSVP on Facebook event page~Call/text Erica Lamb
{Please RSVP by October 16 so I can send you information}

Sponsors:

Oh So Glammy makeup artistry by Erica Lamb
Dani Taylor Photography
Whimsical Headbands by Jenny Hansen

{Why}???????

2010-09-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

Why didn't this hunk-a-hunk of burnin love play the role of Edward in Twilight? Just something to think about or at least get you through your Thursday. By the way I have never had so much on Google when I typed his name in.......mmmmm.

All {Dolled} Up

2010-09-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Morgan High's Homecoming and I had the lovely opportunity to do some absolutely darling girls makeup. Ooooo it's so much fun to be a girl. These girls seriously are the cutest and I was so excited to hang out with them on Saturday, I felt like I was 16 again, and I loved every minute. Love you Kinsey, Morgan, and Sydney!!!!!

P.S. If anyone ever needs their makeup done for that hot date or just for kicks and giggles, let me know:)

Voice of the {Spirit}

2010-09-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

What comfort this video brought me to know that I'm not alone and the Lord is listening and answering my prayers in small and simple ways but extraordinary to me. My testimony has increased of listening to the spirit and following those promptings. I know how the Lord answers me and it's a sweet feeling to have that knowledge. It's been a roller coaster of a ride especially these last few months with making the decision to go on a mission. I believe so strongly in what I'm doing that I'm willing to fight for it. It felt so right to finally say the Lord needs me to go on a mission and I'm going to do it. I'd been too scared of the unknown and doubting myself if I could be trusted of the Lord. I know that listening to spirit continually will help me in my mission and for the rest of my life so I can truly gain that personal relationship with my Savior. I know he is in control and that wherever I get called is where the Lord has prepared those people for me. I'm still scared to death but I've been able to take great comfort in our loving Heavenly Father. I hope you enjoy this little Mormon message video:)

{High} School

2010-08-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday I got together with some old friends from High School. We have seen each other here and there but it has been 7 years since all of us have been together. Oh it was so fun reminiscing from prom dress shopping, making our Halloween costumes, high school crushes, and riding with Tammy while she learned to drive a stick, well you get the idea. I wish Devany had been able to be there but she is living it up on the East coast! So much has happend to us all since, marriage, engagements, broken engagements, we have all graduated college, missions, babies, careers, boys. It was so great to have Diana's little boy Austin joining us as well:) Love you Di, Tammy, and Jen!!!!!!

{I don't know why the waiter thought that the plant should be a focal point}

Relief Society {Retreat}

2010-08-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

So the relief society got together one crazy weekend and went up to Bishops cabin........where we did things like dance parties, moth killing, giggles, cooking, giggles, chasing butterflies, and giggles. Here some pics that Ms. Amy took:)

{You can see more pictures HERE....Go Ahead Click HERE}

{August} 15, 1984

2010-08-12T13:33:00.001-07:00

Well it's almost that time of year, but this birthday is different I will no longer be in my mid-20s.....aaaahhhh.....Yeppers I'm turning 26....Here's a little look at the past 25 years:

Polynesian coco bean born in Cali
Graduated from college
Going on a mission
Dated a range of boys
Went to beauty school
Witnessed lots of friends get married
Overcame trials
Went to Australia
Lost loved ones
Started this blog
Saw my lovely sister get married
Crashed a lawnmower into my mom's car
Never had a speeding ticket
Read the Book of Mormon
Buried way too many animals
Created lasting friendships
Pushed my limits
Planned heaps of bridal showers
Danced my way through most of my life
Still don't know how to drive a stick shift
Never been in love
Love kissing
Created a style all my own
Still use my first drivers license....you better believe I was rockin puka shells in that picture
Designed my prom dress

{Loritab}...A gift from God

2010-08-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

So I know you can all hardly contain yourself, you have just been wanting to know how my wisdom teeth experience was! So here you go and you're welcome:) Okay so I figured I needed to get them out soon and since I'm going on a mission I knew they were going to have to come sooner than expected. I've been terrified due to the horror stories of dear Emily and Melinda:) So the time came for my dental checkup for the mission papers. My bishop is a dentist and so he was awesome and fit me right in. He told me that they needed to come out and that he would be able to do that for me. Okay that's good and bad, but anyway! I know that I have to be put asleep, there is no way that I'm going to be up for any of that..I begged him to give me something that would just knock me out the night before....there were threats of videos being posted on youtube....so the day finally came! Oh my I was so tense sitting in that dentists chair knowing I would probably never remember this day in time! So they gave me some laughing gas which is amazing!!!!!!! I slowly started to know everything is going to be alright in the world......Alrighty cut to Wednesday...told you I don't recollect a darn thing that happened that day....until the call and text from my bishop...I HIT HIM hard and a lot during the surgery. They had to strap me down can you believe it? I also have this feeling that as I was leaving the office I said Thank You a lot to everyone...but I'm not sure. So the next few days weren't too bad, thanks to Loritab I mean who needs a spa when Loritab can relax you. I totally see how people get addicted but I won't get into that....I'm drug free.....so all is well and I will never have to go through that ever again....until childbirth....I don't know how you come back from that...okay focus....

P.S. Happy news my mission papers are going back in around September....woot woot....
P.P.S. I will be starting my fashion adventure on Monday so don't be a hater when I post pics of me that I took cuz that's a pet peeve but I promise I won't be in slutty clothes in my bathroom mirror and then uploading them on facebook in an album named "ME"

{6+6+2+2+3+4+7=30}

2010-08-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Okay so I'm way stoked about a little experiment/project that me and some stellar friends are doing. I just have to many clothes and so this will help me get creative with what I already have. My friend Danielle told me about this stylish diva that wore 30 outfits for 30 days. Sounds simple right....the trick is to get creative with what you already have. So I'm picking 6 skirts, 6 tops, 2 dresses, 2 cardigans, 3 button-ups, 4 bottoms, 7 shoes. So for 30 days I will mix and match these items to make different outfits....following....oh and I won't buy any new clothes or shoes during the 30 days! I am still picking out my options and so I'm excited to document them on my blog and we might make a special blog following all of us that are joining in! If you want to join let me know and we can be inspired by each other!

2010-07-29T05:52:00.000-07:00

Last night my best friends got together for Marie to open her mission call!!!!! I'm so excited for her, she is going to Honduras. I have been so thankful for these 3 girls and the examples they have been to me. Kate is going to Thailand and I should be putting my mission papers BACK in around September:)))) All four of us are in a really good spot in life right now and things are looking good!

2010-07-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

So I always have this fear when I get on Facebook and someone has tagged a photo of me and I'm going to have a Josie Grossie moment......well this is a recent tagged photo of yours truly.......

The {Cave}

2010-07-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

I went to the Layton Hills Mall yesterday to go check out some MAC makeup and I just walked around to a bunch of other stores and there it was before I even entered the mall the smell of Hollister ooozzinng out of the doors. My eyes started to water and there may have been some stinging as I got closer and closer to Hollister. I walked in at my own risk of never finding my way out because I forgot my flashlight (thanks erin). As I looked around at the clothing I thought is this a place for little people, no one is that size and aren't hoodies supposed to be comfortable. I kept walking through the store which takes 8.4 seconds because they have 3 options tank tops, hoodies, skirts (which apparently they forgot to add about 4 feet of fabric). Not exactly thinking out of the box when it comes to Fashion that's for sure. I made it out safely feeling totally okay that my whole outfit that I had on probably cost less than the one stripey tanktop displayed on the overly tan mannequin. The end.

{News}Flash

2010-07-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Okay so here is just a quick update for the 3.5 people that read my blog:)I have been super busy but loving life. I never really thought of July as one of my favorite months but it has been filled with

fireworks.
drive-ins.
sales.
dancing.
movies.
dinner.
swimming.

I have spent time with some of my best friends who have helped me through a very difficult time...kisses to you all! I got my wisdom teeth out....yeah that's a blog post in and of itself. (coming soon) I have started working for my dad and I'm liking it and our relationship is getting better too so it's awesome! For the record I am still going on a mission I am just waiting for the doctor's to release me so don't lose hope because I'm not! I am busy in my singles ward with two callings that have helped strengthen me and have kept focus right on! Anyway I will be back to blogging more frequently soon. Thanks for reading!

{EmersonMade}

2010-07-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

So the heavens have opened up and smiled. I pretty much melted when I found this website.....and the prices.....but nonetheless ENJOY EmersonMade

Eat Your Heart Out {Jasmine}

2010-07-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday I spent the day with my best friend Casey at the Princess Festival. Absolutely adorable by the way! It is a fundraiser to get freshwater in Africa, so I couldn't pass this opportunity up...dress like a princess and help Africa...perfect! All the little girls were so flippin cute, even the one that threw up all over by our booth....anyway....it was a way fun and much needed day and afterwards Casey and I picked up some fast food and had lunch on Capital Hill...oh good times were had there as well.

{MOAB} 2010

2010-06-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

So this trip to MOAB was seriously the scariest, funniest, hard core trips I have been on. I repelled 180 feet off Corona Arch...ah i get butterflies just thinking about it and we went on a killer hummer ride through hells revenge...seriously thought we were going to tip over numerous times and laughed till I couldn't breath every night. Whew...here's some pics and you can check out the video of everyone's pics HERE on my facebook page.

2010-05-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

My papers are in.....that's all I got to say on this Wednesday afternoon!

{Zoom Zoom Zoom}

2010-05-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

So this is the pic that I'm sending in with my mission papers...aaaaahhhh....I'm submitting them this week:)

sorry it's so little, but anyway...my friend jenny took these pics and yeah we took some way fun ones so i will post them soon!

Oh...Happy {Tuesday} Boys + Girls

2010-05-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Pure joy is what i felt when i saw this video...pure joy

2010-05-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks ms. mckel for tagging me......1..2...3..4...

4 Things on my Wish List

1. Anything from Anthropologie
2. A new Mac computer
3. Chanel flats
4. Travel, Travel, Travel

4 Shows I Watch

1. The Office
2. The Hills
3. Life
4. Jerseylicious ( I know I know it sounds ridiculous but I can't help it)

4 Things I'm Passionate About

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
2. Books
3. Family
4. My Passport

4 Phrases I say a lot

1. Shut the front door
2. Say What
3. Seriously
4. Really though

4 Things I've learned from the Past

1. Don't hold grudges
2. People come in and out of our lives for a reason
3. There is a plan for me
4. I have the best family and friends that do support me

4 Places I want to Go

1. Africa
2. Hawaii
3. Egypt
4. Samoa

4 Things I did Yesterday

1. Went to dinner and got facials for Amy's birthday
2. Exercised
3. Cleaned my kitchen, bedroom, and my bathroom
4. Watched American Idol (Harry Connick Jr. was on, mmmmm, he's got a face like butta)

4 Things I'm looking Foward to

1. Going on a mission
2. Taking more makeup classes
3. Receiving my mission call
4. Headband Party

4 Things I love about Winter (this is a stretch, not my favorite season)

1. Coats
2. Blankets
3. Hot Apple Cider
4. Layering (wait I do that all year)

Tag 5
Jessica Cragun
Dani Taylor
Micquellyn Johansen
Danielle Chard
Mia Chard

Grab a {Tissue}

2010-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

This video is so tender and brought such a sense of peace knowing that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and is my advocate. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon is my foundation. I have had to rely on Him so many times and it is a blessing to know that He wants me to come to Him. I love how Stephanie clearly states that "she prays, receives her answer, and does." This video is a testimony of our loving Savior. This video has inspired me to look for all the tender mercies He provides and know that I have a purpose and I need to trust in His plan, His plan of happiness. (ps her style and her house decor is delightful)

{Headband} Party

2010-04-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Yep Yep Yep it's about time I have a headband party. I LOVE headbands, it gets a bit excessive but I wouldn't have it any other way. So I want to share my love of headbands with all of you!!! So I have teamed up with the adorable Jenny Hansen, you can check out her headbands at {definedwhimsical.blogspot.com}. Put this on your calendars girls:

{MAY 7 at My House from 6-9}

All headbands:
one for $8.00
two for $15.00
three for $20.00

If you have any questions or need directions just email me {giggles1380@hotmail.com}

I will probably create an event on facebook, but feel to {RSVP} in my lovely comment box!

I'm Just {Sayin}

2010-04-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

So I love this girl on American Idol, her pipes are as big as this generation! But her outfits.....especially after last nights show! I just want to tell her to take the advice of Coco Chanel (whom I adore) when you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one item. In her case, her one item would be butterflies!!!!

On another note this movie came out on DVD and I'm so happy!!!!!

Photo {Shoot}

2010-04-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

One winter day in January, the girls in my relief society got together for a photo shoot. (the girls in my ward are bombshells) Dani Taylor is in my ward as well and she did such an awesome job with the photography. I had the honors of doing the makeup and it was really fun, cold, but fun. Here are a few pics:

Ice Ice {Baby}

2010-03-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

My heavens I'm blessed. My heart has been touched by so many, especially these last few weeks when I've really needed support! I had lunch with a dear friend today where we preceded to share our love of hip hop by car dancing around the round-about at Weber State! Then I went to temple with some very special people who then took me out for ice cream..mmmmmm. It just meant so much to me to feel their love. I love you and thank you for being there:)

Oh for {Pete's} sake...

2010-03-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

Why in the world did I even fill out a bracket this year! Kansas really....and Villanova...baaahhh I need to go exfoliate!

For {Wendy} and {Becca}

2010-03-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

I couldn't pass this treasure up in the $5 bin at Walmart. This movie brought pure joy to Wendy, Becca, and I. I had recorded it ages ago from the Disney Channel (when it used to be cool). We probably watched 1500 times a week in high school until we made Kyle watch it and he threw it down Wendy's stairs...sad day...Years later I have it again and you bet your boots I'm watching it tonight, tears may be shed. Oh Teen Witch....

{Yes} It's True....

2010-03-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

I'M GOING ON A MISSION!!!

I {Want}

2010-03-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Dear {Spring}.....

2010-03-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Okay so anytime now would be fantastic to show your face!!!!
Reasons why I love you......

Perfect Cardigan weather
Tulips...need I say more
Weddings
Driving with the windows rolled down
Hang my laundry outside...so fresh and so clean
Rain
Don't have to check my life insurance policy everytime I drive
Sales
The world changes color

So let's hurry this up because winter and I need space!

xoxoxoxoxo
rica

{Inspired}

2010-03-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

This article from ldsmag.com is absolutely beautiful and has added to my testimony of missionary work and of Gods love for each of us. Have a pretty day!!!!

(I tried to just add the link but my computer is having a bad day so enjoy this read, long but worth it)

President Larry Laycock and his wife, Sister Lisa Laycock head the Santiago Chile East Mission and had spent the two weeks prior to the 8.8 earthquake visiting each missionary apartment and preparing them for an earthquake. They brought specific instructions on what to do, supplied water purification bottles for the missionaries, told them how to create a 36-hour kit for emergencies and how to stay in communication should an earthquake strike. They prayed with each missionary and dedicated their apartments. Why? Because of a special experience that alerted them to what was coming. They told their missionaries, “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

They have 171 full-time proselyting missionaries in this mission.

Special thanks to the Laycocks for allowing Meridian to publish this letter that Sister Laycock sent to her family shortly after the earthquake sharing their remarkable experience of kindness from the Lord. They are in Chile with their son, Landon.

Dear Everyone,

I am writing to let you all know how very grateful we are for your prayers, concern, and love. Please keep praying! We need the Lord's help and guidance in order to do all He would have us do to learn what He would have us learn from this earth quake tragedy, and to minister in the way He would have us minister.

During the past few days, we have witnessed many events which serve to remind us that the Lord is in charge and that as missionaries and members of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are performing His work, and as President Monson teaches, "When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to His help." I want to share with you a few miracles that will help you to understand our profound feelings of gratitude.

When we were set apart for this calling, Elder Scott of the Council of the Twelve Apostles taught us many important lessons. He spoke from personal experience when he was a mission president in Argentina. One message that he shared with us is this: "At times, during your mission, you will be awakened in the middle of the night or the early morning hours with thoughts of specific things you should do for certain missionaries. Do not ignore these thoughts. They are promptings from the Holy Ghost who will communicate with you in the stillness of the night or the peace of the early morning hours. He will speak to you then because that is when you are still enough to hear."

Elder Scott further instructed us to keep a notebook beside our bed so that we could record these precious promptings. He said that by the next morning, we would be likely to forget the promptings if we didn't write them down.

We have been astonished at the fulfillment of Elder Scott's prophetic words. We have received many promptings in the exact manner that Elder Scott described. We are so thankful that Elder Scott taught us how to recognize and act upon these precious promptings. Had he not taught us, we may not have given these promptings the attention they require.

Nearly two-and-one-half weeks ago, I was awakened at around 4:00 AM by just such a prompting. I did not hear a voice, but the thought was as clear as if it had been in the form of spoken words: "There is going to be an earthquake. Prepare your missionaries." I sat up in bed and immediately remembered Elder Scott's counsel. That morning I told Larry what had happened. He immediately set to work organizing our missionaries to prepare for an earthquake.

In talking with our office missionaries to arrange for them to put together a list of everything we would need to prepare...in both Spanish and English...we discovered that the Lord had also let two of our office missionaries know of the possibility of an earthquake (in the form of dreams) and the need to prepare our mission.

We set a goal and arranged our schedule so that we could visit every apartment in the mission to check for safety and to review with our missionaries what to do in case of an earth quake. What a wonderful experience we have had as we have met with them and shared scriptures with them about being spiritually and physically prepared. "...if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30).

We instructed every missionary to have a "go-bag" (36 hour kit). We reviewed our emergency action plan with them of where to go and what to do if they had phone service and in case they did not. We gave everyone a paper with all instructions in English and Spanish, and we reminded them that "this life is the time to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32-34). We shared with them our thoughts and feelings about the need for spiritual and physical safety.

Some of them became frightened and asked us if we knew something they didn't know. We smiled and repeated "...if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." We didn't want to unduly alarm them, but we did want to impress upon them the need to be prepared. We tearfully reminded them of our recent transfer conference where we had shared our feelings about our dear Elder McKay Burrows who was unexpectedly called home in January while serving his mission in Romania...how he was prepared in every way to meet God. We reissued our challenge to "be prepared" in every way. Then we knelt with them in their apartment and dedicated each apartment, asking for a blessing of safety and security to be upon every apartment.

When the earthquake came, we were prepared. We did not experience the panic that many felt. We knew we were prepared. Because of the words of the Lord's chosen Apostle, Elder Scott, we had listened and heeded the quiet, but clear promptings of the Holy Ghost. We were blessed with peace in the midst of chaos. We learned an important lesson: our preparation helped us to avoid panic and fear, but the Lord, in His wisdom, allowed us to experience enough discomfort to know that He has all power. He is in charge. We are nothing without Him. We are dependent upon Him for every breath we take. Only He can save us from death and destruction. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is our perfect example. If we follow Him, we will be saved through obedience to the laws and ordinances of His Gospel.

As the earthquake became more violent, the mission home groaned and wailed. The power died, so the whole city was black. The windows made a hideous screeching sound, and flying objects banged against swaying walls. The printer/fax machine, books, book ends, and fifty-pound television burst from the entertainment center and crashed to the floor, cabinets emptied, drawers flew open, the refrigerator moved, water sloshed out of the toilets, the floor jolted up and down as we ran across it trying to hold onto the walls to keep from falling down, and the piano toppled over like a small toy. As we made our way to the back yard, I remember thinking, "God is all-powerful. He is our only refuge from this horrible mess." I prayed and prayed for Him to still the earth.

When we reached the back yard, we watched in terror. By the light of the moon we could see the swimming pool water form giant waves and crash out onto the rocks. House and car alarms screamed into the night...some from being crushed by falling debris and others, I guess, from the bizarre movement of the earth. I am not sure if the intense rumbling sounds came from the earth itself or from everything else that was shaking so violently. Finally, it stopped.

When the calm came, we had to sit down because our legs were weak and unstable. My legs stayed wobbly all day and night yesterday. Today the muscles in my legs hurt like I ran a marathon. The aftershocks have been extremely unsettling. Each one begins like the one last night started. We just close our eyes and wait to see if it escalates or dies down. .I have never experienced anything like this!

We were awakened this morning by a very strong after shock. Larry jumped out of bed and yelled, "Welcome to another glorious day in Chile!" We just had to laugh. We moved a mattress into the floor in our bedroom and made Landon sleep in our room. He was in his room with the door locked the night before and we couldn't wake him up. He never locks his door, but he was playing a joke on Larry because every morning Larry wakes him at 5:30 AM for seminary by tickling him unmercifully. So Landon had decided to stop him.

When we couldn't open his door, in the middle of the quake, we thought he was trapped, so we screamed and banged. Landon thought that everything was falling off the walls because we were banging so hard on the door. I think we scared him more than the earthquake did!

Today, we attended a strong ward where Larry was invited to speak. The entire chapel and beyond was filled. People were so humble and so teachable. Larry taught the importance of doing the small things. He taught about Jesus Christ and the opportunity we have to love one another and to share what we have with others.

It was a great blessing for us to be with these beautiful Chilean people. Some have lost their homes...or at least parts of their homes. But they are strong and they want to serve the Lord. He taught of the scripture in Luke 21:11,13 which says, "and great earthquakes shall be in divers places...and it shall turn to you for a testimony." He also welcomed the sweet young woman who was in the congregation with the missionaries...her first time attending church...and then he invited her to be baptized from the pulpit. He asked her to please invite us to her baptism, and she said, "I will." The Lord always knows what His people need.

Landon was reading in Alma 15:17 today. He said, Mom listen to this. This is what is happening here in Chile just like in happened in Ammonihah. The people were humbled and "checked as to the pride of their hearts and began to humble themselves before God, watching and praying continually that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction."

Our hearts are filled to the brim with gratitude for all of the blessings we have received in the Chile Santiago East Mission. We see miracles every day. In the midst of great pain and suffering, we can always find our Savior. He stands with His arms open, pleading for all of us to humble ourselves and come unto Him. He loves us. He invites us to accept His gift...the atonement. He invites us to repent. He wants us to love one another and to serve one another. He wants us to bring our families and those we love to Him. We can do it. We can do all that He asks, no matter how difficult it may seem. "With God all things are possible"

We are having a devotional tomorrow for all of our missionaries to talk about the last week of Christ's life in preparation for Easter. We want to remind our missionaries to teach and preach with increased vigor of Christ. Last Monday in our office meeting, Larry suddenly stopped in the middle, and said, "During the prayer, I had a very strong impression that March 2010 is going to be our best baptizing month we have ever had in this mission."

Now we know why he received that feeling. We are going to prepare to bring many souls to the waters of baptism in March. Please continue to pray for us and for the people of Chile. Please pray for the missionaries to have strength and courage to do all that is being required of them, even in difficult times.

We are so thankful that the tsunami did not turn out badly in Hawaii. Who would ever think that an earthquake in Chile could threaten the shores of Hawaii? Thankfully, the Lord is in charge. He is the one to whom we must turn for refuge from every storm. He has the power to save us.

Editor’s Note:

The letter ends here, but President and Sister Laycock told us:

“We’ve never experienced anything like the earthquake. We have had 90 aftershocks, some stronger than others. Our legs are wobbly. It is a scary feeling to experience an aftershock because it brings back all the feelings we had during the earthquake.

“We love being with our missionaries. Because they were prepared, they were immediately able to turn their attention to helping others. They were never concerned about themselves. They were concerned with those who need help and by mid-morning the day of the earthquake, we were able to dispatch them to help others. We told them to investigate the needs of their neighbors and help in any way they could.

President Laycock noted, “The Spanish translation of Luke 21:13 says that there will be earthquakes in many places, and it will give you the occasion to bear testimony. We met with 10 sisters this morning, and one of them mentioned a neighbor next door whom they always asked if she would have time to speak with them, and she always said no. Yet in the crescendo of the toll of the earthquake, she was speechless with fear and not prepared. When the sisters said, ‘Could we pray with you?’, she answered, ‘I have time to pray with you.’ It opened the door to a teaching opportunity to share the gospel.

President and Sister Laycock said, “Everyone we talk to has been so willing to talk about Christ and God’s power. We’ve been sharing God’s love with them. We are seeing God’s love everywhere. People are reaching out to one another. They are serving one another. The news reports looting. We are seeing a different side. We are seeing people who want to communicate with God, who are sincerely looking for the truth.”

{REAL} Salt Lake

2010-02-23T16:43:00.000-08:00

So REAL Salt Lake came to my work for their Kiss The Cup Tour after winning the MLS cup. They brought the tropy and Leo the Lion was there as well. It was way fun to hang out with them and I even got some discount tickets for their upcoming season!

{Hugs} and Kisses

2010-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

So I don't have a valentine this year, suprise suprise, so I thought I would express my love for something else......headbands (i now know why i'm still single). I love headbands and holy bananas do I have a lot of them! So thanks for being so good to me and making it look like I actually spend time on my hair. You're adorable, whimisical and I plan on buying and making more of you:)

To all my friends and family here is my Valentines gift for you....One day I will be able to buy you all one but this video will give you an idea

xoxo
{e}

Happy {Friday}...Don't Get Crazy

2010-01-29T11:07:00.001-08:00

Thanks for {Reading}

2010-01-25T21:36:00.000-08:00

5000 hits and counting!!! I just want to give you all a big hug and give you a cupcake. I might do a little giveaway to mark this occasion so stay tuned.

{Thunder Down Under}

2010-01-15T20:41:00.001-08:00

AHHHHHHH I can't believe I went to Australia, I totally fulfilled a dream...it felt like a dream for sure. I fell in love with this place and you bet your boots I'm going back! I will pretty much let the pics speak for themselves:)

Live to Tell

2010-01-12T02:06:00.000-08:00

I have not yet published this post for many reasons but I feel like I need to release. I don't know how this will come across but just let me say what I need to say. I'm so excited for 2010 because 2009 was just too much for me to handle physically and emotionally. I have realized things about myself that I didn't want to find out and still have a really hard time accepting, but I'm getting there. My biggest goal for 2010 is to not keep everything inside. I feel as if I have to try and be the girl I want to be and I just want to be her, why can't I be her. My heart just aches and I just want to sleep all the time because it doesn't hurt when i sleep. Why do I have to try everyday to accept the person in the mirror and just be enough. I have to battle these feelings everyday that for some reason I won't let anyone in. I used to think I was pretty much an open book but I have much to learn. There is one thing I can be proud of though and that is that I haven't given up...but I want to. I don't want this to come across as if I'm trying to be some profound chicka cuz I'm far from that but it's a little step I needed to take to just start to let it out.

p.s. pics from australia coming soon....smashing success by the way

Wishing.......

2009-12-23T11:54:00.001-08:00

William Rast Skinny Jean

Anthropologie Long Stem Tights

Smallville...mmmm Tom Welling

Lorac Multi-platinum Pallette...I really want the Urban Decay Book of Shadows 2 Pallette but they are out of stock

Cutest Table ever

Oh Thank {Heaven}

2009-12-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

Yep these are my besties....I bet you're jealous as you should be;) Sorry for the many pictures but they are all just so gosh darn purty!

4 Weeks....

2009-12-02T13:53:00.001-08:00

I will be here....ahhhhhhhhhhhh

{Gobbled} Up This Sale

2009-11-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to me.... Seriously take advantage of this SALE

{Kreativ Blogger}

2009-11-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

So my sassy little Danielle nominated me as a Kreativ Blogger...fancy smancy. I love and I miss Dani she rocks and I'm so thankful for her and the opportunity to have become friends with her this past year. I wear my hair in a fro because of her. I want to be like her when I grow up.

1. Copy the pretty picture and post it on your blog. (coming soon.)
2. Thank the wonderful person that nominated you and link their blog.
3. Write 7 things about yourself we don't know. (you all probably know this stuff anyway but here we go...)

1. I have an obsession with headbands, 95% of the time, if you see I will be wearing one. Just look at my pics from previous posts it's a little excessive. They are so stinkin cute thought and they make my crazy curls look somewhat decent.

2. I love love love sports but don't even think of asking me to play them, it's a tragedy, I'm just a hot mess. I'm just not very competitive (except for card games previous post) so I think that's why I have a hard time. There is no such thing as a friendly game of volleyball. One of my favorite things to do, especially on dates, is going to sporting events!

3. In another life I want to be a backup singer or a writer...random I know

4. I love Utah don't get me wrong but California how I love you. I love the vibe, the poeple, the endless inspiration. It's all so beautiful

5. I fall for guys in bands (expcept for Neil Diamond). I don't know what is but whooeee..This guy and that guy...I'm in awe. It's pathetic really but come on can you blame me.

6. I will own a real Chanel item one day....enough said.

7. I have a guilty pleasure for Lifetime movies, love 'em

For my nominations:
Amy- my confidant
Cambria- super duper stylish
Aubrey- one who I can laugh with till I stop breathing

{Spoons}

2009-11-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

Last friday night my singles ward went up to a cabin for a leadership planning meeting and oh my heavens...so fun! We planned next years activities and broke out some sweet card games. I never get competitive expect for card games I go bananas. I have an incredibly huge bruise on my thigh from playing spoons, I just had my eye on the prize:) Here are some pics I stole from my ward blog (thanks terry lynn)

{Beauty} School

2009-11-18T06:39:00.000-08:00

So I have been at beauty school for almost 2 months...woot woot!!! I can now start working on clients and I would love to see you! Here is a list of services and prices:

Waxing: Brows/Lip/Chin-$6.00 Each
Full Leg-$27.50
1/2 Leg-$20.00
Arms-$16.50
Under Arm-$10.00

Microdermabrasion-$45.00 or Buy 5 Get 1 Free (You will see results with 6 treatments)

Chemical Peels-$45.00 or Buy 5 Get 1 Free (You will see results with 6 treatments)

Manicures/Pedicures- Manicure-$10.00
Pedicure-$18.00

Makeup: $6.00

Hot Stone Therapy: $20.00

Eyebrow/Lash Tinting: $10.00

Lash Extensions: $50.00

Facials: Start at $25.00 and up

This is the basic list of what you can come in for ( I may have forgotten some items on the list, I will just add to it). There are different types of facials and makeup I can do a lot more with too. So if you have any questions just comment or email me: giggles1380@hotmail.com

Have a pretty day!

{Happy} Halloween

2009-11-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

October was such a fun month but holy smokes it went by super fast. I went to Thriller, a tradition for the past 6 years with my besties, and Halloween was pretty fun this year too. I was a paper doll this year, it was a little rough to sit down but other than that, it was probably my favorite costume that I have done:)

{Gems}

2009-10-13T11:53:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to do a little shout out to the dear people that I don't deserve to have in my life, but i'm so grateful for each of you.

I've Been {Tagged}

2009-10-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks Alora for tagging me:)

RULES: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 1 person to tag.

1. I love the Discovery Channel and TLC...I love watching the surgeries, but I can't watch them all the way through so I just pray that the episode is on again a few times, then I just watch a little bit at a time and then I will eventually have seen the whole thing.
2. My favorite color is eggplant purple...it can be elegant or whimsical...yay
3. I love LDS romance mystery thriller novels....when I find one that has all those, I'm in heaven.
4. I can't sleep on the same side of my pillow case twice ( I sleep on one side, flip it over the next night, then I use a new pillowcase; its good for you face kids)
5. I can't go to bed unless my bed is made
6. I can't sleep with socks on
7. I love love love to clean and I get a thrill buying cleaning products
8. I was adopted when I was 2 days old...I will always be a California Girl at heart
9. I adore cooking....mmmmm chocolate chip pancakes
10. I have an obsession with aprons
11. I'm half white and half polynesian
12. I love cereal
13. I throw a ton of bridal showers
14. I love odd beauty and making things pretty
15. I love being in crafty moods
16. I have a dream of being in an ipod commercial
17. I prefer showers over baths
18. When I'm bored I brush my teeth
19. I'm a hopeless romantic
20. I love weddings and every thing about them
21. I love when people dare to wear black and brown together
22. I can't stand to not have moisturizer on my feet or face
23. I love makeup...I have been daring lately and wearing a red lip often
24. Fall is my favorite season....I get to buy my favorite pieces of apparel...knit sweaters, boots, beanies, tights ( i love tights)
25. Cupcakes are flipping adorable

I'm sorry if you read this, I'm such a cotton headed ninny muggins, I really am a dork!

I'm going to break the rules and tag 2 people...ha take that blogging world....AmY C. and DaNi T.

General {Relief Society} Conference

2009-10-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Amy and I took our mom's down to the General Relief Society Conference! It was so fun to spend time with my mom and listen to the General Relief Society Presidency. I just loved every minute of it and I just feel better about where I am in my life right now and I just need to keep progressing, because Heavenly Father can't drive a parked car:) Anyway I encourage all you to read the talks that were given and just know that our Heavenly Father loves us and so many great things are in store for each of us, a simple thought but one that I have to tell myself everyday!

I'm a {Winner}

2009-09-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

Shut the front door... I just won the cutest giveaway!!!!! I ran across this blog and she was doing a giveaway and I thought why not? What do ya know I WON! The goody bag is adorable:

A Photo Print

Essie Nail Polish

Ruby Woo Red Lipstick from MAC

Anthropologie Stationary

Handmade Headband from Daris Day Etsy Shop...I picked the pinwheel flower headband in cream

Yummy delightful treats

I love being a girl...Thanks Joni

{HoLy SmOkEs}

2009-09-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

Wow...my life just got busier.....

Started the master esthetician program at Marinello (previously Fran Brown)...the days are super duper long but I have my Fridays off work and school so that helps and I got a facial and pedicure the first week...so not too shabby.

My TiVo is on overload...The Office, So You Think You Can Dance, Project Runway, The Hills, The Rachel Zoe Project and Oprah!

College football has begun...Go Wildcats...so that means work is just busy, busy, busy

I have an awesome institute class...Parables of Jesus...and it rocks

My calling is keeping me busy too but I love being over Family Home Evening...we have some really fun activities happening in the next few months

Saving more money for Australia...ahhhhhhh....I can't wait

{Shabby} Chic

2009-08-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

So I have happy news......I'm going to Australia!!!!!!! I'm leaving in December and will be there for a few weeks. I'm going with my best friend Amy and we are so stoked. We are going just for kicks and giggles and while we are there we are going to a Young Sinlge Adult Convention thingy for 4 days...which is totally going to rock by the way...I mean hello spending time with Aussie's all day yeah life's good. I do need your help though...we are going to be there on New Years Eve...I know right....anyway at the Young Single Adult convention they are having a New Years Ball so I need a pretty party dress so keep your eye for me please, I'm kinda picky about my style, I want something different and yeah just me, If that makes any sense. I love Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters and just little boutiques that are just different ya know. Anyway send me suggestions:)

The {Princess} and the {Frog}

2009-08-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Word on the street is I look like the princess in this movie......

{L}ava {L}ava {L}ava

2009-08-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

lava hot springs. left thursday night. packed kara's truck to the max. made 502 pit stops. stopped at creepy idaho bathrooms. arrived at lava super hyper. wind storms knocked everyone's tent down. froze the first night. soaked up the sun at the pool. sunburned. got "dare to square" ice cream. nap time. fireside. bag o' skits. died laughing. good girl talk with kara, amy, and lindsey. awesome nights sleep. poured all night. packed it up. slept the entire way home. showered and felt like a girl again. may not sound very exciting but it truly was an epic weekend:))))
{i only had my camera for the first half of the trip so you get jipped on the skits and other adventures}

{Finally}......

2009-08-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm starting beauty school in September!!! I'm going to Fran Brown Marinello School of Beauty. I will be in the Master Esthetician program and I'm so stoked. I'm going to learning things from lash extensions to chemical peels. I finally feel like my life is progressing in the right direction and I couldn't have done it without the support of so many...you know who you are. When I'm done with this program in a year, I'm going to take an advanced 2 week makeup course at Taylor Andrews:) I'm excited and I will probably need people to practice on while I'm at school so let me know if your interested:))))

{a}dore

2009-07-28T10:03:00.001-07:00

Love. Love. Love.
Old Navy.
Slouchy Tee.

A {Gift}

2009-07-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

So I watched this show on MTV called '16 and pregnant' and I'm sure a lot of you may have seen it as well. One particular episode focused on a young couple that decided to put their baby girl up for adoption and an absolute darling couple was blessed with a baby due to a courageous decision. I just sobbed because it made me think of my birth mother and the courageous decision she made 24 years ago. A lot of you probably do know that I was adopted and I have been so very, very grateful for this experience. My birth mother was 19 when she had me, when my birth father found out she was pregnant he left her, so she had to go through this alone. My family got a call and they jumped at the opportunity and flew to California to pick me up when I was two days old. It was a private adoption so I have never met my birth mother but oh my goodness she will always hold a very special place in my heart. I hope to meet her one day to tell her thank you for the life I have now. My family is absolutely incredible and I couldn't imagine my life without my mom, dad, and sweet sister Nicole. I was able to be sealed to them when I was 6 months old and because of it, my knowledge and testimony of the temple and this gospel has progressed tremendously. I just felt compelled to share this:)

The day I was sealed to my family (dad is taking the pic)and excuse the faux hawk

In front of the hospital I was born in California

Happy Birthday {Mom}

2009-07-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

beautiful.
hardworking.
loving.
hilarious.
knowledgeable.
caring.
attentive.
fashionable.
honest.

i love you mom!!!!!

{Roxy} Girl....

2009-07-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Okay so I hope this doesn't come across mean or anything like that so don't be a hater, it was just an observation that I feel I need to express, it's a pet peeve really. So the Roxy line really is cute and all, don't get me wrong, but seriously it just seems a little over the top in Utah. There really isn't a need to stick every Roxy sticker ever made all over your honda, let me guess you have Utah hair too. Does anybody else find it a little excessive?

{P}erfect

2009-07-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been truly amazing.....
{Thursday}
~Interviewed at a beauty school and I'm going to start the esthetician program in September
~Went to the temple and did a session with my two super cute friends, Jandi and Kara, even though the air conditioning went out it was a fantastic evening
~recieved the new Anthropologie catalog...(birthday approaching)
{Friday}
~Went to Nordstroms...enough said...I went with my awesome friend Amy and we had a spectactular time at the MAC beauty where we were treated with a makeover (I love love love MAC makeup bytheway...again birthday approaching)
~Hit up the Cheesecake Factory
~Pool Party at Amy's and it felt so good to just lay out and relax in the sun
~talked to my best friend Casey
{Saturday}
~Had some good old fashioned 4th of July fun with the fam
{Sunday}
~Just a great day and I felt so refreshed

Anyway just a peek at what's been going on...pictures coming soon

{e}

{Summer} is finally here...

2009-07-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

{Tag} 5

2009-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Mama Cam tagged me!!!!

{5 ThInGs I WaS dOiNg 5 YeArS aGo}

1. In college with a definite major in mind
2. MySpacin it up
3. Discovered that Mac's are the yo-diggity
4. Hanging out with the football team....oh dear, bless their hearts
5. Lost weight...yeah didn't last long

{5 ThInGs On My To-Do LiSt}

1. Work on my hobby room
2. Complete and mail application to Taylors Andrews esthetician program
3. Work on invitation company
4. Buy an armoire...I think they are the cutest
5. Get out of debt...pretty darn close thank you very much

{5 PlAcEs I LiVeD}

1. San Francisco, California
2. Persidio Hospital for 2 days
3. My birthmom's womb
4. Mtn. Green, Utah
5. Upstairs bedroom

{5 ThInGs I WaNt To Be DoInG iN 5 YeArS}

1. Be able to speak a foreign language
2. Perhaps be married
3. Go to New York, Paris, and Africa
4. Be a fantastic esthetician and makeup artist and be in an ipod commerical
5. Have a bun in the oven

{5 PeOpLe I TaG}

1. Aubrey
2. Cassie
3. Josh and Jessica
4. Dani
5. Terry Lynn

Keep {Calm} and {Carry} On

2009-04-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Whoa....sorry about the neglect of my blog, you deserve an update so here you go! Well this has been what's up in the last month or so.... I went 80s dancing with Cambria, Aubrey, Andee, and Cassie and oh what a fantastic (I think that would be an appropriate word) evening. I went to a few concerts with my friends Cambria and Marie. I got to see: New Found Glory, Bayside, Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, All Time Low, Metro Station, and Hey Monday. I don't know what it is with guys that are in bands but I fall for them everytime:) It is definitely summer and what better way to celebrate than a Bees Game and I went to Tepanyaki for the first time, throughly enjoyed it. I have been busy along with my cricut machine making invitations and cards for some bridal showers, I have a feeling I will have some baby showers coming up soon, Yay! The day finally came to go see Wicked, I bought my ticket last year, so my little heart was full of joy when I went, I can't describe the pure excitement that I felt:) In between all the craziness I have been enjoying myself at bonfires, sushi nights at shogun, going to the temple once a week to keep a perspective, and I have gone on some fun dates. Now that I have bored you, here are some pics for your enjoyment.

{Blissful} Inspiration......

2009-04-28T21:00:00.001-07:00

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{Logan} Temple Trip

2009-03-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

Our ward had the opportunity to go up to Logan for a temple trip. We were also blessed with the chance to have an incredible speaker, Michael Ballam, talk to us about the history and his personal experiences of the Logan Temple. Then we split up and some members of the ward did baptisms and others went to a session. It was such a blast and we had a great turnout.

Make a {Wish}

2009-03-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

My relief society had such a blast at our enrichment night! It was our relief society birthday dinner and good times were had. We decorated the tables with fondue pots full of chocolate and then had different signs with the four seasons on them so they could sit by the season that their birthday is in. We had so much chocolate and seriously the best treats to dip. We also had an amazing speaker from our stake relief society presidency, Sister Halls. It was such an uplifting night and it was so good to just chit chat the night away:)

{X}O{X}O

2009-02-14T13:26:00.000-08:00

I was busy this Valentines weekend, but having so much fun!
Made cupcakes, gave a few heart attacks, made some sweet Valentines.
I was so happy with my Valentine Treat Boxes I made and they are way easy to make:
Used adorable cardstock
Cut out pattern from marthastewart.com
Filled with swedish fish
Tied with sweet ribbon

{Clothing} Fast

2009-02-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the neglect of my blog, but life has been pretty darn good:) It's the time for setting goals and so I decided to attempt this goal for the month of January. My friend Cambria and I set a goal not to buy and clothes the entire month of January. Believe me not the easiest thing for me to do, but it can be done. I was quite proud of myself for resisting all the great January sales. So naturally when February came along I treated myself to some shopping, so thank you Layers for the darling dress and Urban Outfitters for the cute accessories!
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{B}aubles and {B}angles

2008-12-25T14:39:00.000-08:00

So this may seem kind of random but I have wanted to do something like this for awhile. Every so often I just want to talk about fashions, fabulous finds, and all of its goodness. I don't want to limit it to just fashion either, books, decorating, recipies, entertainment, don't be shy. Just a place to celebrate style and I want to know what you gals love too. Just something to look forward to in the New Year.

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{fa-la-la-la}

2008-12-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! As usual I was the first one up, but it's funny as you get older, the day is just kinda chill and I love it. My mom and I made a yummy breakfast which included mormon muffins; I can't wait for Christmas dinner tonight though. I got a Cricut, I have been wanting one since they first came out. They are the coolest thing to enter a scrapbookers world!!! I absoutely love it and I also got some cute cartridges to go with it. I also got some Alfred Hitchcock movies and an absolutely darling coat. For our family gift we got a Wii and we were pretty stoked about that for sure. Happy Holidays and may your New Years wishes come true.

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All {Wrapped} Up

2008-12-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and I can't believe it's here already! I think this will be one of the many memorable Christmas' that I have had. So many good things have happened this week that I will cherish. I have spent Christmas Eve with my adorable family. I did some last minute Christmas shopping this morning, and it was insane. Then we made some homemade soups and had some great conversation with my family, they crack me up and watching A Garfield's Christmas! I will definitely blog about Christmas Day tomorrow....aaahhh!!! Hope you have a cozy night with visions of sugar plums dancing:) Best Wishes!

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{Rosy} Cheeks

2008-12-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

Last night I got together with three of my best friends, Cambria Cassie and Andee, to celebrate a litte Christmas cheer. We went to Happy Sumo at the Gateway and mmmmm...good, sushi always brings us together! It was so great to catch up and laugh non-stop about the most random things. We went to Urban Outfitters, a top 5 favorite store of mine, and the girls made me blush a little too much....I'm not going to elaborate on that;) I absolutely adore these girls to pieces, they have been there even when I didn't think I needed a lift, they put a smile on my face. Here is a little shout out to you crazy kids and the kindness and love you have continually shown me, I will be forever grateful for you.

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Stay {Classy} San Diego

2008-12-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

I absolutely adore California, so I totally jumped at the opportunity to go with some girls from my singles ward. We left early early early on Friday all packed and ready to hit the road with Lola, the GPS system, and the awesome blossom mix thanks to Marcos! We made our first stop in St. George where we had the best smoothies at The Orange Peel. The guy that made our smoothies was super smiley, it was great. We hit the road again and made it through Vegas, I do not recommend driving through there, it was insane. We were approaching the border control of California where they check to make sure you don't bring fruit into the state. Hayli was driving at this point and eating an apple when we came the border control man, he asked if we had any fruit and she kindly handed him the half eaten apple. I don't think he knew how to react to that but he asked if we had anything else and she held up our bag of oranges, but to our suprise he let us keep them because they were sunkist, YAY, and we went along our merry way! We wanted to go to the San Diego temple to do baptisms, so we decided to go straight there, instead of dropping our stuff off at Casey and Sarah's relatives. So we were changing in the car and trying to freshen up the best we could after being in the car for 12 hours. We put the address in the GPS but Lola took us somewhere else, San Diego State University, yeah not thrilled at this point. After parking on the sidewalk and trying to keep our cool we made it. It is such a gorgeous temple and a awesome experience to do baptisms there. Casey and I wanted to go look at the sealing rooms while the others went to the car, so we asked and they said we could at the front desk so we went along upstairs but the temple workers up there in a ever so loving way kicked us out! We went and took some fun pictures outside and had dinner in the temple cafeteria. We headed to where we were staying and we were driving around in the neighborhood thinking we found their house, we went to the door and...oops wrong house. We finally made it though and it felt so good to sleep. Casey and Sarah's Uncle Craig, however, liked to talk to us for long periods of time, it was hillarious, one morning he graced Hayli with a song, it even had her name in it. So Saturday we went to the beach and oh it felt so good. There were surfers everywhere, it was like a soup of hot men. We played some volleyball and soccer on the beach and went and played in the water, we couldn't have asked for a better day. After cleaning all the salt water off and changing we went walking along the beach and they have the best climbing trees, so we took advantage of that, and there were the cutest shops in la jolla, then we went and watched the sea lions veg out. After that we drove to old town and had dinner the best mexican restaraunt, I forgot how to spell it so I won't butcher it. After dinner, we were driving around looking for this house that has made the nations number one pick for Christmas decorations. Oh my goodness, it was insane, he had it programmed to music and he had a snow machine, and it's just this guy and his wife that have been doing it for years. It brought joy to our little hearts!!! We decided to go get snacks for the drive home so we hit up Walmart and found the best deal ever, $8 dollar coats, and they were cute too, we spent a good 45 minutes deciding what color we each wanted but walked away feelin good. Sunday morning approached us, we went to sacrament meeting and then headed back to the house to pack and we were so not looking forward to getting back in the van so we did some yoga and toe touching contests. We made it home safely and it was so so so great to spend time with the funniest people ever!!!!

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Into the {Twilight}

2008-11-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Yes!!! The day finally came to see the movie twilight and the anticipation was killing me all day:) I went to the midnight showing at the Gateway with my friends Danielle and Cambria and every other girl in Utah, it was absolutely crazy at the theater. This girl that bought our tickets was so thoughtful and creative, she made us these bags full of cute items from the movie with quotes on them and she even gave us the soundtrack; it was so cute of her. I absolutely loved the movie though, I thought it was dazzling and cheesy. I will be honest there were a few parts where I laughed until I was crying but it was a good cheesy for sure. I would recommend it and if you need someone to go with you I will be there!!!

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{little} Baby Shower

2008-11-13T19:58:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday my Relief Society threw a suprise baby shower for our bishop's wife and oh what fun!!! Everything we did was centered around little stuff, so our food, dishes, even favors were little. It was so gosh darn cute, especially the little saltine crackers that we found, oh it was so adorable. She received some way cute gifts too including this absolutely gorgeous blanket that one of the girls' mom made. We were so excited to do this for her because her and her husband do so much and they deserve the very best and we love them so much!

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{aprons}

2008-11-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

I have a odd obsession with aprons, I love to collect them and I can't get enough! If there was ever a store that had my name all over it, it would be anthropologie, and they have the most adorable aprons. These are some of my favorites from anthropologie.

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{One Republic} {The Spill Canvas} {Augustana} {The Hush Sound}

2008-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

I have been looking forward to this concert for a few months now and the day finally came!!! I am not the biggest fan of One Republic, I can only hear "It's too late to apologize" so many times, but they put on a good show. I went for the three opening bands, The Spill Canvas, Augustana, and The Hush Sound. I was so disappointed to find out that Augustana would not be there, because one of the band members fell off the stage from a previous show:( The Spill Canvas and The Hush Sound were way awesome though! If you have never heard of The Hush Sound I highly recommend them, 'Lighthouse' is my favorite song, they remind of pure romance, and they totally rock live. I fell in love with the stage though, there were huge long curtains draped in deep red and throughout the show the light would hit it a certain way and they would turn magenta and deep orange. There was also lamps scattered around with rugs and a three tier chandelier, I loved it.

My camera was being stubborn, so it's a bit blurry

Em and I rockin it out

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{Addicted} to Scrapbooking

2008-11-05T15:47:00.000-08:00

So my friend Danielle introduced me to a delightful website, www.scrapblog.com!!! Yeah it's pretty much the best thing ever and you should definitely check it out. It is so easy to use and it's FREE, yeah I said it, FREE! Here are a couple of pages I did recently:

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A {Thrilling} Weekend

2008-11-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

I had an awesome Saturday where I got to spend time with some of my best friends. It all started with a rockin bridal shower for Cassie. We had it at the Mtn. Green Fire Station and had the best chicken salad sandwiches ever. It was so fun to be with friends that I haven't seen since high school. Cassie's gifts were hilarious, we all had the non-stop giggles, everyone was so creative, but she got some way cute nighties. Later that night, it was girls night out and we went to see Thriller at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake. This has been a tradition for five years now and I love it. When you walk up to the theater, there are people dressed like zombies and they walk around scaring people. So many people were freaking out because they would sneak up behind you and just invade your personal bubble. After Thriller we went to the Pie Pizzeria and ordered the largest pizza from our new friend Jeff, the pizza was gross looking but not too shabby to the taste buds. While there I totally stepped out of my comfort zone. There was this flipping hot guy sitting at the table next to us, and my friend Sigrid dared me to buy him a Mountain Dew and send it to his table. After a lot of convincing from the rest of the girls, I did. We have never laughed so hard but he totally didn't do anything...hmmmm. Random note but for some reason my outfits were rockin it grandma style, butterflies and florals, vintage is in...right?
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Here are some pics of all the craziness:

Visual of how the whole night was

After the show

Scary zombie chick

I totally gave her that apron

The cutest nightie

{S}haring {S}isters

2008-10-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

I had the cutest acts of kindness happen to me over that last few days. I was just chilling at my house and I heard the doorbell ring and I go to the door and no one was there. To my suprise, some sweet little chick-a-boo left a cute little halloween bowl filled with treats and super fun post it notes and a sweet note from my "secret friend." I was so touched and way excited that someone just randomly did something like that for me. Then on monday my visiting teachers dropped off a plate of cookies, which totally rocked by the way, and a note of love. I feel so lucky and I just want to share the love!!!
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About a {Girl}

2008-10-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

I finally did it, I started a blog and I'm thrilled to pieces! I'm excited to share the random moments in my life and I promise to keep up. To start off here is a little about what has been happening in my world of whimsy. I graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelors degree in Sales and Fashion Merchandisng and I currently am a assistant clothing/gift buyer at Weber State. I am living in Mountain Green and counting my blessings every day. I'm just loving life and the people that I'm surrounded with.
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