Pinterest

Have you heard of Pinterest, yet? I swear, I'm addicted. Pin this, Pin that....I have 24 boards total. They range from Food/Drink, Nails, Clothing, Quotes.... I mean the list goes on.

I have baked and cooked a few recipes from the site.

I have learned a few cool new nail tricks to make my mani look way cooler than yours.

I have found crafts to make homemade gifts!

If you spend enough time on it you can learn how to redecorate your house, make a weeks worth of meals and shop for really cheap! And really, who doesn't like a good deal?

Thanks to Pinterest, I have planned my future wedding, made my own fitness plan, and planned where I am travelling to next.

If you are so inclined, go sign up and try it out. And when you do, follow a board of mine (or two).

Here is a link for My Boards! =]

Happy Pinning!

Movember

This year marked the 3rd Annual Men's Rugby Movember Fundraiser... (dang, that was a mouthful) 

What is Movember, you may ask? During the month of November each year,  mustaches start sprouting on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their "mo's", these men raise vital awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

Last night we celebrated all the 'staches that were grown during the 30 days of November. Awards were given for Creepiest, Most Suave, Best, Worst and Lack There Of. Base solely on applause, it was awesome to see who was in the running for each.

The women's team and I accompanied the men to the celebration and we also, donned fabulous 'staches.

This year, the Men's team raised (so far) $1089 for the cause. Yay!

Relay Kick Off

Yesterday at Northwest Pizza, Relay for Life of Ashland/So. Jackson County had this years kick off event! We decked the whole place out in purple and fun Relay information! 

Pizza, pictures, registration, information and lots of FUN! Our Super Committee was ready to give new and returning Relayers info all about this years event!

We now have a total of 19 teams and 72 participants... WOW! 

Thank you to all who came out to support our Relay.

Don't forget, you can still register! You can join an existing team or register a new one.

We would love to have you! Go Here.

Coming Of Age

Another day and another year older... Monday I turned the big 2-1. Hard to believe! While I don't feel much different, it does feel kinda "adult" that I can go to a bar and order a drink! I felt spoiled and had an overall great day.

A big thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate my wonderful birthday, the day of and the weekend before. I love you all! 

Cancer Never Sleeps

I sure hope you aren't sick of reading about my Relay For Life efforts already... Cause this is just the beginning! 

Making Hope Happen!

Last weekend I traveled north with my fellow Committee members to Portland for the ACS Relay For Life Summit. We, Relay For Life of Ashland/So. Jackson County, got to meet our sister relays: Klamath County, Medford/Jackson County and Josephine County.

I had such a great time! It was great bonding for us as a committee and a great way for all of us to gather and bounce ideas off of other Relayers on other committees! There were Relayers from all over Oregon, Washington and even some from Nevada.

I am so ready to jump head first into this adventure! Raising money and fighting cancer in every way I can.

DON'T FORGET: You can register for a team, join an existing team, and/or make a donation.

Ashland/So. Jackson County: Go here.

Donate: Go here.


"The world is not interested in what we do for a living... What they are interested in is what we have to offer freely - hope, strength, love and the power to make a difference!" -Sasha Azevedo

Passionate.

Last year was my first year getting involved with Relay for Life. And I tell you, it was life changing. I have never felt so much love and passion in one place before. There were so many people all coming together for one cause – to fight that hard battle against cancer. I was a mess: I cried, I laughed, I hugged.... and on top of that I raised money for a great cause.

Everyone's reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer.

No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. With your help, we aren't just fighting one type of cancer – we're fighting for everyone threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.

I am ready and pumped to get this year's Relay started! I am organizing Entertainment and Activities for the event. To get the ball rolling, I have added some links (see below) so that those of you who want to help, can! And if you have any ideas of games, music, etc that I should include this year, let me know! Any idea is welcome!

If you are in the Ashland or Southern Jackson County area - You can donate or register a team at the following link: Register or Donate Here!

If you are outside that area, please use this link to find a Relay near you!

And if you are just feeling generous... Please donate to the wonderful cause here!

My favorite part of Relay - The Luminaria Ceremony

And So It Begins...

Professional, eh?

The thrilling life of a college student... Accepting any job you can because "it's money". Or maybe, the exciting beginning to a wonderful career ahead of me. I do want to be involved with this industry after all. Let me back up a bit...

Last night was my first official catering gig with A'viands Food Service. We catered the President's dinner celebration of Southern Oregon University's 140th Anniversary. It was a dinner to celebrate alums, donors, faculty, etc. I got to have a first hand experience with everythingggg: set up, service, busing, take down, dishes, food prep/cooking, etc. I even felt all official (and slightly masculine...) in my uniform. *On a side note, I learned why guys hate ties so much... That thing was brutal!
Did I mention that I was assigned to serve the President, herself? Her and all the "really important" guests. YIKES. Talk about pressure! I am thankful to say, however, that I survived.

President Mary Cullinan in January.

And at the end of the night, while yes my back and feet were KILLING me, I felt like I walked away with good experience under my belt and I am glad that I have this job on my resume. It certainly will come in handy down the road when I am trying to make a name for myself in the hospitality industry!

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To all you women out there... While you should already be doing this on a semi-regular basis, please take the time this month to check yourself. For info on how to check yourself, you can go here.

Sand In My Sheets

You should all take a gander over to Youtube and listen to this man sing. Tommy Green Jr. He certainly has captivated me! Sultry voice and handsome looks... Dang, what's not to love?

This song is my favorite: Sand In My Sheets
But this one is great, too: Both Ways
And if you like what you hear, you should go to my page and watch the videos that I recorded of him while on the Carnival Splendor.

Happy Listening!

Week #1

This is my wardrobe and window.

Week One is in the books! Junior year, 19 credits, balancing a job on top of that... Dang. Gonna be one busy term! Is there even time for a social life in there....?
I am still getting all settled into my new digs, but so far I like my roommates. I live with 3 other students in an apartment/suite style dorms (pics included). *refer to this post:  http://sydneymayfield.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-start-of-something-new.html for more info.
Classes are great so far; granted the first week is always the easiest. I think that I am going to like them all! While Web Development is certain to be the most difficult, I think that it is going to be very worth my time in the end.

My desk!

Right behind my desk I have a shelf and little nook.

This is my bed. It is lofted to the very top and has plenty of room for storage underneath.
Thank goodness the fridge fits under there!

A Day In The Kitchen

I quite literally mean a day. A whole day. I was over at my aunt's house yesterday canning and juicing. Originally, our plan was to make salsa for me to take back to school, but that plan changed when a friend of ours gave us pounds and pounds of apples. So then we decided to make apple sauce and then take a stab at apple butter.
Okay, now that I have said that.... This is what we actually did:

• 13.5 pints of salsa
• 10 half pints of jam
• 4 pints applesauce
• 6 pints apple butter
• 5 quarts of various juices
• Large bowl of fresh salsa

PHEW! I am tired just reading that list.... ha ha. Needless to say, that couldn't have been a breeze. All  of that took us about 9 hours to tackle. When I got home I needed to sit down; my back hurt! Can you say 'old woman'? ... That's how I felt lol. But I do have to say, the hours upon hours was way worth it. Now I have fooooood to take back to school with me!

If you have the chance/opportunity to can fresh veggies (granted you or someone you know has a garden) then I say DO IT. It was wayyyyy cheaper and tastes wayyyyyy better than what you get at the grocery stores. Plus, if you do it with someone like I did, you get to spend time with someone you care about! :-)

Jars and jars of salsa!

Winner, Again.

You remember I won those Fun. tickets last month? Guess what I did THIS month..? Well, I can't take all of the credit, here. Here's the story: My dad and I carpool to work in the mornings (we work at the same place, after all) and we love listening to K103.3 FM every. morning. Around 5:30am the radio hosts "get your day going" with the Nearly Impossible Question. The questions are a fun way to wake up our minds.

When one of us thinks that we know the answer I get to call in! Busy signal? Hang up and call right back. I get to be on air (most times)!!

This morning's question: On average, we do this 125 times a year. What is it?

Do you know? (*answer at bottom of entry)

So my dad, the "genius" that he is, yells at me the answer and I told him we would wait til we heard some clues from the callers that we on air. What I decided what happened this morning, in terms of the stations call volume, was one of these 2 things:

1. Being Friday, several people had the day off and therefore were not awake at this God awful hour
2. It was a really hard question

Either way, after the first lady was on the air and made her guess I called in. We were certain that we had the correct answer. It rang and rang and rang....... Then FINALLY when I got on the air, guess what happened? WE GOT IT RIGHT. *I say 'we' because the answer was really my dad's idea... I couldn't think of anything better. Yay for us! I will update later when I pick up the prize package.


*Update: Prize package was 2 Regal Cinema tickets to see The Words, 4 tickets to the RV and Camper show at the Expo center and 4 passes to OMSI






















*Answer: Sneeze.

How To Avoid The Dreaded Freshman 15

I saw this book, The Dorm Room Diet, in my school's bookstore last year and skimmed through it. I thought, "Yeah I should get this..." but I didn't. And, while I haven't gotten "fat", I have seen my weight fluctuate and change. This of course is expected; New environment, new people.

On our school's meal plan the cost of one meal point in the cafeteria is "all-you-can-eat", ie: I can fill my plate with food and continue to go back until I am full/satisfied. And at first, this can be awesome. One can try a little bit of all the fare or one could eat just a meal of french fries. Sounds awesome, right? (You remember we are talking about weight, don't you?) Eating without restrictions of your parents and encouragement of this all-you-can-eat style is a sure sign that you will come in contact with that Freshman 15.

I already knew what I should and shouldn't adapt as healthy eating habits, but that doesn't mean that the temptation wasn't there... Cause trust me, it was (and still is!) But with portion control and some exercise, you can keep off a few pounds from your waistline, or wherever you collect extra weight.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you out:

1. Indulge only in the treats you will really enjoy: Savor the homemade brownie, skip the store-bought one.

2. Keep stress in check! Swap massages with your buddies and boyfriends, go for a walk.

3. Snack smart with foods containing fiber and fat to keep up your energy. Almonds and pears are great choices.

4. Go easy on late-night and early-morning sweets: The carbs can disrupt your sleep and mess with blood sugar.

5. Vary your workouts with a mix of cardio, weightlifting, and yoga or Pilate's.

6. Keep your immune system strong with a daily multivitamin, good hygiene and low stress.

7. Work out with friends, or take group fitness classes to stay motivated and get to the gym.

I think that this year I will buy this book. It's not just good for the dorm room; soon you will be getting a place of your own, right? And you will still be on a tight budget, right? Yeah so maybe you should go out and get this too ;-)

Here is a synopsis of Daphne Oz's book, The Dorm Room Diet: "The transition to college life presents a golden opportunity to seize control of your health for good—and now the secrets of Daphne’s success are available to you in The Dorm Room Diet. This national bestseller written by Dr. Oz’s daughter, Daphne, speaks to college students by a college student who avoided the Freshman 15 with her own healthy lifestyle plan. The Dorm Room Diet will empower you to use your new found independence to create a healthy lifestyle while in college–and for the rest of your life."

#NeverForget

11 years ago, for those old enough to remember, Americans witnessed 4 suicide attacks. A total of 19 Islamic terrorists hijacked 4 American flights on the East Coast. On September 11, 2001 there was news coverage of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.
If I can recall, these events started happening as I was getting ready to go to school on that unforgettable Tuesday morning. I was nine years old and at the time just confused why the Twin Towers were collapsing... I stared at the television screen and could not understand why those people crashed a plane into the side. I believe that this day of American history should be talked about in schools across the nation and recognized in public work places.
September 11 is now and forever going to be a time to pay tribute to those who quietly work to prevent attacks and to those in the military who have sacrificed so much, namely their lives.

Thank you to those who are out there serving to protect our freedom and keeping us safe. You are braver than I am and I am truly thankful for all that you do.

I Love My Ducks

Oregon Ducks or Oregon State Beavers.... Which side are you on? Seeing as how my mom is a University of Oregon Alum, I wear green and yellow, but besides that my dad is a hardcore Duck fan... On Saturday, I experienced my first Pac 12 game; I attended my very first Oregon Ducks game at Autzen Stadium. Boy, was that fun! I was sitting on the 35 yard line, Oregon side, 26 rows up! Only thing better would have been if I were in the student section! I absolutely loved the experience. And to top it all off, I got to go onto the field! I touched and sat on the turf where De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner play... What?! Surreal.

The Oregon Ducks took on the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Ducks moved to 2-0, beating the Bulldogs 42-25 at Autzen Stadium.

What Would You Be?

Halloween. I know that in a previous post (circa last year?) that I "bashed" on the holiday. But really, I was only hating on the girls my age who think that they have to dress a certain way to get attention. Having said that, I will have you know I DO like dressing up as someone/thing for Halloween. This year I am toying with the idea of being a mermaid. I bought a few materials and supplies to start to put together a costume, but to my dismay is became a lot harder than I originally thought. I want to be unique and creative! And not copy to a T someone else's pattern from Pinterest, etc. So we shall see what comes of that...

 

Do you have any awesome ideas? I have a black skirt made of a jersey knit stretchy fabric, a strapless bra, an XL silver sequined shirt, some blue sequined fabric, and tulle in light blue and dark blue. If you can help me out in ANY way, shape or form I would greatly appreciate it.

• You can tweet me: @20000WordsADay
• You can hit me up on Google+ : 20,000 Words A Day (under pages)
• Or you can comment on this post :-)

Also! You should tell me what you are going to be for Halloween! I would love to hear what you are going to be wearing, what your friends will be wearing, etc. Are you going to be themed? Homemade? Store bought? TELL ME! :-)

We Belong Together

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich"  ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, "Identity Crisis," M*A*S*H

What is better than being with the people you love? Being able to fully be yourself and still be accepted.

There is nothing quite like snorting while you laugh and, as a result, laughing harder. Nothing quite like eating together or playing games for hours on end. There is just nothing quite like my family....

My Mayfield Family.

How 'bout Them Apples?

While in the backyard at my grandparents yesterday, I discovered that the apple tree (and, well the rest of the garden, really...) had not been tended to in quite sometime. I found that there were apples ready for the picking as well as some that got ripe and fell to the ground. I brought those babies in and guess what I made with them? APPLESAUCE. Yes, good 'ol homemade applesauce. Can you say YUM?!

I had been dying to try this crock pot recipe that I found on Pinterest for some time, now, but hadn't had the chance to try yet. Now, I was going to use my grandmother's crock pot BUT A) it is sloooooow to heat up and B) it was already 5pm when I started this so I didn't have all night. With these things in mind I got out a pot and got to work. I winged it; So here it is if ya wanna test it out.

Sydney's Chunky Apple Sauce

Ingredients:

• APPLES (of course) of whatever kind you want *How many you use depends on how big a batch you wanna make. I used about 15 apples this time around
• 5-7 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• Water
• Cinnamon to taste *I did not use any this time around because I have a family member who is allergic

Steps:

1. Place a large pot in the sink and fill with about an inch of water
2. Peel the apples
3. Cut the apple away from the core (throw away core)
4. Chop the apple up into chunks then toss into the pot
5. After all apple chunks have been put into the pot, place on stove and turn it on Medium to Medium/High heat; Cover
6. Occasionally check on apples and stir
7. After about 10-15 min has passed you can add the lemon juice and brown sugar (you can always use more or less to taste, of course); Stir and cover
8. Keep checking on the mixture and stirring it; when the apples are tender/slightly mushy you can take a masher to them. I like my applesauce a bit chunky so I just did a once through and didn't mash too hard
9. Turn off heat, set lid off kilter a bit and let cool
10. Serve and enjoy!

*If you want cinnamon you can add it with the sugar and lemon juice, or you can add it to your own serving!

It's the Start of Something New

Well, my little brother is officially a college kid. Talk about WEIRD. Mom and Dad moved him into school last weekend. Guess how many miles it took them to get there? One thousand nine hundred and ninety six miles. Yeah, you read that right. Where did he go to, you may be asking? Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Danggg boy! Can you get any father away from home? ...I guess that's why those genius's at Skype are making so much money, I presume. I sure do miss him already! His classes started yesterday and he does seem to be enjoying himself. Seems like he is going to enjoy growing up and making some new friends :-)

As for me... School starts up again in just under a month. Seems like the summer goes by way too slowly... At least it does once all my friends (in private schools) move away. Now I am stuck to hanging out with my parents! Not that I am complaining, Mom!
I am ready, though, to get the new year started. Another year in the dorms, another year of living with new people. This year I am going to be in "suite" style living; which is essentially an apartment. It contains 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, and a living room/kitchen area.
I will be attempting a credit load of 19 hours this Fall.... Can you say crazy?! Yeah... That's what I get for not taking more science classes when I was a freshman. Gotta make up for it somehow!! But the plus side is that 8 of those hours are Business/Hospitality classes. I cannot wait to start my focus classes! I have such a fun major! (*Note: subject to change at students discretion)

And now... Mom and Dad are officially empty nest-ers. What will they do with all that free time?! I guess there is still Harley. Good things dogs don't go off to college! I think my parents would really be at a loss, then.

Food for thought

If success or failure of

this planet and of human 

beings depended on how

I am and what I do ....

How would I be? 

What would

I do?

-R. Buckminster Fuller

Random Texts

Thanks, Mom. I love you, too!

Like, Ever.

Are you a T-Swift fan? Well you aren't if you haven't heard her new single. It's titled We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and it is awesome. This song will be on Taylor's new album, RED, being released on October 22.

Click on the link and check it out. It is a perfect anthem for you and that ex who keep getting back together. Have a listen!

Fun.

With hits like We Are Young & Some Nights, I am sure that some of you have heard of Fun. And if you haven't, you should look them up on YouTube right.now. Fun is an alternative rock band that was started up in 2009.
This morning at work, I was listening to Live 95.5 and the DJs Cabana Boy and Nikki were talking about how Fun was going to be here, in Portland, next Friday. That got me all excited. They proceeded to talk about how caller number 9 was going to get the chance to win 2 tickets to see them perform... I was like, right on!! So with my fingers crossed, I dialed the phone number. And what do you know, I was caller number 9. WHAT?! My heart started pounding, I felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. All that was standing between me and Fun was a quirky Q&A. I was asked to decifer some teenage lingo. While I knew what the shortened words meant, do you?

Can you do it?

• Totes
• Adorbs
• Cray
• Totes Obvi

Want a hint? Here are some in sentences:  "That sh*t cray" .... "She is into him; it's totes obvi!"


Needless to say, I got them ALL right (yeahhh I am a bit cocky :-P) and so guess what? I AM GOING TO BE SEEING FUN PLAY LIVE! Are you jelly? ;-)


***UPDATE: Here are a couple pics from the night of the concert :-) Pictured is me and my bestie (looking mighty fiiiiine) and then a shot of the stage after Some Nights.

CHEESE!

Follow Me, Maybe?

Hey all you fellow bloggers and readers! You've hear the of the 2012 Summer Sensation song, Call Me Maybe, haven't you? By Carly Rae Jepson? It's addicting to sing and can also be annoying... I have been known to turn the volume wayyyy up and sing really loud when this song comes on the radio or my iPod. Okay, okay and the occasional dance move.... My mom came across this awesome video a little while back and it is just one of the cutest things ever. Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Rebecca Soni.... etc. Just watch this. You will, too, be in love. Not only with the song but the young athletes.

Go Here!

Sit With Me A Spell

“Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it. And that means that day and night are linked in a way that few things are there cannot be one without the other yet they cannot exist at the same time. How would it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart?” -Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

“Twilight fell: The sky turned to a light, dusky purple littered with tiny silver stars.” -J.K. Rowling

“The first stab of love is like a sunset, a blaze of color -- oranges, pearly pinks, vibrant purples...” -Anna Godberson, The Luxe

“When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.” -George R.R. Martin

Punchbowl Falls

On Saturday, I was presented with the opportunity to hike and swim Punchbowl Falls. This secluded, yet very popular on hot days, area is beautiful. The hike from the road to Punchbowl is about 2 miles, mostly uphill. But lemme tell you, the hike is worth it. At first, I didn't think that it was going to be... I'll admit that I struggled to keep up with my friends on our way in (it was HOT). Once you get to the base of the falls, though, you will be floored by the scenery. And not to mention the cool water!
If you are into cliff jumping, there are several places for you to get your rush of adrenaline. I, reluctantly, jumped off the baby one (10ft). And yes, that was a large feat for me to overcome... But if you are like my daredevil brother, that height is something to laugh at.

 Punch Bowl Falls is a waterfall on Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. Eagle Creek drains into the Columbia River, with its outlet on the Columbia River Gorge in Multnomah County. Eagle Creek cuts through a narrow channel and shoots powerfully into a large bowl that resembles a punchbowl. This waterfall was responsible for the waterfall classification type of punchbowl.

"In the mountains there are only two grades: You can either do it, or you can't."
-- Rusty Baille

Nutella and Peanut Butter Cookies

Seriously, is there anything better than Nutella? (Maybe bacon....) Tonight I finally found a recipe worth trying. I have been wanting to bake with Nutella for forever, but since it's so expensive, I hate to waste a whole jar in one recipe. So this recipe was oh so perfect. My mom found the original recipe here.

Guest blogging by Carol Mayfield:  ...my daughter is being a domestic goddess tonight. Liking this recipe and it's even better when you don't have to make 'em. Love the fact that I can consume the cookies for a change, usually my family eats them all as I am baking. Such is life. 


Here's my version of these scrumptious cookies. I altered it slightly from the original, making it my own:
Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup Splenda (granulated)
1/2 cup packed Splenda brown sugar blend
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour and 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
Approx. 1/4 cup room temp. Nutella (use your own judgement.. Love Nutella? It's okay to use a bit more)

Preheat oven to 350° F

Combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix until well blended.

Add flour, baking soda and salt.


"Drizzle"/spoon the Nutella on top of the dough then swirl it through the dough with a butter knife (I zapped the jar in the microwave for 10 secs to loosen it up more).


Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator.


Roll into 1/4-1/2 inch balls by hand.


Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.

Using a fork, press down the balls to flatten slightly.


Bake until edges are very lightly browned (about 7 to 9 minutes).


Allow to rest a minute on cookie sheet before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.

This is a side by side comparison of MY cookies (left) and the ones from the website the recipe came from (right).

Do Women Talk A Lot?

I heard it on the radio awhile back, but this is hard facts that do indeed talk more than men. Or, at least, the average male. Here's my spin on it:

Talkative women; Silent men.

Is that stereotypical of me? Well it’s not just me. Now the stereotypes have been given scientific substance, of sorts, by a book in the US, The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine (clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California in San Francisco).

In her book, Brizendine claims that men and women are different because their brains function differently. One of the most interesting examples she comes up with is that women talk more - 20,000 words a day compared with 7,000 for the average man - and they talk twice as fast.

Everything makes so much sense!

Braids

This year I mastered french braiding my bangs out of my face... Which was a good thing! I started to grow them out and we all know that "awkward phase" that bangs have. So since "mastering" that skill, I have tried different hairstyles involving braids. And let me tell you, it's hard! I didn't think that doing one's hair could be so difficult... But then again, that coming from a girl who barely does anything to hers after showering.

Have you seen this pic of Selena Gomez? Her hair is gorgeous to begin with, but then I saw this... I need to try it. But I didn't think that I had enough talent to copy the hairstylist who did that. BUT THEN I cam across this wonderful blog post from Oh So Pretty: The Diaries. I already LOVE their blog, but then it's like they read my mind!! Since seeing this post, I have yet to attempt the great feat; but with the awesome step by step instructions, I am sure that I will have a pretty BoHo look in no time.

On a side note, if you are looking for awesome tutorials or fashion advice, Oh So Pretty is a great blog for all of the above. I found them on Pinterest and love all the things that they post. Check 'em out!

Packing List 2012

Well, it's August 1st! You know what that means? That while the weather still says it's summer... Fall is just around the corner for some students (mainly those students who have selected private institutions). With school fast approaching, there will be packing to do!

Do you know what you are taking with you or leaving behind?

Here is a list that I have started for your convenience:

School Supplies:

• Folders
• Notebooks
• Backpack/Messenger bag
• Laptop/Tablet/Netbook
• USB flash drive
• Pencils/Pens
• Calculator/graphing calculator
• Stapler --> Staples
• Printer --> Printer ink
• Computer paper
• Tape (Duct, Masking, Scotch)
• Post-it notes
• Scissors
• Planner

Bathroom:

• Body Wash
• Face Wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower shoes (recommend for communal bathrooms)
• Razors
• Shaving Cream
• Shower caddie
• Toiletries carrying case
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Floss
• 2 sets of towels (for when you can't/don't do laundry right away)
• Deodorant
• Hair dryer/Flat iron/Curling iron 
• Comb/brush
• Hair products (gel/mousse/hairspray)
• Nail clippers/file

Electrical:

• Surge protectors (who knows when the lights will go out in that dorm room built in the 70s)
• Extension cords/Multiple outlet adapter 
• Extra long cable cord (for TV if you have one)
• Cell phone charger
• Laptop charger
• Ethernet cable (you may not have wireless Internet in your room)
• ^OR you can take your own wireless router to school for your personal use (check with school to make sure this is supported) 
• Adapters (if you're going to school abroad, you'll definitely need converters and if you're going to school in the United States, you may need 3-pronged to 2-pronged adapters)
• Alarm clock (or cell phone)

Organizational Tools:

• Storage units for below your bed (I like the long/flat ones on wheels)
• Over the door hangers/mirror
• Clothes hangers
• Extra storage bins (for your desk drawers, closet, dresser...Possibilities are endless)
• Lock box?
• Shoe organizer?
• Trash can (maybe: most college dorms will provide trash cans and recycling bins)

Appliances:

• Microwave
• Small refrigerator (does a friend/sibling have one you can buy for cheap?)
  • Look into renting the microwave/refrigerator combo!
• Fan (I hate stale air, so this helped with circulation)
• Television
• DVD player
• Coffee pot
• Hot Pot/electric tea kettle
• NO OPEN FLAMES

Bedding: *Sheets and Comforters need to be Twin XL in size*

• 2 pairs of sheets (again, for laundry purposes)
• Comforter /Quilt
• Pillows
• Pillow covers
• Egg-crate, foam pad
• Blankets

Clothes/Laundry:

• Laundry bin/bag
• Small ironing board and iron ?
• Laundry detergent /Dryer sheets
• Quarters or Laundry cards 
• Stain remover
• Business casual clothes for presentation/interviews 
• Seasonal clothes (depending on the climate and how far from home you are)
• 2+ weeks of underwear and socks (this is from personal experience - I would do my laundry every two weeks on average. You need clean underwear and socks each day, so shoot for having enough to carry you for two weeks)
• Jacket
• Gloves
• Hat
• Boots
• Sneakers
• Dress Shoes
• Casual shoes

**When it comes to clothes, pack what you KNOW you will wear and a couple of things that you MIGHT wear... Trust me, space is limited in the dorms and you don't want to waste it on something you won't wear while you are away.

Decorating/Smell Good stuff:

• Posters/Pictures 
• Desk stuff
• Area rug (cover that ugly dorm carpet!)
• Desk lamp
• Floor lamp  
• Picture hangers (Command/3M hooks)
• Oil diffusers
• Air freshener
• NO OPEN FLAMES (ie: Candles)

Did that cover it all? I sure hope so... If not, feel free to leave a comment! :-) Happy packing!

Bright as the Sun

When you are around me, you are certain to get glitter on you.

"Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?"

Shine so brightly that they can't help but stop and notice you.

Do you own a pair of Toms? You should. And I highly recommend getting a pair in the Glitters collection. Look how shiny my Silver Glitters are :-) I'm in love and I know you will be, too, as soon as you have them on your feet.

Passport In Hand

Traveling to places step by step,

Wherever intriguing things are kept.

Unknown places I might be,

Taking pictures for those to see.

Walls made of sadness,

Here it’s almost timeless.

The picturesque churches and cobblestone streets,

All my dreams seem to meet.

What an imperfect world we truly are,

But how the beauty perfects it is bazaar.

It’s indescribable, this place,

I want to have this picture in my memory, just in case.

The beautiful golden arches, up high,

Why does it make it so hard to say goodbye?

Enchanting lights fill up the streets at night,

The spectacular view, what a sight.

I look up and down,

I look all around.

Such a place full of wonder and mystery.

A place I love so much, it’s where my heart will always be.

My Form of Art

I love photography. Looking at others' artwork and making my own. I have only taken one basic level class, so I don't really know what I am doing.... BUT I love it anyways. My favorite part has to be editing the images after i download them. Sometime it can make everything just come to life! What do you think?

What's Cookin', Good Lookin'?

I LOVE chocolate. Don't you? Also, I like eating a BIT healthier when it comes to sweet treats. But really, I just love food. My mom likes finding recipes online and having me execute them.

So here is the newest one: *FLOUR-LESS* chocolate & almond cookies.

Ingredients:

1 cup Unsalted Slivered Or Sliced Almonds

1 cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut

½ cups plus 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa

3 cups Powdered Sugar

½ teaspoons Kosher Salt

4 whole Egg Whites, *At Room Temperature

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

¾ cups Mini Chocolate Chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spread almond slivers and shredded coconut evenly on a large rimmed baking pan. Place in the oven and toast for about 7-8 minutes, turning/tossing once halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant. *While in the oven, crack eggs and leave on counter to reach room temp. Reduce heat to 325ºF.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together cocoa (1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons total), powdered sugar, and salt. Continue whisking while adding egg whites and vanilla extract, mixing until just moistened. Don’t overwhisk or the eggs will stiffen. Stir in almonds, coconut, and chocolate chips.
3. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon batter by the tablespoon onto the baking sheet (this makes ~24) or by heaping tablespoons (this makes ~18 large cookies).
4. Bake for 14-16 minutes, turning pans and shifting the top to bottom rack halfway through. Cookies are finished when tops are shiny and cracked. Slide the cookies off the pans and allow to cool completely before removing.

Yummy chocolate cookies studded with almonds and coconut. Gluten-free and low fat so you can have your cookie and a waist line, too!

On a Budget?

You want to look "high fashion" or put together, right? At least, I want to look my age (being 5'3" sometimes has its downsides...). Well, classier looking clothing can often come at a price; a price that I am usually not willing to pay! College costs an arm and a leg, ya know! So here is my guide to thrift/sale shopping for all your needs:

• Don't be afraid of Goodwill. Really. There may be donated items there, but you can find a piece of clothing that is BRAND NEW. You just have to look.
• For example: Brand new wallet at Goodwill for $2.95. BAM!
• Are there consignment stores in your area? GO FIND THEM. I find that that is where the nicer things are. Sometimes, they are higher priced, BUT you can start selling your "used" clothing there as well.
• Avant Garb (Ashland, OR): Wedges for $7.
• Deja Vu (Ashland, OR): Crop Sweater for $10.
• This phrase never gets old: TRY IT ON. If you think it looks good on the hanger, or even if you are unsure of how it will look on you... TRY IT ON! You never know, that garment could surprise you!
• Are you furnishing an apartment or dorm room? These thrift stores can also be good for that, too! While not EVERYTHING is going to match, you can go for that eclectic look ;-) Don't forget to make sure that things are in good shape.
• Garage Sale: gently used futon for $25.
• Have you seen Extreme Couponing? (It's okay to say no)... Well, I am not quite that eccentric, BUT I do love me some discounts. I usually only buy something if it is on sale... That is mainly the only way that I can justify the purchase! SALEsaleSALE. Know when they are, and GO.

*Side note: If the thrift/consignment store has a make-up or undergarments section... Feel free to skip it. No, really. Are you comfortable wearing 'hand-me-down' undies?.... Didn't think so.

Class of 2012

Well, they did it! 15 Valedictorians made for a great "end of the world" tips speech... Beach balls, bubbles, umbrellas, decorated caps and lots of laughs. It has been fun watching all of you grow up this far... Can't wait to see what you all do in the next chapter of your lives as you all part ways this summer. Congrats, you bright bunch! 

BA 330-Principles of Marketing

What did I learn this term, you may ask me... I may not have a lot to say in response. However, in Marketing this term I learned that starting up a business is not all that simple. BUT there was a little fun to be had ;-) Like making this commercial and radio ad for our smoothie cart business. While not easy, it was a lot of fun to put our good knowledge to work.

Have a look!
Commercial Ad
Radio Ad

When Nothing Else Works, Put It Into Writing

“Let’s be friends.”

You are the one who convinced me that we would work as a couple; and you stole it all back.

I missed you more than I should have.

The days when I don’t see you actually make this easier to get on. There is no reminder of what used to be.

Weeks went by and we finally decided that we could hang out.

I should have known that “just friends” wasn’t going to last for very long.

We both knew that back massages and tickling only lead to bad things.

After those few agonizing seconds of wondering if we were actually going to do this, you kissed me.

Kissed me as if there weren’t weeks between our last meeting.

Same touch, same taste, same tenderness. And I thought I felt that you had missed me, too.

You had me with one look from those gorgeous brown eyes.

Everything-the truth that we aren’t getting back together, the pep talk I had to give myself on my way to see you-all melted away.

I can’t consider dating anyone else because all I can think about is you. But that will pass, right?

I know that I have to be the one who ends this and says goodbye. But that is the one thing that I can’t bring myself to say to you.

Because where is the “good” in that?

When you feel like breaking down...

When you are going through hell.... Keep on going. There is nothing like going strong when the rest of the world expects you to give up.

With so many things on my plate, you would think that I would have crashed by now. BUT with a rejuvenating trip home, I think that it has given me the little bit of oomph that I need to make it through. So far, I have pushed through 3 midterms and have 2 more to go. When I am not "hitting the books" I have found that the gym is a good place to alleviate my anger and stress. It makes me push a little harder.

Then there is Relay... Did I mention that I am also the captain of a Relay for Life team? Mmm, yeah. I have done great things by myself, but when it comes to getting everyone together, I kinda fail. Getting 10 college students together is not exactly the easiest task. It is in just over 2 weeks! YIKES! Things are slowly but surely coming together... And that is reassuring. But I do know that everything is going to be worth it in the end and knowing that keeps a smile on my face.

Happy Spring

Everything seems to have started budding or growing already... I think that some plants were confused by the gorgeous, warm days we had that were followed by cold, snow days. Well, regardless... today is the first day of spring. Yay. So long, winter.

Just when you thought it was over....

Midterms have now come and gone... But now we are at the start of week 7. Already? Shoot... Only 3 weeks left in the term and then it's Finals Week. Where does the time go? StudyStudyStudy.

Well, at least I got to take a bit of a breather and go home for a weekend! 2 weekends ago I got to go home for a short but much needed little break. Got to surprise the boys and have a Mother-Daughter date, too :) Saturday I spent the day with Jordan and Emily watching sweaty rugby boys at WOU. Then back on the road again Sunday. Miss you guys! See you in another few weeks :)