Why you should learn to sew

This afternoon I fixed 3 pairs of pants and a jacket. And all it took were a couple of straight stitches.
#1.The first pair of pants I actually didn't even use the sewing machine...my fave courd pants from Abercrombie (that I updated from massive flare jeans to cute hip matchstick jeans) got a hole in the butt by the pocket so I found a white courd iron-on patch (yes they have them!) and seared that hole shut.
#2. I bought some jeans while I was in Chile because I had gained some weight and the ones I brought were too tight and I haven't worn them since I got home! I almost DI'ed them when we moved, but I just knew I should hold on to them and make them skinny....So I did today! I decided to hold on to them for the in-between times when I'm pregnant and just after having the baby when I won't fit in maternity clothes or my regular ones.
#3. I had some adorable dress pants that I bought right after I got home from Chile that were on sale and are also too big so I took them in and they fit amazingly! They hit mid calf so they are perfect winter pants with some hot boots or spring when it is warmer!
#4. This jacket I bought 2 winters ago from Forever 21 that ripped all down the back in the lining and had some small holes in the outer part from too much reaching:) So I repaired it and it looks just like new! I also re-sewed a button onto the front that came off last winter and I never got around to fixing it:)

So, that my friends is why you should learn how to sew. I saved 3 pairs of pants that would have been trashed and re-used them in an updated fashion for today:) (I've converted many pairs of old high school jeans to skinny since the flare is totally out right now!) the jacket I would have kept wearing regardless of the holes since they weren't too noticeable, but it wouldn't have lasted another winter. I feel better knowing that it is back to new and ready for another couple winters and I saved $50+ on a new coat.

If you are wary of learning to sew, DON'T BE! It is easier than it seams (hehe) and there are SOOO many resources out there to help you on your quest for developing a new skill.


I love productive Saturdays...

Valentine's Day

This day/weekend deserves a post of its own.
Saint Valentine was exactly that...a Saint. who was martyred by the Roman Emperor Claudius because he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity. The Emperor made a law that outlawed marriage for young men, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail.

Of course American Greetings has their own story of how Vday came to be...including the importance of exchanging Valentines. Over the centuries Valetine's day has become, in my opinion, a great money making scheme; however good intentioned it is:)
I love my dear husband of course, and he bought me gorgeous roses (which I adamantly asked him not to) took me to dinner and dessert and gave me a massage worthy of a spa!

I don't hate Valentine's Day, I just would rather my husband surprise me with flowers on a random day than on a subscribed day. He does so well to take care of me and give me everything I want, so I of course thought of what to give him to show the world I love him more than any other person...and to show that I bought him these:

 

but do these gift exchanges really demonstrate how we feel about each other?? I am really a romantic I promise:)

tell me, what are your thoughts of exchanging Valentines??

not an update because I keep this blog up...seriously

I was so kindly reminded that it's been a month since my last "real" post...I received quite a few comments on my last post that were so kind and understanding...but, rather than be all sentimental and deep, I decided to do a non-update on how things are going with the move:)

It's been over 3 weeks now living with the Gparents (who are actually in Alaska now) and it's been going well. Some of the good things:

• lot's of treats and good food
• learning cool stuff from gpa
• sleeping in
• lot's of good movies
• new ward, new calling
• 2 sinks in the bathroom

Some of the not as good of things:

• I don't control the temperature--it is always soo hot here. 
• too much chocolate and mini angus burgers
• Moose Tracks ice cream
• no treadmill
• TV
• the showerhead in our bathroom needs to be replaced
• long commute to Provo twice a week 

You might have read my post about our trip to Mexico, well I am SOOO ecstatic it's almost all I can think about. Like the patterns for these adorable sundresses:

  

  

 

 

 

 

And these adorable shoes I got for a steal:

Reality though is that Mexico is like 16 weeks away!! Something I am looking forward to in only 3 weeks is visiting my besty roomie GRACE!!!

 

who lives in the sunny AZ (despite what this picture suggests). Ty gave me a trip with to see her in March! I am counting down the days until this trip also (and there are significantly fewer than the countdown to June...)

Coming up...the skirt I finished last week and the dress I've almost completed:) and plans for more projects are in the making!

a great friend

It's a good friend who will make you better and remind you of your potential and care about what's going on in your life and someone who listens to all your troubles and concerns.
I have realized as I've grown older and wiser, that friends are fleeting...it's interesting to look back in my life and  see all the different people that have come in and out of my life--some linger longer, but ultimately almost everyone leaves. It is near impossible to keep up friendships with every friend you meet. I've tried! It emotionally drained me, especially because not everyone is interested in remaining friends with you even if you are. (that's an interesting thought... for another day)

So how do you know if someone will remain your friend? You can't! That's the difficult part. Everyone changes and while you may have everything in common for a couple of years, eventually that changes.

Dismal thought???

Maybe. But maybe it actually helps you decide who the most important people are in your life and to hold on to them rather than chase after people who don't care as much about being your friends.

• I can't stand friends who pretend to be friends but don't stand the test of time or really hold up to their role as friend. what are those tests: do they call you back? do they reciprocate get-togethers? do they call you out of the blue? do they listen to your problems? On the other hand, how are you as a friend?? Do you care about them? Do you want to hear about their problems and help? Do you plan trips together? Do you call them out of the blue, or try to contact them at all?

• I can't stand friends who are only your friends when it's convenient or when they need you. Is someone like that really a friend?

This whole pensiveness on the subject came when a friend called. She reassures me of my value, let's me know she's there for me and never judges. We are hundreds of miles apart but we communicate more than friends that live just down the street so to speak. It's no wonder we all long for companionship. Life is lonely without good friends!

salon k giveaway, you won't want to miss this!!!

I am sooo excited to be featuring today a FABULOUS special giveaway!! My friend Karissa, started her own salon with her husband and not only do they offer a wide variety of products and services, but their prices are totally affordable! I get my haircut there and it only costs $30!! Combine that with a sweet underarm wax and it's only $50! In order to reward my wonderful followers in Utah, Salon K has offered a THREE PRIZE GIVEAWAY:

Third Prize: Sebastian shine spray and shine drops

Second prize: Travel size bumble and bumble hair powder

First prize: a haircut (can be womens, mens or kids) WITH a shine spray!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment of what your WORST hair experience has been for ONE entry. For additional entries, facebook or blog this giveaway and then comment that you've done so for ANOTHER entry. (1 comment=1 entry)
You have until February 22 to enter, so HURRY!!!

Cherry Pop Refashion Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Cherry Pop Refashion Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you haven't seen what Kathleen can do at Grosgrain, go Check it out!! She literally shows how $2.50 is more than $100 if you've got the right skills! I absolutely love her dresses!

Decor

I'm not really big on the whole cutesy Valentine's Day decorations...in fact, the only holiday I like to decorate for is Christmas....however, while browsing today I came across the most ADORABLE pillow that I think I would use to decorate

 

Is this not the most awesome pillow? I came across it on this blog here. And the website where you can see more pillows and other decor is found here. Of course it's in the UK and horribly expensive...so I may just use the idea to develop something of my own:)

LOVES

ps...are tea towels popular in the US?

Family Vacation Revealed!!

And the winner is......
Moon Palace round TWO! yes, on June 6 we are traveling to Cancun to enjoy

and

 

 

and of course the SPA!!! yes, you may be jealous, because I am jealous of myself!!

Of course I have my sights set on some adorable swimwear:

This Juicy Couture teal jersey swimsuit that I tried on last season, but couldn't bite the pricetag...Nordstrom Rack? (Elyse??)

And of course, Anthropologie's wonderful retro swimsuit that has another outrageous pricetag, but hey, a girl CAN DREAM!

And what better to pair with a swimsuit than a cute

sundress and sun hat (roxy)

 

or some cute boardshorts...the shorter the better:)

Love this print! and guess what, it's jersey, the best material for beach vacations. Know why? No wrinkles, dries almost instantly and looks good on every shape, not to mention it hides any problem areas...which of course I am NOT going to have because I am instigating a strict eating/exercise routine so that in T minus 131 days I will be bikini ready, even if no one can see it! (Except Tyler of course and that has its benefits too...)

So come on, join me in picturing rolling waves (warm water of course, not like California), cute little fishies and sunbathing (with 50 SPF sunscreen...) watching the little nephews and niece in the splash pool wearing some hot shades and sipping a sweet non-alcoholic daiquiri or pina colada....

Hip Hip Hoooooray!!!!

Remiss

I have been so bad at writing personal information on my blogs that my friends constantly ask for updates. For me, there isn't much going on in my life, at least I don't think...and then they so calmly remind me, I'm moving and I have another job and this and that...so I guess what I'm trying to say is I'M SORRY. I'm sorry that I am more interested in posting cute little vintage paper dolls and amazing chandeliers than talking about my boring life.

BUT, I realize, I do need to update. SO, here goes. We are moving. Saturday. As in 3 days from now. I have been working ever since we found out (last week) that we have to be out by the end of the month (or rather we volunteered to leave and that was our deadline--see my aunt and uncle are moving into our apt). On Saturday Ty and I went through all our memories from childhood til the present and cleaned up and got rid of what we no longer needed to hold on to. We organized and packed away all our summer clothing and camping gear.
This week, I've lined the hallway with all our decorations all neatly wrapped in bubble wrap and stored in containers. I've stored all our extra linens and towels and food storage and bathroom storage (you know my extra shampoo and conditioner and alcohol and hand sanitizer). I've packed my non-essential kitchen appliances (not the oven or anything:) my lean mean grilling machine and the large crockpot and ableskiever...don't worry, the Choco-Motion, Panini Maker, Kitchenaid, and wafflemaker are still out:) Along with my blender that we so often use to make delicious smoothies. I've made our menu off of all the food we had in our pantry and freezer so we would transport as little as possible and I've stored what we are transporting in handy dandy blue Walmart reusable grocery bags. LOVE THEM! I've got all the extra ziploc's stored along with my kitchen towels and sundae dishes. My dishes from my china cabinet are all snuggled tightly in newspaper in a big gray bin. I finally got all the drawers cleaned out in the bathroom so for tomorrow I have a lot of scrubbing to do:) I also have all the blankets (minus the ones on our beds) and pillows stacked in nice BIG black garbage bags--the space in the bins is too precious. Now you have heard plenty of my moving melee and I will continue on to my new job...

here it is... for those of you who don't know...and may have been wondering what I do to stay busy since I'm a college graduate and not yet mother...

I currently manage the inventory for two outpatient surgical centers in Colorado Springs, CO. How do I do this you ask? the internet and remote access to their server. I love technology. This is a part time job (like 15-20 hrs/week).

I am an administrative assistant for an entrepreneur based in Salt Lake and Seattle, WA. and by assistant I mean mostly research...on the internet...from my couch. (this is more like 5 hrs/week)

I substitute teach ballet classes. MY FAVORITE and unfortunately not frequent enough:( (but thankfully I average about 10hrs a month) This by the way is a guilty pleasure and obsession of mine--obviously. You know how they say, "those who can't do, teach". Ya, this is me all over. I wish it were me gripping the barre and dancing em pointe...but sadly, health is #1 priority right now!

I am a house helper for a wonderful family in Orem who have me do the cleaning, laundry, organization, and really, whatever the mom can't do at the moment stuff. (I've known the family for awhile and this is a GREAT arrangement, let me tell you. Get paid to do the easy stuff!!) (This is 15 hrs/week, more or less depending on my health/need)

I know that doesn't seem like enough for a recently college graduate used to carrying heavy school burdens and taxing dance rehearsals, plus work...so don't worry. I try to workout every morning and keep up the little sewing business I have going (that's what the FEATURED blog is all about).

It actually has been quite difficult these past 9 months finding out who the new Carissa is. I mean, I've defined myself as a student for so long and once I got married I thought I'd be mothering long by now...so I think I'm so scattered all over the place because I am still trying to find my place in the IN-BETWEEN world of the student and mommies. I know there are more of you out there...Come out Come out Wherever you are and SHOW YOURSELF. I need a friend:) haha. just kidding.

Needless to say, my lack of personal posting I think I can attribute mostly to this feeling of nothingness (at least by what I used to define my life) and it hit to close to home to be constantly writing about work and how chiseled my abs are getting, when I'd rather be posting pictures of a growing belly or a afternoon at the park (yes, even in the snow...) that I finally stopped posting about ME and wrote more about what I want in my future...and how much I love design and ballet:)

If you made it to the end of this post, Congratulations. It isn't often that I write this much, especially without pictures and I know most of you scroll through the writing and go straight to the pictures. I'm banking on this and that's why I didn't post any.... Because then I can still hide behind all my busyness and successful career stuff and no one will know what's really going on in my life.

LOVES!!


P.S. if you want to see some funny web pages Tyler and I built back in our Freshman year of college...check them out here and here

FEATURED

Come check me out...I'm going to be featured: JANUARY 22ND