Ruesch Love

Do you Zumba?

2012-02-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

{little puppy bums}

If you don't, you should. Yesterday I finally got Zumba for our Kinect {i feel kind of nerdy talking about a game system so much.} I was thinking that a needed more cardio and guess what? This provides bucket loads of cardio. However, after the first song I forbadej.rue from ever coming down stairs what I was "zumba-ing" I did about 4 songs and my bum was officially kicked. It felt pretty darn good. Biggest lesson learned from zumba dancing: the shimmey comes MUCH easier after the girls have come in. Why has no one told me this? At the age of 11 I thought I was doomed to a simmey-less life. I was a little sad about this. Not so my friends, not so. Oh, and that is the main reason why j.rue is not allowed downstairs. I applause the men that can shimmey without some "girls".

We were planning on going down to visit j.rue's grandparents this weekend, but plans got pushed back so we have a free weekend! I think there will be a little bit of shopping, a little bit of sleeping, a little bit of laundry and A LOT of this:

H A PP Y W EE K E N D I N G!

Cobalt, Emerald, Coral

2012-02-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

I picked this gem of a skirt up at F21 and am LOVING it! Apparently, the rest of the world does not. Have you ever had someone {besdie your significant other} tell you they don't like your outfit? I hadn't, until yesterday. My thoughts: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, meanie. And I shall continue rocking said skirt. HA!

Lately, I've been on the hunt for a perfect red or bright pink lipstick. Yes, I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and do lipstick and not coral. There have been a few contenders, but none have been up to snuff. Most of them just bleed into my skin and make my face look sickly, what is up with that? They look fantastic on everyone else. I must just have funny coloring and wrinkly lips. Lucky for you j.rue. One girl at the MAC counter told me that I would have better luck if I would only buy a gloss AND a lip liner to go with it. No thank you. I don't have anything against liner for special occasions, but the thought of having to line multiple times a day? Hold your tongue MAC counter girl!

A couple of nights ago I was hunting in Ulta for a cheaper version of a pink or red, but not trying stuff on has bitten me in the bum one too many times. I finally gave up and walked over {head hung} to the more expensive stuff. Ulta doesn't carry any of my usual guilty pleasures, so I thought for sure that I would be safe. Not so much. I found a lip stick/pencil/"surgence" It really is a thing of beauty. It gives you a pretty sheer color, a little bit of shine, the precision of a pencil, and it doesn't dry your lips out. They have lots and lots of lovely colors.

I walked out with this one:

Don't be too proud of me, it looks like a bright pink, but it is in fact a coral. I swear coral will be the death of me. Except that I love it, so it's okay. No matter what anyone else says, it really is my best color. When I have a personal makeup artist at my beckon call then MAYBE I will venture out into more bold red and pinks. Until then, it's just you and me coral.

On the plus side it matches perfectly with this gloss that a Sephora girl talked me into buying. I can't blame her too much, it is a fantastic gloss with a beautiful color{a version of coral, of course}. It might be my most favorite ever. That's a big deal, folks.

If you're wondering, the gloss color is #654 -- I have no idea what the name is.

There you have it. If you are thinking right now, "wowzers Chelsea is addicted to buying lip stuff!" You would be correct. Does any one know of a Glossers Anonymous meeting?

Just let me know.

love day 2012

2012-02-15T08:28:00.001-07:00

Good Morn! I hope all of you had a nice and relaxing valentines eve, whether by yourself, with your dog, or significant other.

Last night went just as planned, sort of. We decided to call in for take-out at Texas Roadhouse. I would pick up, assemble onto plates, set up and the only thing that j.rue had to do was walk in at 7:20 sharp. Well, wouldn't you know that the universe {who I think is a scorned lover} tried it's hardest to keep up apart. J.rue got caught in some nasty traffic, caused by a couple of accidents. They were probably trying to get home to their lovers too. Sad.

Needless to say he didn't walk in the door at 7:20 sharp, more like 8:03. But that was okay, because I put the food in the warm loving arms of our oven while I waited. Of course, I could have gone down and set up the blanket, lit candles, made it all cutesie like, but did I? No. Cougar Town was finally back on and I enjoyed every second of it. You have to do things for yourself on V-day too, ya know.

Finally, at 8:03, J.rue had beat the universe and made it home to me. I was waiting for him in the kitchen {like good wives do on valentines day}, gave him a big fat kiss and his last valentine. Then he proceeded to give me a lovely pink love card, with the sweetest hand written message on it. I was blissfully happy, and hungry so I started pulling plates out of the oven and what did j.rue do? Pulled a tiny white bag out of his jacket pocket. I love little surprises so I'm pretty sure I gave out a squeal and then pulled this out:

Me oh my, does that boy know the way to this girls heart! No flowers, no chocolates, just a beautiful little piece of plastic. I'm pretty sure I squealed a little bit more. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy flowers {but I'm never home to enjoy them} and I'm over the moon for chocolate {but my sweet j.rue knows what I'm battling with right now}. Anyway...back to the dinner. He went to change, I got everything downstairs. Of course after everything was on the floor is when I realized that I needed to put a blanket down. I'll admit that it wasn't the most romantic looking love picnic, but we sure enjoyed ourselves. We stuffed our faces with as many greasy things as possibly, drank ourselves silly on sparkling cider, and then laid next to each other discussing how we were planning on getting back upstairs without actually having to get up. We actually came up with some pretty good ideas, but alas we do not live in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. It was a difficult feat, getting up those stairs. Oh, you want to see our swanky love picnic? Here ya go:

Please, try not to be too jealous. Especially of the boxes and Christmas/Halloween decor in the background. We made it thru dinner with only 2 disasters. See the plate on the far right, yes your right? That's supposed to be an awesome blossom. Well, that is not the most patient food and it turned into a wilted slightly soggy blossom. Did we eat it? You betcha! Second, we had some sparkling grape juice and I was SO paranoid about spilling it on our carpet {I think I reminded "us" to be super careful about 30 times} So, grape juice got spilled on the carpet. Then we got it up. No harm, no foul. After the meal Coop and Maggie enjoyed the rest of the ribs and we enjoyed spending time with each other.

At promptly 9:21 we'd decided that was enough for the night, rolled each other into bed, kissed our final valentines 2012 kiss, and we were out before the clock hit 9:25. It was glorious.

Valentines Since 2009

2012-02-14T08:06:00.001-07:00

Happy LOVE Day!

I've been looking forward to this day for...well, way too long. I think that I get a little too excited about holidays, but what can ya do? Of course I'm wearing the honorary pink stripes and hearts. I have red nails too, but I try to keep those puppies out of pictures as much as possible.

J.rue and I don't have any big plans for today, just some little ones. We'll be getting dinner...somewhere...and we'll probably oogle at each other from across the table, recite sappy love poems, and make every couple around us with that they were us. Just kidding. Kind of. Then we'll probably hunker down in the basement, light a fire, and watch any romantic movie that I want {while feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider -- just kidding again, kind of}. We like to keep things simple around here. I think it makes it that much sweeter. PLUS my track record of planning big extravagant things is not so pretty. They never go the way you want them to, do they?

My valentine is probably the most difficult to shop for. EVER. So, this year I relied on my trusty pinterest board to give me some creative {an inexpensive} ideas. This is what I came up with:

I know, I know, they've all been done, but they're new for us! J.rue received the first one last night because I just couldn't resist waiting 8 more hours {I struggle with any gift giving holiday}. The second was waiting for him when he woke up, he'll find the 3rd in his car and the last one will be waiting for him when he gets home. Presents all day, are you jealous that you don't have an amazing wife like me? I would be...

When I was perusing Harmon's yesterday I spotted these little treasures and decided that we were meant to be.

Valentines day is also about loving yourself, right? Yes it is. If you haven't bought yourself anything for V-Day, go right now! That is an order. You are worth it!

I hope your day is full of love, my friends. Go and enjoy yourself!

love always, me

Chicken Wire

2012-02-13T08:18:00.001-07:00

Friday morning I managed to rip the bumper halfway off of my car. I think it had to do with a combination of staying up until 2:30 in the morning, waking up 15 minutes later than I usually do, and being a little bit too scared of the dark. I was not going to write about this, but I figured hey, this is kind of a family journal PLUS I did blog about when J.rue's car had a run in with a fence. Marriage is both give and take.

Speaking of j.rue, he was the sweetest a husband could be after said incident. He let me cry, told me it wasn't my fault {when it totally was}and then figured out how to fix it. Then right after work on Saturday j.rue and his dad spent a solid two hours sewing my bumper back together and back on with some trusty chicken wire. It was fantastically less expensive than a new bumper and I'm thinking of starting a new chicken wire trend. Who wants to join me? Trust me, it's very in vogue.

While j.rue was at work I took a little trip to Manti/Ephraim area with my asst. camp director to check out a couple of possible girls camp sites. It was about 5 hours round trip BUT there was lots of good chatting, food, and walks down memory lane. It was so nice to have that time to really get to know each other. Together, I'm sure we'll be able to plan and pull off a killer camp! By the end of the trip we'd settled on Palisades, and I am SO SO excited! There's great space, a lake, and showers, which in my opinion are musts.

Girls camp director isn't one of those callings that I'd ever considered getting, but then again neither was primary chorister. Both scared the bajeebers out of me in the beginning, but I ended up loving being the chorister, so I'm sure I will enjoy this calling just as much. It is still kind of weird to be back in YW when I haven't even been out for 5 years. I'm sure that I'll be mistaken as one of the YW more than once. But, it's a compliment, right? Yes, I think so.

The rest of the weekend was spent sleeping, eating, and watching netflix. We live a good life my friends. No complaints here.

Totally unrelated: From extensive observation I think it is safe to say that the illness has been eradicated from Ruesch Manor {finally}Three Cheers!!! Unfortunately, that also means that I need to kick my bum into healthy food plus work-out mode again. Oh the woes of being healthy.

My First Midnight Showing

2012-02-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

{source}

I'm not a stay-up-late kind of gal. I know it's pathetic, I'm 22 and have the late night stamina of an 88 year old, but I'm okay with it. I love my sleep and sleep loves me. Well, last night I broke the mold and agreed to go to The Vow with my SIL, MIL, ARI, and j.rue. I'm so glad that I did.

I was a little worried that I would have a hard time staying awake. I mean, I fell asleep during Footloose and that was a 9:30 showing. To prep I took a 2.5 hour nap to prep and was ready to go, guns blazing at 11:50 pm. The movie gods were pleased with my preparation and decided to be kind to my 88 year-old soul, allowing me to fully enjoy the whole 114 minutes of the romantic silver screen.

So, how was the movie you ask? About a million times better than I thought it would be. A perfect choice for this valentines day season. It sweet and simple. It made we want to give my husband a huge hug and never say an unkind word again. That's always a big deal right? There wasn't much drama and you fall in love with Channing Tatum {Leo} over and over again, right along with Rachel McAdam's character {Paige}. It was a little bit of a tear jerker, but not to the point where it's unenjoyable, and the ending...well I'll let you decide how you feel about the ending.

Happy weekend before valentines day!

Go and give you significant other a big fat kiss, but watch out, I learned from the movie that if you get too hot and heavy in the car you have about 100% chance of getting "preggers." Paige's words, not mine.

Does anyone want to lend me $71.99?

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

...for seasons 1&2 plus the soundtrack for Downton Abbey? See? Obviously for a good cause. I have been obsessed lately and have made another executive decision that we need Downton Abbey in our own Ruesch Manor. The soundtrack is divine and the story lines do not disappoint. Last week, the lords and ladies of Downton provided a solid 2 days of entertainment while I was down and out. If you have Netflix you can find the first season and PBS has the second season up until the middle of March. You can find those here.

This series will undoubtedly become a regular in my house. I love time-period dramas, they're probably my most favorite. For some reason I can watch those again and again without ever tiring of them. Pride and Prejudice and Emma are other favorites, especially when sick. The BBC series of Pride and Prejudice has helped me through torn ligaments and stomach flus many-a-time.

I cannot wait until season 3 is released. I'm pretty sure the British get to see if first though. Oh, how I wish I was British sometimes!

Also, if you have some extra time today, you could find out which Downton Character you are. There are good ones here, here, and here. Yes. I've taken all three.

Has anyone else caught the Downton bug?

Who do you love the most?

Who do you love to hate?

Lately, I've been forgetting to title my posts.

2012-02-08T07:00:00.003-07:00

My name is Chelsea Ruesch and I need eyebrow therapy. Gag. I decided last month that I would take it upon myself to tweeze and wax my own brows every month because I would procrastinate going to get my brows done for so long that they were often mistaken as two tiny jungles on my face. No joke. And the last girl that did them decided that natural looking brows were skinny lines of hair. Trust me when I say, I am not a skinny brow gal. As of now, I'm not doing much better with the maintenance. They are unshaped, unruly, and unkempt. Plus I'm pretty sure that they're getting lighter by the month and now blending right into my head.

I'm usually not too worried about my brows except when there is some kind of social event coming up. Then I go into a panic and let just about anyone give 'em a good waking. Tonight I'm going to a baby shower and you bet your bottom dollar I'm running into the salon on my way home. Why can't j.rue be a closet cosmetologist {or why can't you just live WAY closer Whitney?!}

Has anyone else in the beehive state noticed that it's been feeling/smelling like the early parts of spring? I was walking into work at 7 this morning and noticed that I wasn't freezing my buns off and there weren't copious amounts of slush to walk through. I know Punxsutawney Phil has granted us with 6 more weeks of winter BUT I still do have that small glimmer of hope that we may be getting spring early. I know I know, I live in Utah. A girl can have dreams. I am usually quite content with current season. I dare say that I love all of them almost equally. This year however, j.rue amd I will be closing another chapter of our marriage and opening a new one. At least, that's how I feel, anyway. As my records indicate, we're on chapter three of our marriage. Oh how I love neatly tying off one chapter, kissing it goodbye and welcoming the adventure of a new one with open arms.

This is how our story goes, in my mind at least.

Chapter 1: J.rue and Chelsea tie the knot.They are poor, but not as much as they think. This is realized in chapter 2.
Chapter 2: J.rue and Chelsea buy a house and adopt fur babies. Now they are poor for real.
Chapter 3: Chelsea graduates and gets a full-time job. Still poor.
Chapter 4: J.rue graduates and...TBA

See? Isn't it exciting to not know what's going to happen next? I'm a little giddy about it. School has dictated our lives for our whole marriage in about every aspect. It feels goods to have the shackles loosened. What in the heck are we going to do without the old chap? Move out of the country? Start a family? Go on vacations? Spend time together at night sans studying? The possibilities are endless! I do know that school will creep it's way back into our lives in the next few years, but for now, we'll gladly take the moratorium.

Right on Target

2012-02-07T08:00:00.005-07:00

It's been well established on this blog that i.love.tv. Last night? Hart of Dixie--love that Rachael Bilson and her spunk and Castle. Am I the only one that can't ever figure out who done it? Can we all, by the raise of hands, agree that something has to be done about the Bachelor. Like, it should be cancelled? Yes.

Mondays are sad days at Ruesch Manor. We both work at opposite ends of the world {Ogden --> the U} and then j.rue drives straight from work to school from 6-9. We do get to see each other for about 5 minutes to get my parking pass {sometimes I swear that's why the boy married me}. So lately I've been finding things to do to pass the time. I call it personal development. Meaning, I go someplace like, oh, Target, walk around for about an hour, put a million things that we "need" in my cart, and then {here comes the self development part} I sadly put back 98% of cart paraphernalia.

Today I did justify 2 sets of onesies {for unselfish reasons}, a delicious smelling candle that's supposed to make me feel beautiful. {I'm burning it now, it works!}, some essie, a really bad red lip color {on sale thank goodness!} oh, and a really really really cute gray swimsuit that gives this little J. Crew number a run for it's money...

I made an executive family decision and deemed it as a necessity. I did a double check with Coop and Maggie when I got home and they also approved, so I know I'm good. Drives me nuts how much better j.crew makes their photos look. Really Target, how hard would it be to put a little more shape in the boob cups and smooth out those wrinkles?

On a totally unrelated note; the sickness is slowly leaving our house, we'll pray it doesn't waft into yours.

Bed Sores

2012-02-06T08:06:00.001-07:00

I have no more patience for the sickness that has long overstayed it's welcome in Ruesch Manor. It's taken bunk since last Tuesday. LAST TUESDAY. That is how long I've been out of commission. There are bedsores starting to form. Exaggeration? Yes. I'm used to the 24 hour guys, but this is getting a a little ridiculous. Thank goodness for long relaxing weekends.

I think the hardest things that I did this weekend were the dishes, the stripping and washing of bedding, getting our tax documents together and watching record amounts of Downton Abbey, SMASH, One Tree Hill, Mad Med and not so great 80s movies {like Peggy Sue gets Marries -- jealous?} All which I recommend, except for maybe the really bad 80s movies.

J.Rue learned this weekend that when you send your wife in {with very strict orders} to get tissues and ibuprofen ONLY she will inevitably come out with ibuprofen, fancy looking flu medicine only for severe cases {which would be us, of course} strawberry flavored cough drops, fruit rolls ups, Odwallas, gummy bears, chips, and no tissues. Oops.

Sunday came and church was a no-go, I really did miss it this Sunday. However, the superbowl party did happen. I think this is okay when 80% of the attendees have some kind of ailment. Which we did. We're just passing the love around. I think I did everything possible to not watch the game, but I watched the last 3 minutes and the Giants won, which is good because that's who the household was pining for. I really went for the food, and boy did we have food. It was a feast. Thank you to my in-laws for spoiling us with bucketloads of goodness.

{this was only about 60% of the offerings}

We're praying for a healthier week. Oh and just in case you're wondering, False Lash February has been deferred until a later date. I have however, been getting ready every morning. Even if it is just putting on a coat of mascara and putting my hair in not as scary of a bun. It counts. I swear it's helped me feel better during the day. Swear it.

a taxing weekend

2012-02-03T08:25:00.002-07:00

{this photo is totally irrelevant to this post, but don't we all need a cute fat-cheeked niece to look at every once in a while? You can borrow mine today. You're welcome.}

Know what's fun? Opening my office door this fine Friday morning and having bucket loads of work, emails, appointments, and voicemails dumped on my head. Know what's even more fun? Knowing the looks that I'm going to get from all of the students that I meet with today. I'm sure it will be a mix of pity, slight disgust, with a sprinkle of "why the heck were you not here to help me with this thing that I procrastinated until the last minute." Yes that look.

I'll just thank my lucky stars that it is Friday. Tomorrow our tax man comes. We love our tax man, coming to our house and putting up with our crazy unorganized antics. Then I shall be journeying to David's bridal to fulfill more bridesmaid duties. I do love being a bridesmaid {I often channel my inner Katherine Heigl from 27 Dersses}. If any of you are looking for one I'll again be fore hire after Sept. 21st. You know, just in case you were looking.

I also think I shall sleep through the super bowl.

Good plan.

Happy Weekending!

flu flu go away come again another day...not

2012-02-02T11:33:00.001-07:00

Just so you're impressed I'm simultaneously watching studio5 {on mute} on my TV, blogging on my compy, watching downton abbey on my ipad and editing photos on my phone. All while being bogged down by the flu. And no, I didn't get the flu shot. I know shame on me, I've heard.

I'm still home and obviously flu laden. Poor j.rue came home last night with pretty much the same thing, poor boy. I think we turned in about 8:15 last night. Bla. I woke up this morning with the intent on going to work, so I got up showered and then got right back into bed...so not happening today. Missing work is almost as miserable, but not quite as much.

At about 10 Coop was begging to go on a walk. He lets me know this by staring at me with his big brown eyes and then scratching at the front door. At our house front door scratch means walk, back door means potty. Smarty pants. I felt sad for him and a little cabin feverish myself {laying in bed, not my favorite as of late} So I put on my lashes, compliments of Katy Perry {I had to, it's False Lash Feb.}, pulled on my boots and strapped on the leashes and we were off. It was nice to get out for a bit. We took our time taking in the fresh air, sniffing in the cold smells {more the dogs than me}, and looking at the thin layer of powdery snow, the fluffy kind that has big chunks of sparkles in it -- it almost looked fake.

After about 20 minutes the cold started having a boxing match with my lungs and was knocking the wind out of me. We cut our walk short and made a beeline to the house, much to coop's chagrin. I stipped off the leashes, boots and jeans the second I walked into the house and jumped right into comfy pants. Oh, comfy pants how I love thee, comfy pants. Now I am in bed and here shall I stay for the remainder of the day.

Oh, I guess I should show you my lashes huh? I was a little wussy and got the least dramatic lashes I could find, unfun. I think I'll venture out this weekend to find something a little more fun, that will still be acceptable for the place of work.

On a slightly related note Cooper just blindsided me with a big lick to the left eye, resulting in the licking off of said left lash. I had the pull it out of his beard before he gulped it down.

False Lashes: 2 Chelsea: 0

...and tomorrow will be a new day.

Sick Day

2012-02-01T09:41:00.002-07:00

I'm out sick for the day folks.

False Lash February {which I was alluding to yesterday} will begin tomorrow.

I feel pretty, oh so pretty!

2012-01-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I slept in late, like until I was technically supposed to leave for work. I am a lover of sleep and squeeze every precious moment out of my pillow that I can. It's becoming a problem. Really. My alarm goes off 3 times in the morning. Once at 5 am {when I'm supposed to get up and work out -- HA!}. Second at 6 am {when I'm supposed to get up and have enough time to get ready}. Third, 6:33 am {when I am supposed to be pulling out of my driveway to work}. Between 6 and 6:33 I strategically plan out what I'm going to wear, where all said clothes and shoes are, and the fastest way to do my hair. Then I scramble out of bed, throw on my clothes, turn on my car, stick a frozen waffle in the toaster, do my hair {AKA messy bun 99.9% of the time}, peanut butter said waffle, grab bags and run out the door by 6:50. Sounds fun, right?

Kind of if you like the rush of racing the clock, but really, who does? Did you notice that there was no make-up involved in that morning routine? Also no shower, but don't worry I do that at night, I've wisened up. Well, I kind of hate it. I like looking and feeling pretty, it makes me happy and productive, funny how that works. All through high school, college, and ... post college? Is that what this chapter of my life is called? Anyway, I've been off and on with prettying myself up. I love the feeling, but hate the time. Oh boy do I hate the time. Sad thing with me is it only takes me less than 10 minutes to gussy up and I'm still not willing to be consistent. Last May I thought I had found the answer to all of my make-up woes, eyelash extensions. I found the best girl to do them. Couple of problems though, {1} my lashes are shedders, I was getting those puppies refilled every 2 weeks. {2} We're still poor, tuition has not been kind to us over the years. But, I still stand by the fact that EDUCATION IS A NECESSITY, stepping off soap box now. {3} I couldn't rub or really wash my eyes very well/easily and if you can't tell by now I'm all about the convenience. So, the eyelash extension era ended with much sadness, some tears, and naked eyes.

Remember how I said that I love lists? I'm still planning on starting the photo a day in February, but I'm also going to start getting up at at least 6 am so that I can have enough time to gussy myself up for the day. Really, it's that important to me. I can do anything for 29 days, right? I just want to see how it goes, let's call it a science experiment. I will get ready first thing every.single.day. You're a lucky man j.rue. Maybe I shall call it Flirty February, it being Valentines Day Month and all. Maybe not. Oh, before I forget. See that picture up there? Yes that one. Do stripes, checks, and tiny grey elephants go together? I'm mostly asking about the stripes and checks, tiny grey elephants go with everything in my opinion. Really, tell me. I need to know because I see lots of people everyday and I can't be the crazy adviser who doesn't know the rules of stripes and checks. So tell me, please?

To keep me motivated throughout this pretty month of February, I plan on adding a little accessory to my everyday beauty routine. I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Oh, you want a hint? Okay I'll give you one: It has to do with your blinkers. And if you're thinking "blinkers" could possibly be boobs -- well, you're wrong my friend, but we have very similar though processes. If you didn't think that then you are most likely more intelligent and of cleaner mind. That is all.

If all Fridays were like Saturdays...

2012-01-27T08:14:00.002-07:00

This is a test collage since dumb Picnik is shutting down, I'm trying to wean myself, but so far, no luck! If anyone knows of another easy photo editing website I obligate you to tell me NOW! And yes, I know that there are double pictures in the collage, again if you know of a good online photo editing website, PLEASE TELL ME!!!

Things that are making me happy today:

- I have today off work. I am really loving working the extra hour a day to have a whole day off. Please and thank you.
- I am listening to the "movie scores" channel on Pandora and one of the songs from Riverdance is playing. Nothing, I tell you, NOTHING gets me more pumped to...work more? My dad was always a fan of the riverdance growing up and I took it upon myself to show him that he had his very own riverdancer, me. I was very good at keeping up with their quicksteps. It must be recorded somewhere.
- Last night j.rue and I headed off to the classy but casual Kaysville dollar theater. It was my turn to pick the movie and I'm thinking puss in boots. Yes.
- I have been sleeping fantastically -- am I'm pretty sure it's because I'm back on a supplement regimen, dang you expensive supplements!
-Speaking of sleep -- I am a puppy magnet in bed. Coop likes to go behind my knees {I'm a side sleeper} and Mag is the little spoon. Sandwiched. I love magoop snuggles.
- I've found the perfect light pink lip color combo:

{BB Pale Peony}

and

{Revlon Lipbutter in Strawberry Shortcake}

I'm probably on my way to my SIL's and most favorite niece's house {with Carl in tow} as we speak , via the front runner, my arch nemesis.

See you Monday!

A Romeo and Juliet type story...kind of.

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, that title may be a tiny bit dramatic, but I've decided that today, the universe loves me. Let me tell you why...

I have been kicking myself for not working out during my lunch break the past week or so. Since I've been bringing my lunch everyday I didn't need food so I really had no excuse. So today I was planning on going to the field house to exercise during my lunch break, noble of me right? Well I get to said field house and I kid you not every.single.spot was taken, even the meters. At 1:35 in the afternoon, dang students. Work would be so much easier without them. So would not having a job. {I love you students!}

Then my mind got thinking and I remembered that there were a reaaally cute pair of flats that I wanted to oogle at Old Navy. By the way, they are these:

I'm loving neons&neutrals. too much.

Anywho, I got to ON , walked in, made a lap, and then was about to start a second one {in the opposite direction, as to not miss anything} and I was stopped dead in my tracks...

Back story: a while ago I was browsing anthropologie, yes that really expensive place where I can only afford to buy bowls. While there I stumbled across this beauty:

{clare vivier}

I picked it up and decided that we were soul mates, meant to be, created for each other in the heavens, you get the idea right? Then I looked at the price tag {which I usually DON'T do to avoid heart attacks and bouts of depression } and saw $244.00 screaming at me, telling me, "yeah right blondie, in your wildest dreams." It did, ask j.rue. Or maybe it was he who said that? I can't quite remember now. Obviously not in our budget, not in the least bit. So, I set my leather lover down and sadly, we said our goodbyes.

Okay back to my current story...I was stopped dead in my tracks and saw my star-crossed lover's younger brother {younger as in ~~fake~~ faux leather and stripe in the wrong spot, obv} but none the less, still just as beautiful in my eyes. I picked him up, held my breath, and checked the price tag. $24.50 Hot dog! I had myself a soul mate purse.

{I promise, this bag is WAAAAAY cuter {and brighter} in real person}

Again, with the neon&neutrals, loving it. I think I'll name my faux leather lover Carlyle, because {faux} leather lovers need names too right? I've been on an accessory male-naming streak, just last week I named my silhouette Carl. Actually, maybe it's just a Carl obsession? Hm...I'll look deeper into that and let you know.

St. G Pictures tomorrow, really for reals. The post is written, pictured, and scheduled. I, on the other hand will be away from the computer doing things one does on her day off.

Happy {early} weekend!

bloglovin'

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

blue stripey socks and silver ballet flats don't play very well together, do they? Oh well, better than frozen tootsies, I always say. I really do, ask j.rue.

Anywhooo...

If you like reading you should follow me on bloglovin, please? I promise to continue to write and ramble about anything and everything if you do AND I would love you forever. Really I would, ask j.rue.

One last picture. I just love it when Cooper and Maggie love on each other. Melts my heart, even if it is just for 11.4 seconds ever 8 or so months.

day-by-day

2012-01-24T08:30:00.005-07:00

I am I list person. I love lists. I thrive off of lists. Lists {in any shape or form} make me happy. I'm sure most of you have heard of the 'photo-a-day' challenges that are going around lots of blogs and I figured that I'd jump on the bandwagon, especially since it comes with a LIST!

This 'photo-a-day' comes from Fat Mum Slim, she put out a Jaunuary, but I missed it. So, I am very excited to tackle and conquer this list! Unfortunately, I am not one of the blessed that owns an iphone. Instead I will be pulling out my gigantic ipad to take pictures {don't judge me -- they don't have instagram for android yet and t-mobile doesn't have iphones yet}

I would love it if you followed me! My user name is @chelseablythe, same as my twitter account. I haven't gotten super into instagram for the sheer fact that I feel like a big dumb-o taking pictures with my ipad, but if you promise not to snicker behind my back, I may reconsider.

One last list that has sparked a fire inside my britches is this LIST

{source}

-- it's a day-by-day, page number guide to finishing ALL of the standard works in 365 days. Can you imagine?!? reading the whole book of {LDS} scriptures in 365 days? Blew my mind. PLUS, a fantastic way for me to go above and beyond my goals for 13 by 2013. Makes my innards tickle with delight.

Oh, and have I mentioned that as much as I luurve lists, I'm also not super great at sticking to them? You're supposed to start on Jan. 1st and I'm only on Jan 5th BUT I figure I'll just finish right before Feb. of next year. Still awesome? Yes sir-ee. You can download this pdf HERE. If you do it on your ipad, it will even download to your ibooks, I thought it was neat.

So whose with me? Anyone want to join me in February's photo-a-day or domination of the standard works? Please do!

St. G

2012-01-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

J. Rue and I spend the weekend in St. George. It was a quick trip, but it was nice to see our family and relax. We left Friday night around, oh, 8:30 pm and I knew it was going to be a long night, well at least in my granny-go-to-bed-at-9:30-mind. My mom started the first leg of driving and I knew that J. Rue would be out of the driving line-up. You see, J has a 10 pm driving curfew strictly enforced by yours truly. His eyelids seems to gain 100 lbs each the second he gets in the drivers seat past his curfew, so after 10 I'm his chauffeur. I think it's kind of cute.

I love road trips. I have the best conversations and do some of my best thinking in the car when everyone is asleep. I was upfront with my mom for the first bit and we talked about work, marriage&dating, babies, shopping, school, nail polish, FOOD, diet, exercises, people with no common sense, you get the idea. Drifting conversations are fantastic. We also rediscovered the awesomeness that is my itunes library. I have the bad habit of listening the one playlist over and over and then moving on to a new one. I have lots of hidden gems in there; we shuffled through Barbara Streisand, Toploaders, Priscilla Ahn, Lionel Richie, Taylor Swift, GLEE!, rhcp, nsync, and mazzy star to name a few.

After a while my mom told me to take a nap because I would be taking us into St. G and it was getting late {granny brain}. I tried to get comfy in the front seat -- which is nearly impossible, and then my mind started running like CRAZY, this time about babies. No sleep for me. It went kind of like this: What will our babies look like? Boy or girl first? Bum chins all around {j.rue has a bum chin if ya didn't know}? Curly or straight hair? Tall or short? Whiners like their mom or totally distracted like their dad? I'm obsessed with baby looks. Ever since I was little I was determined to marry someone with similar features to me so I would for sure that had babies that looked like me. I think this is such a big deal because I don't look too much like my family being adopted an all. Actually, people always tell me I look like my youngest brother, but we don't REALLY. I still love his oodles and bunches none the less.

Then I got into; will I decide to stay home? work part-time? How could I swing that at my awesomely awesome job right now? When will I fit in that master's degree? Way to much to think about. Then I got into girls camp. Oh girls camp, I am sure that you will take up all my spare thoughts, dreams, and pinterest boards for the next 6 months. Then my mom tapped my shoulder and told me that it was my turn to drive.

I loaded up on the necessities for late night driving: energy drink, those gross but oh so delicious and addicting orange slices, and the Haribo mini frogs SO GOOD. And we were off, and my mind started again. babies, work, school, camp, repeat. for 2.5 hours. I quite enjoyed it. I figured out many master plans and solved many of the worlds problems in 2.5 hours. Oh, and I managed to sing out loud during the whole thing, am I talented or am I talented?

Oh, and the actual St. G part was pretty good too. Brunch with friends -- who we miss a TON!, shopping, french fries, cookies, bubble tea , amazing sushi, late night cousin talks in bed, squeaky air mattresses, raspberries, a fantastic farewell talk, farewell food, and HOME. It was glorious.

I'll post pictures tomorrow. For real.

Please bless that I'll be productive this week. PLEASE.

The Wrath of Cooper

2012-01-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Nobody gets in the way of his snuggle time with his mom, not even his favorite sister.

I know these pictures are superly bad and grainy, BUT i about died laughing when I saw them. The first one looks like an action shot of a crazed lunatic and the second looks like it belongs in a king kong movie.

We're off to St. George for a {kind of} last minute trip. My cousin is having his farewell and I'm long over-due for a good bubble tea.

Happy Friday my friends!

breakfast equation

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

this

plus this

equals this

{hint :: not a novel or Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.}

directions: toast waffle. spread yogurt and banana pieces on waffle. eat. put remaining banana in yougurt. eat. yum.

Random Lovelies

2012-01-18T06:00:00.002-07:00

1. Barclay Street Dama :: This would go with everything, but I couldn't morally or ethically spend that much on a bag.

2. Bridgette Leather Watch :: I love the grey, copper, and brown. Again, this will go with everything. I love things that go with everything, I really do. I was kind of disappointed with my last fossil watch, hopefully this one will be a winner.

3. Stripecast Cardigan :: I'm pretty sure this coral-y orange color is the only one that looks good on me, I have way too much of it. I still can't resist.

4. Jayne T-Strap Ballet Flats :: Aren't they beautiful? Again, goes with everything, but my moral and ethics do put a damper on the fun.

5. Jardin Skirt :: Drool.

6. Papaya Lip Shine :: Perfect color...especially for the spring and summer that I'm currently craving.

7. Milky Turquoise Rough Cut Crystal Necklace :: Just plain pretty.

8. Neon Azalea Sperry's :: Perfect spring and summer shoes.

ahhh...

2012-01-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

I love long weekends.

frontrunner
silhouette fail
fluffy craft
greek food
2 desserts
brookie time

-----------------------------------------
4 naps, 1 day
how i met your mother
cafe rio
sweet tooth fairy cake bites
money ball

-----------------------------------------
11 am church
new calling
pot roast
persimmons
golden globes
late night bachelor

------------------------------------------
slippery snow
dr. appt.
grocery shopping
kitchen clean-up
chatting
once upon a time
bugles
firefly
nap
ice cream
sleep.

what?!

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was perusing the internet and ended up on the Orville Redenbacher website {random, I know} and stumbled upon what could possibly become my most favorite snack food of all time.

Drum roll please..

Yes, you're seeing correctly, salt and vinegar popcorn! Two of my most favorite things. ever. From my post yesterday I'm sure that you can tell that I'm somewhat watching what I'm eating. Good news, I can totally eat this...well at least 1/2 of the bag.

I feel like I've won the ultimate snack food lottery.

So begins my quest to find this product of heaven.

I was at Wal-Mart last night and it was for sure not there.

If anyone has seen it anywhere let me know!

the skin you're in

2012-01-11T08:19:00.002-07:00

Remember when I told you about the MAC Cleanse Off Oil?

This is my follow-up review. I've been using it for a little over a month and I still love it. It take off EVERYTHING. I've also found that it moisturizes more than I thought it would. If I'm being lazy and skip to moisturizer {which is bad, I know} this keeps my skin from feeling super tight, even in Utah's super dry winters. I think getting the extra make-up off my face has really helped clear up the couple of acne-prone areas on my face that I thought I had just about given up on {my cheeks and between my eyes, and hairline}. It's kind of gross to think that it was because of left-over make-up. If you don't believe me, they have a $10 travel size bottle that you can order online. You can't beat $10, and if you don't like it, give it away, to me.

One more thing, I just wanted to update on one of my new years resolutions, the weight loss one, the most unfun goals on the list. As of today, I've lost 6 lbs since January 2nd, and I have two things to give credit to.

1. Your Shape Fitness for the Kinect -

{amazon}

Okay folks, I'm going to be honest, I despise video game systems with almost every fiber of my being. J got one for his birthday this year, and it just about killed me. Well, being the poor people that we are right now, we decided to skip out on renewing the gym membership for this year. Que the Kinect. It was my last ditch effort to get some kind of decent workout. To my surprise, I love it! I didn't think it would be legit, but it gets my heart rate up and the sweat rolling. PLUS, I actually have fun doing it. Last night I spent the evening latin dancing, jump roping, and boot-camping, burning a total of 550 calories {and I promise it's real, I wore my calorie counter band/watch thing}. I can officially say I'm converted, to the Kinect -- nothing good comes out of using just your thumbs.

2. The Look Better Naked diet.

{amazon}

I'm sure you're thinking a few things: naked girl on the front: classy, 6 week plan to your hottest body: yeah right, etc. Am I right? I thought the same thing too when I saw it, but it's actually quite different than I thought. The thing that I like about it is that it gives you a meal plan and structure, of which I lack both. The book gives you 5 meals a day; breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner. The menu changes from day to day and week to week, and it's stuff that I was already eating like shrimp, tilapia, hummus, bell peppers, peanut butter, quinoa and POPCORN {the most important}, plus about a million other things. What sold me the most is that if I didn't like something I could substitute. If I didn't like the lunch menu I could swap for another one and even repeat meals during the week. It has been a lifesaver! On Saturdays I look at the weeks menu, make my substitutions, copy it over to a grocery list, and get all my food for the week. No junk food, no temptations, and honestly, not many cravings either. Probably because I'm not depriving myself of anything. The meals are even "normal" enough that J will eat them with me. HALLELUJAH.

The book also has work-outs and some other {kind of awkward} things, but I mostly just got it for the meal plans, and that alone is worth it. If you want to borrow it in a month or so, let me know!

I know in my goals that I said I would keep the weight loss talk to a minimum, so I'll leave it at that.

Happy Wednesday!