Currently I Am......

I saw this cute idea on A BEAUtiful Mess Blog so I thought I'd steal it.....

Reading: The Secret
Loving it so far.  It's been very eyeopening to the way I think and trying to make sure I keep the positive thoughts going!

Thinking about: How you just never really know about some people.  One minute they seem like your biggest fan and one minute they are like biting at your ankles.

Loving: my new jewelry I picked up at market today!  One of the perks of being a buyer is getting jewelry at a wholesale price :)

Looking Forward To: going to Pure Barre again.  The rookie and I did a 2 week special and I.  Am. Obsessed!  Seriously I felt muscles that I didn't even know I had!

Wondering: What the future holds BUT I know that God has some BIG plans for me!

Eating: Nothing now but looking forward to the candy corn waiting at my desk tomorrow

Disliking: The last weekend is over

Happy About: My first attempt at chicken spaghetti......sooooo good!

Excited about: The new arm candy I get to wear tomorrow.....doesn't take much to make this girl smile.

The Power in the Positive...

Several months ago I announced to my friend JH that I was moving out of the house I'd lived in for 3 years in Dallas.  I was moving to a different area of town, with a girl that I had become fast friends with but didn't know super well.  JH's response was something that I had already started to feel but hadn't quite put into words: Your life is going to change.  Good things are going to come to you.

I had always kinda had that hunch.....you know like something big was about to happen in my life....but I never could put my finger on exactly what that "Something" was.  

Not too long after this announcement I found myself buying a new car.  This is the first time since I was 15 that Daddy didn't buy a car for me, I did it myself.

When I finally made the big move, I noticed that things in my life had shifted a little bit.  I had a new group of friends that enjoyed going the same places and the same activities that I did.  I had gotten rid of some awful and negative relationships in my life that were weighing me down.  I was actually starting to feel like "me" again.

Now I'm not saying that my first 3 years in Dallas were bad.  I actually made several great girlfriends (3 of which I will be spending this weekend with for Brookie's bachelorette party!!!!), fell into a great job that showed me what I really want to do with my life, and grew a lot as an adult.  

I am excited about all of this "good" that has been coming to me and I am so thankful for all of the people in my life that contribute to the "good" on a daily basis.

Recently my new roommate suggested that I read The Secret.  If you know anything about me, it's that I love a good book!  While The Secret isn't exactly an easy to read novel, it has opened my eyes to a few things in a big way.  I'm sure you'll hear more about this book later, I'm just on the first few pages.  Here's something I read this morning that really stuck with me (also I'm pretty sure JH tells me this on a regular basis....):

"You are the one who calls the law of attraction into action, and you do it through your thoughts."

Basically, when you think positively about the things you want, need, etc you will attract a positive action.  If you think negatively about these things, you will attract a negative action.  

So here's to some pretty powerful positive thinking for today!

Friday Faves

What better way to get back into the blog world than linking up with The Bargain Blonde!
  Here are a few of my favorites lately...   Esos Lip Balm

I know, I'm late to the game on this one but I finally bought one of these cute little eggs and I'm obsessed!  Seriously I use it like 80 times a day.  Perfect for this winter weather we're apparently about to have in D-town.   Goody Bun Maker

This thing seriously saves my life for those everyday rare moments that I sleep in!  So easy to use and still have a cute hairstyle.   State Fair of Texas

The fried food capital is BACK!  I can't wait to head out there and try the fried bacon cinnamon roll, fried Frito pie, fried salsa, well you get the point!   What are your favorite things?  

Let's play catch up

Ok I think my life is starting to get back to normal (hahaha yeah right).  I am definitely going to try and be a better blogger.

So first thing's first, I'm now living with this girl

Yaaaaay!  I can't tell you how happy I am to be in a cute girl house, in a great part of town, with someone who has the same interests that I do.  BONUS we are the exact same size so my wardrobe doubled!

Secondly, I found a place I love ALMOST as much as I love the great state of Texas.

That's right!  I fell in love with a Northern state.  I can't even believe I'm saying that!

I traveled there for Ashley's wedding and had THE best time.

 Gamma Phi Beta Twins 

 Always gotta have the angel face

 Mr. & Mrs. Braatz riding the party bus down to the beach!

Taking wedding party pictures by Lake Michigan.  Seriously this beach was gorge!

 The lovely Miss Jen and me!

 Getting down on the dance floor!

 Hanging out with the groom!

Always getting our dance on!

I'm so happy for Ash and J and I am so thankful to have been a part of their BIG day!

Tonight I am gearing up to see my favorite band EVER!

Miss Pat Benatar is opening for them and I couldn't be more excited!

What are your weekend plans?

Sunday Social

Because I've been so insanely busy with work, moving, and rehearsals I decided to join a link-up this week!

1. What were you like in Middle School/HS?(pictures)

Awkward City!  I had braces and acne and DID NOT think I was cah-uute at all.

(after my sophomore dance recital of The Wizard of Oz - check out all of our hair)

2. What were your favorite summer pastimes?

The studio I took from in high school always took us to LA for a month to take dance class.  I remember dancing from 10AM - 10PM most days.  It was always a great bonding experience for the dancers and I learned so much.

3.  What song(s) were you obsessed with?

Anything NSYNC or Britney of course but whenever I think about high school 2 cps jump out at me:

4.  What fashion statement do you look back on and cringe?

I wore express EVERYTHING most of the time and had a great love of animal print (not much has changed on that front).  My senior picture outfit of choice was a HOTTTT pink zebra print shirt that was sparkly!  Thanks mom for that fashion advice!

5. Who was your celeb crush?

It always has been and always will be JOSHUA JACKSON!  I have loved him since the Mighty Ducks movies!  Just a little eye candy for you ladies:

I still die over that grin!

6. What were your favorite tv shows?

Well obviously Dawson's Creek.  We didn't have the Warner Bros network when I was in high school so my sweet grandparents would TAPE it for me (do y'all remember VHS tapes) and then send me 6 weeks worth of episodes!  I was like Christmas and my birthday when that would happen!

Movin On Up......

Wow!  It sure has been awhile!  What have I been up to lately you ask?

Well........I'll just show you!

Brookie Snookie's engagement partayyyy!

Love these ladies.  I'm already counting down the days til we're in Mexico for Brooke and Stephen's wedding!

Checking out JJamz at House of Blues.  Thanks Lee!

and probably the BIGGEST thing that has happened lately is that I moved!

I'll have pictures of the new place later.  Currently I'm living out of boxes and suitcases.  All week I've only been able to find 1 bra....Lord help me!

I better start unpacking some more and getting my dang closet organized.  There's nothing like moving to make you realize you have so many clothes and NOTHING TO WEAR!

Blog Swap Time

Hey guys!  Today I am swapping blogs with Cortney.  You can read my post on her page!

Hello Elise's Readers!

I'm Cortney and I blog at Nerd on the Run www.chemrunner.blogspot.com. Elise and I are participating in a blog swap sponsored by the sb20 network of bloggers. We are supposed to share about a memorable childhood vacation and I will tell you about mine.

I grew up having very interesting summer vacations as a child in that I was able to go with my paternal grandparents and spend the summer with them on Lake Muskoka in Gravenhurst, Ont. I loved every minute I got to spend up there and in the water. I got to meet and interact with my Canadian cousins that I haven't seen now for almost 15 years. Those summers were very special to me.

Aside from my usual summer experience, the summer after 4th grade, my parents packed me, my sister and my paternal grandparents into an RV and we did a 2 week vacation road trip around the US. We got into the RV and jet setted to the west. I can tell you that we stopped at pretty much any historical landmark along the way. We took the southern route from Ohio to the SW of the US first. It seemed like we didn't get to anything special until we came up to the Rocky Mountains and Pike's Peak. That was an amazing sight to see, especially for a 10 year old nerd even back then!

The next place I remember getting to was Monument Valley where lots of old western movies were filmed. We got to tour Mesa Verde and visited the Grand Canyon. I was a bit unimpressed my the Grand Canyon because it just seemed like a bit hole in the ground to me. I'm sure if I had gone down into it on a donkey, it would have been more exciting but that didn't happen b/c my sister was too little and my dad was too big. We drove through the evening to Lake Powell and the AC in the RV went out and it was 95 degrees at midnight!! We got to a campground to get some rest but didn't stay long b/c no one could get much sleep in that heat.

From there, we headed north to Yellowstone National Park. I think this was my favorite part of the trip! There were sooo many animals and sights, sounds and SMELLS! I wish there was smell-o-vision that I would watch and remember the smells. I got to see Old Faithful go off and there was a giant herd of buffalo passing through the park when we were there. There were buffalo that were bigger than full sized cars and the car would disappear from view when they walked in front of one! I got to see my first Moose here as well as mountain goats and kept a snowball from the mountains where there was still snow in July! I think my parents found it in the freezer when they moved.

We left Yellowstone and headed east. We saw Mount Rushmore but I liked Devil's Peak better, possibly b/c it's nature and not man made. But MR was cool. I think back then the Crazy Horse was just getting started and I heard it still isn't finished b/c funding got pulled. :( We continued to head east and stopped in the Badlands. I'm not sure about the rest of the trip or all of the things we saw or places we stopped at, but I remember getting lost in Chicago with one of my dad's 'short cuts' which are never shorter in the long run.

I wish that I had some pictures to show of this family vacation but I can honestly say that it was the most memorable exeperience and best family vacation that we took while I was growing up.

Since then, I have driven across the country 4 times while living in WA state for grad school and none of those trips were as fun b/c they were in 3 days. I hope to be able to go back and explore all of those things again and enjoy the US and it's natural beauty!

Have you driven across the US? Where was your favorite place to go?

I haven't been to all 50 states yet, but Hawaii and Alaska are definitely still on my bucket list of places to hit!

Friday Favorites

Once again I'm linking up with Lindsey over at The Bargain Blonde for

Favorite new morning drink

Warm lemon water.

I've been hearing about the benefits of this drink for forever but Miss Erin over at Living In Yellow convinced me to try it.  You can read about her experience here.  I really do think it helps to energize me in the morning and start my eating habits for the day on the right foot.  Have yall ever tried it?

Favorite TexMex

In just a few hours I will be in Lubbock sitting at this restaurant.  If you didn't grow up in West Texas you are definitely missing out.  If you ever get a chance to try Taco Villa DON'T pass it up!

Why am I going to Lubbock you ask?

To see these girls....

Ash and I are passing through Lubbock to meet up with Brookie Snookie for her engagement party!

I havent spent time with these girls in forever and I can't wait to have a whole weekend with them!

So I'm lame and only had 2 favorites for today but it's been a crazy week!

Happy weekend yall!

Happy Birthday 'Merica

Right about now I'm sure I'm sitting at UTA watching my 857th dance of the day.  I've probably heard Adele, Aye Carumba, and Shake that Shimmie one too many times for the weekend and I'm probably on my 7th red bull.  Yay dance competitions!

So while I'm inside cheering on our girls, I wanted to entertain you with some pictures from our 4th of July bash!  I had a GREAT time at our friend's apartment.  He lives in one of the Gables buildings in Uptown and his view of Dallas is SICK!

Hanging out at Kaboom Town in Addison

Cookie cake and jello shots!  Perfect start to the day!

Flip cup champs!

Our cookie cake took a turn for the worse.  Sad face.

Told you the view was SICK!  

I'm not sure who put 4th of July in the middle of the week but it was an awful idea!  I was beyond tired Thursday morning.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday y'all!  Today I am linking up with lil miss Bargain Blonde for Friday Favorites!

FAVORITE NEW FIND

The Frat CollectionI read about this awesome company on the blog A Complete Waste of Makeup.  I read Neely's blog daily and she always seems to find little gems like this.  I ordered 3 shirts yesterday so as soon as they come in I will post a review.

FAVORITE NEW PRODUCT

The future roommate Katy (sooo ready for August 1) told me about this and I am in love.  I am about as fair skinned as they come but I pay big $$$$ trying to be dark for all of the pool parties happening these days.  I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TANNING BEDS so I get airbrushed which adds up QUICKLY!  Maui Babe is meant to be worn over sunscreen to enhance the color of your tan.  I bathed in this on 4th of July and was pleased with the results.  Plus it smells great!

FAVORITE NEW PHOTO

This was taken after our all day/night 4th of July celebration.  How beautiful is downtown Dallas?  Loves it!

My last favorite is that today is the first day of Nationals competition for our studio.  Our dancers have worked so hard all year and I am so ready to watch them light up the stage and compete one last time this year!  4 straight days of dance will be so exhausting but so fun!

Alrighty y'all!  Have a great weekend!