Merry Christmas and PJs

I will admit it folks, I struggled with the Christmas spirit this season. A lot of it had to do with being stuck in broke student status and not being able to get people gifts like I wanted. The other half is that I really felt uncomfortable, pretty much since black friday, about how consumer driven holidays have become. This fantastic beautiful intelligent chick Alycia at the Crowley Project nailed the Christmas sentiment on the head! The days leading up to the 25th were spent reading scriptures and watching documentaries on the Christmas story.

My family is in the bay area so my mom and I made the seasonal trek west. My mom has also never seen the Oakland LDS temple lights so I made sure we had time to check it out. It being Christmas eve the grounds were bustling. The Oakland temple is especially beautiful at this time of year and is packed with people from all walks of life to marvel. Some of those folks happened to be my best friend Kristen and her family. Small small world it is.

When we got to my Babas I got to open presents! We didn't want to truck a bunch of stuff to my aunts where we have dinner. Somehow I acquired a collection of awesome pj sets which is exactly what I wanted!

Mikey ceremoniously cutting the prime rib

My aunts Gullivars Corn. The best in the land!!

My aunt and uncles Hawaii themed tree. So cute!

Christmas was really great. I got to spend quality time with family and particularly my cousin Mikey and eat some great food! There are some things I'd do different next year. All in all I'm glad its over and we can get on with normal life. I'm just going to try and ignore that valentines day stuff is going up in stores. Sheesh!

An Outfit Post (the first of many)

Has anyone else noticed this return to grunge? Maybe some of you aren't horrified by it. I am not one of those people. I cringe when I open Urban Outfitters catalogue lately. Maybe because back in the 90s I was old enough to remember how awful the fashion was (even worse than the 80s in my opinion).

This past Sunday I decided to embrace it....a little.

Deets:

Dress: Deseret Industries thrift store $4!!; Tights: Urban Outfitters Gift; Shoes Francesca's 

Collar was a big seller for me. I've been obsessed with collars

Gotta have a hipster beanie!

Hopefully in the future these posts will be better quality. Taking pictures with the camera on self timer hanging from the TV hutch was a feat in itself!

The Best Day of My Life

Love this chick. 

Its no secret I'm a mormon. If you didn't know now you know...ya know (get it?). If you are interested in my conversion story I'd be happy to share just comment and I can email you. On December 17th 2011 I was baptized. So this last week was my one year mark as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). To celebrate I made a trip through the temple. I tell you what, when I first joined I didn't understand for the life of me why these people were so into temples. I mean people would make a trip to walk around OUTSIDE! Whuuuuut?! Oh boy do I get it now! Every step of my journey has brought me closer to a heavenly father who I am sure knows me personally. This step was one of them.

Something that helped me understand that better was the people that were around me on my special day. Let me tell you folks (get ready for some bragging) I have the best girlfriends! These girls are the closest thing to sisters I have ever have. Kristen and Tiffany have listened to me complain about boys, clothes, dealt with my stubbornness, and STILL answer my phone calls. Thats true love right there. Their faith and examples have been the biggest inspiration to me ever. Not to mention I have been spoiled with the best bishop, his wife, and presidency in all the land.

 I have trouble letting people in. The things I've experienced over my life have taught me its safer to keep people at a distance. Recently I have been struggling with that. This church and God have brought me to some of the most loving, caring, patient people I have ever met. I've learned that I am not a burden on people because we share in each others burdens and joys. I've learned that those silly kids on bikes with name tags and change your life (not to mention are someones son so don't be so hard on them pleeeeease). It is so worth opening your mind and heart to people.

(#)Caught Being Crafty

I made it through my first semester at big kid college. Not only did I make it through I pulled a 3.7 GPA for the semester! Go me! Now that the semester is done I have a bunch of time to do whatever I want...right? Yeah, well that. For the past two weeks I've been juggling two jobs. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining at all! I needed a change of pace big time. That being said I no longer tutor children diagnosed on the autism spectrum disorder. Today was my last day! So now I really do have some free time. Here is a taste of more to come.

I decided to do at least two Pinterest DIY projects a week until school starts. Here are the two I chose for last week.

Their Version

My Version:

I only had larger sized doilies so I only needed two. I love how it came out. Plus, it only took me 5 minutes to put together and everything I had laying around the house. Which is how I prioritize my crafts. If I can make it with things I have on hand it happens first.

Next was this quick craft:

Via

Here is my version:

 I loved this! For the past three years I've been getting a real christmas tree. So this craft was as simple as snipping some sprigs off my tree and filling up some jars I had on hand up with water. Top it all off with a tea light and voila! The only thing is the water gets kinda gross after awhile. Needless to say the longevity of this lovely X-mas deco is not long.


I'm excited to pick the next two crafts. I'm thinking glitter and peter pan collars. Most definitely busting out the sewing machine this break. I will teach myself to sew if its the last thing I do!

Why I swore off weddings

Its starting to become a "thing". You know, one of those internet cliches? Every girl, married, single, and obviously engaged has a wedding board on Pinterest. I can't even tell you how many wedding blogs I follow. I could do some investigating and spew the numbers at you. How many pins are in my wedding board (:: cough::192) or how many blogs I follow (countless). But I wont bore you (or out myself).

Via

Part of the reason is because in a perfect world I would DIE to be a wedding planner. A MFT friend of mine had me take some personality test for fun once. After asking a bunch of questions about what I'm good at and what I like she said something to the effect of, "so basically you should do something where you are surrounded by pretty things and dresses." Yup. That is what I dream of.

Via

However, as a single girl with no prospects I kind of started to turn bitter. After I would go on these wedding "Pinges" (my own terminology for a Pinterest- binge) I'd just feel bad. I'd think why can't this be me? Dare I say I angry pinned?! HEAVENS! I made the conscious decision to halt my wedding pins and obsessions. Just because I'm single doesn't mean I should obsess or even aspire to have these insane weddings. I want to spend this time enjoying every moment I can get with myself.

Via (the amazing! Sloan Photographers)

Needless to say my fashion and fitness boards are really getting the love now. How do you guys feel about your pinning? Have you noticed any wedding pressure or push here on the webz?

Moving

No, not the blog. Just me. I've been trying really hard to keep it together and make everyone happy at the same time. You probably assumed right...I've been failing miserably and loosing my mind in the process. Hence the lull in posts. I am exited to share some amazing photos I took while I was visiting my family in Oregon. I had such a fantastic time watching some serious cooking masters in their prime element.

I hope you all had a lovely time with your family and aren't popped from all the yummy food. My favorite was the completely made from scratch pumpkin pie! Wow was it good. I leave you with my 3 month food baby. She's due next fall....

Hawt!

Just Call Me Dr. Giggles

I'm pretty sure I'm recycling this pic from another post...

I am discovering something about myself. I kind of knew this was something that made me feel good when I was younger. I LOVE making people laugh. We talk about talents and things of that nature a lot in church and I think its a talent of mine. Really, I'm not trying to toot my own horn. Its been a long journey of ups and downs to truly realize and admit to you all here that its something I think I'm good at.

When I was younger I just assumed people weren't getting what I was saying. Or, the obvious assumption, that people were laughing at me! Oh heavens, I'm sure that was the case several times. Looking back on it though I could care less if they were laughing at me or with me. It just makes me feel great to hear someone laugh. Lets face it. You don't laugh if your unhappy or sad, right?!

On two occasions this month friends have thanked me for making them laugh and smile and that they were feeling down or didn't want to even go to school previous to that. HOLY COW! It made me feel fantastic. I don't do anything special to make people laugh. Half the time I am not trying to cheer anyone up at all. As I am writing this I realize even more its when I am simply myself that I seem to make the biggest effect on others.

This isn't a kick off to my stand up career. I doubt I could get in front of a crowd of people and hack it. I'll stick to where it matters most. To those people who need it the most and whom I care for and love so much.

Do you guys feel you have any special talents or traits? Ever have a time someone accidentally cheered you up with a little laughter? I'd love to hear from you!

I'm Alive....Barely

I made it through Midterms. I think that was midterms? Tonight is the first night I've spent not writing a paper in two weeks. I know I will look back on my measly two weeks someday and  sass about writing for two months or something.

I refuse to let this put a damper on my blogging upswing! Stay tuned.

Russian Apple Cake

Look at me blogging! I love it! Breaking news California! Its officially fall here. Why? Because Caitlin started baking from scratch again thats why! I made two separate treats that I must share with you all.

Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Chip cookies (of course found via Pinterest Via Taste of Home):

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 dozen.

These cookies were a BIG hit at church this Sunday. I was shocked because I felt they were a little too cakey and may make a better bread. Which is the same recipe just stick the batter in a loaf pan and boom! 

Then I baked this amazing Russian Apple cake. I LOVED it!! So fluffy and moist. I didn't use granny smith apples I used some I already had on hand. I also opted out on the walnuts and only cooked for about 30 mins. All ovens are not made alike though. Recipe found at Kitchen Grrrls:

Loved the polka dots!

Russian Apple Pie

For 8 inch round baking pan, you will need:
1 cup of sugar,
1 cup of all purpose flour,
3 large eggs,
1 teaspoon of baking powder,
1 tablespoon of vanilla,
3 large granny smith apples,
1 cup of walnut pieces (I did not include)

Put in a big bowl eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix with hand mixer until the mixture becomes foamy and pale yellow. Sugar should be almost dissolved.

Add the flour and baking powder. Mix it again until the batter is smooth.

Wash the apples, cut them into big chunks removing apple hearts. I cut the apple into teeny pieces, just because I prefer smaller bits of apple throughout.Place the apple chunks in the batter, add walnuts pieces (optional), and mix the mixture with spoon or silicon spatula until all apples are covered with the batter.

Grease baking pan and sprinkle with flour. Bake it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Way to go Pinterest on not failing my fall cravings. I hope you have a good time baking and eating these delicious treats as much as I did!

Mee Time

Last weekend my mom and I were supposed to go to Apple Hill together. Unfortunately I came down with the plague and our trip was postponed.  I woke up Saturday morning and was excited to go and finally collect on some apple goodies. My mom however was not as excited as I. So my trip turned into some me time. I even love the drive up there! Here are some Apple Hill tips I thought of as I explored around.

Last year with Stevie

1. Don't go to High Hill Ranch. Its one of the bigger and more popular orchards. It has a fish filled pond, apples (of course), and apple baked goods. There is nothing there you can't get at a smaller LESS PACKED vender. My tip? Go to Ables Acres. They have the best apple butter, bomb fudge, carmel covered apples, and you can get the famous apple cider doughnuts there while you have your picture taken with the fuzzy bears out front.

2. If you have kids there are a few seemingly fun places to check out. Like Kids INC. Sorry, I don't have kids so I haven't put too much foot work into this tip.

I love the apple on top of Denver Dan's

Apple dumpling and hot apple cider. Yum!

3. I love Denver Dan's. There is a guy that uses this apple peeler/corer/cutter thing. When he is done he plops the apple on your thumb for you to eat. This guy has been around a long time too. They have fantastic frozen pies (my favorite is the sour cream apple pie) and yummy apple dumplings. Don't forget the giant pickles (I did today. I was rushing).

Then I took a drive in search for a special place. I think I drove for over an hour in and around windy mountain roads. Sadly, or not, due to snow and ice I was unable to get to my spot. So I will continue dreaming about sitting on a ski lift swinging munching on apple cider doughnuts, drinking hot apple and admiring the snow capped mountains. "Mee" time is really important. I've gotten away from doing things on my own away from everyone. The drive up there listening to music, singing, and thinking was the most calm I have felt in a really long time. I highly recommend it!

Give your Heart a Break

Its so hard to think of what to blog about concerning break ups. Most the blogs I follow and see around the Internet are ladies who are married and usually have children. I actually couldn't tell you a single blogger (except for my home girl Kristen) off the top of my head. So when thinking of how to approach this topic, something I'm going through, I get stumped.

This blog is a personal lifestyle blog if I had to fit her into a box. Therefore this blog is going to have content personal to me. I'm ok with sharing most of it. There are a few things that are pretty personal though. Some topics that kind of scare me to blog about because I don't know what other people are going to think of me. Whatever you blog about effects people and the reaction from that is completely on the blogger if you ask me. Don't get me wrong. I want to blog about EVERYTHING! I like being real. So alright, here goes.

Via

Break ups are embarrassing. Especially for me. When I commit to a boyfriend I am typically going to put all my effort into that relationship. Its really how I do things in general. So when they fail I am typically devastated and blame myself a lot. Lately, what prompted this post, and as time draws farther from incident it starts to weigh heavy and I remember all the things that were perfect. That made me feel like I had finally made it home safe and sound. I start thinking of all the things I would have done differently. Answer with a soft voice. Be more forgiving.

Break ups are so good for me in a way because they help me to know what I should be working on. I just wish there was a better way to figure that out.

Facelift: In Progress

I gave my blog a face lift. I needed a change. Lace and Pearls was sorta me but I missed my old blog title which is much more me. I'm in the process of making it even more spiffy. Hence the "in progress" bit. I hope you all enjoy the change as much as I do. I've been feeling really inspired to blog more so I figured I'd invest more time on my little corner of the interwebz.

Its not officially Halloween anymore but happy Halloween none the less! I've enjoyed seeing all the awesome costumes on my Instagram.


Happy Halloween!

I Can Blog.

I swear I can. One shouldn't swear though. I've been up to a lot. I'm a big fancy college gal you know? I just survived my first midterm at big kid college (which isn't saying much since it was only for two classes). Last weekend I went on an eating spree with one of my best lady friends. I was calling it "Breakfast with Tiffany" get it? I'm sure she is annoyed at this phrase by now. I then went to my very first bridal shower. I unexpectedly had a blast! I had the best cupcakes, some magical whipped fruit dip, and brushed off my toilet paper dress designing skills. By the end of that party I was signed up to design two wedding dresses and plan three weddings (but not really...). This weekend I'm going to Apple Hill with my Mama. We've lived in the Sacramento area for 10+ years and she has never been!!!!!! 

Also.... GO GIANTS!!!!

Conference weekend

I have so much to blog about! I don't even think I blogged about my birthday. I spent conference weekend in SLC, UT. It was not only my first time there for general conference but my first time in Salt Lake in general. Ha! Of course I'm ready to move there. Salt Lake is so beautiful and clean! I loved where we stayed it was within a mile of temple square so I walked a lot. The salt flats were also a high light. I love how amazing nature is.

I don't have a huge place in my heart for California. Sure people move here because the weather is nice year round and there is a diverse climate. I miss the fall colors and getting all four seasons though. Not to mention when you visit other states like I do frequently (Oregon and now Utah) you realize that the cost of living, gas, etc is where its at because people want to live in California. I'm too poor to be a Californian. Don't even get me started on the public college system.

I'm on the brink of fine/happy and sad/depressed. I'm not acclimated to heart break right now. Its strange when you have so much to be happy about and feel blessed but feel so down in the dumps. So many changes are about to happen in the next 4 to 8 weeks (no I'm not pregnant! haha). Wish me luck!

my mom and I helped a girl from my church choose her wedding dress. She looked beautiful.

my girl Emily and I. It was really nice to be able to visit. Also my favorite side of the temple

Playing in the salt flats

Curl Up and Die: an emo title for an emo post

3x great grandma. She looks like a rad lady right?

I am not having a good time with life. Well some of life is really quite good.

Pros (because I need to be reminded):
- Mom got baptized. Wow, that one came out of left field. Thanks God!
- Mom and I are road tripping to Utah for conference!!! I am really excited now that everything worked out
- I FINALLY am caught up with my Womens History of the US reading!!!
- I have fantastic friends and a great support system. I'm really humbled by the friends and people I hold close to me. I'm not a quantity type of person more into quality.
- consistently going to this really fantastic class at the Well called Core and More and I already feel my balance is better. I've also been running again and I've gotten my entire household (all two of us) on the track to eating cleaner.

Heres where stuff gets emo:

- Single...again. I'm really sick of this guys (in general and guys!). I try really hard to open my mind and heart. Its really hard to not let all this make me really bitter and angry. Plus why do break ups affect girls more than guys?! Boys are such sluts. LDS guys are no exemption from typical inconsiderate behaviors. No worries. I'll sit at home doing family history research kicking it with my cats being all healthy and awesome with my Mom till I die. Heavenly father promises us if we don't get a chance to have a family down here we can have one up there. Blegh, my heart still hurts real bad though.

- as a result I need out of California. So I am doing some sneaky things to try and run away. May not be a bad thing though.

- I'm sick of being strong. Especially because people mistake it for coldness or having a hardened heart. I'm still a woman and I still feel.

I talked to my bishop today and we talked about not concentrating on the past, living in the present, and looking to the future. I don't know what to look to the future for. I guess I'll kick it in this fog a little longer and take it one uneasy step at a time. Regardless I have a lot of things to look forward to. Especially spiritually speaking.

I need to blog again.

I decided I need to blog more. Or at all in all actuality. Somehow I should find the time. You know, in between; class, work, personal life, churchly things. Last week I started CSUS (Aka big kid college). I'm in heaven. I can't really name anything wrong with it besides the walk from institute where I park and my classes is practically 100 miles and takes literally 15 mins and thats if I don't speed walk. I asked Sean to teach me to skateboard...in my case long board. The second complaint is I don't spend enough time there. I know right?! I am only taking two classes there and its a travesty! Both of my classes are history classes which have nothing to do with my major but I need them for graduation. I love the Well. Its a BEAUTIFUL gym. If your a gym rat and you died, this would be heaven. I have been taking the "Core and More" class. I LOVE it. Today was especially challenging. We used a Bosou ball to do burpees and a ton more fun/horrible things. Man am I going to hurt tomorrow! Thursday will be week 2 of 16 down. 14 to go. I am procrastinating emailing a professor I want to be BFFs with. A psych professor who teaches ABA. This could be my in to intern at the autism research center on campus. I think he'd love me and my 2 and half years of experience with administering ABA. I swear I'll email him tomorrow and say, "pretty please will you be my advisor?! I promise to be awesome and bust my hump!". Here are some pics of the blessed event. I swear I get giddy every time I go to school. EEEEP!

Legit status B!

Thats The Well. Its massive and I LOVE it. Homeeee!

Yay for a short week right?

Shes Crafty!

I never write in this thing! Today I wish I could quit my job and work from home. I'm sick of the craziness of school and I hate going and doing something that is so anxiety filled. Problem is I have a bunch of half skills. I can....

Knit. But only scarves. I never learned to increase or decrease to make hats or socks and stuff.

I can draw. But I don't know any kind of technique and I'm way out of practice. I did draw a few things in a beginning art class that got hung in the hallway at my college!

I'm only just learning to sew. Tension? Needle size? What?!

I could plan/style a wedding like no ones business and on a budget! But I never have gotten the opportunity to learn the ins and outs.

I would just love to skip the screaming today, the bosses out to fire me for whatever reasons, worrying if I am doing everything right, putting the crazy miles on my car driving from case to case. Bring on being hunched over a sewing machine, hands hurting from knitting so much, trying to figure out spread sheets. I just love the feeling of stepping back from something I made with my own hands and thinking, "I did that!". I'd kill to own my own business. I'm sure we all would. Today I'll pretend I'm on my way there.

A little update I (and BF) did to my night stand. Notice my balled up knitting under there?

On California's higher education...

I can't speak for other states. Its kind of like the depression how people always "heard" of better job opportunities in other places. "I hear if we go to California theres farm work!". I can relate to this thought process because my family on my Dad's side lived the "Grapes of Wrath". Left Texas because of the dust bowl, migrated to Wyoming, and finally settled here in California where my Granny picked strawberries and cotton to get by.

Well just like them I always hear or believe, "maybe Oregon is better?" "I bet in the south they care about history still...". The sad fact of it is College stinks probably everywhere. I'm physically exhausted; calling this school to get transferred to that school. I'm sick of counselors pointing me in the wrong direction and being counter productive. Isn't that supposed to be their job?! This world is completely backwards. People who are legitimately trying to obtain a higher education have to claw and fight for it ( I could share some stories of friends experiences that would make you blush!). Where others who are just there for "free government money" (don't try and tell me I'm crazy, I've met people at school literally taking classes for money only to drop the class) can simply walk in add 12 units of BS classes and drop. Its so easy to take the wrong path. I spoke about that during my lesson in Relief Society Sunday. "...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way" (alma 37:46). Oh how tempting slothiness is in times like these.

I have to try and remind myself the blessings at the end of the tunnel are worth the blood, sweat, and tears. Believe me I've shed all three for my two and half useless AAs and my admission to CSU. I am writing this horribly negative post in hopes that someday when I am having a fantastic time learning fascinating things I can look back and think, "gosh, I'm really glad I fought through my low points for this." I hope to find some kind of pride and self worth that I fought the good fight and didn't falter.

It's to self

Your about to go into work. Which consists of a filthy home and a bathroom you can't use. Your eye has been twitching for 4 days off and on. Your hair hurts and your at the point of being so broke its beyond unfunny. Let's not even get started on the car. But! It works out every time and God didn't put us on this earth to fail.

Lazy Summer

I don't know what it is. This summer season has been taking its tole. I basically don't want to do anything. Every chance I get I run away (or get kidnapped) to the mountains. Its kind of a slice of heaven. The thing about the mountains is, you may think its going to be swimming weather up there because at 97 degrees its swimming weather in the city. But the second you hit those high altitudes that temp drops. Well yesterday it was 94 in the mountains. Since  worked canceled before you could say freedom I was trucking it up the hill. The boyfriend and I went to check out his latest swimming hole find. We played in the pool of a waterfall while fish bit our knees and went on an adventure hiking up the river.

After the river we grabbed some Thrifty's ice cream and headed to the Coloma pioneer cemetary. We've been once before at night. This time I wanted to see it in the day light. Its a really neat place full of California gold rush history. We even bumped into some fancy ghost hunters from Nevada. We ended our day with some record playing.

Its so hard to get anything done with that tempting you. Tomorrow we are going to visit my Baba and camp on the beach. Thursday...so close yet so far away from Friday.

Insta-dump

So much has been going on. This week has been really stressful. Of course my hormones know exactly what is going on in my life and kick in dragon time in full effect. So aside from my insta-dump here are some goings on:

- Sac state orientation down. It was kind of horrific. Very intimidating. But I am slowly starting to get excited to start school. I have settled into the concentration I like within the umbrella of psychology and that should be a very interesting journey.

- I got a boyfriend. A new one. He is amazing and I am completely smitten with him. We go on lots of adventures. Theres a song that comes on that makes my heart flutter and think happy thoughts. yup. Those silly butterflies.

- Summer school starts July 9th. Sign II here I come.

Transitions aren't supposed to be painless. If you can think back its a lot like growing pains when your bones shift around when your young. This may be tumultuous but I know someone up there is looking out for me and that everything is going to turn out ok.