The Pattern Game.

I am usually not the most fond of mixing patterns, mostly because I wonder.... " Am I going to pull this off? " or " Are people going to look at me and think it was an obvious laundry day?"

 But guess what? I don't care and It's fun.

Sometimes when I put together outfits like this I feel like a child again.

My mother never told me how to dress growing up and you should see some of the outfits I came up with....

I knew that both of these pattern's wouldn't go extremely well together but I still sported them.

Sometimes this is just what you must do...

Be brave, it's what fashion is about.

P.S. You know its bad when your father says to you, " Hilary, animal print and stripes? Do you know they are different? " Ha.

I mean, lets get real, this is coming from a man who finds it appropriate to wear a jean shirt and jeans.

I have seen this happening out there on the streets lately and in fashion, but no thank you.

I will never pick up on that fashion backwards move.

Shirt: F21. Cardigan: The Gap. Pants: Roxy. Shoes: Dexter. Necklace: F21. Earrings: F21.

Now ladies, lets go find the two most absurd things in our closet and show off our distinct style!

********************

Let me share with you another thing I haven't done in a VERY LONG while :

Straightening my hair.

I usually think it turns out dopy, but I really wanted to try something different than the usual waves I sport every day.

I bought a new Pixi hair straightener and it really does amazing things.

My hair has never gotten this strait from other ceramic tools. 

I highly recommend this.

Have a good one everyone and fashion forward!

( I love when I post outfits because I think I am the least likely person you should listen too about fashion, but it's fun to hopefully inspire people to think outside of the box. )

EXTRAS!

A Little warm Valentines card two of my favorites sent to the apartment:

Ok girls, thanks for being HORRIBLY cute!

*: Kisses :*

It's real

The tickets came in the mail... FINALLY!

SASQUATCH TICKETS!!!!

LOVE.

XOXO.

JGL

This is pretty ridiculous that I am doing this and extremely selfish, but I am pretty much only doing this for my own pleasure.

I would like a place I can go to look at pictures of JGL whenever I want and not have to rummage around.

This is my place.

Now let me be......

:)

Let me leave you with this little number :)

WATCH JGL!

This second clip I am sharing of him is one of a few little shorts that he produces and acts in. I love watching them and it shows his true talent and his creative mind.

Morgan and Destiny's Eleventeenth Date.

Reason's I love JGL:

- First off, he is adorable.

- I love that he seems to be an old soul. When I say this I mean that he likes older more sophisticated things in life. He expresses those in his fashion, music, movies, hobbies and books.

- He is manly and very smart.

- Funny

- Musically talented

- Goofy laugh. I love it. To me it's so different that I ever would expect when I look at him. It's so deep.

I guess the list could go on....but I'll stop here.

Ugggggg!

LOVE.

XOXO.

Bluegrass and Hockey.

Last night I went to a blue grass show with my parents at a local venue called " The State Room."

It was so much fun. I haven't been to a blue grass show with my parents in years.

When I was younger that was our family tradition.

Music festivals and camping.

Boy do I miss those days, but last night made me realize how much I love my parents and how lucky I was to have those experiences when I was younger.

It doesn't seem that many people did and I realize now it shaped me into the person I am today.

So, first off let me begin with this;

My parents are serious music lovers and go to probably as many shows I do, which I find incredible.

Of course my parents are the nerds who need to be first in line in order to get their "favorite" seats so yes, we arrived an hour early.

It gave us good time to catch up and for me to see them in their musical element.

I can't tell you how many people my parents know just from going to shows.

It was absolutely hilarious and adorable to see them interacting with tons of folks their age all talking about music and cracking jokes left and right.

People would ask my parents where the best seats to sit were, and the best beer to buy.

I'm a proud daughter. I am.

Pre-show photo op:

( This was the best I could do, my dad doesn't like taking photos....and of course knowing my mother she is cringing knowing I am posting this photo, but guess what mom.... you're beautiful! )

Opening act was a female singer who I can't say I loved.

I felt like every song she played sounded the same and sadly bored me.

However, once Tim came up and duet ed with her... it was music to my ears.

After her set there was a short little intermission.

It was wonderful.

 During the break a friend of mine that I haven't seen in ages stopped over to say "hi."

It was funny.

We were both there with our parents and let me tell you, her and I were the youngest ones there by a good 30  years.

Two 24 year olds in a sea of grey hair... just picture that. Ha.

Still makes me laugh.

She was beautiful and captivating as always and if you read this Gemma, it was so good to see you!

Then, the man came on.

Tim O'Brien.

Tim was amazing.

His voice is flawless and perfect.

His music is fun and chirpy.

Not to mention he made the room howl in laughter with each story and joke he told.

Here are a few that I loved:

" What is red but smells like blue paint?"

- Red Paint. I'm doing a service project.

" Is it tomato or tomatoe?"

- Is what is tomato or tomatoe?

** Also I understand you would not find these jokes funny if you weren't there... so bare with me and believe me that they were really funny. He also had a good joke about a drunk man who crawled home and the punch line ended in something about him leaving his wheelchair at the bar...**

His music is influenced from music all over the world which is what created the awe.

He played a ton of different types of guitars and mandolin's, but my favorite by far was the fiddle.

I can tell you right now, I'm obsessed with the fiddle.

Surrounded by beer burps and the stomping of every one's feet in the room I can say that was a great memory I will keep with me forever.

There is something magical when a man with only a microphone and a guitar can cause a sold out show to stomp their feet to an imaginary beat and we are all connected in that moment.

I know that sounds corny, but I do find it moving.

I ALWAYS without a doubt stomp to the beat of a song I hear or tap my fingers or hands to the beat in my head. Its that act you automatically make when you can FEEL the music within yourself.

Let me end you with this little gem of an image.

My parents sharing a pair of binoculars, yes binoculars to watch Tim play his guitar.

Let me tell you, we were only 20 feet from the man, but it's a constant that they participate in when going to shows.

They explain to me every time, how much they love to see exactly how the artist at the time is playing each instrument, and actually when I think about it it's pretty awesome that they care so much about how the music is made that they want to get as close to the hands performing as they can.

However, I don't want to look like an idiot, so I always pass on the offer.

And to the hockey.

Last night the Wings played the Vancouver Canucks.

They are the closest in scoring averages and are the best two teams to watch when it comes to rivalry.

Sadly, my father and I could not watch the game so a good friend of mine humored us by keeping us updated on every goal and memorable play of the game.

Text from Nick: Daniel Sedin just tied it up with 15.4 seconds left!!!!!

My father and I after we read the bad news via phone: " Damn it!"

Yes, we tried our best to keep our hockey feelings to minimum while the show played, but we ended up being more vocal than we wanted. I think that might have to do with the fact my father has no idea how to whisper.

The show ended and my parents walked me to my car.

" This is my baby girl!" my dad kept telling people as we walked....

It's touching when your parent's, especially your father wants to show you off ...

I love you mom and dad!

I couldn't honestly ask for any two greater people to be my parents!

I had a blast last night and I am already looking forward to the next show I can see with them in the future.

LOVE.

XOXO.

My Personal Vice.

Today in one of my Communication classes my teacher asked us to think about our personal vices.

The things within us that keep us from having positive interactions with others.

Attributes to our personalities that can hold us back from becoming better people.

I started to think....

I personally thought this was really hard.

I mean how often do you sit and think about what you do to ruin relationships and cause havoc.

This is what I came up with myself..

1) I care too much what people think of me.

2) I wear my heart on my shoulder and am too honest.

3) I am more insecure than I thought.

4) I'm emotional.

5) I live for other people.

I think all of these things make my relationships positive and negative.

I think once people get to know me, they understand all of these attributes to my personality, and know I just care so much about people and their well being that I kind of smother people.

1) I care too much what people think of me.

I wish so much I could be one of those people that didn't care what others thought of her, but I'm not. I don't care in the sense of my clothing style or if people think I am good looking, but I care about if people think I am a good person. I care about this A LOT.

I try to live my life day to day by exuding positivity and sometimes I think I can be too much.

Say the word, "sorry."

I usually don't like when people say " I'm sorry" all the time because most of the time I don't think people mean it and they say it to get out of certain things or to smooth things over.

I also think most the time people say it because it's just what you're suppose to say.

I noticed I say "sorry" like the plague when I feel I have done something wrong.

That feeling will haunt me until I know for sure its resolved. 

I do this though truly because I'm sorry and I want the people I am saying it to, to know how deeply sorry I am. This "sorry" is coming from deep inside of my heart and I want you to know that.

Also when I say I'm sorry to someone I always need to explain myself.

I have the kind of mind that I NEED someone to know where I'm coming from.

I need people to know exactly why I feel the way I feel.

Too much? I'm sure.

2) I wear my heart on my shoulder and am too honest.

This is something that I have been complimented on before but I think this gets me into a lot of trouble most of the time.

I am not a person who keeps her feelings to herself.

Maybe that's the Interpersonal Comm major in me, or the fact  my parents always told me to never be afraid to express to people how I feel.

Most of the time I'm sure I share things with people that I don't need too, but I don't know any other way.

It's kind of like that saying " what you see is what you get." Except its more like " what you hear is what you get."

Now, don't take this the wrong way.

I NEVER, EVER say things or show feelings of hate towards people, at least I try not too.

I don't want to ever hurt someone's feelings.

I guess what I'm trying to share is that if I like you, you're going to know. If I don't, I'll try not to show it, but because I can't hide my feelings well, you might know. This is where I really need to work on myself.

Also my honesty.

This can be a major deal breaker.

At the end of the day I just want you to know how I feel about you, in the most positive of ways.

I think people deserve to know that.

3) I am more insecure than I thought.

It amazes me sometimes when I tell people I have insecurities and they don't believe me.

They say things like, " but you're so pretty..." or "you're so funny..." I have had the comments... " but everyone loves you" or " boys always like you."

First off, thank you for the people who do say these things to me :) It really makes me feel warm inside.

The truth is, I have insecurities like every other people on the planet.

What is weird to me, is the older I get the worse I find these feelings get.

Maybe it's because like my number one problem, the older I get I care more what people think.

At the end of the day I just want to be the best person I can and I want the people around me to feel that I  care about them.

Like every girl on the planet, I get insecure about the way my body looks. I get insecure about my acne that decided to show itself the older I got ( what the hell hormones ). I get insecure about if people think I'm funny or if people think I am a fun enough personality to want to hang around.

4) I'm emotional.

Lord. I don't even need to say more about it.

A lot of things easily make me cry.

I wouldn't say it's a "cry baby" kind of way, and it's definitely not an "unstable" kind of cry.

I just have so many emotion's inside of me all the time.

Like I'm listening to a Bon Iver song right now and I can't even tell you the emotions running through me right now. It's a body high.

Also, when I say emotional, its not just sadness its mostly happiness.

I probably cry more about happiness than any other thing.

I am totally that chick who cries during movies, commercials, stories, music.

Yeah, I bet that just scared a lot of people away.

5) I live for other people.

The older I get I think this one really hits home to me.

I think most of my life I have lived for other people and not always did what I wanted.

I always want people to be happy, so I think I give things up for people in order for them to feel this way.

I still think this is important, but other people's happiness kind of surpasses my own.

I think this is what I need to work most on.

I want to feel independent.

I want to feel that I can do things without people holding my hands.

I think I live in the "comfortable" state of mind most the time and I would like to get out of that rut.

The feeling of uneasiness you get from stepping outside of your comfort zone is pretty terrifying to me, but at the same time it's what I live for.

I want that feeling more than people understand.

***********

It amazes me that being 24 years old I don't know enough about myself.
I am such an over analyzer and my brain never stops thinking which makes me:
- uncomfortable being alone.
- uncomfortable in silence.
- uncomfortable in new places
These are all things that I am working on about myself.
I can't wait to see the beautiful change that will be made within myself now that I am opening myself up to these new possibilities.
I want to be the best person I can be for myself for once, but not just for other people.

** You should look deep into yourself and what your vices are and what you can do to change them. It's a very powerful feeling **

LOVE.
XOXO.

A Few Questions Answered...

The fun part about having a blog is when people email you, and I will tell you it happens more often than I would ever think.

It was a little weird when people started doing so, because I thought to myself....

" People are actually interested in my life...? "

I have saved a few questions and am going to answer them today.

#1

A question I got about a month ago from a male reader was;

"What is your perfect man?"

( never would have thought I would receive this question, but here is your answer....)

First off, this is a really good question and it is causing me to look down deep.

 What is fun is that for every woman it is different.

I think number one is, personality.

Such an obvious answer and I feel women always say this is their first attracted attribute, but it's true.

I need a man, yes I like men more than boys, who is going to make me laugh and has a positive outlook on life.

I love when a man can be sweet to you but also tease you. This is a must to me.

If a boy can point out my flaws but in a silly way I think that is always attractive.

I need a man who wants to protect me, but also gives me my own space to breathe.

Knowledge is also a huge turn on. If someone can keep a conversation with me and also teach me new things about life that I didn't know. It can't get any better.

 I think it's also so important in a significant other, for that person to have a need for travel and me being an animal lover, I need him to want to listen to me talk about science and animals for hours. 

( Yes, I'm a nerd.)

He needs to be able to watch nature documentaries and hockey without being bored ( even if he is, he doesn't show it. )

And lastly, positivity, positivity, positivity.

No one wants to date someone who doesn't look for the good in everything. To me it shows you have a big heart.

As for the way a man dresses.

This can MAKE or BREAK a person.

I'm sorry. That sounds horrible, but it's true. I can't tell you how many times in my life I have thought someone looked attractive, but once I looked down at their shoes and they we wearing some big DC clunkers, it's done. There is no hope for you.

( Damn, that sounds sooo harsh, but I know ladies know what I'm saying.....)

The older I get the more I like a put together man more than a guy who doesn't care what they put on.

Here are some images of a good looking, dressed man...

Ha, as you can tell from the images, facial hair is a must as well.

Facial hair is just so sexy!

I also love flat brimmed hats, can't go wrong with a flat brimmed hat.

( However I'm thinking if you put my favorite things all together in one outfit, it might not look so great.)

Anyways, that was fun. I'm not going to lie, looking up good looking men is something I'm not going to complain about.

#2

A few times I have been asked;

" What is your go to outfit?"

When I hear this, I imagine this is asking what do I wear most or just times that I'm not dressing to impress.

Easy.

- White T-Shirt

- Jeans

- Sunglasses

- Running shoes or flats

- Hair tied up.

Shirt: TJ Maxx. Pants: Roxy. Shoes: Solomon.

It's just a very comfortable and simple outfit.

This is also so universal.

Say I wanted to wear this out at night? Instead of running shoes, heels. Instead of hair up, lay it down and add some curl. Add some smoky eyes and done.

#3

"What do you do for work? What is your dream job?"

Sometimes I think people ask this question because they expect people who have blogs like mine to work somewhere cool in the fashion or make up industry.

Or maybe just has the coolest job that you have never heard of before?

( This is what I think about when I look at other people's blogs, I know I can't be alone...)

My job.

I work at a local hospital here in Salt Lake City.

I work for the company Intermountain Health Care as a Medical Secretary.

Is it my dream job?

Absolutely not, but I don't have much to complain about.

I have worked for this company for over 4 years and have worked in so many areas in that time.

I started in Pediatrics and loved it. Children are so much fun to be around all day, except during flu season. Oh god, I don't even want to go into this detail.

After a few years I moved on to Psychiatry.

This is the area that really and truly caught my attention.

I would like to work in Psychiatry one day if I don't ever get to my so called "dream" job.

I find it fascinating how people think, and how experiences in peoples lives can affect how people respond to things in the world.

Now, I work in the Sleep Disorders Center in the same hospital as Psych.

Its interesting that's for sure.

I don't know how long I will work for this company, but I do know that they treat me really well and I have the best boss in the world so for now, I'm happy.

Dream Job.

If could go back in time to when I started school I would have gone into biology. Marine Biology would be my ultimate dream, but guess what... I live in a desert and brine shrimp really aren't up to par on my marine life interest.

I was too frightened as a freshman thinking that I couldn't bring myself to be smart enough to complete such a major, but I wish now that I had.

My dream is to work with animals one day and mostly focus on endangered animals or the coral reef.

Both of these topics get the best of me.

When I started school I went into film.

I did this because I felt if I couldn't be a biologist I could at least film biologists.

Then I found out, film wasn't for me.

I then moved into the major I am in now, which is Communications.

I would like to work in the Communications department of a non-profit animal group.

That for me is my dream that I can make a possible reality.

#4

" What is your favorite piece of jewelry?"

This is such a good question and so excited to answer it.

My favorite piece is one I haven't had for very long.

It's a necklace my father gave to me that he bought at an art festival while my mother was pregnant.

It was a festival my father and mother went to together and he was overcome with the need to purchase it, which I'm so glad he did and even more glad he wanted me to have it.

It's an old Greek coin.

Someone decided to cut out certain areas of the coin to make the owl stand out.

It's beautiful and I wear this more than anything I own.

#5

" What piece of make up could you not live without? "

Oh man. I love make up. I do.

I may not be that girl who buys Chanel or that girl who is always at the Mac counter asking to try on every color of lipstick, but I love make up enough I buy a new item almost every week.

The Physicians Formula Bronzer is my ultimate choice of make up I can't live without.

It's the perfect color.

Not too orange. It give just the right amount of glow.

I love in the summer this is all I wear.

I highly recommend this product.

As a recovering indoor tanning addict this helps me along in the colder winter months.

I can feel like I have been in the sun without actually being in it.

It's perfect.

#6

" What is your favorite type of music?"

This question is very hard for me.

I love everything.

If I had to pick my favorite type of music I would probably say..." folk rock."

Growing up my parents would take me to bluegrass festivals it seems almost every weekend.

We would camp out and watch bluegrass bands for days. 

These memories I think are what make my love for folky music so intense.

I can't say I'm into "country" or hick like folk, but good and well done bluegrass and folk is really what get's me going.

If you listen to any of the music I share on this blog the bands usually have some sort of low key folk sound.

This Thursday I'm actually going to see my parents and I's favorite bluegrass singer. I remember him playing in the back ground of a lot of my child hood memories. I can't wait to share this with my parents..

***Listen to Tim!!!!***

His name is Tim O'Brien and we are seeing him at The State Room.

I cannot wait!!

Like I said though, I love everything.

When it comes to music I am a lyrics fanatic. Songs mean so much to me and really help me understand feelings and life.

When I talk to people about music I like it usually starts with...." Have you listened to what this song is about? Listen to the lyrics. It makes me think about ______, or ________."

I am one to look up lyrics of a song to see what the meaning is and how it pertains to my life. and my emotions.

Embarrassingly, I am a very emotional person and music brings this out in me.

I just wish I had the talent to write my own music and lyrics.

Believe me, I would have a lot to say.

As we speak I can't stop listening to this Bon Iver mix.

*LISTEN!!!!*

I have had it on repeat for almost 24 hours. Seriously, this is no a joke.

He is fu*king brilliant and his voice is something else.

Let me know if you guys have any other questions to ask me....

I would love to answer them!

Just email me at the bottom of my links :)

Thanks everyone for listening :)

***********************************

Just wanted to add my obsession with Anderson Cooper is sky rocketing.

I love him.

Just love him.

This clip I am about to share is old, but it cracks me  up....

Funny Anderson Cooper...WATCH!

I am just in love.

( Sorry for my girlie high school crush rant.... )

Watched his show " Anderson " today and this is what made me add this in. 100 episodes.

Congrats Anderson.

Love you :)

LOVE.

XOXO.

Charismatic Glow

So, last night I went to Kilby Court for a music show and would like to fill you in on it.

I had gone kind of on a quick decision.

A friend of mine had sent me a link on Facebook telling me I would enjoy the music being played and I should give it a shot.

I'm glad I did :)

They were three wonderful bands.

However, my only con, is do not go see their shows if you are in ANY WAY tired.

All three of the performances were more of say a "coffee shop"sound.

Very mellow, very low key.

First, yesterday I woke up at 7 am, for the only reason I cannot sleep in.

It's a very sad curse.

Second, I had a very intense workout at the gym and boy did it wipe me out.

Third, I highly recommend not going to a show to stand for 3-4 hours after such a workout.

My back was in so much pain I was that girl trying to do yoga moves in the middle of a crowded garage in order to save my sanity.

I'm sure I was the talk of some conversations of how "weird" I might be.

Because we all know when you go to a show you seem to find those people in the crowd whom you label as "weird" and seem to keep an eye on them all night, as if they were a story book character and you need to see how the story plays out.

Also let me point out to you, I fell asleep TWICE standing with my head down.

I came too to obvious loud chorus melodies with drool running down my face.

I can only imagine the type of face a person must have when they come back to reality that they are standing in a room full of people, sleeping, and frankly at a show. 

Never happened to me before this moment.

Awkward.

However I must say, all the music was really good and I loved them all.

I would suggest that they play in a location where people can sit down and drink some sort of caffeinated beverage for their next show, but they are all highly worth looking into.

I'll share.

Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm.

I posted them on my last post.

They were terrific.

Listen.

Breathe Owl Breathe.

They were a little goofy and quite charismatic.

The music was again, terrific.

This was my favorite song they played :)

Listen.

Lastly was Laura Gibson.

First off, she is adorable.

Her voice is terribly beautiful and different.

She sounds very similar to  Zooey Deschanel's.

Listen.

During her set I was standing against the window looking into the fire pit and I can easily say it was perfect.

I just put my head against the window and stared into the face of the fire with her vocals in my ear.

So relaxing.

( I still wish that I had a chair with my body aching from head to toe and eyes quickly becoming a "slow blink." )

I later got a wave from all the men sitting here at this fire. They might have been slightly creeped out by my stance and my face against the window looking quite zombie like just watching them as if they were my own personal TV program.

" Maybe if we wave at her she won't come and eat us..."

Laura ended the show in the most unique way and it was something so special.

She had the collection of us gather around the fire pit and gave us a tune to hum.

Once we all got the humming down she started to sing.

Her voice is so angelic.

It was beautifully amazing and of course once she started to sing the snow started to fall.

Really everyone, this was incredible.

I hope you all have a great rest of your weekend and holiday tomorrow.

I know I will :)

LOVE.

XOXO.