Farewell/Follow Friday

Today is a special Friday. And when I say special, I mean SPECIAL. First of all, today is my last day at my current job. Hip hip hooray! Yes, you read that correctly - my grand finale. It's time to move on to bigger and better things and next week I will finally tell you where my journey is taking me next [I've made you wait long enough, right?]

I looked back at some of my work pictures [which, oddly enough, consist of mainly my "good morning" pictures and pictures of rescue dogs] and got a little teary-eyed. I know one day, once I've moved on to my next chapter, I'll look back and miss the memories I made there.

Also, today, I'm co-hosting Follow Friday with Hollie and Megan! It's seriously my lucky day, is it not? Let me tell ya... it's an awesome way to find new bloggy friends!

So, here's how it works:

Follow Friday is kind of like a blog directory once a month! There are no minimum requirements for what you need to do to link up! Just submit your blog link [under the one corresponding blog genre that fits your blog - fashion/beauty OR lifestyle.]

However, we would appreciate it if you found at least 3-5 new blogs you'd LIKE to follow and follow them via Google Friend Connect (GFC). Comment and let them know you found them thru Follow Friday! This way, the purpose of this project actually works!

Please spread the word through Twitter/Instagram/your blog because, the more people that link up, the more new blogs we have to follow! :)

And that's it! Happy Friday, friends! And Happy Follow Fridaying if you participate! Time to go enjoy my last day of work! ;)

Fashion/Beauty Blogs:

Lifestyle Blogs:

Laughs Lately

I was babysitting my cute, little niece Aubrey the other night. I always enjoy our time together because, regardless of what kind of day I've had, she makes me laugh.

Aubrey's most recent favorite thing to do is to tuck you in to bed. I laid down on the floor, she came over and said, "night night," closed my eyes for me, rubbed my back, and covered me with a blanket. Except, the blanket has to be just right. How adorable. I asked Aubrey if she was going to go to Harvard and she said, "Yep."

In order to fix the vision in one of her eyes, she just started wearing glasses which she absolutely loves! She looked at me, with a very concerned expression on her face, held her arms out to the side while shrugging her shoulders and said, "Chelsea... where are your glasses?"

Now, I hardly ever wear my glasses. Only when I have horrible migraines from staring at the computer screen at work. Oops. So, Aubrey had never even seen me in glasses, just assumed that everyone had some. I remembered that I had my glasses in my purse so, without her looking, I snuck over and put them on. She was thrilled :)

She is also thrilled with the fact that we can see ourselves while taking pictures on my iPhone. Try taking pictures with the screen facing away, and she'll grab the phone and turn it back around. What a goober! She makes me laugh. Here are some other things that make me laugh:

1. TMNT Tee - I always wanted to be "Don"
2. Butta USB Hand Warmers - I know I'm not the only one whose hands turn blue when I get to work.
3. Sorry We're Closed Eye Mask - ...Get it?
4. Correcting Your Grammar Sign - Sad but true...

You're probably wondering where I find all this random craziness. Have you heard of Fab.com? If not, it's this awesome sale website I found full of eclectic furniture, clothes, tech accessories, etc. I signed up to get their emails everyday where they feature new products that are on sale and I always see something that makes me crack up. Even if you don't sign up for their emails, check out Fab.com from time to time. You just might find something you like :)

Lastly, this one isn't necessarily funny but it IS amazing! Pinterest just announced their SECRET BOARDS! Oh, yes... it's happening. Now, if you want to a create a holiday shopping board or a board for a new project you're keeping secret - bam! You're welcome ;)

What makes you laugh lately? Oh, and get ready... big things are happening on the blog tomorrow.

Little Lady

As I was looking through old pictures this weekend, searching for pictures of Missy, I stumbled upon some oldies but goodies. Some that made me all sentimental and reminiscent and some that cracked me up hysterically.

The below picture was one of my mom's favorites. I seriously owe so much of what I know to that wonderful woman. And whenever I think about being a lady, I think of this picture. 

Sure, you see the floral jumper that I'm wearing, the pink, the frilly lace socks [you know you had them too.] And of course, you see the jellies on my little, crossed legs.

But to me, being a lady is about poise and purpose. It's about being strong. Determined. Knowledgeable. Loving. Hard-working. Respectful. 

Today, I'll be waking up at the crack of dawn to cast my vote in my third Presidential Election. I've chosen to take the route of not posting my political beliefs across social media. To me, it's a very personal and private decision. And this post has nothing to do with which candidate I will be voting for.

It's just a post expressing my gratitude and excitement about voting on Election Day. There were so many strong, determined, and knowledgeable women who fought and sacrificed so much to help us gain the right to vote back in 1920. So, if a male decides to send me a rather rude and un-called for message in response [which may or may not have happened] I'll just cross my jellies again and smile :)

Here's to the United States of America. To our rights and freedoms. To loving and respecting our fellow Americans. To growing from little girls to voting women :)

All Cats Go to Heaven

As the clocks turned back early this morning, God gave me another angel. My sweet cat Missy of sixteen years now joins my mom.

Missy was old and within the past few weeks, I just knew she wasn't doing well. Her weight plummeted. She was barely eating and spent most of her time with her head on the water bowl. I had noticed her labored breathing and Friday night saw that it had gotten worse. She seemed desperate for air as she had to start opening her mouth for oxygen. She seemed better the next morning.

But Saturday night, I got home and took one look at her. She wasn't okay. Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth as she gasped for air. I could see it in her eyes. I laid there on the floor with her, not knowing what to do, feeling helpless. In all honesty, I thought she might die there in my arms as I cried.

After rushing her to the pet emergency room, the vet confirmed that Missy was in critical condition and that her prognosis would not be good. X-Rays showed a large amount of fluid surrounding her lungs and after looking at the fluid, the doctor predicted this was heart disease leading to congestive heart failure.

My heart ached. I picked Missy out of her litter when I was in fifth grade after years and years of begging for a kitten. She was my little girl and was there through all phases of my life. I always feared the day when I'd have to say goodbye. And there I was, at 2:00am in the emergency room with my cat hooked up to oxygen, knowing that in mere minutes I'd have to say goodbye.

I sat there on the cold surface, listening to a dog whimper in the back room, being faced with the reality of death again this year. The reality of how quickly such a big part of your life can be taken.

"Say your last goodbyes."

The absolute worst phrase that can be said in your lifetime. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, as difficult as that. Those last moments.

Nothing will replace Missy.

Finding her in the silliest places as a baby kitten.

The mornings I'd wake up to her "making biscuits" on my back.

The loud rumble that I'd hear as she purred next to me.

Turning around to see her doing "the squirrel."

Being total goofballs together.

Our sweet "see you laters" when I'd cry at the thought of being without her...

But most of all, I'll just miss Missy. My sweet, little kitty.

Early November Favorites

The past week has been a whirlwind. I spent part of it in California, part of it in a hurricane, and the rest pulling my hair out at work. So, this week's Friday Favorites... yeah, they'll be all over the place, too.

I'm linking up with the hilarious and gorgeous Lindsey - glad she's bringing this link-up back ;)

Favorite Meal

No. Shame. I don't even eat red meat. But I eat In-N-Out. And this wasn't the only time during my trip. And, no, I don't order anything fancy-schmancy. Just the "#2 without." And I sit outside and relish in the warm, California sun while I enjoy this deliciousness.

And then there's the occasional Neo Shake. Can I marry In-N-Out?

Favorite Outfit

Who knew that I'd show up to work yesterday wearing this golden yellow sweater and my favorite scarf and get constant remarks made about how I was dressed in Fall colors? Wow, crazy concept. But, seriously... I love these colors together and *did* feel very Fall-like. Perfect for November!

Favorite Quote

This is me right now. To a T! Now, keep in mind... I am one of the least daring people. I am scared of anything and everything. But when it comes to the above, I am the first one to support that philosophy. LIVE. Find what makes you happy and never go back :)

Favorite Song

So, I was sitting at my gate in San Diego, waiting to board my plane two days early due to Hurricane Sandy getting ready to hit the East Coast. I decided to download some new songs and saw the FREE "Single of the Week" just so happened to be called "Hurricane."

Let's just say this cute song by Bridgit Mendler was what I was listening to while this dude wouldn't leave me alone. It's fun and the lyrics just so happen to be pretty true to my life's current events. Check it out!

Favorite Beauty Product

Full review to come but just know that I had been wanting to try the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk for about a year and finally got my hands on it. It's perfect for brightening up your eyes on those tired days!

What are some of your most recent favorites?

Be sure to check back next week for many exciting things, including one of the biggest announcements to hit Life is a Sunset!!! :)

Powerless Entertainment

Being without power for an extended period of time requires you to get creative: With what you eat, how you stay warm, how you stay entertained, how you charge your phone, even how you sleep.

I was prepared for the power to go out and kept my phone on the charger throughout the beginning of the storm until that dreaded moment when everything went quiet. I turned my phone off right away to preserve the battery and eventually just went to sleep. But then I'd wake up and get restless, so I'd turn on my phone and starting pinning. Or tweeting. Or pinning again. I did a lot of pinning in those 36 hours of darkness.

When I wasn't pinning, I was huddled up under five blankets trying to get my toes warm. They remained icicles until my little 16-year-old cat finally got up on the couch and laid down on them. Bless her little heart.

As the phone started to die, that meant it was time for a drive. Not only to charge up the phone battery, but to warm up the blood as well. Blast the heat and turn on the seat warmers - you know the drill. But let's be honest... my battery only got up to 60% before it was time to enter the dark, cold dungeon again.

So, I'd alternate between Pretty Little Liars on Netflix [helloooo, Mr. Fitz!] and... pinning!

I pinned everything from Christmas decor [Can you believe Christmas is next month?]

... to wedding party gifts [because it's never too early to plan]

... to DIY faux furniture [who knew there was such a thing, right?]

I came up with a lot of great decor ideas thanks to Pinterest. Many of which I plan to utilize soon. I did consider using all my time without power to just have a jewelry making marathon and whip up a bunch of these bad boys for my shop...

... but then I realized power was also very necessary to make those as well. So, PLL and Pinterest it was, until my battery went down to about 25% and I started to get anxiety. At that point, I figured it was time to surrender and just go to bed early. But, you see, I was still overly-cautious about the possibility of trees falling.

So, I slept on the floor.

Underneath ten blankets. And you think I'm exaggerating...

That night, I remember having a dream of being at church and singing one of my favorite hymns. Then, I remember we were walking out of the church. I woke up in real life and opened my eyes, only to see a light on ahead of me.

Let there be light! Whether you're religious or not, you have to admit the "coincidence" of that dream and the power finally going back on after 36 hours is pretty neat :)

Also, do you like how this post is titled "Powerless Entertainment" but most of my entertainment was still squeezed out of my remaining iPhone battery power? Needless to say, I am grateful for power. And tonight in my dreams, I shall pray for the restoration of power to all those still without it :) Let. There. Be. LIGHT!

A Halloween Travel Nightmare

Several of you have been total sweethearts and have checked in on my whereabouts and safety due to Hurricane Sandy hitting smack-dab in the middle of my scheduled trip back to the East Coast. It was really quite frustrating to be in the midst of blue sky, 80 degree weather, palm trees, and the ocean and to still be thinking about/figuring out travel arrangements back to the area about to be hit by this "Frankenstorm." I figured I'd be stuck in California until the end of the week since my Tuesday evening arrival in DC wasn't looking too promising.

Thanks to Southwest being AMAZING and offering all those whose flights would be affected by the hurricane to reschedule their flights at no charge at all, I was able to fly in late Sunday night. We were told it was THE last flight into Dulles Airport. If I had taken any later flight, I would be stuck in no man's land. God was sure looking out for me on that one.

And the travel gods were surely looking out for me that day as well. I made it from my hotel, to the rental car office, on the shuttle to the airport, dropped off my luggage, went through security, and was sitting at my gate in twenty minutes. Twenty! 

It was a crazy hectic day to be traveling that day. We had a layover in Chicago without a change in planes. As we landed there, the pilot said, "Well, those of you traveling on to DC... your fight has not been cancelled yet." Nice. So, those of us continuing on, stayed on the plane and all huddled together to talk about what we had heard about the storm/travel. Way to go, team!

I am sure after reading this post on my crazy flying rituals, you all can only imagine how thrilled I was to fly through the air while "the storm of a lifetime" was about to hit. The countless warnings from the pilot about "keeping the fasten seatbelt sign on" did not make me feel any more assured. Nor did the announcement that the flight attendants needed to collect trash early and return to their seats. I prepared for the worst. And took pictures to distract myself.

Oh, did I mention how a guy decided to chat me up while standing in line to board the plane in San Diego? During our layover in Chicago, he made it a point to come sit next to me on the plane and continue to chat me up. This did not go over well when my flying rituals began.  I mean, seriously... can't you see that I am trying to pray here?! Back off, homeboy. And then I got made fun of for burying my head in my hand during take-off. AND he used MY tray table because he was busy watching a movie on his laptop... which he invited me to watch along with him. I declined.

And when the turbulence got unbearable and I really buried my head in my hand, not only did he tell me I shouldn't do that because it would only make me more dizzy [thanks, dude, but I think I know what works for me] he put his hand on my knee and said, "It'll be okay." I beg your pardon?! 

That plane could not have landed soon enough.

I landed. Then got hit by the hurricane. Then lost power for 36 hours. Why did I leave California early again? What's one of your travel nightmares?

Oh, and Happy Halloween :) Michael Myers [my biggest fear] comes out tonight...