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Friday, July 29, 2011

Fill in the Blank Friday {11}

Happy Friday!!!! I’d be embarrassed to tell you what time I went to bed last night/this morning. It was one of those nights where I decided to log into an old email account and read through random emails from four years ago. It was interesting.  AND today I’m GOING TO THE DENTIST! I don’t normally enjoy the dentist but let’s just say I got a little behind in my 6 month cleanings and scored a sweet LivingSocial deal which means I’m going to have fresh pearly whites in less than 24 hours. Report to come.

Now, it’s time for Fill in the Blank Friday. This week you get to learn some of the basics about moi! I’m linking up with The Little Things We Do!

1.  My favorite color is    turquoise/teal!!!!! I’m obsessed!

2.  My travel destination of choice is     San Francisco if we’re talking about domestic travel. It’s honestly a toss-up with San Diego, but since I’ve been giving SD so much Fill in the Blank love, I’m going with SF! I’ve been to San Francisco a couple times and got a great feel for all that wonderful city has to offer. I appreciate SF for its variety of “districts” yet big city feel with a whole lot of character. Not to mention there is an endless list of things to do there. Endless.

SanFrancicsco

Yes, this is from the opening scene in Full House {my favorite TV show ever} and yes I am wearing white aviators. Don’t judge. This is from 2007-2008. Blonde and tan. Sigh.

I’d choose Austria if we’re talking internationally. I loved everything about that sweet and beautiful country; the people, the views, the culture, and the food. There was something about being there that made me feel home almost. Check out gorgeous Salzburg below!

Salzburg

via

3.  My favorite  food is     seafood, more specifically crab legs and sushi! Crab legs are a real treat for me though since I usually only eat them once a year {on my birthday!} When I’m on the East Coast though with my family, we sure chow down on seafood! “Crabcakes and football! That’s what Maryland does!” Name that movie!

4.  My happy place is     Barnes & Noble. I’m not a book worm but I find total peace just walking into B&N, browsing the shelves, and sitting down with a drink and a stack of books to flip through. If I’m having a bad day or just need to be on my own, that’s where I go. It’s therapy for me!

5.  My favorite saying is    "This above all: to thine own self be true” William Shakespeare from Hamlet. As well as everything Ralph Waldo Emerson has ever said. I adore those two men! There are a few other favorite sayings that I consider to be absolute favorites too.

6.  My dirty little secret is     I have to take medication in order to fly. Have to. Because otherwise, I might literally go into cardiac arrest. Oh, and even with the medication, I still panic. I am starting to panic just thinking about it. Can we change the subject??

7.  Something friends might say about me is that I     am a funny and totally random goof-ball. Was I the class clown? Heck no. I’m quiet and reserved when I first meet you and probably for a couple weeks after that. But, once I’m super comfortable around you, you’ll start hearing all the funny voices I do, and impersonations, and off-the-wall random stuff I come up with.

---

Hopefully you learned a little bit more about the girl behind this blog! So, what do ya say, friends? Who’s coming on a trip to San Francisco or Austria with me? Just don’t make me fly ;)

Friday’s Fancies | Fresh Squeezed Limeade

Not only do I LOVE me some cherry limeade from Sonic {thanks to my sweet Southern co-workers during work training in Alabama one year} but I also adore lime in the wardrobe this Summer. I’m pretty sure I don’t actually own any lime currently, but if I went on a shopping spree for a fun, bright outfit, I’m about to show you what’d I’d get. I’m linking up with {av} over at {long distance loving} :)

Lime green reminds me of two things: the 90’s because it was one of my favorite colors. I even considered painting my entire room lime green. Thank you, Mom and Dad for talking me out of that one! It also reminds me of the 70’s. Hello go-go boots and polyester! So, I made a little 70’s-inspired modern outfit:

Fresh-Squeezed Limeade
 

I think lime green looks stellar paired with navy! Soooo, I picked some fun navy wide-legged pants that I can only wish would look good on little petite me! I found this dainty and adorable flower-child style blouse (which is only $11 right now! Amazing) that looks darling with the pants. Then, of course, it was all about lime green accessories with a splash of bling. Add some big retro sunglasses and you’ve got yourself a 70’s-chic outfit! Oh, and how can you not love the lime green quilted Chanel handbag?!

I think this is a fun and classy outfit that could be worn during the day while shopping and then later for dinner and a night out on the town!

When styled correctly, I truly think lime green can be beautiful! Luckily, neons are back in the fashion world! Does this mean I can paint my room lime green? Okay, maybe not… yet. ;)

Do you love adding splashes of bright colors to your outfits or are you more of a neutrals kind of girl and like to keep it simple? Or… am I the only secretly-lime-obsessed person out there? Maybe?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Decide Where You’d Rather Be

 

Leavewhereyouare

Some of you may have read in my About Me section that I’m indecisive. I really am. I’d love to see what’s going on in my brain while I make decisions. Usually the smallest decisions are the hardest for me. Example: choosing which toothpaste to buy at the store.

And it goes a little something like this: “Hmm, Colgate is on sale for buy one get one 1/2 off. But, I prefer Crest. And what’s the point in getting two sets of toothpaste right now? That just means I need to find somewhere else to put the other one. Okay, so Crest. Do I want the cheaper baking soda one? The one with Scope? Gel or paste? Sparkles or no sparkles? Cool Mint? Clean mint? Lasting Mint? AHH!”

Yeah, welcome to my life. And people wonder why I prefer to go shopping on my own. Except, it’s different when I’m shopping for clothes. I’m in, I’m out. If' there’s any doubt in my mind that I won’t like it next week, I don’t get it. Usually…

But, the point of this post isn’t about deciding which toothpaste to buy or if I want the pineapple mango kiwi smoothie or the pineapple banana strawberry smoothie. The point is the above quote. I’ve struggled with that quote my whole life. I have a hard time deciding. There are things in life I haven’t liked, situations I’ve been in, for example, that I wanted out of. But, I didn’t know where I wanted to go.

That right there was my problem. I would never get anywhere without making the decision of where I’d rather be. I’ve never been one to settle. Settling to me meant accepting something I didn’t really want and becoming comfortable with it; allowing a part of myself to be less than it really was worth. So, I’d decide I wasn’t going to accept it (settle) and file it away. Kind of like an old message on the answering machine. I always knew it was still there, needing to be re-listened to, dealt with, and deleted but I never did it.

If we want to see a change occur in our life, whether it be a job, where we live, a relationship, etc. we have to decide where we’d rather be. Saying, “I want a different job” isn’t enough. Otherwise, for the rest of our lives we’ll never be truly happy. We’ll be settling for not settling but we’ll never be where we want to be.

This is something I’m working on everyday. The fear of settling for something, in a way, fuels me and makes me never want to give up on or diminish my dreams. But, at the same time, because I don’t decide where I’d rather be, it can often paralyze me. Luckily, it’s only temporary.

Does anyone else ever struggle with this? I’d love to hear your thoughts and what has worked to help you decide where you’d rather be! :)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Party It Up Shabby Chic Style

When my mom first described her decorating style to me 10 or so years ago as “shabby chic” I just didn’t get it. Shabby? Not a good word. Had I known then that pairing “chic” with any word makes it okay, I would have had a totally different attitude. Grunge chic, Surfer chic, Hobo chic, 80’s chic. Haha, you name it. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve learned to LOVE shabby chic.

[Shabby chic designs show signs of wear and aging throughout the years. Whites and worn out pastels are popular colors. Roses are commonly seen as well as fabrics inspired by old French linens. There is an overall soft and feminine feel.]

Through event and wedding planning, I’ve seen more and more vintage-inspired parties. However, vintage is a very broad topic. It could be art deco (my favorite), Hollywood glamour 50’s, or even a Southern Gone with the Wind affair. While helping find inspiration for party décor for my baby niece’s 1st birthday party, I came across even more vintage-inspired parties. More specifically, I saw a LOT of shabby chic décor. While I plan to share some of my home decorating inspiration some other day, today I want to show you some awesome shabby chic parties! I’m linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!

 

Shabby Chic Wedding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I found some beautiful shabby chic tables and tablescapes!
 
Shabby Chic Wedding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic Table
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic Tablescape
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic Table
 

 

I also found some fun shabby chic chairs and some miscellaneous party décor!

Shabby Chic Chairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic Chairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shabby Chic

Source: flickr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

Seriously, how cute is the  3-tiered teacup and saucer stand? Future DIY, perhaps?

Don’t you want to throw a party now just so that you can have fun with some shabby chic décor? Me too. So, all my fellow party planners – next time you’re planning a baby shower, birthday party, or bridesmaids brunch think shabby chic! Antique stores are LOADED with bits and pieces to collect and use as décor. And the best part is, they can be used after the party/wedding as your own home décor!

Now I shall leave you with some inspirational words that have touched my heart recently and I hope maybe, just maybe, they’ll find their way into your hearts as well :)

Proud
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

So, friends… enjoy today and go be extraordinary.

P.S. I can’t believe I’ve hit over 100 followers! It’s an amazing feeling to be able to share what I write and what I think with so many people all over this glorious world of ours. You’re all fabulous!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! New readers – shoot me a comment or email (chelsea.lifeisasunset@gmail.com) to introduce yourselves and say hi :) One of my favorite parts of blogging is getting to know other people and I’d love to get to know YOU! :)

Now, go link up :)

google

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

e.l.f. Cosmetics Haul

While perusing the make-up aisles of Target a few months ago, I saw some stellar price tags next to a ton of make-up by the name of e.l.f. Cosmetics. I had vaguely heard of it before and figured it was at least worth a shot. I needed some brown eye liner and decided on buying the liquid eye liner in Coffee for a whopping $1.00!

Elf - Coffee

I hadn’t used a felt-tip liquid eyeliner before so it took a little time to get used to applying this. The coffee color is dark and has a little glimmer to it. It seems to stay on almost as well as the Stila Smudge Pot I’ve been using for years (at $20 a pop!)

I recently went back to Target and picked up a few more e.l.f. products. I’ve been running low on lip color and although I’m allergic to most lipsticks, figured I’d give this $1 lipstick a try! I picked up the “Classy” shade.

Elf - Classy

So far, I actually really like it. It’s very creamy and goes on smoothly AND I haven’t noticed any irritation or swelling yet! The color is a soft rosy pink, a little more bright than what I normally wear but it’s nice for a change. It doesn’t last super long which I sort of figured but, for $1.00 I think it’s something great to pick up and throw in your purse for some added color on the go!

I have been using a concealer stick from Avon for a while now. The longer I used it, the more feeble the stick got and eventually split into two inside the container, making it kind of tricky to apply to my skin. So, I was needing a new concealer. I had used a liquid concealer a few years ago which I had been pretty satisfied with so, when I saw this liquid concealer by e.l.f. I picked it up!

 

 

Elf - Apricot Beige

I selected the Tone Correcting Concealer in “Apricot Beige” and it ended up being a perfect match! This liquid concealer comes with a sponge-tipped applicator which I love. The coverage is great, it blends in very well, and lasts all day! I will definitely be purchasing this concealer again! Only $1.00!

Lastly, the fabulous Lindsey over at The Bargain Blonde highly recommended the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set so I knew I had to give this a shot as well! This was the most expensive item I purchased… $3.00 :)

 

 

Elf - Mist&Set

I applied all my make-up except for my mascara and gave my face one spritz of this setting spray. I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to be startled. For example, I can’t do eye drops. So, that’s the one thing I didn’t like about this setting spray… the anticipation of it hitting my face. Other than that, it dries quickly and you would never know it was on your face. It’s not sticky at all. I haven’t been consistent in using it every day but I have noticed a slight difference on the days that I did put it on! The real test will be if it keeps my makeup fresh after a long, humid day in Virginia!

Aside from MAC eye shadows and a few other pricier items, I tend to be a drug store make-up kind of girl. I love finding quality products for less and I’m so excited about trying new e.l.f. products!

What about you? Have you tried e.l.f. yet? Thoughts? What are some products that I definitely have to try?

P.S. The Bachelorette last night. I’m not going to say much because I’m sure some of you have a date with TiVo soon. All I’m going to say is that tears of joy may or may not have filled my eyes on Ashley’s date with JP. Okay, bye :)

 

All images via e.l.f.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Food & Accessories. What’s New?

I hope everyone had a glorious weekend! First of all, I cannot BELIEVE how close I am to 100 followers! You all are amazing and it makes me beyond thrilled to know that people out there enjoy reading my little blog. So, thank you to each and every one of you for your wonderful feedback and for taking the time out of your day to stop by!

Okay, now on to this past weekend - Pioneer Day here was nothing to write home about. Fireworks and that was about it. It’s too bad we’re not all required to dress up like pioneers for that day. In elementary school we had “Colonial Day” where we wore Colonial-era clothes, built barn houses, and played traditional Colonial games. No joke. It was better than Field Day. And usually nothing is better than Field Day.

If you follow me on Twitter, you’d know that I thrifted two stellar watches last week. If you don’t follow me on Twitter, you’re probably missing out. I like to think that I can be pretty funny sometimes and have random things happen to me that I tweet about. So, follow me will ya? Anyway, you can see one of the watches in the picture below. I’m obsessed with it and would wear it to bed if I could. It’s that stylish that it would even go with my PJ’s. I kid. Maybe.

Weekend

The earrings and necklace are from Kohl’s. Do you guys know that I find some of my favorite jewelry at Kohl’s? There is almost always a decent sale going on (because come on, this girl doesn’t pay full-price for hardly anything!) and Kohl’s has some awesome designers such as Vera Wang and Lauren Conrad. Both class acts. The fun coral beading in this jewelry goes with just about everything – from neutrals to bright colors. I love rocking bright colors together!

Weekend

You want to know what I’m excited about lately? My bangs growing out. Don’t get me wrong, I love my side bangs but since I have fine hair, sometimes they would just get piecy and awkward and just lay on my forehead. I love that they’re long enough now for the swoop. You know what I’m talking about. The swoop!

Weekend

Top: Boutique in Virginia | Earrings/Necklace: Kohl’s | Watch: Thrifted | Nail Polish: Essie Sand Tropez

In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, I think Gretchen from The Real Housewives of Orange County {the best housewives, if you ask me} has a perfect example of the Swoop!

Gretchen

via

I.want.her.hair.

This weekend consisted of things like a yummy Cheesecake Factory dinner. Regardless of how many calories were consumed, it was a pescatarian’s dream!

Fried Mac & Cheese | Crab Dip | Crab Cakes | The Everything Pizza | Tuxedo Cheesecake

Apps

Crab Cakes

Pizza

Yum

Sno cones were also enjoyed later on during this hot weekend. I got the margarita flavor with ice cream on the bottom and it was deee-lish!

Sno Cones

Oh, and if you’re curious what my “frustrated” face looks like… here it is:

Frustration

How were your weekends? If you could dress up from any era for a day, which would it be? Please someone say the late 80’s/early 90’s :) You know it’d be fun.

P.S. THE BACHELORETTE COMES ON TONIGHT!!!!!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Blog Maintenance–Starting from Scratch

For some time now, I’ve been meaning to change my Blogger log-in email address. In case you didn’t know, it’s not that easy. Instead of just switching my email, I have to add my new email as an admin and then once  that’s done, delete my old email from my blog. Still, it’s more complicated than just that. Because I’ll be using a new email, that means I’ll have a new Blogger profile. So, not only will my profile views be reset to zero, but I will have to re-follow all the blogs I’ve been following through Google Friend Connect, using my new email/new Blogger profile.

Source: google.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

If you click on my new profile, the picture and About Me will be the same, as well as the blog title, but it’ll say I’ve been on Blogger since July 2011 (even though my blog was started in June 2011) and my profile views will be low.

Bummer, but I figured the sooner I change my email login, the better.

So, bloggy friends, if you see my little face pop up on your Google Friend Connect soon and you could have sworn I already followed you, chances are, I probably did. This’ll just be me re-following you. If any of you have had to do this too and have any pointers, let me know :)

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fill in the Blank Friday {10}

It’s time to learn more about me and my blanks! I’m glad these blanks revolve around Summer because I know as soon as the icy, blistering cold days hit, I am going to look back at this season with a sigh. I’m linking up with The Little Things We Do, as always :)

Hotel Del

1.  One of my happiest moments ever was     Christmas 2004. Of course, there were the obvious happy moments like the day I graduated from college but I thought I’d choose one that was less obvious. Christmas 2004, I flew out to San Diego with my parents to visit my brother who was living there. It didn’t even matter not waking up with a Christmas tree there that morning because I had my family in one of the most beautiful places in the world. As an added bonus, we went to the Hotel Del Coronado that night to experience the Christmas magic! See above :)

2.  Summer is wedding season and weddings are     beautiful and an event coordinator’s dream :)

3.  This summer     has flown by and I feel like not much has happened. Ahh! I hate the feeling of life passing me by, but I guess we {most of us} have those periods of time in our lives.

4.  My summer food of choice has been     strawberries. I don’t think there has been a time where I don’t have at least one whole container of them in my fridge! I’m not looking forward to the day when I go to the grocery store and see a higher price next to those berries of deliciousness.

5.  My summer uniform has been     Bermuda shorts, sandals, and lots of browns, corals, and golds in my tops and accessories!

6.  If I could spend the entire summer in one location I would choose     San Diego! As much as I love the East Coast and would want to choose there because of my family and friends, I wouldn’t mind staying away from the severe weather and just relaxing on the beach with the Pacific at my feet. And the palm trees. Ohhh, the palm trees!

7.  My summer anthem is    “I Made It” by Kevin Rudolf. Although I haven’t already, this would totally be the song I’d blast in my car with the windows down, sunroof open, and my girls by my side on a warm Summer night :)

WOO HOO for Summer!

This weekend is Pioneer Day here in Utah – the day that “the pioneers arrived in the valley” and, let me tell you, it is HUGE here in Utah. It’s like the 4th of July. Can’t say I could compare the two but hey, here’s to more fireworks this weekend! What are you all up to? I’d love to hear your plans so that I can live vicariously through you :)

Friday’s Fancies–LWD

Hello, m’ladies. {Say it out loud. It’s fun!} Does everyone have the perfect little white dress {LWD} for this Summer? That’s okay. I don’t either. Mainly because stark white isn’t quite in my personal color palette. {This does not include furniture, FYI.} However, if I did need a LWD, I’ve picked just the one I would wear with all the necessary accessories. I just love the look of white, coral, and gold together. I think this color combination is Summery, fresh and pretty! So, here are my fancies for this week! Thanks to {av} over at Long Distance Loving for this fun link-up!

Little White Dress {LWD}
 

The great thing about all these pieces is the versatility they have. The accessories can all be worn again, whether with jeans or even your LBD {little black dress!} The watch right now is on sale for $28 at asos.com! What a steal! I’d buy it butttt I just thrifted not one, but TWO amazing watches yesterday. More to come on those later :)

Do you like coral and gold together? What other colors do you think would pair perfectly with a LWD this Summer? Better yet, if you DO have your LWD for this Summer, where’s the best place to shop?

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Carry Me Back to Old Virginny

Guess what, friends? I have AMAZING news that I am BEYOND excited about!!!!!

One month from today I will be going home to VIRGINIA to visit!

Source: etsy.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

The last time I went back to Virginia it was for two days. Two days! And those two days consisted of a bridal shower and a million wedding plans/talks/stress. While it was fun, it was jam-packed and I hardly had any real time to spend with my family. I have a baby niece who will be turning one in less than a month and I have only seen her twice :( I have a nephew who I haven’t seen since before I moved to Utah :( My family is growing and prospering and being so far away has made me feel like I’m missing it all.

The past two years of my life have been full of HUGE changes. One of those huge changes was my move across the country. Without having family or friends here, it was easy to lose myself – to feel inadequate, out of place, and out of touch. It’s been difficult. These past few months I’ve really tried re-gaining that sense of self and the true woman I am meant to become. This trip home will be a great way to re-center myself. To be around people who know me and understand me, to walk the streets where I grew up, to feel the sticky East Coast air on my skin, and… to sit in DC traffic. All of those things made me who I am. I miss them and need them.

I’m excited to see the sights that symbolize home for me:

Like the streets in the city where I was born

 

Source: google.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

The route I took to and from work every day

Source: None via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

And all the other gorgeous places that home has to offer

Source: google.es via Chelsea on Pinterest

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Again, I’m so, SO excited to be going home in a month. Let the countdown begin! I’m thinking I might have a few guest posts while I’m gone, intermixed with some updates of what I’ve been up to :) What do you think?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Glamour of Tufted Furniture

First of all, thank you to everyone who left their experiences with false alarms and drills on yesterday’s post!! It was so much fun to read everyone’s responses :)

As a twenty-something girl, I daydream about my first home more often than not. I dream about what the front of the house will look like, what shape the bathtubs will be, the colors of the walls, and… the furniture. Oh, the furniture. I know I get my interior design love from my mom who has been a design genius in her home. I also know I get my interior design love from Pinterest. I have gained a deeper sense for styles that I love through pinning and re-pinning. So, today since I’m linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday, I wanted to share with you one of my dearest and most favorite furniture styles:

TUFTED furniture

One day I WILL own a tufted headboard.

Source: roomservicestore.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

I hope to have tufted furniture all over the house!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Sigh.

Don’t even get me started on “fainting couches.” That will just have to wait until another day for I have LOVED them since I was a little girl! :)

I love the Hollywood glamour of tufted furniture. It’s ritzy and rich whether it’s true vintage or modernized. Absolutely beautiful.

Come find me on Pinterest & go link up with The Vintage Apple :)

Toodles!