I'm Still A Kid at Heart

I think all of us are still kids at heart, whether we're 21 or 81.

At least I really hope so.

Here's why I think I'm still a kid at heart:

I still watch cartoons, and they are my favorite.

I love all things cartoon. Animated Pixar and Disney films? Always amazing. Phineas and Ferb is honestly the best show. Ever. When I was working at the camp this summer me and some of the kids (ages 5-7) were talking excitedly about our favorite episodes. I mean come on, real life tree houses? That is every kid's dream, and still is mine.

Give me some crayons and I'm a happy camper.
Although I have only one creative bone in my body (the smallest bone there is) I still love to color. My roommates made fun of me, but I whipped out those crayons and started coloring in my Pixar cartoons coloring book anyway (see number one of why I'm still a kid at heart). Also, if a restaurant has a paper table cloth and they have crayons, you can bet I'll be doodling all night instead of eating.

Mac and Cheese is my favorite food.

It may also be because of my poor college kid diet, but I have mac and cheese at least once a week. And going along with my first one, I always have to get the shaped ones. Phineas and Ferb mac and cheese is my favorite, however I'm loving the Monsters University one that's out right now.

I still need my mommy and daddy.
Yes, I am very independent - I have my own house, I pay my own bills, and I drive my own car. But when it comes down to it, I will always need my mommy and daddy. And no, I'm not ashamed to say that!

I sleep with a teddy bear.
I made a bear at build-a-bear with my girl scout troop when I was quite young, and I still sleep with her almost every night. At one point I thought I was too cool and tossed her aside, but then I realized I like having something to cuddle with at night. Until Dillon can permanently take her place as my cuddle buddy, I'm going to keep her around.

There really are probably a hundred more ways I am still a kid at heart.
Tell me, what do you love to do that makes you feel like a kid with infinite potential??

That Time I (Graduated from High School)

So yeah...it happened!

Three years ago, people.

And now in 121 days, I'll be graduating college.

I have been having way too many panic attacks about this.

So let's go back to when things were simple.

I graduated high school, and I thought I was on top of the world.

The pearl necklace I'm wearing was a graduation gift from my Auntie Lee Anne. She gave me a pearl for Christmas every single year, and then surprised me with this gorgeous necklace!

 This was a surprise scrapbook that my mom put together for me! A lot of my family and friends each made a page for me, including pictures and a letter. It was the sweetest gift I could have ever asked for, and I know I will always cherish it.

 Me and the siblings. I cannot believe how young we all look!!

My gorgeous best friend, Morgan did my hair and make up for the big day. :)

And that's all folks!

Excuse me as I go cry in a corner wishing I could go back.

Alex @ Let Life Be Like Music

^^You know you want to^^

30 Before 30

And then I came to the shocking realization that now that I'm in my 20's, the next thing is my 30's.

Honestly, I don't think it's that awful. I don't think you're considered "old" until you're in your 60's.

That's right, I said it. I mean, just look at my mama. She's 50-something and as gorgeous as ever.

So until I reach that age, I won't be too worried.

That being said, I do think my 20's will be some of the best years of my life.

So here is my 30 before 30...well, at least I'm working on it.

1. Graduate college

2. Marry the love of my life

3. Live in at least one other country

4. Have a mini-me

5. Go skydiving

6. Go on (another) Caribbean cruise

7. Live in Alaska for at least a year

8. Go bungee jumping

9. Visit the east coast

10. Go to Disney World/Universal Studios

11. Honeymoon in the Bahamas

12. Start a garden

13. Be an extra in a movie

14. Go to Country Thunder

15. Go camping for a week

16. Get a tattoo

17. Have a kitten and puppy

18. Backpack across Europe

19. Go on a road trip with Dillon

20. Read a book in one sitting

21. Think of nine more things I want to do before I'm 30

So there you have it! Some of these are a little out there, such as backpacking across Europe, living in another country, AND living in Alaska for a year all before I'm 30?? Really these are just lifetime goals but hey, I can try! 

I'll add my 30 before 30 as one of my pages and continue adding on whenever I think of something!

That Time I (Cried Over a Pair of Shoes)

I have never been one to get too obsessed over material things such as jewelry, clothing, or shoes. I like a new outfit as much as the next girl, but I usually just go to Forever 21, pick up a couple things, and I'm good. I don't normally shop online, or if I do I just bookmark all of the things I wish I could have and then never look at them again. But when I saw these boots...everything changed.

DUNDUNDUN!

It was around Christmas of last year that I was browsing Amazon when I came upon these boots:

Check them out here!

And I seriously fell in love. I had seen boots similar to these on girls around campus, but nothing as absolutely fabulous as these (I'm only a little biased). The only problem?? They were waaaaaay out of my budget. Over $100 for a pair of boots? I could honestly never justify paying that much. I don't judge those of you who do spend this much, I mean if you can afford it then why not? But with me always complaining about being a poor college kid, there is no way I could buy these and feel good about myself. I personally would rather be able to drive around in my own car than to walk around in these boots.

So I didn't buy them. But I looked at them constantly. I had never been so in love with a pair of shoes before and wanted them so badly. I was always clicking on the bookmarked link, just hoping I would get lucky and the price would go down. I actually think they did go down about $30 from when I first looked at them, but still...way out of my money league.

I started following targetdoesitagain on instagram. Probably one of the worst decisions of my life because it makes me want absolutely everything at Target. As if I didn't already, but this was a friendly reminder of all the cute things I can't have.

Then something magical happened. Yes people...magical. They posted this:

Could it be?? Boots in the exact style that I have been wanting but for more than $100 less???

So I rushed to Target that same weekend. But they weren't there.

Then I tried the Target in Tucson. No dice (can someone please explain this saying to me??).

Finally I decided to just order them online. I didn't want to pay shipping and I don't really like buying stuff before trying it on, but I was desperate.

Get them here!

There they were in all their glory on the Target website. But do you know what those b#$&*es told me?? That they didn't have my size in stock, and that they were not sold in stores yet.

WHAT?!? Do those girls behind targetdoesitagain get a sneak peak of stuff or what?? Because they sure as hell saw them in the store!

Honestly people, why I got so upset still amazes me, but I had been wanting these shoes for the better part of a year; I wanted them and I wanted them now.

Randomly one night after getting to California I decided to check online again. Maybe stores in California have them?? And I was right! I checked a store near me and they were in stock and in my size!!

The next time my grandma sent me out of the house I checked where the nearest Target was and went to buy my precious boots. It said that Target was on Hillsdale and I was like yeah, that street sounds familiar, it must be this one! I walked in, so excited to finally be getting these boots. But they weren't. there.

This was the part where I cried. Okay, okay. I didn't actually cry, but there was extreme sadness; way more than I am happy to admit.

I went back to my grandparents' house, and sadly told my grandma that the stupid online Target b*#&$es lied to me again. She says, "Really? The one on Blossom Hill didn't have them? It's such a huge Target, that's surprising." Oh. People, I went to the wrong Target. I rushed to the right Target the very next day.

When I first got there all I saw were the black boots on display. And the brown ones that were on the shelf weren't in my size. My heart sank. Could this really be happening to me? Why do bad things happen to good people? I grabbed a pair of boots that I knew would be too big, but wanting to try them on anyway. I walked down a random aisle so I could sit down and try them on and in that aisle there just happened to be the brown boots in my size. YAY!!!!!! I tried them on with a huge smile on my face, bought them with a huge smile on my face, and me and the boots are living happily ever after.

If you follow me on instagram or twitter you could tell how excited I was.

Just...look at them. They are gorgeous and all mine.

Plus, look at those sexy hot pink water shoes. In a couple weeks I will be in Colorado for Dillon's third parent's weekend and we are going white water rafting. I saw these and knew I had to have them!

Also, there's a moral to this story. WAIT before you buy something! If I had already gotten these expensive as heck Steve Madden boots when the Target ones came out for less than half the price, I would have been so angry at myself. Yes, they do look a little different but it was more the style that I was aiming for. I am so happy with my purchase. Unfortunately since they're cheaper that means more people will have them but I don't even care. I GOT MY BOOTS! :)

As always, hop on over to Alex's blog where she talks about that time she went to Vancouver! You can also check out my first That Time I post in which I went to Vancouver, as well! You can see that we went to a few of the same places! Best bloggy friends ever. ;)

Truth Be Told: A Mini Series

Okay people, it's time to get real here.

One thing I hear a lot from bloggers is that you should be completely honest on your blog in order for people to relate to you more. That instead of just sharing all the great things that happen in your life, you should share those shitty things, as well.

So here we go, "Truth Be Told" will be a mini series where I will share some of my "worst" moments, maybe once every other week. (I can't be too negative, right?)

And to start it all out, here's my truth be told: I wasn't a supportive girlfriend.

When Dillon first told me that the Air Force Academy had reached out to him about going there to play baseball, I honestly thought it would never happen. Although it was always his dream to play baseball in college, it had never been a thought in his mind to be in the military. He took the time to think about it and decided against it. As much as he wanted to play baseball, the bottom line was that he did not want to be in the military. But then came the pressure. The pressure from the coach to come out just to have a tour, the pressure from his family to "live up to his potential," the pressure from himself to "ensure a better future for us." So he went on the tour, and decided that he would go to the Academy that coming Fall semester.

I was hurt. I was confused. He had always talked to me about coming to UofA, and although I was the one that kept telling him to keep his options open, that he didn't have to go there just because I did, it was what I was expecting because that's all he would ever say. And he also said he would never play baseball somewhere that it would snow........interesting. ;)

Even though I should have never felt this way, and I should have never made him feel this way, I felt as if he chose baseball over me. Despite his insistence that he was doing it so that we could have a better future, I couldn't see that far ahead, all I could see was the "here and now" and that was that he was leaving me.

From the time he decided to go to the Academy and all through the first year of him being there, I wasn't supportive. It wasn't that I didn't want to be, I honestly just didn't understand his decision. I didn't want to talk about the Academy, and if it was brought up I would get quiet. I literally cried when he got his hair cut (pathetic, I know, but it was just one more reminder of where he was going and that it was somewhere I couldn't follow). Truthfully, we almost didn't make it through that year. I was slightly depressed that whole year and it definitely took its toll on our relationship. We would fight a lot or constantly be in a bad mood.

It wasn't until I joined the USAFA Girlfriend's facebook page that I started to warm up to the idea and become more supportive of Dillon's decision. Well at first it was hard because they were all so proud of their boyfriends and they all seemed so supportive, so it just made me feel like shit. In my defense, most of them would say things like "It has always been my boyfriend's dream to go to the Academy/be a pilot/be in the Air Force" etc.  So it was rough because I felt like I was the only one whose boyfriend went solely for sports. But then they had a "big sister/little sister" program and my "big" was absolutely amazing. I really believe that it is only through my relationship with her and a few of the other girlfriends that I was finally able to wake up and realize that I had to be more supportive of my man.

I still might not fully understand why he made the decision to go to the Academy (and sometimes I don't think he does either!) but I definitely think I have become more supportive, and I really hope he agrees. The Academy has brought some amazing opportunities for both him and us. We probably wouldn't have been able to go to Canada for a whole week if it weren't for the Academy, Dillon probably wouldn't have been able to go to Germany for three weeks this summer, and we probably wouldn't have the opportunity to live in other states (and hopefully countries!) if it weren't for the Academy.

We all have faults, and this was a major one of mine that almost took me away from the love of my life. If there does happen to be a girlfriend reading this that feels/felt the same way I would love for you to email me! It is okay to not understand and to feel sad and hurt, but I have learned that it is not okay to not be supportive of the people you love.
And for Dillon, I love you and I support you in everything you do at the Academy and beyond. As long as we get to live abroad...;)

My New "No Poo" Routine

A few months ago I made this post about how I was going no poo, and why you should, too!

I admittedly didn't go completely no poo, and still haven't. However, in the time since I made that post I have changed my weekly routine quite a bit - all thanks to one amazing product.

BIG Shampoo is made by Lush Cosmetics. I randomly walked into their store in Tucson and started looking around. It was during the time when I was trying really hard to treat my hair better, so when I saw all of their hair products, I couldn't help but take a look.

BIG was the first shampoo I saw and after reading the description I knew I had to have it.

This is the description about the shampoo taken from their website:

"Over half the base of Big shampoo is made with sea salt, giving massive volume to hair in need of a boost. Sea salt is also full of minerals and de-greases hair, removing dead skin cells and dirt without stripping natural oils for a fresh, squeaky clean feeling. We balance the sea salt with seaweed infusion, extra virgin coconut oil and avocado butter for soft, nourished locks. Finally, fresh citrus juices are squeezed in for incredible shine."

The only reason I almost didn't buy this is because it's a little pricey. Well, honestly it's not...it is worth all the money it costs, however I am cheap and spending $27 on a thing of shampoo nearly gave me heart attack. But buy it I did, and I have never regretted it for a second. It works incredibly, allows me to wash my hair without feeling guilty since it isn't stripping my natural oils, and smells amazing.

So here is my weekly routine:

Sunday.// Wash my hair with regular shampoo (the cheapest I can find on the shelf).

Monday&Tuesday.// If needed I use dry shampoo, but I usually don't need it.

Wednesday.// Wash my hair with BIG shampoo (and relish in its awesomeness).

Thursday-Saturday.// Use dry shampoo when needed, usually on Saturday and Sunday before I wash my hair.

The reason I only use the BIG shampoo once a week is because it's expensive, and I'm trying to make it last as long as I can. Also, it is a little hard to make sure it lathers my entire scalp, and therefore my scalp still gets a little itchy, but using regular shampoo just once a week fixes that problem! There are definitely more natural fixes to itchy scalps, such as a this one, and maybe once my shampoo is all gone I'll consider changing my routine again!

Currently in my medicine cabinet is TRESemme's Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo but honestly I don't really like it. I got it just to see if I would like it more but I definitely still stand by Suave's Dry Shampoo! It works better for me and is also cheaper, which is always a plus!

*This is not a sponsored post, it's just an amazing product that I couldn't keep to myself!

That Time I (Was So Happy I Cried)

So I kinda sorta like this guy who may or may not be slightly amazing.

When I first decided to go to California I'll admit that one of the first things I did was look up how far away Dillon and I would be from each other. He was doing ops at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA but when I looked up how far we would be, it was about 2 hours. I knew that was too far for me to drive there and back in one day, and plus I didn't really feel comfortable getting to my grandparents' house and saying "Okay great, can I borrow your car to see my boyfriend?" That would turn me into the worst granddaughter of the year, I'm sure.

So once I got here Dillon asked for the address to see how far it was. Once he looked it up he said "that's far :(" and we left it at that. I didn't want to make him feel bad if he couldn't get a vehicle to drive out here and back in one night. We texted as usual and then all the sudden I get this picture:

Uhh...what??? I was so confused...this was the front of my grandma's house! I look out the windows but don't see anything. I go to the front door and look through the peephole and there he is, walking up to the door!! I threw the door open and jumped into his arms; I seriously couldn't believe it! We only got a few hours together but those few were amazing.

So yes, I did have a few tears in my eyes, but this wasn't the time I was so happy I cried. That was the other time Dillon surprised me.

It was a weekend in October of 2012. Dillon had a three day weekend, but I didn't. For awhile we were thinking he would come spend the weekend with me in Tucson but then he found out that he had baseball practice that weekend, so it wouldn't work out.
About a week before Dillon told me that he sent me a package and that it would get there no later than Friday! I was super excited, Dillon always gets me great gifts.
That night I had a chemistry exam and then afterwards I went to my friend Becca's house to hang out. Dillon kept saying that the package should be there and while I was excited to get it, I didn't want to go home on a Friday night to hang out by myself just for a package. I asked my roommate Toni if there was a package delivered for me and she said no, so I just stayed at Becca's. Dillon was adamant though, insisting that I should go home because he really wanted me to open it and then have a nice Skype session.
Finally, around 10pm, I decided that it was time to go home. As I was driving home I called Dillon and we talked for a while. He said he was in his room watching TV, but it honestly sounded like he was outside. I kept thinking "maybe he's here to surprise me!" but tried not to dwell on it because I knew if he wasn't there I would get upset, and that wasn't fair. We hung up right as I told him I was driving through the gate to the neighborhood. I turned the corner to go to my house....and there. he. was! I slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the car, running into his arms. And I just couldn't keep the tears from coming. Like, you don't understand, I was pretty much bawling I was so happy and surprised. He thought something was wrong and I was upset but I was just like no! I'm really really happy!! Haha.

 We went shopping and got that spiffy outfit he has on above at J. Crew. How unfair is that...I don't even have anything from J. Crew...but at least he looks darn good. This was also on our date night. We went to Panda Express and a movie. :P

 Can't you tell he just loooooves taking pictures with me?

He also paid to get my hair done this trip. He's such a sweetheart. :)


As always, go on over and visit my beautiful friend Alex! She's talking about that time she went to Whistler, BC!