Christmas Traditions

I love this time of year.  Really, though, who doesn't? There is something about the abundance of lights, yard decor - both classy and just plain over the top, gift giving & receiving, and plenty of baking that makes this time of year especially magic to me.

This will most likely be my last Christmas not married (and no, this is NOT an announcement... yet), and it's making me think a lot about traditions I want to start with my future family.

You know what I'm talking about, those things that you absolutely have to do or you end up with that PHD.

Not the degree, silly!  Post Holiday Depression. 

Do you have any great traditions?

• For me, every year I absolutely must go to the Festival of Lights, and of course, the annual light parade to welcome in the season. 

• I better open some new jammies on Christmas eve, and get a kick out of my siblings acting out the nativity story while my dad reads directly from the bible.

• I have to drink some of my mom's homemade cocoa, and eat orange rolls on Christmas morning. 

• I need to receive an ornament to add to the tree, and a chocolate orange must be found in my stocking. 

• I need to enjoy my grandma's beautiful Christmas tree, and sing carols around her piano.

• And heaven forbid we forget to make gingerbread houses.  Of course those are an absolute must!

• I really enjoy thinking of traditions I want to keep for my future children. I imagine them having an attachment to our traditions just like I do with the traditions my parents have started for our family.

What types of traditions are you planning to enjoy with your own family this year?  Or how about traditions you are planning on starting in the future?

12 days and counting!  

Try not to forget the whole reason for the season, and remember that Christmas is it's own tradition, celebrating the greatest gift any of us have ever received.

Happy Holidays! 

I Think I'm Baby Hungry

Hi There Everyone!  I hope you are all having a great week! We are almost to the weekend and I can't wait!  Every week that passes is one week closer to Christmas cookies and gift giving.  Hooray!

On an entirely different note, lately I've had babies on the brain.  I know, I'm totally jumping the gun.  I'm not even married yet, and kids are probably another 3 to 5 years down the road. But alas, I am a planner, so it is typical of me to have every last detail of my life for the next 10 years planned out.  I've been thinking about what their nursery will look like, what books I will read them, and what tunes they'll listen to as they fall asleep.

So today, I would like to share two obsessions off of my baby swag wishlist.  Yippee!

1st on my list? Any and all products related to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.

Especially These Two Found via Daleigh Designs on Etsy:

 

...and this mobile I found at A Continual Lullaby.  Isn't Etsy Great?

 I'm also obessed with the Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, & U2.  I listen to them on YouTube all the time. So soothing!

DUBSTEP Christmas! Say What!?

Dubstep is honestly probably my favorite style of music. Ever, ever. 

How cool is this?

Lucky vs. Blessed

Lately I've been thinking a lot about blessings.  

Often times, I think to myself "Oh, she's so lucky" or "I wish I could travel, they're so lucky to be so carefree."  But then I realize, they are not lucky, they are blessed.  Just changing my mental vocabulary has helped me to see life in an entirely different way.  As I am telling myself that others are being blessed rather than have "luck", my thought process changes and the bitterness or jealousy melts away.

I think it's something about remembering that we all have our challenges, and that I need to allow God to bless others however he pleases.  It also is a constant reminder to me that I am also extremely blessed.

I really have so much to be grateful for this year:

That being said, whether you believe in God or not, I think we can all try a little harder to remember the things that we are given, especially this time of year.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Holiday Shopping for Men

Has anyone else started their Christmas Shopping yet? 

It seems like as soon as October hits (yes, October), my brain is in Christmas shopping mode.  In fact, I think I've practically got all my shopping done for Trevor already.  It's a good feeling, but I'm still always scouting for any great products he could possibly want.

I know often times it can be difficult to shop for your man.  I find myself being frustrated because I never know how to surprise him.  He always knows everything I'm getting him, and even if I try to smoothly come up with ideas, it usually goes like this:

Becs: "Hey babe, don't you have a phone upgrade coming up?  Are you gonna get the iPhone 5?"

Trev: "Yeah, probably.  Why? Are you thinking of getting me a new case for Christmas?"

FAIL

I'm incredibly obvious.  That being said, I wanted to share are a few sites I've stumbled across to help with the tedious task of man-shopping.

This Christmas you'll get to do a lot more of this:

... and a lot less of this:

Here are the three sites that have been the most helpful to me this year while shopping for Trev.

WhiskeyMilitia.com

For the skate/snowboarding, music loving, school attending, trendy man in your life.  This website consistently has the best deals on some great brands like Skull Candy, Dakine, Quiksilver, and many more.  I love this site and constantly monitor it.  They have a regular SUPER deal that changes every 10-30 minutes, and also a "private stash" for members only.  I would highly suggest becoming a member for extra awesome daily deals. 

WorldOfWatches.com

Trev is a watch junkie.  He loves watches, specifically expensive watches. I decided to get one for him for Christmas, but knew it would be a little more pricey.  Then a coworker told me about World Of Watches, and I found the exact watch I wanted to get him for half the price.  

Becca - 1 | Invicta Watch - 0

eBay.com

eBay, eBay, eBay.  I actually have had some bad experiences with them as a seller, but as a buyer, I'm completely smitten.  I like to check on their Daily Deals.  You can find them here.  They have regular Daily Deal section (which are usually the best value), and also sections for Tech, Fashion, & Home.  I bought all the gifts for my family on eBay's Daily Deals last year.  LOVE. THEM. 

What sites will you be using this year?  We women need to band together!

How to be a Bargain Babe

I was a bargain rock star this weekend, you guys.

**Please forgive my low-quality iPhone photo... but I'm wearing items from my most recent F21 haul (more on that later)**

You probably all have had at least one experience like this in your lifetime.  You get your paycheck, and you allow yourself $100 to treat yourself to the fancy pair of jeans you have had your eye on at Express.  So, you go to the store, and they are having a BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 OFF SALE!

Say what?!?!

  

Naturally, you have to get two pairs of pants.  Then, your boyfriend whips out a coupon for $30 off a $100 purchase.  BUT, you have a $100 budget.  So then, you naturally have to buy two scarves, because the coupon ALSO says you get $50 off of $150 which equals $100 and you are truly feeling great. 

(Insert Trevor smirking at my lack of self control here.)

So - you walk out of there like you own the place, along with two pairs of jeans and two scarves - all for the great price of 130 buckaroos. 

**The scarves were a little more than you thought and then you have to add in tax.  
   Because, hello, your coupon doesn't work on the government.

You go girl!

Ahhh, Italia

I know I was just barely raving about how much I love Christmas & how great this time of year is, but I've got to tell you, this season also makes me feel a bit restless.

The weather is beginning to get a little chilly, the sky a little gloomy, and I find myself wanting to travel to somewhere I can wear my bathing suit.  Either that or somewhere I can enjoy good food and good company.

When I was 15, my parents took me and my 13 year old brother on the trip of a lifetime.  We spent a week and a half in Paris and Rome. To say that it was a dream is an understatement.

We visited the Eiffel Tower, La Louvre to see the Mona Lisa (she's smaller than you'd think), and Notre Dame.  In Italy we visited the Trevi Fountain, St. Peters Basilica, The Vatican City, and drove past the Colesseum atop a double decker bus.

Even though those dreamy places were amazing and prestigious, my favorite part of the trip was Siena.  This place is the most beautiful I've ever visited.  It's your typical Italian thought, with cobblestone streets & restaurants with their seating outside for people watching.  Google it. It's history will not disappoint.

My parents are great travelers and found a picture perfect restaurant for us, tucked back in the middle of the ancient buildings.  There was a canopy out behind, and we enjoyed ravioli, veal, duck, and many more classic Italian dishes.  The food was amazing, and I was in heaven soaking in the Italian air and eating with some of my favorite people.

I'm sighing just thinking about these places. Can you tell I'm homesick for it?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Okay, okay.  I know I'm jumping the gun. 

But really, I think one of my favorite things about Halloween is that the day after, Christmas music starts playing on the radio.

So no disrespect to Thanksgiving - after all, it is my 2nd favorite holiday - but I'm feeling all cheery and jolly and can't wait to hang the IKEA string lights I have already picked out.

Happy Holidays!

::here

::here

::&here

It's Time for Some Cheese

It has been exactly one year since Trev and I said  "I love you" to each other.  He said it first, and it was more of a "You know I love you, right?"

It was pretty great, because I had been wanting him to say it for days and days and was hinting and was nervous and when he finally said it, it was like a weight had been lifted.  I just couldn't say it first, I'm too chicken, but I really, really wanted to. Thoughts like "What if he doesn't love me back?" were drifting through my noggin.

Then he said it. 

And I said "I know," because I really did know it, and "I love you too."

And it was cute

and exciting.

 And I could breathe again. 

We still love each other, and life is good.

Tonight we'll probably celebrate by getting Slurpees and watching The Walking Dead.  I'm also thinking of making a grocery stop because I'm craving some Ben & Jerry's Phish Food.

Don't you just love love?  Today especially I'm super fond of it. 

Highlight Reel Moments

Man, it's been some time since I've last posted.  Blogging can be difficult sometimes because I feel like I don't have much to say.  Or I may compare my blog to other beautifully written blogs and think to myself  "I'll never be as interesting as her."

But really, to me, blogging is not about how beautiful a writer I am, or even how interesting my life is.  This blog is about having something to look back on and remember "Hey! I remember that experience!".  Or maybe even a place for me to share the things I love with people I love.  This is MY blog, so it should reflect my life and my passions.  Another thing that kind of reminded me that I needed to blog and really hit close to home for me was this:

That's something that I really used to struggle with because my makeup is never perfect, my outfits are seldom runway ready, and my life is not all about tea parties and amazing photo shoots in a sunny orchard.

My life is full of false eyelashes, because mine are not long or thick.

It's full of Kraft Mac & Cheese, because as much as I love cooking good & fancy food, I just don't have time.  To be honest, I love Kraft Mac & Cheese (but really, who doesn't?).

My life is full of stressful moments and a face that will break out if I don't thoroughly wash it every night! 

It's full of vent sessions and some moments of crying to my boyfriend because I have poor me syndrome (aka PMS).  Usually these crying sessions consist of me being sad that I'm not crafty, I don't know what to choose as my major, or the dinner I made for us the night before just wasn't as good as I had hoped.

However, I love these moments in my life, because when I do have those "highlight reel" moments, I am grateful for them.

LDS General Conference was this last weekend, and although I didn't get to listen to all the sessions, this year's conference felt a little different.  Excuse the cheesiness (I hate emotional moments, this post is unusual for me), but I was just so full of gratitude for my family, my amazing and motivational boyfriend, and for the light that the gospel has brought back into my life.

I am appreciating the reality of what this life is about more and more each day, 

and I love that even when my hair is a mess, my laundry isn't done, and I'm tired of the homework I'm supposed to be working on, I know that it's all good.

My point?  Life is definitely worth living for those highlight reel moments, but don't be discouraged if all of it isn't that way.  Nobody's life is.

SOS! I Need a Second Opinion

... and maybe a 3rd, 4th, etc.

I'm buying a planner (finally) and I've been waiting and waiting to find the perfect one for me, and I think I've found it.  HOWEVER.  I've reached a dilemma.

I can't decide if I should get the PYTHON cover.

or the GLITTERY GOLD cover.

Please assist, fellow bloggers!  

Also, I hope everyone is having a great week! Mine has been busy so sorry I've been MIA!  I'll do a real post real soon! ;)

Adorable planners found here.

Zulily Finds | A Wannabe Fashionista on a Budget

Have any of you heard of Zulily before?

This is completely new to me.  I received an email from one of my favorite people, my cousin Christina, inviting me to join this site called Zulily.  I joined not really thinking much of it, because it advertised itself as a site for babies and mom's. To my pleasant surprise, though, I found some AMAZING stuff at some AMAZING deals.

I am now eagerly awaiting my first purchases, and plan on purchasing from them again... and again

...and again.

Here are my three finds from this first experience. I had so many things in my shopping cart but didn't want to spend all of my remaining money on products there, so I narrowed it down to three.  It was difficult, but here are the results:

FIRST

An orange and fab O'Neill Trailblazer Hobo Bag. {$22.99 - Originally $46}

 

 NEXT

 In honor of Halloween a Raj Imports Orange & White Skull Print Scarf. {$15.99 - Originally $50} I'm dying to get this in the mail. Pun fully intended.

And FINALLY

A Raj Imports Turquoise & White Skull Head Wrap {$5.99 - Originally $12}

I did also score a free 8X8 photo book from Shutterfly just for having a Zulily account.

As you can see, this site is extremely useful and helpful for fashionistas on a budget - even for your little ones as well.  

If that's not cool, I don't know what is! 

To create your own Zulily account, click here to sign up and begin shopping - but do your best to not spend your whole paycheck or dip into your savings.  It's tempting, I know, but resistance is key my friends!

Labor Day Weekender

I hope everyone had a very relaxing Labor Day weekend!  

We spent our 3-day weekend in Fairview, Utah, staying at my grandparent's cabin.  It's been a few years since I've been up to the cabin because I always have to work.

Total BUMMER.

Right now, they're looking to sell the cabin, so I was really glad to be able to spend the weekend there with Trevor and my family to enjoy the last few breaths of Summer!

:: Mini roadtrip, we're on our way!
:: Going for a ride.
:: No better way to enjoy the great outdoors than with a fire and some s'mores!
:: Impromptu dance around the fire.
:: The beautiful view on our Fairview Skyline ride.

{Pictured: Cousin, Alex; Aunt, Ronene; Step-mom, Amy; Myself; Trevor; Sister's Boyfriend, Ben; Sister, Savana}

:: Creatively posing per Amy's request.

Happy BeLATEd Birthday, T-Rev!

As I mentioned in a previous post, it was Trevor's birthday two Wednesdays ago (the 15th).  Now, this guy really deserves a post of his own.  Seriously, he's pretty awesome. I mean, really, just look at him!

I crush on him like Aaron Carter in the 90's.

For those of you who don't know, Trev & I have been dating for a little over a year.  A few things about Trev? 

He's the bees knees.  

He is so. stinkin. funny.  

He is the smartest person I know.  

He's a go-getter.  

He doesn't settle for adequate.

He's extremely patient.

He's goo-hood lookin.

.... etc. etc.

I'd love to write a post up on our story & how I tricked him into our first date, but I'll save that for another day.

For now, Happy Birthday Trev!

Love you as much as two rockets going opposite ways in space.

Yep.