Catch a Falling Star and Paint it on Your Nails...

This didn't turn out as good as I had envisioned, but still was fun to do.

Here's How:

1. Apply 2 coats of Gold Nailpolish and let completely dry ( I used this one)

2. Place star sticker on the corner of your nail and paint the Seafoam color (found here), or whichever color you choose, obviously ;)

3. I painted one hand and then took the stars off pretty much right away and let dry. 

4. As always apply Top Coat

Homecoming

I haven't been to a High School football game since I was in high school 7 years ago. I have never lived close enough to attend the homecoming game. This year since my 2 younger siblings were involved I decided to attend. I left work early on Friday in hopes to beat the traffic. My hopes her immediately shot down as my GPS said it would take me 2 hrs and 25 minutes, well the GPS was wrong it took 2 hrs and 45 min!  Gotta love Southern California, everything is so close (mileage) but you can't get there because of traffic. (You know why they call the 405 the "405", it takes 4 or 5 hours to get ANYWHERE)

Chad insisted we needed to stop at my parents home so he could put his salsa that he made in the refrigerator. Well when we met back at the car he was wearing my older brother's Letterman jacket. I locked him out of the car and told him to take it off but he insisted. When we showed up at the game I felt like everyone was looking at him like an imposter (which he was), but my family got a good kick out of it. I think my brother David needs to take that jacket back to Utah next time he comes home.

We watched my brother do an awesome job hosting the half time show with his friend Lyle (despite the power going off during halftime) and saw my sister Mckenna on her Freshman Float. Also I was able to see some of my favorite teachers, and coaches. The feeling of being back at the high school game brought back great memories of when I was in high school. I loved those days, ask Chad he still teases me about it.

Think my dad had a fun time?

Party Glasses

I bought these sunglasses in San Diego last weekend for $3. I put them on today as I sat outside watching the beggining of the Hermosa Open Beach Volleyball tournament and instantly felt like the weekend is getting started. I'm leaving work in 2 minutes to head out to the Homecoming Football game at my high school. My younger brother Tanner is hosting the half time show, announcing theHomecoming Court, and McKenna, my sister, is on her Freshman Class Float. Tomorrow we will spend the day watching the Volleyball tournament and hopefully soaking up some sun. TGIF!

Have a wonderful first weekend of Fall.

7 Things about...

I was tagged by Grahangela (one of my new blog friends) to share a few facts about myself:

The directions are:

1. Write 7 things about yourself.

2. Give the "award" to other blogs.

3. Inform them about it!

1. I went to both BYU-Idaho where I got my Associates Degree and then went to BYU-Provo where I got my BS, I liked BYU-I better.
2. I come from a family of 7 kids, I have 3 brothers (26, 17, 5-yep 5!) and 3 sisters (21,20,14).
3. I secretly love the show Teen Mom, no secrets on this blog anymore!
4. I am obsessed with Nail Polish, ask Chad, about 75% of our conversations come back to "Oh I saw this idea on pinterest" or, "Which color do you think goes with this outfit" (sorry babe I'll try and keep those conversations between me and my sisters and friends)
5. I want to start REALLY learning photography, my mom is an EXCELLENT photographer and am going to start having her help me spruce up my skills.
6. Last week I did Yoga for the first time, and loved it. I need to start adding that into my exercise routine.
7. I work full time for an Entertainment Insurance Brokerage, spend part of that time blogging (woops :) ), I also tutor a few hours a week.

So now its your turn:

Catherine @2 B.C.

Maddy @ The Bells

Katya @ This Time is a Charm

Jen @ Smoking Crayolas

Lindsay @ Just Us

Amanda @ For Love of a Cupcake

Whitney @ The Zuflet's

Lisa @ The Lyon Family

Lindsey @ I'mLindsayB

Do You Really Put Pictures of Your Nails Online?

I was Skyping with my family on Sunday night, and my 17year-old brother Tanner asked me, that question. So to answer your question Tanner, "Yes, I really do post pictures of my nails and put it on my blog. Did you really wear your $1 hawaiin shirt and jeans to Homecoming?" (Yes he did). So these pictures are especially for Tanner, I hope you like them little brother (even though he is now way bigger than me). I have to also give a shout out to my sister Hayley who found this idea on pinterest for me here.

                                                                         How I did it:

1. Paint two coats of ligher polish, let completely dry

2. Tape off the bottom portion of your nail at an angle and paint the darker color

3. Let dry for a few minutes and remove the tape

4. Once the darker color is completely dry, use a toothpick to dot on the white polish

5. With a small nail brush paint glitter polish where two colors meet, let dry.

6. Once dry apply the top coat.

This is the picture from Pinterest:

Linked up over here

RIP TYLER

Remember our little turtle Tyler that we caught when we lived in Texas? You can find the story here.  Chad's dad was the perfect "grandpa" to Tyler. First he bought him a nice aquarium, filter, rcoks, water heater, etc. That turtle LOVED him, when Brent walked into the room the turtle swam to the top of the water. We had one incident with Tyler before, he somehow jumped out of his acquarium and hid in the bedroom next to where his home was. Luckily we found him, lowered the water level and have had no problems.

Brent (Chad's Dad) decided Tyler needed his own pond. He built a pond in the backyard with a water fountain, heater, you name it, this turtle had it. It was the Ritz Carlton for turtles. The turtle lived there for about a week and a half before tragedy struck. Two nights ago we heard the neighbors dog barking and barking, I was annoyed but in bed and didn't think anything of it. The next day Chad went to check on Tyler and he was GONE!! Chad looked everywhere for him, there is no way he could have crawled out of the pond. We came to the conclusion that a racoon must have jumped in his pond and taken him, which is why the dog was going crazy. Hopefully Tyler is still alive somewhere, but we are pretty sure he will not be found swimming in his 5 star resort. I think we need to get a puppy now :)

(The tall dark rocks where not up that high when Tyler lived in the pond)

San Diego for a Night

So here's the skinny on our weekend:

We decided last minute to head down south for a nice change of pace. We stopped at the Orange County Market Place and picked up a few random things (post to come just about those). We ate breakfast in Pacific Beach at Kono's (our favorite breakfast place), celebrated Brazillian Day in PB, got a hotel in Pt. Loma, caught sunset at the Sunset Cliffs, ate dinner and walked around in Old Town and ended the night with a swim in the pool.  I took a ton of pictures because I recently purchased a new lens for our camera, picture taking just got that much more fun.

(King of the world/Titanic Pose?)

Had to throw in a "oh quick here comes the temple, let me grab my camera as fast as I can picture".

Nails for the Weekend

Well the weather is no longer boycotting the fall like it was last week yesterday. Maybe it's because I painted my nails with a dark plum that the Fall weather decided to make an appearance. Whatever the reason (I'm sure it's not my polish) I actually enjoyed the cooler day, with the brief appearance made by the rain. Now tomorrow I would like to order clear skies, 75 degrees with a light ocean breeze.

To spruce up my nails I dabbed a make-up sponge into my silver OPI polish and lightly applied only to the tips of my nails. It's Friday, I was feeling dangerous.

Last Weekend...

 Was filled with volleyball, big suprise I know. We went to the Women's USC vs UCLA volleyball game in Downtown LA. Afterwards we cruised around all the frat/sorority houses to do some GREAT people watching. Chad drove down a narrow alley filled with drunk people, that was fun trying to maneuver our way through them. Then on Saturday Chad played in his last volleyball tournament this year in Hermosa Beach. The Fishbacks and Bells joined to cheer Chad on. We ended the night by introducing them to Get Shaved, our favorite shaved ice place!

Newsprint Nails

I saw this idea on Pinterest (aka my ideal world) and had to try it out for myself.

1st. Apply two coats of polish (white, nude and light pastels all look good), let dry for 30 minutes
2nd. Dip nail into rubbing alcohol, and then press a piece of newspaper (print side down) onto nail for 5-10 seconds
3rd. This time I painted my ring finger with OPI's Crown Me Already for some sparkle.
3rd. Apply a topcoat once all nails are done.



I Can't Get Enough S'mores!

Most of my friends quickly find out how much I adore S'mores. I love the warm melted chocolate, the burnt gooey marshmallow, combined with the crunch of a fresh graham cracker. As a kid I would roast a marshmallow over the stove, or pop a mallow and choco chips in the microwave if I needed a quick fix. My father-in-law bought me this Microwave S'more Maker that makes the perfect microwave s'mores, the marshmallow never falls over (you fellow s'more lovers know what I am talking about)

I now keep all of my favorite s'mores recipes pinned on my  Pinterest, I should have created a board JUST for S'mores.

Here are some of my favorites:

First there is this s'mores maker for the bbq, no joke I could eat all six of those, ask my husband. Then there are S'mores Ice-Cream Sandwhiches, a S'mores Cobbler, these cute S'mores Cups, S'mores Cookie Bars, S'mores Cookies w/ a Hershey Square on Top, S'more Pudding Cups, S'mores in a waffle cone, and a little less traditional, the Oreo S'more.

Now I just need to start making some of these!

On a sidenote, still pertaining to S'mores. We went out to dinner in Vegas with our friends Kristi and Jake and they had a S'more dessert. There were prepared graham crackers with a rich milk chocloate spread and half a dozen marshmallows with skewers to roast right there in the restaraunt. I was so excited the whole meal to get dessert!

Where Were You When The World Stop Turning That September Day?

I love this song by Alan Jackson, it brings out so many emotions that I am sure we all felt that day. I was a Freshman in High School, I heard from a kid in my Seminary class that the Trade Center had been hit, I was pretty ignorant and didn't even know what the Trade Centers were. By the time I started school, I realized this was a big deal. All we did at school that day was watch the news and talk about why and what had happened. Towards the middle of the day the name "Bin Laden" was circulating around, and that this was a terrorist attack.

I remember my parents and teachers aying that this is a day we will always remember what we were doing when the World Trade Centers were hit. And 10 years ago, I can still remember that day vividly.

Although I did not know anyone personally who was there that day, I still felt a great deal of sorrow today as I watched numerous television tributes to those that were there, who lost their lives, who saved others lives, who are still struggling with what they experienced and witnessed that day.

As I was in church today we sang America the Beautiful, my eyes filled with tears at the thought of all those who lost their lives that day, as well as the soldiers who have fought for our country. What I can do to show my gratitude and appreciation is to be a good citizen, serve others in my community, and show love to those around me.

The weather and I are boycotting Fall

I know that on many blogs right now everyone seems to be embracing the fall with the new trends, fall decorations, and warm cozy recipes. Well not me! I love summer, lucklily Southern California loves it too! The weather has been HOT (high 80s) at the beach. I have spent my lunches this week with my toes in the sand, and still wearing white! I may have even brought my bathing suit with me today so that I can jump in the water just one more time.

My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

...And they're like it's better than yars!
I like to sing that song about my mama's milkshakes. They are da bomb! She uses them to bribe her kids. For example Landon's favorite song is a hymn called "Praise to the Man", he knows all the words but he didn't want to sing it. She told hm if he sang it loud then he could get the first milkshake, next thing you know we all could have used some earplugs, he sang that song loud and proud!

Snapshots from our Labor Day Bike Ride

Originally Chad and I were going to take a bike ride from Santa Monica to Hermosa Beach (15 miles) but with the unexpected early morning rain we decided to stay local. Instead we rode from Redondo Beach to Manhattan Beach and back. It turned out to be a warm sunny day, I took some photos with my phone of our ride.

My good looking husband (who may or may not have woken up @ 7:00 this morning and washed my car before I came to work)

Marina in Redondo Beach

Next stop, Hermosa Beach. Every Labor Day the city has Fiesta Hermosa, with craft and nick-nack vendors, carnival rides and yummy fair food. We met up with our friends Brad and Catherine, and Eric, we missed his wife this weekend!

I love the local photography displayed of the lifegaurd stands in Hermosa Beach.

Made a few trips to the 7-11 Slurpee Van

Old School Cover Band

Stopped in Manhattan Beach for a sandwhich and ice cream.

We ended the day at a BBQ at Catherine's parents home. We enjoyed our hamburgers, outside ambiance and good conversation with our friends. Thanks again for having us over!