If I happen not to wake up in the morning it's because I've OD'd on pot stickers, fried nutella won tons and Aggie ice cream.  Talk about calorie overload!

Please do me a favor and call a snow plow and then the lovely people on the other end of 911.  If I am dead I have yet to decide if I want to be buried or cremated (find out which the church approves of most and do that one please).  

If my vitals are still in check give me chocolate cake and hopefully I'll come to and have the worst excessive-amount-of-calories hangover EVER!

Please and Thank you!

Kelsey

Big News! and a potential giveaway

I've decided that I will finally be opening my Etsy shop!  If all goes according to planned I will be opening it on March 5, 2011.  The name will be Golden Gala Design Co.

I'm so excited to be starting this new adventure!  I have dreamed of starting my own business for quite some time and this is my one small step towards achieving my dreams.

So here is the deal...  I will be doing a giveaway to celebrate the opening of my Etsy shop.  I will publish the post as soon as I get 50 followers.

Your job as a reader is to tell me what you would like me to giveaway.

Here are your options.

1. a wintery scarf

2. a springy scarf

3. a camera strap

4. a small clutch

5. a necklace

I'm being vague and not posting pictures because I think it would be more fun to surprise you!

Spread the word and don't forget to comment.

Daily Outfit

Hello y'all!  I was at a loss of ideas for todays post so here ya go, this is my outfit.  The yellow cardigan was once a full sweater.  I cut the bottom waist band off, cut the sweater down the center front, cut the sweater in half horizontally and then sewed the waist band around my actual waist.  Personally, I like it better as a cardigan.

My roommates weren't home so I had to be ghetto and take a picture of my outfit in the mirror.  Lame!  I'm also wearing the brown boots that can be found in this post.

Tan Headband: Forever 21

Mustard Sweater Turned Cardigan: Target clearance

Brown Cami: Down East Basics clearance 

Brown Belt: Target clearance 

Miley Maxx Skinny Jeans: Walmart clearance

Brown Boots (that you can't see): Head Over Heels 

All links are to the sites home page. 

Wreck This Journal

I received a package from my best friend a week ago, she sent me a valentine, licorice ropes and a Wreck This Journal.  She's so sweet!  We first came across the Wreck This Journal on Busy Bee Lauren's blog.  You can search through many of her posts and find out what she's done with her journal.

I opened up the journal and realized that...

She sent me her copy of the journal on accident.  She felt foolish and I laughed hysterically. 

When I went to her house on Friday we switched journals and all is well.  The sad things is that i'm too scared to ruin my journal!

Sweethearts Dance

My not so baby brother turned 16 in December and since then hasn't been able to keep the girls off of him.  He's such a stud!  Saturday night was the Sophomore Sweethearts Dance at his High School.  Mother dear and Popsicle went out to a movie so I got put on picture duty.

Aw... Sibling Love. 

The height difference is not fair!  He's 6' and I'm 5'3"... I think I got the short end of the stick.

Friday Night Crafts

My baby brother is going to the Sweethearts dance tonight! Yay for him.  My mom thought it would be a fun idea to make the corsage for his date... guess who ended up making the whole thing?  I did, but that's okay I had tons of fun doing it.

I think it's a winner!

It's made out of silk flowers so it's not going to wilt and it's not going to fall apart after saving it for years like all mine have. 

I Enjoy Awards!

The other day I hopped on my blog and had a very long comment.  Well, it turns out that Tasia from One Step at a Time awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award.  Thank you!

Yay! I'm glad I got the award while I was feeling super cute and stylish because I have been a bum for most of the week.

There however are rules attached to receiving this award, but their simple so all is well.

Rules:

First, thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. Then share 7 things about yourself.  And finally tag 15 other bloggers and let them know that you've given them an award. 

Seven facts about Moi:

1. I LOVE weddings! Love, love, love them.  When I have nothing to do I watch wedding videos online; Iris and Light is my all time favorite.

2. When I'm feeling rebellious, instead of experimenting with drugs, sex and alcohol (which I would NEVER do) I experiment with new hair colors.

3. When I cook I almost never follow the recipe.  It makes it very hard to post recipes on my blog. 

4. I hate going to the grocery store all by my one-sie, it makes me feel like a mom when I do.

5. I'm a nanny and I love it!  My dream is to go be a nanny in Europe, preferable England or France. 

6. I love the smell of books.  I'm the freak that goes to Barnes and Noble or Borders and opens the book, pretends to read (usually I actually am reading), but is actually smelling the pages. 

7. I want to start my own business one day.  I would love to sew dresses or costumes, but I have a deep love for cupcakes and can't decide if it's practical to combine both loves. 

I'm going to break the rules because all the blogs I love have already received the Stylish Blogger award.  You can find links to some of my favorite blogs on my sidebar. 

The Wait is Over!

My dear friends,  Elder B. came home today.  He walked off the plane at approximately 11:05 this morning.  Am I excited?  You bet your bottom dollar!  I might not even be able to see him this weekend but that's alright.

Elder B. is on the far right.

He's a wonderful friend and I look forward to hearing about his mission.  Maybe i'll even bake him cookies!

A Day for Love

Happy Valentines Day to all my readers!

 and think you're great.

I'm currently slaving away making a cake for the person who brought a single red rose over to my apartment this morning.  He said it was for me and all my roommates but I know what he really meant ;)  Actually he was probably serious but we can always pretend. 

Best Date Ever!

I went on the best date last night!  

The date consisted of loud music, cooking homemade pot stickers, comfy clothes and a good book.  Did I mention that I took myself on this amazing date?  Honestly I think i'm the best date out there. 

Sometimes I purposely don't hang out with my roommates on the weekend so I can have the apartment to myself, turn up my music, dance around the kitchen, sing in the shower and take a nap on the couch.

Anyway...

Here are the pot stickers. 

They may look a little sketchy but they taste wonderful!

Pot Stickers

1/4 small head Napa cabbage, finely chopped (about 2 cups)

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 pound ground pork 

1 small carrot, coarsely shredded (about 2 tablespoons)

2 scallions, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons Asian (toasted) sesame oil

1/2 egg, lightly beaten

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

wontton wrappers

1/4 cup canola oil

In large bowl, toss together cabbage and 3/4 teaspoon salt and set aside for 30 minutes. Transfer to clean dish towel or cheesecloth, gather ends together, and twist to squeeze out as much water as possible. Wipe bowl clean, then return cabbage to it. Add pork, ginger, carrots, scallions, and garlic and stir to combine.

In small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and egg, then stir into cabbage-pork mixture. Stir in pepper and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.

On dry surface, lay out 1 gyoza wrapper, keeping remaining wrappers covered with dampened cloth or paper towel. Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons filling into center, then moisten halfway around edge with wet finger. Fold moisture-free half of wrapper over moistened half to form open half-moon shape. To seal, using thumb and forefinger of one hand, form 6 tiny pleats along unmoistened edge of wrapper, pressing pleats against moistened border to enclose filling. Moistened border will stay smooth and will automatically curve in semicircle. Stand dumpling, seam-side up, on baking sheet and gently press to flatten bottom. Cover loosely with dampened cloth or paper towel. Form remaining dumplings in same manner.

In 10-inch, lidded, non-stick skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking, then remove from heat and arrange pot stickers in tight circular pattern standing up in oil (they should touch one another). Cook, uncovered, until bottoms are pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water, tilting skillet to distribute, then cover tightly with lid and cook until liquid has evaporated and bottoms of dumplings are crisp and golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons more water if skillet looks dry before bottoms are browned. Remove lid and cook, shaking skillet to loosen pot stickers, until steam dissipates, 1 to 2 minutes. Invert large plate with rim over skillet. Using pot holders, hold plate and skillet together and invert skillet. Remove skillet and serve pot stickers warm.

I made a dipping sauce out of some rice vinegar and soy sauce... it was divine!

Who's Next?

As Valentines Day looms ever near I find myself wondering who will be the next one to get engaged.  As a Relief Society Presidency we're placing bets on how many people from the ward are going to get engaged this semester.  I guessed low and said four.  We've already had one person get engaged so i'm down to only three for the rest of the semester.

But,

I secretly want someone guy to be cliche and propose to one of my friends on Valentines!

 

Vomit!

Pretty Little Liars

Yeah, i'm addicted... I'll see ya in a few days when I crawl out of my woman cave. 

Almost a Disaster

My Valentines Day was almost ruined, almost went up in flames, was almost a disaster. 

Last week I was sick all week long and all I really wanted was something cinnamon.  When I went home my parents asked me if I wanted anything from the store and amidst sniffles and coughs came the weak reply of "cinnamon bears".  


They ended up not being able to find any but they did bring me gummy bears as a substitute.  It wasn't the same but the love was there.  

On Saturday when I was feeling a little better I ventured to the grocery store with my mom.  While she looked for Super Bowl food I searched for my precious cinnamon bears.  They didn't have any so I threw a mini fit in the middle of the store.

My Valentines Day, a day that I was going to spend alone without anyone to buy me flowers, was going to be ruined because I wasn't going to be able to have my V-Day candy of choice!

Luckily my dad found some at another store and all was well.

I'm not crazy for throwing a mini fit am I?  I mean if the store were to not carry chocolate i'm sure there would be many grown women throwing all out tantrums.  

I'm just trying to justify my childish ways. 

Loveth the Links

Today I met someone who reads my blog, I felt pretty cool.  It turns out that Elise from Elise's Pieces and I have a Zumba class together.  Cool, huh?


Now for even happier news!  I recently won an AWESOME giveaway.  I won the ginormous giveaway number 2 over at A Few of my Favorite Things.  



Pink Lillie Earrings by Crystal B.
$10.00



Butter Sunflower Bobbi by Crystal B.
$5.50



Classic Leather Camera Satchel by Photo JoJo
$190.00



Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Camera Case by Photo JoJo
$15.00



Emmerson Signature T by Emmerson Made
$38.00



Owl Umbrella Stand by Burke Decor
$135


I have no clue what I am going to do with an Owl Umbrella stand but I'm excited to get it!


I love when things are free ninety nine!

Morning Mood Boosters

Do you ever wake up feeling "blah" and you know that it's going to be a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day".  Well here are some Morning Mood Boosters that should get you feeling slightly better about the day ahead of you.

1. Pick one way to spoil yourself that day.

Once you wake up give yourself thirty seconds to think of at least one nice things you can do for yourself that day and then do it!

Maybe you're going to have your favorite cereal for breakfast, go get fro-yo after work, purchase a new pair of earrings.  Pick something that you know will make you happy.  

2. Eat a well balanced meal.
No more grabbing a cookie as you run out the door!  Take the time to eat a nutritious mix of carbs and protein, you'll stay full longer. Try oatmeal or one of my personal favorites, wheat toast with peanut butter.

3. Get some fresh air.
That's easy peasy lemon squeezey if you're in college and walk to class in the morning.  If you don't walk to class like I do try walking out to get the mail (one of my favorite hobbies in the summer!), or rolling down the window as you drive to work (assuming you live somewhere warm).

4. Listen to what nature has to offer.
Even if you can't get outside, listening to the sounds of nature has been shown to reduce the signs of stress. 

5. Focus on feeling good. 
Right after you wake up take five deep breaths and focus on feeling good that day.

6. Drink hot cocoa.
A study recently found that drinks that contain cocoa helped to improve participants moods and alertness.
So take the time to make yourself a cup of cocoa in the morning. Especially if you live anywhere that is nearly as cold as Logan has been recently. 

7. Take a moment to assess yourself.
As you are waking up take the time to notice how you are feeling.  Are your muscles tight?  Do some light stretching.

8. Envision the negative.
Think about what your life would be like if all the great things had never happened.  Imagine what life would be like without your wonderful boyfriend, job, scholarship... whatever. 

9. Breath in some mint. 
Peppermint enhances your mood and attention while also fighting fatigue.  And if you chew on some mint gum you're breath is sure to smell nice when you talk to the cute guy that you sit next to in class.

10. Smile.
Smiling is the simplest was to change your mood.  Spread the good mood wealth by showing off your sexy pearly whites!  

Feeling Better?

I have been horribly sick all week long, like almost not able to get out of bed sick.  On Wednesday I decided that I was going to feel better on Thursday and that I was going to get ready for the day and look super cutie.

To my surprise I woke up on Thursday still sick, but at least I felt like I could get out of bed and fake that I was healthy.  My outfit made up for the fact that I wore nasty pajamas most of the week. 

I did my hair in what I affectionately call the "blogger bun", another must have for anyone in the blogging world and wore bright red lipstick.  I felt and looked hot!  Basically all of campus agreed with me. 

It's always nice when random people either tell you that they love your outfit or random people talk to you.

Total confidence boost!

I will now wear red lipstick more often. 

Is it Cake or a Cookie?

Once upon a time I was in the seventh grade and we made these funny little cookies out of a cake mix.  Years went by and I forgot about those weird cookies until my roommate re-introduced me to the magic that is the 
Cake Mix Cookie!

We used a funfetti cake mix. 

Cake Mix Cookies

1 cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp water

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.  Form dough into one inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet and back at 350 for 6-8 minutes. 

It's not quite a cake, it's not quite a cookie but it's a whole lot of delicious!

Blogging Tips

here is my list of things that one must have in order to have a wickedly awesome blog.

1. long hair that has been died blond.

2. a unique/ eclectic sense of style.

3. being LDS is a plus.

4. awesome creative abilities.

5. a DSLR camera.

and...

6. a husband.

i kid you not, these are all characteristics of the lovely ladies who write most of the blogs that i read.  

my friend Hannah over at Fashion Diary of a Mormon Girl and i were conversing that no one in the blogging world finds you interesting until you are married.  we both threw our hands up in the air in utter frustration. 

one of my blogging idols even said that her blog didn't become popular until she got married to the missionary that she had be writing about for two years. 

moral of the story: being married makes you cool

ps. i only meet one of the six requirements