how to create beach-like curls without heat

One of my summer bucketlist items includes going the whole summer without using heat. 

How is this going to be possible? My hair is not naturally straight. Nor is it naturally curly. It's just kinda in between. Well. I have found the perfect solution that I am so excited to share. I plan on having beach-like wavy hair all summer. And here's how:

Conair medium spiral curlers. 

Plus a little bit of this every other day:

I've never used either of these products before, but so far I am liking both of them very much. Especially the curlers. I bought them at Rite Aid for $13 and they work very well with my hair. All I do is spritz my hair with a little bit of water with a spray bottle or I wait until my hair is just about dry after a shower. (If your hair is too wet, then it will take a lot longer to work). Then I wrap my hair around the curlers as if it was a curling iron. It'll look a little something like this:

Then I wait about 10 minutes or so and my hair looks like this:

Tuh-duh! Beautiful beach-like curls without any heat! 

Note: if you want your curls to be a little tighter, here's a very helpful video. (This video is where I got the inspiration to go without heat)

sense of self

Oh hey. 

Just listening to Christmas music over here using Pandora. 

{a lil o' bit of T swift, josh groban, david archuleta, trans siberian orchestra, glee cast, and charlie brown?}

I think Pandora is getting confused from all the thumbs up and thumbs down I've been doing.

       Christmas music
plus Watching Ammon and Nephi play chess.
plus Counting down the days until the end of the semester.
plus Getting really excited to make crafts with all my upcoming free time.
plus A lot of insightful thoughts running through my head.
                                                                                                             
EQUALS the perfect time to blog

Earlier today was one of those moments where I felt so incredibly helpless. It was a momentary feeling, but it was a little scary. It's during moments like that where I realize the standing of my testimony. What do I know to be true and what am I still unsure about?

Here's what I know to be true:
-There were 2 plans up in Heaven before I came here.
-Satan's plan left no room for agency; a road with no rocks or cracks to trip over.
-Christ's plan not only has rocks and cracks to fall on, but mountains to climb and canyons that seem impossible to cross.
-Without those mountains and canyons, I wouldn't learn a thing. My life on earth would be pointless.
-People who get back up every time they fall are the coolest people I know. They have become something rather than just existing.
-And that's why I'm grateful for trials; they help me actually become something.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear from Kevin Kling.
He was born with a birth defect on one arm and then later completely lost the use of his other arm in a motorcycle accident. Do you think I was listening closely when he gave advice? Oh yeah.
He said the following quote:

And I think he's absolutely right.

wait until dark

Ammon and I are so lucky to have our Friday nights off every single week! 

It is very important to us that we reserve that night for meaningful dates. 

But because of wanting to save money and be frugal, Ammon and I have just kind of stayed in our apartment, playing games, watching movies, and eating ice cream. Which I was starting to think was fine. We were saving money, right?

But then I read my cousin-in-law, Rachael's Blog which gave some great advice on dating that her husband gave her. 

Dates need to be interesting and fun. Dates need to push the couple to get out of their comfort zone and get to know each other more. Dates need to contrast with the every day busy routine of life. And sometimes, that requires money. And if you do spend money, then don't worry about it during the whole date! After all, dates are cheaper than divorce. :)

So Ammon and I have decided to go on a more pricey date once a month. We tried it this past Friday night and it was so much fun! We really enjoyed getting to know each other more. It's easier to ask questions and tell stories when you're out and about and not just chillin in the apartment. 

Here are some snip-its from our "Wait Until Dark" Date:

Dinner at the Center Street Deli

You can write on the tables!

Classic box game. I won. :)

Walking around downtown

I love flowers

Jay's Jungle

The Chinchillas were so cute!

My foot is there so you could see how big the snake is!

 We had to "wait until dark" to get our tickets.

 Success!

The food was delicious. The play was phenomenal. And the in-between adventures were priceless. What a great date!

honesty goes a long way

I had an eye-opening moment today at work that I want to write down. It's not necessarily for you guys (although I'd love to hear your feedback!) but it's so I can remember the thoughts I pulled from having the following experience. 

A cute couple sat at my table. The host came up to me and politely said, "You're sat Leah!" I walked to the table and began my usual routine of introducing myself and starting them off with drinks. They were also ready to order. Two waters, a lasagna and a deep dish 8 in pizza.

I quickly entered in their order, brought them their waters and then left to attend other tables. A couple minutes later, it was time to drop off their salads. When I got to the table, there sat the lasagna. And not the pizza. The lady turned to the guy and said in a frustrated voice, "Tell her to take that back. That is so rude that they brought it out without waiting for the pizza." I quickly apologized by saying, "I'm so sorry about that..." with which she responded, "Oh it's not your fault." I gulped and then explained, "Well, actually it is. There's a button I'm supposed to push called "hold and fire" which tells the grill guy to wait on making the lasagna until the pizza is ready. And I forgot to push it." They didn't say much, but the conversation ended with me explaining that I'd make sure they came out at the same time and taking the lasagna back to the kitchen.

Okay. Pause button. When she said it wasn't my fault, I was tempted for a split second to agree with her. I could have easily blamed other people (which, I uh... may have done before) But I am so glad I didn't this time! When I went back to their table to check on their food, they were so nice to me! Like, really nice. And you know what thought kept running through my head? "Honesty goes a long way." 

This reminded me of something another server once told me. Her name is Cassi, and she has been serving at Brick Oven for years and years. She was one of my trainers so I soaked in everything she had to say. She told me, "If I ever make a mistake. I always take the blame for it. People really appreciate it." She was right. :)

This story wasn't exceptionally remarkable or remarkably exceptional, but it taught me something I needed to be taught. Honesty really is the best policy. Always. :)

online shopping

Ever since saying goodbye to our car, I have become quite the online shopper. Here are some things I'm looking forward to coming in the mail:

American Eagle 30% off and free shipping! :)

I bought a white one of these. Only $1.49 on ebay
Go here to get one!

A valance for our living room. Now all I need to get is a curtain rod. 

I bought a light blue one of these. Only $1.89 on ebay!
Go here to get one.

eBags only $20

The backpack is the one I'm most excited for.
My other backpack is falling apart and I seriously can't wait to use my new one! :) 

I love when things come in the mail. Even if it's just a text book. I don't know what it is, but seeing my name on an unopened package is so exciting! {Does anybody want to be my pen pal?}

Another thing I'm super excited about is the outfit I wore today. I felt more teacher-y. :) Remember how I said Ammon and I like to go on dates at D.I.? Well check out this super cute shirt I found at D.I the other day for only $3:

So here are my bargain shopping tips {the only two that I have}:

 -If you're ever looking for a button-up shirt, try D.I. first. They have oodles of different choices.

-And if you're looking for a skinny belt, try ebay. :)

these are a few of my favorite things

Have you ever used something you love, looked at it, and thought "what would I do without you?" Well, I've noticed that I do this a lot. And then I'll think to myself, "other people should use it too!" So here are my favorite things that I think everyone should use: (if you're anything like me, anyway.)

 Favorite anti-frizz product:                                                             

A life-saver 

Favorite Mascara:

Finally! A waterproof mascara that works!

Favorite breakfast dish:

German Pancakes-I have this recipe memorized

 Favorite scrubby brush:

I literally can't do the dishes without this thing!

Favorite cooking appliance:

Chicken comes out tasting delicious every time!

Favorite mechanical pencil:

A must-have for math

Favorite water bottle

I love the plastic loop underneath the lid. I carry it in my hand wherever I go.

Favorite room scent:

I spent quite a few minutes sniffing candles in the Yankee Candle store and found the perfect one!
It's not too strong and not too subtle

Well. There you have it. I have a lot of favorite things I use that make life a little bit easier. But these are just a few of my favorite things. :)

by the inch

Sometimes there are days I wonder how on earth I can possibly reach my full potential. I think, "If i'm stressed now, and the house is messy, and once again I didn't make dinner, and I'm tired, and I missed a day of exercise, and I'm sick of doing math, and I didn't do something cute for my husband, and my hair is a disaster, and my blog is slacking, etc. etc..... then how am I going to make a good mom? How am I going to fulfill my church duties? What about having guests over? What about service? And all those little things I'm supposed to do too?" Then I remember to take one moment at a time. "By the inch it's a cinch."

I love this quote by President Thomas S. Monson:

I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, “I have so many problems, such real concerns. I’m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?” I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

He really knows how to put things into perspective! Doesn't life seem a little easier after reading that?
To read the rest of this really great talk, click here 

confessions of a waitress drama queen

I am a waitress at Brick Oven and have been for a little over a year. 

Most days are great and I absolutely love my job. 

However there are days when it so hard not to cry, get mad, or run away.

And it's not just me. I've talked with my fellow servers and we share the same frustrations.

So, on that note. Here are the things you should know (in our opinion) about your servers when you visit a restaurant:

Number 1. Minimum wage is different for tipped workers and varies from state to state. In states like Utah, Texas, South Dakota, and Wyoming, your server is getting paid $2.13 an hour. So they really rely on other people's tips for their income. Then, depending on the restaurant, a certain percentage of those tips goes toward bussers or other helping employees.
{For more info on tipped workers, click here}

Number 2. 10% is never a good tip. 10 % means you thought your server was one of the worst servers you've ever had. 15 % is adequate. and 20 % means you thought they did a really good job. Anything above that really makes their day and let's them know that you appreciated their service! Anything below 10 % is a real big bummer; especially when we thought we did a good job.
{For more info on how to tip, click here}

Number 3. Save camping for outside the restaurant. (However, there is an exception...) Campers are those people who have paid the bill, but stay and talk for more than 15 minutes. I once had a table of 2 ladies sit at my table for over 3 hours! This is frustrating for 2 reasons. Reason number one: each server only has a certain amount of tables in their section. If it's busy, then that is money they would have been getting from other people. Reason number two is that your server might be trying to go home at the end of their shift and without getting all their tables cleaned and checked off, neither your server, nor the busser can go home. So, here is the exception (because trust me, I DO understand wanting to stay and talk): make it worth their time. Leave a bigger tip. :)
{For more info on Camping, click here}

Number 4. Servers love being told they did a good job! And they especially love it when you tell their manager that they did a good job!

Well there you have it. Those are my confessions of a waitress drama queen. a.k.a: me on a stressful night. But I want you to know that I love my job. I love the people I work with, I love the friendly atmosphere that Brick Oven has to offer, and I love getting to meet new people every day. Next time you're in town, ask for me and maybe I can be your server! (And Ammon might be your busser.)