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)

how to plan a bridal shower in less than 24 hours

So my very bestest friend in the whole wide world {besides Ammon} is getting married so soon!! And get this! ----> her soon-to-be-husband is cousins with my husband!! We always joked that we were family in High School, and now we really will be family. :)

Anyway, because she is marrying into my husband's family, I wanted to throw her a shower with all the lovely ladies on Ammon's side. And even though I set the time and place way in advance, I didn't actually start doing the planning until the day of!

Here's how:

Step 1. Log onto pinterest
Step 2. Type in the following phrase: "bridal shower games"
Step 3. Find a few you like (but don't pin them because then the bride-to-be might see what you're up to!) Here are a couple I decided to use

   

                     

                 

                        

                              

                                    

Instead of writing advice on paper, have the guests write advice on wooden spoons. Put them in a large jar and label it: "Recipe for a good marriage." 

Instead of having the guests just watch the bride open presents, give them bingo cards beforehand. They fill in the blanks with things they think the bride will open. Prizes are awarded to those who get bingo. 

Step 4. Buy and gather all the needed supplies. I got the wooden spoons at Wal-Mart {4 for $0.89} and then I made my own bingo cards on Word. For the decorative supplies, I found everything I needed at the dollar store. Oh how I love that store! :)                      

Step 5. Arrive early enough to set up everything.
Step 6. Greet the guests. Be flexible. Don't plan too much that you don't leave the guests any time to ask the bride-to-be questions or mingle with one another. Relax and have fun!

Now, you're probably wondering about the food. That part shouldn't be left until the day of. Don't worry, I made sure to do that part in advance. :)  For food, I made a sign-up and asked for volunteers. Luckily many of the guests were really sweet and helpful and offered to bring many delicious contributions.

I think the party went well. It helps when the bride-to-be is really easy-going and sociable with everyone. I'm lucky to have her as my best friend.

Another fun game is interviewing the groom beforehand. Ask him questions about the bride. If his answer matches her answer, then she gets a piece of candy, if they don't match, then she gets punished! (Gum, marshmallows, sprayed with silly string, etc.) I guarantee you will get a few sighs and laughs from the girls as they get to know more about the soon-to-be-married couple!

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. :)

ring in the new!

Alfred Tennyson wrote a poem titled, Ring Out, Wild Bells which is often recited on New Year's Eve to celebrate the coming of a new year. 

And did you know that this very poem is also in the Hymn book for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? It's located in the Christmas section and is hymn number 215.

I was a little excited when I found out today!

I know, I know, it isn't Christmas time, but this poem/hymn is applicable to anyone anytime of the year. I really like the beginning of the second verse. It says, "Ring out the old, ring in the new."

Here are a few new things I'm excited about:

1. My new blog header!

 Doesn't it look so good? Candace, an ex-co-worker from Brick Oven is amazing at graphic design and has been working with me to make it just how I wanted! If you're interested, look at her online portfolio here. Or if you just want see her super fun blog and show her some lovin, go here. 

2. New clothes. It's okay to be girly sometimes, right? Well, ring in the new blue pair of pants I just bought: 

Aeropostale-on sale- only $15

And this beauty:

Downeast- $10

Looks kind of silly, right? I used to walk past these "half-tank-top things" and thought they were a joke. I didn't see why anyone would want half a tank top. Then I realized how hot it is outside and that half my shirts are long enough at the bottom, but too low at the neck line. Solution: a "half-tank-top thing." I LOVE IT! 

3. New adventures. Ammon and I are driving to Bicknell this weekend for Shelby's wedding. It is right by Capitol Reef. I'm super stoked for that. Also, in 2 weeks, Ammon's family is having a family reunion in Heber. (Also super stoked for that.) And then maybe Ammon and I will be able to join my family in Moab for Labor Day. My brother Taylor will be skydiving for the first time and who doesn't want to see that?

Alright. On a more serious note, I would like to go back to the poem that Alfred Tennyson wrote. The poem is centered on Christ and how through Him, we can ring out the old and ring in the new. Meaning, we can ring out the things about ourselves that need improvement, and ring in the new when we overcome them. It is our choice whether or not we want to ring out the old. It starts with a desire and is nourished with prayer, faith, and applying the atonement. I'm so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ who made ringing out the old and ringing in the new possible!