inspiration for the new year

Happy 2013 ya'll! Are you a resolutions or goal setting type of person? I know resolutions can get looked over but I believe in continuous regular goal setting including resolutions. I think resolutions is a great time to reflect on ones self and see ways to improve and be pumped for the new year. Here are a few of my goals:

Grow closer to God through scripture study.
Eat more vegetables.
Go on more dates...even if I have to do the asking.
Start my own official zumba class.
Finally open my online shop...take two.

...and a few others not listed

Here is a talk that inspired me by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, one of the apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. I love when he speaks and he is definitely one of my favorites. It is called "Of Regrets and Resolutions". One thing I found inspiring is that he shares three common regrets that people have in life.  If you haven't heard or read it I recommend taking the time to. Read here or view below.

What are your goals? Please share :)

thanksgiving weekend

This was a great Thanksgiving weekend. I didn't have the traditional dinner (mine included a thanksgiving poutine special and a burrito dinner) but it was nice. Family came to visit and it was such a treat. I sure miss them and it was so fun to have my bff joy here! We played volleyball, ate at the sugarbowl, shopped, went to the waterpark, went out for sushi, and walked around town. It was short but sweet. And I ended it off by watching General Conference where prophets and apostles of my faith share inspired and uplifting messages about faith in Christ, family, charity, gratitude and many other wonderful things. It's definitely my favorite time of the year and I always feel a great boost and encouragement to do better and be better.

side note: i'm really into varsity jackets right now.

jacket: forever 21

backpack: icing

boots: le chateau warehouse

top: bluenotes

photos by joy

cousins part II

My bff Joy left for her full-time service mission in Boise Idaho today. I'm super sad to say good bye but super excited for her. It'll be an awesome experience and she'll be amazing. I miss her already.

joy

top: the   hudson bay company

pants: forever 21

shoes: wetseal

sherri

chambray button up: thrifted

necklace: thrifted

pants: american apparel

boots: joe fresh

cousins part I

I got to do a shoot with my cousins Joy and Melanie. It was so fun. I always wanted to do a shoot with them. Joy is leaving to serve an 18 month mission for our church. So we thought it would be nice to take some pictures before she left.

Joy is wearing what we call the "Alexa Chung" dress because she models this dress for Vera Wang. We're both in love with her and went crazy when we saw this dress. And Melanie is wearing another "Alexa" dress from Vera Moda. It's so cute and there's a pretty collar that's hiding.  And they were both on sale! Great finds I must say.

My sister-in-law Sarah did the shoot for us. Thank you Sarah, they look lovely :) 

joy

dress: vera wang from the bay 

shoes: the gap

melanie

dress: vera wang from the bay

shoes: springs

sherri

dress: forever 21

watch: forever 21

boots: joe fresh

happy easter

I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter weekend! I got to go to the temple with my family and it was beautiful. I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and for his sacrifice for us. I know that he lived, that he died, and that he lives again. I know that because of this we too will live again and have the chance to be with our families forever. What a wonderful blessing. I'm so grateful for Christ's love and I am eternally grateful for him.

sunday thought

source

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest you loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take a pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."

- Howard W. Hunter

 

goodbye ombre

F21 Headband / Clothing Exchange Sweater/ F21 Necklace/ Yard Sale Boots/ Zellers Pants

This is what I wore to a church activity. I love the look of an over-sized sweater. We made gingerbread cookies and they were so fun to decorate. So you may have noticed that I chopped off the ends of my hair. I actually did it myself and learned how to cut layers from the handy dandy youtube. ha. My ends got fried from bleaching them for the ombre and it felt like hay. But it's all good...it was fun while it lasted and I'm gradually going to go shorter :)

ps. Guess what?! I was featured on Thriftaholics Weekly! So sweet. Thanks Morgan :)

pss. Here is an awesome post on being confident in your modesty. 

it just takes a cupcake to make your day

this is my 'can't wait to eat this cupcake' face

I had quite the fun filled weekend...

- My cousin Joy got me this cute oreo cupcake from a bakery called Sweet Impressions. She just discovered it and I can't wait to go! We are bakery buddies...hehe. So sweet...thanks girl! It was so tasty and it made my day :)

- We celebrated my friend Stefanie's birthday. We ate at Don Pedros, a sweet Mexican restaurant. Finally Winnipeg has Mexican joints!

-I went with my good friend Toya to a Jazz club. I've never been and it was fabulous. I never realized we had such cool spots like this in Winnipeg. They had a band playing and the girl's voice was really nice. I love jazz and it was so cozy and relaxing. I really enjoyed it. It will definitely be our new hang out spot.

-We had a Relief Society fashion party. My friend Jakee taught us about hair and how to treat it. It was so informative and made me realize that I need to take better care of my hair. And I shared a little about fashion, which was so fun for me. It was a great activity.

- On Sunday I went to church and it was so good. A sister spoke about trusting in God, being positive, and never giving up. It was just what I needed. and I got to teach Relief Society, which I always enjoy doing. 

- Me and my mom put up the Christmas tree! It's so fun decorating the tree. There's something about Christmas trees...they're so mesmorizing and I can just sit and watch for hours. I love it. So excited for the season!

i love to see the temple

Regina, Saskatchewan Temple 

Thrifted Vinage Dress/ Springs Oxford Heels/ Winners Purse/Thrifted Jacket

Me, Tamra, Abram, Joy

We went on a temple trip with my church. Our closest temple is Regina, Saskatchewan, which is a 6 hour road trip. It is a far drive but it's totally worth it and it's always fun road trippin'. I love going to the temple. It definitely feels like heaven on earth and one of the most peaceful places I've ever been. I'm so grateful that we were able to go and that my good friends were able to come. It brought me so much joy to be there with them.

I like to dress nicely when I go to the temple to show respect and because it is a sacred and special place to me. So I always like to wear a dress when I go. Can't wait until the next temple trip!

If you'd like to learn more about LDS temples visit here.

sunday dress

Thrifted Button up/ Forever 21 Maxi Dress/ Winners Purse/ Target Clogs

I wore this to Stake Conference for church. Stake Conference was so good by the way! It was such a spiritual boost and so inspiring. It's so great to meet as a whole stake. {There is only one stake in Winnipeg. Geography wise it's huge! It covers all of Manitoba, part of Ontario, and part of Minnesota.} This outfit was  inspired by the lovely Elaine from clothedmuch. I never thought of tying my button-up in the front because I thought it was too old school or something. But hey...it's not so bad after all. It's also a good way to use as a cover up! So the moral of the story is...don't be afraid to try new things! 

What are some trends that you have tried?

stolen from my mom's closet

 

Blazer Mom's Closet/ H&M Tank Top/ Leggings Mom's Closet/ Zellers Wedges/ F21 Circle Ring/ Winners  Purse/ F21 Gold Watch

 

 

Yes...I admit. I do sift through my mom's trustee closet. I can't help it...she has so many vintage treasures. I found this floral blazer in the basement and thought I'd take it out for a spin. I wore this outfit to Institute class.

By the way these are my new favorite shoes. I've been looking for some kind of black wedge that are comfortable to wear and also help with my vert. I'm 5'1" and I've heard more than once from different people who realize and say, "You ARE really short".  Haha...I forget myself sometimes. Anyways, my good friend Latoya told me about these wedges that are from Zellers and they were on sale! I always love a good bargain. Thanks girl!  And guess what?! Word on the street is that all of our Zellers are going to turned into Target. I'm SO excited!