Top 5 Reasons You Should Drop Everything and Go See Hunger Games Catching Fire

Well, it's safe to say J-Law and company seriously upped the ante in the newest release of The Hunger Games series. Oh, you didn't think it was possible? Buy a ticket to the next showing and then come to the table ready to talk. I'll be waiting.

However, if you're one of the few people in the WORLD that has not yet read the books or even watched the first movie, I would suggest you take a minute or two to re-evaluate your life and your choices. Once you finally come to your senses and embrace The Hunger Games for what it is (which is perfection), the rest of us will start taking you seriously.

That being said, this post is for the rest of the world - the ones who've already taken the necessary steps to embrace The Hunger Games pandemonium. BUT, before I continue, I should probably warn you all to read at your own risk. There may or may not be a spoiler or two in this post. It really all depends on if you've read the books, and if you have not, how much you want to know before seeing the movie.

So, let's talk Catching Fire.

This movie completely blew my expectations out of the water (which is kind of punny considering the arena of the Quarter Quell). I was completely captivated from beginning to end. I fell in love with everything in this movie. EVERYTHING.

BUT, if I were forced to come up with just five reasons why I think YOU should go check it out, these would be it:


1. J-Law's acting was ON POINT. The raw emotion she displayed was absolutely incredible. Goosebump inducing, really; she even had me shedding a few tears. I would argue that she is one of the best actresses of our generation. I'm positive she is my spirit animal.

2. Peeta's everlasting love for Katniss will MELT YOUR HEART. An unusual love story weaved into a tragic fight to the death...it's not quite you're typical fairytale. The way he looks at her and treats her might be the most adorable thing I've ever seen. All things considered, is it realistic? Probably not. Charming? Without a doubt. #teampeeta

3. Finnick Odair. YES PLEASE. Cocky or confident? Who cares, really...am I right, or am I right?

4. Katniss' archery skills are KILLER (figuratively and literally). In the first movie, it was made clear that archery was Katniss' strong suit. But in Catching Fire, her archery is on a whole other level. Watching her train before the games is a serious adrenaline rush. On another note, I'll probably be signing up for archery classes in the near future...

5. Caesar Flickerman is the Ryan Seacrest of the Capital...only not at all like Ryan Seacrest because Caesar is actually interesting to watch and listen to. Half of his lines are literally him just laughing, but he is fantastic nonetheless. Probably the only man to make purple hair and eyebrows look just right.

friendly visits

This past week my dearest friend from Minnesota was finally able to fly out and visit me here in Colorful Colorado. It had been nearly two years since the last time she came to visit, and seeing as I had recently moved to a new home, in a new town, there was plenty for us to explore together.

We had fulfilled the typical "Colorado Vacation Agenda" the last time she was here, i.e. site seeing, shopping, hiking, and the like. So this time, we decided (for the most part) to take it down a notch on the whole visor-and-camera-tourist thing and focus a majority of our time and energy on playing in Boulder.

That all being said, I introduced her to some of my closest friends, took her on a tour of my beautiful campus (CU Boulder), brought her to some of the best and most well-known restaurants in town, and showed her around the Boulder bar scene for a night or three. I guess you could say I gave her a sneak peek into the wondrous life of a Boulder Buff!

Aside from all of the exciting adventures we had experienced in Boulder itself, we did partake in a rather touristy endeavor near the end of her stay here in CO. The two of us, and three of my best friends from school, hopped into the car, blasted One Direction, and took a road trip straight south - destination: Garden of the Gods.

Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs. In other words, it is a spacious park with massive sandstone and red rock formations dating back to 1330 BC. The park offers various walking trails as well as hiking, rock climbing, road biking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Set against Pikes Peak and the beautiful blue skies of Colorado, you can't help but notice the true and radiant beauty of the park. Take a look!

If you are ever planning to visit Colorado, I would definitely suggest you make sure to include a trip to the Garden of the Gods in your agenda. There is more information on their website, which you can access here. Oh, and it's free!

current style icons

As of recently, I've been spending an embarrassing amount of my down time re-watching my favorite television show, Gossip Girl. In a most shortened summary, Gossip Girl follows a group of young socialites from the Upper East side of NYC as they work their way through the highs and lows of a life only the most elite individuals could understand. To the unknowing outsider, their lavish lifestyle may seem to be all glitter and gold, and their problems only petty issues, but there is one particularly threatening force that works endlessly to make their lives utterly miserable - anonymous blogger, "Gossip Girl." Everyone who is anyone in the Upper East side knows about Gossip Girl and her mission to expose the dirty little secrets of New York's finest young socialites, and hang them out to dry in the streets of Manhattan.

Sure, the show may be seen as ridiculous or shallow in the eyes of some, but to me, it is a seriously intricate and creative piece of work. The plot has literally hundreds of unexpected twists, turns, and revelations. The character you confidently declare as your favorite in season one may very well transform into the one you just can't seem to stand. In other words, very rarely do you truly know what is going to happen to Manhattan's elite.

To make things a bit more juicy, each member of the cast is, shall I say, rather appealing to the eye? Physical perfection? Drop dead gorgeous? I would like to choose D, all of the above. Their beauty is only exemplified by the luxurious, designer head-to-toe wardrobe they are dressed in for each episode. Even when a character is at his/her worst, absolute rock bottom, they defy all odds and end up looking as beautiful as ever. It's sickening and wonderful all in the same. So, while I'm on my most recent Gossip Girl obsession, I'll be sharing my favorite style icons: Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, a.k.a. Leighton Meester and Blake Lively respectively. Not only are my current style icons fabulous and fashionable in character, but out of character as well.

Blair Waldorf - Queen Bee

Classic

Refined

Chiffon

Conservative

Structured

Bows

Sparkle

Serena van der Woodsen - It Girl

Flowing silhouette

Shortened Hemline

Deep Neckline

Scandalous

Bright Color Scheme

Relaxed

Playful

------------------------

Leighton Meester

Street Style:

Casual

Laid back

Skinny Jeans

Jackets & Blazers

City Girl

Red Carpet Style:

Sexy

Dark

Daring

Va va voom

Blake Lively

Street Style:

Prim

Fitted

Heels

Detail

Uptown Girl

Red Carpet Style:

Detail

Gowns

Light

Sexy

If you had to choose...who's style would you love to have?

the greatest decade ever?

A few nights ago, my friend and I decided to indulge in a laid back evening at the movie theater, complete with treats and soda galore...courtesy of a pre-theater Target stop. We set our sights on catching the new movie "The To Do List"starring Aubrey Plaza, Rachel Bilson, Bill Hadar, and Andy Samberg. And that is where this post begins...

"The To Do List" follows recent high school graduate and, let's say..."socially" inexperienced goodie-two-shoes, Brandy Klark as she embarks on a mission to complete a scandalous summer to do list before heading off to college. I know, I know, this sounds like the average, run-of-the-mill summer comedy that lacks any real potential to make it as a fan-favorite blockbuster, but alas, "The To Do List" gains uber brownie points for one reason in particular; it takes place in the greatest decade to have ever been experienced...THE 90s. In all actuality, there are plenty of other reasons I believe this movie is destined for a bit of success, but it just so happens the fact that "The To Do List" is set in the early 1990s is my favorite, so let's focus on that.
From the beginning of the movie to the final credits, I was completely entranced by a serious feeling of nostalgia. Having been born in 1991, I have always confidently proclaimed myself as a kid of the 90s, I mean, why wouldn't I? The 90s only produced the best fashion, movies, television, music and products of all time, and in honor of such notoriety, each of these elements were on proud display throughout the entire movie.
All of this 90s lovin' had me dying to take a look back in time to find AND SHARE just a few of the many gems that were a result of the great 1990s. Side note: please feel free to bring any of these fine products back into our daily lives, thanks.

FASHION OF THE 90s
Overalls, windbreakers, turtle necks, sweaters tied around the waist, stretch shirts, doc martens, jelly shoes, scrunchies, bucket hats, choker necklaces, butterfly clips, tinted sunglasses, crimped hair, middle parts, long hair, and the list goes on. For your viewing pleasure...

 

MOVIES OF THE 90s

This was a toughy because there are so many to choose from, but here are just a few of my favorites ranging from early to late 1990s.

TELEVISION OF THE 90s
The 90s provided us with some of the most notable sitcoms to date. In my opinion, we haven't quite matched the same quality of entertainment that the 90s were so generous to provide us.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS OF THE 90s
So many products so little time. Everything from Bop It to Oregon Trail, the 90s had the BEST toys, games, and electronics!

So there you have it! Cheers to being a 90s kid! For all you other 90s babies, what was your favorite part of the 1990s?

summer photo dump

Heyoo, bloggers! I fell off the blog wagon a few weeks back, but I'm ready to make a triumphant return. Well, we'll see just how triumphant it ends up being in the next few weeks...today is a simple photo dump of what I've been up to this summer. Here goes nothing!

In my opinion, summer is all about making the most out of your time with your friends. During the school year, it's painstakingly difficult to find time to get everyone together for some fun and mischief. So, I make sure to enjoy every last minute that I get to spend with my most precious and darling friends! From celebrating birthdays to celebrating holidays or just celebrating a night out on the town, I've been doing my best to live in the moment and enjoy some truly amazing company!



There is quite a lot to do in the summer: travel, spend time outdoors, go to sporting events and concerts, and the list goes on. This summer I was able to travel back to Minnesota for a week and relax at the lake and take in the most beautiful sunsets. I've also been able to enjoy hiking at Chautauqua in Boulder, golfing at a course near Denver, and watch the Rockies win over the 2012 World Series Champions, the San Fransico Giants! To make things better, I was at the game with a few Giants fans...you better believe I relished in the victory.

There are some things in life that just scream "SUMMER!" For instance, a refreshing drink in a charming mason jar...ora giant bowl of fresh berries; blue berries, raspberries, strawberries, OH MY! Even a sunny day in a one-stoplight town in the middle of nowhere, MN. BUT, if you ask me, the epitome of summer is reading a good book by the pool. If I could have all of these things in one instance, I'm fairly certain it would be the best day of the entire summer.

Behold, the summer is not over quite yet! I've got a couple of fun things planned for the rest of July and August, so stay tuned for another photo dump!

my kryptonite...online shopping

In my line of work I spend a lot of time at a computer. I mean A LOT of time...oh the joys of working the front desk at a country club. Only so much of that time can be spent checking and updating all of my social media networks, reading the blogs I follow, and catching up on breaking news. Luckily, there is one other thing the internet is good for...online shopping. I spend quite a bit of time online window shopping, creating "wish lists," putting things in my "cart," and if all goes well, making it all the way to the end of the line...also known as "check out," where all of your money goes POOF and all your dreams come true.

The other day, one of my friends asked me which shopping sites were my favorite. This question got me thinking I should share my go-to websites with everyone, and in return, you can all share yours with me. In other words, we can all feed each others addiction to shopping, or materialism, it's really however you chose to look at it. Anyways, here are a few of the sites I visit most frequently....

1. Hautelook.com 

I love Hautelook because they offer such a great variety of goods and items available for purchase. They have the following categories: men, women, children, home, and beauty. Within each category there are various designers and brands to chose from, each offering a plethora of items on MAJOR discount. I also love Hautelook because they offer high end brands and designers as well as less expensive labels and everything in between!

On another note, Hautelook has just a couple negative qualities. First, you have to create an account by providing an email address. This isn't a huge deal, but you will receive daily emails from them. The only other bummer about this site is the shipping. Sometimes your order will come fairly quickly and other times it can take up to a couple of weeks, it all depends on where it is being shipped from.

2. Tobi.com

Tobi is a seriously amazing site for young women. I would consider it to be tailored to women between the ages of 16-25 (give or take a few years). They offer a huge variety of apparel. Even better, each section (i.e. sweaters, swim wear, etc) literally has hundreds of items to chose from. I would say the pricing is moderate, for example: you can find a pair of shorts ranging anywhere between $25-$70, depending on what you're looking for. All of their clothes are super hot and right on trend. Another bonus, if you have any questions about the clothes or shipping, they have a comments section at the bottom of their homepage that proves to be incredibly helpful. Need more convincing to check them out? You can get 50% of your ENTIRE first order!

As far as I am concerned, the only bummer about Tobi is that it requires you to create an account, similar to Hautelook. This means that you'll get multiple emails throughout the week.

3. NastyGal.com

Last but not least, there is a lovely site that goes by the name of Nasty Gal. Similar to Tobi, this site is tailored specifically towards women; if you couldn't tell by the name. Most of the clothing and accessories offered here are a bit more wild and risque, but seriously stylish nonetheless. The price point is a bit up there, but if you're dying to find something unique and trendy, it would definitely be worth it to drop your dime here! Nasty Gal even has a vintage section with a lot of cute and interesting old-school pieces available for purchase...if you've got the funds. Even better, you aren't required to set up an account for purchases. You are more than welcome to create an account if you'd like, but you are also given the option to place an order as a "guest."

So, all in all, I would say the only downside to this site is the price point. There are definitely items that will cost a pretty penny, but they would totally be worth it! And if you're budget is a bit smaller, take a look anyways, there are plenty of less expensive items available...and as always, check out the sale section!

So, there you have it! I hope you all enjoy these sites and maybe you'll even snag a seriously exciting deal on a new pair of summer shorts or a darling summer dress. You'll never know if you don't click on the links....so do it! CLICK.

canvas and cocktails

If I didn't know any better, I would think my mom is living a double life...her second life being the woman we all know as Martha Stewart (minus the whole fraud and prison thing). In other words, my mom is literally the most talented and creative Susie-homemaker I have ever known. She cooks and bakes to-die-for meals and goodies, she has mastered the art of tiling floors and back splashes, she can transform something from old to new with a quick refinishing or reupholstering, AND she can pretty much sew or knit an entire wardrobe at the drop of a hat.
All that being said, it probably comes as no surprise that, during my visit home, my mom had prepared for a canvas and cocktail day. She found a craft on Pinterest that not only looked fun but also pretty simple. She purchased all of the following supplies:

Cocktails!

Canvas(es)

Spray paint

An assortment of lace/doilies

Masking tape

Newspaper/Paper bags

FIRST: Prepare your cocktail. My family is really into wine, so we decided to have this delicious Sauvignon Blanc rather than a traditional "cocktail".

SECOND: Set up your space. We decided to do this craft in the garage due to our use of spray paint. We put down newspaper and paper bags to protect the garage floor. Begin with a blank canvas.

THIRD: Decide where you are going to place your lace/doilies. Once you have decided on placement, tape everything down as best you can. For example: I began by wrapping lace around the top section of my canvas and securing it with tape on the back side. Then, I placed my doilie and wrapped the excess around the canvas edges and secured it with tape. (The lace and doilie are discolored because they had previously been used.)

FOURTH: Keeping the can about 10-12 inches from the surface, spray paint one coat using a swift left to right motion. Be sure to spray the edges of the canvas as well, and let dry.

FIFTH: Repeat step four.

SIXTH: When the canvas has dried, remove the lace and doilies. The finished product should look something like this...

the strange things girls do...and i'm not entirely sure why.

A while back I wrote a post that poked fun at a few of the things guys should avoid (at all costs) if they are going to have any luck in snagging the girl of their dreams. (If you need a refresher course, that post can be found here!) In all honesty, I was pretty shocked when I found out just how much traffic that post generated. The shock was mostly due to the fact that the "deal breaker" post was so different from what I'm generally comfortable writing. But, it's popularity got me thinking that I should spread the love around a bit. So, I decided it was necessary to be fair to the guys and shift the focus to my girls. The overall idea of this post is exactly the same as it was in the "deal breaker" post: to poke fun. However, the topic of discussion has been altered a bit, as I can't really speak for the male gender about what is or is not seen as a dating deal breaker when out on the prowl for a lady friend.

All that being said, this post is going to focus on the seriously strange things females tend to do... for no apparent reason. Now, I'm not saying that every last girl on the face of this Earth participates in these strange rituals, but unfortunately, a good amount us do. I am a firm believer that most of these things should be avoided at all costs (just like the deal breakers for guys). But, if I'm going to be honest, I'll have to admit... I've done a thing or two on this list and I'm not proud of it. Let's get this show on the road.


Repeat the following phrase for each point: I'm not entirely sure why, but girls tend to...

1. Insist on going to the bathroom in pairs...or groups. This will forever be a mystery to me. It's like, "Don't mind me, I'll just stand here awkwardly while you do your thing."

Lindsay is playing the part of "awkward bystander"

2. Contort their bodies into painfully awkward positions for photographs. I'm not sure what this craze is all about, but I'd bet that 1,000 years from now, researchers are going to believe we collectively suffered from severe spinal issues.

3. Put a full face of make up on just to go to the gym or the pool. It's going to sweat off of your face anyway, so why take the time?

This meme says it all

             **continuing with the whole make up thing...

4. Put on so much bronzer and foundation that it literally looks as if you could scrape it off with a spoon.

5. Choose to wear heels they cannot walk in. If you are wearing a pair of pumps that make you look like a baby deer trying to walk for the first time, just do us all a favor and take them off.

Oh, Bambi...

6. Fake bake or spray tan until they are orange. You know what, accidents happen. But, if you are consistently orange time after time, that's no longer an accident.

Excuse me, Xtina...but, you're orange

7. Sport obnoxiously long/ unnatural looking extensions; either in their hair or on their eyelashes. Please, just refrain. No one thinks that looks natural.

8. Idealize hopelessly romantic movies and then wonder why life isn't like it is in the movies. News flash, ladies: Allie and Noah don't actually exist...

The Notebook: providing young girls with false hope since 2004.

9. Fill their closets with a hundred different shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts, and then only wear five things because everything else is "ugly" or "doesn't look good on." We all do it, and we all need to come to terms with the fact that we all do it.

There's obviously nothing to wear in here

10. Add extra letters to words in order to create some sort of desired emphasis. This is most often done via text or on social media networks. For example, "I can't believe she said thatttt."


After the "deal breaker" post, I learned that I should probably include a disclaimer for posts of this nature, so here it is: I AM BY NO MEANS TRYING TO CAUSE MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL PAIN/SUFFERING. IF YOU HAVE DONE OR PRESENTLY DO ANY OF THE THINGS LISTED IN THIS POST OR IN THE "DEAL BREAKER" POST, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE AS THIS IS PURELY FOR GIGGLES.

independence day

The Fourth of July is just around the corner and I am more prepared than ever to participate in the celebration of our nation's independence. I mean, we are lucky enough to live in the greatest country in the world, WHY WOULDN'T WE CELEBRATE? With parades, barbeques, and fireworks galore, it's pretty difficult to sit back and watch everyone else have fun without being tempted to join in...right?!

BUT, it's important to keep in mind that the Fourth is not ONLY about fun and games. The Fourth of July was made a national holiday to commemorate our independence from Great Britain. Without this independence we may not necessarily be known as the "land of the free and the home of the brave." So, while you're out enjoying this glorious day, remember to take a minute to recognize how lucky we are to call the U.S. our home, and be thankful for those who have served in our military to keep our home independent, free, and safe.

All right, enough of the lecturing. One of my favorite parts about celebrating the Fourth is sporting that red, white, and blue! Don't get me wrong, I wear most of my patriotic pieces all throughout the year, but it is on this day that I can wear them all at the same time and look fairly normal. This is what I've got planned...

As of now, my friends and I plan to spend most of the day either at the res or the creek, both of which are water oriented, so a swim suit is a must! I got both of these pieces at Target - the bottoms were even on clearance for $6.00! Obviously, the two weren't initially meant to go together, BUT I loved the color and texture combination. The top is just an average navy and white striped bandeau and the bottoms incorporate a red crocheted fabric. Red? Check! White? Check! Blue? Check!

Eventually the day will transition to night and I'll be in need of some actual clothing. I bought this top at Forever 21 for around $20! The shorts are from American Eagle and cost a bit more, probably about $40. Not only does the outfit incorporate the red, white, and blue, but it also has stars and stripes!

Last, but most certainly not least...you'll need something to hold all of your things. Sunglasses, credit cards, cash, ID, chapstick, and the list goes on. Usually this "something" would be a purse, but on a hot and sunny day full of action and activities, the last thing you want to do is lug a purse around. Have no fear, the fanny pack is here; complete with the American flag! I found this little gem on amazon.com for just $13.

If you are looking to put together a special Fourth of July outfit, I would definitely suggest checking out Forever 21 - they generally have an uber patriotic section, as well as places like Target and Old Navy for inexpensive red, white, and blue finds. I hope you all have a great time celebrating on the Fourth!

a bit of a pick-me-up

I've been told by some friends on several different occasions that I am someone they consider to be genuinely happy a majority of the time. The more I have thought about it, the more I realize that this seems to be a pretty accurate statement. I really do like to be happy, I mean, who doesn't? I've found that when I am happy and upbeat, I can make those around me feel just a bit better as well. To be honest, I really appreciate my friends telling me this, because I consider it to be a desirable quality for someone to have!

But, like any normal human being, I have my less than happy-go-lucky days where something just doesn't feel right. It's on those kinds of days that a little pick-me-up is just what I need to get me feeling like myself again. So, if you're having one of those days today, here are a few things that I've found make me smile or feel happy. Hopefully they can brighten your day aswell, even if it's just for a moment. Enjoy!



So much truth in this quote!



Summer + barefoot + balloons = happiness



Such a precious idea. Even something as simple as this could really brighten someone's day!



If this adorable kitten doesn't make you happy...

I believe that happiness comes from loving yourself first.

 I hope you all have a great day (and rest of the weekend) filled with smiles and happiness!

guilty pleasures

I've recently become aware of a number of things, people, or activities that I would consider my own guilty pleasures. Now, I'm not necessarily ashamed of them or feel guilty that I enjoy them, BUT I feel like others would expect me to! Here's why...

1. TABLOID MAGAZINES - I've been scoffed at numerous times for my obsession with tabloids and celebrity culture. But, you know what? I love indulging in a People, Star, or OK magazine every now and then...or every other day.

2. ELABORATE COFFEE DRINKS - I understand they are expensive, I mean $6.00 for a coffee is a bit absurd. I admit it. But they are delicious. And who cares if I splurge every now and then for a wondrous skinny caramel macchiato from Starbucks?

3. RERUNS - My parents and siblings are always making fun of me for watching the same episodes over and over. But let's be honest, every episode of That 70s Show and Friends is a good one.

4. HANDBAGS, HANDBAGS, HANDBAGS! - It's not an obsession or an addiction, it's more of a hobby. I say you can never have too many, but I've been told the opposite more than once.

5. MUSIC FROM THE 2000s - I don't care what you say, music from the early 2000s was and still is the best music of all time.

These are just a handful of my own guilty pleasures...what are yours?

if you could pick one person...

I have absolutely no idea what made me think of this post idea, but I'm really excited to write it and hopefully get some interesting feedback! To start things off, we all know what "ice breakers" are, right? You know, those painfully awkward questions that, for some unknown reason, are deemed necessary in unfamiliar social situations? Well, I absolutely dread the "ice breaker" question for many reasons, I think they are pointless. But, I came across an "ice breaker" a while back that I found somewhat interesting. So interesting in fact, that I actually put time and effort into a response via this post! The question went something like this: "If you were given the opportunity to have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?" After thinking for a moment or two, this is who I came up with....

ADUREY HEPBURN

I adore everything I have ever seen, read, or heard concerning Audrey Hepburn. From what I've learned, she seems to have been a true class act in every sense of the phrase. Although she has passed, Audrey Hepburn continues to be a wonderful role model for women across the world.

Fashion

Before I had truly known anything about who Audrey Hepburn was, I was already obsessed with her sense of style. She is and most likely always will be one of Hollywood's greatest fashion icons. In fact, she was included within the International Best Dressed List in 1961! Here's a little peek at some of her most memorable fashion moments...

CAREER
Not only was Audrey Hepburn an incredibly fashionable woman, but she was also an incredibly talented woman. She is one of very few actresses to win an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, AND Academy Award. For those who are unaware, an Emmy is an award given in recognition of superiority or excellence in the television industry, a Tony for the theater industry, a Grammy for the music industry, and an Academy award for the movie industry. My favorite film of Hepburn's is Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I also adore her performance in the movie musical My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn has also starred in Sabrina, Roman Holiday, War and Peace, and Wait Until Dark. The simple fact that Hepburn won such a variety of prestigious awards attests to her incredible talent not only in television and film, but also in theater and music. She could sing and act, and even dance a bit - talk about a true triple threat!

HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
On top of being incredibly gorgeous and unbelieveably talented, Audrey Hepburn was a sincere, compassionate, and giving individual. After acheiving great success, acting, music, and the like ended up taking a back seat to her work with children. In the late 1980s, Hepburn became an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. As an ambassador, Audrey Hepburn traveled to over 20 different countries and repeatedly witnessed the struggle to survive that plagued millions of innocent children. In turn, she reported these happenings to government leaders and the international media in an effort to bring to attention the life threatening issues that were (and still are) affecting children all around the world. Hepburn's incredible humanitarian efforts were recognized in 1992 when she was granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In true Audrey Hepburn fashion, she continued her work with UNICEF until she ultimately lost her battle with cancer on January 20th, 1993. [All information mentioned in regards to Hepburn's mission work was found at Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund and UNICEF]

Audrey Hepburn's sense of style, outstanding career, and incredible humanitarian efforts are just a few reasons why I would absolutely love to have dinner with her if I was given the opportunity. I can only assume I would go wild with questions, hoping to get a glimpse into the life of a woman who I believe to be one of the most beautiful and fascinating individuals to have not only been succesful in Hollywood, but to also remember her roots, to stay grounded, and give back to those in need.

I'll leave you all with a few of my favorite quotes from Audrey Hepburn herself...

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anyone."

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."

"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - be happy - that's all that matters."

There is my answer! WHO WOULD YOU CHOSE?

crafting catch up - pt. two

All right, part two! This craft has the same concept as the craft in part one, so there is not as much detail in the step-by-step process. BUT, if you're interested in doing it, you can loosely follow the directions in the previous post! For now, i'll fill you in on the basics.

In a few short months, I am packing up and moving into the great city of Boulder to be closer to friends and campus. It's been a long time coming, and I could not be more excited for this change in my life! However, I am going to be living in a smaller space than I have become used to...which means I'm going to have to use what space I have as effectively as possible! From what I've learned, being a great space-saver requires some pretty impressive organizational skills as well as plenty of storage. I'm pretty confident that I've got the organizational skills down pat, but I'm still working on finding the necessary storage. I already have a handful of wicker baskets in a variety of shapes and sizes that can be placed on the floor, the dresser, the night stand and other areas of the room, however, adorable wicker baskets can't solve all of my problems. So, in the interest of saving money, I realized that the simple, plastic three drawer Target cart that has been tucked in the back of my closet could easily be up-cycled into a cute and fun storage piece!

Here is what you'll need:

Plastic storage cart - about $15.00 at Target

Scrapbooking paper

Mod Podge

Paper cutter

Foam paint brush

Popsicle stick

Since I had had my cart for a while, I began by wiping down the drawers so the surface that I would be mod poding was clean and smooth.

Next, I picked out my paper and set up all of the supplies I used from the last craft.

Then, I took each drawer out and cut the scrapbook paper to size. I decided I was only going to mod podge the FRONT of each drawer. So, I cut three pieces of patterned paper to the size of the face of the drawer. Next, I simply painted mod podge straight onto the face of the drawer, placed the paper on top, and smoothed out any bumps and bubbles with the popsicle stick. This is what it should look like...

I thought the cart looked good, but it was missing a LITTLE something. So, I took the left over scraps of paper and cut two pieces from each (the scraps should be about four inches wide and the height of the drawer). From this point, I painted a layer of mod podge directly onto the scraps of paper and placed a piece on both the left and right side of each drawer and wrapped it around to the back. Finally, I painted a layer of mod podge OVER everything that was covered in scrapbook paper. And the final product....

Having spruced the cart up a little bit makes it less of an eye sore in the grand scheme of the room. Now, not only is the storage space functional, but it is shabby chic as well, and will look pretty cute with one of my white wicker baskets on top!