boo-tiful

I say this all the time, but Fall really is my favorite time of year. Everything about it perks me up and puts me in a good mood. I love the chilly crisp air, the rich colors, and mostly... the things that happen in the fall!

Football games, back to school, and the absolute best thing about autumn?

Halloween, of course!

Now, normally I plan my costume with plenty of time to spare. My sister and I always spent Halloween together so since she has passed - I haven't put a whole lot of effort into planning my costumes. I figure that needs to change. It's time I get back to what I love! The best thing about your costume is that whatever it is it allows you to transform and play a character for a night! I absolutely have a blast staying in character all night :) So, I'm on a mission this coming month to plan my costume. I'm very excited!

 

Halloween 2008 - My sister and I went as a 'made-up' female rap group (git money) haha, we had so much fun! To the right is my friend who was a gothic baby doll. We had a blast with this photoshoot - we were all SO in character!!



Crim 2011

So the Crim Race was this past weekend. 10 miles….

I was a bit terrified in the weeks that preceded. Oddly enough though, the weekend came and I was at ease with it. I think by then I had just accepted the fact that this was indeed happening, and I was going to finish no matter what. I looked at it like something you just “have to do”.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much FUN I had! I mean, there were times where I just wanted to sit down – yes, but it wasn’t nearly as tough or miserable as I thought I would be.

I’m already eager for next year! I’m thinking of signing up for a 5K in October…

Gotta start training J

Dad and I before the race

Mom and I before the race



My medal :)





showing off our medals



welcome to the jungle...

we got fun 'n' games...

Green Hell

And the sun screams louder at night

I can hear your soft, soft voice sliding down the walls

And I feel a green light kissing my face

the special two

I knew that I loved you the first time you got into my car
Your cheeks were flushed and I felt a hush come over me in the dark
I got us lost but at the next cross you said I don't care where we are
I'm in the right car

I drove us slow down a fast food strip and you turned the radio on
I was confused, all the signs were lit and you said I love this song
I wanted to say that I loved you but I knew too soon too strong
This is the ride I'm on
This is the ride I'm on

And I recall in my sleep how you changed my life on Magnolia Street
A dream, but it's true I am not the same since I met you
And I feel like I'm going home
But not to the one I've known

I knew that I loved you when we were flying home in the dark
Your hand on the wheel while I was trying to take my jacket off
My foot on the gas your eyes fast to the road ahead of us
I never felt such trust

And I recall, in my sleep how you changed my life on Magnolia Street
A dream, but it's true I am not the same since I met you

I knew that I loved you the first time you got into my car
Your cheeks were flushed and I felt a hush come over me in the dark
You wake me up warm from sleep and you take me in your arms
This is the ride I'm on
This is the ride I want

And I recall so complete how you changed my life on Magnolia Street
A dream, but it's true I am not the same since I met you...

 

"...we talked about the world like is was just something we were doing, some place we were passing through –our souls had greater universes to conquer together."

- Chelsie

time after time

you said go slow, i fall behind...

September is peeking around the corner and I am getting the itch to shop for my fall wardrobe. If you should know one thing about me, it is that autumn is my absolute favorite time of year and the falling leaves, rich colors, and crisp air leave me feeling satisfied down to my core.

I just wish it lasted longer.

rooftops and invitations

diy bracelets

fav nude heels




She just might get you lost
And she just might leave you torn
But she just might save your soul

wet cement

I love the Sally Hansen Xtreme wear nail polishes. They're cheap and usually it only takes one coat (time saving bonus!).

This wet cement color is the newest color I have tried. I didn't have a grey nail polish, so I figured I would give it a go. . .

The grey didn't show up in the picture as dark as it actually is....and this color did take two coats, but it dried quickly and I haven't had a single chip!

I love this shade with a pop of color.

every face a different shade

My hometown parade... we were walking in it to promote the "Pet Parade" in October I blogged about a few days ago!

Fizzbanger

Fizzbanger Bath Bomb/Ballistic

 

This smells like caramel apples J

Autumn is approaching, and I think this is the perfect bath bomb for the season.

I actually got this in a gift set, and didn’t think much of it when I purchased it. 

I would have taken pictures of this fun little bath bomb, had I known….

I wouldn’t say it is super hydrating, or moisturizing. It’s definitely one of those bombs meant more for the fun and luxury of taking a bath in candy apples… not so much for ‘skin care’.

None the less, the outside is yellow but the inside is blue, so you end up with a  pretty green ‘apple’ color, and it will surprise you with a bang! J It takes a while to ‘fizzle’ out too, so you can actually enjoy it! It is one of the new ‘hybrid’ items, so it has some bubble bar bits in it for a (slightly) frothy result.

If you're looking for a great "autumn" scent.... Fizzbanger is PERFECT. It immediately reminded me of halloween, falling leaves, and haunted houses!

Definitely an under-the-radar bath bomb that should get more credit. As far as smells go? This is unlike anything I’ve smelled from Lush…. Truly a one-of-a-kind bath bomb that (if you like candy apples), you won’t be disappointed with!

Link to the Lush Video of this bomb HERE

evolution of smooth

These are so adorable.

I bought the Red one first (Summer Fruit).

When I first picked this up, I figured it wouldn’t work that well. But it was so cute that I had to purchase.

I fell in love.

I’m never use an entire lip balm or chapstick down to the very end – this I did. I couldn’t believe it.

What I like about these lip balms is that they aren’t greasy or sticky, and they don’t dry up and leave my lips feeling and looking nasty.

It gives you that ‘just woke up’ lip look. You know the one? Where you’re lips are really plump, full, and natural looking? My favorite!

Love it.

Lemon Drop is my favorite in terms of overall. There is a SPF 15, and the scent is lemon-y but not a gross lemon lol.

Summer Fruit is by far my favorite scent of the three.

Sweet Mint would be my least favorite, as I am not a big fan of mint. I would purchase either Lemon Drop or Summer Fruit before this.

I think these range around $3 - but they do last a long time. I got mine at Walgreens.

 

rodeo clown

There is something so ADORABLE about my little man....

(Drying off after a bath)

He makes me smile :)

Sometimes the smallest of things, can mean so much.

City of Bones

City of Bones

By Cassandra Clare

This book was the first in the mortal instruments series…

I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to do a collective review on these, or post each review separately. I figured I would do short reviews on each J

This book picked up quick and it was go-go-go the entire way through. You know how some books you can guess which way the plot will turn?

Not this book.

So unexpected, it truly kept me on my toes.

Clary or Clarissa Fray was a normal girl growing up with her loving mother Jocelyn, and her dorky best friend Simon… until she gets into an argument with her mother. That’s the night her entire world changes.

I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say that this book is FULL of underworld goodies: Shadowhunters, werewolves, demons, faeries, vampires, forsaken, warlocks, witches…. Basically if you can think of it, the author has somehow weaved it into this series world.

The end of this book takes a HUGE, completely unexpected, and almost awkward turn. Definitely leaves you wondering….

Thank god there’s more!

(City of Ashes is next in the series)

Favorite Quote:
"... you see the world in ways that other people don't. It's your gift, to see the beauty and the horror in ordinary things."

your world is my world



..... and your fight is my fight.

rawr.

Spooky Howls

Last year the Lupus Support Group in my hometown started a Pet Parade to raise awareness and money to donate to the Lupus Alliance

It's really great because it gives people an opportunity to enter their pets in a costume contest for prizes, or just show off their adorable pooches! Last year we even had a mini horse and a cat! It was so much fun to see all the animals dressed up for Halloween!

As Halloween is my very favorite time of year, and I love, love, love getting decked out in costume, we dressed our pets up and we won "cutest costume" - duh! ;-)

Our pomeranian (Romeo), was a baby. He doesn't like to walk very far, but he sits in a stoller well so we thought this was only fitting. We followed suit with our Puggle (Rico), decking him out like a swagged out toddler. It was precious. Together we labeled them "The Kids".

This years walk is the second weekend in October and I can't wait. I will definitely post more costumes after this years event! I simply love Halloween!

fierce

So next weekend I will be participating in the annual Crim festival of races (link below) with my dad. There are different race options you can choose from, but we will be doing the 10 mile run.

Yup, 10 miles.

So somehow I needed to find the motivation to start getting my fitness on J

One of my favorite shows of all time just ended. So you think you can dance. Yes, I am fully aware it is a reality show, and some people cringe at the idea of a dance competition that resembles the singing competition American Idol.

I absolutely love it.

It’s definitely a show that inspires me every time I watch it. Some of the dances are genuinely soul-capturing, and the dancers are absolutely fierce in their commitment. I would watch this show just for ONE dance that moves me the way so many of them do.

What does this have to do with motivation and fitness, Taylor?

I guess I just wanted to post a blog about the things that get me inspired and motivated to work out. The dancers on this show have such incredible bodies. Truly lean muscle and they are so in shape and toned it makes me want to run for hours to get my body at its peak condition!

Don’t you think dancers have the most amazing bodies? Swimmers have great bodies too, very lean and muscular… something all of us ‘normal folk’ can get inspired and motivated by!

I’m excited for this race, but nervous as well. This will be my first ‘long distance’ attempt, but I am confident I will be able to finish. Plus, I will have my dad by my side to help keep me focused. We may not finish with the best time, but by golly, we will finish!

What motivates you to want to improve your body, maintain an active, fit lifestyle and stay fierce?

NailTek

Unfortunately I wasn't blessed with strong, long, healthy nails. For a long time I was a biter (EW, I know!), and found it near impossible to kick the habit. I am a lisenced Manicurist, too... so you can imagine my frustration!

I was reading today about "Beauty Habits to Break" and thought about what really helped me kick the habit of biting/picking at my nails. I thought I would share a few tips that really helped me kick the habit:

1. Keep your nails painted. If your polish chips, FIX IT as soon as you can! If you don't, you will just end up peeling all of your nail polish off... and it's all downhill from there!

2. Carry a nail file with you, or whatever manicuring tools you find that you need most often. If you break a nail or part of it chips, you will be less likely to bite or pick if you can pull out your tools and fix it. I went to Walgreens and picked up a little mani kit, usually they're only a few dollars.

3. Find a hardener/strengthener you like. I swear by the NailTek line. I put one coat on every day, and it keeps my nails looking like a daily fresh manicure! When you're nails look good, you don't want to ruin the paint job. The NailTek line comes in different formulas for different types of problematic nails. One for dry, brittle nails, one for soft, peeling nails, and they even have a maintenence formula for when you're nails get healthy and strong you can continue to keep them healthy and beautiful! It dries quickly too, for those of you thinking painting a top coat on every day is high maintenence. 5 minutes is all it takes and trust me, IT IS WORTH IT!

(The NailTek line can be purchased at Ulta or RiteAid (I believe) and is around $11 a bottle)

Some people use that stuff that tastes bad... but if you're a picker, it won't really help. Plus, the idea of eating anything with gross tasting polish on your nails is definitely less than inviting.

Basically, the best advice I can give you is to be serious about wanting healthy, good looking nails and to TAKE CARE OF THEM. Start to pay attention to your hands and actually work to keep them strong and beautiful. Once a week give yourself a mini manicure with a buffer, cuticle oil and the works to keep you focused on your goal. It isn't something that happens overnight, but once you start to see results you'll never want to look back. These few SIMPLE tricks worked for me. I love my nails now and am not embarassed by them at all! It's a great feeling to conquer a bad habit!

it's raining, it's pouring...

Today is one of my favorite types of Sundays. I woke up early, had my coffee and was messing around taking pictures, trying to get a little practice in!

It’s been raining all weekend here, so the air was chilled. I kept the windows open, so when the rain stopped I could hear all the birds chirping and singing their morning songs. I absolutely love the rain. It keeps everyone inside and gives me a great excuse to read and actually relax. I wish tomorrow wasn’t Monday already… although I may have an exciting weekend planned coming up. I hope the rain stops tomorrow, or else it looks like my rain boots will be making an appearance!