A Backwards Glance at all the Firsts: 2012

This past year has held a lot of firsts, beginnings, endings, excitement, disappointment, and soul searching. I feel like I have grown more as a person the past year than maybe any year before. On that note, here are a couple of the highlights from 2012 (the year the world was suppose to end. Also, sorry this post is so long, but everything is better with a lot of pictures, right?):

I went to my first crazy college New Years Dance (ok, it was at the SLC Institute so it wasn't THAT crazy).

I went to my first Brain Regan Concert. It was worth every penny and my cheeks were sore all night! If you ever get the chance to go, DO IT!

This wasn't my first, but it was a first none the less! I accompanied my roommates to go see Parachute when they came a second time to Salt Lake City to a sold out show. It was beyond amazing! It was two of my roommates first concert! I am such a concert junkie that it was fun to see them at their first one. 

I planned/went on my first Spring Break vacation without parental supervision. A group of us hopped in cars and went to St. George. It was also my first time driving for longer than an hour at a time (leg=sore). It was by far one of the funnest trips I have ever been on. 

Hugh's Family (Peter was the dad, I was the mom, the rest were our kids :P )

I experienced my first Color Festival. Man was it crazy! But SO much fun. I totally plan on going again this year!

I was bold and had my first "break up" hair cut--everyone says you'll regret it later, but I sure didn't!

I met the guy who plays Elton in Singles Ward. It was a big deal ok?

I posted my first DIY shirt to my blog and Pintrest (it is still my most viewed post and pin).

I started my first full-time summer job that extended into the school year at US Novelty and Party (this was a pic on my first day of work).

I successfully pranked a boys room for the first time with a whole bunch of left over yarn. 

I became a member of the Latter-Day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) at the SLC Institute as head of the Historian committee. I also designed the t-shirts that you can see everyone wearing around the UofU campus!

The first of my best girl friends got her mission call: California ASL speaking. She is in the MTC right now and I am so proud of her!

I went to my first Murder Mystery Party and it was a blast. 

I sang in a choir for the Relief Society Broadcast for the first time (though it was not my first time singing in a choir in the Conference Center).

I went to Nightmare on 13th for the first time (I'm the crazy looking one in hipster glasses almost hidden in the back :p What you can't see is that I'm wearing a cat shirt ;). )

I wore a wig cap and a wig for the first time for a Hallowen Costume. (LOVE this costume.)

Dress: Thrifted (such a good find), Beads: Claires and borrowed from my roommates, Gloves: Halloween City, Boa: Halloween City, Wig: Halloween City, Bracelets: Claires (way old), Ring: Forever 21, Tights: JCP, Lips: Sephora Lipstain

And last but not least, I threw my first ever Christmas Party that ended up being a SMASHING hit! 

So there are some highlights of the "firsts" I experienced this year. To wrap things up, a few firsts and highlights that I don't really have pictures for: 

I experienced for the first time what it feels like to find your perfect match and have them not feel the same.

I got into the Graphic Design program, so I have a concrete plan for the next 2 1/2 years for the first time since I didn't get into the program the first time. 

I was paid for my first design job. 

I created this blog.

I went fishing for the first time and LOVED it. 

I had my first summer romance.

I rode a moped for the first time. 

I ate sushi for the first time and actually liked it. 

I had my purse stolen. 

I spent a summer not at home for the first time. 

I got my first big paycheck and was tempted to blow it all. 

I experienced what it felt like to be loved back...and what it feels like to be the one to end things. 

I started an Etsy shop.

I signed up for my first boutique (more on this to follow).

Well there you have it folks. Here's to 2013 and all the new firsts that are just waiting to happen! I plan on grabbing each new experience by the horns and riding them till the next one comes along!

Happy New Year!

xoxo

CRM

Christmas Extravaganza!

Well it's been almost a week since my party last Friday and I am finally getting around to posting the results. I must admit I was amazed at the outcome. The changed location ended up being perfect, I had amazing helpers to set up and take down, the food was all eaten, and I think everyone had a great time. It just goes to show that even when everything looks like it's going to crash and burn, it really can work out in the end. 

Ok, on the fun part! The pictures :)

Here was my outfit for the night. I was hoping to make something new for the party, but time ran away from me and I had to scrounge through my closet to find something that I hadn't worn for awhile

Dress: Down East Basics (old), Belt: Wow, I can't even remember!, Shoes: Forever Young Shoes (old, like 8th grade old), Tights: JCP, Necklace: Gift from China, Lips: Sephora Lipstain

I was happy it turned out as well as it did for a very last minute holiday ensemble! 

The dessert table: definitely the favorite spot to mingle all night. 

The cute banner I made to add a little sparkle. A party just isn't the same without a banner! :)

The cute tree decoration I made using this tutorial. 

Hot Chocolate Station (Note to self: A small thing of Steven's would have been PLENTY.)

I think I ate more of these throughout the night then I did cookies!

I love these bowl pedestals! So much classier than just sitting the bowl on the table. 

Quick D.I.Y. tip: 

1: Buy a cute bowl or platter

2: Buy a glass candle stick (often on sale at Hobby Lobby)

3: Wash bowl/platter

4: Hot glue or super glue (I like to use the glue brand "Goop") the candle stick to the bowl/platter and "Ta Da!" you have an amazing platter your friends will want to take home with them it's so cute!

I had a bunch of leftover felt from making the first cute tree (they just took too long to make a ton of them), so my mom and I made up this cute decoration that was a TON faster. A step by step tutorial on this one will be coming soon!

We tried to dress up the walls as well as we could with some beads and twinkle lights. 

I stole the ever popular photo booth idea and it was a hit!

What can I say? I love a good fake mustache and top hat! (Also, props to Camilla who is pictured above for doing my hair for the night! She is amazing!)

In the end the party was a great success and even though it caused me much stress and loss of sleep, I'm glad I was able to pull it off and might even consider doing it again next year...maybe...

Or maybe it would just make me look like this again ;)

xoxo

C.R.M.

Artsy Fartsy

I've always thought the title "artsy fartsy" is pretty hilarious. Maybe it's because it's the phrase my mom always uses to describe artsy things that I like. Well, she definitely would have been using it last Saturday if she had been with my roomie and I at the SLC Arts Festival. What a hoot and a hollar it was! Between the crazy graffiti art to the live sand sculpting and amazing vendors, it was right up my ally and I absolutely loved it.

And to top it all off I was looking pretty artsy fartsy if I do say so myself. :)

{Shirt: Limited, Necklace: Forever 21, Earings: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Quilted Bear, (What can I say, I get my clothes/accessories at super random places!) Lipstick: Sephora, Shorts: Walmart, Hat: Walmart, (Yes, I just typed the world Walmart in a fashion post. All I can say is the shorts and the hat were cheaper there than anywhere else and they fit better. So there.) Shoes: TaiPan}

xoxo

C.R.M.

Lippy Stuff

When I was in elementary school and junior high I was completely obsessed with Neopets; which I just looked up and it still exists. The only thing that kept me from logging on and looking around is that the only thing I remember from my username and password is "Lippystuff". I have no idea why I thought that  "lippystuff" {along with my favorite numbers 14 and 27} was a normal password, but I did. It was the best my 13 year old mind could come up with I guess. Or maybe it was foreshadowing just how much lipgloss and lipstick I would own in the future.

Either way, here it is, my promised post about my lippy stuff collection!

{Yes, this is what I do with my free time as I continue to look for a job. Arrange and take pictures of my lipgloss.}

I don't think one person should be allowed to have this much lipgloss. The sad part is, there are probably a rather large handfull of people that have even more than what you see before you.

My Favorites:

As I mentioned in my last post, I am addicted to Sephora lipstick. I've only bought two so far, but they are my daily staples! They are more pricey than drugstore lipsticks, but still not as expensive as some department stores. They wear great throughout the day and only need to be freshened up once or twice if you are eating a lot or biting your lip for one reason or another {you know, cute boy walks by, someone says something derogatory against cats and you have to hold back a rebuttal in order to retain your friendship}.

The Lipstick

The Bath and Body Works Collection.

From the the time I bought my first tube of metha lipgloss at B&BW {pictured at the left end of the top row in all its dirty glory} I have been a firm believer in all of their lines. The best part? I bought that first tube in ninth grade and it still has some juice.

I have no good explanation for the 25 other tubes besides birthdays, Christmas and $3-per-tube sales.

In the end, this collection leads to my lippy stuff box being full to overflowing and hardly being able to fit it on its shelf. And yet I can't bring myself to get rid of any of them. I guess I will forever be a lipgloss pack-rat!

So what's your favorite go-to lipgloss?

I'd love to hear about it!

xoxo
C.R.M.