.....Little Miss Crum

My time is limited..

2011-06-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

My China stay is coming to a quick end. I get home next weekend. Here is a recap of my most recent vacation. :)

China has captured my heart. I will be back someday.

xoxo

Reaching the end..

2011-05-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

I have less than a month left here in China town. It is quite bitter sweet. It is safe to say that these kids have officially stolen my heart. They are simply precious. At times I lay in bed and wonder how I am ever going to be able to leave them. BUT I am so excited to see my family and my sweet babies of my own! This has been an incredible experience. Every bit of it! Here is a recap of the last little bit. Enjoy :)

xoxo

2011-04-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

Wow!!

2011-03-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

So I just got back from Beijing. It was honestly a trip of a lifetime. So nuts!! It was a blast. I saw some pretty incredible things! Annnddd...we shopped till we dropped. It was all bargain shopping which made it so much more fun!

Woah, I am exhausted though.

I also hiked the Great Wall. That alone is probably one of the coolest things I have ever done. Out of control people. Was amazing!!

Enough said. Until next time <3

xoxo

..and so it continues

2011-03-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

China Town. For reals. Ah!

Just kickin it in our room

2011-03-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

My roomate Hollie and I, singin away!! :)

xoxo

My view on China.

2011-03-05T23:16:00.000-08:00

So I have figured out that the reason why blogging has been so hard for me while I have been in China.

Time.

I just don't have enough of it. So I am making changes.

Most of the time I have very little time so I shy away from posting...

Well, I am stopping that.

I am going to post a few pictures every couple of days. It may not ever have words, just pictures.

If I get time to type I will definetly do so, but a picture speaks a thousand words.

Interpret it for yourself. See what I see. Live through my pictures. Let your imagination fall from these pictures.

They will describe my life and demonstrate what is in front of me..

xoxo

Goodmorning to me!

2011-02-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

Sooo, i woke up today to bagpipes and chinese music radiating through the halls. I was laying in bed listening to the music thinking to myself, "welcome to China!" It is pretty funny not gunna lie, def a warm welcome to my morning.

Heat is still out but hopefully it will get fixed soon. I slept with a water bottle last night filled with boiling water to warm myself up. It helped a lot!! I slept through the whole night! I think i am starting to adjust to the time, i get so exhausted by the end of the day that i am out cold. It is so cold in my room that i have to stay in one position the whole night to try and keep warm! Hahah ohhh goodie!! I dont tell you this to make you think i am complaining. I think it makes this even more of an experience!! Not gunna lie i hope it gets fixed soon, but it makes it fun to talk about!! When i say it is cold, it doesnt even justify cold. I know i am from AZ where if it is 40 I am freezing my buns off, but when you never have relief and are in the cold constantly, thats when it gets bad!! It is good tho!! This is a blast!!

It is monday morning for me right now, and today we get to go check out where we will be teaching. We are then gunna go into town to see what this city is all about!! I am excited to start exploring!! I met one boy whose name is Brock who is seriously such a sweetheart! He brought me an orange and sat with us at lunch. I think he has a crush on us Americans!! He is adorable, such a sweet little heart!! Everyone is really kind, I seriously feel like royalty here. Everywhere I go people are saying hello and the kids point and wave at us. It is so funny!! We start teaching tomorrow so I think it will be good to start getting into a schedule and start teaching. I got my class and I think it will be a blast!! These sweet little kids melt my heart!

So it is so stinkin funny, the chinese try to translate things into English but it never seems to go as good as hoped. Most everything that is translated is incorrect. Check this out...

This is a poster in our classroom. A published poster...hahahahaah!! So priceless, the funny thing is that this is everywhere haha!! Love it.

I will keep you updated on everything!! As for now I am off to explore the city. Stay tuned for more pictures!! This is going to be one of the greatest experiences I have had, thank you again for all your support!!

xoxo Lex

Ni Hao- China Day 1

2011-02-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ni Hao America!!

I am alive and am in Bengbu, China. Its whatever. Ha kidding, this place is insane!! It has been one LLLOOONNNGGG day but i am here and alive and living in China. Weird, I never knew i would be saying that!! This is crazier then I could have even begun to imagine. This is going to be an incredible experience I can already tell. So much has already happened!!

Lets start from the beginning.

On Feb. 9th I flew into LAX leaving behind my home, good o'le Mesa. (You will be greatly missed!!) From LA we flew into Korea which was about an 11 hour flight. I slept pretty much the whole time thanks to some good sleeping pills, thanks mama!! The food was terrible on the plane, but hey its an experience!! After landing in Korea we flew into Shanghai which was about another 2 hour flight. Our cute guide that will be with us the whole time during this trip was at the airport waiting for us. Her name is Mary, she is the bomb. SHe knows a lot of english so she is our translator. Idk what we would do without her!! She is adorable! After we met up with Mary we jumped onto a bus and started our 7 hour drive over to our city, Bengbu. We stopped in Shanghai and ate lunch, which was my first real Chinese meal. We had jiaozi (dumplings) which were really good. My chinese is staring out good already! It tasted a lot like pot stickers. The chinese people just kinda stared at us which was funny. They are all super nice tho so it is good! While on our drive over to Bengbu, we experienced a lot of honking. We soon caught on that Chinese people honk at everything. We were constantly switching lanes and honestly almost running over little cars. It was scary!! All the cars are a lot like ours at home, i see lots of VW vans and saw lots of Audi's... It is funny!! Our bus driving was hacking his brains out, it was a crack up! We were all so confused at what he was doing. He would hawk a loogie honestly every 5 mins ha!! It was nasty! But hey whatever works right?! Another one of our drivers was parked in the back just sleeping on a seat for most of the time!

Funny stuff! It was fun to get to know the girls tho, we will have a blast!!

We finally arrived to our city and pulled up to our school. There were about 10 chinese students waiting there for us to greet us and to help us take our luggage up to our rooms. We are on the 6th floor with no elevator...goodie. It is also FREEEZZIINNGG in our room, the Chinese dont exactly believe in indoor heating. I am typing right now with frozen fingers. I am freezing, but am bundled up in jackets and lots of socks so I will be ok! The room is a lot better then i had expected. I do have a bed and it isnt just cement floors. We are gunna decorate it cute so we will make it more homey. I share a room with a super fun girl named Holly who is from Vegas. We are def gunna party it up in here! The city is beautiful, i am excited to be able to see more! I am about 15 hours different in time compared to home (AZ) so time zones may be a bit of a challenge but I will figure something out. This is crazy stuff!!

This is going to be an amazing experience. I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to do this. It will def be a life changer! I will keep you posted on my life as I am embarking on this incredible journey. Who knew life existed outside of Mesa :). I miss home already but know this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. It will be good, oh so good. I love you friends and family, thank you so much for all your support!! Keep reading so I can continue to fill you in on my life and help you to feel a part of it!!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone :)

xoxo Lex

My Groupie

Bus ride to Bengbu

Shanghai

No dryers in China. Hang dry all the way. :)

Mm hmmm. Who knows.

First Chinese Meal. Dumplings.

Mary!!

My room!

Ps- Did i tell you it is freezing?! It is awful!!! My body is convulsing! hahahah!! Ahhhh!

Bring on the Holiday Spirit!

2010-11-29T16:06:00.001-08:00

So I sit here and type to you while I eat a delicious teriyaki bowl in the freezing weather Mesa has suddenly decided to throw out.

I've got my blanket, my 4 peppermint oreos and my laptop sitting right next to me. Life is good right about now!

Teriyaki Bowl + Oreos = Deliciousness... Sike.

Well it's good right now but I'm sure the combination wont settle well.

It's about dang time it gets cold tho right?! But holy cow I don't know how I do it. I am such a sucker to the cold haha! Waking up in the 40's is plenty cold enough for me!!

On my way to school.

But mmm how I love it. It truly makes it feel like Christmas time and what is better then that?!

Well..My personal favorites for this winter season so far have been:

1. Peppermint Oreos and Milk! Mmm baby!

2. Cranking the heater in my car (which I swear to say, Chevys have some of the best AC/heat I have ever felt)and blasting it on my face to the point I almost wanna sweat. Then I blast the cold. I am weird I know.

3. Waking up and hating my life because it is freezing and wanting nothing else but to stay in bed and sleep. I then leap out of bed, run to the bathroom as fast as I can and turn on the bath and sit in there till I get warm and cant stand it any longer. At that moment in time I think my life is pretty dang good!

4. Rolling out of bed and throwing glasses on, no makeup, and a baggy sweatshirt and off to school I go. Converses and toms become my life and nothing else matters but feeling warm and looking like crap. I love it!!

5. Putting up my Christmas birthday tree in my room to bring in the holiday spirit. I happen to be a Christmas baby so I set up a tree in my room to get me in the birthday mode. My mom has been on a roll with getting me new ornaments for my birthday tree. I love it so much! I have the best mom in the world if you all didn't already know!!

6. Jamming out to the same Chrismas tunes on the radio every time I am in the car. I am sick of them already but still play them everytime I get in the car.

Alyssa and I at work bringin in the Christmas spirit!

7. Cuddling up in a nice warm blanket and letting the freezing cold hit the tip of my nose and ears. As long as my toes are warm I am good to go.

8. Using the greatest website ever made..PANDORA.

Dear Pandora,

You rock my world. Thank you for branching out my music likings. Who ever knew I could love oldies and rock so much. Thank you!

Sincerely Yours,

New Finds: Jaymay- Gray and Blue

Molding Peaches- Anyone Else But You

Peter Bradley Adams- The Longer I Run

Bruno Mars- Marry You

John Mayer- Free Fallin'

9. Being with my family and watching my adorable babies run around, scream, and laugh! Life doesn't get much better when you are around the people you love.

Those are just a few of my favorites so far. Life is good. If the worst thing I am enduring is waking up early in the cold, life is pretty dang good :)

Oh how I love the HOLIDAY SEASON. I never want it to end!!

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China is soon approaching. I am getting nervous but crazy excited. I have such a desire to travel and see the world. China first.

Next on my list is Africa.

Then Europe.

I will get there just watch me!!

CHINA.

Hope you are all enjoying your cold weather and holiday season where ever you may be. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. I will tune in later this week to update you more on my crazy life. It is good. Oh so good.

xoxo

Changy Rearangy Take 3

2010-11-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

Ok so I changed my bed again...

Got a new grey pillow.

I think it makes it perfect for the bed and was exactly what I needed.

I enjoy sleeping in this bed!!

My mom also got my a new light for the back corner. It is fabric with flowers. Let me know if you like this one better then the Ikea one that I had up :)

xoxo

Belieber..

2010-11-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

So I have a problem...

I find songs I like and want to listen to them ALL THE TIMMMEE. Then they get old so fast! I hate it! So I am trying out a new solution. If I find a song I like, I will share it with all of you but not over do the song by instantly burning a cd with it on and keeping it in my car, or putting it as my background music on my blog. Ha! I tend to over do it :)

Anywho I am lovin this song today. Ladies and gentlemen, Ive got the Bieber Fever. Enjoy :)

Here I am!

2010-10-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

So I have been MIA for a while.. But suprise, here is am!

I have been up to a whole lot of....you name it!

School

Work

and yay, even some play!!

Things have been going good for me! Staying busy and shocked at how fast time is flying!!!

The count down has now begun for upcoming events for the next couples months.....

3 weeks until thanksgiving

2 months until my 20th birthday

6 weeks until the semester is over, woohoo!

3 and a half months till I leave for China

Ahhhhhhh!

Big events are coming up! And oh how I love the holiday season!! Life just seems to come at me, making me be ready for anything that comes my way. Life is hard, but oh so good.

Here is a little taste of things I have been up to..!

Az State Fair!

Lots of thrift store shopping! Here is one find I got that I really like!

This cute little black dress...

1. It came like this....

2. I finished it up like this..!

Was risky business for Halloween. Went to a party and had a blast!!

Broke it down on the dance floor and was workin the night away!! :)

Got a new bedspread! I feel like the pictures doesn't give it justice but when you walk into my room, my bed honestly looks like a piece of heaven. Its like you just wanna run and lay in it and sink into the comfort of this beautifulness! I love it. I am into very neutral colors these days. I want all whites and cremes and grays.

I am loving it.

Here are some other features in my room that I LOVE.

My initial. A for Alexis.

Bought from Urban Outfitters.

My basket of mirrors. Love iiitttt.

Throw from Ikea. It is perfect to add some texture to the bed. I am in love and think you MUST get one too!

This candle honestly makes me feel like the holidays are coming. There is nothing like a spotless room that smells fresh and clean. Oh how i love the holidays...!

Macintosh candle from Domestic Bliss. Also in the glass jar are giant staples found from the one and only...Goodwill!

Ah I love life right about now!

Sorry I have been so lame and haven't posted in a while. At times i feel like i dont even have time to breathe. But life is good. It is so so good. I am enjoying where I am at and excited for my new adventures to come!

Until next time :)

Have a fabulous week!

xoxo

A new twist

2010-09-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Ok first and foremost, I am obsessed with another song. Boyce Avenue is their name. They do a lot of covers and I LOVE it!!! So I bring you another song by them. I am a huge fan!

Ladies and gentlemen i present you with......

Boyce Avenue- Will you be there (Michael Jackson- Free Willy)

Next I am adding a new twist to my blog.

Soo my life pretty much revolves around school. I am in another anatomy class and I learn so many interesting/disgusting/fascinating things about our bodies. So I have decided it would be fun to share with all of you my knowledge on these interesting topics. It actually quite intriguing!

Each week I will post a new fact about our body that I learned in class. Please remember, it is the study of the anatomy so it may get graphic at times. It will be fun to learn random little facts about ourselves. Beware everyone....!!!

So to start off nice and slow, here is

Random Fact #1

Humans shed about 600,000 particles of skin every hour, about 1.5 pounds per year. By 70 years of age, an average person will have lost 105 pounds of skin.

Ha, gross but so interesting to me!! I am honestly so fascinated by the body. I think it is out of this world! Which is why i am going to share some of my knowledge to all of you!!

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

xoxo

Lovin in.

2010-09-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

So I am obsessed with this song right now... It is a MILLIONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN times then the real version! For reals. He rocks my world. I am sure you will love it just as much as I do! Enjoy :)

xoxo

O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E-D

2010-09-04T10:13:00.001-07:00

O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-E-D is my middle name these days. I am really becoming a clean freak. It's like when I see clutter it makes me sick. I am trying to be very organized and have a place for everything. That is key!

Well here is some of my OCDness coming through...

Necklaces.

watches nice and neat in a cute basket.

Inside a drawer...

Make up in one basket. Hair items in the other..:)

Rings.

All my bracelets in a basket.

Inside the armour. Organized babyyyy!

Inside my dressor. This is my tank top drawer.

I have white, blacks, and colored piles.

Ha i am a joke I know!

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So I had a funny experience the other day. Reed and I went to a car place to pick up his car that was being worked on and he needed me to go with him to help. Well I decided to make things interesting so I saw a neck brace laying around the house (who has a neck brace laying around?!) and I decided to wear it out of the house to try and embarrass Reed. Well I looked like a straight tool but it was hilarious. I was getting the stares like you wouldn't believe. Come on people, its a neck brace!! Anyway, it turned out Reed wasn't the one embarrassed..I WAS!! I didn't know if I could go out in public in it. I didn't want anyone to know it was me!! So there you have it, things turned against me and I ended up embarrassing myself. See for yourself....

Lesson learned: Don't go out in public wearing a neck brace, it's embarrassing.

Good times.

Have a great weekend everyone! I will update on mine Monday. :)

xoxo

2 men I adore.

2010-08-28T17:55:00.001-07:00

I am in a missing mode. I learned that it's ok to miss though. I still live for the moment and get excited for what is to come. I am being positive and thats all you can do. I am lucky to be where I am and have the things in my life that I do. I am so appreciative of what I have and love who I am becoming. I must keep my head up and live for who I know I can become. Yet, like I said, I miss my best friends. So much. Oh so much. My 2 best friends to be exact. Life is good tho. My heart is full of love and appreciation.

To my daddy,

Things are hard without you. I miss everything about you. I miss your humor, your smile, your knowledge, your encouragement. Everything imaginable. It is so hard not having you here for big events in my life. Are you proud of the things I am doing in my life? I live to honor your name. Please come visit me while I am sleeping. I would love a nice chat and a big kiss from you :). I may never let you leave me though. What do ya say?! You are and forever will be my best friend. May my husband exemplify you in every aspect. I love you to the sky and back times infinity.

-Your midget

The most amazing man I have ever met in my life.

My sweet elder,

You are out serving the lord. What more could I ask of you? Nothing. Loving the lord is one of the greatest/amazing things you could ask of someone. You do just that. A mission is amazing and I am so grateful for it. You are becoming such an incredible man with a testimony that only continues to grow. I love it. As I read your letters I am amazed by your progress. So much is in store for you and I am lucky to be a part of your life. But, I miss you. I miss you so much. It is so hard being away from you. I will be ok though :). Keep up the amazing work. Until we meet again.

-Your Lex

Gosh he is so handsome I can hardly stand it.

So much is in store for me and I know it. Things are slowly unraveling and I can't wait to see more. I am happy and will make big things happen for myself. Until then, have an awesome rest of the weekend. I know I will! Thank you for all of you who play such a role in my life. I wouldn't be who I am without you.

xoxo

...Back!

2010-08-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

I am back everybody. Sorry for the vaca. Been busy.

Here are a few things I have been up to since my last post...!

I moved. Before.....

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I've redecorated!! New bedding is still to come. I am over the pink I had in my room. I am now into the neutral colors: ivory, white, grey. I am also into metal accents! Im lovin it! I'm not all the way done but progress is being made!!

After...

Light and bed: Ikea.

**I went to Utah for a week. Buttt, I forgot my camera at home so no pictures..lame I know. I was bummed.

**I have been assigned to my city for China. I will be going to Bengbu, China. I will be leaving in January with no exact set date yet. I will keep you posted. Can't wait!!!

Bengbu.

**I got an A in both math and anatomy for the summer. I have now started school again! Im taking Anatomy 2, Chem, Sociology, and a running class. This semester will definetly keep me busy but I am getting a lot done. I feel accomplished!!

Ohhh yeahhhh!!!

Things have been so busy its like I can't even get a hold of life right now. I am enjoying where I am at though and don't want to waste any time.

Good things are ahead. I can feel it.

Happy weekend my lovlies.

Risen from the dead.

2010-08-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

I'm a bum. I havent posted in over a week.

No excuses tho.

Yes, I just finished school.

Yes, I have moved my ENTIRE house in 3 days and have been trying to organize and redecorate. (Pics to come!)

Yet again I know that is no excuse. Forgive me?

In other words, I have been slacking majorly, got caught up in other things, and completely forgot about the blog world and didn't have a huge desire to post.

I do miss it though and will return from the dead soon.

I'm in Utah for the week but will return faithfully soon.

"Life must never be about excuses. Live up to what you did and move on."

Love this. See you all soon. Very very soon.

Xoxo

Simply delicious.

2010-08-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

Im feeling domestic lately.

Being home alone is the best. Things stay neat and tidy and I love it.

I want everything in perfect order.

I am feeling very motherly as well. Here is what I did today...

I made a little piece of heaven! It is friekin ridiculous how good they are.

They taste like the little chippers from Paradise bakery.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I bring you, chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Recipe here

Getting down while cooking!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5- Final product

I feel like such a little baker!! They turned out perfect!!

Chewy and delicious and so dang easy!! Try them!!

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Also this is what I am getting into.

Racketball!!

It's so much fun!! Im gunna get really good and will be ready to play all of you and beat you. Whose in?? Be prepared.

Until then I've gotta work on my skills, its a little embarrassing right now not gunna lie. But just you wait suckers.

---------

Last day of school tomorrow. Studying my brains out.

I will get an A in Anatomy.

Bring it oooooonnnnnnn.

xoxo

Summer Tip #9 Holla!

2010-08-03T16:14:00.001-07:00

What a weekend it has been! It has been so stinkin busy but finally has slowed down a bit. Thank goodness! Mom's wedding went great!! She looked stunning and was so happy. It was so fun to see her giddy and excited with Reed. They are now on their honeymoon is hawaii and loving life. Here are a few pics from the wedding..

Me with my beautiful sisters and mama

Mom and Reed

It was so fun to be with my family for the entire week. I truly think there is nothing better then family!!

The wedding was one HOT day but it couldn't have been any better! Lots of change will now happen, but I am ready for it. It definitely scares me in more ways then one but then again, why fear something you dont even know. I'm looking at life as an adventure. Bring it on!

-------

As for today, is is Tuesday Tip Day which brings me to

Summer Tip #9...

1. Make your bed every morning as soon as you wake up.

Idk about you guys, but when my bed is made it makes me feel like my room is much cleaner. It also makes me want to maintain a clean room. My tip to all of you is to make your bed every single morning as you wake up. Get out of bed and instantly make it. It will call for a better morning, making you feel somewhat accomplished and will also help you sleep better. Don't you sleep better when you slip into a tight-sheeted, cold, freshly made bed? Yeah so do I! Try it! Make your bed people!!

2. When cleaning, wear tennis shoes.

I have heard it before and am a firm believer of this, but wearing shoes while cleaning will help you to stay focused on your job. Tennis shoes create some type of motivation. Usually when you wear tennis shoes you are getting ready to lock in and go workout of some kind. Well, if you are cleaning your home put those shoes on and get to work. I promise you it helps!! It's pretty crazy how just wearing shoes can help you to focus better on your job. Try it!! I did just that and look what I accomplished..

I had such a cute head and footboard but it broke..so excuse the bed sitting on just the frame and being help up by a harry potter book. You do what you gotta do!! Haha! But super clean eh?!

Nice and neat bathroom!

Sometimes the littles things make the best touches. Love, love, love this quote. Perfect way to start each day. Add a sweet touch like this somewhere around your house that you will see often.

...A clean house!!! I feel so satisfied! When I put my shoes on I get into a certain mood and want the house spotless. I am now typing to you in a clean house with pillows in perfect place and vacuum lines in the carpet. (My pictures were trying to prove that point) Mmm, nothing better then a clean house! So inviting and stress free!!

3. Convert to apple.

Once you go apple you never go back. Apple is the best thing that has happened to me. Enough said. Switch over to greatness. Best advice I can give you.

My life.

Iphone + Macbook + Bubblegum = PURE JOY!!

Thats all for today.

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

xoxo

Ps- 2 more days of school. Ahhhhh!!! :)

Please excuse my absence

2010-07-27T23:22:00.001-07:00

Today was crazy busy!!!

Tomorrow will be even worse.

No tuesday tip day today. Excuse my absence.

I will be sure to make up for it next week. The wedding brings lots and lots of things to do. I will return this weekend!!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Exciting news!

2010-07-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well, exciting news.....................I'm done with Math!! (Tricked ya huh!)

I am finally done with Math and passed with an.....

AAAAAAAAAAAAA!! Holla!

Wow! what a relief to have that done! I have been in math for 8 weeks and am finally done. I am still in Anatomy but only have 2 more weeks!

Its been quite crazy because my mind is starting to think in science. I lay in bed and think about every muscle and bone and what they are doing at that exact point. I see people and try and pick out which bones they are moving as they talk or walk. I see everyday things outside and they begin to look like a tissue in my head. Lets just say, its getting a little out of control!!!!!! Now I believe it when people say they start thinking in spanish is when they actually get the language. I'm to that point and I actually love it! I feel like I am getting a lot smarter, its fun! Anywho yes school is going well...2 weeks to go and I will be one happy girl!

On a lighter note..3 days until my mama gets married. CRAZY!! I can't believe it's already here! Wedding plans are always crazy but we are getting things together. I am still deciding on my outfit to wear but kinda gotta figure it out soon because its only 3 days away right..! But hey I'm a Crum and we like to do things last minute!

Things are busy our way so when the wedding and school are over I will be a dedicated blogger. Promise.

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So this weekend brought lots of fun! Recap on it all for you!

Thursday:

We celebrated Easton's birthday! We had a pool party for him and played on Lindsay's giant blow up slide! The kids had a blast and it was fun to be with all my kiddos! (nothing better!)

Friday:

We had a girls night out. My sisters got babysitters (thank you Liz!) and we went to the happiest place in Arizona. (Thats what my mom likes to call it!) The happiest place in Arizona = Scottsdale Mall. Isn't that place the greatest?! It has everything!! It's pretty much my families Disneyland :) Well I had some great buys! Then me and my sister Alli went and stayed in a hotel for the night! I love my sister! I now introduce you to my purchases over the weekend--

(I don't know what my fetish with bags is lately, ha!)

Saturday:

I went and supported my boo at her competition. It was a body building competition but she was competing in the bikini competition. She has got the most rockin bod i've ever seen! She placed 2nd at her competition! See for yourself!

Sunday:

I woke up not feelin so good. I have a cold and everything in the room is just spinning in my head. Yet I still managed to..

-Study, study,study

-Church

-Clean out my closest! I about had it! I was trying to put away some clothes and nothing fit in my closest. I went and grabbed a garbage bag and started just taking down all my shirts in my closest. It was kinda like road rage. I just couldn't stand for my closet to be the way it was anymore. I was throwin clothes away and getting rid of anything I hadn't worn in the past year even if it was cute. I will prob wake up tomorrow asking myself what the heck I thinking getting rid of some of the stuff that I did, but for now I feel great!! This is what I came out with..

Chucking my clothes in a pile to get rid of.

Hangers galore. Wow wire hangers bug so bad!!

3 garbage bags later!

You then get this. Color coordinated closet for my shirts. Now that I have room, I must go shopping to fill it up!!(ps these are all on nice plastic hangers. Whoever invented wire hangers needs to get a beatin from me!)

We then celebrated my sister Alli's birthday! Happy birthday sister!!!!

Now I am sitting here typing and should be studying. Soooo here I go. More studying for me. I love summer school. So much. But really, I do.

Quite convincing I know.

What a weekend it was! I feel like I accomplished a lot! This week has plenty more adventures to bring. Stay tuned for tuesday tip day and then a recap on my mama's wedding! Ah!

Have a wonderful week

xoxo

Summer Tip #8

2010-07-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay. As you know life has been crazy with school and also my mom getting married on the 28th. Ah! Sisters are in town and so not much time for anything these days but preparing for the wedding and getting done with school.

Butttt today I bring you a fabulous tip. Even if you don't need it now, you will eventually. This happens to the best of us so takes close notes!!

Today I bring you with, Summer Tip #8.

(Thank you to my bigger sis Mandi who gave me this wonderful tip!! Love you sister!)

--Have you ever dropped your favorite eyeshadow to have it fall and brake into pieces?? Your devastated because your beautiful new eye shadow is now broken right in front of your eyes. Well we have a solution to fix all your problems.

1.Take your eyeshadow and break it into smaller pieces, making it like dust.

2. Mix 2-3 drops of 90% isopropyl alchohol with the eyeshadow

3. Take a toothpick and stir it all around, making it look like mud. You dont want it soupy, kinda of paste like.

4. If you are using a MAC eyeshadow a quarter will fit perfectly inside of the container. After the eye shadow is mixed, place the quarter on top of the shadow to make it nice and flat.

5. Remove the quarter and walk away! Put it in a room where a fan is and allow it to dry. 3-4 hours later, magic has happened! Your broken shadow is now back to a solid form.

Its amazing!!!! You will have all sorts of shadows back from the dead. From now on dont throw those broken shadows away. I've never done it with blush , but I'm sure it will work all the same!

Have a fabulous week! I know I will. (Pics to follow my weekend)

xoxo

Tune in tomorrow!!

2010-07-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Crazy day. Barely had time to breathe.

Woke up.

School all day.

Met up with sisters at the mall.

Went to a shower for my mama.

Now home and studying my brains out.

I didn't forget about you tho!

Tune in tomorrow for this weeks Tuesday Tip Day!

xoxo

Summer Tip #7

2010-07-13T16:11:00.001-07:00

Thing have been crazy lately. I feel like I barely have time to even breathe. I am in summer school taking Math and Anatomy. Been busy thats for dang sure. Buttt I know it will all be worth it. 3 more weeks and I am done! I just took a test today and feel pretty good about it so I am having a good day! I have been studying my brains out so I hope it all pays off. Wish me luck!

On the other hand, it's Tuesday and what does that mean...?

Yup you got it smarty, its Tuesday Tip Day aka Summer Tip #7.

Today I present you with.....

Fun easy ways to wear your hair this summer!

1. Messy Side Braid

2. Ballerina Bun

3. High Bun

4. Headbands

5. Face Frame Strands

6. Deep Side Part

7. Low Side Pony

8. Wavy loose summer curls

I love them all, as I know will you! I will post pictures of me with each hair-do next Tuesday Tip Day. If you feel so inclined to do the same and post it, I would love to see it!!

--------

**Good News!

5 days till I get to see my sister Niki and girlie!

7 days till I get to see my sister Mandi, Rocco and Presley!

15 days till my mama gets married!

(Yes it will be a party with all us girls, holla!)

24 days till I am out of school!

..The countdown is on, starting...NOW!

Hope you are all having a lovely Tuesday. My heart is full today :)

xoxo

Laughing is contagious.

2010-07-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Need a good laugh?

Check this out.

Hahahhahahahhahahahahahhahahaha.

Complementary of this..(Your welcome sisters!!)

Dear youtube,

Thank you for changing my life. You will forever be loved. You make me laugh more then I knew possible. You make my days better. I love your entertainment you bring. The things you come up with amaze me. I will forever love you. Carry on...

Love,

Summer Tip #6

2010-07-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Food is always on my mind.

I love ittttt.

A lot actually.

Buuttt I like to eat healthy as well. So I must delight you with something delicious but also nutritious. Mmm hmm you like right? Well I saw this video and these nachos looks so yummy!! Nachos can be very fattening as we all know! But check these babies out!

Summer tip #6

Healthy nachos.

Your welcome.

(My computer wont upload the video directly so you must click on where is says here. Do it, trust meeeeeee!!)

Here

What do ya think?? Looks delic and easy right?!!

Let me know if you try it!

--------

(On the beach baby)

I am home from Cali. It was a blast, I dont wanna be home.

School, school, and more school is what is ahead of me.

But I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Happy Tuesday my lovely bloggers

xoxo

Creating your own life story..

2010-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life gets hard.
Sad.
Tiring.
Frustrating.
Depressed.

Perspective is key.

All of us need to really stop and see how we are looking at life. If something is bothering you, it is because you are looking at it in a way to allow it to bother you. You have your own story and everything that happens, you interpret to fit "your story." You are the author to your own story.

For example, you tend to be down on yourself, feeling worthless and not deserving. You had multiple experiences that have caused you to think this way, possibly through peoples words or actions. (Now I am going to get kinda mathmatical but bare with me. It is the only way to help you see it)

People's words and actions (X)
X-Your mom tells you to give away your barbie to the other little girl because she is crying.

Your story(Y)
Y-You are worthless and don't deserve the barbie.

X and Y don't exactly match up. You hear X and transform it into Y. YOU create what you think it means. Most of the time people didn't imply it to mean the way you took it. You just have your own story of feeling worthless and undeserving so X falls right into Y. YOU caused it to mean that way. YOU changed the meaning to make it fit into Y. Most of the time people aren't looking at you and saying word for word, "You are worthless and deserve nothing!" You just tranformed it into what you thought they meant because it is easier to find evidence to go along with the way you are feeling (Y). Therefore, you have your own story.

We all interpret things and allow little things to get to us. We are human, its natural!! Yet, now is the time to change all of that. Instead of hearing X and letting Y take over, wipe that clean. Change your view. Nothing is wrong with you because you are feeling the way you do. Just simply stop and recognize what you are doing and change your view point. It doesn't mean you have to change who you are and rid yourself of the past. The past is the past and there is no changing it. Just stop now and leave that past behind. Stop carrying that extra baggage with you. Simply change your view. Free yourself of that hurt that you are creating from "your own story." Good will come if you simply allow it to.

A changed perspective is the answer to life. It will rid yourself of things you have held onto from years previous. Life is all in how we look at it. Perspective is EVERYTHING.

I feel like a new woman. I am happy. I want such good in life and love that I can actually finally see it due to my perspective. Changing my view has never felt so good.

-----------

Just for entertainment watch this :)

And this.

My heart is smiling.
Life is good. Oh so good.

Ps- I am headed to Cali for a girls trip for the 4th. It's gunna be awesome, I cant wait!! I have been in desperate need of a beach, laying out, and bike riding. I will be driving us to Newport..this could be bad. Wish me luck!

Pps--I need your help. I wanna win a free photo session with Trevor Dayley. His photography is amazing!! Click HERE and leave a comment or just click you like it. But you must first "like" Trevors page. It will then allow you to comment on my picture! Please please please help me out!! The person with the most comments/likes wins! Yipee!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

xoxo

Summer Tip #5

2010-06-28T19:40:00.001-07:00

Well, today has been rough. I woke up throwing up. Blah. Buuuttt I didn't forget about TTD which I have taken deep thought into what tip I wanted to give. I thought about which tip would best fit this Tuesdays Tip Day for all you wonderful bloggers. Well with much thought and research, today I introduce you to....

Foods that will flatten your belly:

Do's

1.Blueberries.

Blueberries have been linked to less abdominal fat

2. Asparagus.

Asparagus helps get rid of water weight. We all love that yellow stinky pee right?! (well start to love it because it is good for you!!)

3. Salmon.

Salmon is high in omega-3 which helps aid in good digestion.

4. Watermelon.

Watermelon contains tons of water. By eating watermelon it will help you to pee out much of your water weight.

5. Citrus fruit.

Add lemon to your water or eat a grapefriut for breakfast. It will help aid in your digestion.

Dont's
1. Popcorn.

Popcorn is a very airy food which can actually pooch out your belly.

2. Dried fruit.

I love dried fruit and is very decieving. It seems healthy because it is fruit just all dried up right? Well dried fruit is very high in fiber but loaded with sugar! Blah.

3. Canned soup.

Although this may be an easy dinner option, it is filled with sodium! There are many more quick and easy recipes that you could pull together rather then grabbing a can of soup.

4. Soy sauce.

As we all know, soy sauce is LOADED with salt. Salt holds onto water weight. By just this, your weight will jump up at least 5 pounds and make you looked bloated. That makes sushi not seem so healthy now does it?

To continue on with more because I know you are all loving this topic :), next I present you with...

Things that increase weight gain:

1. Not enough sleep.

Studies have shown that not enough sleep can disrupt our appetite and hormones which will then slow down our metabolism. Also people tend to eat more when they are tired. When women are deprived of sleep they produce a hormone called ghrelin which makes you want to eat more. We then have a drop in leptin which is a hormone that tells your body to stop when you are full. When you are tired you tend to want junkier food because your body will crave simple carbs such as chocolate, candy, donuts, etc that it can break down for quick energy. Sleep more!! It is the cure-all.

2. Being stressed

The body produces a hormone called cortisol which triggers it to put stored sugar from the liver and muscles into the bloodstream. Insulin levels then rise which stops the fat burning process and tells the body to store the fat for later use. This will cause you to hold onto extra weight that your body is thinking it may need later.

3. Diet soda

Everyone seems to lean toward diet verses regular. It has no calories or carbs or sugars right? Why wouldnt it help with weight loss? Well, studies have shown that diet sodas can increase weight gain. Due to the no calories it has but you being able to taste something sweet, it then causes you to go and eat something to get those calories you are lacking. New research has also shown that artificial sweetners lower your metabolism. Stay aware from it!! Go satisfy your craving of a sweet by eating a yummy cookie. Try and slowly replace those needs by eating fruit. We need those sugars fruit produces anyway. Soda, diet or not, should not be everyones best friend. It should now be your enemy!

Thats all for today. I loved researching about this topic!! Hope you like it just as much as I do. Now let me go and find my place next to the toilet. Oh how I love the flu season.

xoxo

Sources:

Jenny Stamos Kovacs

Sean Driesback

I must win.

2010-06-26T14:29:00.001-07:00

Giveaway here.

and

Here.

I want to win.

Really bad.

Really really bad.

Come on pick me me me!!!

Im crossing my fingers and not letting them go until I win!!!!!

Also for kicks, here is a picture to make you smile.

(Mainly for my sisters)

Happy weekend everyone!!

xoxo

Running4Nie

2010-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ragnar Wasatch Back

Run.

Eat.

Sleep.

Repeat.

Here is how my weekend went down in a nutshell

Wednesday flew to Utah.

Thursday hungout with friends and family.

Friday Ragnar Began

- The race started at 6 am but my van didnt start till 1:00 pm

- 3:00 pm ran my first leg. (Kicked my butt might I add.)

- Our van finished up with our 6 runners and van 1 then began

- Drove to the exchange place and tried to get some sleep. Umm yeah, wasn't quite happening..... :)

(This is what happens when your teammates are trying to sleep and then someone crazy gets unexpected energy!)

- 10:00 my van began running our second leg

- 2:00 am I ran my second leg down a highway in pitch black

while it being 41 degrees outside. Burr!

- 4:30 am our van was done with our second leg and drove to a school to get some sleep where we paid $2.00 to sleep on a gym floor filled with hundreds of runners.

- Slept from 5:30-7:00 am

- 7:30 got on the road again and began our last leg, yipee!

- 1:00 pm ran my last leg of the race

- 4:30 pm team Running4Nie crosses the finish line.

Woah! Thats my experience in a nutshell. It honestly was such a blast, I miss it already. Working hard for something and training for it months in advance takes a lot of time and patience.

There was definietly days where I was so not in the mood to run and just wanted to sit and watch tv for once.

I had days where I put in a 12 hour work day and the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run. Blah.

I would have days where all I wanted to do was eat chocolate and sweets yet knew it would only slow me down.

Yes I am human. We all are!! That negativeness gets in all of our heads time and time again. But the thing I learned is that EVERYTHING we do is in our head. The mind is so powerful it is almost scary to think about. Everything you want and take action of doing comes from your that brain of yours. It is first created by thoughts. You can do absolutly anything you put your mind to. Yes, it may not be easy but you are able to conquor ANYTHING you set out to do. Anything. Enjoy life, reach your greatest potential. Imagine it, and do it.

Being in a van with people you love and know is fun. Yet, knowing you are all working toward the same goal and are wanting each teammate to do just as good as yourself brings you all so much closer. While running, your van follows you. They will drive ahead and then wait for you to pass to make sure your ok and safe. As soon as you pass them they are screaming and cheering for you, giving you that extra strength you need to keep going. The Ragnar made me remember how much I love team work and how it truly should be a quality in our every day life. Everything we do should consist of working together with someone whether it be at work, at school, or even in a relationship. Team work consists of always encouraging others to keep going and to succeed. It really is what life is all about. It is one of Christ greatest attributes.

I miss my team already. I miss my van even more! Being with them for 2 days straight, not leaving eachothers side but to run your leg, makes you so much closer. You create a little family. Also having such a powerful reason to run this race makes it even more sentimental. We ran in honor of the sweet and wonderful, NieNie. What an amazing woman this lady this. I honestly cant even begin to describe how much impact she has had on my life. I am in awe of her courage and strength. We had the privilege of running in honour of Stephanie. Nienie ran this exact race previous to her accident. She knows the intensity of it and the teamwork it entails. All of us in our hearts had Stephanie at the finish line waiting for us to cross. We had a team name and tried to honor it as best as we could. Truly what an experience it was to do it for her.

I love you Mrs. Nielson.

I feel as though words can't describe my experience. I know that sounds super lame because come on now Lex, it was just a measly little race. But really to me it wasn't. It was hard. I am still sore. I didnt sleep for 38 hours and ran almost a marathon in between that time. It takes so much effort and I feel so accomplished for doing it. I loved it. I would do it again in a heart beat. However, I learned so much more during this race then just learning to run. I learned that you must be prepared. Being prepared mentally and physically. Life has so many ups and downs and you must be prepared for it spiritually, emotionally and physically. Always being ready is what we are taught and I have never had such a firm belief of that. In life we must be willing and ready to take on whatever comes our way. Life isn't always fun and great, yet if we want it to be, then it can. It is all in how we look at it.

Attitude creates who we are.

Team work is what life is all about.

Wanting others to succeed defines our character.

Now who is up for a Ragnar in Las Vegas...? :)

xoxo

Ps to read more in detail about the race go here.

Summer Tip #4

2010-06-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

I am becoming rested and back to reality. Sometimes it’s not fun to have to get back in your every day life. Yet, it very well can be refreshing at times.

There is nothing like home. I am feeling a little bit of both.
I am excited to tell you more about the race later this week and give you more details about it so you will all have the drive to want to do one. I highly, highly encourage everyone to do at least one ragnar relay. It is like nothing you can imagine. Its definetly hard work, but so rewarding. I loved it so much. I will get into it later.
Anywho. As for Summer Tip #4 today’s topic is...
(Drum roll please)
Swimsuits for different body types.
We all see it in magazines and hear it on talk shows about what swim suits best fit your figure. Well thanks to glamour, fitness magazine, real beauty, and today’s teen, I am going to enhance your knowledge on the matter and give you something to think about while you are swim suit shopping this season.
So… here we go :)

There are so many different body types: athletic, busty, pear shapes, apple shaped, bottom heavy, top heavy, etc. You name it, someone's got it. So swim suit shopping can be very frustrating for all. The most common problem for women is their thighs, bums, tummy and bust. Most women would prefer to not even get themselves in a swimsuit, but now is the time to change that attitude!! You will only look as good as you feel. If you feel good in an outfit, let that confidnce shine through. Having confidence is key to looking good (might I enhance the word confidence and not cockiness) Lets break it down as to what swim suits fit each body type best.

1. Athletic/ Boyish shape
If you are athletic, better suits for your body type are something with bust enhancing details. Give yourself a feminine side by wearing something that will draw to the feminine features. If you tend to have that boyish straight lined body, bring in the girly side! Add bright colors, cute ruffles, and fun prints.
--Ruffles are great for athletic bodies. It adds interest and can add a touch of feminine

Jcrew- $80.00

--Bikinis can be great for an athletic body because it breaks up the straight line of the torso.

-Triangle bikinis are a good solution as well. It draws the attention more toward

the bust, giving the allusion that there is more to it.
--Gathering on the suit adds for a chic feminine look.

Victoriassecret-$88.00

2. Petite
--Wear a suit that has ties on the edges. It will bring out the curves in that area

shopbop.com-$198.00

--Also a patterned top will help bring attention to the bust, causing you to not seem so young and little.

3. Bigger on Bottom
--The key with a bigger bottom half is to hide the excess “butt-bulge” by covering them up with bold prints or black bottoms.
--Wearing high cut bottoms will give a much better illusion than low cut bottoms.
--Also bottoms with a cute ruffle skirt attached will hide any unwanted thighs comin through. If you tend to have a bigger bottom half, do not wear boy short bottoms. They will triple the size of your buns. Stay away from it. Wear higher cut bottoms to add length to your leg and to also prevent any extra buns peakin through :).

lamodelingerie-$129.00

--If a bigger bottom half is your issue, try wearing a tankini, it will actually lengthen you!
--Also look towards going for a V-neck swimsuit. It will draw the attention up giving you a sexier upper body, taking the focus away from the bigger bottom half.

Anthropologie-$199.95

3. Short torso
--A high cut bikini shoes off great legs
--Also an X pattern of some sort can lengthen and slender the midsection.

Chadwicks-$49.99

--A brighter color on top of a one piece can draw the eye up to the collar bone, giving the allusion of a longer torso.

4. Long and Lanky
--If you have long features, add ruffles or design to the style of swimsuit. It adds instant curves.

rygy-$99.00

--Adding fringe and frills can create an hour glass shape giving that feminine figure.

Anthropologie-$78.00

--Also add a bright color suit. It is an instant way to say “look at me” especially the color red. It will scream sexayy!!

5. Apple Shaped

--Wear a suit with gathering in the midsection. It will give the allusion of a flatter tummy.

shapefx-$49.00

--Also try a suit that has detail along the sides. It will slim the midsection.

6. Got a little stomach pooch?
--A ruffled waste on a suit can be pulled up higher to stuff that pooch into. Go for a retro look that has a high wasted bottom. It can help hide that unwanted area.

Anthropologie-$88.00

--Also look for a suit with vertical lines or eye catching stripes. It will keep the eye moving up and down, causing you to look much thinner. Plus it will help get the attention off the belly.

Michael kors

7. Long Torso
--Stripes can break up that long torso of yours.
--Bold prints on the suit can add to a more curvaceous figure

Anthropologie-$69.95

--Also believe it or not, ties on the sides of your suit can make your torso not look so long. Interesting...

8. Pear Shaped
--Add a brighter color on top. It will make you look thinner all around.

Raulphlauren-$104.00

--An asymmetrical cut can instantly flatter that shape of yours.

--Also go for a higher cut bottom to add length to your legs!

9. Busty
--A strapless suit can minimize how big your girls are!

Jcrew-$80.00

--Also a band below the bust helps to give support and not let them hangout so much.

--A V-neck is a great route to go! It will keep the girls safe and secure minimizing the fullness, and still allowing you to show cleavage the classy way.

--Under wire, just like a bra can add much needed support as well.

Anthropolgie-$99.95

10. Curvy
--Stay away from the boy short bottoms!! You can find a better alternative that will actually give you coverage and support while still flattening your figure.

miraclesuit-$144.00 (Macys)

--Get a suit with ruffles on top, it will bring out your curves in a good way.

monifc-$118.00

--Small prints on the suit will actually cause you to look smaller. It hides the little things. The small print will blend in together causing the eye to not focus on a certain area.

Jcrew-$80.00

11. Hour Glass
--Avoid anything that cuts off your midsection. Say goodbye to muffin top ladies!!
--A solid color works great for an hour class shape.

Victorias Seceret-$168.00

--Also go for a suit that will enhance the tiny waste

And my last tip for today is…

Minimize the look of cellulite on the back of your thighs by spending at least one minute in the shower rubbing your thighs. Boosting circulation to the thigh area can lessen the look of dimples. Aw yeah!! Then, follow it with a self-tanner. Cellulite can be hidden with darker skin. Plus being tan drops instant pounds!

Woah, out of breathe lots of tips today!! Hope this helps.

Happy Tuesday

xoxo

I'm alive

2010-06-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Im alive and doing great.

Well actually I am sore.

More sore then I have ever been, ha!

I had a blast though and am so sad the race is over. I miss my van already...I will tell you more about it later in the week.

I feel so accomplished.

I can't wait for more events to come. There is nothing better then working hard for something and feeling like you put everything you could into it and then succeeding. Life is all about challenges, great or small.

I feel good.

I am happy.

I am so glad I survived.

Way to go Running4Nie!!

I will give you more details about the race later this week. As for now, stay tuned for Tuesday Tip Day coming up this Tuesday. I missed all you bloggers this weekend. Don't worry, you weren't forgotten :)

Have a great week everyone!

Will report back on Monday.

2010-06-16T01:38:00.000-07:00

I am off to Utah.

Here goes nothing.

Will report back on Monday.

xoxo

Summer Tip #3

2010-06-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well. First things first...

I got accepted to China.

Ahhhhh.

I honestly can't wait!! Like for reals..so dang excited!!

I will explain more about it later :)

Good things are happening, and I couldn't be more grateful.

When you live right and try hard for things, good things happen to you. I firmly believe that. It is what I am striving for.

As far as Tuesay Tip Day aka Summer Tip #3 here you go:

1.Date nights.

Going on dates is so important in a relationship, you MUST make it a priority. Leaders in the church have said even married couples must make the time to go out on a date. It is essential. Going on dates helps to strengthen the relationship. Whether you are just starting out dating or whether you have been married for 50 years, date nights are crucial. I hear all the time of couples who dont have the time to go out with their spouse because they are so busy with their children or have things they need to get done. Stop justifying. Make it a priority. It will strengthen a relationship more then you realize. As far as fun date ideas, even if your married, bring out the young side. Make it fun and new. Everyone makes marriage seem boring and old. Be fun and exciting!! Pretend it is the beginning and you are just starting out. Here is a fun date ideas for young teens or even married adults.

--Rent/borrow a vespa and go ride around tempe town lake.

Or if you arent able to get ahold of one, just take bikes. I have beach cruisers you can even borrow if you are in need of one!

After cruising around tempe town lake, stop for a treat at this delicious new shop called "Cookies on Mill" which is located between 5th and 6th street down Mill Ave. (If you know where Urban Outfitters or American Apparel is, it is on the same side as American Apparel)

Many of you have probably heard of the concept but what it is, is there are several different cookies to choose from (all homeade) and also several different types of ice cream. You choose which yummy warm cookie you would like to delight yourself with

and then you choose which ice cream you want to combine it with. You are then treated with a delicious homeade ice cream sandwich!!

Fun, right?

2. Movies and dinner are great and fun, but change it up a little! Another fun date idea is to go to your favorite Mexican restuarant and eat delicious greasy food. It will set the mood for the night because your next step will be to take a dance lesson with a professional dancer teacher!! Go take a fun salsa, ballroom, swing,or country dance class. Bring out the fun side of you that doesn't always get to come out anymore. Be young and alive! Revive your marriage. Or experience something different if you aren't married. I think this date calls for something totally fun and different.

Try it!

Look into trying it at:

1.Dance Fix Studios- (only 20 dollars for 2-30 minute sessions)

2.Arthur Murray- (Offering private lesson free)

3.Fred Astaire Dance Studios-(Offering a free dance lesson also!)

Treat yourself to something fun. It is time to step out of normal life, and make a date night a priority. See what difference it brings in your marriage. Or if you arent married like myself, go do something fun that you will always remember. It is time to again, just be YOU.

Tip #2

It is mosquito season. Wear insect repellent.

Enough said.

Also I am headed to Utah on Wednesday.

Ragnar Wasatch Back, here we come!!

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat. (x3)

Bring it on.

Xoxo

Overwhelmed with appreciation.

2010-06-14T00:47:00.001-07:00

I have been overwhelmed lately.

Overwhelmed with people.

People who inspire me to want such goodness in my life.

I am overwhelmed of appreciation to the influence they have on me.

I sit here and am so grateful for the things I have in my life. I feel as though lately I have been able to open my heart and mind and see the greater perspective in life. I know what I want in life and am ready to do whatever it takes to get there. I truly believe life is what we make of it. People come into our lives for a reason. I believe nothing just "happens" but that the lord has a hand in all things.

I am blessed to have such amazing people in my life who help me try and reach my greatest potential. I feel inspired everyday because of the good people I am surrounded by. Friends and family are who pull me through when times get rough. Not only that but these sweet babies have some of the greatest impact on my life. They are my everything.

They are there to keep me happy and who make life an adventure.

Gordon B. Hinckley has a quote that I love and try and live by. It says,

"In all of living have much fun

and laughter.

Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

I love that. So much in fact that I have that quote framed and in my bathroom so that I see it daily. Yes life is hard, but make the most of it. Not only endure it but enjoy it.

Choose the people in your life who bring you up. A true friend is someone who will make you want to become better. Life is about growing and becoming what you can be. I firmly believe that. I am and will forever be grateful for the people in my life who help shape me into who I am. Stop and think about your life and really figure out who makes an impact on it... Run with that. Be who you can be. We need to stop worrying about the little things and run with who we are and what we want with nothing holding us back. If we want to be happy, be. Attitude is everything. Anything can be as great as you want it to be. Make the most of what you have and appreciate the people who are in it. Live NOW and prepare to become what we want to be tomorrow.

Happy Monday everyone.

Be that friend that you so badly wish you had.

xoxo

I am especially grateful for the inspiration this sweet lady gives me.

I watch this and am in awe of her courage and strength.

May we all be like her in some small way.

Jump start your summer.

2010-06-09T12:43:00.001-07:00

Well you asked for it so here it is. This is not taking place of my tuesday tip day. It is something that has simply been on my mind because all you lovely people sparked the idea. I am going to enlighten you with some ideas as for how to help you stay healthy this summer.

--I was sent an email from good o'le doctor oz who told me about loosing weight in the summer. He states that due to increased sunlight it is easier to lose weight. Increased sunlight = increaded seratonin levels. Increased seratonin can decrease the amount of food that people want to eat. He also says that most people want to eat less when it is hot. Bringing the light in will reduce your appetite. Pretty crazy huh? Think about it for a second..if it is blazing hot outside and you are in your nice cool house and have bright sunlight shining through, are you craving a heavy plate consisting of lots of meat and hot potatoes? Yeah, me either. You crave a good drink, a yummy salad, or a light sandwich. So open the blinds and bring that light in!!

(K I know this is Christmas decorated, but I love how you can almost feel the sunlight coming through. Plus it makes me excited for Christmas!!)

--Now, most important..Water, water, water! With it being so darn hot outside now, your body will start to lose water and sodium in the form of sweat. Keep a bottle of water with you ALWAYS! Wherever you go, have it with you. They make bottles for a reason. It is very functional. Always have one with you so that you have easy access to keeping your body hydrated. Also when you are at a restuarant, have the mindset that you are going to get 3 refills on your cup during the course of your meal. If you are drinking your water, you're not eating. Plus it is giving you more water which should be all of our best friends. Drinking a lot of water is hard at first but work on it. We all have room for improvements. Make it a priority to drink more of it. It is a calorie free friend! :)

--Fruits and vegetables aid in weightloss. I know you hear it all the time "Eat more fruits and vegetables!!!" But really it is key. It will help you to stay full and will help balance your body. It is an essential nutrient for your body. Try this..Instead of flowers on your center table, replace it with a bowl of fruits. That will cause you to see it, making it more likely for you to eat it. Some important fat burning summer foods to consider are: Broccoli, Asparagus, Cucumbers, and peaches.

--Now.. this is crazy so listen up. A study was done and found that using a colored plate verses a transparent container to eat off of causes the person to eat less. A wopping 71% more food was eaten from the tranparent container. CRAZY! The color also does something to your mind. It makes you feel more satisfied. So bloggers, go buy yourself some new cute, bright, summery plates to enjoy your food on. Sounds like a good excuse for me to shop :). But really try it for yourself.

1. Anthropologie- Latte bowls- $30.00

2. Anthropologie- Verdant Acres Dinnerware- $10.00-$16.00

--Avoid real salty foods. Salt absorbs water, therefore eating salty foods causes you to swell. Being that it is summer, swelling it far from what we want. If you are planning a trip to the beach and are gunna be wearing a cute new suit, give yourself at least a week of preparation time on your diet. Avoid the salty foods to help your body not hold onto all that water weight. We want you lookin good for the beach!

We want to look like this:

1.Urbanoutfitters-Pins and needles polka dot V-neck one piece- $78.00

2.Urbanoutfitters-Billabong runway ruffle one piece- $120.00

3.Urbanoutfitters- BDG Henley One Piece- $88.00

Not this:

(Swollen belly. Blahh.)

--We all love treats. I am queen of them! So instead of going to cold stone and ranking in the calories and fat from ice cream, go and get frozen yogurt. Most places you go are going to be fat free and have much fewer calories then regular ice cream. Score! And to be quite honest, I would much rather prefer frozen yogurt then ice cream. Some yummy places to try are:

1. Yogurtland- (My fav)

2. Good o'le Mesa Fro Yo

3. Mojo's

4. Golden Spoon

5. Ocean Blue
(Each one is linked to it's website if you are interested in locations or menu items)

--Wear fitted clothes. Wear clothes that actually fit snuggly. It is a mindless way to keep you reaching your goals you have set out. It is a big reminder that you never want to feel stuffed after a meal. Wearing fitted clothes will make you want to eat light so you can keep feeling good in your nicely fitted outfit.

(Research shows that those who wear scrubs are more prone to gain weight because of the loose fitting feel.Interesting.)

--Eat breakfast! Breakfast is one of the BIGGEST essentials! After sleeping all night, your body needs something to wake it up and start your metabolism. I used to not be a breakfast eater at all. Now I wake up excited to eat!! If breakfast is hard for you to eat, then keep it light. Grab some fruit. But the key to breakfast is to eat something with protein. Protein will keep you fuller longer and will also give you energy to work off of. Some yummy breakfast ideas can include:

1.My number one favorite- Chocoloate/Peanut Butter Special K Protein Bar. (Meal replacement)

2. Oatmeal with some flaxseed, then add blueberrys and sliced almonds

3. Yogurt with berries and granola (mmm)

4. Grapefruit with whole wheat toast with some peanut butter on it (adding that protein!)

5.Cottage cheese and fruit
All of these breakfast ideas may help you in the direction that you are wanting to head in. Sometimes all you need is something written out for you to follow in order to keep on track.

Well bloggers, thats all for now. These are simple ideas to try and do while still handling your busy lives. Diets don't work. It is all about life changes. Here's a start to a better summer YOU!

xoxo

Information was found from-
Heather Baurer- RD

Dr. Oz

Nutrition courses taken in College

Also enter this giveaway. I REALLLLLY wanna win!!

Tuesday Tip Day. Summer Tip #2

2010-06-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Its been quite a busy weekend for me. Thank you to all of you who share the love with my new buttons. I appreciate it a lot, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Lately, a lot has been going on in the thoughts of littlemisscrum. (Like always :)) But I will share my thoughts with you all later this week. As for today it is..

Summer Tip # 2.

I am excited to delight you with some fun summer tricks that will help your summer start off right.

1. The new polish color of the summer is pale pink. It makes a statement even though its more of a quiet color. It says color but isn't screaming for attention. This helps to not look like your trying to hard. It goes with everything and is so soft and pretty and has a vintageness about it (I think I just made up that word, ha). It can be the finishing touch to making you feel put together. And I know for me, when my nails are done, I feel prettier.

There are plenty of cute pale pink colors to choose from, but this one from urban outfitters caught my eye. Don't worry I have already ordered it for myself. Check it out!

Urbanoutfitters.com- Nail Varnish. -$5.00

There is also this cute one from forever21.-$2.80

2. Also for tuesday tip day, gold is the new you. Gold is soft and subtle but so sophisticated. It is also perfect for summer! It is natural but gives you an edge. Using gold eye shadow will revive your eyes, and give people something to look at.

Because the gold has a hint of metallic, you don't have to dress it with much. Simply lining your eye with gold shadow and adding a hint of pink to enhance the color will give you the perfect summer look. Top it off with a black mascara to make you look put together, yet give you the summer beachy feel.

Wearing the gold as a liner will highlight your eyes and give them a whole new life because the gold will actually enhance your eye color.

To dress it up, try for a darker liner on the outsides and lighten as you come in. Using a dark liner throughout your whole eye, narrows the eye, making them look smaller. Keeping a dark liner on the edges draws people out, giving the allusion that your eyes are much bigger. Gold is perfect for any occasion. It helps to not over due the make-up yet makes you still feel beautiful. Plus with this eye shadow you can add a bright lip color!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Don't over due it this summer. It is time for you to just be YOU.

Thats all for today, tune in next week for Summer tip #3.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

xoxo

ps check out this give away

pps thank you to mrs. alexa hall for helping me with my buttons.

Attention bloggers. Please share the love.

2010-06-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

Attention all bloggers.

I have 2 new buttons. So exciting! We are now out with the old and in with the new. Simply copy and paste the code into an html gadget. Thank you for the love. Have a great weekend!! :)

Option 1

Option 1 code

Found on the left sidebar...!

<-----------

Option 2

Option 2 code

found on the left sidebar...!

<----------

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Summer Tip #1

2010-06-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

Rule #1....

Do not go to Walmart at midnight..

This is what happens when you go to Walmart with your sister at midnight on a Tuesday night...

Buuuttt I did find some awesome steals. Who knew I could love Wolly World aka Walmart so much! :)

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1.Checkered Shirt- $5.00

2. Watch for running- $9.00

3. Adorable one piece suit (designer brand)- $20.00

4. Swim skirt to go over the one piece- $15.00

Overall: Definate success!

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Summer Tip #1:

Stripes.

I love them and so should you.

{When paired with the right pieces, stripes can really enhance your figure and keep you looking up-to-date. Designers are now mixing stripes with florals to give it an edgy vintage feel.

For Example...

Anthropologie paired this stripe shirt with a bright floral skirt.

Love it.

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If this look doesn't seem to fit you then wear stripes with just one print and match it with a solid. For example, a striped shirt looks great with white pants or jeans. Vertically striped pants or skirts can make you look taller and in style when you wear it with a solid-colored tee. Having stripes on the bottom allows your legs to look longer, giving the allusion of you looking thinner. In addition, horizontal stripes are great on shirts and can help to create a curvacious feminine figure.}

Solid pant with a striped shirt. Mmm Hmm :)

Go treat yourself to something of stripes you lovely bloggers!

ps. Happy Wednesday!

Stay tuned every Tuesday for new summer tips including topics such as beauty secrets, fashion do's and don'ts,make up tips, date ideas etc...

Don't Miss It!

xoxo

Being pure in everything you do.

2010-05-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

I was taught by a beautiful cousin of mine recently, awesome principles that really struct me. People can make the biggest influence on you whether they know it or not. My cousin has inspired me and for that I thank and love her.

Lately I have been looking at my life..Looking at where I was, where I am headed, what I want. I finally feel like I am at a time in my life where I am figuring things out. I am finding happiness because I am sincerely striving to get it. It is amazing to see that if you want something bad enough and work hard to get it, the lord will bless you with good. Lately the topic of purity has been brought up. It has been brought up multiple times, causing me to sit back and examine myself and who I am.

I heard the quote,

"Be honest with yourself. Purify your lives so that you are prepared."

I love that! We are in charge of us. We are the ones who make decisions that direct our path, no one else. Being pure doesn't mean just being a good person. It means being honest in thought, action, word, and deeds.

Pure happiness comes with a price. Doing good in life isn't always easy. Heck, this life sure isn't easy! I believe that the stronger we get, the more satan will try to work on us. Life is hard. So so hard. But the reward for overcoming those trials is true happiness.

Pleasure = pain.

Happiness = joy.

There truly is nothing better in life then feeling happy with life and who you are. I look back at my life in junior high and high school. I loved it. But my perspective on life is so much different now. I think the friends that come at that time are there for a reason. Yet, life takes you in so many different directions and people come into your life at certain times, for a reason. When I was in junior high and high school I always tried to be open and friendly to everyone. However, in high school, fitting in was one the biggest things that seemed most important. My friends were my life. There was so many clicks and groups which made things hard to really get to know people. There was always a "popular" group that everyone wanted to be in. But now that I am graduated and trying to put my life in a direction that I want it, my perspective is so much more. When I meet people now, I could care less if they were popular in high school or have a rough past. I feel like I have a love for people because I can see their good. They are who they are NOW, without the pressure of trying to fit it. When I meet someone and can feel how pure they are it makes me want to be around them. It makes me want to surround myself around good uplifting people.

I believe that if we want to be happy that we can. If things are hard and your struggling, change your attitude. If you truly want to be happy then make yourself that way. Choose to see the good in the hardships you endure. We must start living now and make the most of it. There is no room for sitting back and feeling bad for ourselves.. Hardships come to make us better and make us grow into what we want and can become. Run with that. A quote by George Sheehan describes this perfectly..

"There are those of us who are always about to live. We are waiting until things change, until there is more time, until we are less tired, until we get a promotion, until we settle down -- until, until, until. It always seems as if there is some major event that must occur in our lives before we begin living."

Now is the time to examine yourself and decide what you are going to do with yourself. Stop waiting, and make it happen!! Be pure in everything you do, and true happiness will come if you are truly seeking after it.

Have a wonderful week everyone. Happy Memorial Day! Make things happen for yourself. Attitude is everything.

---As you can tell, lots of things going on in the head of littlemisscrum these days.. :)

Off to new adventures..Out with the old and In with the new!!

2010-05-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

....So here I am. Life is crazy. Forgive me for not posting for a whole 2 weeks! Ahhhh! It has been eating at me. It really has. I lay in bed thinking about my blog and how I feel like I have neglected it. But here I am and here to stay! Life has been hectic. So much going on. But in the end, all is well and I am happy and ready for new adventures.

Lately, a lot of change has happened.

Change is defined:

To transform or convert.

I love the way that sounds. To transform. When change occurs, we can't just sit back and let it happen. I think choice goes hand in hand in change. Things may happen that cause change, yet we must choose how we want to take it. We have a choice as to how we react and what we want from it. We must transform into what is to come and also what we want to become.

All of us arent just a body or a mind. We are so much more. Change helps us to define we who are and reach the potentials within us. It simply means to grow.

I believe that resistence to change comes from a fear of the unknown. It is a fear as to not knowing what to expect, to know, to see. Change can definetely be scary let me tell you. Experiencing change has freaked me out to say the least. But, when I sit down and really think about it, change makes me who I am. Whether it be good or bad, it helps shape me for the better.

--------

First and foremost, I am applying to study abroad in China. It sounds very scary but so much fun!! It will be through a group called ilp and I would go to teach english. There is so much I wanna do with my life and feel like now is prime time to do it. I can't just sit back and wish I could do something..I must make it happen and WILL. Talk about a change..ha! Not only to live on my own but in a foreign country. I love it though. It sounds like an experience that couldn't be more awesome. Again, it would help me to grow into what I want to become.

I have made it a goal to attend the temple weekly to do baptisms for the dead. If any of you dont know what that is, email me to get more information. I have had this hunger lately to want the best I possibly can in life. I want to be closer to the Lord and strive to be like Him. Doing baptisms is honestly one of my favorite things to do. The spirit is so strong and there is truly no better feeling then being there. I want to change to become who I know I can be.

I have been so set on becoming a sports nutritionist, and don't get me wrong I still want to. Being a dietician is how my mind functions. But lately I have had this bug in my head telling me to look into labor and delivery nurse.

WHAT THE HECK?! I like knowing what I want and working hard to get there. Now with this idea forming in my head, at first it freaked me out because I am thinking "I have been so set on what I want what does it have to change," but then after talking to a friend, he described that not knowing what you really want at first is good. It helps you to draw out your options and to find what really suits you. Then it makes you work harder for it because you know thats what you really want. Now I am not saying I am going to become a nurse, yet having other options is nice.I think it would be so rewarding to help delivery and care for these sweet new babies coming into the world. I like the pressure it requires because people are relying on you. Having this change helps me to see what I really want in my life. Luckily those 2 career paths are both medical so I am on my way with both but who knows where life takes me. But to be honest, I can't wait! Thank goodness for change :)

Last and most important.......

My mother is engaged.

Pretty crazy I know. She is going to be married in July to Reed Flake. Wow so many crazy/intense/nervous/exciting thoughts going through my head. Now this is a prime example of CHANGE. My dad passed away almost 6 years ago in July. That I must say was one of the most life changing experiences I have ever encountered. Yet what happened from it..? I have grown in ways I never thought possible. Change can sometimes mean trials. I believe in that situation it was a major trial that forced change upon me. It was hard. It still is hard. I struggle every day, yet I know it happened for a reason.I choose to take good from it and to let it effect me in a beneficial way. I can sincerely say that I am a better person for it. I am becoming who I want to because of that experience alone. It helped me to see an eternal perspective and for that I am so grateful. My mom has worked so hard for the past 6 years to try and survive and take care of us girls. She is amazing. She has dated Reed for the past 7 months and is now engaged to be married to him. Reed is great. He is a stud. One thing I love most about Reed is that he is kind and loves my mom. I know he will take care of her. My mom is my pride. I am very protective over her because I love her so much. I love Reed because he will support my mom and love her just as much as I do. It is weird I'm not gunna lie and is going to be a HUGE change. Yet, I know it is for the best. I know it is right. I know through this change that it is helping me to grow. It is helping me to reach my greatest potential. Although it is scary, I can't let my fear scare me away. Change is good. Change is what life is all about. I am so excited for Reed and Mom and am excited for more family! Because ultimetly there is nothing more important in my life then my family.

Change happens for a reason. Change is all about how we perceive it. Change is what we make of it. So bring it oonnnn :)

xoxo Lex

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a good day.

A really good day:)

This pretty much sums it up...

Happy Mother's Day to you all!!!!

And to my sweet mother,

I love you. Thank you for bringing me into this world. Thank you for being such a strength to me and making me who I am. You are truly amazing. I love you. You deserve everything in life and more. Happy Mothers Day. I love you infinity plus one. xoxo

Love me.

Thank you for changing me..

2010-05-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

5.7.10

Dear Special K,

Thank you for entering my life. Thank you for changing my mornings. I wake up daily to the thought of you. I get excited to go to bed because I know I get to eat you in the morning as soon as I wake up. Your rappers fill my car and make it a complete disaster. For that I hate you. Yet, you make me feel like I can do anything. Especially sing a song when I am oh so tired.

You bring some of the greatest joys to my life. You are simply one of a kind. You change my mood for the better. You define perfection. Thank you, thank you my delicious friend. You will forever be loved.

I love you :)

Love, Me

Mm Hmm I suggest you get some too! (my favorite are the chocolate peanut butter meal replacements. Go buy them! I promise you will not be disappointed!

xoxo