ALmoSt ChRiStmAS!

Until last night, it really didn't seem like December to me. I had done my Christmas shopping, set up our tree, put up decorations, and even made cookies... but it just didn't seem like the holiday season yet. Maybe it's because there isn't any snow and it isn't that cold here in San Antonio.. or it might be that for the first time in my life I haven't been looking forward to getting out of school for Christmas break (since I'm not in school right now)... but anyway, now I'm totally excited for Christmas. Jake and I went on a walk last night through the neighborhood across the street. It actually felt cold outside and lots of homes had lights on. There were a bunch of homes that were nicely decorated and then of course, there's always the couple houses that put up a bunch of yard trash. You know what I'm talking about... the yards that make you chuckle because they've got a weird hodge-podge of lights, blow-up Santas, reindeer, and glowing nativity sets on the front lawn. They're fun to look at. I'm just glad our neighbors aren't like that. After our walk, Charlie Brown's Christmas was on TV. I think I've watched it every single year at Christmas time since I've been alive. That movie is a classic. It can put anyone into a Christmas mode! So anyway, if it doesn't feel like Christmas time to you yet (despite going though all of the December motions)... try going on a walk and looking at the lights! And then watch your favorite Christmas movie :)

Nothing to wear!!

Ok, so this morning I went into my closet and realized that I don't have any cute clothes. Since I have to wear the same old lame polo shirts with khaki, black, or navy pants to work every day, when I get to choose what I wear on the weekends it's sort of weird... and today it was a real wake up call! A few years ago I had so many cute things to choose from!! Since I was working at Gap I actually bought something new to wear quite frequently and knew what all the new styles were and stuff! Not anymore! AAAaaaa! Or maybe I just had cute clothes because I could spend all my money on stuff like that and my mom bought me clothes too. Maybe I should go back to working at Gap at least part time for the discount! Poor Jake-- he's married to a frump now. How sad. So anyway, I think I'm going to go and buy some new stuff tonight. Woo hoo! I'm just counting down the minutes until Jake finishes studying and we can go to the mall. I think I'm going to make an apointment to get a haircut too. It really stinks when it's an ugly hair day with no cute clothes!!
So, according to IVillage beauty and style.... here's what is suposedly "in" and definitely "out" this season.
For Hair:
"When it comes to hair this fall, everything is loose, flowing and natural. While fashion is all about velvet, luxe fur and glamorous styles, hair is soft and natural rather than ultra-styled. The focus is on classy, sophisticated styles, rich colors, and looks that are easy to manage. Here are the trends to watch out for this season.

In: Sinuous tresses. Hair that has a slight wave and that flows and moves will be a huge trend, says Poncho, a stylist at Pashah Salon in New York City.
Out: Super-straight strands. Flatironed hair looks too severe right now. (okay, so I'm officially "Out" according to this one)
In: Smooth long layers. Frédéric Fekkai predicts we'll see lots of cuts with subtly graduated and longer layers to match the ultra-feminine style of the season. (I'm still not sold on the complete set of bangs yet... )
Out: Choppy short layers. Irregularly cut layers that give a dissonant, hard-angled appearance don't work with fall's romantic looks.
In: Unaffected and natural styles. To keep your hair natural for autumn, says stylist Heather Packer of Bumble and bumble, finger-comb through it after it's styled, and don't use a brush again that day.
Out: Super-controlled, every-hair-in-place styles. The softness of the styles we're seeing precludes hair that's been overstyled, or looks too perfect or done. It's too high maintenance."
In: Deeper, richer hair color. Hair color is going luxuriously dark this fall, says Renée Patronik, L'Oréal's consulting colorist. Look for fewer highlights and a return to single-process, all-over color in deeper, richer shades.
Out: Sun-bleached color. Excessively highlighted hair doesn't harmonize with the more discreet fashion trends this fall.
In: Straight middle part. Kyrin McKenna, senior stylist at the Oscar Blandi Salon, likes an easy middle part, reflecting a more straightforward mind-set.
Out: Zigzag part. The jagged path is too exacting for this season's new simplicity.
In: Low ponytails: Hair pulled back into a low ponytail looks so right this year, and with it worn this way, this season's hot bold earrings and strong necklaces won't compete. (okay, so this one seems easy enough) :)
Out: Dismantled chignons: Fussy buns with strands of hair pulled out like little stalks of hay just look too contrived


I was looking up some fashion stuff and came accross this fashion quiz... so According to Cosmopolitan's fashion quiz (which I do not agree with), my fashion taste is
"Salty"
"A bit edgy and rebellious, you have a knack for bending (okay, breaking) fashion rules. Defying style expectations is so you -- you'll spend hours tweaking an outfit until it's just out there enough." (for all who don't really know me, "out there" enough is probably as close to opposite as you could get when describing my sense of style)
Okay, so this quiz is in my opinion, totally false. I can't think of a description that seems any further from my real taste.
go to http://quiz.ivillage.com/cosmopolitan/tests/StyleFlavor.htm to see if your style comes out equally wrong! It's actually kindof amusing to see what it comes up with. So, the items it reccomends I purchase for my wardrobe are...





The funny part about this is that I would NEVER purchase ANY of these things. Well, the boots are kindof cute, but the belt looks like it's some klanky gothic thing, the bracelet is weird, and the purse looks like it belongs to Barbie. The quiz comes to the conclusion that these are "SO" me. Yeah, right.

Other things that are "in" now are "cutsie round- toed shoes," BOOTS!!, sophisticated and cool jackets, and detailed jeans. So, after wasting this last 45 minutes looking at fashion websights and trying to get an idea of what I should buy,.. I've come to the conclusion that these sights are of no help when it comes to finding cute normal clothes. Grrrrr....

My Favorites

Well, I copied this idea for a post from my sister-in-law since I love favorites too. Everyone should really do one! Good idea Jenni! So, mine are...

Color: Well, my favorite color changes just about every other week,... but right now it's lime green.
Food: Italian
TV Channels: Discovery Health Channel and CNN... yeah, I know I'm a dork
Sport to watch: Gymnastics!! or cheerleading
Sport to participate in: Definitely not sports that involve a ball of anykind... I'm not coordinated enough. Swimming and Skiing are my favs.
Ice Cream Flavor: cookies n'cream or bananna ice cream with strawberries mixed in. Cold Stone is the best! When I'm in Ogden though, I go for Farr's black licorice...mmmmm
Junk Food: Sour Patch Kids, Licorice (any kind), cookie dough, Gushers
Movie: Legally Blonde, The Sound of Music
TV Show: Life in the ER, Oprah!, Trading Spaces is fun, too.
Vacation spot: Family cabin at Hebgen Lake in West Yellowstone, San Diego is my 2nd fav.
Drink: Lime Rickey
Jewelry I own: Wedding rings! Woo hoo! and my silver chain necklace... umm.... most people would probably guess it's the only piece of jewelry I own since I wear it practically every day!
Clothing Stores to shop at: Nordstrom, Gap, Express, AE
Restaurants: La Ferrovia in Ogden and my new fav in San Antonio is Papasittos
Author: Emily Bronte
Holiday: Christmas
Hobby: I have a lot of favorites... but I'd have to say water or snow skiing.. or jetskiing
Things to do with Friends: shop! or play games
Guilty Pleasures: staying up late watching movies and sleeping in
Dessert: Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory!!
Idea for the future: Cars that go where you tell them to all by themselves- think of all the things you could read and all you could do while in the car if noone had to actually drive!
Thing to do on a date: go hiking
Thing to get in the mail: magazines, letters from family or friends
Thing to be surprised with: a clean house or flowers
Flower: Gerbera Daisy

Scent: Lilac Bushes, Coconut Lime Verbana (Bath and Body Works)
Room in my house: the little bathroom... it's the most fun!
Subject: Microbiology
Collection: frogs (fake ones) and stickers!!
Artist: Mary Englebreit
Musician: don't have a favorite
Memory of dating Jake: Driving down the freeway at 70 mph in his old Mustang when the hood of the car flew up! I think we knew we made a good team after coming out of that one alive. :) http://www.ehow.com/how_5208_handle-hood-latch.html
Gift Family moment: Trip to Disneyland a few years ago- it was so much fun!
Smith Family Moment: watching Ben and Jake during the Spurs Playoffs... nothing else like it

My Cute Nuisance...

I finally found a company here in San Antonio that would hire me to work full time. It just happens to be at a Montessori school/childcare center where I'm teaching 25 five-year-olds Pre-Kindergarten curriculum some days, and hanging out with a room full of 12-18 month olds other days. Don't get me wrong, I love to be around kids! It's amazing how much they are capable of learning and how quickly they catch on to new things. I've always appreciated how they are able to teach adults through the adventurous and simple way they see life. However.... I soon found out that being around 25 children for so long is pretty strenuous. Needless to say, relaxing in peace and quiet sounds great when I come home from work. It would be so nice to sit down and watch TV, read, or check my email when I get home! However, as soon as I make ANY noise whatsoever.... my bird begins to squawk for attention. He's got an uncanny ability to detect even the slightest sound that would indicate I am home and not paying attention to him... and is the noisiest bird that has ever lived when he wants attention. He won't stop his loud hollering until I go in and talk to him and play for a while. So, as soon as I begin doing anything and hear his screeching I feel guilty and have to hang out with him. He is super cute and can be pretty entertaining though. He not only whistles at everyone, but he gives kisses, dances to music, plays funny games, and likes to eat treats. He'll even pick your nose for you-- you'll have to ask my husband about that one though. Despite his loud screeching and the big messes he makes, he is a great pet. If only he would give me some time to relax at the end of the day!

Hi!! I have no idea what kind of a person would ever want to read this, but hey, I thought it might be fun to write. Oh yeah.. and I'm glad you're here! My husband and some other family members began blogging a couple of nights ago and so far they all seem to be enjoying this stuff! Not wanting to miss out on anything, I decided to join the club.
I guess I'll begin by introducing myself. I'm currently 21 years old, happily married to an amazing guy, and enjoying life one day at a time. I'm from a weird combination of Arizona, Utah, Mississippi, and now Texas...