what i wore: fuchsia + leopard

skirt// tagunder, shirt// target, earrings//the icing, scarf//amazon

Life,
I am so thankful for you. I am so glad to be here.

I am glad that the U.S. has special days designated to celebrate special times, like Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's Eve (my fave!) Now, I know some people will say, "why not celebrate everyday as though it's a holiday?" Now I completely agree with you, but there are some who get so wrapped up in the busyness of  life and all the material things life can offer. I am not saying I don't like nice things because i do, but you know what I mean, right?

I am a total list maker, so let me list a small portion of things I am thankful for, because really, even though I complain on the daily and sometimes get easily annoyed, deep down, I am thankful and that makes my heart happy.

I am grateful for the things that are unseen: love, joy, faith & hope.

I am grateful for delicacies + foods that give me energy & nutrition like oranges, pineapple, eggs & brocolli but also those "naughty" items like french fries, cheeseburgers, tacos, chocolate chip fraps and the chips that go with salsa.

I am grateful for my quiet family members and for my loud family members.

I am grateful for service + giving. So many times in my life I have been helped above & beyond, I am so happy to be able to give + serve when I can.

I am grateful for tv shows that grip at my heart strings or that just entertain me where I don't "need" to think. Thank you to the writers of Parenthood, Revolution, The Paradise, Downton Abbey, Once Upon a Time and Hart of Dixie.

I am grateful for my funny friends, my smart friends, my old neighbor friends, my friends that live close and my friends that live far away.

I am grateful for my body and the strength and mobility I still have.

I am grateful for nature. The mountains and meadows are calling my name.

I am grateful that blogging even exists. It has allowed me to feel wanted, to express myself, to share and to connect with so many wonderful (mostly) women. You all are so fantastic and dear!

I am grateful to have a laptop & digital camera.

I am grateful for all of the postwomen and postmen who drop & pick up our mail. I love it, I love it.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and may you be gathered with those you care about.

weekend recap + i am featured at...

Hello and welcome to the last week of November, friends.

I am excited for this holiday season. This past week I was feeling so sluggish with little sleep, but I talked with my primary doctor and have started a new medication to help me sleep. Last night I slept the best since starting the new med. I am dressed in flannel pj pants and a tee and enjoyed a cup of sleepytime tea earlier today. It doesn't make me sleepy, but it does feel soothing.

I've been productive today and I feel good about myself. I am excited too because I am featured on Carrie's blog, My So-Called Grown Up Life for a Thanksgiving Dessert Round-Up today!! I submitted the pumpkin cheesecake recipe. There are lots of other yummy treats featured! The mint fudge looks amazing and if you like Butterfingers, then you'd love to try the Butterfinger Pie.

Since Friday, things have been go-go-go. On Friday night, my friend Elisa spent the night and had dinner with us. Later, she went and got us frosty's! I was craving another one! She had to pick up the van rental that evening and instead of driving all the way back home (an hour), it was smarter she stay the night on my side of town.

We rented the van so that I could attend her brother's 40th birthday party! But before the party saturday, we got some things at walmart and then went to the mall so I could exchange something. It was so neat to be able to sit in the front passenger seat (in my wheelchair) and talk to Elisa while she was driving. I haven't rode in a car with her in about eight years!

So while we were waiting in line at walmart (it was so packed!), there was a friendly guy from the south who was with a female friend or family member. He was talking to everyone in line and toward the end when my items were getting scanned, he complimented me on my sweater and then my "beehive hair" and said I looked so cute. I was like, whoa, he's pretty cute too! I imagine him to be in his late 30's. I replied thank you and just mentioned how nice it is to be friendly to people and converse while waiting more than 15 minutes in line and not to be so grumpy and impatient ya know. He agreed. Talking with him was just a little perk of my day! lol

what a cool cake!

It  rained for 2-3 days straight here in AZ, so the rain kinda dampered plans for the party for Rudy, which was going to be outside too: about 35 people showed up out of the 100 invited and part of the roof at their parent's home (where the party was) caved in just before the party began! Oh the rain and cold!

Despite all that, we still had a great time. Her aunt E made awesome beans! I think she made them in a crock-pot. I was so happy that I got to be at Elisa's parent's house and see them and other family members who I used to see often, especially before I got on the vent. Elisa and I hung out quite often, so i know them all fairly well. It's amazing to not have seen anyone for four years and then to see new babies and the kids growing up. Tomorrow is Rudy's actual birthday, so HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUDY!

Yesterday, I got to help teach Sunday School with Amanda. I basically just shared my conversion story, what was on my heart and how we can reach out to those who might not know God or who are just curious about our faith. Later, in Relief Society, I strongly felt the Spirit and got so teary eyed! I was like, nooooo, don't look down, your mascara is gonna run! I could definitely imagine myself being called as a sunday school teacher. I think that would be such a fun, rewarding experience. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend even though it was colder and rainy. I am so blessed to know amazing people and have them be a part of my life.

How was your weekend? Did you cozy up by the fire or were you out running around like me? :)

weekend recap + eShakti promo code

Hello!

The weekend sure did go by fast, didn't it? How was your weekend?

We'll start this weekend recap from last thursday when a couple of my friends came over. Amanda treated us to Wendy's and I enjoyed this frosty while watching Grey's! I haven't had one in years!

On Saturday, my good friends Wa & Tom came over. They also brought their precious dog Oscar! It was the first time meeting Oscar. He is so well behaved! We all had lunch together from WildFlower, and i didn't even take a photo! gasp! bad blogger hahaha. just kidding. Later, we took Oscar for a nice long walk. Tom snapped some great photos of us! I love having Wa & Tom's company. They are such wonderful people and very conscious of nature and all that is good. I am so thankful to have friends like them. Saturday also happened to be Wa's sister's birthday, Arwa's birthday. Arwa is one of my best friends too, but she lives in Florida with her hubby & fur children, so we missed her, but thought of her that day.

happy birthday arwa! we're ready for the party!

I LOVE this photo! Christmas card worthy? I think so!

Just a friendly reminder that I have a special promo code for you to eShakti! They specialize in vintage cut dresses and have some cute skirts and tops as well. This company is neat because they can customize a selected article of clothing for just $7.50 to fit you better! Their sizes range from 0-36W! You might have remembered this dress I have? It fits me quite well, especially on the top portion and it was customized to my measurements. SO if you're looking for a new dress or top for that Christmas party and you've never purchased from eShakti before, now's the time to take advantage of this discount!

Use promo code: BRITTANY4ZHR for $30 off good til 11/30/13 for first time customers! (if you use my code, i'll get a $15 credit. win win for us both!)

you are beautiful. for reals.

as we end this saturday night, I am so honored to be coming together with tons of other beautiful bloggers for this movement. It's all for the support of encouraging girls and women to believe in themselves and that they are worth more, far more than what society might say.Will you join us?

Positive change starts with our thoughts; those thoughts lead to what we say and what we do.
`

Ellie Coburn // elliecoburn.com | Christina Soto // Piecing it all together | Shane Prather // Whispering Sweet Nothings | Vicki // My Vickilicious Life | Kristine Foley // The Foley Fam | Jenny // Diary of a Dreamer | Nina // Nina's Bargain Beauty | Ashley Griffith // After Nine to Five | Christine Rosko // Life With a Side of Coffee | Megan Flynn // Freckled Italian Kendra Newton // Kandid Kendra | Julie Grimmett // Julie is Coco and Cocoa | Kayla Leppelman // Love Sparkle Pretty | Ashlea Durrett // Ashlea with an A | Sarah Hallstead // A Plethora of Pondering's blog | Cassie Yielding // Live. Laugh. Love. | Laura Euler // Storybook Reality | Brett // What Happens at Bakertown | Brittany Trevino // Sunny Tales and Happy Mail | Ashley Wilhite // Your Super Awesome Life | Eliza St. Clair // Case Study | Diana // Fly to the Wall | Elle // Dig Deep Studio | Cody Doll // Catching Cody K. | Wendy E. // Blush and Barbells | Brenda Wilkerson // Don't Stop Believing
Today is an exciting day, new friends!  Welcome to the first ever community fair for women empowerment. 

My name is Ellie Coburn, I'm the owner and founder of the Speak Now Organization and movement for women empowerment. 
Today exists to inspire you to love yourself. Today exists to challenge you to empower yourself.
Today exists to spark a movement that is of such importance.....
A movement of self-worth, self-appreciation, and self-love. A movement that strives to create a community thousands strong of women who believe in themselves and their abilities. 

Today Speak Now is teaming up with 30+ bloggers, woman, and empowerment leaders and telling you that you are beautiful. 

Why are we here sharing this information with you?

We live in a culture that defines our successes based on our weight, general appearance, or financial successes. A culture of female mothers, lawyers, doctors, waitresses, bloggers, realtors, house maids, interior designers, graphic designers, photographers, and endless other lifestyle choices. Interestingly, despite our dynamic differences based on demographics or choices we are expected to fit in with the expectation of the "ideal woman" Today we are here to tell you: 

Speak Now exists to inspire and empower you to look in the mirror each day and pledge to love yourself. Are you in? 

Link Up Below to Show your support. Be sure to share your support with family, friends, and fellow bloggers. Like us on Facebook to stay connected!

Special Thanks to,  Sarah Moog, Casey Wiegand of the Wiegands, Annelise Rowe of Aunie Sauce, and  Jenni of Story of My Life

 

This Event is Sponsored By: 

The Transformation Survival Guide

real life gone digital life?

This was intended to be posted last week, but i am over here living life. I've been reading alot of blog posts and online articles about real life and "digital life"...and how much of our real life has turned into a digital life from asking a girl out on a date via text to finding out how about your uncle was diagnosed with cancer from his facebook post. No phone call there.
The way we are connecting is definitely changing more and more as we head into the future.

Do I dare ask when is the last time anyone has written a handwritten letter or note and sent it in the mail? I'll tell you that I do it all the time and its meaning is so special. I know because when a friend or relative sends me a card or letter, it totally makes my day and brings a warm fuzzy in my heart. That person took the time to write from their heart, even if it's just telling me about their latest vacation or book they read. It's just priceless.

So let me ask you. How much of your life is online? Would you say it's 50% or 75% or more or less? Now, for us who blog, alot of our real life is plastered online, but we can choose how much we reveal. We don't have to "check-in" at wendy's, then the gas station and let everyone know where we are. For me, I would say that I choose to be pretty open with you all and I would say that 65% of my real life is expressed on the blog, which is fine with me because to me, how else will my readers relate. And I just don't want to label you as readers, but as my friends and greatest supporters. Blogging about my life is what my blog is about and a way for me to document that as well to share with family & friends who live away.

The way to connect these days is by email, face-time, skype, facebook and instagram (i don't even have an account) and I will continue to utilize facebook and twitter as ways to reach out. Despite all that, I will always write my little heart out to my dearies and try to help keep the postal service in business.

perfect for fall pumpkin cheesecake

Hello Darlings! Yes, that means the guys too :)

I've been MIA this week, for good reason. I started making Christmas cards to sell!!! It's a good thing I am going by Hobby Lobby tomorrow because I am totally out of white cardstock, which is used alot on my cards.

Anyhoo, I have a treat for you! A recipe for pumpkin cheesecake which is perfect for this time of year if you ask me. Ok, well, for anytime of the year if you're a pumpkin lover like me.

turkey tom says hi

I've got the last two in the oven as we speak. I got the recipe here, but I tweaked it a bit. This recipe makes two, 10-in. shells. I used keebler's already made graham cracker crusts. And these babies were filled to the brim. No skimping out over here! I also baked these 10 minutes longer than the original recipe called for.

I can't wait to eat a slice! I made four cheesecakes total, 3 to be given away and one for me & my housemates. I should  let you know that the last two I made were filled way up to the top of the crust. Because of it being thicker, I adjusted the bake time to 1 hour 10 mins, which they just came out of the oven and look good. The center of all four cakes were a bit jiggly, but it hardens as it settles.

before

after

Pumpkin Cheesecake
4 packages of cream cheese (i used the bars, 8oz)
2 Teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 15oz cans of pumpkin
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350F

Beat together cream cheese and sugar. add pumpkin, vanilla & spices. beat in eggs one at a time. beat til creamy. pour into shells.

Bake at 350F for one hour.

Enjoy this goodness!

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Pretty Little Beauty Swap Reveal

I am so excited to finally be posting about the Pretty Little Beauty Swap I participated in. The lovely hosts were  Southern Beauty Guide and Sleepy Single Girl. This was one of the two best swaps I've taken part in ever. I figured with a budget of around $15-20 and all things beauty, it was a perfect swap for me.

I was paired with the awesome Jessica of A Different Kind of Plan. We had a month to be able to email with our partner and get to know them. I really liked this aspect of the swap because it gave us more time without being rushed as there were days between emails to get to know each other, I mean, we all have full days. Jessica and I of course talked things beauty, makeup, skin tone, etc but we also talked about push-up bras, our backgrounds and youtube channels. It was pure joy because now I have a new friend! Jessica is so fun, honest and down-to-earth.

This girl TOTALLY spoiled me and sent me SO many fabulous things!! Here are my packages from the box waiting to be open! It was like Christmas day!

I love the little notes she put. and the card was so sweet. I like the quote:

She knew I was dying to try any NYX products so she gave me oodles to try..such as eyeshadows and lipsticks and glosses. Oh and she let me know that NYX is now sold at Target! Whhhaa? Yeh. Before, it was only sold at Ulta.

She also knew that I get breakouts so she made sure to throw in a green concealer by Physician's formula which I had never tried! I've been using this product this past week to hide some redness on my face and it does help tone it down. yay!

Look at this!!!

Look at these eyelashes!! The note on the package said, "for your wild night out" hahah.

 

Jessica sent me a pretty E.L.F eyeshadow palette which I've already tried a few shades. Then there is this at home gel manicure set by Sally Hansen that I need to break open. I like the color she picked. It's a light pink, perfect for a mani. I haven't had the opportunity to test everything yet because she sent me so much fun, good stuff!

Oh and one of my fave items that she selected for me is this translucent mattifying powder by E.L.F. The compact itself is very sleek and the powder does help reduce the shine on my oily face!

Jessica! Thank you so much for everything you sent me!! I love it all! To find out what I sent Jessica, you'll have to check on her blog maybe later this week. My friend is busy with work and her internship! :)