Happy Leap Day!

Happy Leap Day everyone!  I hope you're having a great day.  I started this blog in November of 2008 and have had a blast working on it over the years.  Lately, I haven't felt the same passion and excitement that I used to feel when I blogged.  I used to have to write down all of my ideas because they flowed so freely.  I'm fairly confident that a lack of fufillment in past jobs manifested itself in my former passion for blogging.  Now that I am MUCH happier at work, I don't feel the need to blog as much-if at all.  If you read this regularly (thanks Mamma!), you've probably noticed a decrease in my frequency of posts and certainly a lack of decent content.  I've decided to take March off to figure out if I want to continue to blog.  I used to do it for me because I loved it, and now it feels like a chore.  Since no one's paying me to blog, I need to reevaluate if I want to keep doing it.  You can always keep up with me on Facebook, Twitter (I gave it up for Lent ;), and Pinterest-and of course phone and email if we know each other in "real life."  I hope March treats you well.  I encourage you to take a leap of faith today.

And the Oscar goes to...

Jessica Chastain in a gorgeous McQueen gown!

As an avid Chastain fan, I had no doubt she would work the red carpet...and boy did she ever!  Her dress fit her perfectly (unlike many ladies this awards season), and her hair was to die for.  Chastain (or her stylist) really understands fit, color, and dressing appropriately for one's body type and age.  Well done!

Octavia Spencer also rocked the red carpet in a sparkly Tadashi Shoji gown.  It was her best look to date.  Congratulations to her on her Oscar-well deserved Ms. Spencer.  You make us proud.

Stacey Keibler took my breath away in a fitted bronze Marchesa gown-so glad she finally stepped out of her beau's shadow and had her own big moment.

I also LOVED Meryl Streep's gold Lanvin dress.  She's made some interesting wardrobe choices over the years, so I was quite pleased to see her bring it last night.  I thought Viola Davis would win but was incredibly thrilled for Meryl.  She is THE BEST actress of her generation, and I just love her.  Her speech thanking her husband brought me to tears.

Honorable mention goes to the always lovely Emma Stone in a bright red Giambattista Valli gown.  I didn't love this shade of red on her, but she looked gorgeous.  Her bit with Ben Stiller was HI-larious.  Well played Miss Stone.

All in all, it was a nice evening.  The speeches were extremely thoughtful and appropriate, and Billy Crystal was great.  I'm sad to say goodbye to awards season but look forward to seeing you on the red carpet in the fall.

(photos courtesy of www.instyle.com)

She's All That

Jessica Chastain strikes again!

This time the stunning redhead rocks a bright green Elie Saab gown for a pre-Oscars event. As a fellow redheaded friend of mine pointed out, she really knows the right colors to wear.  Best of luck to her on Sunday!

"Ladies with an attitude, Vogue!"

Say what you will about her, but Anna Wintour just EXUDES style.  This photo from New York Fashion Week is one of my favorites.  Her look is to die for!  The orange collar is perfection.  She can WORK some high fashion like no one else.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day my loves!  I hope all of you have a fantastic day regardless of whether you are single or in a relationship.  I'd like to think that everyone has at least one person who loves them (God loves everyone :), so I encourage you to celebrate love in all of its many forms today.  I've been single for over 4 years, and I still love Valentine's Day.  I have a LOT of love in my life, so I feel very blessed every day.  While I still hope for God to bless me with romantic love one day, I cherish the love I have for my family, my friends, my dog, and most importantly, my Savior.


If you are in a relationship, enjoy today-even if Valentine's Day isn't your thing.  I don't think you have to pull out all the stops with a fancy dinner, flowers, chocolates, champagne, etc.  But, why not make today special for your loved one?  Show them you care by making them a meal or telling them how you feel in a homemade card.  Today doesn't have to be about spending money.  Keep in mind that many people would love to be in your shoes, so don't take your loved one for granted today or any day.  Even if a girl says she HATES Valentine's Day, I highly doubt that she would be offended if you did something special for her today.  


If you are single, spend today celebrating your platonic relationships.  Go out with friends tonight or stay in and watch a fun movie and enjoy a nice meal.  Or, just celebrate being YOU!  You are special, beautiful, and worthy of being loved.  AND, God loves you, so you are set!  You never know, love could be just around the corner for you.  Stay strong, believe in yourself, and focus on the blessings you currently have in your life.  God will figure out the rest.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  XOXO

If someone gave me a heart-shaped pizza 

(Papa John's makes them!) today, I would love them forever :)

Six-word memoir

I recently read about the six-word memoir project.  Author Dave Eggers wrote Not Quite What I Was Planning, a collection of six-word memoirs written by a variety of well-known individuals.  It got me thinking-what is MY six-word memoir?  As a woman of many words, summing up my life in just six words is an extremely daunting task.
  
Here is my attempt:  Dancing dreamer, hoping and living fully.

What is your six-word memoir?  For more information on this initiative, go here.

L-O-V-E

Even when I am single, Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite "holidays."  I love red and pink, hearts, flowers, chocolate, wine, and all the fun things associated with Valentine's Day.  Who says you have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate it?  We all love someone-our family, our friends, our pets.  Make sure they know just how much you love them on Valentine's Day this year. Better yet, tell them all the time.  Let's fill this world with L-O-V-E.