Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Sunshine: Breathtakingly Beautiful


Sometimes I sit. I sit and think about life. About happy places, happy people. About how blessed I am, how amazed I am by this Earth. Overall I think of beauty. The beauty in the mountains that surround my home, the subtle sound of the leafs tapping on one another, the immense and overwhelming charity of those around me, it is all just breathtakingly beautiful. It is overwhelming to say the least, and it fills me with JOY. All of these small things that surround my daily existence, all falling together in the most perfect of harmony to create a little life so FULL. And then I think of God. And then I feel peace. And then I am overwhelmed with breathtaking beauty. Because that's what life is.
May your Sunday be full of sunshine:)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Lil' bito blog feature

Overwhelmed in end of summer boredom? Maybe there just isn't enough food in the fridge to combat the sheer and utter nothingness today? 
Well then...read what I am most excited for fall on thethingaboutjoy.blogspot.com. (It should show under yesterday's post and not todays...aka August 14th)

And hopefully your face looks like this afterwards. 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

My Classy Banana Friend: Lulu style




Look AT THAT LEG MUSCLE!!!!! It must be the lulu lemon 


Let me tell you about Hannah. We met. She liked clothes. I liked clothes. We both had banana suits. Dear me...it must be fate!!! I love this girl and she has some great advice for us on how to shop the most ever (but expensivvvvvve) precious Lululemon! Take it away Han...


My friends that know me well know of my obsession with lululemon athletica. They also know how ridiculously expensive it is, however, I tend to splurge. There is most definitely an art form to buying lulu, a way in which you can get the really great stuff at a really great price, it is all about working the system. Here are a few tips to try if you have a craving for cute workout gear: 

1. Lulu has a sale section called "We Made Too Much" in which everything is  30% off or more! Take advantage of this section. It is updated every Tuesday. 

2. Lulu stores will randomly mark down items they have that may not be marked down online. Check the sale rack at your local store!! Sometimes they shove the sale rack in a corner but once you find it you will have hit the jackpot.

3. Sometimes you just have to be willing to splurge. The shirt in this picture was a splurge. I don't even want to admit the price because it is a lot but you have to understand what you're paying for. This shirt known as the "swiftly tech" is designed with the most fantastic, breathable fabric I have ever worn. I can wear this when I work out or just because I want to be comfortable. 

4. Save up for the stuff you want most. I have always wanted one of Lulu's "in stride" jackets but couldn't bear the thought of spending over $100 for one! Sure enough, went to the store last week and this blue beauty caught my on. On sale for more than 35% off I was sold and so happy that I waited instead of just splurging right away! 

Hope this helps when purchasing Lulu. Sometimes a girl just needs a cute pair of work out shorts and a comfy jacket for "one of those days". Pamper yourself and buy. the. jacket. Chances are when you're cuddling up in that warm luon fabric, you won't be regretting your decision. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Practice makes Pinterest


             (Apparently one most fold the edges in prior to tieing?)




Pinterest. What a beautiful place. A place of dreams, babies, food, and attractive men. Life doesn't get any better, am I right?
So while I scrolled through what I think is my future life I found
this DIY pillow and was like...HECK WOMAN DO THAT! So I did what I am now calling a "pinterest trial" AKA try to make pretty things on pinterest. So I went to the store, bought some happy fabric and kidnapped a pillow from a closet and went at it.
 2 things I discoverd during this trial:
1.) Pins are friends, not food! (Alright the food thing makes no sense but I had to add in the Nemo reference.)
2.) FOLD the edges before you tie the pillow!!! My pillow is still struggling from my non-folding transgression.
3.) I need a manicure
Overall however, I would give this pinterest trial an 8 out of 10. It turned out cute...but not pinterest cute. Curse pinterest and it's unrealistic expectations on my life.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sunday Sunshine: Mrs. Hinckley

Marjorie Pay Hinckley - “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

I think that says it all folks. May your Sunday be full of sunshine:)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Farm Dreamin








I have always dreamed of living on a little old farm with my little old husband in a little old dress. Perhaps this dress can get me started? Now I just need to snatch up a man with a darling farm! So to you non-existent husband I say this:
1.) We will have rocking chairs. 
2.) Please wear suspenders.
3.)Perhaps a barn as well?
4.) I would just love a tire swing.
5.) I'm looking forward to it. See you in a few years.
Love, 
Mallory

Monday, August 6, 2012

DIY: Bright Idea

                                  BEFORE         AFTER



 When you go to this thing called "college" you apparently must have a lamp of sorts. With funding low, I went to Home Again consignment, where I had a 40.00 dollar credit from selling furniture there previously. It was there I found my grandma lamp. Can't you see your 80 year old grandma sipping tea by this lamp? Cause I could. I bought it because of the fabulous and unique base that I knew I could turn into something really fun.
I purchased the lamp for 20.00 dollars, but with my credit it cost me nothing. Between spray paint (3.00) and a new, much more simple and modern shade (6.00) this little lady only cost me 9 DOLLA!!! HOLA!!! 
 
I highly recommend thrifting for lamps, I have found that most times vintage lamps have the best and most unique bases for the best price. It is also important to remember while thrifting that it's all about the potential of an item, not it's current state! I hope I have given you a "bright" idea this monday morn! 



Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Sunshine: It Will All Work Out



Sometimes we just need to know things will be ok. My favorite blogger of ALL time, Stephanie Nielsen is the perfect example of that. Enjoy the video, I hope it fills your Sunday with Sunshine:)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Fashion Inspiration: Kate Middelton





I'm going through the great fashion depression...also known as, I don't know what to put on my body. So my idol/obsession Kate is in today and will be posting about her oh so fashionable life:

(please read in british accent) Well hello there dahlings! I just love to stroll about in pretty dresses. Most especially, Alexander Mcqueen. Whether it's tea at Buckingham Palace or simply embarking off of a royal plane, I love to always have a sense of class about the way I dress. And doesn't William look oh so dapper in his suit? What a cute bum. Oh dear...I have tea with the queen! The queen does not wait! Ta ta for now! 

Yes I just impersonated Kate Middelton. This must really be The Great Fasion Depression.