Thrifty & Thriving

Hare Hare

2009-04-05T19:34:00.004-06:00

Remember sidewalk chalk?

Did you ever think of grinding it up and throwing it on people?

So did I.

Well my childhood dream came true. I went to the Festival of Colors at the Hare Krishna Temple.

My theory is that they literally threw thousands of sidewalk chalk sticks into a giant grinder and sold bags of the result to some crazed Utahns who just couldnt wait to cake their lungs with the beautiful stuff.

All at once (for the most part) everyone throws their bags of powder into the air to create a colorful cloud. As it falls, or as it is thrown at you, it gets in your eyes, up your nose, down your throat, and down your shirt.

It's amazing!

You feel the powder on your teeth for the rest of te night. If this doesn't sound fun to you....DON'T GO.

People will rub up against you and pour extra powder on you. Believe me, I was one of those annoying people. If I saw a clean shirt near me I immediately made a new friend (or enemy) and went to hug them.

Funniest moment of the night: Let me set up the scene for you. People no farther than elbow distance away from you in every direction. Even up. I swear half the crowd were on the shoulders of others. So naturally I had to do something. So I stuck an empty powder bag in the top of a girl's pants.

BEST PART....she felt something, so she reached back to tuck her shirt in and tucked the bag into her pants completely.

I may be a tad juvenile to think it was so funny, but then so was everyone else around me. Because simultaneously about 12 people busted up in laughter. Good Stuff. Rich. That's what she gets for wearing hip huggers while sitting on some bloke's shoulders.

Oh...also....if you don't like human beings falling on your head....DON'T GO. I think I may have a concussion from a crowd surfer who didn't want to surf any longer.

We went to Wingers and to a movie looking just like this. Yep. Seriously.

Lessons learned from that night:

1. Meet up with friends before you step onto the Hare Krishna Temple grounds. There is no hope finding eachother after that. Hopeless. Sucky.

2. Don't wear heels to the Festival of Colors. All hills.

3. Chalk powder dyes blonde hair. Watch out blondies.

4. Wear a helmet.

I DECLARE

2009-04-02T14:29:00.002-06:00

I do declare I am a poor blogger. I don't blog as much as I should. Take a little look see at the date of my last blog, yeah that's right, almost a month ago! What the crap is that all about?!

I vividly remember getting frustrated with Haley when she didn't post for a month. And now here I am following in the same non committal footsteps. No offense Haley. Or take offense. whatever. No matter what, you will still be a way cuter pregnant girl than I will ever be. (random)

I am weak.

BUT!

I am changing my ways. Maybe not for forever but at least for the next little while.

I solemly swear to post at least one blog each week. Sunday will be my day of choice. I don't work on Sundays, I don't work out on Sundays. In other words my Sundays are pretty open.

Yes! I feel good about this change.

We are Selfless

2009-03-12T11:21:00.003-06:00

What a contradiction to my claims in earlier posts! I tell you all the time that I am selfish. Which is true.I feel like it isn't as bad when I straight up tell you that I am selfish. hmmm.

Or maybe I say it so you notice all of the non selfish things I do so you will tell me otherwise. Wow I have figured it out! I am constantly digging for compliments! Selfish written all over it.

Moving on, Celina and I are on the Force for Good Committee at our work. We raise money for different charities and such. It is alot of fun! There is nothing like a "fundraiser high." Except maybe a "runner's high," love running. Besides the point.

So last weekend Caitlyn, Kristen, Celina and I went to "Bowls for Humanity." We bought a bowl that was made by a student and all the proceeds went to The Provo Food and Care Coalition.

As you can see in my right hand, I am holding my credit card. they didn't accept credit cards for the bowls. I owe Celina $5.

1+1= -1

2009-03-08T15:51:00.004-06:00

Let's practice our addition. Shall we?

= a broken phone

I dropped my phone in a cup of water. Yep. I was carrying a cup of water and my phone in the same hand. And the phone slipped, ever so gracefully into the cup of water.

I've been putting off buying a new phone for quite some time now. I guess I can't avoid it any longer. Ugh.

Any advice on what phone to get?

p.s. Don't tell Caitlyn the phone has made its last call and sent its last text. :( It may break her heart.

Dresses Galore

2009-03-05T21:12:00.003-07:00

This post is going to be short. I am tired. I am tired to the point that I can't seem to form clever sentences or words in my brain. Or full sentences period. Oh pete sake. Let's get this over with.

Don't let my....(a synonym for negative) attitude fool you. I am writing about something that is very exciting! I went shopping. And it went well.

A very successful shopping trip if I must say so myself.

I found 6, count it, 1..2..3..4..5..6 dresses that are amazing! I bet you have never purchased 6 dresses at one time.

I bought 6 dresses, a vest, a scarf, and a pair of boots for $52.

Now THAT is rich. (that was for you Mal)

What is a Ditz?

2009-03-04T11:24:00.005-07:00

While waiting patiently in the Park Cirty Walmart for Shannon, Fallon and Shelley to check-out, Whitney and I look at drinks. Out of no where I get a sharp jab to my ribs by Whitney's elbow. I turn and see a HUGE man standing not 10 feet away from us. I mean HUGE! He had to duck to get out of the walmart sliding doors. The industrial doors that you could drive a truck through, yeah those doors. He had to duck to get out those doors.

So being the girls that we are, we followed after him trying to get a picture of him. None of them were working, so in desperation I ran up to his truck as he was driving away and knocked on his window.

B: Hi. So sorry to ask this, but could we take a picture with you?
M: Sure.

(Huge man gets out of vehicle.)

B: Thanks. I'm sure you hate this sort of thing.
M: No it's fine.
B: Well hi, nice to meet you! What is your name?
M: My name? (man seems very confused)
B: uh huh.
M: Mark.
B: Well nice to meet you Mark. My name is Bree.
M: Nice to meet you Bree.

(Whitney walks up)

W: Hi, I'm Whitney
M: Mark.
W: So how tall are you Mark?
M: 7'4"
W: Oh cool. Have you ever played basketball?
M: Yeah I used to play basketball.
W and B: oh cool.
W: Where did you play?
M: I used to play for a little team downtown.
W: Oh BYU?
M: No
W: UVSC?
M: haha No.
B: The Jazz?
M: Yeah. The Jazz
B and W: Oh cool.

(Picture Time)

B: Thanks Mark!
M: No problem.
W: yeah thank you!
B: Nice to meet you. Bye.

(He drives away.)

As we rejoin our group, Shannon says:

S. That was Mark Eaton!
B: Who's that?
S: He played for the jazz!

To sum things up, apparently Mark Eaton is a ver well know retired professional basketball player. Neither Whitney or I knew that, so of course we made fools of ourselves. I really hope Mark laughed that off instead of realizing the fact that we had no idea who he was and we just wanted a picture of the huge-mongous human being.

I am horribly insensitive.

For comparison sake, I am 5'5" and wearing heels in this picture.

No Half "A" Birthday Party

2009-03-03T22:00:00.002-07:00

When it comes to birthdays in our family we never just do simple. Starting with the cake. I have 2 sister-in-laws that are aspiring professional cake decoraters! Or at least I think they should be. This one was made my Jane.

Then to the presents. As you can see we spoil the little rugrats.

Happy Birthday Libby! You keep it up with your adorable chipmunk voice, curly locks, and dramatic personality. Love it!

Now to zoom in on the above picture just a tad. On the left hand side toward the bottom you can see my hands.

Look close.

You can't find your glasses?

Ok, I enlarged it for you!

As I said, these are my hands. I am going to share one of my quirks with you. I wear this jewelry at all times.

In the shower, sleeping, running, working, shopping, tanning, everything.

And as you probably have noticed it is only on one hand. Yep! It is my "fancy hand!"

Oh and also I have been wearing the same chipped nail polish for the past 2 months! Yes, 2 months ago it was just as chipped as it is now.

That is one more tidbit of weirdness that is me.

Ode to Mal

2009-03-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

OK! Time for Mal!

Oh Mal, where do I start. Mal is my best friend. And to a higher degree of best friendness than you and your best friend. I can say that because odds are you and your best friend have not been through as much as the two of us have.

And if you have, thumbs up to you. Honestly, I dont really care.

Since the age of 10 Mal has been a special part of my life. Even when she was my arch enemy in every sense of the word. Yes. We were not friends in high school. Not even close to friends! But we grew up.

Thank goodness.

My Mally has had some big life changing things happen in the last week. Mal got married. Mal and Nick were wed for time and all eternity last week. They had pretty much the closest think to a shot gun wedding that you can get with still being married in the LDS temple. Minimalistic. Beautiful. No big dress, no flowers, no reception, none of it. But there is one thing she did have. And that was a photographer. Meet Ashley!

(Love her!)

I couldn't help but cry as we waited for Mal and Nick to come out of the temple. Or when they were married, or when Sue made her little speech at lunch, or when I drove away from the restaurant. Blah, blah, blah. I cry ok! (I can see Meg nodding with big eyes and puckered lips as she reads this. She thinks it's funny that I cry. haha Love you Meg!)

Anyway, back to waiting at the temple.

Here is adorable Haley with her bun in the oven. The little Hall addition is finally starting to show! Love it.

The Peterson girls (minus the guest of honor)with their dear daddy.

And the long awaited moment. Mal and Nick with smiles that didn't fade for the rest of the day. What a good lookin' couple!

Sorry if the pictures are kind of blurry. That's what happens when you take pictures from a far off distance and try to zoom in.

Not even 48 hours after they were married, the happy couple flew home. To Israel. Yeah to Israel. Nick is there for work. And naturally, Mal went with him.

I love you, Mal! Miss you!

Shan the Yellow Beauty

2009-03-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

Shannon.

So my brother's wife had a baby! Welcome to the screwed up world, my dear. This is her. She is priceless.

She is the yellow beauty. Not because she is dressed in yellow either. SHE is yellow. Poor thing is getting over gaundis. She had to be on lights at all times for the first 2 weeks of her life.

No worries though peeps, she will be ok!! I sure do love this little girl. I have heard several times that she looks alot like me when I was a baby. I would post a picture of myself as an infant for comparison but I really don't want to. For 2 reasons, one I dont have a scanner, and two because I think that those that have told me so are nuts. I think I was a scary looking baby. And I think we can all agree that Shannon is far from scary. She is perfect.

Pity Party

2009-02-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

I am selfish.

So before I post about my best friend's wedding, sounds like a good title for a movie, I need you to feel bad for me. My best friend is moving across seas for an undisclosed amount of time. Far far away. She will not have a phone so I can not text or call her constantly.

Fell bad for me.

Do it!

Finders Keepers

2009-02-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

I bought this little number a few weeks ago at a thrift store.

I dont think i need to state that anymore because those are the only stores I go to now. haha I will state otherwise? yes. deal.

It cost me $15. Took it home quite satisfied with my buy! But the satisfaction was amplified when I wore it for the first time and found the original price tag in the sleeve. My eyes widened as I did a double take at the small numbers printed on that tag. Yes that is right my dear friends, it was originally priced at $180!

Love it!! I mean look at the quality of fabric. I am not surpised even in the slightest. But it sure is nice to have the evidence to prove my point.

Now. The dress. Oh the dress. This dress was purchased for $8. Need I say more. One of my favorite staple items. This dress has taken me to weddings, church, work, parties, etc. I love you grey beauty.

A Get-Together Of Sorts

2009-02-13T16:38:00.001-07:00

As we go through the awkward phase of getting to know each other we need to share major details of our lives. I am divorced. No need for condolences, I am fine. As I am sure a lot of you may know (because you yourself have been divorced or you know someone who has been divorced) it is not an easy thing to go through.

Frustrating.

Heart-breaking.

Weird.

Lonely.

Relieving.

Want to punch someone.

Want to kiss someone.

Just want a hug.

I'm telling you, it is a horrible feeling and a very different feeling than anything I have ever or think I will ever have to feel. ever. I hope.

But for those who know me, you know I am not one to sit around and sulk. Especially in front of people. That is not me. It never has been.

So one day my sister threw out the idea of a "divorce party" as a joke. I thought about it and realized that could be a great idea! Not to bash marriage or to bash my recently deemed ex-husband but to laugh instead of cry, to show people that I will be ok, to celebrate a new stage in my life. Think of the positive. Glass half full kind of crap. Not in a negative way at all. But if you want to go ahead and think that I am a horrible person be my guest. You go right ahead and judge me. I'm sure it's not the first time you've done it. wow. That got a little tense there. On to more happy notes! :)

So the party. It was a blast! I loved it. A bunch of friends and family went out to dinner then went back to the house and played a photo scavenger hunt. hilarious! My amazing sister and mom came up with some doozies to find. For example, a picture with Bree's first kiss or how about a picture of Bree's favorite book. Nothin' like knocking on an ex-boyfriends front door when you haven't seen them for years. Thrilling. My team won of course.

Then we went back to the house and let it all out with some karaoke! Karaoke and I have a thing going on right now. A bit of a winter fling if you will. But if things go well we may be able to keep this going till summer. :) Who knows, we will see.

Love the sister and the mom for doing this! And love all those who came. Love you to the core.

To throw in a thrifty tid bit. Here is a picture from that special night and my boss (not like my superior at work, a descriptive word to describe something amazing!) scarf I found at a thrift store that came straight from heaven.

Peace.

Shoes Always Fit

2009-02-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession. With shoes. All kinds too!! Please see my Wall of Shoes.

For all of those who are quite observant you may have noticed that there are only heels that are being displayed on this artistic wall. The explanation for this would have to be that not all of my shoes fit on my ceiling to floor shoe rack. Here is another shoe rack.....

And then a closet full of boots.

And there are more in storage. To break it down for you a tad, I have 65 pairs of heels, 25 pairs of boots, 10 pairs of tennis shoes, and 15 pairs of flip flops. Oh and of course a pair of roller skates. Yeah that is 121 pairs of shoe wear. Some tell me it is disgusting but I say it is beautiful. :)

The reason I share this part of my life with you is because my recent amazing thrift find was a pair of exquisite boots! They are THE coolest. Brown leather cowboy boots. Perfection. I guess glaring at those who come near me and speed walking straight back to the boots pays off every once in a while.

Leather Boots=$10

Unbelieveable! One of the most rewarding feelings is when you find something for 1/10 of the price that it is worth. Rock On Thrifters!

Love Hate Relationship

2009-02-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

I have so much to inform you of! But of course,my camera wont work so I cant upload my photos that go with my news. Love hate relationship with that little beauty.But dont you worry your pretty little head. I will find the charger and get those photos! Oh yeah I didnt mention the fact that the camera being "broken" meant it was just out of juice, dead battery, tuckered out. But it is coming. Patience my dear.

CROSSING OVER

2009-01-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have crossed over.
Crossing over.
That reminds me of the movie "Casper" when the ghosts cross over when their unfinished business was taken care of. No I have not died and I am not typing from the beyond. I am talking about the fact that I have crossed over into the blog world. As you can tell this conversion happened very recently because there is nothing, and I mean nothing, else on this blog. You lookin' for pictures? Not here! You lookin for connections to other blogs? Keep on lookin' because I dont even know how to find other blogs yet. haha Yeah I have no idea how to work this thing. But I am here!

Thrifty & Thriving. That is me! My name is Bree and I love shopping. But not just any shopping, thrift shopping. If you find that grosse, open up your mind or move on to the next blog in this vast blogosphere. I love finding things that are different and beautiful that have been loved by previous owners or need to be loved. So this blog is where I will brag about my amazing finds and share my thrifting experiences while I telling you about my boring, average life. :) Sounds fun, huh? haha

So I now close out my very first blog entry. Weird.