Some Advice.

**Yeah, this post is long. But I promise it's worth it. And there are pretty pictures at the end. Bear with me.

I've been seeing a lot of 'Do's and Don'ts' lately so I decided I needed to contribute my own. Mostly because I feel I need to add a few. But I'm also going to reiterate the things others said. Don't worry, I'll give them credit. Lexi Larson had most of the 'Don'ts' that I enjoyed and completely agree with.

Lexi says...

Don't :: 'Sing loud and the wrong kind of proud on a roadtrip.' I'd like to add to...EVER. Don't sing loud and the wrong kind of proud EVER. You know how people that you don't really care to hear sing just whip out that old guitar and start singin' away? Yeah, don't do that. Wait to be asked. If people want to hear you sing they will make it known. Promise. If no one asks you to sing for them, they don't want to hear you sing. Sorry babe. 

Lexi says...

Don't :: 'Wear Ed Hardy.' In addition...don't wear Affliction or anything found at Buckle. It's ridiculous and embarrassing to spend 100+ dollars on a T-Shirt with a studded dragon on it. Also, quit with the True Religion jeans. Or any jeans with a sparkly/studded/designed pocket or white stitching. It's not flattering. Men, you should especially not wear these because they make you look like, not only a tool, but a chick. Sorry. Just stick to Levi brand jeans and you'll be fine. And girls, you shouldn't be strutting around in jeans with a flashy butt. I've had multiple guys say to me that when they see a girl in jeans with flashy pockets they immediately assume she is easy. Not easy in a good way. If there is a good way...Anyway, just don't do it.  

Lexi says...

Don't :: 'Be afraid to sound smart and educated.' I don't know where this whole, 'I'm going to act like I'm dumb so this guy will like me' thing started, but it needs to stop. Now. I cannot tell you how much it bothers me when girls act dumb on purpose. Some girls really are just kinda ditzy and dumb and that's fine. But you can pick out the girls who are really trying to be dumb. Why is that cool? Who said that was sexy? I'll say it again...Girls, if you act dumb guys are immediately going to think you're easy. And all they are going to want from you is some action. Because who wants to date someone that's too dumb to have a real conversation? No one. Guys, be smart too. Girls like nerds.

Lexi says...

Don't :: 'Wear short skirts and dresses to church.' This is a serious problem here in Happy Valley. And I won't pretend I haven't done it before because I have. But girls, come on. It's not okay to dress like a hoochie ever. And especially not a church. We, as women, need to realize the effect our dress has on men. If we are strutting around in slutty outfits we are making it three billion times harder for the men to keep their thoughts clean. And even if you're not a church-goer...be modest anyway. Don't flaunt everything you've got, all the mystery is gone when you do that and all guys are going to want from you, again, is some action. 

**As a side note, please don't wear short skirts/dresses with boots. I don't know who okay'd this, but it's not okay. It makes you look trashy. Sorry. Wear tights with it or something. That will help a little bit. 

Lexi says...

Don't :: 'Be afraid to mix brown and black.' YES. Thank you sweet Lexi for saying this. I get so irritated when people say they don't go together. Honey, they go together better than most things. Stop living in the past. This is the future. Also, silver and gold go together just as well. I hate when girls say, 'I love gold but I'm going to get a silver wedding ring because I don't wear enough gold and I can't put gold and silver together.' YES YOU CAN. I wear silver and gold together everyday. 

**I'm going to be doing a post about the so called 'Rules of Fashion' because I am sick of people following them.

So now onto my own. 

Don't :: Drive like you're in a Fast and Furious movie when you take a girl on a date. This is stupid and girls don't like it. Unless you're dating a chick from the actual Fast and Furious movie who struts around in skanky dresses she bought at DEB and sits on hoods of cars just waiting for Paul Walker to take her for a ride. (Pun intended). My guess is that you're not dating one of those girls so here's some advice. When you pick a girl up for a date in your super fast car, drive like a normal person. Don't speed through red lights and cut people off. This only makes you look bad. Also, you now have precious cargo in your car and are responsible for that cargo. If you don't think your date is precious cargo, then why are you taking her out? Just don't drive like an idiot when you're with a girl. Because I promise you the girl with think that you are just that, and idiot. 

Don't :: Break up with someone in an text message and/or email. This is never okay. Grow some balls and break up with them in person. I know we are living in a world of technology but that doesn't mean you can lose all ability to communicate in real life. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the best communicator. I try to avoid confrontation altogether. But I'm working on it, and if you're like me, I promise once you communicate in a difficult real life situation once, it gets easier and easier every time you do it. Remember the movie  He's Just Not That Into You? When Drew Barrymore is talking about how she hates all this technology...It's the perfect quote to make my point. 

'I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work so I called him at home and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry and so I texted to his cell and then he emailed me on my home account and the whole thing just got out of control. I miss the days when you had one phone number and one answering machine and that one answering machine housed one cassette tape and that one cassette tape either had a message from a guy or it didn't. And now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting.'

Don't :: Be rude to the waiter. Ever heard that quote, "Someone who is nice you to you but rude to the waiter is not a nice person." Well it's completely true. I was a waiter for a couple years and can't tell you how annoying it is when you get rude customers. Also, tip well. At least 15%. More like 20%. Such a huge deal to me when guys I date don't tip well. They are out before they started. If my dad can tip 20% all the time, anyone can. I don't care if you think your waiter sucks because she took to long to refill your drink. You have no idea what goes on in a restaurant and therefore have no room to judge your waiter. End of story.

Don't :: Hang out always. What I mean is...go on dates more often. Guys, ASK girls on dates. Don't just ask them to hang out. Girls, don't LET guys only hang out with you. If you go hang out with them every time they ask, they aren't going to take you out on dates because they think they don't have to! I heard this from Tiff Baker I think? She said something like this, "I have a rule of threes. If I hang out with a guy three times, it's time he takes me on a date. And vice versa." I completely agree with this. And while I don't always follow it like I should, it has proved true every time I do it or don't do it. You need to see each other in each setting. You need to see how you each act when you're alone on dates AND when you're hanging out with each other's friends. It's very important to see how people act around other people. (Ben and Courtney from The Bachelor this season are the perfect example. He doesn't see her devil side when she's with the girls and boy does he need to).

(These are turning into dating tips aren't they? And they are all 'Don'ts' huh? Eh well. Just go with it).

Do :: Embrace your true weirdness. Am I obsessed with Harry Potter? YES. Do I care way too much about fictional characters? YES. Do I dance in the shower, and in the kitchen, and in the car? YES. Do I make faces at myself in the mirror? YES. Am embarrassed by any of these things? NO. 'Let your freak flag fly.'


Don't :: Curse. Well, I actually can't say this and mean it completely. Because sometimes it's incredibly funny when people curse. But don't curse AT people. Don't refer to them as curse words, yeah? I guess...Don't curse unless it's funny? Eh. Just forget I said anything.

Do :: Spend way too much money on clothes. Alright fine, I won't encourage you to spend all your money on clothes. All I'm saying is...if eating food wasn't a necessity, all of my food money would be put towards clothes. Alright maybe that's an exaggeration. I'll rephrase this whole paragraph. All I'm saying is...buy cute clothes. But don't pay too much for clothes when you could get them way cheaper. I always wait for sale items because I can't justify spending X amount on a sweater, shoes, shirt, pants, etc. Get more bang for your buck. ASOS is a great site with copy cats of designer items for wayyyy less. Check it out.

Don't :: Be rude for no apparent reason. Why do people do this? I'm sorry that you're having a bad day dude but that doesn't mean you can flip me off while I'm driving for no reason. I'm sorry that you're not happy with your life right now sweetheart but that doesn't give you permission to give me the stink eye. Just be nice to people. And don't be fake nice. People can tell when your nice is fake. And if they don't right away, they'll figure it out six months down the road when the seasons change and you're nice spirit all of the sudden becomes Darth Vader because your toes are cold. Exaggeration again, but I've seen it happen.

Don't :: Get married after 1-3 months of dating. Yeah okay it worked for my friends Brighton and Tanner but that's because they are the most perfect couple in the entire world. And I get it, you're in love and you don't want to wait. But please try. Experience four seasons with someone before you get married. Because what if the above happens and your wife all of the sudden, "becomes Darth Vader because her toes are cold."  Just date for awhile, k? At least until you have seen them in the winter and the summer. Thanks.

So I have been adding to this post over the past week and I am super tired and can't think of anything else right now so I'm just going to go ahead and end it here. Please take no offense to anything that was said. I'm just giving you some life tips, that's all.

**Now go look at the pretty pictures.

Robert Redford

The King

Winning.

So last night was a little bit of an adventure. Well, not really an adventure. Just super funny. So remember how I intern for Jen Clyde Stylist? Well we had a meeting at her house in Salt Lake last night. So I drove up there in the rain and everyone arrived at 7:30. I had only ever met Jen so we were pretty much all new to each other except for conversing on Twitter and things. So I met Angela, Ashely, and Whitney. Ang and Ash both intern for Jen as well and Whitney is a producer at ABC 4. So Jen has the cutest house ever and we were all just sitting in her living room and her sweet daughter is showing us her amazing gymnastics skills. We start talking about what we are supposed to talk about, you know, business. And then we stray off topic a few times. I think the first time we got off topic was when someone asked about Jen's green rug. Now, Jen's husband is an interior designer so she laughs and says he hates it soooo much! Then she starts telling us how she came to buy it. Her dog died (she says as she's petting her dog Willow (who is adorable by the way), "Not this dog.." oh no way Jen? Willow is still alive? Laughs) so she was super sad and went and bought this green rug. Now, even though her husband hates the rug, he let her keep it because she was so upset about her dog. Mind you, she didn't finish this story until a few hours later when she remembered she hadn't finished it at first. So you can imagine how many random topics came up in between all of this. Her moral of the green rug story; buy things when you're really upset about something because your husband will let you keep them.

So a few more topics off the subject of business included, The Bachelor, Courtney from The Bachelor, Michelle Money, how to talk to your kids about sex, inappropriate commercials, etc. So you can imagine the tears of laughter that were shed as well as the sore cheeks and abs. We'll go into some detail about some of these topics, starting with Courtney from The Bachelor. WINNING! That's how it all started. If you're not watching The Bachelor then you won't understand but let me explain. Courtney is a she-devil who is trying to "win" Ben (The Bachelor) as if he's some kind of prize. But she has a punch line that's not even her's because she stole it from Charlie Sheen. She always says, "WINNING." So horrible. No one should ever say that. Ever. Anyway we talked about her and that awful upper lip of hers and her ability to sound like a snob with every word that comes out of her mouth. ie: Ben: "We're headed to Puerto Rico!!"  Courtney: "I was just there two months ago.." Oh, we're sorry Courtney that we can't take you to places you've never been because you're this "huge model." Also she says the most oxymoron-ish thing I've ever heard, "I'm a nice person. Don't F*** with me." Pretty sure that doesn't work babe.

So next topic. We'll skip the "how to talk to your kids about sex" for reasons and go straight to inappropriate commercials. Jen is telling us about this awful commercial she saw, "And you know it had all of these sexual 'indudendos.' " Angela and I were the only ones who caught the mistake which I'm sure was just a slip of the tongue, but BOY did it set us off. Everyone else was laughing at the commercial while Ang and I were dying over 'indudendos' and no one had a clue. So great. A few more funny things happened. Like Jen telling us that she named her first cat Ghetto Superstar. And how she moved to Utah years ago but now, "I AM Utah. I am one with nature." But we'll skip over those things. Just remember that Jen says the funniest things.

So anyway...four and a half hours later we were all get together for a picture and then head out. But not before this...

I tweet: "I AM Utah. I am one with nature." Oh Jen. #ghettosuperstar
Angela then tweets to me: "Nothin like some sexual indudendos to get the night goin."
In response I laugh so hard I slide down the wall to my knees. Yeah. It was really, really late. 

Cute girls right? 

So then I'm driving from Jen's house and I'm absolutely starving so I think I'll stop at Wendy's. Well I go to McDonald's instead (not sure how that happened) but I'm on the phone and when I pull up to the drive through I say, "Hey, I gotta go I'm at McDonald's." So I acknowledged that I was at McDonald's. Then I order like I'm at Wendy's...


Me: "...And can I get a Frosty instead of a drink?" 
Guy: "A what?" 
Me: "Can I get a Frosty instead of a drink?" 
Guy: "You want a shake instead of a drink?" 
Me: "Yeah, I want a Frosty instead of a drink." 
(Why is he giving me such a hard time about wanting a Frosty? I know it's late but give me a break). 
Guy: "Okay...do you want chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?"
(Strawberry? When did they start making a strawberry Frosty?)
Me: "Chocolate."


So I get to the window and I'm on the phone again and they give me my food. I drive away but not before I check to be sure I got everything. "AH! They didn't give me a spoon! Where is my spoon? Fine. I'll just drink it with this straw. Ew! And since when do they put whipped cream on their Frostys?" I'm angry on the phone. Then I'm driving, on the freeway at this point when I take my first sip of my "Frosty." "What?! This doesn't even taste like a Frosty!" (Yes I talk to myself in the car). Then I'm eating the fries thinking to myself that Wendy's fries are way better than McDonald's fries. Only about 30 seconds later did I finally put together that I had gone to McDonald's and they do not sell Frostys. I literally bursted out laughing every few minutes because I couldn't believe how blonde that move was. The McDonald's guy must have thought I was the dumbest girl alive. 


Then I come home to my roommates and our friends Brad and Jesse just talking about things we won't discuss here. We stayed up WAY too late. Good news is...I got to 4.9 MILLION on Temple Run. I know it's not 13 mill like everyone else is getting these days but it's amazing to me alright? 


In the words of Courtney, last night I was totally WINNING. In good and bad ways. 

Another Reason.

"She's everything, all the time. There's no one like her. 

Show me someone that wouldn't give it all up for Emma Stone and I'll show you a liar."

--Ryan Gosling

Just another reason to love Ryan Gosling. Who doesn't need another one of those? He's a doll. And I absolutely adore Emma Stone. She is the perfect girl, no doubt. She has the greatest personality. (Listen to me talk about her as if I know her). I know she and I would be best friends if we ever met. She's hilarious. And real. I feel like most actresses these days aren't real. They just try to be the prettiest or the cutest or whatever they think they need to be. 

"I like to look like a person. It drives me crazy when you see women in movies playing teachers, and they have biceps. It totally takes me out of the movie. I start thinking, Wow, that actress playing this part really looks great!" --Emma Stone

An Update.

Here's an update of all things Breanne.

I am loving my job. They treat me so well, I really couldn't ask for better bosses. Also I have Emily to keep me company and she is a complete doll. Love her.

I have been visiting Michelle in Salt Lake quite a bit lately and I'm loving it. No matter how uncomfortable her futon may be, her company makes it all better. I missed her so much and I'm so glad she's back in my life. Last weekend we went to the car show in Salt Lake with some dates. Her and her boy Parker set me up with Chris and Jessie up with Brock. There was a rock climbing wall so of course we had to do it. Never pass the chance up for a good climb. And then there was the Jeep course that was so much fun. I promise we were on a 90 degree angle going up and down and then we were slanted just as much. Crazy things those Wranglers can do.

Me, Chris, Michelle, Parker, Brock, Jessie

I went to St. George this weekend. Surprise, surprise. I drove down late Thursday night with Clark and Jason. We didn't listen to one smidgen of music on the way down. We just talked the whole time about life and relationships and some inappropriate things. Judge us if you will.

I got to spend almost three full days with my baby girl Aspen. She is just starting to focus on people and interact and it's the most amazing thing ever. She smiles at you a lot. But mostly she smiles at her Uncle Ty Bug. He's her favorite for sure and I cannot blame her. He's my favorite too, obviously. She loves her bath time more than anything. She wakes right up when we bathe her and just chills in the warm water of Nanna's giant tub. She is figuring out how to work her arms and legs so they are constantly going nuts and it's perfect. She's perfect. My mom made baby girl a basketball jersey out of Ty's old shorts. Isn't it the cutest? She was the highlight of the basketball game. Ty Bug's number one fan right here.

Ty's school is so great and they did this at half time. They parted the Red Sea for Thor. Thunder fans gone crazy! Ty Bug got player of the game on Friday night. So awesome.

My brother and his friends call themselves the BFB (the Best Friend Brigade). I asked them before the game on Twitter if I could get a picture with all of them. Because I consider them all my litter brothers. Unfortunately all of them weren't there. But we still got pictures and I love these boys oh so much. Obviously I love my brother the most but he has the greatest friends. Oh, and Cole wouldn't look at the camera. Just kept kissing my cheek. Love it. 

Left to Right: Ty Bug, Cole, Me, Carson, Travis, Josh, Mikey

 Ty Bug had Senior Ball on Saturday night and I was so happy I could be there for it! Isn't his date the cutest? I promise he probably would have taken Aspen to the dance if he could.

But his real date was Jamie. They've been friends forever and she is such a sweetheart. Mikey tried to help with the corsage...because they are so hard to put on? Yeah. Try putting on a boutonniere boys. I got to help out with their dinner because they did it at Mikey's house. All the boys looks so fly in their suits. Don't they look amazing in grey? Yeah. They do.

I edited our family photos and I think they turned out pretty good considering they aren't professional or anything. Keia asked me to make this announcement for Aspen so all our family and friends can see how perfect she is.

I officially don't care to watch the Super Bowl this year. Seriously? The Ravens and the 49ers lose? I don't like the Patriots and I especially don't like the Giants. So I'll watch for the commercials. Maybe. Ugh.

Lastly, have you guys seen the movie Warrior yet? If not you should be ashamed of yourselves. It's divine. Okay, maybe divine isn't the right word for a movie like this...but I'm going to stick with it anyway. I fell in love with Tom Hardy when he played the sexy British Eames in Inception. He managed to make me fall even more in love with him and his luscious lips playing the strong, silent, tough guy Tommy in Warrior. He is a little bit to large in this movie though...I'd be afraid of him if I saw him in person. Those traps need to settle down a little bit. But his tattoos don't bother me at all. (Yes, I'm a sucker for tattoos. Why do you think I'm so in love with Adam Levine?) But seriously go watch it. (Shout out to Paul who introduced me to the movie and who makes fun of me for my obsession with Tommy).

That's all. Bye. 

A Good Laugh.

Do you need a good laugh? Because I sure do.

My roommates and I were watching a documentary about this guy from England and all of his "sexual failures." Sounds super sketchy but I promise it wasn't. He has been dumped by every girl he's ever been with and he wanted to find out why. So he went and tried to interview all his ex-girlfriends. It's hilarious and kind of heartbreaking at the same time. Because they all refuse to talk to him at first but a few of them eventually agree to it.

But he talks to this one girl who he only dated for like a few days and now she's married to an Asian guy. As a joke he asks her if he was the last white man she's ever been with and she said, "Yes, I've only dated Asian men since you." 

Later when she is gone he says, "I seem to have put her off an entire race..."

I laughed for so long. I kept repeating it. If you could see the guy and hear his voice when he said it, you'd be dying too. But seriously, how sad for that guy! I mean, according to his girlfriends he was a complete jerk and that's why they all dumped him, but still. They were pretty mean in their interviews. And I guess I'm pretty mean for laughing at his failures but he's the one who made a documentary about it! He's brave for calling all those girls who hate him. Go him.

Here are some humorous things I found on Pinterest. Laugh people, LAUGH.

I won't even pretend I don't do this. 

So dramatic. But super hilarious because we all do this. 

Oh, Bill. 

Offensive Line. 

Talk Black.

 Cats. 

Settle Down.

I sat on my bed for a long time last night. Partly because I was thinking and partly because my bed was covered in clothes. And I really didn't want to put them away. So I just sat there. I listened to this song and this song on repeat. (Thanks for the suggestion on the last one Taylor). But there have been a lot of things I've been thinking about lately.

I've been so worried about all of these things that I can't do anything about right now. And the reason I can't do anything about them came to me last night as I was sitting on my bed. (I had moved the clothes to the floor by now and actually got in my bed). I decided to read my Patriarchal Blessing. I read it quite a bit because I made a deal with myself to read it every time I think about it. (Which has been amazing.). But this time I made sure to really read it. I used to be so confused when people would say, "My blessing is different every time I read it" because mine didn't seem to be. Don't worry though, it is. I read every paragraph like three times in a row, very slowly. Are you ready to find out what I realized?

Two things. First, I don't need to figure everything out right this second. I need to settle down. I'm so intent on needing to do everything right, right now. But since when do I need to know everything right now? Since when do I need to figure out what I'm going to be doing in the next year or five years right this second? I don't. But for some reason I've been thinking that I do. It's not possible for me to make these decisions because of the second realization which is this. I am not in the right place to be making any sort of life changing decisions. Spiritually, I'm not there. If I don't have the Spirit of the Lord always with me to help me make these decisions, I can't do it on my own. And I realized this last night because my Patriarchal Blessing says that if I always seek to know the Lord's will and follow it I will always have the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in my life. Well crap. I haven't been worried about the Lord's will lately, have I? No, I haven't. Big problem. I can't go through my life praying for exactly what I want to happen. It doesn't work that way. And then I just opened my scriptures to these two wonderful verses.

Helaman 3:35 
"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
Helaman 5:12 
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon  you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fail."


So. What I'm trying to say I guess, is that I'm not in the right place to be making decisions. And it's not because I don't believe this gospel is true because I believe it with all of my heart. But I've been so worried about everything lately that I haven't taken the time to read and study my scriptures every night. Or write in my journal every night. Or pray on my knees every night. How can I expect the Lord to help me make these life changing decisions if I'm not putting in an effort to have His Spirit with me always? I can't. How can I expect Him to give me everything that I want right now? I can't. Because it is His will that will be done. Not mine. I need to build my foundation upon the rock of my Redeemer. Once I figure that out I can start making decisions. Until then, I'll be working on myself. No decisions to be made.

You know what some of my problem is? I think I expect my life to play out like a movie or a TV show. I don't think I'm the only one who does this. But it's really heartbreaking to think like that! No one's life plays out like a movie. I've talked about this before...how we all have unrealistic expectations. But it's hard to remember. Maybe because I watch to many shows. But sometimes I truly wish my life were a movie. Not an actual movie that people would watch...but just that things would happen like they do in the movies. They make it seem so easy to fall in love. They make it seem so easy to share your exact feelings exactly when you feel them. And there are never any consequences to what they say...and if there are, they are always forgiven. Like in the TV show Felicity, (just started watching and I'm in love). Felicity is seriously fearless. She says exactly what she wants to say when she wants to say it and she doesn't even think about being embarrassed about it. I wish I were more like that. But it's easy for her. Because she's not a real person and she doesn't have to worry about hurting real people's feelings or being embarrassed for what she says because it's not real. See what I mean? I think I'm going crazy. I need to stop watching TV.

Anyway. Moral of the story: Sitting on your bed can be incredibly helpful sometimes. Don't ever let the Spirit leave you. Don't even try to make decisions without your Heavenly Father's help. And don't expect your life to be like a movie. Unless you want your heart broken. Then do whatever you want.

Bloglovin

I'm officially on Bloglovin. And I'm not entirely sure what it's purpose is? But whatever.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Somebody That I Used to Know.

So last year I found this amazing blog called Lila Was Here. It's so amazingly beautiful. Andrea is the mother and photographer of the stunning Lila. Everyday for a year she took pictures of Lila and posted one from the day. Perfect right? I'm gonna have to learn how to take amazing photos so I can do this one day. 

Well the year is up so she started a new blog (in November I think but I just found out about it). This one is called Adventures in Pinksugarland. So perfect. I have some serious blog envy going on. Her set up is amazing and she posts the most amazing things. So you should check it out. She also has a photography website. 

But she posted this song on her blog. And I'm in love. How amazing is it that they are all playing the same guitar? Unreal. And their voices just stab me in the heart I love them so much. Enjoy.

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth (Gotye cover)

Forget Me Not.

You know that day? That day when you get on Facebook and your recent ex-boy/girlfriend has a picture up with their new significant other? Well that day was yesterday for me. I knew it was coming and was totally prepared. But I can't pretend my heart didn't sink a little bit. But honestly, I'm okay. I'm happy for him. I'm not going to say things like, "She's not even close to as pretty as you are" and, "His loss. You're way cooler than that broad" like I say to my friends when they are in this situation. (I call girls I don't know "broads" but it's only because I don't know them). I always mean those things when I say them to my friends because no girls are more beautiful and amazing than my friends. But this girl is very pretty. Very. And I'm sure she is a super cool girl or he wouldn't be dating her.

I'm to the point now where I know we weren't meant to be together. Which is kind of a hard point to get to...I never realized! Kudos to you people who do this often. And when I say "do this often" I mean who date people and get super attached and have to get over them. I mean, I get super attached. But that's the first time I ever really saw myself being with someone forever you know? But I know that's not what is supposed to happen for me. I wish him the best. I'm going to go ahead and say right now that he'll most likely marry this girl. You can call me, "Good Luck Bre" if you'd like. It's happened quite a bit where I date someone or I really like someone and the next girl they date they marry. So, if you're looking to get married, just get me to really like you and then you'll be set!

But I really have amazing friends. My roommates are the best. Yesterday after church is when I saw the picture and they decided we needed to go on a drive. So we drove up the Alpine Loop with candy and Ray Lamontagne until we couldn't go any further. (Sometimes all you needs is chocolate, a drive, and Ray). Then we parked the car and read an amazing talk by President Uchtdorf, "Forget Me Not." (In fast and testimony meeting someone mentioned the talk so we read it again). I loved it.

He talks about the forget-me-not flowers that are small and hard to see among all the other bigger and brighter flowers. They are sky blue. He uses the five flower petals as a metaphor for things we would be wise not to forget.

--First, forget not to be patient with yourself.
"God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not. And yet we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others...Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It is wonderful to have strengths. And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses."
--Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice. 
" 'Am I committing my time and energy to the things that matter most?' There are so many good things to do, but we can't do all of them. Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective."
--Third, Forget not to be happy now.
"So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket (like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)-the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about....If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us. The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."
--Fourth, forget not the "why" of the gospel.
"In our diligent efforts to fulfill all the duties and obligations we take on as members of the Church, we sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long to-do list, as a block of time that we must somehow fit into our busy schedules. We focus on what the Lord wants us to do and how we might do it, but we sometimes forget why. My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to the happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us. When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet. Let us not walk the path of discipleship with out eyes on the ground, thinking only of the tasks and obligations before us."
--Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.
"You are not forgotten. Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. If fact, He loves you with an infinite love. Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name-you are the daughters of His kingdom. God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes. The loves of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow."

It's an understatement to say that this talk was exactly what I needed to hear right now. I will forever believe in the divine power of my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ because of moment like this. I know I was supposed to hear the testimony given about this talk in sacrament meeting yesterday so that I would go read it again. Revelation comes in the smallest of ways sometimes and I absolutely love it. Even though I know I'm not in the perfect place in my life right now spiritually, I know I will get there. And I know my Heavenly Father will help me.

Sell Out.

Can we just talk for a second? Because I'm kind of confused. You see, they are making a new Les Miserable movie. Which I'm super excited about because I love Les Mis. But I have a problem. They cast Taylor Swift as Eponine. Seriously? Out of ALL the people in the world you choose T-Swift? I'm sorry, but that might be the absolute worst casting choice in the entire history of casting choices. Am I alone in this? I don't think so. The role of Eponine has to be one of the most sought after roles of all time. There are so many better choices out there. Lea Michele and Scarlett Johansson auditioned too and T-Swift beat them out. I mean, as annoying as she is on Glee, Lea would have been a MUCH better choice. And as much as I HATE Scarlett, she would even do a better job. She can at least act. There is no way in hell that Taylor Swift can sing On My Own. She's going to butcher it. They can do all the retouching on her voice that they want but she will never be able to pull that song off.

The thing that is so annoying, they chose her solely on her fan base. I'm sure they are thinking, "Oh yeah, let's cast T-Swift for this amazing role because then all these teenage girls won't be able to resist seeing the movie and our numbers will go up and we'll make loads of money on this movie." Which is true. I'm sure millions of teenage girls are super stoked on Taylor Swift acting and singing in a movie. But those girls have no idea what Les Miserable is. Anyone who knows what it is will not be happy with the choice of Taylor for this role. She can write songs, yeah. Good for her. She's sold a lot of records. Good for her. But I'm sorry, the girl can't sing. She has a decent voice. She doesn't have a Broadway voice. Not even close. Have you heard her live? Bad news. Maybe I'm being a brat. I'm just really upset. Plus, Taylor is super awkward. In every way. She's beautiful but she moves awkwardly. And has anyone even seen her act? Can she even act? She's too sweet and innocent and naive to play Eponine.

That's all. I really hope this is just a rumor and they really didn't cast T-Swift. If they did I may really have to consider whether or not I'm going to see the movie. Hollywood needs to stop worrying about making money. Pretty sure they're all millionaires anyway. Make a great movie. Don't sell out for Taylor Swift because she's going to make you money. Ugh.

Finally.

So as I'm sure you noticed, I have a blog header. Finally. I just made it. And I'm not sure how I feel about it. But it was super easy. Except I was super specific on the font for "oh, pish posh" so I just made my own. I'm pretty sure I'll change it soon. I just need to come up with a better idea. If you have any, let me know.

I also bought a domain. Finally. I have been so annoyed with the stupid dashes in between oh-pish-posh and I couldn't handle it anymore. So now my blog is just ohpishposh.com. Wonderful right? I'm super happy about it. I was going to have to hurt someone if that website was already taken.

Oh, and I heard that for some reason my blog won't let anyone subscribe to it on Google Reader. But it should work now. Hopefully.

2012

People say that this time of year (the beginning) you are supposed to reflect on the year gone and look toward the future. Well. You should never dwell on the past or the future. Learn from the past, look toward the future, and live in the present. Easy enough, right? You'd think. But here's me learning, looking, and living.

Learning
--I learned that I tend to sabotage relationships when I think they are going to move forward. I learned this at the beginning of the year; don't worry I improved it by the end.
--I learned that Vegas isn't as awful as I once thought it was. I still consider it to be one of the dirtiest places on this earth (in every sense of the word) but when you have people you love there you can have a good time.
--I learned that I don't do very well in school. Not because I'm not intelligent, I just don't enjoy it. And I have a hard time doing things that I don't enjoy.
--I learned that The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a very, very real thing and that I can be forgiven. I also learned that forgiving yourself is a huge step in the forgiveness process.
--I learned that friendships, no matter what kind, are incredibly hard to let go of.
--I learned that spontaneity is a great way to get your spirits up.
--I learned that my obsession with Harry Potter is very real and that I don't care what anyone thinks about it.
--I learned that hurting someone I love, no matter the reason, results in hurting myself.
--I learned that I need to be genuinely interested in other people. I need to ask more questions.
--I learned that I can't let my first impression of someone get in the way. Most people don't make good impressions and then turn out to be incredible people.
--I learned that a lot of people out there pretend to be heartless and to not care, when really they are the most loving people I know and would do anything for the ones they love. I also learned that I am pretty good at picking these people out.
--I learned that I can longboard (somewhat) and that all my fear of longboarding was completely ridiculous.
--I learned that I'm not a very good communicator. I learned that telling someone how I feel is always the better option.
--I learned that I love my family more than most people love theirs. (Probably not entirely true, but I think so).
--I learned that my heart can literally grow to fit more people inside. And when I lose those people the empty spots don't ever really close and no one else can fill them.
--I learned that my brother is an amazing man and that he has a better heart than anyone I know.
--I learned that Cancer cannot break a family. It only brings them closer. And it brings friends closer, and communities closer to love that family when they need it most.
--I learned that I need to stop worrying about stupid things. And stop being paranoid.
--I learned that I am pretty good at giving advice.
--I learned that my standard for a loving relationship may be high, but it's what I need. And I believe that everyone should have that.
--I learned that eye contact is super important to me. And I tend to stare at people (not strangers, people I'm having conversations with) but I'm always the one who stares longer. I don't like breaking eye contact.
--I learned that I can avoid Nordstrom for months if I have to.
--I learned that I am a person people enjoy being around. But it took me a long time to believe that.
--I learned that my ability to love people is one of the best attributes I have.

Looking
--I look forward to a fresh start.
--I look forward to praying about my future and asking my Heavenly Father what steps to take next.
--I look forward to making new friends and gaining more people that I will love immediately.
--I look forward to watching my beautiful niece Aspen grow and learn and interact.
--I look forward to another summer. (Especially the Olympics).
--I look forward to an increased testimony of this wonderful gospel.
--I look forward to new experiences and new relationships that I will eventually learn from.
--I look forward to being healthy, body and mind.
--I look forward to The Hunger Games movie.

Living
--I live for my family.
--I live for my friends.
--I live for the perfect pair of shoes.
--I live for reading and writing.
--I live for this incredible gospel. I live to increase my knowledge of this gospel as well as my testimony.
--I live for laughing so hard it hurts.
--I live for stupid TV shows that make me laugh and cry and feel.
--I live for beautiful music.
--I live for beautiful people.

I should do this every year...I just learned a lot by writing everything down. I'm sure I missed a million things but this is enough for now. I like this better than New Years Resolutions. Those usually get me nowhere past the second week of January. These are things I can actually continue to do. They aren't things I can just check off a list and call it good.

2012. Here's to you!

Addictions

I love Wendy's Frosties. Love. Even though they are tainted now. They've been tainted for quite awhile I guess and I kind of avoided them...especially the chocolate-vanilla mixed frosty. They sorta remind me of an awful night. But recently I've realized that I'm about to become an addict. Even though Lori says she heard they are made with mayonnaise (Lexie asked her, "Did someone from Tucson tell you that?")

Today us girls slept in and then watched documentaries all day. Big deal. Lexie just got Netflix and we were most excited about the documentaries. We are about to watch another one right now. Earlier we watched one about Meth addicts which was crazy. And then we watched Exit Through the Gift Shop; the one about Banksy. I loved it but Mister Brainwash not only had a stupid name but he's just a copycat and I'm pretty sure he has a mental illness.

We took a break in between documentaries but only to drive the one block distance to Little Caesars. We should have walked. But it was a lazy day.

Then we all decided to get ready. Only to come downstairs and again, sit on the couch to watch the first episode of this season's Bachelor. First of all, Ben is a total sweetheart and super funny. This is a conversation that went on between us.

Jessie-"Ben kinda looks like a monkey." Me-"Yeah, a monkey I would do." Lexie-"A pri-MATE."

Almost every single girl on this season is completely nuts and needs to go to bed. There are maybe three who are super cute. I like watching because the girls are incredibly entertaining. I just want to get them all together and give them a crash course on how to act around a male you are interested in. The obviously need some help.

Then we were all so disgusted with ourselves for sitting around all day that we were desperate to get out of the house. I got a huge gift card from work to Walmart for Christmas and we had a lot to buy after the break. Of course we had to stop at Sonic to get sodas for Lexie and Lori. The addicts of the house. Lexie-Diet Coke. Lori-Dr. Pepper. But I'm not going to judge because I'm becoming addicted to Frosties remember? We left Sonic headed for Wendy's for my Frosty (and Jessie's). Lexie takes a sip of her soda. Yuck. It's not diet! All hell breaks lose. Not really. But we finish at Wendy's and head straight back to Sonic because who wants regular Coke? Not any of us. And especially not Lexie.

Then we came home. Checked out the hole in the bottom of Jessie and Lexi's bedroom wall where our fully baked neighbors shot a gun through it. Did I mention that hell lives next door? Boys. And they are always high and naked. Apparently they were cleaning out a gun when it accidentally shot through our wall. Who cleans a gun when it's loaded? Idiots.

Then we replaced the eight light bulbs that were out in our living room only to find that three of the eight that we bought don't work. Now I remember why I never shop at Walmart. But I sure ain't wasting that gift card.

We just started watching another documentary called Nightmare Next Door. It's about a girl who was raped and murdered. Why do we watch things like this? No idea. Sick. But it isn't very good. They won't stop talking about this stupid cop's fedora. He should not be wearing one anyway.

Back to work tomorrow after two weeks. Will I even be able to wake up? Probably not. Here's to trying.

Night folks.

Christmas Speech.

My sister and I were asked to speak in our home ward on Christmas Day. My whole family came. I, of course, cried during my whole talk. And, inevitably, my family did too. Here is the gist of what I said, but I never can follow my talk completely. Merry Christmas :)

I wonder, what does Christmas mean,
With its stars and shiny balls?
Is Christmas more than Christmas trees
And toys and games and dolls?
Of this I’m sure: There’s something more,
For I’ve heard so many say
That in a strange and far-off land,
A child was born this day.
And Christmas is to celebrate
His coming from above.
He showed us how we all should live
And told us we should love.

My topic is, “What the Savior Means to Me.” I thought about this for awhile because it’s a pretty broad topic. But I realized that everything I thought about just came back to love. I love knowing how much The Savior loves me. I love the small ways in which He expresses His love for me and for everyone around me every day.

President Uchtdorf said this in the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional this season about small ways we remember what this season is really about.

“It is usually something small—we read a verse of scripture, we hear a sacred carol and really listen to its words, or we witness a sincere expression of love. In one way or another, the Spirit touches our hearts, and we see that Christmas, in its essence, is much more sturdy and enduring than the many minor things of life [that] we too often use to adorn it. We realize in these precious moments what we feel and know in our heart—that Christmas is about the Christ.”

The story of the Christmas Orange is the perfect example of our Savior expressing His love through small acts of kindness from those around us.

“Once there was a little girl who came to live in an orphanage. As Christmas time grew near, all of the other children began telling the little girl about the beautiful Christmas tree that would appear in the huge downstairs hall on Christmas morning. After their usual, very plain breakfast, each child would be given their one and only Christmas gift; a small, single orange. Now the headmaster of the orphanage was very stern and he thought Christmas to be a bother. So on Christmas Eve, when he caught the little girl creeping down the stairs to catch a peek at the much-heard-of Christmas tree, he sharply declared that the little girl would not receive her Christmas orange because she had been so curious as to disobey the rules. The little girl ran back to her room broken-hearted and crying at her terrible fate. The next morning as the other children were going down to breakfast, the little girl stayed in her bed. She couldn't stand the thought of seeing the others receive their gift when there would be none for her. Later, as the children came back upstairs, the little girl was surprised to be handed a napkin. As she carefully opened it, there, to her disbelief, was an orange all peeled and sectioned. Each child had taken one section from their orange and given it to her so that she, too, would have a Christmas orange."

Love is caring more about someone else's happiness than your own. We cannot understand the perfect, infinite love that our Heavenly Father has for us. Our Heavenly Father's plan is the example of the absolute perfect love. He loves us enough to let us fail. He loves us enough to let us succeed. Our Saviors sacrifice is an example of His infinite love for all of us. We need to remember that love is the most important thing in this life and in this gospel.

1 John 4 says:
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

In a Sunday School lesson a few weeks ago in my Provo ward, I fell in love with this quote. It’s not completely correct because I was frantically writing as I heard it but I think I got most of it.

"If God had a refrigerator, your paintings would be on it. If God had a wallet, your picture would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring. He gives you a sunrise every morning. God could have chosen anywhere in the Universe to live. But He chose to live in your heart."

God's love is a perfect love. We need to remember what this time of year really represents. This time of year represents the pure love that Christ has for us; the perfect love that our Heavenly Father has for us. There is a whole lot of love in my family right now. This month my family was blessed with the most perfect baby girl in the whole world. My niece Aspen was born on December 3rd and none of us could imagine a more perfect Christmas gift. We all gained a new title when she was born, Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, Grandpa. I don’t know if there has ever been a more spoiled baby. But our lives are forever changed by this baby girl and her birth is the greatest expression of love our Savior could ever give.

I’m going to close with what is probably my most favorite quote by one of my most favorite apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland.

"When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Everything is Art.

My Google Reader is getting out of control. It hasn't changed from (1000+) in months. That means I have 1000+ unread items. Umm. It stops counting at 1000 so let me just say...one of the blogs has 918 unread items. Ew. Who blogs that much? Harry Potter fanatics, that's who. Yes, I follow Harry Potter blogs. Don't act surprised. We all know I'm obsessed.

I used to be so good at keeping up, what happened to me? Oh yeah. I got a full time job. No, that doesn't take up all the time I have. But I only look at the select few blogs that I'm super interested in when I'm bored at work. And then I go home and there is no way I'm getting on the computer after I've just been on it for 8 hours. So it will probably stay at (1000+) for a long time. Did I mention I have 114 blogs on my Reader? Is that excessive? Probably. And more than half of them are fashion blogs. Judge me. I'm not sorry.

So this adorable girl Lexi is hilarious. She is a few years younger than me and it's funny because my sister and I used to babysit her and her sisters. Anyway I read her blog today and got a kick out of this. She goes through the "Awks slash Awes" that have graced her life recently. (Awkwards and Awesomes).

"Awes: I went all last week without a Diet Coke. Okay that's not awesome. But like, I just wanted to see if I could do it...incase Earth accidentally gets taken over by DC loving aliens or something ya know? Just being prepared."

"Awk: I work at Down East Outfitters and am kinda against most of the things we sell there. I constantly have women asking me about my hair too. Things like, 'Oh that's different." and, "So did you do that on purpose?" Sometimes I wanna be like, please put down the blinged out jeans, take off your flower headband, and go get a fashion mag. Thanks."

She's great right? I think so. And I feel like the last statement daily. Seriously honey. You look like you just came off the set of Jersey Shore. It's not okay. Bless your heart.

I'm just super passionate about style and fashion. If you didn't already know that about me you probably don't know me at all. Clothes are just great. Fashion is an art form whether you believe it or not. And me loving clothes is no different than you loving paintings or sculptures or any other form of art. I hate when people think I'm superficial because I love clothes and like to dress nice. It's how I express myself. (If you still don't think fashion is art...look at this blog, Everything is Art. It's true. Everything is art.)

I just came across this wonderful little number of a blog. Tuula. I think I'm in love with these outfits. Is it possible to be in love with outfits? Eh. For me it is. Again, judge me. (Duh, I'm exaggerating. Stop thinking I'm way superficial. It's art, remember?)