Channeling My Grandmother's Style

I've been wanting to write a little something about my grandmother who passed last month. The trouble is, I haven't been able to come up with words that really convey what I want to say.

While I was in Utah for her funeral, I was able to take some things to remember her by. Going through her possessions and looking through the memories of her life was sad, but it also made me sort of happy. My grandmother was a great woman who lived a very full life, abundant with love.

My grandmother was a very classy and artistic woman and I'm happy to be able to carry those very characteristics on by finding new uses for her worldly possessions. I've already featured pieces from her jewelry collection in latest outfit posts, but this is the first time that I've incorporated a piece of her clothing into my outfit. This top came from my grandmother's closet and it made me feel closer to her to wear it, to carry her style on in my own life. I keep hearing my dad's voice in my head say, "She would be so thrilled to know you like her things."

Light peach pussybow top - Vintage, from my grandmother's closet | Black maxi skirt - Forever 21

Brown braided belt - Thrifted | Black ankle socks - Target | Black lace-up booties - Forever 21

Grey purse - Marc by Marc Jacobs | Rings - Forever 21 & Urban Outfitters

I'm also very excited to frame some of her old fashion sketches from the 1950's. Soon, I will also be receiving her sewing table and machine along with all of her supplies--including a big box of vintage patterns! It makes me happy to realize how very similar our interests and tastes in style are. I feel honored to be following in her footsteps.

My memories of her will never be forgotten. I love you, grandma!

I Will Always Remember You, Chelsie

I remember the first day I met Chelsie Hill. A mutual friend invited us to a birthday slumber party in elementary school and we got along right away. Since then, we remained friends and we hung out off and on up until I moved to California. I have so many fun memories with her and I know I will never forget them.

I found out about Chelsie's untimely passing via Facebook. Watching the status updates coming out of my home state were absolutely heartbreaking. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to say--I sat completely stunned. I am hurting so much for her family, her best friends, and everyone who knew her. As much as her death is hurting me, I cannot even begin to imagine what it's like to lose someone that close to you.

Chelsie was such a beautiful, fun-spirited woman. Her love for running inspired me so much. I had so much admiration for her when I heard she ran a marathon a few years back. Her loss will not soon be forgotten.

A 5k walk/run has been organized in Chelsie's honor. I will be unable to attend since I live in California. If you live in or will be near the Salt Lake Valley on October 23, please consider joining Chelsie's friends and family to honor her memory. Find out all the details on the Facebook event page.

Highlights of my 2008

The year 2008 is coming to an end. A lot has changed in my life. I've been taking the time to review the past year and I thought that I would share some of the highlights and my favorite moments with you.

Early in 2008, the opportunity to move in with a good friend presented itself, so I took it. I'm thankful for this opportunity, I've since become even closer with Traci and several other people. It was a big change for me, but it has been great living there.

2008 brought a change to my relationship status as well, after nearly two years, I am again single. Break-ups are never fun for anyone involved, but I learned a lot from both my time with him as well as without. I am thankful for every minute of that relationship, but there is also a reason why it's past. Time to move on.

My father got married last spring to a lovely woman. She and her family have been great additions to my life and I'm so happy that my dad found someone that makes him so happy.
friends getting engaged, married and having babies congrats!

Speaking of weddings, I've had the opportunity to attend many friend and family weddings and baby showers. Congrats to all of my loved ones that got engaged, tied the knot or brought a child in to the world. I'm happy for all of you!

2008 awoke some of my dormant hobbies. I spent a lot of this year taking photos, blogging, sewing, making jewelry, playing model, teaching myself about Photoshop and learning about web-design.

A new challenge was presented to me this year in the form of coaching high school cheerleading. Growing up I always thought it would be fun to be a dance teacher or a cheer coach, but as an adult, I just did not see it happening. After judging tryouts for one of my best friends, Wendy, she presented me the offer of assisting her as a coach. Wendy and I are so much alike, I knew that it would be a blast to tackle this challenge alongside her. Oh what a challenge it has been! There may be occasional trials when it comes to coaching 17 teen aged girls, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

During summer 2008, I had the opportunity to go boating and wakeboarding many times. These boating trips included another awesome trip to Lake Powell. I also got a chance to learn how to back up a boat trailer. That was super fun!

Another big part of 2008 for me was saying goodbye to my awesome brother Randall. It's been almost three months since I've seen him and I miss him a lot. He's doing so great though! I love to hear him talk about his mission and I love to see the positive change this has had on him. He's going to be such an awesome man we he gets back!

Not necessarily a highlight, but something worth mentioning is the fact that I was layed-off my job due to the closure of the branch this year. At the time, I didn't really go into much detail and I still don't feel like I can. Marrdy's post on that sad day is a great reflection of my feelings as well. I definitely miss most of the people, but there are some people that I am so glad I do not have to interact with their low-life scum-bag selves ever again. Though it was a jarring thing to lose a job that I had for so long, I'm grateful for the opportunities that this has brought me.
layed-off

Despite negative things happening around the time of my birthday, I managed to have one of the best birthdays of my life so far. Thanks to all the people involved that made it so great for me. I loved having so many people share my day with me.

All that being said, probably the best highlight of this year for me has to be the recent birth of my brand-new niece. I don't even have the words to say how much I love her! I'm so glad she's a part of my life now.

Thank you to all the people that were a part of my 2008, friends and family alike. I love my people!

Hope you all had a great 2008! Looking forward to making 2009 the best one yet!

Zoning out

Do you ever all of the sudden find yourself someplace and can't quite remember how you got there?

Well something like that kind of happened to me today. I was driving to work this morning and all of the sudden I was turning onto the last little stretch of my commute. The thing is, I couldn't recall the previous five minutes or so of the drive. Its absent from my memory. Its kind of scary when you think about it, driving while your brain is completely zoned out.

However, I am safe at work now, so nothing to worry about. Just something to think about.