Too Skinny?

I am a big Jennifer Hudson fan. While I'm not a listener of her music, I think she's talented, gorgeous, and seems extremely genuine.

However - lately, when I've seen pictures of her I'm not seeing the happy, beautiful woman I used to see.

There is definitely such thing as "too skinny", and I think she could now be the poster girl for how a lot of weight loss can look unattractive.

I was really impressed with her initial weight loss - that's a great accomplishment.  But, as usual with Hollywood, she's taken the pursuit of "beauty" to an extreme that I would consider unhealthy.

Her weight loss makes me angry.  It makes me angry for people like myself who look more like a "before" Jennifer Hudson than an "after".  

I fail to see the problem with this picture.

I didn't realize my hands have to fit completely around my waist to be beautiful and happy. 

I wish this was still okay, but apparently it's just not good enough.

"Everyone is unique. Compare not yourself with anyone else lest you spoil God's curriculum." 

- Baal Shem Tov

I'm trying Baal, I'm trying.

The Funeral

This might be one of my all time favourite songs.

Top five most definitely.

Listening to it for the first time changed my life, as cheesy as that is.

I could listen to it on repeat, forever.

Enjoy.

The Funeral - Band of Horses

 "To know me as hardly golden,

Is to know me all wrong..."

Trial By Hair

My hair has caused me such grief over the years.

Too long, too short, too curly, too uncurly, not enough wave. Too dark, too light, too "what the hell colour is this", too oily, too dry.  Too many roots, not enough layers, way too many layers, nightmare bangs, not enough bangs.

Insanity in follicle form. Sigh.

For me, the "grass is always greener on the other side" saying has ALWAYS applied to my hair situation. When my hair is long, every girl I see with short hair is unbelievably smokin' hot.  When my hair is short, long hair is the only possible thing that can make me sexy.

You may see where this post is going - I want to cut my hair.  
My hair is sitting nicely just passed my shoulders, and I'm finally getting some length to these strands.  Length I desperately started going for 2 years ago, when my hair was doing that "short in the back/long in the front" 'do that was way too trendy at the time.

So what do I do? Do I get over myself, realize that hair is, after all, JUST hair, and go for it?

Or do I keep it long because I've been growing it for so long, and it looks okay? (Read okay. Not "super fab" or "extra amazing".)

A friend and I have the hair conversation almost constantly - we are what you might call hair soul sisters.  She says go for it, but I can see behind those brown eyes of hers the doubt - the "but your hair is long, what if you regret it? What if it's not what you expect? What if it looks amazing and then I start feeling like I too should cut my long hair?"

I think if my hair could like this on a daily basis, I would like my long hair more.

Yah. Complete with constant wind fan. Blake Lively - I hate you.

A few pictures of what I'm thinking about anyways.

Right? How gorgeous is she.

Please. It doesn't get much sexier.

This colour and cut make me want to kill myself, they are both amazing.

Dilemma, Dilemma, Dilemma.

"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair*." - Khalil Gibran

*I think that refers to long or short, so maybe it's time to get over myself, and just be happy.

Pillow Talk

One of the decorating items on my wish list are awesome decorative pillows.

My husband, like most men, does not understand why pillows cause me such happiness, but as a woman (and I'm sorry, but I'm making this gender stereotype!) decorative pillows are the bomb.

So for now, my excitement about pillows will have to be in photo form, as they are not an inexpensive decorative option. (Yes, I'm sure I could make them, and maybe one day, when I magically turn into one of those Martha Stewart-esque housewives, I'll give 'er a go.)

Also on my wish list - to become one of those Martha Stewart-esque housewives.

This golden yellow colour has been driving me crazy lately, I love it!

 These pillows make me want to have a baby boy right now - that's how much I love pillows.

I feel like you can never go wrong decorating with words. I'm a big (huge actually) word fan.

Bikes? Owls? Words? Kill me, I love these so much.

 Lovely.

Classic, simple, gorge! 

"You're better than the best,
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip side 
Of my pillow..." - Uncle Kracker

Change, Schmange

Have you ever noticed that people who claim to "LOVE" change, really only love when things in their life change for the positive?

Like, I don't know many people who adore the change in their hair when it gets cut 5 inches shorter than expected, or turns a hideous shade of gray instead of "Light, Lustrous Ash Blond" like the box says.

But if you get the perfect cut, the promotion at work gives you an extra week's vacay (PLUS a raise, just for fun!), or the house your newly renting has a thousand dollars stashed in the wall.... change is JUST THE BEST! 

I have so much experience with this because I am one of these annoying "only like change when it's positive" type people.  

This is a bummer because I assumed I was one of those "really love any kind of change" type people. (Side bar - it's not that fun when you realize something about yourself you don't really like.)

I've got a lot of changes going on in my life right now - most negative.  No, this doesn't mean I'm terribly unhappy, just not dealing well with the changes.

I'm trying, like really hard, to not be afraid.

"Change in all things is sweet." - (get over yourself) Aristotle 


This might take a while.

 

Twenty Seven Lessons

27 Things I've Learned In 27 Years

1. When a friend leaves your life for awhile, it doesn't mean they aren't a good friend.  Friends come and go. Good friends might go, but they come back too.

2. Your first time drinking with friends should never be the night before the marching band you belong to in high school has a huge parade.

 

3. People will tell you 23 years old is much to young to get married. It's not, by the way.

4. Having 2 credit cards is a bad idea when you're young and have little financial savvy.

5. Starting a brand new relationship when you are both entering college/university in different cities is not recommended.

6. Coffee, wine, and beer are an acquired taste.  A delicious, delicious acquired taste. 

7. Just Say No. It's true!

8. Money isn't the key to happiness.  However, to be happy, I think it helps to have money.

9.  Laughing loudly and often is never a bad thing.  And if someone tells you to be quiet... dump them.

10. TRAVEL.  Whenever and however you can.

11. It's okay if you think about which "Sex and the City", "Friends", or "How I Met Your Mother" character you are. (And no, it doesn't make you a hoe bag if you think Samantha!)

12. Don't go to University just to go.  College is an acceptable choice and it doesn't make you less intelligent than others.

13. Read a lot of books.

 

14. Never be ashamed if your house isn't as nice as others, or if you come from a family that doesn't have as much money as your friends.  People appreciate being invited over and no one judges as much as you think. (Your house is always more fun anyway, because spills aren't the end of the world, and your couches are almost always more comfortable!)

15. ROADTRIP!

16. Give people compliments.  It makes them feel good, you feel better... win win.

17. Never accept the wrong drink or food order.  You're paying for it, it's their fault, and it doesn't make you a bitch to get what you want.

18. Four speeding tickets should teach you to slow down. (Key word: should).

19. Good communication really is the key to all successful relationships in your life.

20. Own a dog.  They are an excellent kid substitute, teach you to think of something other than yourself, and make you feel much less alone. 

21. See your favourite bands live.  It'll renew your faith in good music, and there is something about seeing something you love with 25,000 other people thinking the same thing.

22. Marry your best friend.  Know that it isn't always going to be perfect.

23. Blended wines are the best. Gewurztraminer/Riesling is my personal favourite.

24. Don't waste so much time worrying about the size of your jeans or the number on the scale.  Confidence really is the sexiest part of a woman.

25. Try new food.  It's okay to have "old faithfuls" but don't be a snob to new experiences.

26. Every so often, have the kind of weekend where, when someone asks you what you did, you can legitimately say "Nothing." 

27. Don't be afraid of honesty.

Cheers! I'm 27 today! 

Life is good.

Birthday Bliss

It seems fitting that with my definite lack of posts for August, that the first one I do pertains to birthdays, especially because mine just happens to fall in August.

I've always had a soft spot for birthdays - I love an excuse to celebrate, and birthdays are the quintessential reason to do so.

Cake, friends, candles, celebratory drinks - what more could a girl ask for? Throw in a present or two, and life doesn't get much better.

I don't mind getting older either, although twenty-seven is MUCH closer to thirty than I like to think about.  However, thirty just means you have even more of an excuse to go all out.

I have to admit, I'm getting excited about the prospect of planning my future children's birthdays.

I have a feeling I'll be one of those moms going a bit crazy with themes, goodie bags (side bar - remember goodie bags? We need to bring those back, adult style!), big cakes, and lots of love. 

Most likely because my Mom always went out of her way to plan me the best birthdays growing up. Thanks Mom!

Birthdays - nothing beats them!

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to come..." - Robert Browning