Halloween Costumes

I've always loved Halloween and/or a good excuse to dress up. Growing up I had a costume box in my room, and when I say growing up I really mean when I was a teenager. There were many evenings that looked a little something like this:

BTW, if you're in this photo...there's a good chance nobody can recognize you anyways. No worries.

Halloweens past:

80's girl for "80's prom" at church; butterfly...classic, right?; pregnant white trash (definitely one of my favorites); and a little kid complete with stuffed animal and cape.

Fuzzy Wuzzy (was a bear)

A few years ago my friend, Dana, gifted me a giant fluffy robe. I mean...giant. It's awesome. So the other day I was putting my robe back on it's rightful hook on my closet door, while I sang this song:

From the other room I heard Nathaniel laughing. He walked in and asked me what I was singing. I looked at him, confused, as I answered, "Fuzzy wuzzy?..."

Creativity: the Media, Physiology, and the Power to Change

Post 21 of HEIA: Creativity

Being both a journalist and an artist, I love all-things communication and creation, so naturally, anything media-related fascinates me. Even though most people aren't aware of it, to communicate and communicate effectively is an art -- both literally and figuratively.

The media obviously uses imagery to instantly communicate events or ideas. The most interesting part about that, to me, though is that when your body consumes media, be it a piece of art work, a movie, or music, it literally has a physiological response to it. This is why scary movies get your heart pounding, an image of a naked body is arousing, and music can move you to tears. While you are watching the media, your body responds to it as if it was real.

There is no wonder that there are those who have claimed that music or art has healed them...there is clearly a correspondence.

But that's besides the point. The point is all of the many facets of communication, from words to imagery, are extremely powerful and can literally change an individual's life. I firmly believe that a creative individual who uses their communicative talents to serve can change the world for the better.

How someone used their talents to "create."

Rushing, Rising, Rivlets

It rained a whole lot the other day in Oklahoma.

In front of our apartment.

I won't pretend like I didn't like it. In fact, I loved it.

And just so you could hear how loud it was:

Always,

P.S.

Kudos to whoever knows the reference in my title.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

And the winners of the custom baby onesies are...

The winner of three designs is:

Employed aka Lucky Coin, part 2

When Nathaniel and I decided to move to Oklahoma we didn't know what we were doing. All we knew was that it felt right. After packing up a moving van with our few possessions, we hit the road with high hopes and a small savings in our bank account.

It didn't take long for us to begin the dreaded job search. Being away from our family and friends for the first time as a married couple made us nervous. We knew our savings wouldn't last forever, and we both felt a need to prove it to ourselves and others that we could "make it" -- that the feeling that had pushed us to take a chance was right.

Thankfully, Nathaniel found a job right away. But I didn't. I was left searching and questioning myself -- my goals, my talents, my abilities, my educational and professional path. I was applying and interviewing but wasn't seeing any results. There was one day where I couldn't stop crying. I felt defeated. I felt worthless.

An old drawing. It's supposed to be a self-portrait reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel's Libyan Sibyl.

Creativity: Jess of the Avenues

Post 20 of HEIA: Creativity


Meet Jess from The Avenues. She's sharing her thoughts on creativity and child development today. 
Enjoy!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

My name is Jessica and I blog over at The Avenues, I write about the fun activities that my husband and I go on sometimes.   I am so happy that Hannah allowed me to do a guest post on this subject. I have many thoughts along this topic these days. Especially after going a whole summer without seeing any children outside playing riding bikes, running around the neighborhood or playing baseball in the streets. 


Creativity is the ability to create, I got that from Mr. Webster himself and I believe that thoroughly.  

We all can create something and so we all can be creative in our own ways But, (there’s always a but in there), we forget how to be creative as we get older and that is truly a sad predicament in our society. There is a lot that goes into this but I think the worst of it is because of the technology that we have.  So instead we have replaced children playing outside with staying in and watching television and playing video games or being on the computer. Don't get me wrong I love technology just as much as anyone else but we have abused it way too much. So much so that we have forgotten how to think through things and how to make difficult decisions for ourselves in our work and everyday lives.  We rely on our entertainment on a 30 min show or videos game. This has caused us to have a very limited attention span -- no wonder why our generation is so bored. We don't sit through a problem and dissect our thoughts oh no, we want that prize now! Like 5 minutes ago now.

Let's Talk About Mormons

All of the following is my own opinion and may not perfectly depict the official theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is simply a statement of my beliefs...I'm not trying to argue with, convince or convert anybody. I encourage and respect the thoughts, comments and questions from others, but please, no "bible bashing" or name-calling. 

My dad only has one wife, I don’t worship the Devil, and I’m certainly not a member of a cult. And no, I don’t grow horns that I have to saw down every morning.

I do believe in modern revelation and prophecies, my mom’s side of the family is from Utah, and I personally know a whole lot of bicycle-riding missionaries.

Do I have your attention yet? Yes, I’m a Mormon or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Between the highly acclaimed and controversial Broadway hit, “The Book of Mormon,” and LDS Mitt Romney getting accused of being a member of a cult by the Evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress, Mormons are filling up the headlines.

Anderson Cooper performs stellar journalism while interviewing Robert Jeffress. Check. It. Out.

Featured on The Victory Garden

Hello, my dears. I have a post I forgot to tell you about that went up last Wednesday over on The Victory Garden. Every Wednesday Anna simultaneously features a vintage photograph and a woman in one post.

Head over to see what my post it about. Here's a sneak peek:

Are you dying of curiosity yet?!

And while you're at, take a look at Anna's Etsy shop...her things are lovely.

Always,

P.S.

Make sure you enter my giveaway before Monday to win yourself a custom baby onesie! Even if you don't have your own babe, they make fabulous gifts. I just whipped two up for my mom for a baby shower she's attending next week!

Half-Up Twisty Fishtail and My New Ombre 'Do

I've been having fun the last few weeks trying to figure out new ways to style my hair. The other day I tried out a cascading braid or a waterfall braid.

Many of the photos I've seen of this style have the braid wrapping around the head. Some are styled like mine, but I got my inspiration from the lovely Isla Fisher:

I love Isla Fisher's hair color, and the braid made it even better.

You can find tutorials to this braid here and here.

Of course, I had to experiment more with my favorite kind of braid nowadays: the fishtail.

'Bout Time for a GIVEAWAY -- CLOSED

As of late I've been musing starting an Etsy shop. My only problem is that my mind goes in a million directions. I can't decide if I want to do onesies, accessories, fine art, stationary, or something else totally different. I should probably start somewhere, but as of one right now I'm just sitting in neutral.

But because I've had this blog for quite some time now, and I love all you loyal readers and the friendship I feel we share...I decided to host a little giveaway of something I would sell in a shop if I had one. Hopefully, this will be the first of many Hannah-made giveaways!

I want to giveaway some baby onesies. And not just any onesies...onesies personally designed by me! These make wonderful gifts or you can of course, keep them for your own precious babies!

You can see others I've made here, here and here.

Alright, my dears, here's the deal...

1. There will be two winners. The 1st winner will win three designs. The 2nd will win one.

2. The winner gets to pick their designs. You can choose from one I've already made, or give me some fresh ideas!

3. I'll use random.org to pick a winner.

4. The contest will end next Monday (10/24) at 7:59 AM.

Here's how to enter (please leave a comment for each):

1. Leave a comment on what kind of onesie design you would like.

OR...

2. Follow me and leave a separate comment to let me know you are.

OR...

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave a separate comment with the link to let me know.

OR...

4. Tweet, Facebook or Pin about the giveaway and leave a separate comment for each (include a link) to let me know.

Let the giveaway begin!

Always,

On Perfectionism

I'm not perfect, but sometimes I think I have to be. I put on a pretty good face for those around me: I'm formally educated, I wear high heels and suck in my gut, I curl my hair and wear makeup, and I'm generally pretty happy. But I don't have a full-time job, my body hurts a lot, I have some weight I need to lose, I've had grey hair since I was a kid, and I'm easily frustrated with the rate in which I am progressing personally and professionally.

I sense I'm not alone.

The polished me. The in-a-robe-before-bed me...not so perfect.

Creativity: Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Post 19 of HEIA: Creativity

Oklahoma got it right again.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art focuses a large part of their energy in serving the community through art and creativity.

Their most recent project has been assisting seniors with Alzheimer's disease through an outreach program that brings a teaching artist to the seniors' care centers to teach monthly art classes.

I love it. I told ya creativity is important.

Always,

P.S.

I'm hosting a giveaway on Monday...be sure to check back! You won't want to miss it. :)

Occupy Wall Street

Post 18 of HEIA: Creativity

Speaking of creativity...

If you haven't heard of Occupy Wall Street -- it's about time you do:

OU Football

The only thing my dad wanted to do while he was here was to experience University of Oklahoma Football. And experience we did.

We started our morning off at Jimmy's Egg, a mostly-Oklahoman breakfast joint, where we were waited on by Tia, a die-hard OSU Cowboy fan, who happily waited on us and our breakfast-loving-OU-cheering table neighbors who order the same thing every Saturday morning.

With our new friends. BTW, my father talks to everyone he sees...it makes most days pretty interesting.

I thought I understood the culture of Big 12 football after attending four years at Texas Tech University, but I was wrong -- I had no idea. Sooner fans take it to a whole new level.

Bricktown, OKC

I'm back from my week long sabbatical and ready to blog again. But before we get started on my dad's visit...check this out. Moving on...

My dad got in to town Friday afternoon, and after enjoying lunch at our favorite Mexican place in town we headed to Bricktown to enjoy our evening.

Bricktown is the epitome of tourist attraction: there's something for everyone. We saw everything from bachelorette parties, men in their military dress blues, women in cocktail dresses, throngs of pre-teens, and even Jesus-freaks in prayer circles.

There's more than enough to keep anybody entertained for hours including: a tour on the water taxi, enjoying some minor league baseball, cheering on the OKC Thunder, going bowling in style, letting your kids play while you watch a movie, eating way-too-expensive steak at Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse, getting drinks at Coyote Ugly, tasting wine and painting at the same time, or eatting at the only walk-in Sonic.

We obviously didn't do all of that. We did take a few photos of the minor league baseball stadium (it's totally beautiful), and naturally, we took a ride on Nathaniel's boat. 

My dad, the tourist. And the beautiful canal at sunset.