Eveyone Loves a Target Post

Honestly, who doesn't love target?
I had a good target day today, mostly from the dollar spot. Got some stuff for my mission that will be great! I also saw a lot of things I didn't need but wanted... and did a pretty good job of resisting temptation.

Firstly, I got this adorable little cord to wrap my headphones around. It matches my pink headphones and I just loved it! 1$!

Next, I got me some Mamba's for the roadtrip tomorrow. MMMM.

The next thing I got was some REALLY cute sticky notes. These will be fun to leave around for reminders whether it's groceries, or a cute quote I heard. LOVE IT.

The next thing I got are some accordian folders. I am going to store my missionary letters in the bigger ones - They each have 13 pockets in case you are wondering - and then the little ones will serve as my recipie saver, and an exercise book! (I can pinterest different exercises and then categorize them on what they focus on)

 THEN - I found these ADORABLE CARDS! Oh my goodness. I love writing thank you cards, get better, birthday cards... they are basically always good to have on hard. I love the blank set with the blue color scheme because they can be used for anything boy related! These will also be going on my mission with me because eveyone loves to get a card telling them they are special and loved!

Okay - The last thing I got was this big bag that I found on clearance. This is great because I am living out of my car a lot these days and staying over night lots. I usually pack everything in my duffle bag - but this is just so ME and will be perfect for an overnighter, or hauling music and drumsticks around in. Won't be taking this on my mission, but I absolutey love it!

Okay! Then this is kinda random, but they had these awesome things in the dollar spot. I didn't buy them, but thought they were some awesome teacher tools!!!

These are all things I wanted but didn't buy.

(P.s..... This pink and tan infinity scarf is in the dollar spot for only 3$!!!!)

A Heart Full of Love

Love. It's the closest thing we have to magic. The Beatles have told us that "All you need is love." Love can make us feel every type of emotion, whether it be happiness or hardship. Dumbledore has taught us that love conquers all. Love is everywhere. Lately I have been thinking a lot about the reasons that people act the way they do. I think it all leads back to love. Ultimately, we exist because of love, and we have been given our lives to live because God loves us and wants us to be happy.

I think that a parents love for their child can be the strongest type of love that exists. How could God send us, all his Children away from him, to get lost, hurt, and struggle? Because he loves us. He loves us enough to send us away, to have faith in us that we will do whatever it takes to be with him again. How his heart must hurt when he loses his children... yet he remembers all the rest of his Children that need him too, and manages to make us all know of his love for us.

I see God's love all around me every day. I feel his love surrounding me. Life is so exciting and beautiful. How could such beauty not come from God himself to us? Every blessing I have comes from God and his love. I'm so thankful. Love is a hard thing sometimes. I struggle each day, to not judge anyone -even just a judgmental thought- and to just love my neighbor. I have a new motto for my life this year, which is to ALWAYS ASSUME THE BEST.
Because ultimately.. God loves everyone.. and I trust God. How should I know what someone has in their heart, and how every experience in their life has affected them?

 People do stupid things because of love. Fights are caused because people love each other, and want the best for each other. How should I know who someone truly is? You never really know what someone is going through... And you really can't assume. Only God knows the whole story.

I have been struggling understanding same sex marriage. I believe that marriage between a man and a woman is sacred. I believe in the my religion, and in the Family Proclamation. I believe in the plan of happiness. And most of all, I believe in loving Heavenly Parents that want us to be happy.
So I guess I am having a hard time understanding why people can view same sex marriage with such hatred and horror.

I am just deciding that it is my job to love no matter what, even if I don't agree with the choices someone is making. This is a principle I am taking all across the board, in every aspect of life. If I think someone shouldn't be dating or marrying someone, if I think that they have an addiction they should quit, if I think they should go to church, if I think they should be making better life choices. It's not my place. I am just going to love them.

As of tonight I am going to fill every day with love. I am going to reach out to those who could use a little more love. I am going to make sure that the people I love know that they are loved. By me, and by God. I am going to assume the best about every situation and look at it with eyes of love. I want to be able to love unconditionally. How much more pleasant life will be.

Thrifty Outfits

Here are some of the latest and greatest from my thrifty shopping.

Cute jacket that Madison and I found her at the DI. $4.

Teal jacket: DI-$4 Orange skinnies: Target-$20 Pearl Necklace: Khols-$6

Watch: Around the house-$0

Vintage jacket: DI-$3 Lace skirt: J-Jill-$7 Floppy Hat: Wal-mart-$6

Teal Belt: DI-$1 Assorted Rings: Yard sales-$0.50

Ruffle pumps: DI-$5

Pearl Earrings: Grandma's costume jewelry box-$0 There's nothing like looking cute for a steal. Happy thrifty shopping everyone! Don't forget to wake up early on Saturday mornings and hit some yard sales :)

Nifty Tricks

I will be sharing with you some of the secrets to my success. Many of my secrets have been passed down by family members, pinterest, or my own creative genius. Today we're talking about.....


Coconut oil!!
I love coconut oil. It is so useful, delicious, and nourishing. It can get expensive though, so buyer's beware. I'd like to share all the things I use coconut oil for.

For the body:
Hair - Coconut oil can be the hair's best friend. It protectively coats your hair, therefore preventing damage, and really helps your hair if it already has a lot of split ends. Coconut oil is a lifesaver for dry or damaged hair. You have to be careful not to use a lot, or put a ton in your roots though or you will end up looking like a grease ball. You want to focus on the ends of your hair when putting the oil in. I put coconut oil on the ends of my hair every night before I sleep so they can soak it up throughout the night.
I like to deeply condition my hair once a week with coconut oil. I rub it all over my head, (including roots) till I'm nice and greasy, and the I clip all the hair up and let it sit for at least half an hour while I do some homework or watch TV. Then it's shower time, and I wash my hair as normal. This leaves my hair looking shiny and feeling smooth!!
You can also use coconut oil for hair frizz, but be very cautious because like I said, the oil makes your hair greasy. If you need to, just rub a TINY bit between your palms and gently scrunch.

Body - You skin will love coconut oil. It will soak it up!!!! I use it as a lotion daily, but watch out because it makes you smell delicious. It will soften the rough dry skin and make you feel like a baby! Coconut oil will also sooth burns and irritated skin. (I suggest combining with some lavender essential oil)
Coconut oil works as a great make-up remover. Lightly wet your face and eyes, then rub the oil on your eyes and work it through your lashes. Then apply your favorite face wash and voila!!!! If you still have some left over make up, get a q-tip with some coconut oil on it and get around those eyes, it'll come right off.
Did you also know that coconut oil is supposed to help your eyelashes grow? Rub some on your eyelashes before you go to sleep. I also found that when I do this, my eyelashes cooperate a lot more the next morning when trying to curl them or put mascara on because they are soft.
Put coconut oil on your eyebrows a little while before you pluck them. They will come out easier.
Coconut oil is also a great massage oil.

Cooking - You can use coconut oil in place of any butter or oils that a recipe calls for. I love using it for pancakes and chocolate chip cookies. Keep in mind that whatever you are making will take on a slight coconutty taste, so use appropriately.

Look at all the uses I use everyday for coconut oil! It's so easy to keep around or take with me, especially when traveling because I use it all the time. It's so good for your body, and has so many benefits whether you apply it or eat it!! Anything else you use coconut oil for?? Love this stuff!!!

Does Everything Happen For a Reason?

I often find myself wondering these questions.
"Why did this happen?" "Was it meant to be?" "Is this God's plan or was it unintentional?"

In my wise age of 19 and 1/2, I have come to think this: Not everything happens for a reason. Because, if it DID, would we have free agency to choose our choices? If God had everything planned for a reason, why would we be here?

I have heard the saying that "everything happens for a reason" continually repeated by friends, loved ones, and people I don't even know throughout my life. And today I am thinking otherwise... but here is something else I think.

Everything may not happen for a reason, people make choices that may affect you negatively or positively; you never know what is going to happen. BUT - you CAN choose to make the best out of any situation. You can LET the things that happen to you, happen for a reason. You can look at the experience, and ASK what you can take away from it. You can let it define you, or GROW from it. You can CHOOSE to let something happen to you for a reason, all you have to do is find it.