Thursday, July 26, 2012

Elephantiasis

So....some girls have blogs where they pose like super cute and they can be in super awkward positions and they still look FLAWLESS and they're laughing at the camera and their mermaid hair is flowing and the caption will say "just woke up!  decided to take some super unplanned pictures of me!  no make up! LOL!"
1. no one wakes up like that
2. if you want pictures like that (full of lies), this is not the blog for you

Because today I will be sharing with you the exact opposite of cute.  And by that I mean something so horrific you may have nightmares.
WARNING: THESE PHOTOS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN OR YOUR GRANDPARENTS OR ANYBODY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH AND CERTAINLY NOT YOU JON HAMM BECAUSE IF YOU SEE THESE YOU WILL NEVER MARRY ME.

So *deep breath* here we go.
I was at work last Wednesday just minding my own business when all of a sudden, while just walking around, I twist my ankle.  And I think "ow that was kind of uncomfortable" and continued on my way.  Well let me tell you....it continued being uncomfortable and then it continued to swell.  And by swell I mean it grew to be the size of a six year old's head.
And from there I'd like to give you a timeline of "The Foot That Wouldn't Stop Growing"

Day 1  - can barely see my ankle!  SUPER CUTE LOLZ!

Day 2 - Super sexy ace bandage wrap!

Day 3 - After unwrapping the ace bandage.  Having no ankles is like....way in this year!
p.s. it's ok if you just threw up in your mouth.  I certainly did.  

Day 4 - umm...this got super weird

Finally after an entire week of rest, ice, compression, and elevation, my ankle is back to normal!  No more Elephantiasis.
There are 2 morals to this story
1. Be careful when you walk.
2. DON'T EVER GOOGLE ELEPHANTIASIS.
And seriously Jon Hamm....I told you not to keep reading this.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012




Monday, July 23, 2012

Weekend Collage

weekend collage

Hey gurl hey!!!
How was your weekend??  Mine was crazy!  I sprained my ankle at work (story and gruesome pictures to come) and spent most of the weekend resting up!  HERE are some things I'm obsessed with right now though!
1. Animal print - I used to avoid it at all costs because I thought it looked cheap but I have discovered in my older age that animal print can look super sexy and classy when done the right way!  And now I love it.
2. Pops of color.  LOVE pairing a bright color (pink is my fave) with your neutral tones.  Makes you feel fun and feminine
3. Clinique 3-Step skin care.  If you guys aren't using 3-Step PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to your local Clinique counter and get skin typed.  This is PROVEN to be the absolute best skin care out there.
4. La Vie Est Belle by Lancome - this new fragrance is super sexy and flirty.   Love it.
5. The Bachelorette - Don't tell anyone.

How was your weekend?  Any new favorite discoveries???  Share your happy weekend stories in the comments!  I love to hear happy weekend stories ;)
xoxo
Vanessa

Wednesday, July 18, 2012




Monday, July 16, 2012

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring chanel

Helllo everyone!! What a busy weekend I had!  I hope you got to enjoy yours more than I did.  Some things I'm obsessed with right now!
1. Bows - LOVE bows
2. Naked palette by Urban Decay - literally every color is perfect.  The best $50 I ever spent. 
3. Robyn's song "Dancing On My Own" has been playing constantly.  On Spotify, on my iPod, at home, at work, in the car...everywhere.  I can't get enough.  Such a fun song to turn up loud and dance around to when you've had a long day (and I've had a few of those recently!)
4. Rainbow Sherbet - IN ALL FORMS.  Just discovered that Extra has made a Rainbow Sherbet gum!!  Yes you read that right and it is AMAZEBALLS.  Go get some immediately.  
5. Big Brother is back!!!!  And I could not be more excited...especially because one of my all time favorites - Britney- is back!  Yay!! Anyone else out there a Big Brother fan??  Let's share excitement!

Anything you're obsessed with?  How was your weekend?  I'd love to hear some great and happy stories from your weekend to brighten my day!
xoxo
Vanessa

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

currently

reading: "Most Talkative" by Andy Cohen.  For the 3rd time.  Laugh out loud funny.  He really is my future best friend who doesn't know it yet.

watching: So You Think You Can Dance.  Amazing this year.  I love almost all the dancers and they are so incredibly talented.  In honor of the show I wanted to show you some of my favorites from past seasons...



also watching lana del rey's music video for "national anthem" over and over.  it's one of the smartest and most well done video i've seen in a long time.  love the retro yet modern feel.

and....white collar returned last night.  just..the best show.


loving: this nail polish color called "flip flop fantasy" it's this gorgeous neon coral/pink.  fantastic and summery

anticipating: my big move.  buying things for the new apartment and getting so excited.  also (as lame as it sounds) anticipating the return of my favorite summer guilty pleasure..."big brother"

listening to: i've been listening to a lot of different bands non-stop!  as you have probably all figured out...my music taste is all over the place.  my current list of favorites include
marina and the diamonds...the whole album is so so good
oh land....such a cool sound
the zomibies....i love 60's rock music
imagine dragons....just perfection
willie nelson....he is magic

laughing about: how I always try to take pictures with the dog and he always licks me.  every single time.  he can't help it.


How about you?  What are you up to today?  Post your own "currently" and then link to your post in the comment section so we can all check it out!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012


  1. Oh Land - Numb
  2. Ed Sheeran - Lego House
  3. Scissor Sisters - Baby Come Home
  4. Awolnation - Not Your Fault
  5. Fleetwood Mac - Bleed To Love Her
  6. Lana Del Rey - National Anthem (absolutely obsessed with this music video btw)
  7. Santigold - Disparate Youth
  8. Dragonette - Let It Go
  9. Haim - Forever
  10. Calvin Harris - We'll Be Coming Back
  11. Marina & The Diamonds - How To Be a Heartbreaker
  12. Sorcha Richardson - Alone (click that link!  Sorcha is offering a FREE download of her EP!  Do IT!)
  13. Maroon 5 - One More Night
Some of these might seem redundant buuuutttt.....it's what I'm listening to right now!
Anything new you're listening to? Let me know!
xoxo


Monday, July 9, 2012

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring coral dresses

Hello hello!  I can't believe how fast last week went for me!  How was your 4th of July?  I spent it working...and then in true Vanessa form, I came home, took a pain killer and went to bed.  I did watch some fireworks and of course the GREATEST FILM OF OUR TIME...Independence Day.  Classic.  The painkillers did give it a new spin though...
Some things I'm kind of obsessed with
1. Coral/Teal color combo....OB-SESSED
2. "One More Night" by Maroon 5...has been on REPEAT - such a fun summer song
3. Diorshow Iconic mascara - I've talked about this before and how I was looking for a cheaper alternative to this hefty $28.50 buuutttt.....I haven't been able to find one that I like as much!  I'll keep trying but for now..this is my ultimate favorite mascara I've ever used.
4. Seychelles sandals - guys.  I die.
5. This Anthropologie butter dish.  I bought it this weekend and it is ADORBS.  I bought the matching Salt/Pepper shakers too.  I know, I know...I'm 83 years old.  
AND
I'm also obsessed with my friend MORGAN and her post over at HowSheDoes AND the fact that she was asked to be a regular blogger over there!!!
Head over to Morgan's blog "The Dime Diary" and congratulate her and be sure to leave nice comments on her guest post :)
Well since it's not a holiday week...we'll be back to normal posting.  Also at the moment I'm open to suggestions for posts...I don't want my blog to get stale.  Any thing you're dying to see or me to write about?  Anything I haven't done in awhile that you miss?  More Jon Hamm posts??? (YES...the answer to that is always yes.)
Let me know!
xoxo
Vanessa
P.S. You can always follow me on Twitter for a horrifying stream of my consciousness and other shenanigans.   

Monday, July 2, 2012

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring chanel nail polish

Hello!  How was your weekend?  Mine was pretty good.  We've had a LOT of fires around us in the last week and adding all that smoke on top of my regular allergies...I've been miserable.  Lot's of allergy/sinus medicine which makes me a little cray cray.  So...it was pretty low-key for me.  Watching some of my favorite movies and pampering myself a little with a nice foot soak and pedicure.  My feet needed it!
A couple things I'm obsessed with this week...
1. The summer Bombay collection from Chanel.  This all over glowing powder is STUNNING.  It's super super pricey but gorgeous. 
2. Lip glosses from Bath and Body Works.  NOT pricey at all...so cute and I love them!
3. Sparkle skin by Clinique.  I know I've already raved about this so...have you bought it yet?  You won't regret it.  Shaving with it with give you the closest shave of all time and it lasts forever!
4. Oh Land's new album....OMG can not stop listening to it.  I'm obsessed!!!!  Go download it!  
5. Betsey Johnson starfish earrings.  So cute and fun for summer.
Hope your weekend was great!
All my U.S friends....stay safe this week celebrating the 4th of July! 
xoxo
Vanessa