Lessons I Learned In 2016

Here we are again.  We all know my feelings on 2016 but even the worst of years bring lessons...usually the worst of years brings the biggest lessons.  So here are all the many important things I learned in 2016:

• Expectations are the biggest double edged swords.  We are comforted in the belief that it is the truth, but it holds us back and keeps us from better possibilities
• Don't place all of your happiness in other people.  The only person you can completely trust with that is yourself.  If you don't look out for you no one will.
• Love doesn't always last, but if you keep your heart open you will always find someone to love again.  You can't find your soulmate with your heart locked away
• Don't be afraid to ask for help.  We all understand what it means to fall on rough times.  Reach out to the people closest to you when you're in need.
• Don't take the people in your life for granted.  Sometimes we are so worried about what goes on in our lives that we forget how much our presence means to our loved ones. 
• Make everyday thanksgiving day.  Not the food (even though we can all agree there are few things better than mashed potatoes) but the way you think about the world.  Spend every day realizing just how many great things happen, so that when you're down on your luck you realize there is something to smile about. 
• Sometimes you have to let people go.  We want to hold on because we think our love and attention can solve everything, but then we have nothing left for ourselves.  When someone leaves you drained after talking, or being with them, it's time to let go.
• Learn to accept your flaws.  If you accept every part of yourself there will be nothing that can take you down.  You will be more invincible than Achilles.
• Accept and acknowledge when you're wrong.  When you take a step down and let go of your pride, and stop pretending to be infallible that when people will be most comfortable to approach you.
• Open up to people.  Share your soul with them.  If they are really meant to be in  your life they will stay and accept that part of you (even the terrible ugly parts).  The things that are really meant to happen, will.

Happy New Year friends and family.  2016 was incredibly challenging but I grew so much.  Cheers to 2017.  

xoxo

V

2015 Resolutions

I've tried to keep my resolutions as realistic as possible

And I don't know how I'll top last years resolutions

But here we go anyway....

Bring it on 2015

xoxo

V

He Is The Gift

I've been trying to think of what I want to express about Christmas.
I've experienced a different Christmas season than I have in the past.  I'm not a genius by any means but I know the reason why.  This season I put much more of a focus on why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.  It's easy for people who work in retail or business to get jaded about Christmas.  Christmas music starts sprinkling into our sound systems the day after Halloween.  The hours are longer, the stress higher, and the customers grumpier (which is sad). We reduce Christmas to a bottom line, something we just have to get through.
I really didn't want to fall into that trap this year.  So I started searching for ways to make the "spirit of Christmas" a focus for me.  I started with a 45 Day scripture study of the life of Christ.  I studied His birth, I studied His life, I studied the atonement, I studied His death.  I felt myself growing closer to my Savior and that in and of itself softens a heart to Christmas. It reminded me of a quote by Thomas S. Monson
"....may we ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....He taught us how to pray.  He taught us how to live.  He taught us how to die.  His life is a legacy of love.  The sick He healed, the downtrodden He lifted, the sinner He saved.  Ultimately, He stood alone.  Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him.  The Roman soldiers pierced His side.  The angry mob took His life.  There yet rings from Golgotha's hill His compassionate words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Who was this 'man of sorrows' acquainted with grief?  Who is this King of glory, this Lord of lords?  He is our Master.  He is our Savior.  He is the Son of God.  He is the Author of our Salvation.  He beckons, 'Follow me.' He instructs 'Go, and do thou likewise.' He pleads 'Keep my commandments.'  Let us follow Him.  Let us emulate His example.  Let us obey His words.  By doing so, we give Him the divine gift of gratitude."
Christmas hymns have also always been a spiritual experience for me.  "O Come All Ye Faithful" literally makes me come undone.  Every time I hear those words "O come let us adore him Christ the Lord" I just lose it.  I have a vision of us all in heaven, waiting for the moment for our Savior to be born because we knew what that meant.  We knew that with Him on the Earth we could be saved.  That we could return to live with our families and we could have eternal life.  Oh how joyful we must have been.
I love Christmas.  I love everything about it but this year I especially loved the experience of celebrating the birth of my Savior.
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Merry Merry Merry Christmas
xoxo
V

guess who's back....

100 points to the person who knows what song inspired the title of this post.

I thought to get back into it I would do a little life update courtesy of Instagram.

Summer is such a fun time.  Celebrations, laughter, fun.
July however always seems to be a sad month for me every year.  This year was especially sad.  Our little puppy Pippin was hit by a car and didn't make it.  This was a devastating blow for our family and one that we will not be over any time soon.  Strange the way animals get into our hearts isn't it?  Losing a pet becomes just as tragic as losing a human family member.  Many tears have been shed and I'm ready for a new start come August.
New job, new home...new.  I like starting new.

What new things are you looking forward to?  Leave a comment!
xxx
V

P.S. feel free to follow me on instagram! @vanessanelson
I'm happy to have you :)

To My Valentines.....

I really do adore you all.  Thank you for your comments and likes and blah blah blah.  I really appreciate it all.  I hope you have not only a day but also a LIFE full of love.

xoxo

V

Love Songs

Crazy Love - Van Morrison

I can hear her heart beating, for a thousand miles, and the heavens open every time she smiles

Turning Page - Sleeping At Last

Your love is my turning page, where only the sweetest words remain, every kiss is a cursive line, every touch a redefining phrase

Kathy's Song - Simon & Garfunkel

The only truth I know is you

True Love - P!nk

But without you I'm incomplete

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Wait....they don't love you like I love you

Fall Apart Today - Schulyer Fisk

Don't forget you love me today

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack

The first time ever I kissed your mouth, I felt the earth move in my hand

So Contagious - Acceptance
When I'm around you I'm predictable cause I believe in loving you at first sight

Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys
I'll be yours until two and two is three, yours until mountains crumble to the sea, in other words, until eternity

My Girl Tonight - Jon McLaughlin
I used to think my heart just healed to break

More In Love With You - Jason Reeves feat. Nelly Joy
I will dream with you until they all come true....and I will spend my whole life through falling more in love with you

When They Fight, They Fight - The Generationals
When they fight they fight, when they come home at night they say, I love you baby

How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding
How long will I be with you, as long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand

When You Love Someone - Bryan Adams

You'll shoot the moon, put out the sun, when  you love someone

Love You Madly - Cake

When I kiss your lips I want to sink down to the bottom of the sea

I Was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder

I was made to love her

Eavesdrop - The Civil Wars

I can't pull you closer than this just you and the moon on my skin

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

Home is wherever I'm with you

Mirrors - Justin Timberlake

The vacancy that sat in my heart is a space that now you hold

1000 Times - Sara Bareilles

A hundred and five little blades in a line from your skin to mine 

Hold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagne

When you kissed my lips, my mouth so full of questions it's my worried mind you quiet

Love Like a Sunset Pt II - Phoenix

Where it starts it ends love like a sunset

Last Request - Paolo Nutini

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine

I took the stars from my eyes and then I made a map and I knew that somehow I would find my way back, then I heard your heart beating you were in the darkness too, so I stayed in the darkness with you

She Will Stay Beneath The Moon - Adam Barnes

The kind of love to make your heart go numb

Pull Me Down - Mikky Ekko 

We could be king and queen of the moonlight

A Sunday Kind Of Love - Etta James

My arms need someone, someone to enfold

Bleed To Love Her - Fleetwood Mac

And how she takes my breath away pretending that she don't miss me

I Would Do Anything For You - Foster The People

I've fallen in love and it's better this time than ever before

Flaws - Bastille

You have always worn your flaws upon your sleeve

Inevitable - Anberlin

I want to be your last first kiss 

Hold Onto My Heart - Graham Colton

You don't know how you look in imaginary white but I do

Start of Time - Gabrielle Aplin

When you walked into the room just then it's like the sun came out

All Of Me - John Legend

Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts

My My Love - Joshua Radin

I've been without you too long

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart

You're My Home - Billy Joel

I need you in my house cause you're my home

Hazy - Rosi Golan
If I forgot who I am will you please remind me, cause without you things go hazy

Let Love Stand a Chance - Charles Bradley
All the walls we build around us let them fall to the floor

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Lauryn Hill
The sight of you leaves me weak

Romeo and Juliet - The Killers
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die

Hey Na Na - Katie Herzig
I've got a little secret too, I've got a mad little crush on you

Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) - Ella Fitzgerald
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Fix You - Coldplay
Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you

Northern Wind - City and Colour
You're the other half, you're like a missing piece

Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

I was made to keep your body warm

State Of Grace - Taylor Swift

Love is a ruthless game unless you play it good and right

Cannonball - Damien Rice

There's still a little bit of your face I haven't kissed

XO - Beyonce

In the darkest night I search through the crowd your face is all that I see I'll give you everything baby love me lights out

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

When I'm dreaming I know I'm gonna dream I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you

Look After You - The Fray

You've begun to feel like home

Goodbye 2013.....

This year I loved.  This year I lost.  This year I've changed.  This year was hard.  Hard, but I
learned a lot.  I learned that people can be fake.  I learned that people can hurt you a lot without really caring about it.  I've met great people, I've met mean people as well.  The most important thing I've learned is that every person in this world is strong enough to let go.  People come and go, bad things happen...that's life.  But we're all a lot stronger than we think.  Here's to another year gone...can't wait to what 2014 holds.....Happy New Year!

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait....

Still editing.
Ugh.
In the meantime.....here's a splash of Christmas cheer for you!!!!

Day 1: Gingerbread house

*went much better than previous years {here} and {here}

I opted for a festive red lipstick.....loving it!

Day 2: Cupcake and Tree Decorating

I hope you're enjoying your holiday season so far!  And if this video ever uploads......(deep sigh)...then that will be yours to enjoy soon!
xoxo

Happy Easter!

Growing up my parents told us right out of the gate that there was no such thing as the Easter Bunny.  There were a couple of reasons why
1. My sister wouldn't get out of bed on Easter morning because she thought the giant rabbit was still in our house
2. The whole idea of a giant rabbit in general is a little deranged (with the exception of Flemish Giants because they are ADORBS)
3.  There is a deeper and far more powerful and beautiful reason for Easter.
Words can not express how grateful I am for the Savior and his atoning sacrifice for me.  ME! I thought I'd share a video with you of some truly heartfelt words spoken by Jeffrey R. Holland



Enjoy your Easter Sunday!  Whether it be filled with family and friends or even alone....I hope that it is truly a beautiful day for you all!
xoxo

Christmas Through Instagram

I am alive! Sorry I haven't posted all week.  I thought I would share my Christmas with you all through the powers of Instagram

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  Back to real life now....

xoxo

Christmas Eve...

What Thanksgiving Is To Me

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

xoxo

baby you're a firework...

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

Taking a cue from Bethany Joy I've started making these collages...so fun.  Here's a collage of what my weekend consisted of...

July 4th weekend by Vanessa Nelson featuring a trench coat

And just as a parting gift....isn't it nice to know that we live in the same free country as people like this?



I'm so proud to be an American.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to this guy:

(my Dad...not my brother)

Some things to note about my Dad-

• he has the greatest sense of humor
• he'd rather be watching golf or playing golf than doing anything else
• he likes black licorice
• he's tall
• he got a new golf club and now proceeds to sit with it in his lap in his recliner and will poke me with it until I finally relent and get up to do something for him.
• he likes TV
• he thinks everything I watch is dumb (the feeling is mutual by the way)
• he's good at sports
• he likes to read
• he likes good music (Crosby, Stills, and Nash excluded)
• he leaves his shoes all over the house...like 6 pairs out at a time
• he's awesome and I'm lucky he's my Dad 

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful guys out there who sacrifice their happiness and their hair to be Dads.  

Y'all are the greatest!

star ratings (it's new)

guys!  I've been like...the lamest blogger of all time lately I know!  But mostly it's because of work.  We are gearing up for our summer gift with purchase over at good ol Lancome and I'm busy!  Most days I feel like a factory worker in pre-revolutionary Russia.  It's just been insane.
But fear not because I am here to give you some REVIEWS on some things I've purchased recently.  I'm doing this for the following reasons:
1. I have bought a lot of new stuff lately
2. It saves you from having to spend money (aren't I the greatest?)
3. I needed something to post about and I figured y'all were sick of my playlists

So here we go!

Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer

I am white.  Like...super white.  So I've always needed these but dreaded using them at the same time to avoid the "hey why do you look like Snooki" questions.  I must say I really really like this one.  It goes on very easily and a little goes a LONG way so don't get excited like I did and then have to spend a good 20 minutes trying to find an area to apply the excess....(y'all would die if you saw the streaks on my upper thighs right now....) I will say that it says you'll get "gradual color" and then full results in a week.  I saw full results in one day.  To quote my Mom when I told her of this phenomena "maybe you're like...missing something in your DNA".  Thanks Mom.
Star Rating: 4.5
(I guess my scale is out of a 5...just made that up this second)

Banana Nut Cheerios

I LOVE Cheerios.  I always put cut up fruit in my Cheerios like strawberries, blueberries, and yes BANANAS.  So I was excited to see that this might save me a step.  Yes it was pretty good but still no where near as good as fresh bananas...to quote my Mom: "fruit doesn't even really belong in cereal"
Star Rating: 3

Troop Beverly Hills

Who remembers this movie!?  (jen I'm talking to you here....)  Such a classic.  Bought on Amazon.com for $5.49.  To quote my Mom again "it's not even worth that much"
Star Rating: 5

lovestrong: Christina Perri

Stop what  you are doing right now and go download this album.  It is beautiful.  I would put it up there with Adele's 21 as being one of the best albums released this year. To quote my Mom: "Isn't she the girl who sang that song that they did a dance to on So You Think You Can Dance?"
Star Rating: 7

Last but not least I'd like to rate one more thing.
My Mom

Happy late Mother's Day to the woman who has been staying up until 1 AM every night for the last week trying to beat my score in Bejeweled Blitz.  Better luck next week
Star Rating: 10
Side Note: this picture was taken circa 1991....hence the....everything.