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

Friday Letters

Dear Justin Bieber,
Nice move with the new song.  I can't stop listening to it.
Ugh,
Vanessa
P.S Let's not try to make the word "swaggy" happen ok?  Swag is bad enough.

Dear Jeff from Intervention,
I love you.  Do you do interventions for Nyquil abuse?
Let me know.
Vanessa

Dear Cary Brothers,
Thanks for this amazing song.  It has been on repeat for awhile.
Don't tell Bieber.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Colt,
Thanks for getting better.  I'm so glad that I get to sleep in my bed again.  The couch looks so comfortable but then it always feels like you're sleeping on top of Marc Anthony's legs.
Love,
Vanessa

Dear Dudes,
Tony Hawk is the only man over 30 allowed to carry around a skateboard.
Shut it down.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Waiter,
When you ask me "Is Diet Pepsi ok?" the response you are going to get is "Do I look like a murderer?"
Just accept it.
Always and Forever
Vanessa (and Diet Coke)

Dear Readers,
I hope you have an amazing Easter weekend!  Thanks for being amazing.  I really do adore you all.  ALSO I have a HUGE giveaway to announce next week....so stay tuned and keep reading! :)
xoxo,
Vanessa
P.S. You know what I'm going to ask don't you?  Yeah...you do.  So.....do I still need to ask or....?  Oh HEY!  You!  Yeah YOU!  You're new here right?  Well....welcome!  Before you get cozy and start digging really deep into my personality disorder and reading my open letters to Justin Timberlake and wonder why Zack Morris never married me (I KNOW right!?)  why don't you head on over to THE DIME DIARY and become a follower?  My friend Morgan is in charge over there and she'll take good care of you.  OH!  And she's having a GIVEAWAY RIGHT NOW!  So hurry!!!  I'll just be over here hanging out with Jon Hamm until you get back....

L.O.V.E Through Instagram

Such a fun day yesterday checking out the new City Creek Center (it's GORGEOUS) AND then going to my dear friend Rhiannon's wedding!  I even got to do her make up before hand which was so fun!  I also got to see many old friends including my BEST friend in the whole world Beth and her amazing, beautiful, and hilarious daughter Brooklyn.  All in all it was an amazing day....here's some pictures!

 Fountain at City Creek

Entrance to Macy's

 Bub at City Creek

 To die for dresses at BCBG

"The mean reds are horrible, suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of.  Well when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's!  Calms me down right away.  The quietness and the proud look of it...nothing very bad could happen to you there"

-Holly Golightly "Breakfast At Tiffany's"

The bride after the make up!

And the dress...she looked stunning

Love the expression on her face as she walked down the aisle

Brooklyn was so proud of her "princess dress"

Me and Beth

Brooklyn and Little Brother...they really enjoyed each other

P.S. - Don't even get me started on the OTH Finale.  I ugly sobbed through the whole thing...not just crying but like...couldn't breathe crying.  It was perfect and beautiful.  Thoughts??

There Is Only One....

Photo Credit: Sophia Bush on WhoSay

Tonight a show I fell in love with 9 years ago comes to an end.  There are so many reasons why I fell in love with One Tree Hill but I can sum it up with a quote from last week's episode...

"They understand what it can be, a show that's not afraid to be quiet or heartfelt....a show that makes you feel like you're not alone"
That is what One Tree Hill is.  There are certain scenes that when the music starts...I will get chills and immediately cry.  It's a show everyone can relate to.  It's real and honest and beautiful.
Good Night Tree Hill
And Thank You.

"I'll see you again when the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill"
-U2

Tuesday Playlist

For playlist Tuesday I'm going to do albums again!  I've recently gotten a few new albums that are SO GOOD I have to share!

Tyler Hilton - Forget The Storm

As most of you know....I've been a fan of Tyler's for a LONG time.  I've gone to see him in concert...many times.  His music is completely brilliant.  His new album was released today and I'm in LOVE.
Favorite tracks: Kicking My Heels, Prince Of Nothing Charming, Jenny, I Belong

Hunger Games - Music From District 12 And Beyond

I mentioned this soundtrack yesterday but I just thought I'd remind you that it's AWESOME.  And like I said...you don't have to be a fan of the books/movie to be a fan of this CD.
Favorite tracks: Eyes Open, Run Daddy Run, Kingdom Come, Come Away To The Water, Abraham's Daughter

The Fray - Scars And Stories

I adore The Fray.  I've also loved them for a very long time.  Their new album is no exception.
Favorite tracks: Heartbeat, I Can Barely Say, Munich, Here We Are

Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours

Cold War Kids are a new favorite of mine but I can honestly say that I haven't heard a song from them that I don't like!
Favorite tracks: Skip The Charades, Mine Is Yours, Royal Blue

Fun. - Some Nights

I LOVED The Format a long time ago so I ADORE Fun.
Favorite tracks: Some Nights, We Are Young, Why Am I The One, Stars

Gotye - Making Mirrors

Don't even get me started.  I could talk for a hundred years about how much I love Gotye.  If you don't have the album yet....GET IT
Favorite tracks: Somebody That I Used To Know, Easy Way Out, Smoke and Mirrors, In Your Light

Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal

New favorite group of mine.
Favorite tracks: Little Talks, Love Love Love, Mountain Sound, Dirty Paws

Enjoy!!!  And if you have any other current faves...send them my way!
ALSO my friend Morgan has this amazing blog.....maybe you've heard of it???  It's called The Dime Diary and she's having a GIVEAWAY!!!  So head on over there and enter!!!

P.S. (are you getting annoyed by these yet....?) I added a button to follow me on Pinterest so....you should do that! :)
xoxo

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring boyfriend cropped jeans

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I actually had Saturday off and it was nice to be out and enjoying the sunny weather!  Anyone else out there college basketball fans?  My team University of Kentucky won!  They are headed to the final round tomorrow night and I'm so excited!!!  Also....yes...I'm kind of obsessed with Justin Bieber's new song....ugh...I know.  I hope you all enjoyed good weather and lot's of laughter over the weekend.

xoxo

P.S. GOOD NEWS! My dog FINALLY ate!!!!  He's really improving every day.  Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts and love!

Friday Letters

Dear Newt Gingrich,
I would bet all the money that I will ever have on the fact that you cheat at golf.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Early Bird,
These are the things you get 1) The worm 2) Tired in the middle of the day.
This is just the truth.
Vanessa

Dear Google,
Thank you for existing.  I was curious to know what a horse looks like while it sleeps and was given hours* of hilarious entertainment.
Thanks again,
Vanessa
* actually like 7 minutes.  I have the attention span of a marshmallow.

Dear NyQuil,
You should make an ice cream.  You're welcome for this million dollar idea.
I want a portion.
Love,
Vanessa

Dear Don Draper,
You are my favorite human that has ever existed.  You just sit around oozing charm while Pete makes weasel faces every time someone speaks to him.
I love you.
Vanessa

Dear movie watchers,
I am going to write and direct a film based on my life.  It's going to be just me staring at a can of Diet Coke for 2 hours while avoiding productivity.
Yep.
Vanessa

Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for your kindness and support!  You are all wonderful and I really do adore you!  Thanks for sticking with me.  Have a great weekend!
xoxo,
Vanessa
P.S. Have you followed the Dime Diary yet??
P.P.S. SERIOUSLY HAVE YOU????

So for today's playlist post I decided to do something a little bit different.  Do you guys remember those stupid quizzes that were all over Facebook a few years ago?  The put your iPod on shuffle and answer the question quizzes?  Well I decided to resurrect one that I took a long time ago.  This one is a little different because the questions are more like "If your life was a movie...what would the soundtrack be?" So let's have some fun shall we?  The rule is simple...you have to put your iPod on shuffle and answer the question with the song that comes on....no skipping!  Here we go

IF MY LIFE WAS A MOVIE: THIS WOULD BE THE SOUNDTRACK

Opening Credits
Bad - Michael Jackson

Waking Up
Sleepyhead - Passion Pit

First Day Of School
Starlight - Muse

Falling In Love
Non-Believer - La Rocca

Losing Your Virginity
This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) - Ellie Goulding

Breaking Up
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

Prom
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z

Deep Thought
Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins

Mental Breakdown
Love Is Hard - James Morrison

Driving
Bleed To Love Her - Fleetwood Mac

Flashback
Wish You Were - Kate Voegele

Getting Back Together
Come Around - Rosi Golan

Wedding
L.O.V.E - Chris Mann

Birth Of First Child
Almost Perfect - Ingram Hill
(ha ha ha I'm laughing at this one)

Learning Life Lesson
Pitter-Pat - Erin McCarley

Final Battle
Fix You - Coldplay

Death
Born To Die - Lana Del Rey

Funeral 
Don't Stop Believin' - Boyce Avenue

End Credits
You Could Be Happy - Snow Patrol

It's so lame but seriously fun.....I want you all to do it and show me the results!  xoxo

P.S. - Be looking for a giveaway soon.....more details to come!!

Weekend Collage

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring a glitter eye makeup

This weekend collage is a bit misleading because I mostly wore yoga pants and a top knot but there were some days (2) that I actually got dressed and wore make up.  The Hunger Games soundtrack is AMAZING by the way.  Even if you didn't read the books or see the movie (basically...even if we aren't friends) you will still love the soundtrack.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xoxo

Hey

Hi guys!  I'm going to try to do better at updating as promised...puppy is still very sick and I almost had a panic attack this morning (probably because once again...I'm not sleeping) BUT here we go anyway.  I don't usually post on Sundays so this will just be a quick update on everything that I've missed over the last week or so.

1.  Mad Men Premiere....
I can't wait to watch it

2. The Hunger Games
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???  AMAZING.  I went to the midnight showing.  My friend Jack and I went and sat in line starting at 4:30.  The people in line are truly the best part about waiting for a midnight showing.  We had so much fun and it was a nice break from the stress I was feeling.  Thanks to my friend Jack for pretty much being the greatest  (as evidenced in this text message...)

3. Far too many people saw my hair like this last week.  For that I am truly sorry.

4.  Do you guys play Draw Something?  Isn't it the greatest?  This is some of my best artwork.  My Dad guessed the word "spoon".  Lolz.

5.  I think I'm going to start making videos for you guys...like make up videos and stuff like that....like "vlogging".  How do we feel about this???  Let me know.

6.  My friend Morgan started a fashion blog and I'm already obsessed.  She shows you AMAZING outfits that ANYONE can afford. Genius. Go check it out HERE and follow it!!!  You will not be disappointed.

I don't think I'm forgetting anything.....but my brain is pretty much baby food at this point so....yeah.
Hopefully we all have a great week!
xoxo

Colt

So sorry for the absence everyone but I just thought I'd give you a quick update as to why....
Last Saturday night my little baby (ok yes he's a dog...get over it) went in for surgery to remove an obstruction in his stomach.  He had chewed on a rope toy and he ingested the strings from it and they were all balled up.  After the surgery everything was going good and he came home on Monday (cone and all...he was not happy...)

On Tuesday he was acting really strange and vomiting etc so he went back to urgent care...he was starting to get an infection so he was given a few shots and sent home.  On Wednesday he was acting the same way and he wouldn't eat ANYTHING....so back to urgent care...they finally gave him a pain patch (he couldn't take any other kind of pain meds bc he wouldn't eat and he would spit the liquid kind out)....he seemed to be doing better.  He still won't eat which is very concerning but we're just taking it one day at a time.
I've learned quite a lot about myself from this experience like I'M PSYCHOTIC for one.  I don't let him out of my sight, when I'm not home I call (multiple times) to check on him, I've slept on the couch every night (usually for only an hour or two) to keep an eye on him (I don't sleep because as I've already pointed out...I'm psychotic).  Needless to say....I've been exhausted.
I'm very sorry for the lack of updates.  Hopefully my dear Colt will be better next week and I'll be back to bothering you every day!!!
I would ask that even though it's silly...if you'd just say a quick prayer or send out some good thoughts our way I would really appreciate it.  He's still in some pain and WILL NOT EAT....so anything helps.
Thank you all so much!
xoxo

Vanessa

Can't wait until he's back to laying on the ground of the bathroom to

keep me company while I get ready...

The cat doesn't miss his rambunctious behavior as much....

What a handsome boy.... 

Weekend Collage

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring embroidered pants

Oh Hi there!  Were you just sitting around wondering where I've been for a million years?  Yeah me too.  Life has been incredibly crazy.  This weekend was a rough one but thanks to our Heavenly Father...I think we'll get through it! Isn't it amazing how the Lord blesses our lives? I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!  xoxo

P.S.  This wonderful amazing blogger Cherry invited me to be her Playlist Guest Blogger for the month of March!  You can find the post HERE and I hope you enjoy it!  Thanks so much to Cherry for inviting me!!!  

P.P.S Yes I watched The Bachelor finale....yes I'll be posting my thoughts.  Ugh.

Happy Birthday Seester!

Happy 22nd Birthday to my Seester!!

We've been through different hair and different states...I miss you and love you!  Have a fabulous birthday!

My sister is also an amazing writer!  Check out her blog here

Dear Peyton Manning

Dear Peyton Manning,
Words can't describe what you mean to me.  So I made you a video (don't worry...it's way better than the one I made for Tom Brady).

I'll miss you.
xoxo,
Vanessa

Favorites

It's been awhile since I shared some of my recent obsessions so I thought I'd share them with you right now!

Nars Gentle Cream Cleanser

Foams up so good, removes everything and smells like an orange creamsicle.  I use it with my Clarisonic and it is the greatest. 

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder

It's a loose powder foundation that is 20% water and gives the skin such a fresh and natural look.  Makes your skin look so healthy and luminous. You can use it alone or over your regular foundation. 

Josie Maran Argan Oil Illuminizer 

Ultra light skin brightener that gives skin a lit from within glow all day.  I use it just about every day under my foundation and it makes your skin look amazing!  Feels so nice on the face too.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation 

Speaking of foundation....holy amazing foundation Batman!  This is Lancome's newest foundation and I'm OBSESSED.  It's so creamy and feels so natural.  It lays on the skin beautifully!  It's re-touch free for 24 hours and you know how annoying it is when you're blowing your nose and your foundation rubs off?  Or when you give someone a hug and you give them some of your make up back on their shirt?  EW...this does NOT DO THAT AT ALL.  I'm amazed and in love.

YSL Voile de Blush Gel Blush 

I love a good cream/liquid/gel blush and this is one of the best ones I've ever found.  Goes on so smooth and blends beautifully.  These types of blushes are my favorite to use in the winter for a healthy natural glow.  

Lancome 5 Pan Palette "Lavender Grace" 

I think I've mentioned how obsessed I am with these palettes before right?  Well we just got a bunch of new colors in and I'm in love with this one.  The colors are to DIE for and the texture is amazing.  

Lancome Artliner liquid eyeliner 

The best liquid liner I've ever used.  I'm not biased...it's just simply the best.

Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick "Roses In Love"

I've never really been a lipstick wear-er but I'm in love (see what I did there?).  It's so lightweight but it's a 6 hour wear which is amazing.  Roses In Love is my favorite shade that I wear EVERY day but the rest are gorgeous as well.

Essie Luxeffects Top Coat "A Cut Above" 

The most gorgeous top coat for nail polish.  Just the right amount of sparkle.

Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish 

LOVE LOVE LOVE It's a gentle exfoliating product for the body.  It's so nice to have during these DRY winter months.  I love this stuff.

St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal and Shea Butter Lotion 

This is my favorite lotion right now.  It immediately soothes dry skin without burning or irritation.  My skin looks better after ONE time using it.  I have been lathering it all over lately.  Love it. 

I can't even express how obsessed I am with this show....

Bought the first 2 seasons of this.  Can't stop watching.  It was such a good show.

Favorite candy of all time.  If you want to be my friend....send me one of these.  If you want to be my best friend...send me 5.

Anything you're currently obsessed with and want to share with me??

xoxo