Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Study Overload

So basically, I've been MIA for the past week...maybe two weeks...because I've literally been on study overload. School and choir has taken over my life completely. AH. I just want t scream.

Let me give you a little recap...

I had this thing for choir over the past weekend called FACE, where all of the top choirs in my school district get together and learn like 10 songs, only to perform them and be directed by none other than the world famous Dr. Craig Jessop. He used to be the director of the Mormon Tabernackle choir, as well as the director of many other traveling army related choirs and such. He's been all over the world, which if you ask me, or any other fellow choir nerd, that is pretty dang cool. Anyways, I had this concert, but last week was the week of preparation. I had a two hour rehearsal on Monday night, a three hour one on Thursday, and a four hour one on Friday. On top of all of that, I had to keep up with my homework, as well as continue learning my solo for my solo & ensemble contest this weekend...(I still don't have my solo memorized...yikes). So after the rigorous rehearsals, I spent a long day Saturday preparing for the concert and working with Dr. Jessop, and then was finished, concert and all around 9:30 Saturday night.

Then I had church the next morning, which was much needed. My boyfriend (Chris) and I went to a new church just to see how the service was...we like our church better. And then I spent some time with him, and then did more homework and worked on my online course. Yesterday, Chris helped me with physics, and for the past four hours I have been studying for my physics test tomorrow.

Needless to say, I am exhausted. All I've wanted to do was write here on my blog this past week. I'm glad I have a little time, or rather am making time, to just breathe and type out the words that have been on my mind all weekend.

Oh, by the way. A lesson I've learned the hard way: Don't trust people in a way that you expect them to do their part's on group projects. I basically did and entire, six page lab report by myself due to the lack of work in my group for physics. I'm NEVER working in a group again, especially in physics. Oh, and bragging rights are apparent in my case. We made a 100. We were the ONLY people in the class to make a 100. Call me a genius.

Anyways, it is time for bed, but hopefully I can start posting regularly again.

Always,
Chelsea

Saturday, February 16, 2013

A Late Night With Good Friends

Ah, tonight. Tonight was...refreshing

You know those friends who you've had forever, but they seem to naturally drift away with the current of life? They're in your life the last time you checked, and you can't even really remember the last conversation you had, or when your friendship even died out...it just did?

Well that happened to a rather large group of friends and I, and tonight, we fought against life and got back together. Honestly, I haven't laughed as hard as I did tonight in a very, very long time. I was just so happy, and deja vu was definitely in the air.

I missed my friends. Tonight, I realized just how much. I just can't stress how important it is to just be with friends sometimes. I feel like life has this way of taking everything good away from you at times, and you just have to fight it.

We all did tonight, and hopefully we can keep up the fight.

This is Jimmy. He's been one of my really close friends since 5th grade...almost 7 years. Oh man, oh man.

Jimmy, well, being Jimmy.

Meet Joey and Austin. I've known them since I was in middle school. 
This is Austin, and his girlfriend, Ally. I've known Ally since I was itty bitty :) Second grade was when we met.

I also met this chick in second grade, Brooke. Ally, Brooke, and I were all in the same class. We were, and still are close-knit friends.

Anyways, it was great to hang out with these kiddos tonight. 

Don't you love reunions?

Always,
Chelsea

5 Highs, 1 Low; Feb. 10-16

This is a new series for my blog called "Highs and Lows". I'd like to come up with a more creative name, but that will come with time.  In this series, I will post about the top 5 things that happened to me in the past week, whether it be time spent with someone, a day in general, or just a small incident. So...here it goes.

1. Wednesday, I was able to see Chris for the first time since last Friday (which sucked kind of lot). That's probably the longest I've been away from him in the entire time that we've been dating (a little over eight months). Anyways, I was very happy to see him. He came to my house for a while and we just worked on some of his college work, then we went to band practice at our church, then the service commenced. It was nice.

2. Thursday was Valentine's Day, as you all know. I went to school, was kind of unsettled by countless couples eating each others faces off. I was nearly running out the door at 1:30, trying to escape the gigantic balloons and oversize teddy bears hitting me in the halls.

3. Also on Thursday, I went out and secretly bought my mom a beautiful bouquet, and a chocolate rose. I like surprising her.

4. Chris got me "Warm Bodies" for Valentines Day, so I can read it before I see it. Needless to say, I was very excited. (Review coming soon?) He also gave me some chocolate which I've mostly already devoured.


5. TONIGHT- It hasn't happened yet...but tonight I am getting together with some really old friends and I am so psyched. I barely get to see any of them anymore, and we are finally getting back together after a few years. We used to always have so much fun together, and I doubt it will be any less fun!

1 Low: It would definitely be the gross couples at school on Valentine's Day...Ick.

So there you have it, my weekly high and lows in a nutshell.

What exciting event happened to you this week?

Always,
Chelsea

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Everyday Makeup

In my everyday life, I have a lot of people coming to me with questions about beauty, and makeup specifically. I guess I've always been pretty talented at enhancing someones natural features. I'm always the person the girls ask for when they need their makeup done for special occasions, and of course, I'm up for it because I honestly love makeup. It's something fun, and can change any look.

I don't typically wear a whole lot of makeup on a day-to-day basis, but I do wear a little bit just to enhance the features I naturally have. Here are my top 5 makeup essentials for daily use:

Makeup Essentials

1. Downboy blush by theBalm  2. Clump Crusher mascara by Covergirl  3. Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh  4. Maybelline Line Stiletto liquid eyeliner  5. Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup


These are products that I use religiously every single day. I am in love with all of these products and recommend them to anyone. 

Whats your holy grail makeup item?

Always,
Chelsea

Monday, February 11, 2013

Rainy Day Essentials

Good afternoon everyone! I hope you have all had a great day so far. As I type this, I'm reminding myself of the rather, for lack of a better word, crappy day I've had.

 Let me just take you through my day for a second: woke up, got ready, made my coffee, didn't put enough creamer in it (I realized this as I was already driving to school), drank the rest of my coffee with a turned-up nose, arrived at school and it was raining, realized I didn't have an umbrella, walked into school getting sprinkled on (it wasn't that bad), went to my classes, got out and realized it was sprinkling, then as I started walking the long trek to my car and it began pouring (I was wearing my new leather boots). I then came home, changed into something warm and dry and now I am typing this. So, needless to say, I wasn't in the best mood earlier...but hey, now I get to write which always puts me in a better mood.

Anyways, my story did have a point. As I was walking to my car earlier, I realized how much I wished I had an umbrella, and maybe had worn something more appropriate for a rainy day (maybe I should actually start paying attention to the weather). Therefore, my idea of a rainy days essentials blog post sparked, so here it is...My Rainy Days Essentials.


On rainy days, I always feel cooped up with nothing to do, but hey, a good book is always a good book no matter the weather. I also usually find this a good time to paint my nails because I have nothing better to do. 

I hope you will use this post to your advantage the next time it rains in your town. I sure wish I had thought of this before today! It would have come in handy.

P.s. I made a new cup of coffee once I got home...I'm happy now :)

What is your top rainy day essential?

Always,
Chelsea

Sunday, February 10, 2013

London Folk Artist's Touch My Heart


If you don't recognize the gentlemen in this picture, you have not yet experienced life yet. These are the men that lull me to sleep every night with their beautifully crafted, musical creations of wonder. Seriously. They're great. Let me introduce you to them now, ladies (and gents?)

These wonderful people are known in the music industry as Mumford & Sons. In 2007, this group of extremely talented friends formed the band. From their band name, it sounds like this is a band of brothers, but that is incorrect, although that was Marcus Mumford's intentions. 

Mumford explained, he wanted their audience to feel that their name had the essence of an "antiquated family business name".

This is the exact reaction the band of "brothers" received from their fans. At every concert, the band wants to interact with the people that paid good money and time to see them, as well as make the audience feel comfortable and relaxed during their shows. This is something any band should take away from this extravagant folk band. People like feeling like they are apart of something, and that is what Mumford & Sons is all about. It's refreshing, really.

Now aside from their fabulous, applause worthy stage presence and performances, let me just fan-girl for a second. Their music is amazing, and moving, and everything good about life. Anything from their two albums, "Sigh No More" and "Babel" (their most recent album) is just music to my ears (no pun intended).

I just feel so relaxed and accepted by them, just listening to their songs. They really make everything make sense, which is an important thing for artists. Artists must be relatable and Mumford & Sons exceed the relatable-ness expectancy. I feel like I get what they're talking about. Allow me to speak for most true music lovers: a lot of the popular "artists" we have in this day and time are irrelevant and talk (sing) about subjects that I don't care to hear about, or care about at all.

Nonetheless, in my opinion, Mumford & Sons earn five stars from me, a round of applause, and a fan-girl scream due to the anticipation of their new album possibly coming out this year. Mumford said himself in December of 2012 that they were working on their new album. I am looking forward to this new album. I'm sure they have many more stories to sing.

Do you like Mumford & Sons? Are there any other indie bands that you would like to enlighten me with?

Always, 
Chelsea

A New-found Passion

So recently my schedule has not been very full and I have really had nothing to do with my time. I'm a big Pinterest fan. I'm constantly on it, whether I'm at home lounging around, or out and about waiting for my coffee at Starbucks. You could say I'm a tad obsessed...but it's okay, right...? Everyone has their own personal obsessions.

Okay, so maybe I'm on Pinterest a little too much, but nonetheless it gives me something to do. Especially lately, I have found a greater obsession that ties in with Pinterest: BAKING.

Now a little back story, when I was younger (I am only 17, but you get the idea...) I couldn't put something into the microwave without burning it. It was that bad. This terribleness occurred until I was about 14, then I gave up on the kitchen all together. I gave up to easily, I suppose. I just didn't know how to use tools and recipes correctly. It was no biggie. (Now, if I still had that inability I would probably still have a sour attitude about it, it would be a biggie; A Big biggie)

Anyways, I was so uncomfortable in the kitchen that I convinced my boyfriend (of a little over eight months) that he would do all of the cooking once we're married. That wouldn't be a big deal, because he can in fact cook quite well, but now we can both cook! I am seriously so psyched by my recent discovery. I love Pinterest now more than ever, because I've actually gained something from it. It just makes me so happy to finally have something to do on those very un-busy days.

SO...would you like to know what I've made so far? I bet you do...because they were all delicious!
                                               

Here's something that happened to be one of my favorites! Although I had a few issues with rolling out the dough, they turned out tasting fantastic. 

If you would like to try making these click here, but let me warn you, do NOT over mix the ingredients once you have added the dry mix with the wet. I did this and it was challenging to get the dough to stick together. After about 10 minutes of rolling, recovering dough that had crumbed out from under the edges of the parchment paper, and finding a way to stick the dough in the fridge, it all turned out okay. The dough was really the only challenging thing about this recipe. I also made a glaze, which was delicious, to go on the cookies. Here's the recipe for that, here.

creamy white chicken enchiladas

I also made these chicken enchiladas. Now let me tell you something about these babies. I am a true Texas girl, and let me tell ya, here in Texas, we love our Tex-Mex. That's pretty much what I'm used to, and when I think of enchiladas, I think of cheese enchiladas with lots of cheese and lots of chile gravy sauce on top. This recipe is not anything like what I call true enchiladas, but these are definitely one of my favorite things to make now. 

My whole family loved them and requested my making of more very soon. All I'm saying though, is don't go into it thinking it's going to taste like a Mexican Restaurant's enchiladas, because it's not going to. This is more of a recipe that tastes similar to a King Ranch Chicken casserole, so if you're up for something new, definitely give this one a try.


The last thing I've made (so far) are these amazingly moist, delicious cupcakes: but with a twist. Instead of typical icing, I decided to spice things up a bit and make a cream filling which turned out great with this cupcake. Here is the recipe for the cupcake, and the filling.

It was a very easy recipe, and I had little to no problems with this one. I highly recommend it, especially if you haven't found that perfect recipe for a moist, chocolate cupcake!

As you can tell, I have been a little busy bee in the kitchen. I've discovered a new passion for baking because of Pinterest, and for that I realize that I am no longer wasting my time on that site, which is a good feeling. 

Anyways, I am off to do whatever the day holds for me. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Do any of you have any good Pinterest recipes? If so, you should share them with me!

Always,
Chelsea