Catch Up!

Hey everyone! I'm back...finally! I'm sorry I was gone so long. But I'm going to be blogging like crazy now! :)


I'm gonna try and catch you up on what's been going on with me since my last post. Well, first off, I graduated college! I can't believe it! I now have an associate degree in Technical Arts in Law Enforcement and an Associate in General Studies. I received honors with both degrees. And what was most special about graduating, was that I got to walk with my mom.

There was no order in which the graduates were suppose to walk, so I insisted that my mom go first, since it was a bigger moment for her, it was her first time walking at graduation (she got pregnant with me in high school and wasn't able to graduate). But she said I HAD to go first, that she was too afraid she'd trip or mess up somehow. Haha. Gosh, I love that woman.


I was nervous with all that attention. Notice the crazy gum chewing and how I was racing to my seat? :D




My grandma made me this sign: "Now that you've graduated, I made you this just in case your college stuff doesn't work out, you'll have a back up."

My grad party...my cousin Avery being a cutie! The ice cream cake was too cold for him.
There have been some other changes too. I have been looking for a new job, which has been soaking up my energy and time. Bath & Body Works just isn't cutting it (3 hours a week? No, please). So I'm waiting to hear back from a couple places. Fingers crossed! I also worked over the last weekend temping for DKNY for their big holiday sale. My first time working in a clothing store! And I didn't make it out without buying something! Or a few things actually! $30 for a pair of pants normally priced $89! I mean come on! :)

And I'm sooo excited for this! I will be getting my very first DSLR camera this weekend! I've been dying for one for so long! But I'm debating between the Canon Rebel T1i and the T2i. Decisions, decisions...
Let me know if you have opinions on either one! I need help choosing!

Stay tuned for videos, hauls, and outfit posts! They're on their way! Once I get my new camera, there will be no stopping me! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day In Photos

This was actually my Sunday. I spent the day with the whole family at my aunt's house. We were celebrating the March and April birthdays in the family, as well as visiting with my aunt who is here from Alabama for my cousin, who is currently going through chemotherapy (as I explained in my Video Sunday post).



We had a potluck dinner with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Here's some of my family chatting at the table.



After dinner, we had some fun with my camera. My mom and I.



Gotta love goofy photos! :)



We got a little carried away with the freaky faces. My camera is full of them! My brother, Stefan, and I.



We shared some videos on Youtube. My mom, and cousins Iain and Mark.



My Cousin Katie, Dad, and Aunt Stefanie.



My two younger brothers, Stefan and Austin.



Met my new cousin, Viola, for the first time. She was born on March 7th.



My baby cousin, Avery.



I told him to smile and this is the face he gave me. Haha.



He then showed us his new dance moves. Haha.



Then all thirty or so of us piled into the living room and chatted and watched tv (Tosh.0) before parting our separate ways and going home.

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri
This song is one of my new favorites. The video kind of creeps me out though. But I like it at the same time. Haha. I love songs that get back at loser heartbrokers! :)

I hope everyone's weekend is going great.

Today is going to be a complete family day for me. My 21 year old cousin, Andy, was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. As some of you already know, I lost my 18 year old cousin, Matt, back in October due to suicide. So it's a really hard time for my family right now. I can't lose another cousin. One of my aunts flew in yesterday from Alabama to be here while my cousin begins chemotherapy, so we're all coming together today. We are hopeful that he will be okay. Testicular cancer runs in the family, but it was still a shocker for us because my cousin is very young. It just reminds me how important family is and that you need to cherish each other while you can.

Have a good Sunday!
Give everyone you love a hug today and tell them how important they are! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day in Photos

Woke up. I never get up before 10 am when I don't have to!



Showered, dressed, and got ready.



Had my morning tea! I've had this mug since I was about 6. I used to be obsessed with suns, stars, and moons. And I've always loved cobalt blue. It's my favorite mug.



Picked up my youngest brother from middle school.



Went to Value Village with my thrifting partner, my mom. Value Village is my favorite place to go thrifting. They have the best prices, most unique pieces, and best vintage stuff compared to other stores. I will do a haul soon on what I got!



We then went to the Goodwill in search of more thrifted goodies!



After browsing the clothes, I searched through the handbags.



Checked out the art!



Scanned the bookshelves!



My purchases! Found Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin, the sequel to one of my favorites, Rosemary's Baby. I was so excited cause I haven't read it yet! And a cookbook, Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style. Both like new! And I got them for $2.99! Score!



We then went to a local department store where I found Hocus Pocus on sale for only $6.99! It was one of my absolute favorites from childhood. I hadn't seen it in about 10 years!



Had shrimp mixed with asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and penne noodles in a garlic sauce for dinner. It was good!



Since my dad and brother were gone and my other brother was busy playing video games in his room, my mom and I took over the big screen tv and watched Hocus Pocus together.



My mom and cat relaxing before we started the movie. My mom is the type of person who is always cold, so she is attached to that heavy weight sleeping bag, when at home. She can't just use a blanket like a normal person. Lol.



After the movie, I tried out my new Paula Deen cookbook. I made oatmeal lace cookies. I had never heard of them and thought they sounded good. They are definitely unique. They come out very flat and look like...well, puke. Like those fake rubber vomit props! Haha. They are easy to make, super sweet, and chewy, but crunchy at the same time. The "cookies" taste like rock candy. They're great if you are having a sugar craving! My family can't stop eating them!

Here's the recipe, if you want to try them:

1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or nonstick baking mats.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until thoroughly combined. Add the egg, salt, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour and oatmeal. Mix well.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
5. Let cool completely before removing from the cookie sheet. Peel cookies away from the lining.

Well, that was my Monday!

Be sure to enter my giveaway if you haven't already! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

Q & A Monday

I have been wanting to start a question and answer feature for a while. You guys ask me a lot of questions in the comments, which is a difficult way for me to effectively give a reply. Until Blogger gives us a better commenting system, if ever, I will do Q&A posts on Mondays, depending on how many questions I get regularly. I do have a Formspring account, with a question box located in the left column, but I figure this is a better way to answer you guys. I haven't decided on an image for the post, so until then, I'll use this adorable photo of my cat, Coco LaBouche.

I went through all the questions I have been asked since I started this blog.

Q: Do you shop online at Forever 21?
A: Yes, I do. I mentioned how I prefer to shop there online vs. shopping in the store, in my recent Forever 21 haul video. I get all stressed out shopping in the store, because it's crazy in there and it takes me so long to browse (especially when the F21 I go to has two floors) and debate my purchases, and everyone I usually shop with don't enjoy shopping like I do, and push me along. I like to take my time! Haha.

Q: Do you know you look like Chloe Sevigny?
A: Frankly, I don't think I do. Lol. I've heard this twice (for the first time in my life) recently from fellow bloggers. At an upward angle, my nose looks similar to Chloes, like in my header picture, but other than that, I don't see it at all! Lol. I've watched her on Big Love for the last five seasons, and never saw a resemblance. Funny. Other than her, people have told me I look like Taylor Swift (most common), Evan Rachel Wood, Avril Lavigne, Fashion Squad blogger Carolina Engman, and of course my parents! Haha.

Q: Have you ever watched Be Kind Rewind?
A: This question was asked in relation to me thinking Jack Black is funny. I have seen Be Kind Rewind, but my favorite Jack Black movie is Nacho Libre. I LOVE this movie, it's hilarious. It's by the same guy, Jared Hess, who did Napoleon Dynamite. It also requires the same sense of humor. A lot of people think it is dumb and don't get how it could possibly be enjoyable, but in my family, this movie is comedic perfection. This movie influenced us when naming our cat that we took in. His name is Nacho. Haha.

Q: Why don't you make a Facebook page for the blog?
A: I have made a Facebook page for Love me...Love me not, I just haven't publicly published for people to see and "like" yet. I wasn't sure if anyone would think it was necessary or like having the option to have Love me...Love me not posts on their newsfeeds. Maybe I'll publish it if more people want me to or as the blog gains more followers.

Q: Where do you live in Washington?
A: I live in the northern part of Western Washington. I live about 45 minutes to a hour north of Seattle. My city is small, but commercialized. It's not as small and isolated as a lot logging towns around us.

WA facts: There's west and east Washington. Both are very different, which is something a lot of people don't know. When you think of Washington, you probably think rain, wet, trees/forests, and oceans, right? Well, that's how it is where I live, but Eastern Washington is completely different. It's dry, sparse, warmer, covered in hills, and resembles a desert for the most part. West = logging and green, East = farming and died. It's funny cause no one knows that. Movies like Twilight (♥) make everyone think it's like Forks everywhere! Haha. Just thought I'd share that! :D

Q: What software do you use to edit your photos with?
A: I use photoshop.com and picnik.com for altering my photos. Both are free and have great features. I use photoshop.com for touch ups and fixing brightness and lighting in my photos. I use picnik to add effects, font, and photo frames. I do have an old, old verison of Photoshop that I use for some things, but I barely know how to use it!

If you guys have any general questions you wish to be answered, comment on this post with them or email them to me at: courtneywilde@ymail.com! And I'll answer them next time! Ask me anything! Personal, fashion related, whatever! I want this to be fun feature! :)

Be sure to enter my giveaway if you haven't already! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

Stylish Blogger Award!

I'm so excited! Jess from Avant-Garde Living gave me this wonderful award!  She's a sweetheart, go check out her blog! I recently discovered it myself, it's great. I love getting blogging awards like this one. It shows me that people do enjoy my little blog. It makes blogging worth it! Thanks Jess!

I'm now suppose to share 7 things about me that you don't know.

Here it goes:

1) My shoulder blades are double jointed. I can pop them out of socket and they poke out through my armpits. It's gross, I know. But kids in elementary school thought I was soooo cool! Haha.

2) I want to join the Peace Corps. I would want to teach English or counsel and mentor kids. I'd love to be stationed in South America, Africa, or Morocco. It's one of my biggest goals.

3) My handwriting is illegible and I am a terrible speller. If I don't have spell check handy, I'm screwed.

4) I am blunt, goofy, and have a dry sense of humor. I laugh all the time. Adam Sandler, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Black, the late John Candy, Jim Carrey, Daniel Tosh, and Rob Dyrdek can always get me giggling. And Shane Dawson, and the Shaytards on Youtube.

5) I was a vegetarian for 3 years. But had to reintroduce meat into my diet because I wasn't getting enough protein and became unhealthy and weak. I now only eat chicken, turkey, shrimp, and crab occasionally.

6) I have watched The Addams Family and Addams Family Values seriously over a thousand times since childhood.

7) My family teases me about this. I have wanted to marry Ryan Reynolds since I was about 14 years old. He's gorgeous! :)

Now I have to pass the award on to seven other bloggers!

In no particular order, the stylish ladies are:

Vicki of Magpie Girl
Emma of Scrapbook de la Emma
Islabell of a fine day for sailing
Elizabeth of Pretty Nifty Thrifty Fashion
Maggie of lifesize paperdoll
Amber of Amber Blue Bird
April of Everyday Forgotten

If you haven't visited their blogs, do try! They run great blogs and have amazing style!

Thanks for all the blog support everyone!
Be sure to enter my giveaway if you haven't already! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day in Photos

 Woke up with my kitty at my feet. Showered. Got ready.

 Went and had afternoon tea with my cousin, Breanne, at a local tea room.

 My first cup of tea ever! A mixture of raspberry, pear, and jasmine!

 Little finger sandwiches.

 Finished tea off with a berry scone.

 After tea, we went by my work for a little shopping. It started raining, like always.

 Bought some Wallflowers for the house. My room now smells like yummy frosting!

 Then we went by Target to get some gifts for my boss's baby shower.

 Out the door! My final purchases. Top secret!

 All wrapped up! How cute!

 A little later, I went to the store with my little brother and picked up some movies to watch over the weekend: Love and Other Drugs, Due Date, Burlesque, and Life as We Know It. On the way out, the Girl Scout girls got us. But I'm not one to turn down Girl Scout cookies! So good!
 Ended the night with vegetarian tacos for dinner!
How was that for my first "My Day in Photos" post? I hope not too boring! I would have liked to had more photos, but I forgot to take pictures most of the time. It was actually kind of fun taking pictures of everything and everywhere. But I did feel a little bit strange. Haha. My brother told me I looked like a detective trying to snap shots quickly and secretly without letting people notice. Haha. Overall, it was a great day. I would like to thank my cousin, Bre, for introducing me to tea! :)

Well, I'm off to go watch the movies I rented with the family!

Thanks for following and commenting! I love it!! =D

XOXO,

Courtney

Someone is a Birthday Girl!

Today marks the 21st year of my life. I can not believe I am getting so old. You know when you were little and your grandparents or the relatives you didn't see very often would look down at you and always repeatedly say, "Look how old you are! You're growing up so fast! Time goes by too quick!" and you would get secretly irritated and then say something about how you wished you were older? I feel like the grandparents and barely seen relatives now. Time does go by too quick! You never realize it when you're super young because you can't wait for time to hurry up and move along. Now, I want it to slow down! Lol.
Because it's my birthday and none of you have ever seen me past my 20 year old self, I'm gonna do a blast from the past. Polaroid style. Here it goes...

















I'll update you all/post pictures tomorrow or so on what I did on my birthday. Fyi, I'm going to be messing around with the layout and fonts so things will look a little funky until some time tomorrow.

XOXO,

Courtney