Let's go to England.......

Let's go to England....... by moriahelizabeth featuring a purple belt

CALYPSO ST BARTH lace shirt
$225 - calypsostbarth.com

Yves Saint Laurent high waisted skirt
$1,495 - net-a-porter.com

Betsey Johnson cheetah print tight
$25 - betseyjohnson.com

Ralph Lauren oxford high heels
$600 - dsw.com

Cartier gold jewelry
jewelry.1stdibs.com

Vintage jewelry
$800 - aloharag.com

Dorothy Perkins purple belt
$8 - dorothyperkins.com

Go Maxi or Go Home

Go Maxi or Go Home by moriahelizabeth featuring ankle length skirts

Zimmermann floral skirt
£640 - matchesfashion.com

Cacharel floral maxi skirt
$417 - openingceremony.us

Paper Crown floral skirt
$369 - shopthetrendboutique.com

Leifsdottir ankle length skirt
$80 - anthropologie.com

Ankle length skirt
£132 - farfetch.com

Ankle length skirt
£115 - coast-stores.com

Floor length skirt
£115 - crumpetengland.com

Red skirt
$58 - romwe.com

Ando Store chiffon skirt
$48 - yesstyle.com

Just Keep Swimming, Swimming, Swimming.......

I have had an extreme homework overload today. I did I think 7-8 hours minimum. I am lucky I didn't lose my mind. I just sat on my bed and typed away for hours. I did feel a bit sick though so I got up and called Cole. That me so happy. I just love him to death, and I realized it is going to be an adjustment not being able to text or call him. He has been like a brother to me for the last few years. Sometimes growing up is weird. Enough said.

Mr. Groom died today and it is hard to comprehend. He has been Dad's good friend for a long, long time. I was able to have a good talk with him about it. I love my Dad. We don't see eye-to-eye a lot ( we are both too stubborn and thin we-re right 99% of the time) but I do really love him. Losing a friend is rough.

I have had an good change of heart motivation-wise lately. I have been reading conference talks and getting crafty. Life's good you know?

Well this is short, but I'm glad I wrote. Love Always, Ri

Dreaming of a White, White Christmas!

I flipping love Christmas. Let's face the facts here......its just plain great. I just got back from a Christmas party and I got all in the spirit of the season. I drank cider, made a gingerbread house, decorated a sugar cookie, wore a sweater, and stood under mistletoe by myself. Ha. It was a fun party, and for the first time I can almost believe that it is the holiday season. It is hard when the sun is shining and there are palm trees everywhere. Rough life, I know.

 I cannot wait to go home. I miss everyone you know? Don't get me wrong, I am in love with my situation here. Love the roomies, love love love my ward, bishop, institute teacher, apartment, etc. I just couldn't imagine spending the holidays without my family. I have so much to tell my mom, sisters, Logan, Paige, everyone. I am excited to fly again also. Flying makes me feel adventurous, and I love a good adventure. There are so many people I want to see, so we'll see if I get to see them all.

Who cares about presents? I can't wait to put n my footies and snuggle up with the fam and watch Home Alone, Jingle All the Way, and A Christmas Story and laugh and drink hot chocolate. I can't wait to hear my grandma say "Oh my gad!" when she gets stressed out about holiday cooking. I can't wait to hear Uncle Brett's weird comments. I love family. I'm glad they're stuck with me forever.

Here's a Christmas song to sign off.

Peace out, Ri

It Started With a Haircut

It started with a haircut. Every spring she got the urge to chop off her long, dark hair, the main reason being boredom of course.  This year was different however. This year chopping off those locks she had come to love was actually painful, but necessary.

The final decision was made on a Thursday in May. She had once turned the thought over in her mind earlier when the weather had become noticeably more pleasant. She had come home from school, run into her room to throw on a pair of shorts and hastened out the door to meet her best friend for their daily tandem bike ride. It wasn’t a monumental day; nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, and as she felt the cool, breeze on her face and listened intently to her friend tell the stories of her day she had no idea that she would soon be making a decision that would change her outlook on life.

After circling the four mile loop that circled their houses the friends parked the bike and decided to take a water break. Her phone which had been vibrating constantly went off once again, so she dug it out of her worn pocket to see who was disturbing her lovely bike ride. As she opened the message, a feeling of dread overcame her entire body, starting with her head and reaching her toes in a matter of seconds. Her friend motioned her to read it out loud, and as she read the bitter, hateful words that tore her being to shreds, large, wet tears fell down her face onto her lap. It was undoubtedly the worst message she had ever received. After she finished reading, her friend- like any good friend would- told her to get rid of it. The words from the message bounced around her mind; the biting phrases like small needles causing minor puncture wounds to her self-confidence.

              Without hesitation she spoke firmly “I’m going to cut off my hair.”

“You’ll regret it, you know.” Her friend replied.

 She knew she would regret it eventually. But by that time it will have grown some, and besides it was just hair right? She had done a great deal more drastic things to her hair before anyway. It was decided then, and soon she would have hair eleven inches shorter than she did now.

She decided to stay home from school the following day, to sort out the details of her conclusion and to recover from those words that were still lingering in the back of her mind. Besides, staying home meant that she could watch her favorite movies with her favorite person, her mom. It also meant she didn’t have to face the boy that cut her so deeply in class. She sat across from him in English, which previously had been her favorite class but now there was an ugly cloud that encircled that classroom.

She also made a list of the reasons to cut her hair, just to make sure that she wasn’t just making this choice in a brief moment of insanity. Not only would cutting off her hair be a pain release, but it used to be the thing that boys (especially the aforementioned boy) loved about her. Also there was the fact that she was entering into a new phase in her life, moving to a drastically warmer city, summer was on its way, etc., etc. If anyone asked, she would tell them the more positive reasons, and they would smile and accept it without inquiring further.

She went to school on Monday during lunch, having just barely missed the dreaded third period, with her hair straightened cascading down her back. Secretly, she hoped the surrounding students noticed her hair. She hoped they would take in the length, color, and style. There were only two more classes to go before she drove to the small salon. There were only a few more times she would be in these classes actually, as graduation was rapidly approaching. That also made her anxious.

She walked into the solon, quiet country music in the background, and felt excited at the thought of what was to take place. She decided to also make her hair a few shades darker this time and to cut it about shoulder length. As the hair hit the floor, she didn’t feel drastically different. It wasn’t until her hair stylist wheeled the chair around to face the large mirror that she saw what she had done to herself. She didn’t recognize herself, but this was a good thing. A burden was lifted from her in the pile of split ends on the salon floor, and she felt lighter.

The next day at school, mostly the girls noticed the change, which was nothing out of the ordinary. She was told she looked older, which in her mind wasn’t a bad thing to be told until you were about forty, then it was just an insult.  As she took her seat in the small circle of her college English class, she knew that he noticed. Here she was after being absent since he had told her she was pathetic and other negative attributes, and she was wearing a new dress with a new hair style. She was pleased that he looked slightly uncomfortable.

 After that, the depression that had taken over her body for the last few months slowly began to retreat. She began to see traces of herself in her actions again. She was eating normally, sleeping more than four hours a night, laughing at the lunch table with her friends, and wearing clothes other than a sweatshirt and jeans.

She was able to forgive the boy for breaking heart, able to forgive her friend that broke his after he dumped her, enjoy the last few days she had with her friends in that summer, reach out to those around her, and prepare to leave for college. She was finally herself again and it all started with a haircut.

Life's Hard, Move On.

Since I moved I have been surprised at the number of people who have told me that I am brave for moving so far away from home at a young age to a big city. I always sit there and think really, me brave? It felt so natural to do what I'm doing. Sister Hinckley once said "Everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else." Boy, a quote has never rung so true. I feel like I was always planning what I was going to do with my lie because my parent's talked about my future with me starting when I was young. My parents are both so passionate about the things they loved and they encouraged us to do the same. I've always known I was going to move away I guess. I love Rexburg, but I needed to get out for my own insanity's sake. Even though I always had plenty of friends and fit it, I felt like an outsider sometimes because of the way I thought. I needed a place where I could spread my wings, and I think I've found it. It was tough when my Mom went back to work full-time because I became sort of a mother-figure. But looking back I know it brought my siblings and I closer and it made me even more independent. Cooking dinner, driving the kids around, and tidying up the house really prepared me for life on my own. I know my siblings thought I tried to be the mom a little too much sometimes, but I tried the best I could. Not having my Mom around, helped me grow up. It also made me appreciate her more than I already did. I've learned that people really do come into our lives at certain times for a reason. Looking back with that thought, I realize how amazingly true that is. Think about this: Courtney was my closest friend in junior high and then when I stopped playing basketball we lost touch in high school. I always knew she had my back, but our lives went separate ways. Then, somehow we had a class together the last trimester of senior year and we were able to reconnect. It was like no time had passed, and I was going through such a hard time and she talked me through it and listened to all my worries and stories of heartbreak. We didn't have a class together all through high school, and then we did. We were also close when my Mom was in her car accident and she helped me through that. Did that happen by chance? I don't think so. Ethan was the first person who ever made me analyze my beliefs and question what I've always know. Now, I live in the mission field and am so much more comfortable sharing the gospel. He was probably the only person in my grade that I had never met or had a class with, and he just happened to sit by me in economics. Was that by chance? Maybe, but I really don't think so. When our exchange student Maddy left to go back to Australia, I had a rough time because I had never said goodbye to anyone before. Once I got through that it was easier for me to say my goodbyes before I moved. Even though I knew I would miss farewells and weddings, births and holidays, I knew that this was my choice to go after what I wanted it and I stick by my choice. That doesn't mean that it is easy for me to be okay with missing those things, but it makes it easier. Everything I learned really was preparing me for now, and made me ready for this big adventure away from home. I have learned so much since leaving home. I wonder what it is preparing me for?

Journal Challenge

Logan has challenged me to journal. Here is a rundown of today.

• We have a lot of Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge from break-the-fast so I had mashed potatoes and gravy for breakfast. I also had a turkey and cucumber pita, salad, pumpkin pie, and a roll. I'm living the dream.
• Well the good news is I am not addicted to facebook. The bad news is I'm addicted to pinterest.com. Wow, wow, wow I love it so. It is lovely for craft and recipe ideas. It makes me so inspired. It can definitely be a time-waster, but at least I am getting something out of it.
• FHE was combined and I saw a guy that I had a crush on for the evening. He had nice hair and teeth, and dressed in flannel and skinny jeans. that isn't in our building. He is from some ward  Too bad he is taken by a girl in the ward. Man, I can't get his face out of my head though.
• It is very chilly, and so I have had my slippers on all day. I will need lots of layers for bed.
• My Mom write me a nice letter today. It is one of the best I have ever received.
• Rashauna says you aren't over someone completely until you are with someone else. I wish that wasn't true.
• We have a new friend! Her name is Tara and she used to scare us because she is older and was the head of the popular girls. Her best friend just moved away, and it has helped her so much. She now is branching out and talking to everyone in the ward, and she is way cool. I think she is growing even though this is hard for her. She is also fashionable and is full of compliments.
• I really hope I get the job I just interviewed for. I really hope this is the one.

All is well, all is well. Love, Riah

Leather!

Leather! by moriahelizabeth featuring a short sleeve dress

Zac Posen short sleeve dress
$2,650 - net-a-porter.com

J W Anderson quilted leather jacket
$1,425 - net-a-porter.com

Versace leather skirt
$3,195 - net-a-porter.com

Superfine skinny leg jeans
$780 - net-a-porter.com

Yves Saint Laurent heel boots
$556 - fashionphile.com

Chanel bag
fashion.1stdibs.com

Balmain black bangle
$215 - stylebop.com

Rick Owens cord necklace
£182 - theoutnet.com

California Gurls: We're Unforgettable.

Wow, wow, wow. I am really bad at journaling period. If I spent half the time journaling that I spend looking up fashion blogs and shows, my life would be all over this dang blog. But it isn't. Oh well. So I was just reading old posts and I realized that there is a buttload of spelling errors. That happens when I try and type fast on my laptop. I also never go back and proof read, so I look like I don't know how to spell. I promise you though, these spelling errors are not an accurate portrayal of my abilities. Well on to other things, like the fact that I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA NOW! Since I love lists, I am going to make one right now.
Reasons I Love SD:

• My roommates are a blast. No joke. Rashauna is 21 and very artsy and outdoorsy. She is a runner and does yoga every week. She is entertaining to talk to. Paige is 19 and we share a room. We always talk about our days and the latet happenings in our ward. We crack each other up. Monica is 19 also, and is Rashauna's sister. She is really cool also, and is good to talk to about guys. She is usually gone at night because she has a bf now, so I always talk to her when she's home.
• Sunny, sunny weather! Even now it is cooling down, but that just means brings a sweatshirt at night and it might rain so you can wear jeans instead of shorts if you want.
• The beach. I want to live by the ocean for the rest of my life.
• Having a revolving tan/sunburn. I will probably be only using our hot tub because we are headed into fall, but I'm hoping to keep my tan up. I don't have a farmer's tan anymore ha, and my legs aren't just tan from the knee down. Gotta love swimming a lot.
• We have a cool ward. Everyoe is a little bit older, but we have a good group of friends we hang out with on the weekends. Our bishop is really great, and really cares about all of us individually. I am ward pianist, which is still slightly nerve-wracking.
• Our apartment is the party apartment, and is jut plain cool. We have a washer and dryer in the apartment, plus a little porch with a table and chairs and a hammock chair, plus a fireplace that doesn't get used, a mantle, two bathrooms, and a pool and hot tub in the complex. Every Sunday we have Sunday dinner at our house and make the main course and then all our pals brings something. We have also had several game nights at our house. Sometimes our friends come over and we go sit in the hot tub. Basically, I love having the house where everone is comfortable coming. That's how is was growing up.
• There is a really cool nature park up the road. I like to go read and write letters there.
• Having wifi in our apartment is really nice, but also very easy to waste time when you're bored.
• The endless things to do in this giant city. There is about 6 or 7 college that just I know of, so there is many things to do. SDSU is right up the road and we see lots of sorority girls and frat boys which is really funny, and makes me feel like I'm in a movie.
• I get quite a few free meals. Way more than the average college student I would say. A lot of Monday mornings we get free breakfast at IKEA, free lunch and dinner at Institute on Wednesdays, free lunch on Fridays at Institute, and Sunday dinner is pretty much free-ish. Every time we eat at Institute there is ice cream, which is the best thing ever. Also, Monica's bf Tyler is really good friends with us and we go to his family's house every week and his mom always feeds us. She is an awesome cook. The night that the power went out here, we went to Tyler's house and had grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and red velvet cake balls. Loved it.

That's all for now. More to come. I promise:) Love, Ri

Dress Time Up!



My casual daywear look ha. These shorts with flamingos on them are from the little girls section at Target and make me feel like a zookeeper/tour guide when I wear them on account of the akward length on me.  Gotta love my TOMS.





I wore this on my first Sunday at church here. It makes me feel classy and pretty ala Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday". Shirt from Forever 21, belt and skirt from DI, shoes from TJ Maxx. Some of my favorites.





Hurley lace dress (from Downeast), Blazer from DI which was a Christmas gift from Maddy, necklace from h&m, leather leggings, and combat boots.





Forever 21 leggings, sandals, creme tank, slouchy sweater, earrings, and pouch necklace, h&m chain necklaces





Target $7 clogs, dress from DI, belt from Maddy, necklace from Mom. Love me some turquoise.






 






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Crop top from TJ Maxx, silver maxi-skirt that my mom made, Claire's cuff and feather hoops, AE fringe sandals.





I was feeling kind of 70s, so I put on my Hollister flair jeans, Forever 21 belt and nautical shirt, Buckle feather headband, and $7 clogs from Target. I felt pretty hip.


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Thrifted silk jumpsuit. Totally 70s.



I love playing dress up a lot. I turn on my favorite tunes, get out a pile of clothes and work my magic. I think my best styling client is myself for sure. This way I have some good outfits for school coming up. I'm going to dress up again soon. Love, Ri