Best of The 2012 Met Gala

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What I would do to be able to attend The Met Gala...the breathtaking and over-the-top gowns makes me go a little fashion crazy! Here are my top picks for this year's 2012 Met Gala...

{all images compliments of {people style watch}

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley...dazzled in this striped dress by the line with a beaded collar {designer unknown}

Amber Heard donned her date {Zac Posen's} design in a gorgeous orchid-hued bustier gown

Ashley Greene...I always thought she was pretty, but wow does she look gorgeous in this custom-designed, Donna Karan Atelier snow-white gown with sequin beading.

Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen...they always are one of the most fabulous looking couples at The Met Gala. Gisele is wearing a beaded Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown.

Jamie King...looked stunning in this ruffled red satin gown {designer unknown}

Jessica Pare...shines in a modern, golden cap-sleeve gown by L'Wren Scott gown

And my favorite look of the evening was Nina Dobrev who killed it in this Donna Karan Gown with Burnout-beaded detailing. Completely stunning.

Thankful for My Parents

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{home sweet home}

This weekend I went to visit my parents where I grew up in northern Wisconsin. It was such a relaxing and stress-free weekend...definitely needed! I'm so blessed to have the parents I have! I truly don't know what I would do if I didn't have them in my life. I can do absolutely nothing with them and still have the best time...and that's exactly what we did! :) 

my parents and me :)

i love them with all my heart

Here's a few photos I took this weekend too {I didn't take many...}

enjoying the sunshine :)

my parents pond :)

my parents have really big windows so birds always fly into them. my dad is pretty much the 'bird whisperer' and always picks them up...gives them some water...and tries to nurse them back to life. this little birdy survived :)

{{Have a great night}}

The Uses of Adversity

Pin It A book my mother shared with me called The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt, discussed the uses of adversity. He writes...

"Many traditions have a notion of fate, predestination, or divine fore-knowledge. Hindus have a folk belief that on the day of birth, God writes the destiny of each child upon his or her forehead. Suppose that on the day your child is born, you are given two gifts: a pair of glasses that allows you to read this forecast, and a pencil that allows you to edit it. (Suppose further that the gifts come from God, with full permission to use them as you please.) What would you do?"

Jonathan Haidt explains that though it is human nature to want to take away any pain or heartache our child may experience, "erasing" pieces of someones struggles may in fact leave them weak or even underdeveloped.

"We need to face adversity, setbacks, and even trauma to reach the highest levels of strength, fulfillment, and personal development," Jonathan explains.

As I continue to grow as an individual, I finally began to understand the true uses of adversity. Each challenge we face in life, truly does bring us good in some form or the other.

I challenge you to take a look at your life...and the struggles you've been faced with...and ask yourself if you hadn't been faced with them...would you be where you are right now in your life? Would you be the same person? Would you have the same people in your life?

I also recommend you taking a look at The Happiness Hypothesis if you ever have time. It's findings of modern truth in ancient wisdom and it has lent me some everlasting knowledge and advice. And we could all use a little help once in a while, right?

{source}

Humor Me Friday

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{{giggles for friday}}

{have a great night!}

Wisdom Wednesday

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{words of wisdom for your wednesday evening...}

i couldn't agree more with this statement. everything takes hard work, especially relationships. but it's the true testament when you stick around when...well...everything sucks.

we work to play. otherwise, what's the point of living?

i couldn't agree more with this statement. unless you know me...please refrain from assumption.

i blogged about this the other day about getting stuck because it's a habit. we are creatures of habit unfortunately, but sometimes we have to step outside of ourselves and take risks.

always adjust your sails...



{make today count.}

Ridding Yourself Of Negativity

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It's human nature to want, crave, and attempt to be simply...

 happy.

Ultimately finding happiness is battling negativity. We all have negativity in our lives...every one of us...but it's what we do with the negative that really defines who we really are.

The beautiful thing about the human condition is that we are always striving to be happier...even if we can't completely figure it out. But I believe in the power of free will and believe we have a choice. Regardless of how trapped we feel sometimes in life...we always have a choice. We must pick our battles and realize what's worth the pain and what's not. 

When negativity come into your life, it's important to first accept it.  Denial can be an ugly thing. You have to initially realize that there is this negative {I'm going to go with the classic nouns...a person, place, or thing} in your life. Once you realize this negativity, it's up to you to either change the situation or accept it and move the fuck on {excuse my language.} 

I believe that a big issue is that people settle, because we {as human beings} are creatures of habit. We like our comfort and routine, because it's safe...and it's known. It's scary to step outside our "bubble"...even if it's to reach a better place in our lives.

So what can you do to get out of the "bubble"? The best advice I can give is vigilant self-monitoring. You must constantly check yourself, because doing a "course correction" in life isn't easy. It takes a lot of focused mental work to consistently remind yourself to slowly rid yourself of whatever negativity is in your life. 

But, just remember to be easy on yourself, because ridding yourself of negativity isn't easy. 

{source}

Sunday Funday in the Park

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Happy Sunday evening!

Today we met up with Andrew's best friend and his dog to enjoy some of the sunshine! One of the best things about where we live is there's a huge park right across the street. Living in downtown Minneapolis, we are very fortunate to have such open spaces for the pups to run around!

{{Here's some photos of our puppy play date! :)}}

hanging out in the park :)

it was a little bright for zo zo haha

Bella being her "crazy rabid squirrel" self haha

Dave and his big boy Mavrik :)

running up the hill with daddy :)

the view from the top of the park {our home is the grey and red building :)}

Dave rides his long board and Mav just runs after him {necessary exercise for a husky!}

{{Enjoy the rest of the evening}}