Almost as great as a Tax Refund!

It's Messy Dirty Hair's Birthday and I always like a reason to celebrate!  Check out Kelly's massive giveaway and get to know some of the bloggers that love her.  

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It's Official...

... my quarter life crisis is over!  Truth be told, it's probably been over for a solid six months, but I just wasn't ready to believe it.  I just kept thinking that those feelings of overwhelming inadequacy would continue to resurface.  The ending of my QLC was further confirmed by this article in Self Magazine!  In the middle of your own QLC or gotton through one?  Read it!

Source

Speaking of Self Magazine, I am totally obsessed with their new look and feel.  So obsessed that I Instagramed about it and to my complete shock, the magazine commented!  I squealed with joy and of course had to tell everyone I know. 

That brings me to my own makeover! I know what you are thinking, didn't OWIOWI just get a new look not too long ago? Yes, it did, but I need a full overhaul.

I started Oh Wells Instead Of What Ifs when my life was in dire need of inspiration. However recently I have been inspired to make some major changes.  That said, content is going to be a little light while I revamp and reboot over the next week or so!  

Thanks so much to everyone who has been a part of this blogging experience so far!  Make sure you are following me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook where I will be doing some sneak peaks and giveaways just for my followers!  

I can't wait to see you all on the other side of this makeover!

Twenty-Seven in 27: An Update

Today is my half Birthday and I thought it was only fitting I do a little update on my 27 things I wanted to accomplish in my 27th year.  Let's just say the next 6 months are going to be very busy...

1. Move to a new state- this one is super easy seeing as I'm already here.  I like to start off with things I know I can accomplish so I can get the momentum going!  Boom- accomplished

2.  Lose 50 pounds.  I have a hard time with committing to weight loss, but I am thinking that in addition to my location change I will try some lifestyle changes as well.  And let's be honest, I plan on spending a lot of time on the beach and I would prefer to do that with a little less fat.  If part of my routine could include dance classes, that would be great!  Working on it.  I've lost about 10 pounds so far.

3.  Run a 1/2 marathon.  I was not born a runner.  I have yet to mold myself into a runner.  I am going to do it though.  Even if I hate it.  I keep putting this one off... 

4.  Learn how to paddle board.  I have a lot of anxiety about being in water that I can't see the bottom of.  I feel pretty good about being on top of it though.  Since I am moving to the beach, it seems like a good time to give it a try.  Plus I hear it's a great workout.  I haven't gone yet, but I'm planning to, I'd even like to try Yoga on a paddle board.

5.  Again since I will be near the beach, I think it is time I actually learn how to ride a bike.  Then I will have a reason to get a really cute yellow beach cruiser!  So far its a fail.  No attempt made.

6.  I really want to do an urban race or one of those obstacle course races.  Who's in?  Meh.

7. Make something old new again.  And by that I mean some kind of Pinterest project to redo an old piece of furniture.  Considering I sold off all of my furniture, this seems like a very likely necessary item to check off the list soon. Meh

8.  Go to LA to the new Sprinkles Ice Cream shop. (and explore.  I haven't been to LA since I was 13.)  Trying to lose 50 pounds has held this trip off.

9.  Go to Vegas for Meagan's bachelorette party.  I. Can't. Wait.  Boom- killed it!

10.  Get comfortable in my new job.  I expect that to take a solid 6-12 months.  It's a big step, but a step that feels right. (It's one of the things that actually makes me feel 27.) Done and done.  Love my job!

11.  Go see the Bethenny Show live.  I would settle for Ellen too.  Hmmm, no progress.

12. Spend a day at Disneyland with a kid- specifically my little brother.  Don't read this Colton, you'll spoil your birthday/Christmas present! Summa Summa Summa Time!!!

13. Reach 500 followers on my blog.  I love interacting with all of you.  Holy Guacamole, I made it in under 6 months. I love my blog family so much.  It is truly humbling that any of you give a damn about what I write!

14.  Give up soda.  Seriously this time.  Good thing I have a year to do it.  Yeah... No progress.  Absolutely none!

15. Join a team.  A kickball team, softball team- whatever.  I love playing on a team. Oh yeah, I kinda forgot this was on the list!

16. Pay off  a good majority of debt and cut up all but one of my store credit cards.  If you are wondering, the lucky card that won't get the ax is my Macy's card.  Solidify and stick to a budget so that someday I will be able to buy a home, go on vacations and eventually retire.  Workin on it.

Man coming up with 27 things is kind of hard.  

17.  Visit a state I haven't been to.  Is it cheating if I already did that when I went to Virginia last week? Totally counts!

18. Take a vacation with the boyfriend.  We've always visited people.  I'd like us to do something together, just us!  No boyfriend... err things just got awkward.

19.  Buy a DSLR camera.  Savings plan in action!  Hoping for a miracle...

20.  Go on a cruise with all my girlfriends.  Who doesn't want to do that every year! Ummm, maybe in the fall?

21.  Make a definitive decision about Grad school.  Should I even get my masters? What program should I do?  When should I start?  What do I want to be when I grow up?  Nope.  Not going. Decision made.

22.  Start working on a book.  I have some awesome ideas, it's really more about setting aside the time to get it going.  Six more months to figure this one out.

23.  Find a permanent place to live, preferably near the beach.  I'd say less than 2 miles isn't bad.

24.  Embrace being comfortable with who I am.  I have made a major dent on this one.  

25.  This might sound weird, but increase my water intake.  I think that will happen naturally when I stop drinking soda.  I'm constantly dehydrated.  Well I have been working out a lot more, so it kind of happened naturally.  

26.  Get organized.  I have a tendency to be a little messy if everything doesn't have a home.  When I take the time to give things a home, things never get messy.  Lets just call this "in progress".

27.  Really appreciate and enjoy this next year.  It's definitely starting a new chapter and I don't want to miss a single opportunity.  Totally on track with this one!

Whew, that was way harder than it looks!  What are you going to do this year?  Have you made progress on your list?  Give me the deets!

7 Style Etiquette Rules For Female Wedding Guests

I am so excited to introduce you all to Bethann of Bethanimalprint.  I met Bethann almost a decade ago during our first week of college.  Not only is BA hilarious, but she is style savvy too! When she started her own style and lifestyle blog, I knew I had to have her share with you all!  Go follow her and read all about her fabulous style, adorable little girl, healthy living and fantastic career!  (She just got back from NY Fashion week, go ahead, be jealous!)

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Planning a wedding is no easy task. For the better part of a year, brides obsessively tend to menial tasks like booking travel for third cousins, picking out in-season organically grown flowers and silently weeping over seating arrangements.

While she puts too much thought into wondering if it is too soon to sit old flames on the same side of the room, you need to start thinking about what you will wear. Your outfit can pay your respects or silently communicate that you are a selfish heathen that should never leave her cage. If you prefer pay tribute like a lady use these helpful rules on wedding guest style etiquette:

1. Do review the wedding invitation for guidelines as to how formal the affair is. While it is obvious you should never attend a wedding in a crop top, you wouldn't want to be at a black tie affair in a sundress. Ask someone close to the bride if there are is no indication of dress code in the invitation.

2. Do not be too trendy. The couple is likely to keep these pictures forever. You don't want to be tortured by your past anymore than you are already going to be because of the denim skirt era you had in college.
3. Do not show guests how loose your morals are with your clingy clothing. Single men at weddings are going to pay attention to you even if your toned abs are not glaringly obvious from 25 yards away. A better way to get his attention is to offer to get him a drink. 
4. Do not wear white. Every time you see a white dress you like, buy it. Wear that thing to YOUR engagement party, engagement photo shoot, bachelorette party, bridal shower. Yes, these are all cliches and I am not actually recommending you participate. Luckily, the light spectrum invented colors like emerald and blue that look good on every tramp out there. Double lucky, merchandise in these hues will slap you in the face (in a good way) before you can even park at the mall.
5. Do wear lipstick. Lipstick allows you to distinguish which glass of wine is yours, can make your teeth look whiter if selected properly and you to get away with less eye makeup. 
6. Do not pile on the eye makeup. You will cry and then look like an idiot with mascara running down your face.
7. If you not masochistic enough to dance for hours in high-heels, do bring a sophisticated pair of flats to change into. NOT Flip-flops which are kind of gross and will definitely make your well-planned ensemble look cheap. Black ballet flats are a great staple to have.

                   

Wow, you made it to the end! Thank you for the hospitality Oh Wells Instead readers! You can find more of me, my personal style, recipes and tips on my blog, bethanimalprint.

Surviving Wedding Season

Welp, I'm off to AZ again, but this time I am having a whirlwind wedding weekend!  Remember these two and their story?

Well the wedding is finally here and I couldn't be more excited!  I'll see you all on the other side of this holiday weekend!  In the meantime, my girl Chrissy is here to entertain you! Leave her some love!

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Hello Oh Wells Instead readers! I'm Chrissy and I hang out over at Let me see you Sparkle. Where we don't believe that cupcakes have calories and we say please and thank you.

 I am tickled to be here and when Miss Ashley called out for a guest poster on twitter I jumped all over that. She is adorable dontcha think?!

Anywhoo she is off having a blast blast at a wedding and it got me thinking, I have 5 weddings on the books this year! 5 of my friends have decided to tie to knot making me have to buy new outfits, wedding gifts, force my Mr. to dress up, and sit thru 5 uhh...touching? declarations of love. So as we embark on wedding season I would like to take the liberty of sharing some tips for surviving wedding season!

Dress to impress!
Go out and get yourself a hot little number to wear! Please do not get trashtastic and look a mess at the wedding but glam yourself up a bit! After all, don't all girls like to get dressed up?
Here are a few suggestions from my "Carrie Bradshaw Status" board on Pinterest



Give killer presents!
If you are happy about what you are giving you will be more happy to do it.. Who wants to give a blender. That's boring. Choose something you would love to have off of their registry or get a little nontraditional and give something unique that the Mr. & Mrs. will use. Like Pre-planned ; pre-paid date nights or a little housewarming gift basket!


Make sure your +1 rocks your socks! 
If your date is boring you will not have a good time. Period. One of the best weddings I have ever been to was with one of my besties.


Bust out some killer dance moves! 

On second thought... Save the ones pictured above for the club and just sit and eat cake instead.

I hope this helps for those of you that will be tackling wedding season with me! Thanks again to Ashley for having me and I hope you all stop by and say hi!

Valentines Day- A History

I revived this post from the early days of my blogging- a year ago, when I wasn't really committed to this baby.  I think this is an oldie but goodie about good ole V-day!

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Alright, it’s Valentines Day and you either love it or hate it. I find very few people are indifferent to it. For a self-proclaimed lover of love, I have traditionally fallen into the “hate it” category. As I have gotten older, I have grown to appreciate the history, but still dislike the way the holiday has been commercialized as a day that allows you to apologize for what a jerk you have been the rest of the year. I thought on this day of love, or lack of it, I would give you a brief history.

Valentine’s Day is a mish-mash of traditions and beliefs. Lets start with the date. It falls on February 14th every year because that is the day that Saint Valentine was executed for performing marriages. Strange that a priest got in trouble for doing one of his normal deeds, right? The story goes a little deeper.

In 2nd Century A.D. when Christians were persecuted by the Roman government, Christian marriages and other ceremonies were a big no-no. During that time Claudius II was building a Roman army. He thought that married men would make for distracted soldiers, with their minds back at home with their families and wives. Thus, he forbid young men to marry. Interesting logic right? Sounds like a recipe for rebellion to me! Death was the punishment for any priest that performed the rite of marriage.

This didn’t sit well with Valentine. He believed that to be in love and to be married was to be closer to God. He was a martyr for love! He was caught performing a marriage ceremony and after going to prison he was beheaded. Talk about a rough punishment! This story reminds me a little of the struggle for love and marriage we see today. I won’t go into my political beliefs about marriage rights, but lets just say I think if you want to devote your life and love to another person, I applaud you and believe you have as much right as I to do so.

A few more Valentines Day traditions tie into Saint Valentine. It is said he would give children flowers from his garden. He also signed a message just prior to his execution, “from your Valentine”. I also hear the hearts come from his heart being displayed on the town square or something… Gross? Centuries later, the 1600's ushered in the tradition of giving gifts to your love on Valentine’s Day. Most people gave flowers, but the wealthy surprised their loves with jewelry. Apparently giving a young woman a pair of gloves on Valentines was equal to a marriage proposal…those better be some nice gloves.

As literacy became more common, written Valentines cards and notes became popular and in the 1700's card makers started the commercialization of the holiday with mass-produced Valentines cards. Hello Hallmark!

So today, we woman expect (even if we say we don’t want anything) flowers, chocolates, jewelry or all of the above to celebrate the execution of a lover of love. For years I pretended like I hated Valentines Day, when really what I hated was the missed expectations. Today I try to give myself, and the man in my life, a break. Valentines Day and I have spent too many years on bad terms. This year, I’m going to appreciate the history, the sentiment and the love. Ladies, give your guys a break. Gentleman, don’t let us down. Good Luck!

Happy Valentines Day!

What? You ate a whole wheel of cheese? I'm not even mad!

If you really knew me, you'd know I think talking animals are ridiculously funny.  Like crying I'm laughing so hard funny.

Imagine my delight when a friend sent these little gems my way!  The last two are my favorite!
Bahahaha!  If animals could talk, I bet this is exactly what they would say!

You're welcome!