DESERT CHILD

Top: TJ Maxx // Shorts: Big Star // Sandals: Target // Sunglasses: Ross // Lips: MAC "Ravishing" //

 

You guessed it--one of my outfits from Vegas. Obviously it was pretty hot when we were down there, but definitely not as hot as I'd thought it'd be, so this loose, flowy top was perfect for a day in the desert. I was definitely feeling right in my element in the desert, but then I came home.

 

Yesterday was rough--just coming back from vacation, going back to work & drinking way more coffee than I'm willing to admit... but to top off an exhausting day, I was forced to come face to face (literally and figuratively) with a part of my past that I've been trying so hard to put behind me. I felt a pit in my stomach, a lump in my throat, and an ache in my chest. All the feelings I once felt came flooding back like I was right in that moment again. I knew this moment would one day come, but I didn't feel like I was prepared for it quite yet. I guess that's how life works, I suppose. I didn't know what I would do when the moment finally came. But just like that, it came and went, and I moved on with my day. Now there's only up from here.  

FISHTAIL UPDO TUTORIAL

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I'm back from my vacation and the feeling is oh-so bittersweet. I love being home with my puppy, but I miss my family and wish I was back on vacation! Getting back to reality SUCKS. Anyway, I'm back with a fun tutorial for you all today! I got tons of compliments on this fishtail updo look so I thought I'd share. It's super easy, just follow the steps below!

 

1. Brush through hair, making sure there are no tangles. I also like to use dry shampoo all over to give the braids a little more volume.

 

2. Start by braiding your thicker side with a fishtail braid, then loosen up the braid to make it look thicker, then secure with an elastic.

 

3. On the other side, start by doing just a regular 3-strand braid. Loosen up the sides on that one as well, then secure with an elastic.

 

4. Take the rest of your hair and put it in a ponytail in the back of your head. Then just start teasing! I teased mine A LOT just so the bun had lots of volume and stayed in place really well. Then just wrap hair around forming a bun.

 

5. Start wrapping the braids around the bun. There is no rhyme or reason to this, but I started with my regular braid first, so I would have my fishtail braid on top, but feel free to do whatever you would like here!

 

6. Make sure the braids are secure and the hair elastics are hidden, then hairspray that sucker down! You don't want your adorable hairstyle goin' anywhere. And of course, take pics of your awesome braided updo! These types of things need to be documented. ;)

 

Hope you all have an awesome day! Thank you so much for reading!

LIFE LATELY

^^ A fun braid I tried out, tutorial to come!

^^ Soaking up every last bit of summer

^^ My baby.

^^ A simple fishtail

^^ Walking through the Ogden Temple with my hubby!

^^ Cuddles with my baby.

^^ Mementos from my hubby's birthday.

 

Hi guys! Just thought I'd pop in and share some pics lately via Instagram (@thejodybeth)! I'm going on a little vacay tomorrow so I will be back next week with more posts, including a tutorial for that awesome braided updo! Hope you all are having a wonderful week and have an even better weekend!

PLAIN WHITE TEE

Tee: ASOS // Jeans: PacSun // Shoes: Just Fab // Bag: Windsor // Hat: ASOS // Sunglasses: Karen Walker "Super Duper" // Lips: MAC "Rebel" //

 

Hello, hello! Happy Friday! I'm so stoked for the weekend to be here, this week has been a little exhausting. I'm just excited to spend some time relaxing with my husband. Today, we're actually going to the Ogden LDS Temple open house with my husband's family, and although we're not LDS, I'm excited to see it! Anyway, I wore this outfit last night for a quick dinner/shopping date with my hubby. This time, it was him doing the shopping! [pause for reaction] He really needed some new dress clothes, and apparently it's harder than it sounds. I guess now I know how he feels when he comes shopping with me, haha. Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! See you here on Monday! 

SLC HIT & RUN 5K

 

 

I kind of HAD to include some action shots, right?! (Haha, even if they aren't the most flattering!) I'm sure Jessi can agree. ;) Last week, Jessi asked me if I could run this Hit and Run 5K with her on Saturday. I had never heard of it before, but after looking it up, I knew I totally wanted in! I'm so glad I did because, you guys, it was such a blast. I have to admit, those obstacles look much easier than they actually are. Haha, we definitely struggled a little bit, but it was looooads of fun. I think my abs hurt the most, just from laughing so much. Plus, I got to catch up with my bestie, so that's good enough for me!

 

That same day, we just stayed in Salt Lake and went to Craft Lake City. Man, so many talented people all in one place! I got so many cute things (mostly prints!) that I'm stoked about. I'm already looking forward to next year! Then that night, we ended with dinner downtown and chatted all night long. The best thing that blogging has brought me are the friendships I've made, especially with Jessi. She has easily become one of my best friends, and I feel like I can talk to her about anything. Love her to pieces! It was a fun weekend, indeed. Hope y'all have a happy Hump Day!

I FEEL LIKE A HERO, AND YOU ARE MY HEROINE

Top: Forever 21 (thrifted, similar here) // Jeans: Old Navy (loving this similar pair) // Shoes: Old Navy // Bag: Windsor // Necklace: c/o Urban Lilac Boutique // Sunnies: Amazon // Lips: MAC "Heroine" //

 

Is it just me or does everyone else thing of drugs when you hear the word 'heroine'? When I first saw this lipstick color, it was sort of love at first site. The color was just what I was looking for--something crazy and fun. Then the guy at the MAC counter said it was called "Heroine" because it's the female version of a hero--then I was sold. I am my own hero. I am the only one that can save myself. So, there ya go. A story of buying a lipstick can also equal a life lesson, right? Right.

EASY & CASUAL

Dress: Mystree (old) // Chambray: TJ Maxx // Wedges: Target (old) // Sunglasses: Gap // Hat: Target // Necklace: Craft Lake City (can't remember the name of the vendor!) // Lips: MAC "Lady Danger" //

 

I just cannot even tell you guys how sad I am that this weekend is over. I had the best weekend I've had in a while! My husband has the week off work and yesterday was the first Sunday I've got to spend with him in FOREVER. Seriously. I loved every second. Plus, he did a little project for me that I'm so excited to show you guys! He did an awesome job, so I'll be sure to post pics. On Saturday, we spent the day doing the Hit & Run 5k (just like the show Wipeout in real life!) with my bestie Jessi, and then strolled around Craft Lake City (local craft/diy fair, so much fun!) for a few ours and got some pretty things. I'll be sure to post pics from the race too, they're just too hilarious! That night, we went to dinner with Jessi and her hubby, and just talked for hours. I feel like it's hard to find people you can connect with like that, so I just feel so lucky to have such amazing friends like them. Anyway, hope you all had a beautiful weekend! Have a wonderful Monday.  

LADY DANGER

Dress: H&M (old, similar here) // Shoes: Old Navy (similar here) // Denim Jacket: MEK (old, loving this one) // Bag: Kate Spade (no longer available, similar here) // Hat: Lids // Sunglasses: TJ Maxx (old) // Lips: MAC "Lady Danger"

 

Sometimes, you just gotta base your whole outfit off of a lip color. An incredible lip color, at best. I got this red-orange lip color not too long ago, and haven't worn it as often as I thought I would (I mea, I have a lot of lip colors!) but this particular day, I was determined to wear it no matter what. So I put it on first, then picked out my outfit. It was perfect because, conveniently, I have a red-orange dress that matches perfectly. I gave myself a pat on the back that day. Have a wonderful Friday, y'all!