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Friday, October 26, 2012

Me? Photographer...??




Oh boy! It has been quite the month! First. Congratulations to my FAVORITE couple! My best friend is engaged guys! {The whole purpose of this post!} Ive known her since 3rd grade! Its so weird! But Im incredibly happy for her and her fiancée, who Ive know for even longer! So that being said guess who got to take their engagements!? Yeah, apparently Im a photographer?? I guess this didnt come out of nowhere; Ive always had an eye for photography but Ive never put myself out there for it! Until recently, and Im not going to lie Im kind of impressed with myself!

I had so much fun with these two! Not like I wasnt already, but I totally fell in love with them! For the first session we went to an old junkyard, this place is definitely my favorite! So many neat old things! And lots of things to work with. My cousins boyfriend proudly let us use his 62 Chevy. And boy did it make the pictures! It looked fantastic!

Ok nuf said! Here they are!! 






Then for our second session we went to Coon's Bluff and got some beautiful shots! It was so pretty out there!


{Perfect timing to show the real side of this goofball!}








Then while we were driving home, I noticed the sun was perfect for some gorgeous shots, despite their complaining we pulled over and got some fantastic shots!



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I've Gained More Than I've Lost


I have so many thoughts in my head right now and I need to get them out. This is serious talk right now guys. I know this blog is solely dedicated to crafts and pinteresting things... but right now I think it’s just what I need. I'm ready to share my deep deep thoughts, I'm laying everything on the table. I'm not ashamed of my past anymore, I embrace it because it has made me who I am. 


I don’t know who will even read this... but I want to tell my story. 

Breakup. I hate this word Break up. But it makes sense because that’s what happens your life literally gets broken up into tiny pieces and you have to mosey on around and collect these pieces, on top of being dramatically depressed. Oh and I forgot to mention you can’t put the pieces back in their original place... nope that would just be too easy. You have to create something totally new. And this is a story on how I did so.

I remember driving away from his house, sobbing, I had to pull over because I couldn’t see the road through my tears. I drove to my parent’s house I couldn’t bear going home to an empty apartment and honestly I wanted my mom. My baby brother stayed up with me until I fell asleep, made me laugh like he never fails to do. It was a rough night, but that was it. Basically I was sad for a day, then I retired the “I give up because I have a boyfriend” basketball shorts and was running out the door all dolled up ready for a new life and new experiences! Maybe you could say it was a cry for help but looking back I can honestly say I was legitimately happy. He didn’t break my heart, we left on good terms, it was a mutual thing to go our separate ways because the timing for us just wasn’t right and we had to be real. Now I’m not saying getting over the first love of my life was easy, I’m just telling you that for about a month or so I was on a high of freedom and feeling good about my decision to finally separate from him. 
          I hadn't been single in a long time; suddenly every guy that I hadn't given a second thought was a primary candidate for my future husband. I felt like I was able to be myself again. I felt like I turned into this reserved person while dating him. When he wasn’t with me I kept to myself, never tried to make new friends because I didn’t care. But soon after the break up I was back to the real me: outgoing, flirty, and independent. I did what I wanted without having to report my every move to someone, which felt so very good! At this point being single was definitely the best thing that had ever happened to me. And I wholeheartedly felt that way, I wasn't trying to convince myself that I was better off without him; I honestly knew that I was. He was on my mind every so often but they were always more worried motherly thoughts like “I hope he is okay” and “I wonder how he is handling everything.”

Then things started to get real. Being single and loving it got old, fast. I started to miss him. My old life revolved around this guy, he was my life. For me, the hardest thing to get over was that one second you have this person in your life who is your best friend, the person you go to for everything, the one who effects your every decision then just like that they’re gone, you cant think about them, you cant talk to them, and you definitely can’t see them. Yeah, I knew I did the right thing and I was excited to scout out new men all day, but I had to start my life over, and that was the hardest part. I lost a lot of friends due to us going different directions. Plus, I realized I had to grow up and hanging out with high school kids a year after I graduated just wasn’t normal.

I was confident that I would have a new man soon after the breakup But I could see that it obviously wasn't going as planned. My life was going downhill and it was going down fast. I turned into one of those people that say: “If I had this in my life I would be happy.” I felt sorry for myself way too much, and I was so miserable. I went through a period where I completely lost all hope and motivation. But after going through hands down the hardest months of my life things started to get better.
I think the turning point was when I finally gained acceptance. I accepted that it isn't the end of the world if I’m single. I accepted that change is good, and most importantly, I accepted that I deserve to be happy. I started doing the things I knew I should be doing, and I found tremendous happiness in that. I started to become more involved in church, I went to the activities without my mom behind me constantly nagging me about it, I went because I wanted to.  The scriptures became the highlight of my day. I saw them like I never had before; I gained an incredible love for them. I surrounded myself with positive and uplifting things and exciting people. I started to love trying new things! I didn't want to be that person that sits at home alone all the time, and more importantly I didn’t want any regrets. I started doing things for me! If I wanted it I went for it! I seriously gained the biggest daredevil streak, and I loved it! I vowed to always say yes to spontaneous adventures and crazy, even dangerous, things! And it really changed my life for the better. Filling my life with fun things every night helped me get my mind off him, and before I knew it I stopped thinking about him completely.

It has been four months and I have learned so much. I have had my highs and my lowest lows. I have totally redone my life. I look back and I don't regret a single day, I've gained more than I've lost and I think that is the most important part. Life is so good, I love where I am right now and that is where I find true happiness: loving what I have at the moment. I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father through it all, not one second did I question him or feel completely alone. I have found the true meaning of being blessed for following the prompting of the Lord. Since the day we broke up blessing have been pouring out all around me, even when I felt I didn’t deserve them. I’m so grateful to be able to recognize them in my life.
Becoming newly single after being in a relationship for so long is definitely a big shock. It is like waking up and not knowing where you are, everything looks unfamiliar and scary, but if you give it time and turn the lights on you will realize that you’re going to be just fine.  The world looks different when you don't have that special someone. But sometimes if you let it, different can be beautiful.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Follow Me!

Follow me on pinterest!
Follow me on instagram!
{{kelseykels25}}

All Me

Hey happy readers! My name is Kelsey Stradling, i am from mesa, az, I'm 19 years old... and I'm a pinterest addict.
I eat, sleep, and breath my pinterest app! {I've got a serious addiction} but its okay! Because I've learned and gained so much from it! I love to sharing my secrets and successes! And i love. to. talk!
{My wonderful mother who i thank for my creativity, and my two sisters}

Along with making things and decorating my very first apartment {which might i add is going very nicely} I love being in the kitchen! finding and trying new recipes is one of my favorites!

 {my T-shirt Rug!}
i've have thee greatest family! they are more than i could ever ask for!


I'm a super busy college student, but i truly have a zest for life! and i always find time for the things i love!
{My three best friends who have been there from the start, literally, we have been at each other's side since elementary school! Would be lost without them}
thanks so much for reading! it really means the world! I hope i can help you in some way!





Friday, September 14, 2012

Breakfast For a Champion... AKA.. Me!


Raise your hand if you are either A) a lazy bum and hate making breakfast in the morning. Or B) a freaking superstar and don't have time for breakfast. Yeah I just raised my hand twice. If you didn't... Then... GET OUT! But if you did... I'm gonna change your pretty little lives with my little friend... The Oatmeal Casserole.

{Nom. nom. nom.}
 
 
Baked oatmeal casserole
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnut pieces {I used Almonds!}
1 cup raspberries {any berries work!}

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2 cups milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch
slices
{for all you non-glutaniers This recipe can EASILY be made gluten-free! Just use gluten-free oats!}
 
Preheat oven to 375°F and spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. {Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal}
{In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.}
Add the oat mixture first.
Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. add the bananas to the top, thennn...


 
smoother all that junk with the milk mixture!

 
Shake the pan up so that everything blends well
{It's blurry because I was shaking it...? just kidding! It's blurry because I suck.}
 
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nice and golden, and the milk mixture has set. {for extra goodness, sprinkle some brown sugar on top!}
 
Now I have breakfast for days!
{one Point for the busy college student!}
 
Baby girl always thinks she plays such a big role in my creations...
 
So that’s that! It’s pretty healthy too! it was also a big hit with my roommates! Which is always my favorite!

 

Friday, August 31, 2012

It's a Clean Freak Thing


and When I say clean freak... I don't mean myself. Well I am a clean freak.. Like crazy OCD everything has to be organized and perfect.. But when it comes to eating dirty fruit.. I could care less.. Eating dirt is good for you right?? Makes you stronger? Boost your immune system? Well that's my theory! {I'm seriously going to be the best mom ever...} But... If you are a germophobe.. {again, not me at all!} I have a little somethin somethin that I think you just might like!

But first I need paint a little picture for ya'll... I’m sitting in a McDonald's, brother is sitting across from me watching endless Netflix movies involving dinosaurs.. Don’t ask. on my phone which is about to die.. in Payson. I’m SUPPOSED to be at my aunt and uncle's ranch in snowflake buuut someone’s car decided it had enough 30 minuets out of Payson. So I’m here with my daddy's laptop blogging. at a McDonald’s. While my superman of a Dad is fixing the car. Huhhh... Did i mention I’ve been here for like 3 hours!? Yeah well it’s true. But making the best of it! And yeah that means venting to you people who actually read this. Anyways.. Keep scrolling and you’ll get what you need..


 

Produce Soak!!
{Yayyy for clean fruit and vegetables!}
 
Ok so I saw this on Pinterest {obvious} And I was like.. Yeah I kinda wanna do this... becauseeee this lady was all like.. the water was brown when i was done soaking my fruit. and I was like okok lady... that is NOT even true! Brown?! Seriously!?? So I wanted to prove that she was totally exaggerating like a crazy! But guess what!? When I got done... the water definitely had a brown tint. No jokes! Plus there was a billion little floaties! So if you don’t wash your fruit... you’re eating that! {Don’t worry I used to be that person eating all that, it happens..}


 
Fill your sink with water and add a cup of vinegar. Add your fruit and soak for 10 minutes then just rinse your fruit real good and that’s basically it! Another fun fact this will help preserve your berries! Mine last way longer when i do this!

 
 

Fruit is my favorite! Especially when it’s easy to access for a little snack!

 
{Oh and heads up, don't soak peaches I think it makes them squishy, but I'm not 100% sure if it was just a bad batch or if it was the soak}