so thrilling

here we are yet again...monday. i have such a busy week ahead....school, projects, student teaching, ellen taping, maroon 5....so this week is going to be crazy, but im excited!


I had a very low key weekend, like most weekends. i like it that way.

We had beautiful weather this week...it was still a little breezy but the skys were blue. The entire gang wanted to go outside & play....& by the entire gang I mean 4 cats & 2 dogs.


The BF & I were having a lazy sunday watching the Laker game when a Chilis commercial came on, displaying all their yummy food...my mouth was watering so we decided to take the drive to Chili's since we hadn't been in forever....since I live by the beach we have to drive inland to the nearest Chili's which can be frustrating, but was so worth it in the end.


The BF got sliders with onion strings which I stole & I got bacon, ranch steak quesadillas...which was what I saw on the commercial & was just as amazing in person....& ended the night watching SNL with Justin Timberlake & Anchor Man. What did you do this weekend?


so im not a mom...yet that is...but I def have my fair share of crazy babysitting days where I feel like a mom...& by the end of the day I am a complete mess, so it always amazes me when I see certain mommy bloggers who still manage to keep it together and look amazing....& speaking of fashion savvy moms today I have a girl who doesn't even look like she's a mom, she's so youthful.  I put together some of my favorite looks of hers  -

I love her classic style & would wear every outfit she puts together. She always looks flawless. She is a new mommy with the cutest little family, but she still manges to upkeep her fabulous blog...PLUS today she's here to give you some of her BEST blogging advice. So without further ado meet ----

Hey there Messy People! I'm Sarah, the writer behind the blog Frills for Thrills where I document things that happen/don't happen to me along with my daily outfits.

 I have a cute baby and a handsome husband that sometimes make an appearance, but other than that you can expect to see pictures of me in my outfits talking about real stuff. Frills for Thrills is my only form of memory-keeping, so my content generally represents a filtered diary-- I don't share everything but I most certainly keep things real. I love blogging because, most days, it is my only form of social interaction as a stay-at-home-mom. The past few months, I've been able to pour more into my blog and have learned a few things along the way. My top three pieces of advice for a blogger are:

Be Original: When I visit your blog I want to know who you are, not who you are trying to be. Please write about what you love, not what you think other people want to read about. 

Be Nice: View other bloggers as teammates and not as competition. Believe it or not, the internet is big enough for all of us! Don't use your blog to bash people (directly or indirectly) and always be positive when leaving someone a comment. 

Be Genuine: Similar to being original, it is important to be real. I understand that some bloggers like to "keep things positive" rather than share when they're going through a hard time, but I have found that blogging through rough seasons is not only therapeutic for me, but my readers tend to connect more when I admit that life isn't as perfect as the internet makes it seem. 

To learn more about me, come visit my blog. I'd love to meet you!

Isn't she so cute? Great blogger advice too....so today because she's aaamazing Sarah is giving away a $20 to Target!!! Which is perfect because if you haven't been to Target lately they have all their spring stuff out in such beautiful bright colors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

help Kelly of Sparkles & Shoes Celebrate 1,000 followers HERE

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out of control

first - thank you to everyone who wrote me such sweet comments regarding my 'drunk girls' story...I will be responding to every single one of you...its really means a lot that you all took the time to read my story & leave such inspiring comments.....i'm just feeling a little crazy with life right now...so bare with me

BUT a huge THANK YOU so much to everyone who participated in FFF Thrift Shop Edition! How awesome was our Thrift Edition of Fearless Fashion Fridays?!?! We (Janna, Kelly & Lindsey) loved seeing what you came up with and we loved that we had so many voters!

So drumroll please …..

The Winners

1st Place: Melis from Mila Rose Designs

Melis won a Mini Nail Kit and Three Nail Polishes from Kelly

2nd Place: Sam from The Style House

Sam won a Vintage-Feel Necklace from Lindsey

3rd Place: Whitney from Everything Happens for a Reason

Whitney won a Tara Lane Bracelet from Janna

Our Thank You for Voting Winner: Deborah R.

Deborah won a $20 Starbucks Gift Card – Janna will contact you!

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Special Update:

Fearless Fashion Fridays will be put on hold until June.

We have been incredibly busy and we are sure you are too! We bloggers tend to take on the world! We just wanted to let you know that we are taking a quick break from the link-up so we can take care of school and work. But don’t worry we will be back!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

im so burnt out from everything i can't even think right now....tgif lovers

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going back to highschool

so i love to love...who doesn't right? Erin at Living in Yellow had the idea of having a 'blogger crush' day where we gush about our favorite bloggers, but then I saw Christina at My Life, Laughs & Love gave the linkup a little twist which reminded me of what you would see in high school yearbooks....so im going to keep it going --- so erin's linkup with a twist

Blogger Superlatives 

Most Creative: Christina at My Life, Laughs & Love - check out this post & you'll see why ---> MINI project

Most Badass: Raven at Don't Quote the Raven....need I say more?

Most Real: Amber at My Three Bittles & Michael at Crazy, Magic..Almost Tragic

Most Likely to be Embracing the Mess: Sarah at Hot Mess Mommie...i think her blog name covers it.

Blogger Twin: Jessica at Jessica Who?....i don't know what I would do without this girl....we just get eachother.

Blogger Crush: Kristen at Whiskey Tango Fox...plus she's a fabulous blog designer

Coolest Mom: Shanna at Because Shanna Says So & Kristine at The Foley Fam...they don't even look like moms, they're so youthful

Coolest Life: Michelle at Mish Lovin' Life....her & her bf sold everything, quit their jobs & started traveling the world....um can you say jealous?

Biggest Obsession: Janna at Perception is Everything....i can't express enough about how much i adore this girl...her outlook on life, her positive attitude, she is just beautiful inside and out...& i have enjoyed this blogging journey so much because of her....i don't think I could've made it through this past year without her...i love you janna & cannot wait until we meet in real life!!!

Makes Me LOL: Tab at My Cliffnotes & Taylor at The Daily Tay...no matter what these girls always leave me laughing out loud

Best Shopping Buddies: Melis at Melia Rose Designs, Kelly at Sparkles & Shoes, & Niki at Glossy Blonde...love their style & I know we would have an aaamazing time shopping together

Best Hair Obsession: Aunie at Aunie Sauce...i have never come across another girl who loves their hair as much as I do...its a special bond...plus she has gorgeous hair & FABULOUS hair tutorials.

Best Animal Blog: Nikki at The Pink Growl....have you met Tilly?

Best Fitness Blog: Jenna at Fitness & the City...have you seen her body?!

Best Blogger All Around: Holly at Hey, Hollywood....she's a great person, blogger & friend.






& one more thing...I was ify about doing this linkup because I didn't want to leave anyone out or feel like i was being exclusive...i never want anyone to feel left out so please know that everyone I have 'met' through blogging you have touched me in some way or another...& everybody I haven't 'met' yet..i can't wait!





I have so much love for anyone who blogs because blogging isn't easy & we all go through a lot of hard work to make our blog what is it....nobody's dedication is ever overlooked and I commend everyone for putting themselves out there for the world to see.

love to love to love ya 

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& if you haven't yet...i wrote my honest & open blog post to date so check it out HERE

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tattletale

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During my blog birthday celebration i asked what you wanted to see more of - you said more of #TheMessyProject - CHECK & more about ME. 

So as some of you already know I don't take any shit. I have very thick skin & I stand up for what I believe in. I don't follow the crowd & I am proud of it. But I wasn't always that way.


I believe there is always something in your life that happens that is a turning point.....from that point on everything will be different.



So let's start at the beginning -- here is how the Kelly that is now, came to be......

Middle school is where it all begins.

It is the start of new friends, classes for each subject, locker rooms, school dances, makeup, first kisses and alcohol. However, I was not let in on the popularity of alcohol when I started middle school for the first time. 

I had just moved to a new town and was about to start the sixth grade at a public school. Public school was not something I was used to since I was coming from a Catholic school. I was very upset to leave all my friends behind but also very excited to start a new school where free dress was everyday.

Little did I know what lied ahead of my first year. I was definitely not prepared for what was going to happen once I started attending my new school. 

After about a few weeks of school I was starting to get the hang of things. I had made a few friends, but I was still pretty new to everyone else. One day at lunch, a couple girls who I had become friends with and I went to the bathroom to touch up on our makeup and basically gossip. 

While in the bathroom laughing with my friends I started to hear very loud sounds coming from the large bathroom stall. I looked at my two friends Sarah and Danielle and they heard it too. There was loud laughing and banging coming from the stall. It was obvious to us there was more than one girl in the stall and that something bad was going on.

The warning bell rang signaling ten minutes left of lunch. We were just finishing up in the bathroom when the loud stall door flew open and three girls, who were in the grade above us, walked out of the stall. All three girls were dressed in very low cut tops and baggy pants. They had a lot of black eye liner on making it impossible to even see their eyes. They were all laughing and holding on to each other because they did not want to fall over. They seemed suspicious, so after they left the bathroom Sarah, Danielle and I walked into that large stall and in the toilet were flasks of vodka. 

I was shocked that seventh graders were already drinking and none the less during school. It was something I was not use too and was taught was very bad. Being the nice little Catholic school girl that I was, I suggested we go to the principles office and let her know what was happening on school grounds. 

Sarah and Danielle agreed and we headed arm and arm to the principal’s office. When we got to the principals office we each started explaining what we saw in the girls’ bathroom. Unfortunately, since the girls were in a grade above us we did not know their names or any information about them and the only information we could give was what they looked like. Then we gave the principal our names and she told us she would let us know if she needed any more information from us. The principal thanked us for bringing this incident to her attention and we were sent back to our classes’. 

While sitting in my class daydreaming, the class phone rang and I knew it had something to do with the incident at lunch. After my teacher hung up the phone she announced in front of the whole class that I needed to go see the principal. 

I knew exactly what it was concerning. 

As I walked into the principals office I noticed my two other friends were not there. The principal informed me she wanted to speak with us separately. The principal explained to me that she and a few other faculty members put together a list of who they thought these three drunken girls might be. She then asked me to look at each picture and pick out which ones I suspected. Once I saw the pictures given to me it was easy to point out exactly who was drinking in the bathroom. 

After I pointed them all out I was sent back to class. The principal then took action right away and called the girls out of class. Later, I found out that my other two friends were not called in, but I did not think to far in to it.  

As I was walking back to my class I passed one of the girls who I had just pointed out to the principal. She gave me a stern look as I walked by but I did not think much of it because I assumed they would protect my name.

By the next day of school everyone knew, and when I say everyone I literally mean the entire school. 

Here's the best part though; my name was the only one that got out as the girl who told on these girls. Figures right?

Since I was new to the school I did not know these three girls who got suspended were popular and pretty much favored by everyone.

When I arrived at school that next day it was very clear that I was hated and now known as a tattletale. Even worse my two other friends acted like they had no idea what had happened, who I was and they never came clean to anyone that they also “tattled”.

At first I was ok, I figured that it would blow over by lunch and something more interesting would have happened, but I was wrong.


so wrong.



I was the talk of everyone.



To make matters worse a lot of people started ganging up & bullying me.

I was called names during lunch and received threat letters in my backpack that said I would be beaten up for this and to make sure I keep all my doors and windows locked because they were coming after me. I was all alone and I was scared.

I called my mom right away and I left school early because I could not handle all the threats and name calling. When my mom heard what was going on she was outraged. She was livid that the principal did nothing to protect my name or who I was. She called the principal and yelled at her for a good five minute - the principal could not get a word in. Even after the arguing with my principal there was nothing she could do to help me, except the suggestion that I eat lunch in my teacher’s classroom to avoid what was happening to me. Gee thanks. 

That night we received various prank calls from students threatening me and scaring me. I was petrified to go to school. I was just this short, very skinny, quiet, Catholic girl. I did not want any trouble. However, my mom on the other hand was this tough Italian woman who took stuff from no one.


Being the amazing woman that she is when my mom came to pick me up from school the next day she knew who the girls were & once she spotted one of them she got out of her car, went up to the girl and told her to stay away from me. It might not sound like that much but if you know my mom & her Italian background you would know she's a very scary woman.....still to this day do not mess with my mom.



However, my mom didn't scare the girl or stop the bullying.



She told me its time to get tough and not let these pathetic people scare me. Yeah, sure it was easy for her to say she was older and bigger than all of them. None the less, I went to school the next day.

I arrived at school early, sat on the bench in the quad and waited to see if anyone was going to do or say something. I was ready to be tough. However secretly I was not that tough because my dad was still sitting in his car watching me from a distance until I was safe in class.


Nothing happened that morning. 

Finally, after weeks of eating lunch in my teachers classroom and avoiding the bullying, things started to pass and people soon started to forget move on with their lives....


 I started to feel safer and was able to eat lunch outside with everyone after the die down of constant bullying. Yet, because of what happened I didn't have many friends and no one really wanted to be my friend. Thankfully, I managed to make some new friends but I was still known as the tattletale and not liked very much....




Everything stopped for awhile....but like most stories mine was only just beginning...........

I believe everything happens for a reason & in a way I am thankful that this happened. I wouldn't be the person I am today if this incident didn't happen. With every experience that happens in life you learn from them. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But this experience not only taught me to have thick skin but GAVE me thick skin and not let people push me around. It also showed me how to stand up for what I believe is right, no matter what people say or do to me. It taught me not to follow the crowd & for that I am thankful. 

but it's only just beginning.....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Don't forget to enter to win Knotty Ties or a Sparkle Headband HERE

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sparkles in your hair

Spring is almost upon us! The first official day of spring is March 20. Can you believe it?! I cannot wait for the sun to be shinning and the flowers and trees to be blooming with life. Daylight savings time is on SUNDAY already....except for AZ. Did you know they don't partake in daylight savings ever!? 


I'm not really a fan of spring forward though...i like when it gets dark early, makes me feel less guilty when I sit down to watch TV & its dark out...yes TV is my life

So with every new season comes new spring clothes & accessories....& one of my favorite accessories to wear throughout the year are headbands & bows....duh right? 


so I was super excited when one of my favorite local hair accessory company - JOLIE got in new SPRING products....

 
what I love about these headbands is not only are they SO comfortable on my head but they're also the perfect amount of 'bling'. Sometimes things can be overdone & you all know I am a big believer in less is more, so these headbands are the PERECT accessory to add to your hair.

You can dress them up or you can dress them down...they're even perfect for a wedding party or blushing bride....OR you can add one around a new floppy beach hat to add some flare to your hat! 

They come is so many pretty colors & styles.  PLUS as you know I have A LOT of hair....i mean a lot. So if these dainty adorable headbands can fit & stay in my beast of a hair, then they can on any bodys head. 


However, if you are not a fan of the bling in the headband above --- Check out this adorable nautical themed one below for a more simple look & not so much bling- 

YET, if headbands just aren't your thing, well just recently Jolie Hair Accessories has added KNOTTY TIES...with a pretty twist --- instead of just the typical hair tie, they have added some pretty accessories with them -

I love the diamond skull on the tie to the left - & of course obsessed with the full on glitter ties! There are so many different colors, styles, accessories that she adds to these beautiful headbands & knotty ties that I wish I could show you them all....not to mention see the pic below - top right corner...yeah those are BELTS! i die. 

 these hair accessories are the perfect addition to any outfit don't you agree?


SO do you want one? What if I told you that the fabulous Elizabeth of Jolie has offered to give you messy readers a chance to win a beautiful headband & knotty ties?!?!


oh yes! today 3 girls will get the chance to win something from Jolie!! I am so jealous - i want everything. 


This is a quick, simple entry giveaway & will be open for 2 weeks & there will be 3 winners!! GOOD LUCK

a Rafflecopter giveaway

its true we do - grab one & display it with pride! ----> 

<a border="0" href="http://messydirtyhair.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/messydirtyhair/messygirlsbetter_zps106e8d15.png" /></a>

*this is not a sponsored post - all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

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i have boobs!

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SO today is Fearless Fashion Friday Thrifty Edition 

We are going to incorporate voting and the outfits with the most votes with be the winners!

We are still figuring out the prizes but we are hoping for a first, second and third place!

Who: ALL OF YOU linking up with US!
What: Create an outfit from vintage/thrifted duds

Where:Perception Is EverythingMessy Dirty HairPeace Love Sequins

Why: To prove that style is more than fashion.

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And now its time to link up with this weeks Thrift Edition of Fearless Fashion Fridays!

<p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.peacelovesequins.com/upLoads/2013/01/FearlessFashionFridays1.jpg"></p><p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="http://messydirtyhair.com/" target="_blank">Kelly from Messy Dirty Hair</a> | <a href="http://www.peacelovesequins.com" target="_blank">Lindsey from Peace Love Sequins</a></font></p>

Hosts:

Kelly from Messy Dirty Hair | Lindsey from Peace Love Sequins

Co-Host:

Janna from Perception is Everything

Directions:

Follow your hosts and co-host.

Put the button code and links on your post

Link up your post

Vote for your favorite look! The only rule is you can't vote for yourself!

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While not mandatory, it would great it you checked out a few of the other link ups and spread the love!

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IMPORTANT

You must complete all the directions in order to be a winner. If you have the outfit with the most votes, but did not complete the directions then you are ineligible to win and we will move on to the next highest. This way it is fair to those who followed the directions.

Thanks! And good luck!

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so there's a fun little back story to my outfit today....Saturday morning while I was sleeping late...like I do any chance I get, while my mom was out doing her usual Saturday garage sale hunting...this woman runs circles around me, even the neighbor makes comments about it.......


SO...she came across one house with two guys selling stuff. As she was looking through everything she over heard them talking about how one of them had just broken up with his girlfriend...at that moment she realized it was allllll the ex-girlfriends stuff he was selling...& even worse he was basically giving it away....if that were me, i'd be livid & cause a scene....BUT yet i would never leave without my clothes so....


SO today my thrifty outfit cost me $2. Yes, you read that right - 2 freaking dollars...& i didn't even pick it out...thanks mom - 



& this past week we have had such BEAUTIFUL weather......so of course I had to take a walk down the street the beach for this shoot since the whole outfit is made up of surf shop brands ---- 

 

 LOOK! I have boobs!!!...something you never see

TANK: Hurley - SHORTS: Element - SUNGLASSES: Volcom <----- all local Southern California surf brands made right in my home 

  can you believe this tank & shorts were only $2!??!?!?!? And the sunglasses - well those were free in a box of junk...score!

 so it goes to show that if you spend the time & energy you can find good buys at thrift shops, garage sales & consignment stores. 

now remember we are having a contest to see who can come up with the best thrift outfit...but you guys get to decide - so VOTE below using the rafflecopter! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND now onto something aaaamazinggggggg!!


 Its no secret in my family that I am OBSESSED with Tiffany & Co - every year I add to my collection...so when the beautiful Jessica of Dreaming of Dimples asked if I wanted to participate  in this giveaway, I just had to play!!


SO who wants to win $400 to TIFFANY & CO ?!??!?!!?!? 

27 Amazing Bloggers1 Winner: $400 Tiffany & Co Gift Card1 Mandatory Entry + lots of bonus entriesThere is just one mandatory entry and that is to leave a comment below telling me "what would you buy at Tiffany's with the gift card". The rest are bonus entries and totally up to you!

Dreaming of Dimples | Lemons Avocados and the Bay | The Shine Project 

Because Shanna Said So | Gentri Lee | Ramblings of a Southern Belle

Meg O. on the Go | Along Abbey Road | Perception is Everything

Lipgloss and Crayons | A Night Owl Blog | Running in Stilettos 

Life After I "Dew" | Her Late Night Cravings | Brunch with Amber

Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife | The Sunshine Diary | lala Lists

The Life of Bon | Oh So Amelia | Choose to be Happy Blog

Travel Babbles | Sparking Footsteps | So Shay

Don't Quote the Raven | Messy. Dirty. Hair | For Lauren and Lauren

a Rafflecopter giveaway



tgif lovers & happy march! 

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