Goodbye Blonde

For nearly 24 years, I've been blonde. Last Wednesday, I made a very drastic yet surprisingly amazing change. Goodbye blonde, hello red!

I scheduled an appointment with a new hairstylist at Accents Salon named Megan Spencer. I was very stressed about a million little things and impatiently waiting for my appointment to arrive. I knew that I wanted a dramatic change, yet I didn't want to deal with the stress of growing my hair out. I talked with my hubby quite a bit about potential options and dying my hair brown came up. I always thought that having darker hair would make me look sick and pale so I never ever gave it a second thought in the past. This time, I thought about it continuously for days until I decided that it was time to step outside the box and go for it!

I arrived at Accents Salon around 2:30 last Wednesday. My heart was racing, and I was incredibly anxious about going to a new hairstylist at a new salon for a completely new look. It was too much NEW at once. I told Megan what I wanted to do, and she was amazingly confident and excited to do it. That instantly calmed my nerves and helped me relax. All the hairstylists were super thrilled about what I wanted to do, and they all said to go for a reddish brown color. My stomach clenched at the thought of red hair but I gave Megan the word to do what she felt was best. She added the initial color to add pigment to my blonde hair then rinsed and applied the actual color.

While I was processing, my feet soaked in warm, soothing water filled with little pebbles. It was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep. Megan lotioned my feet then put on adorable little socks then it was time to rinse my color and shampoo my hair. When she started to blow dry my hair, I almost quit breathing and passed out. It was very overwhelming at first but she kept talking me through it and telling me how amazing it looked. The color was perfect, the haircut was perfect. Everything about my experience was memorable and positive. I bought a bunch of new Aveda products, which I absolutely love!

I must thank my best friend Shirley for introducing me to the salon and giving me the encouragement to make a big change, which was exactly what I needed to gain my confidence back. I'll never forget when I posted a picture on Twitter and received over twenty sweet comments from my wonderful followers and friends. Everyone at work has given me positive feedback as well. It has really helped me accept the change that still looks foreign to me.

Well, I write this as a new found redhead, and I must say, it's the best change I've ever made. I've been experiencing with new shades of makeup that I bought from Victoria Secret. It's been a blast, and I've loved every minute as a redhead so far. My hair color is a brownish red but everyone keeps calling me "Red" so I figure that's the main color. Thank you Megan for being an absolutely incredible hairstylist!

Live, Laugh, Love <3

Alicia

Loving Sunshine

The warm and sunny weather we've enjoyed the past few days is starting to spoil me. I love breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sunlight on my face. It's perfect weather to own a convertible, that's for sure! We have family visiting from Nebraska right now. We see them every few years so it's a special treat, even if we are different in many ways. We all enjoyed a huge breakfast at the Metfield Clubhouse and then tonight we're grilling out. Unfortunately, I've come down with a cold so I'm a little out of it. I hate feeling like I can't breathe with watery eyes and an itchy throat. I suppose I'm thankful it's nothing more, but it's still a pain nonetheless. You can tell Spring is near because the flu and sickness is picking back up.

The semester is going to be over before we know it and I'll finally have a college degree... I cannot fathom how that will feel after going for 5 years at a very very slow pace. I've always wanted a degree for personal gratification more than for career development so this is a big accomplishment for me. I'll be getting a diploma around the same time as my 24th birthday. I think a major celebration is in order. We'll have to see what happens.

I've become obsessed with Gap denim lately. I used to wear their clothes when I was younger then it went downhill. I went to the mall last night and bought another new pair of Gap jeans. They have a sale where you can bring in an old pair of jeans from anywhere and get 30% of a new pair. I was super excited so I took advantage of the sale and saved $18! Smiles all the way. If you haven't tried Gap jeans, I highly recommend you check it out. It'll be worth your while.

I've been thinking a lot lately about self image. It's quite sad how we judge ourselves, possibly more than others judge us. I've been fighting with growing my hair out for nearly 3 months, and I'm just now getting to the awkward stages. It's so frustrating at times that I just want to stay home or give up growing it out. Not sure how I'm going to get through this... I keep looking at my picture of inspiration. It's Reese Witherspoon with long straight hair and bangs... When I tell people that I'm growing it out, the response is mixed which makes my focus even more challenging. A few people have flat out said to me "Don't grow it out. You look so unique and pretty with short hair." While others are like, "This might be your last chance to grow it out." If I can just start putting my bangs to the side, it will help... They are still annoyingly hanging in my eyes. Ugh...hair is such a pain sometimes!

Well, that's enough random thoughts for now. I woke up at 8am this morning so I'm starting to get tired... Almost ready for a nap. I think I'll watch my hubby play Call of Duty on PS3 and relax on the couch. I wish tomorrow wasn't Monday... I officially hate Mondays right now. I have work and school, which makes for a very long day. I hope my Cost Accounting class gets better...

Live, Laugh, Love <3

Alicia

Chicken Spaghetti With Love

My hubby and I are making my favorite meal of all time... Chicken spaghetti. It's so delicious and very easy to make so I want to share our recipe with you.

3-4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 box of bow tie pasta
1 can of cream of chicken
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 can of Rotel
1 cup chopped 0nions
1 lb Velveeta cheese

Once water is boiling, add chicken breasts. For flavoring, add cup of 0nions with salt, pepper, and Cavenders seasoning. When chicken is fully cooked, put chicken breasts on plate or cutting board. Put bow tie pasta in same broth that chicken was cooking in. While pasta is cooking, cut up chicken into small serving bites. Slice cheese into small pieces so it will melt quickly. When everything is ready to eat, put all ingredients in large oven proof glass dish for baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in dish evenly then put into oven for 20 minutes or until all cheese is melted. Stir halfway through to ensure all cheese is thoroughly melting.

It's absolutely amazing and can be served right away! This would probably feed 4-6 people.

Enjoy!

Live, Laugh, Love <3

Alicia

Sunday Thoughts

I have so much to be thankful for yet I still occasionally feel overwhelmed by sadness when I realize how much money controls our life. It's so easy to become consumed by what you want that you tend to forget what you actually need to live a happy life. I've let my contentment be driven by what I want instead of what is practical. Not long ago, I bought a white 2009 Convertible Mustang GT. I've always been passionate about Mustangs, and I suppose that's why I've already owned four of them. However, I feel guilty when I think about all the things the money for my car payment could do. I keep encouraging myself with the fact that if I can hold on to this beautiful car for a few years, then it will be paid off and every sacrifice along the way will be worthwhile.

Ben and I have been spending more time enjoying the simple pleasures in life like relaxing at home watching movies or spending time with friends at each other's houses. We are very social beings, so it's been wonderful to be able to save money and still have fun with our friends. Money can buy certain things that make you happy yet it cannot buy true happiness that comes from love, friendship, and family.

The last 9 years that I've been with Ben have been remarkable. When we got engaged, most people doubted our love yet we've shown the world that you can get married young and still love each other more every day that you're together. Like I've said before, being best friends makes all the difference in the world. You must support each other as life brings upon change and difficulty. You must be each other's strength when the weakness is unbearable. Most importantly, you must change together. The only constant in life is change so you can't get too set in your ways.

"Life is too short, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly."

Well, I've been dreading this day all week because I have to study and prepare for my Cost Accounting exam tomorrow. It's not a strength of mine so I actually have to try to understand the material. I hate Accounting just like I hate Algebra because it's full of useless word problems and step by step processes. Why do I have to learn paper based principles when the business world is now computerized? I'm so thankful that I'll be graduating in May... Only 2 months left!

Enjoy the day!

Live, Laugh, Love <3

Alicia

Live, Laugh, Love

I must say, the title of my blog came quickly. I've always been inspired by the phrase: Live, Laugh, Love. Each of these words represent my life because I truly believe to find happiness you must live your life to the fullest, laugh every moment you can, and love with all your heart.

I have a truly blessed life, one that I never could have imagined when I was a little girl. I always saw myself going to college full-time and becoming a teacher or psychologist. It's incredible how your life plan changes as you live it. I went through grade school focusing on my grades and being the best student I could be. I've been an overachiever my whole life, so this act was the only way I knew how to perform. When I was fourteen, my Dad said "I had a job when I was 14 so you will too." A few weeks later, I was employed at a local grocery store as a cashier. It was a reality check but I loved every minute of it. With my first job came independence including my first cell phone. It's shocking to look back on this time of my life and realize that I worked there for two years.

When high school started, I had a pathetic excuse for a boyfriend that I'd trailed behind for a long while. I continued my diligent school focus and joined the choir program with Mr. Hicks. I'm not a good singer but I loved every second of choir through high school. It was my safe zone away from home. I felt so comfortable and free with all my choir friends. I felt every lyric we sang and lived for the next performance. When I was a sophomore, I was fortunate enough to meet the man of my dreams at a young age. We were introduced by a friend, and I'll never forget the first words said to me by him, which were "You have a nice ass!" That's a true statement. It seems like a pathetic opening line but when you're 15 years old, it's quite flattering. It was L-O-V-E at first sight! Ben and I dated all through high school and endured two proms together. I didn't go to my senior prom since we'd already gone together twice. Instead of prom, we planned a much more exciting event...our wedding! We were engaged for only six months before we married. It was the most amazingly beautiful wedding. It was a million times more elegant than I ever thought possible. Let's just say, my Mother is an incredible planner. We got married on December 5th, 2004 at the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista. The very same location my Mother married my Father, which only added to the emotional value of our big day. Our reception was held at the Yacht Club, which created many wonderful memories of dancing, laughter, and a new beginning of our life together. We went to Las Vegas for our honeymoon. We enjoyed it but it would have been better if I was 21 as I was only 18 at the time.

"The best thing about me is you."

Let's fast forward five years to the present. Ben and I celebrated our five year anniversary last December in Branson, MO. It's amazing how fast time flies... We have two sweet kitties, Penny and Einstein, who entertain us everyday. No children yet...the dream of a child is there...yet our current lifestyle full of foreign travels and spontaneous moments lingers heavily overhead. My husband is a remarkable jeweler and I'm enjoying the corporate life. We are truly blessed to have each other. Not only do we love each other deeply, we are each other's best friend. That makes all the difference in the world when you're married. We have acquired many irreplaceable friendships over the years, which has opened our eyes to new adventures and laughter. They all bring unique happiness and fulfillment to our lives.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

As I sit here on the couch writing on my laptop, I'm listening to Inglourious Basterds, one of our new favorite movies. I'm very pleased that I decided to begin a blog because I haven't had one since before I was married. I'm not certain what emotions will surface or what secrets will be revealed but I know that it has already been a stress reliever for me. This single post is a new beginning for me.

Goodnight. :)