everything happens for a reason: breakups and advice.

This past weekend as I discussed my best friend's break up, I couldn't help but hurt for her.  She is still hurting.  Still hurting since June.  She for the first time ever, really thought he was the one.  The worst kind of break up.  The one where you've fallen hard. And for the first time.  

My heart just hurt for her. So I went back through my memories and lept back into my last big breakup.  The only advice that I could honestly and truly give her was. Time.  It will hurt less. And the worse is when you know they met someone special to them.  And from there it will only get better. But the in between things.  Like focus on yourself.  Stay busy. Seem so lame, I hated that when people told me that during my breakup, but it's so true, the more you focus on yourself, volunteering and throw yourself into your job, the BEST possible things will happen. My volunteering during my breakup led me to meet amazing people, plan and create an amazing Gala, and it was the most rewarding experience, and landed me an interview and amazing new job. In hindsight, I had an epiphany. Things really DO happen for a reason, we just don't know it at the time.  I wish I could go back to the-past-me, wipe her tears and stop her from those heart broken moments, all those times in reassured her "you are going to be sooooooo much happier soon." But that's the thing about the future, you never know what is next.  And the future is full of so many beautiful, wonderful things.  At the same time, the future is never promised, so you have to grab theses moments and make it so beautiful you won't forget it.  I remember when I was younger I would always think to myself, it is never going August 20, 1994. This is the only one I have and I'm gonna make it great. So, take today and make something about it AMAZING. laugh out loud at least one. Play your favorite songs, be with the people you love, call someone you've been meaning to but haven't and don't waste a moment, because the future isn't a promise.  

another wedding weekend. . .

I am off to another undisclosed location in Kentucky, to see on my beautiful friends marry her best friend!! Don't cha just love seeing your friends so happy and with amazing people?! Alex and I grew up together and went through Catholic confirmation together! Needless to say, it is going to be a LONG wedding, but it is going one. fun. receiption! 

In honor of wedding season coming to a close, I thought I'd include wedding ideas, photos, things, rings that I love. A girls gotta dream... :)

The links are all available via my 'Pretty Weddings' board on pinterest, so follow, just click here.  My name on there is ChelseaAF.  The AF is for my middle and last initials, NOT abercrombie and fitch :) 

Happy Pinning, Weekending and Wedding-ing, Girls.  Football season isn't too far away now. 

What I'm WANTING Wednesday {discoveries}

etsy 

pinterest

flea market, Madrid. 

oh and Camilla Belle's hair here also..... sooo gorgeous!

with this dress....can anyone tell me where its from? I found it on pinterest and trackd the blog, but no answer....

simply beautiful lashes. my secret......

girls, I have never been a splurger on mascara.  admittedly, I wait to get free samples because I honestly never thought it mattered which kind you use or spending more than $3 was really worth it. I know several people that even have used latisse. Well ever since I received this free sample from Sephora, I've been addicted.  It's $25 but the formula is very smooth, but also create a thick and volumous lash! My lashes are already long, so I'm not sure how much this helps in the length area, but I do get a lot of compliments...please don't judge from my photos from last weekend, I left this little sucker at home and it was a tragedy.   

Macy's is even offering a BONUS if you get Hypnose. And no this is not a plug, I just wanted to show y'all where I got mine (Macy's) and noticed if you spend $35 (Keep in mind this is $25) you get some pretty sweet gifts.  What are your beauty secrets? I am not good at eye makeup and could use some pointers!

last 2 weeks.

 I met up with friends at Nick Ryan's. a newer restaurant here in Lexington, that is amazing! if you go, get the filet. the marinade is amazing {better than Malones!}.

my roommate (now old roomie!) got married and went to Spain!! 

I went to a site review in Scottsdale, Arizona, beautiful! But I later got stuck in a Haboob later on. Yes, a haboob.  Google it.

was a date at a wedding...new friends and old below. 

and danced. a lot!!! my date on the right. 

and that is about it.  My beautiful friend Alexandra is getting married this weekend and I am so excited to see her marry an amazing man! All these weddings has me thinking alot about things.....and universe and destiny, I have a little message for you. 

that is all. 

Blog Anthropologie & J.Crew Sale..

Hey girls, in an effort to clean my closet and clear my conscience of barely wearing these items.....please, take them from me. Best offer. Shoot me an email. 

Anthropologie In The Abstract Dress.

New With Tags. Never Worn. Too long for me. Retailed for $248.

2008 J.Crew White Embossed Dress. Worn once. Size 2. Not actual Photo. 

And if you want moreeeeee......I still items from my spring blog sale, just click HERE. And am always willing to bargain :) Have a beautiful week girls. 

pure laughter, i promise.

you might have seen this before but seriously, after a very stressful day, a baby laughing at ripped paper can totally clear the head. not sure if it's this kid's laughter or the dad's pure enjoyment that makes me laugh most. 

are there things much better things than pure laughter?

here is another one! a personal fave. there are few things better than good company, a glass of wine and a good episode of America's Funniest Home Videos....or as I liked to call it as a child "homo videos." I never understood why my parents laughed so hard every time I'd say that.. .. :) 

what's your facebook personality?

Since discussing the dreadful duck face last week, it sparked some conversation between my girlfriends and I about what type of facebook personality we were. So who are you on facebook? One tiny little question and update button determines that.

What's on your mind?

Well, lots facebook and Mark Zuck, lots, but I'm not sure I want to share that with my friends, colleagues, acquaintances, love interests and old flames. 


well, to start there are those Solo Photo Kids out there, "hey let me take a pic of me in the car, mirror, pretty much anywhere and yep, just me. 


there's The Constant Updater, letting you know what is going on every moment of their life "i'm reading a book." "i'm walking the dog." "going shopping." {ever heard of twitter little friend?}


The "ISM" guy- that person always throwing out poetry, advice on life, Buddha quotes, etc, etc. 


The Bloggers.....you know, that person that posts a link to their blog on a daily/weekly basis.  eh okay, I am guilty of posting my link at times....but now would rather wish I hadn't done that now.


Farm-villers. So I've never played farmville, perhaps it fun, but when I get 9439480394 requests from you to join, I will de-friend you.  I now have a strict "remove friendship" policy after receiving your 2nd request. 


The Vaguebooker- as coined by urban dictionary. And I quote "someone who intentionally throws up a vague Facebook status update, that prompts friends to ask what's going on, or is possibly a cry for help."


The Music Lover. This person posts lyrics and songs, links to their fave music on a consistent basis, sometimes coincides with the vaguebooker. 


I'm sure there are more. Help me out here? What kind of facebooker are you? I'd say I'm more of the semi-constant updated (sad) type slash The Music Lover type. 


Happy Monday, I thought I'd throw in a little Lil Wayne love song, because really....you cannot go wrong with love advice from my lil poet man lil wayne...I may or may not have a Lil Wayne tshirt annnnnnd secretly wanted desperately to go to his concert at Riverbend. 

please refrain from the duck face...

Exhibit A. The Solo Duck Face.

Exhibit B. Peace sign up, sunglasses down, duck face. {just really, no.}

As wedding season comes to a close and football season approaches, it is likely we all will be having lots of photo ops.  And not only making memories, but sharing. So girls please PLEASE refrain from the duck face.  I know sometimes it just...happens....Case in point...

moi, duck facing it 

It isn't becoming. it's just silly. Silly in a bad way.  And you look like a two year old.  I vow, no duck faces these next few weeks, and if I slip up...no posting. Please promise you'll do the same! K? 

Life isn't fair sometimes. . .

I received terribly sad news yesterday.  The news still hasn't really processed completely.  And I'm mad.  I'm livid with God.  For putting my friend through so much pain this last year.   A best friend of mine's father has unexpectedly passed away. Earlier this year she lost her mother to cancer.  I just can't understand why.   This person is one of the strongest, most genuine, real, friendliest, outgoing and most beautiful people I am lucky to know.  So I am struggling.  Struggling for faith and answers as to why.  Why anyone? But why her?  Why both of her parents?  So for now...I am trying as hard as possible to believe this. 

Though I walk 

   through the valley of the shadow of death      
       I will fear no evil,          
          for you are with me;  
            your rod and your staff,                  
               they comfort me.  

31 Things I wish I knew...Dating Truths.

I laughed to myself reading this MSN article and SURPRISE. It came from a fabulous blogger, Erin Meanley, who blogged for GLAMOUR'S Single-ISH blog. 


Single.  Taken. Or somewhere in between.  I think we can all be reminded of these pointers.  They're kinda like that one book...oh what's it called...?!  Geez I'm drawing a blank.  He's Just Not That Into You. Yup, that one. {Okay, I'm embarrassed, but it was all the hype Sophomore year in college and I was going through a breakup} These are simple truths we all know, but might need to be reminded of. 

I never realized how many opinions I have about dating. I've been dating so long I'm like an octogenarian who feels overly strong about what strawberries should cost or how children should act in public. Anyway, here are some things I've learned in my 31 years, and what I wish I'd known about dating ten years ago:

1. If you're confused about whether a guy likes you or not, that's probably not good. Confusion in romance belongs only in romantic comedies because it suspends the plot, but suspense in real life sucks. So try not to analyze the events. The truth will reveal itself without you having to do anything.

2. Sometimes guys flirt with you or pay attention to you because it makes them feel good about themselves. (Hey, we do it, too.)

3. Even a guy who will admit that you're better looking than him should still be able to tell you you're beautiful. If he holds back in order to control the situation, or to keep you, or keep you down, he's got issues.

4. Don't help him ask you out by texting him something nice or polite. I'm glad you're more outgoing and thoughtful than he is, but he doesn't want the help.

5. Guys want to get busy more than anything. They'll say anything to close the deal.

6. It's shocking how much guys will talk about marriage. Until there's a ring on your finger, it will be better for you if you pretend you're deaf.

7. It's better not to lift a finger in the beginning.

8. In the early stages, giving him presents is too much. Generosity looks desperate to guys. You may be a great shopper and gift-wrapper; it may be his birthday and you may be wild about birthdays — even still, he'll think you're just wild about him. Too wild.

9. Guys just do not think like girls. I wish I'd had a brother. Real boys are nothing like the boys in movies.

10. They might take a decade to mature. Don't hope they'll grow up or be ready in the next six months.

11. Even if your family thinks there's going to be a marriage, don't let them spoil your guy. Yes, he's grateful you gave him your car when he moved out of NYC, but he would rather have had to work for it.

12. Learn to cook. Learn to cook well. I see now that it would have won me a lot of points. A LOT.

13. Just because he might be smarter than you or more talented at certain things doesn't mean he's your servant and won't mind doing all your homework/research/chores.

14. Guys get resentful, too.

15. You're special, unique, and important, but you're not a princess — no matter what Daddy says (although for the record, my dad calls me "Erin").

16. It's okay to say no. It's more than okay. It's always okay. If he stops calling (and many, many, many will), you're only weeding out the guys who aren't truly interested in you as a person. Time saved!

17. Playing it safe guarantees you'll have more time and energy to think about your grades or your work. Less drama in your life will always be better and healthier for you.

18. You deserve to be treated like a human being.

19. Your wants and needs are just as important as his, and if you don't express them because you think it will scare him away, then you're saying you don't count as much as he does.

20. Even sophisticated people with professional jobs can have tempers or hit you or use foul language. I've known men who dressed like diplomats but they were ugly human beings.

21. You can't force chemistry. If you like him as a friend, the attraction might grow, but if it doesn't, don't force it. And don't waste his time.

22. Ease up on the sauce. Alcohol clouds your judgment.

23. No boyfriend-girlfriend relationship starts with a 1 a.m. booty text.

24. When a guy has taken you to Applebee's five times and you say you want to treat him, he'll be psyched. But secretly he'll freak out if you take him to Ruth's Chris, even just the one teeny time. Don't try to match him one Ruth's Chris for five Applebee's. Take him out, but go to T.G.I. Friday's.

25. Women love attention. A guy needs to be pretty crazy about you in order for him to pay enough attention to make you happy long-term.

26. My mom always said, "Men don't think." I thought she meant, "They are mistaken in their thoughts." But they're just not thinking anything at all. About you. They're watching the game. That's why they haven't called.

27. There should be a medium ground between workaholism and his absolute devotion. "The knight departing for new adventures offends his lady, yet she has nothing but contempt for him if he remains at her feet" (Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 658).

28. Never underestimate the quality of "interesting." Men want someone interesting. They really do. Find some hobbies.

29. What are you hoping to gain by hooking up with this guy? If the answer is "him," that's a bad deal for you. "The woman gives herself, the man adds to himself by taking her" (de Beauvoir 659).

30. Expectations? They'll ruin every dating experience you have.

31. You will never understand men. Just try to understand yourself.

THE ZSA ZSA ZSU!

This song is the absolute epitome of the Zsa Zsa Zsu. The term ZZZ is derived from an episode of SATC, it's the feeling you get when you meet someone you are in like with. That sort of crush mode, smile when I think about you, tiny butterflies when you meet someone you could just possibly like a lot.

SO WHAT WEDNESDAY! .... a tad late ;)

SO WHAT...if I don't have a way I hang the toilette paper.  I could not care less.  If we're talking brands. Whole nother story {Charmin, Soft} 

I just don't care. Is that so wrong?

SO WHAT...if I talk a lil more than I should after 3 glasses of wine.  "I'd rather be absolutely ridiculous that absolutely boring."

SO WHAT...if I purposely take longer to reply to emails with read receipts. Or longer to reply to emails that are marked as important, that are in fact, NOT IMPORTANT. 

SO WHAT if... I'm doing SO WHAT Wednesday a tad bit late! Work has been CRAZY!!!! 

Have I mentioned I have 3 weddings and a work trip this month? Someone let me know if you see or are having a blog sale.