ITS OFFICIAL!!

As some of you may recall, on my "Bucket List" blog post, one of the things I wanted to check off the list was to get a tattoo!  Ladies and gentlemen, its finally here!  On Thursday, June 14h at 6 pm, Alexa and I and the girls will be making a trip to Newport Tattoo to permanently beautify our bodies with art! haha Holy Moly!  I will surely post a pic when it is complete! hehe Pray for me, I'm getting it on a bony spot so its going to hurt! 

And no, the girl's tattoo in the picture is not what I'm getting. :) 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

On A Mission!

I am on a mission to figure out what the heck I want to do with my life!  hehe I am soul searching, trying new things, crossing a few things off my bucket list, and I know I'm getting close!  More to come soon! 

Infinite X's and O's,

Dee  

I'M BACK!

I know I am the worst blogger ever! ha-ha  I have been so caught up with school that unfortunately my blog was a bit forgotten for a little while.  But I am officially done with the most difficult semester of my college career thus far! Yippee!  Today is the first day of my summer vacation and I slept in until 1:00 in the afternoon.  I don't care who knows it! hehe Today is the start of 2.5 months of rest, relaxation, sun, and blogging!  I'm off to start off the summer right with girl talks and tanning by the pool!  I'll be back tomorrow! 

         Infinite X's and O's, 

                                Dee 

Happy Birthday, Mama!!

Today is my mommy's birthday.  Yes, I still call my mom "mommy" even though I'm 20 years old and I'll tell you why.  

#1.  When I was a baby, she used to get the blow dryer out and warm up the sheets in my crib before she put me in it every night so I wouldn't get cold.  

#2.  As a little girl, she made every single one of my birthday parties more special than the last.  Whether it was a princess tea party, a Disneyland adventure, or a trip to Cirque de Soleil with all my little girl friends, it was unforgettable! 

#3. When I was in middle school, I wen't on a trip to Washington, D.C with my class and when I came home, she surprised me and had completely refurnished, repainted, and cleaned my room. 

#4. When I started high school, she would sneak away from work to make it to every volleyball game she could.  She taught me how to drive.  She anxiously awaited my arrival home from my first date and stayed up late listening to me gush about every moment from when he picked me up until he walked me to my door.  When I got my heart broken, she held my hand, rubbed my back, and always told me someday my prince would come and thank the frogs who were dumb enough to let me go. 

#5. Once, I planned a trip months in advance to go visit a University I desperately wanted to attend in San Francisco.  One of my friends from high school was supposed to drive there and back with me and after a month of planning, backed out 18 hours before.  I called my mom crying, so disappointed.  But she didn't worry for a second.  Instead, she did what only she could do.  She said to give her 5 minutes and she'd call me back with a plan.  Sure enough, 4 minutes later she called and said, "I am going to drive up with you, fly home for work, fly back to you at the end of the week and drive home with you.  I can't think of a better adventure for us than a nice long road trip up the beautiful California coast."  It ended up being one of my most favorite memories with her.   

#6.  When I started college, she helped me find an apartment, she helped me move in, she gave me her vintage Vogue coasters that she put in her first apartment 40 years ago, and she told me that no matter where I lived, I could always come home. 

Now, I'm growing up, making mistakes, learning every day, working towards my goals and becoming the woman I want to be.  But when I've been knocked down or I'm overwhelmed, need to vent about my day or just want a hug, I still need my mommy.  She is the best woman and mother I know and undoubtedly my hero.  I hope that someday when I have littles, they will look up to me even half as much as I look up to her.  

Happy Birthday to the Best Mommy on Earth! 

I love you! 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

I Am Woman

"Being tender and open is beautiful.  As a woman, I feel continually shhh'ed.  Too sensitive.  Too mushy.  Too wishy washy.  Blah Blah.  Don't let someone steal your tenderness.  Don't allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart.  Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things.  Whether it's a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep, feel it all-- look around you.  All of this is for you. Take it and have gratitude.  Give it and feel love." 

- Zooey Deschanel

      This last year has been full of ups and downs, new experiences and opportunities to learn, disappointments, and memories I won't forget.  There have been defining moments where I've questioned my views, my confidence has wavered, and my faith has been challenged.  I've always believed myself to be a strong young woman and have had pride in this; I've felt I have thrived in times of adversity even when my heart was breaking because of my certainty in what I believe in and who I am.  However, I have been very humbled since, this last year, I have felt like I'm stumbling around, sometimes overwhelmed, and for the first time not being 100% sure of exactly who I am and okay with who that is.  And then I read the quote above.  Sometimes, I can come off as hard because each time someone has suggested I "care too much" or I feel things I "shouldn't feel" I think I've taken it to heart a little bit until it started changing the security I had in showing that softness.
     However, I still know I cry when I'm really happy, I know I tear up when I'm frustrated or angry, I know I say what I feel even if I know someone won't agree with me, or get a lump in my throat when I see or hear something really beautiful.  But to me, thats all part of being a woman.  I don't want to apologize for any of it and I don't want being soft and passionate to be confused with being weak.  Women are gentle and tenderhearted.  We find beauty in every day things and moments, we feel overwhelmed at times, and we allow our hearts to get all tangled up in a hundred things and/or people at the same time.  But, we handle all of the above with grace and that is what makes us beautiful.  <3

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

Today Is Beautiful

Sometimes I need a little inspiration and today I am reminded how beautiful it is to be a woman and how important it is not to settle for anything less than exactly what I want.  When you're hurt or left or talked about, its easy to convince yourself you need to be something else.. Take the time to remind yourself not to be like everyone else and embrace that you are perfectly imperfect and beautiful.  Decide what kind of person you want to be and be it regardless of what everyone else says.  The only person who can tell you that you can't is you.  <3 Thought I'd share these in hopes they bring you a little pep in your step too. :) 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

MAD ABOUT GOLD !

Next to the little black dress, is there anything more timeless than gold?  In my opinion, gold is classy and never gets old.  I decorate my room, my wrists, my ears and more with gold accents and it looks beautiful paired with almost every color.  Here's some of my favorite golden things :) 

DECOR

CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES 

GOODIES

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

KONY 2012

2012 is the year we bring the world's worst criminal to justice.  Please make time to watch this video and do your part to save these children who desperately need us!  Post the video on your facebook, wear a Kony 2012 bracelet or tshirt, and/or put a sticker on your car!  Lets make him famous. 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

The 84th Annual Academy Awards!!!!

Hello all my Gorgeous Starlets and Handsome Hunks!  Last night was the 84th annual Academy Awards which, for me, is like a holiday every year hehe.  This a picture of the 28th Academy Awards at the Pantages theatre.  Those of you who have been to the Pantages know how tiny it is!  Its beautiful but not exactly roomy lol  This year, the Oscars were held at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood.  The Kodak holds 3,300 people and it was a beautiful venue for a beautiful occasion.  The long crimson curtains were stunning, framed by ornate golden trim, and the sparkling gowns and jewels were blinding! 

Of course, our house was allllmost as beautiful as the Kodak theatre last night since we throw an Oscars party every year!  We print out our ballots and cast our votes before the show begins, eat yummy appetizers, and "cheers" with our champagne flutes!  At the end of the show, whoever gets the most right wins an Oscar... and guess who won!..... M E ! In twenty years, after twenty Oscar parties, I have never won until now! Yippee!! 

Here are my top 5 pics for Best Dressed! 

Rose Byrne in a glittering midnight blue Vivian Westwood gown! This was my absolute 

favorite of the night!  She looked elegant and chic and I loved the back! 

Stacy Keibler shined in Marchesa and looked like she could be Oscar's girlfriend, so golden and statuesque!  Its about time she stepped out of George's shadow!  Don't get me wrong, I loooove me some George Clooney and it takes a very sexy man to outshine a  7-foot leggy blonde, but lets be honest, she'd probably have a more promising future with the golden statue himself than with George Clooney. haha

Okay I know Giuliana Rancic isn't one of the glamourous movie starlets but I thought she looked absolutely beautiful!  Her Tony Ward Couture gown was stunning even though her hair was "flat" as my mother says haha yes, they could've given her hair a tad more volume but her gown was so beautiful I don't think anyone would have noticed her hair anyway! 

Next, although I think Milla Jovich is kind of creepy looking, I loved her look last night.  The minute she walked onto the red carpet, the crowd's jaws dropped and their eyes followed her every move.

Lastly, Leslie Mann, one of my favorite Hollywood girls, looked gorgeous!  Her dress was form-fitting in all the right places, age-appropriate, and a beautiful navy blue color.  

The ladies were stunning and the men were all so handsome in their tuxes!  However, Billy Crystal and the presenters, as well as Cirque de Soleil's performance made the show truly extraordinary.  Now, the most important part.. I have decided to throw an extra special Oscars cocktail party next year for the 85th Annual Academy Awards!!  Mark your calendars for next year's show and pick out your best little black dress or penguin suit!  We're going to get dressed up like we are headed to the red carpet ourselves!! Can't Wait!!  Hope to see you all there! 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee

ITS BIKINI SEASON!!!

Its the start of a new, healthy chapter! hehe Today was the first day of my new workout regiment!! Alexa and her daddy took me to their trainer this morning.  He's going to whip my butt into shape, I can tell already!  We woke up, hit Starbucks, did our workout and were home two hours before I would normally wake up! Spring Break is right around the corner, I have a new bikini and I need to look good in it!  I'm in my prime so I need to look that way! hehe Wish me luck! 

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee 

Checklist

So I got all the important things out of the way on my checklist today:

Get my butt to class  ✔

Get homework done before the weekend ✔

Order transcripts ✔

Now I get to do the fun stuff! 

☐ Go pick out a new book at Barnes & Noble 

☐ Get a tan 

☐ Paint nails 

☐ Go pick out some new lacies at VS with my birthday gift card 

☐ Buy lavender roses for my room 

☐ Start the new book :) 

☐ Pack for visit to see Ani with Alexa this weekend! 

I'll check them off later tonight!  

P.S i know there are a lot of butts in this post. Not intentional. ;)

Infinite X's and O's,

Dee

What I LOVE About Valentines Day

Here are a few things I love about Valentine's Day <3

1. Valentines! 

I don't care what anyone says, I'll never be too old to make Valentines hehe Heres one I made this year :)

2. Kisses 

3. Hugs 

4. Flowers 

5. Cliches 

I know some girls aren't into it but I like cheesy. 

6. Romance 

This is my absolute favorite commercial haha 

7. Love songs 

Those of you who have a significant other, take the time today to remind them why you fell in love with them and enjoy every minute together.  You're the lucky ones! <333 

Infintie X's and O's, 

Dee 

To My Loved Ones

This is my official Thank You note to my loved ones for making my birthday such a special time this year!!   It was such a beautiful weekend and I loved every minute.  I was awoken on my birthday at 7:30 am by my best friend Alexa's rockstar alter-ego haha  She busted through the bedroom door with flowers and balloons dancing around like Jagger and singing "Birthday" by the Beatles. haha It was epic. Then my mom came in in her jammies with a slice of birthday cheese cake for me!  What a wake up call! 

So then, Alexa treated me to a birthday coffee and she went to work while I went to Astronomy.. yuck!  However, I got a very embarrassing but very sweet birthday surprise while I was there! Right as my professor began his daily lecture, my dreamy friend Stephen ran through the door with a very embarrassing display of flowers and balloons. Awwww. haha Every girl in the class instantly turned to jello! So sweet.  

So after I finished my classes, Alexa picked me up and we had a nice girls day, followed by a special birthday dinner surprise!  Lex arranged for some of my best girlfriends to surprise me at dinner.  It was so nice celebrating with them.  We had a lovely dinner and birthday sundae followed by a trip to Dave & Busters for some pool. hehe 

Now, Birthday festivity number two was amazing as well... Family Day in San Diego!  Spending the day with my brother and his family, my sister and her family, my best friend, and my mama was so special.  I love when we're all together. We went to an incredible 50's themed diner where we ate, danced, laughed and played AND visited Belmont Park by the beach and had so much fun there as well.  My family made my day so special.  

Thank you friends and family for the beautiful cards, texts, calls,  facebook messages, flowers, gifts, and hugs!  I couldn't dream up more special people to have in my life.  

Infinite X's and O's, 

Dee