Giveaway: #ElephantGirl by @JaneDevin

Yesterday, I entered Jane Devin‘s little twitter giveaway to win a kindle copy of her book. I already own a kindle and pdf copy of Elephant Girl and thought to pay it forward to someone who hasn’t had a chance to be impacted by this amazingly raw and heart-wrenching book. Thank you Jane, for letting me give away a copy of your memoir!

I thought to write a little review about the book here but decided not to because it would pretty much be summed up in endless stream of tears. And although this memoir is depressingly sad, it has its uplifting happy moments that make your heart warm.

I’ll make this short. Want to win a kindle copy of Elephant Girl?

Leave me one comment telling me about someone who has changed your life for the better and how. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave the url in a separate comment.

One winner will be chosen at random using random.org on April 27th. Winner will be contacted via email so please make sure you enter a valid email address. If winner does not respond by Sunday afternoon, a new winner will be chosen using random.org.

Wordless Wednesday: Thankful

Today I am thankful that my home is not this tree.

This happened just down my street.

 

http://www.blogdash.com/blogger_steps/blog_claim/blog_claim.png?s=38d652900f6f2d78589db7ca0fc5a75c

Teen Week 2012 – Words That Heal: You ARE Perfect #teenweek

I wanted to start off by saying something like “When I was a teenager, things were different. I was not bullied, or had body issues, and everyone was so very nice to me.” But I would have been wrong. Oh, so wrong. That’s why when my friend mentioned something about teen week on Twitter, I knew I had to link up with Mara from Medicinal Marzipan for Teen Week: Words That Heal.

I was a quirky kooky awkward teenager. And a really thin one, that wore double zero jeans. “Oh I wish my hips were like yours. I bet you have no trouble finding jeans that fit you.” is something I heard often. They were so wrong. If I didn’t find jeans in my size, I had to have them tailored. When people saw me eat in the cafeteria, they just assumed I would puke it out later. I was thin and I hated it. I loathed how thin I was. No matter how much I ate, I wouldn’t gain much. I hated it because I was constantly self-conscious people were staring at me to find yet another one of my flaws.

So you want to know where I started to eat my lunch? In the restroom. In the library, my home away from home. Outside by the art class I loved. Anywhere that people wouldn’t stare at me. I hated being stared at because I didn’t feel pretty. I felt ugly because of my “lack of curves”. Because I didn’t have a boyfriend when it seemed like the entire world did. You can’t let things that people say to you bring you down. You can’t let remarks like the ones that cut so very deeply, get to you. Because you’re stronger than that. Stop second guessing yourself, because guess what? You’re perfectly beautiful the way you are. Yes, even if you think you have the smallest boobs in your class. Yes, even if you have braces or a chipped tooth. Even with a few pimples. Even if your pants don’t fit you just so. Even with the scars you try to hide. Celebrate your body because every little part of you makes you YOU.

Body issues weren’t my only issues, unfortunately. I started to pull my hair. I had bald spots because I had Trichotillomania {a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull hair} and didn’t know it yet. I was pulling from stress about everything going on with me. But not just for that reason. I also noticed that some of the hairs in my head weren’t perfect, just like I thought I wasn’t. The hairs that weren’t perceived beautiful and pretty and perfect by me? Were instantly pulled out. The little flaws I thought my hair had, were punished by being pulled out. This is something I still struggle with, even today. But I’m working on it, just like I’m working on loving myself more and more, because I am enough. I am perfectly beautiful just the way I am, I just wish someone had told me that when I was younger.

My advice? Smile at yourself in the mirror. Yes, even if you have to fake it at first. Because then? You’ll actually believe it. You’ll believe that you are perfect the way you are. Stop talking bad about yourself. Stop saying “I’m too fat. I hate my boobs. I don’t like my nose. I’m too ____.” Stop bullying yourself. Have the courage. You’re beautiful. Write notes to yourself and leave them in random places in your room, books, mirror. Own your quirkyness and kookyness. Listen to Pink’s Perfect, because she’s right, oh my god, so right. Or have Kurt and Blaine (from Glee) sing it to you. And play it over and over until it implants in your brain, if you don’t believe it just yet.

You’ll make it, I promise.

You Say You Want A Resolution

Well you know… We all want to change the world..

Every year, I see a ton of posts in my twitter (and tumblr) stream talking about all the things and plans they plan to achieve the coming year. Some want to actually finish a 365 photo challenge. Some want to do something that scare them. And some plan to letting go of things, of people, and negative thoughts.

In the past, I’ve made a lot of resolutions that I never went through with. Some that I started but never went as far as the first week. And some that I meant to finish but slacked off or put them off and never went back to.

This year, though, my dreams and resolutions are more realistic than previous years. Some may seem impossible to reach for me now… But I have faith in myself. I’m stronger and dammit, I will go through and kick these resolutions in the ass.

1. Stop caring what people think of me so much. This is a new year, a fresh new start. I want to breathe in deeply, smile, and scream at them “shut the fuck up and suck my dick!” Of course, I’ll just be thinking of saying it but not actually rapping it.

2. Be more organized and clutterless. I want to have cubbies and organized closets and I want to tackle the closet everyone is scared to open. Of course, I don’t expect my apartment in the next martha stewart magazine or anything like that. I just want it organized and neat enough to not freak out when I have unannounced guests at my door.

3. Write more. It doesn’t even have to be on this blog. It can be on my real life journal. Or the journal app I have on my phone. Or even scribble on a diner napkin. The point is to write it out. Write out my feelings, frustrations, my goals and dreams, or a novel.

4. Along with the previous one, I will also make a habit of writing down the things I’m grateful for, daily. It’s more of a lifestyle and not a resolution, but it’s something I need to make a habit of and not to take the things I’m blessed with for granted.

5. One of my goals for 2011 was to read more. I actually managed to read more than 52 books. I’m quite proud of that achievement. In high school I used to read {on average} a book a day. Of course I’m not setting myself to do that for 2012, but I hope to read as many books as I did this year.

6. Be more present. Be more present when visiting with family or just at home with my daughter and husband. My daughter should not be pretending to check her damn email during story time. Play with my daughter until she tells me to get lost. I want to play with her and give her all of my attention to her {and leave some for my husband, of course} while I still have a baby baking. I want to soak up the moments when we’re telling each other secrets through giggle fests. I want to build as many puzzles as I can with her and frame them. Coloring is one of my favorite things to do with her and I’m going to buy as many coloring books as the dollar aisle in Target and the dollar store has to offer.

7. Bake more. I have so many things pinned on Pinterest and saved as favorites and bookmarks that I want to try, but I lack the energy and motivation to actually get in the kitchen and do it. Also, I would need to hire a dish washer because can you imagine how many dishes and things will get dirty? I need to stop being lazy and get into the kitchen. Also, I want to cook more… and hope to not burn my apartment down. It’s a good thing I live SO close to the fire station.

8. Stop telling myself I can’t do the things I want to do in my life and start finding a way to make those dreams a reality. I am good enough. And dammit, I’m awesome. And I will make a point to smile more and to tell myself good things while I’m looking at myself in the mirror, naked.

9. Do at least three things from my life list. I have a few in mind that I can do while pregnant and some that I can do after I have the baby, and I’m already excited about planning and figuring things out.

10. Stop. Pulling. My. Hair.

And now, I leave you with this adorable video of two of my most favorite people in Hollywood. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

 

Are you setting goals / resolutions for 2012? Be clutterless? Do a 365 project?

And I was like…

BABY, BABY, BABY, Oh.

We went to the doctor yesterday.. where we saw our perfect baby, ten toes, ten fingers, and healthy. It’s a good thing I was still on a high from watching my baby move and wave from inside the womb, when I was being drained of my blood.

Due Date? 6 days before my daughter’s birthday. This means I will be surrounded by THREE May birthdays in my home.

We are super super excited!

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Cake, cake, cake!

Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com.

It is no secret that baking is one of my favorite things to do. I haven’t done much of it lately because of the lack of energy from this pregnancy.. But baking is something that I’ve always loved and one of the things I turn to when I’m feeling stressed out, because nothing calms you more than red velvet cupcakes baking in your oven.

One thing that everyone loves is cake balls. Not only are you able to eat in in two or three bites, it is heaven in your mouth. They are messy and laborious to make, but they are worth it in the end.

I first heard of cake balls when I was browsing Bakerella’s blog and since then, it is something my family always asks for when a gathering is coming up. I also always use Duncan Hines cake mix and icing when I’m strapped for time and I need a quick dessert fix.

What you’ll need for cake balls:

A box of cake mix (I especially love to use Duncan Hines red velvet cake mix)

The ingredients the cake mix asks for

A can of 16 oz. (I use Duncan Hines cream cheese) frosting. Also, keep in mind that you’ll only use 2/3 of it.

2 bags of Candy Melts

A cookie sheet

Wax paper

1. Bake your cake in a 13×9 pan
2. Cut it into six pieces
3. Let cool completely
4. Piece by piece crumble the cake into super fine pieces. No lumps.
5. Add in the required frosting and mix. Remember if you to add too much, the ball shape will not hold later.
6. Roll into balls and place on wax paper on your cookie sheet.
7. Cover with wax paper and put it in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight.
8. Melt the candy melts as instructed and drop a ball in the melted candy to coat the ball and take it out with a spoon carefully.
9. Place in fridge and let harden.
10. Resist the urge to eat them all.

These delicious balls go great with a nice glass of Moscato (or whatever you want).

Remember to check out Duncan Hines’ website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

2 + 1 =

4!

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.