Bridge of Light

When I was in 8th grade I got my braces off after a year and a half of having them off. After they were taken off I was given a retainer to wear until I turned 18. The reason for the retainer was because one of my front teeth never grew in, so it had a false attached to it. I got told that when I was 18, after my teeth had finally settled permanently, I could get an implant. 

Well, I turned 18 seven years ago and I have yet to get an implant. The reason is simply because its insanely expensive. Since I have yet to scrounge up $3,000 for a tooth I've had to stick to the retainer since 8th grade. 

That's twelve years.

Needless to say I've been very self conscious about it for those past twelve years. I don't look my age because all you see is metal when I smile. I hate it, but at the same time I won't go out in public without it because I don't have a tooth!

All I've ever heard about is the implant. In the last twelve years of wearing this stupid retainer nobody ever told me about a Maryland bridge.

Until I got my root canal.

When I spoke to this new dentist he gave me multiple options instead of the implant. For the first time I actually heard of something other than what I was stuck with.

We discussed the pros and cons of the bridge and came to the decision that it would be the best option for me until I can afford the actual permanent implant. 

For the remainder of my appointment he took a mold of my teeth and set up the time for me to come back. It was supposed to be a two week process for the bridge to be made so they scheduled me 3 weeks away so that it would be 100% ready for me.

Yesterday I got a phone call saying it was done early. I'm going in tomorrow to get in put in.

I don't know if anyone really understands what this is like but I am so unbelievably excited. This is something that has held me back and dented my confidence since I was 13 years old. I've hate smiling, I've hated telling people why I still wear a retainer, I've hated correcting people when they guess my age. It's been nothing but a pain and it's finally going to be gone tomorrow. 

 

Dress: Wet Seal
Hat: Wet Seal

Shoes: Forever Young

Easter Weekend

I'm a little late posting since it's already Wednesday, but hey better late than never right?
On Friday night my mom and I went to a local high school to watch my little brother's "After School Program Extravaganza". Everyday after school he goes to this program where they do activities for all the kids. It's pretty great because it's easier than him going to a babysitter. A few of the other elementary schools in the district were planning a movie themed program where they each choose a film and dance to the music from it. Gentry's school did Grease and it was absolutely adorable.
The kids were all so cute, you can tell they were having a blast up on stage.
I was so proud of Gentry, he looked so handsome in his white greaser tee with his hair slicked back. My mom said he had been practicing the hand jive for weeks, and he was awesome!

My cousin's husband was at the show as well and got this awesome shot of little G-man. Isn't he so handsome?

Mom and I waiting for the show to start.

Easter Sunday was nice, it is the second Easter that Taran and I have spent together as a married couple. I put together his basket really quickly because I'm one of those huge last minute shoppers, but it still turned out great. He got mine the same night because he is also a last minute shopper. We both got each other Disney movies which is adorable. After exchanging baskets we watched Frozen and ate chocolate for breakfast because we're adults.
Later that day we went over to a friends house for dinner. I made my first attempt at cake pops which made us pretty late to the dinner party, lesson learned: don't bake something for other people unless you know 100% what you're doing. My cake pops ended up way too moist and wouldn't stay on the stick to dip in frosting, and the frosting made a huge mess. I mean, they tasted fine but they weren't pretty. I decided to just leave them home for us and try again another time. Trial and error. I'll do better next time.

We had a great time spending Easter with friends, Taran and I even helped with the Easter egg hunt for the kids.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Sunday was also Stella's 4th birthday. Yes I put a candle on a treat for her, what else would I do?

AND Sunday was also the day we adopted Mila one year ago. (Look how much she's changed!)
We sure love our goofy little fur kids. So grateful we have them in our lives to keep us happy and entertained.

One

Hello, yes it's me. Remember when I used to actually post on this blog?
Here's the thing, I've had a pretty busy few months. I've had things come up that were a little more important that blogging. On top of that I go through phases where I feel like my life is so uninteresting and not worth blogging about. I've had to tell myself multiple times that I have a lot to talk about besides my daily life and this blog doesn't have to be strictly daily life updates.
On that note, I will dive into a post sometime this week to rehash what Taran and I have been up to for the past couple of months. Today I'm writing about something else.

This weekend Taran and I celebrated our first anniversary. It's insane to me that I can say "I've been married for a year". We're past the newlywed stage, we have moved onto the actual stage of 'The Griffith's'. I've had a year of being somebodies wife. No longer a fiance, a girlfriend or "that girl from math class that I like-like".
Marriage is a crazy, phenomenal constant uphill battle. It's definitely not easy, but it's something that is so fulfilling every single day that I look forward to improving and growing.
As you may know Taran and I opted for a simple wedding at the courthouse in favor of something elaborate that required a lot of planning. Now that a year has gone by I am still incredibly glad that I made that choice.

We were lacking in the finances to do anything too extravagant to celebrate this year, however money doesn't matter when you're in the company of someone you love. Sound cheesy? It's true. I had such a fun weekend and I think we may have a couple traditions started that I'm looking forward to continuing.
We spent the day (March 1st) down in the city where we got married. Since we were there for the wedding they've built so many different things. The day we were there the previous year we had to avoid construction to get our wedding pictures (which turned out amazing anyway.) and they really only had built a restaurant and movie theater. We thought it would be a fun tradition to go have dinner at the same restaurant we went to last year. It was a great choice because the food was delicious!
After dinner we visited the little fountain where our pictures were taken and had someone snap a new picture in the same spot.

 We spent some time wandering around the mall, shops with giant candy bars and some with wall to wall accessories (my dream!)
Once it got dark we decided to head home for some wine and Breaking Bad. (Which we finished this weekend by the way...amazing? Amazing. I think I might have ptsd from that ending...I keep thinking about it.)
On our wedding night we stayed at a really nice hotel where they gave us a bottle of wine for free. The hotel also had a free wine tasting in the lobby that night and we had plenty of it. When we got home we decided to hold off on cracking open our free bottle and to save it for our one year since we didn't have the traditional first layer of cake or anything like that. We were nervous about the quality of the wine, considering we've never saved a bottle before, so we stopped and bought a couple fresh bottles just in case. It ended up tasting great though and it was nice to toast our one year with our wedding night gift.

Sunday we spent the day in pajamas finishing up Breaking Bad and simply enjoying each others company. I had such a great time with my husband. I'm truly so lucky I snagged that one, he's the best.
Speaking of, did you check out my gorgeous anniversary gift in the photo above?
 I've had my eye on those necklaces for awhile now and he remembered! I'm in love, it's beautiful!
Thrilled to have been married to that stud for a year. To many many many more!!

- or +

It's November, which means it's the month of gratitude. I, like many others have gone to social media to express something that I'm thankful for each day. While scrolling along, reading about different reasons to be grateful I happened to see something else popping up on my news feed.

And it made me really think. Yes, I'm sharing my gratitude, but do I complain the rest of the year? The answer is yes. Then I thought - why does it matter?
So I've logged on to Facebook and updated my status to bitch a little bit. Whether it be because of a job or bad restaurant service, or even about the ending of a book/movie/TV show.
Just because we are venting does it mean we're not allowed to feel grateful at the same time? Yes we're specifically sharing gratitude this month, but that's the point. It's called Thanksgiving. I could continue my lists of blessings throughout the entire year because I can find something to be grateful for each day. Hell, I'm simply thankful for the doughnut I had for breakfast!

So why do we feel the need to tear apart others for just actually realizing the things they have in their lives? Yes, I was thankful for that doughnut, but at the same time I would have rather been home with my husband instead. That's life.

Granted, there are a few people out there who take Facebook complaining to the extreme. Some things should just be kept to yourself. Stating "my life sucks" is a bit excessive, but hey, don't we all feel that way sometimes? I know I've had those moments (especially after a really crappy day) and then something as simple as having this blog to write about it makes me snap out of and remember that life could be worse.

I was at a work meeting this morning and we were discussing customer service an dhow people are so quick to bring up a complaint rather than an appraisal. Why is it so much easier for us to focus on negativity? Instead of putting someone in the spotlight for a job well done we tear the person down or make fun of something.
Look at Miley Cyrus for example. I am definitely not a fan of hers, but can you go anywhere without seeing satire involving her? How many VMA or Wrecking Ball costumes did you see on Halloween? Whether you're a fan or not, can you deny that she is huge right now?

We as people thrive on negativity. Complaints are what fuel our generation's media.
So why is it bad when we push aside our complaining and put more attention on our good? I say, bitch it out, if it makes you feel better to vent and share via social network then go ahead.
But then, instead of shaming another person for expressing positivity...instead of poking fun at each new thing that explodes over the news just take a second and be happy. Maybe in the midst of our complaining we could all take a second and be grateful for something.
Even if it's just a stupid doughnut on a lame day.

twenty.four

Tomorrow is my birthday! {I guess technically today...I didn't get this post done before midnight haha}

Since we're all grown ups now and have jobs on Mondays {well, those of us who don't work retail...like me} I celebrated this weekend. Friday I got some people together and went to a bar to hang out. It was pretty low-key but I still had a good time! Plus I got to see some people that I haven't hung out with in awhile.

Yesterday I had a little party at my mom's best friend's house. She is such a hilarious person, and without a doubt one of the sweetest people I've ever met. My mom has been friends with her for years and she makes us feel like part of the family. I was asked what kind of party I wanted and I chose Disney Princesses. My mom's other bff, {who is practically my aunt, they've been friends since they were little} made me a cake with a bunch of princesses, a castle, and a tiara. It was the greatest.
Crystal and Jerrica came too!

Today wasn't really a birthday thing, but Taran and I went to my mom's house to have dinner and watch the season premier of Dexter.
It was a lovely, lazy Sunday and I really enjoyed it.

As far as birthdays go, I've always been a fan of mine. I like getting together with people to celebrate a day that's mine {a little narcissistic? eh. ;) }

And I won't lie, I like presents....hey, I'm only human!

Planning.

As you know, Taran and I eloped in March.
This was not a shotgun wedding, or a "we can't wait any longer" wedding.
I had dreamed of a nice real wedding for so long, but that all came to a halt when I found out my grandma didn't have much time left.
I didn't have my elopement to impress anybody or to hurt anybody's feelings. We did it so my grandmother could see me get married before she passed.
It was the best decision I made and I will never regret it for the rest of my life.

That being said, I still want that wedding. I don't plan on doing this again and I want to have that party with dancing and toasts and a dress.
So I am having a post elopement reception.
I know I've mentioned doing it before, but I mean it.

I didn't get to do the fun wedding planning stuff. I never got to have a bridal shower, or a rehearsal dinner. I didn't get to pick out dresses with my bridesmaids or walk down an aisle.
Like I said, I don't regret my wedding at all...it was lovely and perfect and knowing my grandma witnessed it made it even better. She knows I wanted to have a wedding, and she would want me to have all of this. Putting it all on hold was worth it for her because the intimate part is over, she was there. She saw me take Taran as my husband and I as his wife. That will never be replaced, and I'll be able to tell our children how much my grandma meant to me because I couldn't bear to marry my best friend without her there. Her name is on the marriage certificate. I am 1,000% happy with how we did things.

I just want a damn reception.

So, it's decided. We'll have a small "ceremony" where Taran and I will just exchange vows {not real vows, just handwritten ones, which is what I wanted for our real wedding} and we will have a party. I'll have bridesmaids and a shower...the only difference in it is that we're already married. Who cares?
Plus, there are many family members who were unable to come to our tiny courthouse ceremony that I know would have loved to be there. This will be the chance for them to see us celebrate our love for each other.
It may be way after the actual wedding, and it may be weird to do so, but I don't care.
My grandma would want me to have this and it's what I want, what Taran wanted....

Life is lovely...

When you find a new piece of jewelry you love. 

When you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. 

When someone thinks of you, even in the tiniest way

When you have two adorably goofy puppies who make you smile daily. 

Thoughts on fashion blogging...

Top: Wet Seal
Jeggings: thrifted
Shoes: gift
Ring: Charlotte Russe

Sometimes I get online and started browsing around looking at fashion blogs and I start to feel embarrassed about my own blog for a few reasons

• I don't have a very nice camera, it's just a little Canon digital camera I got 4 years ago. Also I'm not good at photo editing, I just use Picasa and change a few things.
• Nobody takes my pictures. Sometimes my husband will, but that's if we're even home at the same time when I'm all dressed up. Mostly I rely on self timer and finding a way to prop my camera up on something.
• I don't have super fancy clothes. I work in retail so most of my clothes are the same brand and it's because I get a discount. If I shop outside of my own store it's usually just a similar type. I can't afford ModCloth or Ruche or Shabby Apple, and I don't have sponsors that will send me them for free.
• My blog is kind of lame, I'm terrible with HTML and I can't figure out how to put cute links on here or how to even spruce it up...I just go with what I know...which ranges from the 'design' tab to the 'layout' tab.

After feeling a little mopey about my sub-par blog, I snapped out of it and realized "who freaking cares?" 

• I may not have the best camera or photoshop skills, but I can take a picture of my outfit...which is the point. And you can see the outfit.
• I don't have fancy clothes but they clothes I do have are cute and stylish and I love them.

And above all:

• I like my style, and I like sharing it with other people. I shouldn't feel inadequate because my blog isn't as pretty, extravagant or popular as others.

I'm going to post what I want to post, and if people want to read it then I think that's great. If other people don't like it...then I really don't give a shit.

:)

Meet Mila

Top: Forever 21
Leggings: Wet SealBoots: Wet SealEarrings: Wet SealWatch: Gift

 

Yep! We have a new addition to our little family. This little nugget found her way into our hearts and we couldn't bear to not bring her home with us.
Saturday Taran and I went out for lunch before I had to work. Afterwards I mentioned that we should stop by PetSmart to pick up a new toy for Stella {it happened to be her birthday. [Yes I know these things]}
As luck would have it, we would choose to go to the pet store on the day they were doing open adoptions. I have such a soft spot for puppies and just dogs in general, I couldn't just walk by without looking. We spotted this little baby right away, and I fell in love. She kept licking me and sticking her paws out so I would pet her. Taran was interested in her sister who looked more like a lab, but for some reason I kept going back to this one. The longer we stayed there talking to her and playing with her, the more I couldn't tear myself away. We talked to one of the ladies running the adoption part and she told us about the shelter they kept her at and how they were not very well taken care of there.
Eventually we decided that there was no way we could leave without this sweetheart. We filled out the paperwork, bought her a collar and brought her to her new home with us.

Taran chose the name Mila for her {as in Mila Kunis or Mila Jovovich} and we are so happy! Stella was a little timid at first, she wasn't aggressive or mean, but she didn't like the puppy to touch her at all.
Right now we're focusing on getting her potty trained! Luckily that was one thing I NEVER had a problem with when Stella was little, she caught on very quickly.

She's adorable and I'm so glad we added her to our little family :)

a tiny post about a lunch break

Sometimes my heart gets a little sad when I have to work the entire weekend. Perks of working retail, you don't ever get "weekends". But it's okay, I'm used to it by now.
Mainly I just get bummed because I can't have my hubby all to myself on his days off.
Luckily we know how to work around my weird schedule and are able to squeeze some time together. For instance, he picked me up this afternoon and took me to Noodles & Co. during my lunch break. It was so lovely outside, we decided to sit outside and eat on the patio. Have I mentioned I love Spring?

Little things like this make my weird/long/tiring weekend shifts so much better!

Month 1

We've officially been married for one month now. March flew by, and between me going to Nevada to visit Randi and Taran working a lot it's no wonder I'm shocked that it's already April.
Even though it's already been a month, not much has changed between us besides the fact that we each have an extra piece of jewelry to wear. I've gotten used to the word "husband" but I don't exactly feel like I'm somebody's "wife". Partially because I haven't had a chance to go get my driver's license or social security card changed, so nothing really screams "you are now Mrs. Griffith!" I'm hoping I can do that soon though, because I want to be able to sign things with my new name.

Sometimes it hits me though, when I hold Taran's hand and I feel his ring, I think "oh. I'm really married". When it does hit me I can't help but smile, I am so happy that Taran is my husband, that we are Mr and Mrs.

I'm not sure if being married was supposed to change anything, but it really hasn't, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
I'm still as lovestruck as I've been for 3 years, it just gets stronger every day.
I still can't cook. Although I'm learning.
I still have a shopping addiction. I've developed some self control though, which is a big step for me {haha.}
We still don't want kids yet.

Month 1 is down, and I can't wait for another, and another. Then for a year, and another year. And for the rest of our lives.

Mr. & Mrs. Griffith

That's right! I am officially a married woman, and I couldn't be happier!
My simple, small, planned-in-a-week wedding was perfect and I wouldn't have changed a thing, because no matter what I was standing at an alter looking my now husband in the eyes and vowing to spend the rest of my life with him. That's perfection to me.
Not everyone got to make it, but everyone was so understanding about the situation and it makes me feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. I am grateful for the people who were able to come and share our special day with us.
Even more than grateful I am elated. My grandma was there and she looked beautiful, proud, happy...just what I wanted. She even got to sign our marriage certificate as a witness, so that is one thing I will be able to cherish for the rest of my life.

After the wedding we all went to a restaurant called "ParkStone Wood Kitchen" in Farmington. It was pretty good and laid back, nothing to fancy but I had a great time with everyone. My awesome boss/photographer joined in on every part and she captured some fantastic pictures. Outside of the restaurant they were building a gorgeous courtyard type thing with fountains and a fireplace so we got some good shots there. I'm excited to see the rest! Especially all the family pictures.

My dad and stepmom pitched in to get us a honeymoon suite at a fancy hotel in Salt Lake City. The room was very nice, and they gave us a free bottle of wine, plus $10 credit to the food in the room {I forget what it's called...oops}. The hotel also offered a free wine hour in the lobby so Taran and I went down to have a couple glasses. The assistant general manager gave us his card, told us congratulations and gave us a $50 dining credit to our room. He was such a nice guy and we weren't expecting that, but they know how to take care of newlyweds :)

It was such a perfect day. I am so happy with how it ended up and I'm so happy to have such a wonderful husband. I've waited for this day for so long and now we are finally married and, although it doesn't feel too different, I love being a wife!