Back to Basics

So I'm realizing my gift ideas have been a wee bit on the steep side, so I wanted to give some $10 bucks and under options. Here's some goodies I absolutely love and absolutely need for that so-fresh-and-so-clean feeling. You know what I mean.

Keeping my Norwegian skin clear, I love exfoliating cleansers. I'm currently using Clean&Clear scrub, but I'm always up to something new, as long as it smells fresh and leaves that cool tingling feeling on my skin afterwards, ahhhhhhhh!

I'm also in love Velocity from Mary Kay, both the cleanser and the moisturizer.

Who doesn't love that "seriously, feel how smooth my legs are!" post shower attitude? That's why my intuition razor is a must in my shower caboodle. No nicks, just smoothness.

As for the auburn flow of beauty that is my hair, ask the only lady I allow to mess with it, Auntie Barbie. She's seen the best and worst of do's ontop of my head, and she knows what's best for me. She's my hair mom. I love her. Call her up if you want to get me some product. 218.747.2563

Colorful, lovely, cute jewelry. You can't go wrong.

Beads I can make colorful, lovely, cute jewelry with. Yay!

Socks. Although I love the comfy thick ones to lounge around in, I would use the thin moisture-wicking wool kind. Great for boarding!

Anything from the Pink section at Victoria's Secret. I wear size M. I like lace hipsters!

Although I'm a fan of Bath & Body (mango mandarin, coconut lime verbana, cool citrus basil, pink grapefruit) I adore Aveeno products, especially the positively radiant line.

Crossword puzzles. I love them! Shawn and I do them when we drive anywhere for a long time together. (i.e. Ashby) They are sooo good for vocabulary and thinking about language in different ways. A cool book of crosswords would be a perfect gift.

A Glimpse into the Past

Old pictures make me laugh. They seem to resemble more with each passing year. Originally, I was going to post a picture of Alli so it makes Karley feel bad about NOT including Alli, but I've devised a way to include them BOTH. So hold onto your pee...Alli breathing in the sweet aroma of Lutefisk, a cod that passes all understanding.

All holding Miles, who strongly resembles an egg.

Apparently we are very excited about Sam and Dad carving the ham. Nice face, Alli.

Alli and I, sexy and tan.

p.s.-I think this is the last trip the Exploder ever made to Fargo.

To this day of my most treasured pictures. This is Dixie, our first dog who made us laugh with her vocal expressiveness.


Can you believe Karley ever did her hair like this??















Well, that's it (for now). I hope you enjoyed these as much I do! Took my mind off the stress of finals, anyway. Peace & Love

Accessorize!

An early Christmas present came with a black Friday deal I couldn't pass up. I got an 8G Sansa Fuze, but alone its kinda naked. Here's some accessories I would love to dress it up a bit with:

A travel cover/adjustable arm-band

and/or a FM transmitter

Per-fume, her-fume, Jill-fume

Even though I love that post-workout sweat smell (Jill-fume), I acknowledge that a dash of perfume is good everyonce in a while. I adore Hollister's August perfume, but it's been discontinued [tear] (although you can still buy it on ebay, nudge-nudge).

Anyway, [wiping off the tear] I am ready to move on to bigger and better fumes. I've decided on one to add to my Christmas list. Burberry Brit Gold, yum!

Wanna Play??

'Tis the season for gaming. I mean some all out Halo/Gears of War II/Call of Duty 4/World of Warcraft serious gaming. All day, every day. Oh wait, I have a life. Switching gears, I am a huge fan of board games, cards, party games, whatever... But I am a bit short-handed when it comes to a few old favorites and new ones on the market I'd like to try my hand at. Living in Minnesota, we know what it's like to be cooped up defending ourselves from the biting cold and passing time with friend playing games with friends can be immensely entertaining, perhaps even more than jigsaw puzzles (love 'em, seriously. Good gift idea!)

Yamodo: Looks like a revamped version of Pictionary (love it!) Got voted top 10 games of 07, nice.

What's Yours Like?: A game where you have to describe a secret word without giving it away. Creativity is key. I would rock this game.

Would You Rather...: Competive game between groups or people where you have to guess which crazy situation they would choose over the other equally crazy situation.

Balderdash: Fun game where you compete to define an imaginary word. Hilarious.

Literacy Rocks!

I've had my eye on some best-sellers lately, and have refrained from purchasing them in hopes that Santa might drop them off in a couple weeks! In case Santa's surfing the web and happens to land on my blog, he'll know exactly what to bring in his sleigh!

The Last Lecture. I've read about the author in Reader's Digest (a Christmas gift from Grandma last winter. My fave magazine). Randy Paush suffers from a terminal form of cancer. He prepares himself for departing from his long held position as an esteemed professor by delivering a final lecture. They short bio I read left me anxiosly anticipating the book, and now it's here!

Marley and Me. A tribute to the John Grogan's dog Marley of 12 years, Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog sounds amazing. We all know how much a pet can mean to us, so I am confident I will adore this book.

The Glass Castle. I love memoirs, and when I read an article about the author, Jeannette Walls, in my Reader's Digest (it's not nerdy, I swear) I simply wanted to read more about her life filled with challenges and unexpected events. Who doesn't want to hear about ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things?

The Hour I First Believed: Thought it sounded interesting, read it's online description, decided my first impression was an understatement. It's from a best-selling author who writes about a couple who suffered from the attack at Columbine, and they struggle to find faith and trust in its healing power. It sounds like an inspiring and hopeful story.

FYI: The links are straight to Barnes and Noble and I'm not 100% this site offers the best price. I have no preference for hardcover over paperback, I just like the pictures better.

Any other suggestions, Mary?

AWWW, YOU GUYS MADE ME INK!

I want a tatoo. Plain and simple. I just find it hard getting past the 'permanent' part. Like I can't imagine being 88 years old and having a droopy, fading drawing of a iguana on my arm, gross. BUT if I could think of a timeless design I would get inked so fast. Herein lies el problema. What should I get? How big should it be? Words, quotes, drawing, imaginary things or real things? Colored, sepia, black and white? A heart with the word Mom scawled across it? So many questions, very few answers. But here's some ideas:

I would love a rib tatoo, as you can tell. I love the vine, flower, hibiscus look, but I would also like to incorporate a bird into it. I saw one with chickadees on a branch and absolutely loved it, I really like the bird one on the far right, too. I think if they're done right they can be really artistic and classy.

O! Christmas Tree

As you may or may not have known, Christmas is upon us (I know, right? I thought it was still August, too. It's so HOT out!) I had mentioned a Christmas list. On this Christmas list I had mentioned a base layer. These days they make this moisture-wicking material that keeps you dry and warm. Pretty sure Under Armour makes the good stuff, check it out.

Happy Holidays from Keri Noble

So I admire my friend and soulmate Kelly Halls. My freshmen roommate, she sadly moved back to Eden Prairie to finish her college education. She comes to Dulooth to vist frequently, and her visits are the highlites of my life. She came in October and she, Karley, and I attended a Keri Noble concert and fell in love with her. Conveniently, she was to return to Dinkytown for a holiday concert, and we all promised her we'd be there after the show.
Fast forward 2 months... Keri Noble's holiday show did NOT disappoint 2nd time around. Kelly and I met for some drinks at the Blarney Stone in Dinkytown and after about a 45-minute wait in 5 degree weather we nursed our frozen toes inside the Varsity Theater. Keri's performance made us laugh, cry, sing along, and hold hands. It was kinda like watching an episode of The Wiggles. I only wished Karley and Mary could've shared in the joy of it all.


Here's a song you might recognize from the radio. It's okay, sing along, we did.

Netflix, how I adore thee

My mother, a very smart, beautiful, clever, talented, woman signed up an account with Netflix recently. Because we live in a time of such great technology, Shawn can use his XBOX 218 miles away to access movies and play them in the convenience and warmth (not really. C'mon, it's Daluth) of his own living room. We recently watch the Hurricane with Denzel Washington. It was honestly one of the best movies I've ever watched. WATCH IT if you haven't. To be fair, I didn't want to watch it when Shawn requested it, cause it had a lame cover. As someone who loves to read, this would be considered a betrayal of all betrayals. Of this I'm sorry. My bizzle. It turned out to be magnificent much like some of the best books I've ever read (To be honest, The Notebook's cover is boring) Sorry Mary, it won't happen again.

Settling down for my long winter's nap...

As many of you know (Mom, Karley, Alli, everyone else who's let me complain to you about my baby bed situation) I've slept in a baby bed. I kid you not, until last month I had slept nearly every night of my 22 year old life in the same bed. A little twin frame with two mattresses stacked on eachother (reeeeeeeeeal good for the back, eh?) with a feather mattress to top it off like a dollap of whipped cream, it was like sleeping on a slice of angel food cake. Well, my BFFFW (best friend forever from work) Jen sold me her mattress set for $0, it was a pretty steep bargain but I decided to splurge and Rob and I hauled the trailer up to Cloquet to bring it home. (That's an INTERELY different blog, wow) Needless to say, my new bed is naked. It's like a 400 lb. woman just walked into a Victoria's Secret model's closet and tried to pick something to wear for a night on the town. My little sheets don't cut it. New sheets would be exquisite. FYI, I would prefer softness and quality over looks, don't just pick up a cheap set from Wal-Mart that seem cute cause I won't use them. If good sheets are too expensivo, just get me a gift card, anything helps! MMMMMMMmmmmm, who doesn't love cozy cozy sheets?! (I like the light brown)

So I loved my watch I bought from Maurices; I thought it was so pretty for being so inexpensive. That is until I looked down to check the time on Friday night and the face was shattered. Wouldn't that suck if your face shattered? Well it did. Take it from my watch. Anywho, I'm on the market for un nuevo reloj! I like the style of Nixon, Paul Frank, and Roxy: you can check some out on this website, but there isn't any listed I anticipate being on anyone's price-range, but some inspiration? Maybe. AQUI!

...and some 3's

Throwin' 180s

Shawn's decked out with his Skullcandy headphones, Spy goggles, and Airhole facemask. All Karley's rocking Robby's Oakleys.

I Got Spirit, Yes I Do! I Got Spirit, How 'Bout You?!

So Shawn and I had a fun day at Spirt Mtn, we had intentions of waking up early to be there all day (aka first chair) but, you know, that whole 'early' thing is easier said than done. I fell on my butt alot, so if that ¨pain is beauty¨ belief is true I´m the best looking girl in Daluth right now. Karley came with and zig-zagged down the hill for a while. It was about 10 degrees so we were laughing about how much we anticipated speeding down the hill, but disregarding frozen toes, fingers, nose, ears, faces, eyeballs, or whatever dermal layer that happens to get exposed to the elements, eeeeek! As you can see, Shawn likes to do lots of spins and jumps and pirouettes and all that jazz. He learned everything from me, fyi. No that's a lie. Actually the only reason I stay with the guy is so he'll teach me all his moves. No that's a lie, too. It's for his money.

Check out line

I just selected some products and colors I would like from the rest of the MAC site, they have free shipping so you never have to leave your chair! Check out, aisle two!

Well that MAC link did not work, try try again ----> eyeliner

So I realized online shopping is alot easier if I give the links to the things I would like, so I'll remember to do that so you're only a few clicks away from being done with this wonderful shopping season.

Love love love MAC makeup. Most of the time I can't afford it (as in I'm not willing to pay an extra $5 for mascara, even though it's worth the money) Anyway, 'tis the season! Here's some goodies I would jump for joy for.

Love this eyeliner in Graphblack, Jade Way, and Purple Dash! Clicke here!

And here's the link for the Burton snowpants, RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW

Sugarplums dance in my head...

Christmas. I time for hot cider and cinnamon sticks, sitting around the brightly lit tree, and enjoying one another's company in bright fuzzy sweaters. That is of course, if you live in Minnesota or some other normal state in this country where you don't have to have the air conditioner on on Christmas and throw a giant grill-out. I love Minnesota. Anyway, the other minor teenie weenie part of the Holiday season: presents! Here's a WANT (for definition, look at my 1st blog)

Lookie, lookie! I found gold pants! My gold is like Alli's pink ---> as in I cannot get enough of it. yum yum yum yum yum

Hunting with my dad with Belle on my lap, discussing the past, present, and future of the family farm has become a passion of mine in my adult years (adult? me?? weird.) I've been blessed with the opportunity to hunt pheasant and deer with my dad and uncle, and hope this tradition continues to grow each year as the farm supports more prosperous wildlife.

So here's to you, Dad and the 3 generation before you. And to Lily: I pray you will be able to treasure the big plot of land that overlooks Pelican Lake as much as I have.

Christmas comes early for Jill

This helmet has a deer on it, and the other side has a hunter stalking the big buck. I can empathize with this hunter, thus, I buy the helmet. It has camo. C'mon. How could I not? I think Dad will like it :)

Mom gave me money to buy a helmet for my birthday, because I'm me and I do what I do, I bought the helmet yesterday! (only 4 1/2 months late) So here's some stuff I have coming to keep my digits warm and my head from caving in.

These gloves are super soft and rock my glove world (aka the planet of Mitteneptune) Shawn just bought the same pair but in a khaki color and they came with a nice slim glove insert which are turning out PERFECT for driving in Duluth. We all know what it's like to touch the wheel of your car after a sub-zero night and feel part of your soul freeze off and shatter like an icicle on the corner of a barn. Poetic, huh?

Because I love showing these off more than ever (they are my babies, duh) I just thought I would display my gear. My board is a 2008 Burton Feelgood, quite possibly the best women's Park board (for the terrain park and half-pipe) on the market.

My boots and bindings are equally rad, you don't see many people on the mountiain with as much gold bling on their set-up as mine.

Again, I love my stuff and I would cry a million and two tears if anything would happen to them.

Here goes nothin'...

Here I am, blogging. I really never thought I was the blogging type, even yet I'm skeptacle. But Karley's blog is so pretty and organized, and Mary's is so neat the way it's her online journal for all to see. You two have definately inspired me in my transformation from a non-believer... Anyway, this is just in time for Christmas (fa la la la la la la la la) and I can set up an online Christmas list for everyone who's gonna buy me presents, yipee. I don't want to characterize the things I post by WANT and NEED because these words generalize too much, but I will simply re-define them. For example, I don't NEED a base layer for snowboarding/x-country skiing, but if I don't receive it as a gift, I'll end up buying it anyway -- so in my own terms, this would be need. Capishe??