Vintage Wanna Bee

i wear purple pants...

2012-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I also wear green and red pants.

I need to find some pink pants... and maybe some aqua...

xoxo

Nichelle

weekend blog hop {meet new bloggy friends!}

2012-06-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

bloggy friends are awesome.

link up your main blog url and meet some way rad peeps.

xoxo

Nichelle

my week in instagrams...

2012-05-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

insta insta instagrams!

follow me @nichellelora

*You look real comfy there Lotte

*Purple pants

*Rosette Necklaces

*Guess what I did!? I couldn't ride very well, but at least I tried!

*Letter 4+1 charity shirt!

*Making bouquets for graves on Memorial Day!

*Ta-da!

*Sharpie addiction.

*Yellow and Purple

*Cemetery

*Memorial Day Photographer

*Hi Grandpa! I love and miss you lots!

*Daddy - Daughter time!

*100 yards away... shot like a pro.

*Disney store!

*I made her a fort, she simply loved it.

*Head wrap.

*Painting my niece's room! She'll be here in 4 months!

*Pretty in pink.

*Happy Birthday Elise!

xoxo

Nichelle

breathing space {the event}

2012-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

all photos by Jenny K Photography

So, I've already talking about Breaking Space Blogger Retreat... how it was at Daybreak, which was awesome, and how Oh Sweet Sadie was going on as well, but now I would like to talk about how FANTASTIC the event was!

Elise and I arrived a little late, so we missed check in and the first two classes, but we arrived just in time for the "Stepford Wives" dinner party. Let me tell you, everyone looked so fantastic! Elise and I were glad we decided to change into skirts, instead of wearing our yucky driving clothes. At the dinner they announced the DIY Blogger House, and Dawn, a contestant on Survivor gave an incredibly motivating speech, I felt like I could accomplish ANYTHING!!

Then, we had yummy treats, photo booth fun, and a dance party with Whippy Cake.

That night, we all slept in super awesome model homes and exchanged gifts with our housemates.

Elise and I had the little boy room. The bed was a ship. Twas awesome.

The second day we went to classes! I loved how many there were for you to choose from! There were awesome classes like, yoga, tennis, make-up, interior design, photography, essential oils, knitting.... you name it. Seriously, it was bloggy heaven. That day we also had catered meals, and had free time to chill in Daybreak and shop at Oh Sweet Sadie.

Lastly, we had the chance to network with all of the sponsors, and connect with so many different bloggers and companies. It was seriously awesome. Then we had a "Cinco de Mayo Dinner Party" filled with delicious food and amazing new friends.

We all had a blast, and I was sad that the event was ending, but it was such a great opportunity to meet such amazing bloggers! I sure hope Breathing Space does another event next year! I will DEFINITELY be attending again if they do!!!

xoxo

Nichelle

I truly did love Breathing Space... I practically instagram'd the whole time...

dear boys... {disney edition}

2012-05-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Once Upon A Time...

I went into the Disney Store and all the guys that were working there were tall, good looking... and WORKING AT THE DISNEY STORE.

I've decided I should date one of them.

Mainly because they all looked nice and happy, and they probably get a discount...

Please know, these are all written in code names to protect the interests of both parties.

Dear Gaston,

I love talking to you about how you aren't sure if you like this girl because she seems way too into you.

Seriously, stop being so weird so you can be cool.

Sincerely, Belle

Dear Flynn,

I enjoy watching you flirt with other girls.

It's the highlight of my life.

Love, Rapunzel

Dear Aladdin,

Tell her... THE TRUTH.

Love, Miss Bee

Dear Charming,

Remember that one time you smiled at me, and I melted.

You should do an instant replay.

Love, Cinderella

Dear Boys Who I Hang Out With All The Time,

Even though, I'm the only girl in our little possy, I am greatly appreciative that you will belt Disney songs with me. It makes constantly talking about your girl problems worth it.

Love, Dr. Love.

Dear Bloggy Friends,

Since I know you are dying to know... here are the songs my boys sang with me...

Just so you know, they were totally into "I Won't Say I'm in Love" more than any other song.
It was the funniest thing I've ever seen.

xoxo
Nichelle

Linking up with...

memorial day memories

2012-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day is a big deal with my family.

We don't do anything crazy or fancy, but it's a day we all set aside to be together and to remember...

I feel so blessed to be around such amazing examples, and to be surrounded by such love.

I love my family more than anything else.

I also feel blessed to by named after 4 great women in my family. My middle name, Lora, is an acronym for my Grandmother's and Great Grandmother's names. Because it's so special to me, I'm not going to share all the names, but having my middle name be the names of 4 great women in my family gives me great honor, and I also feel a responsibility to represent them in all that I do.

Every year we take flowers to all the graves our our family members that are close to us. My Momma has always taught us that it is important to remember who we are and where we come from. I appreciate her example, and her instilling in me how important family is.

After we visit our families graves, we go and find a headstone that doesn't have any flowers by it. It usually takes us awhile to decide on what headstone to put our extra flowers on. This year, we put them on a family who had 5 of their children all die very young. The headstone was older, so most of their family probably has passed on as well, but we feel it's important to learn about others stories and to remember all of those who have passed on.

This year, my Dad and I also fixed one of the older headstones that was broken.

I'm grateful to be a part of such an amazing family who help me to remember what is really important, and who push me to be a better person each day. I love each and every one of them, and I'm so grateful for all the examples in my life, those who are still here, those who have left, and those who I haven't met, but I have heard stories about.

It's an honor to be Nichelle Lora Allen.

xoxo

Nichelle

how could i forget to mention, the bicycle is a good invention...

2012-05-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

So, I tried riding my bike.

It took a few minutes to figure out how to help my foot not to pop off every time I attempted to pedal with my left foot. I'm going to buy a toe clip so I don't have to worry about losing control of my ankle and having my foot pop off the pedal.

But, I did it! I RODE MY BIKE!

{by the way, I bought this bike at a second hand store for $15 and just fixed it up. pretty cool aye.}

It's haven't been on my bike since November of 2009.

It was great. I got stuck downhill though and had to walk part of the way, but when I was on level ground, I was doing pretty good! Good, I was awesome! Like a champ.

Isn't recovery awesome?

It's so nice to finally see improvement! Even though they are just baby steps, and I'm not very good at them yet, it's nice to be able to partially do things that I had no way of even attempting 2 years ago. I'm so incredibly blessed.

Life is good.

xoxo

Nichelle

talent tuesday! {a way cool linky party!}

2012-05-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who linked up last week!

It was so fun to go through all your posts, it's always hard to pick just one, but here is today's

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/iwasfeatured.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/talenttuesday-4.jpg" /></a></center>

Now, TALENT TUESDAY!

Time to show off your talent you bloggy beauties!

Please link up awesome posts.

Like: DIY, Tutorials, Recipes, Inspirational posts.

NO giveaways or shop updates can be linked up.

Thanks for linking up on Vintage Wanna Bee

xoxo

Nichelle

group giveaway spectacular {$175 value!}

2012-05-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Time for a group giveaway with some of my totally rad-tacular sponsors!

Please check out their awesome-ness!

"My name is Alissa, I'm the author of the creative lifestyle blog, Rags to Stitches. I'm always designing new products and researching trends to create items that make women look good, but most importantly make them feel good. My passions thrive within my family. With two children and an amazing husband I find myself busy with a full heart. Rags to Stitches is an extension of that."

Alissa is one of favorite ladies, she's giving away a $15 shop credit. I love her new designs!

{SHOP} {BLOG} {FACEBOOK}

"Hi, I'm Tricia, author of the blog Mama Marchand's Nest and owner of the shop Mama's Nest Designs. I love Jesus, my sweet hubs, my spunky daughter, designing jewelry, reading, tweeting, traveling, yoga, chai, and cupcakes."

Gah. Tricia. My love. Her shop is adorbs. She's giving away a $15 shop credit. Loves.

{BLOG} {SHOP} {FACEBOOK}

"I'm Elise from Elise's Pieces and I wanna BEE Nichelle when I grow up. The end."

Ha. Oh, Elise. Elise is giving one lucky reader a large ad spot on her blog, Elise's Pieces. {$15 Value}

{BLOG} {FACEBOOK} {PINTEREST}

"Hi, I'm Crystelle, a stay at home mom to a beautiful 4-yr-old girl and a very busy 2-yr-old boy. I crochet in my spare time and would love to be a photographer some day."

Crystelle is giving away a $25 shop credit, and boy oh boy am I jealous of you!

{FACEBOOK} {SHOP} {BLOG}

"Hi there! I'm Sarah and I'm addicted to making cards and eating ice cream!"

Sarah is giving away a $15 shop credit to her adorable greeting card, notes and paper craft shop!!!

{SHOP} {BLOG} {TWITTER}

" Hey, its Maria-Isabel of Agape Love Designs! Life is crazy, busy and beautiful! And I am sharing it all over at Agape Love Designs! Come stop by & say hello!"

Maria is giving one lucky reader a large ad space. {$40 Value}

{BLOG} {SHOP} {FACEBOOK}

"Hi Y'all! I'm Amanda and I blog and design at Royal Daughter Designs. I'm a a self-proclaimed animal lover, laundry procrastinator, sweet tea junkie, and high-heel hater."

Amanda is giving away a Facebook Timeline Graphic + Matching Twitter background {$50 value}

{BLOG} {FACEBOOK} {TWITTER}

Enter the giveaway on the rafflecopter widget! If you can't see it, click read more!

Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xoxo

Nichelle

why i love memorial day...

2012-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love Memorial Day.

We have a family tradition of visiting grave sites and being with family.

I love remembering and talking about old memories.

I love hearing about loved ones who lived amazing lives, gave service and blessed others.

It's truly a day to remember those who have passed on.

Each year, we take an extra bouquet of flowers to put on a grave that has nothing on it.

We don't know if their family has moved away, can't make it, or they have all passed on, but our family feels that everyone deserves to be remembered.

Normally, we buy flowers, but this year I decided to make my own bouquets for the graves.

We always get dark purple flowers for my great aunt, and red flowers for my great grandmother.

I loved making these, and having a specific person in mind as I created each one.

Families are so important.

I love spending Memorial Day with my family, remember those who may not be 'here' with us, but are still a very large part of our lives.

So, thank you family, for helping me become the woman I am today.

Thank you to those who have served our country.

Thank you to all who left their mark on this earth, no matter how big or small.

I hope you all have a fantastic Memorial Day!

xoxo

Nichelle

strong enough

2012-05-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

I've been really sick lately.

I have a few hours each day when I have strength, and those are usually the hours I show people. When I'm not with my friends, pretending that everything is okay, I'm in my bed eating saltines and sipping water.

I don't know if it's the emotional stress of my current trial and the recovery, but it's not fun.

I'm doing the best I can, but I feel I've been failing miserably. I feel no matter how hard I try, I'm always behind. Always hoping for a moment when I can just feel relaxed and let my body have a break. My body has been through so much trauma, and although it's been a blessing in which I've been able to learn so much, and grow as a person, it's been hard. Not just hard emotionally, but physically.

I'm tired of "relearning how to walk".

I'm tired of being so incredibly weak and pretending I'm not.

I'm just tired.

I'm grateful for the patience of my family, my friends and all of you, as I attempt to not be a failure.

I know I'm not a failure, but at times, it feels like I am.

It just feels like it will never end. Even though I've been gaining strength and there's hope for my foot. I've been walking with no or very little assistance, (I have been wearing a wrap around my ankle, just to keep it supported) which is amazing. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed with where I need to go, I forget how far I have come.

I'm not trying to make excuses, or have a pity party.

I just wanted to say, I'm not strong enough and I know it. But, with that said, even though I am not enough, I have my Savior, and with Him, I can do anything.

That even though, I'm a light years away from being perfect, He is perfect, and I can come perfected through Him. I can accomplish and overcome anything because He is on my side, rooting for me, cheering for me, helping me through everything.

He is my strength, and when I get to those moments when I feel like I can't go on, that I'm alone, and there's nothing more I can take, He is there.

I'm so very grateful for my testimony, and the relationship I have made with my Savior.

He lives and He loves me.

He loves each one of us, more than we will ever know.

xoxo

Nichelle

weekend blog hop

2012-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

hey, i just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my blog hop, so link up maybe?

bloggy friends are awesome.

link up your main blog url and meet some way rad peeps.

xoxo
Nichelle

check out her fancy feet!

2012-05-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

You know, people who don't know my story, are probably like, man, this girl talks a lot about feet.

I'm sorry, but walking and feet are my favorite subjects to talk about.

I'm so proud of myself.

I can walk.

Over 2 years ago, when I was told my leg was paralyzed, I never thought those would be words that I could say again. I feel so awesome.

Granted, I've been able to 'walk' with my brace the past two years, but it just isn't the same having something help you walk. Plus, I always felt so foolish limping whenever I wasn't wearing the brace.

So, here's what happened "the day I walked".

***

I had been out of my boot a little bit, but relied on it, because I honestly was too scared to walk without it.

I went without it when I was doing exercises, but I was always in a safe environment when I wasn't wearing it. I was either at physical therapy or at home doing my own work outs and practicing "walking like a normal person"... I held out my hands to balance and would walk around the house saying "heel - toe, heel - toe". My family was very entertained.

I woke up that morning and I just felt like today was the day.

I was going to try.

I was going to walk, outside, not hiding in my house, without my brace, without a wrap, without my boot.

I was going to walk, without a limp, on my own,

NO MATTER WHAT, and no matter how slow I would have to go.

I walked upstairs and was just overwhelmed with courage and thought to myself,

I'm going to take Lotte too.

It would have been easier without a huge dog pulling me but I just felt I should take her.

I prayed. Please, give me strength to do this, and please, don't let Lotte make me fall.

I put on my most supportive tennis shoes, and walked out the door.

I was slightly freaking out.

I can't do this.

I'm not wearing a brace.

I'm going to get stuck somewhere, helpless and I'll have to crawl home.

I can't do this, it's too hard.

I'm not ready.

Then, I just started. I was given strength I didn't know that I had.

I was walking.

It wasn't very fast, I wasn't very steady, but I was walking.

I wasn't limping, but anyone watching me would have definitely noticed how careful I was being.

I held on tight to Lotte's leash, and was grateful she was being so calm.

I kept going. I went a block, then two, then three.

I felt awesome.

I tried walking faster. I couldn't go much faster, my foot didn't have the strength. And it still wasn't in proper working order, but it could manage a slow pace.

So, I decided I would trust it more. I walked with less hesitation.

I waved to neighbors.

I smiled.

I smiled the whole way home.

I had done it.

I hadn't done it perfectly, but I had done it.

Walking without assistance was something I never thought I would be able to do again, and I did it.

***

Walking. A task so simple, that I forgot how awesome it was.

I'm so grateful I did this past surgery.

That I took a chance for improvement, that I'm going through all this pain.

Because, the other day, I was able to take my dog on a walk. I wasn't wearing a boot, or a brace, and I didn't limp. It was awesome.

When I got home, I seriously couldn't hold back the tears.

I just cried.

I was in a lot of pain, my foot was so weak, but I did it.

I walked. By myself. Not limping.

It was and will be one of the happiest moments of my life.

I never knew something so simple, could bring so much joy.

Since then, I've been "practicing walking" and gaining strength at physical therapy. I've been wearing a wrap or an athletic brace, just to give my ankle more support as I gain more strength. I haven't used these muscles for years, and they are still damaged, and trying to remember how to work. They are always in pain, but they are working hard to get better.

I will admit, I prefer wearing some type of wrap.

It is better for me to walk in it, because my ankle is so weak.

But, I also prefer wearing it because, I don't really trust my foot, and some of the biggest struggles I have had is emotionally and moving past this.

I've spent the last 2 years compensating for my foot, and it's hard to believe that eventually it will be able to do most things on it's own. I know that I'll never have a 'normal foot' again, but I will be able to do so much more very soon. I also prefer wearing a type brace, because I'm just so use to it and it gives me a sense of security and support.

Speaking of support, Elise was the first person I told after I went on my walk.

We went celebratory shoe shopping, because now, I can buy shoes that aren't tennis shoes, or shoes that my brace has to work with, because I don't need a brace anymore!

I still have a long road ahead of me, but I'm one giant step closer to recovering!

It's been amazing, and I feel so blessed.

I don't even know how to properly put it into words, which is why this post is just me going on and on about how awesome it is to walk!

Here's to the next few months of perfecting my "new walk" and hopefully getting better each day.

Maybe next year I'll be blogging about the marathons I'm running in...

xoxo

Nichelle

my week in instagrams

2012-05-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” ~Marc Riboud

Cool quote that my friend Timmy the Photographer shared with me.

Follow me on instagram

@nichellelora

*wearing my letter 4 + 1 shirt

*all I had to wrap my friends wedding gift was paper bags and tulle...

*pretty flowers, um and sprinklers

*movie in the park. small town livin'

*took my dog on a walk... without my boot... or brace...

*crying. because I can walk.

*celebrating with elisey face

*celebratory shoe shopping for being one step closer towards recovery!

*what a spectacle i am

*i can finally wear non tennis shoes to church!

{pretty rad scars! i'm so proud. sidenote: i have 20 inches worth of scars from all my surgeries.

i know right, i'm hard core.}

*wearing an athletic brace, because it freaks me out not to have something on my ankle...

*capture the flag. monday nights.

*sunday outfit*

headband: my shop. top: violet hill. skirt: vintage. shoes: payless

*temple trip with my bff

*flowers

*mini golfing

*froyoyoyo

*fire with friends

*Lotte says, "I want to come teach the girls from church crafts!"

*making funnel cakes and headbands with the girls.

*these are the headbands I taught the girls to make, I also taught them how to look ridiculous.

Post about being able to walk for the first time in 2.5 years coming soon!

Also, I'll be doing a tutorial on the headbands I taught the girls from my church to make!

I could also do a tutorial post about how to make silly faces...

Nah. That would be awkward.

xoxo

Nichelle

breathing space {oh sweet sadie}

2012-05-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks Breathing Space, for having our event the same weekend as Oh Sweet Sadie.

Gah. I just love gift shows, craft fairs, farmers markets. They are just my style.

Oh Sweet Sadie, was simply awesome.

It made me want to do more shows with my products! But I'm always so nervous branching out and taking that risk! The vendors are always so incredibly awesome and talented. I'm a vendor at a local boutique, and I've done a grand total of 2 gift shows! Ha. {I should do more, but sometimes I go to these things and think, man, I'm definitely not as cool as these ladies.}

But, back to the point, Oh Sweet Sadie was simply adorable, and I loved seeing some of my favorite shops and vendors, like LivyLove Designs, Cozette Couture, Whippy Cake and I even saw one of my favorite home town shops, Adorn It.

So many awesome people, and great products.

I wish I was that cool!

xoxo

Nichelle

my goal today is...

2012-05-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

My goal today is to simply survive...

and hopefully I won't fail at tomorrow.

Sorry for the lack of being on top of things, and sorry for being sick and a slacker and blah.

Tomorrow will be better, but today is just a day to get through.

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas Edison

xoxo

Nichelle

P to the S

It has recently come to my attention, that not everyone is not as obsessed with John Mayer as I am, so here are some songs you should like if we are going to be friends...

{We can still be friends, but you know what I mean...}

breathing space {daybreak}

2012-05-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of the many cool things about Breathing Space Blogger Retreat, was that it was at Daybreak.

The more I think about it, the more I love it.

Daybreak is this awesome community is South Jordan, Utah.

Blogging is an awesome community online. Sigh, how very poetic of me.

Okay, it's cheesy, but really, it's so true.

I really appreciate people who want to be surrounded by wonderful people, interesting places and have a sense of community among neighbors. I love that we, as bloggers have that. It's what keeps me going in this little blog world.

Another thing that I love about Daybreak is that they appreciate how cool us bloggers are....

Check this out peeps:

THE DIY BLOGGER HOUSE AT DAYBREAK

Gah. So cool.

I'll be posting more about Breathing Space and the awesome classes, delicious food, rad people and pretty things! Eeeeek! It really was great! Stay tuned!

xoxo

Nichelle

dear boys... {avengers edition}

2012-05-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't written a "Dear Boys" post in awhile, and figured it was time to.

Sometimes, I'm nervous to write these, because what if the boy I'm talking about reads this.

awkward. slash, funny, but mostly awkward.

Please know, these are all written in code names to protect the interests of both parties.

Dear Iron Man,

You are seriously so cool! It's impressive how awesome you are. But, I just don't understand why you have to be so lame all the time.

Love, N

Dear Thor,

So, I was kinda interested. Then, you started asking me girl advice. So, I gave up.

Love, Nich

Dear Hawkeye,

First you ignore me, then you call me all the time, and now you are talking about the girl you love.
I'm not a yo-yo.

Love, Red

Dear Hulk,

I miss admiring your extreme awesomeness and attractiveness from afar.

Maybe you should get my number and ask me out.

Love, Girl

Dear Captain America,

Blah.

All my heart, Nichelle

I'm linking this post to Elise's Pieces "Dear Boys" linky party that she has every Wednesday.

Sometimes it feels like #wearetheonlybloggersnotmarried #dontworry #itsfine #onedaywewillbemommybloggers

Oh, did you know Elise is awesome. Yeah, it's true. #slashtag

Follow me on instagram @nichellelora

xoxo

Nichelle

talent tuesday {a way cool linky partay}

2012-05-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who linked up last week!
It was so fun to go through all your posts, it's always hard to pick just one, but here is today's
featured link up:

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough Truffles

TALENT TUESDAY BUTTONS:

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/iwasfeatured.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/talenttuesday-4.jpg" /></a></center>

Now, TALENT TUESDAY!

Time to show off your talent you bloggy beauties!

Please link up awesome posts.

Like: DIY, Tutorials, Recipes, Inspirational posts.

NO giveaways or shop updates can be linked up.

Thanks for linking up on Vintage Wanna Bee

xoxo

Nichelle

shine shine shine

2012-05-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

You know Ashley of The Shine Project right? Right. Of course you know her. Because she's amazing.

Well, there is going to be a SHINE EVENT in Salt Lake City! So, my fellow Utah Bloggers, I hope you see you all there! I will be rockin' my boot, spreading some shine!

Here's some info about the event, originally posted by Brittany of Love Stitched. She has done so much to help with this event! Read the awesome-ness!!!

***

This is a FAMILY event…so bring your kids, your cousins, your neighbors, your church, etc! The more people the better! It is just $10 per person or $20 per families of 4! A small price to be able to not only make someones day but to contribute to the SHINE PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP and make a difference in the world!

Want to know more about how the SHINE SLC event and how it is going to work? wwweeelllll… here is a little snid bit about it :

SLC SHINE SCAVENGER HUNT:
The event will be based off of the Pass it Forward cards {read more about them here}. We will meet at a park {sugar house park to be exact}, and will be divided into teams of 4.
Each team will have a list of about 30 scavenger items, and a bag of things that correspond. For example, let’s say number 1 is: Leave a quarter in a gum ball machine for the next person to enjoy. The bag would have a quarter in it, and a pass it forward card for you to tape on and leave… It would also have things that said, hold a door open for a stranger, leave a place better than you found it, write a note of encouragement and post on a bathroom mirror. Get the gist of it? We’ll be leaving SHINE all over Salt Lake.

eeeekkkk see aren’t you excited!!! I am going to be a team leader along with many other bloggers in the Utah area…I WANT TO MEET YOU and make a change, lets make SLC SHINE!!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP THOUGH….spread the word the more people that know about it the more that will show up!

WANT TO HELP? email Ashley we are looking for donations for the bags, food, and more!

LETS GET READY TO SHINE!

MAY 26, 2012

***

It's going to be so awesome!

Let me know if you are coming and we can meet up, and you can see how awkward I am, IN PERSON.

Let's SHINE!!!

Let's BE THE CHANGE!!!

xoxo

Nichelle

saturday blog hop {meet bloggy bff's}

2012-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

bloggy friends are awesome.

link up your main blog url and meet some way rad peeps.

My Bloggy BFF's.

Savannah. Megan. Alycia. Elise. Gentri. Me.

i like these things called instagrams

2012-05-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Usually, I do this post every week, but since my life has been crazy lately, here's two weeks.

Also, if you have emailed me, I'm almost caught up with the million things I have to do, and so, I will be tackling my inbox very very soon. Thanks for being nice.

Follow me on instagram @nichellelora

Remember that one time I went to Breathing Space and it was totally awesome.

Yeah me too, I promise, I'm posting about all of that soon.

- I probably post as many pictures of my dog as new mommy's post pictures of their babies.

Oh well.

- Remember that one time I stuck my feet out of the sunroof of my friends car.

Don't worry, I'm secretly 5 years old.

-Rehearsal for Alice in Wonderland. I accidentally volunteered Elise and I to be directors.

-I bought myself flowers. Because, I deserve it.

- I always wore headbands to rehearsal, because one day a little girl said this to me, "Will you wear a headband tomorrow?" Haha. Yes I will wear a headband tomorrow. "Good. You look better with headbands." {I tried to not let the opinion of a 7 year old rattle my self esteem.... it didn't work, so I wore headbands all that week.}

-We sat at the front of the stage telling the kids what to do. It was great.

-Program.

- I eat. #nichelleeats

-Drinking Jones and watching a movie with my guy friends. I'm one of the guys, except imma girl. I'm the 'guy friend' that actually understands girls, so I'm always invited to "man talk". Just call me Dr. Love.

-I bought my Mom a giant card. ~~She loved it.~~ She loves me.

-Fire and family time.

-Sometimes, I like to pretend like I can go on hikes.

#instahiking

-Happy Birthday Bro-in-Law!

-At the eye doctor. I like being a four eyes.

-Hulk Nichelle.

-Time for nighty night!

Once upon a time...

I'm at AUNT!

Wahoooo! My sister will be having a BABY GIRL in a few months!

I may be posting asking about help for throwing a baby shower. I've hosted many before, but this one has to be amazing since I'm going to be an aunt for the first time!

xoxo

Nichelle

okay, bloggers are totally rad.

2012-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, once upon a time, I went to Breathing Space Blogger Retreat.

It was just so incredibly awesome.

So, here is a little teaser to prepare you.

I'm going to talk more about this awesomeness, but first, enjoy these few pictures taken by Jenny K Photography & Design.

It seriously was simply awesome.

I wish it had been longer.

Blog retreats are so much fun, I definitely feel like a fish out of water when I go, but I guess I'm lucky that bloggers are all nice slash awesome slash hilarious slash rad people and they accept my awkward shyness with open arms.

But, more on this later.

Have you gone to any awesome blog retreats or conferences lately?

If so, which one? and where? I'd love to hear about them! I'm always up for a fun bloggy getaway!

xoxo

Nichelle

what are men to rocks and mountains

2012-05-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

The other day, I just needed to clear my head. I have a lot of personal things going on right now.

At times I've just felt like a failure. That I just let things get the better of me.

I needed a break.

...

So, I pretended that I could go on a hike.

Don't worry, I drove most of the way, then only walked for about a mile. Nothing to crazy, I still have to take care of my foot.

It was nice to just clear my head, to be around earth's beauty.

I came home to my same troubles, to the same tasks, to the same problems.

But, I felt better.

...

I have so much to do, so much to overcome, so much to work through, but now, I feel like I can.

It's amazing how taking the time to pause, can make things bearable.

Sometimes, I wish that the world would slow down, that we would take the time to notice the little things that are so easily overlooked. I know I'm guilty of it all the time.

Before my accident, I was working 3 jobs and going to school.

70 hour weeks, and hardly any sleep.

To this day, I don't understand how I did it.

My accident made me pause because it brought my life to a screeching halt.

I looked at life in a way I couldn't before.

Not because I didn't appreciate life enough, but because I was just too busy to care.

So, it's been my goal, that no matter how busy I get, or how much stress comes into my life, that I will take the time to pause and to let life be life, and to look for the good.

We are so blessed, there is such great beauty, amazing blessings and wonderful moments happening all the time, we just have to take the time to notice them.

...

xoxo

Nichelle

"The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility."

Thomas S. Monson

talent tuesday! {a way cool linky party}

2012-05-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/iwasfeatured.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/talenttuesday-4.jpg" /></a></center>

Now, TALENT TUESDAY!

Time to show off your talent you bloggy beauties!

Please link up awesome posts.

Like: DIY, Tutorials, Recipes, Inspirational posts.

NO giveaways or shop updates can be linked up.

Thanks for linking up on Vintage Wanna Bee

xoxo

Nichelle