Tuesday, December 19, 2017

And above all else, be kind.

My heart is a little bit broken this morning and I'm not sure how to convey my thoughts adequately to express what I'm feeling but I'm hopeful that it will come across alright.

Image via Pinterest

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Our Love Story: Part 13

"Here's the thing about this love story of ours. It's long. And drawn out. And mushy-gushy. And even a bit cheesy. But it's true. And I've decided to take my time writing it, capturing all the special details of those moments I never want to forget. So if mushy-gushy, cheesy love stories aren't your thing, I totally get that. Just know that I'm writing this as a gift - to my family, and my children, and their future children - and also, for [Parker] and me - so that on those days when the kids are screaming, the laundry is overflowing and the bills are rolling in...on those days when it all just seems so hard, we'll have this to remind us of those first moments when we fell in love. And if sappy, detail ridden love stories are your thing, well then you've come to the right place." -Ashley Stock

To read the beginning of Our Love Story, click here
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July 2011

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I was on my way to work one day the summer after my first semester at BYU. I was living in Cardston and for some reason, I was walking to work (this is the only time I ever walked to work which is why I remember it so clearly I think) at the tourist center downtown. I was walking down Powerhouse Hill just passed the high school when I got the text on my flip phone (that makes me sound so old). It was a text from Parker saying that he was coming to visit me. His parents had bought him tickets for his birthday to fly out to see me before he left on his mission and I was SO EXCITED! I remember my eyes welling up with tears and willing myself not to cry and I also remember smiling the entire day afterward. I would just catch myself grinning from ear to ear with excitement!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

All Time Faves

Whenever I'm in a little blogging rut/too busy to blog, I find that doing a little fun post helps to get my creative juices flowing again. So here's a little all-time favorites post for your reading pleasure.

In hindsight, this post was SO HARD TO WRITE! I'm too indecisive lol.

Favorite drama tv show(s): Parenthood, Gilmore Girls, and Friday Night Lights. Honorable mentions to Grey's Anatomy (it's a little too hard on the heart), Friends, and How I Met Your Mother. Currently loving American Housewife!

Favorite reality tv show: I cannot decide between The Bachelor/ette, Survivor, and Big Brother. I love them all equally. And I love that they all come on at different times of the year.

Favorite podcast: Awesome with Alison. Scrubbing in with Becca Tilley and Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe tie for second. The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher and The Almost Famous Podcast tie for third place. I like my podcasts.

Favorite song: Drops of Jupiter by Train. It's such a classic and the violins steal my heart! Currently also loving The Cure by Lady Gaga.

Favorite movie(s): Remember the Titans and How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days.

Favorite board game: Aggravation ties with Settlers of Catan... I think.

Favorite card game: Nertz.

Favorite date: Dinner and a movie <3 <3 <3.

Favorite vacation spot: anywhere with the sun and a body of water I can swim in.

Favorite time of year: Summer!

Favorite book(s): Idk why I do this to myself because it's too hard. I LOVED The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines. The Lake House and The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton blew my mind. Marcia Lynn McClure is my favorite romance author.

Favorite food: POTATOES IN ALL THE FORMS. Chips, mashed, baked, scalloped, funeral, FRIES, etc. My mouth waters at the thought of potatoes!

Favorite colors: Blue, white, with a little bit of red. The perfectly classy combination and patriotic, too!

What are your favorite things? Thanks for reading!

xoxo, Chelan

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Cyber Monday with My Sister's Closet Boutique

I hope you have all had the best Thanksgiving weekend ever! One full of lots of food, family, and relaxation. And shopping of course. I am really, really excited to share this post today because it's the first time that a shop has reached out to me about sharing a product. And not just any shop. My Sister's Closet Boutique!!! So exciting! So in honor of working with them for the first time, I am pumped to tell you about their amazing Cyber Monday sale that starts at midnight MST tonight! You'll want to be prepared for this, you guys.

They are doing buy two get one free for all of their dresses. WHAT?! And on top of that, each purchase will get a free gift! How incredible is that? I already have my eye on a few dresses because they have the most darling selection. And here is a link to share all the details about their Black Friday weekend sales along with some fabulous tips and tricks to ensure you get the goods you want and deserve! Happy Christmas shopping!

Here's one of their dresses that I had my eye on for a long time and finally got my hands on!

I love the fit. I love the length. I love the pockets. I love the stripes. I love the style. I love the fabric. I love this dress. Perfect for any time of the year. Pair it with some red lipstick and red heels for your festive Christmas dress this year! It's just plain perfect.

Phone case from CaseApp!

Dress: My Sister's Closet Boutique
Shoes: Old

Thanks for stopping by! Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone!

xoxo, Chelan

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The Holidays at the Hollingsworths

Can you tell I love Christmas? It just brings me so much joy and I love that people are happier and nicer and it's just magical. Also, the countdown until we see our families is on!!! I should make a paper chain... ;).

I just wanted to share a little bit of our Christmas decor because it makes me happy and our tree is beautiful if I do say so myself!

First, go play the Peaceful Christmas Piano playlist on Spotify while you scroll. That link is direct to the playlist for your convenience!


I'm dying over how beautiful THIS tree is! 


Thank goodness for reusable wedding decor, right? That knitting right there is my amazing Nana's handiwork!
Shout out to Camrie for making these for me for Christmas last year! So cute!!!

Ok, ok, I'll stop now! haha Come visit me and we'll watch a Christmas movie while we eat Christmas Crack and drink hot chocolate!

Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo, Chelan

Saturday, November 11, 2017

'TIS THE SEASON

It's the moooost wooondeerfuul tiiiiiiime of the yeeeeeear! But really. The most beautiful and magical time is upon us and I am so excited about it! I've already started using Christmas music in my dance classes and our tree is decorated as of tonight. Yay! I've busted out the Christmas movies and can't wait to watch the several new Halmark Christmas movies that are coming out this year. While we are on the topic, my favorite Christmas movie is The Holiday (I watch it any time of the year though). The music/score in that movie just speaks to my soul. SO GOOD! What's your favorite Christmas movie? I want to watch them all this year so send me your recommendations. I've also created this fun little survey because I think its so fun to hear about how other people celebrate the holidays!

There's a blank copy of this survey below so copy and paste it into the comments with your own answers!!! It would make my day!

Favorite Christmas movie: The Holiday
Favorite Christmas tradition(s): Pajamas on Christmas eve, fudge when setting up the Christmas tree, doing a Christmas puzzle with my sisters, and church on Christmas Sunday.
Favorite Christmas treat: Christmas Crack.
Favorite Christmas song: I have too many but I love Mary Did You Know by Donny Osmond.
Favorite Christmas memory: just all of them. They are the happiest times!
Favorite gift you've ever received: Parker surprised me with a cruise one year. That was pretty dang good! And I cried when he surprised me with my camera last year. He's the best gift giver and I'm the worst!
Favorite gift you've ever given: I love any gift that makes my mom cry hahah. Then I know I got her something good!
What you are most excited about this year: Family time with both of our families! Perks of having them live so close to each other now!
Send me the link for your favorite Christmas pin: Here's mine!



How stinkin' cute are those stools? Can't wait to own a house someday so I can deck alllll the halls.

If you follow me on Pinterest you are probably annoyed with the amount of Christmas pins I've pinned recently but #sorrynotsorry. So that's all that this post is. Just sharing one of my favorite Pinterest boards and spreading some holiday cheer.

xoxo, Chelan

Favorite Christmas movie:
Favorite Christmas tradition:
Favorite Christmas treat:
Favorite Christmas song:
Favorite Christmas memory:
Favorite gift you've ever received:
Favorite gift you've ever given:
What you are most excited about this year:
Send me the link for your favorite Christmas pin!


Monday, October 2, 2017

How We Wore It | Fall Floral

We're baaaaaaaaaack! I've missed this collaboration with these ladies! After taking a few months off because we all got super busy, we wanted to get back into the swing of things and I'm so glad we decided to do so this month!

Fall florals. Mmmm. So pretty and so many options! Since it's actually been super warm here in Ohio still, I opted for a t-shirt and skirt but this outfit could definitely be changed for cooler temps with some boots and a cardigan or jacket.

Be sure to check out how my beautiful friends are dressing their floral for fall! Their links are at the bottom of the post :). Enjoy!

The time on this thing is totally wrong. Am I the only one that has a ton of watches but none of them actually work? hahaha.

I would share where my outfit is from but I honestly have no idea. The top, skirt, and watch were given to me by my mom, the shoes were a Christmas gift from my in-laws, and the earrings I bought years ago. All in favor of my mom starting a personal styling business, raise your hand! {Insert hand raised emoji here}.

Jordan Cidelle
Twinnerpated
Brittany Lowry

Thanks for stopping by today!
xoxo, Chelan

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Comparison 2.0

About a month ago I wrote this post on my thoughts on comparison and asking for advice on how you deal with the little devil when he creeps into your thoughts telling you that you're not good enough, that you'll never be as successful as someone else, that you are inadequate because it happens to all of us. I think it is something that we will probably continue to experience since this world we live in is so published to social media. But let me tell you one thing that I've learned over this last month time and time again that I've found is so important. You are enough. And it's time that we start believing that about ourselves. I had someone tell me this last Sunday and it was just so unexpected and heartfelt that I broke down in tears right then and there on the spot. So if you need to hear that you are enough, that you are doing ok, that I think you are awesome and that you are doing the best you can, you can come to me and I will tell you that over and over and over again, as many times as you need until you believe it about yourself. I gotchu, girl ;).

I also reached out to you, my faithful followers (LOL), asking for advice on how to beat the comparison rut and I struck GOLD! I need to ask y'all for advice more often because you know what's up!

I've summarized here but I've shared below some of the things that I learned from you about comparison! Also, this is a longer post. I usually try to keep them a little shorter but I could not cut anything from this one so hang in there. It's worth it to read all the way to the end, I promise!

+ "I have to remember that I am building the life I want and that those I compare myself to may not want the same life I want. Or they might, but they are choosing what they think they should do rather than what they want to do. Find the life YOU want and build it on your terms. Stay focused on what you are doing and what will get you where you want to be. You are smart and talented and, above all, genuine and kind. You bring many skills to the table that I find invaluable. And you have strengths and skills you won't know you have until you need them." - My boss at Creative Motion Studios, Natalie Orr-Andrea. #blessed

+ "When I think of comparison, I think of how Heavenly Father made us each individual in the image of himself. This is how we are, this is who we are supposed to be. All we have to do is be the best version of ourselves and that's all that matters. In the end, it really doesn't matter how others perceive you, only Heavenly Father." -Shaylee Farren

+ "I like to think about what my goals are. What I want is to impact those around me. I remind myself that I can't reach that goal by comparing myself to others and adjusting myself to fit their mold. I can't make a difference if I don't realize that I am different. That difference is what gives me the unique opportunity to reach people in a way that they haven't been reached before." - Haley Jacobs from The Long Table Blog (previously called The Sugared Peach Blog)

+ My friend Janeen Dittman said "So I just love the Alison show. One of her episodes is called Confidence is a muscle-Lets WERK it out. It totally helped me appreciate myself more. I love how she ends every episode saying you are already as awesome as you need to be. She's the best." I totally agree! I remember listening to that episode thinking over and over, "YES! This is so true!" Alison gets it. 

+ Another friend reached out and said that when she found herself comparing herself others, she noticed that she was missing out on being present in her own life and being grateful for her circumstances. She took a break from social media and started reading, journaling, and looked for opportunities to serve and found that to help. I love this so much! I'm sure we could all do better at being present in our own lives. 

+ One of my besties and roomies from college, Candace Johnson, mentioned that to beat comparison we need to we need to have a better relationship with our Savior so we can truly understand the unconditional love He has for us and our divine potential! If we can focus on how much our Savior loves us and improving our own self-love, we'll be so much happier! TRUTH!

+ Last but most definitely not least, Rylan Schaffer reached out to share his story and I cried all the way through it when I first read it and as I typed it up. I did summarize a bit here just because it was long but I kept what I felt inspired to share here on my blog. I was so touched by his testimony and I hope you will be too! 

"In life, we all have different trials and struggles. Even though I don't know the purpose of all of the trials in my life, I do know where my heart is before I've been through something and where it is after. My life has completely changed and it's because I've tried to look for what our Father in Heaven wanted from me. I'm not perfect and still have struggles that I go through, but I know and feel in my heart that I am a better more compassionate person because of them. Kind of a funny thing to say for a guy but it is true. 

Comparison is one of the biggest struggles in the world, I think. I have definitely been caught up in it. It's wanting the nicer things that others have all the way up to asking 'Why can't I have a normal little boy that loves to play ball with his dad?' As Grady has grown older I have found myself comparing more than I should have but then one day it hit me! If I focus on that then I lose sight of everything good and beautiful in front of me. Grady's laugh, his smile, his little ways to show me he loves me. How he wants to fight in his own little way every night and the infectious laugh he was would all not be there if what I asked for became reality. Grady has been my greatest trial in life but the best thing in my life and I wouldn't change that for a moment. He doesn't talk or communicate other than grabbing your hand to show you what he wants but he knows how to laugh and have fun. We are so blessed! 

At times it is hard to focus on what we have and how we can make the best of that but I can promise you that when you do, the doors of heaven open and the blessing we receive are out of this world. While on this earth trials will mold us into who we need to be so that we can be an angel in someone else's life so they don't feel alone or lost. I may not understand what someone else is going through in their own trials but because of mine, I understand how tough life can be. As a result, when I know that someone is struggling, I can look for ways to make their burden a little lighter. I use to think that no one else has a clue what I have had to go through and that life isn't fair. Well, I can say I was right and wrong at the same time. I was wrong that no one has a clue because Jesus Christ has been through everything we will ever go through so I know we aren't alone. He understands and is there for us if we let Him be. The one thing I was right about is that life isn't fair. It truly isn't but it was never meant to be fair. Christ has suffered more than all and ultimately died for you and me so that we could live! It isn't fair but he did that for us to make our lives better. 

I live and love every minute with my little boy not knowing how long it will be. I know he struggles every day more than I do but if I can bring a smile to his face then I have succeeded. I have taken that lesson into my life as a whole and try to be there for anyone I see struggling. No longer do I compare anything but look to see what I can do to help. Sure we all have our days and sometimes fall a little but look up with hope knowing that true angels live among us and our Father in Heaven is there to help us back up. Be that angel that Heavenly Father needs to help someone else around you. Look for ways to serve people around you and you will be given the strength to overcome life's trials and you'll be so blessed for it!"

Isn't that powerful? I told you it was gold. To summarize: 

You are unique because you are YOU! God didn't intend for all of His children to be the same. He has given us unique talents, abilities, traits, and qualities and those should be celebrated. Focus on being present in your own life. Be confident and be you because you are enough

Image via Pinterest. 

Thanks for reading today, y'all! I really appreciate your support and love your input so if you have something you would like me to write about or share, let me know. If this post inspired you or gave you some food for thought, I would love it if you shared because sharing is caring, right?

xoxo, Chelan