little acts of love

first of all, i don't know what i was thinking trying to start a blog while planning a wedding and finishing my senior year. dummy.

but anyway.

today i think i maybe probably failed my final. or at least did really badly. then when i came to work to eat before proctoring tests all day, i spilled my entire lunch on the ground. so no lunch for me. but luckily, chelsey is the absolute best ever, so he bought and brought me a lunch so i didn't starve to death. a pizza lunchable to be exact... maybe i am regressing into early childhood. :p

sometimes, love is about big, grandiose gestures and yelling your love from the mountaintops.
but other times, love is about bringing a pizza lunchable during a bad day.
and sometimes, that's even better.

<3

PS: also brought peanut m&m's. + he texted me after dropping it off telling me to check the calories... i turned it over and saw a sweet note. even better. 150 days until i get to marry him!!

a little perspective

Yesterday I almost posted a blog about the craziness of planning this wedding. I feel like I am constantly playing catch-up on different projects, while trying to manage work, school, upcoming finals, exercise, etc... This week has been high stress. I keep reminding myself at the end of this craziness I still get to marry this guy.

So that makes it all worth it. :)

But that's not really why I'm writing this. Like I said, yesterday I almost posted the blog. And then this morning on the way into school I was listening to my favorite radio station. They are having a radiothon all day today and tomorrow for Seattle Children's Hospital and are sharing stories, happy and sad, about some of the people they have met over the years through doing this radiothon. The first I heard was from a man and his wife who had lost their baby during birth, and were thanking the hospital for their support during such a traumatic and heartbreaking time. The second was a story of a little girl with cancer named Stephanie, who one of the radio hosts was especially close to. They played snippets of her talking from previous radiothons, and her mom shared her story. Stephanie died when she was only 11. Her mom shared that Stephanie asked to go home one night, and her mom replied that if she went home she would die... and Stephanie replied that she was ready to still go home. The words of this mother broke my heart. I was hearing this story and couldn't hold back the tears. I am pretty poor, being a college student, but I still donated a small amount to the radiothon through their website. Suddenly, when we hear stories about things that truly matter - the little stresses of daily life don't seem so big anymore. Sometimes I need a little perspective - we all do.

Click here to be connected to the "One big KISS for Seattle Children's Hospital" radiothon. You can donate online or over the phone. Donate $5 or $500 - but just donate. Your child or a child you know could be in this hospital one day, and the children there now need support. Beyond money - pray for these children and their families. The stress of illness, treatment and loss is sometimes more than people can bear and I think it is our responsiblity to care for them in whatever way we can. Sometimes, that way is just praying for someone even if you don't know their name or even their pain. Just a thought for today.. Remember that your life, no matter how stressful or crazy or draining it may be, is still life that has been blessed and given to you to be treasured.

<3

Naomi Feil and Gladys Wilson

It has taken me a while to actually post this, but it is something that really touched my heart. We watched this video in my Senior Seminar (in psychology) class. I have never seen this type of therapy before, and it was incredible to watch. It can be so easy to assume that people with debilitating illnesses lose who they are; when patients are nonverbal and appear to not be able to communicate, they often also lose their ability to relate. This woman has a true gift in relating to these types of elderly patients. Watching this video gave me hope and was a wonderful example of God's grace. Watch this when you have some time (and in a place where you can cry!)

lovely things (mindful savoring)

I have been just a little stressed out this past week due to lots of homework, finishing my graduate school application, school cancellations all over, and a bunch more yucky stuff. But one of my assignments for this week was a paper entitled 'Mindful Savoring'. The assignment was essentially to do three things in a way you were consciously aware of the experience. Fully absorb all tastes, touches, smells, sounds, sights. Everyone (me included) is typically in such a rush that we forget to stop and breathe in the goodness that surrounds us. So after I finished my five (5!) papers this afternoon, I decided I needed a little extra of this. I compiled this list of happy things to reflect on positive things instead of getting lost in the negative ones.

- Apart from turning in my letters of recommendation tomorrow, my application for SPU's Marriage and Family Therapy program is complete. This was a "hurray!" and "holy you-know-what!" moment all in one. But mostly good. I've done all I can.. Now, we wait.

- In a sudden (but not out of the ordinary) little stress freak-out right before I turned in the application, my dear heart Chelsey somehow wrangled me out of crazyville and back into normalcy. He made me stop before I pushed that dreadful/wonderful SUBMIT button on my application and prayed that whatever happens we (I) will be content and know it is God's plan. Be still my tiny and frantic heart, I love that guy a lot.

- We had a kajillion snow days in a row. Sunday, it began. Monday was a holiday, and it snowed more. Tuesday it was way frozen and my one class that I had, was started late and ended early. Then school was closed Wednesday, Thursday & Friday! It was really nice to not really do anything. I ended up reading a bunch of books from junior high, which is never a bad thing.. Princess Diaries (Volume 3!) is just about the best thing. If you don't love Mia Thermopolis (who I will always envision as Anne Hathaway), you are weird in my book. Plus a little Gossip Girl for the scandal-lover in me. Meanwhile, my brother is reading John Steinbeck in the corner silently while listening to some fancy jazz music. Are we really related?

- I was drowning in homework and probably not in the best mood, but Chelsey just sent me a picture of a tiny little baby sleeping in a fluffy blanket. Melt of cuteness. He knows me too well.

- During this week of being stuck in the house we couldn't really drive or go anywhere, so we just stayed at home. Most of the time I ended up hanging out with my little sister, Kaitlin.. And in that time I realized she is hilarious and actually cool, despite the fact she's my sister. ;) We had lots of fun driving everyone crazy this week, watching an entire season of HIMYM and just hanging out together. :)

- Having such wonderful jobs. I work for a therapist, Danielle, who is probably the most laid back and great person ever. She gave me a giant candle when I got engaged and it smells so good I want to eat it.   I also work at SPU in Disability Support Services for the director of DSS, Jon. He happens to be laid back but also just as anxiety-prone as I am somehow, so we relate to each other pretty well. After showing up late to work one day because I was stuck in horrific Seattle traffic, he asked why I didn't have my chai latte.. And that I should get my priorities in line. Get coffee, THEN go to work. Tell me you don't wish he was your boss.

- Poor Chelsey's family was out of power for a few days during the snow days, as I sat warm and toasty by the fire. We didn't get to talk much or even see each other for FOUR WHOLE DAYS (gasp! gasp!) Which is very unusual for us and therefore kind of a big fat bummer. Then my power went out, and we had no contact at all. Sad lil me. But alas! As my sister and I sat in my bed reading silly preteen novels, she shouted 'HEY IS THAT CHELSEY OUTSIDE?' And of course I said no, but wait! It was him! Despite the fact he lives 7 whole miles away and his car was stuck in ice and snowy stuff, he for some reason really, really wanted to see me. So he walked. It was so sweet to see him all pink from the cold and bundled up in a million layers, just to see his crazy weird girlfriend who apparently he missed. It reminded me of middle-school and junior high, before the days of the exalted driver's license, when the only way anyone saw their boyfriend/girlfriend was if they were driven by a parent or walked. And it was the best. AGAIN, I love that guy a lot.

- All the wedding stuff happening! We have so many cute ideas floating around our house and it is just the best thing in the entire world. I want to write all the crazily precious things we are doing but I don't want my ideas being taken slash there should be some surprises for my guests. Tee hee. My mom comes up with a new idea probably every 5 minutes and they are all so good. Only 202 days left! Not that I'm counting.

- This picture of us I forgot we took on Christmas. We both look dorky and my hair looks funny but we are so completely ourselves and hugging each other and I think it is pretty cute. Love you, Chelsey-welsey. :)

- The feeling of climbing in my warm bed after what seemed like an endless day of writing. Heaven on earth, lemme tell ya.

Hope you enjoyed this. Make your own list too! It'll put a smile on your face, I promise. xo

These are a few of my favorite things..

Originally this post was an ode to my lovely red lipstick.. But then I realized that I have so many favorite new things that I want to share them all. :) Every woman has (or should have!) those few life-changing purchases that rock your wardrobe and/or life. (PS, the idea for this post came from one of my favorite bloggers.. You can find her original post here.)

1. Steve Madden 'Intyce' Boots
These boots have been a staple in my wardrobe for a year or two. They are so cute & perfect for fall/winter outfits! I started off with the cognac boots (above), but then got the black ones.. Now I just need the stone to complete my set ;)

2. Michael Kors Runway Watch
This was a Christmas present and an accessory I have been lusting over for a long while. I'm not usually big on watches.. or gold, for that matter, but this watch is a whole other story. Definitely my favorite accessory at the moment!

3. Terzetto 'Loreto' Bag in Blue
Another Christmas gift! This purse is a bright, eye-catching cobalt blue. I absolutely love it. It looks great with just about any outfit, and especially cute with a mustard yellow cardigan. Love.

4. Tiffany Cupcake Necklace
My lovely little Chelsey gave me this necklace last year and I absolutely adore it. It is the cutest little accent to dress up an everyday outfit, and reminds me of how much I love that guy. :)

5. Forever 21 Polka Dot Skirt
I haven't worn this skirt yet, but it is just the most precious thing. It's such a fun little skirt and looks perfect with black tights and black booties. Plus, it was only $8.50! Thank you, F21. <3

6. Forever 21 Navy Striped Pencil Skirt
Another 21 find! This skirt was only $7-8 dollars too, and looks perfect with a rust colored cardigan and boots. It's long enough to not need tights, and fits just perfectly.

7. MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
This is the perfect red lipstick. I saw tons of bloggers I follow rave about it, but until I bought it I didn't realize how wonderful it is! It stays in place all day and is so, so red. I love red lipstick, and this one is the best.

8. DiorShow Black Out Mascara & Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer
My new favorite mascara and primer. The primer lengthens lashes a ridiculous amount, and the mascara itself creates both length and thickness. Plus the applicator is gigantic. Mascara is my favorite so I need it to be just perfect - and this is!

Hope you all enjoyed some of my current favorite things! :)

xo

Introducing.. My Bridesmaids!

I know what you're thinking! Brianna Celli is the worst blogger ever. She never posts anything. And you may be right. Meanie! Anyway.. This post has been a long-time coming. With Christmas and tons of holiday festivities, I have been putting it off! But here it is..

my bridesmaids!

kaitlin celli: maid of honor + my little sister. it'll be fun to have someone a little younger (she's 14) to add some (more) fun into the mix! although i may require her to wear a paper bag over her head so she doesn't upstage me on my wedding day, i am so excited for her to be a part of my bridal party. ;) she is my mini-me and one of the funniest people i have ever met!

hillary burberry: i have known hillary since i was in first grade when she moved in next-door. we have so many funny memories together (many of them involving her big, fun, crazy family) and i am sure we will make so many more. she is my most stylish friend - she will likely help pick out my hairstyle, gown, shoes..etc, etc! her spunk will keep things fun during the crazy planning process.

kristen eisele: she is literally the sweetest girl i have ever met. we have known each other since kindergarten.. maybe earlier! kristen is studying to be a first-grade teacher and wants to work with deaf children + she is drop-dead gorgeous. if she wasn't so sweet, i'd probably hate her a little.. ha! she will no doubt keep a smile on my face on my wedding day.

aryn schatz: i met aryn in college - we had a class or two together, but we instantly became friends once we lived on the same floor sophomore year. aryn is the perfect mix of sassy and sweet - she has the best sense of humor, but will probably be the first to get misty-eyed over sentimental moments! she will be the best to remind me to pause and enjoy the little things.

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I really wanted to ask these girls to be my bridesmaids in a fun and creative way - and when I saw the idea online of giving 'bridesmaid boxes', I just knew that I had to do it! I took the concept of the box and added some personal touches to it to ask them to be my bridesmaids. Here are some pics of the boxes, and giving them to each girl!

Outside of the box - a little note for each girl and wedding info!

A card for each with a note

 a mini bottle of martinelli's - "i can't wait to have you sipping at my side!"

a little jar of hot chocolate and marshmallows - "your friendship warms my heart :)"

 a little hanger - "can't wait to go dress shopping!"

 mini bouquet of flowers - "who will catch the bridal bouquet?"

 a little favor bag of my favorite candies (which will be at our candy bar at the wedding!)

a horseshoe - "i am so lucky to have a friend like you!"

 a picture of me and each bridesmaid

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and some photos of me and the girls.. 

hope you all enjoyed! xo