tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22123229486715980342024-02-01T21:35:55.342-08:00Awkward GirlsLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-61328813334555873002016-02-02T15:13:00.000-08:002018-10-24T22:20:47.588-07:00I don't know. In case you need it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So take that look out of here, it doesn't fit you </i><br />
<i>Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded.</i><br />
<i>Pull up your head off the floor, come up screaming,</i><br />
<i>Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted.</i><br />
<i>I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered,</i><br />
<i>But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered. </i><br />
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<i>I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert,</i><br />
<i>But I can live and breath,</i><br />
<i>and see the sun in wintertime. </i><br />
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- an entirely underrated song from the 1980s. Listen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=657TZDHZqj4">here</a>.Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-85969901182939307442015-06-09T18:48:00.001-07:002015-06-09T19:58:13.577-07:00Lauren Nielsen PhotoThis is a post full of shameless self-promotion, so I'll keep it short and to the point. As a fashion blogger, I've been able to work with a lot of talented photographers over the years and have spent more than my fair share of time in front of a camera. I've been really grateful for this because it always supplies me with a fresh profile picture and will give my future children plenty of flattering options for their Mother's Day social media posts 25 years from now.<br />
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While that's cool and all, I've learned in recent years that I actually gain a lot more fulfillment from being <i>behind</i> the camera, rather than in front of it. Photography has always been a fun hobby and creative outlet for me, but in recent months I've been able to turn it into more of a business with the help of encouraging friends and family, a supportive creative community, and awesome clients giving me some awesome referrals. </div>
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Other than my photography <a href="https://instagram.com/photonienie/">Instagram</a>, I haven't really done much to promote myself, so I decided to throw a little blog/website together to showcase my work. I'm still in the process of coding a real portfolio site, but I think this works for now! I'm pretty open for bookings for the rest of summer, so be sure to check out my <a href="http://photo.awkwardgirlsblog.com/p/pricing.html">pricing page</a> for more info. </div>
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Here are some of my favorite shots. For more, visit <a href="http://photo.awkwardgirlsblog.com/">Lauren Nielsen Photo</a>. Enjoy!</div>
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xo, Lo
Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-3564251255869860202015-05-10T17:37:00.000-07:002015-05-10T17:40:39.337-07:00Josephine. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my mother. In our 24 years together, I have repeatedly given her every reason in the book to stop loving me. To give up on me. To stop rooting for me. But she won't. And she absolutely refuses to. <br />
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Over the past 24 years I've screamed at her. I've blatantly defied her. I've talked back. I've made messes in her beautiful home. I've destroyed her invaluable antique dining table with nail polish remover, even when she asks me <i>several</i> times to lay out a towel first. I never lay out the towel.<br />
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I cry and she listens. I'm hungry and she feeds me. I'm lost and she helps me find my way. When there are no solutions, she offers something even better--her unconditional love and support.<br />
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I take, and I take, and I take. And she just gives, and she gives, and she gives.<br />
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This pattern is baffling, almost frustratingly so, since I'll never stop needing her. Because in my weakest moments when I've stopped loving myself; when I've given up on myself; when I've stopped rooting for myself, my mother is always there to tell me she loves me, to tell me she's proud, to tell me that I am enough.<br />
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And with that, I continually have the strength to try again.<br />
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Everything I ever hope to accomplish in this life and in the life to come is made possible because of this woman, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.<br />
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Love you, mama.<br />
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xo<br />
Lo<br />
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<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-15037291998996799362015-05-08T13:46:00.000-07:002015-05-08T13:55:27.144-07:00Two-Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I turned 24 years old last week and did not take one picture to commemorate it. Not one! Sorry mom! I guess my lack of indulgent birthday selfies is probably a sign I'm mature or something. Instead, here are some pictures of my visit to Duke campus in Durham, North Carolina where I survived the humidity and was schooled in the art of authentic Carolina BBQ (nothing will ever be the same).<br />
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I rang in my 24th year just about the same way I spent the actual day I was born: by sleeping 70% of the day and eating throughout the remaining 30%. I have some really great friends who threw me not one, but TWO birthday celebrations, and the next day was spent shopping with myself, for myself. I justified my excessive spending all because 24 years ago I passively let myself be born while my mom did all the work. Obviously that warrants a new outfit, right? Right.<br />
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Overall, turning 24: 10/10, would recommend.<br />
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However, I'd be lying if I said this birthday came without a tinge of sadness. Dread, even. A sense of betrayal to my 14-year-old self who was really banking on this past decade to get it all figured out. In a lot of ways, I feel like I've accomplished nothing but let that girl down.<br />
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The truth is, my life at 24 is nothing like how I had imagined it would be. I have this very specific memory of being 14-years-old and envisioning my life ten years into the future: I would be married; I would have the career I always wanted; I would have more than I do and be more than I am, and most of all, I wouldn't be scared.<br />
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At 14, the only thing I really wanted was security. At 24, I have learned enough about the unpredictability of life to understand that true security, for the most part, does not exist.<br />
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But in the past decade, I've learned that what <i>does</i> exist is faith--faith in God, and faith in yourself, and faith in the fact that despite all your meticulously crafted plans, you are part of something bigger. I might venture to say, you are part of something even better.<br />
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So yes, it's true. I am a failure to my 14-year-old counterpart. But for the 24-year-old me, I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. And I think that's something to celebrate.<br />
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xo,<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-86471412516077827942015-04-14T00:18:00.000-07:002015-04-14T10:11:10.736-07:00A quick PSA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>*photos by <a href="http://theordinarypursuit.blogspot.com/">emma vidmar photography</a></i><br />
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I just want you to know that your worth is eternal.<br />
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Your worth is not dependent on the clothes you wear, the clothes you don't wear, the amount of fabric you wear to the pool, or the amount of spandex in your pants. Your worth is not defined by how many hoots and hollers you get on the street, or how ugly you feel when you don't wear make-up, or how many people you've kissed, or how many sins you've committed, or any other arbitrary statistic you keep track of in the back of your head. Your worth cannot be stolen, destroyed, lost, or lessened by any one person on earth or in heaven. Not even yourself. <br />
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No matter who you think you are, or what you wear, or what you do, you are always deserving of the respect of others. You are always worth it.<br />
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xo,<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-24814608266675087242015-03-20T14:52:00.000-07:002015-03-20T15:00:02.010-07:00Because ~*SpRiNgTiMe*~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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jacket: gap<br />
shirt: h&m<br />
shorts: anthro (<a href="http://bit.ly/1Ofgr4x">similar hidden shorts style</a>)<br />
boots: lucky via nordstrom<br />
bag: fossil<br />
<br />
Apparently today is the first day of spring. I know this, not because I am the least bit aware of the equinox calendar, but because of the influx of flower crowns on my Instagram feed this morning. Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate to post an outfit that doesn't contain any black, which was actually really difficult for me, seeing as my spirit animal is the hypothetical lovechild of Wednesday Addams and Kourtney Kardashian.<br />
<br />
So here's a picture of me not looking like the Grim Reaper, because happy springtime y'all.<br />
<br />
(ps. these photos were taken by Kelsie of <a href="http://blackbirdphotographydesign.com/">Blackbird Photography & Design</a>. She's really one of the sweetest people I've ever worked with and a super talented photographer on top of that, so be sure to check out her work!)<br />
<br />
xo<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-10790229087993206812015-03-10T20:57:00.002-07:002015-03-20T14:53:14.347-07:00Top Five Tuesday: Wardrobe Staples<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e6ucz_LUtfO8Sh-YrxQLetYbDUEQT0mqWqDlXhHdASc2ZPFt1A9CFU6QCmYR8taJLAWvkUnQBerS8aqzSn3bsOu4HFJyiHPLx0Kr4qV4lYV_DF2yS4nff_p3g70wWcNTEeJ9WBlZk7Q/s1600/topfivetuesdaywardrobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e6ucz_LUtfO8Sh-YrxQLetYbDUEQT0mqWqDlXhHdASc2ZPFt1A9CFU6QCmYR8taJLAWvkUnQBerS8aqzSn3bsOu4HFJyiHPLx0Kr4qV4lYV_DF2yS4nff_p3g70wWcNTEeJ9WBlZk7Q/s1600/topfivetuesdaywardrobe.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Sometimes people ask me why I don't blog about fashion as much anymore, and to be honest, it's mostly because my wardrobe is only getting more and more basic (gosh, i'm so basic). So for this week's Top Five, I'm talking about my wardrobe staples. Seriously, everything I wear is comprised of all of these pieces, or some kind of variation of them. And no, you don't need to adjust your screen; all my clothes are just black and white (basic).<br />
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(Spoiler alert: scroll all the way down for outfit ideas in the form of a fun little widget that took me <i>way</i> too long to make) </div>
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<b>1. The Crop</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZvF7iP_6tx5sZuUSNBdDNxuVFDVm9U8VjRxh7SksxhIERiiybDwI_ICVMAQOW0JBfOpa6pn1TBxFzBsqTXdyp3qu0nCHApfJ1F6-0VaZxhh50wEu_b_FVeNumQQ72JyXOK2oK_vyBFg/s1600/roomseries-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZvF7iP_6tx5sZuUSNBdDNxuVFDVm9U8VjRxh7SksxhIERiiybDwI_ICVMAQOW0JBfOpa6pn1TBxFzBsqTXdyp3qu0nCHApfJ1F6-0VaZxhh50wEu_b_FVeNumQQ72JyXOK2oK_vyBFg/s1600/roomseries-1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://bit.ly/18yWnZN">Banana Republic</a> / <a href="http://bit.ly/1Eyqq27">Forever21</a> / <a href="http://bit.ly/1C59cch">Forever21</a></i><br />
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Because, honestly, a full-length shirt can just be so restricting sometimes.<br />
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<b>2. The Shapeless Sack</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjITDrppEy8vI0Ooh4yCrUwZniIsv2R9u2zo6B3jZOPmywSN-bfan3jN_HBVTSi1fsgC2apyL27iQCVp95fJEvthbRdNJdG1sf_LCZZwjcDZ4p2dfZQhOSG9-axF8UODzLG1mIR5BZE8/s1600/roomseries-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjITDrppEy8vI0Ooh4yCrUwZniIsv2R9u2zo6B3jZOPmywSN-bfan3jN_HBVTSi1fsgC2apyL27iQCVp95fJEvthbRdNJdG1sf_LCZZwjcDZ4p2dfZQhOSG9-axF8UODzLG1mIR5BZE8/s1600/roomseries-2.jpg" width="600" /></a>Zara <i>(similar <a href="http://bit.ly/1C5aVOD">here</a>) / <a href="http://soelboutique.blogspot.com/">Soel</a> (loving <a href="http://bit.ly/18yXEjw">this one</a>) / CottonOn (<a href="http://bit.ly/1AfLov4">similar</a>)</i><br />
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I would be lying to you if I said I've never worn one of these dresses one day, fallen asleep in it, and continued to wear it the following day. Some say that's disgusting. I say that's versatility.<br />
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<b>3. The Fitted Jacket</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo3CT3Yh0Lm3yVYDaUzkDBeSzdlzB_wVNjcmKZw37eQ2We9Sovw-YuCNfE-6VZoSlxzNRgRQ30pI-TeoGgMnhNmv9Zoxmc0b209qn3bs-9E7aN7OWMICVfrN0yInhJNhsfv6DN0LkSDM/s1600/roomseries-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo3CT3Yh0Lm3yVYDaUzkDBeSzdlzB_wVNjcmKZw37eQ2We9Sovw-YuCNfE-6VZoSlxzNRgRQ30pI-TeoGgMnhNmv9Zoxmc0b209qn3bs-9E7aN7OWMICVfrN0yInhJNhsfv6DN0LkSDM/s1600/roomseries-4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<i>Vero Moda (<a href="http://bit.ly/1C5c2xR">similar</a>) / Abercrombie & Fitch (<a href="http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product_details.jsp?productId=0381_1951_915&catId=cat4260032">similar</a>) / SLC boutique (<a href="http://bit.ly/1C5cPyL">similar</a>) / Gap (<a href="http://bit.ly/18yYvkp">similar</a>)</i><br />
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Denim and leather jackets are timeless. Either that, or I've been looking like an idiot since 8th grade.<br />
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<b>4. The Mini</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9vDJ_-JcpuJp5q4vNMlE8Ln3-G7krNtEgiTWildTqWeIjOxP3UqQkckh-J0UL09W_jVacSwi8rwWgH6rQW3VzQ3uww2H9uLQ1eYIKb6FGTrriT3GV5zidqOxE-LNYDwQyM-ruCbu7Ik/s1600/roomseries-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9vDJ_-JcpuJp5q4vNMlE8Ln3-G7krNtEgiTWildTqWeIjOxP3UqQkckh-J0UL09W_jVacSwi8rwWgH6rQW3VzQ3uww2H9uLQ1eYIKb6FGTrriT3GV5zidqOxE-LNYDwQyM-ruCbu7Ik/s1600/roomseries-5.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>banana republic (<a href="http://store.americanapparel.net/tennis-skirt_rsagb300?c=Black">similar</a>) / <a href="http://bit.ly/1Eywnfc">madewell</a> / <a href="http://bit.ly/18yWJjc">banana republic</a> (<a href="http://bit.ly/18z2fCj">similar</a>)</i><br />
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First crop tops, now mini skirts? What is this, 1998? Yes it is. Because the Cher Horowitz in me will live on forever. If you're over the age of 19 and it's not one of those "get-hot-go-out" type of Saturday nights (idk is that even a thing?), go for a skirt that hits mid-thigh and hugs your bod without being too tight.<br />
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<b>5. The Shoes</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uz1OLsYpR2Q9KFHuMfFS-wr8nQs51rxJNEgqeVAPDH_8qNtITCoyfL9xsBy5sBPj6CjFhFr5IDxiDIKftDUM8rLgG-qfps7K-xwBdL2cqI-h0S08DwvTy3YohqRReFMCTcV3ltbYo7U/s1600/roomseries-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uz1OLsYpR2Q9KFHuMfFS-wr8nQs51rxJNEgqeVAPDH_8qNtITCoyfL9xsBy5sBPj6CjFhFr5IDxiDIKftDUM8rLgG-qfps7K-xwBdL2cqI-h0S08DwvTy3YohqRReFMCTcV3ltbYo7U/s1600/roomseries-12.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>shoe carnival (<a href="http://bit.ly/1Ag1kxu">similar</a>) / urban outfitters (love <a href="http://bit.ly/1Ag33Tk">these</a> + <a href="http://bit.ly/1C5k9dK">these</a>) / <a href="http://bit.ly/1EyxdIY">nike kaishi</a> / franco sarto (<a href="http://www.dsw.com/shoe/crown+vintage+tabitha+bootie?prodId=dsw12prod4970065&productRef=CROSS:">similar</a>) / <a href="http://bit.ly/1C5iRzs">new balance</a></i><br />
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So maybe I went a little overboard with the shoes here, but I couldn't just pick one. These five options cover a wide range of outfit possibilities and go with almost anything. For a spring wardrobe, I would suggest one pair of black boots, one pair of brown boots, a couple neutral colored sneakers, and a sturdy pair of sandals.<br />
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And that's it. That's all you need. If you don't believe me, here are five easy outfits using these five staples aka, what you'll probably see me wearing this week:<br />
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<iframe width="600" height="650" src="//www.cincopa.com/media-platform/iframe.aspx?fid=AMKAMXcH9jwj" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe><noscript><span>New Gallery 2015/3/10</span><span>flash</span><span> 16</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 600</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop Ligh</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 3/10/2015 5:36:54 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon EOS 60D</span><span>flash</span><span> 16</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 600</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop Ligh</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 3/10/2015 5:33:10 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon EOS 60D</span><span>flash</span><span> 16</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 600</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop Ligh</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 3/10/2015 5:43:58 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon EOS 60D</span><span>flash</span><span> 16</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 600</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop Ligh</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 3/10/2015 5:25:17 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon EOS 60D</span><span>flash</span><span> 16</span><span>cameramake</span><span> Canon</span><span>height</span><span> 600</span><span>camerasoftware</span><span> Adobe Photoshop Ligh</span><span>originaldate</span><span> 3/10/2015 5:40:33 PM</span><span>width</span><span> 600</span><span>cameramodel</span><span> Canon EOS 60D</span></noscript>
<br />
xo<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-17003363957293392122015-03-03T17:27:00.003-08:002015-03-03T17:53:32.183-08:00Top Five Tuesday: All-Time Favorite Songs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since there is absolutely nothing that brings me more satisfaction than making lists and talking about myself, I've decided to start a new weekly series I like to call, Top Five Tuesday. Every week, I'll list off my top picks in a category of my choosing... and this is pretty self explanatory, so I don't know why I'm still explaining it. If you have any suggestions for future Top Five Tuesdays, let me know!<br />
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Music is something very near and dear to me, so for this week's Top Five, I'm talking about my all-time favorite songs. I'm sure twenty years from now, I'll be embarrassed by this list in the same way I'm embarrassed at the fact that I listed P.O.D. as my favorite band in a school project in 5th grade...<br />
<br />
(they were cool back then, I'm pretty sure)<br />
<br />
<b>1. "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac</b><br />
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham had a toxic relationship. And not the Britney Spears kind of toxic. The bad kind. Lucky for us though, it produced the most perfect breakup song ever written. Equal parts heartbreaking, scathing, and empowering--by the end of it, I don't even know who to feel bad for anymore. All I know is that my homegirl Stevie just gets it.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:0ofHAoxe9vBkTCp2UQIavz" width="600"></iframe>
<b>2. "Heartbeats" - The Knife</b><br />
There are 5 different versions of this song in my iTunes library, performed by 5 different artists in 5 different genres, yet each one stands on their own and tells a different story. And I love them all the same. (Other versions are by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-liyr-Xq3E">Jose Gonzalez</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfenY0PncE">Ellie Goulding</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00P42VO43pE">Scala & Kolacny Brothers</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UOIo7URdZo">Daniela Andrade</a>)<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:2YacpExEbX9tF8IbFlFOo4" width="600"></iframe>
3. <b>"It Is What It Is"- Blood Orange</b><br />
If you ever had plans to create something, just know that whatever it is, it's probably not going to be as good as this song so you can pretty much just give up now bye<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:3QvfJNO8C3ZdX66voYbVm1" width="600"></iframe>
4. <b>"Ignition (Remix)" - R. Kelly</b><br />
No, this isn't a joke.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:5dNfHmqgr128gMY2tc5CeJ" width="600"></iframe>
<b>5. "3rd Planet" - Modest Mouse</b><br />
I'm a strong believer in the idea that the connection you make with the music you listened to in high school never really leaves you. Such is the case with this song. Though I no longer fully resonate with the song's insightful, yet somewhat pessimistic commentary about life, religion, and existence (high school, amirite?) I still feel like it would be an act of treason against my 16 year old self to not include this song in the list. (oh, ps. there is language in this song so MOM STOP LISTENING NOW)<br />
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Also, follow me on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/125227446">Spotify</a> if you want to check out other music I like, and also how many times I listen to Since U Been Gone on repeat.<br />
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<br />
xo
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-42892005872901570882015-02-23T22:47:00.000-08:002016-01-13T14:13:14.847-08:00on love. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used to think that love was this elusive thing, like February 29th or Halley's Comet, that would travel through your hemisphere only once in a blue moon, and you were lucky if, and only if, you were able to catch it as it flew by. This notion stuck with me throughout most of my young life--through the YA romance novels, the Nicholas Sparks movies, the Pablo Nerudas, the sappy/sad songs, and especially the "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series" kinda stuff.</div>
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But then one day I fell in love. And everything I had previously thought seemed to be completely validated. </div>
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It was passionate, and dizzying, and exciting, and fun and just about everything else you'd ever expect from falling in love for the first time. For a while, this person was the glue that was holding me together, until all of the sudden, he wasn't. And when I fell apart, so did the very foundation of the thing I had always believed to be "love."<br />
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Piecing your life back together after something like this is no easy task. However inconsequential and small it may seem in the grand scheme of things, heartbreak is a real, physical type of pain that manifests itself by twisting your stomach into all kinds of knots, and bringing out the ugliest of insecurities. And man, it just <i>hurts</i>. But what I've learned is that if you can get through it--not over it, but through it--there is a wholeness waiting for you on the other side. This wholeness is best described, and I say this in the most non-cheesy and un-ironic way possible, as true love. <i>Real </i>love, even. It's the type of love that makes you confident in the person you are, independent of other people. The type of love that keeps you from feeling lonely, even when you're alone. You can find it in the love of your friends, and your family, and your God, and the world around you, and most importantly, you find it in yourself.<br />
<br />
This past Valentine's Day weekend was a gentle reminder that love is no longer an elusive thing to me. It's not something you have to spend your whole life searching for, nor is it a game of cat and mouse. Love is simply always there. It's in those quiet moments, watching a VHS copy of Maverick in a dingy cabin in rural Southern Colorado with some of your best friends. It's in those late night talks, those heated games of Settlers of Catan, those blissful drives, blasting your "girl power" playlist with the windows rolled down--it's there. All you have to do is recognize it.<br />
<br />
The universe owes you absolutely nothing, yet, in any circumstance, there is always goodness to be found.<br />
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If that isn't love, I don't know what is.<br />
<br />
xo<br />
Lo</div>
Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-89078670642168890112015-02-13T13:15:00.003-08:002015-02-13T13:29:26.178-08:00You'll never guess what this blogger did after 2 months of not blogging...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That's right. She blogged.<br />
<br />
Now that I've reeled you in in the best way I know how (attention-grabbing, open ended statement followed by completely underwhelming response), you'll notice that I've finally decided to actually write a blog post again. This new development comes after two solid months of neglecting my poor laptop, which hardly ever gets used anymore because of the following reasons:<br />
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a) I got a real-person job--complete with swivel chairs, a desktop computer, office gossip, and an entire break room full of treats--which eliminates my need to work from home.<br />
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b) Every time I use my laptop, it does that thing where it heats up really fast and starts making a sound like it's about to launch itself into outer space.<br />
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c) I am now the proud owner of an iPad. I'm one of those "iPad people" now.<br />
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But once I realized that none of those things are good enough excuses to walk away from this space that I love so much, and also because my mom uses this blog to make sure I'm still alive, I've decided to come crawling back and beg you to love me again.<br />
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Let me get real with you for a second, though. I have had a difficult time blogging for the past few years--not because of a lack of time, but because I worry that I've pigeonholed myself so far into this space to the point where I don't always feel like this is a platform where I can talk about things that matter to me most and affect me the deepest. As much as I love fashion, I don't feel like I ever wanted this to be purely a "fashion blog" because, while personal style is fun and yes, I believe it's important, it's not everything.<br />
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Moving forward into this new year (yeah middle of February that works too), I want this blog to be a source of inspiration in all aspects of life--whether that be fashion, beauty, art, relationships, careers, things, stuff, etc. (Did my blog just become Seventeen Magazine for twenty-somethings? Yes. Yes it did). You see, most of the time, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. This season of life is so scary, and frustrating, and exciting, and good--basically everything Taylor Swift says it is, and I know a lot of you are experiencing the same thing. So how about we create a space where we can talk about it? I don't know exactly what that means yet, but maybe you can help me figure it out.<br />
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All I'm saying is that you better buckle-freaking-up because you're going to hear a lot more from me. But at the same time, I want to hear from you as well. If there's anything that you want to see more of on this blog, a submission for a guest post, a question for advice, or just something important that you want me to address here, let me know! Comment, email me, snapchat me, skywrite me, actually write me (pen pals, anyone?). I don't care, just get ahold of me and let's chat!<br />
<br />
awkwardgirls2@gmail.com<br />
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I love you all, I really do. I hope I didn't make this weird. But if I did, I at least hope it was the good kind of weird.<br />
<br />
xo<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-61462417772701205282014-12-05T09:58:00.000-08:002014-12-05T09:58:43.385-08:00All Night Long<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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top: target<br />
jeans: hm<br />
jacket: f21<br />
shoes: <a href="http://bit.ly/1xpxVot">new balance</a><br />
backpack: <a href="http://tesselsupply.com/store/">tessel supply</a><br />
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Lately I've been pulling a lot of accidental all-nighters. I say accidental because the night usually starts with me getting into bed around 10pm thinking, "Wow, look at me. I'm SO ADULT RIGHT NOW" but then one thing leads to another, and BAM--it's 3am and I'm on some obscure spam-filled website, clicking through a gallery of pictures explaining all of Justin Bieber's tattoos.<br />
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We've all been there.<br />
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But then I tell people I stayed up till 4 in the morning and they're like, "Wait, you're not even in school. What are you doing up so late?" And it's a valid question. So for anyone that's ever asked, here are some highlights from last night:<br />
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- starting this blog post, then hitting writers block after one sentence.<br />
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- "Outfit Planning," which is really just code for "pulling everything out of my closet, taking gratuitous mirror selfies, and climbing in bed after resolving to hang everything back up tomorrow."<br />
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- going through all of Taylor Swift's tumblr archives and finally reaching that point where you think, how can I get Taylor Swift to notice me and want to be my best friend and invite me over to her house to play with her cat make inside jokes with her... without sounding like a desperate fangirl?<br />
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- ...<br />
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Tinder.<br />
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- getting a burst of energy and deciding to do push ups. But actually doing maybe 4 pushups...which are really just me in plank position slightly bending my elbows.<br />
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- hearing mysterious noises in my house and classifying them into three categories: 1) normal house sounds, 2) intruder sounds, 3) ghost sounds.<br />
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- feeling extra paranoid and turning on an episode of The Colbert Show to drown out categories 2 and 3.<br />
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- having an anxiety attack over small, inconsequential embarrassing things I did like 3 years ago.<br />
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- emotionally-induced songwriting.<br />
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- deciding to become vegetarian.<br />
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- making my first ever food-related board on Pinterest, and somehow feeling like I'm finally maturing because I pinned recipes that involve quinoa.<br />
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- finally doing that one little thing for work that I've been putting off all day, and taking about 6x longer than I should because I keep getting lost in a buzzfeed vacuum.<br />
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- getting back to this blog post and falling asleep with my computer in my lap 2 minutes later.<br />
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I have now reached level-10 procrastination because I actually procrastinate doing the things I'm <i>using</i> to procrastinate doing actual things I have to get done. It's like procrasti-ception.<br />
<br />
Gosh, I have issues.<br />
<br />
xo, Lo<br />
<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-59183650092839695032014-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:002014-12-05T09:59:11.712-08:00 Post Black Friday Recovery + a Musana Jewelry Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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dress: f21</div>
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jacket: gap</div>
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necklace: c/o <a href="http://musanajewelry.org/arrowhead/">Musana Jewelry</a></div>
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boots: c/o shoe carnival</div>
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If you're like me, you're probably recovering from the hellish monstrosity that was Black Friday shopping. Black Friday, I've realized, is the consumerist equivalent of a toxic relationship; The more you hate it, the more you can't resist it. But we all do it anyways, and yes, we hate ourselves for it. So as I was waiting in line just to <i>get in</i> to J. Crew, wearing an outfit that could only be described as something between "tired soccer mom" and "hobo," watching hoards of people destroy each other over the 3 dollar bins, I thought, there has to be more to life than this. </div>
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So on this hollowed Cyber Monday, if you're needing your faith in humanity restored, let me introduce you to a really awesome local company called <a href="http://musanajewelry.org/">Musana Jewelry</a>. Musana is a social enterprise that not only sells cute jewelry, but provides stable employment and educational opportunities to women in Uganda. Each piece of jewelry is designed and handcrafted by a woman in Uganda. Through the <a href="http://musanajewelry.org/">Musana</a> enterprise, these artisans not only gain valuable skills and a steady income to lift them out of poverty, but are also empowered through classes in literacy, entrepreneurship, and health. </div>
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<b>Today, Musana is also giving away a necklace or jewelry item of your choice to one lucky Awkward Girls reader! </b>All you have to do is like their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MusanaJewelry">Facebook</a> page, and follow the instructions in the widget below. The contest will end next Monday, and a winner will be chosen and contacted through email the next day. Good luck! </div>
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Oh, and for all you Cyber Monday shoppers out there, Musana is offering 20% off their entire website, today only, with the code: <b>CYBERMONDAY</b></div>
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xo, Lo</div>
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<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8270a3c07/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="8270a3c07" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_zgdyimti">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-46893946038519446852014-11-13T16:06:00.000-08:002014-11-13T16:08:48.143-08:00The Thing About November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6GNFT37eVFvccM9bH0YcVL7-nf88I9N_5SzWEPj3-WCiffZ7ljVWjESY_VFMhBuACm-2WjFxEQT588Gat04sJMgYz9IGYLgcWSfX1G0vVMsvFbLo3AWOMjF3dgtyUAZybt2UcKLr9JI/s1600/corn+nutz-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6GNFT37eVFvccM9bH0YcVL7-nf88I9N_5SzWEPj3-WCiffZ7ljVWjESY_VFMhBuACm-2WjFxEQT588Gat04sJMgYz9IGYLgcWSfX1G0vVMsvFbLo3AWOMjF3dgtyUAZybt2UcKLr9JI/s1600/corn+nutz-1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfDVDGCIQH5dIhrZjF5hpG0il6FvQ_MqBlNqnyCvVUeK47_-r7_WWwXp_XNHNd3j8SaY4Nq_OtprtlQ4oVD14oVcwEUFxDHvcSu-wyRVp42UszpCGY_UvOe3FatOG5qAmmPbb7rrTWE8/s1600/corn+nutz-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfDVDGCIQH5dIhrZjF5hpG0il6FvQ_MqBlNqnyCvVUeK47_-r7_WWwXp_XNHNd3j8SaY4Nq_OtprtlQ4oVD14oVcwEUFxDHvcSu-wyRVp42UszpCGY_UvOe3FatOG5qAmmPbb7rrTWE8/s1600/corn+nutz-51.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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top: hm</div>
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skirt: hm (<a href="http://www.hm.com/us/product/44490?article=44490-A">similar</a>)</div>
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shoes: bass</div>
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Historically, the autumn months are not a good time for me. In the past, this time of the year is typically racked with breakups, sad playlists, and that post-summer weight gain that inevitably comes when your body is physically prepping for the winter like animals do when they're getting ready for hibernation (and it has nothing to do with the fact that I ate 7 cookies for breakfast this morning because they were the closest edible thing in proximity to my bed). It's science. Look it up.</div>
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But this year, I'm finally starting to embrace November. September and October have and always will suck, I've accepted that. But, November, people. <b>November is when things get good again. </b></div>
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When all it takes to keep you going is the knowledge that you're getting at least one giant home-cooked meal this month.</div>
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When you can wear all black and not be asked if you're supposed to be a witch or a cat. </div>
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When you don't feel obligated to go out on the weekends because the icy cold weather is curbing FOMO, and replacing it with FODITS (Fear Of Driving In The Snow).</div>
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When you can finally decide that <i>this</i> will be the year you start wearing turtlenecks again, and buy one, only to return it the next day because you can't get over how much you look like Steve Jobs in it. </div>
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When November Sweeps pulls through and your favorite TV couples finally get together and everything is right with the world.</div>
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When beanies and beards start making their long awaited comeback and every male becomes instantaneously more attractive (or maybe you're just getting more desperate but either way, it's good).</div>
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So here's to November and all the beautiful little things that come with it. I would advise you to go to Trader Joe's and buy all the "pumpkin" flavored items you can get ahold of. Watch the Thanksgiving episode of Gossip Girl just to get into the spirit of the season. Take game-changing pictures of your feet in the fall leaves like no one has ever done before, because you can. November is a time to do what you wanna do and be who you wanna be, and no one can stop you. </div>
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Plus, our diet starts December 1st. </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lo</div>
Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-61207456110235522742014-10-29T12:06:00.001-07:002014-12-05T09:59:55.292-08:00Dates, decor, and other grown up things. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10725122_300682613470137_1574949150_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10725122_300682613470137_1574949150_n.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of this year, I was set up on a date with a guy who was in his thirties. He had been well out of college, owned his own company, drove a sleek black car, sported some really awesome facial hair; you know, super impressive and totally had his crap together. I, at the time, was a soon-to-be college grad and emotional wreck, with my crap very much not together. Needless to say, it didn't work out. But that's besides the point. </div>
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While on that date, I asked him if he had any advice for someone who was about to graduate college. He sat on the question for a cool minute, before giving a response that was completely underwhelming:</div>
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"Don't buy furniture."</div>
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Half disappointed, half amused, I just took it. And it wasn't until the moment I was standing in an IKEA, deciding between the Fürgendürgen and the Hügendögen for my first unfurnished "big girl" apartment, that I realized what he meant; If I buy this, what am I supposed to do with it when I want to move out? Does buying this mean I'm stuck here? Will I ever get out of Utah? What's the meaning of life?... And that is precisely how a quarter-life crisis is born. In the middle of a Swedish superstore. All because I didn't listen to the thirty-something beard guy with his crap together.<br />
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Though the permanence that comes with buying furniture is still what keeps me up at night, I've actually grown to really enjoy decorating this little space of mine since then. So much so, that I posted this picture on <a href="http://instagram.com/lolonienie">Instagram</a>, and a few of you asked if I would talk about it on the blog. Eventually I'll give you a glimpse into my whole apartment, and maybe even take higher quality pics. But this is what you get for now.<br />
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<b>So let's start with <a href="http://bit.ly/1tfvtwi">my desk</a></b>.<br />
I work from home a lot so creating a space that was actually comfortable and enticing for me to work at was at the top of my priority list. I ended up finding <a href="http://bit.ly/1tfvtwi"><b>this one from Target</b></a>, and at the time it was 30% off (currently it's $109.99). I originally saw it in the natural wood finish and fell in love, but Target only had it in white and I was too antsy to order online. The square shelves on top of my desk are also from Target and a similar one can be found <a href="http://bit.ly/1u5858v">HERE</a>.<br />
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<b>Art Prints </b><br />
Once upon a time I worked at The Gap and in a sad twist of fate, the store closed. The plus side to that- we got to raid the store's visuals, where I found that black and white print above my desk, framed and everything. The other prints are just ripped from an old coffee table book about <a href="http://www.missoni.com/">Missoni</a> I found at a thrift store for $4, mixed in with a few black and white photography prints from yours truly. The moral of the story here is that you can find cool stuff in the least expected of places, so always be on the look out! <i>Expert tip</i>: <a href="http://bit.ly/1tfzGjN">black and white washi</a> tape is really great for the effect, but horrible at keeping your pictures up. Use mounting putty in addition to the tape so your pictures don't fall down in the middle of the night and give you a damn heart attack.<br />
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<b>Letters</b><br />
Aside from making your parents think you're really into drug culture, this is also a cheap, easy way to decorate your walls. I chose the word "DOPE" because, well, it's dope. But the possibilities are endless. I bought mine at <a href="http://www.joann.com/">JoAnn</a>'s and used the app to get 40% off my purchase.<br />
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Almost everything else (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70239338/">rug</a>, fur pillow, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20267220/">cork board</a>, succulents, picture frames) are from IKEA, because, duh. My chair was $5.00 from DI (holla), and the shelving unit was inherited from a friend.<br />
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<b>Bonus!</b><br />
The desk lamp was actually from my freshman year of college. It used to have this giant ugly plastic thing at the bottom where you could store pens and pencils, so I was about to throw it away until I realized that underneath the plastic eyesore was a cool, chrome base. I just took a hammer to the poor thing, and there you have it.<br />
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I still don't know what I'm going to do with all this stuff when I move out, and I still don't know when that will be, or what my future holds, but what I do know is that I finally feel happy and comfortable being home, and taking the time to put a personal touch into your space makes all the difference.<br />
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So take that, beard-guy.<br />
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xo<br />
Lo<br />
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Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-34895677162214809812014-10-27T07:47:00.000-07:002014-10-27T07:47:23.227-07:00Life lessons from my high school diary. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gwCxKNQoq3QD1OLcTBEaFlmQRQ_LeWlRF9g8Uv07ewFmUcjiMbUS3Nuh8WUmtxkSY1n0dq3aoo9Z92Obt-_vTqd9EzPV3SLRC6fodHKI0bEOtCg-tVN_DsKogAN1JmqKh6Ij6xHTc6Y/s1600/photo+1+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gwCxKNQoq3QD1OLcTBEaFlmQRQ_LeWlRF9g8Uv07ewFmUcjiMbUS3Nuh8WUmtxkSY1n0dq3aoo9Z92Obt-_vTqd9EzPV3SLRC6fodHKI0bEOtCg-tVN_DsKogAN1JmqKh6Ij6xHTc6Y/s1600/photo+1+(3).JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
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<b>On Family:</b></div>
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"I need to be less rude to my parents. It's my worst habit. Other than not wearing my retainer."</div>
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<b>On Vocabulary:</b></div>
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"It's an analogy. Have you ever noticed there's the word anal in that?"</div>
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<b>On Responsibility:</b></div>
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"So I got this 50 dollar bill today, and at some point I got up and left it sitting on the table. Mom and Cindy decided to teach me a 'responsibility lesson' by hiding it from me. When I finally found it, I went back downstairs and like an hour later I realized I didn't have the money. So I start frantically searching for it and freaking out. Then Cindy comes up to me, reaches in my shirt, and pulls the bill out of my bra. I put it there after I lost it the first time so I wouldn't lose it again. I feel like such an idiot."</div>
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<b>On Education:</b></div>
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"High school is just a big fat suffering contest."</div>
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<b>On Spelling:</b></div>
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"Definately [sic]."</div>
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<b>On Priorities:</b></div>
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"What's something I want to be remembered for when I die? That I had good taste in music."</div>
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<b>On Friendship:</b></div>
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"I want to slap her every time she talks about him. Which is all the time"</div>
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<b>On Setting Goals:</b></div>
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"Well I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I don't screw this up!" (October 21, 2007)</div>
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"So I may have screwed this up." (October 23, 2007)</div>
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<b>On Dating:</b></div>
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"Never kiss a guy who, at any point in his life, has had a mullet and/or rattail."</div>
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<b>On Humility:</b></div>
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"Sometimes I wish I could be really selfish. Because people who are selfish always get exactly what they want, and they don't even feel bad about it. Haha. Sucks to be such a good person."</div>
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Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-47869286858526397172014-09-30T09:43:00.000-07:002014-09-30T09:43:25.084-07:00To tell you the truth...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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dress: <a href="http://us.cottonon.com/shop/product/tina-tshirt-dress-indigo-navy/white/cherry-cola-carter-stripe/">cotton on</a> (<a href="http://www.brandymelvilleusa.com/clothing/dresses/alena-dress-231107.html">similar</a>)<br />
jacket: vero moda (similar <a href="http://bit.ly/1wKk2xv">here</a>, and <a href="http://bit.ly/1wKl0tz">here-$18!!!</a>)<br />
shoes: <a href="http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/Leather-Low-Ankle-Bootie/1000021042?colorId=NS1003450">franco sarto via tjmaxx</a> (<span style="font-size: x-small;">I maybe drove around to 3 different TJ Maxxes in Utah just to get these in my size, only to find out you can now shop TJ Maxx online. Still not regretting it.</span>)<br />
bag: bass outlet (Oh and it's reversible. Two bags in one. Holla. Find it <a href="http://bit.ly/1mqRRD6">here</a>, and similar option with a cross-body strap <a href="http://bit.ly/ZHcmkX">here</a>)<br />
<br />
This post has been sitting in my drafts for quite some time now because I haven't been able to write anything that's both authentic and optimistic. So to save you some directionless ramblings about the basic life problems I encounter as I try to navigate this arbitrary world of "being an adult," let me just tell you the truth, as it stands, in this very moment:<br />
<br />
It's currently 10:30 in the morning and I have no productive plans today; therefore, I am sitting in my bed, wearing nothing but my alumni shirt and my underwear and my brand new <a href="http://bit.ly/1pEaSNe">New Balance sneakers</a> that I love so much that putting them on is the first thing I do when I wake up.<br />
<br />
That is the truth.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Lo<br />
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Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-58292471721908290112014-08-26T18:22:00.000-07:002014-08-26T18:22:00.529-07:00At Least I'm Not Addicted to Meth: A Swimsuit Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
swimsuit: pacsun (sold out, but other cool options <a href="http://bit.ly/1qJVLTl">here</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/1tQO0y4">here</a>)<br />
shorts: thrifted vintage levi's <br />
shoes: <a href="http://bit.ly/XQMyC2">converse</a><br />
photos: <a href="http://www.kenziegosslingphotography.com/p/welcome_30.html">Kenzie Gossling Photography</a><br />
<br />
I know summer is basically over, but either I just totally forgot about these pictures, or I subconsciously try to block any visuals of me in a swimsuit from my mind. At some point I had big plans to write up a post about my ultimate guilty pleasure buys (swimsuits), yet here we are at the end of August and that's probably useless to you now. But I'm gonna do it anyways. The good news though, pretty much all swimsuits everywhere are on sale right now, and yes, I have a few coming for me in the mail as we speak (which will probably be returned because... my butt).<br />
<br />
I don't know what it is, but I buy swimsuits all year long. Let's keep in mind that I live in Utah; where there are no beaches, no pools open past September 1st, and winter clothes are required 8 months out of the year. But I can't stop. They're like the Blue Sky of the online shopping world, and I'm Walter White. Did that metaphor even make sense? Don't think about it. It sounded cool in my head.<br />
<br />
Anyways, if you have the same problem, let me be an enabler and direct you to my favorite suits, all under $50. Happy shopping (addiction)!<br />
<br />
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<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-16495769073056684522014-08-11T11:43:00.000-07:002014-08-11T17:42:04.192-07:00Farmers Only<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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dress: <a href="http://www.hm.com/us/product/26875?article=26875-A#shopOrigin=SA">hm</a> (<a href="http://bit.ly/1qVHoBF">similar</a> style but with sleeves)<br />
boots: bass<br />
*<b>Photos by <a href="http://www.kenziegosslingphotography.com/p/welcome_30.html">Kenzie Gossling Photography</a> </b><br />
<br />
I know the last thing the internet needs is a thousand more pictures of me, but when your friend asks if you wanna trespass onto a secluded farm and do a photo shoot, you can't really say no. So last week, Kenzie and I drove to the outskirts of Provo and found this perfect little spot with sunflowers, orchards, and a horse who had no problem violating my personal space. We snapped a few pics, got in touch with our country roots, then ended our excursion with some shaved ice, because I believe all perfect summer days involve eating something with a high amount of sugar and a low amount of substance.<br />
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The thing is, Kenzie is a really great photographer. I know this because she still managed to make me look decent after day three of not showering. If that's not talent, I don't know what is. Check out more of her photography <a href="http://www.kenziegosslingphotography.com/p/welcome_30.html">here</a>. You won't regret it.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-37775189692560578652014-07-31T13:23:00.000-07:002014-07-31T13:24:28.283-07:00We came. We saw. We danced. <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="337" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/102207865?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe> <br />
*go watch it on the vimeo website so you can watch it HD. Ugh.<br />
<br />
When you're 23 and unemployed, with a spot of graduation money in your pocket, you tend to do things by the principle of YOLO. And that is exactly what my friend, Melissa and I did when we decided to take two weeks off from life and drive from Utah to California to Oregon then Washington, and back to Utah. We clocked about 3000 miles worth of driving, crossed 7 state borders, racked up over $400 worth of speeding and parking tickets, lost half of my car's bumper on the side of the freeway, and exhausted all the white girl dance moves we could think of for the sake of this video.<br />
<br />
And somehow it was all totally worth it.<br />
<br />
In other news, I'm moving to Seattle and only wearing Tevas and Patagonia from now on. Who's with me?<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Lo<br />
<br />
ps. if you want a full run down of our trip, pics included, visit <a href="http://gunnerblogaboutit.blogspot.com/2014/07/mel-lo-take-west-coast.html">Mel's blog</a> for the recap!<br />
<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-86449830003649562072014-07-22T15:39:00.000-07:002014-08-26T10:25:58.265-07:00Me, The Sea, and Anne B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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sweater: hm<br />
shorts: <a href="http://bit.ly/1nkiQ18">old navy</a> (on sale!)<br />
bag: <a href="http://www.annebdesigns.com/product/aspen-folded-clutch">anne b. designs</a> c/o
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<br />
First things first, these pictures must have been taken at that magical time of day when the sunset makes your skin look the same color as your leather purse. So there's that. #brownpeopleproblems<br />
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Second things second, let's talk about this purse from <a href="http://www.annebdesigns.com/">Anne B Designs</a>. If you have been following me on the instagram, you know that I recently got back from what would best be known as a "mega trip" (aka, a completely unreasonable and poorly planned, but totally awesome road trip from Utah to Southern CA to Seattle) and this trusty little cross body stayed by my side the whole time. Literally.<br />
<br />
Anne B Designs was founded by this really incredible girl named Sarah. You see, there are people who do well in the world, and there are people who do good. Sarah happens to do both. Not only does she make really adorable products, she also teaches women in third world countries how to sew so they can make a living for themselves. How cool is that? Well, Sarah currently has a <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-made-collection-by-anne-b?show_todos=true">crowdfunding campaign</a> going to help fund her <a href="http://www.annebdesigns.com/the-made-collection">Made Collection</a> that will allow her to fulfill her dream of starting a sewing school right here in Salt Lake City. Check out the video!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0XToNtWr--I" width="600"></iframe><br />
There's only a couple days left of the campaign and she's just under her goal, so be sure to donate <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-made-collection-by-anne-b?show_todos=true">HERE</a>! And of course, stop by <a href="http://www.annebdesigns.com/">Anne B Designs</a> to check out all dem cute bags!<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Lo<br />
<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-13377517885801444812014-07-02T20:08:00.001-07:002014-08-26T10:26:10.518-07:00Foul Creature of the Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
shirt: c/o <a href="http://www.pbjshop.com/">PB + J Boutique</a><br />
jeans: hm<br />
sunnies: c/o <a href="http://www.kameleonz.com/shop/coconut/">Kameleonz</a><br />
necklace: army surplus<br />
shoes: urban outfitters<br />
<b>*pictures by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenzie-Gossling-Photography/148288378622356">Kenzie Gossling Photography</a>*</b><br />
<br />
If you've known me for a while, or just long enough to memorize my sleeping patterns (which takes less time than you'd think), you know that I don't sleep. Ever.<br />
<br />
I mean, for the most part, being a human is great. You get to clearly articulate your thoughts and feelings with the use of language, and opposable thumbs are pertinent to important activities like texting and "What has two thumbs and _______? THIS GUY!!!" type jokes.<br />
<br />
But if there's anything that <i>really</i> gets me down about being human it's the fact that sleep is a necessity. Like, don't get me wrong. I enjoy cuddling up to my boo-thang for Sunday naps just as much as the next girl. But do you not realize how much I could get done in the 8 hour span of time it takes to get a decent night's sleep? Do you not realize how many more wikipedia pages I could have in my repertoire of useless information if I could actually utilize all 24 hours? When you examine the ratio of episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on Netflix to the amount of hours in a day, sleep just seems so arbitrary. It's simple math people.<br />
<br />
So when I saw this "<a href="http://www.pbjshop.com/knot-sisters-creature-of-the-night-tee-p-3010.html?osCsid=vd2obvo2t6rm61eekbsc3l49u5">Creature of the Night</a>" shirt from <a href="http://www.pbjshop.com/">PBJ Boutique</a>, it just felt right. Think of it as a silent protest to the oppression of Sleep, and a way to marginalize my crippling insomnia.<br />
<br />
Or just as a cute, comfy tee. That works too.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Lo<br />
<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-26215168894741511142014-06-03T12:10:00.001-07:002014-06-03T12:50:19.017-07:00That one time I graduated college. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcokY-37dcOtgJ6C0V0TWHi7wVSInyEvjDlrheLEKYu5pwVBFzwNEWcBnZtS1XRloVWOpM3rOLuJepNOvRm7MhbUejiXWoE-qjmQGX7qs0NUWpjsYWy0qw21EVMrWi6QgC68j4GQVsNo/s1600/lolonieniegrad-0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcokY-37dcOtgJ6C0V0TWHi7wVSInyEvjDlrheLEKYu5pwVBFzwNEWcBnZtS1XRloVWOpM3rOLuJepNOvRm7MhbUejiXWoE-qjmQGX7qs0NUWpjsYWy0qw21EVMrWi6QgC68j4GQVsNo/s1600/lolonieniegrad-0770.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp-nIt2Eo-NgJu-7lBdjjY_6C4apl8U3vMi0Ie9fvT3ssSejVDr5prcVE8IGY3uxNkgPDUbMzI8OgFt61IChsXYSa09jPNoTcP4lT7_d1y0O4BjRT6DdlUcyVntOhbvvf-7k1dwFqGj8/s1600/lolonieniegrad-0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp-nIt2Eo-NgJu-7lBdjjY_6C4apl8U3vMi0Ie9fvT3ssSejVDr5prcVE8IGY3uxNkgPDUbMzI8OgFt61IChsXYSa09jPNoTcP4lT7_d1y0O4BjRT6DdlUcyVntOhbvvf-7k1dwFqGj8/s1600/lolonieniegrad-0782.jpg" width="600" /></a><b>*photos by <a href="http://smilemepretty.blogspot.com/">Emma Vidmar Photography</a></b><br />
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Since I never sent out graduation announcements, and I have virtually no use for these pictures except to please my mother, I figured I'd post them here. And since I already got all <a href="http://awkwardgirls.blogspot.com/2014/04/landmarks.html">mushy gushy about graduating</a>, let me just give you the highlights of what actually went down on graduation day. For posterity's sake.<br />
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- buying my tassel from the bookstore, then immediately throwing it away on accident after absentmindedly stuffing it in the paper bag my two maple donuts (read: breakfast) came in.<br />
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- having to go back to the bookstore and explain to the cashier how I needed to buy another tassel for my "friend". You know, the same "friend" I bought that second maple donut for.<br />
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- getting to walk around all day in an oversized, shapeless sack. Or what I like to call, The Snuggie Lite.<br />
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- hearing the BYU Bell Tower play Vitamin C's "Graduation".<br />
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- lining up to walk into the Marriott Center and seeing at least 5 other bloggers, who were also graduating in the same school as me (Family, Home, and Social Sciences), begging the question: Did we choose this major because we're bloggers, or are we bloggers because we chose this major? Suddenly, I'm questioning everything.<br />
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- fancy dinner c/o The Chris and Josie Nielsen Foundation for Directionless College Grads.<br />
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- my BYU alumni t-shirt. Free w/ purchase of 5 years tuition.<br />
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So there's that.<br />
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xoxo<br />
LoLauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-34558897115264897682014-05-30T09:09:00.002-07:002014-05-30T09:14:43.326-07:00Friday Confessions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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top: anthropologie (old, but loving <a href="http://bit.ly/1hj6yFU">this one</a> and pretty much <a href="http://bit.ly/1izONwW">all of these</a>)<br />
jeans: <a href="http://bit.ly/1kR494l">joe's jeans</a><br />
sandals: <a href="http://bit.ly/1izKSjA">urban outfitters</a> (almost sold out, but <a href="http://bit.ly/1kR2prU" target="_blank">these</a> work too. Or <a href="http://www.lulus.com/products/city-classified-cruz-dark-tan-caged-sandals/153138.html">these</a>)<br />
necklace: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegreenbrocade">the green brocade</a><br />
sunglasses: urban outfitters (<a href="http://bit.ly/1mzixN1" target="_blank">similar</a>)<br />
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<b>Confession #1</b>: These pictures were originally taken for light-testing purposes only, as in, I never intended to actually post them here until I found them on <a href="http://smilemepretty.blogspot.com/">Emma's</a> computer and thought, "Why the heck not?" So please excuse my peace-sign bearing, duck-faced tool poses.<br />
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<b>Confession #2:</b> I just bought a pair of overalls. From Wal-Mart. And I've worn them almost every day since I got them. What have I become?<br />
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<b>Confession #3</b>: I promised myself I would delete 2048 immediately after I beat it. Well 2048 came and went, and here we are trying to get to 4096 now. If you haven't played it yet, here's a word to the wise: Don't do it. Don't make the same mistakes I did. You have more to live for than this.<br />
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<b>Confession #4:</b> For the first time in my life, I have a sunburn. And for the first time in my life, I feel like I finally have a deep, personal connection to #whitepeopleproblems.<br />
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<b>Confession #5</b>: Ok. I finally gave in and watched Frozen. Still think it's overrated. Still don't understand why full-grown adults are peeing their pants over this movie. Still can't get "Let it Go" out of my head. Ugh.<br />
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So ready for the weekend. For more Friday Confessions, go <a href="http://awkwardgirls.blogspot.com/search/label/Friday%20Confessions">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Lo<br />
<br />Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-73931355979168591182014-05-29T12:05:00.000-07:002014-05-29T12:13:08.400-07:00Let's talk about me being naked some more. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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dress: c/o <a href="http://bit.ly/1oyOVUF" target="_blank">sheinside</a></div>
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blazer: f21 (old)</div>
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clogs: <a href="http://bit.ly/1pokPTY" target="_blank">urban outfitters</a> (on sale for $20! get on that, my fly, budget-conscious homegirls)</div>
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belt: thrifted</div>
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If you haven't noticed, I've been avoiding my blog these past couple of weeks, mainly because every time I look at it, I am reminded of how there's constantly about 10 million things on my to-do list and blogging just so happens to be number 10 million and one on that list. You feel me?</div>
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Anyways, enough of me sending my sob story out into an internet that will continue to move forward with or without my presence...</div>
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The month of May has been really really great. Currently, I'm still recovering from my Memorial Day weekend that was filled with camping trips (obvi), barbecues (duh), and being a poolside diva while letting the sun turn my skin into at least 4 different ethnicities. Seriously, you should see me naked. </div>
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(I might regret that last sentence, but I'm not gonna take it back.) </div>
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xoxo </div>
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Lo</div>
Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212322948671598034.post-66923433388768036692014-05-06T16:46:00.000-07:002014-05-06T23:02:25.386-07:00Nobody likes you when you're 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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sweater: hm</div>
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jeans: hm</div>
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bag: uo </div>
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boots: lucky via nordstrom </div>
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You guys, I turned 23. </div>
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I spent my birthday weekend in the company of the greatest, most perfect humans who, despite what <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQ3ywwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DK7l5ZeVVoCA%26feature%3Dkp&ei=_25pU6y2AcqBogS334CgAw&usg=AFQjCNGpdQ_J0j5fVsnQMkFqn86O-_QsOw&sig2=_H1mOJmETAE8_RWNh16cgw&bvm=bv.66111022,d.cGU" target="_blank">Blink-182 says</a>, still actually like me when I'm 23. They like me so much they fed me multiple times, they made<a href="http://instagram.com/p/nd-8f8ONIw/" target="_blank"> THIS thing</a> for me which legitimately made me cry in the middle of a Cracker Barrel, they took me <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ngz6MHONM2/" target="_blank">to see my main girl Ellie Goulding</a>, they late-night cuddled with me, they <a href="http://instagram.com/p/noqAoluNLT/" target="_blank">coordinated outfits</a> with me, they took me to <a href="http://www.rooftopconcertseries.com/" target="_blank">more concerts</a>, and even sang with me while I played guitar on a mountainside. Does life get any better than that?</div>
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So, here's a special thank you to all those who made my weekend the bees knees, my parents for creating me (ew ew ew ew) and for always celebrating my birthday despite the fact that it's also their anniversary, Ellie Goulding for being my ultimate girl crush/main motivation to do ab workouts, and also, cupcakes. </div>
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Honorable mention goes to online shopping because screw it, I've gone 23 years without dying so I think I deserve some new shoes. </div>
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xo</div>
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Lo</div>
Lauren Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464639916322344878noreply@blogger.com10