Storytime With Chelsea

I went away snowboarding again this weekend {I'm a pro, no big deal...just kidding

I'm actually pretty terrible and I am ridiculously sore from falling now}. Anyone want to

give me a massage? Cause I could definitely use one. 

ANYWAYS-- we went out for some drinks last night, and were at a bar playing pool above a club, and there was a little deck outside that bar and you could see down into the club below. So, funny story, I was looking out onto a deck, and noticed a cat. This cat was sitting on the edge of the balcony overlooking the club, watching people shuffle on stage amidst the bright flashing lights and super loud music. And it just sat there, for the whole time we were in the bar, observing the club going-ons. Now, maybe it's just because I'm kind of a crazy cat lady {okay, totally a crazy cat lady}, but I seriously find this to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I couldn't take a very good picture cause it was dark but hopefully you get the idea.

Fifty Shades of Grey

A touchy subject. Veeeeeeeery touchy {no pun intended}. Seriously though - people are going absolutely nuts over this book, and I thought hey...why can't I give my two cents? In advance I ask that you take this and respect this as my own opinion, I am happy with you having your own opinion and I hope this doesn't make you dislike me!

Let's start by saying that I don't mind the book. It's not the most amazingly written piece of literature, but it's an alright read. Yes, there are sex scenes in the book and {I've only read the first book so far} no, they haven't been as horribly disgusting as I imagined they were going to be based on everyone's reaction to the book. Yeah, some of it is weird...like I wouldn't do it. But whatever, it's a story. 

I think one of the hugest reasons why people are freaking out is because they haven't actually read the book, or they read the first couple chapters and were like HOLY COW THIS IS SO DIRTY I WILL NEVER READ THIS AGAIN IT'S APPALLING. I am of the belief that if you're going to write an essay on how much you hate something, at least read the whole dang book first. Haha..I said dang. Look at me being all family-friendly. 

In seriousness though - people haven't read the whole book and they're making it sounds like the devil's work. I totally understand if you think it's disgusting and weird and pornographic, because okay, it is. But there IS a story in there, and it ISN'T entirely BDSM...it's actually a lot less freaky than I expected it to be. And she's pretty much not even submissive, so you guys can stop getting all HOLYMACKERAL {family-friendly ;)} that she is being a disgrace to women etc etc. 

Also, I'd like to make a point that just because you read or enjoyed this book, your marriage/relationship ISN'T in shambles. I have legitimately read this "point" multiple times in anti-fifty shades posts... I don't get it? There is nothing wrong with your relationship if you wish to incorporate a little fantasy or whatever. Just because you like to "spice up your life" doesn't mean that you have intimacy issues with your partner or something. People do stuff. It's fun and it's OKAY and your relationship is not over or falling apart.

I'm sure I'll get angry comments and un-follows. I'm prepared to deal with that, cause honestly I think the uproar is a little over the top. I'm all for reading whatever you want, and some people are totally bashing anyone that isn't all ANTIFIFTYSHADES!!!!!!, and that's not okay. Freedom of reading guys...is that a thing? It must be. Or it is now. Cause I just made it that. Let's try not to do anymore judging, k? 

AND PS - I am totally open to comments on this, but if you're just going to bash me for not hating the book then don't bother commenting. Witty banter/intelligent arguments only please, haha.

Me, Myself and I

I am a little late on the link-up for this one but I am still really wanting to do it. It's a new linky party, hosted this month by a bunch of really awesome bloggers! I used to love filling out those "note" things on Facebook which was basically a billion random questions and no one would ever read them, but anyways...

What is your biggest phobia?

The ocean, hands down. I panic when I go to the aquarium and I'm near

the shark tank or big fish tanks. I definitely don't do swimming in the ocean.

I've actually posted about it before, you can read more here.

If you could relive any day of your life, 

what would it be and why?

Wow, this is a toughie. There are so many days I'd like to relive but all

for different reasons. Maybe one of the Olympic weekend nights a couple

years back...because it was a crazy-fun party. Maybe a day when my boyfriend

and I first got together, we were super cute back then. Or maybe a day before

my cat died cause she was the best cat ever and I would be perfectly content to

hang out with her every day of my life {crazy cat lady}.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, 

what age would it be?

I would say 24 or 25 even though I'm not there yet. You're still young, but

old enough to gain auto-respect from people because they don't think you're

a little young one still. I also feel like you get more comfortable with yourself

and who you are as you get older, and I'm pretty comfortable now so I think by

25 I'd be like 100% pleased. Maybe, who knows, haha.

Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?

Okay, I've always been told two people.

1) Kate Hudson - I've been told this on various occasions although I don't really

see it myself... either way it's an honor cause she's freakin' gorgeous, let's be serious!

2) Chyler Leigh (Lexie Grey/Little Grey from Grey's Anatomy) - I have got this

one sooo many times by so many different people. I actually can see the

resemblance myself a bit...so that says something.

What do you guys think? What's the verdict? Or can you think of

anyone else I look like? I've got Lindsay Lohan before..but only cause

we both have mad freckle-itis!

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

* Home {Edwina Hayes} - reminds me of my boy :)

* Big Girl You Are Beautiful {Mika} - this was my happy song in highschool,

though I was always a tiny girl. It's a pretty happy time listening to it though!

* Boston {Augustana} - has been my favorite song foreeeeeeever

* God Shuffled His Feet {Crash Test Dummies} - The singer's voice is actually

the sound of my childhood. My dad always used to listen to them when I was

really little and when I hear them I just remember being tiny!

* Gangster's Paradise {Coolio} - Was my favorite song when I was really little,

I used to dance to it and sing all the words when I was like four! At least I thought

I knew all the words, ha. I also did my first and only dance recital to this song.

* Ridin Solo' {Jason Derulo} - Mine and my friend's club song! We request it

every single time we go out together and rip up the dance floor. Even though I'm

not actually single hahah it's still the best ever!

Vacaaaaaaaaaaaaaation!

You know how you're supposed to be all relaxed after a vacation? I am so not. My body is aching from snowboarding and too many Fergburger's (which are the most massive burgers you will EVER, I repeat, EVER, eat in your life) and too much "dancing the night away". Who am I kidding, you can't dance too much.

I found Ketchup chips in New Zealand. It was probably the happiest time
of my life. I didn't care that the tiny pack cost $3.20 OR that they were like a month
after the best before date..I DON'T CURR!

The sunrise above the clouds....ah-maze, right?

Snow!!!!

Excuse me while I have a crazy cat lady moment, but this cat was
seriously OBESE. It was the cutest thing ever. I wanted to keep him.

Just a burger bigger than my boyfriend's {very womanly looking in this pic}
hand...no big deal. I ate it all...that was a big deal. I felt like dying after.

This great picture I made while we drove back up from Queenstown to Christchurch. Hahah.

Yeah I know, there's no snowboarding pictures in this or anything. Just cause I haven't actually put my real pictures up yet and I just stole these off Instagram. I'm lazy like that. I will post some soon. I hope everyone's weekend was great...now I have to get back to work {sad} AND get going on all of the design work I have to do, AND entertain two friends that are visiting from Australia this week. Needless to say, I may not be posting a whole lot this week...I am a busy bee. I wish for a nap.......yeah. Happy weekend!

Byebye Auckland!

My boyfriend and I are on a flight at 6:10am tomorrow.... SOEARLY. I know. Ugh. BUT -- it's going to be so worth it. We're staying in Christchurch for a night (earthquake central.. there was actually one there last night, I am praying there isn't one while I'm there cause I will legitimately freak out) then off to Queenstown the next morning for a snowboard trip. WOO! So I will be MIA from blog & social media all weekend... mostly. You know I can't not check my email at all. Or Twitter. Or Facebook. ANYWAYS, if you're trying to get ahold of me and aren't hearing back...that's why. I'll be back on Monday.

Hope everyone's weekend is as great as I'm hoping mine will be! xo

My Dirty Little Secret

We all have something about us that other people don't know.

Like, you may not know that I'm a crazy cat lady.

Just kidding.. you probably knew that.

Today I want to share something with you that is my "dirty little

secret", something most people don't know about me.

I am a legitimate hypochondriac. 

Like you know, when you were younger and felt a little sickness

coming on and would go "oh mum I think I'm dying" and she'd be like

"you're such a hypochondriac." 

And then you'd get over it five minutes later.

That was me as a kid, only it's just got worse as I've got older.

I have health anxiety. A more doctorish way of saying hypochondria.

The funniest part? I am self-diagnosed..haha.

But I don't need to talk to a doctor to know this.

Ask my boyfriend. He deals with it on a daily basis from me.

It sounds silly, I know. But it's a real thing.

At some points, it has actually taken over my life.

No-- that's not me being a drama queen {for once haha}.

I got a little lump in my neck in November of 2010.

This was probably the beginning of my serious health anxiety.

I honestly cried myself to sleep a few nights because I was so worried

about this lump in my neck, thinking that I had lymphoma.

I went to doctor after doctor about it...I just don't listen.

Well, I listen, but I don't believe. I'm sure I'm right. So I go see

another doctor. Over the past couple years, this has happened many,

many times. I still have days when I feel a swollen lymph node and

send myself into shock mode because I think it must be lymphoma.

Like I said, it can completely take over my life.

I read an article the other day here {it's actually a really good article

by the way, very sad though}. I honestly spent the next day at work

convinced that I may have a mental illness. Not joking at all.

Okay maybe I do have one - it's called me being crazy.

When I'm left alone with myself for too long I start making things up

like this. And know what? IT SUCKS.

Sometimes I feel totally alone in this, like I will never feel totally

healthy and there is always this impending doom of disease just 

creeping up on me. Sometimes I just have to tell myself to shut up.

Or I need to say it all out loud to someone, pretty much just my

boyfriend, so he can tell me how ridiculous I sound and I can 

laugh at myself. I'm so lucky to have someone that will listen.

I think that recognizing it's a real problem I have is the best thing I 

can do about it for now. Talking about it helps too, because it makes

me realize how ridiculous the things I'm thinking are.

I'm not totally insane guys, I promise!! And I'm sure there's more of you out there,

I can't be the only one! I'd love to hear from you other health-obsessed crazies.

PS - new bangs! A post on that later this week...but I love them!

Also, on a brighter note... I have freed up some more time for blog designs

as I have finished off the ones I have been working on! If your blog needs

a makeover, check out my design page. I would love to hear from you.

Mucho love on this fine day ladies ♥