2015 Love List

PS I know there are a bazillion pictures... but the balloons were just tooooo fun! Pics By: Bailey Winters

It's Valentines Day weekend! I tell you what, I am looking forward to eating sugar cookies and watching rom-com's allll night. (Well actually I have to work Valentine's Day night... so when I get home that's what I'll do. That sounds lame... haha but it is the truth!)

So for Valentine's Day on this here blog we have talked about chocolate, romantic movies, sugar cookies and made a mocktail. For my last V-day themed post I am giving you my love list. Every once in awhile I like to make a list of things I love/am grateful for. I feel like, when I do this, it can really put things into perspective; and just thinking about all the things you love can put you in a fantastic mood. So to finish off this looooooove season here is my love list. Try making you own!

Love List 2015:
*Old Movies
*Balloons
*Sweets
*My Family
*My Dog
*New Clothes
*Laughing
*My Friends
*Disney
*Captain America
*Going out to eat
*The beach
*Foooooood
*My cabin
*Relaxing
*Naps
*Kindness
*"The Offiice"
*Dresses
*Art
*Flowers
*Good quotes/Books
*My Church Calling
*Bright colors
*Fairytales
*Making some laugh/happy
*Accomplishing something
*Musicals
*Dancing
*Roll Tide!
*My "nieces" and "nephews"
*Ice cream
*Running
*Trying new things
*Meeting new people
*Horse back riding
*Daydreaming

I am sure there is more... but that is my 2015 Love List! Happy Valentine's Day!!

My Favorite Chick Flicks

Pictures By: Bailey Winters

Hello readers! I hope your Super Bowl Sunday was full of food, family and friends! And if your team won, congrats! And if they didn't... you'll get 'em next time. Moving on!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be loads of V-Day posts on this here blog! It's not like I really love the actually day... I just like the fact that there is chocolate, pink and hearts everywhere. Woo, that make me sound super girly- but it is what it is!

Soooo for my first Valentine's themed post I thought I would share my favorite romantic movies. I am a sucker for a good lovey dovey film. I've always been a believer in dreams coming true, and for the most part, that's what happens in my favorite romantic films. I get they are just movies, but all my favorites are favorites for a reason. It's usually because they effected me in some way... Anyway, here are my favorites and why. It's about to get real honest up in here.

Funny Face
 In this movie there is an awkward, outspoken and quirky girl (Audrey Hepburn) who is chosen to model for a magazine and ends up falling in love with a handsome fashion photographer (Fred Astaire). Halfway through the movie the model and photographer do a wedding shoot... they end up saying they love each other and dance the day away. When I saw this scene I bawled... there was no reason to cry, but booooy did I. I thought it was so lovely that Audrey's character found love by just being herself. She was odd, quirky and a little stubborn but was loved for it. It made me realize that I could be loved for being who I was.

Pride and Prejudice 
I read Pride and Prejudice when I was in High School. It's my mom's favorite book so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I loved it, Elizabeth Bennett is one of my favorite literary heroines. But moving on to the movie, I adore Kiera Knightley's portrayal of Miss. Bennett. Her willingness to accept that she was wrong about Mr. Darcy shows great strength to me. And the fact that they love each other despite their differences is lovely to me.

Letters To Juliet
I love this movie because it showed me that sometimes love is all about timing; and no matter how long it takes it's worth it. (Cheeeeesy I know!) Also... I have a selfish reason for liking this movie. Vanessa Redgrave stars in the movie and I had the privilege of meeting her on the red carpet when I helped cover the 2012 Tony Awards. Miss. Redgrave came up to me before interviewing with our reporter and asked me who I was. I said, "Oh, I'm just Elora the intern." Then she said, "Oh darling. You are much more than that. You are Elora and you are lovely." Then she gave me a kiss on the cheek. It meant so much to me that this lady I didn't even know, a star, wanted to let me know how I special I was. Every time I watch the movie I think of what she said to me and it brings a smile to my face and I hope I can find a man who thinks I am so much more than "Elora the intern."

Sabrina (1957)
Those that know me super well know that  Sabrina is my favorite movie of all time. I can watch it over and over again and not get sick of it. I love all the characters and the movie is fullll of lovely quotes. And I looove the costumes in the movie. But, one of the reasons why it's one of my favorite romance films is because Sabrina is finally able to get over the guy she is pining after and is able to move on to someone better.

That was a lot of personal information, and it was kind of scary to write! And most of it was pretty cheesy... sorry about that! I have loads of other movies I love... but I feel like if I list every single one this post will take me hours to write and hours for you to read! Anyways, I'd love to hear what some of your favorite romantic movies are! Happy Valentine's month!

2015 Resolution's

So we are half way through January and I am finally getting to my resolutions. I understand I am a little behind but let me tell you why. Last year I made my resolutions list on New Year's day. It was sooooo long! Through social media I saw what resolutions other people were making and I kept thinking, "Oh yeah, that's a good one!" and I would add it to the list. It got so long it started stressing me out and I had to tear it up. So this year I read other people's resolutions, gave them a round of applause, sat back and decided to make some goals that were best for me and this is what I came up with:

1. Find Peace With Yourself
Being who I am is enough. I hear/talk about this idea all the time but I forget it sometimes. I took some hits in 2014 that shook my confidence and I am so over that! This goal also applies to me not comparing myself to others... I really need to stop doing that. It messes with my head and I forget to remember the good things about me and my life. Sounds cheesy... But it's a big goal for me!

2. Have a Beautiful heart
When I was younger I told my dad my favorite Princess was Cinderella, he asked me why and I told him "Because she is beautiful." My dad preceded to tell me she wasn't always pretty and lots of time she was covered in soot and sweat and I said "No dad, she has a beautiful heart." As I have gotten older, having a good heart is one of the most important things one can have. "Be somebody who makes everyone feel like somebody."

3.Have faith good things will happen
The job hunt and I, well we haven't been the greatest of friends. When you try so hard and don't see results it can bring ya down man. BUT I am trying to have faith that good things will happen. Dreams are attainable... I can reach them.

Those are my major goals... there are some small ones here and there (Tryout for a musical, read more classics,  etc) but those three are my maaaaajor ones! If you are in the same boat as me and struggle with resolutions here are some quotes I saw on Pinterest that got me a thinkin' maybe they can help you too. Here is to 2015! Holla! (Wait... do people still say holla?)

Change is a Coming

Hello to you, you and YOU. Man it has been awhile since I have posted; BUT from now on you are going to see more from "With Lola." Starting in the next week or so there will be better images, posts and videos (Yes I have promised videos and they WILL happen). A new little journey is starting and hope you will come along with me.

Getting Honest Up In Here

Happy Monday everyone! Today's post is a little different. When I started this blog, I wanted it to be a place where people could go to get a little day-to-day inspiration. You know, a place where people could get ideas to make them happier and so forth. Well, to be honest with you, I totally forgot about that goal.

My feelings as of late (And isn't beyond scary to be honest when it comes to feelings?) are that I'm struggling with social media.  But, it really is kinda my fault for feeling that way. You see, my life the past year and a half has sort of been in limbo. I keep getting declined from job opportunities and dating has been a struggggle. (How's that for personal?!) I have these things I am dealing with then I get on social media and I am like, "What the heck?! Am I the only one whose life isn't beyond perfect?" I see pictures/posts of people getting jobs, having babies, getting married, loosing weight, getting these amazing clothes, learning a new talent, growing a business, gaining followers, working for companies I'd love to work for, getting on TV etc. When I see these things, whether it is right or not, I immediately think- "I am not any of those things." I have, and how embarrassing it is to admit, started to loose confidence in myself solely because my life is not at the same place as these people.
There is that great quote that says, "You shouldn't compare yourself to strangers on the internet." Well, half the people I compare myself to I actually know and the other half other fellow Utahans so I feel like they aren't total strangers. Anyway, I am not saying that is right but it's what I am doing.

So the other night (I know by now you are all like- waaaaaaaa pooooor you) I was literally making a list in my head about everything I wasn't. I got so sad I needed chocolate stat (Well I guess I need that when I am happy too... but I digress.)  Then I thought, "But... what ARE you?" It is sometimes hard to think of the good in ourselves, but how important it is that we do! So, this little list of who I am is not to be cocky but more to help you get to know me better and more for my personal accounts. I encourage you guys, on this here Monday, if you ever get the social media blues to make list of all the wonderful things you are! As you follow Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Insta, Google+ and other accounts this week don't get down. There are great things to look at and people to follow. But just because they are great doesn't mean you aren't! So here is MY list:

Elora is a girl who...
Has awesome eye lashes
Enjoys laughing and making others laugh as well
Appreciates beauty in the world
Is a dancer
Is in pretty good shape
Loves riding horses
Has good fashion sense
Appreciates old movies and loves how charming they are
Has long legs
Enjoys daydreaming and believing in fairytales
Is a good sister
Has an amazing family and dog
Is a pretty good reader
Has a great work ethic
Is friendly people person
Loves to smile
Loves making others feel loved
Has an amazing church calling 
Realizes art is one of the greatest things in the world
Can be girly but still enjoy a good football game and riding four wheelers in the mud
Loves trying and learning new things
Enjoys encouraging others
Isn't afraid to be who she is and admit to all the geeky things she loves (Disney, Captain America, Harry Potter...)
Has amazing friends
Is creative

Happy Monday you guys, try making a list yourself. See how it goes!  

Getting To Know You... AGAIN!

Making: Plans for what my family and I will do at our cabin this week!
Cooking: Ugh... I NEED to learn how. I honestly think I would be a great cooking show host... what do you think?!
Drinking: SO much water! I am really proud of myself! I usually struggle with it!
Reading: I just finished the third book of "The Selection" series. It's a mix between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor- read it!
Wanting: To know if I will ever get that "dream job."
Looking: At YouTube videos of the Rumba and Samba... I need inspiration if I am going to compete in a couple weeks!
Playing: On Pinterest. That's playing right?
Wasting: Gum. I always start a new piece before I realllly need to.
Wishing: This limbo stage would end soon.
Enjoying: That my dog was so darn excited to see me after work!
Waiting: For the next episode of "Married At First Sight" to be on. Don't judge me!
Liking: That it rained today! Oh it was so nice that it cooled down... I even got to go for a long run in the rain! So lovely!
Wondering: What's next for me.
Loving: The Avenger panel at the San Diego Comic Con.
Hoping: This blog takes off. Ya know?
Marveling: At the ending move of the guy number on SYTYCD! WHATTTT?!
Needing: Fish Tacos. Right now.
Smelling: My fav perfume. Twirl by Kate Spade.
Wearing: A dress and a cardi... what else?!
Following: My heart. (Trying)
Noticing: My family and I seem to be the only people who watch "Fraiser."
Knowing: The Avengers will beat The Justice League every-time.
Thinking: So much! Over thinking is a specialty of mine.
Feeling:  Like everyone should experience a summer rainstorm.
Opening: Old photo albums on iPhoto.
Giggling: At a video of my 4 year old 'nephew' shopping the Nords sale.

A Story and Getting to Know You

Hello all! So all these random pictures are from my Cali trip last week. I went with my mom and aunt and we had a ball. Well, we did have to clean out my little brothers apartment one day but the rest of the days made up for it. Anyway, I used to have a blog where I talked about my awkward stories. For some reason my life is just full of them, so I decided to share one with you today from Cali and some other getting to know ya things!

So there I am sitting there with my mom and Aunt on the beach enjoying a picnic of fruit, bread and cheese. This lifeguard runs by and I'm all "Wow. Look at that guy, he's like a tan Captain America." So I try to lay down on my towel all pretty like but for some reason I can't figure it out. My Aunt goes, "Yeah, so those girls over there are doing what you're trying to do..." I look over and the blond bombshells have their hair down and perfect laying like they are doing a modeling shoot. Then my Aunt says "Also... you have cheese on your face... and crumbs on your swimming suit." Yup. So I told her "Fine, I'll just go play in the water!" As I ran to the ocean I rolled my ankle. How I struggle. 

Getting to Know You: Some Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I hate the dark and get scared easily. It is true, I had nightmares after I saw the first Pirates of the Caribbean. I am aware it isn't that scary....

2.I am super close to my cousins. Like... I third wheeled it with my cousin and her husband to Disneyland and didn't think it was odd until I came back and everyone was like, "Oh... isn't that weird?"

3. I think it would be awesome to own a bakery and/or cooking show. However, I do not cook and or bake well. But that can change right?

4. I love old school music and old school movies.

5. The movie "Get Smart" is hilarious to me. I just look at the cover and start laughing hysterically. 

6. I can argue about who would win a battle... The Justice League or The Avengers. By the way, the correct answer is The Avengers.

7. I am a HUGE Disney girl. I have come across many people in my life who hate it... but I just love it.

8. I have a Golden Retriever who I adore! His name is Bear... and it's kinda weird to me when people don't like him and/or dogs.

9. I have super tiny ears and sneeze weird. I can not tell you how many people have commented on both. "Was that a real sneeze?" "You sound like cartoon!"

10. I think it would be bomb to write a novel. 

Getting To Know Ya... Again!

The other day on Facebook I asked if people like it when blogs are a little more personal... turns out ya'll love it every once in awhile. I agree. I have talked before about how a blog without a personality is just boring. To me it's kind like... "But WHO are you?"  So I'm going to try to make my posts a little more personal and do "Getting To Know Ya" posts more often. 

This post I have done before, it's called "taking stock" and I borrowed it from Miss. Sydney over at The Daybook.

A thinking picture to round of this post.

Making: Dining reservations for my family's trip to Disneyworld in October. People who have to plan ahead it gets booked up fast!!
Cooking: Still... nothing. I really should work on that. How I am gonna get a man if I can't cook?! Teasing.
Drinking: Diet IBC Rootbeer. People can go on and on and tell me how not to drink diet drinks but, "Chemicals over calories" my friends. Haha, that is so awful. 
Reading: Just finished The Fault In Our Stars. I will never be the same. I could go on and on about this. Maybe someday I'll post about it...
Wanting: All my Pin's of flowers to be real... well I guess they are real... but I want them to be real in my home.
Looking: For my own Augustus Waters. Cheesy cheesy, but you know, who doesn't want that?
Playing: Golf. Actually... I'm not. I'd really like to though! It seems like an Eloraish sport.
Wasting: Time... I slept in a wee bit too late. 
Wishing: That there was an Enchanted Forrest like in Once Upon A Time. Does that make me weird?
Enjoying: This here Skinny Cow ice-cream cone I just devoured. 
Waiting:For my new swimming suit to come! I found it on pinterest and it wasn't a bajillion dollars!
Liking: How funny my mom thinks I am...but then I go out into the world and use the same jokes and people don't seem to think I'm as funny as she does...
Wondering: How Zachary Levi could have possibly chosen to get married without dating me first?!
Loving: How many videos there are of me singing (horribly) on all my family members phones. How do I not notice I'm being filmed?
Hoping: This here blog takes off.
Marveling: At how many water bottles were in the back of my car... clean that car more often woman!
Needing: To get the top of my car fixed. What's the point of having a convertible if the top is broken?!
Smelling: The after math of a rainstorm. It's delicious. 
Wearing: My favorite leggings. I probably shouldn't be... they have a couple of holes in them- but nobody is going to see me!
Following: My cousin on instagram. And missing my "nephews" terribly. 
Noticing: A new zit. I'm just being honest.
Knowing: I am loved.
Thinking: I am so lucky I get to see the beach next week!
Feeling: Calm. This gloomy weather can do that to ya... 
Opening: My list book
Giggling: At my little brother. OK so he isn't really little but still, that boy is a hoot. 

Getting to Know You Some More

You guys know, for the most part, I don't really talk about my personal life on this blog. I did a "Getting To Know You Post" a little while back because I felt that a blog with no persnality was laaaaame. After I posted it I got a couple of comments from ya'll stating that you rather enjoyed it. First of all, thank you! Second, it made me realize that I should take a bit more time to let you all know about the girl that runs this here blog. I have a lot of guest bloggers, because they are AWESOME, but I realized my voice might get lost. So here are 10 facts about me if you care to know! (I say ten cuz I swear that is a magic blogger number... "10 must have beauty products!" "10 styles for Spring!" "10 ways to use tomatoes!" You get the idea)

1. I have a mad crush on Chuck Bartowski and Captain America. I have been informed numerous times by family members that they are not real. Yes, I am AWARE. However, I have a feeling that the man who plays Chuck -Zachary Levi- is pretty much the same person as his character... one day we will meet and be wed. Teasing.

2. My favorite movie in the whole wide world is "Sabrina" with Audrey Hepburn. She became my favorite actress when I was 12 years old and I found out one of her ballet teachers didn't have faith in her... so she proved her wrong and became one of the biggest stars in the world!

3. I LOOOOOOATH wearing jeans. I will wear them occasionally because they are so versatile but I really don't like them.Shorts are ok though.

4. I believe in Fairtytales.

5. My family and I ROLLLLL TIDE. We live in Utah yes. HOWEVER, we have southern ties and I will yell Roll Tide till I die. This view is not popular amongst the Utah folk.

6. When I was interning it up at the Tony Awards, Vanessa Redgrave came up to me and I told her I was "Just Elora the Intern." She took my hands and said "Darling, you are so much more. You're Elora and you are wonderful." It really stuck with me! (Also, once upon a time Zac Efron told me my name was pretty.)

7. I teach 13 year old girls at church. And it is the funnest thing in the world. BUTTTT they told me today, "Our friend so-and-so is more adult than you are. You're fun!" I suppose I need to grow up...

8. I have a TERRIBLE singing voice. Oh my gosh. My own mother cringes when I sing, my brother has yelled "NOOOOO!!! I can't do it today!" on numerous occasions. Bless my heart... can someone bless their own heart? And the whole thing is kind of sad because if I could sing... I really think I could be a country star! The next Taylor Swift! America's Sweetheart! Ok I am done.

9. I don't like churros.

10. I really want this little internet space of mine to make people happy. I know people say that... but I want it to be a place where people don't compare themselves to my contributors and I. A place on the internet that's fun and doesn't make you want to poke your eyes out or make you feel that you're not good enough. There a few of those blogs out there and I LOVE them. I hope this one can be that way.

Getting to Know You

This post is a little different from what I usually do. My blog has been up and running for a couple of weeks now and, as you have noticed, I do not do personal posts- it's not really what this blog is about. However, I think a fun part of blogging is getting to know the person behind the posts. So here is a post called "Taking Stock." I got the idea from Miss. Sydney over at The Daybook. So here ya go!

Making: Excuses so I don't have to go to the gym right now.
Cooking: Haha! That's a good one...
Drinking: LOADS and LOADS of water... It's part of Taylor Swifts regime to stay healthy don't ya know.
Reading: Other blogs and learning.
Wanting: Captain America to be real.
Looking: At my laundry and wondering, "Can't the magic of fashion just do all this for me?"
Playing:Heads Up! That Ellen can make one fun game... Seriously.
Wasting: Money on that dress I REALLY need. (Well since I need it I guess it isn't a waste.)
Wishing: I was on vacation in Cali again. My heart just does well there. Plus I have it on good authority Mickey misses me when I am not there.
Enjoying: That my dog gets up at 3 in the morning to come see me. Well... I guess I don't enjoy waking up but it's nice he cares.
Waiting: For my cousin to text me back. Hurry up already!
Liking: That I am FINALLY going to go get a beginners paint set.
Wondering: How to get Erin Andrews, Cat Deeley or Guliana Rancics job
Loving: My family. I pretty much hit the jackpot in that area.
Hoping: To start dancing and riding horses again.
Marveling: At how quickly my Four year old "nephew" picks up on things.
Needing:A steamed milk with almond flavoring.
Smelling:The orange that I tried to peel and ended up squirting it all over everything.
Wearing: Dresses. Always dresses...
Following: A dream I had a bit ago to write a novel on the weird situations I get myself into...
Noticing: My mom really does not like George Clooney. Haha.
Knowing: That a dream job will come around. I just know it!
Thinking: Raining days can be good ones.
Bookmarking: ...
Opening: A Justice League comic book that came in the cereal box. When did I get this nerdy?
Giggling: Allll the time. It's how people at work know I have arrived, "Elora, I thought that was you. I heard you laughing."
Feeling: Like I should probably go to the gym.