Julia Child is One Smart Lady

Lately I've been sitting on the couch, watching TV, and eating ice cream.  And I'm tremendously interested in all 3 things. 

I might need to reevaluate my passions a bit!

The not so serious side of Election Day

Ladies and gentlemen... In honor of all those bloody "I voted" statuses, tweets, instagrams and of course stickers...

I give you my very first, "I voted" photo shoot.

No matter what tonight holds, I have Peace.
My friend Jaime sent me a text this morning that pretty much says it perfectly,

"Happy voting day love! Don't stress, be happy, because Jesus knows the ultimate plan for us!"

Things Grown-Ups Do: Be Prepared

Sandy has made her brief but destructive East Coast appearance and has now gone on her way.  When disasters strike, there's always a bit of panic involved in getting things together in case the worse happens.  I'm here to remind you to get things together now, so the panic isn't necessary!

First off, assemble an emergency kit.  It will take you less than an hour, and then you never have to think about it again.

Include:

• Flashlights (that work!) - good idea to have at least one for every person living in your house
• Battery powered radio
• Batteries for both the above items (check what kinds they use!)
• Candles and lighters
• Extra blankets
• Good stock of non-perishable food items + bottles of water
• Emergency contact information, important phone numbers, insurance policies

Seems like an easy list, but somehow whenever bad weather is on the way, there always has to be a trip to the store for batteries, and we discover that our flashlights have disappeared.  Get a clear storage box, label it "emergency supplies," toss everything you may need in there, and then put it in a place that is easily accessible (because if the lights go out, you need to be able to reach it!).

Secondly:  insurance. 

We tend to get lazy with insurance because it's a hassle and it seems like something we will never need.  If we're lucky, that will most certainly be the case, but that's not something we can predict!  So, if you own a home, make it a point to get homeowner's insurance AND flood insurance (floods aren't covered in homeowner's insurance!).  If you rent, as silly and pointless as it seems, get renter's insurance.  There are tons of policies that are only $10-15 a month, and guess what?  They cover allllll of your belongings.  If anything you own is stolen (even if your laptop gets stolen from your car, for example), renter's insurance will cover that.  It's too important and too cheap to overlook!

Now that I've given you my public service announcement for today...I'm going to follow my own advice and make an emergency kit and get some insurance!  Do it, do it, do it!

Beautiful Advice About Loving Your Body

I recently discovered that Amy Poehler has a channel on YouTube called "Smart Girls" that celebrates girls around the world who are accomplishing wonderful things by being themselves.  It's geared toward young girls, and I actually wish I could go back to my 13-year-old self and watch some of these videos and be inspired.  If you have a younger sister/daughter/friend, send them here!

Amy Poehler just jumped up a few notches in my book, though she was already pretty high on my list of favorites.  In response to a young girl's question about being unhappy with her body, Amy gives this thoughtful answer that I think every woman should hear, because body issues can plague women at any age and at any stage in life.  As I struggle with my body right now while recovering from surgery, wishing I could heal faster, hoping my body will be able to once again do what it could before all of my back problems, these words are encouraging, uplifting, and universal.



Let's not forget to be grateful to our bodies, and focus on what they enable us to do, rather than what we dislike about them.  And let's pass this on to the next generation of girls as well!

Single Girl Swag: Single Ladies

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I want to be a crazy lady too.

I was taking a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood with my pup, Zia, the other day when I see a small sedan flying around the corner and then abruptly stop on the side of the street.  A woman inside, late 50s, petite, bounded out of the car, door left open, and started dancing wildly.

I was obviously staring, how could you not?  So she yells to me from across the street "I just needed a moment, and I haven't heard this song in years. I love this song!"

First reaction: whoa, crazy.
Second reaction: I want to be just like her.

I want to be the woman who finds joy in the simple things. 
I want to be the woman who shares her excitement with strangers.
I want to be the woman who stops to dance in the street.

Man Down, Man Down!

We originally had the usual Friday group post planned for today, but one of our comrades is down for the count. So instead, we decided a well wishes post was more appropriate!

For the past two{ish} years, Valerie was fighting major back problems. However, yesterday, she had surgery that's going to fix her right up and this back business will be done for good.  So, after a speedy recovery, she can get back to her...

elvis impersonating,

stair jumping,

party-rockin', self!

Get well soon Val.
All our love :)

Ever-Strange Content

Can you really tell a lot about a woman by the content of her purse?

Because I'm very unsure what this photo says about me!

Rabbit, Rabbit

As a child, I read every Babysitter's Little Sister book I could get my hands on (until I graduated up to the much cooler Babysitter's Club books, obvi).  It's weird the things that stick with you, but I have never forgotten that the main character, Karen, would say "Rabbit rabbit" upon waking up on the first day of every new month.  I tried and tried and tried to remember to do that as a kid, but I just never could.

But guess what:  today I did!  I'm not even kidding!  I said "Rabbit rabbit" when I woke up this morning, and it only took me about 21 years to get it right.

The phrase is supposed to bring you good luck all month long (and also I just learned from Wiki that really its supposed to be "Rabbit rabbit rabbit" so I guess I'll only have 2/3 of the luck I could have), so I've got high hopes for October!

Also, it got me to thinking about taking things one month at a time.  We do New Years' Resolutions at the beginning of each year, but those are usually quickly forgotten and difficult to keep up with (I'm not alone in this, right?).  What if, instead, we made a new resolution each month?  "They" say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so if you followed through on one resolution per month, by the end of it, your habit would be formed!

I'm going to try it, starting now.  My October resolution:  Getting to work on time every day this entire month.  That seems like a pretty basic principle that I should have under control at this point, but...I don't.  Work starts at 9 AM, and to be honest, I'm generally rolling in around 9:02/9:03.

Anyone else want to join me in this?  If you do, tell me what your October resolution is!

(and let's all try "rabbit rabbit" for November!)

Things That Happen to Me Now That I'm 27 That Didn't Happen When I Was 20

Today is, of course, a sad and important day in our nation's history.  We all remember where we were that morning, and we all know it's something we will never forget.  However, before 9/11 was 9/11, it was my half-birthday (which we used to get to celebrate when we were young with cupcakes!  Get it?  Like, half-cakes?  Kind of?  My mom's a genius).  And since today I'm turning 27 1/2, I thought I would share with you about all the ways that I am totally feeling my age.  And no longer 20.

I cannot think of words.
In the past week, I was unable to think of the words "default" and "doubt," and I once actually used the phrase "You know, that guy from that movie."

I have to put my hands on my knees to push myself up when I get up from the floor.
I always thought this was like a grandma problem.  Nope, it's mine.

I have a self-imposed curfew that is the same time as when I was a senior in high school.
Remember those days when you used to leave to go out at 11:00 PM?  Uh...

Sometimes I say, "Kids these days."
Really.  I really say that sometimes.

If I eat three plates of nachos, the next day, I still feel like I ate three plates of nachos.
I wish I could say I was a healthy eater at all ages, but I wasn't.  And now, when I'm not, I can totally feel it.

So, let me hear it.  What fun little changes have you noticed as you get along in years?

On Not Being Able to Keep My Mouth Shut

Okay, so here's the thing:  It's not like I'm spilling secrets left and right (I'm actually totally fine at secret-keeping!), but I have found myself opening my mouth and saying things I really wish I hadn't said in the past few weeks.

For instance, just yesterday:  I was talking with some female co-workers about lady stuff.  You know, like the kind of stuff you would discuss with your girlfriends, but obviously not your boss.  That is, until your boss comes around the corner just as you are bringing up something that's particularly and especially and sort of crossing-the-line female-related, and you are pretty dang sure he heard you.  Why, Valerie?!  Why?!  There are things in this world that are just better not discussed at work.

Another example:  When I try to recommend things to people like books or tv shows, I have a very hard time holding back all the juicy details.  I want to tell you everything that happens so you can understand fully the extent of the awesomeness of whatever the thing is, but I'm worried that lots of times I just ruin it instead.  There's a word for that...oh yeah, spoilers.

Or how about this one:  Last week, a co-worker of mine was saying that she went to play with the puppies at an animal shelter.  She said one of the dogs was really irritable, and her name was Bella.  My thought immediately went to Bella from Twilight, who I generally think of as the same person as Kristen Stewart, who of course is not making the best life choices at the moment, and do you know what came out of my mouth?  "She's probably mad her name is Bella."  That would be harmless enough except for the tiny little miniscule fact that my other co-worker who is sitting right next to me has a BABY NAMED BELLA.  Which crossed my mind about .000001 seconds after I had already said that out loud.

That's the main problem, actually.  My mouth acts a split second faster than my mouth does, and if only it could slow down a tiny bit and let my brain go first, I could probably prevent a lot of these things from happening!

I know this all seems rather pointless, but I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone else does crap like this?!  I'm the worst at it.  I could give many more examples.  One can only put one's foot in their mouth so many times.  I'm about at my limit of facepalms over here.

Single Girl Swag: Picture so good, it doesn't even need a title.

via

She's just being Miley...

I actually had a whole different hair post planned. But, this just cannot go without discussion.

I'm sure by now you've all heard or seen something about Miley Cyrus's hair transformation last night. "mileyshair" is trending on twitter and fans are going bananas. For the time being, I'm keeping my opinions to myself.

BUT, I'm dying to hear your guys' thoughts. I've heard a whole different realm of reactions and it's do fascinating to me :) So... What do you guys think?!

PS... Anyone else notice she's not wearing her engagement ring in some of the pics?! I can't find anything about Liam's reaction! If ya find something, holla atcha girl.

What's your problem?!

So, if you haven't seen the movie Bridesmaids, stop what you're doing and go rent, buy, watch it right now.

Actually, no don't. Wait until you're with people. It's even funnier with someone, preferably a girlfriend that has the same sense of humor as you.

Either way, you have to see it.
HILARIOUS.
Raunchy, but hilarious.

I have so many favorite parts or "sayings" in the movie, but one of them never ceases to amaze me. In spite of all the chaos and naughtiness, there's a deeper message revealed towards the end that I think pertains to all of us at some point in life.

Click to 1:27!  

Pardon any naughty language :) 

"You are your problem.  

You are also your solution."

How powerful is that?! I can't tell you how many times I look at things in my life that I don't like or things that "are going wrong" and I realize that the reason those things are the way they are, is my own fault! It's because I allowed those things to happen or I allowed that situation to get the best of me or I made that poor choice.

Honestly, that realization can be very disheartening.

HOWEVER. 

It's also extremely liberating because I know that I. CAN. FIX. IT! Well, maybe not fix, but I can change it! Not happy about my grades? Change it. Not happy with my health? Change it. Not happy with my spiritual walk with God? Change it. Not happy with a certain relationship or my role in it? Change it. Not happy with certain habits? Change them. Not happy with my unorganized life? Change it.

Yes, it's much easier said than done and yes, making changes is extremely hard. But, aren't those problems in your life hard too? Isn't being down and depressed because of those things, hard? Making changes is only difficult momentarily, while letting your problems consume you and rule your life, is a lifetime of hardship and heartbreak. 

Don't get me wrong. There are things in life that sometimes we just cannot control. Those things are hard and all we can do is the best we can in those situations.

What we CAN do is focus on those things in life that are in our control! Stare each of our problems in the face, be completely honest with ourselves, evaluate how we got to this point, and work to make changes from then on.

What you would like to be changed in your own life?
 If you are your solution, I have full faith in you that you can make the changes needed to get to where you would like to be!

All my love and best of luck! 

This Is a Story About Shoes

This is also a story about bad decisions and getting tricked by celebrities.

Do you guys know about the Mints?  ShoeMint, StyleMint, HomeMint, JewelMint, etc.?  Basically, they are online retail "clubs" that have new products every month.  You join the club, and then each month you check out what's new, and decide if you want to buy something.  I belong to all the Mints.  Mostly because they are celebrity-endorsed and, well, that is a marketing strategy that works well on me.

This is a story about ShoeMint.

ShoeMint's celebrity is Rachel Bilson.  She's actually the cutest person on the planet (and Heidi is her doppleganger).  I trust her choice in footwear.

the shoes i can't resist.

When I saw these shoes, I knew these were the ones.  They were striped and sort of French-looking and had a perfectly pointed toe.  They would be the ones to properly induct me into the ShoeMint club.  I immediately ordered a pair in my regular size.

I imagined running into Rachel Bilson on the street someday.  We would both be wearing our striped black and white flats from ShoeMint.  She would compliment my style.  I would ask her what it's like to kiss Jason Street on Hart of Dixie.  We would probably high-five at some point.  I would be approximately 12 inches taller than her.  It was going to be great.

The shoes arrived.  I tried them on.  They fit, but they fit just right.  Like, if they were a half a millimeter smaller, they would be too small.  "My feet are just swollen!"  I thought.  "It's hot and I just got home from work for the day, and in the morning when my feet are back to normal, these will be just fine!"  I planned an entire outfit around these shoes for the next day.

In the morning, I got dressed, pulled out my beautiful flats, slipped them on, and was out the door, imagining how many compliments I was going to get today!

Half a block later, my heels were screaming in pain as the backs of the shoes ripped off all of my skin.  We're talking blood here.

When I got to work, I immediately took off the shoes, partly to bandage up my raw heels, and partly to look at the soles of the shoes.  It was too late.  The damage had been done.  They were sufficiently scuffed and had some sort of New York City street remnants on them that there was no way I could return them.  DANG YOU RACHEL BILSON.

I was left in a tough position.  They were no longer returnable (and were $79 in the first place[!]).  But Rachel Bilson told me to buy them.  They are very slightly too small.  But Rachel Bilson told me to buy them.  What's a girl to do?

Well, this girl decided she was going to have to wear them anyway.  I'm training my feet to accept that they are going to be in these shoes, and be slightly more crammed than comfortable.  I've been weaning myself from BandAid use and slowly building up callouses in the right places on the backs of my heels.  I've been sprinkling enough baby powder in them each time I wear them to keep my feet dry and cool, because if my feet swell up even the tiniest bit, it's over.

And it's working!  I can make it through a whole day without BandAids now, and even though when I take my shoes off when I get home, I leave a little trail of baby powder footprints across the floor, I'm okay with it.  Because when you buy way-too-expensive shoes that don't actually fit but you keep them instead of returning them because you love them too much and also there is a chance you'll see Rachel Bilson one day and be shoe twins with her...you have to make it work.

Does anyone else sacrifice their feet for fashion?  Please reassure me that I'm not the only one who does things like this.  Please...

Look How Long This One Is

I found it first when I was a junior in college. I was 20 years old, dealing with a broken heart and I couldn’t believe I was old enough, definitely not mature enough, for what I had just seen. 



A gray hair. On my head.



I have always been a worrisome child and that anxiety has followed its way intomy adult life. So it actually is strange that I didn’t find any grays sooner... ya know because of the rumored gray hair myth. Stress = Grays. And also Uncle Jessie’s (from Full House) saying, if you pluck a gray hair, 2 will grow back in its place. I semi believe this.


I have colored my hair since I was in high school so I technically have always been fighting this cause. Sometimes it’s a Wal-Mart box style dye, and when I’m feeling fancy (aka my mom treats me) I get it professionally colored. But currently, our finances are not allowing the luxury option, and my grays are out of control.




In my defense I do have dark hair, so they show up more. I’m sure you blondes out there have tons of them too, so ha!



As much as I hate them, I love them. It’s a game I play when I’m getting ready. The hunt. Mostly my grays hang out underneath so no one really sees unless I point them out. Which I do. Because they are awesome.  It’s amazing how fast they grow I’m always yelling at my husband “LOOK HOW LONG THIS ONE IS” Which I guess if someone just heard me yell that would be odd...


Am I the only one who is a 20 something female with this problem? Are the little gray monsters only finding me?



This weekend I will be saying bye to my annoying grays and training my husband to box dye my hair.

First Post: The Breakdown!

So, writing your first post is really hard.

Seriously, it’s a lot of pressure to get it into one little page.

You don’t want to be too intense and yet you don't want to be too lame either.

After about 6731556 attempts at writing something clever, interesting, and satisfying this is what we have come up with.
               

Q&A Style! 

What exactly is All of the Stuff?

Stuff - noun:  

“Matter, material, articles, or activities of a specified or indeterminate kind that are being referred to, indicated, or implied.” 

In regards to our blog, Stuff is referring to:  relationships, experiences, travels, spiritual life, entertainment, victories, failures, attempts at cooking, and all the other stuff. 

Sometimes it will be intense paragraphs, sometimes it will just a simple quote or single picture. Regardless, it’s ours. It’s us. Enjoy! 

Who are the faces behind the blog? 

Allow us to introduce ourselves; we are Valerie, Sam, Kendra, and Heidi.  Together, we are four pieces to the “All of the Stuff” puzzle.  We are all 20-something, Oklahoma-bred bloggers (though none of us live there anymore), just trying to do our best at this thing called life... and document things while we’re at it. Welcome to our world :)

Is this blog a guide for women in the blogging world?

Ummm, heck no.  Of course we would love to help others or “inspire” if you will, but honestly we are just trying to do the best we can, with what we got, with where we are at. We're guessing there are a lot of women out there who are trying to do just the same.

All four of us lead different lives, and have very different personalities. However, we are very much alike as well, and enjoy a lot of the same things. We are hoping to combine all these attributes together and are going to attempt not to sound like total idiots while we are at (how are we doing?). If we happen to help someone along the way, that’s just an awesome bonus! 

So are all of you married?

We've got three married gals and one single lady, so you'll get a bit of both the married life and the single life. Hoping to hit all spectrums here. 

Will you guys be talking about sex?

We sure hope so.

Are you hoping to be successful with your blog?

It depends how you define success; lots of followers? Sure, that would great! However, if All of the Stuff is a positive outlet for each of us and helps make us into better people and strengthens our creative side, then that’s successful enough for us!

How do you girls know each other?

It’s kind of a funny story. Here’s the outline version:

• Kendra and Valerie met through dorm life at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  The first time they met, they were introduced as Kiwi Kendra and Vanilla Valerie.
• Valerie and Heidi were sorority sisters, also at OSU. They also took dance class at the same studio as children.  Random.
• Heidi and Kendra met through Valerie and occasionally hung out in college together, mostly while watching reality TV.
• Kendra met Sam shortly after college through Sam's previous boyfriend and have remained friends throughout the years.
• Sam met Valerie through Kendra, but they have only actually been together in person three times; 2 of those times were on New Years' Eve.
• Heidi and Sam have never actually met in person. Blogging friends at its finest people. 
• Heidi and Kendra now live in the same state and climb mountains together. For a few months anyway.
• Valerie has made really important dresses for Sam {21st bday dress}, Kendra {wedding dress}, Heidi {bridesmaid dresses}.

There are a lot of co-author blogs about women already out there. How will this one be different?

We know, man, there are so many awesome motivational, humorous, feel good blogs out there. We read them! To be honest, we have no idea what’s in store or how our blog will compare, but truthfully we don’t want to compare! We aren’t those other blogs and those blogs aren’t us :)

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We can't wait to share this adventure called life with you all!