Birthday Celebration..

Yesterday I turned 24. Yesterday was My Birthday. That one day a year, that I share with a few other people, that we get to celebrate our day of birth. Usually my family all goes out to do dinner and celebrates, but this year was a little lower key than usual. My parents had just gotten back from Costa Rica the night before, my brother had to work, and I have this stupid cold to top it all off.  The girls from work, like always, spoil me with some kind of sweet treat. This year was my favorite, Sweet Tooth Fairy Cupcakes. Then Kati, Breighn, Wyatt, and I went to Kneaders for some soup. With a throat that hurts like mine, that is the only thing that sounded slightly appetizing. So even though it was really low key, it was so nice and relaxing. My parents got me a new coffee mug to go, so I guess I can now stop stealing my fathers. A gift card to Starbucks, yessss!! Levi,, says I have to wait till he takes me out to dinner to get mine.. But I can already tell you what he got me, just not exactly what. He got me a new purse. I have wanting one for a while now, something for fall/winter. He is just the guy to do it, he has the best taste in purses; I kid you not. So here is to being 24, single, and ready to enjoy my life.!

Hope, Peace, & Love.

Words of Wisdom: Seeds of Hope Foundation.

My family and I are really big into service. We believe that you should always lend a helping hand to someone in need; whether it is near or far. My family has a special place in our heart for the people in Costa Rica. We as a family have been providing different kinds of humanitarian aid projects since I was very young. Last time my parents were in Costa Rica, they came across this foundation called Seeds ofHope. It is a foundation that provides shelter, medical attention, schooling, and other necessary needs for girls who have escaped from human trafficking.

This is the first shelter in the entire country of Costa Rica to supply help of any kind to these kids that have been sexual exploited. And they need our help. The girls who are in the shelter cannot work, because they are under the age of 18. That right you heard me, these girls are under the age of 18 years old. So to collect money they sell these amazing bracelets on their website. Let me tell you, they are beautiful. I have a couple of the bracelets myself, and I wear them all the time. It is a daily reminder that I am helping these girls, and these girls really do need my support.

Anyways,, this foundation is based out Costa Rica, but is ran by a group of people from San Diego, California. They have supplied these girls with a home, 24/7 medical and psychological care, schooling, extra circular activities, vocational and religious studies, transportation, and love. This is the kind of shelter that wants to see these girls grow from the horrible tragedy they have endured, and prosper from this. Grow into beautiful, talented, smart, well educated woman who can concern anything they put their minds too.

So,, please check out their website. I would love to hear that you have donated and bought yourself a bracelet or two, became a monthly partner, or donated in anyway you possibly can . If you would like any information on the project we are doing for them, please just contact me via email kenziespafford@live.com. We plan on making a trip to Costa Rica in May of 2014. We will be supplying these girls with all kinds of wonderful supplies for the daily lives, and for their future success.

Send me a picture of you with your bracelet if you get one. I plan on doing future posts about Seeds of Hope and our journey to help this foundation and these girls.

Much Love, Kenzie.

Birthday Celebration Vegas Edition

Hello Monday..

I can’t believe you are already here, that weekend went by way too fast for me. I wanted it to last so much longer than it did. I wasn’t ready to leave that beautiful sunshine weather of Las Vegas, and come home to the dreary rainy weather of St. George. Even though it is quite nice outside, I do love the rain. It was such a beautiful weekend; I didn’t want it to end. I had such a fun time in Vegas celebrating for my birthday that is on Wednesday.

{Las Vegas Birthday Celebration Weekend}

So Kati and I arrived in Vegas on Thursday night after a dinner at Kathryn’s in Mesquite. Friday we ended up lying by the pool all day; go supper sun burnt. We meet a group of guys from St. Paul, MN that were hilarious and awesome to hang out with. Ended up hanging with them the entire day, and even planned on going to dinner with them that night. Levi and Ashton had planned on coming later that night once they got off of work, but around 12pm Levi informed me Ashton couldn’t make the trip and it would be just him joining Kati and I. When Levi knocked on the door, I let him in and went to shut the door when Ashton poked his head in and scared me so bad I screamed. Really loudly of course; cause he serious scared me so bad. We went to PF Changs that night for dinner; mhmmm yummy!

 

Saturday: We ate breakfast at Max Brenner and then walked around the Caesar Forum Shoppes, bought tickets to the Jabbawockeez. I love that show, and was so excited to see it again! So we played in Sony for a while, and was completely taken away with this kids talent at this DJ machine. He was really good at it. You can check the video I took of him on my Instagram. That night we got all dressed up and went out to dinner for my birthday; sushi of course. This roll we got was called Hot Mess with Screaming O Sauce. Let’s just say; it was ah-mazzzing! Hot, spicy, and totally irresistible!  Then they served us this ice cream, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of it. The ice cream had the weirdest textured shell on it, I couldn’t eat but a few bites of it. Then to the show we went and like I said, I was excited because it really is such a good and completely entertaining show!

 

Sunday: Kati and I were in desperate need of Starbucks in the morning; both had pounding headaches. Which made no sense; I barley had anything to drink the day before and Kati doesn’t drink. Must have been the lack of sleep or something, anyways after the long ass line the coffee was terrible and House of Blues just sounded so good. Kati had their Biscuits and Gravy; and let me tell you, a must order item.! Delicious! To the pool we went for an hour or so, and then Kati left to go home. So the boys and I went shopping before we left town. California Pizza Kitchen was a must at the Fashion Show Mall. Then home we went.!

(dont mind that i'm licking my lips, and have to love the swimsuit and garter of the lady behind me)

Mandalay Bay really was a beautiful hotel to stay at. I love that their pool scene has a beach, lazy river, 2 regular pools, (2) 21+ older pools; one which is a toptional pool. The rooms were nice and roomy. The service was great. The restraints were delicious, and had all sorts of price ranges. I loved that they have waitresses for the pool areas, and that they aren’t over massive areas, so you actually get to see them and they aren’t overly worked.

It was such a fun and relaxing weekend, much needed for this girl. I am sad it is over, but I am so happy that it was able to all work out and we all had as much fun as we did.

Outfit Details:

All my swimming suits are from Victoria's Secret.

Floppy Hat: Target

Red Mini Dress: Victoria's Secret

Purple Maxi: 2B BeBe, similar

Much Love, Kenzie.



Happy Friday

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy Friday (:

We finally made it.! Yippee!

Sorry,, that your all stuck at work waiting for that 5pm hour to come around. So you can go home and enjoy your weekend. Meanwhile, I am lying in bed at the Mandalay Bay. So excited to be celebrating my birthday with my bestie! Vegas is going to treat us right this weekend. I’ll probably be spending a majority of my days either 1) laying pool side getting some sunshine 2) shopping the amazing shopping here in Las Vegas 3) drinking a little and dancing a lot 4) eating delicious, slightly over priced, food.

Since I made this post last night, before we headed to Vegas, I can’t tell you exactly what our rooms look like.. but I will show you a picture of the room I reserved. Let’s hope I get an update,, it is my birthday after all. I think I should get at least that…!

Anyways,, If you want me, come find me here today! Kati and I will be enjoying the sunshine and probably, most likely, yes guarantee you can find us shopping a little later in the day..

 



Mile Long Shoppes at Planet Hollywood



I hope you all have a splendid and fun weekend!

Much Love, Kenzie

Celebrity Gossip

Ready for some Talk on the Block..

What's going on in Hollywood..?

Zayn Malik get engaged to his girlfriend Perrie Edwards. The two have been dating since 2011. Congrats to the newly engaged couple!

 

Kelly Clarkson and her fiancé Brandon Blackstock shared an amazing engagement photo. I think it is just breathtaking if you ask me.

 

The newly engaged couple Ashley Tisdale and Christopher French was seen at the annual InStyle Summer Soiree. I think this couple is killer together, they for sure will make beautiful babies

New family photo of Prince William, Kate, and baby George has been released. I think it is apparent that a family friend must have taken the photo, but I think it is a sweet gesture to release a family photo for everyone to view.

 

Kylie Jenner celebrated her Sweet Sixteen with an Alice in Wonderland themed party. Above photo is of her sister Kendall. Happy Birthday Kylie.! I bet your were spoiled with a brand new Range Rover or Mercedes SUV for your b-day.

On a sad note.. The famous Disney Channel Star Lee Thompson “Jett Jackson”, he took his life at the young age of 29. Such a sad thing, he was so handsome!

Happy Thursday Everyone,,

get ready cause tomorrow is Friday :)

and tonight I leave to Las Vegas

in celebration on my birthday on Wednesday.!

majority of my day will be spent here with my bestie!

can't wait (:

Where Does Time Go..?

I can’t even believe how much of “my time” is gone once my parents leave town, and I am left to run this business without them. I have so much gratitude for the amount of work that my father puts in each and every day. You never realize how much of an impact one is, until they are gone. I have been such a slacker this week, because any free time I have is spent cleaning or sleeping. I did get to enjoy my Sunday though out on the lake.

One: Couldn't find an opener, so I used a stapler.
Two & Three: Kati and I went to George's on Friday Night. Mojitos and Strawberry Lemonade.
Four & Five: Spend a few hours poolside at the Marriott.
Six: The girls at Sand Hollow on Sunday.
Seven & Eight & Nine: Wake Surfing. Ashton, Ashton & Levi, and Myself.

 

 I love how everyone on instagram is doing this transformation Tuesday. I think it’s adorable to put an old picture of you, and a new picture of you. See where you have come from, to where you are now!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom:

Motivation: is a psychological feature that is considered to give a human a drive or force toward a goal. Motivation is the purpose or psychological cause of an action. Motivation may be rooted in a basic impulse to optimize well-being, minimize physical pain and maximize pleasure.

Last Thursday I was sitting in Rotary listening to our speaker, as he went on about what drives you. It really got me thinking, What motivates you to do what you do every single day?

Do you get the motivation from the money you will receive once you have reached your goals? Do you get the motivation from the face you will be learning and gaining knowledge, and the fact to understand the truth behind something? Do get the motivation from the people who surround you? Do you get the motivation from the end result being nice things, surroundings, clothing, and life-fulfillment?  Do you get the motivation from the control and power you will have over your own destiny? Do you get the motivation from fact that you will live life to a set standard?

Motivation has roots from where it comes from; it can be single factor or a group of factors. Each one has its pros and cons; and each will help you reach the goal you have a desire to reach. So what is your motivation for life, work, and adventure? I know that I am a Dry Cleaning Manager because I desire the knowledge to know more about the service I will supply to my community, and the self growth it will give me as an end result. So my drive for work is knowledge, social/people, and power/individual. My desire for life is to help others, create a life for myself and my family, and leave a legacy in which they can follow. So my motivation for life would be social/people, power/individual, and aesthetic. My desire to live life to fullest is to create my own adventures and include those whom I love, my fellow peers, on the adventures I will have in my life. My motivation for adventure in life is individual and social.

Set goal for yourself, because when you finally reach them; it is the best feeling in this entire world. Knowing that something you once set your mind too, is in your grasp, and you have achieved it.

Go out there and get it. Put your mind to it, and achieve it!

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Much Love, Kenzie

It's Finally Friday.

Well Friday we met again, and I am grateful you have finally arrived. I am so looking forward to this weekend, I can hardly stand myself. By this time next week, I will be waking up for a weekend full of birthday fun in Vegas! I decided to link up with Five on Friday this week!

It's this easy.....

[1]  You blog about 5 things..... things that you're loving, things that are on your mind, etc.

Really, any five things.

[2]  Grab the "Five on Friday button / logo below so you can link back here.
 [Copy the html code and post it into the html view of your post].

[3] Join the link-up at the end of this post so you're a part of the blog hop and others can stop by and say hello!

[ONE] I am excited that I have a nail appointment today, my nails are so outgrown its kind of a sad sight to see. I am very excited for what I am going to do today too! My favorite colors lately… turquoise, white, and pink/coral.!

[TWO] So, I have been on this horrible Mac ‘N’ Cheese kick this week. Yeah, you heard me right, Mac ‘N’ Cheese. Well anyways, I found this recipe via Pinterest and I believe that I am just going to have to try it this weekend. Probably on Sunday,, since I have plans tonight and tomorrow.

[THREE] August is filled with birthdays here at work, and of course I always make a special treat for the birthday girl/boy. Well the 21^st will be Gretchen’s birthday,, and I won’t even tell you how old she is cause its old. Haha! Love you Gretch. Well I found this recipe via Pinterest, yeah obsession. Sounds delish, looks delish, its chocolate, and cookies, I’m sold!

[FOUR] Summer weather will soon be coming to a close within the next few months.. Which means I only have a few months to stock up on some new fall fashions. I love the new grunge look; skinny jeans, oversized shirts, cardigans, and a scarf. Not to mention, the military inspired looks for fall = love! Anyways, I better be saving me money, I need a shopping trip.!

[FIVE] Now that August is half over with, I am excited to dive into my next project. A baby shower for my friend Erin, I am so excited to get all creative and throw an adorable shower if I may say so myself. Vintage/Outdoors is what we are kind of going for, with a color palette of purple, olive, brown, and cream.

Words of Wisdom : Courage

Courage: the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Physical courage is the courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.

Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman’s book Character Strengths and Virtues, defines that there are 6 key virtues that defines a human’s strength; Knowledge and Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence. Courage is broken down into 4 main categories;  Bravery, Perseverance, Honesty, and Zest.

Bravery: the ability to stand up for what is right in difficult situations. Perseverance: the ability to seek a goal in spite of obstacles. Honesty: simply telling the truth. Zest: (or vitality) is the feeling of being alive, full of zest, and displaying enthusiasm.

In my eyes courage can be such a difficult thing to confront when you are faced with it. The ability to stand up for yourself, your beliefs, your family, or whatever it may be; can be such a difficult situation. I have come to the realization in my life, that in the past I rarely stood up for myself when I really wanted to please someone. I let my own feelings sit to the side and I became someone who I didn’t want to be; all because I didn’t have the courage to kick something in the butt at the very beginning. Looking back now, I wish I would have been strong enough to believe in myself and stand my ground. In the end it would of only helped me, put me in a place where I was happy with the decisions I made.

I have made a decision with myself; to have the courage to stand my ground and never back down. Backing down doesn’t mean that I will never come to agreement with someone, and compromise; but it means that I will let my voice be heard. I believe if we all did that, we would all be so much happier.

Bucket List.

Places I want to Visit.!
I have this special spot in my heart for travelling. For as long as I can remember, we have always travelled right along side of my parents. My dad is the type though, when he finds a spot he loves, he visits it over and over again. I have always wanted to see the world. Look at the ways that people around this world live. It intrigues me so much! So I threw together a little bucket list (I guess you could call it) of the places I want to visit. I am sure there will be more added.

 

 

1)      Africa: Safari Tour

2)      Alaska

3)      Barcelona, Spain

4)      Boston: in the fall

5)      Caribbean Islands;

Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Antigua,

Barbados, Trinidad, Turks & Caicos

6)      Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

7)      Emerald Isle, Ireland

8)      England

9)      Greece

10)   Italy;

Rome, Venice, Monaco,

Milan, Naples, Florence

11)   New Zealand

12)   Paris, France

13)   Rio, Brazil

14)   Scotland

15)   Yellow Stone National Park

Weekend Shenanigans

Good Morning Everyone.!

I hope you all had a splendid weekend!

Mine was filled with friends and fun (:

1) Decided it was time for a new Selfie on Saturday

2) Watched the Meteor Shower with friends on Saturday night

3) Dinner at Iggy's before Meet the Miller and the Meteor Shower

4) The Lake Crew on Sunday. Wow, it was a beautiful day.

5) Mitch and Levi trying a handstand on Sunday.

http://www.samisshenanigans.com/search/label/weekend%20shenanigans" title="Sami's Shenanigans">http://i.imgur.com/XOas0dC.png

" alt="Sami's Shenanigans" style="border:none;" />

I should of kept my mouth shut.

10 things you shouldn’t know about me, but I’m going to tell you.

1)      I have a love/hate relationship with surprises.

2)      Since I have moved back from ND, I realized my “Trucker Mouth” is worse than I thought.

 

3)      I have OCD about a few things, and it just bugs the hell out of me if you try and change it.

4)      I hate to shower. Not because I hate the shower itself, I hate having to do my hair after.

5)      People tell me I should go to Hair School. I hate the thought of having to do someone’s hair a different way then I think it should be done. Again, OCD problem.

6)      I have read my favorite book so many times that it has officially fallen apart and is currently taped together.

7)      I can’t seem to let certain things go. I hate that about myself.

8)      Halloween is my favorite Holiday. Dressing up is Awesome.. I want to have a massive masquerade ball one day.

9)      The list of places I want to visit is so long, I know I will never be able to visit all of them.

 

10)   I only am a fully open book to a few people in my life. I have a huge trust problem after the last 5/6 years.

Beach Getaway.

So I really liked the June Blogging Challenge that I participated in. Helped with writers block and gave me some new ideas. Well I want to participate in a different challenge, but this time I am just going to incorporate it into different days that I usually don’t have my own personal blogging idea. So here goes the first day..

Favorite Beach: Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica

My family and I have been visiting Costa Rica for many years, and I have just fallen in love with this beach. I love that the sand is dense and almost dark. I love that the beach goes could care less about what you are doing, and just having fun. I love that the view is just breath taking. I love the waitresses/waiters that come from the local beach side restaurants and take your order. It is just a beautiful and peaceful place to be.

Friday's Letters

 

Dear Friday: We have met again. This time it seemed that you crept up on me. I feel like I have so much to do, and not enough time to accomplish it. But Friday does mean one things, time to link up with Ashley at The Sweet Season. Dear Parentals: While you are away, I will promise that the kids will play. No worries though, we promise to be safe.! Dear Friends: I am so lucky to have all of you in my life. In time when I am at my all time low, I am so happy to have each of you life me right back up. Dear Kati: This week you reached 18 months, and I think it is amazing. You are such an inspiration. I am so happy to be able to call you my best friend.! PS just wait till your 2 yr mark hits, you’re going to love what I have planned out for you! Just saying.. Dear Money:  I wish you really did grow on trees, cause I need some more of you right now. Just when I think I am in a good place, something comes up and drains another 1,000.00 right out of my budget. Ugh.!!! Dear Outfit:  I am so mad that I mistaken the black in my dress for navy, and now I look like a damn fool. Work please be over quick, I need to fix this mess. Dear Readers: Have a Fabulous weekend.. Until Then; Much Love, Kenzie.



Playing A Lil Catch Up!

Hello Readers/Followers,

I am sorry for being MIA so much on the blog lately. I have had such a crazy schedule with trying to send my parents off to Costa Rica that I haven’t had any time to myself. Therefore I don’t have time to do all the blogging that I would like. I will be playing a little catch up today. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will all be featured in one post. I will apologize in advance for the length of it,, it may be long.

Tuesday: Talk on The Block

The Bachelorette

That’s right it was the Finale, and Des is Engaged; too CHRIS!

Personally I think it is the best decision. Even though I liked Brooks, I don’t think he was as far along in the journey of their relationship as Des was. Chris is everything that Des has been wanting the entire season. I think Chris will make Des happy forever! Happy Engagement to Des and Chris!

 Dunn Dunn… and the Big News.. Ladies and Gents.

The Next Bachelor… Juan Pablo.!

Where can I sign up,,? Can you say yummy?!

Wednesday: Words of Wisdom

I have learned so much about myself in such a short period of time this past 6 months. I know that I should always stand up for myself, my beliefs, and my future. I should stand strong in my own shoes, because I should be comfortable enough to be who I am; at all times. I never want to try and be someone else, just because that is what someone else expects of me. I am myself for a reason; uniqueness is beauty in every form.

Thursday: Throwing it Back.

 Lake Days with My Bestie!

p.s. I have to give a shout out to Kati. I am so very proud of this girl right here! She has reached her 18 month mark of sobriety, and it is an amazing accomplishment. She is such an inspiration to me! Such a strong and beautiful young woman she is.!

Weekend Shenanigans

I spent the weekend in Salt Lake for Melanie's wedding.

A weekend with family and friends,

means lots of fun memories.

1) Kristin & I at dinner on Tuesday at Sakura for Brooks' Birthday.

2) Kristin & I, with friends went shooting Thursday night

3) Drive to SLC on Friday. Stopped in Beaver, UT to get Cheese & Ice Cream.!

4) Melanie & David Say "I Do" on Saturday

5) Mickey Mouse waffles for Saturday Breakfast. Torie is obsessed

6) Levi flagged down the Ice Cream "van" on Friday night

7) Sunday Family Fun Day

8) The two were bored shopping for a birthday dress,, so this was their entertainment.

Panty Hose from Charlotte Ruse.

9) Photo Book in Urban Outfitters at The Gateway Mall.

Throw Back Thursday

Throw Back Thursday: Back to the days where things were always a little on the easier side.

High School Days:

I can say this, "I wouldn't want to go back, but I do miss the carefree days sometimes."

p.s. can everyone believe that it is august already.

august is a good month though; birthday month celebrations.!

let them begin(:

much love, kenzie.