Engaged.

FRIENDS!
IT HAPPENED...
I AM ENGAGED. 
Thought I would share the story with all of you, because it was one of the happiest days of my life. I am going to need to tell you a little bit of the back story, so here it goes....


the week before:
(First off for those of you who don't know Colten works for a company that flies him somewhere new each weekend, where he stays in hotels and does real estate investment seminars. He leaves nearly every Thursday and returns home Monday morning.) Sucks right? Hardly ever getting to spend a weekend with your boyfriend... Well he just so happened to have this weekend off, and I was so excited because it was the 24th of July (Utah Holiday) and my family throws a big party and the park across the street from my house does AMAZING FIREWORKS. Well Tuesday morning comes, and Colten shows me a text from his boss saying that they need Colten to fill in with another team this weekend to Oklahoma. Needless to say I was devastated, I was SO looking forward to a fun weekend with him and my family. 
Then things got even worse...
His mom texted me saying she and Colten's brothers wife were flying in to Utah from Seattle to help move some of Colten's brother and sister-in-laws things back to Seattle, where they were living. She asked if they could come by on the 24th to watch fireworks. 
I couldnt believe that Coltens MOM AND SISTER IN-LAW would be in town, and Colten wouldn't even be there to hang out with them and me.

the night before:
My sister calls me while I was in the car with Colten, and invites me to go get our nails done with my mom. I say no immediately, because it was the night before Colten had to leave to Oklahoma for work and I wanted to spend time with him. Also I was wierded out that my sister wanted to get her nails done in the first place because she NEVER does. After I hang up with her, Colten tells me that I really should go spend time with my sister and mom. And that he will be fine, and just be packing for work anyways. So I go. 
Near the end of getting my nails done, Colten texts me and tells me he needs to drive all the way to SLC to get some work cases. I was mad! I felt like I wasn't going to get to spend ANY time with him at all before he left. He didn't get home until almost nine that night. I decided to try and be positive, and happy during the time we did get to spend together though. 


the day of:
It was the 24th! And almost every year my family runs the 5k that our city puts on. It started at 7, and Colten didn't need to be to the airport until 10:30, so he came and ran it too! After the race, we drove home and he got showered and ready for the airport, with a fully packed suitcase. Everything seemed pretty normal, and similar to all the other weekends where he has left. I kissed him goodbye and he got in his car and drove off...
I sat at my house for a while, feeling pretty sad. I get Monday-Thursday morning with him, and having him for a full week seemed like a dream. So to have him leave made me super upset.
So at the big park/fields across the street from my house (where they do the fireworks and concert) they also bring the Mayor in on a Helicopter that night. Well none of those activities start until later that night, but my dad (who was hired to film the festivities) said he would pay me to take pictures of the helicopter landing. It was going to land at two pm and he wanted me to walk over there with him to get some cool shots. 


the proposal:
I walked over to the park with my dad and some family members who wanted to check out the helicopter. We stood in the field and watched it fly around the sky, I kept the camera to my eye and kept snapping pictures. It kept getting closer and closer. I not once put the camera down. It was close to landing when I saw him....COLTEN WAS IN THE HELICOPTER. I immediately knew what was happening and began to cry. I then saw his mom, sister, sister in-law, and best friend running in towards me. Colten jumped out of the helicopter and came towards me. It didn't feel like real life. He got on one knee and asked me. I SAID YES. I was bombarded with hugs from family members. But immediately he grabbed my hand and walked me towards the helicopter, and we got in. It was incredible. Being hundreds of feet in the air, flying over mountains holding my best friend's hand and a freaking ring on my left finger!!!!! I couldn't believe it. The ride was amazing, and I didn't ever want it to end. Colten did a BAD A job. I was completely shocked and he lied to me so good that I should probably be worried. OH, and my family was in on it too. It was a beautiful moment, and the happiness I felt there can't even be explained in words. 
Also when he said he needed to go to SLC to pick up work cases while I got my nails done, he was really at the Helicopter Pilots house planning it all out.

NOW A WEDDING TO PLAN! YAY

wearing:
top///Nordstrom Rack (and kimono)
pants///Zara
shoes///Jessica Simpson

Yours Truly,

Ciera

xooxoxoxooxoxooxoxoxoxo

My Summer Must Haves!

We are right smack in the middle of Summer!

So I put together a list of my Summer Must Haves, for hair, skin & makeup, and clothing of course.

Here you all are!

MY SUMMER CLOTHING MUST HAVES:
DENIM.

SHIRT//Nordstrom Rack

JEANS//GAP

NECKLACE//Lucky Brand

VEST//H&M (SIMILAR)

MY SUMMER SKINCARE PRODUCTS & REGIMEN:

First off, we have all had one of those long Summer nights where you don't get home until late at night, and all you want to do is crawl in bed. WELL....DON'T. At least not before washing your face (even if you're not wearing make-up, its still smart to wash your face) just like you can't go to bed without brushing your teeth, you shouldn't before washing your face either. Your skin attracts so much bacteria throughout the day, especially in the Summer, where most people are spending their days outdoors. SO ladies (and gentleman who may be reading) WASH YOUR FACE.

NOW. What to wash and take care of it with.

1. PETER THOMAS ROTH ROSE STEM CELL

Wash your face with this, and be sure all your makeup is washed off.

2. REN MICRO POLISH EXFOLIATER

I use this once or twice a week. This line of skincare is made with natural ingredients and is perfect for sensitive skin.

3. BURTS BEES RADIANCE NIGHT CREAM

Just recently started using this because I wanted a super hydrating night  face lotion, and I am in love! You can even buy it at Target or Walmart.

4. CLINIQUE YOUTH SURGE DAY CREAM

I use this lotion every morning. It has 15 SPF and is very moisturizing which I love.

NOW MY SUMMER MAKE-UP MUST HAVES:

Make-up is fun, and can help to accentuate facial features, but personally I feel like less make-up in the Summer the better. So I like make-up that looks effortless and light.

1. BOBBI BROWN BB CREAM

This stuff is magic. It is so smooth, and lightweight. Not to mention it has SPF 35 which is perfect for those Sunny days!

2. NARS BRONZER & HIGHLIGHTER

I use the bronzer for all over my face. It has a matte finish so it doesn't leave you sparkly or shiny. Then the highlighter I use for my cheekbones (you can also brush across face for that Dewey makeup look).

3. NARS SOFT EYESHADOW PENCIL

I use this in the corners or under my eyes. Golds are perfect for Summer, and tan skin.

NOW FOR SOME SUMMER HAIR TIPS:

CURLY

CRAZY

MESSY

HAIR

IS

IN

THIS

SUMMER

here is what you need..

1. BIG SEXY HAIR BEACH SPRAY

This stuff really works! I spray only a couple sprays into my hands then rub it throughout my hair.

2. Moroccan Oil

If your hair is feeling extra dry this Summer, this stuff is for you! Plus it smells amazing....

3. HOT TOOLS HAIR WAND

I LOVE this hair wand, gives you the ultimate beach wave curls!

hope you enjoyed!

Yours Truly,

Ciera

The FOURTH

Helllllo!
Its been some time since I last blogged. I seriously wish I could be as devoted and dedicated to posting every week, or let alone every day like other bloggers...but I just cant break away from life sometimes & write like I wish I could! Anyway. I spent the fourth in one of my favorite places....WASHINGTON. 

I flew into Seattle early Thursday morning, and Colten's mom and sister in-law picked me up and we headed straight into downtown Seattle for a little breakfast, we had some time to kill before picking Colten up. We drove down Capitol Hill, and went to a bagel shop. Then we drove through all the old, but amazingly beautiful, mansions in a neighborhood surrounding Capitol Hill. We then stopped when we found an Asian Art Museum. "FREE ENTRY TODAY" was posted in big letters on the door, so we parked the car and went in.
It was beautiful 

Across the street from the museum was a giant watering tower that you could run up and look across and see the Seattle city skyline, it was really beautiful and cool to be up there.

NOW FOR THE FOURTH

The night before the fourth we headed up to Colten's best friend's parents Lake House, on a lake called "Lake Tapps". This lake is huge, and has so many little inlets and islands and gigantic homes on every edge, each with their own boats parked out on their own lake docks. You can also see Mount Rainier, which is an active volcano, and is huge! Anyway, its amazing there. We spent the night, and woke up to the most bluest skies, and warm weather. Me and Colten went for a run on the island and across the bridge, before heading back and eating breakfast on the patio overlooking the lake. 

We then got out onto the lake! The boys like to do this thing called "Tube wars", where they pull two tubes out on the boat and jump and wrestle each other, trying to knock each other on the opposing tubes off. Wellll I made the mistake of getting on with them, and that didn't last long after I had boys jumping all over my back, and at one point when Colten almost fell off, he used my hair as a rope to pull himself back on. Smart, but painful.

After a day of boating, we got dressed and went over to Colten's aunts house for dinner! We spent time with his cousins and family, and played speed scrabble which is now my new favorite game. 

Then we headed back up to the Lake House, to watch fireworks on the boat.

had an absolutely amazing fourth.

ps. here are some pictures from the rest of our trip.

Yours truly,

Ciera