La La Land & This is Us.

I know being a MOVIE critics is a very legitimate job where trained professionals see things in a movie that no human eye of the regular public is actually seeing and they are breaking down every aspect of the movie in the most technical way and let me just say, thank you. 

You are valued. 

But for the rest of us who see movies to be be entertained by great plot, good laugh & star quality acting, here I am! I have just added "Cinema Critic" to my list of jobs and I'm here to work! 

I'll be breaking down (1) show & (1) movie per post according to the following. 

Who's in it :

Basic plot

Acting skills 

How you feel during it 

Amount of tears shed 

Parental advisory 

Then I'll rank according to my own patented scale. 

5 stars - see it twice in theaters, tell everyone you know, then buy it

4 stars - must own this movie 

3 stars - redbox it 

2 stars - only redeeming quality was the popcorn

1 stars - in the process of suing the director to get my money back 

This week I'm talking La La Land & This Is Us. 

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hallelujah, praise be to Heaven, a new good family television program has graced us with their presence once again.  

If you look at what is on television these days, it is LEVEL TEN drama (reality tv), unrealistic-ness (grey's, I love you, but that much tragedy does NOT happen to one group of people), or a bad guy/crime show (once again, I love them). BUT I NEED MORE. 

Just on cue enters, This Is Us.

This show is so bomb. It starts with a couple, played by the lovely Mandy Moore & the studly  Milo Ventimiglia (Shout out to all the Gilmore Girls fans reviling their childhood crush). They are having triplets and immediately you fall in love with this couple. You believe their love. I want to do this review without spoilers but the show tackles real life stuff, like race and weight and marriage and family issues and homosexuality. Sometimes with humor and sometimes it is heavy. 

As you meet more and more characters in the show, you see how they are all intertwined. Im getting gooseys just writing this.  The acting is wonderful and it somehow, some way it will pull on the heartstrings of every single person watching. Take the plunge and watch it. 

🌟🌟🌟🌟

LaLa Land. Obviously, it won a million awards. But is it actually made for the everyday movie seer? 

YES. 

La La Land is about 2 people (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone) one who aspires to be a jazz musician and one an actress. The movie is a musical and you travel through their lives, struggling to live out their dreams. There is depth and heart ache and joy and love. 

The music is exquisite and the acting is a dream. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have a chemistry that you just believe to be true. 

SPOILERS AHEAD

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They end up falling in love and you get to see how following their dreams and putting those dreams first affects their relationship. Emma ends up leaving LA & going home. 

But Ryan goes after her and pushes her into an audition that ends up giving her the big break she was looking for. 

Fast forward, you see Emma Stone as a famous actress with her new husband and child. They go on a date night,  and wind up stumbling into Ryan's Jazz club. 

As he is playing the piano on stage, they catch eyes. It flashes back to their life and how it could have been, happy. You almost think that is what actually happened. 

Then it's back in the jazz club. Emma is with her husband & they decide to leave. She meets eyes with Ryan and they smile. Then Emma leaves. 

... 

I watched this and my heart broke. We watched them grow and change and laugh and then all of a sudden it's over. I hated it! I couldn't possibly understand this ended. 

I went home and thought about this a lot. We watched their love story unfold, the important life lessons they taught each other, the mistakes they made. 

But we never got to see the love story of her husband. Maybe it was grandeur in all the ways and would have made the Ryan love story look like kid stuff. 

I think that is life. Life is falling in love and then losing it sometimes. It's taking the lessons of our past and learning from them. It's seeing where they bettered you and being grateful. 

And then it's finding what is right and moving forward. 

I still cried though, let's be real. 

So La La Land & This Is Us, approved. 

Xo Kels 

2016. First of all, how dare you.

I feel like 2016 did everyone very dirty. Everyone has been taken through the ringer and barely made it out alive on the other side. I actually had a very GREAT 2016, but 2017 is attacking me. I am currently in bed on day 2 of food poisoning. Yes you heard that right. FOOD POISONING. I had it for the first time ever last year in June (maybe 2016 wasn't so good...) and I have been on high alert ever since. Like if food was out of a properly regulated fridge for more that 3 minutes, this girl wasn't eating it. 

Well this son of a GUN hunted me down and here I am. Violently jumped by food poisoning. 

I think this is a good time for reflection. Since I'm stuck in bed anyways. 

Here's what 2016 taught me. 

1. Life is one big loop and nothing is random. 

When really crappy stuff happens it literally feels like a very permanent situation. At church last Sunday our Stake Relief Society Presidency taught and one of the women said " In the scriptures it says 'It came to pass', not 'it came to stay'." uhhhhh HELLO. Isn't that the truth? 

Life is good, then its crappy, then its great, then its learning, then its grand, then its hard, then its fun. 

Such is life. But every things happens for a reason. Don't you hate that I just said that, I kinda hate myself for saying it. 

But Heavenly Father has a plan and if you're in a crappy phase, I PROMISE there is purpose. 

I am currently dating the man of my dreams, and I look back and see very clearly the path I have taken to find him. All was necessary. Even the hard stuff. 

I like knowing life isn't random. 

2. I owe people a lot more grace that I'm giving them. 

I learned in 2016, I am giving people too much of a hard time, especially those that are closest to me. It's funny, when I make a mistake or I am having a hard day, I just wanna scream " Can everyone cut me some SLACK?!" But when my loved ones are a toe off base, I'm allllllll over it. 

I need to give people a break. When I ditch out on plans, I just want people to understand that I am busy or tired or whatever. When someone bails on me, HOW DARE THEY. 

That is so freaking lame. I don't want to be that person. My word for the year is grace. 

Every day I am begging Heavenly Father to stick with me and give me His grace, yet I can't give it to the ones I love most? Lame. 

They say "We judge ourselves off our intentions and others off their actions." It just isn't fair. 

So in 2017,  Kelsie gives more grace. 

3.  Take risks. 

Life is nothing without risks. Risks don't always mean jumping out of a plane. Risks can mean any type of getting out of your comfort zone. One big risk I took this year was Justin's family (this sounds weird, stay with me). I have very specific anxiety triggers, that send me to pieces if I am put in them. 

One is meeting my boyfriends family. I freaking hate it. Lol

First Justin invited me to dinner with his sister and her husband...GULP. And THEN the next week Justin invited me over for FATHERS DAY DINNER. I wanted to die. I was thinking of any excuse to get out of it. But I knew I liked this guy. So I mustered every once of confidence I had ( remember that song) and I went. 

And it was so good. Now I am with his family and LEAST twice a week and its just my favorite thing to do. All because I faced my fears. 

Sometimes you have to look your fears in the face and say "suck it, you don't get to control me anymore."

I have hopes for 2017 to be a good year. Mostly because I am going to make it a good year. Even if crappy stuff happens, I am going to suck the good stuff out of it. 

Here are my favorite "stuffs" of 2016. (First one being Justin :) 

DAZI TIES @daziusa

I saw these ties on Pinterest & put them on my board to have the groomsmen wear for my wedding (yes I am that girl). They are literally the best ties ever, so trendy & rad. 

And Justin looks bomb in them, but he also looks good in everything, so there's that. 

If you need a great priced gift for any man in your life, this is it. 

https://www.daziusa.com/

JORD WATCHES @woodwatches_com

Jord Wood Watches reached out to me in order to try their product & I am seriously obsessed. 

They have beautifully constructed wood watches that are so classic. It's a dress it up and dress it down type piece which I love. Justin was so excited to get to have this item in his wardrobe. 

They have mens & women's pieces, so check it out! 

They are offering TWO amazing gifts to my readers. 

1. $25 off any pieces! http://bit.ly/2jNxLmF

2. A contest (ending January 22 at midnight) for $100 dollar gift card! Click the link to enter!  http://bit.ly/2jNDPeJ

So freaking cool. Take advantage ! 

Blayke & Quinn @blaykeandquinn

A sweet friend of mine just started a jewelry company. If you know me, you know I am not a jewelry girl at all. I find it bulky and it just never suits me. I finally found something I can wear. 

I feel stylish yet not over done. All of her pieces are simple and trendy and can be added to pieces you already have. I'm just happy to have found some jewelry I can wear!!!! 

Check out her IG. All items are under 30 dollars! 

Happy Shopping. And Happy New Year. 

Remember, resolutions don't have to be this big dumb thing that you can't break ever or you have to give it up. Just vow to wake up every day, with an open mind to be a little bit better than you were the day before. 

Talk soon, 

Xo Kels 

My Biggest Secret.

I joined a cult. 

I am now a LIPSENSE distributor. 

I don't know how to tell you I love it without sounding sales-y. 

But I am actually obsessed. Here is why. 

1. It saved my lips.

They used to cut Justin's face off and now they are are soft as a baby's bottom.
I literally think every company is lying until they prove me other wise. 

No joke, I have different lips. 

I ALWAYS HAVE CHAPPED LIPS...ALWAYS. 

I used LIPSENSE and ONLY LIPSENSE for 5 days. &my lips are perfect for the first time. 

Day 1-3, my lips were peeling and I was gnawing off my lips. 

Then a miracle happened. They were soft as can be. Justin even said, "Kels your lips are super soft. "

He's never said that before because they never had been LOL. 

I have new lips and I am forever thankful. This is really the biggest reason I love it so much. 

Brittney wearing Praline Rose 

Alex wearing Fly girl

2. They make your lips look fuller and luxurious.

I put it on (onto my dry cracked lips) and my lips looked so good. 

They were glossy (I hate gloss but I actually liked this). And they were pigmented. 

It goes on so smoothly and there are colors for every skin tone. 

Even when I applied the matte, my lips just looked celebrity status. 

Me wearing First Love

Tasha wearing Raisin 

3. The color actually lasts. 

Day 1-3 of cracking, my lips were peeling by hour 4 so of course the color was going with it. 

But I kept on going with it. I only had one color but I kept wearing it day after day. 

Day four it literally lasted ALL DAY. I wore it and didn't check up on it. 

And I ALWAYS check on my lips because I have naturally red lips that need a color on them to calm them down. LOL But it stayed. 

It didn't get a really ugly line where your mouth opens (always happens with my Matte lipstick). 

Heal your lips, apply correctly, and you will have nice lips all day. 

 Becca wearing Violet

Bethanie wearing Gingerbread

Sarah wearing Pink Champagne

So I chose to get it at a discount & start a little baby business out of it. 

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO TRY IT OUT than right now because 

its BLACK FRIDAY.

(You can purchase your deals Friday & then pick out your colors at the party Wednesday, where you can try everything on)

Also, I am having a LIPSENSE try on party, so that everyone can come and actually try the product. 

I thought everyone had already heard of it, but everyone hasn't so come on out! 

Everyone is invited! Message me for my address. DETAILS BELOW.

See you soon. 

Xo Kels


Ps Are my friends attractive or what? @chelseakissamphotography makes us all look so good. 

Bargain Blogger.

I am no queen of fashion. But I am queen of BARGAINS. Lol If you can't tell, I'm quite proud. 

Everyone deserves to be able to feel good about them selves, in clothes that they love. 

&not everyone has a huge budget for that. 

Thomas Monson's sweet wife said "When I pass away I want you to remember, I bought everything in this house on sale." :) I hope to say the same. Haha 

So here is a post with 5 TIPS to shopping smart. 

1. The "DO I REALLY LOVE THIS?" test.

My mom would always say this to me when we went shopping for me as a kid. She'd say, "Do you love it?" and I looked at the piece again and decided. 

Don't buy things you don't love. Look at the clothing and think, is this a wear once item or can I picture several outfits this works with. 

Is it a strong trend or a basic item that will be more timeless?

If you don't love it, put it back. 

2. Online shopping deals at quality stores. 

I love to online shop because it's like getting gifts. But I am only hunting in the sale section. 

The great thing about online shopping is their annoying emails they send you, &THEY COME WITH SALES. 

I always wait for my 40% off the sale section to shop at my favorite stores. 

My two go to's for this are Madewell & Jcrew. The quality of the clothes is better but your getting them at a lower price. Hold out for the sale if possible. It goes in order, 20%, 30% then 40% off sale items. WAIT FOR THE SALE. 

(Ps. I have a separate email for all my spam type stuff & I use Unrollme up to organize my emails. They put everything together in one email & unsubscribe you to anything you're sick of.) 

3. Use online sales, in store. (THIS IS A BIG ONE)

I am QUEEN OF THIS. 

If you are going shopping in store, go to their website while you're in the store. 

90% of the time they have a online sale going on (20% off, 30% off, ect.) 

I will do all of shopping, then when I get to the register I say the following, 

"Hey there is a sale going on online, can you honor it in store? If not, no problem, I'll just order it online." 

I have NEVER been turned down. They ALWAYS honor it. It's amazing. 

Stores I have done this at are Old Navy, American Eagle (they are totally revamped, try them out) and JCrew Factory. 

Also, if you're a student, places have student discounts. 

4. Splurge on essential items. 

I have spent more money than I usually do on select items. 

I just bought a pair of jeans from Pink Desert for 60$ because they are such a good fit and no matter what top I'm wearing I feel confident. 

If there is an item that you KNOW is going to be crucial to your wardrobe and it's a perfect fit, splurge. 

5. Wait for the sale. 

Don't splurge if you don't have to, wait till it goes on sale.

Speaking of salllllllllles, the entire outfit in this post is going onsale at Pink Desert for Black Friday. 

Every item in the store is 25% off for their BLACK FRIDAY grand opening here in Las Vegas (you can also order online). 

Time to start shopping. 

Xo Kels 

Happy Sunday

A day late.
I am sitting in my bed getting tons and tons of work done because I am dying of sickness.
I don't HATE being sick because it gives me guilt free time to sit in bed and get things done.
But I'm officially over it now...so pray for my healing.

Here are my favorite links of the week, they are so good you will die.


If anyone else lives in a world of paranoia, here are what burglars said about breaking into homes.

How to make yourself fall in love...or out of it.

Jim Carrey gives this amazement lesson on visualization and how we can gain what desire by it.

I think dogs are actually angels in dog bodies. There I said it. 

I'm think about just turning this into a blog about dogs cause I'm finding the sweetest videos 😹😭

Bodybuilders doing ballet.... oh yes that's real. 

If you haven't seen this video yet, shame on you. This will be me at 40...50...60..&90. 

Is any one else a big nerd for Jurassic Park? If this actually happens, I'm buying a flight to China NOW. 

Have a great week! 

Xo Kels 

People Are Good : Meet Biaggio

Sometimes I see all the pain and hurt in the world and it discourages me.

 I think, how could I possibly bring children into this MESS. 

How can I protect them, how can I protect myself?!

And then I really open my eyes & look around. There is so much GOOD. 

The trees. The sky. The dogs. Haha 

But my favorite creation of Heavenly Father, are the people. (I think we are His favorite too.) 

I'm starting this series called "People Are Good". 

I'll be getting to know all types of people, with successes in faith, business, marriage, family. All of it. 

&it'll all be recorded right here. I've always wanted to be the next Oprah;) 

So when life deems dreary and dark and I'm totally discouraged, I can be reminded. People are good. 

This series of incredible humans is starting off with a man name Biaggio who immediately inspired me by the enormous size of his heart. I met him a few years ago when I went into Biaggio’s Pizzeria,  which he owns, to get a slice of pizza (SHOCKER…Kelsie getting pizza).

As I was standing to pay, I looked and I saw pamphlets on the counter that spoke of Jesus Christ. I asked him about them and found out he was a member of the church.

He has been teaching me life lessons about Christ ever since.

He has owned 3 successful pizzerias here in Las Vegas and has owned Biaggio’s pizzeria for 6 years. He is a Latter Day Saint who wears Christ name upon him every single day.

He has fully sponsored, on his own dime, two of my charity events where we ate like kings.  

He gives all credit to Heavenly Father in all things. 

He said about himself that he chose to be a successful seed planter instead of a failed miracle worker.

I will forever love this sweet man with my whole heart and I’m so thankful he was placed in my life… to love me, to teach me, and to feed me the best darn pizza & garlic knots I’ve ever had.

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom he shared with me as we sat down... over some pizza and garlic knots. 

On opposition

“Heavenly Father grows us through opposition. He grows us, I mean He has too because there’s no good people out there to do anything. He’s gotta take you… this is what I’ve learned. I used to stay and wander in the wilderness. And now I go through with Him. Lead me guide me, walk beside me. Help me find the way. And I say okay Heavenly Father, let’s go. And I go through it. And I come out a better man on the other end. And I don’t die!”

On pain

“Set it aside till you can deal with it. The pain of forgiveness is far greater than the pain itself. It takes two cycles for the pain. It’s not what we do that kills us, it what we do to cover up the pain. So I’m just gonna be an example. I’m gonna follow Christ. Follow what He did and what He does.

On the point of the gospel

“The parables all come back to repent, love and forgive.”

On forgiveness

“Heavenly Father told me ‘I’m not saying Brother so&so was right, but you needed that jolt.’ I no longer stay mad; I no longer stay distracted.”

On what matters most

“You don’t need anymore knowledge. By the time you finish primary you have all the knowledge you need to return to your Father in Heaven. You do! We need revelation that we have a relationship with our Father in Heaven.”

On Christ's Character

"He spoke very little. At the most stressful time of his life, he utters the words Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."

How is the food so good?

“I use only the best ingredients. I have always done that and always will. It’s about how you treat people. I have people who make minimum wage who come in and spend 40 dollars on a meal here. It’s about how you treat people, everyone is family.”

“Just like Peter when Christ walked on water. When I take my eyes off Heavenly Father, I sink. Christ can save you from anything.” -Biaggio 

Thank you Biaggio. 

Xo Kels