/REYLIE/

Friday, November 27, 2015


I am so excited about this new addition to my life. Her name is Reylie, and I couldn't be happier.

I have spent the last couple days looking at Pinterest, calling local Petco's and asking friends about anything and everything there is to know about owning a dog let alone a four-month-old. She is a Jack Russell/ Chi mix that is perfect. She has a piglet tail that curls and an under bite.
I love it!

I know yesterday was the day to give thanks, but today I became thankful for her!

That's Life

Tuesday, November 17, 2015



I needed a minute.... I needed more than that, but I draw the line at seven months!

It has truly been a whirlwind of emotions at my house. After the death of my best friend, my precious gem, the love of my life, my grandmother on May 4th, I had to take some time to deal with life. I had never lost someone I loved so much. 

The outcome of my self-discovery is that, if I have this one life to live, I better make it count. I also am listening to a lot of Tim McGraw.  That man sure knows how to make women feel like themselves again! 
I am putting on Spotify and trying to find my way through this new self-discovery.

A lot has happened since the last time we spoke, so let me get you up to speed in Kalie's 30 second update.

The 2015 Spring season for Olivia Garden was amazing. Florida brought a great close! Here is the view from our room!


The summer was one for the books. I got a call on a Tuesday asking if I wanted to go to Europe on a cruise for a month, July-August. So, of course, I said YES! That Sunday I was on a flight to Amsterdam with my mom, brother, and grandfather. We traveled through Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Here are just a few pictures from the best vacation ever! A grander blog post will be coming shortly! P.S the reason for the cane will also be in the post. 





After coming back, I was off to begin the Fall season for Olivia Garden in Houston, TX. I had never been to H-town and was excited to see what the buzz was. My favorite part was going to the Miller Outdoor Theatre.
I don't know what it is about sitting on a blanket, drinking some wine, and noshing on pizza, but it was just what the doctor ordered.


In September, school started up again, and the RTI program ( an intervention program that I run) was back in full swing. Pictures will be coming soon! I actually have a lot of things coming up on organizational habits, college prep and planning, as well as teacher supplies!!!


Halloween was great and not so great. My then boyfriend and I decided to call it quits the day after. It was mutual, and he is still a big part of my life. 



Shwww, there we go. 
We made it to November.
My journey is still continuing, and there is no stop sign in sight!

Of course other fun things have happened since then, that's why you should follow me on Instagram @kaliecalder, to be up to date on all things Kalie.

Love always
Kalie

/My Bestfriend/

Thursday, April 30, 2015

The circle of life. We're born, we live, we die. 
It is one of the hardest things a person has to come to terms with.

I consider myself very lucky. 
I am 26 years old and up till now, I've never had to face the terrifying fact that, one day, I will die. And with the subject of death coming up in every other conversation I've had for two weeks, I've really started re-evaluating a few things about my life.

 Like:
1. Letting go of trying to control things.
2. Letting go of being a people pleaser.
3. Letting go of a sense of entitlement.
4. Letting go of resentment.
5. Letting go of my pride.
6. Letting go of negativity.
7. Letting go of an attachment to money.
8. Letting go of expectations.
9. Letting go of fear.
10. Letting of yesterday and tomorrow.

Wait a second...

Why am I be talking about such a depressing and un-entertaining subject like death on my blog? 

Well, I'll tell you why...
The precious gem that I have the honor of calling my grandmother is named Raleigh Schultz. She was born in 1933 in Minneapolis but grew up in Hollywood, California. 

Two Fun Facts about Grammie:
One: she had the fortune of walking down Wilshire Blvd. past the La Brea Tar Pits every day before they built the museum. 
Two: She met my grandfather at a party when she was 19 years old and they eloped a few months later. 

What can I say, the women goes after what she wants! She has been the sassiest, most independently strong women I've ever known.

She is now 82 years young and until now I considered her to be immortal.
I am the first grandchild out of six, so, of course, I am her favorite.
Wait ... that came out wrong.
 Let me try again... (Clear throat)
 I am the first grandchild, therefore, I assume that I am her favorite/most perfect grandchild.

Ok, now that it's been covered, let's move on. 

My grandmother, who is my best friend, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cancer attacks your lymphocytes, which are part of your immune system. She had been in recession for 10 years and a day before I left for Seattle, the doctor's told us that it had come back with a vengeance and to expect only six month to two years left with her. The doctor's explained that the cancer had become very aggressive and that it had invaded 90 percent of her right lung, 50 percent of her left lung, had moved into her blood stream and is now attacking her spleen.

When I arrived back from Seattle, the doctor's told me that she has been given a month. A MONTH!! Hearing that made my heart stop. What am I going to do without her?  I know that it's just a timeline and that sometimes they are wrong, but the fact that it is inevitable, makes me speechless. 
So, for the past two weeks, it's been doctor appointments, chemo treatments, anxious phone calls and no sleep for this girl.

Today I needed some inspiration. I posted some pictures to help me know I'm not the only one going through this.  If you need some inspiration, I hope this post will help you know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk with, comment below! My friends and family have been so supportive throughout this whole process and I hope that I can do the same for someone else. 

 To find out more information about Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma CLICK HERE




This is my grandmother! Isn't she beautiful!


This is my MANTRA

This is how I feel on a daily basis
 This is how I feel about my mother, who has been so strong for all of us.

 This is how I feel about my friends
This is how my view on life has changed 




Please keep her in your prayers
xoxo
@Themessthatmatters

If you want to know the colors for the many different cancers: 






/Let's Get Social/

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Bored by your Instagram feed?  Tired of seeing brunch and baby pictures? Me too. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my friends on Instagram! I love minute to minute updates on what they are wearing, eating, hanging with, or just watching the latest "Thug life" animal video. But while I am waiting for my flight, or sitting in traffic in a cab I want more... So I did some research!

Here are 10 Instagram accounts you should be following!

1. VANDIM MAKHOROV- TAKES YOU HIGHER

@MAKHOROV

A photo posted by Vadim Makhorov (@makhorov) on
If you are scared of heights I suggest you do not follow him, but if you  are curious to see the world from thousands of feet in the air ... Follow him!

 2. RACHEL BRATHERN- STRETCHES YOUR MIND AND BODY

 @YOGA_GIRL

If you need a little inspiration to get into the gym, follow yogi master Rachel Brathern.
She travels all over the world showing you beginning to intermediate yoga poses.

3. GEDUN WANGCHUK- GIVES YOU PEACE OF MIND

@GDAX

A photo posted by ཨ་མདོ☀ རོང་བོ་དགེ་དབང་། (@gdax) on
If you need some peace and tranquility in your life, look no further, 
Gedun Wangchuk is a Buddhist monk living in Tibet.

4. JIMMY MARBLE- LETS YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOW

@JIMMYMARBLE

A photo posted by jimmy marble (@jimmymarble) on
 He gets me inspired through colors!

5. SAMANTHA LEE- MAKES YOU HUNGRY FOR ART 

@LEESAMANTHA

A photo posted by Samantha Lee (@leesamantha) on

Samantha Lee is a mother of two ... TWO!
If she has time to make food look this delicious, then I have no excuse for burning tomato sauce!

6. JOSH HARA- LAUGHS YOU AWAKE

@YOYOHA

A photo posted by Josh Hara (@yoyoha) on
Josh Hara is a doodle genius when it comes to coffee.
Because of him, I always start my morning with a good laugh.

7. THIS ENGLISH BULLDOG-I CAN'T EVEN

@trotterpup 


A photo posted by Trotter (@trotterpup) on
Words cannot tell you how happy this dog makes me.
If you ever need a smile or faith in humanity, FOLLOW HIM!!!!

8. DIGBY & ALOYSIUS VANWINKLE- LETS YOU KNOW WHAT COOL REALLY LOOKS LIKE

@DIGBYVANWINKLE


A photo posted by Digby & Aloysius Van Winkle (@digbyvanwinkle) on
This is the offical account for Digby & Aloysius Vanwinkle.
The cutest hipster dogs who have stolen my heart.

9. A SATIRE OF INSTAGRAM-WHAT WE'VE ALL THOUGHT BEFORE

@SATIREGRAM



Ever think to yourself, " I wonder if someone else thinks this way?"
Here is your confiramation.


AND FINALLY! ...


10. KALIE CALDER- LETS BE FRIENDS 

@THEMESSTHATMATTERS

A photo posted by The Mess That Matters🎀 (@themessthatmatters) on
ME!
I am a blogger, traveler, teacher, daughter, girlfriend, coffee drinker, candy lover, cookie hater, but most of all a Netflix's obsessed gal!
Follow me to see what life throws my way!




/Featured Artist: Mike Oncley/ Seattle Pt.2

Thursday, April 16, 2015


As I prepare for my trip to Seattle, I thought it was only appropriate to showcase one of its local celebrities. With over 4,000 hits, and growing, on his YouTube channel for his rendition of Deadpool and a booming Esty shop showcasing  his hysterical doodles called Stupid Little Squares, life couldn't be better for Mike Oncley.  The innovative artist from Seattle, who is originally from Long Beach, California, has always had an eye for the unexpected. When asked what kind of art he likes to create he replied, "The art I create mainly revolves around pop culture, consisting of portraits of musicians, actors, and writers."

 Back in 2012, he received over 50,000 hits on YouTube for his poster of "Macklemore Made of Money". It's truly mind-blowing to witness how he creates these pieces!
It's available for purchase on society 6...Click HERE 


Mike has grown as an artist over the years, with his style varying from digital minimalist posters, to stenciled spray-paintings, to mixed media portraits using materials ranging from wine corks to coffee beans, cigarettes and even broken glass.

 Hard at work...Mike used bullets to create his Deadpool inspired poster 
If you want to see the video of him creating this masterpiece CLICK HERE !!!!!

When I approached Mike with the idea of writing a feature on him, he was more than helpful, offering up everything and anything I needed. This is just a glimpse into the generous, and kind heart he has. He even offered to draw me one of his famous doodles for the blog!

It's perfect!
My mouth dropped when he sent this over to me!
I am speechless (which isn't a good thing for a blogger ) on how perfectly he encapsulated my life in this drawing.

Go and check out his website:  HEYONCLEY  to see all of his outrageously hilarious sketches, like this one!
 Get yours before they are all sold out! 







/Destination: Seattle Pt. 1 of 2/

Tuesday, April 14, 2015



Oh Seattle ...
 Home to coffee lovers, nature hikers, and rain enthusiasts, this city has become one of my favorite places in the good ol' U.S of A.
Which is weird because ... I've never actually been there.
This weekend will be the first time I will be going to the city where Nirvana and Pearl Jam waved their flannel flag of grunge... ahh those were the days.

Listen, I don't mind a little "Spice up your Life" or "Backstreets Back..Alright" but for the most part, Eddie Vedder, was my dreamy teenage idol.
Seattle is also responsible for creating cult classics such as 10 Things I hate about you.
Oh Heath Leadger.. may he rest in piece..




But lets get back to Seattle shall we, Why would anyone love a city where it rains 150 days a year?  And a sunburn is a wet dream!

It's because this place rocks! From the people to the food, Seattle has it going on.
I only have three days to make all my dreams come true, so  here is my list of the top 3 things I have to do while I'm in the land of my people ... Hipsters unite!

1. My First mission is to go to the Unicorn Bar in Capital Hill.


In this carnival themed bar, you can order a deep fried snickers bars, drink Pabst Blue Ribbon, all while wearing a unicorn helmet.
Dream job? Sign me up!


2. After drinking the night away.... I want to head over to Molly Moon's Ice Cream to get my sweet tooth fix on!

This delicious god sent pictured above is her Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet. Not only is all of her ice cream handmade she also has a organization called  MOLLY MOON'S ANNA BANANA check it out and .... donate!!! She provides fresh milk to families in need for only $10 a month. You don't realize how much we need milk or use it. This will be a blessing to a family! BE THE BLESSING! Oh yeah and check out her blog Molly Moon's Ice Cream  for all your ice cream fantasies! 

Last but not least ... 

3. Take a very touristy picture near/ in front of/ on top of  the Space Needle. 

Buy this picture HERE 

I will be using the hastag #SNEEDLE

Maybe I'll try something like this 


What am I missing from this list?
I am a coffee, shopping, picture taking, food lover who is down for anything! 
Comment below to help a sista out!!

I will also be finding ideas through the  Fool Proof Living blog!











/Take me out to the... 5k/

Friday, April 10, 2015

    On your mark, get set, run! 
I'm coming upon my 2nd month of being smoke free, and man do I feel great. My lungs are in the best shape they've been in a while, my breathing is longer and deeper, and my skin has a nice glow. 

This also might be because I've been training for the last month for the Angels 5K tomorrow. It helps support the Angels Baseball Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need in our communities, and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education.

My brother, who is seven, plays baseball. He is in his third year and is absolutely infatuated with it. I try to go to his games every Saturday morning, so tomorrow is going to be special for me. I won't be able to go to his game, but the photos and stories I am going to share with him will hopefully inspire him to be a great baseball player, like his favorite player, Mike Trout. 
I'll get to show him what it looks like from the field looking up into the stands and hopefully that will spark a passion in him that could turn out be something.
You never know.

 My girlfriend, Allison, her dad, Mr. Macaninny, and me will be walking/running to show our support for such an amazing cause.

If you are interested in running a 5k, 10K or even a marathon, check out Runners World
They have everything from shoes, to clothing, to local races. It's a runner's paradise. 

I have been going off of their 5K for beginners timeline, which has been so influential on how I pace myself, how I breath, and to see overall improvement. There is also a 5K for intermediate runners , I didn't want to push it too hard, I mean this is my first 5K.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you've ever run a 5K before, or better yet a marathon (which is one of my long-term goals!), and if you have any tricks that might help.
If you would like to donate to this amazing cause... CLICK HERE 
Thanks for all the support :)





/A day at Sea/

Thursday, April 9, 2015

I believe it was the Great Sebastian the Crab who said to Ariel, "Life under the sea is better than anything they got going on up there".
As a human, not the beautiful mermaid I had wished to become, I do not take ANY offense to that statement. It's true! That's why I feel so lucky to live near the ocean. One of the luxuries that come with living near the coast is having a local aquarium. A place to go and see all the creatures that live "under the sea".

Since my brother, my friend, Sharon, and I are on spring break, we decided to make a day of it and visit our local aquarium called The Aquarium of the Pacific. It is home to over 11,000 ocean animals and over 500 different species, and is one of the largest aquariums in the country.

Here is the link to buy your tickets for a discounted price (cause I know we all like deals) AQUARIUM DISCOUNT TICKETS.

It is almost overwhelming how much there is to do there, so getting a map right off the bat is the best approach for you to see everything in one day!

My favorite exhibit to venture into was the Tropical Pacific.



The colorful fish, the warm weather, hum maybe it's a sign I should go on vacation soon.

My brother's favorite place was the Shark Lagoon. There, you could touch sting rays, and check out (at a safe distance) Tiger sharks and, his favorite, Great White Sharks.




It took us about 3 hours to get through the whole aquarium.
There was so much to see.

Other Exhibits to check out:
Southern California/Baja Gallery
Northern Pacific Gallery
Lorikeet Forest
June Keyes Penguin Habitat
           and
The Southern California Steelhead Story
Whales Voices of the Sea Experience.


It was truly an educational day! Sharon even became a member! What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

They also have fun activities going on all year long.
Here is a link to their calendar! EVENTS AT THE AQUARIUM 









/Easter Brunch/

Sunday, April 5, 2015

I was raised in a Christian household, so Easter is a big deal in our house. When I was a kid, my mom and dad would place eggs all around our house, and my sister and I would have to wait at the top of the stairs while my dad got the video camera running. When that record button lit up, we would race down the stairs to see who would spot the first vivid neon colored plastic egg. After counting out our chocolate and jelly bean loot, putting on the matching frilly dresses, and attending Easter service, we were back to the house for baked ham and deviled eggs. It was a family event all day!.

Well, this year is a little different. We decided we needed a vacation for spring break, and we decided to go to Las Vegas ... (my packing list is provided in this Post). 

This year, there was an Easter egg hunt down by the pool, and I'm listening to praise music while I write this post, and for Easter breakfast I had a delicious Eisenstein bagel; cinnamon raisin with thick cream cheese ... of course.

Listen, change is good, right?!

But in honor of this very special day, I have found 3 amazing blogs to help you plan your wonderful day called Easter.

If you are interested in making the most delicious looking Mini Spinach Quiche, head on over to the Unsophisticcook Blog.

If you haven't thought about what to make for Easter Brunch yet or need new inspiration for next year, head on over to The Domaine Home Blog  for 12 mouthwatering brunch ideas. 

We cannot forget about dessert. Over at the Taming Twins Blog they have created Caramel Egg Stuffed Easter Croissants. I will be making these as soon as I'm done sipping on my lava flow! 



I had mentioned playing music earlier. I am a big Spotify user and I'm listening to an amazing track called Easter Sunday.....here is the LINK.     






Happy Easter
xoxo
The Mess That Matters 

/#TBT....Austin, TX/

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Let's take it all the way back to last year in Austin, TX!

What an amazing trip that was. Austin is my absolute favorite place in the whole wide world. Why, you ask?
The culture, life, weather, food, not to mention their capital building is made of pink granite. Austin, Texas has it going on!

I am so excited to share with you the fun I had in the capital that stole my heart <3

MEMORIES + LANE:

It was 95 degrees and we had a random thunder storm in the middle of the day, so of course I started dancing in it! 
We don't have that kind of excitement in California! The best part was that I was not the only one dancing! People came out of restaurants and local shops and started to dance in the rain as well. It turned into an amazing memory that I will always treasure!

 FOOD + DRINK:

Rainy street is like a warm huge from your favorite aunt! 

There is this amazing ... amazing sausage and beer tavern on Rainy St. 
If you're ever in Austin, you must..must go there.
BANGERS is so delicious, that people actually get tattoos of their logo to honor this diamond in the rough!
They stand by their food so much that they will even pay for the tattoo!
Please check them out--->BANGERS
I ordered the Wit beer with their Tempura Eggplant & Red Bell Pepper Vegan Sausage. 
(P. S I don't eat red meat)
My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

I can still remember the feeling of home when I was here!


and, we can't forget about dessert. I was walking along Brazos St. when I stumbled across this ever so elegant building called The Driskill. 
The hostess told me that they had a small cafe and that I should try their double chocolate cupcake. 
This cupcake was so rich and creamy and moist I almost fainted. I remember face timing my mom to show her this moment of pure bliss. 

I think I texted my mom this picture and said, "Mom I have a problem"... 
She told me " Do 50 crunches, it helps with the guilt."


The time I spent in Austin, TX made me realize how much I loved traveling and exploring new cities.
I am so blessed to be able to live this life...and on that note... I am going to leave you with a picture of my favorite (pink) capital building!




/Sin City Bound/

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

I am so excited to start my Spring Break in Vegas! We are leaving on Friday and I just keep thinking about lying by the pool and dancing all night!
I haven't had a relaxing vacation in a few months and I feel that I deserve some fun in the sun, especially because I had to endure New York and Chicago in March ... Burr.
The main reason for this wonderful getaway is because my younger step-sister is turning 21!

I too celebrated my 21st in Vegas and I feel that it's almost a rite of passage. Awe to be 21 again.

Of course I've already started to think about what I want to pack. What's in my bag you ask ... well let us take a look.

First off let me start by saying that this WENGER carry on has been a true lifesaver in my travels. It's deep and stretchable material has gotten me through a lot of TSA inspections!




Here is the list for 4 days:
2 Bathing Suites
2 Types of sandals
1 Wedge Sandal
2 Sundresses
1 Maxi Dress
1 Statement Dress
1 Romper
2 Types of Shorts
3 Tops
2 Shorts
Scarf
Jacket 
Cover up
Sunblock
Glasses
Accessories (Rings, Earrings, Necklace, Bangles)





What are your favorites to bring to the city of sin?
Comment below! 






/New Me = New Blog/

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

 Anyone can agree that new is always better! 
Well, I decided it was time for my blog to get some pampering and with that came a whole new look. Comment below with a thumbs up or thumbs down and let me know how you feel about this new and improved look!

/Smoke free = 5K/

Monday, March 30, 2015

On February 28th, I made the hard decision to quit smoking.
Two days ago, I celebrated my ONE month of being SMOKE FREE, and it feels amazing!

This accomplishment has made me realize that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for, and that I can do anything I set my mind to!

To reward myself for this major milestone, I am going to do what I've been dreaming about since I first made the decision to stop smoking, I am going to run a 5K!

I know it's not that far, or hard, but to a smoker of 10 years, the idea of running for more that five minutes is like asking a fish to breathe without water.

 I am scared, but  thankful that I was athletic for most of my teenage years.  All those 5 am morning workouts for water polo, and 2 hour beach runs for volleyball sure paid off for something!

I am really counting on my muscle memory to help a sis-ta out!

I am going to post weekly about my progress and will call it Fitness Friday!

I need all the support I can get on this one, and hopefully I feel inspired to one day do a 10K or even a whole marathon.....but baby steps first!

Here is my GYM SCHEDULE for the first week!

Here goes nothing...




/Inspiration + Weekend/

Friday, March 27, 2015



This week has been especially hard for me. I've spent the last two weeks on the road and trying to get back into the swing of things at my other job has been more than draining. It's daylight savings time and jet lag all rolled into one for this girl!
So, I needed some inspiration to help me get through this weekend and get ready for Monday morning.

Here are my FOUR Favorite inspirational quotes PLUS a bonus one to prepare myself for the weekend!


















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