Happy Halloweenie!

I wanted to dress up for work today, so I decided who better to dress as than my boss, Kip. Obviously you might find this much more amusing if you knew her, but I wanted to share anyway.

Here's my best attempt at Kip - sitting at her desk and all! In case you're wondering, she caught on the moment she stepped foot into the office this morning. Costume success!

Just call me Kip 2.0

I've been told that Halloween is a huge spectacle in West Hollywood, so I'm looking forward to experiencing it. Check back tomorrow for the costume I threw together - last night! (Nothing like waiting until the last minute. I guess that's what happens when your Catwoman costume doesn't arrive on time - shucks! However, the backup plan turned out pretty well I must say.)

Happy Halloween!

xx

Mallorie

Look at me, Mom and Dad!

My picture and bio are finally up on KMA's website, making me an OFFICIAL employee! I get a lot of grief from my mom and dad about whether or not I am actually working out here. Now I have proof!

I graduated from Iowa State University in May; however, I had to complete a second internship to meet the requirements for my journalism and mass communications degree. The internship began in June and ended in August, which is also when I became an official college graduate. September 3rd, marked my first day as a publicist at Kip Morrison and Associates. My two-month anniversary is coming up, and I can finally prove to my parents that I do indeed have a job :) Check it out! http://kipmorrison.com/team/

Like I've told them before, I would not be where I am today without their unconditional love and support. I'm very lucky to have two parents who cheer me on in all aspects of life. They have never told me "no," or that I could not do something. Instead, they embrace all of my hopes and dreams and encourage me to reach my full potential. They also keep me very grounded, always reminding me of the most important things in life - faith, family and friends. After all, achieving your dreams would not be possible without the good Lord above, nor would it be nearly as rewarding without good people in your life to share in your successes.

So, thank you Mom and Dad - this is for you!

xx
Mallorie

Monday Moment

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --Unknown

I recently came across that quote and thought to myself, "Wow, that makes complete sense." We seem to spend so much time and put so much pressure on "finding" ourselves. In reality, we should be focusing on creating the self we wish to be. They say life is about the journey not the destination. If we believe this to be true, which I personally do, we should worry less about finding ourselves and more about creating ourselves throughout our journey called life. It's simply making a shift in the way we view the situation - getting less wrapped up in the idea of discovery and become more focused on the idea of creation.

This is a beautiful thing, because I no longer need to put pressure on the impossible task of finding myself. After all, I could spend my entire life trying and never succeeding. Instead, I will focus more on living in the moment and creating myself through my actions and experiences. Taking each day as it comes and creating purpose to my existence in this big, big world in which I live.

That is my Monday Moment.
Here's to creation - cheers!

xx
Mallorie

Friday Flashback: Moving to LA

On Fridays, I've decided I'll do a flashback from this past summer. I figure it only makes sense to start in chronological order, so today's post is about my journey from Iowa to California.

On May 29th, my dad and I pulled out of our driveway with a car so full that we barely had room for ourselves. I remember how strange it felt seeing my entire life squeezed into my little two-door car. (OK, let's be honest... it wasn't my ENTIRE life, but pretty darn close!) Regardless, I was very excited (and nervous) about the journey, both literally and figuratively speaking, that was ahead of me. As we headed south on Highway 69, I was leaving behind everything that was familiar and safe for something completely new and challenging. (In retrospect, I can hardly believe how far I've come from that afternoon in May. As I continue to post updates and flashbacks you will get a better idea of what I mean.)

At the time I could only think about the long 27-hour drive that we were tackling head-on. I was actually very excited that I was spending the next few days with my dad. Those who know him know that he's a man of very few words. He usually sits quietly taking it all in while letting others do most of the talking. However, I have learned over the years that when he does say something, it's very valuable information - a life lesson of some sort; his perspective based on his experiences. (Let's not forget his corny jokes in between!) Some of our best conversations have taken place during extended car rides, which was why I was looking forward to all the time we would have together. As I get older, I'm learning to value the little things... I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Dad and me.

The drive was long, yes, but also very beautiful. Road trips are without a doubt the best way to see the gorgeous country in which we live! Our journey took us through 7 states in 2 days - from Iowa to Nebraska to Colorado to Utah to the tip of Arizona to Nevada and FINALLY California. (Wow! I'm exhausted just thinking about it!) As a picture taking fanatic, I documented the entire trip. The photos don't do the sights justice, but enjoy!

We made it to Nebraska!

Colorado here we come

Colorful Colorado

Historic Argo Gold Mine in Idaho Springs, CO

Well that's really reassuring...

Summer snow in the mountains

Experiencing a little pressure

I couldn't get enough of the mountains!

Amazing!

Goodbye Colorado, we're moving on to Utah!

"Life Elevated" (literally!) in Utah

Breathtaking view coming down the pass

We were surprised to see this!

Arizona at dusk

More magnificent mountains

Vegas here we come!

We got a little caught up driving through Vegas, consequently missing every possible hotel we could have stayed at that night. After miles of nothing we stumbled on this little beauty...

A casino out in the middle of nowhere.

But hey, it had a 24-hour buffet!

We had two options: Stay at this place or drive back to Vegas. Not wanting to back track, we chose option #1 and got a good laugh out of it. 

"Welcome to California" (FINALLY!)

See you soon Los Angeles!

We had accumulated a few bugs by this point.

WE MADE IT!

My new summer home - 1454 Reeves Street

(Notice Dad and Black Sheep parked out front.) :)

And that's the picture summary of my journey to Los Angeles. (I have officially been here for 22 weeks and counting. Time really does fly!)

Thanks for reading!

xx

Mallorie

More About Matt

I realized I dropped Matt quite nonchalantly in the second post, so here's a little more about him...

A friend of mine from Chi Omega was living in the OC this summer for an internship. Her boyfriend was doing an internship here, as well. One weekend she came up to LA - a friend of hers from home was visiting, so everyone stayed with me at my apartment. Matt, originally from Montana, had been living in LA for a little over a year finishing film school and pursuing his lifelong dream of a career in the industry. Anyway, my friend's boyfriend invited Matt over that weekend, which is how we met.

The first thing I noticed about Matt was his great personality - he has a great sense of humor unlike anyone I have ever met, and his love for life is completely contagious. Although I didn't foresee a relationship, I have so much fun whenever I'm with him. We became great friends over the summer taking day trips to the beach, listening to music I had never heard before, eating Ben & Jerry's and bonding over our mutual obsession for Batman. Matt was such a blessing to me as I made the transition to my new life in LA. One weekend when I was especially homesick, he invited me over for steak and corn on the cob. Although it wasn't Iowa beef or Grimes' Peaches n' Cream sweet corn, the gesture was incredibly sweet and thoughtful. I feel very blessed to have such a great friend in a place where everything is new and unfamiliar.

I guess the best relationships typically start as friendships. So here we are, one month in to our very unexpected relationship. The funny thing is we could not be more different from one another, but that's probably why this works so well. We make up for each other's weaknesses and compliment one another nicely. Enough with the boring stuff! Here a few pictures:

The weekend we met.

Matt, me, Amy, Katie (my friend) and Aaron (Katie's boyfriend.)

"Family Night"

Steak and corn-on-the-cob.

(Ignore the hot tub hair.)

Watching the Cyclones BEAT the Hawkeyes... Again.

At a Dodgers baseball game

A work event at Versace in Beverly Hills

One last funny picture...

 No idea what the wrinkled nose was about, but this cracks me up.

So there you have it. Thanks for reading!

xx

Mallorie

Skydiving In My Skivvies

Less than a month from now I will be jumping out of a plane wearing nothing but underwear. On Saturday, November 17, I will join Esme & Eve Los Angeles founders Jennifer Hoffman and Marisa Gallegos, along with four other courageous women, to take a leap of faith (literally).

The group jump is part of the Be Bold. Take the Leap. initiative. It’s Esme & Eve’s call to action for women everywhere to face their fears, take a risk and push against whatever is holding them back from carrying out their dreams. The jump out of the plane wearing virtually nothing symbolizes the bold action of letting go and moving on with one’s life. Each of the seven women will “take the leap” for herself and for other women like her.

Jennifer and Marisa

The jump that inspired it all.

Meet a Few of the Women:

Jennifer Hoffman

- Photographer, Co-Founder of Esme & Eve

- In August 2011, Jennifer's marriage ended when she was hospitalized from being beaten by her now estranged husband. She is jumping for women, like herself, who have been victims of domestic violence.

Marisa Gallegos

- Photographer, Co-Founder of Esme & Eve

- A few years ago Marisa found out her father had a stroke and multiple Myeloma. Three short weeks later he passed away; meanwhile, her serious relationship at the time was ending. Marisa is jumping to show women that something beautiful can be born from the darkest moments.

Rachel Elizabeth Murray

-  Fitness Expert and Nutritional Coach

- In the summer of Rachel’s junior year in college she was raped. When her anger and shame became desperation and self-destruction, Rachel turned to her faith, her family and fitness for healing. She is jumping for women who have been assaulted, proving that personal growth is possible in the face of tragedy and hardship.

Aban Sonia 

- Creative Director for Artisans Agency

- Aban grew up in a household where physical abuse, substance abuse and sheer violence were a part of her day-to-day life. For years the internal, emotional damage weighed down on her making it hard to appreciate her many accomplishments. Although those around her caused the damage, Aban realized she was the only one with the capacity to heal the pain. She is jumping for women damaged by someone they love, showing them life’s circumstances and fear do not have to define your present or your future.

So you might be wondering why on earth I'm doing this crazy jump or where I might fit into this. Well, nearly four years ago my world came crashing down when a verbally abusive relationship spiraled out of control. With the love and support of my amazing mother, family and friends, (and by the grace of God) I was able to recover from a very dark time in my life. I'm jumping for young women, like myself, who feel trapped and alone in an unhealthy relationship.

(I continue to joke about whether "Depends" will fit under my undies. I'm thrilled to be a part of this, but I get nervous butterflies every time I think about it. I've always wanted to skydive, and this definitely seems like the perfect reason to do it! Life is short, so why wait?)

More about Esme & Eve:

Couture and boudoir converge in fine art images at Esme and Eve Los Angeles. Named for the classical icons of love and creation, the company is the brainchild of two best friends and professional photographers on a mission: to portray authentic women at their most beautiful…confident, elegant and effortlessly sexy. The resulting museum quality images are timeless, tasteful and make exquisite gifts for both recipient and giver. www.esmeandeve.com

E&E was the very first account I was given to work on at KMA, so I hold them very near and dear to my heart. Not only did I gain amazing clients, I gained two lifelong friends. I often refer to Jennifer and Marisa as the older sisters I never had. Their friendship means a lot to me, and I feel very blessed to have them in my life.

Here's a fun little article posted about the jump on LAist.com: http://laist.com/2012/10/19/skydive_in_your_underwear_with_be_b.php. Very exciting! Please pray for more press to come - this is an amazing initiative that deserves attention.

Thanks for reading! It means a lot to me!

xx

Mallorie

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend was both relaxing (Saturday) and eventful (Sunday). After two events, one on Thursday and one on Friday, I was in need of some R&R. Thursday's event was the relaunch of the patio at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills. (Check out the hotel here.) Friday's event was a charity fundraiser hosted by our client, plastic surgeon Michael K. Obeng, for Breast Reconstruction Awareness. Dr. Obeng's non-profit medical service organization, R.E.S.T.O.R.E Worldwide Inc., provides free reconstructive surgery and related medical services to children and adults with disfiguring deformities from birth, accidents and diseases. It's amazing what he does for others less fortunate than himself. (Watch this video to see just exactly what R.E.S.T.O.R.E does. Be prepared to shed a tear! It's a very moving piece.)

 Centerpiece from "Forever Femme" event. Pink for breast cancer.

Saturday morning I was up by 8 a.m. to go to "un-boot camp" at UCLA's Drake Stadium. I've been going to un-boot camp for over a month now. It's 30 minutes of high intensity training - a great workout AND only 30 minutes! (That's the best part!) The class is held by Rachel Elizabeth Murray, fitness expert and nutrition coach. She recently moved to LA from Seattle and is working hard to establish reestablish herself. Rachel has become a close friend and someone I admire. See why by going to her website: http://causefitness.com/. 

Needless to say, after the class (and a nice hot shower) I was pooped! I spent Saturday napping and relaxing. That night I decided to walk down to The Grove for a little shopping. (Curious what The Grove looks like? Check it out! http://www.thegrovela.com/) Right now The Grove has "Ag-Venture Land" for kids complete with live animals, cow milking and pooper scooping! The sights and smells made me feel like I was back home in Iowa. I will definitely be back to feed the little animals in the petting zoo!

Sunday was LA Magazine's "The Food Event" at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu. One of our clients, The Republic of Laughter Cafe, had a booth, so we were there to make sure everything ran smoothly. However, the real benefit was sampling food and wines from various restaurants and vineyards around LA. There were so many delicious dishes from seared tuna to goat cheese to short-ribbed grilled cheese. I had to laugh to myself thinking that if this event were happening in Iowa, the food would be a lot more hearty. Regardless, it was a great event complete with great food and breathtaking sights. While the pictures don't quite do the ranch justice, they'll give you a little bit of an idea.

Excited for The Food Event! (L to R: Me, Kelly and Sylva)

The little door leading to... The Food Event at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu

Zebras at Saddlerock Ranch!

I overheard a woman call this camel a llama. Really?! Not even close!

Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu

Kelly, Sylva and I at The Food Event.

So many tents!

Chef Govind hard at work for ROFL Cafe (our client).

(His short rib grilled cheese has been on Oprah!)

The plates held your silverware, food and wine! Brilliant!

Yummy food!

Relaxing by the pretty little pond.

Beautiful lounge area.

Sylva and I feeling very full after sampling so many delicious foods!

After the event Matt, his writing partner/roommate/friend Keenan, and I got in the Halloween spirit with pumpkin carving! Check out our great designs below. Side note: For those of you wondering, Matt and I met by chance through friends. (Matt happens to be friends with my friend's boyfriends.) He and I met not long after I moved here and became great friends over the summer. It wasn't until recently, about a month ago to be exact, that we began dating. Anyways, keep scrolling for pumpkin carving pictures!

Artists at work... Feeling festive!

Finished product! Batman by me, Ron Swanson by Matt and The Big Bad Wolf by Keenan.

A close-up of my Batman carving.

That's all for now. Sorry for the delay between posts. I will work on that.
Thanks for reading!

xx

Mallorie

Here Goes Nothing...

My name is Mallorie Sheldahl, and I moved to Los Angeles at the end of May. I grew up in small town Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University. Faith, family and friends are the three most important things in my life. I also love following fashion trends, traveling to new places, taking lots of pictures, trying new foods, living an active and healthy lifestyle, reading entertainment news, watching football, learning new things and laughing along the way. I am continuously striving to live life in the moment and not to take myself too seriously. (Some things are easier said than done.)

My beautiful younger sister Mollie and me. We both graduated in May 2012!

Having lived in LA for a little over three months now (wow time flies!) I have realized it's difficult to stay in touch with everyone. DSM to LAX was started as a way to keep my family and friends updated on my new LA life. For those who are interested and wondering what I'm up to on the west coast, I will do my best to keep my "online journal" as up-to-date as possible. Bare with me. There are sure to be changes and adjustments as I am new to this whole blog thing. Here goes nothing...

Please check back for updates! I will be doing a recap of my summer very soon. Thanks for reading!

xx

Mallorie