A Week in Review

1 // On Monday, I walked dogs. I have this awful fear of dogs, so that was pretty huge step for me. And the best part is - they didn't even try to kill me!

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2 // Kenny Chesney was in town for a concert on Wednesday! And a local radio station was throwing a pre-party, with performances by Kenny and a local country group called Leaving Austin (they were on America's Got Talent a while ago). Except there wasn't really a performance by Kenny. The advertising was misleading! Or maybe it wasn't and I just assumed Kenny would be there so that's what I told everyone... Fortunately, I can write it off as a blonde moment and no one questions it. A couple friends and I showed up 3 hours early to make sure we got spots (when Hunter Hayes came, the bar was packed!). We probably should have taken the fact that the bar was still practically empty an hour before the show as a sign Kenny wasn't actually performing...but we remained blindly optimistic. Leaving Austin was still good though! They had a lot of great covers, and I loved their original songs. I can't wait for them to get big!
Oh, and one of the workers at the restaurant bar ended up giving us our drinks for free, so that was kind of awesome.

3 // "Speed-dating" with the Chinese students was just as fun as it promised to be! Between the guy who refused to tell me his American name, trying to get me to say {more like butcher} his Chinese name instead, and the guy talking about his three girlfriends, there were a lot of laughs.

4 // Obviously the Royal Baby was a highlight - adorable!

5 // Hold the phone - I have a snapback. And that pretty much completes my wardrobe. I should be giving it a makeover soon...so check back for that sometime next week!

Friday I'm in Love

1//We made homemade bagels earlier this week. Slightly misshapen, but delicious nonetheless!

2//I sewed a pretty amazing cape as a favor for a skit.

3//Aren't they adorable? I get to go to the church Girl's Camp as a leader this year, which means I'm in charge of decorating the cabin for my girls. We're the "Emerald Sea Turtles", so I made enough turtles to almost make me sick of them.

4//I spent a day at the lake, crossing "kayaking" off of this year's bucket list! And, as an extra bonus, I finally got rid of the tan line from my running shorts. #success

 5//I downloaded GIMP (because it's free), and thus far I've managed to turn a nice photo into this beaut^.

This is what we call progress, people.

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Helloooooo, Friday

It's about time you got here.
Once again, I've missed a few Fridays...so this covers more than just this past week.

1// I took a trip to the snow! I love the snow.

No, really, I do!

2// I saw Beautiful Creatures. And now, for a movie review.
If you've read the book, don't see it. That can only lead to disappointment {as is usually the case}. If you haven't read the book...go read it. It's good, and then you don't have to see the movie.
I just saved you twelve bucks - you're welcome. Go splurge on frozen yogurt.

3// I spent a day in Berkeley...and I didn't see a single angry protester, and I wasn't approached by any crazies. Major disappointment.

4//Last Friday through Monday were spent in bed with the plague. The only thing better than staying in bed wearing sweatpants all day when you're sick...is doing the same thing when you're healthy. Too bad that never happens.

5// I just got home from Time Out for Women!!!!
And John Bytheway was there!!!

More about TOFW tomorrow...
Have a fabulous weekend, everybody!

P.S. This video...I die.

High FIVE for the Past Few Weeks!

I've been having MAJOR issues actually getting out a High Five for Friday post posted on Friday. I always forget about it until really late at night, and then there aren't any pictures to go with it, and I just decide to let it go. So here are five of the things that would've been on the past few weeks's posts...

1// After waiting and waiting and waiting - I finally saw Les Miserables! And it was stinking good! No, Hugh Jackman cannot sing, but I don't think that really affected anything at all. It really was great - I laughed, I cried, and I Dreamed a Dream and Do You Hear the People Sing? have been stuck in my head ever since. Speaking of which, watch this mash-up. You're welcome in advance.
(P.S. Who wants to tell me how they get videos to be big in their blog posts?)

2// Makeover secret: Switch the side your part is on! I'm actually pretty sure no one noticed but me, but it makes me feel like I got a whole new look!

3// I got flowers! Not a bouquet, though-a bush. A miniature rose bush, which happens to be my favorite kind. I'm pretty surprised the giver remembered that I have a thing for them. I would have a picture of them...but I kinda managed to kill the bush already. Whoops. 

4// Crossing stuff off my bucket list! I rode in a Shelby Cobra Mustang and had leftover pizza for breakfast.

5// I got all exposed skin painted red the other day...and I've never felt more beautiful. #yolo

So tell me - how have your weeks been?

High FIVE for Friday!

It's Friday. Well, that came out of nowhere. 

My last weekday out of classes...sigh.

But don't worry - I'll be living it up {by window shopping at the mall}.

Meanwhile, here are my top 5 from this week!

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#1) I saw The Hobbit! I've never been a Lord of the Rings fan {I've only read the books...and to be honest, they bored me to death. Don't get me wrong, it's gorgeous writing, just...so much of it seemed arbitrary. The last book in the trilogy was the only one that I really enjoyed}, but I did like The Hobbit as a book, and I'd say they did pretty well making it into a movie.

#2) Strawberry lemon sorbet frozen yogurt topped with pineapple...I die.

#3) It's 2013! I spent New Year's Eve with some of my favorite people, and started off 2013 with an early breakfast of waffles topped with ice cream. 

#4) I finally got my new header {courtesy of Shaina from Shadylane - check her out!} up! I'll still be tweaking the rest of the design for a while, but it feels good to practically have one of 2013's goals crossed off already!

#5) I went to a super-exciting baptism that everybody's been waiting for forever on Tuesday! And then proceeded to get miserably lost on the way home...but that's just me. Perpetually lost.

And that is just a bit of my pretty darn awesome week. 

I definitely finished off my winter break well!

fRiDaY - high fivin' it

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#1) Starbucks' White Hot Chocolate is reeeeally good. 'Nuff said.

{thank you for suggesting it, Haunani!}

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#2) My race yesterday went really well! I know I said the last race was my last this season, but this one snuck up on me. I wasn't supposed to qualify for it, but one of the qualifiers couldn't go, so I got bumped up a spot. And I'm glad I did - I ended up getting my best time of the season. Today's soreness is 100% worth it!

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#3) Listening to and singing along with my Gaelic playlist...

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#4) I went to a gun safety course Wednesday night - I'm getting ready to go shooting the Saturday after Thanksgiving!

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#5) One Direction's new album this week ... don't lie. You were way excited, too.

How have your weeks been? Anyone else crazy-excited for Thanksgiving next week???

P.S. I'm grateful for

+ the fact that it's Friday

+ that means I have a whole ... uh, one day to 

catch up on all my school work!

+ music that speaks to the soul {MoTab, anyone?}

High Five for Friday

This week has been a blur. A very long blur. Which is a contradiction...but that's just the type of week it's been.

1//4//5

#1) My nails make me want mint-colored clothing! {P.S....those aren't my nails. I didn't get to take a picture of mine. My nails don't look nearly that good, anyway.}

#2) BOOOOOOTS!!!!! DO you remember those boots that I was supposed to get, like, two weeks ago? Well, I didn't get them. But I just got this pair last night and they are AMAZING! Excuse me if I end up wearing them in every single outfit post I do from here on out...

#3) My card from Ann arrived! I'll be posting and linking up for Project Inspire hopefully today, but possibly tomorrow. It'll get done!

#4) Babysitting for the cutest baby ever on Wednesday - he looked like a baby doll, and he was an angel! 

#5) I'm going to a "harvest dance" tonight...whatever that entails. Lots of cowboy boots, I imagine. It sounds fun! 

Happy Friday, y'all!

It's Friday, Friday!

#1) Today is my last race of the season...it's definitely bittersweet.

#2) I won another giveaway - my luck is finally kicking in! This one's from Hope Squared, and I'm pretty ecstatic about it!!!!

#3) I'm really excited for Project Inspire {a card swap I signed up for through Hollie Takes Notes}. I finally sent my card out on Monday {which was the last possible day...I've known about this for, like, a month. I'm such a procrastinator}, and I can't wait for Ann to get it! I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my card, too.

#4) I'm no longer make-up-less! {check out my guest post on Jen's blog for more about that} A quick trip to the drug store was all it took...

#5) Ditching school, hanging out at a bar...and seeing HUNTER HAYES! More about this later - for now, just know that it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm linking up with Lauren today!

Who else has had an amazing week???

Friday is SOO My FAVORITE!

1//4//5

#1) Friday is my favorite on a whole new level now. It's not even because it's the end of the week anymore. It's because of the BEST idea EVER created by men...has anyone heard of "Tie Friday". If you haven't, you are missing out so much that I could cry for you {okay, so not really, but really, it's amazing}. 

Tie Friday = guys in ties. 

This may not sound very impressive, but if you could just see how nicely some of them clean up...Friday would take on a whole new level of awesomeness for you, too.

#2) I HAD MY FIRST CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE OF THE SEASON ON THIS MORNING! Next, Starbucks' Salted Caramel hot chocolate...

#3) I won a giveaway at The Sapphire Bee...what!

#4) I've got a TON of work to do this weekend - and that's great because, um, I'm learning.

#5) I'm getting a pair of much-coveted riding boots tomorrow! I think. If all goes well. I'm crossing my fingers and toes!

I hope you all had an amazing Friday!

High Five for FRIDAY!

#1) New shooooes! I had my new running shoes just sitting out in my room after I bought them, just so they could make me happy all over again when I saw them!

#2) I'm running another race today! Hopefully it'll be better than last week...

#3) I was sick , but now I'm not!

#4) I'm thankful for people who push me even when I don't.

#5) It was Stake Conference last Sunday - the speakers were great!

*sorry - pictures are coming soon, I promise!!

H54F

//three//five//

one. I love Taylor Swift's new single!I totally can't relate at all, but it's such a fun song!

two. I get more joy than can possibly be normal from this skirt.

three. I'm going ice skating tonight for the first time in...seven years! Wish me luck!

four. Last night I was messaging back and forth with a friend of mine, and he was sending me all of these really great Christian songs. Hillsong Live is a really amazing group...I teared up several times. It was the coolest online conversation I've had in a while.

five. Yesterday, two people whom I love very mucho were finally able to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if I had been there...

Have a great Friday!

H54TLFOMSB

or, High Five for the Last Friday of My Summer Break.

Yeah.

Classes start Wednesday.

I'm trying reeeeally hard to be all positive about it, but it's kinda hard.  This year promises to be the toughest so far, and I'm a wee bit nervous, but I've got this! I am going to be just fine. Absolutely, 100% amazing. 

I am going to be praying more this year than I ever have in my life.

#1) My trip was absolutely amazing! As soon as I get pictures (and possibly sooner if people don't put them up on Facebook fast enough!), you will be hearing more about it than you might ever want to ... but it was just so stinking fabulous!

#2) So I come home from my little beach trip and I see this, and I just party. Seriously - 10 followers is so much more than it sounds like! Especially when you start a blog figuring that you're just writing it for yourself. It's a huge milestone for me. Thank you guys so much - it really does mean a lot!

#3) When kids go crazy decorating cupcakes.....

#4) I registered for classes yesterday. Yippee. I actually am kind of excited, in a way.

#5) I went to the dentist's for the first time in, like, a year. Oops. I've been going to the same office for forever - the dental-assistant-lady who cleaned my teeth yesterday was the same one who did it when I was eight years old! Crazy stuff...


Have a crazy awesome day! Don't forget who you are, and how much you mean to everyone in your life - and how much you mean to your Heavenly Father. I heard this cool quote the other day:

Thank GOOSENESS It's Friday!

//1//4//

#1) The fact that it's Friday means that we're one day closer to being DONE with August. 

{Okay, I just decided that I'm going to need to do a post about my top 10 favorite things about August, because that is a BAD attitude to have}

#2) Daycation the Second yesterday - we went to the Chabot Museum in Oakland and, of course, stopped by the temple :)

#3) I've been reading Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. There is so going to be a more in depth post about it later, but for now, I'd just like to say that it is amazing - and Jesus most definitely is the Christ! 

#4) The Olympics! Everything about them is fabulous. I love the athletes's crazy determination and skills! Watching the games is totally addictive. The biggest lie I've told myself every day this week is "I'll stop after this round(or match/game, whatever) is done....."

#5) My toenails are really very sparkly.

{ha-you know it's August when that is a highlight of my week....}

{gah! sorry! I'll get to work on that "why I love August" post right now!}

Have a wonderful, fabulous, out-of-this-world Friday!

It's FRIDAYYYY!?!

Linking up with Lauren for HIGH 5 FOR FRIDAY!

This week has gone by way too quickly! Don't get me wrong; I love the fact that it's Friday...but can I have, like, three more Fridays after this one? To get everything done? Sound good? Great.

images 2, 4 & 5 are all off of Pinterest ... I don't remember where from exactly, but gimme some slack?

#1) Santa Cruz day trip yesterday! More about that tomorrow...

#2)  By becoming the answer to someone's prayer, we often find the answers to our own.

DIETER F. UCHTDORF

And isn't it lovely?

#3) I am loving my red pencil skirt to death. I'm going to have to whip up another one - I do have a gray shirt just sitting around...

#4) My friend's brother got home from his mission this week! I don't actually know him, but it was definitely a highlight of my week. I can't believe it's already been two years...it doesn't feel like it at all. But I've loved hearing his stories - maybe now I'll actually meet him sometime!

#5) Romans 15:4 - It's so true! And it works like crazy. I am soooo glad to have the scriptures in my life!


Happy Friday - make the most of the weekend! I'll be cramming in all the work I possibly can, and doing a temple session tomorrow. Bliss!

High 5 for Friday... {YUM} Edition!

This time around, it's all about food. There's been so much of it this week, and it's all been so good!

#1) I woke up early the other day to make...chocolate chip pancakes! A girl's got to indulge every once in a while!

#2) Cheap kiwis make me happy - cause then we get tons! How do you eat your kiwis? I eat them with a spoon, like you would eat a cantaloupe. Is that weird?

#3) SALSA! Wimpy not-so-spicy-cause-I-can't-handle-that salsa, but still salsa. 

#4) Fresh pasta salad - the only thing that could have made it better would have been tomatoes. Too bad the tommy-toes in the garden are still puny...they're getting there!

#5) Strawberries....yum. I'll put whatever fruit we have on an English muffin!

It's all so stinkin' GOOD!

P.S. Is this not the cutest ipad case EVER?

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You could win one! Check out the giveaway at Adventures in Dressmaking!

High Five for Friday!

Linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk today with a High Five for Friday post!

After a week spent enjoying nature {which, by default, includes being dirty}, it was nice to be home again - clean and well rested.

#1) Fresh fruit all. the. time. is most definitely my favorite part of summer. Berries on English muffins...on pancakes...on yogurt...on everything!

#2) This is actually from last week, but whatever! During my week in the woods, I got to go hiking. This was my biggest hike yet, in terms of intensity, not distance. See that itty-bitty pinkish speck on top {hint: it's the one that has an arrow-ish-thing pointing at it}? That's me!

 cut off and ugly ruffly thing along
the bottom and cut out the built-in bra

cut off the sleeves and took in the sides

#3) & #4) I love that blogging...or, rather, that reading other people's blogs...has taught me that just because an item of clothing doesn't fit me right, that doesn't mean it's a goner! Yesterday I took scissors to a couple of shirts that I kind of hated, and now they're wearable! Of course I didn't take "before" pictures, so you just have to imagine your own. They were bad, if that helps.

via, re-sized by me

#5) Soooooo, obviously I'm having issues settling on a blog design. This is, what, my third one since starting this blog in April? It's so hard! I'm torn between the shabby chic that I love and is very much me and the clean, modern style that I lovelovelove on other blogs. I've just got to find a way to marry them. The problem is, I may never settle. This may end up being like my room, which I redecorate every couple of months.

So now I have a serious question: As a reader, is it bothersome for the design of a blog to be constantly changing? It doesn't bother me, but what do you guys think?

Here's to a fabulous weekend!