life's a garden... dig it

so long

2011-08-07T22:21:00.002-04:00

... farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu

(adieu, adieu... to you and you and you)

once upon a time there was a tiny blogger girl. she loved all things blogger and she blogged her little heart out in her own little blog garden, but then the terrible.awful. happened.

big bad google+ came and stomped on all her pretty blogging.

she knew she had to rebuild, but she also knew this would not be easy. the time had come to say goodbye.

so the tiny blogger girl started over. with a little help she made something brand new.

& she blogged happily every after.

this little blogger girl is scooting on. come see my new home

vespa tales

sunning

2011-08-03T22:20:00.001-04:00

in 6 days I'll be in california...

soaking up some much needed sun.

Ill also be shooting some mini sessions.
email me if you are interested.

matchy matchy

2011-08-03T17:36:00.001-04:00

anyone know where I can get a good brush set??

{not one of the 4 piece promo sets, but a good 12-15er}

I have weird thing about wanting all the same brushes.

Im strange, I know.

side note: when we moved to the new place I tricked jordan into taking two different trips to bed, bath, and beyond to get enough of the right kind of hanger. I was determined to have a closet with the same matching black hangers.

needless to say i think jordan got a whole new understanding of what he got himself into after our first official move together.

baby f

2011-07-31T14:17:00.000-04:00

see more here.

another 365 days

2011-07-26T19:30:00.001-04:00

via

happy birthday love of mine.

lets celebrate!

a single battle lost, but not the war

2011-07-20T17:11:00.004-04:00

so google plus is supposed to bethe latest and greatest right? so when I got an invite, I signed up, thinkingoh another fun google thing... whatever. then I noticed there was a link topicassa web albums. I’d never used them before so when I saw there were a bunchof albums with all my blog's photos in it I was confused. I thought google+must have copied all these photos from my google blogger account… I don’treally want these on my google+ account. so I proceeded to delete all theunwanted albums.

the secret is...

when you upload an image throughblogger it is hosted in picassa web albums, deleting those albums broke all thelinks to every image I had ever posted.

{translation every image I'd everposted was now a tiny blue box with a question mark}

painful. so very painful.

I just had to die for a fewminutes for the hours of work I’d put into my blogs. I mean blood.sweat.tears.

it was all gonzo. this teeny tinylittle corner of the giant www is myplace and it means somethingto me. something big. even though it means next to nothing to most everyoneelse, it was a haven for me. a therapy.

and now it is oh so broken. if iam really being truthful it is was not a sadness for the loss of my years ofblogging, but a sadness for all the losses I've had these past few months. Itwas the last straw.

it was sadness and tiredness. Ifelt 100% spent.

and then God stepped in. I couldsense Him touching my life through others.

melissa sent me this postto read

”Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemedyou.

I’ve called your name. You’remine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, youwill not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, itwon’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, yourSavior. I paid a huge price for you:

(from the sanctified pearl blog)

and very slowly my heart startedbeating again.

and I was humbled like I havenever been before.

because I know that he has called my name, that these rough waters will notbring me down. I am beginning to truly understand the healing power thatcan come from simply having gratitude.

so now I am rebuilding day by day…post by post and I know that I am not alone.

l&M: very married

2011-07-19T21:41:00.001-04:00

see it all here

hey, ya know what is nice...

2011-07-13T17:17:00.002-04:00

waking up early and taking your sweet time getting ready.

this morning was so nice:
chatted with jordan, got a few t.i.b.s items of business checked off my list, and even curled my hair.

too bad I suck at getting up and this whole morning leisure thing will probably never happen again. today was just a fluke.
boo.
on the other hand when you are trying to stay asleep sleep masks (see above) are the bestest. I have three and they've helped me sleep for years. you laugh but Im telling ya they are crucial.

xxoo

thank goodness for the swedes

2011-07-12T17:16:00.002-04:00

so let me lay it out for you

apt = shoebox

selling all our old furniture = shopping time

first stop = ikea

which set the weekend up pretty nicely (see photos below):

took moving truck to new neighborhood

unloaded all our crap

ate late night pizza

unpacked some more (nice face jray)

built some stuff

more unpacking (went for some rides)

the place is still a disaster

naturally we went in for about 3 things and we left ikea with about 79. we actually decided we need some more stuff during check-out so we took one load out, put it in the car, went back in, and did the whole thing again. by the end of it both J and I wanted to just sleep in the showroom.

after we got the 12 hours of ikea behind us things started shaping up and coming together.

of course J did all the building while I did all the organizing... J somehow seemed to think he was getting away with something with that deal, but I felt the same way.

.win.win.

and to top it all off in the midst of the building J stopped, called to me in the kitchen and said "hey motocon (one of the current odd nicknames we've been using), I'd wouldn't want to be married to anyone but you"

not sure why he said it or what he was thinking about, but I'll take it.

home is where the heart is

here we are

2011-07-07T17:10:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it is already July.

I feel like I was aching for the summer to come and now it is slipping away so fast, but doesn't it always...

it rained today too. that was rude.

but the sun is coming out and I can see it shining
(along with a glimmer of hope that everything is going to work out)

tomorrow is moving day number two. which means we will pile in twice the amount of the stuff than can actually fit in our apartment, unpack it all so I can get rid of the boxes, and then try to get furniture and paint before a few months fly by.
Im anxious.hopeful.excited.nervous
{all at once}

the last few weeks I've been drooling over pictures of beautiful interiors and thinking "oh how I wish my home could look like that" then I decided "what the heck"
it can look however I want it.
why shouldn't my home be any less the dreamy even if it is a shoebox? I finally have a brand new clean slate to work with and if I kills me I'm going to turn it into a place I am proud of.

for the longest time I've just whipped things together just so there was something there, with my home, my hair, my meals... my life has been a series of get it done. sure I made some things happen, but I feel like all I produced was a bunch of mediocre stuff instead of something really great. Im just smooshed together with good intentions and no patience which only makes for a big modge podge of who knows what barely sticking together.

well...
"times are a changin"

Im on a new adventure of refining. a rededication to slowing down and doing things right. because after all
"If you don't have the time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?" Coach John Wooden

vistors

2011-07-06T19:22:00.001-04:00

part of living away from home (in a tourist city) means loads of visitors... not kidding we have someone here almost once a month.

in june we had justin (jordan's bother), his wife jessica, and baby owen in town.

we've loved having our family visit since we are both so far from home.
here is a photog recap of the weekend

of course we hit up soho and did some shopping. I love to find treasures... sometimes a lot of the street vendor stuff is boring, but this one had lots of good stuff!

it was a success :)
I love uniqlo... it sorta reminds me of primark (one of my staples in londontown) hit or miss but most of the time you can get a few great gems for next to nothing

then we stopped at our fav ( la escina ) for tacos and corn. YUM
this is one of those meals that ALWAYS sound good to me... anyone else have those?

you bet I gave him a hug!

we decided to make lunch true perfection by polishing off our tacos with a toasted marshmallow shake.
one of the best treats the city has to offer hands down.

then we walked down to washington square park to people watch and cool our feet in the fountain

owen had a ball in the water

really he couldn't been any cuter!

isn't this cool... the artist was making it out of colored sand. I was impressed.

we carried on to highline park for a little sight-seeing

after that we all walked over to chelsea market

on sunday we went to church and then to central park

owen seriously liked jordan (probably because he thought he was justin)

the weather was heavenly the whole time they were here. ok thats a lie... it was a total storm the first day they got here but it didn't cause too much damage to the plans so Im calling it good.

we toured, ate lots, played, shopped, and the boys even babysat so jess and I could go see a musical that our sweet mother in law treated us to. it was a fantastic weekend, we are so happy justin is going to USC dental school and we'll get to have them in CA!

thx for stopping by

lately...

2011-07-05T20:42:00.003-04:00

I saw catch me if you can with my sister-in-law & recognized the lead from gossip girl.
also saw this guy and LOVED him.

went with some of the gang to see hg in the hospital (next day the little angel below joined us)

when we left the hospital we discovered some punks had tried to take the combs scooter! sadly there was some damage, but lucky for us they left behind their bike and crystal ball :)

we had a lucky day when this little lady bug landed on jordan's tie while we were drivin on the scoot.

we spent some time with family

we said goodbye to our first apartment with one last bbq. I guess I'm kinda sad to say goodbye to our place now that I think about it, but don't doubt that feeling will subside once we actually get into our new home.
{home is where you make it}

& we've been enjoying summer fruit & flowers

sunday share.hustle

2011-07-03T12:44:00.000-04:00

"Things may come to those who wait... but only the things left by those who hustle"

- Abraham Lincoln

beams of sun

2011-07-02T10:21:00.001-04:00

tomorrow is my last day teaching these little angels at church before the move is official.

I miss them already

style-a-thon shoot

2011-07-01T17:18:00.033-04:00

you may recognize nat and baby henry from here
this time I captured her effortless chic style for the SAKURA BLOOM STYLEATHON.

check out her blog and follow the style-a-thon, you won't be sorry.

xxoo

fire

2011-06-29T18:44:00.002-04:00

//fifth ave//

"Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it."
— Candace Bushnell

baby o

2011-06-27T20:15:00.002-04:00

see the whole shoot here

sunday share. worthy

2011-06-26T12:35:00.002-04:00

moving.

2011-06-25T09:35:00.004-04:00

we are packing up and shipping out.
by shipping out I just mean moving a matter of blocks from one shoebox to another.

& while I'm at it I'm taking this blog to new heights too.
a relocation of sorts to some brand new greatness.

pardon me while I up root my life and take it else where.

stay tuned

defined

2011-06-23T17:43:00.002-04:00

there have been some life changes for my family & I the last month or two.
//so much going on//
and no Im not pregnant

It's made me think a lot about who I am and who has been apart my life.
for good or bad I know I'm made up of those people who have touched my life.

there are some I'll will never forget and some who's memories seem to be melting away.
some were important and others just important lessons.
they've all had a part in shaping me.

lately I can't help but wonder
//& hope//
have I been as important to them (to anyone) as the people who have imprinted my life have been to me?

there are just some people who stay with you (change you) and make up a tiny part of who you are.
the ones you love, the ones who have loved you
I want to believe I make up a tiny part of the people who matter to me too. That I have had some kind of positive impact, I've helped them in some way. because as I move through this more challenging part of my life
I'm finding out what matters to me.

//cherishing the good people in your life//

sunday share.needs

2011-06-19T21:57:00.004-04:00

"That's the thing about needs, sometimes when you get them met, you don't need them anymore."
-Carrie Bradshaw

feminine

2011-06-17T18:31:00.002-04:00

We all have demons. Mine chase after me at night when the house falls quiet and my mind begins to rest. There in the shadows my demons lie, soft and beguiling, ready to ensnare. Doubt. Vanity. With furtive smiles and drumming fingertips they feast on my virtue until I am hollowed and empty.

I try to quench the demons with words of encouragement but that only feeds them. I attempt to outrun them in service but they never leave my side. I am embarrassed by them and thus my doubt is fed, giving birth to a vanity that grows and growls.

Being a woman is incredibly difficult. Isn't it though? We are conditioned from all sides to be perfection in form, tiny and lithe, shapely legs, slender torsos, elegant shoulders and graceful necks, youthful features and flowing hair. Inside we are ravaged by diets and worries, binges and purges, shopping and guilt, holding up our personal models on pedestals and knowing their perfection can never be reached because it never even existed. The failings that rage inside of me are inside of you all the same.

Being a woman is incredibly complex. To be so fragile, at the whim of a stronger man's desires, yet to be so strong, so capable of influence. In the juxtaposition we sometimes flounder, putting emphasis on what cannot be controlled and ignoring what positive change we can effect. I think all the time that I will be happy once this is tighter or that is slimmer. I will find peace when my hair lays a certain way or if I can just master the perfectly lined eye. I think that I can finally find myself in the right make up of exterior trimmings. The obvious truth is that this path leads nowhere and too far down this road and we will be lost to ourselves forever. It is obvious truth but sometimes I still can't see it.

Some days I want to trade it in and roam free as spirit instead. I want to escape my boundaries and be nothing but light and love, no visage to be seen but just feelings to impress. Or Heidi Klum. That could be good, too. This body of mine is just too constricting, too many limitations. My outsides will never do justice to my insides; my inner is smothered by the trappings of the outer. In moments where I catch myself fresh-faced and happy in reflection I also catch a terror that it will inevitably leave me; my face will retain water, my clothes will tug in the wrong parts, my color will wane, this cannot be, this cannot last.

Rather than find peace in the fallible of these bones and organs we often mistakenly assume the answer can still be found without.

And so we continue to search, but all we find are demons.

- nat the fat rat

took the words right out of my mouth
...

It never occurred to me until college to think about how my body really looked and when that thought sprung up in my head it never went away. In fact it just grew at an alarming rate. It's a constant battle.

“I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.”

-carrie bradshaw

but I wouldn't want to be anybody else.

xxoo

"youre so blog right now"

2011-06-16T18:13:00.003-04:00

tales from the instax mini camera:

the desert

2011-06-15T17:21:00.001-04:00

ok lots to re-cap on here. be prepared.

the trip to UT/AZ

first I got to spend some time at Keri's house. which included horses, last day of school for the kids, bath times, movies, baseball games, and packing up for AZ.

Keri and I took the kids to see Rio and baby B was mesmerized. It was so cute.

I was so glad I got to spend some time in Blanding. That little minuscule town has a special place in my heart. Then we trekked it down to Phoenix to meet up with the rest of the fam.

baby B was obsessed with the stairs at the hotel.

we seriously had such a blast just hanging out in the heat.

there was plenty of pool time too!

we went to babbo for dinner and stuffed our faces.

then brandon, skyler, brooklyn, and I hit up the carnival.

my brave lil sky had her ears pierced this trip, plus this was her first upside down roller coaster!

//a big day//

nice faces

this thing was actually really intense. I wish I had gotten their faces on the way down.

love her

this was crazzzzyyy. it was called the magic carpet.

I'm not kidding I almost lost it after 2 times. Sweet brooklyn went twice more because Sky could not get enough.

& there's a few instaxs for the road.

I'm SO glad we made it on this trip. It was so refreshing to be with the some of the fam.I wish they all could have been there.

On Sunday Spencer came up with the idea that we all sit in circle and go around and say one thing we love about each person. It was one of my favorite things we've done as a family. The best was when it was Keri's turn and Spenc says, "I like my mom because I think it's funny when we are all getting ready for church and running around and she says MIKE I HAVE TO DO MY HAIR", but with all the giggles were some truly tender moments and the room was filled with love. There were even some happy tears... it was something I'll never forget. For all the teasing that goes on in our family we do a pretty good job of taking care of each other.

I feel really blessed to be a member of my family.

thanks for tuning in to this ginormous post.

ttyl

24 years

2011-06-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

we have had so much going on, I haven't been able to blog much... at all really, but I wanted to toss up a few shots from my birthday.

J always works so hard to make things special and it means the world to me.

even though he does truly weird things like this when I say I'm going to take a picture.

//he thinks he is so funny//

first he took me out to a TASTY dinner downtown

then we headed home where J had DE-LISH ice cream cake and a surprise party of all our friends waiting!

he out does himself.

after that there was presents and cards from J and friends. Plus, I had gotten some packages in the mail from mum and besties so I saved them to open on the day of.

my co-workers really stepped it up too.

this was just the mini cake. there were about 20 matching cupcakes! SO GOOD.

even jetblue came through for me :)

love that airline

I went far too long without a cut or color so I could get pampered the day before my birthday too. I got a cut/color, mani/pedi, and massage. it was big time!

it was a VERY merry birthday for me
thanks everyone who made it special!

heathers baby shower

2011-06-10T17:17:00.003-04:00

my sweet friend Heather is having a bebe
{this weekend actually}

here's what I have to say about Heather:

she actively us the word duh (i love it)

shes got s.t.y.l.e

her heart also belongs to california

she makes me feel like I can be myself

her skin is unfairly pristine

she makes some tasty mac and cheese

she's always got her game face on

she's been a dang good friend & she's gonna be a rockin mom

the ladies and I got together to celebrate her and baby girl at a de-licious crepe place downtown. taylor was in town so she got to come and long and meet some of my girlfriends. After crepes we had mani/pedis
{man I needed one}

it twas lovely.

karen is always in on the best email chains

2011-06-09T17:23:00.002-04:00

my mom emailed me this a few days ago.

gotta love the royals

boiling point

2011-06-02T17:31:00.000-04:00

This letter (edited down a bit) came from my nephew who is a missionary in the Philippines. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm not kidding... read this!

The watched pot.

I don't remember where, but I know that I have heard the saying, "The watched pot never boils." So I was patiently waiting for my water to boil last week, as I had just received some mac + cheese in the mail (thank you:).I stood next to my lukewarm pot of water, determined to prove the old adage wrong. I'm going to ruin the ending. THE POT BOILED. Yes it took some time, and yes I didn't notice any visible changes in the water until the end, but sure enough, the water hit 212 and little bubbles formed on the sides of the pot. I grabbed the noodles, anticipating the roaring boil I like to have when cooking. After another minute the roar was heard throughout the savannah and I threw in my soon-to-be American dinner. Just so you all know, I firmly believe that a watched pot will boil, and the sooner you learn this for yourself the better. See if you can't find out where I'm going with this one. I promise there's an application for you, too.

The past few weeks have been extra difficult (don't worry mother they're good now, otherwise I wouldn't be saying this). This week, I noticed a few bubbles of activity in the hearts of our investigators. I don't know what it was but I can see the roaring boil starting to take it's shape. Friends, this is why I'm here. Up from 0 two weeks in a row, 6 made it to church this week and expressed a desire to come back, get baptized, and take the sacrament. Yuman was just the focus, it has been a great week for everyone else, too.

So what's the application for you? What are you trying to do, but just can't see any visible improvement in? I know that before I came out here I could never feel the roaring testimony I so dearly yearned for. My desire was immense, flaming that gigantic pot of spiritual water I endeavoured to heat up. But the result just wasn't quite there. Starting the Book of Mormon happened many times, going to church was a given, but I was--figuratively--turning off the flame before the little bubbles of hope came in. It wasn't until this summer that I really decided it was time to give it my all and read through the whole Book of Mormon. It took faith that the pot would boil for me to spend precious propane (time, energy, effort) trying to heat that pot. Once I could see the bubbles of a roaring testimony come in, I began to have real hope. This concept applies everywhere. Use it for your own testimony, for the barefoot running feet you've always wanted, for that musical instrument you've dreamed about mastering. And know, for what it's worth to you, that I have a roaring, boiling, spilling over the edge testimony that Christ lives. I testify it. I share it every day. I want nothing more than my brethren to have the same thing, because it has litterally brought me more joy than imaginable in a world so far away from home.

Love from the Philippines,

Elder Brown

this gem came to my inbox this weekend

2011-05-31T08:12:00.006-04:00

sunday share . dealing

2011-05-22T15:01:00.002-04:00

happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them"

-Baron de Montesquieu

chemical

2011-05-19T22:19:00.003-04:00

I am a girlie girl through and through and therefore love all things beauty. I have been a hoarder of make-up and products long before I was allowed to wear make-up. its just a part of who I am.

My brother’s favorite joke:

Me(coming in the door from school): hey, what’s up

Matt: nothing, oh you got a phone call.

Me: Who was it?

Matt: Osama Bin Laden

Me: You’re so weird! What are you talking about?

Matt (laughing to hard at his own joke he can barely finish his sentence): He wants to negotiate chemical warfare with you because of the supply on your bathroom counter! bahahahaha

//which brings me to a totally random side note: yesterday Jordan said something he thought was much more funny than I did (happens a lot) Then he said “ I wish Matt were here to hear me sometimes, he’d appreciate”//

so back on topic... because I'm a connoisseur of beauty products a few people have been asking what my favorites are. I certainly don't claim to be an expert just want to share a few of my most loved

//which brings to me yet another random side note: I want to have a favorite things party. where everyone brings a favorite product to share my mom does it at christmas with her girlfriends and it sounds like such fun//
without further adieu

a few of my favorite things:

armani lasting silk foundation (spf)
the best coverage with so little make-up

blinc mascara
way better than waterproof, never EVER smudges, yet easy to take off. im telling you its magic

st ives timeless skin
fantastic night time moisturizer

mac bronzer in golden
secret to the year round summer glow

mac blush in well dressed
very girlie, I've used it for years and always loved it

mac mascara
great two brush feature, applies thick mascara with a wand to get rid of clumps

clarins light reflecting coverage
another fantastic coverage with little make-up, more natural look, I like it for summer

fresh soy cleanser
not kidding the best cleanser ever, gentle but still effective and smells so refreshing

rosebud balm
a tride and true, this stuff works and looks great too

loose powder
I use this to seal the deal on my foundation

chanel eye quad in demure
basic colors that look great on everyone, so functional

hair cream
a total life changer, give curls the a peicy look and give straight hair a sleek shine. I use this pretty much daily
dry shampoo
another life changer especially if you have long hair

have you guys tired any of these and loved them too? share your favs!
xxoo

botantical garden

2011-05-17T20:27:00.012-04:00

last weekend we hit up the botanical garden. it was heavenly. a perfect time of year to see everything, except the rose garden... booooo

we took the train out there.

everyone was super happy about my 3 cameras, 2 lenses, and continuous picture taking. (see happy faces below) haha

I am a picture taker. always have been, always will be. jordan knew what he was getting into.

its was stunning slash refreshing to be in such a beautiful place. the planning/designing/building that went into making this pretty place for people to just enjoy is mind boggling. it really made me appreciate central park too, can't wait to spend more time there with the warmer weather. I've been walking home through the park and loving every second.

in bloom.

peony garden.

note to self: buy more peonies this spring

far far away

2011-05-16T18:37:00.001-04:00

my sweet parents have been traveling in Jordan and Israel, having a real adventure, since May 6th. They won't be home until the 22nd.

call me crazy, but I still talk to my mom almost everyday. sometimes we get busy and don't talk for a week, but for the most part we chat daily.

I love it. I depend on it. I feel a bit lost without it.

There have been more that a few times in the past two weeks that I have needed my mother's comfort and my fathers wisdom. I know they are living a dream over there, seeing and learning about new beautiful places, but I can't wait for them to get home.

so all you moms (and dads) who worry about the day your little baby will grow up and stop needing you, stop worrying.

we will always need you.

the capital

2011-05-15T17:20:00.003-04:00

two weeks ago we headed out to DC to shoot a wedding. we brought my handy assistant mb (maribeth) who you've seen here and her hubs along and we made a like getaway out of the trip. (I love me a hotel stay)

we had just enough time sunday morning to squish a little sight-seeing in before the trek back to the city.

as you can tell its super easy to get a great picture of the rays

they are pretty tender.

the white house

coast guard memorial

//hello J//

she is a b.e.a.u.t
could not have made it through the weekend without her

my favorite memorial

" Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Abraham Lincoln

sunday share . more fortunate

2011-05-15T11:31:00.005-04:00

via google images

tiny dancers

2011-05-10T17:18:00.004-04:00

when I was a kid, getting together with my family meant making up some kind of dance/song routine with my cousins/nieces and nephews and forcing the adults to pay attention while we performed it for them.

it always included costumes and makeup

more joyous than ever to see my little nieces carrying on that tradition.

I hope they will teach my little ones

such seems your beauty still

2011-05-08T21:54:00.001-04:00

dear mother.

thank you for being wonderful

for listening to me
for planting seeds in my character and letting me grow
for taking me to disneyland
and telling me the story of little women

thank you for cheering me on
for holding my hand
for teaching me how to put on mascara and take care of my skin

thank you for holding me up
for scratching my back while I cried over boys
for making me get my ears pierced when I was 18 even though I was scared of the piercing part
and reminding me "not to force anything" when my stubborn determination got the best of me

thank you for taking me to ballet lessons and for going back to school
even though I had to ask the older girls to help me with my bun because your were at class sometimes, you taught me to love to learn
thank you for believing in me

thank you for teaching me to honor tradition and create my own
for helping me remember things always look better in the morning
for being a part of who I am

most of all thank you for loving me more than yourself

your loving daughter
-kaitlyn

p.s.

"Whatever happens, I'll love you just as I do now until I die."

- Melanie Hamilton
Gone With The Wind

my nights lately

2011-05-06T17:58:00.004-04:00

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

~C.S. Lewis

"two drifters off to see the world"

2011-05-05T23:14:00.004-04:00

I'm sad to say with all the crazy that is my life right now I missed my dear Audrey's birthday. although I'm sure she understands.
better late then never

“I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.”

you & I both Audrey

heres to you for your birthday Audrey

{cheers}

& a few gems to take with you from a real woman of class:

“You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you”

“I don't want to be alone, I want to be left alone.”

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”

“There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion”

aka 13 days until my birthday

2011-05-05T08:14:00.002-04:00

//happy cinco de mayo//

ok true these pictures really have nothing to do with cinco de mayo except for that fact that cinco de mayo makes me think of pinatas, which makes me think of candy, which makes me crave a blow pop. haha

¿whats your favorite flavor?

its a toss up btwn cherry and watermelon for me

pink lemonade is pretty legit too

mc shaysherton

2011-05-04T17:20:00.001-04:00

shay sees the big apple

the week of easter miss shalyce finally came to visit

{thanks to her sweet parents for the graduation gift}

we didn't skip a beat, I felt like shay had always been here in NYC with me.

{except when she was froze in aw before,during,and after every subway ride}

we were busy bees... I wanted to show Shay everything

good food

ground zero

{which was REALLY emotional for me. I mean of course all things 911 are emotional to say the least, but this trip really stunned me. it was intense to see things coming together down there}

I pretty much made shay go to Pret, even thought she wanted a hot dog

I also made here get aggressive with all the tourists for this picture, I tried to get her to climb up on the guy, but that was never gonna happen.

we hit up the met and I took shay to my favorite exhibit

//modern art//

...tiny faces...

dont worry I got shay her hot dog

we also tore up the natural history museum

having shay-shul was a DE-light. I'm happy she got a big girl job right out of college so hopefully she can come see me more. shay is one of the most responsible, talented, and caring people I know. It was no surprise that she got such an excellent job and nobody deserves it more. I'm just glad they let her start the day after this trip!

thanks for comin shay

she also posted a much more detailed story of our trip with more witty commentary... pop over and check it out

natalie norton

2011-05-02T19:56:00.000-04:00

... is a photogrpaher I love.

she shot my bridals and I devour her blog whenever she posts.

she also writes on this tumblr page with some other smart/talented ladies. I don't know that much about it because I don't know much about tumblr yet, but I recently read this post by natalie there and I think you should read it too.

in the huffington post

2011-05-01T18:15:00.000-04:00

thought provoking article

some of the comments are interesting too.

last weekend in film

2011-05-01T17:56:00.000-04:00

your extra time and your... K.I.S.S.

2011-04-29T08:17:00.002-04:00

I love me some M.A.C

I just noticed the left side are colors karen has given me and the right side are colors I have picked out but all have been worn :)

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”

Gwyneth Paltrow

season kickoff bbq

2011-04-28T21:11:00.002-04:00

since the sun is starting to show her face again we decided to celebrate by having some friends over for a little bbq with the mini grill.

the boys being boys and some of the girls chillin

I cleared everything so we could all fit in our little shoebox

(I tossed in a few pictures of our apt for those of you who haven't seen it)

cheers to summertime

tendency

2011-04-27T17:17:00.001-04:00

"I was full of a hot, powerful sadness and would have loved to burst into the comfort of tears, but tried hard not to, remembering something my Guru once said -- that you should never give yourself a chance to fall apart because, when you do, it becomes a tendency and it happens over and over again. You must practice staying strong, instead."

-elizabeth gilbert

girl crush

2011-04-26T18:54:00.001-04:00

meet bethenny

jordan and I watch her show every week. he gives me a hard time about how similar we are in some ways. while her life is decidedly more glamorous than mine, due to her awesomeness, there have been more than a few scenes that are a little familiar.

but I heart her so... see why

I went to her book signing at my local B&N for her new book " A Place of Yes"

I told her that I loved her and I was pretty sure we were meant to be friends.

she agreed.

it was awesome.

there were HUNDREDS of people there and she signed every single book.

"The business of being happy requires making a conscious choice. People think being happy will just happen to them someday, if only they do this or that right. But it doesn't - you have to choose it. You choose happiness, you don't wait for it to choose you."
— Bethenny Frankel (A Place of Yes)

best friends forever

a drink with jam and bread

2011-04-25T17:35:00.000-04:00

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. ~Henry James

a couple weeks ago I invited the girls over for tea and biscuits

here is the table semi-set, I totally blanked taking one with everything out, but this will do

fantastic.

I am a FIRM BELIEVER in girl talk
{whatever that means to you}
its refreshing to sit down with women you admire, respect, and appreciate
and just talk
let your walls down...
or blab about the frivolous things.

I swear after every outing with these girls I come back a new woman.
uplifted/motivated/renewed

if you haven't recently I highly recommend carving out sometime to connect with the ladies in your life. just laugh and do girlie things.
it feels lovely

xxoo

risen

2011-04-24T12:24:00.004-04:00

have a lovely easter sunday

as per your request

2011-04-22T22:37:00.002-04:00

some peeps who don't usually go to trader joes asked about my favorites. so here are a few:

peppermint joes cookies

mac and cheese

olive oil popcorn

dark chocolate covered: cherries, pomegranate sees, and edamame

pre cut veggies: butternut squash, roast mix package, sweet potato slice for fries

ruby red sunrise grapefruit juice

simply almonds trek mix

whole wheat nan

guacamole

poppy-seed rolls

fresh herb pizza dough

milk chocolate crisps

flax seed/veggie chips

all of their jams are divine
olive frozen pizza
chunky apple sauce
sutter's formula cookies: especially the peanut butter and chocolate chip
vanilla almond milk
molasses chews
meyer lemon cookies

and the list could do on and on

I got this cookbook which is meals with all trader joe products and literally rocks!

mrs question mark

2011-04-21T20:31:00.001-04:00

am I really a mrs.

really?

today someone called me mrs. I paused for a minute and thought oh yeah, I am a mrs.
haha its almost been two years.
somehow it feels like we've always been together and that we just got married yesterday at the same time.

shay-sh

2011-04-20T07:51:00.001-04:00

today my mc shay-shay gets here!

HOLLA

shes a peach and I can't wait for us to tear up nyc.

she's never been to a big city or taken public transportation... anywhere period.

this should be good

xo.

in the washington post

2011-04-18T18:22:00.000-04:00

I never understood why so many of my friends had come to me at one point or another regarding a hateful, or negative sermon/lesson given about Mormonism at their own church. I never in all my 23 years have been given a lesson or attended a meeting in which the topic or purpose was to belittle another religion. It baffles me that many others spend time and energy belittling what we believe. Maybe it's because people feel "mormons" are so different. I don't feel all that different from my friends and neighbors. I think for the most part its easy/fun to create common-ground with those around me, so I can't be that strange. Anyways what I am really trying to get at is this article. My pretty/prego friend and fellow blogger jackie posted this a few days ago and I felt so refreshed after reading it.

The Christian case for Mormon values

With former Utah governor Jon Huntsman and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney both believed to be gearing up for a run for the presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has again found itself answering questions about what these two prominent members believe.

Post reporter Sandhya Somashekhar wrote in a story published Tuesday that Mormon leaders see the ascendancy of these and other Mormons (such as convert Glenn Beck) as a sign "that the community has finally 'arrived,'" but added "researchers say there remains a deep mistrust of Mormons and that little has changed in public opinion to suggest that voters will be more open this year than they were in 2007." If conservative Christian and Mormons share a political agenda, why do suspicions still plague Mormon politicians? Do media personalities such as Glenn Beck help or hurt the cause?

God works in mysterious ways to perform his wonders. Old Testament prophets complained about the instruments God chose, but God went on being God despite their complaints. 2012 is likely to give Americans two serious candidates for president that are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Many conservative Christians, for good and bad, get inspiration and information from Glenn Beck, who is also a member of the Church.

Should Americans be concerned? Bluntly, no, though those of us who are not Mormon should be depressed that such a small group has outworked, out thought, and out hustled us. Mormon success should spur traditional Christians, who outnumber Mormons by tens of millions, to do better.

Sadly ignorance of the LDS Church is widespread in our culture. Despite over a century of faithful citizenship and embracing family values, stupid stereotypes remain. Magically much of the media easily remembers Glenn Beck is Mormon, but keeps forgetting that Harry Reid is as well. Sacred garments on Christians and Jews are normal, but sacred garments on Mormons?

Of course, there is a vocal fringe of Americans who think any religious person is nuts. These equal-opportunity offenders can be ignored as invincibly ignorant. They don't respect Mormons, because they don't respect Christians, Jews, Muslims, or anybody who thinks we are more than computers made out of meat.

There is another group, sadly not so tiny, that cannot be friends or co-laborers with anyone who does not share their theology or ideology. This sectarianism is the bane of any movement, but most Americans know we can learn and work with almost anyone if they share our values in some area.

There are no good reasons not to consider voting for a Mormon. Theologically, I disagree with the faith's teachings. My professional speaking has included pointed academic encounters with LDS professors about our areas of disagreement. Simultaneously, serious disagreements have not prevented our making common cause on many issues.

Studying Mormonism closely did not make me a Mormon, to the contrary, but it did give an abiding respect for certain things the LDS Church gets right. They have demonstrated things worth knowing. If this is a Mormon moment in American history, there is a reason for it. Their virtues have particular civic relevance today and their theological vices (from my point of view) do not. The LDS I know love America , urge good behavior on their members, and promote many traditional American values. If that bothers you, vote for somebody else--the LDS will fight and die in the American forces for your right to do so.

The LDS church made North America sacred space. With Native Americans and Spanish mission builders in California , they have loved this land and made it part of their story. The Mormon revelation, whatever its origins, is centered in North America .

Part of that epic is actual Mormon history: born, bred, and thriving in the United States of America . Mormonism is old enough by American standards to feel "ancient," but young enough to make the founding stories easy for Americans to understand. Joseph Smith received his revelations closer than four score years after the American founding. Any literate English speaker can read founding Mormon documents without the need for much translation or scholarly explanation, but knowledge of American history is vital. Most Americans look abroad for holy land," but Mormons look here.

This gives them a passion for this place difficult for anyone else to match. Other religious groups must work harder to match this sense of place that the LDS Church has naturally.

A great weakness of our lives today is isolation and loneliness. Mormonism is one solution to that problem for many. LDS Church services to members and communities are a free market model for private charity. I have personally seen LDS charity help families that were not LDS, but related to a member The charity gave work-centered help that met needs without sacrificing dignity. The commendable community found in Mormonism should be imitated not attacked.

For good and bad, Mormonism is deeply American. Born on our frontier and nurtured in our wilderness, American values are Mormon values. And yet, no LDS swaggers into the culture assuming he will be accepted. Mormons know the imperfections of American life. An American mob murdered their founder. As a result of their history, Mormons have a thoughtful and subtle take on religion in the public square. This last week Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave an important speech at the Chapman University School of law in California on religious liberty.

I am sure Glenn Beck would agree that more Americans should read that speech, even if it meant turning off his program. Oaks, a professor and judge, not Beck, represents the best civic face of the LDS Church .

If this is, as the Washington post suggests, a Mormon moment, it is because Mormons clung to truths now unfashionable and addressed questions others ignore. They suffered exile in their own land, persecution, and the need to change important ideas to be part of the broader culture. This American experience taught them good lessons about America . Being right is powerful and most LDS are right on many of today's big issues: the nature of family, the protection of life, defense of religious liberty, and republican values.

Traditional Christians should learn from their example and patriotic Americans should celebrate their effective service. Mormons like Harry Reid will never get my vote, because his policy ideas do not match with mine, but a Mormon like Mitt Romney could, because I support his good ideas.

Providence works in peculiar ways and it is particularly odd for an evangelical and orthodox Christian to be grateful for this Mormon moment in American history. But if a biblical prophet could celebrate the pagan emperor Cyrus for being God's man to free his people, surely we can praise our Mormon countrymen for sounding a trumpet call to rally America to life and liberty .

Washington post article written by John Mark Reynolds | February 9, 2011; 7:29 pm et

sunday share

2011-04-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

"friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'what! you too? I thought I was the only one"
-c.s. lewis

the case of the stolen purse

2011-04-16T18:42:00.001-04:00

so when my mom, sister, and niece were visiting a sad sadness of a thing happened.

my niece set her purse down on top of her american girl doll in the kids department of h&m to try on a pair of shoes and someone took it.

it was heart breaking.

I mean I literally cried for her.

sure it was just a little kid purse but it was filled with her treasures:

her doll's glasses, her little wallet full of coins, some candy, and a digital camera I had given her for her trip.

she loves to take pictures and had been snapping away the whole trip.

those can never be replaced.

even as Im writing this anger is welling up inside me at the person who would take a pink cheetah print purse from the kids department.

I know it seems like a silly thing to get so angry about, but its not just about the purse. on the way home it occurred to me that no matter what you do you cannot protect your kids (or those you love) from this world. you can try and try but sometimes life will win and something bad will happen that you cannot change or fix.

when I thought about how much I love my niece and how much I will love my children I started to panic. it was like a box of bricks fell on me while I sat there on the bus.

how will I ever survive when they are hurting?

{by panic I mean I could not let this whole thing go. I lost sleep over this even after my family had gone home and had forgotten about the dumb purse.}

and I finally remembered my niece telling my mom, "maybe whoever took it, needed it more than I did"

my heart melted. you can not protect them, but you can teach them.

you can love them and help them understand how much God loves them. because the truth is we can't avoid sadness, even when its not our fault... when we did everything right. bad things will happen and you can't save anyone from that, but you can help them be equip to move through it.

and that's what really matters. not that she has a cute cheetah purse and gets to take pictures with her camera, but that she knows how much God loves her and even when she is hurt he hasn't forgotten her.

thats the heart of the matter

friday night lights

2011-04-15T18:07:00.001-04:00

I love this show, I love this show, I LOVE this show!

I know what you're thinking

"like always kaitlyn, you are behind the times"

but I still have to say it... I LOVE FNL

It got me through the cold winter and I'm not gonna lie it reminded me of the "glory days"

I had such a blast being a cheerleader way back when. it's fun to reminisce about those times.

I've been watching this new ABC show "off the map" simply because the actor who plays Matt Saracen on FNL is on it. I still think of him as Saracen

for those who have seen this show you know what I mean when I say

I LOVE ME SOME TIM RIGGINS.

rent it, netflix it, watch it online. whatever you have to do.

just get it done asap.
season five premieres tonight on NBC

mum, keri & sky

2011-04-14T18:17:00.054-04:00

VISITORS

in march we had my mom, sister & niece to visit over st. patrick's day

hence all the green

this is my happy place

//eataly//

is basically like hopping a plane to italy for lunch

we had a LOT of good food

{which we always do when visitors come, which means I'm always breaking my eating rules and therefore rapidly getting un-skinny. awesome}

we got a box to see phantom of the opera which I've always

LOVED

I swear its better every time I see it

think of me, think of my fondly...

music of the night

mascaraed

BRAVO

with raoul at the stage door

we even did the statue and ellis island, which I hadn't done since I was 12.

mr & mrs uber weird

we stopped at alice's for a spot o tea

I love all their dishes.I never thought I would have such an obsession with dishes, it just sort of happened after I got married and now it cant be stopped.

we even had some nice weather for a bit while they were here.

thanks for stopping by

the beehive state

2011-04-13T19:40:00.001-04:00

every year we have a family ski trip in with the Ray's in Utah. It always feels like the perfect time for a much needed trip to see family and friends and this year was no exception.

the men always compete in foos-ball tournament.

its very serious and the trash talking goes on for days.

//I don't want to talk about how much it cost us to have this ridiculous cup made up and names engraved on the side.//

after a day on the slopes we met up with the bell's (ny family relocated to UT) for dinner. our conversation was 50% FNL, 40% bachelor, and 10% catching-up on our lives. just the way I like it.

//can't wait for the bells to come visit nyc//

it was so good to see baby davis and baby addison (even though they aren't really babies anymore)

{JENSEN'S}

my sister and her family were in town for some appointments and so J and I got to spend a day with them. it was HEAVEN for me.

we spent about 20 minutes "riding" the escalator

we had a seriously good time a chuck e cheese

"what do we have here"

poor girl, brittany was all up in her game :)

baby b and J bonded BIG TIME

then we hit up cabella's

hard to say what is all over spensie's face... probably cotton candy from chuck e cheese :)

this was seriously UT day for us

so TENDER

you.

2011-04-12T20:33:00.001-04:00

“I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me, I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant old friend of mine, to me along the way.”

- unknown

now you see it... now you don't

2011-04-11T18:32:00.001-04:00

baby brittany's smile vs straight terror

not sure what was going on here, but I had downloaded some stuff from my sister's camera while she was in town and found these among lots of other cute pictures of my nieces and nephews.

gosh dang I love them to death!

the happiest place(s) on earth

2011-04-10T21:41:00.014-04:00

how cute is my mom!

& la jolla

big brothers

its just seaweed I know, but I thought its was pretty

& catalina

such a fun trip

us.

perfect celebration of our one year

writing NY152

2011-04-08T07:28:00.000-04:00

Kathleen Kelly:[writing to "NY152"] Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void.

- you've got mail

rain rain go away... dont come again anymore days

2011-04-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

J is intensely cautious about taking our little lolacita out in bad weather

(sometimes I wonder if he is more worried about protecting the vespa than protecting us, but he promised my nurse mother he'd be careful and careful he is)

which means we haven't been able to go for many rides with all this rainy wetness that is manhattan these days.

its true our helmets make us look exceptionally good, but sorry it doesn't have this effect on everyone. also pardon my huge mouth/serious red lips in this photo. it is what it is

I don't know why my instinct is to make the above weird kissy face, but I do it regularly and J thinks is laughable

we love you lola girl, we will miss you until the rain is gone

-mommy and daddy

there was an young lady who lived in a shoebox...

2011-04-06T18:15:00.002-04:00

spring is in the air (fingers crossed) and with the flowers and showers comes //spring cleaning//

I love it.

I've always liked to clean/organize and I always feel so fantastic after a good cleanse, but living in new york makes this process tricky for one big reason.

I live in a shoebox.

my mom says this is nice because there isn't much to clean, but the problem is we have the triple the amount of stuff then the size of our tiny flat will fit.

I feel like the walls are closing in around me as our apartment fills up.

jordan & I can both hardly fit at the same time.

(ok this is a gross exaggeration, but it feels that way sometimes)

I heard this book was life changing and I think right now its much needed.I will let you know if it works for me.

simplicity is not one of my strong suits :)

"A friend is one before whom you may think aloud."

2011-04-05T10:57:00.000-04:00

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

over the holidays I arranged a little "girls get together" with my friends from HS

we always try and have some reunions when those who have moved away are in town (mainly holidays ect)

basically we sit around, sometimes eat out, and talk for HOURS.
really hours, we didn't wrap this one up until well after midnight.

I've been through a lot with these girls and I hope they always stay apart of my life

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” ~ Elisabeth Foley

personality test

2011-04-04T17:35:00.000-04:00

I just took this personality test

Results are in I am:

Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging

Its pretty dang accurate in some respects. Go take it and see if you learn something about yourself!

Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes.

All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. ESFJs, as do most SJs, bear strong allegiance to rights of seniority. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others.

ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen.

Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!

An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord. The contender pits self against self, once firmly deciding with the Right, then switching to Prudence to forestall hostilities, countered by unswerving Values, ad exhaustium, winner take all.

As caretakers, ESFJs sense danger all around--germs within, the elements without, unscrupulous malefactors, insidious character flaws. The world is a dangerous place, not to be trusted. Not that the ESFJ is paranoid; 'hyper-vigilant' would be more precise. And thus they serve excellently as protectors, outstanding in fields such as medical care and elementary education.

Functional Analysis:Extraverted FeelingESFJs live in their Extraverted Feeling functioning. Feeling, a rational (i.e., deciding) function, expresses opinions easily in the E world of objects and people. ESFJs have the ability to express warmth, rage, and a range of other emotions. Actions are encouraged or rebuked based on how they affect other people, especially people near and dear to the ESFJ. This type's vocal decisiveness predisposes many of its number to facility with administration and supervision.

You don't sew with a fork, so I see no reason to eat with knitting needles. -- Miss Piggy, on eating Chinese Food

Famous ESFJs:

Jack BennyDesi Arnaz ("Ricky Ricardo")Don Knotts ("Barney Fife")John Connally (former Governor of Texas)Terry Bradshaw, NFL quarterbackSally Struthers (All in the Family)Mary Tyler MooreDixie Carter (Designing Women)Steve Spurrier, Heismann trophy winner, Univ. of S.C. football coachSally FieldDanny Glover, actor (Lethal Weapon movies, Predator 2 Margaret ButtNancy Kerrigan (U.S. olympic figureskater)Elvis Stojko (Canadian olympic figureskater)Fictional ESFJs:

Babbitt (Sinclair Lewis)Hoss Cartwright (Bonanza)Leonard "Bones" McCoy (Star Trek)Monica (Friends)Haleh (ER)Mrs. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter)Donald DuckRabbit, Winnie the Pooh

Jobs Best Suited for ESFJs:

public administration

hotel/restaurant management

sales/marketing specialist

fashion merchandising

nursing

education

social work

upstate

2011-04-02T22:27:00.000-04:00

last summer my parents came into town and we took a little roadtrip upstate.

I'd been DYING to see Niagara Falls so we drove all the way up so we could take a trip on the Maid of the Mist.

pardon the messy make-up, we were pretty much soaked

it was astounding to say the least

wikipedia fact : In the "Miracle at Niagara", Roger Woodward, a seven-year-old American boy, was swept over the Horseshoe Falls protected only by a life vest on July 9, 1960, as two tourists pulled his 17-year-old sister Deanne from the river only 20 feet (6 m) from the lip of the Horseshoe Falls at Goat Island.Minutes later, Woodward was plucked from the roiling plunge pool beneath the Horseshoe Falls after grabbing a life ring thrown to him by the crew of the Maid of the Mist boat.

we also attended the hill cumorah pageant

and again I was astounded.

I like the woman's face in the background of this pic.

also on the trip we toured the scared grove and Joseph Smith's childhood home

there aren't words to describe the peace and quiet I felt in this place

it was very much an intimate spiritual refresher to be out in such beautiful woods {so different from nyc}

i felt very loved

p.s. I love you mom & dad. thanks for coming to see our home and for going on such a fun trip with us. it was a joy to spend time with you and we miss you a lot when you're not here!

someday when im pregnant

2011-04-01T20:20:00.000-04:00

I going to use this to do this

I'm all about celebrating milestones... what a fun way to capture your baby's growth

shade city

2011-03-31T17:38:00.001-04:00

shade is back

I am so happy!

go here to see my thoughts on my latest purchases.

BA.NA.NAS

2011-03-29T21:35:00.000-04:00

before the holidays alyssa {bestie from here} came to visit me in the city.

we definitely tore it up.

it happened to be fall fashion week so of course we went to lincoln center to scope out the shows and that is where I saw this guy

//aw//

a very good time to take and important call

off we go!

it's so wonderful to have friends/family visit.

having lyss here was a breath of fresh air & i can't wait for her to come back.

diligent

2011-03-28T22:44:00.000-04:00

"I keep remembering one of my Guru's teachings about happiness. She says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't you will eat away your innate contentment. It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments."

- elizabeth gilbert

ive been thinking a lot about this lately, if you haven't picked up on that theme already and by "that" I mean the whole being in charge of your own happiness deal. specifically in the past few cold, winter weeks as I tend to let myself get bummed out by the lack of sun and other winter blues.

I just finished Elizabeth Gilbert's second book (the first was eat, pray, love. you may have heard on it) called Committed. I really couldn't tell you weather I loved it or hated it, there was some of both, but it has definitely caused me to do so some self examination and her quote above REALLY inspired me to make a more diligent and thorough effort to "swim upward into my happiness"...

to seal it with more gratitude in my life.

//here's to happiness//

the shape of my heart

2011-03-26T12:33:00.001-04:00

via

I'm ironing out some of the details of a summer holiday in CA.

literally...

{CANT WAIT}

socialite

2011-03-24T17:46:00.000-04:00

so apparently we are socialites now
see us in the...

new york social diary

a few weeks ago J and I plus some friends attended a charity event for a program called C-CAP

"Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) works with public schools across the nation to prepare high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. A national nonprofit, C-CAP provides teacher training, scholarships, cooking competitions, job shadows, training and internships, college and career advising, and product and equipment donations."

restaurants/chefs from all over the city donated their time and talents for this amazing tasting

//and it was SO GOOD//

the highlight for i was meeting his all time favorite top chef contestant and chef/owner at one of our favorite places Barbuto

//we call him chef obi wan//

here were our favorite's if you fellow new yorkers want to try:

Park Avenue Winter (which changes its name, decor, and menu for each season and is now Park Avenue Spring)
Primehouse
Daniel
Blue Hill
PORTER
HOUSE
SouthGate
Asiate (where j I and went the night we got engaged)
Fishtail

bon appetit!

baby davis

2011-03-23T20:56:00.000-04:00

see more of baby d here

twas the season

2011-03-23T17:07:00.000-04:00

finally catching up here. (are you sick of hearing that cause I'm sick on saying it) really almost a few more posts and I'm in the green :)

on that note let the Christmas time photos roll...

one of the mornings best

if only I'd thought of these

//silly bands//

mc-cozy-ton

introducing my brothers

//weirdies to say the least//

everything is better with bacon

syndea's famous cheery danish

//heaven//

baby in my lap

baby in my hand

//thanks mum & dad//

morning aftermath

loved and i mean LOVED my gifts :)

almost peed my pants during this skit

macarons make me HAPPY

made by me for J

baby saylor

then there was rock band & just dance:

//again some weirdies//

It wasn't... personal.

2011-03-22T17:51:00.000-04:00

ugh.

today I was reading a blog written by a woman who was raised in an LDS family and has not remained a member of the LDS church.
{if you didn't already know I am an active member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints}
she was very witty/talented and her blog was definitely entertaining until I started to read her negative/harsh comments about my faith and the members of it and I started to get an all too familiar defensive feeling. it just started bubbling up inside me and I couldn't stop it.

now look, I get it. we all have our own opinions and I don't know what caused her to develop hers, but I certainly can respect that she has different viewpoint than mine. the trouble is I always seem to take negativity so personally. in this case I am especially conflicted. sure this woman's intentions were not to offend anyone or hurt anyone (i hope) so I should feel it is a personal affront to my beliefs...

but in general how can I stop myself from feeling like its personal when someone says something negative about something/someone I love?

Joe Fox:It wasn't... personal.

Kathleen Kelly:What is that supposed to mean? I am so sick of that. All that means is that it wasn't personal to you. But it was personal to me. It's *personal* to a lot of people. And what's so wrong with being personal, anyway?

Joe Fox:Uh, nothing.

Kathleen Kelly:Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.

-You've Got Mail

springin

2011-03-22T11:19:00.000-04:00

the sun is out, we've had the first day of spring and it's time to celebrate!

my lovely friend Heather sent me these cutie phone backgrounds. Her friend makes some every season.

I can't decide which one I'm going to use, maybe one for every month in spring ?!

yes, yes, good idea. you guys do it too!

pheonix

2011-03-16T17:42:00.000-04:00

a few months ago:
{last minute trip with some of the fam}

i miss this with every fiber of my being

snuggs

oh the cheeks on all three of those things

this obviously didn't come out but I had to share it be baby b's expression is off the charts cute

i heart this one

we played a few real good rounds of charades

and all too soon I was back home again.

luckily I just booked another trip to PHX for poolside fun, shopping, and general girlie-ness with my sisters.

YAY!

fill up and you don't have to pay

2011-03-15T12:24:00.000-04:00

talkin' bout the car wash yeah!

this addiction is my own personal prision

2011-03-14T18:03:00.001-04:00

apple TV has brought so many wonderful things (FNL) into our lives and this weekend it happened to be prison break.

if you have seen this show then you can understand how after watching the first episode J and I could not be stopped.

we can came back from some friend's apt (after playing our first game of settlers of cantan, which was an experience in itself) around midnight and went straight to the TV. we then proceeded to stay up until 6am (yes the sun was coming up when we went to bed) watching episodes.

{side note: when I told carly about my all-nighter I said
"ya know sometimes you just have to be reckless"
she responded with " uh, I think that might only be applicable to people who are never reckless, I mean really rarely cute loose"
BA HA, that's me isn't... not so much}

the sad thing about it is that 99% percent of the time I'm not even enjoying it. I am so stressed out about what's happening to the characters in each episode I can't relax. and moreover after each episode I'm so worried about what is going to happen to them next I can't be torn away from the TV.

yesterday after watching a few episodes J said

"I do really feel like I'm a prisoner to this show, what are we gonna do?"

haha

no but really, someone help...