The Resolution

Lazy Monday

2012-01-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Well today was off to a great start! Then it was rough. But now it's back to great! Karl and I woke up at 5AM to go to the gym as per the usual and we were feeling great. After I got ready for work, I walked out the door to a blizzard! Don't get me wrong, I love snow, I just hate driving in it. I made my morning commute to the community college (where I work, just in case you didn't know), only to find out that apparently the college is closed today! I knew I didn't have classes, but more often than not, the college remains open on holidays. Blegh. So I came home, made myself some herbal tea in my favorite mug, admired the new nail polish color I donned last night, snuggled up with Kitten and watched my new guilty pleasure, "Once Upon a Time." See? Morning redeemed! Now for some random thoughts I've been having. Enjoy.

-I finally bought the new Coldplay album and it's just as good as I thought it would be.

-I wonder if Barenaked Ladies ever gets pissed that radio stations only ever play one of their songs. Ever. I think their thought process probably goes something like this:

Lead singer to bandmates: "Guys! I think this new song is going to do it! Radio stations will finally stop playing 'One Week!' We will make it back on Casey Kasem's American Top 40!"

Bandmates to lead singer: "Bahahaha. Dude. Bro. Brosef. Don't even try. 'One Week' is obviously timeless."

-I have lost about 15lbs in the last few weeks! Booya!

-I saw a vanity license plate the other day that said "Notary." Again, I like to imagine the thought process behind that, like "Hmm...What should my license plate say? 2KOOL4 SCHOOL? MAMAS RIDE? PLEYA32? I got it!... NOTARY!"

-Karl and I are going to Massachusetts in a week and a half for my birthday. We're flying nonstop. SO excited about that.

-On the first day of my math class, I decided to sit in the back, really hoping that my seat choice wouldn't make my teacher think that I'm a back row slacker. The truth is, I'm just really tall and I was being courteous.

-Jack's Mannequin's "My Racing Thoughts" is the best song in the world to run to.

-Phase 1 of my plan to make pajamas seem like real clothes is almost complete. I bought moccasin slippers last night. Next step: wear them to work and if asked about them, say casually that I developed a sort of rare foot disease for which wearing slippers is the only comfort. No one can argue with that logic. Phase 2: Flannel pants. Still working on that one.

-Sometimes I dream about hosting my own Hunger Games. That probably says a lot about me.

-Karl and I have started baking our own wheat bread every Sunday. It's his grandma's recipe. It's amazing.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post! I know they're sporadic, but hey, I've got my priorities in order and I think that's all that matters. Now I'm off to procrastinate my homework on Pinterest.

Porch Cat

2012-01-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Left to Right: Butterscotch (a stray cat we adopted and nursed back to health), Jasmine, and Cashmere

All my life I've grown up with cats. For as long as I can remember there was always at least one vying for my attention or getting into trouble. My mom is a self-proclaimed "Cat Lady" and she loves them an inordinate amount. As a result of growing up with these adorable, sensitive little furballs, I've always had a love for them as well.

When we first started dating, Karl didn't like cats. He liked dogs and thought cats were kind of lame. One night after we were married, I was having a really bad night. As a joke, Karl said, "We can get you a cat!" I looked at him with nothing but the utmost seriousness in my eyes. "Yes. Good idea." I don't know that he knew what he was getting himself into. We waited a few months until we had the money to adopt a cat from the Humane Society and take it to the vet. That cat was Kitten. Now I think Karl likes cats as much, if not more than me.

That brings me to my story. A couple of weeks ago, the girls living in the basement of the house we rent put something plastic on top of the furnace. Smoke billowed into the house and I thought it was on fire. Karl figured out the problem, but often during the night, the smell of burning plastic comes through the vents and almost suffocates me. Last night was one of those nights. I went into the living room to get some fresh air (it's worst in the bedroom). After a few minutes, I heard a cat crying at the door. We have a stray cat that we feed sometimes that lives under our porch. She's too fast to catch, so we try to take care of her as much as possible. Last night I peered out the window and saw that it was snowing. My heart broke. "That poor frozen, hungry, lonely kitty!" I thought. I knew full well that it was 3 in the morning and Karl was going to work early, but I had to wake him up. He sat straight up, asked if we had an old blanket and went on a search for a box. As I was putting the blanket in the box he found, he got some cat food on a paper plate and handed it to me. I set the box and plate on the porch for the cat, hoping that she would trust us enough to come to the porch.

As I was falling asleep last night, all I could think of was how much I love Karl. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know. His heart ached for that little porch cat and he woke up just to make sure she was taken care of. I think that is the tell tale sign of a good, true man. Karl has compassion and kindness flowing through him and that my friends, is reason number 8,221,132,139 why I love him.

Personal

2012-01-05T09:17:00.003-07:00

I'm obsessed with this song:

My love for Stars is never ending.

Updates and Pictures

2012-01-02T12:56:00.001-07:00

Jordan Ferney said it best:

"2010 was a rough year for us and was about survival. 2011 has been a time to recover and grow and 2012 (if I have it my way) I’d like to spend getting our lives in order especially financially and emotionally."

Add physically and spiritually to that, and we're looking at my goals for a bright year ahead. That being said, 2011 will be a tough year to follow.

And now for the pictures:

Forzese Family Christmas morning tradition: Cranberry Upside down muffins. Mmmm.

This year's Christmas theme was books! I especially love the leatherbound journal Karl got me.

Another Forzese tradition with a Bringhurst twist: Karl's veggie lasagna with 6 different cheeses. I die.

Karl looking dapper in his new sweater.


One of many outtakes from our Christmas card shoot.

Not shown: Karl and I went to St. George, UT to visit his grandparents for a couple of days, I read 5 books, we visited Price, UT on Christmas Eve, we read the Hunger Games together, we made new goals for 2012, and we had a very happy, very relaxing week.

That about sums it up! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's Eve/Day!

Words

2011-12-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:34:00.001-07:00

We hope your day is filled with everything that is good and bright!

Maaaam

2011-12-22T07:02:00.001-07:00

Happy 29th Birthday to the best mom ever! I love you so much and can't wait to see you next month!

Christmas Dates!

2011-12-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! It's almost Christmas! I'm so incredibly excited! I love everything about Christmas. I love the music, the kindness of others, Jesus Christ, the cold weather, the presents, and the food! Karl and I have been making an effort to fit in as many Christmas activities as possible and so far, we're not doing too shabby! Here's a look into our lives as of late!

Karl decorating our tree

Me decorating!

Sometimes when we bend down to pick stuff up, Kitten jumps on our backs and tries to grab the ceiling fan chord.

Our tree with no ornaments on the bottom. That would be too much fun for Kitten.

Karl and I on our double date with Stratton and Stacie at Zoo Lights.

Our friends, Stratton and Stacie!

Stacie getting fresh with some lights!

Lucky light man!

A cute full sized cat at the zoo!

Sweet lights.

We made a gingerbread house for our date last night whilst watching Jack Frost (the claymation version).

Kitten has been very friendly lately and loves to hang out on my chest and around my neck as a scarf. Cutesickle.

Kitten likes to sleep in Karl's sock drawer. We call her bureau-cat. Haha. Get it? Beaurocat? So cheesy, we know.

Things are so great right now and I can't wait for our next Christmas activities (Gardner Village and Temple Square). I hope you're all having a great holiday season and living it up while it lasts!

Here are a couple of my favorite Christmas songs! If you want more, I highly suggest the "Indie Holidays Radio" station on Pandora! It's amazing!

Celebrating!

2011-12-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

1. I love stuffing an unrealistic amount.
2. I love Meiko like, a lot. She's the sound of my crazy college/roommate/single days.
3. All my jokes are borderline inappropriate, but I really enjoy that about myself.
4. Music that is upbeat and all about love is my favorite kind of music.
5. This video incorporates all of the things listed above. Win, win, and another win.

On another note, I'm done with classes and finals! Woohoo! I now get almost an entire month of freedom before Hell Semester 2012 takes place. Seriously. Math, Biology, Earth's Surface Environments, and an upper level English class will probably be the death of me. I'm excited nonetheless, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to relish every minute of free time I have until then. :)

Malfoy Swaggered Like a Boss

2011-12-07T07:50:00.001-07:00

You all know I'm an incredible Harry Potter nerd by now, so it should be no surprise to you that this was the best news I've had all week! I've never been to Disneyland, but it's much closer to Utah than Disney World is, so when we do go, it'll be to CA. Now I don't have to miss out on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! And now for some pins from my HP Pinterest board:

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristie on Pinterest

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Awesome, no?

Finalsss

2011-12-05T10:20:00.001-07:00

Source: gemma-correll.blogspot.com via Kristie on Pinterest

So I know it's been a while, but it's finals time and this blog isn't the only thing that's gone by the wayside. Now for some things that will make you never think of me the same:

-This morning I ate oatmeal with a fork out of a giant Pyrex bowl. We just don't have time for dishes... Or to go grocery shopping for milk and cereal.

-Yesterday I picked up 15 -no lie- empty toilet paper rolls off the bathroom floor.

-This one may be the grossest of all. Last night Karl remarked on the lovely (it really is pretty) gold sheen of my armpit hair. Ugh. I literally have forgotten to shave my pits for like 3 weeks. Don't even ask about my legs.

-We bought a Christmas tree, but haven't really had time to water it. So ya, it's kind of dead.

-Saturday night we finally got around to decorating the dead tree.

-We have eaten out more than I care to admit. It's been the easiest and the fastest thing. And now I feel sick, so we're done with that for a while.

This weekend, I probably did about 15 hours of homework, so I'm pretty much in the clear for the next week until the semester ends. It's been such a crazy time and I'm glad it's almost over. Also, just so you know, both my legs AND my armpits are shaved, the house is clean and the dishes are done. Thank goodness! Haha. Thanks for bearing with me in this crazy time. Here's my favorite thing of the moment, just for you: Lenny Kravitz Is Angry.

See you around! Happy finals week, and if you aren't a student, bask in the pleasure of not having finals!

"I won't always live not stopping."

2011-11-28T07:59:00.001-07:00

Feeling this song so hard lately. I love Jimmy Eat World so much. They always have a way of saying things just right.

Have a good Monday!

Thanksgiving in Pictures

2011-11-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

Brother-in-law Tyson and Baby Ember

Great Uncle Roy dishing up

Sister-in-law Jana dishing up green bean casserole

Ya. That's Lara's typical face.

Us at the Christmas tree farm that was way too expensive, so we went to Smiths to get one.

Christmas hats!

Kitten getting into various shenanigans.

I did a project off of Pinterest! I love them.

4 deer and a T-Rex. Perfect.


Another DIY I did and our undecorated Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving was great this year. We hosted Karl's family at our house and it may have been a bit stressful, and we may have gotten next to no sleep the night before (waking up every hour to baste the turkeys, smoke alarms, and early morning cinnamon roll baking), but it was worth it! It was a great day and we enjoyed having Friday off to sleep late, do some decorating, buy the new She and Him album and see the new Muppets movie (so cute, by the way). Now it's back to homework and finals prep for us! Yaaaayyyy... Can you feel my enthusiasm? Haha.

How was your Thanksgiving? Did you see any movies you liked?

Meet Our Little Bundle of Joy

2011-11-21T21:46:00.001-07:00

So on Saturday I got a little bit bored (a.k.a there was nothing new on FB and I had repinned approximately 1,000 pins). I had finished my homework and Karl was still at work. I started exploring The Nest when I saw an advertisement for The Bump that said "See what your baby will look like!" How could I say no to that? To be fair to Baby Morph, I assumed that my baby would look something like those from the infamous scrapbook in How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I was wrong. They are worse. Much, much worse and all the more awesome for it. Oh, and don't think I stopped with finding out what mine and Karl's baby would look like. I took it 10 steps further.

This is our little angel! It's unfortunate that they predicted I will bear the mustachioed child of an Asian man, but hey, it's a baby, right? (I love that they interpreted Karl's semi-squinty eyes as Asian. Hahah).

Ya, we morphed kitten into this. Not a bad lookin kid except for the brown splotches on her face and a kitten nose for her mouth. Love that Blossom hat though. She obviously got Karl's fashion sense.

If Lara and I had a kid, this would be our little tyke. He even got kitten's tail for hair! Little scalawag!

Is it odd that the best looking child of the bunch came from me and Kitten? Perhaps. I'll let you be the judge.


I tried Karl and I one more time. Way more normal that the first one. Although, I think Karl would abandon the baby in the desert if we had a ginger. (Haha. I kid... Kind of.)

I know what you're thinking. These are some attractive children! Now go make some of your own here and share them with me, either in the comments or at kristie(dot)resolution(at)gmail(dot)com.

Random Thoughts

2011-11-18T09:04:00.001-07:00

Source: tumblr.com via Kristie on Pinterest

-Sometimes I spell my name as Krisite

-My favorite T9 mistake is when Karl says he wants to make chicken butlets for dinner. Hahah. Butlets.

-When I was younger I saw a Dentyne Ice commercial that said that the temperature of your mouth is like 100 degrees. All summer I had an ice cube in my mouth to cool it down. There's nothing worse than feeling like your mouth is too hot. Now I feel like I need ice cubes in my mouth. Ugh.

-When it gets cold out, I rarely shave my legs. I did today and it feels so luxurious.

-My new favorite show is "Up All Night." A show with Christina Applegate, Will Arnet, and Maya Rudolph? Come on. You can't go wrong.

-My parents have a video of my sister, Clarrisa, and they're trying to get her to sing "A Whole New World." She's all shy about it, so what do I do? I jump in front of her with my arms spread wide open and scream, "A WHOLE NEW...(deep breath)... WORLDDDDD!!!!" That pretty much sums up my childhood.

-I went to the dentist 2 weeks ago to get my teeth cleaned and a filling fixed and since then my teeth have been so incredibly sensitive. Like it hurts to breath in because the air is cool. I'm so over it.

-My favorite winter breakfast is back in my life. Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate and a blueberry scone. I had it this morning and it was devine.

-Pinterest has become my new favorite passtime.

-One summer, in high school, I didn't have any friends during the summer so I stayed home all day, every day and watched crime shows. I watched every season of CSI and Law and Order SVU. Best time of my life. Haha. I kid...Kind of...

Well, that's about it here. Peace out playas.

Music and Pictures

2011-11-17T12:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, I know, I know, more music. It's the only thing getting me through this week! And one of my favorites just released a new song and video.

So good.

And now for random pictures:

I sometimes have a second to paint my nails

The only dressing up I did for Halloween was for work. Everyone said they were dressing up...I ended up being the only one.

Kitten playing "Hide and Attack" under the flat sheet

Happy Friday!

2011-11-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

A perfect song for today:

Have a good weekend!

Song for Today

2011-11-08T11:43:00.002-07:00

Things That Make Me Laugh

2011-11-05T11:54:00.000-06:00

Well, its now time for some laughing! Here are my favorites from Pinterest!

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"There are some things only women can do."- With the Jackass guys

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"This is why Photoshop was created."

Source: tasteofawesome.com via Kristie on Pinterest

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Do you have Pinterest? Leave a link here if you do and I'll follow you! Have a great weekend. Utah is looking like a winter wonderland, so I know I will!

Getting Deep

2011-11-02T16:08:00.002-06:00

Source: facingallmyfears.wordpress.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Disclaimer: Things are going toget deep her at The Resolution today. If reading about sexual abuse bothersyou, I’m sorry, but I think it needs to be talked about.

A few years ago, I was talkingwith a group of about 5 friends of mine. Somehow, the topic of sexual abusecame up and we found out that every single one of us was a victim of it when wewere children.

Since then, I’ve learned of quitea few more women and men who have been victims of this awful crime, whetherthey were children, teens, or adults. It astounds me that so many people havehad to suffer through this pain and confusion at some point in their lives. Itdevastates me to know that there are so many predators or other victims ofabuse that perpetuate it out there. It makes me afraid for the children I willeventually have.

More than anything, I want tospeak out and let all of you who may be currently struggling, or who havestruggled in the past with this pain that you are not alone. Just becausesomeone took advantage of you and hurt you, doesn’t mean you have to let itdefine you. It was not your fault. It’s not your guilt to carry. You are morethan what has been done to you. You are not damaged goods. You are capable ofbeing loved.

We can be so much more thanvictims of abuse. It’s important to deal with our issues (I cannot recommendtherapy enough), but once we have processed our emotions, let’s move on. Let’s liveour lives to the fullest. Let’s love and be loved. Let’s protect our childrenfrom that harm. Don’t be afraid to comfort others who may be going through thesame pain.

It’s possible to overcome ourhorrible experiences; all we have to do is try, and accept all of the help thatis out there. This website is a really good place to start.

Kiki for the Win!

2011-11-02T09:59:00.000-06:00

I don't know who Kirsten Dunst's new stylist is, but she is rocking everything she walks out in. I especially love the demure modesty of it all. Kirsten Dunst for the win.

Photos from InStyle.com via Downeast Basics Blog

Grazie!

2011-10-25T15:07:00.001-06:00

Thank you! That’s what I need to say to all of you. After Iwrote my post yesterday, I was afraid that everyone would think I was weak anddepressing. I almost took it down. I’m really glad that I didn’t. So many ofyou, friends in real life and friends from the internet, were all so sweet. I’mnot glad that we all have to suffer through these days (though I understand whywe do), but I’m glad that despite all that stress and fear, I wasn’t alone. I appreciateall of your reassuring words and clever suggestions more than you know. As corny as it sounds, you all really picked meup when I was incredibly down.

I decided to take some of your advice yesterday. I skippedone of my classes and called out of work. I went to lunch with Karl, decided tonot do homework, put a giant towel in the dryer, and took a long, hot shath(shower/bath). I wrapped the amazing, warm towel around me and immediately feltmuch better. After, I made some delicious Belgian dark chocolate and peanutbutter cup hot cocoa, topped with just the right amount of marshmallows andwatched Away We Go. Guess what? I even did my homework because it didn’t feellike such a heavy burden.

One thing I didn’t tell you is that yesterday was the twoyear anniversary of mine and Karl’s first date, so Karl skipped class and mademe dinner. Then we made some caramel apples topped with coconut and chocolatechips and watched Life is Beautiful. Today I am feeling restored and ready toget to work.

Thank you again. I’m so grateful for every single one ofyou.

Sometimes I Have Hard Days

2011-10-24T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Sometimes I have hard days. Sometimes I have two hard days in a row. I'm tired. I can't sleep, but it's really all I want to do. I have homework here and homework there. One side of me says, "Screw it! Just don't do it! Where have A's gotten you so far?!" The other side of me says, "I hold myself to the standard of being an A student. I have to succeed. I can't not do it." That battle is raging inside me and ends up making me curl into a little ball in bed, afraid to begin the day. Overwhelmed doesn't begin to cover it. There's school and there's church and there's work and a million other things that are pulling me down. I want to go on vacation and not stress the whole time about the homework I'm not doing because I'm there. I'm struggling with my faith. I want to not feel tired all the time. I don't know what I want anymore. I don't know if school is really for me after all. I'm afraid that if I can't even handle school, that I won't be a good mother when that time comes. So there's another stress added to the pile. How do people handle it all without breaking down? I'm just so tired.

It's not always like this; it's just that sometimes I have hard days.

Sleeping Habits

2011-10-19T10:18:00.002-06:00

Today I've decided to treat you to an oldie but goodie from one of my other blogs. Enjoy!

This is what an ideal world would look like.

Sleeping habits aren't something that are talked about when considering marriage. No one ever thinks, ya, I bet when we live together it's going to be a nightmare sleeping next to that guy. You know what, sometimes it is. It took me almost a year to be able to sleep in the same room as Karl because of his snoring. The blanket thing is another issue we've had trouble dealing with as well. When Karl and I started sleeping in the same bed together, it became quite clear we are both blanket hogs. We both like to wrap ourselves in a kind of cocoon with our blankets. This is impossible to do with one blanket. I am a side sleeper, and I make him sleep on his side too (because of the snoring), so we can bundle up on one side, but right in the middle there is always a giant gap that lets cold air in. I depicted this in a lovely picture that obviously displays the breadth of my talent.

The giant black "V" represents cold air flowing down our backs. Notice the unhappy looks on our faces. As a result of this unhappiness, we decided to just use two separate blankets. I love mine (fluffy, faux down, with an adorable duvet) and Karl loves his (a soft comforter on the thin side that actually matches mine perfectly). I once had someone tell me that separate blankets would be the downfall of our marriage. That person was a douche anyways, so I never took much stock in his opinion. Apparently, Apartment Therapy says it's okay. It's even trending in Europe right now (I'm so chic), so I'm good with that. I think that we should be able to go with what works. Karl and I are very solitary sleepers, not much cuddling going on there, and that's perfectly okay. I have a dream that blanket hogs and cuddlers alike will be able to sleep in whatever way is comfortable and not be judged by their blanket stealing habits. I have a dream.

Lava Hot Springs

2011-10-17T12:59:00.000-06:00

Oh hey northern Utah.

We were stopped for construction and got to watch these horses for a half hour.

Stuck in traffic boredom

The City of Lava Hot Springs. This was while it was hoppin.

The colors were pretty, and we stayed right next to a river, so there's some good.

Pro.

Super delicious.

First timer.

Our caramel apples (We kept arguing over the pronunciation of caramel. I'm all for car-a-mel. Karl's a carmel person.)

Well the last few days were... Eventful. Here goes:

-We left for Lava Hot Springs, ID (which we found out is pronounced by locals as Laaava, kind of like how you would say cat if that makes any sense at all.

-I loved the scenery and the gorgeous fall weather.

-We arrived in Lava to find out the hotel we were staying in was actually a motel and had cracked cinder block walls, stained sheets, and the world's worst bed. I'm talking worse than a hide-a-bed.

-Thank goodness for that lovely natural hot spring water that worked out those kinks in my neck after a night sleeping on that atrocity. The hot pools were incredible, by the way.

-Lava is such a small town. It's dead. Especially in October.

-We drove an hour to go apple picking and get some cider and caramel apples. Turns out, the orchard was out of caramel apples and hadn't started the cider press for the year, despite what they said when I called. I may have cried. Karl took me to the grocery store and bought all the fixins to make our own caramel apples in our room that night. He's the sweetest.

-We ate at an amazing bagel place in Pocatello, ID per the recommendation Julie (thanks Schmaguli!). We brought a half dozen back to the room. I'm still dreaming about them.

-We were supposed to stay two days, but we got bored and didn't want to sleep on that bed again, so we drove home and made caramel apples there and had a LOTR marathon. We're super cool. We know.

Some parts of our vacation were good, some were not so good, but overall, it was an adventure. It's pretty ironic that we took the trip because I was homesick for Massachusetts in the fall, but the whole time we were away, I just wanted to be home in Salt Lake. You know how people who speak more than one language are called bilingual? Well, I think people who have two homes should be called bihomal. Haha. If anyone is bihomal, it's me. It's the great conundrum of my life.

Karl blogs, Kristie wants the b in blog capitalized, but I am keeping it a small b because small b looks like a music note kind of

2011-10-12T20:55:00.000-06:00

Kristie’s screen is way brighter than mine!!! Kristie isn’t wearing pants. Kristie has toe paint on. Kristie is looking at her computer andclicking things. Kristie has a prettyface. Kristie is smart. Kristie has a confused look on her face. I want to take a test to see how many words aminute I can type. I can never remember how to spell minute. I just had to ask Kristie how to spell minuteeven though it was in the sentence above. Kristie thinks I should blog this but I want an ice-cream instead. Why did word put a hyphen between icecream? Kristie rhymes with Crispy. I just typed my name with a C in stead of a K. Kristie just told me that I have to change in stead to instead because it is one word but I don't want to.

Fear

2011-10-08T12:00:00.003-06:00

Source: yesandyes.org via Kristie on Pinterest

Fear. It’s my driving force in allthat I do. It’s that little voice inside my head that tells me I can’t take ayoga class or run a 5K because I’m overweight, and everyone will judge me. Ittells me that there’s no way I’ll ever be able to quit the job that makes mefeel hopeless. It’s the voice that admonishes me against taking sixteen credithours and working part time. Fear has always known that I have a hard timebalancing everything.

Ibelieve in fear. I believe that without fear, I would never truly challengemyself. I take that little voice, acknowledge it, laugh my heartiest laugh andsay, “There’s no way I’m giving into you. I will succeed and be so muchstronger because I overcame you.” I am astronger person today than I have ever been because I accept that I will bescared in myriad circumstances. The key for me, is not to accept being scared.Fear can be a debilitating force, or it can be life changing and wonderful.

Ididn’t always use fear as a valuable tool in my life. I used to take the fear,internalize it, and let it consume me from the inside out until the only thingI saw when I looked in the mirror was a sad, shell of a person. About a yearago, I was working at a bank full time. I had just gotten married and putschool on hold until my husband and I could get on our feet again. I loathed myjob. My boss was demeaning, my job was unsatisfying, and customers wereverbally abusive. I left work ever day sobbing. Fear told me that working therewas all I would ever have. “This is the only skill you’re good at, Kristie. Whowould ever want an employee like you?” my fear would tell me.

Oneday, after overcoming a fit of tears in the bathroom and calling my husband toconsole me, he said, “Kristie. Listen to me. Just quit. Tell your boss he can goto Hell and walk out.” My pulse began to race as I considered the prospect.Suddenly, my fear penetrated my thoughts again, but something magical happenedin that moment; I decided not to listen to it. I said to myself, “You are worthso much more than this! You deserve to be happy!” Now, I didn’t quite tell myboss to go to Hell and ride off in a blaze of glory, but I mustered all of mycourage, walked up to my boss and said, “I quit. My last day is next Thursday.”

Inever knew how strong I was until I recognized my fear and doubt and made aconscious decision to overcome it. Quitting my soul-sucking job was thespecific incident when I felt a change permeate my entire being. It was almostlike that precise moment when you feel the seasons change. I learned how to use fear to my advantage andI have gotten more and more unyielding to it with each time it rears its uglylittle head. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scaresyou.” I’ll take that challenge. I believe in fear.

I wrote this paper for my English 2010 class. It's all me. Nothing censored. I read it out loud in a circle of 26 of my peers. I felt changed.

Happy Weekend!

2011-10-07T09:14:00.001-06:00

Source: None via Chelsey on Pinterest

"How you upset Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek nerds everywhere."

Source: google.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Feeling like nerding out and watching some HP, LOTR, and Back to the Future. I'll probably just drown in never ending homework though. I hope you at least have a good weekend!

What Kitten Has Been Up To Lately

2011-10-04T13:18:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since we checked in with Kitten here! Kitten is getting to be not so kitten sized anymore but she still acts like one! Here's what she's been up to lately:

Kitten has decided to become a parrot cat. She jumps on anyone's shoulders and decides to make herself comfortable.

Sometimes she's a diva and refuses to let me take a picture of her. Brat.

Today, Karl left his peanut butter cups home and kitten ate 2 of the 4! What a troublemaker. At least she was nice enough to write an I.O.U.

Caught in the act!

Kitten has been loving doing my homework with me. She really loves my drawing book in particular.

Although I think she really just loves eating it rather than actually reading it.

Laura Marling

2011-10-04T07:31:00.000-06:00

YA. Today is all about this.

I just love her. Ever since Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down.

And just in case you want some more...

Salt Water

2011-10-03T18:29:00.000-06:00

Source: etsy.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Lately it's been some sweat and a lot of tears. I knew this whole "overwhelmed" feeling would set in eventually. Thank goodness for General Conference, family, and a truly sweet/ ridiculously funny husband. I've also been listening to this and it seems to be helping quite a bit. Talk about beautiful.

Music... Friday?

2011-09-30T10:37:00.001-06:00

As per Zach Braff's request, I am treating myself to a little "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Have a great weekend!

Weekend Love

2011-09-26T13:05:00.000-06:00

Source: society6.com via Kristie on Pinterest

This weekend:

-Karl brought me home flowers. And lemon chicken noodle soup. And kabobs. And lemon rice. And he cleaned the whole house. I was sick and he's just so dreamy.

-Karl lost a bet with me that he could be at work by 7AM on Saturday. HA! He now owes me a batch of black moons.

-We did more homework than anyone should. Seriously.

-We watched a couple of episodes of Holmes on Homes. Karl and I both agree that Mike Holmes is a very attractive man.

-I got my hair did by my wonderful friend, Leah. I decided I'm going to start a hula hooping class with her and and our other friend, Brooke on Saturdays. Hopefully I will finally be able to learn how to hula hoop! My friend once bought me a hula hoop for my birthday a few years ago. I practiced an hour a day for a month and still couldn't do it. Here's hoping things change!

-Karl and I did the church thing and I actually made a new friend! Yay!

-Last night we went to a presentation by Lindsay and Lexie for Beauty Redefined. It was incredible. Everyone needs to see this presentation.

How was your weekend, lovely?

Best Thing Evarrr.

2011-09-25T13:27:00.002-06:00

I want that cat.

Weekend!

2011-09-24T18:07:00.000-06:00

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! xoxo

Dream

2011-09-23T17:18:00.001-06:00

Source: papertissue.tumblr.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Ever have a really, tremendously realistic and simultaneously awful dream, wake up crying, and have it infect your thoughts all day? Ya. That's today for me.

The Kristie Alphabet

2011-09-21T22:47:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am that hip and no, I never make my bed. Deal with it.

I've seen everyone and their dog do this, so I figured, why not, right? It's only 10:41PM and I have to be up at 5AM to go running, but sleep is overrated. That being said, here goes:

A. Age: 22, but I keep thinking I'm 23. Nonsense.
B. Bed size: King. It's the best thing the husband and I have ever purchased in my opinion.
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the kitchen floors. I hate it so much. Luckily Karl does it for me.
D. Dogs: RIP Sydney and Scrappy. We hope to get a dog someday, but not until we have a yard for it to play in.
E. Essential start to your day: Music. It wakes me up and keeps me upbeat and dancing while I get ready.
F. Favorite color: Deep shades of blue have always been my favorite. I love navy especially.
G. Gold or Silver: A little bit of both. I've been feeling like I need more gold in my life lately.
H. Height: 5'11" Ya. I'm tall.
I. Instruments you play: I played the piano for a few years in high school and college, but it was hard, so I quit.
J. Job title: Full time student, and receptionist at International Student Services at Salt Lake Community College.
K. Kids: Hopefully one day.
L. Live: Salt Lake City, UT. It's good for now, but not where I want to end up.
M. Mother’s name: Lynne. Her name is also mine and my sister's middle names.
N. Nicknames: There are so many. Krispy Kritter, Kritters, Krittles, Kritty, Kitty Litter Spice, Love, Georgebear, Kristiesita Bonita, to name a few. Edit: Thanks for reminding me, Schmaguli! Helga and Delicate are also two nicknames I have. Oh, and Sex Bomb. Haha.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Never
P. Pet peeves: When Karl comes home from work or school, he immediately sheds his clothes and leaves them all over the house. It drives me nuts!
Q. Quote from a movie: "Nobody sits like this rock sits. You rock, rock. The rock just sits and is. You show us how to just sit here and that's what we need."- I Heart Huckabees
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: My younger sister, Clarissa, my older half siblings Derek and Amanda (on my mom's side), and more half siblings, Robbie, Michelle, and Kimberly (on my dad's side).
T. Time you wake up: Usually when Karl leaves for work at about 6:45, or on MWF, at 5 to go running.
U. Underwear: I'm Mormon. So yes. I wear more underwear than most (the link explains why).
V. Vegetable you hate: I don't love peas. Not hate, but I just don't love them.
W. What makes you run late: I end up thinking I have more time than I do and I spend too much time on the internet.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Dental, ankle.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Chocolate chip cookies and black moons. Mmm. If only black moons weren't so much work.
Z. Zoo animal: Penguins! I just love them. So cute.

That's all she wrote. Literally. If you do this, come back here and leave me the link. I want to read yours!

Weekend (And Monday) Thoughts

2011-09-19T18:09:00.002-06:00

-The Utah State Fair is awesome (I've never been to a one before). It almost lived up to the expectations I have formed of state fairs from watching the movie State Fair my whole life. It was a little lacking in spontaneous crowd singing, but other than that, it was good.

-Hand spun cotton candy is the only way to go. Same goes for hand-squeezed lemonade with pulp. And Fried Dough (Funnel Cakes for all you Utahns). Mmmm.

-I'm homesick, probably from Skyping with my parents and sister. As a result, Karl and I are opting to take a trip to Idaho to clear my head of Utahness for fall break in October. We're going to pick apples at an orchard and eat lots of caramel apples. Oh, and we're also going to Lava Hot Springs. I'm incredibly excited to cross two things off my bucket list.

-We figured out Karl's Halloween costume. Hipsterrr.

Yes. Those are my clothes and accessories and yes. Those are skinny jeans.

-I got my hair cut and colored. The color is awful. Tiger stripe effect when it's pulled up. I'm getting it fixed on Saturday.

-I've had about 10 Tootsie Rolls today. I forgot how good they are. I mean, when was the last time you heard someone say, "Man...I could really go for a Tootsie Roll right about now!"? Haha.

-For my drawing class, I had to draw my family. They look like Muppets. People are not my forte when it comes to drawing.

-I'm obsessed with "Cash and Cari" on HGTV. It's addicting.

-Karl and I found the best pizza place in Salt Lake. I want to eat there every day for the rest of my life.

-I should be cleaning and doing homework right now, so that's me signing off!

2011-09-18T14:56:00.003-06:00

Source: art.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

What do you do when the one places that feels home, is the one place you know you'll never end up?

My heart aches to go home. I'm going to watch Garden State. It always makes me feel better when I'm homesick.

2011-09-16T17:24:00.002-06:00

Told ya my posting would be sporadic. :)

74 degrees. Dark skies. Wind. Rain. Lighting. Thunder. Perfect song.

2011-09-16T08:17:00.000-06:00

Source: myrevelment.com via Kristie on Pinterest

See? I'm not the only one! Michelle just said it way better than I ever could.

Just a quick update: I'm rocking the whole school thing. I'm getting good grades, I'm learning a ton, I'm finding out I'm not the worst at drawing, I love my interior design class, and I got to design a type of blog for school called an ePortfolio. I had a lot of fun with that. Also, the thing I'm most excited about is that I get to work with Lindsay and Lexie Kite of Beauty Redefined for my Service Learning class. Ya. It's awesome; I know. If you don't know what Beauty Redefined is, go to the website and join the movement. You won't be sorry.

Work is going pretty good. I'm learning a lot about visa types and international students and I'm making some friends at the office.

Every free second I have is spent doing homework and you know, I don't hate it. This is kind of weird for me. I think I just lucked out. I think it's because I don't have teachers that don't care. All of my teachers are intelligent people who are experts in their fields. They care about us as students. That's a first for me at SLCC. I have to say, it makes all the difference.

Karl and I are doing great! We miss each other while we're at class, but you know, that's kind of unavoidable. We make sure to cherish the time we do have together and we've upped our number of dates per week to stay sane. Haha.

Well, that's about it in my life. How are you doing, friends?

2011-09-15T11:50:00.003-06:00

I really love smoothies as is evident by the song and haiku I made up.

Smoothie, smoothie, smoothie, you are so yummy and fruity.

Smoothies are tasty
I want to drink them all day
My mouth would be cold

You're welcome, world.

Lately.

2011-09-12T12:33:00.002-06:00

Source: bellamumma.com via Kristie on Pinterest

This is my life lately. Feels oh so good.

I'm in a Different Zone

2011-09-10T11:26:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Miss Von at Yes and Yes for this:

Ya. Just really good. In every way.

2011-09-08T16:15:00.000-06:00

Artwork via Carolyn Alexander

Hi friends. You may have noticed that I’ve kind ofdisappeared from the blog world recently. I really thought I could go to schoolfull time, work part time, do homework, work out, sleep, do community service, and runa blog. Ya. I was wrong. Any free moment I have is spent cramming in homeworkthat isn’t even due yet, just to stay on top of things. I’m finding that thislittle blog I’ve created is becoming a burden, rather than the haven it used tobe and I think it’s become pretty obvious. I don’t want to write mediocrecontent, and I doubt any of you want to read it.

Now, I’m not saying that I’mdeleting my blog and going dark on you, I’m just saying that my posting isgoing to be sporadic at best. Once school has calmed down, I might start toblog daily again, but right now it’s just not in the cards. Thanks so much forunderstanding and being so completely lovely. I hope you’ll pop by for a visitevery now and then!

If you’d still like to be friends and chat every now and then,you can still find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and my e-mail.

Bringhurst out.

P.S. Happy 3rd blog birthday to me! Ironic.

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-09-06T11:59:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great long weekend! We stayed pretty busy around here what with Karl's birthday and all. Just a quick warning, this is going to be a pretty picture dense post. Here are the highlights of the weekend:

-Karl and I attended a birthday bonfire for our friend, Natalie. Good friends and s'mores. What more could a girl ask for?

-We saw Mr. Popper's Penguins at the dollar theater. When we got home, Kitten runs up to greet us at the door and Karl says, "Kitten! Why aren't you a penguin?!" and held her face to the air conditioner. I love him. Haha.

-On Saturday morning we went to Sniagrab (Bargains spelled backwards) to get some heinously cheap snowboard stuff. I've never been, so we needed to get me some supplies to go this year. They didn't have a single thing in my size. I really bothers me that they assume bigger people aren't active. Why can't we find work out clothes or snow pants in our size?! I got kind of sad for a bit, but don't worry, I recovered.

-Karl and I did homework all Saturday night. We are being so disciplined so far. :)

-We cleaned and rearranged the house. It feels great. We topped it off with fresh flowers.

-We decided that for Karl's birthday we wanted to go to a water park so we went to 7 Peaks, Salt Lake. It's a little rundown, but still fun. On my first slide, I was screaming and lost control of my tube and fell off. Apparently at the top, a little girl said, "I guess that's what happens when you get too excited." Ya...Apparently... Also, when you weigh more, you go down water slides 1,000 times faster. At least there's one perk that comes with being overweight. Haha. Lastly, my skin is glowing today. My skin loves the sun.

-After 7 Peaks, it was dinner at Chungas (an amazing Mexico City style Mexican restaurant).

-We rented a movie and I was going to make Karl birthday cookies, but we came home to find the power out. We lit candles and watched Letters from Iwo Jima on my laptop and ate some 7-11 treats. It was good.

Gorgeous day in downtown Salt Lake.

Karl's hair got all windblown. It's adorable.

This was spray painted on the sidewalk. Wise words.

Oh, and we stopped at Nielsen's Frozen Custard. It's so so amazing.

Chungas! And that frothy deliciousness in the center is agua de pina. Best thing I've ever had to drink.

Me at Chungas. Evidence of glowing skin and lightened hair.

I've always love this truck whenever we drive past it. We decided to stop and do a photo shoot before it becomes overly tagged.

Cute birthday boy.

I painted my nails. A little messy, but I like.

Our table and flowers during the power outage. Romantic!

Well, as you can see, our weekend was packed and super good. Did you do anything exciting? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy Birthday George Bear!

2011-09-02T12:50:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited for this long weekend coming up, not just because it's a long weekend, but because it's Karl's birthday! He turns the big 27 (ya, he cradle robbed) this year and I can't wait to celebrate it with him. Karl doesn't really love to have big birthday shindigs, or to really even acknowledge that it is his birthday, but me, being me, I have to at least make it special for him! That's why today I am telling you all 10 things you didn't know about Karl and/or reasons I love him.

1. He just mangles Spanish so hard. Sometimes we'll say it's gorgeous outside and he'll say, "Si. Esta muy gorgeoso." Gorgeoso isn't a word and if you were to translate it, it would be George Bear. It has become our nickname for each other.

2. This may be an overshare, but he can get naked faster than anyone I've ever met. Now, I really haven't seen many people get naked, but I'm still sure he's the fastest. Guinness here we come.

3. Karl is the best improver I have ever seen. He frequently changes lyrics to popular songs at the drop of a hat. It'll rhyme and flow and be hilarious. "Island in the Sun" is now a song about incontinence. "Poop bum, squid-gy" instead of "Hip, hip. Hip, hip" Haha. I'm getting better at riffing with him, but I don't know if I'll ever be at his skill level.

4. Karl is super calm. When I get stressed or sad or angry, he's right there, calm as a clam. Is that a saying? I think I just made it up. It's definitely going to be the next "totes," or "whatevvv." Count on it.

5. He is truly selfless. Karl worked crazy overtime while I was unemployed just for me to be able to stay home. He would drop anything if one of his sisters needed him. He also hates cleaning the kitchen, but he does it anyways because he knows I hate it too.

6. He folds towels in a weird way and refolds the towels I fold. Not annoying. Just funny. His towels fit in the rack better anyways.

7. The whole time I've been training for a 5K, Karl has come with me on every run even though he really didn't want to in the beginning. I love that he is so incredibly supportive of me in everything I do. Ya, I picked a good one.

8. Karl loves to dance. It's never serious. He doesn't care how he looks while he is dancing and I love him all the more for it, and I often join him.

9. He really loves Kitten. He loves to play with her and cuddle with her and chase her. It's really adorable. He's like a little kid. And this is the guy who said he hated cats when we were first dating. Pshhh.

10. Karl is an ambitious reader. Right now he's reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Have you ever tried to read that book? Ya, don't think anyone has read that book... Except for maybe our Founding Fathers, but what do they know? Haha.

So ya, Karl is a pretty amazing guy. The amazingest, in my opinion. He's handsome, intelligent, driven, selfless, supportive, hilarious, silly, and I could go on forever. I'm so grateful that he was born, and that despite several concussions and bodily injuries, he made it to 27.

Happy Birtday Karl Love! I love you more and more everyday and I'm so incredibly grateful to be your wife for eternity! Love youuuu.

Interesting, Funny, and Disgusting

2011-09-01T09:06:00.000-06:00

Hello! I'm so glad I don't have classes on Thursday mornings because life has been crazy and I needed a break! My schedule is full to the brim, and when I'm not at school or work, I'm going on mid week necessity dates with Karl to keep my sanity. I don't think I've ever loved fro-yo this much ever. Obviously I'm coping well. Haha. For the most part, I really am. I feel good being this busy! It's good for me. Anyways, since school and work has begun there have been so many interesting/funny/disgusting/Twilight Zone things going on and I couldn't wait to tell you guys because you are all my BFFs. Seriously. You are. Anyways, here goes.

- I'm taking a yoga class. My teacher happens to be a dul,a on the side. She keeps telling us good poses for fertility. Haha. And we seriously say "Namaste" at the end of class. The light in me salutes the light in you. I love it.

- I have never been more disgusted with public bathrooms. I have to use them all day. I thought it was normal to check the seat after going to the bathroom! Apparently not! It took me entering and leaving 3 stalls to find one without pee, pubes, or poop on it. Seriously people! Sanitation!

- Karl and I get asked if we are brother and sister all the time. Our film teacher even said, "Good to have the Bringhurst twins here." Ug. Just because we're both blonde hair, blue eyed, rosy cheeked, tall, chubby... Okay ya, I can see it.

- I dropped said film class and decided to take drawing instead. It's been years since I've drawn anything. I'm a little nervous, but also super excited.

- I switched my 3 hour computer class so now I get to take it with my BFF Dixie. Taking classes with friends is always better.

- My English class is service learning so I get to pick a nonprofit to work with. My group is hoping for Beauty Redefined.

- Karl is so sweet. The house was starting to get a little bit messy yesterday (which we are try to avoid as to not stress us out more) so last night while I was at class, Karl cleaned up. Love that guy.

- My English teacher was taking role the other day and said, "Kristie?" I said, "Here." Then a little later my teacher said, "Kristin Bringhurst?" I got confused and said, "Did you mean "Kristie?" as I looked around the classroom. I heard a voice behind me say, "That's me. I'm Kristin Bringhurst." I turn around and there's a woman right behind me, the newly infamous Kristin Bringhurst, wearing the same color shirt as me. So wierd.

-My job is great. I work with really great people from the U.S., Brazil, South Korea, and Costa Rica. They are all super nice. The students we help are so amazing too. Everyday I'm impressed with their bravery, leaving everything they know behind to come to Utah, of all places, to learn English and get degrees. Most of the kids are from South Korea. How to they even find out about Salt Lake Community College?! Haha.

Well, as you can see, my first few weeks of school and work have been crazy and interesting. I'm really happy right now, but we'll see how happy I am come midterms and finals. Haha. Are any of you going to school this year? Do you have any funny stories for me? I'd love to hear them!

P.S. That picture is from here and has nothing to do with anything, I just love it so much. Literal humor is the best humor.

Wednesday Pick Me Up

2011-08-31T07:33:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! The week is half over and I couldn't be more thrilled. Wednesdays are my extra long days and I'm pretty much gone from 9-9. I need a Wednesday Pick Me Up more than ever! Haha. Today I chose Camera Obscura's "French Navy" because I'm feeling Camera Obscura so hard right now. They are just 100% good. And this video is 100% good.

I need to go to Paris... And Rome...

I hope you all make it through hump day unscathed! Happy week half over day!

Karl's Garden

2011-08-29T20:43:00.001-06:00

Hi friends! As you could have probably guessed from my sporadic posting lately, I'm kind of inundated with a million and half things, so I figured this would be the perfect time for Karl to talk about his (not so) little garden. I say Karl's garden because I kill everything I touch and I don't want to jinx our lovely zucchini, squash, and tomato plants by calling them part mine. Haha. Thanks for your patience and love! xoxo

This spring, right after mothers day, Kristie and I (really just me) decided to plant a garden. This was my first shot at growing anything and it was quite a fun experience. Kristie had gone away for a week to visit her parents, and I was quite bored. I went down to Home Depot and bought up a bunch of scrap pieces of wood and a few bags of dirt and made these glorious planter boxes. I have to admit that I didn't put a huge amount of effort into properly making the boxes so as a result, as the plants have grown, the planter boxes have all kind of fallen apart, but hey, the plants are still growing like crazy. After I made the boxes, I got some of those little peetmoss planting flats and a bunch of seeds and filled them all up with dirt and stuck a bunch of seeds in them I watched for a few hours, and when nothing had grown, i decided to go and get a bunch of plants that were already started and plant them in my boxes.

It has been a few months now and our plants have gone crazy. About three weeks after I planted the garden, the radishes were full sized and I got to pick them. It was very exciting. Unfortunately I left them out in our super humid house for a day and they shriveled up and got soft. I'm not quite sure why that happened, but I was lucky enough to eat one. Since then we have had probably a dozen squash and even more zucchini. We have had so much zucchini that we are having it with almost every meal we have. Instead of chicken cutlets, zucchini cutlets. Fried zucchini with grilled cheese sandwiches and when we cook on the grill we have grilled zucchini and hot dogs.

It has been lots of fun to plant things and watch them grow! I recommend it to anyone! Good luck if you every plant your own garden.

Love,
Karl

Occupado

2011-08-26T12:47:00.000-06:00

Source: ffffound.com via Kristie on Pinterest

School is back in swing and work is constant. Busy, busy, busy!

Balance

2011-08-25T09:10:00.000-06:00

Source: yesandyes.org via Kristie on Pinterest

Today over at Medicinal Marzipan, Mara wrote about balance. I decided to keep that same theme over here for my post today.

Balance to me, is not the ability to do it all, but it's the ability to say no when I'm just can't fit something in.

I think, generally, I'm pretty good at balancing my life. Maybe sometimes I get a little too self-indulgent, but that's all part of life, right? Anyways, I'm good at making time for everything for the most part, but then something happens, like finals, or when I started dating this really amazing guy, or the holidays come around, and I lose it. I get overwhelmed, I procrastinate things, the house becomes a giant mess and I end up crying and wishing I was more of a "I can do it all!" person. That's just not who I am though. In the race, I tend to be the tortoise, not the hare. It's important to take things easy and slow and to make time for myself and do the best I can.

I think the the most important thing about balance is the thing people forget to do most: Make time to love yourself. Get all gussied up and take yourself on a date. Get a pedicure and paint your toes fire engine red. Take a bath with lots of bubbles while listening to the Garden State Soundtrack and drinking your favorite beverage from a champagne glass... Whatever.

These next few months are going to be crazy for me. 17 credit hours, a part time job, church responsibilities, 5AM workouts, dates with Karl, etc. I think I would lose my mind unless I took time out every single day to be by myself and love myself. I know I'm not alone in trying to find balance in my life. I have an inkling most of you struggle with it as well, because it's a universal problem. I think especially as women, we try to do it all. We try to be the best moms, girlfriends, wives, students, employees, etc., but forget that we need time to maintain our own identities and to remember why we are complete rockstars for doing so much and making it work.

We are going to have setbacks. We are going to get overwhelmed. It just happens. When that happens, what's most important (and what I need to work on) is to let it go. Sometimes we can't do it all. That's okay. Tomorrow is a new day. It's a fresh chance to start over. Embrace that.

Balance not about being perfect. It's about feeling like your best self and knowing that even if you can't do it all, or don't want to do it all, that's okay. As long as the important things are accounted for, it's a success.

Wednesday Pick Me Up

2011-08-24T07:09:00.000-06:00

I know I've probably posted this video before, but I just can't help but post it again. I've been listening to Stars almost everyday for the last two weeks and I still think "Your Ex- Lover is Dead" is their best song. It's such a beautiful song. That's the best word to describe it. Beautiful. And a bit sad. It's perfect. I've you've never heard it, you've been missing out and should probably watch this video stat.

Well, today is my first day back to school, so I've got stuff to do, yo. Peace out playas! Haha. Who do I think I am?

Let me know what you think of the song in the comments!

Source: nouvelle-nouveau.tumblr.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Three Seasons of Pictures

2011-08-23T10:03:00.000-06:00

This post is all about pictures. Since I got a new camera back in March, I haven't been using my Diana Mini as much and as a result, when I developed the pictures, they went all the way back to Valentine's Day. Haha. I bought some new lomo film and can't wait to try out some fun things there, but until then, you can enjoy the roll of black and white film I just developed!

Seen above: Karl being ridiculous, Dixie, Dan, Natalie, Karl, and I swimming, Zion's National Park in the spring, my favorite spot at Liberty Park, Valentine's day Little America balcony shot.

I'm pleased with how these pictures turned out! I wasn't sure about black and white in the Diana Mini, but I like it! Now if only I could get my Brownie Holiday up and running, I could inundate you with vintage style pictures. Haha. If any of you have experience with old Brownie Cameras please let me know! I can use all the help I can get!

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-08-22T09:22:00.000-06:00

Karl and I were incredibly busy this weekend! Here's what it looked like:

-Indulgent school supply shopping (Kitten likes to play in the bags)
-New laptop buying! Yay!
-Zombieland watching
-Farmers market perusing with home grown honey and fresh produce buying
-Lunch eating at an amazing little Italian sub shop called Granato's.
-Ikea walking. No shopping this time.
-Temple attending. We got to see our friend's sealing! We're so happy for them!
-Rainbow watching
-Mexican supermercado searching for a molcajete
-Mexican soda drinking. Sidral Mundet is so so good.
-Grocery shopping
-Karl cooking. Homemade salsa, guacamole, spaghetti sauce (using our garden produce with some from the farmer's market), steaks for dinner, and kabobs to marinade.
-Me baking chocolate chip zucchini bread. More to come on that in another post.

So ya, pretty busy weekend. Haha. We're trying to get everything in order for when school begins on Wednesday (eek!). Well, my first day of work is today, so I better go get some things done! Tell me all about your exciting weekend in the comments! It'll give me something to look forward to after work!

Gratitude Friday

2011-08-19T11:35:00.001-06:00

Source: a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Kristie on Pinterest

I found this image on Pinterest yesterday and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Last night was Karl's turn to pray and I reminded him of this phrase. He said such a good prayer. At this point in our lives we are overflowing with gratitude for all of the blessings we have been given. I'm not saying we have oodles of money and we never have to lift a finger for anything, because that's not true. We work hard and we love hard. I think one of the keys to our happiness is constantly expressing gratitude. Even when things get tough, having gratitude for what you have is a game changer.

Today I am grateful for my sweet, wonderful, silly husband. I'm grateful for the home we live in where we feel safe and comfortable. I'm grateful for Karl's job and his extremely strong work ethic. I'm grateful for the ease we've had in going back to school and finding me a job. I'm grateful for my blog and all of you lovely readers that keep coming back and supporting me through everything. I'm grateful for the fall that's coming so swiftly and for my body that is strong and capable of running and walking and climbing to those soon to be changing trees in the mountains. I am grateful for our little vegetable garden that provides fresh squash, zucchini, and tomatoes every day for us. I am grateful for mine and Karl's families. Today I am grateful for the sunshine.

Sometimes it's not easy to express our gratitude, what counts is that we still do it. I urge you today to make a list of things and people that you are grateful for. Tell those people why you are grateful for them. Say a prayer of gratitude to our Heavenly Father, or whatever god you believe in. I promise you it will make your day shine.

How to Overcome First Day of Work Jitters

2011-08-18T11:49:00.001-06:00

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Kristie on Pinterest

It's been almost four years since I've had to start a new job that I knew nothing about. Even when I transferred branches at Chase, I still knew what I was doing. I knew the computer systems, I knew how to properly answer the phone, I knew how to do teller referrals,etc. On Monday, I will be starting a new job at the International Student Services Department at Salt Lake Community College. I will need to know all about various international student forms and visas and I will have to remember my new coworkers names, among lots of other things. Needless to say, I have the jitters. To help myself, and any of you who will be starting a new job in the future, I've compiled a list of things that will help calm us down and will make us less intimidated on our first day of work.

1. Wake up a half hour before you need to. Eat a good breakfast, read a little bit, take time to relax before your day has begun.

2. Get ready. I know I don't really need to say that you need to shower, but ya, you need to shower. Shave your legs while you're at it. Lotion your whole body after? Spray on your favorite (understated, not overwhelming) perfume?

3. Do your "confidence hair," or the hairstyle that makes you feel neat and professional. For me, it's blow-dried and straightened.

4. Pick out your first day outfit the night before. Make sure everything is clean and already ironed. Whether you pick a power suit, or a pair of nice jeans with a cardigan, make sure you're wearing something you feel good and comfortable in. That being said, four inch heels probably aren't the way to go unless you wear them every day and are a pro at walking in them. No one wants a trip and a fall on their face on their first day at the office. On a side note, consider a totem, or a good luck charm. I never feel myself unless I'm wearing the delicate silver feather necklace that Karl bought me. It reminds me of who I am and who I want to be. It's like your own secret confidence booster.

5. I know this sounds cheesy, but look yourself in the mirror and pick 3-5 adjectives you want to be and repeat them to yourself. Mine are unstoppable, courageous, and exquisite. What are yours? If you are into it, say a prayer right after as well. It always calms me.

6. Bring a little notebook and your favorite pen with you. There's nothing worse than when your boss is spouting directions and how-tos at you and you can't keep track of anything he/she is saying. Be prepared to jot down memos for yourself.

7. Be 15 minutes early. Even if you don't go into your office right away, it helps to know that if you hit traffic, you'll still be on time. Take a deep breath before you walk in. You will impress everyone with your punctuality.

8. If you start to get overwhelmed, repeat your 3 adjectives to yourself. "I am unstoppable. I am courageous. I am exquisite." It works. Trust me. You can even excuse yourself to the bathroom, take a deep breath and repeat your affirmations. Sometimes you need to take a step back.

9. Don't worry about remembering everyone's names right off the bat. People usually don't mind if you ask for their name again. They've all been in the same position as you at one point or another. The same thing goes for new things you're learning. It's okay if you aren't an expert at whatever you're doing on the first day. You will get better!

10. Be confident! Confidence is the key to making a good impression and to making yourself feel capable. You are awesome! Your employers obviously saw something special in you. If they hadn't they wouldn't have hired you! You made it thus far on your charm and sparkly personality! Show them you are a dynamo and can rock anything that's thrown at you! You can do this!

Good luck to those of you who are starting new jobs! It's a wonderful chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to be your best self!You are going to be great!

Guest Blogger: Ashley of That Super Awesome Blog

2011-08-17T09:59:00.000-06:00

Good morning! Today is the 20 Something Bloggers blog swap, so Ashley from That Super Awesome Blog is delighting you all with her presence here while I'm over at her blog today.

Hi ya'll! I'm AshleyD from That Super Awesome Blog and Kristie was sweet enough to host my guest post today. Now, before we get started, I have to be honest about something.

Summer is not my favorite season.

I know, right? But really, I hate it. Give me snow and boots and scarves any day. But since we're in the thick of a heat wave here in Texas, I thought pep myself up and share a few things that would make up my perfect summer afternoon. I mean, I'm practically an expert on living in 100 degree heat. Seriously, it's so hot!

My afternoon would start of with the perfect outfit. There's really no way to beat the heat, but the fact that you can wear a cute sundress totally helps!

(here)

Next, we need something to cool off. I found this raspberry lemonade recipe on Pinterest, and oh my goodness, it sounds divine! Having a delicious drink in the afternoon is one of the simple pleasure in life, especially in the summer!

(here)

If you need a snack to go with you afternoon drink, you must try this guacamole recipe! Who doesn't love avocados? Yum!

(here)

And after you're so full you can't move and decide you could really use a nap, find the nearest hammock. Have you ever spent an afternoon in one of these? There isn't much better! Of course, if it's super hot outside, it might be smarter to wait until the sun goes down! Grab a book or maybe your favorite cuddle buddy and you'll be cozy for hours.

(here)

Now you definitely need some music to round out this perfect summer afternoon. One of my favorite songs of the moment is Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars.

Or you could keep things a little bit old school with NKOTB's Summertime!

What about you, how would you spend your perfect summer afternoon?

My Fall Fashion Picks

2011-08-16T10:32:00.000-06:00

Hello lovelies! So, I've been trying to assemble some looks for the fall that I love. I've slowly been collecting images on Pinterest of dresses, jeans, shirts, even ball gowns that I love. I chose a few to kind of show you guys what my taste is and what I'll be wearing when the air gets crisp.

Source: moopshop.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Perfect on so many levels, right? This fall I'm definitely feeling a structured bohemian look. That's an oxymoron, huh? I know. It feels like this photo does that so well. Just structured enough, but also ultra casual and comfortable (and how amazing is that bag!). That's kind of my go to look for everything this fall.

Source: google.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Now onto 90s grunge. I went to a 90s themed birthday party a few weeks ago and was looking for some inspiration when I found this photo. I don't love the looks in their entirety, but I'm definitely planning on adding some flannel shirts (dressed up a bit) to my wardrobe this fall.

Source: etsy.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Now, I know this is just an illustration by Yelena Brysenkova, but oh my goodness. Talk about the perfect outfit, hair and glasses. I think this is what my dream life looks like. Now if only I could get Karl into a sweater like that... Haha.

Source: rummeybears.blogspot.com via Kristie on Pinterest

This is Anna from Rummey Bears and she is so effortlessly cool. I'm digging the striped shirt/leather jacket combo hard right now. And how can you not love the chucks? Gah. I can't wait for the fall!

Source: simplelovelyblog.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Last, but not least, something girly. I'm loving a pop of bright yellow for my fall wardrobe right now. I would love this dress, those wine lips, and a deep teal cardigan. Talk about perfection.

What trends are you loving for the fall (or spring for those of you that apply)? I'd love to know!

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-08-15T12:07:00.000-06:00

Pretty much my Sunday

Things I loved about this weekend:
-I got the chance to hang out with two different friends on Friday and Saturday. I love those ladies. We talked weddings, and self-love, and hippie dreams.
-Karl and I went on a date to Barnes and Noble. :)
-Karl and I went to a biker barbecue/fundraiser. I have never been that surrounded by so many bikers in my life. Let me tell you, the conversations we overheard were... Interesting. Haha.
-At said biker barbecue, we met the biker gang mascot, a one eared cat named Van Gogh.
-Karl and I had bruschetta for dinner with home grown tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
-We mosied around Target and I almost died when i saw all the school supplies. My dream.
-Karl and I wrestled last night. Just for fun. Obviously he won, but he tried not to rub it in my face. I swear, we are really seven years old.

What did you do this weekend? Hang out with any bikers? Meet any one eared cats? Haha.

Photo via

Day Off

2011-08-12T12:16:00.000-06:00

Ya, I'm taking a day off today. I figured I'd better since I will have about zero in two weeks when school starts. I'm going to hang out with my BFF, Andrea and her adorable daughter, Avaree. Have a good weekend!

Typical.

Thursday Pick Me Up

2011-08-11T10:34:00.001-06:00


Me, Andrew McMahon and my sister in 2005 I'm guessing?


And another

Me and Fabs at JM 2009. We don't really have side ponytails, just strategic/accidental placement.

I'm getting so bad about actually posting these on Wednesday, but hey, a day late isn't so bad, right? Anyways, today's (Whatever Day I Decide) Pick Me Up is brought to you by Jack's Mannequin. Most of you who have been around these parts for a while know that I love JM so much. I loved Something Corporate and when Andrew McMahon left them to start Jack's Mannequin, I loved them too. I've been to more JM shows than I can count and met Andrew more than a few times (there are a lot more pictures, but I didn't want to bore you, haha). While my obsession with Andrew McMahon has subsided, I still love the music and I'm happy to see the band succeeding. The other day a friend of mine sent me a link to this new song and I love it. A lot. I know you will too.

I cannot wait until their next album. It's going to be epic.

That Girl's a Dynamo!

2011-08-10T11:05:00.000-06:00

Source: etsy.com via Kristie on Pinterest

When I first decided to quit my job, a lot of people had doubts. From every angle, I was inundated with loved ones, friends, and acquaintances telling me to stay busy. "If you don't stay busy you'll get depressed and lonely," they'd say. "Being by yourself can be dangerous. Make sure to get back to work quickly," they'd admonish me. I know all of the advice I received was out of love and perhaps derived from personal experience. I have to be honest, even I got nervous at the prospect of being home all day by myself. I knew I had a propensity for self-loathing and depression and I assumed not being at work would be great at first, then become a catalyst for my negative behavior.

After having been unemployed for almost six months now (it feels crazy to think it's been that long!), I can say that all of those people who expressed their concern and doubts (including me) were wrong. I know this is not a one size fits all type situation, but in my situation, I have been more happy than ever. I have taken time to do things I love. I've worked on my blog, I've traveled, I've written a lot, I've given myself weekly manicures, I've almost complete a 5K training course, I've read numerous books, etc. I've taken care of myself. During this time, I've really gotten to know myself. Being alone isn't a scary thing, it's been incredibly good for me. I can honestly say that after this time, I feel like I'm my own best friend and I have no problem wanting to spend time with myself. It's a good, and completely foreign, feeling.

That being said, I love Karl more than anything, but this time has given me the knowledge to know that I can't love someone with my whole heart if I don't love myself first. I've struggled all my life with finding the golden nugget, the piece of me that recognizes that I am intelligent and beautiful and unstoppable. Since quitting my job, I've been slowly coming to the realization that it's okay to spend the day at home in my underwear, no makeup on, watching Grey's Anatomy. It's something that makes me happy and something I now know is crucial every now and then to maintain my sanity.

Now that I've admitted my secret Grey's Anatomy addiction and my penchant for not wearing clothes, I will say that this Kristie Time hasn't been all bon bons and TV. I am now more disciplined than I have ever been. Karl and I started flossing. I do it every night religiously. We go running three nights a week. I'd like to say that my house is spotless, but I'm still working on that one. Haha.

I think that these past six months could have been depressing for me, but I've never really had time to just be me, and as a result, this time off has done wonders for my self esteem and my discipline. I'm happier than I've ever been, and I love myself more than I ever have. As I'm diving back into school and work in two weeks, I can say that I am rejuvenated. Sometimes having time alone is the best remedy. I am prepared to work hard and to start being the delightful, affluent, bubbly dynamo I know that I am.

My New Favorite Thing

2011-08-09T13:28:00.000-06:00

The other night I decided to try something new with my hair. I had heard about The Sock Bun Curl Trick from a couple of friends and despite being a bit skeptical that putting a sock into my hair would create voluminous curls, I did it. Of course, I'm not super dexterous or good at doing anything other than running a straightener through my hair, so I had Karl help me. He was a champ and made a really sturdy bun on the top of my head. It stayed in place all night, surprisingly (my hair tends to go crazy at night). When the morning came and I took the bun out, my hair was incredibly curly and very poofy. Luckily, the poof factor disappeared in 10 minutes and I was left with long lasting, product free curls. It was wonderful and easy and I'm pretty sure this trick is a new favorite of mine.

See? Not bad, right? What do you think? Would you ever try it? Have you already? Are there any other crazy easy hair tricks I should know about?

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-08-08T15:08:00.000-06:00

1. Lara and I in Logan for my niece's baptism
2. Utah Lake through my sunglasses
3. Lara lookin cute with our rifle.
4. Karl's can of spray pain that he shot. Shooting spray paint cans is the coolest.
5. I shot the tip off a crayon.
6. "Normal" faces
7. What our faces actually look like.

Hello friends! How was your weekend? Mine was really good! On Friday night, Karl and I had a movie night at home and watched How Do You Know?, which I thought, despite awful reviews, was really really finny.

On Saturday, Karl had to work, so Lara and I drove up to Logan for my niece Abby's baptism and lunch at my brother's house. It was really good. I'm so proud of Abby! After coming back from Logan, Karl, Lara, and I made our way up to Utah Lake to go shooting. We've been watching a lot of "Top Shot" so we bought a bunch of really fun targets. I do have to say, we're getting better and better at shooting. It's something I didn't think I would like, but I've ended up loving it! Saturday night, the three of us watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which was... weird. I appreciated what it was trying to achieve, but there was really no plot line, so I didn't love it.

On Sunday we did some cleaning and as per our Sunday tradition, bought snow cones. I dig the tiger's blood. Karl does pineapple, coconut, and strawberry and Lara does peach and raspberry. To each their own. I really love this tradition.

In addition to all the the great events this weekend, I also received notice that I am officially the newest contributing writer on I Heart Salt Lake, which is incredibly exciting! Look for my post about Bruges tomorrow! I also interviewed and got a job at Salt Lake Community College today. I am now the receptionist at International Student Services. I'm really excited and really very grateful that so many wonderful things are coming my way. Thanks to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers and have been there to support me through everything! I couldn't have done it without you! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Northanger Abbey

2011-08-05T12:39:00.000-06:00

"Where people wish to attach, they should always be ignorant. To come with a well-informed mind, is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing any thing, should conceal it as well as she can."

Hahah, I love Jane Austen so much, especially her sense of humor. Northanger Abbey is the last book I read and I was really surprised when I realized that it is completely unlike any other Jane Austen work. Northanger Abbey has a more juvenile feel to it, but not necessarily in a bad way. The heroine, Catherine Morland is naive, immature, and as the opening sentence points out, not quite a heroine. The book follows Catherine as she progresses from a child to a woman and in that, is very interesting. I really enjoyed seeing things through the eyes of a teenage girl who had never left home before. That's one thing that Jane Austen is good at. She's also good at writing epic romances. Northanger Abbey is not one of them. It's often referred to as "Jane Austen's soap opera." It's full of lying, manipulation, heartache, vilifying, attraction, and disappointment, among other things.

The main point of the book isn't the romance between Catherine and Henry Tilney, but the commentary on the hypocrisy of society at the time. That being said, I really loved it. Obviously it's no Pride and Prejudice, but it's kind of unfair to compare the two because they are so essentially different. The romance in Northanger Abbey takes a backseat to Austen's personal conclusions. Another thing I love about this book is that it's more crudely written than other Jane Austen novels. She gets right to the point when she needs to, without any sort of "decorating" the sentences. She's quite blunt and sarcastic in this book and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a good, easy summer read and a couple of good laughs.

To see what I'll be reading next, go here. If you have any good book recommendations, I would love to hear them! I'm always looking for a good read!

Image via Barnes & Noble

Dear Fall,

2011-08-04T13:15:00.000-06:00

I miss you. I always miss you. Especially in the summer when you are just around the corner. I love that you make everything feel fresh an new again. I know that everyone says the new year begins in January, but for me it's always been in September, when you come back to me. I love that I know when you're coming by the fragrance in the air and the movement of the wind. I love everything you stand for; beauty, vibrancy, warmth. I thrifted a big, cozy brown cowl neck cardigan the other day and it just made me ache for you. I have to wait a whole month before I can feel your crispness and put on that comforting sweater. Layering, school supplies, scarves, and the sound of leaves crunching under foot are all things I can't wait for.

You always stood out strongest in Massachusetts. You weren't just a season, you were a force of nature and an attraction. I loved driving down Paine Rd. on my way home from school, not being able to see the sky because of your huge maple friends that enveloped the winding, almost single lane road. The leaves as big as my face in violent shades of candy apple, pumpkin, and mustard are what I miss most. Here in Utah, you are fleeting. I probably wouldn't get to spend time with you if it weren't for our drives to the majestic mountains who are more than happy to accommodate your cool breeze and vivid paintbrush.

I just have to wait one or two months before chilly nights take over. Before hay rides, corn mazes, apple cider drinking, and hand holding for love and for warmth become my main occupation. I know this letter may have come on a little strong, but I've been falling in love with you my whole life. I am telling you now because I think it's important for you to know that I'll wait for you. I'll endure the burning hotness, scorched grass, and constant sweating if it means I get to be with you in the end, even if it is for a short while. You probably receive a lot of letters similar to this one, but just know, I feel like we have a deep rooted connection that cannot be broken. Your wistful melancholy and violent outbursts seem to reflect a deeper meaning. I understand that about you. You understand that about me. I miss you and warmly anticipate your arrival.

Advertiser Spotlight: Aleks Handmade

2011-08-04T10:44:00.001-06:00

Well, I think the title is pretty self-explanatory. I have a new sponsor, her name is Aleks, and she is awesome, but I'll let her do the talking.

Hey all! Im Aleks, from Aleks Handmade!! I have a little shop on etsy and a very eclectic and sometimes amusing blog. I am a newly engaged 20 something trying to figure out how to plan the most perfect wedding. I spend most of my time chasing around someone elses 4 children.
Aleks Handmade was started as a craft blog but soon became a collection of mine and
Fiances adventures. So, as i still needed a place for my crafts, Aleks Handmade {the shop}
was born. My shop mostly houses headbands, wreaths, jewelry, and baby stuff. I am,
however, having a closing out sale and closing the shop for a month to restock for the fall.
I will be adding bags, much much more baby apparel, and alot more home decor.

Alek's blog and shop are both super cute so be sure to visit her and say hi! You won't regret it!

Want to Advertise on The Resolution? Learn more here and shoot me an e-mail at kristie.resolution@gmail.com.

Words of Wisom. Thanks Ralph.

2011-08-03T13:06:00.002-06:00

Source: etsy.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Do it.

Fun in the Kitchen: Cocoa Brownies

2011-08-02T10:13:00.000-06:00

How amazing do those brownies look?! They taste even better! I have long been on the lookout for a good homemade brownie recipe but everything I try always falls short of the boxed brownie mix. They're never gooey enough, or sweet enough, or chocolaty enough. Good news guys. These brownies are all of that and more. They are so rich and smooth and wonderful. The cocoa brownies have a bit of a bite to them, but not in a bad way. Karl doesn't really like bitter chocolate, but he can't get enough of these brownies. I made them using this recipe. Just an F.Y.I. the recipe says to use a double boiler, but I did it in the microwave in 30 second increments and the brownies came out just fine. I also added some milk chocolate chips to the batter for an extra bit of chocolaty goodness. These brownies are my new favorites. I'll never go back to the box again! Let me know if you give them a shot!

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-08-01T12:19:00.000-06:00

Karl bought me roses and a card and a Butterfinger (my fave) the night before the sealing. :)

The Salt Lake Temple at 6:20AM

We're so cute and so happy. <3

It wouldn't be us without the token weird faces.

This boy is mine for eternity!

Salt Lake is really the prettiest temple ever.

Happy Monday! Can you believe it's August already?! Crazy! How was your weekend? Mine was literally the best weekend I have ever had in my lifetime. Karl and I went to the Salt Lake Temple. For those of you who don't know, Karl and I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or the Mormon church. On Saturday morning at 7:40AM Karl and I were sealed as a couple for all time and eternity. This means among other things, that Karl and I will be together forever, not just "until death do us part." For a really great description, I suggest reading this article. All in all, it's a very sacred thing and one that I have been so excited for. The experience was incredible and something I will cherish forever. Our sealing set the tone for the rest of the weekend and made everything we did amazing. Here's what else we did:

-After the temple, we went to Bruges with the family and friends to celebrate. So delicious.
-Remember this post? Well, after being up all night and having to Febreeze my clothes before going to the temple, we decided to get a portable AC unit and now there is no more smoke! Victory!
-Karl and I slept away half the day on Saturday. We had almost zero sleep the night before because of the smoke, and we had to be up at 5AM to be at the temple by 6:25, so come 1:00PM, we passed out.
-We hit up Crown Burger for dinner and let me tell you, after a couple of weeks of not eating out, a good mushroom swiss burger hits the spot.
-On Saturday night, Karl and I decided to take a leisurely walk around Temple Square. It was so pretty and so romantic.
-On Sunday, we did the church thing and had a delicious dinner at Karl's sister, Jana's house. Good food, good company. :)

So now you tell me, did you do anything exciting this weekend?

Fun in the Kitchen: Shish Kebab

2011-07-29T11:50:00.002-06:00

One of the best meals that my parents made when I lived at home was kebabs. I loved when the summer rolled around because I knew we would get to partake of the vegetable goodness home cooked on the grill outside. Since I moved to Utah, I haven't really had a grill or known what recipe my dad used. For our anniversary a couple of weeks ago, Karl and I decided to buy a little $25 grill at Walmart. That was the best decision we ever made. Seriously. It is now possible for us to make our own kebabs and let me tell you, they are uh-mazing.

Here's what you do:

-Pick up a bunch of veggies. Anything you want. We used green bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes (fruit, I know), and onions. Feel free to get creative. I think next time we'll use some zucchini from our garden.

-Pick a meat. We chose to do steak kebabs, but chicken works just as well.

-Chop up the vegetables and meat into the appropriate size for your skewers. See below.

-Put chopped veggies and meat into a large bowl and pour equal parts olive oil and red wine vinegar over its contents. You kind of just guess how much you want. We went a bit on the heavy side, but it was super delicious.

-Cover bowl and let marinade overnight.

-Next day before cooking, assemble veggies and meat on the skewer. The olive oil solidifies a bit in the fridge, so don't worry if the meat looks a bit greasy.

-Grill them up and enjoy!

We like our kebabs a bit charred. Especially the mushrooms. Yummmm.

Super easy, right? Just make sure not to go too crazy with the olive oil and red wine vinegar, or your kebabs will light on fire. Not that ours did or anything... Haha. These shish kebabs taste so so good. The red wine vinegar really adds something unique. What do you think? Are these something you'll try? Do you have any other good grill recipes that you're fond of?

Won't You (Not) Be My Neighbor?

2011-07-28T12:34:00.000-06:00


Image Via

I woke up enraged at 5:15 this morning. Why, you may ask? Well, Karl and I have a neighbor problem. Our neighbors moved in about a month ago. Their house is very close to ours and they are chain smokers. They don't smoke in their house though. They smoke out their back door, which is five feet from our air conditioner in our bedroom.

Smoke has been billowing into our house almost nonstop lately, so Karl decided to talk to them about it. The neighbor he talked to seemed cool with it and said he'd keep us in mind when smoking. It got better for a bit. He made an effort to smoke farther away. Except now it's back again. At 5:15, I woke up feeling like my throat was on fire and my eyes were bloodshot. I looked out the window and there was the neighbor. Smoking just feet away from our bedroom.

I couldn't help it but become livid. It's one thing to smoke during the day, but who the freak smokes at 5:15AM?! I couldn't get back to sleep because I kept picturing my progressively blackening lungs and thinking about my grandmother who died of emphysema. Tons of ridiculous ides ran through my head as I was laying there. I was thinking things like, "Karl should tell them I'm pregnant," or "We should call the cops and tell them that the neighbors are doing drugs, in hopes that they are doing something illegal and will go to jail and leave us alone." So ridiculous. I know. 5AM Kristie is not the most rational.

I don't mind if people want to smoke. That's fine. But I do mind when my clothes start to smell like cigarettes and I can't sleep because of the second-hand smoke that's wafting into our bedroom. I'm at the point where if by the end of fall, when the AC is turned off, if we're still inhaling the smoke then we'll have to move. It's a total nightmare, because we really love the place where we live.

Have any of you had to deal with bad neighbors? How did you handle it? Do you have any advice or suggestions for us?

Why "You've lost weight!" Isn't Always a Compliment

2011-07-28T11:20:00.000-06:00

So I love this post, and I felt like I really needed to share it today. Lady Smaggle is wise beyond her years and she's a total rockstar. I know you'll think so too. Feel free to head over to Smaggle and "follow" her. I love her unabashed honesty and her killer style.

"Everyone over at Already Pretty is all a flutter over this post about the phrase ‘real women have curves’. The curvy girls are cranky, the skinny minnies are shitty and all because bloody women won’t keep their fat mouths shut. I’m including myself in this statement and I think that all these body comments have to stop. I know that most people would never say anything intentionally upsetting but I think a lot of us aren’t realising how much damage we do with our comments about each others bodies.

I loathe being called curvy. I cringe when people say I am healthy. And don’t even start me on ‘lovely and tall!’. All I’m hearing is that I’m a fat, muscled, beef-cake, giant of a women. The three things that I hate the most about myself is my ability to store fat like a bear about to hibernate, my stupid muscles that don’t know the difference between ‘lean’ and ‘freaky body builder’ and the fact that at 5’8 I’m too tall for almost everyone I know to give me a piggyback. So hearing the whole curvy, healthy, tall spiel really makes me feel bad about myself despite the best intentions of the comment maker. It’s all my insecurities thinly disguised under a veil of political correctness. "

Go read the rest here. You won't be sorry.

Wednesday Pick Me Up: Blink 182

2011-07-27T11:00:00.000-06:00

Here we are with another Wednesday! The week is half over and that is awesome! I mentioned on Monday, that I went to my friend's 90s themed birthday party. We listened to "Genie In A Bottle," " I Want It That Way," "Tearin' Up My Heart," "Spice Up Your Life," etc. It was a good night full of nostalgia. When I got home, I was telling Karl about it, when I thought of Blink 182's video for "All The Small Things," which is a complete spoof on the ridiculousness of the kind of videos that were popular in the 90s. Karl had never seen it, so of course I had to show him. Blink 182 is one of the best bands of the last couple of decades. Their music is so good! I was really excited when I heard they got back together. Win for the world. Not only is their music great, it's also flat out funny. I seriously laugh so hard at some of their videos and songs. "All The Small Things" is no exception. See for yourself:

Call me 5 years old, but I just love the wind, toilet paper scene. So good. I hope this helps get you through the day! Good luck getting the song out of your head!

Kitten!

2011-07-26T10:37:00.000-06:00

This post may make me sound dangerously close to becoming a cat lady, but I'm married, and I only have one cat, and she's just adorable so I don't even care.

This is Kitten. You might remember her from here and here. She's pretty adorable. These are my favorite things about her:

-Karl sometimes calls her "Swine Baby" or "Rat Baby."

-I sometimes call her "Clown Baby." 10 points to whoever gets this reference.

-She loves to play, "fetch." It's the cutest thing ever. Except when brings her toy on the bed and drops it on our faces while we sleep.

-She cannot catch a bug, but loves to attack random, non-moving pieces of carpet.

-When we come home, she's waiting for us at the front door. We always greet her by saying, "Kitten!" and she responds by meowing. Always.

-She has a giant, fluffy raccoon tail.

-Kitten likes to hang out in the empty washing machine and on top of the newly washed and dried clothes in the dryer. We may have to wash our clothes all over again, but it's still cute.

-At night when she's all settled down, she loves to come and cuddle up on her own pillow by our heads. It's pretty adorable.

-Sometimes when Kitten spots something moving that she wants to attack, she does a kind of slow motion jump where she goes really high. It's the weirdest thing.

-She purrs constantly. Even when Karl tortures her by wrapping her up in a blanket and sticking it in the laundry bin, just to see if she can get out. Don't worry, she always does.

There are more things, but even I think I'm starting to sound insane. Haha. We just love Kitten here. We're not quite ready for kids, so for now she is completing our little family. :) Are you a cat person or a dog person? What's your favorite pet you've ever had?

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-07-25T17:16:00.000-06:00

Hello friends! How was your weekend? Mine was really nice actually. Here's what I did:

-I went to my friend, Brooke's 90s themed birthday party. It was complete with 90s boy band music, Lisa Frank decorations, boondoggle making, and a costume contest. Guess who won?! Ya, now I'm the proud owner of a My Little Pony prize. What, what!!!

-Karl and I started to watch Man vs. Food. It's simultaneously craving and vomit inducing.

-We did the church thing on Sunday, which I really needed. We also got our recommends to be able to get sealed this Saturday! So excited! For those of you who don't know, the sealing ceremony is done within the Mormon temples and it binds a family together, not just "Til death do you part," but for eternity. It's very sacred and very important to us.

-Karl, Lara (Karl's sister), and I went swimming and then out for snowies. It made for the perfect Sunday afternoon and Pioneer Day. Pioneer Day is celebrated in Utah and honors the day when the Mormon Pioneers reached the Salt Lake Valley. This means we get fireworks twice in July, which is just awesome.

-Karl made us some delicious steaks and his mom and niece came for a visit overnight.

The weekend felt incredibly short, but it was still very nice. Did you do anything exciting?

Wednesday Pick Me Up (Okay, Friday Pick Me Up)

2011-07-22T13:20:00.001-06:00

I know I'm a little late on this post, but on Wednesday I wasn't really feeling writing about music, and I don't write about any old song or band. I only feature bands or songs that really mean something to me that day/moment/week. Well today I am really feeling Motion City Soundtrack. If you haven't heard of them, go listen to "The Future Freaks Me Out" right now (featured below) because that song is epic. I've loved MCS since high school. They were my second favorite band, only after Something Corporate. So many of my fondest memories are linked with Motion City Soundtrack songs. Night drives with my best friend, rocking out with my little sister, the concert we went to when my cell phone got crushed in the mosh pit, Warped Tour with my besties, etc. Motion City Soundtrack is still around and still making incredible music and I'm still making memories with their music..

There's not a single song on any of their albums I don't like. I love how the band isn't afraid to have fun. I love that their music is relevant and always has something important to say. My favorite album is Commit This to Memory, because it was the first album I was exposed to by them. If you're going to buy one album, I say buy that one. Good luck only buying one of their albums though. I know I'm rambling on and on about them, so I'm going to go ahead and show two videos to you. Both songs are close to my heart and both videos are incredibly hilarious. Enjoy!

Perfect for a Friday, amiright? Have a good weekend! Peace out playas!

"Back to school, back to school."

2011-07-21T14:43:00.000-06:00

Source: unhappyhipsters.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Guys, a big change will be happening a month from now. I decided when I quit my job, that I was going to take a few months off and then find another job. Sometimes things don't work out like you want them to. I applied for a few jobs. I interviewed and interviewed again, but to no avail. This whole time I've been having this nagging feeling that I need to go back to school, so that's what I'm doing. I'm abandoning the job search and taking on a full course load of 17 credit hours. Ya, I know that makes me insane. The most I've ever taken is 14, though I did work 30 hours a week. This semester will definitely be ambitious, but I know I can do it.

I was also granted work study, which, for those of you who don't know, is a need-based program where I get to work for the school. They cap the amount you can make in each semester and once you've reached that amount, they can choose to hire you permanently or let you go. I'm really excited about this. Work Study will be so great for me, especially because the supervisors understand school comes first and will work around your schedule.

In addition to work study, I also received a couple of grants and loans. I am so excited. I've never ever received a grant and I've never ever had this much ease in trying to go to school. All of this financial aid is a huge blessing.

Karl is also going to school and taking 10 credit hours (in addition to working 50 hour weeks). He's a crazy man, but I admire his ambition. We're taking two classes together, so I'm really excited about that. It'll make things a lot easier.

I know what you're thinking. "That's all fine and dandy, but 17 credit hours?!" Ya. I know. To be fair though, I'm taking really cool classes. I'm taking Interior Design, English 2010, Film (with Karl), Political Science online (also with Karl), a required computer class, and Yoga (to maintain my sanity). I checked out the teachers and made sure I got the best. I'm really excited for the classes I'm taking.

I'm happy to be going back to school. I'm even more excited for back to school shopping. I can't wait to buy new notebooks, Pilot G2 pens, mechanical pencils, and a first day of school outfit. I can't wait to peruse my new used books and get excited about something again. I know there's a reason for everything and I can't help but be grateful that I wasn't chosen for those bank jobs I applied for. I'm going back to school and giving it all I've got. A year from now, I'll transfer from Salt Lake Community College to The University of Utah with an Associate's Degree in general studies. I'm still a long way from my Bachelor's degree, but I'm putting in the work and I can't wait to get to The U. Wish me luck as I'm heading back to school for the first time in almost two years. I'm definitely going to need it! Now if only I could have that workspace pictured above. I think I'd be really excited for school.

And now, just because I can:

I can't put that up without this one. I just can't.

Haha, I hope you enjoyed that. I know I did.What about you, lovelies? Did you go to college? Where did you graduate from? Do you feel like your college education is/was worth it?

What are your fears/phobias?

2011-07-20T04:58:00.000-06:00

This guy probably is seeing a giant spider crawling across deck.

I have something to admit. I suffer from full blown arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) and entomophobia (the fear of insects). I used to have a pretty normal reaction to seeing bugs. I got creeped out, but I'd eventually be able to go back to what I was doing whether it be sleeping, reading in bed, or watching TV. Now that is not the case. I tend to fixate on the creepy crawly.

Two days ago, I was being lazy in bed during the morning and I saw a big old spider crawl onto Karl's pillow. I freaked out. As a result, last night I couldn't sleep until 3AM because I kept imagining spiders crawling on me. A couple of weeks ago, we found a couple of earwigs in the bedroom. Again. No sleeping for me.

Tonight, while doing our nightly bug check before bed, I found a spider down in between the wall and our bed. Karl killed it, but I still couldn't sleep for most of the night. Eventually I fell asleep for about a 1/2 hour, but I had to wake up to go to the bathroom. When I came back to bed, I laid down and soon felt the familiar sensation of tiny legs on my skin. I've been imagining this a lot lately, so I've taken to actually looking to see if something is there and alas! It was a long thin bug scuttling across my arm. I didn't really have time to see what it was before I jumped out of bed, did the "get it off me!!!!" dance, and started to have a full blown panic attack, complete with crying. Karl tossed the bed and didn't find anything except an earwig on the door a couple of feet away. I'm not entirely convinced it was an earwig. It seemed longer than that, but I don't know. At this point, I've abandoned all hope of sleep. It's 4:38AM and I'm so exhausted, but there's no way I'm getting back in that bed.

I feel really hopeless. There's nothing that I want more right now than to be able to sleep, but I just can't if there's even a chance that some insect/spider will crawl on me. I hate the feeling of the tiny legs. I hate that spiders can bite me (which I think one did the other night). I hate that earwigs have really, truly been known to crawl into people's ears at night. I've always had these fears, but they were manageable. Now they are full blown, anxiety-causing phobias.

Karl doesn't really know what to do about it either. Of course he wants to be up comforting me, but he has to be at work by 7AM, so that's kind of out of the question. He thinks my fear is irrational, which it is, but he has no way of helping me and that's frustrating for both of us.

Well. Now I've said it. Do any of you have this same problem? How do you sleep after you've seen a spider in your bedroom? Do any of you have irrational fears or phobias?

F.Y.I. I just tried to google a picture of a spider for this post, but just looking at the thumbnails had me hyperventilating and shuddering. This is a problem.

How To: Have an Inexpensive Anniversary

2011-07-19T13:51:00.001-06:00

On July 17th 2010 we were married. One whole year already!

Well, my first anniversary came and went and it was really wonderful. As most of you know, I quit my job at the end of February, so Karl and I have been operating on a pretty strict budget. We would have loved to take a trip to Oregon or even Bear Lake, but the funds just weren't there. We gave ourselves about a $100 budget and did what we could with that. At first we felt a little restricted by our budget, but in the end, Saturday was such a perfect day. I thought I'd share with you all my ideas for an inexpensive, but fun filled anniversary.

1. Find something going on in your town. Here in Salt Lake, there's something going on every weekend that's usually really cheap or really free. Karl and I spent the morning at the farmer's market where we got some lunch for about $10. It's nice just to walk around and see local art and listen to the street musicians.

2. Go to a matinee. We booked our tickets to Harry Potter 7 a few weeks ago and decided to make it a matinee for cheaper. I think we paid $6 each plus a $2 service charge for our tickets. Not too bad. When the movie's over, you might feel like it should be dark outside already, but whatev. It's a small price to pay for an inexpensive day.

3. Skip going out for dinner. Make something unusual at home together. We went to Walmart to buy a little $25 grill and picked up some really nice steaks for like, $20 at Costco. Most of you already have grills I'm sure, so you can nix that expense there, we just had been meaning to buy one for a while. Either way, it was really nice to have a luxury dinner at home. TIP: You can buy some candles and candle holders at the dollar store to make it extra romantic.

4. Buy something both of you will love. I know this sounds nerdy, but Karl and I really love having new pillows. I always just used old lumpy pillows when I was a kid, so when I got my own place, I discovered the magic of the "Extra Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers." Best thing ever. Karl and I made a trip to Target and bought 4 new pillows for $20. It made for the most wonderful sleep.

5. Wash all of your bedding the day before. I also love having fresh, clean sheets. Who doesn't? I know this seems pretty menial, but it's another way of making the day feel special and making you feel warm all over when you slip under those sheets.

6. Have dessert. Karl and I knew we would be full from dinner for a while, so we treated ourselves to a bag of assorted Lindt truffles for $5. I prefer dark, he prefers milk chocolate. It was the perfect little decadent treat.You can also decorate cupcakes together or make ice cream sundaes. The sky is the limit.

7. Skip the gift. Karl and I agreed to not exchange gifts, but to just enjoy each other's company and exchange what's in our hearts and how this past year of marriage has changed us for the better. This was the best. It's interesting to see how much you can change in a year and how much your love can grow. That being said, Karl has been hiding away money and did get me a gift without me knowing. I don't know what he spent, but it wasn't from our anniversary budget.

8. Guys- You don't have to buy a huge, expensive bouquet from a florist. Go to a grocery store, and buy two or three bouquets of flowers there and arrange them in a vase you already have at home. Karl is so good at this. This year he brought me bright pink peonies (which I love), and interspersed daisies and white carnations throughout the bouquet. It was beautiful and meant so much more than a flowers some florist picked out and arranged. I'm guessing he spent around $10 total. Win.

9. Go for a night drive with the windows down and "your song" playing. We didn't do this but it's a great idea. Sometimes we drive up to the top of a mountain and get out of the car and slow dance while overlooking the valley. It may sound cheesy, but it's really so romantic. We did listen to the mix we made for our wedding though. Very nostalgic.

10. Insert anniversary appropriate activity here. Anything you want. Anything at all... ;)

In the end, our total came to about $100, plus or minus a strawberry lemonade to bring into the movie theater with us (Yeah, they let you do that at some Utah theaters). I feel really good about sticking within our budget and having a really great day where we could do things according to our own pace. I hope these ideas help out with your anniversary and/or special date.

Also, I know a lot of you are new around here, and don't know all the work we put into the wedding, so I'm posting a bunch of photos from my wedding day on my other blog. Feel free to check them out and tell me what you loved most!

Signing Off

2011-07-14T09:45:00.000-06:00

Hey guys! I didn't post yesterday, and I know that's lame, but I'm finding myself wanting to be outside and doing fun summer things. It's also my one year anniversary this weekend, so I'm going to go ahead and sign out for the week now. I hope you all have a great weekend!

I don't even know why I picked this picture. I look completely insane. For the record, we were building a fire in the canyon, so it made sense for me to have an ax. Haha. I'm so weird.

HP7P2

2011-07-12T10:46:00.000-06:00

Lara and I are total dorks and totally in love with HP. I love us.

What are Karl and I doing for our first anniversary this Saturday? Going to see a matinee of HP7 Part 2. Nerds much? YES. Excited much? ABSOLUTELY!

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-07-11T09:13:00.001-06:00

Hello! First off, sorry to those of you who read the post I wrote over the weekend. It was meant to go on my running blog, so it probably didn't make a whole lot of sense here. Anyways, this weekend was on two extremes. It was really bad at first and really good at the end. I'm just going to focus on Saturday because it was glorious.

On Saturday morning, I got a text from our friends, Dixie and Dan asking if we wanted to go swimming. I hadn't been swimming in an especially long time, and Karl and I were kind of in bad moods, so I figured, why not? First, we stopped and grabbed some noodles and other pool accessories, then we headed over. I'm not going to lie, my best friends, Natalie and Dixie are very skinny girls. Before swimming I was really self conscious, despite the huge efforts I've been making to be healthier and renovate my body. After some negative thoughts and some telling myself to shut up, I just stopped caring. I mean, us girls have seen each other naked before (bff birthday skinny dipping) , so I don't know why I was so scared. I'm glad I overcame it, because swimming was so fun. It just felt good to be in the water with people we sincerely adore.

It also felt really good to get some sun. Karl and I usually go running at 5AM, so the sun is just barely coming out as we are finishing up. The afternoon sun was nice for a change, and don't worry mom, we used sunscreen. After swimming, we all grabbed a bite a Zupas, which was amazing, then Karl and I got snowies from African Ice. I got tiger's blood with ice cream on bottom and cream on top. Karl opted for peach with the same fixins. They were incredible. We wrapped up the day with going to the movies with Karl's sister/my bff Lara to see Green Lantern, which was actually pretty decent.

Overall, the weekend was really nice and I'm even a few shades darker (which I am so loving). What did you do on your weekend?

10 Links I'm Loving

2011-07-08T11:53:00.000-06:00

Source: papertissue.tumblr.com via Kristie on Pinterest

It's another Friday and there has been a whole lot of awesomeness going on around the web this week. It's only right that I share my finds with all of you! I hope these gems help distract you while you're supposed to be working/studying/cleaning/doing yard work/(insert something tedious here).

1. An open letter to the inventor of cheese. Who better to write a letter to?!

2. Have you seen this Starbucks proposal yet? It's freaking adorable.

3. I'm really loving the look of faux wood wallpaper. Like a lot. I want all of these in my house.

4. I didn't really know what a twitter hashtag was until this week. Embarrassing. I really like this explanation.

5. I discovered these "Pick Your Nose" cups the other day. Best. Idea. Ever.

6. I want to try this so bad! Make adorable hair, using a sock. Awesome. (Just scroll down a bit)

7. Fat Mum Slim made her own donuts. I'm definitely planning on giving them a go next week.

8. I love Jordan's post on "What to Bring to Paris." I want to wear everything she picked. Gah. I want to go to Paris.

9. I'm a total sucker for anything lemon. These cookies look absolutely divine.

10. Get Yo' Nails Did! I may be way behind on this, but I'm loving these nail designs!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Be safe and have fun!

Fun in the Kitchen: Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-07-07T12:07:00.000-06:00

I love chocolate chip cookies. A lot. If I were on death row, I'd request 3 warm chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk as my last meal. I actually love them in any form. I can't get enough of the dough. I also love to top them with ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream. The worst thing that can happen to a chocolate chip cookie is to overcook it. It's a travesty to have a crunchy chocolate chip cookie.

A few years ago, I found a recipe titled, "The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies." I had to try them out and I'm glad I did. They were super delicious. They weren't quite "perfect," however. Over the years, I've been slowly tweaking the recipe here and there, and I believe I now have come to the actual perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. The recipe goes a little something like this:

Ingredients
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 Cup unsalted butter, melted
1 Cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 Cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg, 1 egg yolk
1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 Cup milk chocolate chips

Directions
-Preheat oven to 325°F, grease cookie sheet
-In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
-In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until well blended.
-Beat in vanilla and eggs until light and creamy.
-Mix in sifted ingredients until just blended.
-Stir in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.
-Bake for 12-13 min.
-Let cool on baking sheet for 5 min. before transferring to wire racks for cooling.

And there you have it! Be warned, this recipe is full to capacity with chocolate chips. If you like a little less chocolate, you might want to reduce the amount. I've received tons of compliments on these cookies, they never fail to disappear, especially when they're fresh out of the oven and I'm not watching Karl carefully enough. Haha. Enjoy these while they last!

Wednesday Pick Me Up

2011-07-06T11:22:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I haven't told you about this yet, but I'm kind of in love with Katy Perry. I can't help it. One of my good friends gave me a copy of her first album and no lie, Karl and I ~~listened to it~~ jammed out to it in the car during our whole wedding day (Ya, even Karl loves her!). I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was so fun. Love her or hate her, there's no denying that her music is catchy, as is evident by the sheer number of times California Gurls was played last summer. To this day, I still can't listen to it because it was so overplayed. Haha. What I can listen to is "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" which is her newest single. I think I love this song not only for it's catchy tune, but for the absolutely hilarious video. Any video that has Corey Feldman, Kenny G, and Hanson is alright in my book. Plus, watching Katy Perry as an 80s nerd is pretty awesome.

See? It's impossible not to laugh! I hope this does an adequate job lifting your spirits on this Wednesday! Seacrest outtt!

Our Weekend Adventures: 4th of July, Part 2

2011-07-05T11:56:00.001-06:00

This is Part 2 of what we did on the 4th of July. Be sure to check out Part 1 first! Now back into our holiday!

-After dinner, we went back to our house with Lara and lit some fireworks. Mainly just sparklers, fountains, and poppers. It was really fun until Lara threw a popper at Karl that exploded in his ear. Haha.
-We decided we needed more fireworks, so we went to a tent and bought a slew of fun ones.
-We walked to Liberty Park for their fireworks show which was the absolute worst fireworks show I've ever been to. I mean, I didn't expect a show like Boston's that lasts an hour, but the Liberty Park show went for literally three minutes.
-When we got home, we lit out own fireworks in the front yard. People driving by kept saying our show was better than Liberty Park's. Haha. Aerial fireworks are now legal in Utah, so we got a couple of those and it was awesome. I had never lit my own fireworks until yesterday!

Lighting/licking up in the back yard

My first firework!

I know it's blurry, but I love it on so many levels.

Matchy matchy

Lamest firework show of all time, but good company.

Sparklers are my fave.

And gentlemen, she's single.

Awww.

Really weird, but so awesome.

So obviously we had a really great time yesterday. I was all concerned a few days ago that we wouldn't have anything to do on the Fourth, but sometimes that's what works best. Spontaneity leads to the funnest nights. :) I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Our Weekend Adventures: 4th of July, Part 1

2011-07-05T11:55:00.000-06:00

The long weekend is over, friends. I'm a little sad about it, but it was really really good, so I can hold onto that as I wait for next weekend. How was your 4th of July? What did you end up doing? Fireworks? barbecue? Bonfire? I'm just curious to know what everyone else does. We didn't do much this weekend until Monday, and we did quite a bit on Monday, so I'm splitting this post into two parts. Here's what we did for part 1:

-Karl worked until 1, so I watched Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre (BBC version sucks by the way)
-When Karl got home, we decided to go for a run and we invited Karl's sister/my BFF, Lara. It was a really rough one on my shins, but I'm glad we got it done.
-We cleaned up a bit, purchased soda cans and beef jerky, and decided to go shooting behind Utah Lake. What's more American than going shooting and eating beef jerky, right? Haha.
-Right when we got there, we saw smoke billowing. 10 minutes after we started shooting, the fire marshal showed up and told us there was a wildfire and we needed to evacuate. Exciting!
-On the other side of the mountain we could see the fire spreading. There were a bunch of firetrucks and a helicopter with a giant bucket that was filling up at the lake and dumping over the fire.
-We eventually found a good place to shoot and had a grand old time.
-After shooting, we went to Dickey's in American Fork. It's a really amazing, inexpensive barbecue place. Tell me it doesn't look delicious.

Sweaty, but accomplished.

My first wildfire

It spread wicked fast!

The aftermath

Posing with guns. Yup.

So redneck. This one's for the Christmas card.

Gorgeous day at Utah Lake

Mmm. So good.

That's all for part 1. Get ready for Our Weekend Adventures: 4th of July, Part 2!

Fourth of July Weekend

2011-07-01T12:22:00.000-06:00

Fireworks over The Charles in Boston via

Happy Fourth of July Weekend! I'll be taking Monday off, so I just wanted to wish you all a happy Fourth. More than that, I also wanted to express my gratitude for our inspired founding fathers who fought so hard for our independence, for George Washington for being a selfless, steadfast leader, and all of the miracles that God allowed to happen so that we could be a free nation. I'm so grateful to be an American. We are free. We are extremely blessed. We are hopeful.

As the fireworks are going off wherever you are, try to take some time to remember the great sacrifice of all of the patriots that gave their lives for their cause: our freedom. Happy Fourth of July. I hope it's a great one!

Guest Blogging and a Cute Kitten

2011-06-30T08:13:00.001-06:00

Hey, guess what guys? I'm guest blogging at one of the funniest/wittiest/most enlightening/sure to make you smarter and/or wiser blogs around. Ya, that's right. I'm over at Savvy Pants talking about running, 16 year old angst and The Spice Girls. Be sure to leave some love and follow her blog if you, like me, can't get enough! In the mean time, here's a picture of a cute kitten in a sweater:

Image Via

1,2,3... Awwwww. Now go on over to Savvy Pants and say hi!

Also, follow her on Twitter (you won't regret it): @savvy_pants

Wednesday Pick Me Up

2011-06-29T12:19:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Wednesday Pick Me Up. As all of you know, I'm just a little bit obsessed with Noah and the Whale. I recently bought their new album Last Night on Earth and it's a totally different sound than their other album, Peaceful The World Lays Me Down. It's different, but good. Every song on their new album makes me feel like today is a new day. The album motivates me and helps me to persevere. I really love that. I recently started training for a 5K, and this song that I'm about to show you is my theme song for this new journey I'm undergoing. I now present you with "Life is Life."

I love the message of the song, the music itself, and I love the video, especially the colors. Whenever I doubt myself I find myself thinking, "Your life is your life. Gotta live like it's your life." So go live your life to the fullest on this Wednesday. Go get an ice cream cone on lunch, indulge yourself in a bubble bath tonight, tell someone you love them. Just remember, it's your life. Do what makes you happy. Every day is a new beginning.

On a side note, my brother and sister's dad passed away last night. I'm sure they'd really appreciate if you'd keep them and their step mom in your prayers. Thanks.

Our Weekend Adventures

2011-06-28T07:55:00.000-06:00

Hello again! I know it's Tuesday, and therefore I am late in this post, but I was watching my sister's kids for a couple of days and didn't have access to a computer. Forgive me? Haha. This weekend passed by so quickly. Karl and I didn't really do a whole lot, but it was a nice, leisurely time. Here's what we did:

-Okay, so not this weekend, but last week our niece, Ember turned one! She was adorable with her little cake.
-Karl's mom and sister were there and Lara really loved trying to look like that cupcake. Haha.
-Karl bought me flowers, just because. He's the best.
-On Saturday, we ran a bunch of errands and decided to treat ourselves to a loaf of Great Harvest Bread. We got a loaf of honey wheat and their famous pumpkin chocolate chip bread. For those of you who have never been to Great Harvest, you've definitely been missing out. It's the best bread. In the world. And they give you a generous free slice with every purchase! Cha-ching! Can you tell I'm in love with a bread store? Haha.
-Great Harvest also sells Nantucket Nectars. I love this juice so much. It's like a little taste of home. The lids always have interesting facts about Nantucket on them. And on the label there's a naked guy jumping off a roof. Haha. I tried to Google the story behind it and stumbled upon the blog of a nudist. Haha. My bad.
-On Sunday, Karl and I watched our niece and nephew, Grace and Oliver at my sister's. We slept over and it was a grand time, but it made me realize that I really really love my own bed.

See? Nothing too exciting! It was a good weekend and we jumped full force into the week with a run at 5A.M. because we're that insane. Haha. I hope you all had a great weekend and try to have a fantastic week!

10 Links I'm Loving

2011-06-24T12:04:00.000-06:00

Source: hellogiggles.com via Kristie on Pinterest

It's another Friday and there has been a whole lot of awesomeness going on around the web this week. It's only right that I share my finds with all of you! I hope these gems help distract you while you're supposed to be working/studying/cleaning/doing yard work/(insert something tedious here).

1. Have you heard about Boxcycles? I really really want one. I could ride my bike to go grocery shopping! Awesome!

2. I loved Kyla's post on making your week full of simple happiness. Sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. This is a good reminder.

3. Have you heard of Hello Giggles? It's an entertainment site for women, co-founded by Zooey Deschanel. I especially love this article. So hilarious and so true.

4. And another one from Hello Giggles: The Pros and Cons of TV's Best Boyfriends. I'm all about Jim Halpert. Who's your favorite? Be sure to tell me in the comments!

5. How to get the benefits of a 2-Week Vacation in ONE day. I bookmarked this one. I have a feeling I'll be needing it when school starts up again.

6. Need an apartment or house spruce up? I love these ideas to give your home a new look for under $50.

7. How to make a summer bohemian fort. I want to live in it. Forever.

8. Thanks to Sarah Von for showing me these absolute crazeballs Russian Wedding Photos. Whaaaattttt?

9. What, you haven't heard of Jwets? They're only like, the newest thing in fashion... And by fashion, I mean sitting on the couch, watching trashy reality TV, and rubbing chip grease on yourself.

10. I did it guys! I went running at 5AM and am so overjoyed with myself. I really love this Up and Running Course. Don't mind my supremely happy tomato face! Also, I'm loving all the new friends from all over the world that I'm making in the forums of this course. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Guest Blogger: Trissta of Living on the Chic

2011-06-23T12:39:00.000-06:00

Today I have a surprise for all of you! Trissta from Living on the Chic graciously agreed to do a guest post for me! It's no secret that I love interior design. There's a reason pretty much all of my boards on Pinterest are pretty sparse, except for "Decorate" and "Workspaces I love." I love Trissta's blog because she demonstrates how to completely redo a space within a college student's budget. I'm working on decorating my own home and I find all of her tips incredibly useful! I love her blog, and I know you will too, so be sure to show her some love in the comments and by checking her out at Living on the Chic!

Well, I am just soooo flattered that Kristie asked me to do this post for her! So, first off, I'll do a little introduction of myself. I am a college student, just starting my Master's in Interior Design and just graduated with my Bachelor's in Landscape Architecture. I grew up in a family of six kids, so I learned to be frugal at a young age, but as I've gotten older, I've found my tastes have changed from hand-me-downs from my sisters and old furniture from anyone who needed a place to dump it, to something a little more... Chic. As a student, though, I didn't have the sophisticated budget that I needed to afford all the lovely little things I wanted, so I made it my goal to live my life chicly, while still doing it cheaply. I still accept those hand-me-downs, but I throw in thrift shopping, yard saleing, and investing in quality pieces to my design style. So, without further adieu, I am going to share some of my best tips for decorating on a budget!

1) Get your inspiration. Looking at examples of other spaces can help you find what kind of space you're looking for. Most times even do it at a lower cost that you could have imagined! Once you find a space you like, you can start looking for similar items, but at a fraction of the price from the magazines. I love Pinterest-- it's a great way to share designs you love and find new ones to help you along the way! Also, if you want a completely you design, look at nature and natural color palettes! Sunsets, leopard spots, flowers... you name it, it can inspire you!

2) Shop secondhand. Look at classifieds, go to yard sales. I made a list of all the places I love to find pieces and many times, they're higher quality than you would expect. Many of the pieces I have in my living room were purchased second hand-- Check out my grandma floral chair! Gorgeous, and I only paid $15 for it at a thrift store! Don't worry, if you don't find something on your first visit, simply go back a few days later! Thrift stores are constantly changing what they have as stuff comes in and out on a regular basis.

3) Paint. Rehab. Refurnish. Reuse. You can take items you find at sales that may have the perfect form you're looking for, but have absolutely horrible color, and paint them to match the color scheme you're looking for. Just make sure you prep the material before you go crazy with the paint. I made this great desk for under $10 with a little bit of hard work, sand paper, and paint! If I can do it, you can too!

4) Go big. When you're decorating a space, it's better to go big. When you use larger items to fill space, you use less of them. Instead of collecting a ton of small items, which make your space seem junky, go for larger items that fit the space. In my bed room, I don't have very much on my wall, simply because my headboard (which was made from old closet doors) is the dominate piece. The size of it is proportional to the size of the room and doesn't overwhelm it. I added a little bit of glam with the clear globes, which don't clutter the space because of their transparency, but that's it. No other pictures, a few pillows on the bed, but that's it. Simple and sweet.

5) Repurpose items you already have. I put a bookshelf in my closet to hold my shoes... you can come up with soooo many different uses for simple things like bookshelves, stools, and everything else. In my office, for example, I had some awful mirrored closet doors. You know, the ones that roll back and forth and everyone seems to hate? Well, I took them off the track and was going to throw them out... but then thought twice. I place one on either side of my desk and they've created a great, formal look that doubles the space of the room! (The saying goes one mirror, double the space and the light.)

6) Create your own art. Again in my living room.... I had a ton of my own art, pictures, and prints that I loved, they were just on a smaller scale that what I needed behind my couch. By framing them all in similar frames, they are pulled together to be seen as one large item-- and I already had them on hand. You can tear pages out of books, paint on a blank canvas, or even frame old memorabilia that is important to you.

You can even bring that art out into the room by using the same color palette-- in my living room, I brought out the Vintage Italian Firenze Print by pairing my neutral blues, browns, creams, blacks, etc with the bright red floor cushions-- they were originally used on patio furniture, but instead, I used them as extra seating for when I have little nieces and nephews around. That way they don't get stickies all over my cream sofa, and, if needed, I can take off the cushion covers and wash them. Simple and easy.

7) Go for the unexpected. You can add legs to low sitting furniture, add a pop of red to an otherwise cool color palette, or a super clean lined coffee table in an other wise traditional layout. In my kitchen, I have a bookshelf filled with boxes (spray painted shoe boxes, in fact!) and then my cookbooks up top. What did I use for bookends? Carved coconuts. Yes, they are margarita coconuts. Filled with rocks from my rock garden, so they don't move around so much. Another unexpected move? The chalkboard wall behind it. When friends come over, they love to write new messages or draw pictures and when the inspiration strikes-- I'll do a few myself.

8) Rugs. Use rugs!! You can use them on carpet, tile, hardwood. They can and will create a different feeling in the space with graphic pattern, pop of color, or texture. This rug in my bedroom is amazing. I'm so in love with it-- and you know, it only cost me $45 at the Salvation Army?! Totally transforms this space from country chic to more of a modern graphic feeling!

9) Create balance with symmetry. Repeat colors, items, textures, and form in your space. It'll tie everything together. Even just within my bookshelf, there are repeated colors, items, and pops of them, too. And remember the office? The mirrors on either side of the desk bring that symmetric and balance to the room that I adore!

10) Layer light. Use lamps, mirrors, reflective surfaces to help create more light in your room during different times of the day. Lamps in the evening when you want to create a more restful mood, overhead lighting when you need it bright, both when you have company over. Especially in areas where you have certain-- ahem-- activities could happen (Like napping!) you want lower light sources to create a softer mood or easier on the eyes if you're reading. In my living room, I have a floor lamp and two other lamps all placed in different areas of the room so they create different atmospheres! Sighhhh.

And there you have it! My design in a nutshell. Any questions? Visit my blog or shoot me an email at Trissta_bob(at)hotmail(dot)com!

I cannot get over those clear glass globes and that Salvation Army rug! What a steal! I'm a little sad I didn't get to it first! Haha. Thank you so much for visiting, Trissta!

Wednesday Pick Me Up

2011-06-22T11:10:00.001-06:00

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I've been saving this song for a while because I was just waiting for the right day. Today is that day. I can thank Sarah Von for introducing me to Avalanche City. I'm so glad she did. Also, this video is incredible. If you like penguins, or pirates, or zeppelins, or all of the above, you'll love this video. Without further adieu, I present you with "Love, Love, Love."

Now tell me you're not smiling from ear to ear. :)

Have a great day!

If you have any music that you'd like to share, I'm definitely interested. I'm always in need of more good music in my life.