October

There was not one bad day in all of October.
It's not like I was expecting any; I just had lofty expectations.

On the 9th day I went to the airport in the dark, and woke up to the most incredible sunrise over Cincinnati.
I can't even begin to describe the depth of the colors and the way the light sparkled.

Just a few hours later, our pilot declared that we must all look out our windows right now. It was a funny moment--never have I heard a pilot insist we observe the whole descent into the Salt Lake Valley, but we did and I would have watched for hours.

I decided right then that if I had to pick a favorite day out of 31, that would be it. 

And it wasn't even 10 am.

to those like me

This is Maggie (and me).

She is my best friend.

And a doll, obviously.

She is much more talented than I,

and has started her very own etsy shop!

If I could buy everything from A Mingled Yarn, I'd do it in a heartbeat. 

But also we're friends so she makes things for me, 

like that headband I'm wearing.

This is the kind of thing I would do a giveaway for

if I was popular and rich.

Because she's that great.

check it out!

happy falls y'alls

Let it be known that I am the biggest whiner when it comes to the heat.  I cannot do it.
Unless I'm on a beach somewhere.

Because of that I am claiming to be fall's biggest fan ever.  October and November are my jam.

I left the library early tonight because I was starving 
(somebody help me remember to eat meals at normal times; dinner at 11 is getting old).
I have no food, so I made oatmeal.
And I ate that oatmeal in bed, with the window open,
and I wanted to cry because it finally felt a little bit like fall.
And because I'm so tired.  But mostly because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am looking forward to pumpkin flavors and leaves and holidays,
but mostly I'm looking forward to less sweat dripping down my body all the times.

Here's to less sweat!  Cheers!

surfin' usa

Two months ago I had a twice in a lifetime* experience.  I had every intention of spelling out every detail, but I just couldn't put it into words.  Then I was semi-unplugged (meaning I didn't have my computer and was attached to my phone) for the month of August, so it never got done.

On the fourth of July, my very favorite holiday, I saw The Beach Boys, my very favorite band.

My dearest Rachel invited me to the Stadium of Fire after her sister won tickets!

Basically, this is how it happened:
We go sit down in the middle of all these old people.
I get a broken chair.
Scotty McCreery opens.  Hey, I never noticed how cute he is.  Good thing I'm on a country kick.
Ryan Innes wins a battle of the two bands.  Love him.

It gets darker, and then finally, my Boys come out.

They start playing a song.  I wish I could remember the set.

I CRY.
Like, I sob.
And then I control myself.
But I am literally shedding tears the whole time they are playing.

It was the best night of my life.  For real.

If you want to see some probably not so legal video footage, hit me up.

*I first saw The Beach Boys in 2001.  They were my first concert!  I actually tried really hard to figure out a way to attend a show on their reunion tour this summer, but it just didn't work out.  But then it did.

---

The day before was spent celebrating the Centerville way.  Fireworks and food.  

And homemade cream soda.  

And a parade.  

And cute kids.  

i'm not crazy

Every time there's a new baby in the family, I spend a ridiculous amount of time gushing about the cute little newborn goat noises that they make.  You know those?  I love those.  I think it's the most adorable thing ever.

Turns out I'm not the only one:

(via)

Best ever.  There was this article about vanishing languages that featured Tuvan, and Tuva is a republic of Russia, so I found it even more perfect.

I seriously could not love this more.  

ballz

I played softball in middle school.
I'm pretty sure I was awful, but I loved it.
(Or I love the memory of it.)
Either way, summer will always be ball fields & sunflower seeds.

A few weeks ago, I visited my cousins and watched the girls' play softball!
It was too sweet.

Because I'm awesome and it was so bright that I couldn't quite see what I was doing, I ended up with some cool pictures of some backs of heads.  And the girls in the background.  Artistic?

The cutie boys came too, of course.

They did so great!  It was so fun to be in that atmosphere again.  

My kids better want to play or I'll just have to myself.

i've done something bad.

I started Downton Abbey.

And by started, I mean I watched the whole first season in a 24.5 hour period.

And now I have to finish the second season by 3/6 before its taken off PBS,
because if I have to wait for it to be on Netflix, I will surely die.

I didn't understand the obsession at all until I began, and it really only took the first episode.

Sometimes bad decisions are worth it.

Has anyone else watched it that wants to discuss?

how do I love thee?

I love Valentine's.  Anna Howard Shaw Day.  Single's Awareness.

I wouldn't say it's my number one holiday, but it is way up there.  

I feel like I'll love it even more when I have kids and I'll have an excuse to smother and embarrass them with my affection.  

I'm all for celebrating romantic love, but love is great no matter what form, and this year, I have so many Valentines.

My family:

(my sweet nephew, whom I miss terribly.  and all the other ones!)

(pretend this is all the Grants)

My frans:

(from Spring Fling 2011)

*this was taken on Valentine's 2009. 

we didn't go to the dance together,

but I was involved in some great dancing times

with him and his sister that night.

also, this is very representative of our relationship.

awesome.

also, he sent me a tshirt for my birthday/vday!

what a nice boy.

(outtake from our photo shoot to show off the shirt.  it was hard.  and it did not work)

Happy Love Day!

I love you!

because being crafty takes too much time

Bridget is doing the sweetest giveaway this week.  I wish I knew Bridget; I feel like we'd be best friends.
Anyway, I'm so sad/glad I didn't know about this shop until now, because I want to buy everything!

If I win, I want these two:

...

...

If I don't win, there's almost nothing stopping me from getting them...

And I really want these too.

expecto patronu--whaaa??

It's over. It's been over, but seeing it outside of my head makes it more real. Ropert (Ron/Rupert) is a beautiful man. I cried. I laughed at inappropriate times--stress giggles. I got angry. So many emotions! It was special.

On our way home we saw a scary accident. It made me grateful for my life. And made me pray that we'd make it home.

I've been thinking about life. During a very deep discussion about love with my 15 year old niece, I came up with a happy/happiest theory. Remind me to tell you about it.

I'm stalking Alec Baldwin on twitter.

All of these things made me wish I could tell people what I really feel. If I knew I'd never see someone again, I know exactly what I'd tell them. Why can't I do it frealz?

I'm such a cheeseball.

here comes your man

if by man, you mean my principal handing me my diploma tonight, then yep, here he comes.
i'm blaming my absence on the interwebs and at my public high school, on this event and I apologize.

so here's the good stuff:

my mom is in town and loves Mindy Gledhill.  a lot.
so naturally, we're going to venture down to the utah county tomorrow night to see a show!

only after i did my research did i realize that meaghan smith, is THE meaghan smith from the 500 days soundtrack.  you best believe that made me want to buy every single non-exsistent ticket.

so come!  come to dance and sing along and party like it's finally summer.

i'm thrilled to be able to make this show and i might actually pee my pants when i see C. Jane.

and meaghan and mindy and ryan...

also, see how excited meaghan is!

oh heyyy,

there's this rad concert this weekend.
and it's free.
and on a rooftop.

if you live in or anywhere within driving distance

 of PROVO, UTAH (sorry noncontiguous states) come to...

come before they're too famous, so you can feel cool when they are!

at least that's what I tell myself.

so bring some friends & food & things to sit on, or dance on.

it's guaranteed to be a blast!

check this out if you have any questions that may be frequently asked 

or want to see the masterminds behind the series.

creation of man

I have great friends.  I love them so much that I run in the rain to put balloons on their cars and do their hairs repeatedly.  We're pretty awesome.

I did her hurr.

mrs. jenkins

the five musketeers

We love the Scarlet Pimpernel, but we love Chauvelin

and the Bounders even more:)

wouldn't it be nice...

(to listen to the Beach Boys all the time?  thanks to Cold Stone for the playing my favorites)

Today was great.  We had the day off because the juniors were taking the ACT.

I went to the gym and chatted with my favorite Cyndi in the steam room.

We had a birthday party for Justin Bieber.

I had my first real business meeting.

I ate banana Cold Stone with Ellen after said business meeting and met some hilarious boys who sang to me when I tipped them.

I took a quick nap.

I talked about college with some loves.

I studied.

Oh wait...

And I entered into an awesome giveaway hosted by Mikki Platt and her awesome new website.  She's great.

oh valium-times!

14 things I love on this day of love:

1) Anthropologie's wedding line that launched today!

If I was getting married and had all the money in the world I would buy...

this lacy sweater to wear over my dress after the ceremony,

either of these gorgeous belts to wear with the above,

these darling shoes because I need them,

and these to wear while dancing,

(all pictures via)

2) chick flicks, of course.

I especially love 500 Days of Summer because

it's a more realistic portrayal of love without being stuffy.

and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

3) my cowl from Target

I love all scarves really, but I have been so obsessed

with infinity scarves and cowls lately.

So cute. So practical (warm).

4) these people.

Oh my goodness.  Amazing photographers

and an amazing family.  

Can I be her, please?

5) cute Russian apartment things from Urban Outfitters.

(via)

6) James Franco and his new book.

I'm considering ordering it for myself for Valentine's.

Expect a review soon:)

7) my Psychology class.

I'm beginning to hate school, but talking about

babies and relationships and funny things in Psych makes it all worth it.

8) Baths.  You best believe I'm having one tonight. 

I've decided that at least one a week is necessary.

I pour in this:

and set up a playlist with my favorite music and I'm good to go.

9) I LOVE awkward pictures of me and Kar.

Especially since those of the only ones we can ever get...

10) this list may soon make you think that i love school, 

but don't be fooled.

I love my Fashion Merchandising class.

I love learning correct terms for hems and necklines and sleeves

and I'm excited to cover fabrics and the business side.

It makes me want to be a textile designer.

For some reason I signed up to compete in Apparel & Accessories in State DECA

& to be in charge of vendor relations and sales for our upcoming Prom Expo at school.

Wish me luck.

11) sweet music.

I love this cool lady,

and these lovelies by my supposed celebrity lookalike.

They will be played at my wedding.

12) Names. 

Baby names, grown up names. 

I'm such a girl, but I love people and I love their names.  

I found out tonight that my aunt doesn't like one of my future children's names, 

but I'm sure I'll change my mind anyway.

13) Camping.  Oh my.  I'm such a nature nerd.  I will save the planet.

This weekend's weather was amazing and I was craving the [higher] mountain air.

I would take my recycled toothbrush and all of my flannel.

This is the only thing I crave about summer.

14)  I love love.  And what I love most is my family.  

I am so blessed and have so much family to go around.  

I love being the youngest because I get to travel to see them all

and they love to give me advice:)

I LOVE YOU.