Hello, World!

That time I planned a wedding

2012-01-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, my beautiful sister got married and I planned her wedding. It was crazy!! I learned so much, and it was incredible to put all my craftiness to the test. This was a very DIY wedding and we couldn't have done it without all our friends and family's help. We had to blend our American, Mexican and Greek cultures together for one event and it really made it more personal for the bride and groom. A million thanks to Katherine Loveless for the amazing photography. She really captured that style we were going for. Advice for anyone planning a wedding: HAVE FUN WITH IT!! Make sure to keep it about the two of you; it's going to be stressful no matter what so remember that it's a celebration, and CELEBRATE!

A few details for anyone interested:

Photographer: Katherine Loveless // Dress: Bridal Expressions // Headpiece: Handmade // Groom's suit: Mr. Mac // Florals: Groom's sister // DJ: Ed Nunn Entertainment // Venue: LDS Stake Center // Linens: USU Catering // Cake: Family Friend // Hair and Makeup: Bridesmaids // Gourmet Popcorn: Sir Walter Candy // Pastries// Viva Market // Bridesmaid Dresses: Ebay // Groomsmen Suits: JCPenney // Dancing Props: Oriental Trading

Brighter Than The Sun

2012-01-16T22:42:00.001-07:00

Sunshine is one of my very favorite things in this world. I realized just how much I love sunshine when I noticed that some of the songs I really like all have the same similar theme too!

2011: A Review

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

WHAT A YEAR!!! It was honestly the best year of my life. I learned so much about myself and the world around me. I got my True Aggie card, contracted mono, cheered on my Aggies at the WAC tournament, was awarded Outstanding Senior 2011, saw 20,000 bouncy balls drop from a helicopter, rolled easter eggs down Old Main Hill, went to a Sean Kingston concert, faked a marriage, and got my college diploma. Climbed rooftops, had bonfires, reunited with my sewing machine, spent hours and hours in the library, cried, laughed, joked, got angry, discovered Oreos. Quit my job, got a passport and traveled through Europe with 20 strangers who became close friends. Made friends with ManU fans while watching a game in an English pub, went to an Irish brewery, got kissed on the Eiffel Tower, and swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Moved to two different cities, started a blog, gained 10 pounds, lost them, said good-bye to my missionary brother, planned a wedding, and got a new brother. Phew. I wouldn't take any of it back. Now I'm back in my hometown, changed but still me, and I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring.

Celebrated my 22nd birthday

Found something I loved to do while interning

Spring break road trip to Vegas

Traveled through Europe

Three times a bridesmaid

Aggies for life

Broke a personal record for # of weddings attended

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

I read this quote on a blog last year and I loved it.

New Years Outfit

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

I would like to party in this outfit. All of it is from Target. I hope you get some bling on and go crazy tonight!!

1. Top

2. Shoes

3. Jeans

4. Ring

5. Necklace

Tavi

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

This girl is so cool. She started this blog when she was like 13 and got invited to New York Fashion Week. She's totally an original and does what she likes. Props.

New Years Eve

2011-12-29T16:14:00.001-07:00

I love these two so much it's ridiculous. What are you doing New Years Eve?

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Go drink some hot chocolate and open presents!!

Consider

2011-12-22T16:19:00.002-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.013-07:00

In celebration of the fall, we made turkeys out of pine cones and leaves. I highly recommend it. I hope you enjoy a good holiday weekend with lots of food and family!

Men in November

2011-11-22T17:18:00.002-07:00

I am a supporter of No-Shave November. I'm not sure why. It could be my recent affinity for lumberjacks and scruffy men. Or the comedy of some all-too-obvious bald patches found on some poor boys faces. In any case, here's to men in flannel with scruffy faces!

Life in A Day

2011-11-21T17:57:00.002-07:00

While I was in London, I kept seeing posters for Life in A Day in the tube station. I made a mental note to watch it when I got back, and I finally did. Please watch it! The full film is available on youtube here. Full disclosure, there is a scene at a slaughterhouse with a cow. It's a little shocking, but then it made me realize that my meat doesn't magically appear. This film reconnects you to life and the people here on earth. I think the last scene sums up the whole point.

Inspired by Paris

2011-10-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

A Few Words to Live By

2011-10-06T19:42:00.004-07:00

I love a good quote like anyone else. But I also love a quote that looks good. Here some quotes I liked and made into ready-to-mount art.

P.S. This wedding quote is quite popular. Here's where I found it.

Patterns

2011-10-02T15:14:00.001-07:00

As part of our studies abroad, we explored patterns and created our own. These were a few of the ones I made. Each was influenced by a country visited, and the shapes, colors, and lines found there. Sorry for the compression.

Study Abroad Sketches

2011-09-06T14:45:00.001-07:00

While abroad, my constant companion was not my cell phone, but my sketchbook. It kept me company on long train rides and helped document my trip in a way my camera couldn't. The following are a few shots from my sketchbook.

St. Joseph the Worker

2011-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

I love, love love architecture that is interesting. If I happen to see any while riding down the road, I have to stop. I saw this church while driving down West Jordan. The combination of the wood and concrete, plus the geometric shape of the buildings, it is perfect for worship.

Public Transportation

2011-09-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you folks are aware of how sweet public transportation in Utah is. I love riding trains and metro systems when I travel. I took a little trip down south and took advantage of the UTA Frontrunner. Utah is so beautiful! Next time you take a trip, try public transportation. Everything looks different when you aren't driving and you get to travel at lighting fast speeds.

Idaho

2011-09-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

I believe Idaho is one of the hidden gems of the US. There are so many beautiful natural landscapes to look at. I went on a hike just past the Utah border and I loved it! Everything was so green. We followed the path of the water up to the source of the water. It comes out of a rock. So cool. Nothing calms me down or gets me thinking more than a good hike and surrounding myself with nature.

More Euro Fashion

2011-08-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few favorite items I saw abroad: 1. Flower Print Blouse 2. Pocket Watch Necklace 3. Brown Oxfords 4. Tailored Shorts 5. Slap Bracelet Watch 6. Printed Tights

What To Wear In Paris

2011-07-21T12:44:00.001-07:00

Going to Paris? Here are essentials you might want to pack to look like a true Parisian: 1. Trench Coat 2. Tipped Ballet Flats 3. Light Scarves 4. Stripes and Bows 5. Pleated Skinny Pants 6. Skinny Belts

BCN to LHR to LAX to SLC

2011-06-30T10:10:00.006-07:00

Nothing could possibly be more fun than being stranded in an airport. 3 times. As I tried to check into the Barcelona airport, I was informed that all my return flights had been cancelled since I had missed my Chicago connection on my way into London. This caused me to miss my flight back with my little traveling group and so I began a 38-hour adventure of back to Salt Lake City. Since I got to spend so much time inside of the same type of building throughout my trip, I began to notice which airports had designed according to their clients needs. I give the Barcelona airport the award for the best design. It was open and comfortable. There were plenty of shops and my favorite---a courtyard to relax in while you wait. If there is anything I learned during my trip, it's that design is everywhere-you just have to open your eyes to see it.

My first of two sunrises in an airport

What a structure

This courtyard was like a zen garden for me

I loved the amount of light let in

Back in London!

P.S. Going back to London felt like coming home. I'm definitely returning.

The Camp Nou Experience

2011-06-28T10:11:00.025-07:00

One trip to Camp Nou is all it will take to turn you into a Barça fan. The club is one of the most successful in Spain in terms of trophies won. It is also one of the most successful clubs in Europe, having won ten continental UEFA tournaments including four UEFA Champions League titles, the most recent for the 2010-2011 season. FC Barcelona’s motto, “Més que un club” (“More than a club”), truly defines it. It is rooted in its Catalan history and has created a sense of patriotism throughout its fans. It was so cool to visit the museum and stadium, it was a dream come true for a soccer fan.

Interactive touchscreen tell the history

3 tiers of a roaring crowd

A little lobby area

Ready for my press conference

The field

Tiny little screens with changing pictures lined this wall

Even the shop was amazing

Beach Day!

2011-06-27T10:13:00.024-07:00

Well, let's face it. The studying part of study abroad is officially over. We will be spending all remaining time getting our tan on at the beach. Which, is what we did today. I didn't snap too many picture of the actual beach because I have a water-proof camera. Best. Choice. Ever. We had so much fun snapping pictures while in the ocean. Such a good day.

The Mediterranean Sea has the WORST salt water

Rock Hearts...awww

Making a splash

The beach group

Dani and I

Our attempt at a peace sign

I was so excited to see that we were on this same beach! Enjoy this great song and the great view of Barcelona!

Antoni Gaudi is a Master

2011-06-26T10:21:00.049-07:00

Antoni Gaudi is most famous for his Sagrada Familia Basilica. I had studied it in school, but to be honest I thought it was the ugliest church I'd ever seen. Once inside, I had a major change of heart. The church is gorgeous. It is a modern take on worship. The entire structure is built on the principles of the hyperbola and parabola. The columns aren't on straight support, but a continuous arc from one side of the church to the other. I loved the idea of basing everything on mathematical principals, and having the design evolve from that. We also visited Park Guell, which is a park designed by Gaudi with great mosiac patterns and a gorgeous view of the city. I have great respect for Gaudi's designs after spending a day seeing his work, he really was ahead of his time.

Sagrada Familia Exterior

The columns look like a forest

Gorgeous stained glass

Models to better explain the geometric principles

A view looking up the Nave

The South Side Doors

Casa Museu Gaudi

Park Guell