I will admit when ankle boots hit the scene I swore I’d never own a pair—just like I swore I’d never own, let alone wear, skinny jeans. I now own three pairs of skinny jeans and LOVE them.

But back to ankle boots. I’m not sure if I thought they looked clunky with skirts and dresses or if it was like the designer had run out of material partway through making the boot. Whatever it was, I avoided them even after I saw Carina rockin’ a pair. Of course, Carina rocks everything she wears.

Well, here’s where it gets interesting. The other day I was in Famous Footwear exchanging a pair of shoes for Nathan. (Side note: Nathan should know better than to send me into Famous Footwear to exchange something. It ends up being cheaper if I simply keep the original pair of shoes because I will always come out with more than the pair I exchange.) While browsing the clearance racks I stumbled upon these, a pair of Steve Madden Madden Girl gray ankle boots:

These cute little things screamed “Pick me! Pick me!” and I couldn’t resist. I told myself I could easily wear them with skinny jeans (good thing I own a few pairs) but still wasn’t sure how else to pull them off. I almost didn’t buy them, but a phone call to a good friend set me straight so off the clearance rack and into my arms they went. And so did these:

Hello, it was Famous Footwear’s BOGO sale. I had to buy a second pair—think of all the money I saved! (My husband totally loves my way of thinking…) Chinese Laundry, where have you been all my heel-wearing life?

And because three is such a magical number, I picked these Nine West beauties up a few days later at Nordstrom Rack:

Yes, Nathan knows about my recent purchases (the last pair he has coined my “working girl” shoes) and he also knows about my recent listings on eBay to help pay for aforementioned—and pictured—purchases. It’s all good. By the way, that last pair? I saw them in hot pink on a girlfriend at church a couple Sundays ago and was determined to find them and buy them. Mission accomplished. I love checking things off my to-do list!

Sorry, I’m easily distracted by fabulous heels. Back to the ankle boots. Now that I own them, how should I wear them? Are skinny jeans okay? I was hoping I could also wear them under bootcut jeans. How do I pair them with a skirt or dress? Are leggings a must or do bare legs work until winter and the goosebumps hit?

I know there’s hope. My recent Anthropologie catalog showed a girl pairing ankle boots with tights and a gorgeous fall skirt and sweater. Then again, maybe there’s no hope. I couldn’t pull off a lot of those Anthropologie outfits if I tried and had the zillion dollars to do so.

HELP!

A recent post by my friend Shelle got me thinking about forgiveness. Shelle forgives easily, which for most would be a blessing. Far too many of us hold on to grudges, offenses, mistakes others have made that have affected us or perhaps our families in one way or another. But as Shelle mentioned in her post, sometimes this easiness to forgive leads people to take advantage of my beautiful, sweet, forgiving friend. That fact makes me want to grab a few dozen eggs and a case of Costco toilet paper…all for a very good cause, of course.

Though someone who forgives easily may find themselves used and abused at times, in my little world I like to think this kind of person leads a happier, healthier life—and we should all be blessed with a forgiving heart. I don’t hang on to grudges or hurt feelings for extended periods of time but I do hang on to them long enough to get a glimpse at what can happen if you don’t let go.

On Sunday our bishop showed us “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light,” a video from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Mormon Messages YouTube channel. It is about Chris Williams (pictured above), a Salt Lake City man whose wife and two children were killed by a teenage drunk driver in 2007. I have been anxious to share it with you since the moment I saw it. You’ll want to grab a Kleenex or two. In fact, grab an entire box. I am choking up just thinking about it. I may never be the same again. And I hope neither will you.

I haven’t been truly tried or tested to know just how much I am willing to forgive. (Honestly, I hope I never am.) Forgiveness such as this man has given seems nearly impossible yet the story speaks to my soul telling me this is the way it should be: complete forgiveness so hearts and lives can be mended. Chris Williams is an example of Christlike love in action. If he can forgive, what the heck are we waiting for?

Photo above from this LDS.org article

I am honored/flattered/flabbergasted/speechless (okay, when am I ever speechless?) to be featured on Make It Work Mom today. Camille must have been suffering from a sugar coma or high on painkillers due to the new addition to her orthodontic regimen—no matter the reason for her compromised state, I took advantage of it because I’m that kind of friend.

So today you can find me (and this pic of me with my super awesome sis) on Make It Work Mom’s “Moms Who Make It Work” series. Check it out and see if you really know me as well as you think you do! I might even share a bit of sage advice life according to Emily. And yes, I may have mentioned Diet Coke and chocolate once or twice…

(Our most recent guest Mad Libber was Alexis Lesa from depressions and confessions. You’ll love her “Lost and Found” Mad Libs!)

Today’s “The Oscars” post comes to us courtesy of Mindy Gledhill, singer extraordinaire, and is from the Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad Libs book.

If you’re a long-time reader of ITRML, then you already know how much I love Mindy. I adore her, my daughter adores her and I’m positive it won’t be long until the entire world does the same. If you haven’t listened to her new CD, you’re totally missing out. (You can sample a couple tracks on Mindy’s website or read about the new CD on her blog.) After the story you’ll find a few interesting facts about Mindy. For an even better profile, check out Camille’s post featuring Mindy on Make It Work Mom. Enjoy!

THE OSCARS

by Mindy Gledhill

Yes, this really is Mindy’s life…

Name and/or nickname: Mindy Gledhill (family nickname is “Beef”)

Blog(s) and/or website(s): MindyGledhill.com and my blog

Where you grew up: Eureka, CA & Madrid, Spain

Favorite childhood game: “Murder in the Dark” (hide-and-go-seek in the dark with my dad growling like a monster)

Super cool mom moment (i.e., one of those moments when you were the coolest mom ever): Climbing to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihaucán in Mexico with 12-month-old Jackson on my back.

Totally uncool mom moment (if you’re willing to share): Being a crappy Tooth Fairy with short-term memory loss (over and over again). But that’s cool, because I always sneak a dollar under the bed and then say, “Hey, did you check under your bed? Maybe you pushed the money off in the middle of the night!” {Mindy, another reason we are friends. The same thing happens in our house!}

Your go-to “drug” of choice (e.g., Diet Coke, chocolate, Peeps, Venti anything from Starbucks): Kneaders’ Chocolate Mint Brownie

Your guilty indulgence (e.g., reality TV shows, pedis, chick lit): People magazine at the grocery store checkout. I like to make up my own captions for the pictures too.

If you were stranded on a desert island, preferably in the Caribbean, which famous person would you want with you and why? Duh. I’d want Bear Grylls, that Survivor man guy. But wait, then he might make me eat bat guano.

Happy Monday!

Though I’m not actually in New York (and neither are most of you), let’s pretend we are. Let’s pretend we’re an amazing photographer, camera in hand, on her way to Ground Zero. Or let’s just pretend we’re Kim Orlandini, a friend of mine.

I just finished reading her New York: Part 1 post and found it so absolutely beautiful I had to share it with you. After looking through her photo montage, I think you’ll agree and find the need to share it with your friends and family (and readers).

Her photographs have touched my heart and my soul. I hope they do the same for you.

You can find her St. Paul’s Chapel and 9/11 Memorial Museum photos on her blog Simply Me or by clicking on the image below. And yes, this was one of my favorites. (Who am I kidding? They are all my favorites.)

Photo by Kim Orlandini

P.S. Thank you, Kim.
P.P.S. I’d love to know which ones were your favorites. (Good luck narrowing it down!)

For this week’s Wordless Wednesday I posted a recent photo I took outside the front door of our home. It featured a beautiful double rainbow, Wasatch mountains and all. Unbeknownst to me, the double rainbow thing is the theme of a popular (12 million views and counting) YouTube video. Hence the confusion when both Camille and Kami left comments quoting “Bear,” the star of the  Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow video (“what does this mean?”). I so didn’t get it, but after my friend Melinda showed me the double rainbow video last night, I totally get it.

For others in the dark, allow me to enlighten you (and yes, he really is crying):

…
Since this video posted, Bear has been on Jimmy Kimmel, CBS News and CNN. But none of that hype comes close the the awesomeness that is the Double Rainbow Song by schmoyoho.

…
Rock on, double rainbow, rock on!

P.S. You might want to check out schmoyoho’s YouTube channel. The Bed Intruder Song had Melinda and I laughing late last night!

Just like you can never have enough dessert (you do know there’s an entire separate dessert stomach, right?), you can never have enough girls’ nights out. I’m not sure about you but it’s a must for my sanity.

A couple weeks ago I was one of the lucky few to attend the first annual Cupcake Conference held at the Grand America Hotel. The conference was organized by my good and amazing friend Steph and her just as amazing conference-planning sidekicks. What started out as a twitterific joke turned into an evening full of cupcakes and socializing and more cupcakes and more socializing. (I think more Twitter convos need to turn into super decadent girls-only evenings.)

My super talented, super good friend Quinn took some fabulously tasty photos of the evening. Here’s one of my faves; get ready to drool!

The Grand America let us into their pastry kitchen where we met with the executive pastry chef. She then introduced us to a spread consisting of frosting, freshly baked cupcakes and a variety of toppings. What followed next was a cupcake decorating frenzy!

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t a frenzy, but I think there was a little bit of craziness going on…

When all was said and done, we did have a few winners. (I forgot to bribe the judges beforehand so I was not one of the chosen few.) But Jill was…

…and so was Alexis.

The overall winner was Victoria. Her cupcake was chosen by Grand America’s pastry chef. I have to admit, I loved this cupcake! (If you can’t tell, it’s a miniature snowman!)

Of course I think my cupcake was pretty darn cute too!

After the frosting, sprinkling and judging, we headed upstairs to the super sweet suite for the eating of the cupcakes, massages, chatting, laughing, more eating of the cupcakes and then some super fabulous giveaways…

…including a Bedazzled cupcake Snuggie!

I mean, what’s there not to like about handcrafted cupcakes,

handcrafted fun,

and handcrafted (new) friendships?

Oh, and let’s throw in a handcrafted baby for good measure.

Did you miss the recent Cupcake Conference (and the awesome swag, free FotoFly Studio session and all)? I am truly sad for you, but no worries! You can get your cupcakes frosted at the next event. Simply  subscribe to the Cupcake Conference blog so you can be in the know, sprinkles and all.

It seems just yesterday we moved to Utah from California and enrolled Madison in preschool at Challenger. Not long after that she was taking baby steps through kindergarten doors. Fast forward six school years and seven summers and my oldest is now taking a giant leap through giant middle school doors.

It’s enough to make a mom feel her age, and I hate feeling my age (unless my age is 25…a number I haven’t seen in 10 years).

I remember Lauren doing the preschool thing as well, following in her sister’s footsteps—something she’s done for a long time. For the most part that’s a good thing, but perhaps this year, because she is no longer in her sister’s shadow, she’ll find her own footsteps.

Crazy how six years can feel like six seconds.

Funny thing is, I rarely wax sentimental when school is back in session. It must be the lack of chocolate in my secret stash because this is how I usually feel on the first day of school. Anyone else feel the same?