first time for everything

I have never really been into Halloween. But this year I found a costume I couldn't deny. So I went ALL OUT. Pictures to follow..

hump day

I have all these thoughts in my head that need a place to land. They need space to breathe, or the ability to exist without judgment. My mind is not that place.

days go by

This weekend marked the 53rd year since my Dad was born. I've been thinking for a while exactly what that means. Does any day of the year make a difference in the fact that I have learned to miss him every other day? Does it mean that we celebrate or that we mourn? Is this day any different than the days before it? Can someone tell me how to feel?

A birthday is a day to celebrate and express gratitude for someone, their life and the memories you've shared. When I host a birthday dinner I always make the attendees go around and say something they love about the person. Since my daily routine usually emcompasses reminders of things I love about my dad, the day passed without incident or intense emotion. However, I find myself looking back and again asking if someone could tell me how to feel?

I'm finding peace in a passage of scripture from the Book of Mormon:

Mosiah 16:8 The grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

The Answer Is Within You

This is the reminder that when you're feeling too anxious to function the answer is not to shop or stop eating or watch tv or leave town or complain to a therapist.

The answer is a belly deep laugh with friends, or a pink yoga mat, or giving yourself permission to take a nap because when you wake up life will still exist.

A couple of years ago, I ventured to a city and spent the best weekend ever shopping, exploring, and eating. Last weekend, I took a trip to that same city, but this time was accompanied by my besties Kyria and Carly.

My Favorite Parts were:

• Staying at the amazing Renaissance Hotel in downtown Seattle
• Drinking from the fountains of Seattle's Best Coffee (Triple Chocolate for the girls and Passion Tea for myself)
• Shopping at the Nordstrom Flagship and Humongous Nordstrom Rack (on 3 separate occasions)
• Eating at every top YELP rated restaurant we could lay our eyes on
• Making friends with the famous fish throwers in Pike Place Market
• Being hit on every 7 seconds because my friends are beautiful
• Meeting a cab driver who offered to be our personal driver next time we come to town
• Having Sunday brunch on Bainbridge Island
• Dancing our hearts out in Belltown with the most beautiful people in the country (and meeting my soul mate/ new long distance lover)
• Eating atop the Space Needle for a late Saturday dinner, and then returning (for FREE) on Sunday to see the city on an abnormally clear day
• Taking a walking food tour around Pike Place Market and tasting everything from Fruit to Cheese to Smoked Salmon
• Eating a lot and compensating by walking 50,000 steps (Thank you FitBit) in sunny 70 degree weather
• And finally, hanging out with Carly and Kyria who make me laugh harder than anyone ever did.

 

 

 

I think we belong there.

wake up in the morning get my smash[box] on

I've been spending the last year (and hundreds of dollars) trying to find the perfect tinted mousturizer. Last winter, I abandoned my long used and trusted Bare Escentuals foundation for something more natural and age fighting (albeit expensive). Somehow, the greats; Laura Mercier ($45), Trish McEvoy ($60) and Josie Maran ($40) all let me down. A couple weeks ago I walked out of Sephora with the discovery that there was a woman with baby porcelain skin ready to be broken out of jail and the key was Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream.

 

BB Cream is sold as a Mousturizer, Primer, and Foundation, although, with the harshness of Utah climate I still mousturize like a boss.

 

Rather than making everyone go through what I did, I thought I would share. You're welcome.

traveling

Politics. Conventions. Opinions. Blah. Everyone is so heated. I mean, I get it, this is our life and our future and I find myself getting involved in a lot of the different conversations.


BUT. THEN. This week I was in Virginia and hopped over to spend some time in DC. Walking aroung a city rich with culture, heritage, and patriotism my paradigm shifted. Ultimately, the reason behind political turmoil is that people have different interpretations of Freedom. Just like people have different interpretations of Religion. At the end of the day I don't have to stress about agreeing with everyone. I get to learn, appreciate other views, and just be GRATEFUL that there is FREEDOM to interpret.