I've been so busy loving life

That I haven't been blogging! And I'm glad. Because I've being going back and forth feeling crappy about things for so long that it's a relief to be happy. And content. Being content with things, even if they're not perfect.

Today I'm feeling good because:

• It's summer! and the sun is shining! That may sound redundant, but it's always overcast here.
• I'm wearing shorts and don't care that my legs are milky white
• I received a letter from Ian in the MTC, and apparently he spends 40% of his day speaking in a Pakistani accent
• Going to eat at Mama Santa's tonight
• B Ru is re-designing my life
• Purchased an iPhone (that itself is a whole other post. Facetime has changed my life!)
• My twinner Grandma is coming to visit in August 

And finally,

•  Because it's impossible to look at Hazel without smiling or laughing. 

You're welcome. I know you were all desperate for another Hazel pic. And just to level the playing field, here's a little video of Asher.

 Bye now! Paige is calling me on Facetime. Chau!

Obsessed.

I definitely wish I was as cool as these girls. Madrileñan longboarders.

Malaysia Bound

This kid is going on a mission. 

And this is what he had to say about it. From the pulpit. 

"Back with Ammon and the sons of Mosiah they had panthers and it was more sketchy. They had to take bows and arrows for food and all I have to take is my ATM card."

Classic Ian. He's always been full of one liners and funny phrases... that he says with all sincerity. The other day he caught a quail and a rabbit and then gutted them in front of our three year old nephew.

Asher

"Look Asher, these are the bunny's lungs," Ian said. Asher responded by singing a song about Peter Cottontail.

Then my family roasted rabbit and quail for dinner.

Anyway, Ian's hitting up the MTC Wednesday morning. I do and I don't want him to go! Dilemmas.   

It's Brittani, Bitch!*

Is anyone else as glad as I am that Brittani won this cycle of ANTM? She's spunky, beautiful and determined. Dudes, she comes from a trailer park! Also, I love watching ANTM because I love Andre Leon Talley: his capes, hats and general outrageousness (That is dreck! Dreckitude!). I've read his 'Life with Andre' section in Vogue for years and it's entertaining to see his over the top personality on screen.

I was rooting for Britt Britt from the beginning, so I'm relieved that after all the Alexandria drama Alexandria was at the final runway show to witness Brittani win it all.

This pic says it all! Alexandria and her attitude.

I love Brittani's look and I really want to commit to that hair...but that would also mean committing to losing 10lbs and then never eating again. That I cannot do. Steak and donuts are what keeps me going. Anyway, so what I want to know is why the judges felt like they had to cut Brittani and Molly's hair again before the final judging? Maybe I can't see straight because I'm too in love with that blunt bob, but I do not care for either of these cuts when compared to their previous styles.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, a recap of some of my favorite Brittani shots. And one of Molly, because I'm a fan of hers as well. But just one. Because I'm stingy like that.

She looks like some snotty, high class, uber-rich lady (Victoria Beckham?) with her pet kitty.

So mischievous. Love the angles.

Whoa. The Brows and the Bees.

I was never too sure about the arm out there, but okay, I'll take it because it creates some drama...or something. Andre said, "She's looking at an oasis that does not exist."

Sweet photo of Molly! She's pretty athletic so she had a ton of awesome shots balancing and moving with the camel as it stood up. And I adore that silk scarf tied into a fattie bow on the back of her head.

But I really can't get Brittani's blunt bob with bangs outta my head. I've already brought the weight issue to light, but I also wonder if my hair color would be a problem. I love the drama of the short, dark almost black hair, and that cut wouldn't be as dramatic with red hair. Hmm. I think I'm just going to resurrect my short bangs. Any thoughts? Speak now or forever hold your peace. 


*Danny thinks I'm a terrible person for putting the word 'bitch' on my blog. That line is from a Britney Spears song. So sue me. 

Wishing for a pool and the sun

Today I wish I were in this hammock...

 at the end of this pool...

relaxing in this bathing suit...

Love Leighton!

or maybe these shorts...

or this dress...

Yesterday it rained all day and all night. Things are certainly green, but I'm ready for some sun! 

PS. Have I mentioned yet that I now live in the Midwest?

(Vacation images source, Leighton Meester images source, shorts, dress)

Beyonce Makes a Guest Appearance

I'm with Jamie from Furbish Studio, I would have stroked out. Props to these kids for waiting until the end to mob her! That's some self control!

Just one more

This post from a photography blog is pretty awesome. It reminds me of the moving photos from Harry Potter, especially the girl in pink in the fifth image.

Now I've got to start packing for my trip to Utah for my grandpa's funeral. In two weeks I'll be going to California for his other funeral. Wondering why there are two funerals? He's being interred in Utah (where he was born) and we're having a celebration of his life in California (where he spent most of his life).

Day of Links

A few things I've been enjoying...

Hilarious Google reviews of Bin Laden's compound

Beautiful typography on old fire insurance maps

Intricate and whimsical vintage clothing for tots

And finally, not a link, but even better:

Hazel. My favorite niece. I'm dying to buy her some of those vintage outfits!

Isn't this the most beautiful toothpaste you've ever seen?

I just love this packaging! Marvis has a lot of unique flavors and I hear they're all delicious.

Gorgeous! I've seen it priced at up to 10 bucks a pop, so it's not cheap by any means, but it's great for a splurge or part of a gift.

Royal Wedding Love

It's not every day you see a royal wedding! Westminster is a beautiful but imposing cathedral, so I did enjoy the addition of the trees and chandeliers. I liked that the sermons and advice were brief an appropriate. I also liked that Kate's siblings, Pippa and James, were able to participate, as Maid of Honor/train holder and speech giver/scripture quoter, respectively. (You like those official titles?)

Anyway, here are some of my favorite moments. 

1. After getting into the carriage, you can see Kate mouth "I'm so happy." And William smirks.

2. Prince Harry relegated to riding in a carriage with the all the kiddos! Bet he felt like a jackass. Did anyone notice his girlfriend, Chelsey Davy, was wearing an attention seeking turquoise dress? Fun color, anyway.

3. Queen Elizabeth's carriage being the most ornate, with a fattie golden crown on the top. This picture is obviously not of Queen E. It's of the Spanish royal family. Just wouldn't be a party without them!

I just realized that most of my favorite moments are after the ceremony when they're riding in the carriages. It's probably because everything else was so solemn, and here you can actually get glimpses of their personalities.

4. A pregnant Victoria Beckham wearing a dress of her own making, and looking fab in a Philip Treacy hat. One of the better hats if you ask me. 

And now for some more hats, particularly those of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

I just cannot get on board with this one. The color washes her out, and let's be honest, it looks more like an alien attacking her head than a bow. 

Eugenie's isn't as bad, but I wish it would have all been one color, instead of bright blue, purple, then tan.

My absolute favorite, however, was this:

Miriam Clegg, who is, incidentally, a Spaniard, and married to Britain's Deputy Prime Minister. I wiki'ed her, and she's definitely got some accomplishments under her belt. Anyway, I enjoyed that coral flower mohawk.

Anyone else have any favorite moments or hats? 

Happy Easter! It's a Bunny Joust.

Black knight

VS

White Knight

Who will win this epic battle to the death?

The fighting ensues...

...and at the last second, the BLACK KNIGHT with the fatal blow!

Bunny carnage.

Happy Easter. Jesus lives!

The Modesty Myth

This thrills me! I believe modesty is good, and bodies are sacred. But I never understood why I was supposed to cover myself as much as possible just because "boys couldn't control their thoughts" and I was provoking them by showing my shoulders.

An excerpt:  "I have a radical proposal: the church and Mormon parents should teach girls that they have value without connecting that value to the sexiness of their bodies, their attractiveness to men, their capacity to make babies. Rather than lessons in which girls make lists of characteristics they should look for in a worthy, Priesthood-holding husband, have them make lists of the characteristics they should foster in themselves to be loving human beings in relationship with others, successful employees, and contributing members of their larger society. Rather than teaching them how to iron their future husbands’ dress shirts, teach them appropriate grooming and behavior for success in the workplace, as civic volunteers, as adult women."

Missing a Limb

Last day in California is hoy. With the addition of Hazel, we took some family pics on Sunday. I felt like I was missing a limb without Danny! Bless his little heart.

Matt Won't Care

Scenes from our Saturday morning breakfast at a diner in downtown Willoughby.

This is Matt. We walked in and saw that the place was pretty packed but before we could grab a seat the waitress hollered, "Matt 'll share the end of the counter with ya! He won't bite! Will ya Matt?!" Matt's response? Shoveling more omelette in his mouth. 

Danny's throwback breakfast: steak. Or more accurately ground beef patty.

My sweet and salty pancakes and sausage. I love sausage. Gross.

Baby juke box. Danny wouldn't let me play a song. Kill joy.

Danny leaves tomorrow for Boston. For a MONTH. A month. That is a long time. So I will be spending Valentine's Day traveling to California to hang with the fam. All I asked for for V-Day was a cactus, and I know for a fact Danny didn't get me one. Oh well, now I can pick out my own.

Frosting is delicious

Yesterday I ate cupcakes in the bath. The frosting alone has two sticks of butter.

Today I helped my new friend Rachel paint her living room a warm apple green. Seems like it would be in bad taste, but it isn't. Rachel has red hair and her husband, Stadislav, is from Ukraine. They are funny.

I got my Ohio drivers license and the only reason I am glad is because it is pink.

Soon I will be in the land of milk and honey, and I am excited.