Weekend Update

So Steve and I had a pretty fun weekend. We went to Chili's for dinner with a coupon and a gift card so it only cost us $2 to thoroughly stuff ourselves. Thanks Nate! Then we went and saw The Orphanage at the BYU International Cinemas. It was both thrilling and really well done. Steve and I are still talking about it. Its more psychological than gory-which I like and it is set in this beautiful coastal town in Spain.

Saturday nothing of note happened.

Sunday we went up to the Lindseth's and ate yummy tortilla soup, had fondue for dessert, played Wii and watch an abbreviated version of the Golden Globes. I love award shows. I just do. I love looking at what people are wearing and I love having someone to sit with and criticize everyone, thanks Whitney! Overall I thought it was a fun show although I was sad and disappointed at almost every hair style, who is doing hair in Hollywood these days? (I mean Renee should have fired whoever it was who did that to her)But I did love the following looks. Oh and good job Kate! and post-mortem Heath! and Slum Dog Millionaire!

New Years Resolution #5: Travel Internationally

Today we bought tickets to fly to Peru and see Machu Picchu. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am. For years I have been sitting at all types of desk jobs dreaming of taking some kind of trip. And now it is finally happening, and a pretty awesome one too.

Here's to making it happen!

What will the year bring?

New Year’s Resolution Time!
So I thought I would start off by taking a look at my last year’s intentions. Yeah I only really did two of them.

-Read Love in the Time Of Cholera (I did this one, good book)
-Make a quilt (Nope, maybe this year)
-Go to the gym 3-4 times a week (Um not even close, I think I averaged about once a week…)
-Make the most of my wardrobe by coming up with different outfit combinations (This one I totally did, and you would surpised out how much satisfaction I got out of it.)
-Go to the temple twice a month (only about 50% on this one too)
-Keep the apartment cleaner (Well I don’t think I really did this one either)

Sad. Maybe this year I will have better success. I will not be featuring anything about exercise, maybe that will help.


New Year’s Resolutions for 2009:
1. Learn how to use photoshop
2. Make better efforts at making friends. This one is pathetic to put on here but when during tithing settlement our Bishop asked if we had friends in the ward I just kind of smiled and let it go. Who wants to openly lie to their bishop?
3. Be better about sending birthday cards to family and friends. So far we’re one for one.
4. Finish War and Peace
5. Travel internationally
6. Scan all old photos from high school and freshman year. Watch out, if you knew me back then you’ll see yourself on here or facebook soon.
7. Get more done on my Life List.
8. Plan weekly menus and eat dinner at the table-not on the couch.

The Perfect Boots

I have expensive taste. You know those spreads in magazines where they provide all the best of a certain item that they have been able to find? Be it end tables, necklaces, cardigans or lamps, I always choose the most expensive one. And I am not a snob, I am just attracted to the best I guess.
So I always feel like I am on the hunt for something whether it be the perfect floaty summer skirt, light blazer for fall or gold hoop earrings. This winter I was on a mission to find black flat boots. Last year I found brown riding boots that I loved and wore religiously. I already have heeled black boots but they aren't comfrotable for more than church so I wanted to get flat ones that I could wear everywhere.
Have you noticed how many slouchy boots there are out there? Yuck.
Anyway so I found a lot of boots that I liked online and of course they were all like $300, what is my problem? So I headed to the mall and totally lucked out at Macy's. These are the boots, and I mean THE boots. Flat, casual but still skirt appropriate and a little dressier than my old ones and they were leather too-which is really important to me. But they were $150. I know thats not a lot but after waiting for months and making them honor the online sale, I got them for $48! Happy Day.

70's BEGONE

So I love things that are retro and vintage but not when they are ugly and dated and tacky. That brings me to my apartment's bathroom and kitchen. I have hated the cabinets in our apartment since we moved in. They are dark, dated and not cute. So since our landlord said we could paint I took some liberties and went for the gusto. And after only a little bit of sandpaper, lots of newspaper and the cutest mini paint roller ever, VOILA!
I also replaced the fixtures and repainted the bathroom white although you can't really tell in the picture but it looks a lot cleaner and fresh. Now onto the kitchen which is going to take more than an afternoon but will be a very welcome change. Yeah for motivated un-approved home improvements!

White Christmas

So we had our first white christmas and even though it meant we were home bound for almost a week it was fun to be at home and with my family. The day before we were to fly into Seattle we got about 8 inches in Utah but luckily we had smooth traveling to and from Seattle. My parent's even sent a car service to come get us from the airport because of the icy roads. We felt pretty luxurious.
(Me and my snow dog, you have to squint) (me destroying my snow dog)

I couldn't believe the amount of snow there was. I mean this is western washington. Christmas is supposed to have rain and fog not snow. But we took advantage of it and made snow men, snow dogs and I think Steve made a bear?(Steve and his snow bear)(Our creations!)(Family photo shoot snowball fight, it was supposed to be totally staged but then someone pushed mom and she slipped and then everyone laughed as the camera went off)

We also had a huge snowball fight with my dad and brothers and it was really fun. We were running through the bushes and my dad totally slipped and fell and all I could do was laugh and throw a snowball at him.
(Pretty christmas tree and presents christmas morning. My parent's live in a log cabin so the holidays are always extra festive)
Christmas was wonderful, we got to sleep in and shower before a nice big breakfast and then open gifts. I got Photoshop CS4 Extended and a Wii game, Big Brain Academy and Love Actually from Steve. My parents got me some books, battleship, wall-e, the dark knight, a really pretty necklace, AAA membership and we got a Wii for ourselves as our family gift. I got Steve this really cool portable record player that he wanted and some much needed socks and some books and movies. Over the next few days we played Wii, mom was literally unbeatable in bowling, tried to venture out and ended up getting temporarily stuck in the Best Buy parking lot and just hung out and of course over-ate. My mom has these candy dishes all over the house that miraculously replenish themselves all the time. (My brother Micah and Frosty-huge snowman with safety cone hat)
Oh and I got to see one of my best friends from high school who I haven't seen since my wedding and who has two beautiful little girls. Crazy. Overall it was a great christmas!(Jessica and I at her parent's house)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

On New Year's Day, Steve and I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Its been a long time since I have been blown away by a movie. And this one blew me away. I left and I had nothing to say. And even though it was long (I think 3 hours) it was beautiful. Go see it. Now.

I have been thinking about it ever since we saw it and I think what really touched me about the movie are the simple experiences and glimpse into moments of living that make up a life. Some of my favorite parts (Caution: Spoilers-Kind Of)
-The scene where Elizabeth teaches him how to eat caviar. Its simple yet beautiful and totally one of those moments from your life you would remember forever. Fleeting but lasting.
-When he takes his father to the lake for the sunrise and he silently forgives him for what he has done.
-The entire montage when they live in that duplex.
-How gorgeous Julia Ormand had remained even as she has aged
-How flawless Cate's skin is and the fabulous yellow coat she wears when she gets hit by the car

(Photo courtesy of wikipedia)