This Man is My Hero

Some people develop strong relationships with their parents while they're still living at home, but I don't think my relationship with my Dad really even started until I left for college. And let me tell you, I have gained so much respect for him over these past six years. Sure we have our ups and downs just like any healthy family relationship, but I am one lucky girl to have a Dad like him.

A Dad who challenges me to always go one step further than I thought I could go; does everything in his power to help me reach my goals; encourages me to embrace my creativity; believes in me no matter what my absurd new interest is; has the best business advice out there; is never afraid to dole out the harsh truth that everybody else is just too nice to vocalize; is ridiculously smart; knows just as much about cars as professional mechanics do; will talk about boys with me; and perhaps best of all, will still occasionally let me pretend I'm not an adult and take care of my life for me when I just can't take the stress of the logistics anymore*. Like this week. When my car blew up.

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*But for the record, I did do my own taxes this year all on my own. No dad help, no boyfriend (aka accountant) help, nada. That should count for something.

Get Naked.

I'm not the biggest fan of the vinyl sticker trend. But, this one literally made me laugh out loud. You better believe I will be ordering this gem if my new apartment has a glass shower. In fact, maybe I'll add that to my apartment specifications list: in-unit washer & dryer, updated kitchen, animal-friendly, and glass enclosed shower. Thank you, Tasty Suite.

One, Two

Isn't it weird how music, food, smells, etc. become permanently linked to a certain person or memory? It's like all you have to do is experience one and bam two seconds later you're thinking about the other, even if you haven't thought about it for years...and it happens nonstop for me! Seriously, I finally started making a list tonight while I was making dinner and here's what I have after just one hour. And those are just the ones I remembered to jot down...crazy*.

- Homemade Tomato Soup>Zupas with The Girls

- Focaccia Bread>Mac Grill Sib Dates with Daniel

- Watching Season 1 of Grey's Anatomy>Katie, EJ, & Christy

- Apple Scented Dish Soap>My Mom

- Adidas Track Pants>Skateboarding down the giant BYU hill with Kris A.

- Peach candle>The Body Shop in Park Meadows

- Fendi Perfume>NYC Summer 2009

- Vampire Weekend>Ski Season 2010 with Kris W.

- Empire State of Mind>AdLab 2010

- Jason Mraz>Maui Summer 2007

- Headband>Shopping with Em

- Ivy League>My Many Late-Night Drives to The Ranch

- AAR Dirty Little Secret>Marketing Class with The Boys

- MC Party in the USA>Climbing with Austin

- Sleep Cardi>Late Nights of Rummy at Canyon Meadow

- Coldplay>Park City

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*Although, maybe I am the only one who has an ADD mind and am constantly thinking of a million different seemingly unrelated things all at once? Cooking soup, baking bread, and thinking about everything listed above all at the same time? It's a miracle that dinner turned out!

Bellowing Bella

See this face of innocence? It's totally fake. It's a very good thing that this kitty is so stinkin' cute and snuggly because she is a top notch rascal. She definitely needs a fellow cohort to keep her company, but I am nowhere near the insanity of getting another pet...although I did briefly entertain the idea of getting a hamster for miss bella to play with. I kid, I KID.

In other news, my mom informed me she now thinks I'm nowhere near ready to have children since I can barely handle a meowing cat. Thanks, Mom.

St. Patrick's Day

I spent St. Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago with Bobby + Friends this year, and let me tell you, that city takes the green holiday seriously. Everything is dyed green: the river, the lights on the buildings downtown, the beer (or so I'm told), the fireworks at night...pretty much everything!

Thank You Dr. Seuss

"If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too."

That Seuss sure is a smarty pants.

I Need This.

Doesn't this look like the best game ever invented? It's like pictionary...but with legos!

Epiphany

I went to bed last night at 10PM. TEN. A full two hours before midnight, on my own accord, not just because I was exhausted. And oh my, can I just tell you how amazing it felt in the morning to wake up on my own and be perfectly refreshed and ready for a new day at 6:30AM? Seems like there is some serious truth in 'early to bed, early to rise.'

Why have I never done this before?!*

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*oh wait, because I used to have a social life. that's why. ha. but seriously, can any of you remember the last time you went to bed before midnight?

Now Let Me See Your Cookie Roll

huge snowstorm + weekend + cabin fever = bake fest

Really there is no other explanation for this. These gems are a recipe I've been tinkering with for a while now...butter, sugar, coconut, oats, almonds, and cinnamon. Basically. I mean, really, can you ever go wrong when the main ingredients are butter and sugar?

Nutty Oatmeal Spice Cookies

1 C butter crisco

1 C brown sugar

1 C sugar

2 eggs

1 t

vanilla

1.5 C flour

1/2 t salt

1 t baking soda

1/2 - 1 T cinnamon

A couple dashes of cloves & ginger

3 C oats

1/4 C chopped salted almonds (what I have on hand)

1/4 C shredded coconut

*I also really like these with cinnamon chips in them but eliminate the spices and coconut, and bump the almonds up to 1/2 C. Or they're also good with pecans. Or whatever nut you're partial to.

Cream sugars and butter really well (about 3-5 minutes). In another bowl, whisk together eggs and vanilla. Add egg mixture to butter mixture. Cream (again, another 3-5 minutes until fluffy). In another bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Add. Mix well and change beaters out for the hook if you're using a mixer. Add oats, nuts, and coconut. Divide dough in half. Roll dough into logs using wax paper. slice dough into cookie rounds and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Yowayowa

I'm so obsessed with so many different photo blogs right now. Natsumi's blog takes the cake though...her levitation pics are to die for. Found through my daily fave Honestly...WTF (which, for the record, is the best blog on the planet for inspiration...those girls are genius).

Globe Trot

I first started reading the blog Mr. & Mrs. Globe Trot back in the fall. I loved that someone out there was actually living their dream and not just playing it safe by taking the expected route of getting a job and sitting in an office all day...for the rest of your life. Eww. And I love that they're both so real, they had to save up for this trip, they're traveling frugally, and they're visiting some cities that are outside of the norm. Doesn't hurt that their writing is great, too!

Their photos are just fabulous (all of the photos in this post are from their blog). If you haven't ever read their blog, you should definitely check it out. Seriously, this is one of those blogs that you could go back and start from the beginning and never get sick of it. Oh and they just opened a shop for some of their prints...I'm really hoping they add more soon! But for now, I think this picture of a beautiful boat deck will soon be mine. I've been looking for a good nautical print for a wall montage that's not too over the top nautical. I think this may be the one.