Vacation Part One

 Saturday Zach and I headed down to California. On the way we stopped in Utah to pick up my Mom and sister, Megan. They were in town for a BYU Ballroom dance concert. Their birthday is on the same day and that was their big gift.

We pulled in dark and early Sunday morning. So, we got to explore the new big back ward and house Sunday afternoon. The back yard is huge and backed up to some property that they go air-softing in. The house is a beautiful ranch style home. It feels so open and so much more comfortable than the old one. I am just so happy for the good changes that came with the move.

Ricky tried to get the Koi fish to show themselves and showed us the big fort he put his American flag on.

Sunday was my Mom and Megan's birthday so we celebrated with a big chocolate cake. My mom made the cake and let me decorate it with chocolate frosting and Dove chocolate adornments.

After dinner and dessert we played some Nerts, the game my family is way into right now. It is a fun combination of a few games and it is fast paced with keeps it lively.

Did I mention it was in the 70's? Such a nice break from the snow!

To be continued.....

So, Here's What Happened

Today Zach and I had our last finals. My only and his first for the day were scheduled for 7 am. This is what we walked to and from school in. So disappointing. 

After our early final we helped some of our friends move and clean apartments. Then Zach was off to his last final of the day and I was off to my appointment at Paul Mitchell. I made the appointment on Tuesday so I wouldn't chicken out. I was still nervous and scared out of my  mind. 

I measured my hair this morning from the center part to the longest layer and it measured 25 inches. This is the picture I gave the hair dresser. 

 They asked if I would donate my hair to Locks of Love. I let them know that it had some color in it but they said they would give it a try anyway. Besides its red.

 And here it is folks. The bieber. I mean, my new do! All the ladies at Paul Mitchell thought I was crazy for cutting all my hair off. I was like every hair dressers dream come true. 

I had a really fun time getting my hair did with all those spunky girls running around and complimenting me all over the place.

Now I am going to enjoy a hot date with my handsome man! Might I add said man was the one who encouraged me to just do it. I was scared and he encouraged me to do what I wanted. What a guy.

Visiting with Family

 Sunday my favorite cousins growing up came to visit me! Okay, they came to walk around campus and get the apartment the wanted for fall semester. But they did stop by for Sunday dinner and let us play tennis and go swimming and hot tubing with them on Monday. 

I know its hard to see but that is Zach in the above picture and my cousins Maryann and Alison below. They are quite the tennis players.

 To the left is my thrifted top outfit and altered Gap cords. 

Top:Thrifted $4 

Cords: Gap $30

Shoes: Soda $10

To the right are my altered Target jeans and little mermaid shirt.

Cardi: $10

Shirt: Pricless

Jeans: Target $25

For the last day of the semester I got to turn in my Art Methods portfolio and share some of my favorite pieces. I figured Kim would get a kick out of this.

Top Left: Melting craysons while dawing on a skillet (favorite)

Top Right:  Coloring paper over Zach's Samoan stuff

Middle: Paper mache mask

Bottom Left: Alligator made out of a given line

Bottom Right: Layering translucent layers

And down here are my prints I made out of a foam type board

Yay for the end of the semester. Only two more finals and I am 14 credits closer to graduating!

Sunday

 Last night I attempted my first sponge cake. Since the egg white souffle experience went so well I was feeling pretty confident. This is my Orange Sponge Cake. It has yet to be tasted but It looks and smells wonderful!

 Today in the General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, president Thomas S. Monson talked about the temple in Rome Italy. It then dawned on me that this will be the closest temple to where Christianity all started. 

 While I was cooking the other day I noticed that the garlic in our fridge was starting to transform. Today I took two of those sprouting bulbs and planed them in a vase. I am excited and hope they turn into a clove or two of garlic.

And look how big our plant is! It has grown almost a foot in the past year.

I am currently taking an Elementary Art Methods class. Most days i think it is ridiculous but it has had its moments. This is a seed i made. The project was to create a pinch pot. I took two and molded them together. So the cute little thing is hollow. I took a picture every step of the way because I was afraid my pride and joy would end up in a million pieces in the kiln. But it survived and now I get to show it off.

Another Attempt at the Souffle

 Zach had an interview yesterday for a summer  job working in a plant nursery.  He of course got the job and looked amazing! It was a good combination of easy going and professional. 

Today I was thinking that General Conference started at 9:00 am. On the west coast it did always start at 9:00 but in MST it starts at 10:00. So, we were awake early enough to make breakfast. I decided to attempt the Pancake Souffle again and this time it was a success! 

I said I would try it in the skillet in the oven this time and I highly recommend it. I am pretty sure that this one turned out because I actually beet the egg whites until they had stiff peaks. It made all the difference. 

The better Souffle Pancake Recipe Here.

As I was flipping through the J.Crew catalog one day I fell in love. Those shoes in the middle, their the ones. But they are 198.00. I started searching for cheaper options and I decided I needed a pair of wedge boots. the style on the right are my favorite right now. 

This spring I am loving the white jeans, turquoise accessories and the braided belts. If you are not a big thrift shopper I would recommend at least looking at the belt selection. It is my all time favorite place to find belts.

Shoes from left to right: Paola Ferri by Alba Moda Women's 'Zola' Oxford Wedge Booties 32.99 Overstock.com,  
McAlister Wedge Boot 198.00 J.Crew,   
Chinese Laundry Cory 89.00 Zappos.com

Necklace: Spool No. 72
 Belt: Gap J
Jeans: Urban Outfitters 

Dirt in My Eye

As I walked home from school in the toasty 56 degree sunshine, the wind blew. It blew hard. It kept flinging dust and other particulates which got in my eyes and stuck to my mouth. ew. 

 I saw this cute little idea on the blog PinkWallpaper . I love it and wanted to give it a try. My results were not as cute, due to lack of materials, but I like it for the time being.

 Stripes, floral and lace. Last year I would have thought this was way too many patterns. But today, I kind of like it.

Lazy day hair taken from The Totally Tessa girl. You can find the tutorial HERE.

Rexburg Spring

I got in the mood to bake again. Surprise, surprise. I had these jars from cleaning out the fridge and I thought they were too cute to throw away but too much to keep around. So, I put as many cookies as I could in two jars and delivered them to some of my lady friends.

I was trying to get rid of some sugar free black berry preserves that I was not enjoying and turned it into a delicious treat. Jam filled butter cookies.They were very easy and so delicious.

Jam Filled Butter Cookie Recipe HERE.

For Sunday dinner Zach made another 'Diners Drive-Ins and Dives' inspired meal. Fried bologna and onion sandwiches with mustard and fries on the side. Sooo good.

This morning we woke up to a mini blizzard. It didn't stop snowing until noon. Supposedly its supposed to get up into the 50's this week. I just don't know If I can really comprehend anything above freezing anymore.

[Thrifted: Tank $3 and Belt Gift]