peony

peonies are out of season.

the flower of my wedding day,

dead until next spring

decides to make them grow again.

little things seem like big things these days.

but when i cried because they were gone,

and he took me to a movie and a yogurt place

so i would forget the peonies,

that little thing seemed little like it was.

and the big thing mattered like a big thing.

and he is the big thing.

image

bridal shower

I wish I could say this was my bridal shower, but unfortunately it is one I recently found here.

Everything about it inspires me.

I have some friends getting married soon.

Any tips on throwing a great shower?

postage stamp

This morning I went to the post office to purchase stamps for my announcements.

I was running late, and there was a long line. A woman behind me told me she loved my red lipstick, then we began talking about my wedding, and her daughter who is recently engaged. I bought my stamps and began putting them on my envelopes before realizing I was one short.

I looked at the huge line in desperation, when she asked, "Are you short on stamps?"

"Yes."

"Would you allow me to purchase some for you as a wedding gift?"

She bought me three stamps, totaling $1.32.

I almost cried it was so nice of her.

And I keep wishing I had asked for her address so I could send her an announcement.

I love kind strangers.

p.s. if any of my blog friends would like an announcement, comment by leaving your name and address. Or email it to me (email in my contact tab)

I would love to send you one.

bridals

Sheena Jibson took our bridals and we could not be happier with them.

Not only is Sheena super talented, she is so cool.

Kevin, my mom, my sister and I left the shoot wishing we could all be best friends with her.

We took the photos here. Such a gorgeous location in Southern Utah.

See the rest here.

Thanks Sheena

first picture

This is the first picture ever taken of Kevin and I, almost a year ago.

He had just rescued me from the pouring rain,

and I loved the way his curly hair hung heavy.

I think I loved him from day one.

Or at least I knew somehow, that he would play a very large role in my life.

And now he is going to be my husband.

"Suddenly I feel that if I were to step out of my body,

I would break into blossom."

- James Wright

(photo taken paparazzi style by a camper who admired Kev-friend)

camera

Kevin and I are looking for a camera, so we can document our lives together.

A few friends have referred us to the Canon Rebel xti, because we are beginners. Do you know anything about it, or would you recommend it too?

I know I have a lot of friends who take amazing photographers.

What would you recommend?

What do you use?

sick day

on the day of my bridals.

in the middle of july.

but 26 days before the big day.

i'm feeling lucky.

3 words

Nordstrom.

Anniversary.

Sale.

I was there at 7 this morning, and it did not disappoint.

Fashion at its finest.

dessert buffet

I'm hoping to reproduce this gorgeous dessert table by Amy Atlas for my wedding.

Any sources you can recommend?

Advice?

Ideas?

xoxo

Learning

Even after all this time

the sun never says to the earth, "you owe me."

Look what happens with a love like that.

It lights the whole sky.

Hafiz

photo via

Dress Form

I fell in love with Nicole's dress form from her living room. I can't find one in my price range, so I decided to make a mini one for my office.

First I bought a cardboard dress form from Michael's for $6.00, some paint, and a brush.

I painted it blue, and then made a flower belt for the form using this tutorial again.

I love the way it looks on my office desk.

Total cost: $7.50

Total time: 1 hour

But if anyone knows where I can get a cheap dress form like Nicole's I am still interested in a larger version. Until then, this will do.

happy weekend

I can't wait to spend my weekend with these cuties

(my little brother and sister).

Happy Weekend!

Corinne's Birthday

Mine and Kevin's friend Corinne's birthday was on the fourth of July. She spent it camping with her family, but Kevin and I wanted to do something for her. We threw this small surprise party together in about 2 hours from start to finish.

We decorated our new apartment with tissue paper flowers I made using this tutorial.

I made a mini version to go on top of her gift.

We made a quick fruit pizza using this recipe. So delicious!

Happy Birthday Corinne!

It proves you don't need a lot of time to throw together a fun party.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

"I thought about all of the things that everyone ever says to each other, and how everyone is going to die, whether it's in a millisecond, or days, or months, or 76.5 years, if you were just born. Everything that's born has to die, which means our lives are like skyscrapers. The smoke rises at different speeds, but they're all on fire, and we're all trapped."

I know I am a little late on the bandwagon to read this book. I blame it on my English Major. It is so liberating to be able to read what I want, when I want, without having to worry too much about analyzing it.

This book was a delight. It was genuinely funny. Really, Oskar Schell could be one of the most likable characters in literature tied with Ramona Quimby and Elizabeth Bennett. For example, "Do you have any coffee?'...'It stunts my growth, and I'm afraid of death." I laughed out loud so many times that Kevin asked me to repeat whatever I had just read because it made him laugh too.

I cried a lot too though. It made 9/11 so much more real for me. The psychological process of healing that Oskar goes through after his father dies is so moving. And the love of his mother and grandparents to him is moving also. I loved how is Grandma always said, "I hope you never love anything as much as I love you." And I loved how when Oskar was sad, he said that he had "Heavy Boots."

It was a delight. Have you read it?

And have you read "Everything is Illuminated?" I want to read that next.

Some thoughts on Bachelorette...

• The Justin leaving scene was hilarious. I loved seeing him tramp through the weeds with his cast, and seeing the Turkish waiter lock him out.
• I wish Ali hadn't confronted him in front of everyone. Classless.
• I like Roberto... too much for Ali. Please ABC, make him the next Bachelor?
• I think she'll pick Chris.
• After watching the previews, it looks like Frank has another girlfriend?
• Or at least he will leave her for some lame reason like he can't handle seeing her with other guys.
• He has a creepy smile anyway.
  
• Kirk is cool, but from the previews, it looks like his Dad is pretty weird. Taxidermy? Gross.
  
• Watching the Vienna and Jake bash made me sad.
• But serves him right - we can't say he wasn't warned about Vienna.
  
• Him flying her dog out made Kevin and I laugh so hard.
• Who knew he had a temper? It proves the show is so fake - and real personalities can't really come out.
• I want to see a date where you have to grocery shop, cook your own food, do the laundry and clean the apartment. Then maybe they'll actually get to know each other.

Thank you Bachelor and Bachelorette, for providing me with countless hours of entertainment.
For all of my friends in Provo - I am having a Bachelor party every Monday night in the fall.
Get ready!

America

Inspiring images in red, white and blue.

I ♥ America

last year's fourth of july post here

all photos via

what i have

sometimes i think about the way things could have been.

where i could have gone to school,

what i could have studied,

where i could have traveled,

where i could have lived.

but i wonder if by doing those things,

i would wonder what i could have become,

just by doing what i have already.

photo via