meet TJ.

Hello Little Lovebird readers! I’m TJ from over at His Little Lady, and I’m so happy to be filling in for my girl, Elease, while her and her lovebird are off exploring Italy. Yep, jealousy is an understatement at this point. So while I’m filling in for the day, let’s get to know each other better! Some key things about me: I always have my iPhone in one hand, my husbands hand in the other, and a laptop never too far away. I love documenting my daily life, my handsome hubby, and all the little awkward moments that happen in between. Trust me, there are a lot of them. And some days, on those REALLY good days, I actually change out of my pajamas and put on some real clothes.

I’m a dachshund owning, stripe wearing, ice cream loving, instagram obsessing, tv watching junky, who could school anyone on their celebrity gossip. Yep, I’m kind of proud of myself. No shame. And if you want to get to know me better, head on over to the blog. Can’t wait to see you there! xo TJ

meet caitlin.

These lovebirds are good friends of mine from way back when, so I was very excited when they asked me to guest post for them while they were vacationing!

And now, a (very) brief introduction of me and my blog - Hue and Hum.  I like to draw, my husband likes to make music, we met when we were teenagers, and we're still totally into each other.

Hum and I just got back from our own lovely little weekend of vacationing.  Everybody vacations differently, but this one happened just the way I like it:

A true vacation [to me] means there are no rules on when to get up, when to go to bed, and there are no destinations to be late to.  It means carrying only a phone in your back pocket to capture pictures and a tube of chapstick in the front pocket to keep your lips from chapping in the sunny weather.  It means feeling like we are both in high school again - flirting unconditionally and freely without adulthood smothering our childish love.  It means taking a deep breath and exhaling the heavy worries and inhaling the sweet time you get to spend together.  This trip was absolutely perfect in it's (mostly) nothingness.  I spent a lot of time remembering how we fell in love and falling just a little bit deeper into that same thing.

I have a really hard time switching my brain to the "off" position.  Between all of the creative projects swirling around in my head and my finger tips, vacations seem to be the only way I can truly leave the world behind.  I am grateful I could escape with my love for a few days, and (attempt to) doodle what it feels like to be loved.

Here's to wishing the lovebirds a great getaway and to all of you who are skipping town.  Just remember to pack your bags, get on the road, and leave the real world sitting on your bed with all the other unpacked items.  Oh don't worry, it'll be there when you get back.

>> Stop by and say hi!  Hue and Hum blog
>> Tweet!
>> Instagram?  Yes please.

meet meg.

^ that's me. i'm meg. nice to meet you. i blog at the happy hour. you want my personal opinion? i think you should try this summertime recipe below. your tastebuds will thank you. it's my favorite thing. ever.

summertime bruschetta

you can spread baguettes with soft goat cheese, salty parmesan, olive oil, garlic & then broil, then pile on the tomato misture ~ experiment with it ;) 

1 cup fresh summer tomatoes, minced & drained

2 tablespoons fresh basil, slivered

2 tablespoons green onion, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

a splash of balsamic vinegar

pinch of red pepper (opt.)

salt & pepper

mix everything together & allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour or more ~ strain juices if you'd like before serving. pile mixture onto crisps, or crusty bread, or even pasta & salads.

i hope you enjoy!

meet jenessa.

Hello Little Lovebirds Readers!
I can't even tell you how happy I am to be posting on Elease's blog.  I love reading about her living her dream, and just about every other little girl's of being a ballerina.
I can also relate with her on the whole "natural blonde going brunette" thing.
And I'd say we both rock it, don't you think?

Since I'm sure you're wondering who I am, I'll tell you a little bit about moi!

I guess I'll start off with my name...

I'm Jenessa! 

And I blog over at C'est La Vie about...my life!

Things I love, things I don't love, things I do and want, friends, and family are all included in that.

Otherwise, I'm a twenty-something poor starving college student.  

A California Gurl living in Southern Utah.

Kind of a silly move, I know.  

(And yes, Katy Perry's song has been my ringtone since it came out. Represent!)

I have a top knot obsession, a high heel addiction, and a deep ardent love for all things Disney.  

Oh, and my favorite color is yellow.

And I'm so excited for summer!

via Pinterest

Taking 17 credits in school and working part time definitely helps me look forward to warm lazy days during these few months off.  

But it's going to be strange.  It's my first summer away from home.

No beach

No family + puppy

Different friends

No free room and board

No "real" mall

And so many other little things will be missing.

But luckily, I'm a pretty positive person!  

And kind of excited about summer in a new place with new activities to offer. 

I'm thinking my summer will be full of

Hiking

With Zion National Park basically in my backyard, how can I not take full advantage of it?!

Angel's Landing, tubing, canyoneering, it's going to be awesome!

And I'm thinking it'll help that I have a friend who works there.  

Yeah, I've got connections.

Lake trips

As close as I'll get to the beach for most of the summer.  Definitely not the same as listening to the waves crash on the shore, but it'll do.

Tiki Shack

Snow cones are the new fro yo.
Or just snow cones.
Mmm.
And riding my bike there makes it taste even better.

And I think I'll mix in with all of that
some catching up on TV shows
(New favorite: Once Upon A Time. Addicted)
a trip home
weekends in Salt Lake
working at my favorite youth conference
fireworks
(the actual fire kind, not the feeling kind.  although some of those would be nice too)
and just relaxing!

It's going to be one great summer.
I can feel it.

I'd love to hear some of your summer plans, so stop on by!
Stay a while.
Let's be friends.
Happy Summer!

meet jessi.

Why, hello!  My name is Jessi and I blog about the good, the bad, and the smelly over at Hopes and Dreams.  I am thrilled to be here today!  I just love The Little Lovebirds and couldn't be more tickled to contribute to this adorable blog space.  For my lil' guest post I thought I'd answer this questionaire that's floating around the www so that yous all can get to know me a tad and decide for yourself if it's worthwhile to head on over to my blog and take a looksie.  I hope you do and I hope we become true bloggy pals!!  Mkay, here goes:  

1.| Tell us a little about yourself (family, where you live, job, etc)

I was born and raised in good ol' Utah and currently live in the Salt Lake Valley with my husband, Prince John William, and 10-month-old bubbers, Jameser boy.  I love all things domestic {call me old fashioned} and am currently staying at home most of the time to raise Sir Chubbikins.  I do work as a receptionist once in a while but feel very blessed to be able to stay at home and manage our household while Prince John studies to become a professional nerd {he's an engineering student and likes to build robots and such}.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for our simple little life together and, although it isn't always easy, wouldn't have it any other way.

2.| Favorite vacation spot and why?

DISNEYLAND.  I dream about Disneyland far more than any grown woman should....  There is just something about the happiness and wholesomeness and innocent adventure that sucks me in and never lets me be.  I simply neeeeeeed Disneyland.  It has been far too long since I've been there {two years} and I am counting down the days until Prince and I can take Dudeski there and I can see John's face as he snarfs a turkey leg and James' face as he experiences the Tiki room for the first time.  EEEEEEEPPP!!! {I also have a small obsession with Ireland because I lived there for a year and a half...}

3.| What do you most look forward to every day?

Two times during the day:  1. When Jameser wakes and gazes up at me with his hammy grin and huge, stunned eyes, and 2. When he goes back down for a nap.

4.| Favorite food?

Potatoes, because you can prepare them in countless ways.  All of which are delicious.  I'm also a sucker for mac and cheese and breakfast sandwiches.  I'm a savory/salty as opposed to a sweet. But give me a savory/salty/sweet and I'm done for {yes I dip my fries and chicken nuggets in my frosty...which is why I'm currently on Weight Watchers}.

5.| Tell us something you are looking forward to this summer!

Taking Prince and Dude to the zoo!  Which I am actually doing today!  I'm also looking forward to going to Bear Lake and Sun Valley.  And I wouldn't say no to some strawberry picking and family bike rides.

6.| Why did you start blogging?

Honestly, and I know everyone says this, I started blogging as a way to keep a record of my life.  My dad was pretty much the only person who read my blog for the first few years and  I had no intention of ever turning it in to anything other than a journal, really. Until earlier this year when I decided to try to get my writing out there a little more.  I do so love to write.  

          7.| What is your favorite part of blogging?

My favorite thing about blogging is that it helps me see the beauty in my life and in the whole "life experience."  If I have a responsibility to my readers to write something inspiring or intriguing then it helps me feel inspired or intrigued as I live, so that what I end up writing will be worth reading.  My life is no beautifuller now than it used to be before I started writing about my day-to-day-ness {except I have a kiddo now}, but the fact that I know I'll be putting words to my daily experiences helps me feel them more deeply and gratefully, which makes my life seem, taste, and be more beautiful to me.  To sum it all up: Blogging really has made me appreciate life more.  

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a tad.  I'd love to have you over to my place soon and we'll have a right good time!

meet laurie.

hi everyone!  my name is laurie and i blog over at love, laurie.  i am so thrilled that elease asked me to do a guest post on her blog today!  i absolutely love to cook and bake, so i thought that i would share a recipe with you.  in the summer time, nothing beats desserts that incorporate fresh fruit.  since raspberries are one of my all time favorite fruits, i wanted to share my recipe for fresh raspberry sorbet.  this sorbet is so simple to make, and it only requires a few ingredients.  the tang of the raspberries together with the lemon juice is so bright and refreshing in the warm weather months.  it will make you feel like you will never want summer to end!

fresh raspberry sorbet 
prep time: 20-25 minutes
freezing time: 1-2 hours
yields: 6 servings

ingredients:
- 12 ounces fresh raspberries
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

directions:
1. in a saucepan, bring the water and the sugar to a boil, stirring constantly in order to dissolve all of the sugar.
2. reduce the heat to low, and simmer without stirring to make a syrup (about 5 minutes).
3. pour the syrup into a bowl, and add the vanilla extract.
4. place the syrup in the freezer to chill (about 15 minutes).
5. in a blender, puree the raspberries, the syrup, and the lemon juice, until smooth.
6. strain the raspberry puree through a sieve and into a bowl in order to remove the seeds.
7. pour the strained raspberry puree in to an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the ice cream maker's instructions (about 30 minutes).
8. remove the sorbet from the ice cream maker and transfer to a freezer-safe container.  freeze until completely set (about 1-2 hours).
9. serve the sorbet garnished with fresh raspberries and a sprig of fresh mint.

enjoy!

love, laurie

blog :: twitter :: pinterest

meet crystal.

Hey ladies! I am Crystal!
I blog over at Coffee at Nordstrom. 

I am so happy to be guest posting here today! I am a new wife! Matthew and I got married on June 2! So while you are reading this post, I am living the dream with my husband in Bora Bora! 

My honeymoon is by far going to be my most favorite vacation, but you'll have to read about my honeymoon once I return at the end of July! But for now, I want to share with you a special trip that I was able to take with my Mom, Sister, MIL, and a couple bridesmaids!

 My Wedding Dress Shopping Trip!

I am sure you all have seen the show Say Yes to the Dress! Well, I headed to NYC with my Mom, Sister, MIL, and a couple bridesmaids to spend the day at Kleinfeld picking out my wedding dress! 

It really was a fairy tale experience!

 I cried when I met Randy. But he's used to emotional brides crying when they meet him, so it really was no big deal.

 

 This was the whole group of us! Completely over-joyed to see Randy Fenoli!

This is the dress! I thought I loved it when I purchased it back in August, but I love it 1000x more now that it actually fits me and it's pure white!

 

My Pnina Dress. Completely Obsessed.

 

The back might be my favorite! :)

You will have to stop by my blog to see the rest of my wedding pictures!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram(c_gonzalez602)

Have a great day!