out with the cold, in with the heat.

this quote perfectly sums up the days around here right now.

spring is trying take the place of winter, who is lingering as long as he can.

it is simply gorgeous outside.

days at the park, long walks for frozen yogurt, short sleeves...

these things have already begun-
thanks to the sun who is shining for all it's worth.

not to mention, a tiny sunburn who has already appeared on my too-pale skin.

when the weather is good, life is good.

how can it not be, when you wake up to a promising day of sunshine?
the gloom of winter is saying goodbye,
i couldn't be more excited for spring's grand entrance and big hello.
happy spring.
oh, and happy monday too. 

hot pink.

currently, my favorite trend:

hot pink lips

it's been my go to look for the last little while- why?

because i love, love, love the pop of color for spring. 

but, also because it's so easy to throw a coat of mascara on

and spruce up your entire look by just adding a bold lip.

my favorite products?

1. MAC's- Girl About Town

2. NARS- Schiap

{if you can't find that product- try this instead!}

3. Urban Decay- Crush

i'm embarrassed to admit, i own these all.

i couldn't tell you which one is my favorite of the three.

i wear them each equally and love them all the same.

you truly can't go wrong with any of them!

i don't mind splurging when it comes to lip color-

because i wear it daily and love it. 

however, if you are saving your pennies right now

or if you aren't sure you are ready to wear such a bold lip-

try this one.

lastly, i just found this tutorial yesterday, and am eager to give it a go-

a hot pink matte lip? sounds ideal to me. 

the options are endless, obviously.

are you sharing this current obsession with me?

if so, what is your favorite pink at the moment?

i'd love to hear- so, leave a comment below.

or leave a link leading me to a picture of you rocking the color on your blog.

happy tuesday!

xoxo

coming out of hiding.

{milano photography}

10 things to explain my absence:

1. this perfromance took just about every second of every day, there for awhile.
2. a lovely girls trip to san francisco. rain or shine- we know how to shop, eat and have a good laugh.
3. midge's visit that was long, but still not long enough. mother's are the best visitors, especially when she's your best friend, too.
4. indulged in the time to sleep- or rather caught up on the lack of sleep from the last busy month.
5. lovebird's spring break seemed to have distracted me with kisses, a gossip girl marathon, an adventure or two, a temple trip and an unusual amount of heart to heart talks.
6. truthfully, i needed a slight break from technology. i did the whole "unplug" thing for a little while. it was beyond refreshing. instead, i've been on a big reading kick.
7.  san francisco, again. and again. we have literally been up there every weekend for the last two months. {now, i'm trying to convince lovebird to move up there. help me please!}
8. mowgli is quite possibly been my biggest distraction. his need for attention has grown rapidly. but, i don't mind; days at the dog park, walks around the block and never ending games of fetch- i love them just as much as he does.
9. teaching and then more teaching. between teaching piano and pilates, my days seem packed. however, i wouldn't want to be doing anything else. i love it.
10. my mind has been somewhere else lately, trying to make sense of the future and the unknown. while it's been slightly exhausting and stressful, it leaves me eager and excited to see what's next.

i'm so sorry to have been gone for what-feels-like forever.
life seems to happen so fast, and it takes us with it sometimes.
i'm back and here to stay.
at least for awhile.

tell me what i've missed. catch me up, pretty please. 

a day of love.

happy valentine's day. 

i love him because:

1. he is my best friend. 

there's no one i'd rather share life's adventures with, than him. 

2. he is completely selfless, loyal and honest.

3. he's patient above measure.  

4. jealousy doesn't exist in his world; he's confident in who he is.

5. he's loves with the upmost sincerity.

6. he tells me i am beautiful. often. 

7. his testimony is solid, important to him and a part of his every day life.

8. he laughs often whether with me or at me.

his laugh is contagious and always lifts my spirits. 

9. he loves gelato, speaks another language, wears socks to bed,

tends to spoil me rotten, is a hard working student, lover of the stock market,

wears bowties, could live off vegetables, sings in the shower {heart melter, i tell you},

is a proud dog parent, drinks tea daily and is my number one fan at the ballet.

10. he is a dreamer, a go-getter and has high expectations.

he wants the most out of life, marriage, love and the future.

what more can i ask for?

i am totally smitten, completely in love and extremely lucky.

i am hoping you all have a lovely valentine's day.

hugs, kisses, roses, romantic dinner dates, cuddles, hearts, dessert...

i hope it's full of all those things and more. 

today is a day for love-

so, share your heart with someone-

but, also let yourself surrender to being loved by someone.

they are both equally important. 

as a side note, 

here are a few things i am totally loving today:

this love story- it will melt your heart.  

the things i wrote in last year's valentine's post. 

this andy warhol piece of art. 

need a yummy sugar cookie recipe? click here.

wanting this comfy top; love the big heart. 

xoxo

theater week.

{milano photography}

theater week is here in full swing. 

this week, is what we ballerinas, like to call "theater week".

it's basically the week we move out of our own homes, 

and into our dressing rooms at the theater.

this means that i'll be spending more time at the theater than at home.

which also means, i'll spend more time in my pointe shoes than time in lovebird's arms.

it means late nights, sore feet, hair tight in a bun, stage makeup,

long rehearsals, costumes, caffeine, epsom salt baths, hairspray and color days.

as long and hard as the week may seem to go,

it's always all worth it, the second the curtain flies up on opening night.

the thrill, the excitement, the nerves and the joy-

completely erases the pain, aches and tiredness from an exhausting week.

being a performer is magical and it's often times indescribable.

a performance is when my passion for this art is amplified and showcased.

it's almost surreal.

it's always hard work- even in the moment you are dancing your heart out.

but, it's that moment when you succeed the challenge of it all on stage,

because after all, it only counts on stage.

and that right there is a hard truth-

as ballerinas we work so hard for so long- preparing for a single moment to shine.

we are given one chance to make it count.

not to mention, that one time is on stage, under pressure and in front of an audience;

but, that's the thrill of it all. 

this ballet world, is a crazy world we live in.

i love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

this week will be a busy one- one that will leave me away from my computer.

so, please know that my lack of posting is a result in me not being "home" for the week.

plus- i have special guest coming into town for the show-

and of course they will get every ounce of my attention.

i'll do my best to post- but can't make any promises. ;)

happy tuesday

cheers to the long, but exciting week, ahead of us all.

xoxo

birthday boy.

h a p p y  b i r t h d a y 

dear crewser:

 i can't believe you are 20. 

you are growing up way to fast, which is perfectly fine for you.

but, for me, it makes me feel old. 

{so please, stop it. or simply slow down.}

you are in another country, which makes it impossible 

for us to celebrate your big day together.

however, let's pretend you lived next door. 

this is how it would go:

1. we'd start the day off with a big chai frappuccino- your favorite.

2. we'd walk home laughing about who knows what- 

because we always laugh about anything and everything when we are together.

or rather, you are always making me laugh. 

3. we'd come home to find midge patiently waiting for us,

 with a pile of presents for you-

because we all know that she loves you the most.

{or at least she does on your birthday.}

4. you'd open your gifts which would include, all things utah and sport oriented,

 a new pair of converse and a rubik's cube.

{or at least those would be the gifts last year's crew would get.}

this year, midge is sending you a few new white shirts, new socks, 

books on the gospel, and giving you money to treat yourself to a new suit.

5. dad would be begging to spend every second with you-

whether that meant sitting on the couch or playing a round of golf.

we all know he loves you too much.

you are his favorite child, no matter what the day is.

6. we'd spend the day doing something fun, crazy and adventurous-

because with you, there is never a dole moment in life. 

7. you'd pick your favorite restaurant to go to for dinner. 

if your taste buds haven't matured too, i'm guessing you'd pick

pizza limone, crown burger or cafe rio.

the brothers would of course make fun of your selection 

in what they'd consider a 'crapy' restaurant.

8. we'd race home for a delicious dessert; probably a big slice of chocolate cake.

not forgetting a big scoop of ice cream.

9. the day would be over just like that;

you'd be 20 and i'd be wishing we could stay this young forever.

10. we'd all go to bed thankful that you are 

the caboose and 'accident' of the family.

because, let's face it crew, you are everyone's favorite. 

then, you know me- i'd sneak into your room and lay on your bed and

"accidentally" fall asleep while we lay there talking about life. 

i'm so glad we are best friends.

even when you are thousands of miles away.

your birthday marks 20 years- 

and i'm hoping it is the happiest birthday you'll have.

and how can i forget that your birthday also means one more thing...

it means your one year mark 

is just around the corner.

i'm beyond excited for that day,

because that day will mark the beginning of my countdown 

to when i get to see you next. 

then, we won't have to do any pretending.

we will celebrate your two birthdays, the two christmas' and all the holidays 

in between that you missed-  the minute you get home.

you may even get a celebration dance from yours truly, 

the second you step off that escalator in the airport. 

actually, i'm guaranteeing a dance.

i'll be that excited. 

until then crew, happy birthday.

i miss and love you dearly. 

every day is valentine's.

i might argue that every day is  

 {nearly} valentine's day around here.

i am not the biggest fan of valentine's day-

i never have been. 

{i think i get it from my mother. could it possibly be a genetic dislike?} 

sure, i'm all into the mushy-gushy love thing.

a romantic candle lit dinner for two,

a dosen roses {as long as they aren't red.} and

you know me- i'd watch a romantic chick flick any given second.

however, i consider myself beyond spoiled 

because lovebird is almost as big as a hopeless romantic as i am.

he's far better at expressing his love in a mushy- gushy way;

in fact, he's so good at it- i often wonder if he writes it down and memorizes

the brilliant combination to his romantic wording
 before he says it to effortlessly to me in the moment.

when it comes to dinner for two?  that's a usual thing for us.
which, could possibly be a perk of living away from home.

we are "alone", as some people might say-

but, i'd say it's the other way around,
because i've never felt more comforted and secure than i do now.

onto the flowers...
he know's the way to my heart is an unexpected bouquet of flowers.

he's mastered the art of the unexpected; 

meaning he's good friends with the local florist. 

surprisingly, lovebird likes a good chick flick.

of course, he prefers the manly shows that are jam packed with tons of action.

{he would kill me if he knew i was revealing his secret weakness.} 

where most women have to pull teeth to get their lover to watch 

scenes of kissing, flirting and a chain of dramatic events-

lovebird willing plops down on the couch beside me and presses play.

in my books, that's what a real man is. 

since, it feels like valentine's day around here almost every day,

{just minus the title of the holiday on the correct day of the year}

i really don't have reason to anticipate the actually holiday.

in fact, this year- i will be in the theater at a dress rehearsal until 11:00 at night.

now, we are talking romantic, right? ;)

over the years, this holiday has evolved into something else.

the day itself serves as a day of remembrance for me.

her spirit lives on in my heart.

the same heart i now share with lovebird.

thank goodness the actual day is meant for an exaggeration for love-

because, a big heart full of love is the one thing i do enjoy about this holiday.

that, and also the giggle i get every time i think of her
dancing around in heaven, laughing a good laugh, 

over the fact that i ended up with her all time crush.

so, cheers to lovebird spoiling me 365 days of the year,

valentine's day being a reason to remember and love harder

and to a best friend who will always mean the world to me,

no matter how far away heaven may seem. 

xoxo