trust your gut.

this my friends, is the motto of my life lately.

you have know idea.

trusting your gut is sometimes the hardest thing to do.

{because often times your gut feeling is the polar opposite of what you expect}

but, i am a firm believer to never ignore gut feelings.

they usually are spot on.

life has been a little crazy lately, to say the least.

big decisions are being made over here, for both of us.

trusting your gut 

is a simple saying with so much truth and knowledge behind it.

as hard has it has been to trust my gut instincts-

i'm taking a huge leap of faith. 

i'm a preacher of following your gut- 

it's important to listen to your inner instincts.

after all, your own self knows you better than anyone else does.

happy friday! 

i hope you have a lovely weekend.

go ahead, trust your gut- 

even if it tells you to treat yourself to an extra piece of cake this weekend.

i assure you- your gut is right. you deserve it.

it's been a long week, right?

xoxo

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. 

jackpot.

jackpot.

this quote summed up my emotions of the last few days, 

into one perfect quote.

lately i feel as though, my days have been a little hectic;

a little too busy, a little too long and a little on the repetitive side.

i've been coming home feeling exhausted, yet satisfied.

i couldn't quite figure out why i was in a weird funk of emotions-

until i read this quote, and suddenly it was like i won the jackpot.

i now understand why my feelings of stress and tiredness 

can coexist with my feelings of happiness and energy. 

there is so much truth in

"every day may not be a good...

 but, there is something good in every day."

too quickly, i come home at night and judge my entire day off the emotions

i am feeling at that very moment. stupidity, right?

of course, when i get home from dance every night after 9-

i can only expect to be exhausted, hungry and overwhelmed.

so, when lovebird asks how my day went, i simply reply with an "okay".

i often vent, complain and sometimes even cry.

but, after reading this quote- 

even though my day, as a whole, may not have been that 

exciting, rewarding, joyous or easy...

there is at least one good thing that happened, that i can reflect upon. 

it can be a simple things. 

it can be a big event.

it can be something that you least expected to happen.

it can be someone. 

it can be anything really.

the good news is, my friends,

there will always be at least one good thing in our day. 

it's bound to happen. 

so, i've decided to look at my days a little differently  now.

i'm going to remember that,
 even if my day doesn't turn out to be the best of days,

i will always find the goodness in that day and smile big. 

five words.

if lovebird could pick one motto/resolution/theme for me to follow for 2013,

it would be those five {bold} words above.

i have a small tendency to always think i need more or that i need to do more.

it's rare when i find myself saying the common phrase, "less is more". 

why? because i'm a go getter. i tend to always do things 110%.

i am the definition of a perfectionist. 

(which is a blessing and a curse, all at the same time.)

i also have a big tendency {rather, bad habit} to always want more.

i am a wisher, a believer and a dreamer.

big time, i tell you.

so, combine: perfectionist + wisher + believer + dreamer,

and you get something that completely contradicts lovebird's motto for me. 

moral of the story:

i need and want to come to terms with the word "less".

because in all actually, sometimes less really is more.

less = simplicity.

and simplicity is the seed to a happy and successful life.

to lovebird's satisfaction, i've decided to embrace this five word motto for 2013. 

i have this gut feeling that less will only bring more.

2013, you'll be a year to rejoice in simplicity.

xoxo

p.s. i'm curious: what would your five word motto be for 2013? 

start brain storming. 

ready.         set.           go.

hey.

hey, you.

just a few "hey's" for the day:

"hey" to a day dedicated to studying.

fun? not so much. but, here we go anyway!

"hey" to the most gorgeous 'ballerino' 

who walks this planet. 

i have a big crush- but, don't worry lovebird knows about it.

he's not mad- only slightly jealous of his physique.

{p.s. i hate that word; ballerino.}

"hey" current addiction to this easy 

and scrumptious smoothie.

best part? it's healthy. 

*instead of vanilla, i add a square of lindt's dark chocolate with sea salt. yummy!

"hey" books upon my shelves- 

i promise to get to you soon.

the holidays, aka: free time, are just around the corner. 

"hey" lovebird-

i can't wait to spend the weekend with you.

hurry up and get here friday; i don't know how much longer i can wait. 

hey, you.

xoxo

{source of picture: unknown. sorry!}

my happy list.

list of my happy things {as of late}... 

1. patterned jeans. 

2. pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

3. the way lovebird talks to our puppy. he's smitten.

4. 3 day visits from my parents- that end up turning into a whole week.

5. brick red lipstick or a simple nude. polar opposites, i'm aware. 

6.  letters from a missionary. 

7. late night talks with lovebird about our future- the unknown.

8. grandma's watches; my favorite kind of vintage.

9. all things puppy: fur, kisses, nap-times and that distinct puppy smell.  

what's on your list? do share.
xoxo

say it loud, say it proud.

happy tuesday.

{already..? wow}

monday managed to escape far too quick,

which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

yesterday was jam packed with two test at school

 and 7 hours of dance.

it was a loooong day to say the least,

which is why i'm surprised it seem to pass so quickly.

maybe it was the weekend that seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye...?

don't they always, though?

my weekend was a lovely one.

lovebird and i spent a good amount of time snuggled up on

our couch watching this all weekend long.

we had a splendid time with one another as we 

deepened our understanding of our beliefs.

we also gained a momentum for every day life, 

which always seems to accompany conference sessions.

{thank goodness it comes around twice a year.}

we woke up this morning feeling rejuvenated;

with so many goals and happy thoughts in our minds. 

every day, but especially today, i am proud to say that...

"i am a mormon. i know it, i live it and i love it."

i sure hope you had an uplifting weekend yourself.

i'm anxious to play "catch-up",

and read about all of your fun adventures, while stalking your awesome pictures.

xoxo

coming to terms.

coming to terms with:

1. bathrobes:

i seem to collect bathrobes all of a sudden. 

i do tend to live in them whenever i am home, but still... i find this a little weird.

2. chocolate for breakfast?

{i've actually never done that, believe it or not.}

i will never skip breakfast or having a piece of chocolate at some point in the day.

both are too good to skip; and by good, i mean, good for the heart. right?

3. bucket list item:

i may be going on a crazy adventure this weekend. i'm slightly really nervous. 

4. stress and school go hand in hand:

school is stressful no matter how "easy" your classes are. 

i'm referring to my supposedly easy music and health class; 

both of which i'm panicing about. 

5. ginger:

the cure to all of my stomach issues as of late. 

not joking... got a belly ache? try candied ginger or a classic ginger ale.

 6. being a ballerina:

i have finally come to terms with the fact that my body will never not be sore.

i figure, if i embrace that fact now, the pain may be slightly more tolerable.

7. phone calls:

i call the ones i love at least twice a day.

if he's lucky, lovebird may even get up to five phone calls per day.

midge may even be tied for first place too.

8. penny saver:

okay, i'm not really a penny saver; i enjoy spending a little too much. 

however, i am a deal junkie.

i participate in every deal going on at the grocery store, even if lovebird

tells me i didn't end up saving a single penny in the long run.

those promotions are just too tempting, i tell you!

a bit of randomness today, 

but, we all come to terms with ourselves here and there;

in doing so, we become the very best version of ourself. 

it's the only way to be the best you.

if i were a day of the week, i'd hate to be monday.

hello monday. 

where on earth did the weekend run off to so fast?

i woke up asking myself, "really, another week already?"

it's here, whether i like it or not.

i may not be ready to start all over again, but "it's" here...

so, i'm embracing it.

back to another week of dance i go- 

my muscles are still recovering from week one.

school starts wednesday-

surprisingly, i'm quite happy about this. 

teaching, studying, working... the whole sha-bang. 

it's a full week, indeed.

monday is the strangest day;

a day you always end up dreading, either because 

1. it's the official ending to the weekend, or

2. you realize your long week is just beginning. 

on the other hand,

monday is a fresh start and a new beginning.

this week, i'm trying to look at it like that.

so, here we go monday... bring it on.

i'm ready for the week you have in store.

that being said, please make it a good one. 

xoxo

hope you had a happy weekend.

we sure did;

full of friends, sushi, naps, work/dance, snuggles and church. 

choose carefully.

true, true, true.

i'm amazed at all the sayings and habits of lovebird's i have picked up.

almost every day, especially lately, lovebird makes a remark about how

"i'm turning into him".

i can't believe i am admitting to this;

because usually my comeback to him is, "no, you are turning into me".

when i came across this quote, i realized the truth behind this quote.

do you ever find yourself saying the things your girlfriends say?

or if you have been around your mom, do you come home "sounding" like her?

after being around little ones, do you catch onto their silly sayings?

or do you notice that one of your friends reminds you of another one of your friends?

choose carefully.

surrounding yourself with the right people is essential for

bettering yourself, acheiving happiness and molding yourself.

not to get motivational on you or anything,

just sharing my thoughts and the realization that i might by turning into lovebird.

but, i'm okay with that. 

i married the man after all. 

any thoughts on this? do share.

have a lovely tuesday.

xoxo

be a bird.

happy sunday.

may you be that patient bird today

and have an exotic adventure.

ours will be spent with dear friends eating delicious food laughing the night away. 

there is bound to be a silly adventure somewhere in that plan. 

i hope you are having a lovely weekend.

xoxo

it's all in the mattress.

{source}

good morning.

i'm calling on you for a little help, more like a recommendation. 

you see, we have a problem.

lovebird and i have already purchased two brand new mattresses in our 

{almost} two years of being married, and are desperately looking to buy a third.

why?

well,  because we wake up in the morning in pain. 

our backs just scream with aches and pains.

{that's like asking to wake up on the wrong side of the bed, if you ask me.}

i always thought it was because of my sore muscles due to dance, 

but now that i'm off contract, my bed has now proven itself to be the reason.

we slept on numerous beds while traveling through italy,

and not one time did we wake up with an ounce of pain.

please help.

i'm craving a good night sleep;

one i can wake up and roll out of bed feeling rejuvenated and rested,

instead of cramping in pain. 

you have two options:

1. you can go lay on the ground next to your nicely made up bed,

untuck the sheets a little and check the tag to see what mattress

gives you that perfect night sleep, and leave a little comment below.

or

2. you can plan on lovebird and i climbing in your bed tonight.

we are that desperate.

{i'd take the first option, even though a sleepover might be fun}

thanks for leaving your recommendations below.

we greatly appreciate your help. 

*we currently are sleeping on a "tempurpedic"/memory foam bed from costco 

and owned a sealy plush top before that. 

just one.

source

i sometimes find myself wishing for this or that.

i often times try to be like her or her.

i always put a lot {too much} on my plate.

i sometimes feel like i don't see lovebird enough.

i often worry about my appearance way more than i should. 

i always say yes to people. 

{more like i have the hardest time saying no.} 

i rarely break rules. 

i sometimes wish money grew on trees; only so i didn't have to work so much.

i often feel as though i fall short of people's expectations.

{or rather the high expectations i have for myself}

i am a perfectionist.

 life is a gift.

here's the correct way of saying those phrases above:

i am grateful for what i do have. wishing is a good thing.

i am who i am, and lovebird thinks i'm perfect. so that's all i need.

i put a lot on my plate because i love serving others.

we are at a busy stage in life. time with lovebird is bound to come later.

{every minute i get with him now, is truly lovely.}

appearance isn't everything. in fact, in the grand scheme of things, it's nothing.

i need to learn to say no. 

i plan on breaking more rules. 

{as in, i may just have to give into that rebellious streak of mine.} 

money doesn't grow on trees, and for that i am thankful. 

{working for things is vital for true happiness and success.}

i won't lower my expectations. 

but rather be satisfied with what i did accomplish, instead of dwelling on what i didn't. 

i will always be a perfectionist; it makes life challenging, and that i love. 

i am truly grateful for the one life i have been given.

it is up to me to make the most of it. 

today, my attitude about life has been changed forever...

and i'll be certain to act accordingly. 

happy living! 

xo

wed.nes.day

it's wednesday; which means it's hump day.

currently, wednesday is my least favorite day of the week.

my body feels exhausted and my mind is tired.

the thought of the weekend still feels so {too} far away. 

wednesday is my busiest day of the week;

i've somehow managed to cram everything i do into one day.

{school, teaching, dancing, personal shopping}

coming across something motivational on a wednesday is what gets me through to a thursday.  

this quote did the trick a couple weeks ago-

so, i thought i'd share it with you.

as simple as it is, i've thought about it numerous times since. 

just when you think you are at your limit...

you are not.

there is always more in you.

lately, more often than not, i feel as though i've reached my limit.

it's as if one more math problem, dance step or errand just might kill me.

but, it won't.

and that's the hard part; understanding i'm fortunate to be busy.

that pushing myself is only benefiting the outcome of who i am and who i become. 

today i will think harder, dance a little longer, love a little deeper and

through it all- i'll be a little happier. 

maybe then i won't dread wednesdays so much. 

instead, i just may embrace wednesday with it's challenge of enduring it

while being a little better and giving a little more in all that i do. 

happy wednesday.

let's get over this hump together.

because believe it or not, the weekend is just around the corner.

xoxo

wise words by juno.

"i never realize how much i like being home

 unless i've been somewhere really different for awhile." 

-juno

lovebird and i had a little movie night last night. 

he had never seen juno. 

{what!? right? i saw it three times in the theater}

i forget the brilliance amongst the laughter of that movie.

i love the quote above.

you know that feeling of walking into your home after being gone?

it's that indescribable feeling, that juno so accurately describes in a precious scene. 

whether you've been gone running errands for the day or 

if you've been vacationing for a week on the beach,

opening your own front door seems foreign yet overly inviting.

when you take those first steps into your home,

you're enveloped with comfort and familiarity due to your home's scent and warmth.

what's crazy, is that feeling still exists and is almost overpowering 

when i step foot into the home i grew up in. 

i'm headed home {to utah} this weekend.

i'm looking forward to embracing that love of being home

after being "somewhere different" for awhile.

and the ironic thing is... 

i can say the same thing upon returning to my own home in california.

being home is a beautiful thing.

thanks for the reminder, juno.

p.s. lovebird is the "cheese to my macaroni."

there are some prime lines in that movie.

i suggest you watch it if you are craving a good laugh or wanting to feel loved. 

xoxo

friday's "grand" events.

1. painting my nails a lovely bright purple. this shade to be exact. 

2. eating a delicious salad topped with fresh strawberries for dinner. 

3. making it through my math assignment without getting a problem wrong.

4. smash booking. the "modern" journal full of beautiful memories.

5. heart shaped sugar cookies. the soft and chewy ones.

6. slipping into heavenly clean sheets. instant smile into relaxation.

7. laughing with friends at the dinner booth long after the resturaunt closes. 

8. holding hands with lovebird. they fit so perfectly.

9. birds. you already know my love for them.

but, you must watch these birds that live downtown. they are truly a sight.

  {watch the whole thing. it's only 57 seconds. you'll be amazed.}

10. feeling completely loved and adored. 

but more importantly, being able to love him back unrestricted by any obstacle of emotion.

{oh, and buying lovebird a little valentine's gift today.} 

these are the little things that composed my friday.

and they are the only things that really matter in the end.

because it's the little things that build the big important chapters and memories in the end.

happy friday.

hope you're having a lovely weekend full of little things.

xoxo

relax a little.

happy wednesday.

or hump day, depending on how your day is going.

i posted a little quote to help the week go by quicker. 

this quote rings so true. 

do you ever find your self relaxing when you are extremely busy?

no. it's definitely rare. 

however, when you seem to have a break from the business of life,

all you do is relax and veg.

i'm going to try to remember to take time to relax even if it's for 20 minutes of the day.

school is about to begin, which always makes for a crazy schedule

on top of the {too} crazy one i already have. 

i have a feeling a little relaxation will train my body to enjoy being busy.

does that even make sense? 

i sure hope so. 

i guess it's apparent i'm having a hump day. 

carry on. 

xoxo

it's here! the weekend, that is.

why?

because it's friday.

thank goodness. 

the weekend is finally here. 

which, in my case, the weekend doesn't really mean "weekend."

i still work and dance all day today and tomorrow. 

lovebird works all weekend too.

but, i'm okay with it.

better that we both be busy, then me left at home waiting for 

him to do something.

right?

{okay, let's face it, i'm trying to be optimistic.} 

sometimes i wonder what it feels like to have free time;

a whole day to myself. 

am i selfish for wanting that?

or even an hour to sit on the couch and not feel guilty that i should be doing

my homework rather than resting my feet. 

no, i'm not throwing a pity party.

just a wishful thinking party. 

nonetheless, it is friday. 

and for some reason friday equals happiness and a sense of freedom.

what are you doing this weekend?

gearing up for thanksgiving?

i think i'll spend the weekend dancing, homework-ing, eating, and sleeping.

i've got lots to catch up on.

thank goodness thanksgiving break is just around the corner.

after all is said and done,

make today ridiculously amazing;

friday only comes once a week. 

cheers to the weekend!

great minds think alike.

what an intelligent woman.

this quote is spot on reality.

 this quote simply says it all; i can't say it better. nor will i try.

what i do know, is that i want to have a great mind.

discussing ideas rather than people.

gossip is a waste of time. it's hurtful. and serves no purpose.

have a great mind; let's discuss ideas.

like the billion different ways to tie a scarf.

or how to bake a scrumptious feast for thanksgiving.

we could discuss the speed of light. that seems to be a hot topic right now.

let's talk about our economy. both the good and the bad.

we could even chat about the techniques behind interior design.

talking about photography never gets old.

we could discuss religion. 

anything, really.

anything and everything; but discussing people.

happy thursday friends.

school, ballet rehearsal and homework make up my entire day.

oh, and a fun lunch date with one of my best friends.

love 8 days a week.

amen to this.

perfectly put in every way.

it covers it all:

hand holding, laughter, support, snuggles, conversation, kisses and love.

every.single.day.

remember it's important to express love each and every day.

{imagine if you didn't feel loved on a daily basis. life would be lonely}

love makes life intricate, stable, delicate and desirable.

choose to love each and every day. 

{i promise your life and our world will be a better place.}

i'm done preaching now; 

i'm off to laugh, kiss, talk and snuggle with lovebird. 

after all, that's the best way to fall asleep.