February Playlist

XOXO

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Winning

Dear husband. Thank you for going back in and getting me the vintage magazines I wanted, all because I am scared of bartering with people. You are bb.

XOXO

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PSA

You can get these mochis at Good Earth for like $1.69 for a pair. You're welcome.

XOXO

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Recipe Successes!

There is nothing I hate more than trying a new recipe and absolutely hating it. I have been having killer luck lately and thought I'd share!

I made these avocado egg rolls (a Cheesecake Factory favorite of mine) and they were delicious! They originially had 1/4 of onion, but after tasting them I've decided not to use the onion next time haha. (Original recipe found here.)

Next up: banana chocolate chip muffins. Originally found on Willivia's blog (which if you don't read already, you should definitely start). I didn't have allspice (what is that anyway?) but thought they were still pretty good without :)

 

I'm making eggplant paremesan tonight so cross your fingers for me! I've never had eggplant before (that I can remember) haha. 

XOXO

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And The Cutest Husband Award Goes To...

 

I came home from work the other day to this :) I haven't been having very good days lately (that's a story for another post), and the small things like this just really get me. Three cheers for Jake who is still the nicest human I've ever met. <3

XOXO

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P.S. He even put Trixie in my favorite sweater for me hahaha. It says "Ruff" and I'm obsessed with it lol.

A Happy List: 102

(I did better at photographing my "happy moments" this week! Yay!)

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Getting disconnected during not 1, but 2 trainings and talking to myself like an idiot while they watched me take a selfie... completely unaware that we had been disconnected hahahahahahah.

When my coworkers matched my NYC wrist countdown by writing "so sad" on theirs lol.

Having 2 new recipes I tried this week turn out great! I'll post them later.

Discovering vintage magazines at a market and trying collage art.

Finally getting new sheets! I'll report back on them in a few :)

When I accidentally dressed like Where's Waldo.

Having a great conversation with my coworker.

When Jake calls Trixie Rikki-Roo.

Facetiming for the first time.

Slab's new pizza flavor.

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Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! The winner will be contacted directly. Let me know if you think I should do more giveaways like that. :)

XOXO

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UM OK

Hi I discovered the best face mask bye.

XOXO

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Favorite Veg Meal: #1

(My mom's counter tops drive me crazy haha. They're not quite white, but like... so close. So when I brighten my images they're barely not white hahaha.)

Anyway, this is the best dinner! When I first discovered it I seriously ate it every night for like a week haha.

Ok! So this is super easy and the most delish. Just get this sauce from Costco, throw some rice in a rice cooker, fry up some extra firm tofu and you're good! It takes like 15 minutes tops and is so filling. 

(I like to cut my tofu into little cubes, soak out all the water with paper towels, and then toss in a cornstarch/cornmeal mix. I fry them over medium heat with a little oil and they are soooo good. When I do 1/4 cup rice and 1/4 cube tofu it's a little too much for me, but I always make that much anyway lol.)

But yeah! Keep your eye peeled for more of my favorite veg meals :) And try them! I feel like there is this stigma sometimes amongst meat eaters that veg recipes aren't good/filling. But they are! I promise!

XOXO

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Bathing = Worst

Guys. I keep trying to be a bath person and it just is not working. I was told that using epsom salts can help you feel less stressed. Also, water simluates touch and is supposed to be calming to us as well. So, I decided to give this bath thing another whirl on Friday night while Jake was at a birthday party for a friend.

IT DID NOT GO WELL. 

It started out harmless enough. I filled the bath tub. I grabbed a book. I got pumped. Then I got in the water and it was just hot. And I hate being hot. And I can't fit in my bath tub comfortably. My legs have to be like, completely extended in order for me to not sink underneath. I started sweating and it was just like, a gross experience. 

But I had to wait 20 minutes because I guess that's how long it takes for the salts to work? So I just sat in there sweating and reading and waiting for it all to end haha. I got out and my entire body was like, super red. I got the biggest glass of ice water ever. Idk if you can tell in that photo but my face was so red. 

Anyway. I conclude that I am not, and will not ever be, a bath person. RIP baths.

XOXO

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Cocoa and Cookies

HAHA. So, my friend Leah moved to Utah and I was like, "Hey! We should all go for a date night up the canyon and make smores and cocoa!" Well, then it was supposed to snow so we decided not to. But, I am a snow baby so I still wanted to go up there with Jake and picnic in the car. On the way up, there was like a foot of snow on everything! Haha! So, it would have been pretty much impossible to have a bonfire anyway lol. 

It was so fun though! We brought Trixie thinking she would be able to get out and explore, but the snow was too deep for her so she just snoozed in the back seat. I am still super obsessed with these cute mugs we got for Christmas. We used one of those waterbottles that keep things warm forever. It was awesome! I had my doubts but our cocoa stayed warm the whole time haha.

Anyway. Go to Tibble Fork right now because it's beautiful.

XOXO

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MY PAPER GOT PUBLISHED IS THIS REAL LIFE

You guys! A paper I wrote in college got published in my college academic journal! It took almost 2 years after I wrote it and I had to make so many edits... but it got published so yay! To celebrate, we went to Slab. (This is the best pizza place in Utah, by the way. Take note.) We both ordered our pizzas. Me: The Meikel. Jake: The Thai Chicken. 

Then they bring us our pizzas and they were the same hahahahaha. Mine was just the veggie version lol. #greatmindsthinkalike

Afterward, we went to Kneader's to satisfy my sweet tooth. (Another Utah must visit. Chocolate croissant, mint brownie, french toast, veggie avocado sandwich on focaccia, ugh. It's all good.) 

That was pretty much our celebration. Am I the only person who celerates with food? Haha. I love what Tiina Fey says about food rewards in this Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Watch it. It's good.

XOXO

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P.S. I'm working on a comprehensive list of all the best places in Utah. Stay tuned :)

A Happy List: 101

Don't forget to go enter my giveaway from last week! By the way, holy shiz. I was expecting like 4 people to enter at best lol.

Eating bell pepper filling I made last week, and IT WAS STILL GOOD.

Discovering that my favorite curry sauce company makes more flavors.

Discovering Mounika on Soundcloud. Get Up is my favorite so far.

Getting a round of appluase as I was leaving work on Thursday.

Jake's waterbottle that keeps things warm for like, ever haha.

Discovering a dog rescue specifically for big, fluffy dogs.

When Jake says, "Carl!!!" like Rick.

Catcing up on The Walking Dead.

Ordering new sheets!

Martinelli's.

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Funny things that happened this week:

Me to my director: "...when you get a sex." "SEC!!!! AH!!!!"

Me to a coworker in a different department: "When you wanna lunch?

Coworker: "I think you meant that for someone else."

ALSO WE HAVE OFFICIALLY BOOKED OUR PLANE TICKETS TO NYC. APRIL 25TH BABY.

XOXO

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P.S. I always struggle with what photos to pair with these happy lists. I just had an idea about doing a self portrait each week? Is that going to come off as me posting a selfie a week or do you think the artist challenge will come through? Lol. 

Chewy!!

Haha I love that Trixie is sponsored. Like, how does your dog get sponsored ya know?! (Probably because she is the cutest dog ever, and everyone knows it.) These Blue Buffalo Sizzlers were her treats for this month. She lovesssss Beggin' Strips and Pup-eroni, so she loved these haha. She is old old old, so I have been trying to pick softer treats for her each month. I'm pretty sure she has like, not very many teeth left haha. I want to get her soft dog food too, but I hate the cans where you have to scoop it out. Ugh the smell is the worst haha. 

Anyway. Safe to say Trix is a fan of these treats! Thanks Chewy! :) Also, safe to say I am a fan of taking pictures of my dog. Sorry for all the non-dog people, but I am obsessed. I'm getting so sad to leave her when we move :( She'll be happier here than in New York though, so I guess that can help me feel better.

XOXO

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P.S. I'm supposed to say legal things I guess (I obivously know nothing about this stuff haha) so: We got the treats in exchange for our honest review and no other compensation was received. 

Ramen Success

We tried this ramen recipe the other day and loved it! It's veg friendly too :) Oh, but definitely do 4oz noodles per person haha. If you have any good ramen recipes, let me know! We're in the market for them!

XOXO

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A Happy List: 100 + GIVEAWAY

GUY IT IS MY 100TH HAPPY LIST. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT FOR SO LONG. SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE GIVEAWAY DETAILS.

When I was stretching my arm and my coworker thought I was raising my hand and called on me ha!

The hand gesture the girl at Starbuck's did when she was complimenting my bangs.

Going to IKEA and picking things out for our New York apartment!!!

My favorite female under the age of 40 returning from her mission.

Having 2 out of the 3 recipes I tried this week be delicious.

When we find Trixie in her bed all the way on her back.

Creating a vision board for our future apartment.

When the boy at Starbuck's winked at me lol. 

Not wearing pants pretty much all weekend.

The Lindt "hello" candy bars. All good.

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Here are some funny things people said this week:

Jake: "Would you be so happy if you could somehow know that in Trixie's mind she calls you bb?"

Jake looking at my papers: "I won't snoop."

Me: "I don't care."

Jake: "In that case..." *snoops*

Jake referring to a computer mouse: "I don't think they have mice there."

Jake referring to an apron: "Do we have a cooking bib?"

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Ok, so I'm basically just really happy I've done 100 happy list. #accomplishments. So, I want to send someone a package with all the things that make me happy! This may or may not include beauty products, candy, music, and other cute things. I don't really know yet, I haven't gone shopping for all of it. Anyway, enter below! The giveaway will run for 2 weeks. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XOXO
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Errands R Us

Isn't this the cutest planner?

CHIPOTLE IS COMING TO AMERICAN FORK. I AM SO EXCITED.

As much as I died of boredom over Christmas break, it was pretty nice to get ish done. One day we went to Target to return my planner. (It had a misprint of all the months under the wrong tab, ha!) I am obssed with this planner... well, actually with all of Target's planners right now. They are so cute. Run, don't walk, and get one of your own!!

We couldn't be in The Meadows without going to Five Guys. I am seriously obsessed with it lately. If you're veg, here's what you should get: grilled cheese - add tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and onions. You're welcome. We also tried their Oreo shake. It was pretty good! My favorite shake is still at Shake Shack. I had never had a shake I liked until I tried theirs <3 #truelovewaits. 

Anyway! I'm trying to photograph more every day things so I have more pictures to edit and post. I think it will help a lot with feeling depressed and anxious if I can come home almost every day and edit some photos :). So, that's why there are going to be some more random posts haha.

XOXO

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P.S. Do Five Guys outside of Utah have fry sauce at the them? Please tell me yes.

P.P.S. If you go to Utah Guide under the "Categories" you can see all the local (and some not local) places we've been to :). I'm planning on making a more offical guide once we move, but for now that's all I have.