a happy list: 36 + halloween costumes

First of all, here is our costume from our family halloween party! The first picture was a test photo, so sorry for the awkwardness, but I never got one in good lighting of our outfits! So, an awkward photo that actually shows both our costumes will have to do :).

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M&M caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory / Mastering the bow bun at last / Trixie in her dog diaper (sad, but funny) / Jake's family (like literally I am obsessed with them and this happy list wouldn't be complete without mentioning how nice and supportive they are of each other. Every time we do something with them I'm just reminded of how much I want my future family to be as pleasant to be around as they are. I'm so lucky I married into such a great family!) / Stealing and opening the package on Mila's doorstep on accident... hahahahah / Dawson Leery popping up in an episode of Criminal Minds / Driving the Alpine Loop / Movie night with my bae / My adolescence professor extending the deadline for our research paper a mere 2 hours before it was due (thank the heavens for that man) / Finding my glasses after they had been lost for two days

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Here's some Internet Stuff To Make You Happy:

/ I saw on Instagram, one of my favorite photographers, Bryant, posted a "behind a photo" video. It's amazing for 2 reasons: #1: His model is continually moving, which is probably why I love the "natural" look of his photos... because they are natural haha. So, good modeling tip. #2: He takes a picture with a hole covered t-shirt and I finally found it. It's here, on the 7th row. Also, it's amazing and I'm obsessed with the way it looks.

/ How cute is this Amelie themed engagement shoot? I'm dying. IT'S TOO CUTE.

/ Alyssia B Photography was the photographer for our wedding, and I absolutely LOVE this shoot she did at a lake! Such a cute location.

/ Another photography thing, I'm sorry. But, I'm obsessed with "at home" photos and this shoot by Joshua Mikhaiel nails it in every way possible. Shout out to Mila for showing it to me.

XOXO
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E

video: jakey does my makeup

Ok, just a few things before you watch this video...
1.) Forgive the lighting in this video. It's one of our first!
2.) Please ignore my stupid shirt. The original of this and watching Jake figure everything out was wayyyyy too good and I just couldn't refilm.
3.) I feel it's important to note that I had just gotten out of the shower... so that's why my hair looks like spaghetti LOL.
4.) If you haven't had your husband do you makeup yet, I highly recommend it. It's is literally the FUNNIEST thing in the world. If you make a video please tell me! My life needs more happiness like that hahahahah. Without further ado...



XOXO
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photo: leah and stephen

Hello hello! Here are just a few of my favorites from a session I did with cute Leah and her hub. There are more on Leah's blog if you're interested.

See? They're so cute! Agh. I wish I could pull of a pixie cut as beautifully as she does. Thanks for choosing me to take your pictures, you two!

XOXO

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E

slow. mornings.

Slow mornings are good for 

/ Hot chocolate (2 tbsp Ghirardelli cocoa per cup of whole milk, whisk together, heat for 2 minutes, you're welcome)

/ This slow jam (don't watch the music video, it will ruin the song haha)

/ Hair bows

/ Gorgeous morning light in the front room 

XOXO

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E

the best cake balls ever

If you have already made cake balls and are about to skip this post KEEP READING. The recipes that call for a package of cream cheese are whack. MAKE THESE. They are the best. I promise I promise I promise. I try cake balls everywhere I go, and I've never found any that are better than this. And no, I'm not bragging because it's not even my recipe! My mom showed it to me, and I have no idea where she got it. It's probably online somewhere, let's be honest.

Here's what you'll need:

Red velvet cake mix (canola oil, water, and eggs too) / A can of cream cheese frosting / Almond bark / Sprinkles

Step 1: Bake a red velvet cake.

Step 2: Crumble the cake in a huge bowl. Add the entire can of cream cheese frosting. Mix it together well. (If you are like me, and this part totally makes you lose your appetite for cake balls, make someone else do it, haha.)

Step 3: Measure 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll it into a ball. Set it onto a paper plate. Repeat this until the plate is full and then put the plate into the refrigerator. Repeat until all the mixture is gone.

Step 4: Microwave the almond bark in 30 second increments until it's completely melted. Roll each cake ball in the chocolate. Set on a paper plate and put in the refrigerator.

Step 5: You're done. These are 12359834534% better chilled, so keep them in the fridge until you're ready to serve them! It's as easy as that, kids. Enjoy!

Shirley's Bakery

Do you ever wake up one morning and realize that you haven't done anything different for the past three weeks? That's how we were. All of the sudden we were like, "Wait, we don't have tests to study for? Jake doesn't have work? There isn't a party or event we need to attend? WHAT DO WE DO?!?!" Considering "date night" for the past couple weeks had been watching The Office and falling asleep on the couch, we decided to EXPLORE. There are so many places on my Utah page in my travel journal... we have to start crossing them off! So, Shirley's Bakery and Cafe in Provo it was.

Basically we felt like it was exactly like Kneader's, except they had a better pastry assortment in our opinion. Jake got a cinnamon walnut (?) twist, and I got a raspberry big foot. And yes, they were both delicious.

Also, we both got these delish paninis (me: veggie, jake: chicken ranch something) that come with THE BEST CHIPS and a pickle spear. I used to hate pickle spears when I worked in food, but now I love them? Anyone else? There's something about them that is different from regular pickles, I swear. 

We then went home and were in an episode of The Twilight Zone because we did nothing for a long time and then went to see Guardians (<-- still can't spell that word right, ever) of the Galaxy at the dollar theatre because #poorcollegestudents. It was actually really good! There were plenty of funny parts, but we literally cried our eyes out at Root. Jake loved when he slammed all those guys in the tunnel, and I loved at the end of the credits when he's dancing in a pot. GOOD THINGS, GOOD THINGS. 

Jake has three tests this week, so wish him luck! (He doesn't need it though, because he has this condition where he always does really good on tests and I don't understand what it is.)

Also, I know my url won't work without "www" in front of it, and also my old url (www.thelittlediary.com) won't forward here. So, both of those things are annoying, but I've been assured they will be fixed within 24 hours! So, we will have to wait and see. Hopefully I don't lose all of you to the cyber abyss!

XOXO

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the drive

The other day we drove down to Provo to take some pictures of cute Leah and her husband. I brought along my new favorite lens attachment (which has actually always been the most amazing thing and isn't new at all) and totally forgot to use it! The lighting on the drive home was amazing, plus when you can take pictures with a fisheye, you do take pictures with a fisheye.

The new Provo temple is coming along quite nicely! That silhouette :)

I have seriously trouble not closing my eyes and cheese-smiling in every photograph. After taking the first two, I realized we should prob get a normal one to show the babes someday. 

Anyways, hopefully these pictures aren't annoying, but I learned that creativity declines as we grow older. So, naturally I'm panicking about my creative abilities and trying to maintain the level I had in high school (which wasn't very high haha). So, expect more... interesting (?) photos because it's time to get that creativity aflowin'!

Special thanks to my cute husband for holding all my camera gear and also for helping me make cake balls which we ate this night while watching The Walking Dead and also for being a Bathrobe BB with me and also just for being my favorite person.

XOXO

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updates + a happy list: 35

You may or may not have noticed, but I changed things up in this little space. It's taken me forever to choose a blog name, but I finally found one that sticks. So, from here on, this space is Emmyjake and the url should work without a "www" in front of it, but if not, just enter www.emmyjake.com and you should be fine. But, let me know if it isn't working for you without the "www".

Anyways, I don't really know what else to say about it, other than I hate coding and that's all. I am proud of myself for changing it all on my own however (rah rah!). If you have any questions or anything, I've added a new "contact" tab that should make it easier to contact me haha. I respond to comments, but if you have like an immediate question than shoot me an email and I'll get back to ya pretty quick. Well, that's all I can think of to say about that! On to a happy list to start the week off right!

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Drinking Beans and Brews hot chocolate (always the most delicious) / Cuddling BB at the end of the day, there's nothing better / Finally waking up and staying up to my 6:00 alarm / Finding out Criminal Minds is on Netflix and Friends is coming to Netflix / Finishing my three week span of tests / Randomly have gotten like four compliments from strangers this week... I don't know what I'm doing different, but I guess I've gotta keep doing it! / Trying out a new food joint, Shirley's Bakery and Cafe! Delish! / Redesigning/revamping this space to fit with our current lifestyle / Wrapping our Christmas Gifts for each other / Making the most delicious red velvet cake balls to go with The Walking Dead Night! (Recipe soon if you care...)

XOXO

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three story park

Sometimes we both don't have any tests, projects, or events to take up our time. So, we finish our homework early in the day and watch The Office and take a nap. Then, we wake up and go to Three Story Park, take pictures of the stars, and talk about post apocalyptic things (what else is new?) and also how if an earthquake happened we would be in the perfect spot. Then, we take spooky pictures because the light from the city is too perfect.

why i love my husband

Reasons why I love my husband... 

He eats chili for dinner 50% of the time.

He eats frozen pizzas the other 50%. 

He finds sausage in the fridge and decides to make.... chili dogs. 

He uses the excess sausage to prepare a fancy dinner for Trixie.

He's a winner.

XOXO

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tragic flaw

Am I the only one who is addicted to skipping school? Seriously once I skip 1 class, I skip every class. Don't even ask me how many times I've been to my Music 201 class, because you'll think I'm an idiot when I answer you. It's not even that I hate school, because I LOVE SCHOOL. I've only not done school for two summers... one during high school, and one when I graduated and couldn't go. (Trust me, I begged and cried for my mother to let me go to summer college in Spokane, Washington and she wouldn't let me. I don't think I was ever really upset with her, but that time I literally cried for so long and was super upset hahaha. #school4eve #teenangst). All my other summers have been filled with wonderful online classes or summer school, which I'm proud of because it means that I'm almost graduated and I'm meeting my goal of graduating early!

Now that we don't live 5 minutes from campus though, more often than I'd like to admit my mornings consist of new hairstyles, comfy/cute slippers, breakfast, and homework. It's not like I stay home and don't get anything done, ok? Ha jk, that doesn't make it better. Anyways, I just got done with like three weeks of tests, so maybe this coming week I'll be more motivated to go. But, alas. 

I actually don't know what "alas" means. So.

But anyways. Here's some images, because on "The Old Blog" I used to post -ish like this and it really kept my creative juices a-flowin'. I feel like I'm turning into a science-robot? Darn you, Psychology. So, I'm trying to do more photography like I used to back in the good ole high school days. We'll see how long it lasts.

XOXO

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iphone diary

Hello hello! Looking through these pictures made me realize that my life can pretty much be summed by Jake, animals, and food. Embarrassing? Maybe, but I'm proud nonetheless. 

We finally tried the pretzel pizza from Little Caesar's! So, let me just say that we were kind of expecting just like a pretzel crust, but it turns out there is nacho cheese instead of marinara? So weird. / Immediately after getting pretzel pizza, I lost my appetite for greasy deliciousness and decided to eat a cucumber and kiwi instead. Ah green, you are such a beautiful color. / I accidentally took the wrong road taking a new way home from school, and found a Swig in Provo! It turns out it's been there forever, but hey, it's new to me haha. / Also, did anyone else hate spaghetti growing up? Ugh, I did so much. But then I realized I actually just hate Ragu spaghetti sauce and spaghetti noodles. Paul Newman sauce with angel hair and fresh basil is tres bien.

Skipping school to practice new braids, and using the selfie stick my mom got us from Italy LOL / Finally eating Brugee's waffles AT LONG LAST with my love. And yes, they are my favorite still. And yes, you should drop everything and go. / I couldn't find Trixie, so I just started getting ready for bed and found her in our room all by herself! She usually sleeps on the couch, so it was like she was tired of waiting for us and just went to bed. So cute. / Also, she has randomly become a small human, and when we point to her bed and say, "Trixie, off." She will literally just like hop up and jump off the bed into her little doggie bed. I swear she is like, someone reincarnated. She is too smart.

Jake made chili cheese dogs and Trix was eatin' fancy. I actually have some pictures on my camera of their dinner I will have to post later. / Oh, just feeding the world's meanest cat. I can't even with that thing. LOVE ME. / Jake found this dream catcher and work and gave it to me. So, day made. It's hanging in my car to fend off the people who keep running red left turn lights. / Jake usually runs on Saturdays, but he didn't on this one! Since my internal alarm clock goes off before 8 every day (I cry about this sometimes) I decided to make a delish breakfast. I had it all planned out in my head where I would take it down on a supa cute tray and we would eat breakfast together and watch Friends.  However, he woke up right before I poured the waffle batter into the mold. So, we ended up just eating normally haha. #fail

Saw this! I love catching things at numbers like this. It was actually at 59,999, so I had to refresh it, but still! / Did anyone else watch the season premier of The Walking Dead? I made these gingerbread cookies. They turned out kinda weird since I refrigerated the dough, but I'll make some more next week and post the recipe, because they are literally the best gingerbread cookies ever (Kneader's recipe!). / We are borrowing my brother-in-law's super gangsta car, and the inside is yellow! This picture totally sucked at getting the color, but I just feel like I'm in a 60's movie every time we get in that thing. It's amazing. / All the zombies together in their zombie-ness.

Jake went to dinner at his parent's house while I stayed home to study for my test, so he brought me this treat from Slurp! THE NICEST. / One of my nephew's diapers was just chillin', so instead of putting it away, we decided to cut a hole and put it on Trixie. AND YES IT WAS ADORABLE. / Beautiful sunrises on the way to school! This picture obviously doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea. / BYU finally has a vegetarian sandwich in the "grab-and-go" refrigerator in the Cougareat. It's not the best ever, but hey, I give them mega props for having the option available. PROGRESS.

Also, I added an Instagram widget to the side, so if you want to stalk me, there it is. Also I post photos there that I don't post here, so there's that. I have so many pictures to share here! But alas, time is not my friend currently. Probably this weekend I'll just que up a bunch of posts haha. Prepare for some spooky pictures, as well as stars, as well as Trixie and Jake fine dining, as well as... actually I think that's it. Wish me luck on my Music test! I would probably rather do anything else, but hey. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Also, I'm definitely in a Baking-Treats-Every-Day-Mood, so if you have deliciousness, send it my way.

XOXO

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a happy list: 34

^I found these pictures from when we gave Trixie a bath in my drafts and my oh my did it take me back. Do you see that last picture? Well, she would like, sit up, but then since it was a bath her little paws would start to slip and she would just slowly fall down into that position. Then once she was in it she would just lay there until we sat her up. We thought once we drained all the water she would get up, but even then she just laid there HAHAHAHAH^

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Getting my iPhone finally! (And finally being able to turn off my phone since my old lock button was broken, no more worrying about alarms going off in quiet situations! YAY!) / Brugee's is finally open / Catching up with old high school friends / Making cute zombie cookies and watching the season premier of The Walking Dead / Fully expecting to get a 60 on my adolescence test because I didn't study very hard, and then actually getting an 80 / The really loud bang that happened at BYU that scared everyone to death and no one knew what it was. It sounded like a mountain was crashing and I almost peed my pants in fear, and then started laughing and laughed forever. / The stuff my mother brought back from Italy / When we accidentally stole a pumpkin from Macey's / When Jake brought me Slurp home as a treat (bonus points because he knows I love treats and also because he got my exact order right: a chocolate chip cookie and a huckleberry diet pepsi with half the pumps of huckleberry... I LOVE MY HUSBAND.) / Finally getting our laundry done (Thanks Jake) and having clean clothes again at long last

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Funny things people have said recently...

Me (annoyed): Why don't you ever wake me up when I ask you to?
Jake: Because... you're so cute when you're sleeping.

Jake: Wait, so how do you want to cuddle?
Me: Oh, well, you don't have to but I was just saying we could like...
Jake (interrupts): Emmy, don't play games with me.

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I totally suck at keeping track of funny things people say, so... so long to that lol. But, this week I have two tests and then I am DONE!!! Well, until finals week, but you know how it goes. I am literally sooooo happy they were spread out over the course of three weeks. I would have died having to take five tests in the same week. So, hallelujah.

I was just showing Jake some Christmas present wrapping ideas on my Pinterest board and it randomly got me like, the most excited for Christmas. Ah! It's finally getting cold out and THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING. So much joy. This Christmas is obviously going to be great, but a part of me is also really excited for next Christmas when I'll just have a job and can come home and make a Christmas treat every day. AH! CHRISTMAS!!

XOXO
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P.S. Here's some internet things to make you happy. Amazon's Zombie Survival Store, animals wrapped as burritos, text messages from parents to their kids, and mean notes from kids.