life lately

Studying at all times. Although, this semester is almost over, so that's very good news. We have like 8 days left of actual class, and then finals! I'm excited! I am doing spring and summer, but I'm taking really fun classes that I'm excited for! Plus we can park in graduate school parking, which cuts the walk to class in half pretty much! 

I taught Jake how to fishtail! The one on the left is his first, and the one on the right is after a couple tries. I hate braiding my own hair because it's so long the angle is like, super weird and it hurts my arms because I'm a baby. Haha. He braids so well though! I hope we have little girls :)

Fancier fishtails! And some street art we ran into on our way home from school on Tuesday. I love it! There used to be a piece at the bottom of the stairs on campus that said "you've changed." I like to think that someone is doing these with the hope that their lover will see them. It's so cute! I can't wait until we go to a city and I can just wander the streets looking for street art!

We stopped by Sammy's Cafe on date night and found the message we wrote in fingernail polish when had just first started hanging out! It's under the counter, so hopefully they never get new ones! 

We didn't go to the color festival this year, because we'd rather be lazy on lounge around on our days off ;) but I did get to help clean it all up! It was AMAZING seeing the aftermath! Some 60,000 people went this year! It wasn't too bad with trash and stuff, but I loved seeing all the colors everywhere!

Spring in Utah is so dumb! Monday I wore a long sleeve button up and was absolutely sweating by the time I got to class. Then, on Wednesday it snowed and was freezing enough to have to whip out my winter coat... for only the morning. >:(. So then I looked like an idiot walking around campus all day, because when I started walking it was freezing, but then by 1 or 2 it was just normal. Someone needs to invent like a super compact coat that you can put in your pocket haha.

We tried Supreme Burger! It's been on our list for forever and we decided to treat ourselves after all this school! I was laughing so hard, because we went right after we got home from our mythology class, and after we got done ordering I turned around to see none other than our mythology professor!! He is the funniest guy! This place was pretty much like JCW' (aka amazing). I could eat their fries all day!

We're pretty much out of all food, but I absolutely HATE going grocery shopping! So, I've decided to see how long we can go just eating the food at our apartment! It's actually kind of fun. But, to get my sugar fix I've just been eating chocolate chips haha. Am I the only one who does this? CHOCOLATE OBSESSED. Also, I decided our wedding pictures needed to stop being in every room in the apartment, so I combined them all into this piece that is on our bedroom wall. Don't let it fool you... it took me a good while to get each side of the heart even and to make it symmetrical while simultaneously using all of the pictures with none left over! I'm happy with the end result though. :).

I've started an online class (cause you know, 15 credits isn't enough right now) and it's awesome because I love online classes, but not so awesome because now I don't want to go to school anymore! Haha especially the longggggg days, Tuesday and Thursday! I actually didn't go for like two weeks, and then I went on Tuesday, and now it's Thursday and I'm not going again. Well, maybe I'll go later. But, I don't know. It's like, sometimes class (for me, at least) seems like it's not that important. I mean, I used to skip class all the time, and sometimes that would lead to a bad grade, but when they don't grade your attendance, and when you can read the text book and still get a good grade on the test, I think it's fine :). My mom hates it! She's always telling me to go to school, since I'm paying so much for it, but I don't know. I can stay home today and get half of my online class done, ya know? Haha.

We've got a fun weekend planned with a Salt Lake adventure, concert at The Wall, sleepover at my mom's house, and then conference with the fam! I'm ready for it to be here!

XOXO

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E

P.S. New design! It took me foreverrrrrrr to get it done. Like, I bought a template, but then realized so many things weren't the way I wanted them to be, so I did all of it myself! I have MUCH RESPECT for those of you who can just whip up templates. You're crazy! I'm still having difficulties with old posts being formatted weird, as well as mobile view, but whatever!

guest post: rachel sullivan

I'm super excited for this, because I love Rachel's artwork! I actually already have this print hanging up in my kitchen, and I'd love to get a custom pet portrait of Trixie! They are seriously so cute. Thanks Rachel for sharing your process! Without further ado...

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Hello everyone! I'm super excited to be doing a post on Emily's blog. 

Over at my site I post a lot of illustration in addition to lifestyle and fashion things, and today I'm going to show you all a step-by-step process of how I work! I usually do funky fashiony art, but I decided to get back to my roots and do a bit of naturey storybook art for this post. The illustration I'm creating here is intended as a mock book cover for "The Secret Garden."

1. First I do a sketch. This is often in my sketchbook, but sometimes on a sheet of printer paper like I did here. In the top right you can see my thumbnail where I solidified the composition.

2. I then take a crappy cell phone picture of my sketch and bring it into photoshop, where I resize it to whatever size I want for the final. It doesn't matter if this looks blurry, and I don't really even care what paper it's on (hence the purple), because I'm going to trace the sketch to get nice clean lines.

3. I use a makeshift light table consisting of a tall lamp with no shade and a piece of plexiglass to trace my lines onto some watercolor paper. I use the professional grade Strathmore that you can find at craft stores because it's affordable and produces nice results. If I had my way, though, it'd be all Arches all the time! I do these lines with a pencil.

4. Now's when I start painting! I start with the skin (entirely out of habit), and lay in the basic background colors if there are any. The paints I use are a mixture of Van Gogh and Winsor Newton watercolors, and Winsor Newton gouaches. I also use this awesome opaque ink that I dilute.

5. I lay in more colors.

6. You can see things starting to come together at this point!

7. And here's the final painting.

8. I then scan it in using my home scanner. This is what an unedited scan looks like right after it's been imported!

9. And finally, here's the finished product! I adjust the levels, saturation, and contrast to make it look as true to life as possible, then I resize it for the internet and slap my watermark on it. This particular one will have text added to it digitally later, but that's pretty unusual for my work.

I hope you guys enjoyed this peek into my process! If you want to see more of my work, I update my tumblr frequently, and sell prints and custom portraits in my shop.

thoughts

Jake took this picture the other day while at my brother-in-law's car dealership. I figure it's fitting for this post, ahaha. So, just imagine that I have that face while talking about issues 1 and 2.

Issue #1: positive blogging. 

Recently, I came across the website getoffmyinternets.net and discovered they have a whole thread dedicated to the blog Rockstar Diaries (which you probably all already read, and if you don't you should definitely start). 

Ok, now I will readily admit with pride that I absolutely love Taza's/Naomi's blog. They are cute and live in New York and go to fun places, like what else do you need? But, to my horror I realized this thread is saying horrible things about them! It seems like they mainly focus on the point that she "tries to make her life look perfect". And I'm over here like, "What's wrong with that?" I mean, obviously nobody's life is perfect, but why would you voluntarily put negative things into the universe/cyberspace? I mean, I think it's a different story if you pretend like your life is perfect in real life, but as far as blogging goes, I think it's fine. 

I don't know about the rest of the blog world, but I have this blog as a sort of diary. I don't keep a journal or a diary in real life (mainly because I want pictures to be included and I find that printing the moff and pasting them in a journal is very hard work, so blogging is a nice in-between), but I want my kids (and my future grandma self) to be able to look back and see pictures and read words about what our life was like (except they are NOT allowed to read my high school blogs!!!). So, forgive me if I'm not going to rant about how much I hate BYU or summertime or the sound of dogs licking. I mean, not talking about negative things doesn't mean they don't exist, it just means you don't want to focus on them, right? 

HOWEVER. I am not saying it's "not ok" to post about negative things. If that's your catharsis, go for it! I just think it's stupid that people are actually spending their time writing hate posts about someone who is being positive (I say while writing a hate post about someone who is being negative haha).

Issue #2: blogger comments.

Apparently when someone comments and you click "reply" and comment back, it doesn't notify them? So that's dumb. I'm sorry if you asked me a question or something and I didn't reply. I guess I'll start email-replying from now on!

Issue #3: coconut oil.

Why is it so amazing? I'm obsessed. I literally don't know how to live without it now that I've lived with it. I use it every morning on my legs, and those gross little bump things that I used to have? Gone! Also, I don't need to moisturize, so win win. Also, I swished with it for a little bit and I didn't do a before and after comparison, so this could just be hindsight bias, but I felt like my teeth got whiter! Anyways, use it. It's an antibacterial and antiviral and basically just amazing. Plus it's like $4 at Macey's.

Issue #4: movies.

Why are they so amazing? I mean, dying here. Dying. My recent favorites have been Mr. Nobody, We Are Who We Are, and Pompeii. You know how sometimes there are like, 0 movies out that you want to see? Well, I basically mind-cry for days when that happens. But now I'm mind-crying for days because there are so many good ones. I'm excited to see Endless Love, Dark Skies, Son of God, and Noah's Ark. Most of those are old, but we hit up the dolla theatre yo. If you have seen any excellent, excellent movies, please let me know. I finished One Tree Hill so I'm itchin' for some new material.

Issue #5: the following videos.

I DIE.

Watch the following video starting at 2:28.

XOXO
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E

art city donuts

Good news: I am alive and well. I survived my testing. So, that's good I suppose. I ended up getting a decently good grade on my mythology test so hallelujah.

These pics are from a while ago when we went to the donut truck. To be honest, it wasn't my favorite thing in the world. I pretty much only like cake donuts, or donuts with chocolate frosting. It was fun to try this new food truck though! I feel like food trucks are the new "thing". They're everywhere! First waffles... now donuts, pizza, and burritos! There are probably more I just don't know about.

Speaking of waffles. Are we all aware of the glory that is Brugee's Waffles and Frites? (If you have not been, get in your car right this second and go there.) Well, to my great, great, delight they are building one in Provo!!! It's seriously like a 15 minute walk from my apartment. So YAY! I'm excited to stuff my face with delicious, chocolate loaded, pearl sugar waffles as much I want this summer!

XOXO

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E

another guest post cause school is still cray

Welp. School is still cray. Which is lovely but also I don't have time for this space every day anymore. If you'd like to guest post about some of your favorite photos you've taken, or things that make you happy, shoot me an email. I love seeing people's happy lists and beautiful photos!!

Without further ado, here's Morgan from Morgan Jo. Mmmmm, I want that crepe!!

As I was asked to write this blog post, 1. I was thrilled, and 2. I had a bunch of different ideas as to what I could say. I'm a list person, so therefore a list was my ultimate winner. So, here's me and my 13 things.

1. Music can make or break my days. If I hear some good lyrics accompanied by great sound my entire day can be flipped around.

2. I love art. All my siblings are boys, sporty boys to say the least, so this was something learned on my own. I think there is art and beauty in everything. (It's a cliche for a reason, people.)

3. Lipstick can always make you feel glamorous. (Ask me if I just used Fergie to help me spell that because, yes, in fact, I did.)

4. I moved to SLC for my first semester of school, and moved back home in January, where I meet loads of interesting people on the train ride everyday.

5. I'm completely emotionally driven, which results in more tears than I'll even admit. Photos make me cry, stories make me cry, everything makes me cry. I feel everything, and I'm a winner at
sympathy/empathy, so call me and talk forever. I used to hate this, but now it's one of my favorite things about myself.

6. Guilty pleasures are my very favorite things to learn about people.

7. There is a pancake for every occasion.

8. You're never over dressed.

9. I love, love, love houses.

10. I'm a water and sun bug. I teach and coach swim teams all summer and boating is my favorite. I cried the first time I saw the ocean (which was 8 months ago, by the way) and I never wanted to leave

11. Little moments are sentimental to me. My love languages are quality time and touch.

12. I'm the messiest cook in all the land. But my food is (almost) always delicious.

13. I'll probably be a little bit awkward at first, but I can promise you laughs, photos, tears, long drives, and frozen yogurt in our friendships.

 xoxo, mo.

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Thanks for the post, Morgan! Be sure to check our her blog here.

I'll probably be posting once a week, so yay for that! Weekends are really the only time we do anything photo-worthy haha.

XOXO
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E

hiking the y

So, on Friday we hiked the Y! It's pretty much the stereotypical thing to do when in Provo. Haha. It was fun finally doing it! When I say fun, I definitely mean I whined the whole way up and had to take a break at each switchback (out of shape much?) BUT when we got to the top it was so beautiful! Forgive the picture overload that is about to happen. It's was just so pretty! Hopefully one day I can do it without being such a baby, haha. But, it was definitely worth it!

Special thanks to my oh so lovely husband for planning a great date night!

XOXO
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E

guest post #2: mila

Today we have Mila from Much Love, Mila! She is one of the few bloggers I know in real life. The thing I love most about her blog is her photography (remember these pictures she took of me)! She is one talented gal. Also, I love that she just got married and that I have another friend in my boat :) She has amazing style and is from Latvia! So, basically just a cool person all around.

I am also posting over on her blog today! So, check it out if you'd like.

For today's post I asked her to share five of her very favorite photos (that she has taken) and to tell why they are her favorite. Without further ado...

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This was during my trip to California right after high school graduation. That year is a good reminder that I still had a lot to learn although I may feel like I'm almighty. We slept on the beach (which is illegal, oops) and acted like hobos for a week straight. However it was such a fun time. We ended up peaking into a shop that had all these cool, vintage gadgets and I didn't want to leave. There was a story behind every item and I just loved listening to the owner of the shop talk about those items.

Let me just say if you want to make the bestest friend in the whole entire world, live with a stranger for 8 months. My roommate and I, during our first year of college became extremely close. It was a nice reminded that life doesn't just end right after high school and friendships (sometimes even much stronger friendships) are made after high school. We seriously had a lot of fun together.

Aren't mirror pictures the worst? Well, this one was taken in Latvia in 2011 therefore it makes it 100x better. It's sort of a confusing one. My sister and I are standing right in the middle of my grandma's room. Note she has pink walls and a brown rug on the floor. And past the mirror to the left you can see through the doorway into the living room. Also note all the crazy colors and carpets. That place is so unique and basically my favorite. My husband and I always laugh about how they put rugs on everything.

This is another picture from my trip taken in Latvia but this one is in 2013. There's a bridge in Riga, Latvia that has all of these locks on them. Newlyweds and even long-time married folks hang these up with their names engraved into them. When I saw these, that night I was talking to my husband (at that time he was just my boyfriend) on the phone and I told him how much I would like to hang one up there for when I get married (at that time I didn't know I was going to marry him). He told me that he has walked passed that bridge 2 years ago and thought the same thing to himself (at that time, we didn't even know each other). I just thought it was so crazy that we saw this bridge in a small town, 10,000 miles away from where we live now, at different times and thought the same thing. Ever since then it has been our goal to go over there and hang up a lock with our names on them. We save away any money we can so we can take a trip together, have him meet my folks and put a lock on that darn bridge. (:

Of course I couldn't go without giving you a picture of the most important person in my life. We got hundreds of pictures from our formal session (still haven't gotten any back from our wedding day though..*tear*) so it was hard to pick a favorite one. I love this one though because this was the first time he has seen me in my dress. I remember it was such a special moment because he had the most endearing look in his eyes. He makes me feel like I'm the most precious thing he has ever had. He is my number 1 fan and is always supportive in anything I do. It's so great being able to have the most supportive human right by me. He really is the best guy out there (sorry, Em.)

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There you have it! Thanks for the post, Mila! Make sure to check out her blog here. I love the photos she posts and her wedding was the most adorable. I'm dying to see pictures from that!

XOXO

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E

a guest post cause school is crazy

I've got some tests coming up, so instead of being absent from this blog, I've decided to share some of my very favorite blogs over the next couple days! The first is Leney from A Girl Named Leney. My favorite thing about her blog is the beautiful photography and the absolutely beautiful things she knits. Make sure to check it out!

Without further ado... Here's Leney!

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I've become somewhat of a morning person this past month or so. There's something rather lovely about waking up and getting your day started when the sun is getting started too. It also has to do with the feelings of this quote. Coffee has also become quite a routinely thing for me in the mornings as well.

I don't even think it's really the aspect of "I have to have it or I will be a zombie for the rest of the day", because honestly I'm quite fine without it (then again maybe I'm just not addicted yet). But I like the routine of it. The act of going downstairs, heating up a cup of it and walking back upstairs with it to do devotions and check email and get my day started. It's nice to have little routines sometimes. It gives you a starting point for things. A point at which you can know how things are going to turn out afterwards and plan accordingly from there. Granted we should always hold our routines loosely and remain flexible, because there will inevitably be unforeseeable changes and interruptions at times, but I think it's okay to have them still. Just so long as they don't become the end all be all for us.

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There you have it, folks! Be sure to check out her blog, because it is lovely! Here are her links: Blog, Facebook, Etsy, Twitter.

XOXO

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E

Elaine French Bakery

Excuse me while I die from happiness. I forgot how much I love the french bakery. Especially now that they have macarons! Today I got Paris-Brest, and a chocolate and strawberry macaron. If you live close to Orem, go! It's owned by the nicest, cutest french guy!

Paris-Brest was delicious! I couldn't eat the whole thing. Good thing cute husbands exist, right?

I've only had the strawberry macaron so far, but OH MY it was delicious. Trust me, I tasted pretty much every macaron in Utah Valley for my wedding, so I know when they are good. Haha.

And finally, the most delicious breakfast that I am forever obsessed with. Toast with avocado, scrambled egg, and salt, with apples and milk. YUM. The thing I like the most about this semester is my mornings. I don't have school until 11 or 12 every day, so I have sooooo much time in the morning. I love having my slow morning routine! 

Does anyone else watch Bates Motel? I had to stop watching One Tree Hill for a little while, because I was getting incredible bored of the constant crying and drama. So, I started Bates Hotel thinking it would be a whatever-show, but it's actually really good! I'm a sucker for horror though, especially good horror. So, seeing the life of Norman Bates as a kid is really interesting! I find myself trying to diagnose everyone in the show to practice my disorder knowledge, haha.

I never know how to end posts. Like, I feel weird just ending without saying bye, but then it's like, why do I need to say bye? This isn't human interaction. Maybe I will just start ending it when I run out of things to say. Like, in those post I would have just ended after the previous paragraph. It just feels mean when I do that, ya know? Like I envision it as me going up to someone, talking a bunch, and then just walking away. Ah! Maybe I am over thinking this.

XOXO
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