Two Dutch Braids to Braided Bun

It's official. AJ's folks are coming home today. Today. It's finally here. After a year and a half, they're already back. It went so fast and yet at the beginning it seemed like forever away. Funny how time does that.

We've been packing like fools lately. Just filling and stacking boxes like it's going out of style. I'm so nervous about moving the big stuff like our dressers and bed. I can't wait til it's over and done.

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(Getting ice cream)

Me: "No I don't want one."

[what I heard]

AJ: "Will you shower with me?"

Me: "No I showered yesterday."

AJ: "What?"

Me: "What'd you say?"

AJ: "Will you share with me?"

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(Eating dinner)

Me: "I was going to ask you something but now I can't remember what it was...."

AJ: "What's your favorite color? ... What's the maximum airspeed velocity of a sparrow?"

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(Before watching a movie)

Me: "I need to shower."
AJ: "No. I showered this morning."
Me: "....Huh?"

My Quick Spring Wish List

one / two / three / four

Four Braids Wrapped

It's Monday again. This past weekend really felt like a three-day weekend. I'm not even sure why. Maybe because I stayed busy the whole time. It was just so nice. We officially have a new home. We're moving in this weekend. AJ's parents arrive home on Thursday so we've been packing stuff up like banchees.

Saturday, we went and checked out the new shopping center at City Creek in SLC. Have you been there yet? It was a mad house. I was all anxious and eager to get out of there. We basically walked through it and then back again. I'm not a huge fan of dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodging past people.

Can I just say that I am so excited that it's almost April. I am so excited for warm weather and for my family to come visit. There is just nothing quite like the summer.

Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies

Photo



Peanut Butter and Nutella Swirl Cookies

Enough said.

Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Approx. 1/4 cup Nutella


Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix until well blended.

Add flour, baking soda and salt. Drizzle Nutella on top of the dough then swirl it through the dough with a butter knife.

Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll into balls by hand. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Using a fork, press down the balls to flatten slightly. Bake until edges are very lightly browned (about 7 to 10 minutes).

Allow to rest 2 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.

Adapted from: Sweetest Kitchen

TOMS Ballet Flats

Have you seen the new Ballet Flats from TOMS?

They are so dang cute and I've never been super huge on flats. These babies I might just need to get my hands on. My favorites are the Katia Chambray and the Isabel Burlap. I'd recommend going to Nordstroms if you get some though. I just found out they have a year warranty on their items and will replace anything that wears out before then.

Have a great weekend!

All day Wednesday I thought it was Friday. All day Thursday I thought it was Friday. At work I though tomorrow was Saturday, on my walks at night I thought tomorrow was Saturday, AJ would say things like "tomorrow isn't Saturday, it's Friday." It was exasperating. How and why was I getting my days so mixed up. It was exhausting realizing over and over that tomorrow wasn't Saturday. It's 70 degrees outside so naturally I'm confused about why I have to sit in an office all day every day.

Last night I tried to do my own hair melting trick. The hair around my ears started turning purple so I promptly gave up and washed it out before anything drastic happened. Then made a proper appointment with a proper stylist. I hate the hair melting. I've tried it so many times I'm literally scared of the thing. I want it but I can never get it. It's like this unspoken rule that the universe has conjured up against me; I am forbidden to achieve it.

I've got some tutorials planned for this weekend and next week. I feel like I'm getting a little out there with these new styles. It's literally, braid and pin, braid and wrap, braid and set on fire. Just kidding but not really.

Lovely links:

A great site with tons of outfit ideas

Great colored denim

Some spring bouquets

I could spend hours looking through these cute animal pics

Cute hair wraps for summer, here and here

A cute pic but I'm worried about the gumballs

The new ballet flats

Homemade granola bars

A great DIY sugar scrub

Where those silly ecards come from

Easter holiday centerpieces

Have a great weekend!

Katniss Signature Braid

[Photo credits 1, 2]

Do you have tickets to the Hunger Games yet? I do not but I plan to see it soon. I decided I'd rather avoid the heavy crowds and lines and see it a very days late. But on to more important matters. The Katniss braid. Her braid is actually a fairly simple Dutch Braid, the upside down French braid, continued down into a side braid. You can see my tutorial here for a Dutch Braid and a similar tutorial here for the side braid.

I haven't been this excited for a movie since ever.

Lace Braid to Bun

This is by far my favorite look. When I want to wear my hair up, which is usually everyday, this is my go-to. I've done a similar style with a dutch braid but I wanted to see if I could pull it off with a lace braid.

How's your Wednesday going?

AJ started a new schedule this week so it's been quite a change having him at home the past two nights. Usually he works nights and I only see him on the weekend so he's like an invader now disrupting my usually quiet nights. I get home from work and don't know what to do with myself because it's like a Saturday night every night now. It's strange having this much time together because in the entire time we've known each other we've never had more than the weekend.

It's supposed to be in the 70's this weekend. I'm jumping up and down squealing like a little school girl in my head. I can't wait to stop wearing nylons!

LC Braids

Lauren Conrads many braids.
It's amazing how many different looks she's done over the past years with braids at the forefront. I am slacking on my tutorials because I need to color my hair and I can't decide if I want to. Okay okay I don't want to. Maybe that's the problem. I don't normally go this long without getting my roots done. I'm just tired of the same old so I've been on a hair hiatus lately. Just letting it be; wearing the same pony tail day after day.  Maybe I can get a little inspiration from LC and it'll boost me into action.


Weekend weekend!
How was it?
What'd you do for St. Patrick's Day?

Quotes:
[Talking on the phone to AJ]
Me: "Why is it so windy?"
AJ: "I'm walking. I walk so fast I make wind."

Friday!



I can't even believe it's Friday again. My weeks fly by. I'm not complaining. It just blows my mind. Pretty soon I'm gonna be 60 and think "where'd the time go?" In the meantime I'll just be doing random braids all over my head.

Two weeks til we could be moving out. It's coming so quickly. We still haven't confirmed where we're living and the stress is getting a little exciting. I want to move out but I don't want to commit to any place yet because the idea is nerve-wracking. It shouldn't be that big of a deal but for some reason I'm just too picky for my own good. I just thought I was picky about food but apparently I'm picky about everything.

I really want to go skiing this weekend but I don't really know what we'll be doing. Maybe just laying low. Last night when I got home from work I flopped down on the bed on my stomach reading my book and right away Gucci squeezed in between my arms, laid on his back and rested his head on my book looking at me like, "love on  me." He's such a silly dog, always trying to get my attention; my favorite little boy.

What are your weekend plans? Anything crazy, out of the ordinary?

Four Twisted Messy Buns

I keep seeing tutorials done this way and I've been wanting to try it. It was a whole lot easier than filming because I can do or redo anything that doesn't work out and then just snap a quick picture of each step. Of course it leaves out how each bun is pinned and how I loosened each knot to achieve a more disheveled look.

What do you think?

Was this harder to follow?

Summer Vacation

Cabo San Lucas

What kind of vacation do you look forward to most?
Do you prefer a scheduled itinerary with lots of sight-seeing or one with a lot of lounging and making plans as you go?

When is the right time for a baby?

via

This question seems obvious; is there ever really a perfect time to have a baby? 
When you really aren't sure and can't help but wonder [like I am], you really want to know.

Recently, I had 7 friends who were all pregnant at the same time. The same time. Now they all have babies, some of them baby #2. When I made this realization it was a lot to take in. Especially when the thought to join them and follow suit hadn't ever entered my tiny little brain.

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?
I'm sick today so I'll be laying low.
It's Spring outside and I can barely contain my excitement.
Perfect for some Spring skiing ;)

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Quotes from the weekend:

(talking about Gooch)
AJ: "He's so cute."
Me: "He's furry in all the right places."

AJ: "Yesterday he jumped from off the top of the couch to the floor."
Me: "He's such a show-off."
AJ: "and then he biffed it.....like tumbled."

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(trying to push AJ's car by myself)
AJ: "You show it who's boss."

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...and some Michael Scott quotes

(trying to lift the lid off the ice cream)
Me: "I cant get it up."

(the car is parked next to bushes so I cant get in the passenger side)
Me: "Maybe you should pull out."

Have a great weekend!

What are you planning?
We haven't really discussed what we're doing yet. AJ mentioned going flying but he wasn't feeling well yesterday so my intuition is telling me he'll be sleeping most of the weekend and I'll be keeping myself busy with cleaning and packing.
Sayonara for now!
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Victoria, from Unlock your World tagged me in the 11 questions post


For those of you who are unaware of rules in a communal tag- here they are!
- You must post these rules.
- Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
- Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
- You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
- Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
- No tag backs.
- No stuff in the tagging section about 'you are tagged if you are reading this'. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Eleven things about me

1 - People always tell me I look familiar. It's so common it annoys me when people ask.
2 - I don't like wearing my hair down.
3 - My biggest fear is becoming paralyzed or in a vegetative state.
4 - When I drive the speed limit I get this anxious itching all over like I've given up on life.
5 - I have a fetish with people's hands and love to watch them.
6 - I don't like being the center of attention but I appreciate being noticed.
7 - Growing up I always wanted to be a spy and learn hand-to-hand combat.
8 - I have a four-year degree and they were the best five years of my life.
9 - I don't like wearing colors or prints or clothes that are too tight.
10 - I've always wanted to experience "Groundhog Day"; living the same day over and over.
11 - I'm not usually superstitious but I won't pick up a penny that's tails up but I'll flip it over for someone else.

Victoria's Questions for me

1. Where would you love to travel? The Sea of Cortez or Cabo
2. What is your favorite season? Autumn
3. What do you love about blogging? Being beneficial to others
4. Who is your very best friend? AJ
5. What are 3 things that you NEVER leave the house without? Underwear, shoes, mascara
6. What is one bad habit you have? I assume what someone will say and interject
7. Beach or Mountains? Beach
8. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up? a spy
9. What candy describes your personality? Tootsie pop; hard on the outside, soft in the middle
10. Where is your favorite place to shop? Ross
11. What is your favorite spring trend? Platform Wedges
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My Questions for You!
I tag everyone who reads this.

1. What would you do with a million dollars?
2. If you could have one superpower what would it be?
3. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
4. What is your biggest fear?
5. What's your greatest accomplishment?
6. What's the hardest thing you've ever experienced?
7. What's your most embarrassing moment?
8. What's your favorite hobby?
9. If you were an animal what would you be?
10. What's your favorite part of your body?
11. What would you tell your 16 year old self?

Two or Three Twists to Bun: Inspired by Nikki Reed

The first time I did this hairstyle I got four twists in, no problem. Then the next time I did it with three twists and by the time I filmed it I could only get two twists to work properly. They can just be slippery to pin down and I started getting frustrated so I just left it at two. My picture shows three twists but the finished video shows two. I'm sure if you wanted to do six you easily could. How many twists do you like best?

How's your week going? Mine's been a rough one. I'm just a little stressed about moving and situations with friends. My family is coming to visit this summer and I couldn't be more excited. They live across the Pond so I only get to see them about once a year if I'm lucky. It's how its always been so I'm used to it by now. It makes seeing them that much more exciting every time.

I'm getting so anxious for summer. I keep dreaming every night about laying by the pool and reading a good book. I just don't think there's anything quite as relaxing as that. Speaking of books, the Hunger Games movie is finally almost here. I remember back in December thinking how far away March seemed and now we're already almost half-way through...almost.

I'm excited to not have to wear tights and nylons to work anymore as soon as it's warm enough. Have you heard the song "We are Young" by Fun? It's amazing. The best drinking song if I ever heard one, if I was a big drinker. My brain switches thoughts in an instant. So I better just go or else I'll be here all day.

Random Fact:

Several times while I'm driving I have reached up to change the radio station only to realize that it's not even on. Goes to show that even my own thoughts annoy me and I attempt to change the station.

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie

I took this to the sunday dinner at my relative's house and it was quite a hit. Everyone was raving about it and telling each other to get a slice. It contains all the best, scrumptious ingredients so it is quite the delicious treat.

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie

Serves 10 to 12

8 ounces chocolate cookies
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 ounces finely chopped chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 to 2 bananas
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup creamy-style peanut butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar [powder sugar]
1 – 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Add the cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Combine melted butter and cookie crumbs in a small bowl, and stir with a fork to mix well. Press mixture into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Pour over bottom of cookie crust and spread to the edges using an off-set spatula. Sprinkle chopped banana slices over the melted chocolate. Place pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

Pour the heavy cream into a bowl and beat using a stand mixer or hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a small bowl and store in refrigerator until ready to use. Place the cream cheese and peanut butter in a deep bowl. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioner's sugar. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Increase speed to medium and beat until all the ingredients are combined and filling is smooth.

Stir in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the filling mixture (helps lighten the batter, making it easier to fold in the remaining whipped cream). Fold in the remaining whipped cream. Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan. Drizzle the melted chocolate on top, if using, and refrigerate for three hours or overnight before serving.

[Adapted from Jennie's Kitchen recipe]
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Quotes:

A long time ago AJ found a picture of a man posing in long underwear with one leg up on a block of wood. He named him Jed and decided that this Lumberjack Jed is my secret lover and constantly trying to run away with me. Below is what AJ sent recently in an email after discussing our taxes.

AJ: "Did you see Jed's comment on your blog? That long-john wearing big-boot potatoe-dumpling buddah-body freak is still trying to seduce you!"

*You can see Jed's comment on the previous post, the Upside Down Braid tutorial post.
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After watching Heroes the past two weekends we sometimes have discussions about what our super power would be if we could choose one. Since AJ was sick all Sunday and didn't really eat anything all day he was really hungry on Monday and ate quite a bit that night. When we were finishing dinner  he suddenly says:

AJ: "I know what my skill would be!"
Me: "What? That you can eat anything?"
AJ: "No, that I can go almost two days without eating."

*Yeah, that one's gonna really help save the planet.

Upside Down Dutch Braid to Bun

The thing I love about this hairstyle is that it's a simpe messy top knot with a hint of kick. I believe the top knot to be one of the most convenient methods of getting my hair out of my face.  The first time I saw this look was on my own sister last summer we were traveling around Europe. We wore top knots almost every single day because it was cold and we didn't have electrical outlet converters to plug in our straighteners. Adding a little braid on the back of the head takes the top-knot up a notch to fancy-free :)

What do you think of the look?

Weekend Update

My weekend was busy. It was and it wasn't. It wasn't busy so I made it busy.

AJ went flying early Saturday morning and then air-softing with friends because he just got a new gun. Then in the evening he took some friends flying again. Since he was gone most of the day or busy when he was home I spent the day cooking and cleaning. I made sweet pork in the slow cooker and a peanut butter banana pie. Saturday night we went down to Sandy to spend time with some friends. They both have new babies so it's always fun to see how much they've grown and they're so entertaining to watch.

On Sunday my visiting teachers came.  I never thought I'd say it but I really enjoy when they come. Sometimes being married to a man I forget what it's like to sit and chat with women. It is so much easier to relate to each other and talk about things we all have in common.  AJ was sick on Sunday so I spent the day making honey-lime chicken enchiladas and chocolate chip cookies to eat throughout the week. That night I went with my siblings to Salt Lake to have dinner at my aunt and uncles house. They made enchiladas and I took the peanut butter pie. It was a total hit and the evening was so fun just getting caught up with everyone's lives and situations.

How was your weekend?

Quotes:

We were driving through a gravel parking lot.
Me: "We're off-roading. Yeah baby."
AJ: "Boo-yah Grandma!"
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AJ: "I'm a weird guy."
Me: "I wouldn't say you're weird. I'd say you're a little difficult."

Fried Egg Sandwich

My favorite meal of the day is by far breakfast and one of my favorite foods is eggs and toast. So when I came across this recipe recently from Smitten Kitchen for fried egg sandwiches with bacon and blue cheese I couldn't take my eyes from the screen and immediately made plans to create this savory concoction Saturday morning. Yum!

What's your favorite meal?

Weekend



My hair is finally long enough to wear in a semi-side braid. This is the look I'm sporting today but I can't decide if I like it messier or tighter. What do you think?

I seriously can't believe it's Friday already. It seems like it was just Friday. My weeks are flying past and I'm always ready for the weekend but it scares me how quickly they're coming nowadays. My boss man left for South America and will be gone for a week a half. Party on the homefront. Whoo hoo! This should be my spring break because I can really only take time off when he's gone.

I started reading the second book of the Delirium series. It came out yesterday for Kindle and is called Pandemonium. I'm a quarter through and it's just getting good so I'm anxious to see what happens.

This weekend AJ will be flying up a storm. He's getting checked out in a plane on Saturday morning, then he'll be taking my brother and two friends flying Saturday night and then again with his instructor on Monday. He told me yesterday that he's a binge flyer. I'm just happy he's going up. He needs the hours under his belt and to finish his instrument rating. I tell you what, that man is the happiest man in the world when he gets to go flying.

Since AJ will be busy and Kent and Emma are coming up I'm hoping to spend time with Emma and her cute babes. I love when they come up because they're so fun to hang out with.

What are your plans this weekend?

Practice

I found this gorgeous hairstyle on pinterest and have been practicing at getting it just right so I can host a tutorial for it. I haven't quite mastered the look yet obviously and keep getting a smaller fishtail than I'd like. I'm hoping to get it by this weekend though. Do you like this look and want to see a tutorial?