Oh Steph!: 2012

Marsha comes to visit

My mother, Marsha came to visit a few weeks ago! Since we live on opposite sides of the country, (Oregon vs. Virgina) and that I hate to travel during Christmas time, we don't get to see each other all that often so this was a very special treat. While she was here we decided to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. LB could not take any more time off work and was not able to join us on our little trip, so I got my mom all to myself for a few days.

I thought the weather was great while we were in Williamsburg but Marsha did not agree! Apparently Oregonian's like their weather on the cooler side, luckily the day we spend at Monticello was dang near perfect even to Marsha's high standards.

I loved having my mother come to visit. However, I'm not so such she loved the heat and humidity or sleeping on an air mattress in our tiny studio apartment.

And because you so want to see my vacation pictures:

General Washington giving a rousing speech.

Inside the capital building

Taste testing colonial hot chocolate.

Antigua

At the end of July, LB and I took an amazing vacation to Antigua to celebrate the end of law school and the finishing the bar exam. This was our first real vacation since our honeymoon seven years ago. The trip was amazing, we stayed at the Galley Bay Resort which was fantastic (we can't wait to go back). My only regret is that we did not stay longer!

30 by 30 Up Date

Back in January I made a list of 30 things I wanted to do before I turned 30 - here is an update of what I have accomplished.

8. Visit the beach at least twice - one down, one to go

1~~1. See two ballet/dance performances at The Kennedy Center~~ - saw Paris Opera & NYC Ballet

13. Attend the gym regularly- Working of this, but not doing so well

17. Go on a tropical vacation - we are off to Antigua in July

~~20. Get a passport~~

~~24. Take a trip to Texas~~

25. Move to an apartment with a real bedroom - This is happening in September

~~28. Find my perfect lipstick color and wear it confidently~~ - Mac Syrup

Which means that I really need to get my butt in gear - only 8 months to go!

Seven Years Ago Today

LB and I celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary today! In 2005 we were married in the LDS Logan Temple and while we will be the fist to tell you that marriage is not easy, it was without a doubt the best decision we ever made. Its hard to believe that it has been seven years already - I'm so glad I agreed to that blind date all those years ago!!

Oh how I love these pictures!

Coming out of the Temple

All my exes live in Texas...

No, that's not true - but my best friend Brittany does! It had been over two years since I had seen Brit, so last month I decided it was way past time to take a trip to Texas. While there we took a day trip to Galveston, TX to enjoy the beach, spent time at the ballet studio, and celebrated Brit's birthday. Unfortunately I only took pictures at the beach, in which I look somewhat scary - but I'm posting them anyway for posterity sake.

The beautiful Brit and me

Bradley - the sweetest little boy ever

Miss Clara - my favorite little girl

Visiting Brit and her family was so wonderful, I love the fact that no matter how long it has been since we have seen one another, when we are together it is like no time has passed at all. Worst part of seeing your best friend is it makes you remember just how great life is when they are close by - I may have come home and begged LB for days to find a job in Texas!

Cherry Blossoms

So I'm a little behind with this little blog of mine - but way back in April LB and I checked out the cherry blossoms. I know I have said it before, but the cherry blossom festival is by far one of the best parts about living in the DC area--if you ever get the chance, come visit during the festival (no you can't stay with me)!

P.S. These pictures do not do the blossoms justice so click here!

Thank you notes: How to

One of my goals this year is to consistently write thank you cards. I have noticed that my generation in particular, but others as well don't write thank you notes all the often. Now, I do not think this is because we are ungrateful or that we don't care, but more because we are busy and might not the words to use. However, I came across this great article to day so I thought I would share.

How to Write a Thank-You Note by Leslie Harpold

Working

Sometimes I really miss having a normal job, you know the whole office, 8 to 5, benefits, real health insurance thing. But then there are other days when I don't! To be honest it is sometimes nice that I don't have to get up till 9 am, that I can sport the same hair-do to the gym and then to work, that I can go the whole day without wearing a bra (TMI?), and that I get paid to be bossy.

So are you now thinking of becoming a ballet teacher? Well it will only take you about 10 years of training and performing experience. You know who else goes to school and trains that long? Doctors and Scientists with PhDs - and they make a lot more money!

Fashion Challenge: Pattern Mixing

So I basically failed at this one, I guess there is a bit of a pattern in the sweater but it is not much. I originally had on a purple patterned skirt on but it felt to wild to leave the house in. However, I have to say I really like this outfit, it is definitely out of by comfort zone. I don't think I have worn this sweater for years and not more then a few times, probably not the most useful purchase ever. What do you think? Oh and please ignore my bangs, I know they are bad, I have a hair cut scheduled -- promise!

Skirt: Talbots. Striped Top: Target. Blet: TJ Max. Sweater: Khols?

Fashion Challenge: Channeling Someone

The challenge was to channel someone and I was going for French Sailor but my husband said I looked like Audrey Hepburn. However, you could also say that I am channeling Kate of The Small Things Blog (out right copied) who by the way has the most wonderful hair tutorials, check her out!

Top: Gap. Pants: Banana Republic. Flats: Tahari

Fashion Challenge: What I Wore

I came across this wonderful blog, Freckles in April, that is doing a 10 day fashion challenge and I thought I would take part. So here is what I wore for the challenge to embrace a trend --

I was worried that the animal print with the red pants was a bit much which is the reason for two pictures. I have to say red pants are a stretch for me. Red is not something I own a lot of, so needless to say I was somewhat self conscious at first. So tell me what do you think?

Blazer: JCrew. Red Pants: Old Navy. Scarf: JCrew. Boots: Vince Camuto.

30 by 30

(photo from here)

Today I turn 29! Which means that the big 30 is lurking just around the corner -- goodness that was painful to admit. Instead of setting New Years resolutions that I would more then likely not keep, I decided to make the typical blogger cliche list of 30 things I would like to do/buy/accomplish by the time I turn 30. So, with out further ado here is my list...

1. Make Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon

2. Visit a Frank Lloyd Wright house

3. Buy a business/dress suit

4. Read the Book of Mormon

5. Learn to make French Macaroons

6. Quit Soda – well at least caffeine

7. Finish at least one of the many sewing projects I have stated

8. Visit the beach at least twice

9. Take a ballet class

10. Visit a spa and get a massage

11. See two ballet/dance performances at The Kennedy Center

12. Take a road trip

13. Attend the gym regularly

14. Do family history and temple work for at least one of my female ancestors

15. Visit Mt. Vernon on bike

16. Take a tour of Ford’s Theater

17. Go on a tropical vacation

18. Take in a baseball game

19. Get a dog

20. Get a passport

21. Learn how to parallel park

22. Go camping

23. Buy a food processor and/or a KitchenAid mixer

24. Take a trip to Texas

25. Move to an apartment with a real bedroom

26. Cook a turkey

27. Consistently write thank you cards

28. Find my perfect lipstick color and wear it confidently

29. Visit my grandparents

30. I am going to keep #30 a secret for now -- sorry

school, school, and more school

Let talk grad-school. I currently have a major love/hate relationship with higher education. If you remember, back in April I was so very nervous and excited about going to grad-school (read about it here). The first semester of school was stressful, I started off taking 12 credits (because I'm crazy) almost had a nervous breakdown and suffered weird dizzy spells -- then I wised up and dropped a class, at which point school got sooooo much better. I actually passed bio-statistics - thanks to my math tutor of a husband, I made a friend - which is a big deal because I suck at making friends, and I managed to not fail out the first semester - something I was sure would happen. However, grad-school has not been everything I had built it up to be in my head, I don't know what I expected but I guess I was just hoping for more. With that said, school has been good for me in a lot of ways, to have a goal has helped with the depression, and it is so nice to have my own thing to focus on. So, this week LB started his last semester of law school and I go back next week; while I am trying to stay focused on school I am so ready for the next phase of our lives to start, it feels like we have been stuck in the same place forever, jumping though one hoop after another, and I am so ready to move on!