An awesome weekend.

I feel like I've written at least 5 posts lately that I just haven't finished! And I have a list of future posts that I'd like to write too.

Anywho, our weekend was filled with:

• assisting Whitney at a wedding and taking loads of candids that I can use for my own portfolio!! (but unfortunately being away from Ryan all day on Friday [sad face] 
• a headache followed by an awesome mini mini photoshoot done by fellow intern Lana (see a few of my favorites below, go here and here to see more of her work) that made my headache go away!!
• walking around the mall trying to figure out just how I want to use my $50 gift certificate to the mall (I just can't decide!!) while Ry was so patient with me
• eating leftovers then playing Settlers of Catan with the LeMeistre's (and getting destroyed by Josh)
• making awesome meals like Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce ( I really hope our future kids won't be picky and will love our love for a wide range of foods from all over) and cheesecake bars--I'll post the recipes soon, promise.
• Watching SALT, along with some Psych (my new favorite instant Netflix show) and Modern Family (LOVE it) and playing a little MarioKart too.

Other than the headache it was a pretty positive weekend. But this awful non-spring weather is killin me! Enjoy some pictures and get ready for some blog overloads this week!

Can you tell which one is my favorite?

Settling on a Law School

Last night Emily and I made a trip to Salt Lake City where the University of Arizona hosted a small reception for admitted students. We met in the main conference room of Snell and Wilmer which had a beautiful view of the capitol building and of Temple Square. Present were several members of the admissions board, a handful of Arizona alumni who work in Utah and about 10 admitted students and their guests.

The visited proved to be very informative. Several of the alumni recommended a few clinics the school offers, such as the domestic violence clinic and the immigration/human rights law clinic. Emily found it encouraging that everyone we spoke to mentioned how much they grew to love Tucson, even after their first impressions almost scared them away!

Next weekend I'll be making the journey to Washington and Lee in Lexington, VA, to see what they have to offer. Hope all goes well!

I'll leave you with an interesting map I came across today. It is amazing how this map seems to correlate with other cleavages in the country, like education and wealth.

Mmm Dessert.

Each month I go out to eat with the other receptionists and office manager at work and today we went to Gloria's Little Italy. I'm not a huge fan of Gloria's (it's pricey and I'd pick Terra Mia, buy the Orem mall, over it each time) and probably won't go back there for lunch or dinner before we leave

BUT

their desserts are SUPER good. I don't even know the name of the one I got--it had nutella, so I just had to get it, but I thoroughly recommend it, as well as the Strawberry carriage, and then another strawberry one (I think they both had strawberries on top on the picture on the menu) was SO good.

In conclusion, go to Gloria's, but just for dessert. Totally worth it.

A Project 52 post

I've recently joined an online photography group, so as to keep me out of a rut. I love photography, but I don't always have a photography session planned and sometimes I'm nervous to just go out and take pictures since most of the time I look like a dork and am semi-scared of the questions that will be asked. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I've got to practice to be as good as one, right?

This week's theme is "in your jewelry box" so today I went outside (after working out, then changing back into regular clothes, while my hair looked totally crazy, btw), took my jewelry box around, and took pictures! I got stopped a few times and answered questions, and it wasn't half bad! The experiment is working! Anyway, I'll post more of these/the rest of these on my photography blog, along with a little history of the pieces, but I thought I'd lure you over there with a few pictures from today. More, and my absolute favorite will be posted tomorrow and later in the week so keep checking the the other blog [[ pretty please :) ]]

***on a side note, it turns out I don't really wear any of the pieces in my jewelry box unless they're earrings. but they've all got a special place in my heart so I'll keep holding on to them.

Broccoli Salad

*I'm blogging and watching the BYU/Gonzaga game--I'm in love with Jimmer Fredette

now back to your regular programming...

So a few months ago I totally had an addiction to this broccoli salad. We made it twice a week. I could have eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was definitely THAT good. We ended up adjusting on the dressing, since I think it made a little more than we needed, but if you don't have a go-to broccoli salad recipe, this should definitely become it.

Broccoli Salad
from the Taste and Tell blog

4 stalks broccoli, chopped
5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup diced apple
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon, sunflower seeds, raisins, red onion and apple. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, mayonnaise and sugar. Pour vinegar mixture over the broccoli mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

I'm a Mormon, yes I am.

*My disclaimer: Don't be offended at this. I think it's pretty funny and true, but would also love to know your thoughts. I'm all for some discussion, people!

So I absoutely LOVE this post I found online the other day. It's funny and pretty legit, too. Also, I love her disclaimer (go to the original post to see it). And I have to say, I'm guilty of liking many of these things. But really, I love that this stuff is "in" right now. I love being creative and broadening my horizons and I'm so glad so many people are in the same boat as me (and you definitely don't have to be Mormon to do any of these things, which is RAD). Also, although my photog business is currently a non-for-profit (AKA free for all who want to help me build my portfolio while getting some smashing pictures to put on their walls) it's legit, and not just a fling thing, promise.

Thanks to Kathryn from Talkin' Chow Playin' House

Stuff Mormon Girls Like
(Compiled by me + Erin + Corinne + SJB + other various contributors. Smart & funny girls.)

Vampire Books
Anthropologie ("Anthro")
Etsy shops
Typing in all lowercase letters
Digital SLR's & starting mediocre photography businesses 
The word lovely
American Idol
Husband (the word + it's massive over use)
Cupcakes
Big girl's weekends to big cities (DC, New York, LA - depending on geography)
Shade shirts with spaghetti strap dresses / tops over them
Shade clothing
Tankinis
Scrapbooking
Digiscrapbooking
Book clubbing + small food
Baking
Crafting
Mechanical bull riding for parties, birthdays, etc.
Natural birth
Divine family planning (i.e. we'll have children when HF thinks we're ready / need more)
Josh Groban
Game night / board games (Settlers of Catan, Bunko)
JCrew
Banana Republic dresses
Silhouettes
Running half marathons
Bangs
Diet Coke addictions
The Pioneer Woman
Headbands with flowers
Headbands with massive flowers on babies
Dwell
The movie Mean Girls
Throw pillows
Handmade throw pillows
Vinyl lettering with inspirational phrases
Stampin' Up
Homemade Cafe Rio
Dashboard Confessional
Designer jeans
Victorias secret underwear (pre-marriage)
Frozen yogurt 
Mild cuss words
Decorating with a giant letter (last name initial, etc.)
Giant bridal / wedding pictures on a prominent wall
DIY projects
Blogging!! (This could be a separate post in & of itself)
Design blog-blogging
Highlights
Photoshop (& overuse of photoshop)
Wicked the musical
Red lipstick, whether flattering or not

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ok, well other than putting that title on here, this post has nothing to do with St. Patty's Day. The other night Ryan and I were watching our instant netflix (seriously, the best.) and Ryan was just cracking up. I love when that boy really laughs. I mean, not just a "haha, that's sort of funny and I'm a nice guy so I'll give a little laugh" but a REAL one. So I thought I'd let y'all laugh a little too and show you one of the SNL clips that was the best.

*also, did you know that Will Ferrell will be on The Office for a couple of episodes when Steve Carell leaves? Heck yes, I'm excited.*


Obama/McCain Debate with Tom Brokaw

Amazing tilapia and salad with homemade dressing

Ok so the recipe was actually for salmon, but we had tilapia from Costco so I used that instead. It was so delicious! We're pretty big into fish and thanks to Costco we can get a pretty sweet deal for fresh but frozen seafood. Their tilapia is cheap and so good! Back to the dinner-- the recipe title was Citrus Salmon and the dressing was a honey vinaigrette. What can I say…we like things sweet around here. Especially when it was still chilly outside and I like to pretend that it's summer year round :) The oj and paprika work great together so I highly recommend this dish as your next seafood meal.

Citrus Salmon (or tilapia or any other white fish)
*adapted from a 2009 Costco cookbook
1/4 cup orange juice
2T evoo
1 1/2 t dried thyme
4 filets fish
1T brown sugar
1t paprika
1/2t salt

Mix orange juice, olive oil and 1t dried thyme and put in plastic bag with salmon. Marinate in fridge for a few hours (or at least 30 minutes if you're short on time). Then take out and discard marinade. Mix 1/2t thyme with the brown sugar, paprika and salt and rub on tilapia before using your handy dandy George Foreman (thanks Brynn/Mom!) or lining a pan lined with foil and putting in a 400 degree preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. If using a George Foreman it should take about 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

Also, there's an orange relish that originally went on top of the fish once done, but I didn't have time/resources to make it that night. If I ever get around to it, I'll be sure to let you know.

Honey Vinaigrette
3T evoo
2T red wine vinegar
2T orange juice
3T pecans/walnuts/whatever nut you like, chopped
2T honey
salt and pepper

Mix (I like to add all the ingredients to a canning jar and then seal and shake to my heart's content), chill for a bit, and then enjoy!
We made our go-to salad of romaine, dried craisins, feta and walnuts and mixed this dressing with it. SO good.

a video to make up for my absence.

Note the weird shape my mouth makes when I dance. I'm totally a natural.

Taken this past Christmas at the Dilles. We heart Just Dance2!

#22 Done!

Have I mentioned lately that I'm a terrible blogger? Oh well. I'm finally getting around to posting my amazing birthday present of seeing The Nutcracker! It knocks of #22 of our 101 things in 1001 days. The Arizona Ballet puts on this amazing production each year and I'm super grateful that Ryan bought us tickets. The play was seriously amazing and I can't wait to see it again and go see more ballets!

Also, the night started out fantastic since we went to a tiny and TERRIFIC mexican food place in Phoenix called El Bravo. I have seriously dreamt that we went back so I could eat all the delicious food all over again. I got the tamales and Ryan got an enchilada. My tamales were sooooo good. I think it was three different kinds? Seriously good. As a warning, you do have to buy the chips and salsa, which was a turn off at first for me, but this place is totally worth it. When's the next time we're going to Phoenix, Ry? I could go just for this food. And for family, of course :)

this describes me perfectly

I love my sisters so much, but they love fashion and know fashion way more than me. So, as I was blog surfing today, I found this statement from one of the authors and found that there's someone out there just like me in the universe!

"I don't have shopping sprees for clothes but flowers and cheese get me almost every time!"

Also, we currently have 7 different kinds of cheeses in our fridge right now, to prove a bit of the point.

Black eyed pea Dip

So this New Years dip post may be a tad bit late, but this dip was so good. I can't wait to make it again for a party. Who wants to invite me to a party so I can make this dip??? Heh.

thanks pw for the photo :)

Anyway, here's the recipe, courtesy of the great pioneer woman.

Ingredients

• 1 can (14-ounce) Can Black-eyed Peas
• ¼ whole Onion, Chopped Fine
• ¼ cups Sour Cream
• 8 slices Jarred Jalapenos (we omitted the jalepenos since we didn't have any, and used the regular black eyed peas)
• 1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 3 Tablespoons Salsa
• Hot Sauce, to taste
• Salt And Black Pepper To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain black-eyed peas and partially mash, leaving some whole.

Add all other ingredients, stirring to combine.

Spread into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips (and try not to eat the whole thing by yourself in one sitting!)!

*Note: if you have them available, you can use the canned black-eyed peas and jalapenos (they’re canned together.) If you do this, you can omit the extra jalapenos.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

I don't think that I've mentioned that I made this cake before. Well, at least my google search tells me I haven't blogged about it. And I sort-of trust it. Anyway, I made this in the fall I think... and took it to a mini college reunion dinner and it was way good. I haven't made it since because I'm a terrible person and have bookmarked a bajillion things that I want to make, but if I wasn't such a terrible person I would have definitely made it again since strawberries were on sale last week. Oh well.

Make this recipe. It's another PW one, and it's wayyyy good.

I hate taco bell

Has anyone heard of the whole Taco Bell being sued thing? Here's a little exerpt that I found, and I've highlighted the absolutely scary and alarming parts that make me despise all things fast food (although I'll always have a love for Chik-fil-a, but they're a classy fast food establishment so they're totally excluded).

"Alabama attorney W. Daniel "Dee" Miles III started the beef brouhaha after filing a false-advertising suit that claims Taco Bell mislabels its products by telling consumers they are eating "beef" or "seasoned ground beef," despite having the product labeled internally as "taco meat filling."

That jargony term comes from the United States Department of Agriculture, which has a 202-page labeling and policy book that is designed to help manufacturers prepare product labels that are truthful and not misleading.

According to the USDA, which regulates the nation's meat supply, "taco meat filling" is required to contain at least 40 percent fresh meat and must be labeled with the product name, including the word "filling."
But that requirement applies to raw meat sold by manufacturers. The USDA doesn't regulate what companies such as restaurants can describe to their customers in advertisements as "beef," "chicken" or "meat," said USDA press officer Neil Gaffney.

The Federal Trade Commission is the agency that regulates whether or not advertising is deceptive. The FTC has no specific rules that define what can be advertised as meat or beef, said Betsy Lordan, an FTC spokeswoman."


Gross, right? Fast food places can call anything they want chicken or beef or meat and people have absolutely no idea what else they're eating. Ew.

When we were excited to watch BYU basketball...

So before the whole Davies honor code issue, we were all super-pumped to watch the SDSU/BYU bball game and the Doxeys invited us over for the game, awesome 7-layer dip, and afterwards we played a crazy little game of "in the manner of the adverb." Has anyone ever heard of that and loves it? I definitely had never heard of it and I absolutely loved it.

Here's the whole group:

And here's the group acting "ferocious"--ferociously was the last word of the game and I had such a hard time guessing, but it was all worth it--watching everyone act out the word as they were a lifeguard saving a kid, getting their driver's license for the first time, building a house, and teaching a kindergarten class (they all just looked like angry cats to me…). It was definitely a riot.