{courtney ann}

friday favorites: pseudo party time

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and while I am tempted to throw a Valentine's party, the likelihood of that actually happen is slim. In fact, I can tell you with a surety that it will not happen. Probably. But if I were to throw a party, I would want it to entail all of the following...

1. printable Valentine's tags

found at eighteen25.

don't be surprised if this exact gift happens to show up on your door.

2. glittered mason jars

found at the sweetest occasion.

glittered mason jars are so glam.

if i were to host a party, these would be my glassware of choice.

3. cupcake liner pom poms

found at traditionally modern designs

no explanation is needed for these beauties, except that i will use them just as fast as i can.

and while you're blog browsing, try this one on for size. sweet and crafty.be prepared to lose hours.

4. essie spring

every party host needs the perfect manicure for the party. my choice? Orange, It's Obvious.

yes, please.

5. and since the party would not be complete without the perfect outfit, i would wear this one...

far left.

from atlantic-pacific.

happy friday!

friday favorites: wardrobe wishes

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

i'm on a spending sabbatical for the month of january,

so i've been wistfully browsing online.

but if i weren't on a spending sabbatical,

and if i had an unlimited budget

i would snag these little beauties in an instant.

1. leopard loafers

$375, no biggie.

2. mint and navy silk blouse

not to worry, this blouse is only $493.

3. la mer wrap watch

and this little gem is a mere $140.

4. jules dress

$188. come feb. 1, this baby is mine.

i've already set my sights on her, and i'm already planning outfits.

5. stripe sweater skirt

$158. maybe this one is a little more realistic. and practical.

wow. look at that.

my spending sabbatical has saved me over $1300!

on another note: we're headed to las vegas this weekend to celebrate a bachelorette party.

i'm pretty sure i'm going to have to lie about my age and try and pass for a 22 year old. and that will be difficult when i'm ready for bed at 9 pm.

and another perk? boyfriend gave me a spending sabbatical reprieve for one day in las vegas.
hallelujah!

forks over knives

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

i watched a documentary a few weeks ago, forks over knives.

and it raised my curiosity.

it examines the claims that a lot of diseases and sicknesses can be prevented and reversed by controlling our eating. specifically rejected animal-based and processed foods. read: everything i like to eat.

all throughout the film, i had that nagging feeling when you know you should do something but you don't want to. you know that feeling you get when you know you should go to the gym, but you really don't want to? or when you know you should help your friend move, but again, you don't want to? mm hmm. that one.

and then i found out brother was doing it. and brother's girlfriend was doing it. and then i decided that i could do it too.

monday was day 1 of my plant based diet, and it went a little something like this:

notice the exchange at 12:49 PM. the craving for a cheese stick struck. less than 24 hours after my resolve to engage in a plant-based diet.

but,

i refrained. instead, i snacked on almonds. and here we are, on day 3 of the challenge.

fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts. you're all mine.

who needs shredded chicken salads with tomatillo dressing, or turkey and string cheese roll-ups? certainly not me.

two days down, twenty eight to go!

make it monday: diy dorothy draper dresser

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

this dresser has been on my list of things to do for months now. literally. actually, almost a year. you can see the original diy tutorial on marcus design. she's pretty incredible.

materials needed:

ikea rast dresser

black spray paint

gold acrylic paint

stencil

decorative knobs

paint brushes

step 1: assemble dresser. note: if i were to do this over again, i would sand the dresser before spray painting. i didn't do this, and the wood is a bit unfinished and not smooth, even after the spray paint.

step 2: spray paint dresser. i used three coats.

step 3: print stencil pattern and create stencils. tape onto dresser drawers using painter's tape. note: i'm incredibly bitter that i found these stencil layouts after completing this project. buy them HERE.

step 4: fill in stencil to create design. i used three coats here as well.

step 5: add drawer hardware.

easy, peasy and under $50. (easy, peasy means time consuming and not as easy as i thought. oops)

friday favorites

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

hi, my name is courtney and i've been a terrible blogger lately. see this post.

lately, i've been getting the home decor bug. i have the itch to purge and clean and start fresh. clean out my closet, refinish furniture. i guess the new year has a way of doing that to people.

1. read: the perfectly imperfect home

points to brother for snagging a perfect christmas gift.

decorating encyclopedia.

2. love: this white ceramic horse head

i about died when i saw this bust on this blog.

and i died even more when i came into work the next morning and there it was, a gift from co-worker sitting on my desk.

3. love: this diy fur ottoman tutorial. and the patterned rug.

i have absolutely no place for an ottoman, but i'm dying to try this!

4. watch: the kennedy's

if you have netflix, it's on instant queue. it's a mini series, so eight short episodes. if you have any interest in history, it's worth it.

5. remember:
"habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but to be coaxed downstairs one step at a time."
mark twain

new year, new state of mind

2012-01-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

remember how new year's day was over a week ago and i'm just getting around to my resolutions? oops. about that. resolutions are my favorite thing about the new year, and i'm ready for 2012. 2011 was great and awful, up and down, back and forth, but all in all it was what it was and i'm ready for the new year. (and for the world to end.) so here's to a new year. a new state of mind, a new outlook and new goals. albeit a little bit late.

1. spend less, save more: for the month of january, i am forbidden to buy any clothes. boyfriend sweetened the deal by putting $100 on the table to encourage my shopping sabbatical. the amount i spend on clothes is embarrassing and surprising, even to me. and when i think of where the money spent on clothes could be... well, i can't think about it because then i cringe and determine that i need to buy something to ease my guilt.

2. simplify: organize my closet. (this is a necessary goal every year.) i think i'm finally ready to get rid of the old v-neck i have in my drawer that fits terribly but i keep because i like the color. in my defense, it's a really pretty olive green that makes my hair shinier, my skin clearer, my teeth whiter... i swear. it just makes me look like i'm 40 pounds heavier than i am. which brings me to #3...

3. be healthier: i suppose that i could give up diet coke for breakfast. and i guess i could live without cafe rio two times a week. and i think i could manage to survive without an oreo shake at least once a week. this is the year of health. run another triathlon. run a half marathon. get back in shape. actually, as i type this, i thought about where my running shoes are, and i literally have no idea. eat less sugar, eat more vegetables.

4. be more well rounded: this sounds lame, and really it's code for do what makes you happier. read more -- one book per month. this month is steve jobs. volunteer more. travel more. craft more. take more pictures. document more. i love this idea. blog more. say yes to more adventure. say no to more burden. complete my 24 list.so what if i make the same goals over and over. maybe, just maybe, watch a little less reality tv. less kardashian, more steinbeck.

hooray for 2012! it's going to be a good one, i can just feel it.

friday favorites: christmas edition

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

christmas snuck up on me this year. it still doesn't really feel like christmas. one of the benefits of being in school? the two week break between finals and the start of the new semester. i got lost in the bustle of the season this year. i did all of my shopping online. gift wrap option was a must. in the mean time, i lost the real spirit and meaning of christmas.

1. remember: to sing christmas songs.

2. remember: the real meaning of christmas
"this is a season of rejoicing! a season of celebration! a wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world! to redeem us! it is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. it is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. it is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. but perhaps most of all, let it be a season of seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls!"
-dieter f. uchtdorf, "can we see the Christ in Christmas?"

3. remember: the perfect recipe for christmas
family and friends. no diets, just enjoyment. russian teacakes and breakfast quiche. christmas eve bowling and santa reports. smiling and laughing. add a pinch of salt.
tweak to taste.

4. remember: to show love and compassion.
"this Christmas, men a quarrel. seek out a forgotten friend. dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. write a letter. give a soft answer. encourage youth. manifest your loyalty in word and deed. keep a promise. forgo a grudge. forgive an enemy. apologize. try to understand. examine your demands on others. think first of someone else. be kind. be gentle. laugh a little more. express your gratitude. welcome a stranger. gladden the heart of a child. take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. speak your love, and then speak it again."
-howard w. hunter, "the gifts of Christmas"

5. remember: to give back.
if you haven't read about the kmart layaway angels, read this. people all over the country anonymously paying off layaway accounts. the epitome of christmas.
don't worry that i cry every time i read one of these stories.

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

i know, i know. i've been away.

but i'm back today and that counts for something, right?

----

1. read this: kate spade's 6 rules for being a good houseguest

i snagged this from my friend cate's blog.

perfect for the holiday party season!

2: watch this: are you from HERE? kemba walker

i love this quote from mr. walker himself:

"these moments [highlights and game winning shots] weren't flukes or lucky breaks, those moments were born a long time ago and were forged on the street courts of new york city."

and it features this song by james vincent mcmorrow. which makes any video that much better.

3. buy: genealogy charts from i chart you

not only do these make adorable and meaningful gifts,

but the creators, chris and kimmy, are just about the nicest people you will ever meet.

ever.

AND these charts are just about $35. steal.

4. read: this quote.

"when in situations of stress, we wonder if there is any more in us to give. we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. no one was foreordained to fail or be wicked. let us remember that we were measured before and were found equal to our tasks; therefore, let us continue with a more determined discipleship. when we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not over-program us; He will not press upon us more than we can bear."

-neal a. maxwell.

a much needed reminder.

5. watch this: Merry Modern-Day Christmas

the Christmas story told through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia.

friday favorites

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

1. listen to this: confession: the past week i've spent listening to nothing but justin bieber's christmas cd. oops. but put your judging pride away and listen to this rendition of silent night. you'll die.

silent night by justin bieber.

2. read this: 11 things to know at 25(ish)

"your life can look a lot of different ways when you're 25: single, dating, engaged, married. you are working in dream jobs, pay-the-bills jobs and downright horrible jobs. you are young enough to believe that anything is possible, and you are old enough to make that belief a reality."

i promise i read more than articles about floundering in your mid-20s. one of these days you'll see.

3. watch this: running the sahara

three men set out on an expedition to run across the sahara desert. we're talking 111 days, 4,300 miles, and 6 countries here people.

since i'm a really good runner and can barely run one measly mile these days,

i can obviously relate to their running pain.

4. need this: liefsdottir quilted leather jacket.

oh. my. goodness.

liefsdottir is my weakness, and quilted leather has never looked so good.

i'm planning outfits that will never happen because it's ridiculously expensive.

but beautiful.

but more than twice my rent.

(i have an incredible landlord.)

but it would last forever.

oh the inner turmoil.
** remember when this jacket went on sale and was sold in less than an hour? and i wasn't one of the happy spenders?
i think i might cry.

5. watch: most eligible dallas.

i watched the bravo marathon a few weeks ago,

and i'm hooked.

please watch.

watch it for no other reason than to see courtney kerr's hair.

that alone is worth it.

happy friday!

friday favorites.

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

1. listen to this: the one that got away by katy perry
yeah i like katy perry.
a lot.
don't judge.

2. read this: why millennial women are burning out

not a millenial? read it anyway because it quotes kelly cutrone.

don't like kelly cutrone? read it anyway because it's interesting.

"we're all a work in progress; new inputs - from new friends to new places visited - mean we're constantly changing in our thoughts of what's desired, what's possible, what's fun, what we want to do."

amen.

3. get these: stackable alphabet rings from urban outfitters

first, there were the stackable number rings that i still die for. read here.

but, i still can't justify spending $400 on one ring. and obviously i need more than one ring or i would just look silly.

then, friend and former roommate cate turned me on to these stackable alphabet rings.

similarly, i couldn't justify spending $88 on a tiny ring that likely wouldn't even fit me.

then i found these babies.$12 for 2. so, obviously, they're super high quality and should be treated with care.

try not to be jealous of my insanely pale and dry skin.

4. follow this: thought catalog.

warning: some topics are highly inappropriate. but most are relevant and comical and strangely accurate. like this article.a refrigerator analyzer? yes please. closet companion? a necessity.

5. watch: buck.

have you ever seen the horse whisperer?

this is the real story.

buck brannaman is the epitome of a cowboy in the best way.

watch it. and try to convince yourself that you don't need a horse. or a ranch. or to take a class from buck.

little letters: installment V

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

dear skin,

stop. breaking. out. i know it's confusing, but just to be clear, i'm 24 years old. adult onset acne is not very becoming on me, so please stop. similarly, dry flaking skin isn't exactly my best feature, so let's just kill two birds with one stone, and request clear, moisturized skin.

dear justin bieber,

pros: you sing with boyz II men.
con: i prefer the original "all i want for christmas."
sidenote: writing this made me want to listen to boyz II men, naturally. watch the on bended knee video. why am i just now realized that lisa tuttle is an early 90s video vixen?
pro: your christmas album broke my long standing tradition of boycotting christmas music until after thanksgiving.
con: dancing to said christmas album in the car led to this...

...spilled protein shake on my way to work.

dear android,

there really is no easy way to say this.... i'll just do it quickly. i sold out. an iphone is on it's way to me. it's not you, really. it's me. and the lure of instagram. i'm sorry. i hope we can still be friends.

dear closet,

i'll get to you someday. i know, you're smothered and you deserve better.

dear 11/11/11,
i made a whole lot of wishes: a closet full of marc jacobs, free of cost. calorie-free chick-fil-a or cafe rio for life. (i would even pay for that.) a fountain machine of diet coke installed in my bedroom. a walk in closet. a time machine. i made a few real wishes in there, too. feel free to grant them.

dear boyfriend,
i promise one of these days you'll have a normal looking girlfriend. my skin will clear and my hair will get washed and i will wear something other than gym clothes.

dear fur vest,
one co-worker said i looked like a caveman. another co-worker said i looked like chewbacca. don't worry about what people say. i will never stop loving you. sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you.

sincerely yours,

friday favorites.

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

1. listen to: us against the world by coldplay

"through chaos as it swirls, it's us against the world"

and can someone please tell me how to pronounce the name of their album? mylo xyloto.

i'm running out of ways to cleverly avoid saying it.

2. favorite thursday moment: i received a blog shout-out award from my cute friend sam.

sam and i worked together at the student paper at byu, and she was one of the few opinion editors i actually liked.

plus, she has killer style.

3. i promise: i'm doing a 30 for 30 challenge. you don't know about it because i haven't posted anything about it. i'm doing it with one of my favorite people, who also happens to have killer style. she's actually posting her outfits. what a novel idea!

4. i must: make this ornament for christmas

i confess... i love everything about harry potter. everything.

i like to think the sorting hat would place me properly in gryffindor. obviously.

and i wish that the heber creeper would spice things up and implement a hogwarts express. butterbeer and chocolate frogs included.

*note: i still want to ride the heber creeper as the polar express this winter. but a little variety would be nice.

5. read this: if you want to make the perfect tufted headboard.

i've wanted to make a headboard for months now.

but seeing as i can barely decide what to have for breakfast each morning let alone pick a fabric i want, i've decided to hold off a bit.

but this will come in mighty handy when i finally get around to it.

happy weekend!

my love affair with new york

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

i found this video on another blog that i just newly started stalking.

does it count as stalking if a friend knows the person? i say no. eventually we most likely will meet and it won't be weird. obviously i'll pretend not to know everything about her.

it made me think of my bittersweet time in new york.

i wanted to stay in new york, but i didn't. i wanted to come home, and i didn't.

but when the time came to make a decision to stay or leave, i threw the decision to the gods of fate.

"if i get the job, i stay. if i don't get the job, it's not meant to be."

meant to be.

you see, when left to the fate gods, it takes decision making out of the equation. it's the perfect solution. no decision means no facing what i really want, or what i don't really want.

i was passed over for the job, which meant back to salt lake.

back to safety, back to the comfort of home. back to friends and family and back to paying only triple digits for rent.

moving back to utah seemed disappointing at the time, like i was settling; giving up on the dream of almost every twenty-something/recent graduate/struggling artistactorsingerperformer.

living in new york meant i was apart of something bigger.

they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and such was the case in my love affair with new york.

the longer i was away, the more i wanted to go back.

but my relationship status with new york has changed recently.

it's no longer the ex-boyfriend that i harbor unrequited love for.

salt lake has filled my life with things that replace that void.

instead, new york is that old friend. the friend that makes you smile fondly at your memories together and know that you'll always be friends.

the friendship that will resume right where it left off as soon as you're reunited.

whenever that may be.

friday favorites. and one more.

2011-11-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

1. watch this: up all night.

please. i'm dying for more people to watch this. i've referenced it multiple times, and all i get are blank stares.

i promise, it's funny. will arnett is involved. need i say more?

2. i love: this cute little owl and cactus.

better pictures will come next week.

3. anyone who knows me knows that i am not a scrapbooker. no way shape or form. but i read this blog and i'm kind of obsessed with this girl, and she had this cute layout using polaroid minis. i have stack of polaroids waiting to be put to good use, and this may be one possible solution.

4. i lust: after this wallpaper. adorable.

via.

5. diy: iron letter look a likes.

remember how everyone loves these iron letters from anthro?

remember how they're also not-terribly-expensive-but-more-than-i'd-like-to-pay expensive?

enter this diy tutorial.

i can't wait to try it out!

and, if you haven't already. take a few minutes and watch this.

i promise it's worth it. and i promise you'll cry. probably.

happy friday! did you hear it's supposed to snow this weekend?

i'm praying it's a well-spread rumor.

friday favorites

2011-10-27T16:46:00.001-07:00

1. listen to: come home by ryan adams

2. while you're at it, listen to: i love you but i don't know what to say by ryan adams

how he and mandy moore ended up together, i'll never know.

3. love: these charms from anthro

4. love: these christmas tumblers from ikea.

5. remember this: fall is when i normally feel most creative, but something about this year has zapped all my energy. although i did manage to shower and do my hair this morning, so maybe i should try to tackle a project this weekend.

via

friday favorites

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

friday favorites will resume next week. the highlight of my week was finally getting this jacket delivered to my porch....

if you aren't obsessed then i don't think we can be friends. i wore it around the house all night long.

yes, our house is that cold.

boyfriend, family and i are off to brianhead for the weekend.

happy friday!

friday favorites

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. did you know: lela rose has shoes at payless?!

i nearly fell out of my chair when i saw it here.

check out these babies.

2. write this down: "love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. if you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries, avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in that casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket; safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken, it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

-c.s. lewis

i may have already posted this. (most likely.) but here it is again. because remember, sometimes, you have to be vulnerable.

3. sometimes i think i want to be an adult, and do very adult things. like buy a house. and if i did, i wouldn't mind a front porch that looked like this:

image via.

4. i can't wait to try this:

i love the look of mercury glass, but i can't bring myself to actually fork out the cash required to pay for such beauties.

tutorial found here

5. looking forward to: fall.

there was a bizarre cold streak that involved snow and heated blankets and space heaters, but luckily fall has returned, with all its goodness. including but not limited to: haunted houses, pumpkins & pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

pumpkins carved by boyfriend, roommates, and i.

fall feels good.

simple truths

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been busy.

The kind of busy where you close your eyes at night and your body aches and your eyes sting and yet, you still wish for more hours in the day. The kind of busy that fast forwards time and blurs days into weeks into months. The kind of busy that makes you re-evaluate your priorities because there simply isn’t enough time to get everything done. It’s good busy. It's very good busy.

But it took some adjusting. And, in case you didn't know, I’m terrible at adjusting. I gripe and complain and resist any sort of change, so this adjustment was a trying period for my senile self. And, as with any transition period, I had a few low points.

Unsurprisingly, this particular low point occurred at about 3 AM, and I was running on about 4 hours of sleep each night. There was a mis-communication, and just like that, weeks of built up tension and stress poured out in an hour-long sob. It was a pretty picture, let me tell you.

The next day, reflecting on the previous night, I came to realize a few things. They’re simple, really. And easy to forget, which is, I suppose, why I tend to overlook them. But here they are; plain, simple, and easy...

Things look a lot more hopeful at 3 PM than they do at 3 AM. There is something about the dark, wee hours of the morning that make problems seem insurmountable.

Similarly, life is much more bearable after 8 hours of sleep.

The to-do list will never stop. There will always be things to add, things to accomplish. In college, one of my greatest feelings of satisfaction was being able to cross everything off on my to-do list for the day. I can’t tell you the last time I checked all the boxes on one of my lists. In fact, more often than not, I add more than I accomplish. But I’m learning it’s not so much about checking off the boxes. It’s about doing the important things, and somehow, everything else seems to take care of itself. And if it doesn't; does it really matter?

Some things, some relationships just work.

You eventually make it through. The stress level subsides, the pain goes away, the trial is over; whatever it is, eventually, you make it. To quote Steve Jobs, “Sometimes when you’re in the middle of one of these crises, you’re not sure you’re going to make it to the other end. But we've always made it, and so we have a certain degree of confidence, although you sometimes wonder.”

**Related note: Read this article.

You are your own hardest critic.

You sometimes have to let yourself be vulnerable.

There is something to be said for being warm, well-fed, and well-rested. Or even 2 out of 3.

Make time for the gym. Endorphins are a wonderful, wonderful thing. Then again, so are warm pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

And when all that fails, just remember this...

via.

friday favorites

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

i've been MIA.

i'm sorry.

maybe i'll explain one day.

in the mean time....

1. listen to this: "a real hero" by college ft. electric youth

actually, listen to anything from the drive soundtrack.

for me, it was the best part of the movie.

but then again, i don't necessarily love blood and when i saw a woman's head get shot and her brains splattered against the wall, i nearly threw up. sorry ryan gosling.

on another note: do see moneyball.

2. i lust: after these stack-able rings.

i was set to purchase until i scrolled down a bit....

$440.

let's see, so at that price i could afford... none.

anyone know of any knock-offs?

3. i feel: like this every day.

or maybe five or six.

4. i'd like: "get naked" for a bathroom.

5. i want: a room that looks just like this one.

where i can complete item #3 on this list.

happy friday!

friday favorites

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: "you can close your eyes" by james taylor

to this day, the james taylor concert has been one of the best shows i've ever seen. something about his folk-y voice and poignant lyrics strike a chord with me.

2. write this down:
"when we make a change, it's so easy to interpret our unsettledness as unhappiness, and our unhappiness as a result of having made the wrong decision. our mental and emotional states fluctuate madly when we make big changes in our lives, and somedays we could tight-rope across Manhattan, and other days we are too weary to clean our teeth. this is normal. this is natural. this is change."
- jeanette winterson

3. anxiously awaitng: this dress

4. dying to read: the sibling effe ct by jeffrey kluger

he spoke on the colbert report this week. watch here. it's at minute 14:14.

5. watch: this video

read more here.
the founder of this initiative came and talked to us at work this week.
it was refreshing. i get so caught up in my own life, and in thinking that i can't do anything to make a difference, that i often forget that it's small things, random acts that make a difference.
it was just what i needed to be reminded of.

happy weekend!

friday favorites

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: paradise by coldplay

can you guess who turned me on to this song? oh, that's right. him.

can you guess how many times i've listened to it since tuesday? probably 100.

2. watch this: marc jacobs runway show.

insert lustful sigh here.

3. love: this photo.

4. i dream: of spending an entire day in this room reading.

5. dear universe: any way you can make this appear in my living room by the time i get home from work?

the 24 list

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

it's that time of year again.

actually, it's about a month late.

this list isn't entirely original, because some of the items that i didn't get crossed off have carried over to this year.

i really hate even years. i don't know why, but it makes me feel older, somehow.

explain that one.

via.

1. read a book each month.

september: outliers

2. project life.

i don't scrapbook.

yes, i'm aware i work in the crafting industry. but this seems achievable to me.

3. take a class.

i've always wanted to take a ceramics class. or maybe cake decorating.

4. run a half marathon.

this is one of those that sounds like a great idea now, but really i'm going to regret ever typing those words.

5. do another triathlon.

jordanelle was a success. by success i mean i made it to the finish line, standing.

6. visit two places i've never been.

glacier national park and jackson hole are two possibilities i'm considering.

7. go on a hot air balloon ride.

8. go sky diving.

9. attend a major sporting event.

weird, the 2012 olympics just happen to be happening in london... what a coincidence.

10. attend the taping of a tv show.

remember this dancing fiasco? i laughed just thinking about it.

11. volunteer more.

12. grow a garden.

13. be better about keeping a journal.

14. go on a moonlight chair lift ride.

15. hike stewart falls in provo canyon.

16. take more pictures.

17. simplify, declutter, streamline.

18. be an extra in a film.

does anyone know how to go about doing this?

19. re-finish furniture.

i haven't done this in too long. ok, three months. still.

20. go to lake powell.

21. plan an international trip.

22. learn to prioritize. slow down.

23. go to gourmandise.

24. visit the ice castles in midway.

here's to praying they'll be there again this winter!

no N.O.

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

i know what you're thinking... aren't i supposed to be in new orleans, enjoying a nice beignet?

yes, i am.

instead, i celebrated labor day the way any normal american would: eating cafe rio by myself while watching a marathon of bad girls club.

conveniently, the bad girls are in new orleans.

i'm classy like that.

back to the big easy.

have you heard about tropical storm lee?

i hadn't either.

until i got three calls on friday morning, asking if the new orleans trip was still on.

hmm. maybe not.

i called the hotel to ask about a refund and find out how bad it really was.

the clerk told me they would issue a full refund, and they were preparing for the worst. i asked if she said that to everyone and if it was more hype than anything else. in her sweetest, sternest southern voice she said, "ma'am, if it were me, i'd stay as far away as possible."

fair enough.

so no new orleans.

no jambalaya, no fried delights, no haunted tours, no voodoo.

at least for now.

fortunately, the bad girls just went to bourbon street, so i guess i can vicariously live through them.

friday favorites

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: "microphone" by coconut records

2. read this: "sorry, wrong in-box"
a humorous op-ed about our hyper-connectivity.

3. loving: saks fifth avenue's new campaign
read more about it here.

4. needing: a military jacket. i think this one might do.

5. can't wait for: new orleans.
tomorrow morning we'll be hitting the big easy for an extended labor day getaway.
hello fried foods, good-bye healthy eating.

friday favorites

2011-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: mirror lil' wayne ft. bruno mars
i only listen to music endorsed by t. because he has the best ear around.
he suggested the song above, and i listened to it 7 times in a row. seven.

2. read this: steve jobs' commencement address at stanford
i found this when i was googling articles about the apple ceo's resignation
the whole address is worth reading, but this is one of my favorite quotes:

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

3. love: my new car!
it was a sad day the bmw stopped driving so well.
and an even sadder (and hotter day) when the ac went out.
and then a few sad weeks where i showed up everywhere sweaty and late, because the car decided it wanted to stop driving.
so i traded in, and traded up, in my opinion.
meet my sweet little nissan rogue. i love her!

4. anticipate: this movie.
british accents? sold.

5. looking forward to: a weekend in colorado with the family for a cousin's wedding.
reading material is a must.
i'll stop on my way home from work and pick up this book, which i've been dying to read since the beginning of summer.
and this magazine.
ok and this too.
that's all.

friday favorites

2011-08-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: "we found each other in the dark" by city and colour.

2. excited: for the opi fall collection.

a taupe the space needle? yes, please.

get in the espresso lane? need. shown below.

3. love: these printables.

i can't wait to use this one.

4. need: to implement this idea.

someday when i have a guest bathroom.

5. love: this idea for a casual summer party.

the 23 list: update

2011-08-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

i turned 24 last week.

celebrated with friends at faustina, which was divine. drank excessive amounts of diet coke, and ate three medium sized bags of peanut butter m&ms for breakfast.

so it's time for an update. remember this list?

1. Go to New Orleans

September 3-7. Tickets booked with these babes. It's going to be an absolute blast. I can't wait to indulge in beignets, which I've heard so much about.

2. Start a collection

Owls. I know, I'm trendy.

3. Run a triathlon

August 20. Jordanelle. I'm terrified. There's a good chance there won't be photo evidence of this, because I'm near certain I'll be crawling across the finish line, but maybe we can secure a before shot.

4. Read a classic novel

Well, I bought a classic novel...

10. Invest in my 401K

15. Hike to a waterfall

23. Organize my closet.

Well, I did this. And then I bought more stuff so it got more unorganized. Then it got too hot in my room so I decided to wait until it cooled off to organize... that was about a month ago. I'm still waiting for it to cool off.

ok, so maybe i didn't do as well as i thought. especially on some of the easy stuff on the list, like:

13. go on a picnic

14. go camping

oops. but i have 362 days to compile and complete the 24 list. stay tuned.

friday favorites

2011-08-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

1. listen to: woods by the rosebuds

2. i'm craving: fall after this montage.

3. check out: skinnytaste. tasty, healthy recipes.
(they're even weight watcher friendly!)
i'm particularly excited to try this recipe...

4. i saw: this skirt the other day, and just about died.

i love the poppy and neutrals that jcrew is rocking right now.

5. i love: this idea for a party...

i work with this fabulously talented woman, and sometimes, i just want her to plan all my parties. in this case, sometimes means always.

friday favorites

2011-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: #whitegirlproblems by hoodie allen.
i think i just like this song because i love that hashtag on twitter.

2. i want to try: these cookies

3. someday, i'll have these:

4. i can't wait to read: tim gunn's golden rules

5. i love: these brick book ends.

image via.

friday favorites

2011-07-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: gyptian ft. nicki minaj "hold yuh" (remix)
and while you're at it, watch the nicki minaj e! true hollywood story.

2. i want: this kitchen.

3. i want: this outfit.

4. i want: this watch.

5. i want: this little gem to be waiting for me when i get home from work today.

make it monday: letter holder

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

this former turquoise letter holder was the perfect catch-all for my cluttered dresser top, and while i loved the pretty turquoise, it clashed with everything in my room. so i did the unthinkable and painted it black so it would blend a little better with the rest of the furnishings in my room. be prepared for the simplest project, ever.

you will need:

acrylic paint

sponge brush

step 1: paint item. let dry. done.

before...

after...

make it monday: healthy ice cream

2011-07-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

it's no secret i love ice cream. read this. but the dairy makes me sick and the calories make me feel guilty. good combination. this healthy ice cream satisfies the craving, and has just 173 calories per serving! no guilt + no dairy = happy girl.

you will need:

one ripe banana

1 tsp. peanut butter

1 tsp. honey

directions:

step 1: cut banana into chunks

step 2: freeze banana just until firm

step 3: blend banana. add peanut butter and honey. enjoy!

friday favorites

2011-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen: box of stones by benjamin francis leftwich

2. obsessed: with this new gold bracelet. i love the layered look of chunky bracelets and watches. and the turn-lock clasp sold me.

3. go: to millcreek community market.

it happens every thursday from 4 pm to dusk. seriously cool stuff. including a delicious sandwich from the torta truck.

4. smell: jimmy choo perfume. need. now.

5. write this down:

"to feel valued, to know, even if only once in a while, that you can do a job well is an absolutely marvelous feeling." - barbara walters

friday favorites: fourth of july edition

2011-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

i'd like my fourth of july to consist of the following:

1. sparklers...

2. a patriotic outfit...
and those legs. thanks.

3. bbqs...

4. blue raspberry slurpees...

5. fireworks...

and lots of sunshine, a tan, and maybe an opportunity to wear my cute white dress.
if that's not too much to ask.
happy fourth of july weekend!

make it monday: banana cream pudding

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

remember how much i love banana cream pudding from magnolia's bakery?

heaven.

we had a little backyard shin-dig, and banana cream pudding seemed like the perfect treat.

you will need:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 c. water

1 package vanilla pudding

3 cups heavy whipping cream

sliced bananas

vanilla wafer cookies

directions:

step 1: beat sweetened condensed milk and water. add pudding powder. refrigerate 3-4 hours or overnight.

step 2: beat creamy until stiff peaks form. which i forgot to take a picture of. actually i forgot to take pictures of everything. oops.

step 3: fold cream into pudding mixture.

step 4: layer bananas, pudding and wafers.

step 5: chill 4-8 hours.

it should be noted (because admitting these things makes me feel like they didn't happen): i "sampled" about two cups worth during assembly, i enjoyed two while watching pretty little liars in bed, and i, naturally, had to have some for the BBQ. don't judge.

friday favorites

2011-06-24T06:00:00.001-07:00

1. listen: i can't make you love me cover by bon iver

justin vernon, if you're reading this, come serenade me to sleep every night. thanks.

2. love: peaches blush and vegas volt lipstick.

my new staples.

3. lust: this skirt. oh the places i would wear this.

really, probably nowhere because it's too short for me, but a girl can dream.

4. love: white design with splashes of color. so fresh.

check out more images here.

5. look: at this technique for adding textures to a door

view the whole tutorial here.

bal+ance.

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

image via here.

i have a formula that works for me.

a recipe, if you will.

mix 8 hours of sleep, 1.5 hours of gym time, enought time to get really ready in the morning, (you know... hair done, cute outfit, makeup done). add equal parts balanced meals and diet coke. stir until mixed. incorporate some sunshine and some time to bake or create or read. (i think the word for this is recreation. or hobby, but you get my drift.) mix until incorporated, bake until golden brown.

there's a simple word for this recipe: balance.

it's something that's been lacking in my life recently. too little sleep, too much work, not enough play, too much hectic scheduling left me feeling slightly burned out the past weeks. hence the lack of posting.

i even contemplated forsaking my anthro discount, that’s how serious it was!

but it's amazing what a difference a weekend of balance (and more than four hours of sleep a night) can do.

so now, rejuvenated and refreshed, i have some rules to ensuring balance in my life.

enough slee, enough play, enough work.

it's simple enough, really.

let the balancing act begin.

blonde.

2011-06-20T16:10:00.001-07:00

how sweet it is to be blonde again.

friday favorites

2011-06-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: the night out by martin solveig

2. i want: this shirt. i saw it at koo de ker last weekend, and i've been lusting ever since. but i can't justify spending $178 on a shirt.

especially when i don’t get a sweet discount.

don’t you dare judge this shirt by this picture. it’s ador.able.

3. i can't wait: to get my hair done. this weekend. once i get it in my head that it's time to get my hair done, i can hardly wait. i'm thinking this....

image via here.

4. i just: picked up this little ditty last night. and i can't wait for the perfect occasion to wear it.

see sweet discount above.

don’t judge. so what if i send pictures of clothes when i need a second (or third) opinion.

5. i'm so excited: that pretty little liars is on again!

i’m going to say this one time: watch it once. you’ll be hooked. and rightly so. just do it.

image via here.

friday favorites

2011-06-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: you know what i mean by the cults

2. i can't wait: for these babies to arrive.

3. i've been craving: a sandwich like this. roommate went to gourmandise the other night, and left the leftovers to us, her ravenous roommates. luckily for me, it was a delicious grilled cheese sandwich, and ever since that gooey goodness has graced my lips, i've thought of nothing else.

4. read: both of these books. this one causes me fits of laughter, even when i read it alone in a food court. and this one makes me wish i enjoyed running. maybe after reading it.

5. i need: the perfect shade of lipstick.

i don't wear lipstick. ever. i wear burt's bees and occasionally rosebud salve. but i like the idea of lipstick. and i've always wanted a go-to shade. roommate introduced me to ever hip. the beautiful bright creamy coral from mac. hello, go-to shade. i rushed to nordstrom to snag some, and was met with devastating news. sold. out. limited. edition. so now i'm back to square one. any suggestions?

the white hutch revealed!

2011-06-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

it's only taken 12 years, but the magical white hutch is now on permanent display.

oh how i love refurbishing.

make it monday: homemade poptarts

2011-06-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

ok fine, fine. i know i am the worst make it monday blogger, ever. please, please forgive me.

because this weekend, we made homemade poptarts. which were heaven. i don't even like poptarts. i don't like frosting and i don't like filling, so that leaves about 2% of the poptart (the crust) which i actually like. but these grown-up poptarts are something else entirely.

you will need:

pastry

2 c. all purpose flour

1 TBSP. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg

2 TBSP. milk

jam filling:

3/4 c. jam

1 TBSP. cornstarch mixed with 1 TBSP. cold water

*check recipes for alternate fillings here.

step 1: add jam to sauce pan; add cornstarch and water mixture. boil until smooth, stirring constantly. simmer on low.

step 2: combine flour, sugar, and salt. add the butter and mix with hands or pastry cutter until incorporated. it should look like lots of pea sized butter balls.

step 3: mix one egg with milk, combine to pastry dough. stir until incorporated.

step 4: divide the dough in half, and roll into two rectangles. trim into sections. (these will become to tops/bottoms of the poptarts, so try to make them as equal as possible.) just times the image below by two.

step 5: whisk egg. brush egg onto one square of pastry, spoon filling onto square. place another dough square on top and press down on the seams of dough to seal. fork edges. pierce tops to allow steam to escape.

step 6: refrigerate for a few minutes until the butter has a chance to re-harden. bake at 350* until golden brown.

friday favorites

2011-06-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: lost in the world by kanye west ft. bon iver

2. i love: this nail polish. absolutely shore.
ok so in the picture it looks scary, but in real life, it's a pretty light green.

3. new drink: this rockstar. 10 cals for the whole drink. plus it's in a skinny can and it's pink so i feel dainty and girly whilst i sip. because girls sip energy drinks as opposed to boys who "pound" them.

4. i'd love: a mirror dresser.
disregard my running shoes.

5. this website: pinterest.
here's why it's great.... for years i've been ripping out pages of magazines of things i find inspiring, crafts i want to re-create, outfits i want to try, and anything else that tickles my fancy. i file them away in a plastic folder for future reference, but the problem with my current filing system is the fact that i spend a good portion of my day browsing blogs, where i find the same inspiration. instead of printing the image, then filing away for later use, i can simply pin it to one of my boards, and viola. captured. follow me here.

friday favorites + 1

2011-05-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: bon iver's new album, bon iver.

i've listened to "calgary" about 600 times. it's transcendent.

image via here.

2. i want this: pattern.

image via here.

3. i would really like: to try this recipe.

image via here.

4. this quote:

"and above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

-- roald dahl

5. i cant wait: for fairs and carnivals.

mostly it's an excuse to eat funnel cake and churros and take lots of pictures.

what's not to love?

image via here.

6. i want to: live here. iris apfel's manhattan home.

image via here.

little letters: installment IV

2011-05-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

dear closet,

i love you. i love when we work together to keep things nice and tidy and hung.

dear gym,

hi. i don't know if you remember me, but we used to hang out. i just wanted to let you know that i'm really going to make an effort to see more of you lately. my fling with hordes of shrimp tacos in mexico is over, and i'm ready to commit to you and you alone.

dear skin,

please stop peeling. you've finally achieved something other a translucent sheen, and i'd really like to keep it that way.

dear ashley, (aka bachelorette)

i'm annoyed already.

dear hair,

shhh. be patient. you will be bleached to perfection soon. bright blonde for summer? i think so.

dear pinterest and tumblr,

great. just what i need. yet another thing to occupy my time. but i love you both. probably a little too much.

dear food,

i wish i didn't love you so much. i wish i could resist you. but when roommate brought home leftovers from faustina last night, the wafting smell of chicken skewers and chicken pillow pastries were too delightful.

dear justin vernon, or william fitzsimmons:

i would really appreciate it either one of you could sing me sweet lullabies until i fall asleep. listening through headphones is just not cutting it anymore.

dear pretty little liars,

june 14 cannot come fast enough.

warmest regards,

courtney

hi, oops, sorry.

2011-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

i don't know where time goes, it's here and then it's not and then somehow i'm in mexico and haven't blogged in two weeks and don't even have a make-it monday to show my remorse.

but let's leave that troubled past behind us, because i did something very significant yesterday.

for weeks my closet has been a repellent force field. i try to put things nicely away and the closet rejects them, sends them flying off the hanger and onto the floor.

maximum capacity reached.

i got home from mexico and couldn't even bear the thought of unpacking and tackling that monster. but sunday came and it was rainy and roommates were sleeping and my suitcase lay in the middle of the floor, obstructing every step.

fine, closet. you win.

look at those hangers.

and that grey cardigan is simply out of control.

staring at the massive pile on my bed, i started feeling slightly alarmed that i wasn't up to the task.

it was a sunday afternoon after all, and my brain isn't used to full functionality on the weekends.

then my many years of retail experience took over and a mere four hours later, the closet was organized bliss.

the day i have a walk-in closet, i will sleep on the floor. soon, please?

graduation & sea salt

2011-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

brother graduated this weekend.

it was a sweet little weekend full of friends and family,

and a delicious stop at my new favorite restaurant in salt lake, sea salt.

congratulations!

make it monday: before and after

2011-05-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

i finally painted the wooden hutch.

it was just sitting in the corner, giving me the stink eye every time i looked at it.

it was giving me a guilty conscience.

thank heavens for a warm weekend.

before:

step 1: sand

step 2: prime

step 3: paint

step 4: done.

after...

mother's day

2011-05-08T09:38:00.001-07:00

happy mother's day!

i couldn't ask for a better example of a mother and a friend.

i love you.

friday favorites

2011-05-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: heavens on fire by the radio department

2. these shorts: are they too obnoxious? i can't tell.

image via here.

3. i would really like: a blue and white/cream striped dress. have you seen any? you see, i had this perfect little dress in my online shopping cart, and then i couldn't get it for days because i didn't have internet, and when i went back to get it, i was so relieved to see it was still there. so i ordered it. and about five minutes later when i went back to look at it, because that's something very annoying and compulsive that i do, it was gone. and i have a hard time believing my shopping luck enabled me to get the last one. that was much too long of a story for a striped blue dress, but i'd still really, really enjoy one. please?

4. i love: this color

image via here.

5. is it just me, or does this look like steven tyler...

image via here.

make it monday: oops part II

2011-05-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

remember when i didn't do a make it monday because i decided on thursday i was going to go to california for the weekend?
so instead of painting that little beauty that has been sitting in my living room for weeks, i opted to eat way too many fish tacos, and burritos, and bbq chicken salads, and cookies, and ice cream, and molten cakes. oh and the pretzel m&ms that i say i don't like, but i ate half the giant bag.
oh my.
and instead spending my saturday doing laundry and sanding furniture, i spent it at the beach.
in the sun...
taking polaroids.

it was a heavenly little weekend.

image via here.

friday favorites

2011-04-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. listen to this: under cover of darkness by the strokes

image via here.

sidenote: remember when the strokes were super popular with this song?

2. i want to visit: austin, tx.

image via here.

3. i want: these owls.
maybe that will be my collection...

image via here.

4. i'd like to: have this cake at my wedding...

image via here.

5. i laughed out loud when i saw this.
mostly because it's true.
try going to a social event without your phone. it's alarmingly uncomfortable.

image via here.