WEDDING BELLS

I decided it was time to marry my best friend of 10 years...during a global pandemic. I thought it would be a small event with just us and family. I looked into getting a nice Airbnb house and using the yard. Their rules changed due to Covid-19. My next thought as more people were being invited was a small venue. Those were mostly closed due to Covid. We finally settled on the best and most beautiful venue -- Jordan Pines campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The spot was perfect and beautiful. It allowed for more guests to come and be socially distanced out in the open air.

With the help of my mother, we sent out invitations, made some decorations, got some nice outfits prepared, and then we did the thing! It started out raining all morning, tapered off in the afternoon, and became a spectacularly beautiful evening for the ceremony and small reception. Here are a few photos to recap the day.

I love you, Brandon.

 

PROMISE RING

What's love got to do with it? What has happened to our world where your relationship isn't official unless you post it on social media?! People used to give a promise ring to show their love and commitment to each other. I find it really romantic.

Is this ring a passing fad or a new way for couples to declare their love?

Brilliance.com has a new Promise Ring collection. It is a lovely way to say "I Promise" to love you and be faithful to our relationship. Check them out and let your loved one know your promise of love.

THIRST

I feel like I've been a blog sell out lately. I apologize to anybody who might still read and follow me. I don't share lots of personal feelings here, but let's get personal. Truth: I'm tired of the saying that life gives us lemons and we need to take those and make lemonade. I don't want anymore lemonade (I'm totaling referencing this post here). It's not even lemon season anymore. Instead let's say when life gives you mountains, put on your hydration pack and start hiking.

The #Riskbek hydration backpack will keep you happy for a 2 liter trip, carry important stuff, and detach a belt for smaller trips.  But what about a long trek...what about a 2 year trek that life throws your way? You might run out of water and not have a spout to refill it.

Life isn't always easy. There can be heartbreaks and crazy paths along the way and no matter how optimistic you are or how happy you fake being, it doesn't always get better when we want it to get better. I honestly feel the loneliest I have ever felt in my life. I don't understand it because I used to be the girl who had no problem taking a bus/plane/drive to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language all by myself. I had so much confidence. I could take a joke. I wasn't afraid to be alone. I was always the friend who reached out to others first and it didn't matter if they reached back. 

But something has changed. I don't want to go solo. I need to be the friend who has someone reach out to me. If I do send a message to someone, I need a reply. I need to be given hugs. I need someone to take my hand when I extend mine to them. I need a random text or call during the day to let me know you're thinking about me. I kinda just need reassurance. I don't know what caused this, but I feel like I should share because I assume I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way.

I don't have a magical answer...or else I wouldn't be writing this post. I don't know how to act. I don't know what to say. I do know that I have a handful of people (I can literally count the number of people on my hands) who have been amazing friends and loved me during my lame moments. I just want to write and say I appreciate them more than they will ever know. My only advice is to be a friend to others...even when it is hard. We never know when others might need that extra push or kindness. I don't need freaking lemonade; just help me stay hydrated at my most thirsty moments. 

I appreciate you.

ALEX AND ANI #CARRYLIGHT

My favorite jewelry company has a few new pieces out called the LIBERTY COPPER Collection. These new pieces include a bit of the original copper pieces from the Statue of Liberty. How cool is that?! The purpose of this collection is to spread a message of hope around the world. Join the campaign of making one light indivisible by sharing and answering one question: What do you #CARRYLIGHT for?

Stop into your local ALEX AND ANI store, their online store, or download and shop via the Alex and Ani App so you too can wear a Token of Living History! Shop the LIBERTY COPPER Collection at ALEX AND ANI Featuring Original Copper from the Centennial Restoration of the Statue of Liberty!

I LOVE YOU...Just Because Book #giveaway

If I meet you, then I love you. It's true. I feel life is too short NOT to tell people you love them. 

That's why I really want to share this cute book I found called I Love You Just Because. It is a 20 page board book for parents to give their children that let's kids know that their family and God love them just for who they are and that that love doesn't have to be earned.

It made for readers ages 4 - 8 years.

It is written by Donna Keith, an English teacher who began writing stories for her grandchildren. She has a few others that you can check out also that are just as adorable.

Find out more about the book on social media her: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.

Want to win a copy for a little one in your life who needs a little reminder that they are loved?

Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

LOVE

I wanted to interrupt your blog searching to tell you

I love you today

and the other 364 days of the year.

I also love my red Frye leather boots. That is why I work hard to take care of them.

A good leather water repellent is hard to find.

But never fear, this one from Trinova has an advanced formula to add a layer of protection to your leather goods that helps guard them against unsightly water damage - which it important to me here in Utah and this crazy Spring weather we have been experiencing.

It can also be used on other leather shoes, jackets, handbags, purses, backpacks, vests, clothing, leather seats, and saddles.

MOTHER

I'm pretty sure my mom thinks I give the best gifts out of all of her children.

Happy Mother's Day to all you crazy ladies out there - those who long for babes-, soon-to-be pregnant-, dog-, adopted-, step-  moms. No matter how you say it (mom, mommy, mother, mum, madre), it's an honorable title. Thanks for all you do.

LOVE YOU

To those of ya'll who happen to read my blog.

I love you; you're my friend.

Happy Valentine's Day!

PRESENTS

Aww, it's Valentine's Day.

You don't have anybody to buy things for this year?

This is what makes me a good friend. You are ALWAYS welcome to buy me things.

Especially things from Alex and Ani.

They have so many cute new charms.

Kidding. Sort of. But don't forget to get that special someone a present. A present that gives back to the community is even better.
*That's why I love this company and their cute jewelry.
Shop #alexandani

LINZ, AUSTRIA

Sometimes I drive 2.5 hours to another country just to take a photo of a cool memorial all by myself.

Then sometimes I turn around and drive back. It was well worth the trip.

I drove to Linz, Austria, to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Some people might think this isn't the happiest way to spend a Christmas vacation, but I loved the drive.

I have been to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany before and the feeling there was very heavy. I wasn't interested in going on a tour here - I came just to see this giant menorah memorial. 

 It is free to see the memorial, but you must obtain a ticket. As I was getting my ticket from the visitor center, the woman behind the desk wrote on my map and told me to go to the sculpture spot by the gorge and then walk through to the museum where I can visit two rooms for free as well. 

I went to visit the two rooms. Might as well, right?! Well, the two rooms in the museum were the killing rooms and room of names listing around 82,000 victims. Thank you, visitor center lady for a rush of emotions.

The end of my trip was a walk by a beautiful gorge surrounding the area and a look at what are called the Stairs of Death.

 It might not be the happiest place to visit and you might not get the happiest feelings there or maybe even looking at these photos, but it reminded me that I am lucky. We are lucky to be alive, to have freedom, and to learn from the past to be better people.