Monday Musings // Meet My Specs and Why It's Okay to Take Selfies

Happy Easter! God is good and God is real and Jesus is my brother, people. I just wanted you to know that I know that. I have a very personal relationship with my Higher Beings. I have a personal relationship with the church I belong to. This past weekend was what we call "Conference Weekend" in the LDS faith. It's pretty cool. A lot of people get really, outwardly passionate about it, and that's totally cool. I'm a little bit more reserved. Not that I don't want to "Share Goodness", not that I don't want to "Defend My Faith"...I do, oh I do, but sometimes somethings just have to stay close to your heart.

My sister said something really wise this weekend, I asked her how she was doing with the church and all and she said, "You know what, Dani, some people have problems with the church, I could have problems with the church, but I don't. I choose to keep believing and I choose to believe what I believe not what anyone else believes."

She was right, my family could choose to be angry at people that have hurt us and things that are hard, but we choose to believe and we choose to be happy, because that's what God wants.

He is patient and he waits and he loves.

And that's all I'm going to share today.

Now meet my specs...

Meet my new face friends, these are the Warby Parker Kimball glasses in Marzipan Tortoise and let me tell you something...

I was at work the other day just doing what I do and a girl comes up to me IN FRONT OF LIKE 12 OTHER PEOPLE and asks me the following question.

"Do you like your new glasses?"

Well, yeah I do. (I said this in my head.) What kind of question is that?"

"Um...yes, yes I do. I wouldn't have picked them if I didn't like them, why?"

And she gets this squirmish look on her face, like those looks that are reserved for the mean girls in high school that think they are so much cooler than you because they wear clothes from "Buckle."

"Oh well, they're just really distracting. I mean, I can't look at your face."

And my heart dropped because as much as I was confident about my choice of glasses for MY face, because MY eyes need them...her words bit through me. Her words are the words that girls in this world are always hearing. They are words of theft. That girl was a thief. She was stealing all my confidence. She was stealing the one thing that took me forever to feel okay about. I've been wearing glasses my whole life. They are kind of the thing that defines me. They are a fashion accessory that I get to wear everyday. And yes, my new glasses are very different from my old ones, but there was no question as to which ones I was going to buy when I tried the Kimball's on. I told Tyler that I didn't care if people thought they were crazy, MY eyes, MY face, MY glasses, MY choice. But that girl had to say something.

I'm over it now, but I just want to say this to EVERYONE reading this...

DON'T BE A THIEF!

Don't steal confidence away from people by saying petty things. Don't say anything that in the slightest could chip away at someone. Genuinely compliment someone. Genuinely mean something good. If you don't like something because that something makes someone happy, keep your mouth shut. Please and thank you, God bless.

In other news, I like my new glasses. No, I LOVE my new glasses.

And now why it's okay to take selfies and pictures of your food.

Society tells you that selfies are stupid and that no one cares about what your food looks like. Sure, that may be true, but I agree to disagree with society most of the time.

I like selfies. As Ezra Koenig once said, Selfies are cool because you get to see what your friend looks like that day.

Be proud of your face! Not that conceited proud, but that hey I like my look today and I'm proud of myself today. This is me. There may be a filter and there may not be, but it's not your place to say that or not.

And your food, if you had this delicious food and you want someone to see. SHOW THEM! SHOW THEM! I love it when people show me good food because then I know where I can go to get it. Share, because FOOD IS GOOD!

I don't like wearing my hair back because I always believed that I had a fat face or that my chin was too big, but I took this on snapchat the other day and my hair was back and I really liked this picture.I looked at myself and I liked what I saw. Is that so bad? I'm not trying to say that my face is better than other faces, I'm just saying that I liked the way I look. I rarely do that! And...I'm probably rambling on about this, but I'm not ashamed to share this. People can think all they want, but remember that caring? Yeah throw it away. Also, RIP old glasses.

And here is the food that I was eating when I took that selfie.

It's from In-N-Out, thank you very much. Get in my belly. Aren't you always craving this shiz? Yeah. Me too.

Here's a half-eaten piece of pizza that kind of changed my life. It's from Pizzeria 7/12. Go, go, go.

And then this. Stay happy and laugh a lot.

That's what life is all about. Stay happy. If you're having a sad day...that's okay. Cry and have a sad day and then try to be happy again and try to laugh again. Laughing is good. It's really good because chins double and eyes crinkle and teeth show and it's beautiful.

Now what was the point of this post?

Hmm...that's for you to decide.

Monday Musing // The Swoons

Nope the swoons aren't something that you get when you have the flu. I know gross. Why did I even say that?

Here's my definition of the swoons.

That feeling of euphoria and incandescent happiness you get when you see or hear something that speaks to your inner most heart and soul.

Let's swoon.

1 // I have been researching ways to decorate our very small space this Christmas. I mean we barely have room for our mini tree. Honestly, I just need to make the time, but when I saw this sweet and simple wall it didn't seem like a challenge.

2 // I LOVE this chair. I can't stop thinking about it when I think of our future home. I also love the graphic wall in the back.

3 // Stylish Sorel Boots? Yes, please because let's get real...you don't want to wear your leather boots that will completely soak through in the winter.

4 // Instead of brown paper packages, go with green paper packages tied up with fancy yarn and candy cane string. So festive and fresh.

5 // Smashed potatoes. Mmmmm.

6 // This quote. It literally left me speechless the first time I read it on Tumblr.

7 // I can't get over these boots. I also can't get over how they cost more than $400. Yikes.

8 // Because a plaid scarf is almost necessary.

9 // Agh a literal long sweater dress. *swoooooooooon*

10 // This is evil. Oreo butter? Oh yes. A thousand times yes.

11 // Big scarves are so swoon worthy, but big royal blue scarves with fuzzy grey sweaters, ULTRA swoon worthy.

+ s w o o n 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

p.s. I would have all sources to the photos, but my computer kept crashing when I tried to upload and then copy and paste the links. I tried like five times and I just said screw it. All photos don't belong to me and the majority of them can be found on Pinterest or Tumblr.

Friday Favorites // Be Your Own

p h o t o 

If you need to learn anything from my blog, you need to learn this: Be your own person. Don't be like the rest of them, darling. Being you is the perfect way to be. Imperfections and all. Now have a happy weekend and enjoy these links from the internet.


1 // Why I Don't Wear Makeup by my most favorite: Leandra Medine. *Swear Warning*

2 // A flattering and drapey sweater  in grey is the staple to my fall wardrobe.

3 // A navy one ain't so bad either.

4 // A lovely hairstyle to try.

5 // Gingham & Jeans

6 // Oooo this jacket is so bomb.

7 // But this one. Man, this one is so beautiful.

8 // Absolutely love this little series by Lena Dunham. I need to check out her book. *More Language Warnings*

9 // Three fall outfits.  Love the black Vans look!

10 // I think this might be the next calendar I buy next year.

11 // Every thought of throwing a baked potato party? I LOVE this idea.

12 // One more sweater, I promise!

13 // Ever wonder how to reheat your pizza without getting that hard crusty crust crust? Here's how.

+ h a p p y // w e e k e n d 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

Terrific Tuesday // Tasty

So many T's in one title. The fun never ends over on this blog. So today I'm bringing you one of my FAVORITE lunch recipes. This stuff is good, people. Mm mm good, really. And it comes from one of my favorite fitness and food blogs: Our Best Bites.

I don't have pictures, but the blog does so check it out if you need the visual aid. I'm also linking the ingredients I used. Indulge away!

Skinny Chicken Salad for One
from Our Best Bites

4 ounces or 1 cup of shredded or diced (cooked) boneless, skinless chicken breast. (I totally used a rotisserie chicken sold cold in the deli section.)
1/4 cup diced celery
2 Tablespoons sliced green onion
1/4 cup diced sweet, crisp apple. (I am partial toward Fuji. In fact, it's the only apple I eat. Expensive, I know.)
1 Tablespoon Light Mayo 
1 Tablespoon light mayo or Greek Yogurt (The Greek yogurt is beyoooond.)
1/2-1 Tablespoon of fresh Parsley or Cilantro ( Cilantro is SO cheap at Winco. I love the flavor, plus I buy a huge bush and use it for three meals a week: BBQ chicken pizza, Carne Asada Tacos, and this lunch).
1/8 teaspoon Curry Powder (Check it out in the Hispanic/Asian foods aisle.)
1/4 teaspoon Red Wine Vinegar 
1 Tablespoon Roasted Sliced Almonds ( Buy them in bulk. Sure, it's expensive but you can use them over and over again. Wahoo!)
Salt and Pepper to taste (Kosher salt, ya'll.)

Combine all ingredients except almonds and stir to combine. If possible, chill for an hour or so or even overnight before eating. Before serving, mix in the almonds.

Enjoy with lettuce, whole grain bread, pita chips, pita bread, tortillas, pop chips, whole grain club crackers, and a nice, cold glass of Gold Peak Sweet Tea. (Shhhh.)

+ h a p p y // t u e s d a y 

+ h a p p y // e a t i n g 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d 

Friday Favorites // The Beginnings of Summer

p h o t o 

1 // The cutest summer dress. Inspired from here. 

2 // Colorful blooms. My favorite.

3 //  Omg this summery d.i.y. is adorable.

4 // I am notorious of using "!" way too much. 

5 // Guys. Mindy Kaling is MY person. She just is.

6 // Next on my summer reading list...

7 // Hola.

8 // Lovely summer sandals. 

9 // Snatched this dress up at Target today.

10 // These would look great with a tan.

11 // Eat your fruits and veggies!

12 // The struggle is real. 

13 // Guys, I love life hacks. 

+ h a p p y // w e e k e n d 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

p.s.  oh my word. 

Monday Musing // Oh hey week, you're back.

We are back to the week. Away from the weekend. Here we are. Oh I don't know how I feel. I always like greeting the week with positivity and happiness, but I'm in this weird limbo phase. I couldn't really take classes in the Spring because of class availability so I'm working and I'm having a hard time adjusting. Not to the work, but the no school part. It makes me really nervous actually.

I mean, to be honest, I think I am still trying to figure myself out. Like I know who I am. Dani. I am Dani, wife of Tyler, daughter of Frank and Lys, sister of 3 cool cats, lover of fashion, pizza enthusiast, instagram and 2048 obsessed. Like I know that part. But the hobby part of me, the free time part of me is something new. So here we go. Here I go. Wish me luck.

I've already made steps though, and I'm finally going to start planning meals around this apartment more. Tyler and I try to eat at home a lot, but the meals aren't always the greatest because they are repetitive and usually have the same thing. I mean, they are tasty, but we are ready to try new things, and now I have the time to do that. So I took the challenge and made HOMEMADE ROLLS! WAHOOO!

Guys, these words came from Tyler's mouth, "these taste like the bread they give you at the sourdough factory at disneyland!"

You better believe I kissed that boy straight on the mouth after that.

So yes, these rolls are mm-mm-good. 

Give them a try.

Also, check everything out about Mel's Kitchen Cafe. Every recipe is divine...or I think they would be. I have tried a lot.

Oh P.S. let them dough balls rise for 45 minutes uncovered, I had mine covered lightly and some of the rolls flattened out. Derp. It's fine. Still yummy.

Try new things! From pinterest from magazines from d.i.y.'s that's a goal I have let's go week, I'm ready for you!

Eat // Mac N Cheese

Behold! The recipe to some pretty tasty Mac n Cheese by my madre. She's the greatest. And tastiest. You have to try this stuff. Also...forgive me for not taking good pictures...I mean. I'm not good at that shiz. Without further ado...

Mom's Mac N Cheese 

Ingredients 

3 cups of Elbow Mac
2 cans of chicken broth
1/4 cup of flour
5 strips of bacon (or as many as you want...or if you don't want bacon you can choose whatever meat you like...p.s. you don't even have to use meat.)
1 block of cream cheese
1 cup of sharp cheddar (I used Smoke Gouda and a Three Cheddar blend for the pot I just made)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
A squirt of dijon mustard or you could use 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard OR you could leave the mustard out all together and add hot sauce or more garlic powder.
More cheese and bread crumbs (optional) for topping.

Now, this serves a family of six. I should have totally cut down the recipe, but Tyler gets really hungry so we managed.

Directions 

1. Boil the 3 cups of Elbow Mac in a well-salted pot of water for about 10 minutes. 
2. In another sauce pan (I LOVE using my Bella Cast Iron Dutch Oven) 
3. Pour one can of broth in a bowl, mason jar or whatever you have that you can mix in. Adfd the 1/4 cup of flour and whisk it all together until the flour has dissolved. Set aside. 
4. In sauce pan, sauté chopped bacon until crispy. 
5. Pour in the liquid that you just mixed together (the flour and chicken broth) 
6. Whisk well until a thick slurry (gravy) has formed. 
7. Add the block of cream cheese, 1 can of chicken broth, 1 cup of sharp cheddar, salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and dry mustard. 
8. Whisk rapidly until the cream cheese has dissolved. 
9. Taste for cheesiness and seasoning. Add more if needed. 
10. Cover with breadcrumbs and cheese. To your liking of course. 
11. Bake UNCOVERED at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cheese is brown and bubbly on top. You'll know when it's done. It should look like this! 

Put a HEAPING spoonful of this on your plate. Eat with chicken, broccoli, garlic bread, whatever you like we do for you.

ENJOY!

+  h a p p y // e a t i n g 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d 

Friday Favorites: Get Colorful This Weekend

p h o t o 

Here's your goal for the weekend. Get colorful. For those in Utah County, the Festival of Colors is happening TOMORROW! Holi, a celebration of color. You will literally get colorful, with gunk up your nose and your ears. Super great. An alternative? Paint a picture, go to Color Me Mine, write some thank you notes, smile, laugh, watch an artsy movie. Tyler and I are going to a friend's baby shower, renting a puppy, and then hitting up Holi Krishna. It's going to be wonderful and lots of fun.

1. How to Build the Perfect Wardrobe

2. BBQ Chicken Pizza is one of my absolute favorites.

3. Dreams // One of my favorite songs done absolutely perfectly. It's the dreamiest. No pun intended.

4. I want everything. 

5. Don't clutter your fridge with these kitchen essentials. 

6. A new cookie recipe that will leave you eating the whole batch in one sitting.

7. Who would not want this bag for spring?

8. WARNING: This article may be triggering...but it's powerful.

9. I got Mindy Kaling and I am so happy about it.

10. Oh how I needed these hair hacks. 

11.  Love. Love. LOVE. 

12. Lisa Eldridge is a women's women. I love her looks. 

13. 10 Drugstore finds that you should know about. 

+ h a p p y // w e e k e n d 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d 

a little mix

1. Pull these on. You could literally throw these one with EVERYTHING.

2. I dig. Oh I dig so hard.

3. Camo will always be the class throwback that everyone will say they hate, but secretly love and adore and wish they could rock. So why don't we rock it? Why don't we?

4. Day & Age by The Killers. Great album. Superb band. Tyler and I have been jamming out. Listen to all of it.

5. I Can't Stay by The Killers (good luck finding a good version...all of the ones I looked for weren't very good, but if you have spotify it's absolutely great on there.)

6. Leave it to A Cup of Jo to remind me just how ADORABLE AND RAD these things are.

7. Give it up for Joanna again, like how does she find beautiful things like this? Fashion at its finest.

8. i love it all. i love it all so much i want to go shopping RIGHT NOW.

9.  Joyride by The Killers (again, can't find a good link)

10. *Stomach growling*

11. My store of choice right now. 

12. The sweetest.  What a lovely D.I.Y.

13. This. 

Have a lovely weekend! Stay gold.

On Buttermilk Pancakes, Cookies, and Tacos.

Lately, Tyler and I have had some pretty good eats. There is something about food that warms my heart (stop snickering...this is gonna get beautiful.) The fact that we can take simple, yet delicious ingredients and make tasty treats and dishes that fill the belly and warm the soul. God created food to bring people together. To make us happy. To bring us back to our childhoods. To create a challenge. To create memories.

For my wedding, my sister-in-law, Heather and the rest of the Abbott girls made me a cookbook. I am in love. It's the most darling thing there ever was. So many new recipes to try. So many tasty things to eat. When the belly is filled with good food, the heart and soul is very happy.

So here are some pictures! (Of what we ate of course...because that's how we roll.)

p.s. this is not a promise or resolution or anything...but I was thinking that maybe one day i'll start posting pictures of food i make and recipes and shiz like that. word.

Paper towel holder is from Target // Cookbook from The Abbott Brides // Pitcher from Target from the most precious Kelly Julander.

Actually didn't make these cookies, but I did make Abby's (Tyler's mom) famous cookies...and those seriously deserve a blog post all on their own. These were just cookies we gave out for a work activity. So many mudslides. Want the recipe?You'll have to ask BYU. 

These tacos. Made. My. Life. 

No picture of the pancakes with buttermilk syrup...but he's a picture of Ty and I to make up for that. Aren't we the stuck-upiest? Vain. I know. 

Oh this makes me miss Wedger (the brother) he took these. Now he's in New York impressing photographers left and right. 

So what food makes you happy? Don't lie...you know food has that effect on you! 

Any recipes you want to share? Send me links? Tell me a food story. I'd love to hear. 

Happy eating. 

Stay gold. 

These ones are keepers.

1. Tyler and I are in LOVE with this sauce. (Psst. Would anyone with a Costco card be willing to buy this for us when they go? We will be most grateful and we will pay you back.) It's unreal.

2. So excited to try this recipe next week. Who doesn't love a ONE DISH meal?

3. And now I want the cookbook.

4.  Tyler and I live in a small space and these will come in handy one day, for sure.

5. Natalie's entire "Get Me Dressed" series. Oh I almost forgot one.

6. Netflix.

7. Parks and Recreation on Netflix. Can I please be Leslie Knope?

8. These have saved my blistered feet.

9. H&M, like I'm obsessed.

10. These boots were made for walking, running, skipping, jumping, jogging, and even swimming.

11. Young the Giant's new single.

12. One of my best friends got engaged this weekend! So happy for her. Congratulations Kaitlyn and Jimmy.

13. Whodathunk?  Let's decorate!

(Psst. Has anyone else had a  problem with automatic/queue posting on blogger?) 

The reason why this is up on a Monday...lame.

Oh well. 

Stay gold. 

Ariel with a beard?! I can't even.

1. Hey Natalie Jean! 
I can't get enough of her blog. She wasn't always my favorite..but now I'm girl crushin' big time. 

2. Disney Princesses with Beards 
Ariel is my most favorite. Pocahontas (my real favorite) looks FIEERRRRRCE.

3. Ultimate Red Velvet Cheescake 
From you know where, with you know who, you know when, buying you know what. Now that it sound suspicious, Fashion Place Mall, with Megan, on Wednesday, wedding shoe shopping.

4. Heart melted into a puddle of love juice.

5. 15 Recipes not only parents..but newly weds should know!

6. Dinner: A Love Story

7. Oh! And there's a blog!
I have this one bookmarked, but it's one of those gems that you forget about sometimes because you don't cook as much as you should and then it returns to you and you remember why you liked it so much.

8. Master Card + J.Crew = Perfect holiday commersh

9. I'm a VSCO cam fiend!

10. For the wedding shoe shopper.

11. To spruce up the paper writing. (I needed this...but who says I'll use it?)

12. For upcoming football games and those basketball games too. 

13. Burgundy sweatshirts are tied at #1 with Grey sweatshirts for me right now.

What are you doing this weekend? Tyler and I celebrated his 1 year from being home from his LDS mission in Mexico with Costa Vida, a basketball game and Farr's Fresh. Tonight we are celebrating a birthday with our closest friends.

Well whatever you do...have a fun, safe, wonderful, and happy weekend.

Stay gold.

Friday Favorites on a Saturday

I'm already slacking. I already used this title once before. Oh well. Have a wonderful, safe, and happy weekend. Stay gold.

1. Maggie Sottero 

2. For the Home.

3. Ei-O!

4. Bastille Goes Miley!

5. Bows! For a wedding perhaps?

6. The prettiest.

7. These shoes were made for walking. Comfortable walking, that is.

8. As the Paula Dean meme once said, "Butter is everything, B!"

9. Lonesome Dreams. Talk about a music video.

10.  Dreamy ankle straps.

11. *Drool*

12. I wasn't a veil girl, but now I am.

13.  Not a link, but yesterday I realized something...as a soon to be bride, I have gotten caught up in doing things that people expect me to do. Planning a wedding around other people and not myself or Tyler. Yesterday I realized that I really had to stop doing that. I had to stop selling my wedding short. I had to stop worrying about what everyone else thought. I had to stop worrying what everyone thought about my dress and if I changed up my aesthetic a bit. It's my wedding...and I really don't care if you don't like it. Or if you think everyone has my dress or if it's not what I originally wanted. It's my perfectly special day. It's my sealing and that is the most important part. It is going to be perfect and beautiful to me and that is what matters. Is anyone else with me on this?

Friday Favorites: New and Improved

Coming to you every Friday. Thirteen links to love. Way better than the Favorites before. Enjoy!

1. Lemon Chicken Stew for the College Student Soul

2. Just a Few Things by Mrs. Sydney Poulton *Can I be here, please!* 

3. Faux Leather Jacket a la Cara Delevingne

4. Skinny Jeans in Olive for a great price!

5. Buckles, anyone? 

6. For the sweatshirt lovers and dreamers. 

7. Powerful, sad, and thought provoking.

8.  KA-YEWT!

9. Want that thick lash look? This actually works!

10. Wanting these books... one, two, three, and four.

11. Have you seen Gravity yet? Sweet mother of mercy good movies are back! It was a loooooong summer.

12. Studs!

13. I'm feeling sweatshirts too, Natalie Jean.

Have a beautiful, safe, happy, and lovely weekend. 

Stay gold.

The sappiest.

This post is going to be sappy, and it's probably just one of the many, many, MANY sappy posts that I will write about Tyler Jordan, the boy. Here are the reasons why I love him today, Tuesday, July 30, 2013. There are many reasons really, loads, thousands, infinity, but today I will just mention a few.

So I was able to pay rent this month, on my own. Without my dad's help. This. This my friends is huge. I was able to pay tithing and then pay rent, all on my own. The beautiful feeling of independence wrapped me up like a blanket. Anyway, but when the rent check is dropped, the checking account takes a beating. Don't get me wrong, I am staying well fed. I have food at home, but sometimes I just don't want a PB&J or cereal. So I leave home hungry. Not good. Especially since Tuesdays are my busiest day and I don't have loads of time or moneys to go buy overpriced food in the cafeteria. Anyway so with time and moolah constraint and with sleepy eyes and a hot hub, I get grumpy and extremely hungry throughout the day.Thankfully, I am dating the best guy around (yes, I went there all you sappy saps who love talking about their BF's on every social network ever...it happens, I'll turn into one of them.) In a moment of hungry desperation and irrational grumpy-ness, Tyler appeared before my eyes with a bag of goodies. So here are the reasons why I love him loads.

1. Bagels, preferably the pizza and asiago kind, but if he were to come with a cinnamon sugar one with strawberry cream cheese, I would not complain. Bagels are slowly becoming our breakfast thing. Our quick snack thing. Our thing. Yeah. So you could imagine my joy when I saw those tucked away first in the goodie bag.

2. Vitamin Water in Dragonfruit because all the rest just don't compare. We will gladly share a bottle of this stuff, but it's always a luxury when you have one of your own. Seeing that made me want to kiss him on the mouth right then and there in the lib. But we won't get all gushy.

3. Chocolate Chip Clif Bars. Or any Clif Bar. I always give him a hard time about Walmart's Great Value Granola Bars and their distinct cardboard/nothingness flavor. I really should stop giving him such a hard time after this.

4. Lastly, Peanut Butter M&M's, my kryptonite, to be dramatic and silly. I love those things and could eat bags and bags and bags of them. That sealed the deal (not even trying to make a marriage reference right there).

So take note boys, though these may be just the simplest and silliest reasons to love someone they still count. Bring your girls goodie bags and ladies it wouldn't be so bad if you did the same for the him in your life. Thank you Tyler, I owe you a lot of foot rubs, to which you will disagree but secretly want anyway. Have a Terrific Tuesday (Wednesday), friends. Stay gold.

This is getting crazy...

Really though, another Friday? All I can say is that I'm incredibly grateful. Oh and not to mention that it's General Conference weekend, bring on the cinnamon rolls, tears, and enlightenment. Bring. It. On. Elder Holland I am ready for you! (P.S. I will say President Uchtdorf and Elder Scott are my favorite speakers, well I like them all, but sometimes Elder Holland scares me. Just sayin' He's just so powerful.)

Favorite #1: I GOT THE JOB! I don't think I ever mentioned that I was applying for a Peer Mentor position here on campus, and if I did I was probably talking about all of the other jobs I was applying for, but this one was at the top of my list and I got it! Oh words cannot describe how grateful I am for this opportunity! I cannot wait to mentor young freshman. I can't wait to be surrounded by the kindest of people. I cannot wait to work hard, to grow, to change, and to see my students grow and change. I am so incredibly grateful for this tremendous opportunity. I won't let you down! I won't!

Favorite #2: Bean and Cheese Burritos
I know, I know, probably not the healthiest thing but I seriously love those things. I was at Winco the other day and I wanted to buy one frozen meal and I chose those and I'm sure glad I did, because I was starving yesterday and needed grub and those were the easiest things to whip up. I mean you put it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Add a thick slice of colby jack and salsa and call it dinner for a college student minus the ramen.

Favorite #3: 100 Rules of Dinner 
(Yeah, I just posted this after talking to you about my bean and cheese burritos. Not ashamed.) 

Favorite #4: Life of Pi
I watched it with a friend yesterday and I was mesmerized by the outstanding beauty.

Favorite #5: Raspberry and Blueberry Granola and yogurt.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack of Zeus. I am a sucker for that combo. 

Favorite #6: #mightlove 
#mightylove
#mightylove
Pretty much the best internet spamming ever.

Favorite #7: This tree.

Who could not be in love with those blossoms?

Favorite #8: The fact that Everlane has belts now.

Favorite #9: My birthday is in 8 days! AH! 20 years old can you believe it?

Favorite #10: This pretty bauble for the wrist.

Favorite #11: Pointed-toe flats for the win.
And if these sandals aren't the cutest, I don't know what cute is anymore.

Favorite #12: The fact that Talor is on Instagram. I die. Beware Miss Cunningham, I am coming for your photos...expect a #mightlove gram soooooon.

So what have been your favorites of the week? What are you cooking up for dinner tonight? Any suggestions? Anything you'd like to say? If so, comment below. Stay gold.

AND

Have a very happy and very safe weekend.

oh what a night

So I was supposed to write this last night, and I really was going to but stuff happened and I am writing it this morning. Groggy from sleep and breath like a morning. So these are favorites. On a Saturday. As usual.

1. Bruge's Waffles and Frites
A vanilla Belgian waffle with creme fraiche and raspberries. It was scrumptious. I didn't even get a picture, but I got a picture of the place. I need to go back and try their "Machine Gun" sandwich. Lamb and frites on a sandwich? I'm in.



2. Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn

3. Bus Stations
I love looking at everybody and wondering where they are off too.

4. Trains
I want to go on a train excursion to a far off place and have a lot of adventures in that place.

5. Whiteboard Notes
My roommate is gold. Pure gold.



6. 100% on a BYU test.
SO. HAPPY. D&C I ate you like I ate that waffle! P.S. I stood there in disbelief. I didn't think that was my score. I should have a little more faith in myself.

Well, I think that's all because I seriously need to go get ready. And brush my teeth. And decide whether or not I want to drive home with this weather.

Have a happy and safe weekend.
Stay gold.

I'm too lazy to write something...

So...I'll just show you instagrams of stuff that makes me really happy.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Want the recipe? Lemme know! 

Baked chicken, white rice, and green salad. Want the recipe for the chicken? Also lemme know about that one. 

My artistic shot of the week. Actually this was a latergram.

We heart-attacked our best guy friend. It was super girly and kind of reminded me of Junior High, but it was so worth it. Happy birthday, Braden! Love you! 

The Chocolate's famous Cazookie. Uh...perfection in a baked good. Really. SO amazing. Next time you are in the Provo/Orem area make a pit stop at the chocolate and bring a buddy to share.

Do you like taking pictures of everything? Are you kinda Instagram obsessed? I might be guilty of being a little too into taking pictures of my life. Especially food. What makes you happy? 

Comment below. Follow me on Instagram @daniellaroo. 

Stay golden.

Pancakes, Potato Chowder, and Panda

It's Friday Favorites time again and as you can see by the title I will be talking about food...mostly. Yeah maybe just food. Okay I'll try to fit a few moments and people in there. This is going to be long and rambly but fortunately there are pictures at the end. Eeee!

1. South African
Now I know that sounds weird, but there is this pretty darn good looking kid in my Family Finance class and we had been making that awkward but totally butterfly inducing eye contact thing that college students do for several classes and then he finally stopped to talk to me. Now I'm pretty sure he has a girlfriend but it doesn't hurt that he complimented my shirt and says hi to me every time we see each other. ALSO, he's from South Africa, he plays rugby, and he has the best accent on this planet. P.S. I know his name but I don't want to be EVEN MORE CREEPY than I already am by sharing this little story.

2. Cool Runnings
Did you know that Jamaica had a bobsled team? Classic movie and it never fails to make me feel good inside.

3. Weekend visits from my oldest brother Frankie. I'm grateful for the Jamba Juice and Del Taco that he buys for me. What a quality guy.

4. Retail Therapy with the roommates. The sale at Gap and Bath and Body Works was grand.

5. Cheddar Pretzels...yeah pure deliciousness in a snack. Give me some and I will love you forever.

6. Rays of sunshine.

7. When my brother came for his visit he brought a little rice cooker and some BCBG Generation bracelets that my mother so kindly sent my way. I love her to pieces.

8. Cutie Clementines and Chaela Mcdonald.

7. Whoosh Cecil! Ice cream from the BYU Creamery. Caramel, chocolate, and sugar cashews. So good. Oh and let's not forget Megan Fairchild and the chicken strips we devoured.

8. National Pancake Day and a free short stack from Ihop.

9. Homemade Potato/Corn Chowder.

10. Homemade Panda Express Noodles

11. Staying up WAY too late and talking to roommates about life and love and things like that.

12. A little sister to miss and to make me so happy. 

13. Snow. Large flurry snowflakes that make the perfect snow ball.

14. OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT...I won an iPod nano. I am sharper than a cheese grater. I go to BYU so it's only natural. ;) (teehee) 

15. P.S. Is anyone else watching The Bachelor? Does anyone else hate Tierra as much as I do? Comment below. Sound off!

That's all. Now enjoy Instagrams of my life.
 
 
 


 

Have a lovely weekend.
Stay gold. 

Thai Chicken Pizza is the Best Creation on this Planet

Friday Favorites! I'm quite surprised that I am even typing this. I haven't posted one of these in a while. Fridays are freedom days, but today as I sit with a full belly (full of Thai chicken pizza) and smelling like a pizza joint, I am going to write a Friday Favorites. There have been plenty of favorites even with it being the first week of the semester.

So the first...
What's in my stomach digesting right now? Thai Chicken Pizza from SLAB right down the street. There is no pizza greater or tastier. I mean if you like exotic flavors and spicy peanut sauce. It's delicious. I didn't snap a picture, because honestly, if I'm super hungry I'll just cut to the chase and take a huge bite. So if you're in the Provo area and want a slightly expensive but totally worth it slice of goodness, check out SLAB. I recommend the Hawaiian (though I say you should get a Premium slice to get the whole Slab experience), BBQ Chicken, Rosemary Potato and Bacon, and of course the Thai.

2. SNOW! I feel like I mention this a ton on here, but I just love snow so much, and northern Utah got buckets of it last night. Provo got a nice blanket. I can only hope for more.

3. Come to Jesus talks from your dad. They are always what I need. Every single time. Thank you, Daddy-O.

4. Making important decisions. Decisions that can change your life. Trusting your heart and trusting the Lord. That's all you can do.

5. Soft, somewhat sappy, lovely wedding music. I am pretty tempted to make a wedding song list on Spotify.

6. Lemon Poppyseed Muffins. Delicious, I say.

7. Sincere talks with the most unlikely friend. That moment when they are completely serious with you and they tell you what you need to hear. Thos moments are rare because they usually are extremely sarcastic about everything. BUT their words are comforting and you just want to give them the biggest hug because you think they are quite possibly the most wise person on the Earth at that moment.

And last but not least...

 8. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Right up there on the favorite song list with Beth/Rest.

What were your favorite moments of the week? Care to share? Have a lovely and safe weekend, friends. Stay gold.