Oh Hey Weekend…

June 14, 2013 — Leave a comment

So it’s the weekend. FINALLY. Let’s say hello to this past week:)

My family is amazing at cooking. Say hello to a Greek Salad, with a homemade Greek dressing and herb braised chicken. YUM.

Blurry throw back to my time in Venice. A year ago, I was there. It’s sad, I just want to go back!

A buck for a clay mask at Walmart? Heck yeah. Don’t worry, I totally sent this to Randy and said, “Admit it, you miss me.” He’ll probably never talk to me again after he sees it;)

This kid and I had an awesome date yesterday that included a stop at Cherry Hill (I go there on my day off. It’s fine.) He thinks he’s pretty good….;) (Yes, you made the blog David. Congratulations;))

This kid has been gone for 5 months (Oh yeah:)) He’s great. Except for the keys dangling off his belt loop. We have to do something about that….;)

That was this week at a glance.

Linking up:

I’m all geared up and ready for this weekend. It’s going to include: work, seeing Jonas for the first time in two years (I KNOW RIGHT??), crying at the ballet recital, Father’s Day, and much more. Stay tuned!

Happy Friday everyone:)

Summer Reads

June 13, 2013 — Leave a comment

So I love reading. A lot. So I thought I’d share a few of my favorite summer reads to maybe spice up your library a little bit! If you have any other suggestions for me, please comment or send me a message!

1. Pride and Prejudice. Classic, one of my favorites, read it!

2. Twitterpated. Just finished this one. It’s a cheesy, LDS romance novel, but it was good. So, you should read it:)

3. The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio. This was on my mom’s book club list and I really liked it. It was sad, but so hopeful at the same time. It’s more of a life story than a novel, but doesn’t read like most non-fiction.

4. The Invisible Bridge. If you’re artsy, in love with Europe, or into history, this is the one for you! It was very well written and a wonderful read.

5. The Great Gatsby. There’s a lot of hype about this movie, but the book is amazing. If you haven’t read it, go read it now. If you have read it, maybe read it again!

6. At First Sight. Nicholas Sparks, cheesy romance, so sad I cried…but still good:)

7. Things Fall Apart. I actually read this for AP English, but I absolutely loved it. It was incredible and really made me think. If you’re looking for an intellectual read, this is it!

8. Gone With The Wind. This is one of my favorite books. It’s a long one, you could start it now and finish by the end of the summer, but it’s one that EVERYONE should read.

9. The List. Another cheesy, LDS romance. SO GOOD. I was literally jumping up and down, screaming at the end.

10. The Secret Keeper. Murder mystery, WWII mixed with 2011, romance and action. It was amazing. Less cheesy than some, more interesting than others. I loved it, and I think you will too!

So these are my summer read suggestions! Hopefully you enjoy them.

Also. Today is the 13th, which is a special day for me. So here’s a little shout out to my favorite missionary, and to another 13th down:)

Happy Thursday everyone!

Keep the first date conversation going!

June 11, 2013 — Leave a comment

So yesterday I went on a date. Yup. A date. It was good! At the end of the date, he asked me to “accept this rose” like on the Bachelor. Because we’d talked about that a few days earlier. What a cheeser:)

I hadn’t been on a first date in a while, so I made my foolproof list of topics of discussion (yeah, I can be THAT girl) and I thought I’d share it with you!

1. Ask him about his family. Number of siblings, nieces and nephews, his parents, stuff like that.

2. Ask what he wants to be when he grows up. That’ll get him into something he’s interested in!

3. Ask him what kinds of things he did in high school; sports, musicals, band?

4. Ask if he plays any instruments or likes to sing.

5. Ask him what his favorite movie/book/band is.

6. Find out what his typical day is like.

7. Ask him what he likes to do in his free time.

8. Where was his favorite vacation?

9. Where would be his dream place to live?

10. What are some things you need to know about him?

These questions will for sure last you through the evening. Trust me:)

So I also had a record high of readers yesterday. Which is AWESOME but also very intimidating. My dad said “now make sure you blog about things that people will like to keep that readership up!” Ummmmm I don’t know what people like…? Soooo that’s one thing….

But really. Thanks for reading. Thanks for coming back. Ya’ll are great:)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Be…Our…GUEST:)

June 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

First, Haley Young is the best. I made her blog yesterday, so basically I’ve achieved stardom. She’s incredible and I have to give her a shout-out for being one of my best friends, and for putting up with me this summer when I don’t have a ton of other people to play with. So thanks Haley, for seriously being the best:)

Today is the day. Guest bloggers!! I asked Samantha and Julie to both do a guest post a little while ago, and I’m so happy they both said yes! I figured I’d put them up on the same day so that you, dear reader, could go explore both of their blogs after you finish reading! They are both awesome and I have loved working with them, and look forward to working with them even more! Samantha is so funny and sweet, Julie is creative and caring, and I just adore both of their blogs! So here they are, Julie and Samantha!

Hey there! I’m so thrilled that Maddy asked me to guest post on her blog today! I’m Samantha, and I blog over at These Moments. I’m pretty new to the blogging world, so I am totally open to button swapping and guest posting!

A little bit about me:

I’m 18, almost 19. I just graduated high school. I believe that life is a beautiful thing. There is beauty in everything, if you just know where to look. I love hiking and snowshoeing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where I was born and raised. I simply adore baking and crafting. I have an amazing group of friends. I love listening to music. I’m excited to start college in the fall at BYU! I’m a sucker for cheesy made-for-tv romantic comedies. I am terrified of geese. I’m the oldest of four kids. I love watching movies, and board games are right up there on the list. Spontaneous adventures are my all-time favorite. I love to read anything I can get my hands on. I’m learning how to play guitar. I have an amazing, blessed life, and I love sharing it on my blog!

Why I blog:

I originally started blogging the summer before my junior year of high school, but didn’t really like it and deleted my blog. That all changed the beginning of my senior year, when my best friend Erica convinced me to start up a blog again. I instantly fell in love with blogging and reading other blogs, and I’ve been blogging ever since.

I have especially enjoyed doing tutorials, blogging about my senior prom and graduation, and just sharing all the little adventures my life has given me!

I try to focus on the positive, because I believe that “being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect, it simply means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections.” I’ve learned that no matter where life takes you, if you meet it with a smile and bear through hard times, there will be a rainbow at the end of the storm. But most importantly, I have learned that life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.

Have a lovely day, and thanks again for letting me post, Maddy!

Always,

Samantha Justine

And now for Julie:)

Hi I’m Julie! I’m overjoyed that Maddy asked me to guest post this week, I love making new blog friends J I’m relatively new to the blogging world but I’m improving and growing my blog Different is Beautiful. I would love new followers and am open for swapping buttons or guest posts on my blogs! Email me at 7julieh@gmail.com if you’re interested. Visit my blog here.

Who am I?

I am a lover of music

I have a bucket list

I hate sharks

Pretzels are my favorite food

I play guitar

I’m a runner

I am obsessed with traveling

I am one of six kids

I know how to beatbox

I’m a college student

I’m an adrenaline junkie

I’m a Mormon

Why do I blog?

I originally started Different is Beautiful as a way to document my life and adventures after my family moved to Turkey my senior year. I wanted a way to stay in touch with my family and friends back in the US. I was really bad about blogging and didn’t truly begin posting until a year later when I graduated high school. Hence, most of my first posts are a look back at my year in Turkey and my senior year in High School. You can read some of my favorites here and here. When I started college I decided to keep my lil’ blog going as a project and document my experiences at Brigham Young University. It’s been a crazy and wild adventure since I started college a year ago, and I’ve grown a lot as a person. This week I celebrated my first bloviversary! I’m slowly growing and improving Different is Beautiful and my hope is to gain new readers and friends along the way. Feel free to stop by anytime, an never forget Different is Beautiful!

Aren’t they fabulous? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to stalk their blogs all the way back to the beginning. Should be fun:)

Happy Monday everyone!

Dear Weekend

June 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

Dear Work: I don’t want to go back today. Yesterday was hard enough, what with the Internet failing and everyone needing something every two minutes. So just go easy on me today, eh? Dear pasta: some say it’s weird to eat you for breakfast. It’s not. Boil faster so I can enjoy you. Dear Randy: stop being in Japan. I’m kidding, I’m glad you’re in Japan. But sometimes, it’d be nice if you lived in America. Dear summer: thanks for showing up! I’m ready for days that are so hot that I can’t put my hands on the steering wheel, and nights where we can sit on the back porch and see the stars. Dear readers: thanks for sticking with me. Thanks for following me and making me feel that maybe I’m doing the right thing by keeping this blog going. You’re wonderful!

Happy Saturday everyone.

Tid+bits

June 7, 2013 — Leave a comment

Lately things have been crazy! Good crazy, but crazy. Here’s just a little peek of what’s been up recently.

Working on figuring out my college schedule. I’m getting into my major soon so it’s starting to become a game of what classes to take when…all of it is stressful and confusing, but I’m so excited for all of these classes! Hello journalism major and art history minor, and hello junior year!

Congratulations to all my Davis High seniors who are graduating today! Makes me remember my graduation: the long lines in the heat, the speeches that I actually really liked, walking around with over 700 other people to get a diploma, the teachers who were smiling and shaking my hands, my best friends and my family all being there to support me. Yeah, that was a good day. Congrats to all you kids graduating today! Good things are coming!

It’s summer AKA I never wear shoes. Not on the grass, the sidewalk, or even in the road. And yes my toes are still messed up from ballet. It’s fine.

So that’s what’s up! Now I’m off to work for 10 hours at Cherry Hill…that should be fun right?

Happy last day of school to all my Davis County friends! And happy Friday everyone!

Linking up with:

http://crowleyparty.blogspot.com/2013/06/tid-bits-of-life-via-instalove.html

http://allison-itsmylife.blogspot.com/2013/06/writing-laundry-exercise.html

http://www.dailygiftpursuit.blogspot.com/2013/06/linkup-co.html

http://www.heartshapedsweat.com/2013/06/i-love-me-friday.html

It’s a great day to be a Dart

June 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

So if you know me, you know that I follow Hailey Haugen (now Devine). I love her story. I saw her at City Creek once. I read her blog. Yeah it’s boarderline obsessive, but it’s totally fine.

Imagine my shock when I won her Shabby Apple giveaway!!

Yup, this girl is heading to Shabby Apple with 100 dollars to blow. It’s a pretty good setup if you ask me. Don’t know how it happened (I’d like to think it’s Hailey’s way of telling me she appreciates me wanting to be her. But that’s probably not it,) but life is good my friends.

Also. It’s yearbook day at high school which has got me all weepy and nostalgic. I’ll save my full graduation post for tomorrow, since that’s when the class of 2013 graduates. But here’s what I remember about yearbook days from high school:

-Deciding what to wear. It was a challenge for me.
-Running around with my friends to sign yearbooks.
-My hand being tired from writing.
-Sitting outside on the grass and it being SO HOT.
-Running inside to get teachers, and see who was inside that I needed.
-Spending forever in the theater room with everyone.
-Walking out with Randy after and being sad it was all over.
-Heading to Spencer’s to swim and play all night.
-Reading through the nice things people said to me, and realizing high school was pretty great.

So happy yearbook day class of 2013!

And happy Thursday everyone!

News June 6, 2013

June 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

KSL Headline: Friends, family gather to remember BYU student after body found

After an extensive search of Y Mountain in Provo, 22 year old Tyler Mayle’s body was found last night. He had been missing since Saturday, though it hadn’t been reported until Monday. Experts think he was trying to climb a steep cliff and fell 60 feet or so. They are still looking into the details of the tragedy. Family and friends gathered to search, and then sing tribute, to Tyler.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: U.S. Is Secretly Collecting Records of Verizon Calls

The Obama administration is carrying out a new surveillance program which involves collecting American business communications, legal due to the Patriot Act. A senior official for the Obama administration said that this court order does not allow them to hear the conversation or even get the names, but rather allows them access to metadata, such as length of calls, for Verizon custoemrs.

Click here to read the full story.

Bridal Shower

June 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

So yesterday I threw a bridal shower. It was scary. I semi threw one with Alyse for Amy, but this one was all at my house. I had to make things look cute. If you know me, you know that I try to be crafty, but 99% of the time I lack the patience to make things look really good. So that was a little intimidating.

But I think it went really well! We had fun and laughed and Jessi even got her fiance to come and help tell their story (adorable, PS.) So all in all I think it went well!

Here are a few of the things I did that were really simple, but helped a lot!
Excuse the fact that these were hastily taken iPhone pics….

I bought four dollars worth of that pink tulle ribbon..yeah it’s amazing. I would recommend using that for EVERYTHING!

I used paper plates and cups that went with the pink and green thing I was going for. Yeah it’s cheap, but when you have 17 girls at your house, paper is best!

Chalkboard? It’s very in right now, and I think it looked good on the gift table:)

This is Jessi and behind her is her fiance Stefan. This is a gift Jessi got. Cute, right??

We also had these yummy things called pie pockets for our treat and they were so delicious! Thanks to Alyse for being a lifesaver and making them:)

We played a little game where I asked Stefan some questions before hand, and Jessi had to see if she could figure out what Stefan would say to answer the questions! It was so fun to see how well she knew him.

Here’s a copy of the questions I made him answer

· What is your favorite thing about Jessi?

· What is your favorite color?

· Where did you and Jessi first meet?

· When did you first fall in love with Jessi?

· How many kids do you want? How many does Jessi want?

· What is your biggest fear?

· What did you do on your first date with Jessi?

· When did you know you were going to marry Jessi?

· What is your favorite sports team?

· If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

· What is Jessi’s most annoying habit?

· Who wears the pants in your relationship?

· Where was your first kiss?

· What is your favorite food?

· What is your favorite memory with Jessi?

· How many girlfriends did you have before Jessi?

· What is your favorite movie?

· What was your first impression of Jessi?

· What is your biggest pet peeve?

It was a really fun night (well I had fun. I won’t speak for everyone else;)) and I loved getting to mingle and see Jessi so happy!

Well that’s about it for today! Just so you know, I’m going to be having a few guest posts in the coming weeks and be guest posting on a few other blogs! So stay tuned for that fun little adventure.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Rules for Summer

June 3, 2013 — Leave a comment

Summer is REALLY beginning this week. Now for me it’s been summer since May, kinda. But I haven’t been counting it because everyone else is in school and then I would have to start doing the things on my summer rules. So now that summer, in my opinion, is REALLY upon us, here are my rules for my summer!

1. No more than 2 hours of TV per day (I will break this Netflix addiction!)
2. Read for 30 minutes to 1 hour every day.
3. Have scripture study EVERY night (I’m good at this during the school year, but I slack in the summer. Not this time!)
4. Help my mom with the housework every day.
5. Make dinner once a week.
6. Do my best in both my jobs.
7. Write my Journalism Portfolio essay and study for the benchmark exam.
8. Blog often!
9. Write Randy once a week (I won’t have a problem with this;)).
10. Work out for 30 minutes every day.
11. HAVE FUN and BE HAPPY!!

So those are my summer must-dos.

Mmmm nice right?