p-town.

Top: Billabong Dress: BCBG Outlet Boots: Steve Madden Belt: New York & Company

First day of the 30 for 30, kind of excited, kind of scared :) Lets see how I can stretch and assemble these items. Ready, set, go!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So if you are from Utah you would know that p-town stands for Provo. As you guys have read, Trevor is going to BYU Law School in the fall, which happens to be located in Provo. I have a confession to make to everyone. I swore to myself that I would never live in Provo. Sorry to all you Provo folks out there! I mean no offense :) Growing up Mormon outside of Utah I think is very different then growing up as a Mormon in Utah. Anyone else agree? Even though I am a Mormon, moving to Utah was an extreme culture shock to me. Everywhere you turn there is an LDS church, there are Temples scattered all over the place, when you run into someone the chances they are Mormon are pretty good... I mean this place is covered in Mormons and the culture of our religion is everywhere. I am not saying this is bad, it is one of the reasons I decided to go to college up here. But it sure is different. It is really different if where you grew up there are only a handful of Mormons at your school, and some people don't even know what a Mormon is. Provo gets a bad rep outside of Utah, and if I am being honest, even sometimes in Utah. It has been called "the bubble" many times. While I have grown to love Utah, the strong presence of the church here can still be very weird for me. I grew up somewhere where your religion just didn't really matter to anyone else because there was so many people, there was no such thing a dominate religion. In Utah so many people are dominantly LDS that I am sure it can make some people feel "out of place." Even as a Mormon I am still getting use to it. Trevor insists that I will love it down there, and so many of you commented that I will as well. Some of my older siblings went to school there and loved it. I am sure I will love it too, but I am still trying to get use to it here in Utah, even after four years!
I guess it is time for me to change my attitude about Provo, and embrace the town for all the good things it has to offer me :)

93 comments

  1. I totally get this. Living in Louisiana and all. haha Every time I visit Utah I am shocked. A good shocked, but still shocked.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I feel the exact same way!! We've visited Utah a few times, and seeing all the church steeples and temples really weirded me out. I must admit, my family are part of those people who refer to Provo as "the bubble". Great to visit, but I know I could never live there. Some people can, I can't. I'm sure you'll be fine! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. ha! i hated provo when i lived there for two and a half years, but now i totally miss it. i think mostly i just miss the food scene. make sure to check out j dawgs! the only thing i don't miss is probably the parking enforcement. be careful, those guys suck.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the outfit!! I am going to have to try and recreate it with what I have in my closet. It's a good "transition" outfit from spring to summer. Umm... especially where I live... all its done is rain and rain...

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're braver than me, that's for sure. I hate just driving past Provo, let alone living there.

    Utah Mormon culture is suffocating, I must admit. I adore Salt Lake City but my saving grace is the diversity at the U of U! Good luck girl!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That outfit is so cute and you are a beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I went from Las Vegas to Provo, enormous culture shock. But now P-town has a fond place in my heart, mostly because the food is really really good. Make sure you go to The Chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
  8. love your outfit, the dress and boots are soooo cute!! and the shirt on top gives it a fun edge. i hope you keep posting pics of your 30 day challenge!! and i agree with you on the provo thing! but it seems like provo is much more hip these days, so i am sure you will love it after a small adjustment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I always love hearing from Mormon's that grow up outside of Utah. As a Utah Catholic I just find it interesting that Mormonism is not so prominent everywhere else, because really it's all I know, and there are only a handful of Catholics around! Don't get me wrong, I love living in Utah and I have the Mormon culture to thank for a lot of that, I just love hearing how different Utah is perceived from someone not born and bred here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good for you giving 30 in 30 a try! I look forward to following your journey in clothing :-)! Cute outfit today for sure...

    ReplyDelete
  11. I grew up in Park City and when we moved to Utah County, it was a culture shock haha.
    We live in Orem, not Provo. Never Provo lol

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your first outfit! :) And good luck to BOTH you and your husband on starting law school in the fall. It's really true that if you're married, it's a team effort (or so I gathered over the past 3 years watching my married classmates). It's a lot of work, but (in my opinion) totally worth it :)

    I can relate to this so much! I'm not Mormon, but I grew up in a pretty religiously diverse area. So when little Evangelical Amanda went off to college at a Christian school in small town Iowa I was totally in for culture shock. I'd never been around so many Christians in my life. It wasn't just the school either. Over 90% of the town went to church which just blew me away, ha! Took some adjusting, but I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. hey there good lookin! Can't wait to see the different outfit combos you come up with! You can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cute outfit!
    I love those boots and want them so badly.. haha maybe this year.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Adorable outfit! I love the top and your belt. I have a perfect example of an hour glass shape and seriously need to give belts a try. I'm belt shy if you will... I am not a native to where I live. I went from living in San Francisco my entire life to Sacramento (much smaller). I haaaated it, still do from time to time. Food seems to be what makes me like places. I just keep telling myself that Sacramento is great cause there are great places to go and eat.

    ReplyDelete
  16. love the skirt especially! that's funny - we call Portland P-town too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, I thought she was talking about Portland too

      Delete
  17. Ha. I totally understand your feelings. I never thought I would end up going to BYU. And I swore to myself I would leave as soon as I graduated...and I still am here. Crazy! Provo took a while to get used to (I grew up outside Utah too). It is a good place (for the time being). I've just come to realize that in Provo you just have to take the good with the bad (i.e. Zoobies). Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  18. love this outfit like a whole lot! Good luck with moving it will turn out wonderful don't worry!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I used to be anti utah county too, then work brought us here. I love it to tell ya the truth, I am about 15 from Provo- but I believe you make it how you want it. If you want to hate Provo you will, if you want to like it you will. Its all about the attitude!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm with you- embrace the town while you're there and I bet you'll end up loving it :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. That outfit is beautiful on you!! Really darling! I here you on the culture shock. I hope it does get easier in time for you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I hold my breath for as long as I can when we go over the point of the mountain, as not to have to breathe Utah County air for a second longer than I have to. Ha ha ha. At least you're married and you don't have to do the dating thing down there- that really could drive a person to insanity. Although, you may get some strange looks when people realize you've been married for nearly two years and you don't have a baby yet!!! Ah ha ha!

    ReplyDelete
  23. that dress is so great! i love the whole outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I miss Utah! All my family is there and I'm out of state. So be grateful! ha, just kidding. There are things to be happy and grateful for in every city.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I grew up in Las Vegas and then came to Provo for school. I came with all the typical biases too :) Now I've been here six years and I love it.

    And your commentors are right...so much great food!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have loved those boots for so long! Your first 30 for 30 outfit is great and you are so so adorable!

    So, where did you grow up? I grew up in WA and went to BYU for school. My husband and I have been living there for 5 years now (minus the summers) and I've really grown to love it. Granted, we don't live in Provo, we own a place south of it. But I still like the feel of Provo. Hope you learn to like it!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. ooo! you wear plaid SO well. love how you've styled it here!! <3 EverRubyGirl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I agree with Ruby Girl -- Wow! You can totally rock that plaid. :) And you're gorgeous on top of that, so overall it's just stunning!

    -emma

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my goodness! I totally love this outfit! I will try to replicate it if you don't mind... it's soooo pretty!

    xoxo

    Ana Paula - Pretty in Polka Dots

    ReplyDelete
  30. absolutely adorable outfit!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. LOVE this. great colors and that belt is perfect with that top. And those boots are incredibly darling with that skirt! I love how happy all your pictures are too- you radiate energy! :)
    thanks so much for following dear! Have a fabulous weekend.

    The House of Shoes

    ReplyDelete
  32. looking cute. I love the dress.

    ReplyDelete
  33. When I moved from Arkansas, where it is predominately Southern Baptist, to Wisconsin, where it is predominately Lutheran, it was really strange. There's only one Baptist church in my current town. But there were other forms of culture shock. This country is so big that moving from one region to another can really be like visiting another country.

    ReplyDelete
  34. le sigh. a non mormon related comment: i wish i was creative enough for the 30 for 30 challenge... as it is, i probably only end up wearing the same stuff anyway, but without intention, and definitely without style. :)

    i'm thinking of taking up my yoga studio's 30 for 30 challenge, though, and seeing if i can get in 30 classes in 30 days... i'd probably wear the same 2 tank tops and pairs of pants for a month. does that count?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love your blog...too cute! Thanks for visiting mine :)

    xo, tasha
    http://poshxoxo.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I totally get it. I moved to California four years ago for law school and was really afraid of the culture shock thing. I thought everyone would be running around in bikini tops and skipping classes to surf! Turns out, I love it here and plan on staying indefinitely!

    I think you have a great attitude towards the move. And, if you do end up hating it, law school only lasts 3 years!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your comment on my blog made my day today, thank you!
    I have the same feelings about P town as you do...my husband is considering getting his Masters degree from there and I am praying it doesn't happpen. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  38. so glad you came to visit my blog b/c it gave me a chance to visit yours back...i LOVE it!!!!! your pictures are fabulous and this challenge is a TOUGHY!!!! I'm excited to see how it all goes for you, I'm your newest follower!!!

    ~Emily
    www.emilyandzachparker.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am in love with your shirt. How cute are you??!! I looked all over for a shirt like that ever since I saw it on Catherine Heigl in that movie she did with hottie Josh Duhamel. You wear it better ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. I remember visiting Provo (I was a non-Mormon dating a Mormon) and it was a mighty big culture shock! I'm sure you will enjoy living there though.
    BTW, in reference to your comment on my post, Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my all time favorite books! Thanks for reminding me about that part. I want to re-read the whole thing!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Aww...love the outfit. I haven't heard of 30 for 30. Looking that up. Thanks for your encouragement. I know it's only for a time, but it seems like forever.
    I hope the move goes well...I've only driven through Provo, but I had a huge crush on a guy who lived there in high school :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. good luck with the move :) I love the outfit! you look so thin and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ha, I so know what you mean about the whole p town business! Cute outfit:)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I think you're going to be just fine with the 30 day remix :) I would participate with you but as I have a growing belly not sure I could stick to the same clothes ;) Thanks for the comment & following me.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Okay, so I semi-understand this. I'm an east coast Mormon so Utah and specifically Provo is like taboo. I graduated from Southern Virginia University (East Coast school, not owned by the church but our honor code is very very close to BYU's and we have been called the east coast BYU) so since we have SVU I didn't need to go to Utah - and now I am moving to Provo because my best friends are out there and its affordable. I'm quickly taking back things I said about Provo.

    I figure if I don't like it then heck, I'll move. Or take many, many day trips to SLC or Logan :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your hair is more than gorgeous! Beautiful color and curl!

    ReplyDelete
  47. thanks for being so honest! my husband went to byu his freshman year, and i went out to visit... definitely a culture shock for me. i'm not lds, but i did appreciate how close the community was!

    your outfit is great, and i really love the plaid with lace. i'm almost done with my 30 for 30 challenge, but i would love for you to stop by!!!

    xoxo.
    http://alwaysamrsforeverakidd.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I agree provo can be lame but here are some good things about it: communal restaurant, pizzeria 712, the farmers market, the cool old houses, and provo canyon. The challenge is to not hit the zoobies that run out in front of your car. I swear they are all suicidal.

    ReplyDelete
  49. okay.. you DEFINITELY win the cutest outfit EVER award!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  50. i'm in LOVE with your outfit.

    and provo's not all that bad. sometimes it can get repetitive and breaks are ALWAYS needed, but it's got some steeze.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh my, I completely agree! I was baptized a year ago and was going to church in California, then moved to Utah. Talk about a culture shock. Driving to SLC my boyfriend kept pointing out this temple and that temple, I was seeing one church building right next to another, and LDS billboards plastered all over. All I could do is point and hang my mouth open like a tard.

    It's so hard to get used to and I must say I preferred my ward in California to any that I have gone to here.. for reasons that I probably shouldn't say. I just believe that the church in Utah and the church elsewhere are.. while fundamentally the same, of course.. very different.

    ReplyDelete
  52. you look gorgeous, i really love your lacey dress and all of the layers over is are perfect <3shelby

    www.makemesparkly.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. look forward to seeing your 30 outfits! funny, I have the exact same boots as you but i bought mine in switzerland! great taste ;)

    ReplyDelete
  54. very beautiful!!

    follow each other?


    http://theminimalistchic.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would have never paired those items together with that dress. You are so creative and I actually really love the look. If you had told me about it I would have thought you were crazy but it really works :) As far as Provo goes, keep up the great attitude. I think you will love it and enjoy your time there. I'm excited you'll be there with Sarah :) Remember she was "pleading" :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. P.S. I totally recognize where those pictures were taken. I love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. you are so cute! i love the lace dress... that is definitely something i am missing in my closet :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. hope that you find some good things to enjoy about Provo! And beautiful happy images:)
    xo
    L

    ReplyDelete
  59. Super cute outfit and you know I am loving your boots! :) I am not Mormon, but I have noticed what you say about those areas of Utah whenever I am there and I have friends that say similar things to what you point out, but I am sure that having Trevor with you as you start a new adventure in Provo, you will make it work for you and enjoy it in your own ways! :) Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing...I always love to hear peoples thoughts! :)

    Liesl :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. You are adorable! I love this outfit and am so glad I found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love your boots :)
    And don't worry about Provo, you'll fit in great!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Cutest outfit! I understand where you are coming from with your comments about Utah. I have not lived in Utah but I did live in Idaho for a year. It was weird to me that I was just like everyone else. I liked being in my high school with only a handful of LDS kids. I liked being different in that way. Good luck.

    Method Clothe

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love the outfit!! I can't wait to see more! :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. I grew up in PA until I was 13 and then moved to Idaho. I think it was the only way I didn't experience such a huge culture shock going to BYU, but it is still a different experience. I have many fond memories and really miss Provo sometimes, and I still live in Utah county! There is good to be found everywhere, and I firmly believe you get out of it what you put into it.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Yep, living in Utah is like living in a bubble. There's no way to say in nicely. Love your outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  66. 1. Love the outfit

    2. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my mirror - can you believe 2 bucks?? Totally following now.

    3. I lived in Provo for a year after my mission. It was just ok. Then I came back to Utah and moved to Salt Lake and loved it there for 5 years, with the exception of being around the worst road rage I have ever seen.

    Now we are out East and although I wouldn't mind getting back to Salt Lake, I do love the wards so much more out here.

    ReplyDelete
  67. hey :) i love your outfit. :) i have a confession to make. ive never actually met any mormons! i used to live in asia and now i live in the UK. i have seen lots of awesome mormon blogs (like yours)... but maybe i need to go to utah sometime :D it does seem like a whole different sub culture. now all i know about mormons is that they have really cool blogs :/

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love the pictures! Your boots are so cute. :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thanks girl! I just read through your blog and love it! good luck with the 30 for 30. It totally inspired me. Maybe I will do it one day :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Wow do I love this outfit. I love how you belted it. I'm always so afraid to belt things like that yet I always want to.

    ReplyDelete
  71. can't wait to watch your 30-for-30! i haven't taken the plunge yet since everytime i make something new i want to wear it, but i will live vicariously through you!

    cat

    ReplyDelete
  72. I did my time in Provo. It was good while it lasted, but I was glad to get the heck outta there!

    Some things to love: good local food, lots of things to do/see, Center Street (we lived half a block north of it and loved to walk up and down all the time), BYU ... I do love BYU!

    Let me know if you need any suggestions for good food. I've got that covered!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Many years ago, I attended a Geology Field Camp Program at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. Not only was it a culture shock as a Califonian but...Hello... there were only two bars in this College Town. I don't drink, but enjoyed the music. It was a place for us to wind down after a week in the field, away from campus housing.

    It was further complicated because I am not a Mormon but a Bahai'. They all live is Salt Lake City. Ha-ha!

    Love the State Parks in Utah, and the Mormon Profs were amazing.

    You are one Gorgeous Gal!
    Best Wishes on your new endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  74. You are adorable, Alycia! :) And this outfit is great!!!

    Thank you for your comment on my blog!

    And I've never experienced what you are with the Mormon thing (I'm Catholic), but I'm sure you'll adjust fine to Provo! :) Just be open and enjoy what it has to offer. I've never heard its reputation, though those can be wrong sometimes. ;D

    ReplyDelete
  75. you look gorgggeous in plaid, lady!

    ReplyDelete
  76. gah i love your blog! totally a follower now!
    while i'm not Mormon, i have cousins and friends who are & they have shared the same experiences as you. It's quite different being Mormon in GA and then going to college in Utah!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Definitely different growing up outside Utah...in Australia I was the only kid in my school that was Mormon, except for the occasional sibling. Visiting is shock enough!

    ReplyDelete
  78. if you ever don't want those boots anymore can i have them? because they are just a little bit awesome!

    xoxo
    http://tinylittlehappies.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  79. Lovely outfit!Love the boots!

    Have a great week!

    Following!

    http://fashionenrose.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  80. I don't like Provo that much even though I have lived there. I love Orem though, its sooo much different! But thats sooo cool he is going to BYU!!

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love your blog! And your comment on my blog :) I am living in Provo and think it is a ton of fun, but it most definitely is like no where else on earth!! Which is interesting.. and wonderful! You will like it and i am sure glad i came across this cute blog of yours!

    ReplyDelete
  82. This outfit is adorable, love your hair! :)


    xoxo,
    Addie
    The Cat Hag

    ReplyDelete
  83. I looooove it!!! I must do this challenge (: annnnd i neeeed those boots (:

    ReplyDelete
  84. Lace and flannel together? You are my hero. It's one of my favorite combos! :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. i love your blog, your outfits, your story.. YOU!! rock on sister :)

    ReplyDelete
  86. hahaha I couldn't agree more, Provo is well, the worst! YOu should at least live in Orem, I grew up in Orem and it is ALOT better than Provo!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Oh, I love how you paired a dress with a flannel. So creative! And I adore Billabong. I also adore those colors on flannels. Love that you paired it all with cowboy boots - it's like country meets girlie. LOVE it.

    ReplyDelete
  88. don't worry, i also swore i wouldn't live in provo. like you, i'm from sunny southern california and my goal was to go to utah for college in a get in and get out kind of way. but, it's sucked me in & currently i'm living in provo & i think i will be for the next few years since both my fiancé & i are going to UVU still. but i've kind of grown & learned to love it. it took a little time for my attitude change though!

    ReplyDelete

Howdy Ho :) Thanks for stopping by my blog! I have enabled the forum feature on my comments so we can all interact in conversation. So if you leave a question, look back for a reply!