TID + BITS of LIFE ❤

So far this year has been a whirl wind. Trevor and I both work, so that sucks up the majority of our time and week. With being pregnant it has been harder for me to have as much energy as I would normally have to hit the gym and go out, but with that said I have been trying! I have been to a few fun events, a VIP party for the Provo Fashion Show, the launch party for Eleventh Avenue, and I even got to meet the adorable Brandi Burkhardt "Crickett" at a Shabby Apple event. Does anyone out there watch The Hart of Dixie? It is one of those absolutely cheesy, but adorable shows my mother got me into. It only has one season left, and most of them are on Netflix if you find yourself bored on a Saturday afternoon and need something to help you get through laundry folding. That is exactly how I got sucked in! haha

As someone who has my degree in teaching, specifically for high school students, the mission behind Threads warms my heart. Threads is a cause driven business that changes the future of at risk youth. Your purchase will directly impact a student! I love that, and the pieces are adorable. I shared this on my instagram but wanted to let you all know about it again :) Oh and speaking of letting you in the know, my favorite store bought juice comes in a quart size now! This stuff is awesome and a great introduction to juices if you haven't liked ones you have tried in the past. You can almost always find it on sale, so it is one of the more affordable juice brands out there!

I have had a few random cravings throughout this pregnancy which I have been documenting in my updates, but these two hit me while I was out and about and had to document them on my instagram. I have always had a thing for pineapple soda, and while at the Cubby's grabbing dinner I couldn't resist. I normally steer away from soda, especially purchasing it, but I couldn't help myself, Jarritos was too tempting! haha And then of course there is Costco pizza. Sometimes you just need a Costco slice of pizza the size of your face! Pregnancy problems people! haha :)

We bought our house in the dead of winter, so we had no idea what kind of plants we had in our yard. We have a huge tree in our backyard just off our deck with a big tree house in it. We were both pretty surprised to see these past few weeks that it turned out to be a cherry blossom tree! It is my new favorite thing about this house! *insert heart eye emoji here* ❤

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TID + BITS of LIFE❤

July isn't even over and it has been jam packed for us! A lot of working, studying, and time with friends and family. We spent the Fourth of July with our friends, Brandon and Stephanie, and had a little barbeque. I love cooking, and being in the kitchen with friends is the absolute best. We enjoyed a chill evening making dinner and hanging out. We then headed to the fireworks show in Sugarhouse Park. There were so many people there and we walked around the different vendors enjoying the amazing weather. Utah summers at night are the ultimate! We grabbed some giant lemonades and watched the fireworks in the grass. The best kind of evening.

We have actually been able to spend a lot of time with friends and family considering how busy Trevor has been with studying for the bar. His parents have been up here a few times, and we went to dinner with them. I went to dinner and a movie with a girlfriend while our husbands got into all kinds of trouble zip-lining. A friend from college invited me over for dinner at her place and we had a great evening of just chatting on the couch and enjoying her adorable little girl. We have attended several weddings this month, and my little brother and his wife had me over for a scrumptious waffle breakfast last weekend.

Trevor has a big group of friends he grew up with in St. George and they have all stayed close throughout college and getting married. A few weekends ago we all met up for dinner and lets just say, we were spoiled. Stanton and Billie are always the sweetest most generous hosts, and they made the most amazing dinner. We are talking smoked brisket, delicious fall off the bone ribs, and this chicken that was out of this world. I felt like we were at some 5 star barbeque joint or something but they had made everything in their backyard. Nothing better than some barbeque if your asking me! Everyone brought a little something to contribute, and what resulted was an all out feast. Trevor had the brilliant idea to bring some amazing donuts his office had brought in on National Donut Day. I hadn't had any yet but they did not disappoint. It is from a place here called Beyond Glaze. For years my favorite donuts have been from a little shop in the community I grew up in. Nothing has compared... until now! These are just like those donuts from my community but even better because they taste just like them but with crazy toppings!

There have also been so many blogging events going on the last few weeks! I have created a bad habit of putting way too much on my plate and I get burned out. I have really had to start creating a balance in my life and learning how to stay no to things. I have learned that even though I would love to do everything, I just can't. So I had to opt out on a lot of fun, but did commit to attending a Flamingo Fest party and the Bright Nights Event. Both put on by amazing ladies and friends. The best part of blogging has been all the relationships I have made. Sometimes it can be overwhelming the talent all the women I have met have, and when you put them all together in a room there is just much, energy! Both events were really fun, and it was nice to go out and do something different with my friends.

Can I just make a side note about how happy I am Trevor isn't at BYU anymore! The BEARD is back in my life and I have missed it :)

I am off to Canada this week so follow along @alyciagrayce

Tid + Bits of LIFE❤

Even though we have so many changes and transitions going on right now, we are not letting that stop us from enjoying as much as we can of summer! Trevor has been working full time and studying for the Bar, which has been really hard because I feel like I hardly get to spend any time with him. With that said, he has been really good at utilizing his time and has been great about trying to make time for us when he can. He will surprise me with a fun date, and have something planned for when he is done studying for the night and I really appreciate that. The other day we went to breakfast at the Original Pancake House, and it was nice to just reconnect again after a long week of studying and working. We also recently attended a wedding of one of Trevor's childhood friends. Can I just say how much I love going to weddings? I love the celebration of love! It always makes me think of my wedding day, which was the best day ever, so I am always in a great mood at weddings. I also don't mind seeing my husband all dressed up ;)

With both of us working full time while in the middle of moving, time hasn't been on our side. We have been eating out way too much, so I have really been trying to get back on track and make dinner at home. Often when trying to eat healthy we stick to the same things and Trevor can get really bored with it. I have been having fun trying to create new and different meals. I like recipes that are quick and easy, but also healthy. Speaking of eating healthy my new job might be the death of me. Don't get me wrong, I have been loving my new job, the only problem is they always have food around! This is not going to be good for my waist line if I am not careful. But who can pass up a doughnut on National Doughnut day? Plus, it matched my outfit.

I have been working on balance in my life. Work and play are both very important! I have been enjoying making more intentional time with my friends and loved ones. Even something as simple as a dinner date and a great conversation with a girlfriend can make everything right in your world - Thanks Katie ;) I also spent the afternoon with my kindred spirit Miss Tearsa. I don't know how it started but since I met her way back when we were just immature sixteen year olds I have always called her that. Things have sure changed since then - Tearsa has the most adorable son, and has a little girl on the way! I am so happy that we live so much closer now. We plan on having lots of hang outs. Over the weekend she brought Terrin down and we had lunch and went swimming. Time with Tearsa is always a good time, but Terrin obviously had most of our attention. He is the CUTEST thing, and we had fun doting on him in the pool. I love having such a good friend live so close :)

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It has been awhile since I did a tid + bits, and there really are a lot of random and fun little things going on these days. I feel like time is going by in warp speed! The end of law school is almost here, and Trevor has been extremely busy. More details on why soon ;) Since his time is so tight we have been really trying to utilize our time together. None of this sitting on the couch watching t.v. business. We have been trying to plan more active dates.

Last week we went rock climbing, and it was a total blast! Before we knew it we had been at the climbing gym for over three hours. Talk about an all over body work out. I think my arms are still sore. We were even able to fit in a ski weekend with Trevor's family. The night before we left we went to a pizza hot spot here in Provo called The Slab. So... Um... just so you guys know, a slab of pizza at The Slab is really two giant pieces of pizza. I thought I was getting two slices and Trevor thought he was getting three. No wonder it was so expensive! You should have seen the stares we got when our order filled up half of the table next to us! HA! 

See that beach? We are headed there in a few shorts months! We are going to THAILAND! I have always loved traveling, and will honestly admit how hard it has been to not be able to while we have been in school. I struggle with wanderlust on a weekly basis. One or the both of us have been in school since we met, so the fact that we will be done has had us itching for a big trip. Trevor has worked his butt off in school and deserves an amazing break and vacation. We also have our five year wedding anniversary coming up, so this is kind of just a big celebration trip! We will be going to Bangkok, the island of Koh Samui, and we are pretty sure we will also do Chiang Mai. Any tips or advice on where to eat, stay, go, etc. would be amazing! I am coming to you sea of internet people, let us know what we need to know for Thailand :)

I am still going strong on trying to eat a more balanced diet and work out consistently. I have lost 8 pounds since January, and inches *fist pump*. I currently love finding new and fun healthy recipes to make. I shared this incredible one on my instagram and though some of you may enjoy it as well. I love me my carbs and sweets and this one makes me feel like I am actually eating pancakes made with flour :)

STRAWBERRY AND BANANA PANCAKES

I made these scrumptious puppies with ONLY two eggs and a banana. Seriously.

DIRECTIONS: Blend 2 whole eggs, and 1 banana (ripe) together. I like to add a drop of vanilla flavoring or a dash of cinnamon. Then heat your pan to a LOW medium, with coconut oil or pam spray. These pancakes are delicate, so be careful when you are flipping them. Flip pancake once you see the edges start to harden, and little bubbles pop and form on the surface. This here is one serving, and I had already ate one of the other pancakes! I topped it off with a light spread of organic peanut butter, strawberries, and honey drizzle. Guilt free pancakes!

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Over Labor Day weekend me and the siblings I have living here in Utah all got together with our spouses for dinner. We are calling them "sibling dinners", and plan to do them once a month! The newlyweds hosted first and Wendy and Alex made some delicious chicken tacos! Super easy to make and yummy, I will have to share the recipe sometime!

Water Park, Snow Cones, Arcade Games and Arcade candy winnings?! THE BEST! I think you could say Trevor and I have been trying to make up for lost time this summer! 

After knowing each other online since we had just started our blogs, Ashley from the Shine Project and I finally met! She is just as sweet in person as she comes off online. I bought some jewelry to support her Threads project! Fun event :)

When I am not doing marketing stuff, I get to do fun stuff like create my own Pure-Fume! Basically, I have the best job! Working for Aveda is the best!

The Italian Collection at Bath and Body works is amazeballs. You NEED to get this soap in your life as well as the candle. Sparkling Limoncello = DYING.

This weekend we hit up the Utah State Fair with some friends. I don't know if we are too old for rides now or what but that was the first time I have gotten sick from rides. But who cares about the rides, we all know the best part of a fair is the food! Oh and I got bit by a mosquito and had some wacko reaction, hence why the right side of my face is swollen. 

The Fashion Place Mall Event was fun as usual! They always throw a great party! I brought along one of my oldest and dearest friends, Stephanie. We have known each other since we were three and we had a fun night together. After we hit up the movie theater and saw Austenland... HILARIOUS! If you guys are Jane Austen fans, or just want a good laugh I highly recommend it. It is totally stupid and ridiculous, but it made for a great Friday night.

@alyciagrayce

Britt is the sweet girl behind My Daily Randomness. Like most of us Britt accidentally found her way into loving to blog. She started her blog as a photo project, and it evolved into a place for her to share about her life and her interests. This power woman also run her own company called Group Talk go on, go see what she is all about, you know you want to...

I love featuring blogs and shop I think my readers will love. If you would like to see yourself here, learn more here.

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Here we are again for our tid + bits link up! Happy to see you guys link up over the week, keep it up :)

Gosh I love my job! It is never a dull day at Aveda! Last week we did an appreciation day for all of the students. We had a BBQ at the park and played water games. Had a blast :)

I love when you stumble across the most random things that put a smile on your face :) Who thinks of this stuff?

My friend Ashley introduced me to the most amazing dried coconut from Costco. I absoulty love it, and it is a healthy snack that I can grab on the go. The other day I had it with some strawberries and I was in heaven!

Speaking of eating healthy, HA. I had been eating perfectly for about two weeks, and when my brother and his fiance Wendy suggested In-N-Out... well, of course I was in. I devoured that sucker. Something about "bad" food after eating so good just makes it taste ten times better! I also love how In-N-Out always makes me think of home :) California forever.

I have been spending a lot of time with this little lady, and I have loved every second of it! Alex and Wendy went to church with me last week and I loved showing them off to everyone in the ward :) It was nice to not go to Church alone for once this summer!

With this new platinum hair I have been itching to do even more fun things with it. So I grabbed me some HAIR CHALK from Free People! I am super excited to try some pink ombre on my locks this summer :)! Spice it up!

♥♥♥ We will be doing this link up every Friday! It is always fun to participate in the community of blogging. So get something together for the link up tomorrow!

If you plan on linking up to my blog, please make sure you put a link back to the series, or use the button I created for the link up!

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tid + bits of life via instaLOVE♥

One of my readers suggested I bring back my tid + bits link up, and I thought, well why not? Lately I have been doing my tid + bits in conjunction with my instaLOVE posts to share the random little things I am doing that don't always make it to the blog. I figured you guys can link up whatever posts fit into the "tid + bits" idea. A weekend wrap up, an instagram post, random updates, photo every hour etc.!

This stud muffin has been spending a lot of time on my couch. With Trevor gone I don't mind having someone around one bit. Alex got a summer job as an EFY Counselor (a church camp for those non mormons reading). He has the perfect personality for it let me tell you. Anyways, because of this he pops in every now and then and spends time at my place on the weekends and sleeps on my couch. While I have loved it, it has also been horrible for my sleep. We can't not talk. Alex and I will talk until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. and I still have to get up for work in the morning. Alex and I have been close since we were little and it is nice to know that some things don't change. Having this time before he gets married and more busy has been a blessing.

Speaking of Alex, I have also been spending some time with this girl. Ever since Alex was born, he has been my sidekick. Ever since I can remember I have always told him that he had to marry someone who would also be my best friend. Last month he got engaged to the most beautiful, sweet, and driven girl. He deserves the best, and I am pretty confident he got just that. I am happy to say that Wendy is quickly becoming my bestie It is funny how quickly you can love someone just because someone you love so much loves them. I really do love you Wendy! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!

As the daughter of a Trekkie, my childhood consisted of Star Trek episodes on the weekly. Seeing the new movie made me nostalgic for my childhood ❤

I was thinking of doing this link up every Friday, what do you guys think? It is always fun to participate in the community of blogging. So get something together for the link up tomorrow! We can have fun sharing and getting to know other people. Have fun!

If you plan on linking up to my blog, please make sure you put a link back to the series, or use the button I created for the link up!

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Jalene and I have been online friends for years now. Trevor and I actually used to work with her husband back in the day before they were married. I love how small the world can be. Last week I FINALLY got to meet her! We have been talking about meeting up for years and I don't know what has taken us so long but I am happy to say she is just as sweet and adorable as I imagined she would be. Can't wait to hang out again soon!

 

 

I have one of the funnest neighbors around. Brooke can make me laugh like no one else. She is just so real, funny, and honest. The other night we went out for some late night pazookies and girl time. Love having her just across the street :)

This week I went to lunch with my good friend Diana and Liz. I feel like I was just getting to know Liz when she moved to San Francisco for school. LUCKY for US she is back for a little while and I am so excited to spend lots of time with these two. The conversations and laughing that goes on with these two and all their littles is the best way to spend an afternoon.

 

 

Earlier this week I attended a little blogger picnic meet up! Elise is someone who I originally met through blogging all to find out she was my neighbor too! It is fun to see her at Church and blogger events :)

 

 

My little brother has been staying at my place all week. It has been fun to have the company! The first night he came he brought his fiancé over and we stayed up all night talking, laughing, watching movies and eating of course. It only made sense when we woke up that we go stuff our faces! Love having him around.

 

@alyciagrayce

 

 

 

 

 

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I have started to become braver in my fashion choices. These are earrings that a year ago I would have never worn. I was at the mall picking something up and walked past these. They instantly made me think of my older sister Kira. These are something she would wear. I thought they were great and thought, I could pull those off if I wanted to. So got them. Isn't it funny how something like a pair of earrings can make you think of someone?

 

 

I was super bummed when I had to sell my Snap Conference ticket. I just ended up having SO much going on that weekend. Thankfully though Queen Bee Market was at the conference and let it open to the public. I was able to go with my friend Jenna and we had a blast running into bloggers and friends. We met the sweetest lady named Ali from Sage & Harper - seriously the cutest girl you ever met. She hooked us up with some of her adorable leather bracelets!

Aveda held a Trashion Show last month in support of Earth month, and let me tell you, it was a pretty spectacular show! The students were able to participate and not being biased or anything, but they were THE best! This dress was my favorite, you can't see all the detail but the corset top was made from bottle caps and the entire dresses bottom is made up of folded magazines. It was gorgeous. Some of my favorite girls from the school put this one together, so proud of them :)

 

 

Sometimes you just need a cupcake. And when that cupcake has pistachio in it, you HAVE to have it.

 

 

I have always loved nose piercings. All I wanted when I was 18 was an adorable little diamond on my nose. I put a fake one on once and everyone loved it, even my parents admitted it looked "cute" on me, which was a total shocker seeing that they would keel over if I had done anything like that. But I believe we need to treat our bodies like a temple, and not deface them if we can help it :) But that didn't stop me from joining in on the fun at work when we started making fake nose rings from staples. I would have never thought that I would like a hoop nose piercing, but I would totally rock this :) It was fun for the day. Oh and just a testament to how clueless boys can be, Trevor didn't even notice the whole night I had it on... *shakes head*

 

Speaking of crazy things that go on at work, last week they made me do THIS. They tinted my eyebrows. Let me give you the background. If you read the blog you know my whole life people have told me I have no eyebrows and they are always wanting to draw them in or dye them. Well that only got worse once I started working at a beauty school. Every week someone would ask me if they could just do my eyebrows. Finally I had a weak moment and caved into the pressure. FINE do what you want with them. Well, that isn't totally true, if they could have done what they wanted I would have black eyebrows right now. I told them they had to be LIGHT. To be honest I think they are super dark but no one else does. It is strange seeing eyebrows on my face. I am noticing the most random things now, like how much they move! Who knew I had so much expression?! They are growing on me. We shall see...

 

 

After my segment on the Daily Dish last week I figured I would take advantage of the fact that I was in Salt Lake City where my adorable brother Alex lives. Trevor had come up with me since he is in between school and his summer associate position, so we had lunch with Alex and his even more adorable girlfriend Wendy. Oh have I mentioned that I am obsessed with Wendy? I think she is a bunch of perfection wrapped up into this tiny adorable girl :) I am usually pretty judgmental of who Alex dates, I am a bit protective of him. But Wendy passes my test with flying colors. I think we will keep her around.

 

@alyciagrayce

 

 

 

and if you aren't bored out of your mind from reading all of that, check out ashton from landing on love...

 

 

 

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