Family Dinner

Mr JP and I have discovered recently that our favorite dinner to make is taco salad. 

It only takes like 15 minutes to prepare, is so delicious, we can both make it how we want it (we both have pretty different tastes because someone is quite picky even though he claims not to be), and did I mention it takes less than 20 minutes to get ready? 

Yeah, that's obviously a plus in our book. 

Last night we invited my 2 siblings over and made dinner a family affair, which ended up being pretty hilarious as stories and jokes were told - some from Mr JP that I didn't even know! 

(we all think we are pretty funny)

Oh and I forgot to mention, this was for dessert because it's one of the greatest things on the planet.

Take Me Away

Hey Mr JP--

I'm in a mood to travel. 

I'm starting to get antsy (that tends to happen if I stay here in Provo too long. )

I don't even need to go somewhere super exotic -- California, Las Vegas, St. George, even Park City for a few days would work fine.

Of course, we could go back to Hawaii if you wanted, remember how much fun that was? (see above)

Or San Fransisco round 2 would also be okay...

Or maybe New York? It's been far too long since we've been back east and you probably miss it as much as I do. 

Think about it, let me know, 

Sincerely, 

your wife/eternal travel companion

The Maiden Voyage to City Creek:

So for the past few weeks, basically everyone I know has been talking about the new City Creek Mall up in Salt Lake. 

*They even have a Tiffany's... ahhh!!*  <---- that's a direct quote FYI

And yes, I was kind of dying to go up there and see it but didn't manage to get around to doing so until this weekend, but it was well worth the wait!

It's beautiful! And so clean. And everyone looks so nice and done up, which goes a long way in my book. 

(Have I told you one of my pet peeves is when people are under-dressed for events or activities? 

For example, when I go to a play or ballet or opera or something along those lines, and other attendees are in jeans and T-shirts?? 

Or when you attend a wedding reception and people are once again, in jeans??! 

Oooh, it lights me on fire.)

Anyway, my mom, younger sister, and I left around 10 AM and didn't get home until after 6 PM... and we didn't even get to go into all the stores we wanted to! So now we just have to go back up there, right? 

:)

I took my camera up with me, but of course the battery decided to die as soon as I wanted to take some pictures. So here's all I managed:

I Need Some Opinions Here:

One of my favorite things about not being in school is the fact that I have time to read books I actually WANT to read! I hardly read at all during the semester because:

A) I am reading textbooks

or B) I feel guilty because I should be reading my textbooks.

It's a vicious cycle. 

Anyway, this is where I want some help! 

I need some ideas on books to read this summer... 

So what's YOUR favorite book? 

What book has changed your opinion on something, made you cry, provoked introspection, or had you wishing it was 1,000 pages longer because you didn't want it to end?

Your advice and opinion is much appreciated :)

Thanks!

And have a happy weekend!

images via

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger...

HOORAY!!! Finals are OVER! 

I could NOT be happier about it! 

I just couldn't be happier that this whole semester is over! I have so many projects I want to do around our little apartment that I haven't had time to get to.

 I averaged out how many hours I spent at home per day this last semester, it was less than three. Less than three! Can you now see why I am so thrilled to be finished with it?

Anyway, I walked out of the testing center at 2:00 PM this afternoon and was handed this:

 Which was awesome.

Then I went and picked up Mr JP for a little celebratory lunch at Which Wich! 

Absolutely Obsessed With This Quote:

Wait a second...

Today felt nothing like a Saturday. 

I woke up early, had to run into work, and then went straight to campus where I studied for 8+ hours and took two finals. 

I was legitimately surprised when I finally came home this evening and Mr JP reminded me that I needed to prepare my lesson for church tomorrow (wait... you mean tomorrow is Sunday?)

So, here is a very lovely video that gives me hope for next Saturday, when all these tests are behind me. 

Enjoy!

Finals Start Tomorrow:

This is me. 

In my cubicle. 

Where I've been for the last two days and will be for the next 6. 

I emerge either to eat, or when my mind loses the ability to memorize anything else. And when the library kicks me out at 2 AM.

And speaking of eating, that includes mostly bags of Chex Mix and Dr. Pepper 10. 

I know, I'm a paradigm of healthy living. 

But here's the upside: in less than a week, this hellish semester will be over (pardon my language, but really this semester has been the roughest yet of my college career) and I am probably going to sit in a semi-comatose state (either from lack of sleep or caffeine overdose...) for four days. 

Oh, and then Spring Semester starts! Hooray! haha.

I'm Back!

Hooray for blonde hair!!

Now don't get me wrong, I ended up loving my brown hair, but there is just something about being blonde again that has me super thrilled. 

It might have been the huge smile that broke out on Mr JP's face this evening when he saw me for the first time... :)

Déjà vu

This weekend Mr JP and I attended a wedding at the same venue where we had our reception! It was the first one we've been to there (since ours... obviously) and it was very fun going back! The wedding was lovely, the food was delicious, and we both love any excuse to get dressed up so it was a win-win for everyone, really.

**************

I also think this marked the kick-off of the wedding season, if you know what I mean. 

I think we're getting almost an invitation a week in the mail! Which I am so thrilled about - attending weddings might be one of my favorite things to do, but what's not to love? Everyone there is so happy, it's a great excuse to dress fancy (once again, always a plus in my book), and you get to see and chat with all sorts of different people!

A Cake-Batter-Rice-Crispies Kind of Night

Since it's Easter weekend, Mr. JP and I have decided to take a small break from our no-sugar resolution, and we kicked it off by making some cake batter rice crispie treats (thanks pinterest! I think that I use the recipes I pin more than anything else from that site!) We got together with our friends Eric and Kimmi (Kimmi is the rice crispie master) and ended up having a bit of a rice crispie feast (whoops, but it's not really our fault... we've been deprived...). 

But really, they are super delicious, and I'm a sucker for anything involving cake batter. 

Happy Easter Weekend!

Someone had a hard time keeping their hands off the rice crispies long enough to take a decent picture...

Some Things I am Loving:

Hello there! 

Sorry it's been almost 5 days since my last post! Life sort of took over for a minute -- things like Organic Chemistry tests (hello 4+ hours in the testing center), a much-neglected messy apartment that needed cleaning, late night chatting (Mr. JP and I get funnier and funnier as the night gets later and later), and some exciting news* has been preoccupying my time and my thoughts.

But here are some things that I am loving lately! Enjoy :)

This is one of my favorite online magazines (gotta save those trees) -- very insightful and creative articles. 

Possible one of the sickest music videos ever produced. Ever. Watch it, love it, and you're welcome in advance.

One of my new favorite design blogs! Really fabulous stuff going on over here. 

Also, I'm just a little obsessed with flowy blouses and color blocking so when these two worlds collided I feel in love.

This pillow series is pretttttty awesome. Since I don't really have a good theme going on in our apartment I might just add one to the awesome hodge-podge that is our living room. 

Oh and of course I am obsessed with quotes, and here are some of my most favorite recent discoveries:

*I'm not pregnant, just to clear the air.