quote

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS

I have so many thoughts on my mind lately. One part of me has a hard time gathering my thoughts and the other side has a hard time even expressing those thoughts.

This new year has already brought it’s own set of struggles and trails but I am grateful for each trial because it helps me clearly realize what truly matters in life.

What truly matters to ME is doing what makes me ultimately the happiest.

It is strengthening my relationship with Will each day.

Drawing closer to my Heavenly Father.

Serving my family and friends more.

And simply living my life not caring about the harsh opinions of other people.

The world is a scary place these days.

REALLY scary place.

There are sad people out there that are starving to feel loved.

There are people that find joy in tearing down others to feel better about themselves.

There are people that have a fascination with ruining peoples lives.

There are bullies that come in various forms.

And that to me… is super saddening.

The world needs people that are better than that.

I hope we can all learn to love more.

I hope we can try each day to BE BETTER.

Better friends, wives, sisters, mom’s, daughters etc.

I have found that in my life when I serve other people I myself am a happier person.

The less I focus on myself the more loved I feel.

I have a lot to work on to be better but I love the idea of the new year and having opportunities to change, grow, and experience things that can change our lives forever.

May we all love more and judge less.

The world needs more of that.(I made the above picture from a quote by Margaret Nadauld)

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books

BOOKS TO READ IN 2015

The other day on Facebook I asked via my status update what some good books were to read. I had just finished reading Unbroken and was looking for different books to start. I received an overwhelming response from people commenting their favorite books and can’t wait to read them all!

Right now I am reading Sarah’s Key (absolutely love it so far) and listening to Yes Please (I laugh by myself to it all day long).

Anyone else have a favorite book they want to share?

1. The Boys in the Boat // Daniel James Brown

2. Yes Please // Amy Poehler

3. The Engagements // Courtney Sullivan

4. Glass Castle // Jeannette Walls

5. Where’d You Go Bernadette // Maria Semple

6. Sarah’s Key // Tatiana de Rosnay

7. All the Light We Cannot See // Anthony Doerr

8. Wild // Cheryl Strayed

9. East of Eden // John Steinbeck

10. The Happiness Advantage // Shawn Achor

11. The Infinite Atonement // Tad Callister

12. The Rent Collector // Camron Wright

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collaboration

BE BONA FIDE

B O N A • F I D E

adjective.

1. real, genuine

Let’s talk about the classic un-written rules of instagram…

-you can’t post twice in a row

-you can’t post a collage

-you can’t post pictures of your food

-you can’t post at certain times of the day or else you won’t get enough likes

-birthday grams aren’t cool anymore

-after two wedding pictures you will be unfollowed

-throw back thursday? don’t even try

-5 things about you? you’re dead to me

-you can’t post a picture unless you are in it

-a picture of an accomplishment you’ve made? automatic brag

Wanna know what i have to say to this?

FALSE FALSE FALSE.

Social Media to me is a beautiful thing.

It is a way for us to post and share little parts of our lives with other people.

I will be the first to admit I LOVE social media.

Without it, I would have no way to be introduced to different local business, see my little cousins grow up, see what my friends are up to, and meet so many amazing people!

So why are we so harsh towards other people on social media?

(don’t get me started on rude comments people make on the gram)

Why don’t we just post what we want and not even think twice about it?

Be Bona Fide is a cute little startup founded by two girls that had enough with people not people REAL out there.

Many people define being “Bona Fide” (adjective: real, genuine) differently.

BONA FIDE to me means being confident in how I carry myself in all situations. Whether that be in real life or on social media, I want to just be MYSELF. We all find different things fascinating and neat so let’s share our taste and thoughts with the world and not care about what they think anymore!

The more I have grown up, the more I have realized that the best people in life are the ones that truly love me no matter my trials or accomplishments.

In the end, LET’S GET REAL.

From now on, I truly don’t care if people don’t like my picture.

Both literally and figuratively.

I am me.

I love pictures.

I love sharing my life with others.

I love others sharing their lives with me!

Check out their website and be apart of the movement!

Happy Friday peeps.

details:

beanie: anthropolgie

shoes: nike roshe

sweater: (old) similar — anthropologie

karli’s jeans: madewell

p.s. my joggers are from a little company my co-workers wife just started. She gave me these joggers and I truly CAN’T TAKE THEM OFF. Only $18!!! From Honey Badger Housewife.

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christmas

THAT COVETED BREAK

All year I SOOO look forward to that long holiday break to be with family, eat way too much food, RELAX, go to a movie every day, and un-wind from a busy BUSY year.

Here are some pictures I snapped over the break…

For my work holiday party we went night skiing at Snowbird!

You could ski right up to an indoor s’more/hot chocolate bar.

YUM.

I also got another taste of chocolate by kissing these precious cheeks!

We babysat the boys again and I couldn’t believe how tired we were at the end of each day.

But for reals…. Do Mom’s even need to go to the gym?!

Changing them out of their pajamas was my cardio for the week I swear.

A trip to the INCREDIBLE Macy’s windows during a downtown cousins sleepover was necessary.

We also babysat Castine one night (my dream come true.. I love her so dang much).

I was obsessed with this Hot Chocolate stand her mom had set up for the kids!

All different hot chocolate mixes, candy canes, mugs, marshmallows, the WHOLE shabang!

Isn’t it to die for?

I am copying it the second I have little kiddies of my own 🙂

orrrr maybe just right now….

Christmas Eve day at The Christmas Carol

Hands down the highlight of my ENTIRE break was talking to my little brother who is currently serving a mission in Peru.

We only get to talk to him via Skype on Christmas & Mother’s Day so it’s safe to say we were all bawling our eyes out.

OKAY FINE

My dad and I were the only ones crying who cares.

Is he not the cutest ever???

If you want his e-mail let me know……

(I need that sly looking emoji inserted right here so I don’t sound so creepy)

My favorite Christmas tradition is going to my grandparents Christmas morning for German Pancakes. My little German grandpa makes them perfectly and I eat them in the same seat every year….

And with a HUGE (basically first) snowfall Christmas morning it was prettier than ever!

Those…those are prettier than ever too.

My mom and little brother performed in Savior of the World down at the Conference Center the last 2 months.

They were INCREDIBLE.

My little brother was Nathan and was the only child singing soloist.

Saturday night was closing night for them and I couldn’t keep it together.

His little angelic voice and the entire message will be something I will cherish forever.

(he’s single too… but not yet k)

And alas I was finally feeling better so we had lunch with some friends at the St. Regis resort up in Deer Valley.

THAT PLACE IS UNREAL.

I have never really been able to afford to ski at Deer Valley so being up there even for a second is straight up magical.

Here’s to another busy busy year with hopes of having an amazing break at the end of it!!

outfit details:

gold glitter top: j.crew

scarf: j.crew factory (on sale!)

gray coat: north face

booties: urban outfitters

will’s pants: zanerobe

purse: kate spade

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new years resolutions

2015

For some reason I feel so excited this January.

I usually dread these next couple months but a part of me just seriously can’t wait to get things going. I just want to hopefully make some of my resolutions/goals come to life!

I have been in bed the last couple of days and have had a LOT of thinking time by myself.

Thinking about friends in my life, friends that are now unfortunately out of my life, thinking about if I want to keep up blogging, thinking about how I could live more in the moment, thinking of how I wish I could do more yoga, thinking of how I can serve Will more and strengthen our marriage, thinking of how I could be more spiritual, thinking of how good real food sounded…..

LITERALLY thought of everything I swear.

At the end of my thoughts I decided the sum of them were…

WHO DO I WANT TO BE BY 2016

And that is what I am so excited about.

Usually at the beginning of the year I think about things I want to DO that year.

But 2015 is going to be more for changing ME.

I am happy with who I am right now but I know I could be better in SO many ways.

I want to be more PATIENT, loving, kind-hearted, accepting, spiritual, and so many other things that would bore you to death if I told you my entire list.

So here is to resolutions and trying our hardest to keep with them.

As the year goes on it gets so easy to get complacent and fall back into our old ways. So write them down in your phone and check them weekly!

Who else has some good resolutions?

New Years Eve Banner from Anthropologie

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year recap

2014

the greatest part about the new year is reflecting on the past and then focusing on the future.

i love seeing my different experiences i had last year and realizing what i ultimately want for 2015.

before i dig in to some of my resolutions for next year i want to reflect on this past year!

january:

Will gets an awfully scary virus.

I decide I really love to bake.

february:

Will gets a second virus.

I get take-out and spend Valentine’s watching a movie with him since he can’t leave the cottage.

march:

Will and I fill out our March Madness brackets and enjoy watching all the games.

I accept a babysitting job for us which turns out to be one of the highlights of our year.

april:

Will stayed home to take finals while I went to Europe with my family.

I am amazed to see my Grandpa and sisters history in Germany.

may:

Will realizes taking Physics 1 & 2 the entire summer might be the hardest thing ever.

I get a new job that involves commuting to Provo every single day.

june:

Will’s best friend gets engaged to my sister (dream, right?)

I tear up watching my not-so little brother graduate from high school.

july:

Will and I go to Arizona to visit his mission president as well as my friend who just had a new baby.

I beg him to go up to Bear Lake any free weekend we have.

august:

Will finishes Physics and we head straight to Cabo for some rest & relaxation.

I have a breakdown after saying goodbye to my little brother for 2 years while he serves in Peru.

september:

Will comes and helps me break a world record with my work one Saturday.

I take one of my best friends through the temple to get endowed prior to her wedding.

october:

Will surprises me with roses the morning of our first anniversary.

I am overjoyed seeing my sister Eliza become a mother for her first time.

november:

Will enjoys a much needed Thanksgiving break off of school.

I decide that Utah’s 2014 November weather and me are best friends.

december:

Will puts up with me and all of my crazy holiday antics.

I feel sick during the afternoon on Dec. 31st and wake up Jan. 1.. 20 hours later..

So clearly our NYE this year is NOT one to remember 😉

Here is to 2015!

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Beauty

STOKED ABOUT OUR BLOKE

This morning went I went to put my Bloke face scrub on I totally realized I NEVER posted these pics!

I am sure a lot of you may have seen a lot of Bloke collaborations on Instagram and think that there is NO way all of these people are actually USING and LOVING Bloke…

BUT

let me be the first to tell you..

this stuff IS AWESOME.

i never wash my face.. like ever (is that weird?)

but when I tried the scrub when they sent it to me I was completely amazed and how soft my skin felt.

i even sent some to my friends and made Will try it. this stuff is legit, promise!

Love my Tessa!

If you end up ordering some.. my discount code on Bloke Body might still be working for 10% off or so!

(oliviabeth)

Happy scrubbing!

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collaboration

GOUDA MAC N’ CHEESE

A list of my all-time favorite foods goes as follows….

1. Pizza

2. Donuts

3. Mac N’ Cheese

4. Cinnamon Rolls

5. Waffles

Quite the healthy list, right?

I seriously could eat those 5 foods ALL. DAY. LONG. My mom makes the best Homemade Mac n’ Cheese and after I tried some Gouda Mac N’ Cheese from a Food Truck a couple weeks ago I knew it was time I tried to make my own too!

I decided to use Chobani Greek Yogurt instead of heavy whipping cream and Will couldn’t even taste the difference!

I told him after the fact that it was made with Greek Yogurt and he was stunned.

#winning

The Gouda I found at Costco via sampling and was hooked.

I walked past the sampling table like 5 times trying to re-identify myself each time so they wouldn’t catch onto me.

Wore a hood, put my hair up, looked away, acted like I was grabbing one for my son…

It is seriously some of the best cheese I’ve had!

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
While preparing the gouda sauce, cook your macaroni in a separate pan. Try to time it right. I think I started making my noodles after step 4..
For the sauce, starting heating butter in saucepan over medium heat.
Add onions and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until onions are not crunchy anymore.
Add flour and cook another minute.
Add the milk.
Once it starts to thicken a little bit (maybe after 2 minutes) add the yogurt and beaten egg. (mix those together prior to adding to saucepan)
Season to your preference with Salt & Pepper (my sister Eliza always taught me the more pepper in Mac n’ Cheese the better! Couldn’t agree more.)
Stir in Gouda & parmesan cheese.
Add cooked noodles to saucepan and mix all together
Pour in dish and bake for 15 minutes

If you want to make breadcrumbs to crumble on top you should! I didn’t have my food processor with me so I didn’t.

But if you have one add 2 slices of bread to it with some butter and crumble them over the noodles prior to putting in the oven!

Enjoy!

And feel free to make it with Whole Grain noodles, 1% milk, a different flour etc.

You can make it as healthy/as husband friendly as you like!

Happy Holidays.

*Post in collaboration with Chobani

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christmas

DECEMBER DAYS

Even though there is ZERO snow in Utah’s valley (tears) I have still loved the Holidays with every bit of me!

We went and chose our our tree and then I decorated it alone while Will went and studied (yes, I am slowly beginning to feel like a widow). However, I couldn’t put the star on top for the life of me. Will came home while I was taking pictures of the tree all decorated and literally walked over and put it on within 2 seconds. Perks of having a 6’5″ husband I guess!

I am pretty thrilled with how it turned out.

(I grew up with white lights on my tree.. Will grew up with colored.. so we trade off every year! Hahaha. However, I think he loves our tree as much as I do this year 🙂

One Sunday morning I made these for Willie.

Are we 5?

Yup.

Temple Square.. same lights every year but you still gotta go!

My friends know how to give gifts!

Last Saturday I had a baking morning with my friends Taylor & Sarah. We went to Sarah’s grandma’s and made homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and peanut brittle. Peanut brittle is probably my new favorite recipe! I could eat that goodness all day.

Saturday night we held our annual couples Christmas party at Will’s parents house.

Brookie was in town from Texas (her husband is in Medical School there) and having us all together again was Heaven with a capital H.

While we were cleaning up the party I was told by someone that I was being “summoned” outside… I walked outside so confused but then I saw Brooke, Tay & Kar (^^) huddling around each other. Once I walked up, Brooke said “Promise not to scream?” and pulled out an ULTRASOUND!

Oh my goodness my best friend is going to be a MOTHER!!!! I am beside myself. We sat there all crying and hugging and screaming (didn’t keep our promise). Baby Cope coming June 25th!

^^ no comment. I promise it was Ugly sweater themed..

I spy a sweater from the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi…..

LOVE THESE LADIES WITH MY WHOLE HEART!

Okay crap that picture makes my like colored lights…..

Hope everyone is enjoying their December!

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career

GOOGLE HQ

Hello hello!

Here are a couple pictures from Google HQ in California..

I was seriously like a little kid in a candy shop the entire time.

So many neat things to see, delicious foods to eat and people to meet.

(I swear I just sounded like Dr. Suess)

The above .gif is with and my boss Devin. He’s the MAN.

If you can’t tell….

I could bore you all day with my plethora of pictures so I will just highlight a couple things I absolutely loved.

First off, this Nap Pod above would be the DEATH OF ME. I would crawl in here on the daily and catch some z’s… anyone else?!

In the YouTube building all the conference rooms are named after viral videos.

So this room was called “David After the Dentist”

I was laughing so dang hard.

I mean imagine booking a meeting and saying “Meet me in I LIKE TURTLES!”

Or saying “Meet me at the bowling alley to talk strategy.”

I’m going to have to say.. I am insanely jealous of these things.

Am I the only one that would love to walk and work?!

Shout out to my babe Sarah who is my fellow walk lover!

We were clearly super ready for that first pic.

SELF DRIVING CAR (!!!!!)

NERD POINTS for whoever can tell me why that bottom Google logo is made up of 0’s and 1’s……

I freaking love it!

All trained doggies are welcome at Google.

San Fran office

Just a casual free lunch.

For lunch + juice drinks one day I was able to meet up with this babe Emi!

She works out there at Google WITH her husband.

Talk about a dream!

This above picture is REAL TIME Google searches.

How incredible is that!

One of my main takeaways from Google HQ’s was how incredibly RANDOM everything is.

This little Googleville was in a random building just in a hallway by some conference rooms.

Same with the photobooth.

Or down a random hallway there will be a giant climbing rock-wall.

Or in between two buildings there is a giant random chair…

I mean I’m not complaining.

Obviously I loved it but it was all just so interesting to me!

Think of how fun it would be to be in charge of where everything goes!!

“Yeah let’s take that giant fake alligator over there please”

This entire building had a theme of BOARD GAMES.

So you would say “Meet me in CANDYLAND for our meeting.”

I would just be thinking of candy the entire time….

Indian Restaurant

Overall it was a GREAT trip and made me grateful to work with such an amazing company.

Thank you Devin for this opportunity!

(here is your shout out hehehe)

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baking

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Yesterday, my sister needed help with a school project so of course I helped a sista out.

She is taking a photography class at the U and for her final portfolio we decided to do a little Home for the Holidays photoshoot at mine and Will’s cottage!

(p.s. FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. when I say cottage… don’t imagine and darling wooden home in the woods. More like envision this really neat tuff shed in a Law firm parking lot that we live in … possibly illegally idk.. but it’s my favorite place on this planet earth)

We decided to display a little of what the cottage consists of during the holidays + some of my favorite holiday decorative items.

Basically my life these days consist of baking, Christmas Pandora, bolting to plug in my tree when I get home, lighting a pine scented candle, making cinnamon roasted almonds & watching Elf laughing by myself.

I am super happy with the decorations I have gathered over the years for the cottage.

Even in college I would collect things I knew I wanted to decorate my future home with one day. Most of my decor is from my mother-in-laws gift shows (if you live in Utah you have to come!) as well as Pottery Barn and Anthropologie. It all holds a little bit of a vintage feel mixed with some shabby chic. The felt balls, glittery letters, stockings will be in my homes for years and years to come!