XOXO, Ashlee

Baby Gender Revealing Party

2011-07-15T15:14:00.000-06:00

My dear friend and co-worker is having a baby! To announce the sex of the baby we had a Gender Revealing party. The Parents to Be wanted to find out along with their loved ones at the party so after the ultrasound, the results were sealed in an envelope and handed off to me. A few days later we gathered by their pool and cupcakes were handed out. On the count of three everyone took a bite of their cupcake to find a pink cream filling. It is a Girl!

Congratulations Tennille & Justin!

Follow Me on Twitter

2011-05-08T12:29:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I signed up for a Twitter account. I wanted to see what this was all about and I am liking it so far. I am more actively following people instead of posting a lot about me but if you care to follow me on Twitter click on the blue bird Twitter link at the bottom of this page or find me @AshleeKateC.
Last Sunday I watching the really important tv on the E! Channel and had my Twitter feed up. That is how I first heard about Osama bin Laden's death. The social media sites were on fire with information before the news sources confirmed this news. This is a great example how social media sites play an important role in our society today.

adorable baking cups

2011-02-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight I needed to make cupcakes and I was very excited when I came across these adorable baking cups at my local Smith's grocery store. I hope the cupcakes taste as good as these baking cups are cute!

Childhood Treasure

2011-02-23T20:46:00.001-07:00

I found this treasure from my past.

Snow Angel

2011-02-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you feel back into a fresh patch of snow and made a snow angel?

wear your sunscreen

2011-02-18T23:20:00.001-07:00

I started this week with a thorough skin check up with my dermatologist. Having the skin cancer scare a few years ago I am on top of my annual doctor visits. Unfortunately there was a spot above my lip that was pre-cancerous that needed to be burned which is not a comfortable experience. Fortunately my doctor does not think it is anything to be concerned about but does want to see me in six months for a follow up check up. Cross your fingers that all is well in six months and be sure to wear your sunscreen!! XOXO.

Valentine Cards

2011-01-22T15:17:00.002-07:00

I love getting Christmas cards, especially the family photo cards. I love to see the faces of my friends and family smiling up at me as I open the envelope. My refrigerator was covered with warm holiday wishes this past Christmas and it was sad to take them down when the holidays were over. You would think as much as I enjoy receiving that I would be on top of my own personal card giving. This was not the case this last year. I have two boxes of blank Christmas cards sitting in my desk. Since I missed out on Christmas cards I thought I would send a Happy New Year card. That did not happen so I when I saw adorable Valentine's Day cards on Polka Dot Design I was very excited. If you look at the Valentine cards it should be pretty easy to pick which card I chose. A bonus is the Polka Dot Design Valentine's Day collection is on sale for 20 percent off when you use the code LOVE2011 at check out. XOXO.

Can a bike helmet be sexy?

2011-01-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

I mentioned that I do not have my road bike yet but I did get my helmet last month. I was researching helmets online and reading reviews when I came across a helmet that if you could say a bicycle helmet is sexy this would be the one. It is red, which is my favorite color, and luckily there were good reviews about this helmet too. I went with the Specialized Propero helmet and luckily I ended up having a connection that helped me out with a discount. (Thank you Jess!) This sexy red bicycle helmet was meant to be mine. XOXO.

Swim lessons

2011-01-16T15:05:00.005-07:00

To prepare for my triathlon I signed up for adult swim lessons and classes started yesterday. I took swim lessons when I was a little girl and have always enjoyed swimming but I could used a refresher and help with my freestyle stroke which has always been my weak swim stroke. It was my first time wearing a swim cap and thought I would try to add some cuteness to the cap situation and go with a pink one. I was not a fan at first as it smacked my forehead as I was struggling to pull it on but soon I did not even notice it was on. There are 6 other people in the class and the teacher asked all of us while we are taking the class so she can set her lesson plans so it is a beneficial experience for all. I think I will like this. XOXO.

Who's that girl?

2011-01-09T08:32:00.006-07:00

When I was 18 years old two girlfriends and I purchased hair dye kits from the grocery store and brought them home to my parents house. That was the last time anyone has seen my natural hair color which I recall as a boring brown. Over the years I changed it up between different shades and highlights but sticking to the browns and reds families. That is until this last Thursday night. I emailed Lacey, my dear friend and hairdresser, some pictures and a very patient friend agreed because she knew how much work this would take. She even made arrangements for her boyfriend to bring us in pizza and beer during my appointment. Four hours later I walk out of the salon as a blonde! I loved the color right away but knew it would take some getting used to since I have never gone blonde before. It has been a few days now and I am finally used to that blonde woman in the mirror and am I very happy with this change. XOXO.

Peace Within

2010-12-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." - Mother Teresa

Woman of Steel

2010-12-17T21:58:00.003-07:00

It is official. I am registered for the Woman of Steel triathlon on May 21, 2011. It will be a 300 meter swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run. I am excited about this opportunity but had an anxious feeling as I hit the register now button.
I have heard that this is a good first time triathlon because the swim portion is in a pool and not an open body of water. To refine my swim skills I have signed up for adult swim lessons which will be starting up January.
Wish me luck as I embark on my training to become a Woman of Steel. XOXO.

Salt Lake Tribune

2010-11-26T07:58:00.003-07:00

My Mom recently read about a call for nominees for the Salt Lake Tribune Season of Giving series. This series is to highlight an outstanding volunteer weekly and my sweet mother nominated me. The newspaper was interested in my story so they came to my work to interview me, they interviewed my parents, and my little sister from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Ashlee Kate Christofferson is in the newspaper today. Here is my article.

Camera Bag

2010-11-24T12:07:00.007-07:00

I just fell in love with a bag. To be more specific a camera bag! I came across a line of super stylish camera bags by Jo Totes. I am always bringing my camera with me to capture the fun moments in life. Some of my friends joke with me by calling me the paparazzi. I will have my purse and then the plain old camera bag. How cute would this be to carry around instead?

I leaning towards marigold being my favorite color. What is yours?

Check them out Jo Totes.

Listen to your heart

2010-11-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Listen to your heart above all other voices. This was a nice quote my teacher at AntiGravity yoga said twice during the hour and a half long class last week. That saying has stuck with me. I enjoy experiencing new things and my new experience last week was AntiGravity yoga.

It is a yoga class but practiced with and in a hammock. I really enjoyed the class. There were a few moves I did not dare to try and was surprised at the ones I did try like the somersault in the air. While attempting one inversion move I feel out of the hammock. Luckily I was kind of tangled in the hammock so it let me down gently. The pose I was trying to do is pictured below. I laughed it off and climbed back in to try it again and with the help of my teacher I did it! I felt great after the class and definitely want to try it again.

I have been practicing yoga once a week for a little over a month now and I am noticing a difference. I am starting to feel stronger and I like that. XOXO.

Ballet West Gala 2010

2010-11-22T19:20:00.006-07:00

Saturday, November 13th was the annual Ballet West Gala. The fourth Gala I have planned for Ballet West. This event is a lot of work to coordinate but luckily everything fell into place quite nicely this year. The evening began with an exclusive hour long performance at the Capitol Theatre. Guests are then shuttled over to The Grand America Hotel to enjoy a social hour and then dinner and dancing with the talented Ballet West Artists. We once again booked The Soulistics, a fantastic band that had the dance floor packed.
The Gala was a great success and the feedback from those in attendance was very positive. I even heard it was THE party of the year. I do like to throw a good party. XOXO.

The Ballet West Development Department

a good reminder

2010-10-09T12:41:00.007-06:00

My Mom and Dad went with a group of friends to China a few years back and they had a tour guide that they have stayed in touch with. This sweet girl refers to my parents as her American Mom and Dad. They share stories and photos of their lives and my Mom recently emailed her photos of our family trip to Yellowstone over Labor Day weekend. Their Chinese daughter has a photography book of America which includes photos of Yellowstone. She was so excited to show the photos my Mom emailed and the photos in the book to her family in China. She was excited to say her American family was there. I loved exploring the park with my family and this email from Suning was a good reminder how lucky we were to experience this National Park. It was a good reminder how good life is. XOXO.

Hula Hoop

2010-10-07T13:09:00.005-06:00

My latest adventure in life is hula hooping. I have never been able to do this before so I decided to take a class. On Wednesday nights four girlfriends and I are working up a sweat learning how to hula hoop and related tricks. It has been a lot of fun and I am happy to say that I can actually hula hoop now. Last night was my second class and I am a little sore today. One friend emailed me to report she has bruised ribs from the class.
The teacher custom makes hoops and last night I picked up my pink and red hula hoop so now I can practice between classes. 15 minutes of hooping a day keeps the doctor away. I just made that up but it could be true.
On a related note my Mom was watching my 3 year old nephew the other day and they brought out the old hula hoop for him to try. She captured a photo at the perfect time. This makes me smile. XOXO.

Gourmet Smores

2010-09-17T12:26:00.003-06:00

Over Labor Day weekend my family and I went to Yellowstone National Park. One night we made smores over the campfire and we decided to kick it up a notch. My inspiration was a recent blog post I read about Summer Smores. Instead of the normal chocolate bar we used peanut butter cups and topped off the marshmellow with a slice of apple. They were so good. Below is a photo of this tasty treat. Next time I want to try with coconut marshmellows, chocolate with nuts and sliced bananas.

Soccer Themed Birthday Party

2010-09-01T00:05:00.004-06:00

My nephew B has become quite the little soccer player and just started playing with his preschool soccer team. Just for fun I thought I would design a soccer themed birthday party perfect for any five year old but with him in mind.

Starting with the invite.

I found this cute soccer invite that can be used with a photo of the guest of honor at And Everything Nice.

Turn the buffet table into a grassy soccer field by using tissue paper grass place mats! You could place a soccer ball on the "field" for guests to sign as a memento for the guest of honor.

Make a specialized pennant banner spelling out the guest of honor's name mixing the pennants with soccer print and then solid fabrics using this do it yourself pennant banner template.

This soccer cupcake bookmark topper can be a multi use item. They can be a take away gift after they are done decorating yummy cupcakes!

In addition to cupcakes the menu can include juice boxes and orange slices. Anything fun that could be a team treat on the field. I would also include a smores bar in honor of the best preschool soccer team, Mystery Marshmellows!! XOXO.

Polka Dot Design Blog

2010-08-31T17:30:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite invite websites recently started a blog. It is full of cute ideas for parties and invitations. Check it out - Polka Dot Design. I have purchased some fabulous invites from them before which you may remember from prior postings. Last fall I was deciding on some adorable options for my sister's baby shower for Baby S. I love reading about new party ideas so I was excited to share this with you. Enjoy! XOXO.

My new Jack Vettriano

2010-07-19T14:28:00.005-06:00

I fell in love with Jack Vettriano's work the minute I laid eyes on The Singer Butler (pictured left) which is hanging in my bedroom. Allposters.com is having a big sale so I purchased myself a little gift today which I am very excited about.

Dance me to the end of love.

Bananacherry Muffins

2010-07-11T10:39:00.002-06:00

I recently found a great baking blog called Bakerella. There are cute baking ideas on this site and some recipes that I am excited to try. This morning I tried the Yummy Bananaberry Muffin recipe that I found on this site. I had cherries at home so I substituted those for the blueberries. The muffins do their name justice. They are yummy. Here is a photo of the finished product and the recipe is below. Happy baking! XOXO.

Yummy Bananaberry Muffins
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (or two medium-sized bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh blueberries (rinse and pat dry)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line tray with muffin cup papers.
Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together with a wire whisk.
Add butter, eggs, bananas and vanilla.
Mix on low until just combined.
Fold in blueberries. Reserve some to place on the tops.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Serve while still warm with butter.
Makes 12-15 muffins.

Little Red @ Thanksgiving Point

2010-07-07T10:58:00.003-06:00

For the last seven years my good friend Greg has been one of the masterminds behind the Driving for Diabetes golf tournament. This tournament was started in honor of his oldest son who lives with diabetes. The fundraising focus has always been diabetes but the organization has changed. For the past few years it has been a local camp for children with diabetes and their families. A camp that his family has attended.
I have always tried to support this event by either golfing or volunteering. This year was a volunteer year so I set up the silent auction the morning of. Once I was done I still had a few hours to spare so I borrowed a golf cart and drove around talking to golfers which was very entertaining. Little Red was along for the ride.

Twisted Crow

2010-07-06T12:01:00.004-06:00

Today was week two of yoga but instead of the gym I took class at Red Butte Gardens. Class was held in the fragrance garden which overlooks the valley. I have to say this morning was much more of a pleasurable experience being outside in the garden. A great way to start the day. It was still a good workout and I can already tell that my butt and thighs will be a sore tomorrow. I think I have found my weekly class for now. No headstands today. There was a twisted crow pose that I was unable to do. It looks a little like this

neck breaker

2010-06-30T21:43:00.004-06:00

Last night I dusted off my yoga mat and went to a class at my gym. This is the first time I have gone to a yoga class in a few years. I am continuously reading how good yoga is for you so I am going to try to include a class in my weekly routine. My abs hurt today but that is good. Half way through the class the teacher announces we are going to get our arms in position for a headstand. What!? I automatically think about breaking my neck even attempting to try that so I stay in child's pose while my classmates are standing on their head. Then we are in downward dog and she has people lift their leg and end up in a one handed back bend. Flashes of me falling down keep me from trying that move. I have to say that class was a little too advanced for me but I am glad that I went. I just need to find a class that is a little more my pace.

Little Red @ Utah Arts Festival

2010-06-29T00:05:00.000-06:00

Little Red's debut outing was at the 34th Annual Utah Arts Festival.

China Nite

2010-06-27T11:01:00.003-06:00

When I was a little girl I would spend occasional weekends with my Grandma and Grandpa Christofferson. They would pick me up on a Friday and we always went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Ogden called China Nite.
I was walking around the Utah Arts Festival and Stephanie Swift's booth caught my eye. She takes photos of old building signs and then digitally illustrates them. She photographed signs from restaurants, motels and bars in Utah. When I saw the China Nite photo I had to buy it! If you want to check out some of her work her website is www.prettylittlepixel.com.

Adventures of Little Red

2010-06-26T11:23:00.000-06:00

For my birthday Matt & Judd gave me a basket of yumminess which included a Little Mermaid pez dispenser. A red headed princess for their red headed princess. I decided on a photo project which will be documenting the adventures of Little Red. I have heard of documentaries following around garden gnomes and cans of Spam so this will be my own project.

how Little Red came to me

Release the Inner Athlete

2010-06-22T16:02:00.002-06:00

It is time to start running again. I have not used my running shoes for any other reason besides kickball since the day of my half marathon turned 5k in April. I found a nice 12 week training program that will lead me up to the University of Utah Homecoming 5k in September. You may ask why am I starting this again? I recently celebrated a birthday and one of my new birth year goals was to release my inner athlete. I know it is in there, everyone has one. I just need to get it to come out and play!

Kickball Wedding

2010-06-16T15:00:00.002-06:00

I have started playing kickball this year in an adult kickball league which has been so much fun. I receive a monthly e-newsletter informing me of what is going on in the kickball world which usually includes love connections made on the field. This month they highlighted a wedding of a Georgia couple that met while playing kickball so this sport played a large role in their wedding. I thought it was a cute story so I borrowed a few of the photos from the Kickball Today newsletter to share with you. There was even a spontaneous kickball game at the wedding during which the bride did play in her gown.

Pink Sugar

2010-06-14T15:35:00.004-06:00

During my visit to Sephora two weeks ago I picked up a new perfume. It is a scent that my sister and a friend both own and I decided it was time for me. It is called Pink Sugar by Aquolina. The description says it is a playful blend of vanilla and caramel. To me it smells like cotton candy. I did go around asking some friends to smell me but I have also received some unsolicited comments and the verdict is unanimous. I smell good.

Red Butte Gardens

2010-06-10T11:40:00.004-06:00

I really enjoyed my evening last night at Red Butte Gardens. My little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters and I picked up Subway sandwiches for a picnic dinner and then we walked around the garden enjoying our gorgeous surroundings, chatting and taking pictures. I love it up there and it was fun to see other people just enjoying their time at the garden too. Groups of people were having picnics and there was a couple sitting on the swing in the fragrance garden enjoying down time while she knitted and he read a book. It was just so peaceful. Here are a few of my favorite photos I took last night.

Couture in Motion

2010-06-09T00:05:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, May 8th Ballet West and Farasha boutique hosted “Couture in Motion” which was a fundraising fashion show event to benefit Ballet West. A select group of stunning Ballet West dancers strutted the runway modeling gorgeous clothing by designers from around the world from bathing suits to couture gowns. The event was held at the new St. Regis property located in Park City, Utah. This was the 2nd Annual Fashion Show for the ballet and ticket sales exceeded last year which was exciting to see. This has become one of my top three largest events that I plan for the ballet. Unfortunately I cannot post any of the photos of the dancer models but I thought I was share a photo of the stunning runway that evening. I loved the pink.

Birthday Bike Cruise

2010-06-08T14:15:00.005-06:00

To celebrate my birthday this year I decided to have a Birthday Bike Cruise. The festivities started at my condo and then we biked to five different bars spending about an hour at each location. It was such a fun way to celebrate! I had friends dropping in and out during the different stops. I am a very lucky girl to be loved by so many amazing people. I bet our bike gang was a sight to be seen with the leader of the gang riding her pink beach cruiser with a Happy Birthday balloon tied to the back.

My bike makes me smile!

Stop #1

All of our bikes at stop #2

Judd, Ash, Matt - Stop #3

Stop #4

With my ballet friends at the last stop of the night!

Welcome Sephora!

2010-06-07T15:59:00.003-06:00

There is finally a fabulous Sephora store in Salt Lake City at the Fashion Place Mall. I have always loved shopping at that store when I have been out of town checking out all of the fun make up, skin care products and perfumes. The store opened on Friday, June 4th and I stood in line for an hour an a half just to get in. Luckily I brought a magazine to read while I waited in line. I really dislike lines.

I had to control myself and not buy every item I wanted right then. I reminded myself that I can now easily return to the store. One of the items I did purchase is one of my favorites - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. You put this on your eyelids before you apply eyeshadow and your eyeshadow stay put for an extended amount of time. Love it.

DIY Photo Booth

2010-05-04T15:53:00.003-06:00

I was just reading about an adorable Something Blue themed bridal shower on one of my favorite party blogs Hostess with the Mostess. In this posting there was a link to a past posting for a DIY (Do it Yourself) Photo Booth. An easy and inexpensive addition to your next party. Basically you need a king size bed sheet to hang on the wall to act as the back drop, grab some props from around the house, and a camera. Voila! A photo booth! Click here to read the full posting on the DIY Photo Booth. I will have to try that out at one of my upcoming parties!

Good Vibes Needed

2010-05-01T14:24:00.003-06:00

Tuesday morning I called into my Doctor's office to get the results from my physical. Everything was good except for one thing. I learned that my pap smear was abnormal with squamous cell changes and that my Doctor wants me to come in for a colposcopy. That procedure is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I have tried not to get online to research about this because I really don't know what I should be reading about or the information is too scary. I read an article that colposcopys are usually not the next step after an abnormal pap smear and instead they do follow up pap smears. So what does that mean in my case? Is this something more serious or is my Doctor just overly cautious? My sister wanted me to get a second opinion so we called my gyn office. They were able to review my labs and recommended I go in for the colposcopy instead of a second pap smear. That conversation did not make me feel any better.
I know a lot of women have abnormal pap smears and I want to believe that everything is going to be okay but it has not made this week any easier. It has been a very emotional week. If it turns out to be cancer I hope that it is early enough and I have heard that this is the easiest cancer to cure. Please say your prayers, send good vibes, or cross your fingers that everything will be okay. XOXO.

Time for Tea

2010-04-30T15:21:00.003-06:00

My Aunt Kap is adorable. She is a Hostess extraordinaire which I strive to be. Check out her new blog.

Photo Booth Fun

2010-04-29T15:47:00.001-06:00

Holly and Bryce surprised their wedding guests with a photo booth at their reception. It was temporary photo booth that would print two copies, one for you to take home and one for a book for the bride and groom. You would stick your photos in the book and write a little note of love and they have a fun alternative to the traditional guest sign in book. The photo booth rental even came with a hostess to keep an eye on things. I have read about photo booths at weddings before but this was my first time actually seeing one. It is a good time. If you are to do this at your event be prepared for all kinds of photos. One of the bridesmaid's brothers took his photos wearing a sailor cap and only a sailor cap!

Change of plans

2010-04-06T16:22:00.002-06:00

I kind of feel like a failure to admit this but I am not going to be running the half marathon in two weeks. I was so excited to share my news when I signed up for this race that I blogged about, posted facebook status updates and told all of my people. It was an ambitious goal for this gal who has never been a fan of running. I had a great training plan in place and training went well for about the first month. Then winter really set in and it was hard to stay motivated when all I wanted to do was head home and bundle up in front of the tv.
I finally faced reality about three weeks ago and realized there is no way that I would be prepared to run a half marathon this Spring. Luckily when I shared this news with my friend who was signed up to run with me he was feeling the same way. We decided to scale back and just run the 5k that is also offered the same morning. We are going to start our goal again of running a 5k a month now that the weather is changing to keep me moving. Thank you for all the support and advice during my "training" time. XOXO.

Taco Tuesday

2010-03-23T16:27:00.003-06:00

Happy Taco Tuesday!! Tonight is my annual fiesta that many have come to love over the years. This all started when I was 19 years old living in H214. My three roommates had gone to Mexico for spring break. My work would not let me have the time off so I was left behind. I decided to make the best out of it and have a different party each night and the Tuesday night party was Taco Tuesday. All these years later I am still hosting a taco/margarita night in the Spring. The new addition that came a few years back was the pinata. I just have to remind my party guests, especially after a few drinks, to hold onto the pinata whacking stick tightly. Pictures to come soon. XOXO.

Welcome Spring!!

2010-03-22T08:06:00.003-06:00

I am so happy that it is officially Spring and we had a beautiful weekend to welcome this new season!! Yesterday was a perfect day to spend on the golf course so that is what I did. I went golfing with Pat, Flounder, and Jean at Forest Dale and had a great time. I had a few good drives and more than a few crappy ones but it was my first time out this season and I still had a great time.

The picture below was taken last Spring on the golf course. I love when I get to see a rainbow so I thought I would share this rainbow with you. Happy Spring!!

Sugar Shaggers

2010-03-19T18:19:00.003-06:00

I am going to be making my debut into the adult kickball world this Spring. Yes, kickball with the red rubber ball that we played in elementary school. The Sugar Shaggers will be the purple team having a blast on Thursday nights at Liberty Park. About half of the team, including myself, have not played this game since we were kids so it will be interesting at first but no doubt a good time. Go Sugar Shaggers!!

Photo of the Day

2010-03-18T15:38:00.001-06:00

Sunday afternoon view.

Vote for Stacey & Trevor!!

2010-03-14T19:33:00.001-06:00

They have a really special story and are wonderful people. Please take a minute to vote to help them get their ultimate wedding by clicking HERE.

PB Catalog

2010-03-06T15:02:00.006-07:00

I love when the Pottery Barn catalog arrives in my mailbox. I enjoy flipping through the pages daydreaming about all of the fun things I would like to buy to decorate my house. The March 2010 catalog has their cute Easter decor in it. On page 14 I feel in love with the egg cups. They come in four pastel colors - blue, pink, yellow and green. The blue egg cup in pictured right.
This afternoon I went to walk through the Trolley Square Pottery Barn and the egg cups were in stock so I decided to buy myself a little gift. They are so cute and I am excited to use them. It is fun to buy yourself a little gift every once in awhile. XOXO.

to scale or not to scale?

2010-02-16T08:54:00.004-07:00

I remember reading in the fitness magazines in the past to throw your scales out! Do not be obsessed with that number and gage your weight loss on how you feel and how your clothes fit. Lately I have noticed the advice on scales is changing.
I can see the scale as a motivational tool. Seeing that number reduce can help you keep going even on hard days. Last week I weighed myself at my parents house for the first time since Thanksgiving and I noticed I was down ten pounds. That was very exciting to see so yesterday I purchased a scale and plan use that as a tool towards better fitness.

Tubbs Romp to Stomp

2010-02-14T14:25:00.003-07:00

Last weekend I participated in the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out breast cancer with a few of my girlfriends. It was a 5k snowshoe at Mountain Dell golf course. I have participated in this snowshoe a few times and have always been impressed with the event. This year was no exception. It was a beautiful day, good workout and had a great time chatting with friends. At this event they raised over $22,000 for the Salt Lake City affiliate of the Susan G. Komen.

Fore!

2010-02-07T09:03:00.003-07:00

The other day I paid my parents a visit and there was a surprise waiting for me. My Dad put together a bag of golf clubs for me. I was very excited about this because I have been using the same clubs for the past 7 years. I know I am experiencing Spring fever but I can't wait for the weather to change so I can try out the new clubs.
According to a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports those who golf add five additional years to their life. That is just another reason to be excited for the golf season to begin. Once again I am going to try my goal of golfing all Salt Lake City and County courses in one season and I will track it on here. To the right is a list of the all of the golf courses that I will update with the date that I golfed there. This will be third summer attempting this goal. I thought it would be easier than it actually is. It is easy to continue going to the same few courses because it is what you are familiar with and close to home. Let's also hope that it is not such a wet start to the summer like last year was.

Winter Funk

2010-02-05T07:33:00.002-07:00

When I was in college is when I first read an article about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and I believe that explains that funk I can get into during the winter. According to Wikipedia "Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer"
Symptoms include: difficulty in waking up in the morning. tendency to oversleep, craving carbohydrates, lack of energy, and pessimism. That is a lot of what I have been experiencing lately. When I don't have plans I have only wanted to climb into bed and watch tv which I have been doing a lot lately. I have been overly sensitive, crying way more than usual and worried that I am a boring person. This is not typical Ashlee behavior and has affected areas of my life including my half marathon training. I have not been to the gym in the past two weeks.
On a positive note I feel this funk is lifting. I have been able to talk about this with some friends recently which has helped but I know that I am the only one that actually lift myself out of this funk. I am working on it!! Happy thoughts. XOXO.

Romp to Stomp

2010-01-05T09:07:00.002-07:00

I have registered for the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out breast cancer. It is a great 5k snowshoe that benefits breast cancer research. The Utah event is located at the Mountain Dell golf course on Saturday, February 6th. I have participated in this for a few years and I have always been impressed with the quality of the event.
Unfortunately I have become not a big fan of the snow but this is one of the few things that will get me outside to play in it. It is fun to get bundled up and get a good workout hopefully on a sunny winter day.

Reading Resolution

2010-01-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed to read but this last year I watched a little too much t.v. and did way too little reading. My astrological sign is Gemini and generally we are supposed to be a flaky people. I am usually not a flake when it comes to my relationships or commitments but if you were to take a look at my nightstand you will see a stack of unread books and most of them have been sitting there for quite a long time.
One of my New Year resolutions is to read more so I am going to start tackling that stack of books on my nightstand and then move to the unread books on my bookshelf. I have enough books to keep me busy throughout the year. As I said earlier I really enjoy to read so this will not be a chore but I just need to make the time to do it.

No Turning Back

2010-01-01T09:34:00.005-07:00

A few days ago I registered for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. It is official now and there is no turning back. I know once I cross that finish line I will be proud of my accomplishment but once I confirmed my online registration I had this super nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have been reading, hearing, and experiencing certain things I am in no way looking forward to. I do not want to lose my toenails and I don't want to experience irritable bowel syndrome during the race. Then to add to my list of dread the other night at dinner I was informed that most likely I will have a mental breakdown around mile 11. Matt said he was already prepared for me to do this. Why was I not informed of my impending break down until now? Yikes!
Even though I am nervous I know there are so many positive things things that can come out of this experience and I will try to focus on those. Last night I had a dream that I was running the half inside in a big resort center. I got lost but I was feeling strong and running the entire way so I am taking that as a good sign of what is to come. XOXO.

2009 Photo Review

2009-12-31T16:21:00.009-07:00

As 2009 is coming to an end I thought I would do a photo recap of the year. Here are a few highlights of what I stayed busy with this year. Happy New Year! I hope it a fabulous one and I am excited to see what 2010 will bring.

Pi Beta Phi Convention in Grapevine, Texas

Served Pi Phi as the Alumnae Region 5 Membership Specialist

Enjoyed being the photographer for Alison and Matt's wedding.

Congratulations Alison & Matt!!

Learned that I am going to have a niece!

Baby S is due January 2010.

Had a fabulous 33rd Birthday Celebration!

My third year at Ballet West

Photo with co-workers at the Gala.

Elected President of the Northern Utah Alumnae Panhellenic.

Photo at the Founders Day Tea.

Spent the 4th of July in Cancun.

It was a fabulous trip that makes me smile every time I think of it.

Continued being involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters

as a Big Sister and a member of the Big Alliance which

is their young professionals group.

Photo of the Big Alliance Executive team.

Was asked to be a bridesmaid for Holly & Bryce's wedding.

The wedding is in February 2010.

Decided to give running a try.

Matt and I at our first 5k in August.

We will be running in the SLC half marathon in

April 2010 together.

Celebrated the wedding of my little sister in

Wenatchee, Washington.

Congratulations Natalie & Derrek!!

Brushing Beauties

2009-12-28T08:24:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite gifts to give this holiday season was the Boston Warehouse Brushing Beauties (pictured below). At the store this adorable dish scrub brush came as a redhead, blonde, and brunette. After looking online I saw other options as well. When I spotted them at Bed Bath and Beyond I knew they were a perfect gift and the recipients thought they were wonderful. Who knew giving a dish scrub brush as a Christmas gift could be so much fun?

Tomato Soup

2009-11-30T00:05:00.001-07:00

A grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup has always been one of my favorite meals. The other night I decided it would be a yummy dinner but instead of opening a can of soup I thought an attempt to make homemade tomato soup was necessary. It was decided to use the Pure Cream of Tomato Soup found on Epicurious.com. The only change to the recipe was that we did not strain the soup and left the chunks of tomatoes and onions in it which was a good decision. It was delicious and I heard was even better re-heated a few days later.

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

2009-11-29T11:49:00.002-07:00

On Thanksgiving morning Matt and I ran in the Cottonwood Heights Thanksgiving 5k. We were chatting before the race and Matt said that I should run in the Salt Lake City half marathon with him. I did not even hesitate before I agreed to this plan. YIKES! The race is on Saturday, April 17th so I have enough time to train but I will have to step things up. I am nervous but excited at the same time. I have done some research online and have found a training program to get me ready. Wish me luck!!

Gala Centerpieces

2009-11-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

For the gorgeous Gala centerpeices I once again worked with Every Blooming Thing. They are an amazing local florist who always impresses me with their work. They were a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend them for any of your floral needs. I only wish my photos did the centerpieces justice. I wish I took a few photos with the lights low and the candles lit but I had to grab a few before the event began.

Ballet West Gala

2009-11-18T15:50:00.002-07:00

Last weekend was the annual Ballet West Gala. It is a black tie invited event which is the largest event of the year for the ballet and I am responsible for planning it. The event begins with an exclusive one hour performance at the Capitol Theatre with a dessert reception afterwards for the performance only ticket holders. Those with Gala Event tickets were shuttled over to the Grand America Hotel after the performance for a social hour and then dinner and dancing with the Ballet West Artists. It is a beautiful evening. I start working on this event in the Spring with my Gala Committee so it is exciting when it is finally here. So far the feedback I have heard from the guests has been very positive and the evening ran pretty smoothly. We booked a new band this year and it turned out to be a great decision because the dance floor was packed. It makes me happy to see people having a good time.

Ashlee, Denise, Johann, Dianna, Tennille

Matt and Ashlee

Candy Bar

2009-11-17T00:05:00.001-07:00

I have noticed candy bars have become a fun trend at events. Guests are invited to scoop some sweet treats into a bag as they leave for a tasty gift. I am going to be doing a candy bar for Hollie's baby shower with fun pink candy. Below is a photo of a candy bar that I found online so you can picture what I am talking about. It is going to be a cute touch to the shower!

The Invite Winner Is

2009-11-16T00:05:00.001-07:00

The Guest of Honor (Hollie) looked at the four invites options for her baby shower and her favorite is

Wednesday Photo

2009-11-11T18:30:00.002-07:00

a hidden gem in SLC

Tuesday Photo

2009-11-10T20:49:00.002-07:00

Monday Photo

2009-11-09T18:28:00.001-07:00

Fall outside of my window

Photo of the Day

2009-11-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Today Matt decided that we each need to do a photo a day for our blogs. I thought that sounded like a fun project so starting tomorrow and for one week I will take a new picture each day to post on my blog. Enjoy!

My Bridesmaid Dress

2009-11-06T08:04:00.003-07:00

Last night Holly, myself and four of the other bridesmaids went to try on bridesmaid dresses. It was a fun time trying on all of the different styles and colors. Holly's wedding dress was on a dress form in the store so occasionally we would run over to it so she could see how a color looked next to the dress. Holly knew she wanted us to wear all the same color in different styles but had not narrowed it down past that. The theme for the wedding is Winter Wonderland so she was leaning towards purples, blues, or silver.

She settled on a darker blue color called Marine, that she wanted the dresses to be long and then we all found a style that we liked best. I narrowed it down to two dresses that I really liked and finally chose the winner after trying on both dresses a few times. Below is a photo of my dress from the David's Bridal website.

Baby Shower Invitations

2009-11-02T00:05:00.001-07:00

I am thrilled that I am going to have a niece and I am so excited that I get to host a PINK baby shower for my sister Hollie. One of my favorite invitation websites is Polka Dot Design and I have found four fabulous options for the shower invite.

Which one is your favorite?

Congratulations Holly & Bryce

2009-11-01T11:57:00.005-07:00

As you may already know I love weddings and I love being a bridesmaid. It is such an honor to be invited to play a key role in such an important day of a friend's life. Last week I received a phone call from my friend Holly inviting me to be a part of her wedding and I am very excited. The big day is going to be February 13, 2010.

Holly and Bryce are a wonderful couple who never forget to have fun together. I will admit I have teased them about how cheesy they can be at times but it is cute and I am very happy for the them. Congratulations Holly & Bryce!! XOXO.

Holly & Bryce - 24th of july

Alison and Matt

2009-10-12T21:41:00.004-06:00

Last month my friend Alison was married. I was honored to be a part of her wedding as her wedding photographer and Matt was my fabulous assistant. He and I had a great time capturing the special moments of their perfect day. Here are a few of my favorite photos.

U of U Homecoming 5k

2009-09-27T21:06:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my second 5k. The University of Utah Young Alumni Homecoming 5k. It was a gorgeous morning for a race. All of the proceeds from this 5k are awarded in scholarships to University of Utah seniors and graduate students and there was a great turnout. Matt was a doll again and stayed with me the entire race. I bet my time from the last 5k by three minutes which was an exciting improvement. My next race will be on October 17th so hopefully I will continue to improve.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Birks

2009-09-06T21:21:00.008-06:00

Saturday, August 29th Natalie and Derrek celebrated their marriage in East Wenatchee, Washington. The bride was stunning and it was gorgeous day. I could not have asked for a better day for my little sister and her new husband. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Birks!

The bouquet and cake

You may kiss the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. Birks

The Wedding Party

Natalie's Last Night as a Single Gal

2009-09-05T00:05:00.001-06:00

Natalie's cousins in law decided to throw her a bachelorette party the night before her wedding. After the rehearsal dinner the ladies met up for a fun evening of girl time. We played a few games, one being the Naughty or Nice board game and another inspired by the chocolate dirty diaper baby shower game with an adult twist. They had picked up a few prizes from the local sex store in Wenatchee and my Mom won a pair of edible panties. This is where my favorite quote of the night came from. Upon receiving her prize my Mom said "This is not going to do me any good. My husband is diabetic."

Natalie received some beautiful lingerie as gifts and we had a delicious dessert. One of the Aunts made a berry cobbler which was served to us by three men in their underwear. It was a fun evening and a good way for Natalie to spend her last night as a single gal.

Where did it go?

2009-09-04T14:07:00.003-06:00

I have signed up for my 2nd 5k. This one is the U of U Homecoming 5k on September 26th. The registration is complete and I recently purchased a few more running shirts and a pair of pants. One thing is missing, my motivation to get out and train.
Since my last 5k at the beginning of August I have been on a few good walks but no running. I have to admit that 5k was no fun and as I mentioned in a previous blog posting it kicked my butt. I have been told to give it time and eventually I will learn to love to run. I just want that to happen right now!! What I need to do is start some cross training to spice up my routine and maybe that will make things better. There are just so many other things that sounds more appealing than going to the gym.
Yesterday I came across an article in In this Week called Doing a 5k the Sarah Way. It is a funny little article and right now that is right where my mind is at.

http://www.inthisweek.com/view.php?id=1026801

Favorite Blog Highlight

2009-09-03T15:10:00.001-06:00

As long as I can remember I have always enjoyed taking pictures. I remember my first camera was this crazy little disk camera. The film was a round disk that reminded me of the round disk you inserted into the red picture viewfinders. After all of these years I am still enjoying taking photos and luckily the camera has been upgraded.
I also really enjoy looking at professional photographer's photos, especially wedding photos. Recently I have been introduced to a new photography blog - Zuma Photo. This company is a collaboration of three talented photographers, one being the generous photographer who donates his time to taking a lot of Ballet West's amazing photos. I look forward to seeing future postings of photographs on the Zuma Photo blog.

The Casa

2009-08-20T20:10:00.003-06:00

It was a good idea for my Mom and I to take advantage of my time off and head down south for a few days. There is something about the Casa that instantly puts me into relaxation mode which I love. We had a great time watching old movies, sewing, playing bingo, and I even talked her into having lunch at the delicious In-N- Out one day. It was a great trip and a fun to spend time with my Mom.

The Casa in St. George

My Apron Project

2009-08-19T18:09:00.001-06:00

Lately I have been admiring vintage aprons so I decided that since I have not sewed since sewing class in 8th grade it would be a fun project to make an apron. I asked my Mom, the 4H Queen, for her help. We decided this would be a fun project to do in St. George. The first night in town we pay a visit to the Ben Franklin, a fabric store in town. We found the perfect pattern that Mom thought looked fairly easy for me to tackle. Famous last words. It was a more difficult than we thought so I maybe sewed about 40% of it. It cut the pieces out and did the very basic hems. It ended up taking around six hours for us to complete with a few broken machine needles. Originally I thought homemade aprons would be a good idea for Christmas gifts. I need to shop for an easier pattern but at least for now I have a cute new apron. Now I just need to get in the kitchen and cook!

B-I-N-G-O

2009-08-18T19:33:00.000-06:00

I had never played bingo for money so Mom and I decided to head over to Mesquite for some bingo fun. I had the Betty Boop bingo dabber in hand hoping it would bring me luck like it has for my sister in the past. Let me tell you working twelve bingo boards at one time is not a walk in the park but it was a fun time. After the first session I was finally understanding everything that was going on and learned the terminology like the "postage stamp" so we decided to stay for a 2nd session. I was two spaces away from winning the the last coverall game but unfortunately I did not get to yell BINGO!

Snowbird Tram

2009-08-12T18:53:00.002-06:00

I do not recall the last time I rode the tram up at Snowbird so for my local tourist outing for the day I decided to head up to Snowbird, ride the tram up and hike down. I recruited my friend Lacey to join me. As we were riding up the tram and checking out the trail map we learned that it takes over four hours to hike down so we adapted our plan. We decided to hike along a ridge and loop over and up to the running chair lift and ride that down. It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky, amazing views from the summit, and beautiful wildflowers. Our hike ended up being 2 hours and it kicked my but!! The hike uphill to the chair lift was tough and I was so happy when we reached our destination. On our way down the mountain there was this random guy playing the bagpipe up on the hill. That brought a big smile to my face. It was a good day!

Off to Grandmother's House we go

2009-08-11T19:58:00.002-06:00

My Grandmother is always telling me that I need to come visit her so I decided a trip up to Roy was in order. The original plan was to take the Frontrunner with my Mom up but my nephews ended up joining us for the journey and was it easier to take a car and not have to transfer car seats around. My Grandma made a nice lunch for us and we had a good visit. It is always good to see my Grandparents. After our visit we decided to go check out the Ogden Dinosaur Park. It was a cool place with indoor and outdoor exhibits. My nephews really enjoyed feeding the fish and playing on the playground.

Grandma and Grandpa Reed

Trax Fountain Day

2009-08-10T08:02:00.000-06:00

For day 1 of my Local Tourist adventures I thought it would be fun to take my nephews on an adventure too. We decided to to take the Trax from Sandy to the Gateway to run around in the Olympic Fountain. B sat right next to the window on our way downtown pointing out ponds, horses, parks, and pipes as we zoomed by. Each trax station we stopped at he asked the name and where it was on the big map on the wall.

When we arrived at the Olympic Fountain at the Gateway the boys were a little timid at first standing on the outskirts of the fun. They slowly moved in and then spent some good time running around chasing the water. We all had a fun day together being tourists in our own city.

Dash for Donations 5k

2009-08-09T10:25:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was the 5k that I have been preparing for over the last seven weeks, Dash for Donations at Sugarhouse Park. It was an overcast morning which meant perfect temperatures for a race.
When I woke up yesterday I was nervous probably because I just wanted to do a good job. My training was derailed a few weeks ago because my ankle started swelling and bruising so I took some time off until it felt better. Unfortunately that had to happen so close to race day.
Luckily my ankle did not feel sore until after the 5k but my hips hurt, I felt like throwing up and that I was going to pass out a few times. I felt like a mess but stuck with it.
When I started training I had a goal that I wanted to run the entire thing but yesterday I ended up walking a lot more than I initially wanted to. Matt was such a good support. He could have easily ran the entire thing and made much better time but he stuck by my side the entire time making it more enjoyable.
Even though yesterday did not turn out how I originally wanted I am still proud of myself because I see an improvement and that I am actually trying to run. I am planning on running another 5k at the end of September so my time at this race will provide a time to beat at the next one so I can continue to improve.

The Local Tourist

2009-08-04T13:29:00.001-06:00

Starting next week I have a two week furlough from work. The time off will be nice but it will suck to go two weeks without a paycheck. I am going to be positive and make the best out of it. I am planning on relaxing, reading books, and watching movies but I am also going to be a local tourist. I have realized that there are a lot of things I have not seen around town and things that I have wanted to do but have not made the time. Right now I am planning on taking the Frontrunner to Roy to meet my Grandparents for lunch, take my nephews on the Trax downtown to the Gateway to run around in the Olympic fountain, I am going to take the tram at Snowbird up the mountain and then hike down, I am going to check out Gilgal Gardens, tour the Governor’s Mansion and I am still working on some more plans. Plus, I will have the time to document my local tourist adventures on my blog. It will be a fun two weeks. If you have any ideas on what this local tourist should do please feel free to share.

My Dough Girl

2009-07-29T13:26:00.004-06:00

If you have not been to My Dough Girl yet you need to check it out! It is an adorable cookie shop that makes absolutely delicious cookies located at 770 South 300 West. You can buy fresh baked cookies or frozen cookie dough at the store. I have not tried out the frozen dough yet but will have to sometime soon.
I discovered this place as a recommendation from a co-worker of mine and it has been a fun treat to occasionally get since then. They even supported the ballet by donating cookies to serve at one of my events so that even raises them higher in my book.
Today I paid My Dough Girl a visit and picked up 4 different cookies. Not all for myself though. I will be nice and let my friends at work sample them with me. We will be enjoying the Silly Lilly, Liberty, Ricki, and Betty. You can check them out online at http://www.doughgirl.com/.

Peanut Butter Cookie Crunch Bars

2009-07-27T19:57:00.006-06:00

INGREDIENTS:

1 17.5 oz package peanut butter cookie mix (i.e. Betty Crocker)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon water

4 cups mini marshmallows

crispy topping:

1/4 cup mini marshmallows

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup oats

1 1/2 cup Crisp Rice Cereal

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 13x9 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cookie mix, oil and water until a soft dough forms. Press dough onto bottom of pan. Bake for 14-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cover cookie base evenly with marshmallows. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until marshmallows are lightly toasted. Meanwhile, melt marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butters, and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Mix constantly until melted. Stir in oats and rice krispy cereal. Allow to cool slightly. Spread mixture over marshmallow layer evenly. The mixture may be a little thick so spread as well as you can. With a knife, run the marshmallow layer and chocolate layer to create a marble. Allow to cool before cutting.

I found this in the recipe box on my favorite party website Hostess with the Mostess and tried it out for a bbq I went to this last Saturday at my friend Flounder's house. They were a hit!

We had such a great time at the BBQ. We all settled in for a few rounds of Catch Phrase, boys vs. girls. I don't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did during this game. I love laughing like that. Good times.

Blue Bins

2009-07-19T12:17:00.003-06:00

You may have seen the blue clothing donation bins located in various parking lots along the Wasatch front. The closest bin to me is in the parking lot of Trolley Square Mall. These bins are to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah. They take the items dropped off in the bins and sell them to Savers. The money from this partnership is a large portion of the organization' s operating funds. You can read more about this project and/or locate a bin close to you by checking out http://www.bbbsu.org/donations/index.php.

Today is a pretty uneventful day so I am working on cleaning my bedroom which included filling up a bag with clothes that I don't wear anymore which will find it's way to the blue bin this afternoon. This is an easy way to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and I encourage you to do the same next time you clean out your closet.

Sun Palace

2009-07-13T11:00:00.003-06:00

This was the view from my patio in Cancun at the Sun Palace. Let me tell you it did not suck waking up to that in the morning. I had such an amazing time on my vacation. I am bummed that I did not take more pictures but I was too busy having fun!! Plus, in the morning my camera fogged up because the humidity and we did spend a ton of time in the pool and I was not bringing my camera down by the pool.
We spent most of our days in the pool with the swim up bar. We of course had to try the Scooby Doo drinks in honor of my Mom which became one of the favorite drinks of the trip. (That was her favorite drink when her and Dad were in Cancun earlier this year). This pool was right on the beach so it was fun just hanging out in the pool looking out to the ocean. We did take a break from the pool to go swim in the ocean but after getting beat up by the waves for a bit it was time to head back to the calmer waters of the pool.
We ventured away from the resort a few times for shopping and dinners. Our form of transportation was the public bus which was actually quite nice. The majority of them were very comfortable with air conditioning. It was a great comfort to have Matt who speaks fluent Spanish when getting around.
The entertainment staff at the resort loved lap dances, I was the random recipient of one the first night during the evening show. "Apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur" was a common song so now I will always think of this trip when I hear that on the radio. Utah was represented well in the poolside beer drinking contest. I had an 80 minute hot stone pedicure which was very delightful. There was giant bath tub in my room so there were daily bubble baths which also included dinning on room service while in the bath. I traveled with good company and we traveled very nicely. It was an amazing trip and I am a very lucky girl. XOXO.

A Gentleman Etiquette Lesson

2009-07-12T12:31:00.000-06:00

Call me old fashion but I do appreciate a man who opens a door for me. I find it charming and think it is sad that women can make such a big deal about how they are capable of opening their own door so that men now are scared to do it as they do not want to offend. I say open away!
Another move that brings a smile to my face is when a man will make a conscious effort to walk on the street side of me. There are three dears in my life that always do that. They are Bink, Drew, and Nick. Thank you to them and their mothers who taught them right! We can be walking down a sidewalk and if they are not on the street side already they will discreetly duck behind me and end up on the other side. That is just habit for him. I was curious to see how this started so I did a little research online. The reason why men started walking on the street side of women goes back to the day of the horse and carriage. They were attempting to protect their lady friend from being splashed on or even worse trampled on by a horse gone wild. It is nice to feel protected even though the concern of being trampled on by a wild horse from the street is no longer an issue. XOXO.

Waiting for Santa

2009-07-02T10:49:00.005-06:00

Tomorrow I am off for a 4 day Fourth of July weekend vacation to Cancun!! I am so excited. I am like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to come. This time tomorrow I am going to be on the plane heading to the beach with a group of good friends! I plan on turning off my cell phone and escaping the world while enjoying all that is offered at our all inclusive resort. One of my favorite things is a swim up pool bar which they have. The resort we are staying at looks amazing. Good times are ahead!! Feliz Cuartro de Julio!

A photo of the resort we are staying at.

TAKE Foundation

2009-06-30T15:45:00.000-06:00

At the Pi Phi Convention all of the women in attendance, both Collegians and Alumnae, learned some self defense techniques lead by members of the TAKE Foundation.
The Ali Kemp Eduction (TAKE) Foundation was started in honor of Ali Kemp, a Pi Phi, by her parents. During Ali's freshman year in college she was murdered. Her parents desire is to educate women on how to defend themselves if they are ever in an unfortunate circumstance and to prevent the tragic ending Ali had happening to another woman.
They taught us a variety of self defense moves and gave us the opportunity to gently try them out on a partner. It is good to know but I hope that I will never be in a situation when self defense is a necessity.
You can learn more about the TAKE Foundation at http://www.takedefense.org/

Pi Beta Phi Convention

2009-06-25T07:52:00.002-06:00

Today I am off to Grapevine, Texas for the 67th Biennial Pi Beta Phi Convention. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend two other conventions before. One in Denver and the other in Anaheim. I had a blast at both so I am really excited about going again. Convention allows me the opportunity to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, vote on important fraternity legislation, and learn new things to make our Alumnae Clubs stronger. We are going to be staying at the Gaylord Texan which sounds like an amazing resort. I am ready for Texas but is Texas ready for all of Pi Phis? XOXO.

Auntie Ashie

2009-06-24T11:23:00.003-06:00

I love being an Auntie!! I have the two most adorable nephews and I enjoy spending time with them. Over the last week I was able to help out by watching them twice and we had a fun time doing projects, making pancakes, and playing monster. The boys have awesome parents. Not only are the extremely loving they are also really fun. They have a blow up bounce house in their front room. How cool is that? The reason for this post is that I just found out that their family is growing. Hollie and Jake announced that they are having a baby!! I am going to have a new niece or nephew in January 2010 and I am so excited about this news. Congratulations Hollie & Jake. XOXO.

Hollie & Jake - Hawaii November 2008

Ready. Set. Go!

2009-06-22T15:53:00.005-06:00

Last Friday I paid a visit to the Wasatch Running Center to get fitted for a pair of running shoes. The salesperson watched me walk and jog on their indoor trail to see how my foot lands and then recommended a few pair of shoes for me to try on and to see what felt the best. I ended up going with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 (pictured above). I had not heard of the Brooks shoe line before I tried them on. I learned they specialize in running shoes so that explains why I am just learning about them now. They are very comfortable shoes.

I also recently learned the reason why I got blisters when I have walked long distances in the past is because I was working out in cotton socks. They do not allow my foot to breath and they absorb all the sweat. I don't need blisters to throw me of track so I also picked up a few pair of comfortable running socks.

This morning I laced up my new shoes and was out the door listening to Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Lepard for my first run/walk of my seven week training session! I am a little tired today but feel good and am ready to tackle two miles of running/walking tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Mom

2009-06-19T09:57:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was my Mom's 55th birthday!! Happy Birthday Mom! Mom, Hollie, and I started the evening with birthday pedicures. It was fun to spend some girl time together and now we all have lovely toe nails. Then we were off to dinner at a local little Mexican restaurant with Dad, Bennett, and Nicholas. We were all enjoying the evening and as we were boxing our leftovers there was a little surprise for Mom and Dad. When the surprise walked in my Mom's face was in a look of shock and Dad was thinking "That girl sure looks like Natalie." It was Natalie! She had called Hollie and I two days ago to let us know that she has decided to drive to Utah to surprise Mom for her birthday and Dad for Father's Day. Hollie and I managed to keep it a secret so it was a fun surprise!!

Dad, Natalie, and Mom (with B peeking in)

The Supernatural

2009-06-18T16:01:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite beauty products is The Supernatural by Philosophy. I picked up my first tube when I was shopping at Sephora in Chicago and have loved this product. I just ordered a new tube today. It is an oil free spf 15 tinted foundation primer. It makes your skin a smoother canvas for your foundation and there are times I have just worn just this when I have not wanted to bother putting make up on. I have become a fan of Philosophy skin care and now use their face wash, moisturizer, and eye cream as well. They also have some fun bath products and gifts sets. Philosophy products can be purchased at Sephora or directly through their website at www.philosophy.com.

Inspired to Run

2009-06-17T15:47:00.002-06:00

I have always hated to run. I can remember back to my Junior High and High School days when we would have to run the mile and thinking that it was torture. As I mentioned in my last blog post I have been to a few triathlons lately and I have been impressed by these amazing athletes competing. I am not planning on signing up for a triathlon any day soon but I have decided that I need to run a 5k! I know to some of you a 5k is nothing but this will be an achievement for me. Especially since I am not in the best shape right now.
I mentioned wanting to do this to Matt and he jumped right on board. He is going to run the 5k with me and has developed a running training program that I need to start next week. I checked out the upcoming 5ks in Salt Lake City and found one on August 8th that would work with our schedules. It is the 5k Dash for Donations at Sugarhouse Park. http://www.runnercard.com/e/runner.Main?meet=1794
Lately I have spoken to a few avid runners that hated running at first. They told me to give it a month before I fall in love. Hopefully that is true because that will be close to the time of the 5k.

My Triathlete Friends

2009-06-15T21:00:00.004-06:00

I have become quite the triathlon cheerleader this year. Two of my best friends decided this was the year to compete in their first triathlons so of course I had to be there to support and cheer them on. I have been to three now and have photographed their accomplishments as they swim, bike, and run.

First there was Matt. He signed up for the St. George Tri in May with his brother and we planned a weekend trip to the Casa. Matt was nervous about the swim which of course made me really nervous even though I had not doubt he would do a great job. Unfortunately it was too windy that morning so they had to cancel the swim. The event became a duathlon with a run, bike, run. He did an amazing job even with the extra run thrown in there. A few weeks later we were in Stansbury Park for the 2nd attempt at the Tri. I was still pretty nervous for his swim and was very excited when I saw him exit the water after completing the swim! I love the photographs that I got of him that day because he was smiling and having a fun time.

Then there is Lacey. She has been talking about doing a triathlon for years now and committed to the Battle at Midway (BAM) this last weekend. She too was nervous about the swim and thinking she would not complete the swim in the allotted amount of time. It was so exciting to see her get out of the water and before a good amount of the other athletes that started at the same time as her. She was then off on her pink and black bike for a gorgeous 22 mile ride through the Swiss like valley of Midway. She finished strong!

I am so proud of Matt & Lacey and their impressive athletic accomplishments!!

Matt finishing the Stansbury Tri

Lacey finishing up the final leg, the run.

Bruce Cupcakes

2009-06-12T00:03:00.001-06:00

In honor of my adorable nephew's birthday I made Bruce cupcakes. He loves Finding Nemo and the main shark in the movie is Bruce. Nicholas will take a blue crayon and scribble on the paper. That is his version of Bruce. I thought the cupcakes turned out really cute so I wanted to share a photo. I hope the Birthday Boy loves them.

Red Paper Clip

2009-06-11T16:20:00.005-06:00

On my way back to the office from lunch a gentleman on the street offered to trade a penny for a nickle. That offer triggered a memory of a story I once heard about a man trading up from a red paper clip all the way to a house. He started with the red paper clip and traded for a pen. The trades continued and he ended up with a movie roll which he traded to a town in Canada for a house. I thought it was an interesting story and if you want to read more about it here is the link to his blog he kept during the process.

http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/

Goodbye to the Young Alumni Board

2009-06-10T14:34:00.003-06:00

For the last three years I have been a member of the University of Utah Alumni Board. Tonight is our summer social which is also the farewell for those of us who are rotating off the board. To be honest it is kind of sad parting ways. I have been meeting with these people monthly for the last three years of my life and I have really enjoyed getting to know my fellow board members.
This board has two signature events during the year which are the Homecoming Scholarship 5k and the Springs Award Banquet. The money raised at the 5k is awarded in the form of scholarships at the Spring Awards Banquet to deserving University Senior and Graduate students.
I would say my biggest contribution to this board was serving as the 2008 Homecoming 5k Co-Chair. It was a stressful planning summer but I was pleased with the outcome. Overall a fabulous race. After working on the 5ks for the last three years it will be nice to have the opportunity to just show up and support the morning of the race!
It was a rewarding experience serving on the Young Alumni Board and fun to back on the beautiful University of Utah campus.

The 2008-2009 Young Alumni Board