HOW TO REFINISH AN ANTIQUE DESK I scored something amazing. I was watching for a desk to deal with the work-from-home situation but knew it had to be small. Living in a one-bedroom apartment definitely limits options. I knew it needed to be functional but also have great character. Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. As always, I only recommend products I trust! You can read my full disclosure by clicking here. I found this beauty on KSL classifieds for $35. $35!!! Seriously, this desk's bones are exactly what I am looking for. It has an ... Read More
The love of a mother
No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child. -Jeffrey R. Holland, 2015 Dear momma, I wish there was a way for you to see what I see when I look at you. Do you realize you hold the world in your hands? From my earliest memories, you've always been right by my side cheering me on, teaching me, and loving me. You were there every single day. You have given me every advantage in life. From the beginning, you taught me all that I needed to know. From walking, to tying my shoes, to riding my bike, to running full speed ahead in order to ... Read More
Pressure
Does anyone else do this?? I feel like the pressure we put on ourselves is often the heaviest load we carry. I know I do it. That's right. I admit it. Today, my sweet friend Bernie reminded me to try a little harder this week to not be so hard on myself. She assured me that I have so much to offer and something big is right around the corner. I don't know why she believes in me so much, but I love her even more for it. As I listened to the lesson today in Relief Society, one specific point leapt out at me...it was not even the main focus of the lesson! But it was exactly what I needed. (That is something I just love about the Holy Ghost. We ... Read More
Regret
Guys, I made a big mistake. Uggghh! You know the kind....right after it happens, you just wish for a replay moment and can't get it off your mind. It lingers. Festers, really. There I was, working at a football toss booth at the University of Utah vs Michigan game. The sun had been melting us from behind for awhile. Despite the heat, our line was HUGE. It was full of my favorite kind of people...Ute fans! I was taking a water break and handing out some giveaways at the prize table. Then I looked up. Standing in that line, there was a man. He was wearing a black Utes hat and shirt. He also had the football stripe ute tattoos ... Read More
A Glimpse of Radiance – Looking Past Beautiful
Do you ever wonder how everyone else always looks perfect in their social media posts? In the meantime, I am over here trying to hide my bad hair day, stress-induced breakouts, and body issues. Media has drilled the concept that we should present only the most beautiful versions of ourselves to the public eye. Our "less appealing" behind-the-scenes issues should be kept under lock and key. But I think Coco Chanel was right on: "Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself." -Coco Chanel Today, I am doing something scary. If only to prove to myself that it isn't even scary. Or it shouldn't be. I have allowed the world to be ... Read More
Living with Intention
It is decided. I am bound and determined to make everything in my life A LOT better this year! 25 years of EXISTING is cool, but 25 years of LIVING is huge! This is going to be a year I won’t ever forget. For those of you who know me, this is completely out of character...I am a hard-core pessimist! For real, I have a habit of going into everything expecting the worst. I figure that if you have low expectations from the beginning, it is less disappointing when things don’t work out. Alternatively, if something turns into gold, you are completely surprised and excited when it does! I have decided to completely change my way of thinking ... Read More
I’m feeling 25 (T Swift’s next big hit)
It actually happened. I turned 25! Age just snuck in during the night, and without a sound it plopped down on my carpet and decided it was going to stick around. I asked that stubborn visitor to leave, but here it still is. Just following me! I know for all you oldies out there, you may be sitting there thinking to yourself, “That is nothing…. Just wait!” But really, have you ever actually sat and pondered the implications of a number being attached to your life? The kind that we seem to think is worth celebrating each year because you survived being squished, prodded, pushed, and pulled out of your exhausted mother some odd years ... Read More
The Healer
As I spent the first day of 2016 in instacare for 3 hours, I was given plenty of time to think. I was up most of the night coughing and not getting much sleep, so my time scrolling through social media feeds drained my phone battery....and so there I sat. With a dead phone. In a room full of sick people. I imagine this would have been the end of the world for most people, but I was secretly thrilled, despite feeling like crap. You see, I love to observe. People-watching is one of my favorite things to do. The writer in me begins to analyze the emotions etched across each face, and spins up thoughts that are spiraling in their minds ... Read More