in review: 2013.

Oh man. When it comes to New Years I'm the sappiest of the saps. I might as well have the word "nostalgic" written across my forehead because, during the week between Christmas and New Years, I tend to do a lot of reminiscing. I reflect on the good stuff, the hard stuff, the things I did well, the things I can improve on in the next year, etc. But a whole post about that is coming tomorrow. Today is all about happy memories!

So without further ado, and before I burst into tears about another year ending, here are my top ten moments of 2013:

10. Visiting Denver and Breckenridge, Colorado. What a beautiful state! Denver pretty much captured my heart in a way only a few cities have. And I spent the trip with the best people, so, bonus.

9. My birthday weekend was superb. You only have one golden birthday in your life, so I decided to go all out on mine. Even if that meant sending my roommate to the hospital. 

8. General Conference weekend with my family. In April we all got together to take Devin mission shopping and attend General Conference. It was one of the last times we'd all be together for two years, and it was just a good, good weekend. 

7. John FA-REAKING Mayer. This had been my dreamiest dream, to see him in concert, in my favorite place in the world {who knew that 5 months from then I'd be moving there?}.

6. Going cabining. I love cabins, and I love the Hansens' cabin. S'mores, footie pajamas, and gorgeous nature walks. It was a good weekend.

5. Giving Robin Sparkles a run for her money. This was probably the most serious I'd ever been about having an epic Halloween costume, and I think it paid off. 

4. San Francisco. Guys, two weeks and I'll be living there!!!!! I can never get enough of this city. 

3. A weekend outside. Hiking Timp was one of the most physically challenging things I've ever done, but the payoff was so worth it. Will I hike it again? No. 

2. Christmas with my family. Maybe I'm still feeling the post-Christmas blues, but last week was a good one. 

1. Saying "sayonara" to Elder Justesen. That was a hard day! But to see how he's changed and grown up have been worth it. 

Thanks for the memories, 2013.

See 2012 in review here. 

if i could make you a mixed cd round 2.

Doesn't this picture give you the warm Christmas fuzzies? I wish I could claim that this was my house but sadly...no. 

As I do all playlists, I took the task of coming up with this year's Christmas playlist very seriously. People seemed to like the one I made last year, so I decided to make a newer version of some holiday favorites. I hope you enjoy!

1. Very Merry Christmas - Dave Barnes

2. Christmas {Baby Please Come Home} - Michael Bublé

3. O Holy Night - Beta Radio

4. Angels We Have Heard on High - Sufjan Stevens

5. Jingle Bells - Sugar and the Hi-Lows

6. Marshmallow World - Emmy the Great and Tim Wheeler

7. We Need a Little Christmas - AgesandAges

8. Silent Night - Joshua Hyslop

9. Sleigh Ride - Fun.

10. Wonderful Christmastime - The Shins

11. All My Bells Are Ringing - Lenka

12. Cold December Night - Michael Bublé

13. Meet Me at the Mistletoe - Dave Barnes

Now get to decorating that tree, dang it.

some lessons.

Have you ever had something hit you so hard that it gave you a stomach ache, but the good kind? Not in the literal sense but in the sense that a lightbulb goes on in your head and you say to yourself, "well duh!"? And it makes so much sense that it makes your stomach ache? Maybe it's just me, but that happened recently.

I'll tell about my trip home later, but over the weekend I had the realization that I've got some big changes to make. They are changes I've known I've needed to make for a while, but I've been procrastinating. I'm living in a place that, while it's been great to me, is not mine anymore. For the last few years, it has been. It's taught me a lot of very important lessons that will carry me into my next phase, and for that I'll forever be grateful for this little college town.

So here are, to me, some of the most important lessons I've learned here. Some were hard, some were fun, and all shaped me and helped kickstart me into my next chapter, which I'm starting to get excited about. And who knows, maybe it'll help a girl who's just about to move into my town to start her new chapter.

1. Be a good friend. Once you're out on your own, you rely on the people who come into your life as much as you do your family. And a few times I learned the hard way that it's so important to treat people the way you want to be treated. The golden rule is a real thing, folks. I'm a natural giver, that's what I like to do. I like to help people. But if you are constantly doing things for someone with nothing in return, it's probably time to think seriously about if that person deserves to stay around.

2. On the flip side of that, be careful who you trust. I hate that I had to learn this, but I learned the hard way. I grew up thinking that everyone had my back, that their intentions were good, which is a great way to grow up. But eventually I learned to become a realist. While most people are on your side, there will be a few who are not. It's important to learn who those people are as quickly as you can. And make sure that people can easily trust you.

3. Keep a constant watch on your bank account. This is important! When you're living paycheck to paycheck, as most college students and recent grads do, it's easy to go a little overboard. *guilty* Learn how to save, but also learn where and when to splurge. Sometimes {and only sometimes}, a new sweater can make a bad day turn out pretty good. Especially if you look killer in it. :)

4. Don't stalk past exes on Facebook, Instagram, etc. I know this sounds like silly advice, but it's true! I seem to be the lucky girl who dates the guy who, about a week after you break up, is dating someone else. And it sucks! So why make yourself sad by keeping up with them? I learned that, by seeing how happy they are without you, it's easy to forget that you're happy, too. And maybe if you're not right now, you will be. I promise.

5. Take pictures. As a freshman I was one of those obnoxious 18 year olds who wanted a picture of EVERYTHING. But as the years went by and I lived with roommates who I relied on for photos, I all but stopped. And I regret that. So find that fine line between obnoxious teenager and "too mature for her own good" 20-something and take some dang photos! Just don't go Instacrazy. Three or more photos of the same event calls for a Facebook album. ;)

I'm sure there are quite a few more lessons I could post, but this is turning into a novel and I'm sure you're bored by now. So these are my top five. If you want more, leave me a nice little comment. :)

november.

Hello from my 64 ounce Coke, which is where my day is at right now. How are you? You can't see it, but there was a big ol' sugar cookie on my lap that I ate in about 2 and a half bites.

It's only Tuesday and I'm just about ready to get into bed and take a nap straight until Saturday. You know those days where you're going, going, going, and have to stop to remember to breathe? That's how my last three days have been. Being busy suits me, but it's always nice to have a break. And in just a few days I'll be on my way back home to California for the week. Just me, my mom, my dad {lovingly referred to as "The Captain," for those of you who watch HIMYM}, and the cat. A week of San Francisco, Apple Hill, the Galleria Mall, and 70 degrees. My impatient nerves can't wait.

Until then, here are a few things that are getting me through that awkward, sad transition from Fall to Winter:

1. Saturday was THE PERFECT DAY. 65 degrees, yellow, and crunchy. The kind of day that you know is so perfect that you have to hang on for as long as you possibly can because it'll be over all too fast. It felt like the last day of Fall here, I just knew it. So we spent the day at a park, with a pizza and our short sleeves. And I soaked in every last bit.

And on Sunday we woke up to snow, because well, that's how my life works.

2.  Plaid. I'm not quite sure how, but this and this found their way into my closet. What is it about plaid that just says Christmas/hunter/hot chocolate/Brawny man/Fall/Winter/snow/90s grunge all in one? Those are my favorite things.

3. Essie's After School Boy Blazer nail polish. Sometimes when you wear nail polish that looks black but is secretly navy blue, you just feel a little bit BA. And as a girl, I reserve the right to be happy because of a nail polish color.

4. This personality quiz. I'm a sucker for these suckers.  Once you get your results, check this out. I'm an ISFJ and a Neville Longbottom, what are you? At first I didn't know how I felt about being a Neville, but he's still a Gryffindor and he grows up to be a total hottie and a hero, so...that sure sounds good to me!

5. Scandal. My Netflix binge watching has taken a turn from comedies to dramas, and I'm very happy with this one. Once you get past the fact that the President is also the voice of Tarzan, it's fantastic. And makes me realize that I never want to work in politics. The fast-paced dialogue will hook you, I promise. And if you need a laugh from Olivia Pope, here's one.

6. And lastly, Christmas music. I'll be honest with you, I am not a Christmas purist. Christmas doesn't start the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas starts the second you find frost on your car window, or in the case of those of us from warmer climates, the minute it drops below 70 degrees. So for me, last Sunday was the official opening of the Christmas season. I will be happy to recommend some great songs from my playlist, and check out Dave Barnes' new Christmas album while you're at it.

And with that, my rambling is done. The problem with being busy is that there is no time to say the things that are rattling inside your head. So that's what this blog is for.

love list.

Right now I'm loving...

1. Call the Midwife. I was looking for a new show to binge watch, and I came across this gem. Are you a Downton Abbey fan? Do you love England and the BBC and babies and the 1950s? Then this show is up your alley. Season 2 just became available on Netflix, and I'm already halfway through my second viewing. This show is wonderful. The characters, the plot, everything. It addresses women's issues, childbirth, class roles, etc. in a very real, and pretty blunt, way. Jenny Lee has the most romantic British accent I've ever heard, and Sister Monica Joan is about the greatest character on TV right now. I'm dying to read the book the show is based on. Watch it and let me know what you think.

2. '60s music. This is probably because of the above mentioned Call the Midwife, but right now I'm really into music from the 1960s. The Supremes, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Beatles, you know. Plus, it's fun to listen {and dance} to when you're baking in the kitchen. {This song and this song will put you in a better mood instantly.}

3. Which brings us to PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP EVERYTHING. Bread, cheesecake, cookies, the whole shebang. My inner domestic goddess always comes out in full force come September and October, and generally doesn't leave until the holidays are over. So I've been constantly covered in flour and running out of canned pumpkin.

4. Cozy, oversized sweaters. H&M, you're killing it with your sweaters this season. And you're also killing my wallet. It's the worst kind of love/hate relationship.

5. Free lunch at work. For the last few days there's been Cafe Rio and pizza, and I'm not complaining. It's something I could get used to.

6. Yoga every day. I found a Youtube channel that has a 30 day yoga challenge, and each 20 minute video focuses on a different part of your body, yoga aspect, whatever. I do it first thing in the morning and I feel zen and calm and serene and all that for the rest of the day. Serenity now.

7. These boots. They're on my wish list and I will have them, dang it.

What are you loving right now?

these women, i tell ya.

The other day as I was watching "You've Got Mail" for the umpteenth time {because, really, every Fall you HAVE to watch that movie at least twice}, I realized that there are a few literary and film characters {or both} who have had the biggest impact on my life, who have shaped me and my thoughts and my plans, and I admire them. 

Sure, they're fictional, but what they are and what they do and what they stand for are real to me. But the thing I love most about these women is that they are all very brave. The greatest compliment I've ever received was when someone told me he thought I was brave. Whether or not that's actually true about me, these women are, and I like to think us brave girls stick together. 

And so. The list of Alexa's favorite fictional women, and why, in no particular order:

Jo March

Josephine March is my girl crush. She is my spirit animal. Jo is not afraid to march {see what I did there? That's a knee-slapper} into her neighbor's house to take care of a sick boy, she's not afraid to rescue her sister from the depths of an icy pond, she's not afraid to run to a new city when she just needs a break. 

The part that I admire most about Jo is when she told Laurie "no." That's a hard, scary thing, something I've had to do before. Ripping off a security blanket of something that's good, but not the best, is terrifying. But when I had to do it, I looked to Jo. It was tough, the thing she and I had to do, but if Jo has taught me anything, it's that the ultimate outcome is SO much better. 

{If you want to read more about my thoughts on Jo, click here.}

Kathleen Kelly

Going to the mattresses. That's what Kathleen Kelly does when it's time for her to be brave. She proves that just because you're adorable and love daisies and twinkle lights, it doesn't mean you can't have a backbone. 

Kathleen Kelly also knows how to bow out gracefully. She ultimately lost her fight with big bad Fox Books, and while I'm sure she was upset about it, she accepted defeat and plunged on ahead. And the best part is that, because she was always so kind, there were people waiting on the other side who wanted to help her out. What a girl, that Kathleen Kelly.

{Read more about Kathleen and one of my favorite writers, Norah Ephron, here and here.

Maria Von Trapp {as played by Julie Andrews}

How do you solve a problem like Maria? You don't, because Maria isn't a problem.  What a brave girl to not only take on seven children, but to go against all of their rules. 

I admire most Maria's commitment to God. She wanted so badly to be a nun, but when she felt like God had a different plan for her, she went with it. Now that right there is bravery.

Scarlett O'Hara

If you're looking for brave, Scarlett O'Hara is your girl. When I first read the book, I admit that I hated Scarlett. To me, she was a stubborn, spoiled brat, who couldn't see how much Rhett loved her because she was so convinced that she had to have someone else.

But when I read it and watched the movie again, I saw her differently. I saw a girl who was trying to get the best for herself. Sure, some of her methods were a little questionable, but Scarlett knew how to fight. One of my favorite scenes from both the book and the movie is when, after her family loses everything during the Civil War, Scarlett stands in her garden and shouts, "As God as my witness, as God as my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again...As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again!" And she never was.

So these are a few of my favorite people. I raise my glass to you, ladies.

taking stock.

With summer giving its final farewell earlier this week, I thought it would be a good idea to check in with myself, to see how I'm doing. I found this list a few days ago from Sydney, and you know how I feel about a good list.

making: peace with the fact that I have to say goodbye to shorts and flip flops
cooking: pumpkin chocolate chip bread and New York style cheesecake
drinking: dirty diet Cokes and Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate {these represent my internal struggle with the changing seasons pretty darn well}
reading: Harry Potter and Little Women...again
wanting: to take a roadtrip back home. To just get in my car and drive, solo
looking: at the leaves around these parts as they change each day
playing: John Mayer's "Paradise Valley" on repeat. It's the perfect album for transitioning from summer to fall {just listen to this one if you don't believe me}
wasting: too much time worrying
sewing: buttons back onto fall coats
wishing: that my car was completely paid off
enjoying: late night chats with friends. The best conversations always happen after midnight, right?
waiting: for my next big adventure
liking: season 4 of Downton Abbey {I'll send you the link if you want it...}
wondering: what I'll do on my day off this weekend
loving: training for Ragnar and that feeling of accomplishment that comes from each run
hoping: that someday I'll be able be better at expressing my feelings. Because I suck at it
marveling: at how sometimes people can disappoint you
needing: a great big hug every once in a while
smelling: the Heritage Pumpkin candle I just bought at Target. Holy smokes
wearing: this and thinking it's the best $20 I've ever spent. I'm calling it my Sergeant Pepper jacket
following: my feet — not quite sure where they're going, but knowing they haven't let me down yet
noticing: my sense of humor turn more and more into that of my dad's
knowing: that things always work out just how they are supposed to
thinking: that it's time to wash my poor little car
bookmarking: fall boots
opening: a package from my mom. They always make me feel like I'm that much closer to home
giggling: at this {over and over and over again}
feeling: content with everything

a little wishlist.

navy jacket/booties/camo jeans/puppy sweater/plaid shirt/stripe sweater/gray coat/boots/bag

With tomorrow being the official start of Fall, I put together a little list of a few pieces I've had my eye on. Sweaters and boots and coats, oh my! As far as clothes go, Fall is my season. I am the master of layers, I tell ya! H&M coming to University Mall next week is going to be the death of me, I just know it. What's on your list?

i live in a wannabe beach.

I'm sure I've said this before, but one of my favorite bloggers is Natalie from Hey Natalie Jean {what? You don't know who she is? Hold up, take 5 minutes, and go read her blog right now.} 

Okay, you're back. You love her, right? And you love her little Huck too? Good. I'd like to think that if I knew Natalie in real life, maybe we'd be pretty good friends. The girl knows her way around "You've Got Mail" and a good pair of ripped jeans, and I admire her for it. 

Anyway, she's doing this great giveaway on her blog, and she wants to take a look inside our medicine cabinets. That's fascinating stuff, right? I always thought I was alone in snooping around peoples' bathrooms. But I love finding out what people use just as much as the next girl, so I jumped on this. So all you gotta do is Instagram, tweet, or blog a photo of your medicine cabinet with the hashtag #heynataliejeanlilashgiveaway and you're entered!

So here's mine:

After I took this photo I realized you can see the word "coconut" no less than 6 times. So, this just goes to show that I prefer smelling like a beach? Sure. 

Anywho, here are some of my favorites that you'll find lurking in there:

1. Organix Moroccan argan oil — I'm too cheap to buy the real Morocanoil, but I've used it before and this stuff comes at a pretty close second. For $10 and it lasts forever? That's my kind of product.

2. Bath and Body Works Exotic Coconut anything — I have the body wash, spray, and lotion, and nothing will get you closer to feeling like you came from a beach. Unfortunately B&BW discontinued the scent {$#%*!}, but every once in a while they bring it back online for a few weeks. So when they do, I stock up like my life depends on it. But I generally love any of B&BW's coconut-scented stuff. 

3. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe spray — I've been really into letting my hair do it's natural thing for the last couple weeks {mainly because my blowdryer is about five minutes from combusting and I'm too cheap to buy a new one}, and this spray really gives my crazy waves some control. And it adds to the whole beach theme I seem to have going on.

4. Coconut oil — I've talked about my love for coconut oil before, but really, this stuff is great. I use it in my hair, cooking, as a lotion, etc. 

So there you have it, ladies {and maybe some guys, too, if you're into this kind of thing?}. What do you keep in your medicine cabinet?

#heynataliejeanlilashgiveaway

today i want to remember...

...that the peaches from Allred's on University Avenue are just about the greatest things to grace Provo these days.

...that school starts today, so I need to pay attention to crosswalks while driving in my neighborhood. And stop shaking my fists at the students who dart in front of my car thinking that I'm going to stop for them.

...that I loved every single second I had at BYU, and days like today make me miss it like crazy. 

...that reading the scriptures when I wake up really does make my day that much better.

...that I love and appreciate how seriously Mexican restaurants in Utah take Taco Tuesday. 

...that there's something magical about beginning to read the Harry Potter series again on September 1.

...that I probably need to stop Snapchatting so much.

...and Instagramming. But I probably won't.

...that Fall is pretty much the greatest. After summer. 

...that hot chocolate season is on its way here.

...and pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING. 

...that I've already got a kick-a Halloween costume planned. #waitforit #itsgoingtobelegendary

...that hashtags don't work on blogs.

and that's all. I'm off to eat a peach and read. Gosh I love you, Fall. 

lacking some serious motivation.

First of all, the above cookies have nothing to do with this post, I made them last week and they turned out just perfect if I do say so myself. Why is it that when you make cookies to give away, rather than to eat all by yourself, they taste better than normal? Does anyone else have this problem?

Tomorrow is Monday, and I'm not motivated to get everything done that I have to do. Every Sunday I write out my list of goals for the week, and this week's list covered two pages. Kill me dead. Packing, cleaning, getting ready to move, it's all a nightmare. But I've got a few goals I really want to complete, and I'd love it if you'll be the kick I need to get them all done. Help me please? Here they are:

1. Read the New Testament every day
2. Go to the gym at least 3 times
3. Go to the temple
4. Say more meaningful prayers
5. Listen to/read a General Conference talk each day
6. Eat at home

That's not too bad, right? Today in Sunday School and Relief Society we talked about becoming perfect, and while we know that here on earth that's impossible, we can do small things perfectly each day. I love that. So this week I want to be perfect in my gym attendance, I want to be perfect in reading my Scriptures every day, etc. and etc.

Bring it on, week. And I can already say that Saturday can't come soon enough. I hope your week is shaping up to be a little bit better than mine!

love list.

I was skimming through a few of my recent posts and I realized they have been HEAVY. Some bad things have happened in the world, I've had a lot on my mind, and it's all come across in this little space. I'm not saying that's bad, but I hope you realize I'm not deep and dark and thoughtful all the time. So here's a lighthearted post of a few things I love today.

1. Sunflowers are my flower of choice right now. I discovered that you can get a bouquet at Sprout's for about $4. Aren't they just so happy, these little guys? I love putting them near a window and watching their long stems crane towards the sun. I understand that because I'm trying to do the same thing. 40 degrees today?? Come on, Utah.

2. Nostalgia. A couple of friends got me hooked on "Once Upon a Time" {I'm the kind who doesn't watch TV on the regular, so I discover a show a few seasons late and then binge-watch}, and guys, it's everything I love all wrapped up with a nice big bow. Fairy tales, drama, action, CAPTAIN HOOK {I'm crazy about anything Peter Pan}, and one of the darn best looking casts I've ever seen. But I love it most because of the nostalgia factor. It reminds me of my favorite childhood stories, where good always wins, the prince always gets the princess, where everyone lives happily ever after. A little sappy, yes, but just go with me on this one. It's like Disney for grownups. :) I'm a sucker for some nostalgia. If you watch it I'd love to analyze it with you!

3. Speaking of nostalgia, these photos. My grandpa has a collection of LIFE magazine issues from the 50s and 60s, and when I was a little girl one of my favorite things to do at his house was to carefully flip through the crinkled brown pages, wondering what that time was like. Aren't these beautiful? Thanks to Pinterest, I found some of my favorite photographs from the magazine, and they made me smile.

You just know this woman and her heels have somewhere important to be. :)

a very greedy wishlist.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/

The problem with it being a solid 70 degrees outside and me stuck at my desk is that I begin to think. And my thinking usually drifts to wishlists. Which isn't good for me because my pockets are empty and I've got more than enough clothes.

BUT...if I did have unlimited funds and if I needed new clothes, these are a few things I kinda sorta want in my closet. I think they would be perfect for Spring, don't you? My favorite is the mixing of stripes and neons because let's be honest, there is nothing better. Except maybe polka dots and lace, amirite? 

What's on your wishlist? Don't tell anyone but I've already purchased a couple of these thanks to some birthday money. :)

5.

Do you remember a few weeks ago on Instagram, everyone was getting tagged in that five things post? The one where you had to give five facts about yourself? I got tagged a couple of times and honestly just kind of ignored it. But one of my favorite bloggers, Natalie from Nat the Fat Rat, put the five up on her blog, where there was a little more room to write and where she could post cute pictures of her ginger baby. So I'm doing the same, minus the ginger baby {although a secret dream of mine is to have a ginger baby who looks like her ginger baby. My dark hair would balance out the red so it's not too gingery, right?}.

Anywho...

1. I have a slightly if not obsessively huge crush on Jimmy Fallon. Ask anyone, I've seen every episode of Saturday Night Live from 1998-2004 and I rarely miss Late Night. And the guy I marry is just going to have to be okay with it.

2. I eat at Costa Vida maybe 2-3 times a week. Can't help it, that sweet pork salad is like heaven on earth to me. The best part was when Costa Vida opened five minutes from my house in California last year. And when I go home, instead of eating at places I can't get in Utah, I get Costa Vida.

3. I could spend hours and hours in art museums. Someday I want to live in a city like London, where all the museums are free {America, can we do that sometime soon?}. Someday I'd also love to watch a painter simply paint. I want to know what goes through their minds. Thought processes {procees?} are always so interesting to me.

4. I love love love classic rock. The Eagles, Boston, Chicago, The Beatles, all of it. I think that surprises people, because I don't "look" like a classic rock kind of girl, but it is what it is. That all goes back to Dave Justesen for making us grow up on America and the Doobie Brothers.

5. Early mornings are my favorite part of the day. When I do wake up early and on time, I love how quiet it is and how productive I am. If all day could just be what it is in the morning, I'd be happy.

And now, I tag all of you. Go!

*If you do, link it back in the comments!!

january is the pits.

January hasn't ever been a month I love.  Once New Year's Day is over, I'm done with it. Especially in Utah, where it's so bitterly cold. And this year was no exception. In fact, it might have been colder this January than any other I've been here for. I spent most of the month looking like this:

The weather decided to trick me today. The temperature hasn't been above 25 degrees in weeks, and today it just up and went to 40. So when I went outside, it felt warm. Warm enough to turn to AC on in my car. That is not okay!! Where I come from, 40 degrees requires a scarf, jacket, and gloves. We're wimps, but what can you do?

Luckily, February starts next week. Which means we'll be one month closer to SPRING. Which means we're that much closer to SUMMER.

If this month has taught me anything, it's that I need to save up for a trip somewhere every January. Now I understand why this is the month most people travel somewhere tropical.

Things I have to look forward to in February:
1. Mom and Dad are coming up here next week for a visit
2. Devin will get his mission call! {I'm claiming Asia}
3. A spontaneous trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, that Rachel and I planned last night
4. Valentine's Day {this is an excuse for me to just be a sappy romantical, which I'm normally not}
5. Cadbury eggs will start to be sold in stores for Easter

What are you excited about?

24 things for my 24th year, 17-24.

17. Simplify. At some point this year I want to gather all my crap, and just purge wherever I can. Clothes, papers, everything. I want to be a minimalist.

18. Visit Colorado. Fun fact: half my friends are from Colorado, all by coincidence. So this has taught me that Colorado must be pretty rad. Therefore, I need to visit. My friend Rachel wants to see a concert at Red Rocks, which I'm dying to do, maybe this summer.

19. Minimize the social media. Guys, I love Instagram. I do. I love Twitter and Facebook and all those other things, but sometimes I wonder if I let them get in the way of my life. So I'm going to cut back a little bit and focus on having real, meaningful conversations with people, face-to-face.

20. Reread my mom's old journals. Before I went to college my mom let me read a few of her journals that she kept while she was at BYU, and I'd love to read them again and see how alike we really are. Because sometimes I feel like I'm mini-her.

21. Apply for a job in London, just for kicks. And if I get it? Then maybe I'll move to London. :)

22. Throw a big, bad, golden birthday party. I turn 24 on the 24th, which means this birthday is extra special. I'd also like to wear a tiara. I imagine I'd react something like this:

23. Find a place where I can have a "regular." You know in TV shows and movies where the characters are so well-known at the place they eat at that the waiters know exactly what they want already? Like that.

24. Be a better photographer. I haven't been the best at taking pictures of different events in my life, and someday I know I'll regret that. So here's to saving up for a newer, better camera, and making sure important memories get documented. 

So there it is. This is a big ol' list, and who knows if I'll be able to do all of it, but a girl can dream, right? Here's to 24, and the bangin' year it's shaping up to be.

To read 1-16, click here and here. And thanks for hanging in there with me!

24 things for my 24th year, 9-16.

9. Go on a roadtrip by myself. For some reason I've always thought it would be fun to drive back to California or somewhere else alone, with just myself, some peace and quiet, and a few books on CD.

10. Finish journal #8. I've been consistently keeping a journal since I was 11, and I've been writing in my current one for over two years. It's time to finish it.

11. Start having my journals made into books. Cool right? I figure my progeny would appreciate it {what a cool word, progeny}.

12. Buy a sewing machine. My mom made things all the time for me when I was little, including dress up clothes, Halloween costumes, and oh-so-fashionable church dresses, and that's a talent I'd like to master.

13. Master a difficult recipe. I've always loved cooking and I've collected some pretty impressive cookbooks over the years. There are a couple recipes in these books that I'm a little too terrified to try out because of the level of difficulty, but I'm going to do it.

14. Be more artsy-craftsy. This kind of goes with idea #12, but I've never been into crafting. I can appreciate a good craft, but the patience and talent to make something, I don't have. But how neat would it be to have some bangin' curtains or a bedspread or something and say, "Yeah, I made that."?

15. Watch "Star Wars" and "LOTR" all the way through. I've never been a science fiction/fantasy person {other than Harry Potter, of course}. Indiana Jones? You bet. Han Solo? Not so much. I've been told countless times I need to watch these trilogies all the way through without falling asleep. So at some point this year, I'm going to pick a Saturday, plant my flag on a couch, maybe wear a Snuggie, and watch. Want to join?

16. Get regular dental/medical/skin check-ups. Maybe this is TMI, but there are a few illnesses floating around in my extended family that I don't want. So this is going to be a priority.

The final list, 17-24, tomorrow! To see 1-8, click here.

24 things for my 24th year, 1-8.

This year I turn the big ol' 2-4. I'll be honest, I'm excited for it, but a little terrified. My mid-twenties, y'all. That's exciting and scary and amazing and incredible all at the same time. While I like where I'm at with my life, I'm not where I thought I'd be at 24. Which is okay. If I've learned anything in the last 4 or 5 years, it's that I have to trust Heavenly Father and believe that He's got a bigger plan for me. Because He does.

I'm an avid reader of C.Jane's blog, and she's doing a series of posts about the 36 things she wants to do the year she turns 36. Something about that really inspired me, so I'm jumping on that bandwagon. This took a lot of thought, because I've got so many things I want to do and it's a little overwhelming to narrow them down. But I'm going to try my darndest.

1. Read a book a month. In high school I was the girl who picked a good book over a lot of other things, and once I got to college I lost that drive because reading for fun made me feel guilty when I had homework to do. But as a post-grad, we know I've got time. On my list for this year: "Les Miserables" again, all of Malcom Gladwell's books, and most of the books on this list that I haven't read yet.

2. Spend a week in a big city. New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Seattle are a few cities on my list that I'd like to explore.

3. Learn to play the ukulele. This one is a little silly, but I have a friend who plays it when she sings to her little kids, and I love that. Plus there's something about listening to it that throws me onto a beach in Hawaii, and you can't beat that.

4. Watch more foreign films and documentaries. I want to come away from movies feeling more educated and cultured. The International Cinema was one of my favorite things about BYU, and I miss it a little bit. And Netflix is full of some interesting documentaries that I'm dying to see.

5. Get my French back. Studying that language was one of my favorite things in high school and college, and I want to be fluent. And maybe for my 25th year I'll take a trip to Paris or Nice and use it. ;)

6. Run a half marathon. I'm not a runner. I wish I was, but I've just never latched onto it. I've made the goal to do a half-marathon almost every year for a long time, but I've always given up. Not this time!

7. Go to more concerts. Seeing Coldplay last year was one of the most amazing experiences EVER {sounds cliché, I know}, but there's something about seeing and hearing the music you love up close and personal.

8. Mentor someone. I have a list of people in my life who I would consider mentors, whether they know it or not. I know how much their examples have helped me, and I'd give anything to do that for someone else.

9-16 coming tomorrow!

if i had a million dollars...or $161 plus shipping.

Today is my day off, and hell hath frozen over outside, so leaving my apartment isn't in the cards for today, except for an hour at winco {winco!} to buy some crazy cheap groceries. And "You've Got Mail" is on TV, and we know how I feel about that movie {and here and here}, so that should answer all your questions about what my January 15 is shaping up to be.

And when I'm watching TV on my favorite little corner of my couch and it's -2 degrees outside, I stumble over to Etsy, where I make the biggest of wishlists. I'm at this point in my life where I want to decorate {I hear it's called "nesting" but I hate that}. Give me a house, give me unlimited funds, and let me go crazy. I can decorate my room and my apartment, but there's something about knowing that I won't be here forever and the fact that it isn't mine that takes the fun out of it. But if I were to have my own place and unlimited funds, here is what you would find:

//here//

//here//

//here//

//here//

//here//

//here//

//here//

We're going for a slightly "Moonrise Kingdom"/Wes Anderson/tribal/monocled/hunter feel up in here. 

resolutions.

As I'm throwing away crumpled wrapping paper pieces and packing up to go back to Provo, my mind is on what's next. Christmas is now behind us, and next week starts something new. A new week, a new month, a new year. What's that going to mean to me? I always like to wonder where I'll be in X amount of time, and 2013 will be no different. Where will I be on December 26, 2013? How different will life be? Drastically? A little bit? Not at all? I'm hoping for the first two.

As we all should know by now, I'm a list maker. I like the look of lists, I like crossing things off when they're done. Essentially, my mind wouldn't function without the lists. And writing new year's resolutions are no different. I usually get pretty detailed with my resolutions {I create genres and subgenres. WHO AM I?}, but I'll spare you that boring list and put some of my favorites, the ones I'm most excited about, on here. That way, if I'm failing, I'd like to think you'd let me know, right? Promise? Perfect. 

1. Read The Book of Mormon all the way through at least twice

2. Go to the temple at least twice a month

3. Work towards getting certified in yoga or Pilates instruction

4. Find somewhere to volunteer and go regularly

5. Do better at balancing and saving money

6. Pick up a new crafty hobby
7. Learn to play the ukelele
8. Make eating healthier and working out more of a priority

So...there's the list. Think I can do it? I'm sure hoping so. I love the new year, and I've got a good ol' feeling about 2013!