happy holidays!

See you all in 2010!  ;)

beauty

This woman is beautiful.  Inside and out.  If you haven't heard her story yet, read it here.  Proud to say,

She will also be on the Today show on November 24, 2009.

did I tell you how much I love pumpkin?

I recently stumbled upon this recipe for Pumpkin Risotto.  I think I might try it out this week! 

who doesn't like free stuff?

Lately, I have been reading a lot of other people's blogs.  This one I came across recently, informed me about a new Etsy shop.  And the designer is doing a giveaway right now.  Now, I LOVE Etsy.  And I do love fashion.  And more than anything, I love free stuff.  Even if I don't win, I might be purchasing one in the future.....

Buy them here.

one of my favorite things.....

This is truly one of my favorite times of year....right after Halloween leading up to Christmas.  There are so many things that I love about this season - family & friends(most importantly), cooking, the smells, snow(now that I live in Utah...it is guaranteed before Christmas), Christmas music, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, baking....yes, I am not going to lie - one of my favorite things this time of year is the baked goods.  And my favorite ingredient?  Pumpkin.

While the snow was falling outside yesterday, I was inside baking these delicious things.  They are great without frosting, but if you must....this recipe goes great.

all I want to do....

It is snowing outside here in Salt Lake.  And it makes me think about shopping.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have not shopped in awhile.  All I want to do is shop!  And I promise you, as soon as I have a job again - one of these coats will be in  my closet.

I have been thinking about this one for months!  Plus, I need a new leather coat.

This color looks really awesome on me.  And I like the buttons.

Which one should I get?

photos courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com

Zion's in the fall.

While in southern Utah for my half marathon, we didn't pass up a chance to go to Zion National Park.  Check out the fall colors against the red rock....so beautiful!

the results.....

Well.  I did it.  I completed my first half marathon.  AND.  I did it within my time goal.  Under 2 hours.  My official time: 1:56:26.7

Before the start.

About mile 10....still going strong!

Would you believe I can't wait until the next one?!?

my FIRST!

I am running my FIRST half marathon this weekend.  Saturday to be exact...and....I am excited!  Can you believe that?

Here are some pics of what I get to run 13.1 miles through...

Here is a link to my course.  Wish me luck!

meet the dogs

in case you have not met them yet, meet caspian and whisper.  the beautiful dogs that entertain paul and i on a daily basis....

aren't they cute?

simply fetching

During my unemployment this year I have constantly been trying to come up with different ways to make money.  I recently came across this company on facebook and thought they have a pretty clever idea for creating exceptional interior design within the current economic situation. 

Check out the idea behind the pictures here.

Not to mention, they have a pretty nice portfolio.....here's a sneak peak:

all images courtesy of www.vignetteinteriordesign.com

because i need it.

here is an inspirational quote of the day for you to ponder, because i need it today....

'We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.'

- Aristotle

i am a runner.

and this is one of the views I was able to enjoy from my run on sunday morning.......so amazing!

salt lake modern

believe it or not, salt lake actually has quite a collection of modern architecture.  thanks to a great friend of mine, amber, i had the opportunity to tour and visit one of these homes.  saturday night, salt lake modern, associated with the utah heritage foundation, hosted an evening of architecture and art.  a mid-century modern piece of architecture housed with the artwork of local, modern artist John Bell.

residence of mary fresques and john bell, designed by john sudgen, built 1959

this event was also hosted in recognition of DOCOMOMO US Annual Tour Day which highlighted several buildings, sites and neighborhoods in the modern movement throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.  more information here.

all images and info courtesy of utah heritage foundation

nike+

as i was purchasing my running shoes yesterday, there were many flyers about 'the nike+ Human Race 10K'.  of course i asked for more information and found out it is a world wide 10K race on October 24, 2009.  and the best part.  it's free.  so i signed up, and you should too!

sign up and get more info here.

to run with me in salt lake, click here.

new kicks...

yesterday, i visited a local running store Salt Lake Running Co. to get fitted for some brand new running shoes.  these are what i walked out with.......

 i didn't realize the importance of great running shoes until now.  and i never thought i would run with nike shoes again either.  this is because i had never tried on a REAL nike running shoe.  the bowerman series are REAL running shoes.  read more about them here.


image courtesy of nike.com

for my fellow architecture geeks.

CHECK THEM OUT HERE.

perfect timing

paul brought these slippers home for me yesterday...

they are soooo warm!!!

i want it....

well.  utah had it's first measurable snowfall yesterday.  it makes me want to shop!  i have been eying these boots this past week.  feel free to send, i wear an 8.5  ;)

don't you want a pair??  buy them here.

made it.

so.....we made it to the top!  here's proof.....

paul, jenn, jake, jeni

mt. timpanogos summit, 11,750ft.

sept. 26, 2009

real mountains

those of you who know me, know that i am from the east coast.  nowhere on the east coast are there mountains like the mountains i see EVERY day here in utah.  here is one that i am climbing on saturday with some great friends....mt. timpanogos.

i am not doing it in the winter guys....but wow.  pretty cool shots huh?  the summit is 11,749ft.   wish me luck.

all photos courtesy of:  http://www.summitpost.org

i love red

check out PUMA's mobile retail and event unit, which was on display in Boston earlier this year.

superfoods!

i have always eaten 'healthy' in my opinion.  lately, in trying to become a better runner(currently training for a half marathon) and a healthier human being all together, i have learned a lot about FOOD and realized that perhaps i could be eating a lot healthier.  i have become particularly fond of these 'superfoods'.  it's hard when you are on a budget, but whenever i see a sale on one of these items, i am sure to take advantage.

almond butter

apples

avocados

blueberries

chiles

eggs

goji berries
kale

lean beef

oats

olive oil

parmesan

pomegranates

quinoa

tarragon

wild salmon

yogurt

Yum!!!!

next on my reading list

when i first moved out to utah...2 years ago now!!...i had the pleasure of working with a man named jason, who has turned into a great friend of mine.  he is in fact the person who first got me into running seriously.  so, i guess this is the perfect gift from him - which arrived on my doorstep today.

it is next on my reading list.  thanks jason.

for fun....

i came across this contraption on a visit to a favorite blog of mine.... Yanko Design.

what the hell??  maybe this will help.....

i have certainly been told more than once that i speak too loudly.  this helmet, made out of paper, is supposed to help you become more aware of the loudness of your voice and encourage you to speak more softly....

hmmmmmmmmmmm.....i guess if i wanted people to stare at me, this might do the trick!   :)

check out the full story here.

Stitched

another awesome friend of mine, jeni,  is the designer and founder of Stitched Cards.  i am so proud of what she has accomplished.  her cards are so unique!  i definitely recommend that you check out all the designs here.

bubble tea

i had the pleasure of trying bubble tea this weekend, thanks to an awesome friend of mine - holly.  never  had i heard of this type of tea until yesterday.

what is this, do you say?

after a little online research, these are my findings:

bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980's.  also known as boba drink, pearl tea drink, boba ice tea, boba, pearl ice tea, black pearl tea, tapioca ball drink, and so many others.  typically, it is a healthy tea poured over ice with an added powder flavoring or blended with milk, fruit and ice to create a creamy, healthy milkshake served in a clear glass with tapioca pearls sitting on the bottom.  a huge fat straw is used so that the 'bubbles' can be sucked up and eaten.

how was it?  delicious.  thank you holly for a perfect start to a perfect afternoon.

information courtesy of http://www.bubbleteasupply.com

wish i could go........

Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects Fall 2009 home tour, October 4, 2009.  Wish I could go...........!!

Check out this house I found, which will be featured in the home tour above, on one of my favorite blogs, contemporist.com.

Check out all pics and the full story here.  Enjoy!!