Opinion Poll: Boots

So I'm in the market for some quality boots this season, preferably brown, flat, and knee high. I'm ready to invest in the right pair but I'm just not sure which one is THE one. I'm having commitment issues and I can't decide so I'm taking open suggestions from the peanut gallery. Cast your vote or let me know if you see any other great candidates.

Option #1 I like how this is slouched but still has a tall shaft. I was going for brown and not gray but I did hear it was going to be an "in" color this fall/winter. $60 at piperlime

Option #2 This one is very similar to the next in line but I like the simple, clean line of both of them. This one has a little bit of texture for variety though. $189 at Piperlime

Option #3 Maybe I'm just particularly fond of this one because it bears my name. No wait, it really is a freakin awesome riding boot. $198 at Piperlime

Option #4 Slouched and Suede. Not sure how winter resistant the suede would be. I'm looking to invest in a boot that will keep my footsies stylish and warm this winter. $100 at Piperlime

Option #5 I like the big buckle for a little variety and it looks like a bigger calf feet (good for my mammoth calves and pant tuckage) $199.95 at Nordstrom's
Option #6 Classic riding boot, all leather. I wonder how comfortable it is for everyday walking though but I guess that could be said for any of these boots. $179.95 at Nordstrom's

Indiana Jones 2008: The Adventure of the Sundance Skull

Here are the Indiana posters my friend Jordan made for our little Sundance adventure-

Miles, Marshall, Kate, and Claire (who looks eerily like Charlie)

Tommy and Charlie

Emily and Elise

Drew

Ethan

All these posters were created from this pic from Ethan's baptism. Pretty rad, huh?

Grosgrain Fabulous Blog-a diamond in the rough

So of course I'm at work, hopping my blogs and suddenly I end up on this adorable site. This women is a sewing genius-she makes the cutest kids clothes, takes these amazing pics of her kids modeling them, and then gives them away as biweekly doorprizes. I would definitely bookmark her blog and check her out often to try to win some of these precious threads!! I'm a big fan and I don't even have kids. Also check out her free daily patterns...

Paperdoll Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Penny for Your Thoughts

If you need a good laugh, this mock-u-blog had Scott, Jenny, and me rolling! It's seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com and it will change your blogging life! It has perfected the art of taking good natured jabs at mormon culture (especially the Provo, female, 18, and married variety). Check it out-you won't be disappointed...

So I know vinyl wall decals are everywhere but I found this woman on Etsy who has some very cute and surprisingly original decals for a good price. I always think of Robyn when I see stuff like this ( such a cute way to make your mattress a bed) but they also have some things that would be adorable if you need to refresh the look of your nursery or family room. Check out the rest of her stuff on etsy-her username is Elephannie.

Be honest-how many times have you wanted to leave a slightly menacing note on the car of some JackA who took up three stalls in the parking lot with his lifted Dodge Ram? Maybe you've dreamed of someday getting up the nerve to key that inconsiderate car. Well for those of us not quite ready to take that daring a leap someone's gone and created these little beauties. They're business cards you won't feel too guilty about sticking in the windshield of those people who have lost that particular part of the brain that allows them to park like the rest of the human race. Now that is a compromise I can live with.


I thought this was a cute idea-mom got me once of these display cases from Martha Stewart's craft collection and I've been racking my brain trying to think of possible things to do with it. This may do the trick. Any other ideas or thoughts?


Ok Ladies-we need your help. Mom and I are trying to put together an "Indiana Jones Adventure" for the grandkids this year at Sundance. We're thinking of doing an obstacle course loosely based off the movies. Any good ideas for the different obstacles, costumes, goodies?

Fine

Fine, since L wants me to stick to baking I will blog about my latest baby. Not that it was just soooo amazing that I have to blog the recipe, but the fact I whipped it up Sunday night just with whatever ingredients I had leftover. Behold, my lime souffles. . . ewwwwww-ahhhhhh.

B.T.W. I have to give props to Taft because I wouldn't attempt half the stuff I try if he wasn't just as into it as I was. Here he is peaking the egg whites.

The pre-bake.
TaDaaaaa. Don't mind my post Sunday napness, just lust over this perfect souffle. And look at how cute my Ralph Lauren over sized nightshirt is. Once again, I would have preferred some brownies, but I think I finally got souffles out of my system. They're just not for me.

All My Children...

Robyn, I was going to be the most thoughtful sister and send you flowers to congratulate you on starting school. I found a sweet bouquet that actually came in a cute little teacup with matching saucer. It made me think of our conversation about teacups while I drooled over the discontinued china at edish. Well, I almost got it then I figure I'd save the money for a trip out to see you (which I know you'd like better) but then I found you this entirely different and original "bouquet" using vintage teacups and I knew you'd love them just as much as I do! So, with all my love, here...


For us single, childless folk (yeah that's just ME) my babies-the things that take up my time, energy, and love-are my projects. So here are a few of my would be projects-I'll let you know if they survive my parenting skills and how they turn out...

These pillows put a new spin on the silhouette craze going around. How easy would these be to make-even if it was just with some colorful felt cut outs?! I'm especially a fan of the two rectangular pillows...

I'm eagerly anticipating moving into my new house this fall. And it's not just because I'll be escaping the clutches of my CRAZY-A roommate, it's got a lot of potential to be awesome with fun projects like this:
Mom has told me about using fabric and starch to wallpaper but I always thought the task sounded too large to handle. Smaller accents like this I could dominate! It gave me an epiphany to combine this particular DIY project with the urban outfitter wall decal (see below) I've been mooning over and save myself $40!

Obviously it wouldn't be quite as intricate but some sort of variation would work. The best part is you just add a little water to take it down when I'm ready to move out!

It was love at first sight when I laid eyes on this bird mobile! Upon closer inspection I totally thought of Robyn and her cute vintage fabrics (she made the Alivia banner from them). I found a free pattern for these pretty birds (said like the blind kid on Dumb and Dumber) so let me know if you want me to email it to you. Seems like a pretty easy sew-by-hand project and I just found this online site that has pretty unique fabrics that would work well.

A Night with LaLa

Robyn wanted me to post some of the pics from Saturday night. I wanted to make my night babysitting Jenny's kids special because I don't get to see them as often.


The girls definitely got worn out with all of our physical activities: running, scaring Claire, dancing, playing in the gym, and most of all...SHUFFLEBALL! They loved it (even Alivia loved watching the pucks glide toward her).



















Bubble prizes from our "Fishing Trip"











...And they were out like lights at the end of the night!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Just thought I'd share a few of my new internet addictions (yes, the good kind)


I've been intrigue with doilies lately. I know call me Ethel but this old fashioned accents are definitely not just for grandmas anymore! I see them in cute do it yourself projects fashioned into bowls, bracelets, jewelry-all sorts of goodness. But these plates definitely had me drooling.









I know, I know I'm not having a baby anytime soon but if one of your egos is pregos you should definitely be checking out this delicious crib set. Fawn&Forest had me craving the blue box with their Macoroni bedding set inspired by, you guessed it, that cheesy goodness. This company also makes these amazing rocking chairs and nursery furniture for you modern mothers. I dare you to check out their site and not openly lust over their merchandise. To die for!







Fate has brought Sesame Letterpress into my life! I've run into them through several different venues in all my internet foraging and I can't help but claim a divine connection. I love the style of all their products! Check them out on their website or etsy because I know you'll fall head over heels for them too. Whether it's elegant invitation, unique birthday cards, or quirky coasters this husband-wife team's designs will change your life! Aah (lovesick sigh).

New Family Pics

A few weeks ago, I signed up to get our family portraits taken by a local gal who was doing a fundraiser for The Christmas Box House here in Ogden. For a mere 35 smackers we got a quick sitting at a park and all the money went to the charity. I thought it would be an easy way to get some family shots that would look more natural than our last portraits. This is one of my faves. Let me know what you think.

Youngqust Visit

Marion and Daniel got to see 'Wicked' front and center. Tempting. . . isn't it?

Taft and I got to babysit George and Grant while they were at the play.

In true 'Youngquist' style.

Can't Wait to See It!

I just read in the paper today that The Drowsy Chaperone is making a tour stop in SLC this week. It will only be here for 5 days so I wasn't sure with such late notice if I'd be able to get my hands on any decent tickets. But I did! My introduction to this musical was watching the "Showoff" number on the Tony Awards a couple of years ago and I've been excited to see it in person ever since. Take a look: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VJ5G6FoX1sg

A little background on The Drowsy Chaperone...

"A totally original new musical within a comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone has more laughs per minute than any new show on Broadway, the most 2006 Tony awards of any musical on Broadway, and awards for Best Musical from both NY Drama Critics Circle and Drama Desk.

"It all begins when a die-hard musical theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love."

Wish you were going with me!

Do It Yourself

I'm sure you have all heard about my plate clock-I was so proud of this little project when it was finished. I first saw these on etsy selling for $30 and fell in love. I had a wedding reception to go to the next day and knew this would be the perfect gift. A quick stop at Thai Pan for the plate (only $3), Robert's for the clock pieces ($5-6), and Mom and Dad's for a quick use of their ceramic drill bit, and five minutes later VOILA!
This project really got my creative juices flowing and I've been hunting down do-it-yourself projects ever since...

These fabric covered tacks were my own variation of a DIY project that used the wedding button kits to cover regular tacks. I thought it was such a cute way to spice up your average cork board that I decided to use some upholstery bradleys I had laying around to get the same effect. Using some some fabric scraps cut into small circles and a hot glue gun I created these beauties. It definitely breathes a little life into my dreary cubicle!

This jewelry shadowbox has to be one of my favorite projects, mostly because the finished project is so sleek and stylish. I feel like I should be living in a NY loft with these hanging on my walls! I got this idea from DesignSpongeOnline and seriously went out the next day to get the supplies. It consists of a deep frame from Ikea, Martha Stewart design paper, various hooks from the craft store. From there it was simply a matter of taking out the glass, cutting the paper to fit, and spacing out the hooks. Suddenly your jewelry becomes art even while you're not wearing it! It makes me want to go out and get more jewelry to hang!

Spotted!

I'm sure you've all heard by now about Jon and the boys got some serious camera time with Tiger Wood's derriere on Saturday. It must have been fate that I spotted them randomly while watching the US Open with Jeff. Since then I've put in some serious time at work (I love my job) searching for any pics or videos highlighting this precious moment. This youtube video was just about all that I could find of the first part of the 13th hole in the 3rd round. Sorry, I know it's definitely not the highest quality video out there but it's the best I could find. If you guys find anything better, let me know!You don't have to watch the whole video, our stars are only in the first part.

Jon is in the sky blue golf shirt (surprise, surprise), and I might have mistaken him for every other golfer that happens to look like his exact clone but the two little boys in front of him caught my eye and it all clicked. That's Charlie up front in the green striped polo-watch how he pushes through the pressing crowd to get a good look at where that ball is headed. I love it! Hope this link works for you-Enjoy!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4JI1_iUJRQ&feature=email

A friend from work showed me this youtube video that I'm pretty sure you all would get a kick out of. She got to know some of the guys from NY when she was on her mission, apparently they're all mormon. Anyway it's always entertaining to see a "king of pranks" fall. Too bad I won't be there to see your guys' reactions. I can't figure out how to post the link here so you'll have to go to their site and search for "The Apprentice Prank" it comes in three parts so watch all three even though the intro is a bit long. Feel free to call and thank me :)

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This is to help with your fitness program, Lauren. Just an idea for a quick and easy dinner that you can throw together in no time! I especially like this for summer because it is cold and crunchy and you can make as much or as little as you need. I got this from the Lion House cookbook, but really I just threw in some grapes, pineapple, celery, chicken, and cashews. for the dressing you just mix a little lemon juice (by little i mean i used a teaspoon for four servings), and 1 cup of whip cream to half a cup of miracle whip or mayo.

German Chocolate Brownies

Oh my! I put words to how good these brownies are. I found them on mykitchencafe.blogspot.com (which I study everyday). And they were really easy!! I will cut to the chase and give you the juice. First, mix a box of German Chocolate Cake mix with 2/3 cup butter ( butter is at room temp). Then take half of that dough and press it on the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan and bake at 350 for about ten minutes.

When that comes out, throw a cup of semi sweet chocolate chips on top of that crust. Then take a tub of coconut pecan frosting and throw that on top by the spoonfuls. Take the rest of the cake mix dough and mix in a half a cup of milk, then throw that on top by the spoonfuls as the top layer. Bake it for another 25-30 minutes. After, I threw it in the fridge to cool it down because they are gooey no matter the temp and apparently taste best cool.

Anyways, these are some dang good brownies and I recommend you try them! Let me know if you have questions and let me know how it goes if do try it.