Miami VI

Yesterday was our last day at the beach. It was sad to be without out ringleader, but we finally forced ourselves to go out and sunbathe. We had a lovely day lounging and visiting. We got ready for an early dinner and walked down the boardwalk to the Oasis Cafe. All the tables were outside. Each table and its benches were mounted on a huge swing with a canopy top. It was so funny. We rocked back and forth through the whole meal -the highlight being the quesadillas and the giant diet cokes!

When we got back to the suite to put Reese to bed, we once again resumed our positions on the giant bed to watch hours of endless tv. :) Oh, and we had a little 'craft hour' making sparkly binkies, Taryn and Lindsey were quick learners. We started cleaning up, packing, etc., and I swear it took me four hours to round up all my stuff. (In preparation for the trip, I think I got everything packed in 30 minutes and was out the door... checklist: phone, wallet, keys, bikini) I was so worried that one of us was going to forget something that I just wandered around from room to room moving things from one pile to the next. Plus, I was trying to keep my sisters up for an all-nighter but it didn't work.

We woke up incredibly early on Sunday morning to get to the airport for our various flights. Linds and I were lucky to be on the same first leg to Houston. She took a very incriminating picture of me sleeping with my mouth agape (the two other people on my row were dozing too, same as me!). Okay, it was sorta funny. As long as it doesn't end up on her blog. We had a lovely breakfast layover in Houston and cracked up. She is a hoot.

I listened to John Mayer all the way home - it was the only way to ease into the reality of the trip being over with. It was such a wonderful vacation - most of all because I LOVE the women in my family and couldn't imagine life without each of them. With our various geographic situations and our similar-yet-different personalities, we fit together like the 'funnest' perfect little puzzle. I can't wait to see them all again over the 4th of July. Okay, and the boys can come this time.

Miami V

Today was Mom's last day with us - so we had to do all the fun things that remained here in Florida.  We lounged around the pool for a while (while one of us was on constant Reese duty - that girl can move quickly and loves to walk all around the pool deck).

Reese loves her rubber ducky

Later we headed down to town for dinner.  We ate at a sushi bar called Sushi Rock and it was very good. One of our rolls had conch meat on it and some kind of yummy sauce and it was fantastic!  We were careful not to overdo it because we absolutely had to do desserts tonight. We decided we hadn't indulged ourselves with enough sweets while on vacay.  We walked down to a cupcake shop and sampled a rocky road, red velvet, toffee and a peanut butter cupcake.  As if that wasn't enough, we heard about another bakery down the street and off we went.  There we picked up a chocolate dipped rice krispie, a mini m&m covered pretzel, some chocolate covered gummi worms (my pick) and something called a S'more... skewered marshmallows covered in caramel, and then rolled in big bits of graham cracker and drizzled with chocolate! oh yum.

the rice krispie

the S'more

The weather was so nice this evening and we really enjoyed walking down the river walk.  There were so many dogs and Reese was in heaven.  Big dogs, little dogs, friendly dogs and dogs on a mission who couldn't stop to chat.

We stopped for a picture near the water  - it's weird I know that I'm sitting laps, but these pants are white and I'd already sat in something at dinner.  The wind started to blow so for the next pic I was trying to settle Tessa's hair... we were cracking up cause it looked like something else... and then we just started acting silly

Mom, what will we do tomorrow without you?! Our navigator, activity planner, and queen of all the fun ideas? Sit around and mope I suppose. Tonight was such a treat. You are the very best.

Miami IV

Today we decided to venture out to the beach.   Mom and Tessa set up our towels early in the day when it was quiet... but the beach became more and more crowded as the day went on.  An interesting mix. High school kids ditching class to drink and sit around, skim boarding posses, large groups of used-to-be frat boys hitting on girls with quite obvious plastic surgery enhancements and long, brightly colored acrylic nails. (am I giving you a good visual here?) With all the alcohol and foul language, it wasn't the most ideal environment. Tomorrow we'll probably stick to the pool again.  

The ocean was so nice though. The water was warm and we all enjoyed a good swim, especially Reese.  She wasn't sure at first what to think of the water, but after a while she loved it just like the pool.  She was totally unaware that the waves could dunk her, she wanted to lean way over and put her arms in the water. I was holding her for a while and thought, "wow, she really is having fun with this..." when I glanced down and saw her finger going from the ocean to her mouth, and back again. She was probably thinking, "mmm, salty, this water is tasty." She even rested her mouth on her ducky ring at length just licking away. 

Maimi III

We had a pool day today - more low key so Reese could have two good naps. V. important. We spent the day visiting with each other poolside and it was very relaxing.  Later we went to a restaurant that was known for having the best steak and seafood in the state.  Well, I wouldn't say it was the best. The restaurant was totally old Miami style, turquoise upholstery, dark ceilings, very vintage Florida. Hilarious. And it was even more fitting that the place was filled with elderly people. (In their defense, we were there right around "early bird" time, and we are in Florida!) 

Reese goes gaga for goldfish!

While Taryn and I went for lunch - Mom wrapped a hand towel around Reese and she started making laps around the pool deck like it was a catwalk. If it started to fall, she would look over at Mom like, 'hello? a little help?!' and then after fixed she was back to business.

Yes, that is another birthday cake for Tessie! The restaurant was so old school they announced her birthday over the loudspeaker that went through the whole large restaurant. It was special.

Maimi II

Today was a great day - it's Tessa's birthday! She is so fun to spoil with presents.  We decided to spend the day shopping (the second of the two main activities we had planned this week, #1 being sunbathing).  We got a bit of a late start. The place we went is like a city in itself. Outrageous shopping and all the fun stores you can think of. Reese was a big time trooper. We spent the whole day out and had a great time picking things out for each other and especially for the birthday girl.  I don't have many pictures from today; however, I have some priceless video clips. Reese has a cute way of saying yes, more like a "uh huh", but just recently did she learn how to say no.  It is soooo cute: 

 

And the other video I took was of Reese playing with my makeup bag. How hilarious! She is a very quick learner - that is for sure. It might seem like she's going a little 'outside the lines' but if you've ever seen me put bronzer on, this is pretty accurate. We were cracking up watching her so my camera work is a bit shaky.

We had a super fun day - by the time we left the shops we were starving and baby Reese was so beat. We got takeout and ate up in the room and had a little birthday cake- so tasty. Then we took a late night trip to the hot tub  and finished off the night with some much-anticipated Real Housewives of NYC.  If there was anything Tessa wanted differently today - we told her we'd continue celebrating all week for her. Happy Birthday Tessie!

Miami I

I'm going to try to keep a trip log while I'm away - yesterday I hopped a plane and met up with Tessa, Mom, Linds, and Taryn and Reese. We're calling it a sisters trip (mom being the eldest sister and Reese being the cutest little button that ever was).  The first of many 'official' sister trips.

Today we spent the morning lounging at the pool. Reese is a fearless swimmer! She doesn't have floaties and doesn't want to be held in the water... after trying to squirm out of Taryn's arms she comes up with a face full of water, coughing.  She saw another baby's blow up toys and had to have her own. We went down and bought her a little beach ball and a ducky ring.  Look at her cute suit, blue with ruffles on top. She made MANY friends poolside, especially the older folks.

Later we went for an early dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then walked around the shops for a while. Reese loved this one particular shoe store, she wanted to rearrange the display and kept taking shoes off the rack and placing them elsewhere in the store. 

Part of the reason for this log is to journal Reese's darling vacation wardrobe! I can't stop snapping pics of her

Sick

Finally got out of bed this morning at 4 am. Couldn't just lie there anymore wondering if I'd ever fall back asleep. I came out to the sofa with all my bedding (Ben prefers his own considerably lighter blanket to my large down comforter) & my computer to try to pass the time. Night of all nights, the dish isn't working! Not that there is anything good on tv at 4 in the morning. But still. (Okay maybe it's the batteries in the remote but now I'm comfortable and don't feel like figuring it out.)

I have been sick all week. It started with a ten hour fever/freezing night on Sunday and has been something different every day. Sore throat, massive headaches, congestion, something that feels like allergies, body aches, etc. I finally went to the store on Thursday night to buy something from each section of the pharmacy. Cold & Cough, Claritin, Night time, Day time, nasal spray, and I even made off with some vitamin gummy bears, why not. NONE of them work. I've even been combining them and nothing. Just makes me say incredibly strange things. I thought it was all draining a few days ago, but as I sit here I can barely breathe. I told Ben I feel like I have a clothespin on my nose. And it's lovely waking up realizing you've been catching flies... sick dry mouth. And my nostrils - I just want to cry even thinking about blowing my nose.

The worst part is, Ben is sick too. Bless him. I hate to leave him not knowing how much sicker he could get. Equally worse part, I HATE to be sick while on vacation. I'm leaving for a week on Sunday, tomorrow I guess. Anyone know any 24 hour remedy?

(forgive me for not posting a picture with this post... there are no words to express how cute I look at this particular moment)

The winter that wouldn't end

The snow was almost melted the other day - and then another storm hits. I will not be teased again by another sunny day. It is the perpetual winter up here. Just forget looking forward to spring. I won't believe it until it hits 90 degrees for a week straight. I've heard stories of Father's Day snow storms in Park City. Please no! I am hosting a party for this lovely lady in June and I'll be balled up in the laundry room corner and in no shape to be a hostess if it still looks like this in two months.

Graduation 2009

Today was graduation - finally! It wasn't the most sunny April day, but at least we were downtown and not in Park City, where it was sleeting when I left this morning.
Commencement was held at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. It was cool to have a graduation there - what a special experience. Unlike the last graduation I attended where there were close to 7,000 graduates, my 2009 class had only 300+ graduates, and about fifty graduates in Interior Design, which made for a slightly more intimate program. It was a nice program, albeit a little too lengthy. (at about 70 minutes all the babies became fussy and there was noticeably more movement and chatter in the crowd, me included!)


I got to choose my seat mates and luckily Chelsey and Whitney chose me back. I would have felt completely jipped to sit by anyone else. Love those girls. It only took us a whole year to finally make friends and become a clique, tee hee. It was great to see all the girls in the program one last time - and it will be fun to keep track of them through their developing careers.

Uncle Chris came to see me. He's so great. As I walked up on stage there he was - front row. The surprise doubled my already big smile.


Ben's parents Jed and Kathy came also. I didn't think it would be a huge deal if people couldn't make it but it felt great to have them there supporting me. They are so good to me.
(Mom & Dean are on an east coast college trip and Dad is in Augusta this week)

I had Ben take the whole afternoon off to spend with me - I'm so needy! The program ended fairly early in the afternoon and but it was just too late to return to work - so we opted for an early celebration dinner. We arrived at the Melting Pot just as it was opening and ate for 2 1/2 hours! So much food! It really is a dining experience and luckily we were in no rush. That food is so rich I think going once a year will do it for me. Why is that? It's 11:30 at night and I'm still feeling overly full.

It was a wonderful day and I was so glad to have friends and family there to make great memories of it all. Last but not least, I had to include a picture from my BYU graduation in 2005 - pictured below are the girls I met freshman year in the dorms (minus Heid), fondly known as the David John D-vas. I had to pull this picture from facebook - I was curious to see it again. What changes four years make! Days like these make really fond memories especially when family and friends are included. This picture brings back at least a thousand words.

(pictured left to right: Alicia, me, Beth, Blythe, Katie, Taryn, Niki)

Inspiration today

It is the most beautiful day outside, it was really hard to come back inside after my diet coke run this afternoon. I found a new resource today, Peninsula Home Collection. This picture makes me happy. I love the green aqua colors and the frame of the sofa. I want to spend the afternoon in a room like this one on a day like today -

Portfolio

Finally it's over. The exhibit debuted yesterday and today is clean-up. For as much time I spent thinking about and working on this project, it's hard to believe that it's over just like that. Everything went surprisingly well. Nothing catastrophic happened, no casualties or terrible mishaps. I followed my checklist and got everything packed up and delivered in one piece.

Setting up was pretty easy. When I finally stepped back from it - the image I'd had in my mind for months was right there. It was great to envision something and then have it all come to fruition - even if I did have to have each piece made directly to specification. Even though it was much more stressful to have it that way (I didn't see the folding screen or table skirt until it was too late to produce a back-up), it was so much more rewarding to have it all come together. It's a confidence builder to see that the ideas in your mind actually turn out. Note: I didn't say all ideas, I'm taking it one step at a time.

I had a great time with the event - there many very elaborate displays and some really great displayed work. There was a Commercial category and a Residential category. Mine was residential - with emphasis on coastal, traditional, and French/antique styles. I chose to display six boards from a single-house project. I proposed six spaces to the pseudo client: Family room, Dining/Kitchen, Guest room, Master Suite, Study, and Courtyard. Using only boards from the same project made everything cohesive. Most of the other displays were on black backgrounds with dark accents - my boards/fabrics were lighter in color so I went in a different direction. Each board has a specific room layout and fabrics, furniture pieces, hard surface materials, light fixtures, etc.

with my display during the evening open house

Here is a close-up of my accent table with my portfolio book, business cards, and floral. This part of the display was my favorite. I picked up bunches of ivory and green flowers a day ahead and set it at home. I probably should have made sure my planter was watertight... it wasn't and I only realized it after I'd cut almost every stem and set it all in the oasis. Again, no time for a backup. Luckily after draining for a few hours it was safe. After I finished I set it in the fridge overnight to keep the blooms more fresh, and all night I had the strangest dreams that all the flowers were black and shriveled, or otherwise ruined. I woke up the next morning and went straight for the kitchen, where the flowers were fine. (these kinds of dreams have been happening for weeks!)

The book is full of pictures of my design boards, renderings, CADD work and other projects from school - and also has a section for projects I've completed so far in my career. It'll be a nice takeaway and is something I'll continue to add to.

I also set out calling cards - using the logo I've put on all my school work. Tessa contributed her ad/marketing expertise in layout and content (she is a professional, after all) and Jennifer @ PaperHearts made the final tweaks for printing. I'd trust no one else and she really pulled through with very little time to spare. Jennifer suggested an ivory shimmer paper with chocolate text - and I thought they turned out absolutely perfectly.



I'm glad to put that behind me. Even though it wasn't an official client project I'm really proud of what I accomplished. Being finished and having conference this weekend will be a perfect time to relax. Next Thursday is graduation. I'll post a couple pictures if my hair looks okay under that cap. ;)