Spring is HERE.

Blossoms are blooming, the sun is shinning and I could NOT be happier!

Spring is finally here! 

After having some long winters the past two years, it's nice to have this wonderful warm weather so early. 

I don't want to jinks it, but I'm thinking winter is pretty much over!

I guess that means it is time to put away my boots and coats, and get out the shorts and sandals.

Ohhh how I just die over Kate Spade spring/summer collection this year...

all the florals, colors, and prints just make my heart melt!

Hope everyone is enjoying this sunshine!

xo

Girls just want to have FUN.

A few weeks back I had the chance to help plan an 11-year-old girl's birthday party.

I'm not sure who was more excited... me or the birthday girl!

I picked up Rissa from school and took her to the party store where the aisles were lined with every color and party accessory imaginable. 

We had so much fun planning the activities, food, and decorations.

I forget that at this age kids start having strong opinions about what they like/don't like,
so my brilliant idea of making it Valentine's themed ended up not being so brilliant. ;)

 We ended up working around her favorite colors and some of her current interests-- all of which came together just perfect.

It ended up being quite the party and quite a success!

(pardon my iPhone pictures once again...)

Now if only my birthday parties could still be this girly and fun...
xo

Valentines crafting.

I know I probably say this about every holiday, but Valentine's Day is seriously one of my favorite holidays! 

My heart just melts with all the purples, reds, and pinks.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I've been doing some crafting and painting and just love how everything is turning out.

I'll be sure to post some pictures of what I've been up to soon!

Happy Friday!

xo

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The Countdown to Christmas.

This is one of my favorite Christmas commercials this year and thought I'd share.

Enjoy!

"FREE MEAL!"

I tell you, there is nothing better than having a FREE MEAL at Cafe Rio.

It is music to my ears when I hear the friendly employees yell that simple phrase.

For those of you who don't already know, I'm a rio addict. 

I love it so much that I go there at least once a week, and when I walk up to order my friend Hugo says "Hello Niki! Chicken salad today?" 

Yes, the employees know my order like the back of their hand. 

Embarrassed? Not at all.

Bring on the SNOW.

Today was the first day of skiing this season!

While everyone went shopping for Black Friday, my dad, brother and I decided to go down the slopes.

There were no lines, and although it was a little chilly and snowy it was perfect!

Nothing like welcoming winter with a little skiing at Park City.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Things I love...

1. Peppermint steamers at Starbucks

2. BYU Bookstore's white-chocolate-sprinkle-Christmas-tree-pretzels
3. Reading a good book in bed when it's snowing outside
4. Early morning yoga

5. Reminiscing and laughing with old friends

6. Homemade chocolate covered strawberries

Current read(s).

The other day I made my way over to Barnes and Noble (a favorite of mine) to pick up some new reads.

I don't know what it is about bookstores, but every time I go I end up spending hours and hours trying to pick and decide on what books I want to read. I usually end up with 5 books in my hand and have to force myself to put back at least 2 or 3 of them! I'm addicted, and it's a problem.

So anyways, here are the books that are currently on my nightstand waiting to be read.
I'm not sure which one I am going to read first (they are all so different), but I'm super excited.

I'll be sure to post what I think of them once finished...

Let me know if you have any books that you would recommend that you have read/are currently reading! 

I'm always interested in hearing about books people have enjoyed.
(I'm thinking about joining a book club.) 

Distracted.

Found this video to be so true with how my life is right now. 

When it comes time to get crackin' on things, I always find ways to distract myself.
(for example, I have opted to blog instead of studying stats...yeah yeah yeah.)
Everyday I make a "to-do" list of all the things I need to get accomplished...
and I'll be honest, I usually only get half of it completed.


Some might say this video is taking it to the extreme, but I think it's brilliant.
Enjoy my friends.

Celebrating 100 years of fashion.

I found this video on another blog and loved it so I thought I'd share.

I'm not sure if I'm obsessed with the fashion, music, dancing, or the fact that it was filmed in London.

Doesn't this just make you want to get dressed up and learn this dance?

Hope everyone is excited for the weekend!

It's gonna be a good one.

xo

Red lips.

A few weeks ago I took a little trip to Colorado to spend some time with my family. 

While all the boys were at the Texas/BYU game, the girls were in Denver (where my sister lives) playing and having fun.
We stayed up in Breckenridge and enjoyed the beautiful scenery as we hiked and strolled around the little towns.
It is always nice to be able to get away to spend time with family, especially when I get to see this lady:

There is never a dull moment with her...
One second she is dancing around the room, the next she is off talking to some stranger for hours and hours.
She is the queen of all things that taste and look good.
(I get my red lips from her.)

I feel so lucky to have her in my life...
She really is amazing.
Love you Karma Rae!
xo

Today I am grateful for...

Becca and her amazing baking skills. 

Every Sunday this girls wips up a new cookie recipe, and lucky us we get to be the first to try them!
She is quite the chef and I just adore her.

Love you Becs!

Life of the 20s.

Last weekend, a few of us decided to go to the Jazz Age Festival that was on Governor's Island.

We dressed up in our 20s appearl and danced all day long!

We ate baggetts, cheese, and rasberries as we laughed and enjoyed the live jazz band under the huge oak trees. 

I seriously felt like it was a flashback from the 20s, and loved every single moment of it.

It was a perfect day. 

Things I love...

City lights.

Dark chocolate sprinkled donuts. 

Naps on Governor's Island. 

Colors and prints of these beauties. 

Ruan Hoffmann's handcrafted ceramic collection.

The fact that Butter Lane cupcakes now has BLUE BELL.

Life is good. 

Night walks in NYC.

Evening walks around the city is something I've grown to love. 

With all the hustle and bustle, it is nice to walk the streets at night when the weather is breezy and the city is more silent.

Who would have thought that the city could be so relaxing-- I love it!

Hope everyone is having a great week!
xo

Spring.

hallelujah. 

Spring is finally here!

The semester is over, the sun is out, and I could not be happier.
My plans are to relax, read, and soak up the sun before I have to head out to New York.
I'm hoping to do a little bit of traveling here and there also.
Europe anyone?
(kidding...)

ADDY Gala.

On Thursday night, about 20 of us adlabbers went to the Utah ADDY’s award show to represent all of the amazing work the BYU AdLab has produced. BYU walked away with 18 Addy’s which included the Student Best of Show, Judge’s choice, and People’s choice. 

We also won oodles of Gold and Silver awards. 

It was such an eventful night filled with good food and company!

Congrats BYU AdLab!

iPad 2.

Apple just announced the iPad 2. 

They seriously just amaze me with their products.

And I am in love.

Click here to watch how great it is.

Definitely going on my wish-list.

Key to my heart this Christmas season?

 The BYU bookstore's white-chocolate-frosting-sprinkle-covered-christmas-tree-shaped pretzels.

I am addicted. 

Thankful.

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Park City with family and friends.

We watched lots of movies, ate lots of yummy food, and even got a day of skiing in!

I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.

The cooks :)

Now bring on Christmas!