My Grandma Ruth

Isn't she fabulous?

Some days

I haven't had a single sip of Diet Coke for 32 days. Ya...32. That is a BIG deal for me. A very big deal.

But sometimes you are just having one of those days. Boys will have no idea what I'm talking about but every soul sister out there has my back. You get home, your apartment is a mess, your roomie was in the hospital (feel better Laur!), you have tons of homework, you didn't go the the gym, it snowed and Grey's Anatomy wasn't new this week. Amidst all of these setbacks, you just want one thing.

A fresh Diet Coke from a fountain with pebble ice.
Possibly with a shot of vanilla if your bf is spazzing out on you too.

Diet Coke is constant. I've had it in 5 different countries and it is equally delicious in each.
Diet Coke is delicious.
Diet Coke is soothing.
Diet Coke makes the world right.


Well today was one of those days. But I remained strong and opted for a water bottle instead.
Definitely not as fun, but at least I'm preventing myself from getting as attached as this guy...

Don't kill me

Ok to all those bitter love people out there, don't kill me.

I love Valentines Day. Not the mushy oversized cards from 7-11, red roses (gross), sparkle purple heart streamers, or a justification for PDA to suddenly become appropriate. All those factors of Valentines Day suck.

But I do love walking down grocery store aisles lined with pink candy. Candy is so much cuter in pink heart shapes.

I love the excuse to do something cute and nice for people you love, not just romantically.

I love heart-shaped pancakes, cookies, toast, cakes...and cupcakes of course.

I love vintage Valentines.

I love the Valentines breakfast Steph's mom would make for us girls every year in high school.

I love passing out love notes and ugly Carnations at high school.

I love heart shaped Reesies (I know I'm not from the south but I think this name is cuter than Reeses PB cups), they taste infinitely better than the regular ones.

I love people getting dressed up to go on fancy dates when they would normally sit at home and order a pizza.

I love heart shaped pizzas from Papa Johns.

I love men stressing out over getting the perfect gift.

I love girls fretting over what perfectly pink outfit to wear.

I love chicken alfredo dyed pink...but turning out orange in the end.

I love jello jigglers in heart shapes.


I KNOW Valentines is cheesy and dumb and really just a "marketing ploy from greeting card companies to make more money."

But hey, if Valentines Day makes people express love more- I'm all for it.

So if you are bitter and choose to wear black this upcoming Febuary 14th...just don't tell me about it. Because I guess I'm just a cheesy, dumb girl who gets sucked into marketing schemes.


And I'm ok with that.

Fini.

That's French for "finished." As in "done" "completed" "through"..."NO MORE!" FINI!

That's correct, as of 10:26 pm on January 26th 2010 I have officially completed and submitted all 7 of my graduate school applications!

Ug what a process this has been. After many painstakingly made color-coded word documents and spreadsheets, I am finished.

And it feels good.

I may or may not have looked like this guy as I did a celebratory jump on my bed....but I got way more air than him.

Help for Haiti

The images of Haiti on the news break my heart.

I think we should all do something. Just do what you can. Donate where you feel is best. A website I really like is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints humanitarian fund.

Help however you can. People need us.

What's with the cupcakes?

In my next life I fully intend to become a professional baker. To sit in a room creating delectable treats that bring people such joy would be....divine. Many have asked about my interest, dare say obsession, in cupcakes.

First of all, it's not about the cupcake.

It's never been about the cupcake.

It's what the cupcake represents.

These adorable miniature cakes tell someone "Hey it's ok. Chill out and eat some sugar" or whatever message you need to send. Cupcakes do the job. Baking a treat for someone is the best cure to any bad day I know of.

I mean who wouldn't love to open up a box filled with these after a hard day?

So I'll bide my time in this life as a Speech-Pathologist helping children with their lisps, funny R's, S's, or L's. But I'll hand out a cupcake or two along the way.

Do 5 count?

It's been an exciting week around here. Between my apartment catching fire and a roomie passing out at school- our apartment is bursting with drama. I apparently felt the need to join and received 2 serious blows to the head this past weekend. After passing out, I was discussing my dilemma with Skus. She kindly reminded me of all the concussions I have received, apparently totally more than 5. Some of these I can't even remember (concerning, I'm aware). Skus then informed me that if I have a certain number of brain injuries, the state will revoke my license. Ha.

Getting a little concerned about my current situation, I did a little research. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, "Patients with head injury may have diffuse cognitive deficits, for example: impaired judgement, impulsiveness,distractibility, impaired attention, neglect, slowed reaction time or impaired cognitive endurance. If the patient has had a severe injury (defined as coma longer than 24 hours and/or post traumatic amnesia longer than 7days) the patient should be required to be evaluated by a state driving test with a possibility of losing driving ability."

Do you think they count more than 5 concussions in 10 years as having "diffuse cognitive deficits"? Afraid of losing my license before my grandparents I have decided to take matters into my own hands. I googled (legit I know) how to prevent more concussions.

Here's what I got:

Preventing Concussions

Predicting a concussion can be difficult because they usually occur as a result of some kind of accident. However, there are some precautions that can be taken to prevent them, lessening the chances of sustaining a more traumatic brain injury.

• Wear protective gear. Playing contact sports such as football, rugby, boxing, or hockey, pose an increased risk for experiencing a concussion. Wearing protective headgear, padding, and other equipment designed to help protect your body can greatly reduce the chances of getting hurt.

• Think before throwing that first punch. Many concussions are sustained as a result of a fight, many times while the individuals involved are intoxicated. Avoid situations that may cause a fight

Guess my days of cat fighting are over. Anyone know where I can purchase a pink helmet?

So out of the cupcake loop

So I like cupcakes. A lot.

Most people know this about me. Including my Bishopric.

So I'm sitting on Chase's couch last night and his lovely roommate and recent BFF of mine, James, turns to me and says "Stefi have you been to the new cupcake store in Provo?"

Now James has played many cupcake tricks on me before. Just last week he convinced me there was a store in Provo dedicated solely to sprinkles. I about had a stroke. I'll save you the heart- ache and tell you now that he was lying.

So initially I was skeptical about this supposedly new cupcakery. But both Chase and James went into detail about the gourmet flavors they have and all the different sizes of cupcakes offered (size plays a large part in cupcakes in my opinion.)

Once it finally hit me that a new cupcake store opened in Provo and I, Stefi the cupcake queen, didn't even know about it- all I could do was sit there stunned. Who are these punk boys who don't know fondant from ganache to tell ME about cupcakes?

Well I was ticked.

I immediately flew out the door to confirm the rumors.

It's true. I sat flabbergasted in front of the newly opened Cocoa Bean by the Great Harvest on University Parkway. It looked delightful. I'm sure it smelled of sugar and love inside.

Here is a pic of some of what they have to offer.

One thing is for sure, this is the LAST time I will be updated about the cupcake world from two stinkin' boys.

But thanks for the tip anyway.

Hidden talent

Today I went wedding dress shopping with my roomie Susan and I discovered a hidden talent of mine.

I realized I make an incredible bridesmaid.

You may think that this title requires no talent. But you're wrong and my years of experience and watching many, many episodes of TLC's show "Say Yes To The Dress" have trained me well.

Don't fret to all of you who are lacking in the bridesmaid skills department. I will gladly impart my wisdom. Come this summer I will have been a bridesmaid 6 times. 6. Let me spill what I've learned...

1. Be excited whenever you see her and constantly remind her that SHE IS ENGAGED! It's a big deal and don't let her forget it!

2. Buy her her first wedding magazine and happily flip through wit and comment on the cute favors or flower arrangements with her. And of course laugh at the ridiculous looking pissed-off models. (Why do they make the girls look so angry?)

3. When picking out the wedding dress, look at the bride's face when she first walks out in the gown. You can tell within the first 5 seconds whether of not she loves the dress. Then tell her how incredible she looks or be honest and tell her she looks like a shiny mermaid. Then ask her what she likes and doesn't like about the dress. Get specific. Talk about the shape, cut, and color of the dress. Finally... look her dead in the eyes and ask her "how do you feel in this dress? (insert name), is this THE dress?" Make her answer that tough question and stare her down to make her search her soul to decide on the dress. Trust me, it will speed up the dress shopping process drastically.

4. Patiently calm her down when she gets stressed over the groomsmen's ties, appetizers at the reception or her great-aunt flying in from Delaware. Remind her how incredible her wedding will be... and then hand her a Diet Coke with pebble ice.

5. Go all out for her bridal shower. I'm talking color-themed tablecloths, flower arrangements, plates and napkins people. If you have to search at 4 different Costco's for green flowers in December, you do it.

6. Don't throw her a creepy mormon bachelorette party. It's weird. No one is drunk and good girls acting skanky is awkward. An incredible tasteful shower will suffice.

7. When her sister, mom, dad, fiancee, roomie or coworker acts disinterested or grumpy about her wedding, gently remind her how much everyone loves her and is excited for her big day. People just get stressed and don't always show excitement in the best way.

8. Carry chap stick, light lipgloss, bobby pins and kleenex with you at all times during the Big Day. You never know when a lip, hair or eye emergency might arise.

9. Make sure she and her new hubby have plenty of water during the reception. Fix her veil that crazy Aunt Judy messed up during her famously long awkward hugs or help adjust her train. Watch to ensure the gift table is being supervised and the food trays are always full.

10. Don't let her or her family worry about anything on the Big Day! Let her have fun and enjoy her wedding because remember, being a good bridesmaid ensure you will have your own quality bridesmaid when your Big Day rolls around :)

Me and Elise at her gorgeous wedding last December.

Thanks to Angie, Nicole, Sara, Elise, Skus and Steph for letting me be a part of your special days!

New Years Resolution #1....check.

So last night I was super hyper coming home from the gym at 11 pm. I wish these random spurts of energy to work at night came more often, so when they do I have to take full advantage. So I ran my little heart out while watching Food Network (I'm aware of the paradox here) at Gold's Gym.

Afterwards I decided that I made so many new years resolutions that I should average about 1 per day. So Bryce and Jordan witnessed an all-time first...

I did my VERY first handstand. You may laugh, but this is no small feat! I had to start small so I used their wall for support. And I also mostly balanced on my head instead of using my arms to hold myself up. Needless to say, after about 65 seconds I felt totally sick with a major head ache.

But all in all I would say it was a success. Total success.

Then Jordan made me a corn dog.

2010 is starting off right.