Skirts have Sprung.

So exciting that the weather is finally changing.

It's getting warmer, there is more sunlight in the nightly hours, birds are chirping and bright green leaves are sprouting from every dull and grey tree...

It's beautiful.

The best part?

Skirt weather!!!

I love skirts in the spring/summer and I wear them every chance I get.

I added a fun bright colored scarf, gold feather earrings and my favorite moccasins.

My favorite skirts are the spandex type ones that hug your body.

You can make them sexy or very casual as I did with more laid back accents.

If you don't have one, I highly suggest grabbing one, and if you are like me H&M is the perfect place to snatch one for yourself :)

( Also in every color possible.... )

http://www.hm.com/us/

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Updates on my apt....

Well, there isn't much more to say except that fact I'm happy as a clam and I love living on my own.

My apartment is so comforting and really puts me at ease.

The best part?

I am RIGHT down town.

I can walk everywhere.

On Tuesday I met up with one of my greatest friends Danika for lunch and it took me seriously 5 minutes to get to the heart of downtown.

It was incredible.

I loved being able to walk out my front door with my headphones in and just start walking.

This location is going to be incredibly prime for summer festivities....

**********************

Birthday.

Well, I turned 25.

A number that used to frighten me, but when the day actually came I was pleasantly surprised.

Sometimes I get worried with myself that I haven't accomplished everything I could have in the time I have had since high school, but in reality, that isn't the case.

I have done much that I am proud of and moving out on my own has really been the peak of my growth.

For my birthday it was mellow and wonderful.

I saw all of my closest friends and had such a wonderful evening.

Dinner. Drinks. Cupcakes.

It doesn't get better.

Let's keep this good weather-a-coming and good vibes in the air :)

That's what this time of the year is ALL about.

Re-growth.

Do something you have always wanted to do...

Talk to someone you have always wanted to but were too afraid to do so....

Put yourself out there for all the world to see....

It's what life is about :)

***********************

Real quick boy crazy moment:

Garrett Hedlund.

Pardon me while I go excuse myself.....

Whew....

 

LOVE.

XOXO.

The NEW apt!!!!

Hey, hey, hey!!!

So I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek of my new apt.

I still have quite a few things to add and I still need to move things from one room to another, but so can get a gist of what I did this weekend: here it is.

Bathroom.

Bedroom.

Dining Room.

Kitchen.

Living Room.

** Picture's were taken before the apt was cleaned **

Last night was the first night that I slept over at the new abode and it was wonderful.

I usually get frightened waking up in the middle of the night alone, but let me tell you this, this apartment has a very comforting feeling.

There wasn't a time I woke up in the night that I didn't feel safe and at ease that I just fell right back to my zzzzz's.

I know that for some of you this isn't a problem, but for me... I'm a real scaredy cat.

****************

I cannot wait to get new pieces for the rooms and new decor.

It's going to be quite the adventure.

Today I put up a ton of white lights and I can't wait to see what they look like tonight when it's dark.

I hope its peaceful and beautiful.

*****************

Also, Saturday night I saw one of my favorite people in the world live:

JEFF CORWIN!

If I didn't have a huge crash on him before ( which I did ), I have an even bigger one now.

He is hilarious and adorable and his passion and understanding of animals/nature is extremely motivating. 

****************

I want to also say thank you to everyone who sent me birthday love :)

I seriously have the best friends in the whole world.

I feel so lucky!

Wednesday night we went out for a mellow night and everyone who came, I love you!

Amanda and I.

The Ladies.

I hope you all have a great rest of the week :)

LOVE.

XOXO.

Trail Running: How it's Effected Me.

A question a get from my readers and people I know outside of the cyber world is:

" Why do you love trail running so much? "

or

" What got you into trail running? "

Let me begin with how it first got my attention.

Up at the University of Utah, where I attend school, there are many trails to run, hike and bike.

While being up at the dorms I would constantly see people running up on the hills.

This seriously interested me.

I still remember telling my friend Dana numerous times...

" If I could be MADE into anything, it would be a trail runner."

This was about 7 years ago.

** MADE, was an MTV show that people would get made into different aspirations that they had **

For how much I thought about it, I never tried it.

Then I met my ex.

Bentley Bedker.

He was a very outdoorsy person.

Skier, climber, camper, hiker, and of course trail runner.

I remember the first time he asked me to trail with him.

I was terrified.

I turned him down. He kept asking me over and over again until one day I said " okay, lets do it."

Now, this was back in my hay day party days.

Over weight due to the consumption of 30 racks, shots and non stop late night scarfs of The Pie.

I obviously wasn't ready for the run ahead.

I hadn't worked out in years and yet I still brought myself to try.

Can I tell you something?

It was the worst thing I had ever done.

I ran a total of maybe 10 yards on this trail and was donzo.

Embarrassing?

ABSOLUTELY!

After being humiliated I gave up on the trail running dream I had.

Until...

Bentley passed away.

A lot of people don't know this, but he is the main reason I love trail running so much.

I still to this day feel he is with me when I am up in the hills and I guess to me it's my time that I get to still share with him.

It's time that I still feel him and I get to be together.

I started really slow.

I first started hiking up the hills and would run down them.

If you think running down hills is easy, you're wrong. It's almost just as hard.

From there I would incorporate more running into the hikes I did.

Up until this last year I couldn't make it up a hill to save my life.

This has been my greatest accomplishment and now running up hills is my favorite part of trail running.

I love it because it's hard.

I love it because there isn't one time that I run that I think I might possibly not make it and not finish the run.

There isn't one time that I don't have to push myself to make sure I accomplish my goal.

When I think long and hard about the feelings that I get trail running, it's emotional.

It's pushing yourself to try harder and not give up when you are at your lowest point.

It's that feeling like you are going to vomit, but having to look deep into yourself to take a deep breath and KNOW that you will make it to the top.

I don't think that everyone is cut out for trail running, but all I know is that if there is something you want to do, but are afraid of failure, don't let it stop you.

I had let my fear of failing stop me for long enough.

Now, there is nothing honestly in this world that I do that makes me happier than trail running does.

I think this is also why I share so much of my happiness with it to the people around me.

Everyone should find something in this world that touches them the way that trail running does for me.

In the long run,

I think trail running has made me a better person.

A person who feels like I can accomplish anything I put my mind too.

A person who knows that things in life are going to tough but if you believe in yourself you can do them.

That is what Bentley and trail running has done for me.

Bentley and I had our hard times.

I can't deny that we didn't.

But I hope he looks down upon me and knows that he did shape the person I am today.

I am thankful for him for that.
I hope he is as proud of me and I am in myself.

LOVE.

XOXO.

Evaluation.

First off.....
I LOVE!!!!!

Obviously, what music could possibly not be absolutely beautiful coming from the girlfriend of Justin Vernon. 

Sadly, she has no Utah shows. Even more sad? She's not even going to Sasquatch Music Fest.

Click link below to LISTEN!!!!

On repeat.....

Kathleen Edwards - Change the Sheets.

**********************
Coffee Snob.
Yes, this is who I am.
I can't help it, but coffee is something in my life that I REALLY need to be perfect.
I think I inherited this from my parents due to the fact they had me drinking coffee at a young age.
My parents go through pot after pot of coffee a day, and this is normal for them.

Since I started my new Tuesday work day at a different location, TOSH, my daily routine has been a bit scrambled.
I haven't yet figured out exactly how to start my day on the right path.
This morning I was running late and NEEDED my coffee ASAP and the closest thing I knew of was Mc.Donalds.
Yuck!
My lord Mc.Donalds, I can't say enough horrible things about you.

I took one sip and gagged.
The next place I saw on my commute before I got on the freeway was 7-11.
Stopped in real quick.
Blah!
Even worse.
The coffee tasted like water and again, put into my cup holder and tried to forget it was there.
Upset and tired, longing for a decent cup of coffee I noticed a Starbucks right before the TOSH campus.
Hallelujah!
Now, I am not a fan of the Starbucks, but I do know that their coffee is something that I can handle and even though I don't believe in what they stand for ( corporate ) I know they can brew me a strong, satisfying cup.
So right in I walked and asked for a large ( I also do not use their "fancy" cup size names ) black dark roast coffee.
Can I tell you the best part?
There was a line of about, I say 5-6 people waiting to receive their froufrou coffee drinks, but because I am a normal person who finds pleasure in a plain coffee with nothing added I didn't have to wait for a second.
He poured it, and off I went.
Happy.

**********************
Food.

Last night I watched an episode of "Anderson" that simply caught my interest.
It was about people who have disordered eating.
These are people who have issues with food, such as people who eat the same thing everyday, or people who only eat one type of item.
There were two women on the show who only ate potatoes.
This is what they ate on a daily basis for 40 years.
CRAZY!
Anderson Cooper himself has what they call "disordered eating" as well.
He eats the same 4 things every day for months.

This got me thinking about myself and how I fall under somewhat of the same category.
Now, I don't think that I have "disordered eating" but maybe something along those lines?
Or, what would make even more sense is that I know what I can and cannot eat being gluten intolerant that I just stick with what I know I can eat.

To let you in on my food life,
I eat the SAME things every day.
Everyday.

SCHOOL DAYS.
Breakfast:
- Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna bar.
-Banana.

Lunch:
-Soy Crisps.
- Apple.

Snack:
- Grapefruit
- Carrots.

Dinner:
( This is where my life changes things up. Dinner is always different, but not that different. I usually always eat the same 5 things for dinner as well.... but its not as routine. )

WORK DAYS:
Breakfast:
- Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna bar.
-Banana

Lunch:
- Salad
-Sweet Potato
- Grapefruit

Snack:
- Apple.

Dinner.

WEEKENDS:
Not in any order but again ALWAYS.....
- Luna bar.
- Banana
- Apple
- Grapefruit/Orange
- Soy Crisps
** Then usually I eat out a few times through out the weekend**

It's weird.
I do not know why I do this, but to me its just routine.
It's easy.
I understand it.
There is no reading labels.
No gimmicks.
** Also don't get me wrong, I eat other things as well but those are things that I will eat daily without a doubt. The other things I eat are just filler. **

If you didn't know my goal in life is to be a health psychologist.
I want to be able to help people come to conclusions about the foods they eat and why?
I want to work with children who have eating disorders or who over eat and help them understand why it is they do what they do.
I think this is why this specific Anderson show interested me.
I think it's so interesting and maybe I should evaluate myself and why I eat the way I do...

***********************
BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

This up and coming weekend is my birthday and I am actually excited.
I'm stressed, but it should be fun!

Friday night:
Grizzlies hockey game.
Bar. ( At least I am hoping, but I move the next day. )

Saturday:
Moving.
Jeff Corwin live show in PC.
Bar.

Sunday:
Moving
Homework.
Studying for midterms.

Monday:
MY BIRTHDAY!

************************

Bows and Frills.

Glitter Nails.

LOVE.
XOXO.

APT. Part 2.

Finally done....

With cleaning and prepping at least.

Today we painted the bathroom and kitchen and added some new lights and decor.

New bathroom.....

New kitchen! 

( My mother even helped me paint the little knobs on the drawers green :) )

New dining room.

I am so excited about this room.

Finally I can sit down at an average table to dine.

Putting up the tape before painting.

Painting.

( Yes, that is full on white jumpsuit my father wanted me to wear in order not to ruin my clothes, even though all I was in was black stretch pants and my Whistler Blackcomb ski shirt )

Took out appliances to clean behind them.

Yuck.

But, off course to the Catton's it's necessary.

My AMAZING parents!

I couldn't have done anything without them.

Lunch/Dinner = Linner.

Made and personalized by Torrey.

This completely made my day :) 

Thanks Torrey :) <3.

Now, the week ahead, there is plenty to do.

Packing.

Cleaning the old apt.

Buying new things for the new apt.

Homework.

Work.

Social life.

The list goes on....

At least once everything is done and I am moved into my new apt, I can celebrate my birthday on the 26th stress free :)

That's what I'm looking forward too.

Perfect!

LOVE.

XOXO.

The New Apt. Part 1...

One of my least favorite things to do in life is move.

I think this is an obvious for most.

My family are serious pro's when it comes to moving since my whole life we moved every few years.

They have it down to a science.

I don't know what I would do without my parents.

I really don't. 

They amaze me and I love them so much for what they do to go out of their way for me.

This is my first move onto my own apartment and personally it's a lot more stressful than I ever imagined.

Today, Saturday, was the first day my parents and I went in to my new abode to start the cleaning process.

I thought we would be there for say, an hour, clean a bit and then paint.

Ha.

It didn't go as planned.

First off renters, if you are thinking of moving into a huge old apartment, it's not going to be that easy.

Especially when you come from a family that needs everything to be spotless and perfect before move in.

Now, I don't know how many people grew up every weekend washing their homes walls, and doors and molding and every nook and cranny.

But I did.

Every weekend.

So, of course walking into this new apartment the cleaning never ended.

It took us I think around 5-6 hours and it's still not done.

My father also grinded down the kitchen cabinet doors in order for them to close correctly.

He fixed certain locks and windows.

It really comes in handy when your parents are house flippers and know how to fix everything a home or apartment has.

Second.

Picking paint.

This isn't as easy as I would presume.

My mother told me to grab one piece in my apt I reside in now that I would like to be my main feature of my new apartment and we would choose from there.

I chose a painting that I absolutely love.

My sister gave it to me after years of sending her remarks such as " oh Jen, I would do anything for this painting. ", " I love this painting so much, I wish I had one just like it...."

Well..... after a few years, it landed in my lap and I am so excited to start my new life with it being the center of the creation of the new apt. feel....

**Confession**

The stress kind of got to me today out of left field.

I broke down.

All the stress of moving, school, work and my personal life kind of came into reality full force and I just burst into tears.

I felt like my world was crashing in on me and had to leave my new apartment and take a drive to clear my head.

Going on a drive with your favorite tunes cranked to the max, tears pouring out of your face and having to pull over a few times to take a deep breath to bring yourself back to reality is not something that happens to me everyday, but boy did it bring me back to calm.

At the end of the day, I know that all my decisions will work out for the best.

I have to believe that.

I just think having all of these emotions coming at me all at one time was a bit too much for me to handle on a day like today.

When it comes down to it, I am scared to live alone. I'm scared to wake up in the middle of the night to an empty apartment. I'm scared that I am going to become lonely.

But also, at the end of the day, I want to feel this uncomfortableness and I want to be able to make myself a stronger person by doing so.

I am back to excitement. 

 Picking out paint colors.

My paint choice. Moss green. ( Accent color : red )

Paint color matches well with my favorite painting.

Color Samples.

Kitchen : before.

( Tomorrow, Sunday we are painting )

Bedroom.

Living Room.

*******************

Weekend Ritual.

My last Birchbox. Canceled to save money for the apt. It was disappointing.

Nick ( Juror #2 ) and his lady Steph.

Just a few of the beads from my necklace that decided to burst in the middle of the play.

Tomorrow is going to be I'm sure another stressful day for the move.

Need to paint.

Need to go to Ikea.

Need to do homework.

Need to start packing.

I'll keep you updated on the move and on the new apt....

A new apt. A new me.

LOVE.

XOXO.