Yes, the temps are still in the 80’s here in Salt Lake City, but there were stormy clouds in the sky and it was enough for me to crave fall. I put on a sweater in our air conditioned house and started on a roast and homemade rolls for dinner! I turned on some John Mayer and put my new fall cider blend of oils in the diffuser. And although there was still lingering summer heat outside, it felt like fall to me.

I try and do a back to school dinner every year with a little thought for the year. With our two big kiddos out of the house and in different states, I wanted to focus on our girls. Lately, they’ve really been complaining a lot, whining and saying “It’s not Fair”. The word that came to mind was resilience. It’s a big word for a 8 and 10 year old but it was the best word to describe what we needed a little more of! I found a couple of quotes that encompassed that word in a simple way. The girls can hang them in their rooms and look at them as a quick reminder for the year ahead.

THE VERY BEST ROLLS

These are the absolute best rolls! I make them on all the big holidays - Easter & Thanksgiving for sure and apparently Labor Day too! Click here for the recipe from Oh Sweet Basil, enjoy!

POT ROAST - I’ve tried lots of different pot roast recipes over the years as well as different cooking methods but this one from A Bountiful Kitchen is hands down our favorite and its so easy!

We usually do a couple of little gifts like new markers or hair products, something useful for back to school. I’m a gifter at heart so any opportunity for a little gift, I’m in! Here are the cute little quotes to download. Enjoy! Cheers to fall.

A year of taking care of myself and following my heart = VIBRANT

I love the idea of closing out one year, learning from it and moving forward to the next.

The year 2020 and beyond did a real number on my physical and mental health, as it did on most I imagine. I was left feeling a heavier heart than I had in years and was so tired. I felt a loss of control and I didn’t like how I was feeling physically or mentally. I felt like I was along for the ride but no longer controlled my destiny. In 2022, I worked on taking that back little by little and becoming more resilient. I made all the doctor appointments and tried to be more thoughtful and intentional.

For 2023, that journey will continue for me. I’ve made an effort to schedule 3-4 hot yoga sessions a week, 2 strength training sessions at home and in addition to eating more protein, veggies and fruit – I’m taking supplements. I’ve noticed a huge change in my energy levels! I’ll go into more detail on a different post. I’m also seeing a therapist for the first time in my life. I’m committed to doing the work to feel better mind, body and spirit. I want to be VIBRANT in every way and that means following my heart more. I tend to get lost in action and the endless to do lists. This hasn’t all been bad, that monotonous action has kept my mind healthy but also not allowed me to progress much beyond that.

Building this blog is also getting back to my roots on a habit from my childhood. I journaled 3-4 times a week from about 6th grade all through college. Somehow, after getting married and life getting the best of me, I dropped this habit. In looking back, I think it helped my mind to be in a healthier place all those years of this practice. I was able to work through some really tough shit and not let it weigh on my mind or body. In wanting to be VIBRANT, I am getting back to writing through blogging and can’t wait!

1 | BLOCK LETTER NOTEBOOK 2 | PAPERMATE FLAIR 3 | PENTEL TWIST ERASE 4 | HANDS NOTEBOOK 5 | SIMPLE NOTEBOOK

6 | TUL GEL PENS 7 | BOTANICAL NOTEBOOK 8 | GREEN MOLESKIN 9 | LAVENDER MOLESKIN

One of our customers from The Protein Foundry contacted me to remodel his downtown condo! This was such a fun project to work on and I couldn’t have asked for a better client! He gave me free reigns to style everything to the nines. This could be one of the classiest bachelor pads in the Avenues. I love how all of the colors came together. I kept it simple and timeless and it suited my client’s style perfectly! Check out these before and after photos to see the transformation!