Creating the beautiful...

Like many girls, I want to be just like my mom when I grow up. However, that is quite a general statement. I admire many things about Kathy Johnson, but one thing that is totally rockin' about my mom is her ability to create beauty in anything she touches. From gardening to painting, she beautifies everything around her. This summer I decided to take advantage of her talents, and learn from the pro.

My mom was always the center of a handful of home-improvement projects while I was growing up. One summer day I found my mom painting my boring dresser into a yellow and white striped treasure. Another day I found her staining our living room bookcase into a deep chocolate. My baby simple bedroom walls were quickly transformed into a lovely garden, with cutout flower wallpaper waist high, blue walls and a yellow ceiling. Our dining room didn't stand a chance when mom found out beautiful hardwood hid beneath the aging carpet. Soon she was hard at work perfecting the wood into a floor people pay hundreds for.

Mom's latest project was to redo the seats on our dining room chairs. Once a beautiful sage fabric, time has taken it's toll.


With a quick trip to the fabric store and a swish of my mom's talent, our dining room was looking classy.

As I perused the fabric store with mom, I found a lovely black and cream pattern that I couldn't leave without. I was convinced I would find a vintage chair to spruce up with this new fabric.


Next came the desperate hunt for the perfect chair. The Layton Saver's and DI proved unsuccessful, and mom was patient enough to accompany me to the Harrisville DI for a third try. Upon entering the furniture 'department,' mom and I were both silently drawn to the same dreadful chair. We didn't say a word, but we knew it was the one. With a little sweet-talking to an employee, we managed to seperate this chair from its' sister bench for a mere $12. The chair was stained, worn, sunbleached and highly outdated. It was perfect.

When I proudly set my new purchase in the living room, Joel wandered around it to inspect the damage. "Ew," he said. "You spent money on that?" As I worked on this project I was reminded of the story of the ugly duckling. Even the ugliest things in life can be tranformed into something incredily beautiful. You just have to give it a chance.

The project I expected to complete in a day or two stretched into more than a week. Mom must have made 4 trips to the fabric store for me, and she spent night after night teaching me the things she knows.

After we painted the legs and stripped the 70s fabric.

Tying the buttons into place. I got really good at tying knots.

BEFORE

AFTER

I like my project chair better than this $300 Armen Living designer chair.

Mom said I need to keep this chair forever because of all the hard work we put into it. Not to worry, it will be the first piece of furniture in my own home one day.

With my newfound skills I'll promptly break ground on a second chair that I discovered at a yard sale today.

Thanks to my mom, I too can make anything beautiful.

Making the most of every month

Glancing at the calendar today, a sense of panic blew through me. School's been out for two months and somehow summer's short life is already half over! Sadness, regret and unbelief washed over me until I could pull myself together. Just a quick flip through the pictures on my camera brought me back to the summertime bliss that I have been enjoying. I haven't wasted time, I've actually accomplished a lot. This post is dedicated to the great moments of June 2010.

Summer spend in Ogden is summer spent at the downtown amphitheater watching Monday night movies. As my best friends and I waited for the sun to go down, we laughed, teased, and enjoyed another night that imitated what used to be.








'Monsters and Aliens' was super cute, but Leana and I froze throughout the entire show. There was definitely some major cuddling action going on!


Yes, that's a real Kate Spade, and no mom and I didn't take a trip to Vegas. Instead, we were in little Layton, UT on the search for a perfect chair to recover. In between thrift stores mom pulled this little beauty out of a web of ugly handbags. $15 later she was the proud owner of a lovely Kate Spade. I never thought my mom would beat me to that achievement! :)


These are the heels that broke my heart. Shortly after mom scored her Kate Spade, she discovered these BCBGs hiding in a corner. She must know my style pretty well because I quickly snatched them up and cradled them in my arms. Also at $15, these never-worn treasures were shiny as can be, and imprinted with delicate imprints of BCBG along its' curves. I definitely think the sex is in the heel of a stiletto, and the case of these, sex appeal was sky high. After I trotted around in front of the mirror for 10+ minutes, I dragged myself away from these gorgeous heels. They were 2 sizes too big for me, and I closely resembled a little girl dressing up in mom's clothes. My heart was broken, but I continued on and nursed my aching heart with a few other purchases. :)

A week later and I was on the prowl again. This time I was in desperate need of some chic items for my upcoming trip to New York. Headed in no particular direction, I was lost and confused. But suddenly the clouds parted, and angels led the way to heaven. New York & Company straight ahead! Could there be any better store to prep for NYC fashion? Wedges are this season's must-have, and these babies were a smashing deal. How could I say no?

Post doctor's office and pre work shift, Leana and I met up for a much-needed lunch date. She had never been to the charming Mimi's Cafe, and I had been dying to go back. Definitely a chick spot, we dined on strawberry lemonade, chowder, seafood pasta, and honey bran muffins. Kind of a strange meal, but it was a great luncheon. Sometimes the best dates are when no one speaks at all. Leana and I are so close we don't need constant conversation to enjoy each other. We talked too, of course, mending each other's broken hearts with hugs, tears and support.

On another trip to Layton, mom and I were on our way to Krispy Kreme's to claim our free dozen donuts. For Father's Day, K.K. trades a beautifully glazed box of donuts for an ugly tie for their annual ugly tie contest. Sadly, mom accidently locked the keys in the car and we were stranded at the best donut shop in town. After a little while we crossed the street to Zeppes- our favorite stop for gelata. My favorites: passionfruit and mango. Next time: pina colada! Preston said later, "Great place to get stranded mom!" Frankly, I couldn't agree more. :)

Me, mom and Larissa kept grandma company during one of her chemo treatments. We kept entertained with short walks around the hospital, lots of visiting and a stack of magazines. While I selected People and In-style, Larissa's choice was the May 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics. Where did my sister come from??

Me and the boys goofing off at Lagoonabeach. I didn't tell them to be weird. Haha

My baby brother. Turning 11 this month!

My favorite boys on my favorite ride. The ferris wheel!

Mom and Pop. :)

On the bumper cars I prefer to cruise around, avoiding the crashes around me. However, dad noticed my lack of collision and pointed his Ford straight at me. Only a foot or two away from success, a girl came hurtling straight into him, and therefore robbing him of momentum. I sailed away untouched. That is until Joel crept up on me. :)

This summer I'll take pleasure in the little moments that make up every wonderful summer.

It's time to: Eat. Pray. Love.

Rarely does a movie preview knock me off my feet, tie my wrists, and drag me into its' cave.

But in the case of Julia Roberts' newest film, Eat. Pray. Love, I became entranced, captivated and changed, in a mere 60 seconds. This teaser depicted one of those uncommon movies that hit you straight on, appealing to your interests, your wrenching your heart.

Thirty year old Elizabeth Gilbert was the epitome of a classic American woman. She was married to a gorgeous man in a beautiful country home and working a successful career. But she knows she is unhappy. Gilbert trades these outward marks of sucess for "the backdrop of three very different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence."




When a favorite teacher of mine bought a french copy of the book on Amazon, she recommended friends follow suit. I was completely unaware that the entrancing movie stemmed from a book, and literally 5 minutes later I had ordered my own copy. In English of course.

Eat. Pray. Love. is, "A meditation on love in its many forms-love of food, language, humanity, God, and most meaningful for Gilbert, love of self...." -Los Angeles Times

Gilbert's views have been so awe-inspiring that I find myself marking passages with my turquoise pen page after page, so as not to forget the stirring thoughts that hit home so abruptly. Since life doesn't allow the time to read every enlightening book that floats past us, I'm more than happy to share some of my favorite pieces of Eat. Pray. Love.

Lately I have been feeling so drastically the difference between happiness and misery. This beautiful passage describes so perfectly the essential need to find and cling to joy in our own lives.

"It was in the bathtub back in New York, reading Italian words aloud from a dictionary, that I first started mending my soul. My life had gone to bits and I was so unrecognizable to myself that I probably couldn't have picked me out of a police lineup. But I felt a glimmer of happiness when I started studying Italian, and when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt- this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight."

"But is it such a bad thing to live like this for just a little while? Just for a few months of one's life, is it so awful to travel through time with no greater ambition than to find the next lovely meal? Or to learn how to speak a language for no higher purpose than that it pleases your ear to hear it?"

Gilbert talks of a profession men held in Venice during the Middle Ages called a codega. This man's job is to lead you through the city at night by latern, showing you the way, scaring off thieves and demons and bringing you confidence and protection.

Today, I wonder about my own codega. Is there a single being who lives to guard and defend me? Or do I have many protectors prepared to fight when danger arises?

At one point Gilbert sits at an outdoor cafe having a conversation with her friend Giulio. An Italian woman struts by- fantastically manintained, jewelry-sodden and sporting four-inch heels and a tight skirt. The woman is walking a fancy dog on a gem-studded leash, and she exuded a glamorous air of: "You will look at me, but I will refuse to look at you."

Gilbert points out to Giulio, "That is a Roman woman. Rome cannot be her city and my city, too. Only one of us really belongs here. And I think we both know which one."

Giulio offered a fantastic point. "Every single city has a single word that defines it, that identifies people who live there. If you could read people's thoughts as they were passing you on the streets of any given place, you would discover that most of them are thinking the same thought. Whatever that majority thought might be- that is the word of the city. And if your personal word does not match the word of the city, then you don't really belong there."

He explained that Rome's word is 'sex,' but since the Vatican isn't part of Rome, they have a different word. Their word is 'power.' New York City's word is 'achieve,' and Los Angeles' word is 'succeed.' Stockholm's is 'conform,' and Naples' word is 'fight.'

Gilbert didn't know the answer when Giulio asked what her word was. Similarly, I was left pondering what my own word would be.

Sadly, Eat. Pray. Love. is not released to theaters until late August. Until then, I will take my time mulling over the enlightening gems this lovely book has to offer.

"When I'm kissing you"

Usually I have to hear a song 5+ times to catch the lyrics and find a favorite. However, I heard this song once and it gave me shivers. It's called Kissin' You by Miranda Cosgrove. I wonder if she's a Disney Channel girl. I don't think I've seen her before and she looks pretty young, almost like a Jordan Sparks lookalike. Anyway, I LOVE this song so much! The music video is cliche, but the song is so sweet I don't mind. Check it out!

">Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E65d9SwM6o8

Visions of wedding plans dance through my head...

I've reached that time in my life.

Lately my roommates, friends and classmates are all picking out diamonds, snapping engagement pictures and sampling cakes in preparation for the big day that is finally upon us. It's strange, of course, to see girls I used to play with on the playground oh so many years ago honeymooning, house hunting and baby having. It's here though, that magical time where you entrust your heart, hand and future to the person you can't live without and want to spend eternity with.

While my special moment has not arrived just yet, I am in no hurry. There's pressure and speculation, but only I will know when my time is right. For now I can prepare, to ensure that I will be ready when a ring happily lands on my finger one day.

Just like my dad, I tend to overanalyze anything and everything. There must be perfect weather to warrant a vacation, plenty of savings to consider a new car, and the perfect man to merit a marriage. However, I'm learning to fight that point of view. There are plenty of men out there who are far from Prince Charming, but will indeed meet excellent husband quota. For me the problem isn't finding that man, it's swallowing my apprehension and doing it.

Since this month's topic of my writing class is weddings, I've had time to reflect on what I envision my wedding to look like. Most likely I'll be the only woman in the class writing about the future, but it will also allow me the opportunity to explore that special moment with the special ladies in my group.

My wedding, should my betrothed choose to accept, will be carried out in the following ways:

From 2 to 20, I've never questioned the location. I will marry in the Salt Lake Temple, and I will not settle for less. It's where my parents and grandparents were sealed, and to me it is a beacon of light, a symbol of the gospel, and not surprisingly, just where I want to be married.

I envision an elegant reception center or a well-manicured backyard dazzling with twinkle lights, romantic tunes and fragrant blossoms. I'd like to avoid a traditional line and float from person to person instead, but with so many people trying to get a moment with the bride and groom, a line would probably develop on its own.

My mom jokes that we'll have to get Cheesecake Factory to cater since I'm so smitten with their tuxedo mouse and red velvet cakes. And hey if my parents want to pay for that, that's just fine with me!

From watching too many hours of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress," I am pretty sure I have glued down dress details. I always felt fantastic in big poufy prom dresses, and I'd like to use that style when it's time to pick a wedding gown. I'll be covered in yards of tulle and sparkly details, with cascading curls and simple jewelry to top it off. No flip-flops or Nikes for my feet; under my dress I'll be sporting some rockin' heels.

Any other "minor" details will be promptly addressed as soon as I become engaged. For now I'll simpy look forward to that special day that will probably come all too quickly, and focus instead on finding the right person, that I will be married to by the right authority, in the right place, and at the right time.

I've had many great examples to look to for inspiration on anything from style to love. Below are pictures of amazing, beautiful women in my life who each inspire a piece of my future-hopefully-not-so-far-off-wedding.I loved the kelly green that Marie picked out for her sash. It definitely compliments her light skin and dark hair. She has always had flawless, glowing skin and big beautiful eyes. The small details of this splash of color, her embellished headband, and the lace on her dress wrap up this elegant look.

This incredible dress is astonishing on Natasha, but it doesn't take a gorgeous gown for her to look breathtaking. She's one of the most beautiful friends I have! Tasha is so humble and down to earth. I think her bubbly personality is explained in the fact that she wore pink converse under this dress!

Jenni has always been a blonde, but her transition to dark hair is refreshing and bold. If I remember the story correctly, she flew to France to get this dress. I couldn't get enough of it!

Whitney's proposal story was so exciting! Her boyfriend led her on a week-long scavenger hunt and on the day of her 20th birthday he took her to the Ogden airport. The couple went on a romantic flight over scenic Ogden until they got to a field that spelled out "Marry me." She looked over at Gabe and he was holding out this gorgeous ring. What a great story!

While I don't know Samantha personally, I do love the Eccles family. I was stunned by the amount of natural beauty Samantha has. Her eyes are simply captivating. She doesn't need gaudy jewelry or a flashy hairstyle to capture all the eyes in the room. THAT is beautiful.

This picture was taken by one of my favorite wedding photographers. I love how the green of the plants brings out the color of Rachel's eyes. She also has so much natural beauty to her. With little makeup and a simple modest dress, she is still strikingly beautiful.

Katarina's engagement pictures are so adorable. The personality of bold bright colors and a fun location bring out the light-hearted and happy nature Katarina always emanates.

Katelyn had a very traditional look in both her engagements and her bridals. Her french braids, classic pearls, muted flowers and detailed dress was simple, yet unique.

I loved the cake Sara choose for her wedding. Since both her maiden name and her husband's last name both start with the letter M, she topped her beautiful cake with a dark blue M. I thought it was perfectly appropriate since the McArthurs were uniting in marriage. :)

The bright summer colors Jen picked out stand out boldly against the black and white. I was especially excited about her engagement because she married into my extended family!

Meg's dress shows exactly what I'd like to have in my bustle. She doesn't have an unnecessary long train to get in the way, and the flowing layers are perfectly charming.

If there is a definition for soulmates, these two would be it. Leanne dated Ben in high school, and she religiously wrote him when it was time for him to serve a mission. Upon returning, their love rekindled, (or rather it never died) and they married in the temple not long after. This couple has such a deep sense of true love for each other. I admire that greatly.