Doily Orb

My next project...

Source: moredesignplease.com via Emily on Pinterest

A Girl's Best Friend

One thing I loved about Moscow was seeing my favorite flower everywhere:

Good Mantra

I often find quotations or simple one-liners that I write down on a sticky note and post on my bathroom mirror, in my car, or in my planner. This is a great one... kind of the mother of them all. It all comes down to just letting things go - don't worry - give it up - move on - it's okay... remember you are wonderful.

Source: etsy.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'd like to think I'll decorate like this...

My darling friend, Krista, suggested on her blog that I take a design quiz. Well, now I'm suggesting to you to do the same thing. It was really fun, and I've been enlightened as to which design style I'm most drawn:

It's called "French Eclectic." 

But may I clarify that just because they say I'm "French Eclectic," does not mean I actually decorate like this. Ha! In my dreams do I decorate like this. I'm still living off my college apartment art I bought at the campus poster art sale, and the balding, fake, potted plant from IKEA. Someday, I'll try and decorate like these surrounding pictures. 

Technically, I'm a combination of 38% French Eclectic, 38% Cottage Chic and 24% Classic. But I guess they're calling it French Eclectic. 

 Here is their description: "Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Country, like its name, somehow manages to both be formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room. Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting."


Okay, so I don't think I've ever spent hours on eBay surfing for antiques, but I like that they think that of me! Ha! I guess I could say I love a good flea market. So, now you know a little bit more about me. What is your design style? Find out here, then share it with me - I'm super curious now!

Snooping for my life...

Sometimes you just get fed up with the craziness of life and need to figure out something to do, just for you. Do any of you feel like this? You let "life" take over your life? Well, I'm taking my life back and this painting on Pinterest reminded me that I can do that.

Source: etsy.com via Karyn on Pinterest

I use to love to paint, and was good at it. I'd like to think I could still be good at it, but when was the last time I pulled out my paints? Psh. Years. I haven't had time to even think of pulling out my paints. But this summer, that is going to change. I did a little snooping around (is it still considered snooping if I'm snooping in my own room?) and found my paint boxes and a whole stack of water color paper, as well as two empty canvases for oils. My summer projects are calling my name.

Flower power

Now that warm weather is here, how about a fun idea for dressing up last year's sandals? I have sandals I purchased on sale last year, but I've been looking for some cute ways to dress them up a bit. Here's one idea I love: hot glue some cute flowers on those sandals!

Source: modcloth.com via Rubie on Pinterest

Evolution of the Jumping Photograph

A few photos from Moscow

Here you go! As promised, a few (or maybe a few more than few) pictures from my trip to Moscow, Russia. Just FYI, I used a Canon Rebel T3 with a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III telephoto lense. I put most of these photos through some photoshop action to give them that yellow, old look.

We walked around a small fair area and I saw this... that says "Moscow" if you don't read Russian.

One of many fountains in Moscow

It was totally tulip season - I thought I was in Holland, not Moscow. 

The three sisters back together again. The one in the middle is the one who has been serving her mission in Moscow... I haven't seen her for 18 months. To say the least, I'm thrilled to finally get her back. 

Happy Birthday to you from Moscow and me!

Reflection of our hotel... the Sheraton

My beautiful older sister

I got a kick out of finding places to take pictures of our reflection

Walking around the Kremlin on Red Square

Moscow has this fantastic tradition of hanging locks on designated trees when a couple is married - there were literally thousands of locks on a street of trees. 

St. Basil's Cathedral...not to be confused with the Kremlin. Isn't she beautiful?

Loved that red jacket on her

Rooftop in Moscow

I had to... I'm a girl

My sis and me inside St. Basil's

View of Red Square from St. Basil's

Fountains at Victory Park

View of the street from Red Square... I can't believe I was in Moscow

View of St. Basil's from the street

Matryoshka dolls... they even had "BYU" dolls

Another reflection picture - is that nerdy of me?

Had to cover our heads before going into one of the churches in Moscow

My cute Papa

A contented oma outside a monastery 

        St. Basil's close up                                                      

Field trip to Victory Park

Students playing in the fountains at Victory Park

Your's truly... and don't worry, more pictures to come.

I'm back!

I'm back!

Let me just start by saying, if you ever have the chance to go to Moscow, go. I had an incredible experience the past eight days. Granted, it would have helped a lot were I able to speak Russian. Fortunately I had my amazing little sister who speaks Russian fluently - she was our translator for the week. And yes, she's home!

I have a lot of pictures to share with you - I'm so excited! I couldn't sleep this morning so I got into the office early to catch up on my ridiculous load of emails. When I get home from work tonight, I'll work on a couple posts with pictures from Moscow.

Glad to be back!

Ciao...for a week...

Lovely readers, I'm sorry, but I'm leaving you for a week! Bah! I've never left my blog for so long. But, I have a good excuse. I'm going to be here for a week:

Source: weheartit.com via Anna on Pinterest

My little (angel) sister is finishing her mission there and I get to go pick her up with my parents and older sister. I'm out of my mind excited.

And you'll be impressed to know that I packed all of my stuff in one backpack. I have four outfits for eight days... and all of my makeup and toiletries (I hate that word) in a pint-sized Ziplock bag. (Insert awkward, but proud, chest-bump here.) Why, yes, I am incredibly proud of myself. AE Jones: high maintenance? Heck no. I think I'd do quite well traveling across Europe with just one bag. Maybe I'll try it. But for now, I'm traveling Moscow, for one week, with one backpack.

And, for your (and my) enjoyment, I purchased this:

in order to provide you with neat-o pictures from Moscow.

Can't wait to share with you!
Ciao bellas!

Google Anayltics

Guess what? I can't sleep, so I pulled my laptop out and was checking out my google analytics for my blog... as I'm looking at my traffic overview, I see this huge spike in visitors - 1,195 visitors on April 9. WHAT THE? Yep. It's true. Say Yes to Hoboken and Sometimes Sweet both featured me in their Friday Favorites. Let's just say that finding that tidbit of information didn't help me fall asleep.

I have the most amazing followers!

Women's Conference

As a former student at Brigham Young University, I remember two days that occurred every year during the transition between winter semester and spring term. These two days were filled with lots of white tennis shoes, hugging, BYU fudge, whistling “As Sisters in Zion,” and yes, more BYU fudge. During these two days, BYU welcomes thousands of women from all over the world to Women’s Conference.

Last week was my first year attending all of the sessions of Women’s Conference. I hadn’t attended up to this point because I always thought it was just a conference for my mom. Well, I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong about that. I’m converted. It was absolutely incredible. It’s like 15,000 of your best friends coming together to talk about the most uplifting things you can think of. I think the Energizer Bunny was working extra hard because everyone attending just seemed happier. And I know I left feeling like a different person—in a great way.

Read the rest of my article here.

Sicky

Why in the world do I keep getting sick? Geez louise. I almost threw up at work yesterday (TMI, sorry) and I left early and went home and collapsed on the couch and took a nap, then watched a little bit of Oliver Twist ("Please, sir, I want some more...") and then I went to bed. I think I was a little delirious while watching Master Twist because I found Elijah Wood (who plays Oliver's mentor, Dodger) slightly attractive. Something is very wrong with that picture.

Slight change of subject now: I've talked to quite a few girls lately who are both married and single and who want to cut their hair, but their husbands, boyfriends, and in some cases, fathers, won't let them or don't want them to. What is it with guys and long hair? They don't have to deal with the ridiculous time we put into washing, drying and curling, or whatever we do with our hair. If it weren't for my dad (the man in my life right now) and my sister (bff who I'll see in Russia in a week), I would probably chop my hair. Here's to pony tails and braids and keeping your hair out of your face.

"Do Not" Hats

Remember her from the Royal Wedding?

Source: business2community.com via Vanda on Pinterest

Well, I guess the hat wasn't an unnatural occurrence for her...

Source: business2community.com via Vanda on Pinterest

Or how about this?

Source: business2community.com via Vanda on Pinterest

I'm not sure which one my favorite is... they're all pretty "fantastic."

To make you laugh...

In honor of Mother's Day coming up, I got a good chuckle out of this: More serious Mother's Day posts to come...I promise. I love my mom.

Source: baneplanet.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Osama Bin Laden

If you haven't heard, the death of terrorist Osama Bin Laden was announced last night. Wow... wasn't sure it would ever actually happen. God bless the USA.