Because I'm obsessed with HGTV.

I love HGTV;

it's like the "food network"

but for design nerds instead of foodies.

Do I lose sleep at night when I stay up to watch these shows??

Yes, yes I do.

My faves are "Dear Genevieve"

and "Secrets From a Stylist"

After I watch them I long for my own space to  decorate and paint and arrange.

Well, I recently moved into a new apartment.

I have my own new room,

and for the first time in my life...

my own bathroom !!

Therefore, I HAD seize hold of this opportunity to design!

...

I really love bookshelves, and plan on having BIG, TALL ones someday,

to hold all my coffee table and childrens books

(but for now this cute little one with my DVD's on it will suffice)

My "office" from 8-12am!

I'm a little in love with it...

Updated picture boards

Seriously,

the most comfy bed in the world...

there are those "egg crate" mattress covers on sale at Target...

and you need to go get one.  Trust me.

Cork boards $5 at Walmart,

Pins $4 at Walmart,

being able to hang up inspiring cards and notes,

priceless.

haha

But for reals though...

Way inexpensive drawer set from Target,

but I love the mid-century vibe it's givin' off

(see how design nerdy I can be??)

it especially makes me happy topped with the 

"let them eat cake" vase 

that my mom gave me for Christmas last year!

I know,

it's just a bathroom.

But I'm so excited about it...

A little reminder of Parisian travels...

I finally framed this print from the Orsay Museum...

in a $2 frame from Goodwill!!

Hooray for excellent deals!

And that soap dish is probably the only thing 

I think I'll ever buy from Anthropologie.

Although, if I had money to burn, I'd buy everything.

And that mirror and vase are both presents;

I have friends and family who know me so well!

Favorite painting... and a fireplace !!!

Sooo luxurious.

"Dear Genevieve",

Thanks for the classy inspiration!!

Grateful for:

not having to spend $200 in repairs for my car,

coupons for my gluten free 'zone' bars,

wifi at starbucks,

stake conference,

baking chocolate chip cookies on Sunday afternoons,

a year subscription to a gluten free magazine

from my dearest friend who's moved to Utah,

chats on the phone with friends from Virginia to California,

lunch dates with Grandma CC,

dinner dates with my favorite people,

my very own DVD of "Cinderella"

(the one with Brandy and Whitney Houston of course),

the new Mumford & Sons CD,

my ukulele,

my comfy bed/8 full hours of sleep

and, the simple truths of the Book of Mormon

Life is good.

My Fairy Godparents

Remember how Cinderella had that super rad fairy godmother that fixed all her woes with a sweet pumpkin-shaped ride, fab dress, and killer glass slippers?  That Cinderella though, she had some issues to deal with having those crazy step sisters and a super lame step mother, and that whole-being-their-maid thing she had goin on... so she totally deserved the perks of having a fairy godmother.  Right?  Wouldn't you agree?

Well here's the delio peeps; I  have my own set of fairy-godparents.  But, I'm thinking that I like, have the very OPPOSITE of evil stepsisters and mothers and such.  Therefore, I have no idea what I've done to deserve the love and support and glass slippers (in a matter of speaking) that my "fairy godparents" have so generously bestowed upon me, as a PLUS to my already daily blessings!!

So when I say "fairy godparents" I'm actually referring to a group of three people; my dear sweet friends Quentin aka Brother Stewart, the lovely Sister/Dr. Barbara Stewart and their FABULOUS daughter , Miss Juliana.  I LOVE them.  They have popped up time and time again (with plenty of love and some "bibbity-bobbity-boo's") to bless my life and to strengthen and support me.  They have been a blessing time and time again to remind me who I am and what I can become.  And let's be honest, they've also given me some SWEET presents.  So sweet, I'm not even sure you can wrap them. 

I've been to visit them at their current home in Australia.

(They actually live in Melbourne though, not Sydney. We were just visiting.)

...and introduced me to some of the locals.

They've also introduced me to gooood food.  Like real Belgian waffles in the Netherlands.

And delectable and beautiful chocolates in Australia.

And of course bakeries with gorgeous little goodies... pretty much everywhere.

And shown me some of the most breath-taking views I've EVER seen!

And then, on top of all that, the Stewarts are just some of my FAVORITE company of all time.

They're top notch.

They're the BEST.

Welllll, they've invited me to tag along with them again.  And seriously I still can't even believe this.  CLEARLY, they've already given me so unbelievably much!  And, I mean I was so baffled by this offer, that it took a whiiiile for me to agree, because I just was like "Seriously??!".  And I'm still in such awe, that don't think I've really told many people about this adventure that I'm taking with them--and it's in less than 3 weeks.  I just didn't know how to tell you without like having an accident, and also feeling overwhelming guilt that I couldn't stuff you in my suitcase and bring you along.

Because here's the destination...
brace yourself...
PARIS. 

I KNOW RIGHT???  I'm still having trouble believing it.  That place with the big beautiful sparkly Eiffel tower, where people say "bonjour", where fashion week is held, where people eat perfectly crusty begets on a daily basis, and have things like pastel-colored macaroons for treats, the city where the "Madeline" books take place, and where the MONA LISA is.  Seriously, the MONA LISA is just chillin there.  SERIOUSLY???!!

(What did I tell you??  Bibbity-freakin-bobbity-BOO!!)

For reals, I would visit these wonderful people wherever.  They just happen to go on unbelievable trips and for some crazy reason that I don't understand (and really just don't deserve), invite me to tag along sometimes!  I'm grateful for them and their consistent love and support.  That is in and of itself a huge blessing; but I'm also so grateful for (and that's just an understatement) yet another opportunity-of a lifetime, and am so so sooo excited.

So when you text or facebook me in about 3 weeks, and I don't answer, that's where I'll be--just thought it'd be polite to make you aware.  Sorry for the long blog post.  I think I kind of just told you my own little fairytale story... and so in true Amanda fashion, there's lots of characters and details and pictures that go along with it.  And I'm not at all as worthy as the sweet and goodly Cinderella of such magnificent glass slippers, but I will cherish EVERY minute of such a magical adventure with such dear dear friends, until the stroke of midnight when I have to return to reality!!

Grateful for: The Stewarts. Duh!!
And father's blessings.

Quote of the day: "Always remember Jesus Christ and keep his commandments.  Every day is important to you because the way you chose spend your time will determine the person you become.  Be the best you can be."

--Sister Oaks from the CES fireside on Sunday