Reminded by the Unfamiliar

I looove the perspective that seeing unfamiliar places, and trying different foods, and meeting new people can bring.  It's enlightening and uplifting, and really quite freeing.  Those experiences have changed me.  I've said this a ga-jillion times before, but I've been super blessed to travel a lot and see a few of those different perspectives; and that chance has been undeniably influential in terms of shaping my view of life, and has taught me to find joy and really appreciate the glorious things that cross my path all the time.

For example, London showed me that every day occurrences 

should not be taken for granted.

Also, it was there that I acknowledged that nothing excites me more

than getting dressed up and going to musicals.

#MaryPoppins

#Chicago

And, most importantly,

that there is no more delicious food around

than a legit bowl of yellow chicken curry

Australia taught me to stop and smell the roses, 

and take time to admire the awe of all little breathtaking beauties,

and especially to recognize that they're always surrounding me.

Hawaii reminded me, that while beaches are so lovely,

friends that are kind and patient enough

to put up with my awful attempts at surfing

are even better.

And that the spirit from Temples

is as strong and pure and true

everywhere

and always.

The Netherlands jolted me to remember the freedoms I enjoy.

Belgium is where I learned that scarves are essential to a classy look.

Germany taught me that carbs are good,

but also that the church is true, and the spirit is moving

even if the gospel is being taught in a language I don't understand.

Paris taught me to life is meant to be lived gorgeously.

That I make the choice to fill my life with beauty,

and love.

NYC, with all its palpable energy,

showed me that life should be exciting...

...and that we all have a need for aesthetics to enhance our day to day existence.

And also that even in smack dab in the middle of such a vibrant city,

this most important place can stand waveringly.

Maybe quietly in comparison to its surroundings,

but still so immensely moving when you come upon it.

Life is bursting at the seams with goodness and light and happiness and beauty.  And while Paris, London, and NYC aren't necessarily at our disposal when we're in need of a reminder that life IS beautiful, there are endless venues of light to remind us what we do have to be grateful for.  Those roses are there for us to stop and smell all day everyday if we seek them out.

"Recently I stood on the north shore of the beautiful Pacific island gazing out to sea at daybreak... As I watched this magnificent scene in reverence, a window formed in the clouds; the glistening rays of the rising sun broke through the overcast sky, transforming everything with its luminescence, its color, its life.  It was as if the Lord wanted to share an additional blessing, a symbol of the light of His teachings that gives brilliance and hope to everyone it touches.  Tears of gratitute formed for this wondrous world in which we live, for the extraordinary beauty our Heavenly Father so freely shares with all who are willing to see.  Truly, life is beautiful."

--Elder Richard G. Scott Finding Joy In Life, 1996

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 imagination in PARIS.

Dearest world of Bloggers and Blogging,
I have missed you.
I've missed journal-ing with pictures and with your help.
I've missed reading updates from my favorite peeps.
I've missed finding new cupcake recipes.
I've missed your witty words, pictures and colors.
I don't think I'll ever leave you again for so long.

Wellll... half of the time I've been away, I was in Paris. Aaand I'll be honest, given the chance dear blogs, I would leave you again in a heart beat for such a beautifullll, artistic-soul place.

Just sayin.


So I purchased an actual album, and printed out close to 200 pictures, and made a REAL photo album of my trip--it's suuuper cute and I'd love to show you.  So you should stop by sometime and I'll tell you all the stories from my trip.  Until then though, here's a little taste...

First of all, let this play while you look through them... it reads like poetry and has lovely lyrics about Paris... my favorite: "I couldn't quite perfect that nonchalance..."

. . .

First bit of Paris I saw... I came up from the train station... and there it was! The beautiful Arc de Triomphe!

Napoleon DEF thinks he's the coolest thing... but this Arc is pretty spectacular I must admit!

Then ONWARD!! To the Eiffel Tower!!!

And a little float down the Seine.... while the sun was setting... whatevs.

I love these guys! And Paris has the MOSSSST beautiful sunsets... it might be beautiful all the time.  In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, definitely at night and even when it rains.  It's kind of a magical place.

Aaand, I might have worn high heels to Versailles... I wanted to be super stylish... but I didn't think through the whole concept of Versailles being a palace... with a big, huge cobble-stone driveway out front.  I'm sure I was entertainment for quite a few people.

Inside was rather gorgeous though.  It was worth it to be dressed up!

Hall of Mirrors: wonderful.  I imagined myself in a ballgown.

NOT KIDDING: THE most delicious thing I've EVER eaten.

People come here and write their name and the name of the person they love on a lock and then lock it forever onto this bridge... again I imagined myself, aaand my hot future husbie locking our little lock with our names upon it...  I was in Paris; it happens.  Everyone's in love there.  It might be worse than BYU.  Just sayin.

The LOUVRE!!! Life changing!!

Glass pyramid. Outside.

And inside.

Little Miss Mona Lisa.

La Liberte... aka "Viva La Vida" album cover.

Cupid's Kiss

Venus de Milo

And Winged Victory: my favorite!!!

"Funny Face"!!!! I knew I'd seen those stairs somewhere before!  This is the most beautiful scene in that movie! And when I think Paris, it's synonymous with Audrey Hepburn.

Don't worry; I did sing "God bless the Outcasts" while inside Notre Dame.

Cutest 85 year old couple in all of France.

They told us how/showed us where champagne is made. And took us to the most delectable French meal. (we had water, not champagne with our pretty food) For reals it was the most beautifully-plated meal I've been presented in my life.

And then we took a bit of a stroll.

And once again I used my imagination; this time seeing myself as an Elementary school teacher tucked away in a cute little French town somewhere.

Then onto the Musée d'Orsay.  Which filled my impressionist-lovin heart with utter joy.

We saw Van Gogh's self portrait.  Lovely!

We then proceeded to do some imaginary shopping at galeries lafayette.

And do you remember in "An American in Paris" the 18 minute ballet sequence??  Where Gene Kelly dance-follows the girl of his dreams through different scenes of Paris?  Do you remember this one by the fountain?

Welll, I found  the fountain I think inspired the movie-set one... and did my own little ballet sequence.

 

And then, to wrap it up we got crepes with nutella by the Eiffel tower...

Which sparkles at night.

I loved it.  I recommend it.  I want to go back with my super hot future husband.  I'm so grateful to have gone; it was a trip that came at a time in my life where I needed a new perspective asap and was undeniably blessed with one.  The world is a beautiful place full of wonderful human beings who have lots of life and experience that I'm grateful to learn from.  I'm glad to be reminded that the life operates differently in different parts of the world, and it's okay if I don't function quite like my neighbors.  I'm so soo glad that inspired people have used their talents to create art and architecture and music and food and even fashion to beautify the spaces around them.  I hope I use my experiences for good to enlarge my understanding about my life and the role I need to play.  I will do my best not to forget the lessons I've learned and perspective I've gained from my delicious little stay in PARIS! 

Grateful for: TRISCUTS. Yum.

Quotesss of the Day:

"Paris is always a good idea." --Audrey Hepburn

(and also a bit from Conference...)

"As a means of being in the world but not being of the world, it is necessary that we communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer.  He wants us to do so; He'll answer our prayers.  The Savior admonished us, as recorded in 3 Nephi 18, to 'watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you. ... Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.' "
--President Thomas S. Monson