I Hate New Years Resolutions

I guess you could call me the New Years Grinch. I just think most resolutions are so...cliche. Like, duh, we all want to loose weight, eat healthier, work out more, blah blah blah...so usually I just ignore this whole ritual completely but I decided to challenge myself this year. 

So even though I hate resolutions, I've decided to give myself a chance at a new start. A chance to develop new habits and maybe change myself for the better this year. 2012 is going to be a year filled with insane and crazy changes. Why not throw a few more positive changes in there for good measure?

1. In 2012, I will pray every single day. Before I get out of bed. Before I go to sleep at night. During the day. During the night. I will pray always. 

2. In 2012, I will eat clean. My health needs to be one of the most important things in my life. If I want to live a long life for my family, my body needs to be able to do it's job. Fast food will not allow it to do that. Clean, nutritious food will give me the life I want and need to live. 

3. In 2012, I will speak words of kindness instead of words of hurt. I will live a life like the life Christ led while he was here. Kindness, understanding, meekness, patience. 

4. In 2012, I will blog at least 3 times a week. This is my diary. A physical manifestation of my life as a newly wed and a way to show my children what our life was like before they came to us. I will blog not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of others. Life lessons, recipes, projects I'm working on...everything. I will work on growing my audience in order to be able to reach people that I have yet to find. 

5. In 2012, I will read my scriptures at least 5 times a week, if not every single day. Studying the scriptures will bring me closer to Heavenly Father and allow me to continually grow my testimony and relationship with my Savior. 

6. In 2012, I will save more money than I spend. I have a future family that I have to think of now. Instant gratification must take a back seat if I want to obtain the goals Todd and I have set for each other. 

A Christmas Preview With Out of Order Photos :)

For the love of all things holy I can't get these photos in the right order. Blogger...you suck. :) No Mac plus uploading photos from Blogger's iPhone app + a girl that has to get up in 5 hours to catch a flight = one impatiently thrown together blog post. 

Sorry darlings. :) 

Christmas Eve started out with a flight from Salt Lake to Detroit. 

This is Detroit: 

This was Salt Lake: (Pretend they're in reverse order.)

I kicked off my four day stay at home with a little B&E bonding time with Kelly. Mom was next door...impressing the neighbor's parents who were in from out of town. She'll forever be known as the crazy lady who had an emergency while her house was locked and she didn't have a key. Typical. 

Kelly is climbing INTO the house. (pretend the photos are reversed here too. Darn iPhone) 

Then my dad pretended he was gangster. 

Then Todd & I got some pretty sweet Tigers shirts. We're going to sport them together. In Utah. Yep, we're cool. 

The puppy snuggles

This was while my dad was being gangster. Kelly got an ugly sweater. She asked for an ugly Christmas sweater. No joke. 

My fav present is currently stashed away in my bag and I'm too lazy to go and get it and take a picture and upload it and mess up the formatting and blah blah. But, I got the DSLR camera I've been wishing, hoping, praying, begging for! SO EXCITED! 

(insert picture of Nikon D50 aka the best Christmas present ever) 

Sigh. That is pretty much the definition of my trip home. Lots of food, family, laughing, more food, more laughing and a dash more food. I have more photos on both my old and new camera that, like I said, am far too lazy to upload. I will when I get home though.  

For now, this girl is off to bed to catch some ZZZs before her 810am flight back to Utah 

:)

Looking Back

To say this year has been life changing would be like saying Kim Kardashian's isn't annoying. The biggest lie on the planet. (Okay, that was mean...moving on)

I was thinking about this tonight as the Christmas tree was serving as my nightlight and got all nostalgic. I'm getting ready to go home for the very last time as a single girl and it's got me all sorts of weirded out. It's crazy to think that this time next year, I'll be a Smith instead of a Riegler and will start making my very own family traditions with my very own new (small) family of me, the hubby, and the pup. Weird but pleasantly thrilling. 

This year has been one big adventure with lots of ups and downs and ups and downs. I went through my iPhoto library and picked some of my favorite/most meaningful pictures. I want to remember this year for the rest of my life. 

{January}


I pulled out my mom's sewing machine and started me new quest in being crafty.

{February} 


We had like 10,000 huge snow storms and I got stranded at home for the 10,000th time. One night we decided to walk to Kroger because there was no way we were going anywhere any way else. 


Kelly started her last season of high school hockey. After four years of proudly supporting the Cranbrook girls hockey, I was so sad to see my sister's time with them end! 

{March}


March was my last spring break as a student, so my mom and I went on a short cruise to 
the Carribean. The highlight of the trip? Kissing a sea lion. SO COOL. 

{April}


After 5 looooooooong years, I finally graduated from college in April! It felt so good to finally walk across that stage and get that diploma. Now, if only I could find a PR job... :)

{May}


In May, my favorite baby sister turned the big 1-8! I seriously can't believe that now she's finished with her first semester of college and is all gown up! 

May was a big month for me. I traveled to Utah for the first time. Fell in love with the place, found an apartment, and went out on the best (and last) first date I've ever been on. We'd been talking since February, but in May Todd and I finally finally met for the first time. I knew instantly that he was 'the one' (I even wrote it down in my journal at the time. I just knew...) I knew that Utah was where my future and heart was. 

Kelly went to prom in May too. This picture just captures who we are in an instant: 

{June}


In June, Kelly graduated from high school! Holy goodness how time flies. I remember graduating from high school...how is it that my baby sister graduated this year? How am I getting so stinkin old?

{July}
In July, I uprooted my entire life, packed up my car, threw the dog in the car and with the help of my wonderful mother, moved 1,600 miles from the only home I'd ever known and went to Utah. Best decision ever. Ever. 

Todd and I picked up where we left off in May and continued seeing each other seriously. By the end of July, I was in love and 100% certain I had finally met the man I was going to marry. 

{August}


August was filled with job searching and spending more and more time with Todd. It was a delightful month really. 

{September}


September brought me to my birthday. I turned 23 this year and was so happy I got to spend it with Todd and eat at the deeeelicious cheesecake factory. YUM. 

I also was lucky enough to go home for my birthday and my mom's birthday with Todd. It was so much fun showing him where I grew up, went to college, and introducing him to my family. And going to the Red Wings game was an added plus! 

{October}


October was an even bigger life changing month. We first had the chance to go to General Conference. It was such a blessing. 

And then...Todd popped the question! We were (and still are) ecstatic!!! 

{November}


November brought Thanksgiving and by the grace of God, I got some time off of work and was able to fly home for a few days. It was delightful. 

We also took some time out to go up to Temple Square. So pretty. 

{December}


We got tickets to the Christmas devotional and it was an amazing way to kick off the Christmas season. 

December isn't over yet and there are still so many things that are going to go on in the next few days. Working in retail the last week before Christmas is always an adventure. I'll be going crazy by Thursday for sure. Speaking of Thursday, I have my second dress fitting on Thursday! Excited would be an understatement. Then there's going home, spending Christmas with my family, coming back and then spending New Year's with Todd. 

It's been one heck of a year and I can't wait for what 2012 has in store for me. :)

Almost Christmas!

It's almost Christmas! I'd like it a whole lot better if there was snow on the ground...but alas, there isn't. :( 

Anyways, last night Todd came up for church and then we had a deeeeeeelicious dinner of pork tenderloin, roasted red potatoes, and green beans. I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself. My only regret is not taking any pictures of this wonderful meal! Oh well!

After dinner, we opened our scriptures and read the story of Christ's birth in Matthew, Luke, and 3 Nephi. It was nice to cuddle up on the couch, read the story, and think about how blessed we are to have the Savoir come to atone for our sins. Without this season, this birth, His life, we'd be lost. It's because of this birth that we have the opportunity to celebrate and live eternally. 

After we read our scriptures, we exchanged presents. Since I'm going home on Saturday for Christmas and I'm working nearly every single day until I leave on Saturday, we decided to have our own little Christmas tonight. Hence, the nice dinner, the Christmas story, and the present exchange. 

Afterwards, it looked like Christmas exploded in my living room:

The best present? My lemon tea pot that I pointed out months ago that I liked at the mall. How adorbs?! :) 

I've already had a great start to the Christmas season. We've started new traditions that Todd and I are going to carry into our new family and new life after we're married. I can't wait to go home and be with my family for the rest of the Christmas season. 

What's your favorite part of Christmas?

Winter Fashion via Polyvore

Have you guys discovered Polyvore yet? Because if you haven't, get your stylish booty over there right now! It's like pinterest but for your closet...you can put together entire outfits, accessories and all, together and then share them. GENIUS! 

I was on tonight putting together a few sets because I was bored and feeling fashioney (I don't think fashioney is a word, but lets run with it anyway, okay? kay)

Camel & Cream by jacquelynmarie913 featuring alexander mcqueen scarves

Boots & Cardigan by jacquelynmarie913 featuring knit tops

Can I just tell you how much I am L.O.V.I.N.G. riding boots lately? And by lately, I mean for the last like 2 years. They're just so versatile and go with pretty much anything. I have a black pair of Anne Klein riding boots in my closet and wear them when I'm running errands with leggings and a cardigan or to work with a dress and some tights. I'm not surprised that two of my favorite looks that I was playing around with included some gorgeous brown and gray boots. Those Tory Birch ones? I DIE.

Snowy Day by jacquelynmarie913 featuring a quilted vest

I also have this secret love for puffer vests and Hunter Boots. I hated on the puffer vests for a long time, and I still don't own one. I don't think they look good on me, specifically, BUT I think on the right person (aka my skinny minnie little sister) they look divine. I love Hunter Boots too (another thing I hated on before but after a while they've grown on me). They're great for splashing in puddles around March and May when it's super rainy, but in the winter I think they're great too. If you get those fuzzy wool liners in them...you're set. Now, I just have to find a reason to buy them for myself!

Camel & Red by jacquelynmarie913 featuring kate spade handbags

Is there anything more classic than a trench coat? Make it a Burberry trench and you're set for life. It's one of those 'basics' that I think everyone should have in their closet. I'm also a sucker for nude heels. Nude anything really...I think it's so versatile (that word keeps popping up. I really like pieces that can transition easily and be used for a lot of different occasions). And adding a pop of bright color to an otherwise neutral outfit? Flawless.

green & gold holiday by jacquelynmarie913 featuring dkny tights

Part of the fun of Christmas is getting to dress up. I don't usually have occasions to go that fancy, but that doesn't mean a girl can't dream right?! I adore the green and black combo above and adding the black tights, shrug, and gorgeous Louboutain's...perfection. Just perfection. 


To see the rest of my polyvore sets go here. And leave a comment if you've found the wonders of polyvore. I need some more people to follow! 


So. Tell me. 
What's your winter wardrobe must have? 

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

(Todd...you have the better version of this picture...I know you're reading this! Send me that picture! please. :) love you!)

I'm not really sure how this keeps happening, but I keep getting lucky. First, we got last minute tickets to General Conference in October and then we got tickets to the First Presidency Devotional (you can watch the whole thing here) that was last weekend. But I'm not complaining. :) 

Every time I go downtown and just sit in the presence of this Temple is so overwhelming. It's one of those places that no matter what, you can always feel the spirit. And the Christmas lights make it even more amazing. 

Anyways, the devotional was exactly what I needed to really get me into the Christmas spirit. President Monson talked about how we need to not forget the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus the Christ and not to let it turn into a commercialized holiday. I've made an effort to do that this year. The reason we get to celebrate is because Christ chose to come to earth, knowing he'd have to die for all of us. THAT is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Festival of Trees

Fudge Bar? Count me in! 

Warm carmel + apples = a very happy Jacky (even if I did eat most of them and didn't share with Todd. oopsie) 

I have a quilt that has these exact same girls. It was my dad's baby blanket and I have it now. It's my favorite. 

It's no secret that I adore Christmas. I love it. I love the lights, the trees, the food, the time I get to spend with my family and most of all, I love that it reminds me that Christ was born to save me. He was born to save you too. He was born to save everyone that came before him, were there with him, and were to come after him. THAT is the true meaning of Christmas. 

But, I digress. This weekend was the 41st Annual Festival of Trees. This event is done every year to benefit Primary Children's hospital here in Salt Lake. Every single penny raised during the three days that this event goes on goes straight to help the hospital. Pretty cool, right? Right. 

I wasn't sure if we'd be able to go because I've been working a lot of evening shifts but someone needed their morning shift covered today so I switched and got to go! After ridiculous traffic issues and walking about 10,000 miles (okay, maybe it was like not even .25 miles. It might have actually been just across the street...shhh) in the bitter cold, we finally got there. 

It. Was. Packed. 

But, it was fun too. 

They not only had Christmas Trees (like 10,000 of them) that were all amazingly decorated, they had wreaths, quilts, and a bunch of other cool Christmas themed things. The Tangled gingerbread house was pretty cool. So was the UP! tree. 

If you missed it this year, you should totally try to make it down there next year! It's one of those cool Utah events that make me love this place even more.