Happy Halloween!

From the mischievous Mad Hatter!!!

This was Seth's costume from last year. I spent hours and hours... and hours making it. Over weeks. Then we didn't get much use out of it. 

So today, Seth decided he wanted to revisit it, because it's his favorite costume I've made so far. And he's hoping to win the costume contest at work. Good luck babe!

He gets really into the Mad Hatter character. It's awesome. You can see more details of our Alice in Wonderland costumes last year here.

This year, we made costumes for a Halloween party thrown by my aunt and uncle. The week before the party, we stayed up really late one night, and I decided we needed to brainstorm what to be. Late night decisions... no good. This is what we ended up with.

We were Astrid and Hiccup from How To Train Your Dragon. I do think they turned out pretty well for homemade costumes, but they didn't have the impact I imagined they would at 2 am.

My two little cousins dressed up as characters from the same movie! Astrid and the fire dragon.

My crazy family. I helped my sister with her sock monkey head before the party. It turned out awesome.

My whole crazy family.

So the How To Train Your Dragon costumes had a good run, but for Halloween, we weren't quite feeling it. So Seth chose his favorite costume again. As for me... well I get out of class at 6:30. We'll see what I can come up with from what I have around my house before our 7:00 party. Wish me luck! And...

Happy Halloween!!!

*amber*

The Awful Waffle

The title may be misleading... so keep reading!

Friday evening, we walked about a block away from our house to this little red building. I walk past it on my way to and from campus every day, and it always smells so inciting. Running out of this little house is The Awful Waffle, a Belgian waffle and crepe shop. I wrote the story about their grand opening for our University paper this summer, so you can see a few more fun details about the beginnings of The Awful Waffle here. 

{disclaimer: we were given a free meal for review from the awful waffle}

If you've never had a true Belgian waffle, you should. Now. They're nothing like the slightly-thicker-but-still-just-a-waffle waffles you get at hotels. Seth's best friend served a two year mission for our church in Belgium, so he introduced us. And it has been a beautiful relationship. Belgian waffles are thicker, denser, and sweeter because of the sugar pearls baked into them.

The Belgian waffles at The Awful Waffle are a little different than the ones we tried before. We had some that were mean to be eaten by hand from a street cart. Sort of like a churro. But not. These waffles are more moist and meant to be eaten with toppings and a fork. We found out that is because they are from two different regions of Belgium. Those at The Awful Waffle are from Brussels, were the owners studied and got the centuries old recipe. I can't say which version I like better, but I can say, this sweet little dinner totally hit the spot after a long long... long week.

Seth ordered a Belgian waffle American style (cinnamon, sugar, butter) with strawberries and homemade whipped cream.

Mmm... their whipped cream is delish. But they're very dense and sweet. So make sure you get a tall glass of cold milk!

First bite.

Chewing thoughtfully. 

I asked him what he thought. All I got was this face. I think that's a good thing.

I ordered a Belgian waffle Belg style. I've wanted to try this for a while now, but, honestly, every time I go, I pretty much stick with nutella and strawberries. But since we were getting a free meal, I figured I'd branch out! The Belg style waffle has lemon juice and sugar on it. It sounded interesting... and I was pleasantly surprised! The lemon is really subtle, but allows you to taste the sweetness and flavor of the waffle. Nutella usually overpowers that. 

I also ordered some blackberries on the side. They were amazing with the lemon. Not quite as sweet and juicy as when they're in season, but I think it's a good combo. I'll be back for this combination in the Summer.

The sun was shining on a crisp Fall afternoon, I had survived another crazy week, and I was eating pure, sweet, goodness for dinner. What could be better? 

Thank you to The Awful Waffle, and we'll probably be back soon! It is only a block away...

*amber*

Colorful Costumes

Halloween is just days away people! If you haven't figured out a costume yet, here is some inspiration for three costumes that would be easy to pull off, but are awesome. And they are all bright and colorful. I wish I'd thought of them before we committed to our costumes. Advice: don't choose your Halloween costume in the middle of the night. Or any important decision for that matter. And this is important.

1. Frida Kahlo

This visonary artist was so unique, and I am a huge fan of her work.

First, layer lots of statement jewelry, maxi dresses or skirts, blouses, scarfs, or anything else with a bright bold pattern.

Next, fill in Frida's iconic unibrow. Put your hair in heidi braids and pin in tissue paper or silk flowers. Finally, a red lip.

You can even add elements of Dia De Los Muertos if you want, as this theme appears in several of her paintings. It's a fun way to make it more spooky.

2. Pinata

What a clever idea! Very colorful and festive.

{via}

The materials are things you may already have in your house.  

And you can finish it off by covering two party hats with fringed party streamers. I love it.

3. Pop Art

Wow. You may need to play with the makeup for a while, but the results are amazing.

Makeup by MAC.

I mean, seriously?? She looks just like she jumped out of the pages of a comic book.

It's truly amazing what you can do with a little bit of color.

Any other fun, colorful ideas for Halloween? If any of you try one of these ideas, or have another great costume idea, please sent pictures. I would love to see!

*amber*

Cuddle Bug

I have had almost no time to blog lately. I miss it. But I am going-out-of-my-mind-busy. Now, it's 10:00pm and all I want is to fall into bed and get my cuddle on. I'm the biggest cuddle bug ever. Nothing sounds better right now.

Seriously though, isn't cuddling the best? Cue tender music and cuddle-themed montage...

Awww... how precious.

Also, this is totally us.

Yup!

Goodnight.

*amber*

Caramel Apples and Weekend Happenings

This weekend was a beautiful flurry of events. First up, Friday, October 21st, was National Caramel Apple Day. Didn't know that? Me neither. I Googled it beforehand to see if there was one. So in honor of this wonderful holiday (but mainly just because I wanted to), we made a batch of delicious caramel apples!

Clockwise from top: 

Cookies and Cream: caramel, white chocolate, crushed Oreos

Almond Joy: caramel, milk chocolate, coconut, almonds

Chocolate Turtle: caramel, milk chocolate, pecans

Apple Pie A La Mode: caramel, white chocolate, cinnamon sugar

"English Gentleman": caramel, milk chocolate, almonds, english toffee

"Garbage": mix of leftover ingredients

Mmm... they were SO good! I even ate one for breakfast this morning.

For Friday's date night, we had a relaxing night in. I was craving Olive Garden, but just wanted to lounge around in sweats, so I got creative and recreated one of my favorite dishes. Pear Gorgonzola Ravioli. 

We had some bosc pears that needed to be used so I whipped up a sauce of butter, ricotta, white wine vinegar, rosemary, gorgonzola, and pecans and threw the pears in to cook. Then I poured that over little ravioli and drizzled it with a basalmic-sugar glaze. Mmmm... It was so good, and really quick! This may be my new go-to Friday night dinner. Except next time, I'll probably add in mushrooms.

Sunday was exactly one year from the day my dad passed away. The weekend was unexpectedly emotional, but full of good memories and contemplating eternity.

Sunday afternoon, we took a drive through Little Cottonwood Canyon. I used to take Sunday drives up the canyon when I was younger, so it is one of my favorite getaways. The sun was shining and brightly colored leaves were drifting to the ground all around us. Breathtaking.

Unfortunately, I forgot to grab my camera, and we didn't have much gas. So our trip was short, and no pictures. These were snapped earlier in the week in Provo Canyon. They are not nearly as beautiful as what we experienced Sunday. But they do have some pretty colors.

Hopefully we'll find some time to capture some pictures of the leaves this week before they all fall. I absolutely love this time of year...

Also, I finally got around to trying newsprint nails!

Ignore the band aid. There was... an incident with the glue gun.

They were a little tricky and some turned out better than others. I would recommend experimenting a bit to make the newsprint more even. Overall, though, I am happy with the results. And Seth told me he likes when I experiment with my nails. Haha, well why didn't you say so? Next time you say I'm taking too long on my nails... ;)

I did the print over my favorite shade of Revlon Jaded. I can't get enough of this color.

Finally, we ended the night watching fun Halloween movies like Corpse Bride. Halloween is in one week people! What are your plans? And what I'm REALLY interested in, what are you dressing up as?

*amber*

A Year

One year has passed so quickly. It really feels like it can't have been that long. The initial shock and feelings are still just as strong. I think I expected things to get easier. That I'd get used to things as they now are. But I don't think I'll every be used to your absence. There will always be a hole that can't be filled. 

However, I feel so lucky to know about the huge blessing and promise that I will see you again. At some day, that is probably a lot closer than I feel, we will be together and I won't have to say goodbye again. 

Thank you for being a great example and the best father for me. I hope I learned everything I could have learned from you so I can pass those things on to my children. Not a day goes by without thinking of you, and I will still do my best to make you proud.

*your little girl*

Hermanas

This is one of my dearest friends Jessica. She was my roommate, and later bridesmaid. She was recently called on a mission for our church to Oakland, CA. She will be speaking Espanol and she will be la bamba. Seriously. I am so excited for her. I always thought I would serve a mission, but then Seth showed up. Apparently the Lord had different plans for me ;)

Yesterday, Jessica and Averyl, my other great friend, slash roommate, slash bridesmaid, slash soul sista (you get it...) came over to hang out. One last time. So sad.

I will miss this girl so much.

Averyl kept making us laugh. She always does.

And laughing turned into a dance party??

Then things really started getting crazy...

See what I mean?! This actually epitomized their personalities. Now you know why I love them.

We wrote CTR raps, had a dominant quote wall, had plenty of creepy boy experiences, made awesome pizza and fondue, rewrote Taylor Swift songs, had emotional meltdowns, I listened to their constant witty banter, helped each other procrastinate during finals, and had a thousand other unforgettable experiences living together for a year. As roommates, we got really close and I grew to love them like sisters. They were a great influence on me, and will always be two of my dearest friends.

Good luck Hermana Croft! You will rock the socks off Oakland. I can't wait to see you again in a year and a half!

*amber*