Thankful.

For this boy...

{We get to talk to him Sunday}

And this woman...

{who puts her heart and soul into being the best mom she can be}

Best Mothers Day.

♥

Quick facts, quick post.

Fact: I met Monica S. from The Bachelor last night (Ben's season). 

Sweetest girl EVER. We chatted for about fifteen minutes and by the end I felt like we should exchange numbers and be friends. So we did...not (would have been cool though, right?). She said her and Casey B. fly out to see each other every two weeks. Precious!

Fact: Never flush a tampon down the toilet.
or else your (crazy) landlord will make you pay $90 to fix it. Moving right along...

Fact: Carrie Underwood has an awesome new cd
It's about time! Concert in October? Done. I will be there.

Fact: Utah Jazz lost every single game in the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs
Slightly disappointed because I LOVE The Jazz. But my family, friends and myself had a blast this season! There is always next year, right?

Fact: Commuting sucks

Yep. Over it. 

I swear my life is in danger every day I drive to work and heaven only knows when I will get in another car accident (Oh yeah, and I hit a pole last week #awesome). 

Things I've learned? Always have a munchie. Always have water. Always have good music. And always have a book in case it takes you 3.5 hours to get to work (instead of 45 minutes) and you are at a dead hault on the freeway. Hey, it happens. 

Fact: My brother hit his one year mark on his mission. 

One year down, one to go. Seriously this kid makes me happy. I can't wait to chat with him on Mother's Day!

♥

Guess who's back...

It's almost been three months since I decided to take a blog break. And a break was exactly what I needed. Truthfully, about a month ago I thought I wouldn't ever come back. I realized though, that not blogging was keeping me in touch with far away family and friends. They deserve the 411. So here I am!

Can't promise I'll stay for good, still undecided. 

But what I can promise is that these past few months, I have been one happy (and beyond busy) girl. 2012 has been such a fun year, I can't wait to see what the rest brings. I got an awesome promotion at work (love it), traveled to Washington, may have dated a boy or two (yes, it's true), was a bridesmaid in my sister's perfect wedding and well, the list goes on...

{more pics here}

What I love about life right now is everyday is SO different. Besides being so busy with work (not to mention I now commute), my friends and I are constantly always up to something (good and/or maybe a little mischievous). These girls rock my world and make me want to be a better person each and everyday.

I'm also grateful for my family being near by. My parents are here in Utah more than they are not, it's awesome! Recently they were here because my newlywed sister has been having some serious health scares. Fortunately she is doing better now but hey, I always love a good home cooked meal or two :)

{Yes, we had a cardboard cutout of my missionary brother}

Oh and lets not forget about the awesome weather Utah is having. I plan to soak up those bright yellow rays everyday this week. Utah has really grown on me and I am SO happy I made the decision to move here over a year ago! #Timeflies.

Happy to be back.

♥

Job, Sundance, Jazz Games

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be."

-Douglas Adams

Since New Years my life has been a whirlwind, but a good one. I moved in with a great group of girls. Went to the Sundance Film Festival. I've sat VIP at four or so Jazz games (more below), my Mom made a surprise visit to Utah AND I got a promotion at work!

Since the announcing of the Orem store closing, I kept saying that my number one choice for a new position would be to manage at a Salt Lake store. And guess what? I applied, interviewed and got the position I wanted! I am on my knees every night thanking the man upstairs because I know that a lot of other qualified candidates applied. It is a pretty coveted position and I couldn't be more thrilled! It's crazy that just a year and a half ago I moved home to just "get a job" and save money. And now I am still with the company and beginning to make a career out it! I am so grateful I got my degree and know that when the time is right, I will teach. But for now I love my job and am not going anywhere soon, I'm just getting started!

Enough about work, now time for play. This was my first year hitting up the Sundance Film Festival. Some friends and I saw Estelle (who sings "American Boy" with Kanye West) and Mary J Blige in concert. Estelle rocked it! Afterwards we just walked main street in Park City. So fun!

Not only have I hit up Park City a time or two this year, I've been to several Jazz games, rockin VIP status! I can't give myself any credit for the VIP tickets that I scored because my FBIL (future brother in law) is related (Aunt twice removed, nieces, grandpa...or something like that haha) to the owner of NuSkin (Jazz sponsor). Most games that I have been to, we have just sat behind the visiting team's bench, which has been awesome! 

{J.Johnson #2 all up in our grill..mmmmm baby}

This past week, I went with some friends to the Jazz game and we sat in the nosebleeds. 

It was so fun, but games are not the same when you are a mile away from the court! 

So thanks to my FBIL, it's now court side or bust, thanks to Scotty!

♥

Bye Bye Blog World, Taking A Break

Dear Friends,

This may come as a shock to some, but the time has come for this blogger to pull the plug for a while. Maybe it will be a month, maybe a year or it may be permanent (or private)...that's something I haven't quite decided. There are a lot of things factoring into this decision. Balance in life. Focusing on other things. Not feeling the pressure of blogging.

Not only that, it has come to my attention that my blog (and life) may have become a little too public. I am grateful for my close family and friends who support and have encouraged me in making this decision (you know who you are!).

I look to the future with excitement knowing that I have other little hobbies to occupy my time (pinterest projects, say whaaat!). Blogging had its run and I grateful for the opportunity I have had to "get to know" some of you and know that there are several I will keep in contact with.

Thanks again for a good time!

Love you all,

Stephanie

J.Crew 2012, Runway

Sometimes I refuse to step foot in J.Crew, simply because I want to take everything home with me (without taking the high credit card bill too). Thank goodness there is a J.Crew outlet just a short drive away in Park City (bachelor location for next week, say whhaaatt!), so I can feel like I can drop some dough without feeling so guilty!

I was recently checking out their runway collection for 2012 and DROOLED! First thought? "Great, I want it all."
Here are some of my favorite pieces from the collection and some trends for Spring 2012:

{all images found HERE}

I love the stripes.
I love all the preppy.
I love all the chambray.
I love the pops of bright colors.
And of course, I love all the pops of leopard!

Maybe I need to cash out my penny collection at Coin Star OR I need to rob a bank,

 because I'm pretty sure my expensive taste for J.Crew isn't going anywhere...

  ♥

Blonde Again, Bedroom Pics

First things first, I'm Blonde again.

Blondes are meant to stay blonde. 

End of story.

Moving right along: my bedroom is slowly (and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y) coming together. 

Between work, socializing, the gym (err, yeah) and running errands, I've been tortoise slow getting unpacked. 

Here is a little look at (some) finished parts:

And then some not-so-finished parts:

Organizing this thing is going to be a constant work in progress. 

All my clothes mostly end up on the ground, it's awesome.

Think I'll just get a rolling rack (like my sister) and we'll call it good. Capiche?

Yep, Capiche. 


Happy Monday!

AND THE GIVEAWAY WINNER is...

This post is going to be short and sweet! Why?

My camera cord (for birthday pictures) is at the bottom of one of these lovely boxes stacked in my room.

And which box is that? I'm not exactly sure....

The problem with growing up is I accumulate so much stuff that it takes forever to unpack. 

I cannot even imagine moving an entire family. I admire those families that move often!

(It would probably help if I labeled my boxes better)

Anyway, you ready for the Giveaway winner?

The Vintage WannaBee's Giveaway winner is......

is Holly @ Live, Laugh, Love...and everything in the middle!!

The finniest part about her winning? 

Before I clicked "generate" I thought "Wouldn't that be crazy is Holly won? " 

(her daughter and I have the same birthday)

So I clicked "generate." Counted up 15 comments and there was HOLLY! 

Crazy! Congrats Holly, email me your info girl :)

StephanieandSuch@gmail.com

It's a BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!!

So you might have heard but...it's my 24th Birthday today

Ahhh, how did this happen!? Where has time gone??

Anyway, what better way to celebrate my birthday than share it with you?!

Well, Nichelle over at The Vintage WannaBee has the cutest blog ever. 

As well as the cutest shop ever (I don't just say this about anybody!)

And today she is giving one lucky reader a $25 credit to shop with her!! 

How cute are all of these things from her shop??

^ Personal Fave ^

Everything is so cute, it's hard to pick just one!

Check out more of Nichelle's Shop here.

So whether it's for you or a gift, you can't miss out on this giveaway!!

Here's the scoop:

Giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian bloggers only

Giveaway is open from now until Wednesday, January 11th @midnight PST

How to enter for The Vintage WannaBee's $25 shop credit:

Follow me, Stephanie & Such, via google friend connect (aka public follower) 

and leave me a comment sharing which item you love most from The Vintage WannaBee's Shop! [+1 entry & mandatory]

For FOUR additional entries:

• [+1 entry] Like Stephanie & Such on Facebook
• [+1 entry] Like The Vintage WannaBee on Facebook
• [+1 entry] Follow The Vintage WannaBee's blog (seriously so cute)
• [+1 entry] Tweet about this giveaway and tell your friends!! Pretty please :)

Winner will be announced THURSDAY morning on Stephanie & Such! 

FIVE ways to win?? You got this :)

Best of luck friends!

Things Learned While Moving (so far)...

I say "so far" because I may have moved, but I still have a long ways to go.

 Clean the old place? Organize the new? Sleep and work in between?

As you know, moving is quite the process and I am happy to be on the downslope now! 

So a few things I've learned while moving?

THING #1

Hands down, best Soy Sauce on the planet. Right?

However, after I had to clean scrub (and scrub) this stuff (for over an hour) from top to 

bottom of the fridge, I am now rethinking Soy Sauce choices allowed in the apartment.

Because it was h-e-double-hockey-stick geting that fridge pearly white again.

^not-so (and sweaty) happy face afterward^

THING #2

Who knew going from a Queen to a Twin (I know, I know) would be such an easy transition? 

Memory Foam Mattress Pad + Memory Foam Pillow + Heated Blanket = HEAVEN.
I'll admit, I was not too thrilled to downsize at first. However, I am surprised how much I like it!

AND THING #3

There is always (ALWAYS) room for an (early) birthday party or two. Cake? I'm there!

(^2-year old niece had a pre-celebration finger testing^)

Did the cakes give it away that in my family, I am known as Stephie? Love it.

And (sometimes) when family members do call me by my full name, I feel like I am in trouble! Weird?

Do you ever feel that way when it comes to nicknames??

PS my Mom & friends were on The Farm Chicks blog today! Ahh, can't wait for June now!
Are you from Washington? Don't know what Farm Chicks is? Click here.

Come back tomorrow (MY BIRTHDAY:) 

for a fun giveaway that you won't want to miss!!

♥

It's Moving Week, Early Birthday Gift

A lot has happened with my in-limbo-where-should-I-move part of life in the last few weeks. 

It's finally figured out (insert gasp here), housing contract is signed and now it's moving week!

The scoop? I'm not moving to a new city or to the cabin (let alone a new zip code). But I am moving. 

I'm moving to the very first place I talked about, which we shall call "Operation: Closet Space."

Despite the closet space challenging my Tetris skills, I am so excited to get this show on the road!

And I adore the girls I will be living with. Huge plus.

Anyway, the other day my Mom asks me, "What do you want for your birthday?" 

My immediate response was, "Money for this watch I've been eyeing." 

Her response? "Done." Wow. How easy and awesome was that?!

{MK Runway Oversized Watch}

However, the practical-adult-side-of-me came out (aka guilty conscious here) and realized that the watch is beautiful but certainly is a want, not a need (maybe tax return time?). And what I need is new shelving for my room.
Plus, I already have the rose gold one (in picture below) But can you see where this is going??
Oh, the joys of growing up.

So the parents, who happen to be in town, (convienvent for moving week, right?) and myself made a quick Ikea trip. 

If you've never been to Ikea you need to change that. Ikea is the Costco of home goods! 

{I swear I don't wear that scarf everyday}

So here's to 24. Growing up. And decorating.

Now I'm ready to get unpacked and organized!

And no worries, pictures to come.

If you need me, I will likely be hauling bins, boxes, (and lots of other crap) up three flights of stairs for the next while. Someday when I am rich and famous, I'll hire movers to move me while I lay by the pool.
Until then, that's what Dad's are for ;) 

And my Birthday is Tuesday, January 10th, so feel free to send me something! Kidding.

But I will tell you that there will be an awesome giveaway on my birthday, mark your calendars!

♥