Europe snaps.

Bonjourno! I'm back from Europe and still suffering from the vacation

blue's where I was wishing I was walking cobble stone streets with gelato in one

hand and snapping pics away with the other...but back to the grind it is.

Work hard to play hard I say. I need to organize all of my photo's and get

them posted, but in the meantime here are some 

instagram photo's from my trip if you want to take a look.

Spring wish list...

Here are a few things on the web I've been eying for the upcoming 

spring and summer seasons {clockwise}.

1. J.Crew tee

2. Karen Walker Number One sunglasses

3. Old Navy white jeans

4. Forever 21 Espadrilla sandals

Easter weekend

I was so happy to be home this Easter.
Last year was wonderful, but I was in L.A. visiting with a friend.
I missed having our annual family traditions that we've done year after year
with loads of food, Easter egg hunts with the kids,
and pictures of all the ladies and men by the ol' tree. 

 ^^Kicked the weekend off by decorating sugar cookies with these cute nieces and nephews of mine.

^^As you can see minimalism was not their theme...

As of late...

Well looks like we made it through the winter and I didn't go too crazy
{thank you seasonal depression} which in my book is an accomplishment!
I just love this time of year, I can smell fresh air, and bbq's starting
to fire up, crickets start their singing and there's just excitement in the air.

Above are some snippets of life lately. I've been adjusting to the new job
which is never my favorite, getting ready for my European adventure with my family
and trying to focus on a healthier me, even quitting Diet Coke...little miracle for me!


1&2 Lunch breaks with co-workers perusing old book stores/Girls night out with my mom and sister-in-laws at one of my new favorite places, The Wild Zucchini Grill
3&4 It's been mostly awesome weather & blue skies this spring/Tried a healthy shake
at Ivie Juice bar that contained {almond milk, banana, avocado, natural pb, protein & almonds}
5&6 Spending time with my sassy niece/Blossoms in DT Provo
7&8 Last weekend I wore summer dresses all weekend{heaven!}/An early lunch at Communal meant I got some peace and quiet

Banana Ice-Cream?

I've been trying to cut out some of the sugar intake in my life, 

it was a little out of control and I realized it was time to hone it in.

So I've been trying to find healthier treats that aren't chuck full of sugar

and other ingredients I can't even pretend to pronounce.

I've been seeing the one ingredient ice-cream all over social media, using 

bananas. You simply freeze ripe banana's and then using your food processor 

make them smooth and creamy and since they're frozen it has the consistency of ice-cream...

genius!

While reading Cup of Jo, I saw that she had a bunch of variations on there

from adding nutella to peanut butter, to orange juice and strawberries. 

I think you can get as creative as you want to get with this idea 

and have some fun and tasty variations.

Here's the link to her website with all the variations and the recipe on

how to make the one ingredient ice-cream.

European Fever

 

The last time I was in Europe was eight years ago, crazy how time flies!

My family is headed to Italy and Spain to see family and friends this May, 

to say I'm thrilled is an understatement! I've been to both places before

but never with family and never to see the quaint village in northern 

Italy that my grandfather comes from. 

We will be traveling all over Italy and in northern and southern Spain, 

so it'll be an intense couple of weeks. I've been dreaming of sunshine, 

Mediterranean coasts and of course...gelato!

If anyone has any great tips or places to eat in the following areas please oh please

let me know (insider tips are the ones I treasure).

Italy: Milan, Venice, Genova, Portofino, Cinque Terre, & Rome

 Spain: Bilbao, San Sebastian, Seville, Cadiz, & Malaga

 

**All images via pinterest.

Snowshoeing up Tibble Fork

 While the east coast has been mercilessly dumped on with snow, 

we here in the west have had such a warm winter. I'm talking 50's and 60's!

When I went snowshoeing with a friend a few weeks back 

we weren't sure my favorite spot would have snow.

Luckily it was high enough in the mountains that it had snow 

and were able to snowshoe. 

Snowshoeing is my jam. I'm terribly

afraid of heights and fast speed, so skiing just makes me

want to curl in the fetal position and cry...

perhaps someday I'll tackle that fear but for now snowshoeing it is.

 ^^The most beautiful sunset greeted us on our way back to our cars.