More breakfast, please.

Our family has a thing for breakfast. A real thing for breakfast.

Not only did I marry a man that likes to eat breakfast, but I married a man that likes to cook breakfast too. Luckily, this has rubbed off on my kids and most weekends I don't even lift a finger in the kitchen before noon. (Except for maybe the clean up part)

My 13 year old has talked on occasion about how fun it would be to open a breakfast-all-day sort of cafe. He's been a master in the kitchen for as long as he could stand on a chair next to me and is even regularly bringing us weekend surprises like crepes, muffins, and a family tradition we call 'tomato eggs' - something that really needs more recognition than it's getting within the walls of our home. (We'll save that for another day)

Yeah, I really can't complain.

So, as you can imagine, as lovers of breakfast, we're also breakfast connoisseurs. In all reality, if I'm going to take my family out to eat, I'm partial to doing that first thing on a Saturday morning. There's something romantic and indulgent about going out to breakfast don't you think? 

Needless to say, we're fairly familiar to what's available in our area, when it comes to the breakfast scene, so when anything new pops up, our 'breakfast sensors' have our interest peaked.

This past summer we met Old Towne Grill at the Taste of the Valley event at the Provo Riverwoods. (Quick note - if you haven't attended this in the past - be my date next year, okay?) I was drawn there because a friend of mine mentioned on Facebook that he was working there as a chef on the weekends. It just so happens, Old Towne Grill won "Best Taste of the Valley" even though they'd only been open a few days after their appearance at the event.

Don't you want to give these guys a high-five?

We indulged in the sliders they had available and stuck their restaurant on our list of places to visit regularly.

After a handful of experiences there, we learned that they were going to start opening for breakfast on Saturdays.

Sold. We were sold.

Did I mention the Orange-Infused French Toast and Chocolate Chip Pancakes, as much as you can possibly eat, for $5.99!

Don't take my word for it. 

Want to win BREAKFAST for TWO, courtesy of Old Towne Grill in Provo? Simply enter below:



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La Nay Ferme, Farming to Make a Difference

I have a sincere fascination with people that live their passions. I'm not ashamed to admit my love affair with reality television, but I will say, it's mostly because of the opportunity to consume and be made aware of so many unique and unusual causes, interests, and ways people are out there making a living. I'm drawn to people who swallow their fears, take the risks, and figure out ways to create something meaningful for themselves and shift their passions into their livelihoods and often times in turn, enhance the world around them. Last summer I was lucky enough to be invited to a Farm to Table Dinner at a local farm here in Utah County. It looked a little something like this:




I don't know about you, but I know a lot of entrepreneurs. I regularly interact with a stream of people that are proactive, hard working, and have great vision. I hear about concepts, product ideas, and plans that seem promising and rewarding YET, I have not ever met one single person that ever mentioned their desire to be a farmer. I met Le Nay Ferme Founder, Clinton Felsted, at the dinner I attended last year. He was obviously passionate about what he was doing and his interest in it's success was contagious. Their mission is simple:
I love how simply their mission is laid out. La Nay Ferme has a goal to provide something unique and wonderful for Utah County. I've always known farming was a labor of love, I just never honestly considered it a labor of love for the modern time. Perhaps I've lived too long it cities, perhaps I've spent too few hours at the Farmer's Markets, or perhaps I just haven't had the pleasure of spending time with anyone so dedicated to making a difference in this way. If you're not already converted, just watch beautifully made representation of their goal:



There's something truly romantic to me about the thought of purchasing produce directly from the source. I love knowing that the values the farmers hold dear, are similar to my own and that the care taken would be similar to my own as well. If this overview has peaked your interest, like I'm truly hoping it has, there are several ways to get involved with the amazing folks at La Nay Ferme. 

You can start by becoming a member of their CSA, or community-shared agriculture program. Doing this provides you an opportunity to purchase their produce on a 12 week, 4 week, or even a weekly basis. If that commitment is a struggle for you, or if you just want a peek into what's available from the farm, you can even consider purchasing from their on-site Market. 

You may also want to consider taking a tour of the farm. The beauty of the scenery is unmatched and it's inspiring to see first hand the work and care being put into this project. Not to mention the fun promotion you can partake in if you get over there this month.



Additionally, keep an eye on their Farm to Table Dinner schedule. It's nothing like you've ever done and something you'll want to do as soon as the weather warms up. 

So, wanna win a weekly share? Yes, yes you do.

Enter via the myriad of options below. Winner will be awarded one week's share from the La Nay Ferme CSA program, valued at $29.87!

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I'm a troublemaker.

I don't like rules.

Happy Valentine's Day!

My patient and typically very private husband really handles my social media driven life with ease and understanding. This year, I made him the Valentine you see below. It's true, you know. I do love him more than social media. 

After I shared it with some of my friends, they asked for the 2nd version. 

Spread the love, right? 

Happy Valentine's Week!

I love people.

I love people. I truly do.

I stand behind my position that we all have something to learn from each other.

I came across this video today online and it speaks to my heart. Watch it, you'll love it too.

Don't Give in to Shame.

I'm going a little deep with this post. Far deeper than is typical or maybe even necessary, but here I go nonetheless. My apologies in advance.

Recently when traveling between Utah and Salt Lake counties the alternative radio station I was listening to, slowly evolved from a Weezer song into an Evangelical Christian sermon. I didn't even notice at first, as my mind was wandering on to other things, but a simple quote struck me quite plainly into realization that my entertainment had changed. To my disappointment, I cannot recall the wording, but the quote was about shame, and it's effect on our perceptions of our own self worth - and it's negative impact on motivation.

I hadn't really every thought about shame before. Have you?

Shame is literally defined as a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. 

I can admit here that I don't really face shame as result of guilt... and if we're being frank, I don't really face it as a result of impropriety either. So, use those wonderous powers of deduction and figure out where my struggle lies.

My heart sank a bit, if we're being honest here, as I realized for the first time that I was dealing with feelings of shame. This realization coupled with a realization that I'm not really as strong and independent as I'd like to envision myself, has had me in some sort of unsettled state ever since. Honestly? I was mad. 

There are several factors in my life that impact these feelings of "not being enough". Some are self-inflicted, some are not. Some I can control, some I should be able to control better.

I'm not trying to be dramatic here, but it's something I think we can all help each other with. Here's my advice.

The internet is a magical thing and unless you and I don't know each other in the slightest, you know that I have a deep love for social media. But you know what else? Social media platforms make it pretty dang easy to compare yourself to other people. You can see 'likes' and 'fans' and 'connections' all on top of photos of happy glittery times, fancy foods, new purchases, new jobs, elaborate soirees, fun-packed weekends, and so so so much more. 

Have you ever had this thought?

It seems everyone you know is doing something cooler than you.

Here's piece of unsolicited advice, #1. Remember that people are typically only posting highlights via their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. Consider the information you see there to be like "first date" information. It seems all glowing - but no one's life is without trial and tribulation. 

Unsolicited Advice #2. Maybe you don't deal with shame, but likely someone you interact with does. Don't constantly mention that your house is too small - maybe theirs is smaller. Don't repeatedly verbalize that you think you're fat - especially if you're not - because they'll feel three times as fat as you. You get the idea where this is going.

Unsolicited Advice #3. Do whatever you need to do to cut yourself some slack. Other peoples' words (and actions)- especially those close to you - can so intensely impact our feelings of self worth that if they're causing those feelings to lessen, a reality check is needed. It's pretty easy to feel inadequate these days, and the people that are out there causing those feelings to intensify are simply, just miserable people. Don't let them win.

Unsolicited Advice #4. Inevitably there are going to be things you're naturally good at and inevitably some of your friends and family will not have those same strengths. Just because it's easy for you, doesn't mean it's easy for everyone. Perhaps something that seems so simple to you is someone else's biggest life challenge. Be patient. Be supportive. Be appreciative. Be kind. Notice other people's talents and let them know that you do. 

I got some amazing advice from my oldest sister right before I started my freshman year of college. In summary she said, "Now that you're an adult there is no more single path to follow."

All I'm asking for with this post is that you succeed - the way you're supposed to.... not the way everyone else is. 

Shame is sometimes used as a motivator but I attest to you that it is not. Shame damages, sometimes irreparably. Don't spread it and don't succumb to it, and most importantly don't let it overshadow your amazing-ness. Because, well... you know, you're amazing. 

Glamourfied.

The year I turned 16 my mom organized a surprise Sweet 16 party for me. Because we lived on the border of Virginia and North Carolina, I had friends in both states, and in order to get everyone to the party venue but keep me out of the picture, my lovely mother needed to have me somewhere else.

My mom, bless her heart, set up an appointment to do Glamour Shots. Yes, you read that right.

Reflecting on my teenage years, I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a tomboy, but I most certainly wasn't girly. I didn't love fixing my hair or doing my makeup - nor was I good at either - and did what I could to pull off the 'hippie' vibe a lot of the time. Honestly? I was mortified at the thought of a Glamour Shot, but went through with it anyway.

Here's 'normal' 16 year old me:

Here's Glamour Shot Lindsey.

I'm glad you can't decipher the PINK PINK lipstick from the black and white nature of the photo. Don't I look thrilled?

Once the shots were taken I headed home and my mom made up an excuse as to why we had to swing by the clubhouse in our neighborhood. Little did I know that I was walking into a room filled with friends. It was awesome - don't get me wrong - but I was still "glamourfied" and I was totally embarrassed to be seen by practically everyone I knew.

Why do I tell you this whole story? Great question.

Ironically, 16 years after my first experience with a makeup/hair/photoshoot, I was talked into another.

My good friend Melody had recently taken shots with her friend Nikra, who had done her hair, makeup, and photo shoot - and her pictures were amazing.

Granted, I will never be as hot as Miss Melody (as my kids call her) but I figured it was worth a shot.

Here was one of my results:

Yeah, I know, I know - I don't *really* look like this in real life- but it's a true testament to Nikra's amazing abilities.

So, mostly I wanted to introduce you to Nikra, seen below. After one summer working for MAC, she discovered her passion for beauty. She's completed several courses on makeup and hair for television and film, not to mention the time she dedicates to studying Civil Engineering at BYU.

She has a great website and a fun Facebook page with tons of before and after photos, as well as great beauty tips.

Recently, I convinced my hot friend Jill Kaufusi (of Square Native) into a photoshoot so I could photograph some of the process and to feature a giveaway here from Nikra's Makeup.

Check out our afternoon via photo:

 You want in, don't you?

This week, I'm giving away a hair & makeup session AND a photo session with Nikra. In addition, the winner will also be getting a gift basket of beauty products from Foot Petals, Cover Girl, Oil of Olay, and Pantene. This entire package worth over $200!

Entering is easy. Just do it below! 

(Either way - LIKE her Facebook page HERE and keep up with all her great info and promotions!)



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