Italy Time!

Well.. Almost. Tickets are finally booked and we are ready to go May 15th! And... we are SO excited, to say the least. Taylor has never been to Europe at all and although he is a little apprehensive about the flight, he is excited to see what me and my family are always talking about. We have been planning this trip since we got married, and it has been a year and a half since that happened. It finally seems real and I am counting down the days!

We will be spending most of our time in Rome, which is my favorite city in the world! ( I may be a little biased) But seriously, it's the best.

I am so excited to take Taylor to my favorite Gelato shop in Italy...

I am also excited to eat/take Taylor to the best restaurant in Rome.. which just happens to be my Uncle Toto's. ;)

I am excited to spend some time with my family on the Amalfi Coast..

I am excited to browse at the leather market and walk around the charming streets of Florence..

I am excited to go on a Gondola ride with my sweetie on the Grand Canal...

But MOST excited to spend time with my Esposto side, who even though we live so far away, we are blessed to be so close and love each other so much! I don't get to see them enough, but for how far apart we live we are lucky that we DO see each other as much as we do. Taylor has met most of them, but not all of them so I can't wait for that!

I haven't been to Italy since '09 and it feels like its been way too long. May 15 can't come soon enough!

Birthday Weekend

My Marc Jacobs bag I have been dying over... My family is so good to me.

Me and this special little lady practically share a birthday, and I love it. You know what else we share? A love for J Biebs. Monroe is sporting the shirt we had made for her since I couldn't find one small enough for a 2 year old.

Maely and Kennedy made it to my party, too. Cutest babes ever.

WOW it's been so long since I have blogged, I almost don't even remember how to! That's what happens when you work 6 (sometimes 7) days a week. All you think about is sleep. I know you guys have missed me, so what better way to come back into the blogging world than talking about my favorite day of the year.. my birthday! Taylor always teases me because I LOVE Birthdays so much. I have always made a huge deal out of it because I think they are so fun! But he was a great sport about it, and I had all these different ideas of presents I wanted and ways to pamper myself on my special day, and all he kept saying was, "whatever my girl wants." What a sweetie! Lucky for me, my hubby likes to pamper himself almost as much as I do so he was also rewarded with a pedicure in honor of my birth :) Here's to my 23rd year! (I'm starting to get old, its scary)
I am so lucky to have had the same best friends since I was 12. I think I have a picture like this from my birthday every year. Love you girls!


Mexican food to celebrate!

Birthday dinner with the girls


I love this boy. If you wanted to know, this was my 9th birthday loving him. Weird.

California

We had the fun opportunity to go to Newport Beach with the Russell family all last week. They get a condo there every year and its a tradition to go down. This was my first year going with them, and it was so much fun! Everyone was there except for Ryan, Lyndsey, and Livie who we missed. We had a blast going to trick-or-treat at Disneyland, spending time at the beach and pool, and hanging out with the family. Thanks Fred and Shauna for the great trip, it was much needed!

September in a Nutshell

• We celebrated our big one year anniversary on the 10th.. woot woot! I started the day early at 6 a.m. getting a bride ready for her special day. She made a beautiful bride and her hair turned out great! I only worked a half day and then we went up to Gateway to do some shopping, (my favorite) and finished the night off right by eating dinner at our favorite place, Ruth's Chris! They sure know how to treat you right for a special occasion.
• My boo turned 23 on the 16th! His parents happened to get the condo in Park City that week, so we celebrated all weekend long up there. It was so fun!
• The Italians came to visit. My Nonna, Zio Toto, and Zia Fausta. It was so great to have them here and be able to spend some time. We really don't get to see them as much as we want to, but I am grateful we see them as much as we do for how far apart we live from each other! The good news is, the next time we see them (in May) we will be THERE instead of HERE! Can't wait!!

I love the Fall and am happy it is here. Can't believe its already October...

Kim Vo

Yep that's right, that is yours truly and master colorist to the stars... KIM VO! He uses the same color line that my salon switched over to at the beginning of this year, (L'Oreal Professionel) so I had the amazing opportunity last week to attend a training he was teaching in Salt Lake. Even if you don't do hair you may know him from: Extreme Makeover, The Daily 10 on E!, or my personal favorite, Shear Genius. Let's just say I was a little starstruck meeting him because I have admired his work for a long time and he has really made a name for himself in the industry that I love. His class was amazing and I learned some really cool new color techniques/fall trends from the very best. He was super nice and funny too. Did you guys know he opened a salon here in Utah? It's in Deer Valley at the Montage resort and I plan on going to additional trainings up there. SO if any of you would like the "Sombre" technique or the "blonde smudge" done to your hair, and Cant afford to pay $500 to see Kim, you can come see me instead. :)

Dear Rex

Yesterday was your fourth birthday. We had a nice dinner all together and then everyone wrote you a birthday letter and tied it to a balloon (that were Buzz Lightyear colors, of course!) We took all of the balloons and fireworks to the cemetary and sent you your birthday cards to heaven. We also lit fireworks around your grave, we know you loved that. We all got a book full of pictures of you that was all about your life and we will cherish it forever! The only thing missing was you, but we know you were close by celebrating with us. We love you Rexy and miss you so much. That picture of you and Taylor on the horse is his favorite and I love it too. Happy Birthday!!!

Engagement Day

Thanks Tiff for hiding and taking this picture! I love itIt has already been one whole year since Taylor proposed to me. (well, on the 7th.) I can't believe how fast time flies! It was such a fun day. We had dinner at my parents house with both of our families and Taylor and I sat on the big swing in the backyard. For some reason, I didn't realize that everyone had gone inside and left us outside alone. We were just talking on the swing when Crew came around the house and gave me a rose. I may be stupid, but I honestly didn't think anything of it. He was in this stage where he would give flowers to people so I just thought he found it somewhere. But slowly, one by one, every single niece and nephew from from youngest to oldest (except for Monroe and Livie because they were too little) brought me a rose. Then our oldest niece Kadrie brought a huge bouquet of roses and lillies that had the ring box inside. Taylor stood us up, said some really sweet things, and got down on one knee! It was so fun and special. I never thought I wanted people around when I got engaged but it was really fun to have all of our family waiting inside to run out and be excited with us! OH and I got the ring of my dreams, so that was cool too. I love you boo- thanks for being so thoughtful!