Here are some things that happened in 2019:

I welcomed a lot of cute babies into the world, including my my first niece, Norah, in July!! A lot of those babies were new cousins: Charlotte (January), Mark (November), and Ryker (Who was technically born in 2018, but his blessing was in 2019). I also had a blast celebrating Pasha and Malone!

I created a vision board, painted pumpkins, made friendship bracelets, and did other artsy crafty things.

It was a big year for concerts: Kelly Clarkson, The 1975, Lizzo, Jenny Lewis, Aly & AJ, Jimmy Eat World/ Third Eye Blind, Geographer, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ariana Grande, Matt and Kim, Santigold, Bon Iver, Marina, Vampire Weekend, Charli XCX, Ingrid Michaelson, Kim Petras, and Angel Olsen. Plus a few twilight concerts from afar like Courtney Barnett.

I read these books:

• The Hazelwood, Melissa Albert
• Educated, Tara Westover
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris
• Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens (If you read this, you NEED to check out this article)
• The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
• The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan
• The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin
• The River, Peter Heller
• The Witch of Willow Hall, Hester Fox
• To Night Owl from Dogfish, Holly Goldberg Sloan
• The Rest of the Story, Sarah Dessen
• Burning Glass, Kathryn Purdie
• The Paper Magician, Charlie N. Holmberg
• Little Women, Louisa May Alcott (In Progress)
• Night Shift, Stephen King (In Progress)

Read most of those books with this book club, which has been going strong for 10 years!!

Had a lot of friends move! Some short distances (RIP the compound) and some much farther (Too far. Looking at you Caity and Jenny).

Weighed in on the Popeyes/ Chick-fil-a sandwich debate

Had fun pool times with these party people:

Dyed my hair red.

Was called into the Young Women program at my Church and had lots of adventures with the girls and other leaders including fake camping, graveyard scavenger hunts, sushi go, ax throwing, service projects, yoga, paper flowers, lessons in car maintenance, a Harry Potter themed YW in Excellence, and flag making.

Attended my first Storymakers Conference with my writing group and had a blast!

Was influenced by these accounts:

• The Home Edit
• A Beautiful Mess
• Be There in 5
• Britta_Beauty
• Things I Bought and Liked
• well.read.book.club
• Timothy Goodman
• Knorpp and South
• Jordan Sondler
• Jordan Ferney
• Busy Philipps
• Indy Blue
• Ann Danger
• Big Bud Press
• Laura Izumikawa
• Notengaged
• Christina Winkelmann
• Any and all astrology memes

Got to see West Hollywood in all its glory at Halloween:

Welcomed Shake Shack to Utah!

Watched a lot of movies, everything from Sundance films and Oscar nominees to made-for-tv Christmas masterpieces:

Enjoyed some live shows as well (not pictured – Freaky Friday):

And a fashion show! Watching my friend Laura’s husband, Afa, compete on Project Runway was so fun and seeing his live show was also incredible.

Listened to some podcasts:

• Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
• The Rewatchables
• Girl Meets Show
• Bachelor Party
• Cold
• Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
• The Hottest Take
• Boss Hags

Visited St. George, Lava Hot Springs, and Disneyland!

Checked in on the Bees

Continued my faithful patronage of the Utah State Fair

Was a less faithful patron to Lagoon, but still managed to make it a couple of times (as in only two times – and I had the season pass!)

Tried a clean beauty box and became obsessed with Gua Sha (which I don’t have a picture of for some reason? but here’s a different box. They always come with a little print.)

My parents and Gabby came to Utah to visit me

Discovered a new Houston place: Smithers Park

And lastly, took this mirror selfie, which has a mantra I think we should all take with us into 2020. Happy New Year Everyone!

Currently: Grateful that Gabby is in Utah for New Year’s Eve this year