the ring

I went into the whole engagement ring process knowing next to nothing about rings. Seriously. I didn't even know my ring size. So I started doing a little research. After a bit of browsing, I fell in love with the oval cut. It seemed very ... me.

Then it came time to search for the perfect band. Not more than five minutes into our appointment with the jeweler, I'd found it. Of course I tried on a bunch of bands [how often do you get to try on a bunch of fancy rings?!], but I kept coming back to this one. I was totally set. So we paired the two together and voila! -- my perfect ring!

I absolutely adore how it turned out! I think it has sort of a vintage-y feel and I love that.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Danny!

i'm engaged!

As you may have noticed, there's this boy that I talk about all the time on this blog. His name is Danny. And on Friday night we got engaged! :)

#storytime #storytime #storytime

About a month ago I planned for Danny and I to go on a double date with Leah (one of my closest friends and former roommate of two years) and her husband, Kyle. The Orchestra at Temple Square was putting on "An Autumn Concert" and I thought it would be so fun for us to go to it. #cultured

Fast forward a month later: We're up in SLC on our much anticipated double-date. [I couldn't wait to hang out with Leah and Kyle. They're hilarious. And hip.] We hit up Pei Wei's in Sandy for dinner and then head into the city. The concert is amazing. I find a new classical piece to obsess over [thank you, Gustav Mahler.] 

orchestra at temple square

We head outside and Danny asks if we can just walk around for a few minutes. It's a pretty night and we [Kyle and Danny] want to take some pictures.

As we're strolling around the square, Danny begins to pull me away from the crowd of people. Do I catch on? No, of course not. 

But then, he begins saying all those things that every girl wants to hear when a boy preposes to her. It hits me. My eyes start welling up. He gets down on one knee and pulls out a little velvet box. He asks me to marry him. And I answer with that little word I had imagined saying [at such an occasion] my entire life ... "yes!" Naturally, lots of hugs, kisses follow. :)

It was truly one of the happiest and most surreal moments of my entire life. And it was perfect. Absolutely perfect. [Not to mention, we had Kyle and Leah there snapping pictures for us! Thanks, you two!]

I love how candid the photos are. :)

So there you have it, folks! Danny and I will wed in early March! I can hardly wait to start our life together. :) 

Get ready for all-things-wedding-related posts! :)

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

last friday, danny and i spent a good part of the morning baking chocolate pumpkin cookies for family and friends - here's about 1/2 of them! :)

have i mentioned i love love love autumn?! more fall recipes to come! :)

blondies, anyone?

on tuesday night danny and i made white chocolate peanut butter cup blondies.

they were pretty amazing. i love white chocolate. :)

homecoming saturday

on saturday, i had two breakfasts. 

first: birthday celebration for jen at magleby's. it was so much fun to catch up with jen, leslie and ahlin over french toast, omelets, and pancakes. i seriously need more roommate breakfasts in my life. happy birthday, jen! thanks for being a darling roomie, fantastic friend, and an amazing relief society president! xo

second: byu homecoming breakfast. rachel put together this awesome pancake stand so of course we had to stop by! (and see mr. adam ruri too!)

lots of pictures of blue pancakes. i was a little skeptical at first, but boy were they good!

reunited!

we also got to watch the homecoming parade, so i can check that off my byu bucketlist! 

the afternoon was left to relaxing, watching "jane eyre" (i'm obsessed!), and getting noodles & co. with ahlin and danny. 

and then it was time for the homecoming football game!

supporting our cougars!

a destination date night

for our date on friday, danny and i took a little trip up to the snake creek grill in heber. the place was warm and cozy - perfect for the cold weather we've been having. :) and the food? absolutely delicious. 

of course we took pictures of everything we ate (#bloggers4lyfe):

late night q & a: special guest danny

q: why are you not studying for your test?
a: because i have seven hours till my test.

q: what would you rather be doing than studying for your test?
a: cooking food and watching hell's kitchen. and puzzles.

q: what is your favorite color of band aid?
a: i don't need them.

q: if you could be any animal, what would you be?
a: i don't like animals. but thanks for asking.

q: if you changed your twitter handle, what would it be?
a: dannythetaxman. just kidding that's really dumb.

and on that note folks, good night.

it's getting chilly. and i couldn't be happier about it. :)

bring on the boots!

meet danny: my awesome boyfriend

so i look over at danny, wearing his hood, and i start cracking up. i reach for my phone and then the following conversation happens:

him: are you gonna take a picture of me?
me: how did you know that?!
him: cause i'm awesome. want me to turn on the light so you have better lighting?

he is awesome.

p.s. he just informed me that he needed to watch last week's season premiere of gossip girl. and then said, "aren't i awesome for saying that?"

yes, danny, yes you are.

conference treats*

a few weeks ago rachel posted on codi's wall about making pumpkin cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese frosting for conference weekend. immediately, danny and i were all over that. so thank you, rachel for inspiring this week's treat! 

"they were fantastic." - danny 

but seriously. they were. and a total hit with danny's family!

*an explanation of the post title: i asked danny what i should call this post and this is what he said: "conference treats ... uhh. no. don't call it that. don't ask me. i'm an accountant."

autumn time = college football time

now in my senior year at BYU, i figured that it was about time that i went to a football game or two. so the past two friday nights danny and i have done just that. it's been so fun to see our cougars pull through two close games, making my all-time fan appearance record: 2-0. :)

and now to fellow students, BYU alumni, and provo locals: what else do i need to do here at the Y/in provo before i graduate?