What Does Your Trash Say About You?

Last night I had an interesting conversation with the guy who empties out the office trash cans. I said, "Please don't judge me by my trash." He laughed and told me that he learns a lot about people from their trash. He shared some examples of my co-workers.  In the office one co-worker's trash is full of sticky notes, one has apple cores, banana peels,  one has tissues, mine always has fast food from my lunches.

It was interesting to think about what my trash says about me....

Amalgamation or Absence?

Does is seem strange to anyone else that to the world I'm (enter any single person) am an amalgamation of all I've done, accomplished, been,seen—yet to the people in my propinquity I'm the absence of all that. I am only what I'm not—not attached (married or dating)?

"...Life Makes Love Look Hard..."

To the hopeless singles out there:


Recently, one of my friends said that he has a hard time believing in love.  A few months ago another friend of mine said he had little hope in relationships . They, and so many others, are thwarted and bombarded on every side with relationships that fail, divorce, and walls you have to climb just to get into a relationship.


I was listening to Taylor Swift's song, "Ours" and these words hit home, "So don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine. And life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the water's rough. But this love is ours."


And so I started thinking about those couples out there that I know are making it happen in their life and in their love. I, of course, would be remiss if I didn't mention my amazing parents, who, although they don't have a prefect marriage, have loved each other for more than 33 years! To me they are a great example of the power of love. So without further ado, here are 3 couples I wanted to give a shout-out to because their love has greatly affected my life!


Kevin & Sarah Lewis:
This week my friends Kevin & Sarah celebrate their 11 years of marriage. I am so proud and happy for them.  They have 3 beautiful and loved children. Things did not start out all roses and easy for them but they worked on their love and their marriage and their little family. they are a great example to me of what real love is like. Love takes time, work, lots of laughter, even more love, listening, sharing experiences, and starting it all over again each day. Thank you Kevin & Sarah for showing others that it can be done and done well!

Timothy & Katasha Connor:
The Connors hold a special place in my heart. They are fierce example of love and its persistance & patience. Tash & Tim didn't have the typical short mormon engagement followed by the whirlwind wedding. They worked on themselves, on their love for each other, and they worked with God to make sure everything and everyone was ready for the journey they were about to embark upon. They just recently had a handsome little baby boy and if you can't tell in the picture below, they are bursting with joy! These two not only work on their love but they work together in business as amazing photographers. You should check out their website: Infinity Imagery & their FB Page.  Thanks Katasha & Timothy for being an example of what true love looks like!

Rick & Lauren Enochs:
Lauren has been a friend of mine since high school. I don't think anyone should ever have to go through what she has in her lifetime. She fell in love, got married, and then had to watch the lover of her life die a terrible and painful death in front of her eyes. Only she knows the hell that ensued following that tragedy in her life. If ever there was a person who should hate the idea of love it would be her. Instead, like the warrior and champion she is she chose to love again.  I don't know much about her husband Rick but I know that he is married to one of my favorite people in the world. I will love him forever for loving her!  Thanks Lauren & Rick for showing others the healing power of love, that no matter what life throws at you love is stronger! Lauren is also an amazing photographer so check out her stuff on her Website.

RE: All Good Things Come In Threes

There is something about trios that makes the world a better place.  Think about it: Wilson & Phillips, Toy Story I, II, III, 3 coins in a fountain, 3 french hens, 3 little pigs, 3 bears in Goldilocks, 3 blind mice, 3 wise men...This is the story of 3 guys who made a difference in my life!

The names of the benefactors will be withheld for their protection. It is important to note that gifts are not my love language so these 3 men went out of their way to be unique and awesome! 

Boyfriend 1 gave me California lemons.  One day he randomly asked me, "Kylee, what is your favorite smell?" I had never been asked that before and had to think for a few minutes. After a while I told him I loved the smell of Lemon Trees in San Diego (where I served my LDS mission) and the smell of Jasmine bushes. He smiled and that was that—or so I thought.  Due to his job he travelled out of state/country a lot. A few weeks later he surprised me with this leaf plate of fresh picked lemons from a tree in California. What an amazing and thoughtful gift!

Note to Self: Take the time to listen and ask great questions and you will find some of the best gifts lie in those answers.

Boyfriend 2 gave me a game and tattoos.  I was on my way to Ghana, West Africa. He wanted to give me something as a farewell gift. He brought over this amazing Safari game that he and his younger brothers/cousins/etc helped him make. There were toy safari animals and paper rivers/lakes, toilet paper holder binoculars, safari-African tattoos, and so much more. It was incredible. It was so cute and took a lot of time.  It was very thoughtful.

(Thanks Google Images)

Note to Self: Truly, sometimes the best gifts are handmade.

Boyfriend 3 gave me a park. Well, technically the park isn't mine. It was just a normal day but he knew that things had gotten a little crazy for me at work. We were driving around and then I noticed we were heading to my office. I was curious what we were doing as we drove by the office. Then he stopped the car and lead me to this little park around the corner. We sat on the swings, laughed, talked, and had a blast. He knew I love to swing on swings and they relax me. So he thought it would be good for me to know that anytime I wanted to leave work I could walk around the corner and swing.  I still go there on rough days. The thing is I had worked at my office for almost 4 months and never knew about that park.  I'm grateful he listened, knew what I needed, and gave me that park!

(Thanks Google Images)

Note to Self: The best gifts in life are free!

I know for some of you it will be hard but please refrain from asking me why I am not still dating any of these amazing men...instead pay it forward to someone you love!

More Than Enough Love

I started to feel sorry for myself a bit tonight (I've think I've earned a small pity party) but then I was overwhelmed with love. While I may not have romantic love this Valentine's Day I have more than enough love in my life. I imagine when I was in Heaven I told God I could handle just about anything if He was sure to surround me with love.

Love will come.

Tonight I'm grateful for those who love me and for those who let me love them!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2 New Wicked Awesome Places!!

Recently 2 people I love introduced me to 2 places I now love! The first place is called Gangplank and William Brian Cobb introduced it to me. The second place is called Changing Hands Bookstore and Hillary Anne Clemens introduced it to me.

Check out their website to learn the ins & outs of Gangplank. For me it was a place where like-minded people could roam around. I love every minute of it. I even like walking across the street b/c when you push a button the street lights up along the cross walk.  At Gangplank they have 25¢ soda, old school video games, and presentations (TED style).

There are these collaborate free work spaces. Some start-ups pay for space but mostly you just come and use space.

you can print 3D objects

Everyone has postcard and sticky notes up everywhere

You get to write your name on this card and pick it up everytime you come. I thought it boring to use my normal name and decided on the name Lola....("whatever Lola wants, Lola gets")

This bookstore was overwhelming (in a delightful way) to me. I need to go back and take it in sections. I didn't even really get to the book b/c there was so much eye candy to get through before the books. I did, however, when I was overwhelmed, stop over at the awesome music store next door.

They have all kinds of cards, posters, wall hangings

crazy little things like these

pottery, decorative boxes, etc

metal things, wind chimes, etc

Be whatever you want to be hat rack

Hil wants to be a space cadet

DIY: Chalkboard Update

This is what my Chalkboard Wall looks like now. I LOVE it!

New Friends

I have always thought is kind of mystical or magical making new friends—not just any new friend(s)—the ones you can't believe you haven't had your whole life.

You meet them and it's almost like your souls were friends for a long time before you met. You just get each other.

A few weeks or months go by and someone asks you how you met and it's a little hazy because although you've only been friends for a short time it seems like it's been years.  You both laugh and try to tell the story of when you first actually met but cant really remember.

It's amazing, incredible, and life changing. I am fortunate to have had this happen a few times in my life. It never gets old!

"Bringing Sexy Back"

I love this for many reasons! I love it because it's true no matter how much media and the world try to tell/show us otherwise. I love it because it's real. I love it because it's being said by a prominent figure who understands her influence on others (even if it comes out that she never even said this.)

The other day I was talking to someone about dating/relationships etc.  We were joking around, swapping dating stories, and then someone said something, I think in jest, that I've actually been told (also mostly in jest) before...."Well, maybe if you just lower your standards or dress sexier then you would attract more men."

The first thing that came to my mind was you are right. It probably is true that I would attract more men but that is not what I want. I only need one man.  And while I hope he finds me sexy It won't be because I've lowered my standards or used my body as a sex object. It will be because I have self respect & self love!