Dear Matt Clayton,
I know we've never met, but I love you(r photography).
Love,
Nicki
{ Beautiful Moab for Beautiful People }
I may or may have not stolen that title from my friend Dylan's facebook photo album of the Moab trip we took this past weekend. How could you not steal a title like that?! I know. OK..now on to the weekend...
A group of us decided to escape the cold and venture down to Moab last weekend. Part of us (the lucky part that I was not a part of) got to go down Friday morning, and a second group (my part) went down friday after work. The trip lasted approximately 23 hours including driving time, but it was well worth it. It was even worth the freezing cold sleep I got when we camped friday night (looks like my bag isn't as warm as I thought -- good thing to know prior to my camping trip in Ireland next month.)
Which reminds me -- side note: I'm going on a 9-day camping trip in Ireland in 3 weeks. My friend Ali alerted me of a last-minute trip thanks to ridiculously cheap tickets, and I was in. Emerald Isle, here I come! ok...back to Moab...
So, fun was my expectation for the trip, and fun was accomplished, so I would say it was a success. The time consisted of guitaring and singing by the campfire, hiking the Moab rim, laying on warm rocks and enjoying the sun, making shadow art and chimney-ing the Indian Ladder (see pictures below).
Funky distorted photo of the group by the campfire. Turned out kinda cool (thanks for loaning me some of your pictures Dylan!)
Nicki by campfire (we got some sweet night pictures thanks to Matt Cobabe's sweet new lens and stellar camera). Side note: check out my newest hat that I crocheted. I like to describe it as red, black and bulky.
Waking up to red rock is the best reward for enduring a not-so-warm night's sleep. Ali's sleeping hammock is in the background -- I think she was probably colder than me.
Ali inside said sleeping hammock.
The group all cuddled in a make-shift sleeping-bag bed while we were waiting for the sun to crest the canyon walls.
from left: Me, Stucki (stoo-kee), Brenna, KPAX, Ali and Jesse
The ladies group at the top of the hike. The hike takes you up red rock and then lets you out over a view of the whole Moab valley (the top picture is of the group at the top of the hike -- Dylan hiked down to grab a shot of the group from the bottom)
from left: Stucki, KPAX, me, Brenna, Ali
Brenna basking. Moab is in the background.
KPAX, Brenna and I soaking in the sun while laying on a rock at the top of the hike.
Candid of happy Matt Cobabe at the top of the hike.
Me and Brenna on our hike down from the Moab Rim. That's the Colorado River behind us.
Matt and Ali on the way down the hike. Ali was clapping two rocks together and Matt was pretending to ride a horse next to her (Monty Python, anyone?)
The front of Indian Ladder. It's a chimney climb in a crack that has formed between two rocks. The Indians had placed logs equipped with notches at more difficult parts of the accent to aid climbers. I guess it was a technique they used to allow them to get to high, difficult-to-reach places (or so says the informational sign at the bottom of the ascent).
You can see the logs they placed in this photo.
The group at the top of the chimney on Indian ladder.
from top to bottom: Stucki, me, Jesse, KPAX, Johnny, Kevin
Descending the Ladder, Matt grabbed a photo of me from above. I'm so grateful he's so willing to take his nice camera adventuring. It makes capturing memories so much more good looking than if they were captured with a point-and-shoot.
Here's a view of the chute below me (enveloping Brenna) for your reference.
The group after we all successfully made our way back down the ladder. The only one missing is Dylan because he was taking a picture.
from left: Kevin, Johnny, KPAX, Jesse, Matt, Ali, Stucki, Brenna, me
The girls making shadow art after we finished with Indian Ladder.
The shadows. Note the Moose antlers I am giving Stucki.
We went to the Moab Rotary park after our adventuring for lunch. It's equipped with musical play equipment (so cool, huh?). This is Dylan in his new hat that he picked up at the most killer thrift store I have ever been to (Wabi Sabi) in Moab.
{ New Music }
For the FYI, the new playlist from Urban Outfitters is available now. You can download it free here. The only song I REALLY like on the compilation is "What I Have Left" by Mike Bones, but you can decide for yourselves.
{ In Season }
I really love the idea of eating foods when they are in season. It just seems to make sense to me. I mean, they're in season for a reason, right? Necessary nutrients at the right times? Provides balance? Fills needs? So when I got an e-mail from Real Simple today on this very topic, I really liked it. I have yet to deeply research fruits and veggies and their assigned seasons, but I thought this fun quick guide that they sent was a nice little reference tool for Spring time produce. Enjoy.
{ By Definition }
Today, like most days, I was talking with my good friend Marie on the IM. Mostly I like talking with Marie on the IM for two reasons. #1: Being that we are such good friends, I know exactly how everything she types is meant to be taken and exactly which Marie voice and inflection it is said in. And #2: Our conversations, no matter what we're talking about, usually take a silly twist and make me laugh.
During our conversation this morning I had been meaning to type "learning," (as part of the sentance "I love learning" - cheesy I know) but ended up typing "leanring" (a non-real word) instead. The conversation that followed went like this:
Nicki:
..."learning," not "leanring." I don't even know what leanring is.
Marie:
Ya not leanring. Me either. We should look it up.
Nicki:
Ya. Or make it up.
Marie:
Ya. it isn't a word.
Nicki:
"Leanring: a device used to support the main sail mast on a catamaran."
Marie:
Oh. I was so wrong
Nicki:
Ha ha. No, silly. I made it up. Your turn.
Marie:
Oh. Love it. Ok.
"Leanring: A modern term to describe the two things a guy would do to creep a girl out... deriving from the root words 'leaning' and 'lingering.'"
Nicki:
LOL. Awesome.
{ Fondu is good. No joke }
In my mind, fondu always fit in the "chocolate fountain" category; something that can be fun during special occasions, and in small doses, but not as like an ACTUAL food. But last Thursday I was proven wrong...it's delicious. And actually, not all that unhealthy. Each week, either on Tuesday or Thursday, a group of us get together for something called "eclectic Tuesday (or Thusday, depending)," and we eat food together then go climbing. Last Thursday, Ali and KPAX decided to pull out their fondu pots, and we had both chocolate and cheese fondu for our delicious dinner.
Cheese dippers: Potatoes (by far my favorite dippable of the night), broccoli, roast beef, ham and two kinds of bread.
Chocolate dippers: Strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and bananas(?). At least I think there was bananas. Yes...it was bananas.
It really was a delicious night, and it has changed by perspective of fondu forever. Best part of the night? The base of the cheese fondu was a home-squeezed grape juice made from "squeezing grapes" that Ali grows at her home. How awesome is that?
Ali (left) and Brenna (right, obviously) with the fondu.
The cheese fondu. Mozzarella-based and delicious.
Matt, Brenna and KPAX with the best fondu faces money can buy. NOTE: KPAX is pulling the triple banana.
Me and KPAX enjoying a pineapple chunk and potato chunk, respectively.
{ Cohesive }
Following the usual manner of dress, the ENTIRE (all 3 of us) design team at Sound Concepts matches today, no pre-planning involved. Now, I understand that black and brown are fairly common colors to wear, so this really isn't THAT much of a coincidence, but still. If wearing the same color palette unknowingly to work doesn't say "cohesive team," I don't know what does.
Natalie: Black boots, black sweatshirt, cream shirt, jeans.
Mike: Brown&black leather Nikes (with maroon shoe laces), chocolate hoodie, black jacket, tan beenie, jeans.
Nicki: Brown leather ballet flats, black shirt, black cardigan, black scarf, jeans.
{ Outfitting }
The good news is, I got this e-mail from Urban Outfitters the other day and was able to accurately rate the outfits, awarding 1st, 2nd and 3rd to the top three outfits I would wear from the e-mail (note: I would choose a different necklace for the outfit in 3rd -- I'm not a huge fan of the one on the model).
In other news, I have discovered (thanks to Marie's sweet photoshop skills) that Sara Bareilles and I look like we could be related when wearing the same hair.
{ Sign of Health }
Some people like to say that drinking large quantities of orange juice in a short amount of time AFTER you start feeling sick doesn't help you get better. I like to say that they are wrong.
{ Valentine Greeting }
Today I came home after work to this. In preparation for our apartment Valentine's Party this Friday (everyone is invited, so come!), my cute roommate Allison fest-ified our apartment today (seeing as she had work off).
Large-lip pinatas, heart-shaped blow up men dawning phrases like "hug me," door streamers and shiny red heart-shaped cut outs now adorn our condo. Al said she decided to decorate early so we could celebrate the whole week of Valentines. Adorable.
Door streamers after opening the front door? check.
And, for the record, I'd like to state that I actually enjoy walking through door streamers a lot.
Giant lip pinata at the top of the stairs? check.
Festive kitchen counter? check.
Love-ified living room? check.
All the hearts actually make it feel more cozy in there. When we take them down I think I may have to hang some pictures or something to keep the cozy feeling.
Yup...I think we're ready.
{ Douglas+Nicki= 6 Aesthetic Hours }
Seeing that my good friend Douglas lives approximately 37 minutes away, spending time together usually merits a bit of orchestration and an official name; "Nicki-Douglas time" (pretty ingenious). Last Saturday, Nicki-Douglas time was spent enjoying an array of activities in Salt Lake (at a variety of lovely places), as well as participating in at least one monumentous event (read below for details). The day went as follows:
1. Returning 3 items I purchased online to the backcountry outlet in West Jordan so I could save money on postage. This may not have been the most exciting event, but Douglas was great for 1, running my errand with me, and 2, talking me out of purchsing a down sweater that I don't need.
2. :: Monumentous event occurred here :: Introducing Douglas to Pho at a super yummy Vietnamese restaurant off 3300 South. He rated it an 8 out of 10, with 1 being "I'd rather eat dirt" and 10 being "This is my most favorite food ever!"Not too shabby for a first-food experience...
3. Participating in a "Love Letter Writing Lecture" at the Salt Lake City library, which turned out to be nothing more than a Valentines-card-making class. I think we got duped into going with expectations of fun literary tips and promises of plenty of fluffery puffery language (mostly we went just cause it would be silly, but I'm not sure I would choose "silly" as the actual descriptor for the event...). After taking our seats at the "lecture," we quickly made each other valentines before skidadling. Both of our cards included the phrase "Quack Quack Quack," which we stole from a poem at the end of a love letter in one of the books there that read something like:
"Jack Jack, please come back
So you can hear the ducks go
Quack Quack Quack."
So romantic...
Douglas also guided us through a tour of the honestly beautiful SLC library, and we viewed a photography exhibit of the Amazon after getting directions to the gallery on the bottom floor from a nice woman in the children's section who had a thick Russian accent.
4. Spending quite a bit of time in a consignment vintage store (again off 3300 South) trying on clothing and accessories. The little store was chock full of treasures; vintage clothes, shoes, jewelry, linens, glasses...
5. Rounding the day off eating cupcakes in a greenhouse off the side of Diva's cafe. I got lemon. Douglas got chocolate-orange.
Library craft time. On the left is Douglas' hand after stamping hearts on my valentine, and the right shows the craft table complete with craft supplies.
South atrium area in the library -- so beautiful. The draping canvas below is the ceiling in the children's section of the library. It can be rolled back on nice days.
Consignment shop -- outside and inside.
Gem #1 as modeled by Douglas
Gem #2 as modeled by Nicki
Gems #3 and #4 -- I chose the glasses and Douglas put the jacket on me after coming up behind me and saying something like "OK OK...close your eyes and put out your arms." if ever you want to dress up as an old woman impersonating Michael Jackson, you know where to get your costume.
Eating cupcakes in the greenhouse at Diva's cafe. The green dome glass gave the pictures a funny color, but it was beautiful in there -- definitely a preferable place to enjoy cupcakes. I'm not quite sure why I'm flashing the "We're number one" hand signal...
{ Smile-evoking Stop Motion }
One of my favorite things about my brother (Andy) is that we share a lot of our interests and music tastes. He sent this link to me today, and I fell in love. Super clever. I especially enjoyed the baby fish socks. And the strings. enjoy. (and thanks, dude).
(The song is "Her Morning Elegance" by Oren Lavie)