The Last Time

So many things are coming to an end in my life. Like pretty much everything.

Thursday was my last day of undergrad classes.

Friday was the last day at my internship.

Sunday was the last day at my ward.

Monday was my last day working in the Logan office.

Today was my last working at the box office.

This is all kind of sad to me as I realize how much of my life is ending.

And I realize that my life is about to drastically change.

But I just keep telling myself that I will be experiencing a lot of firsts soon.

Bring it!

xoxo,

sam

My sweet new camera!

If you are following me on Instagram, you probably already know about my new camera. But I am just so excited that I just had to blog about it too! It was an early graduation gift from my amazing parents.

Isn't it beautiful?! It has already become my little baby.

I can't wait to start using it! So let me know if you are interested in getting your pictures done! :)

xoxo,

sam

Giveaway to Sephora!

So this is my first giveaway on the blog. Like ever. And I'm pretty stoked about it :)

Tanika who blogs at Growing Gracie put together this awesome giveaway to celebrate her birthday next week.

Some great bloggers have teamed up for this. So check them out and be sure to enter below for your chance to win big!

These ladies are the best. Seriously. 

TOGETHER we are giving away:

$100 Sephora Gift Card
$25 Visa Gift Card
and Amanda over at We & Serendipity is giving away one of these babies:

Don't worry if you aren't Mormon, you can have her do any picture over any words or anything like that of your choosing. I will give the winner her email and you two can correspond what you'd like your prize to look like. :)

Here is what you need to know:

The giveaway will go from now until May 1st.

The winner will also be announced May 1st.

The winner will be verified, so please be honest guys. It's a celebration after all!!!

Good luck everyone and (In a Hunger Games fashion...) May the odds be ever in your favor!

xoxo,

sam

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prom

I never went to prom. And at times I am a little bitter because of that because what girl doesn't dream of going to prom and feeling like a princess if only for one night.

Then my sister got asked to prom and I'm pretty sure I was more excited that her.

Her prom was this last weekend and she really did look like a princess.

Princess Belle to be exact.

She also asked me to do her hair. I was excited and it was fun to help her get ready for the dance. I absolutely love how her hair turned out.

This girl is darling and I'm glad she had such a fun time at the dance.

Love you Maddi!

(Sorry for the blurry iPhone picture.)

xoxo,

sam

#prayforboston

I am deeply saddened by the events unfolding in Boston. The bombings. The manhunt. The death of the MIT officer. 

We were glued to the TV all morning at my internship watching the news. I feel incredibly grateful that I live far from these events and none of my friends or family have been hurt.

In the midst of all this evil, I still believe in the good people of the world. I'm sure that by now everyone has heard the heroic stories of those helping immediately following the bombings. Those that crossed the finished line and continued to run to the hospitals to donate blood. Those who, instead of running for safety, ran into the bombing aftermath to help the injured.

There are still good people in the world. It is that good that we must hold onto despite all the evil happening in the world. 

xoxo,

sam

Why I struggle with gay marriage

There are a lot of hot topics in politics right now. Gun safety. National finances. Marriage equality.

I generally don't post my views on such things on Facebook and Twitter because of their public nature. I don't want to force my views on things on other people. But I feel as though my blog is my space. It's my turf and I can say whatever I want. I ask only that you respect that. The following is my opinion. Debates are healthy but bashing on someone's beliefs is low. Please, just don't.

I have yet to figure out how I feel about legalizing gay marriage. I am conflicted between my own beliefs and the desire not to force them on others.

I do not believe that gay marriage is right. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that marriage is something that should be respected and revered. It is a commitment between man and woman to live life together and rear to a family.

But at the same time, I don't want to force my beliefs on others. I believe that everyone should have the choice as to who they want to marry. We should be free to use our agency. Just as I believe it to be wrong, there are others that strongly feel it is okay. It is their right to feel that way. I can live my life the way I want and they have the same right.

But how much do you tolerate something you don't believe in?

It is similar to drinking. I don't drink and that is a personal decision. But I know many people who do. I don't think any less of those individuals. I would never try to force my standards on them in an attempt to stop them from drinking. I try to avoid putting myself in a situation that that has a lot of drinking. I avoid parties that I know will have a lot of alcohol.

Gay marriage is similar to this. I know several people who are gay and I don't think any less of them. They are people just like anyone else. I just don't agree with some of their decisions. But gay marriage aside, I don't agree with a lot of decisions people make.

If the legalization of gay marriage came down to a citizen vote, I don't know side I would choose. I wouldn't want to vote for it because I don't want to support it. On the other hand, I would be tempted to vote for it because no one should have their agency taken away.

It's something I struggle with. I know what I believe and how I have chosen to live. Everyone should have that right. Am I contradicting my own beliefs by saying that?

xoxo,

sam

How to create your own fonts

Yesterday I found the coolest iPad app ever.

It creates fonts based on your handwriting. It's seriously way cool.

You can choose from one of their fonts to use as a guide, adjust the height and width and change the pen style. Or you can do it freestyle.

If you have an iPad, go check out iFontMaker. Also, if you don't have a stylus pen, you should look into getting one. It makes this app a lot easier to use.

If you make a font, I'd love to see it.

xoxo,

sam

A Photoshoot: Julissa

I have always loved photography. I have never done a lot with it but I have done a few photoshoots for friends and family. Today I would like to share one of my favorite shoots with you. These pictures are of brother's friend for her senior pictures. She is absolutely beautiful and was so much fun to work with!

Isn't she just adorable?

xoxo,

sam