regional

So yesterday we had regional conference up here in little Logan held in the spectrum. Something about that building just brings the spirit, whether the holy ghost or school spirit during ball games, I'll take it. President Eyring and Elder Ballard both gave beautiful talks. My favorite part of Elder Eyring's talk was how he talked about being a student. That it's a temptation of the devil to make us more self centered and focused on ourselves which in turn creates introverted souls and discouragement by trying to beat everybody else in our intended field. This spoke to me. I'm already in an extremely competitve major and get discouraged easily.
The number one way to cure this is to serve the lord and others. I am going to make this a goal in my daily life. It's not about me. It's about showing love to everyone else and we do that through service. Loving others is a commandment and I need to remember that my obedience to the commandments equals my love for the savior. This also relates to every other relationship I have. My love of others reflects my love of my savior. I hope that I can show this to all of you and remember to be less selfish in these college years. Reverting to self centered, I attended the conference alone, but in a way, I'm so glad I did because it caused me to reflect myself and the things that I need to do to become a better person. I maybe cried 47 times, but what else is new, the spirit hits you how it hits you. The gospel is true, what else can you do!

t & s

So... here it is kids and adults alike, The new Tegan and Sara album, Sainthood. Those of you who know me know that the T & S happen to complete my musical soul. The Canadian twin sisters drop the album next month, but guess who's awesome brother already gave it to her?... yeah that's me. I've listened to it maybe 20 times in a row. Favorite songs on the album... as of now that would be Alligator, Night Watch, and Arrow. This album draws more to their previous album So Jealous and not so much of their last album The Con. For those of you who don't know these lovelies... look it up. It may change your life. Just do it, and get pumped that they're coming to Salt Lake April 6. You better believe I'm buying my tickets right now.

in a new york minute

Dearest Diary,
When it is all said and done it seems that I have zero time for myself to think lately. What's an artist to do?! My life seems to always be demanding me to pull creativity out of every square inch of my being and let's be honest.... I'm losing it. This is a horrible horrible thing to happen when you are sitting in a studio for 4 hours a day and trying your hardest bestest to be the bestest. So as of late I decided I needed inspiration. This came in many forms

1. My magazines came... Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home, and Interior Designer, you inspire me.
2. Logan canyon is gorgeous in the fall. I wish these moments would last forever.3. I spent quality time with my family and best friends.... they always inspire me, in more ways than one.4. I had the blessed opportunity to go to the annual ASID conference in Sun Valley.
Insert: This would be my trip to Sun Valley.As most of you know I happen to be the rep for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and was fortunate enough to spend money on this little getaway*thanks dad* that I had been helping plan. Although that part was a little stressful and completely chaotic we hopped in my car at the early hour of 6am for the 3 1/2 hour drive. Idaho is entirely boring and its a miracle that I stayed awake. We stopped at Erika's mother's house to change in Hailey, just outside Sun Valley, and made it to the conference an ounce late. Needless to say D Brooks (my professor) wasn't pleased. They had set up beautiful tables and had us intermix with professionals. Just my luck I ended up at the table with the current ASID president, most recent past president, and upcoming new president.... and there I was lowly little Kylee Groskreutz from Logan. We had these great seminars about how to communicate with our clients and get what information we wanted out of them without asking hard questions. I learned a lot about body language and how powerful it really is. I sat next to this man named Bob. He was from Indiana and quite elderly. Whenever we had to practice the new communication styles that we learned he would always grab me as his partner. As strange as it may seem, he reminded me of my grandfather, a lot. I don't find it a coincidence that this happened because it's approaching his 4 year anniversary of his passing in which I carried my precious grandfather's ashes. We were really close and he loved me a lot. I felt peace talking to this man because it was like we knew each other, that my grandfather had taken this moment to come talk to me via Bob. Experiences like this have happened lately and I can't help but think of what a great guy he was, and how much I miss my grandpa.
Back to the topic at hand, sorry tangents happen, we finished our seminars and had a nice dinner... or so we thought. It ended up being butter noodle onion mess. Not what we had ordered. The speaker talked about color trends, which I felt I had already picked up on, and needless to say our table got bored and a little rowdy. We were sad that our dinners were gross, the waitress knifed me, and I sincerely was so exhausted. Oh, and none of our projects won the student competition... so complete downer of a day. So naturally we made up for it by showing up at our lovely condo. It was so adorable, quaint, and romantic. 4 bedrooms, kitchen, 2 bath, and nice fireplaced living room. We loved it and had a blast getting to know each other better and have girl talk. Next morning we headed right on back to blessed Logan right in time to begin school again the next day. Time doesn't stand still around here. Sun Valley was a great time and I'm glad I got to go and feel inspired by the projects, products, and friends I met.5. My cutest mom took me shopping and to the movies. Film sets and romance just get to me.
I saw Love Happens and Where the Wild Things Are. Both adorable. I recommend them both if you need a good happy cry. Back to shopping, every year mother and me go to this great vintage store in Salt Lake called Decades. We love trying on hats and feeling the fur. This time my mom let me chose one thing, and I found this pretty pretty ring. It was about 4 sizes too big so I had to take it to a jeweler to get resized. Now I have it and it's so elegant and lovely. Go antique shopping, you complete me.6. My Danish grandmother just turned 75 and I got to spend some time with her. She showed me all of her childhood pictures from Denmark and when she first moved to America. I loved all of her clothes and the cute houses and scenery in the old photos. She's great and I'm so lucky to have her in my life.7. I went to the doctor by myself for the very first time. I felt so brave and courageous. It was scary because I don't handle anything medical well at all. I had to get meds and experience things I never want to again but here comes the inspiration part... doctor's offices are poorly designed. holy. I wanted to just fix everything and make it feel like a home and not a prison. I could see hospitality design in my future.
8. My dearest darling friend Megan took me to Thriller with her. I see it every year, but it still gives me butterflies and makes me want to dance. Great inspiration in the movement for my dancing self to remember for upcoming choreography for our spring show.So... there you have it, after all of this in one weeks time, I feel pretty inspired and its a good thing because we're working on two projects... a kitchen... and 2 rug designs. Keep posted for those finished projects. Life is going well, busy busy all the time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so lucky and blessed to be where I am. I'm a mess in the best sort of way. Loves.

August, now September has come and gone and here I am with a day behind and a dollar short, but what else is new. A lot actually.
-School has started, which means lots of projects, no sleep, no time, and extreme amounts of stress. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love where I am and feel so blessed to be in such an intense competitive major. I even have my own desk in the studio.... it helps me feel more grown up and professional. Here's the latest

-I am returning as a member of USU's dance company Full Circle. My body tells me no practically every day, but my heart thrives on the movement and emotional release. I love the girls I get to hang out with, the crazy dance moves and words that come out of my body, and the moments I get to be a part of, most recently Mr. USU dance performance where we previewed the Howl dance. ( You can watch it here.... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=559753046#/video/video.php?v=154334565488) or view the beautiful pic.pre-dance

-Recently I was asked to be the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Rep for Utah State and am probably in over my head, but it will look fabulous on a resume! Next weekend I'm headed to Sun Valley for the annual conference. Keep posted for fabulous times.
-The best thing that could happen for my no minute of spare time is that I get a calling, FHE mom. I honestly couldn't be more thrilled. My family is so great and I look forward to Monday nights almost more than anything. Just recently we had a tie-dye party and the next week we battled another team in kickball. Naturally we won because we are the best family, family Tres. (That name came from being family three, lame, I know, but whatev)

Lauren was a great help teacher-I claim the cutest nephew in the whole entire world. He honestly makes me laugh and smile more than anything else in this world. Koen's eyes light up my life!

-Shout out to all my friends and the great times that we have had lately. Football games, dances, and crazy dance party birthdays.decades danceLindsey's birthday.... cup... cake

All in all my life is probably the best that it can be. Of course I have my stress days with everything that is going on, busy busy all the time. I just hope that I can keep you all posted on all the crazy happenings going on in my life in Logan! That's all for now....

postcard watercolor sketches

stonehenge... won't go the right way

florence skyline

eiffel

break out session sketches

home detail in florence

eiffel tower

villa savoye from first sight...

APPARENTLY MY COMPUTER WON'T PUT MY PICTURES STRAIGHT!

sketchin around

stonehenge

villa savoye

london eye

king's chapel light

london city hall

versailles garden

rialto

david

st. peter's basilica

coliseum

summary of summer study

ITALIA
Italy came with the first views of European splendor. This would be the place my eyes had first beheld works of wonder and glory, from the Coliseum to the David.
Hues of red, yellow, and orange glisten off the cobblestone streets and river roads leaving an eternal sunset. Life walks slowly down centuries old alley ways, flowers blossoming through shuttered windows, and hours of long memories formed while banqueting. Historic architecture sat huddled around every corner, disturbed by the newer homes belonging to decades past. Renaissance arts showered culture with a refined sense of pride and self enlightenment which continues in hearts today. Language became a barrier of communication through mouth; architecture, art, and design flowed with language from the eye to the heart and forever in the mind.

FRANCE

From snooty culture to historic monuments, France had it all a la carte to Italy. Classic architectural style pushed by the edgy reform movements of modern contemporary. We’d see the Louvre Palace competing with I.M Pei’s glass pyramid, Eiffel’s steel competing with the classical stone of the Musee D’ Orsay, Versailles’ golden gates competing with the silver paneling of the metro. Mouths would salivate at the sight of deliciously prepared desserts and close at the sight of escargot. Culturally, people seem to battle themselves for prominence and place in society, modern or classic, new or old, color or bland, now or forever. The river flows through the heart of Paris creating a constant stream of intellect from Europeans past culture to the hearts of artists’ minds inspiring creativity. From the earliest of palaces to the most modern of museums, this culture will continue to fight itself to impress and change and glorify ones own wildest dreams of art, architecture, and design.

ENGLAND

Comparative to our American culture, stemming from the same roots, culture and perspectives aligned. This would be the place of palatial homes, gardens, and lives; each place bringing a moment of old class and modern sophistication. Cohesive balance of countryside and city, cleverly woven into a finite individualistic nature represented through architecture and art. Discoveries of historic past juxtaposed with elements of modern artistic creativity. Delicately designed tea delicacies wound their way into our bellies and hearts. Cultures collided minimally as people would be arrogant at best, proper manner in the rest. England eternally will be remembered.

last calling for london

Nostalgic. Such is this day. D-Brooks let us sleep in today, such a sweetheart. The entire group had the blessed opportunity to tour Buckingham Palace, THEE residence of the Queen of England. Another audio tour attached to my ears, walking through state rooms, such were my thoughts. Boy was I mislead. The palace was so beautiful and grand, but not in the gaudi sense like most other palaces we've visited. It was just the right amount of detail and grand design. Of all the ginormous homes we've visited this is pleasantly small considering what it actually is. My favorite details in the house were the glass domes that contained etched crowns and family symbol designs that really added to the rest of the design. Cohesive project done by John Nash. Loved his design and intellectual ways of making things interesting and inventive. The Queen is one lucky lady, which reminds me about the exhibit of her jewels and commonwealth items she's collected. I loved seeing her gowns and gifts. So richly designed and purely fabulous! We finished up the tour and headed out to see our favorite little London town. I wanted to just enjoy the experience of being here and not be rushed to do anything or forced to take another tour. This trip has been the trip of a lifetime and I am eternally grateful to my parents for letting me have this opportunity. I have made so many friends and would not trade this experience for the world. Most importanltly I have learned so much about myself, things that I would like to improve and things that I'm great at doing. I've learned what personalities I mesh with and how to handle those that I don't. Europe is beautiful and life changing. I love thinking about the history and people that have lived here and the lives and cultures that have developed. I hate that this is my farewell blog to Europe, I'll cry on the plane. So bittersweet because I miss my family but I am going to miss my transient life here. Farewell Europe, you have been a gem.

... rewind to July 31

Last day of the underground, train, and bus to another house days. Today's agenda was Haddon Hall, which is the oldest palatial residence we have encountered. Definitely an experience. Princess Bride was filmed here as I'm sure countless others. It was incredible to think that this building dated back to the early 1300s and is still in such great condition. My favorite part by far was the green tinted glass windows that had warped under pressure over the time. The effect on the outside was so hip. The gardens were very English Garden-esque and natural. Super had to have a model shoot. Megan was all up on that. Hence the following pictures. Our next bus trip took us to the 'Champion' of English homes... Chatsworth. Countless movies were filmed here and for a good reason called it was beautiful and full of lush natural gardens. The interiors were different than the others. It's funny how we can look at all the same style of design and judge the details into something completely different. Go figure, Interior Design majors. The gardens were lovely due to the fact of the grotto and these amazing ponds and waters and mazes and tunnels and fountains. Great. Also, this was the place where they filmed the recent film The Duchess which portrays the actual life of the Duchess Giorgianna who actually had a pretty horrible life. I should consider watching that. Regardless it was beautiful and a great time. After this we headed back to London.

I headed to Abbey Road for some quality Beatle memorabilia moments. We had to take the classic picture, what a joke that was. People do not like to stop so you can have a kodak moment. It took 77 tries. Then we signed the infamous Abbey Studios wall with a clever quote by me... here's the picture proof as evidence. I was in magical heaven! I sure do love those beatles, and even more than you Garrett. Here is exhibit A of my love.... Exhibit B is the cash I spent on merchandise.