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.
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.
