"PURSE"~uit of Happiness...

I was asked to speak at the annual relief society dinner for our ward. The theme was the "purse"~uit of happiness. The theme centered around different purses... specifically the different kinds of purses you carry during the different times of your life (college years, mom years, career years, retirement...). The idea was that no matter what stage you are currently at in life, there are many things that make each of us happy. We each have many different reasons to be happy and enjoy life. One of my favorite quotes goes right along with this theme...

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
~Gordon B. Hinckley

I often think about that quote. I have always been a pretty positive and optimistic person, which I would say makes me very happy! Life should be enjoyed... not just endured.
A few years ago a friend of mine said, "you are such a happy person all of the time. I don't get it. Why are you so happy? I mean it seems like you don't really have a lot to be happy about" (meaning: raising a family alone doesn't sound like much fun... so therefore I should be enduring rather than enjoying). Now, I know that sounds a little harsh, and my friend definitely didn't mean it the way that it sounds... it may have actually been a compliment? Anyway, that comment has always stuck with me... it's really made me think a lot. Why am I so happy? In my mind there's no question as to why I am so happy. I attribute my happiness to many things, but I would say the basics are the Gospel, my family and my friends. Everything else just kind of comes together because of these things.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how easy it was to give this talk. It was one of those rare times where I was asked to speak... had a month to think about it, but didn't get nervous about it once! Don't get any ideas though... that doesn't mean I want to make this a regular thing! :)

vegas... Vegas... VEGAS...

My partners and I attended the Design Market in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. So much to see... so little time...
4 fun~loving designers + product overload + Las Vegas =
1 incredibly fun~filled, exhausting week!!!
All in all it was a very exciting and productive week. We worked hard, took a lot of photos... and had a tun of fun!
Business or pleasure... you decide!!!
*disclaimer: what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas...

Taking a break at the market...

Market wouldn't be market without the shimmering sofa and accessories...

Out for dinner on the strip at New York's Chin Chin restaurant (aka: really, really bad Chinese food)

Katie, me, Tracy and BarbaraMe likee rug... me want rug for my dining room!!!

Taking a ride on the double decker bus with an incredibly crazy bus driver... there was a point where we seriously feared for our lives!

Tracy laughing at me as I "rock out" to the counrty music blarring on the tour bus sound system... yes, I may have been a tad tired at this point!!! By the end of the ride we were laughing so hard that we were all crying!

Tracy and Katie... our night out on the Las Vegas "strip"...
Okay, okay... so let me explain... 1 very loopy girl + 1 upholstered velour headboard = hours of fun making "impressions" on said headboard! Thank you Tracy for capturing the moment... and my guess is, the butt print is still there???Katie and I waiting and waiting at the LV airport... completely exhausted and very ready to go HOME!!!
We had such a great time. I've decided however that Vegas is best in small (make that, very small) doses!