5 reasons to stay at paradise pier

Ever since my family joined the Disney Vacation Club, our go-to hotel when we travel to Disneyland is Paradise Pier Hotel. Maybe you're unfamiliar with it, I feel like it gets overshadowed by the Disneyland Hotel (known because of it's named) and Grand Californian (because HELLO is a total high-class, pampering atmosphere.) So I've come up with 5 reasons why YOU should stay at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.

1. Arrival

When you arrive to your hotel room they always have a surprise for you, rice krispy treats and Disney chocolates! It's so fun to feel pampered from the moment you arrive.

2. All Three Amenities

You can STILL use all the amenities at the other 2 Disney hotels, which you probably won't need to, but just in case you'd like to test out the Disneyland Hotel pool, it's all included! This also means the convenient hotel guest entrance into Disney's California Adventure. 

3. PCH Grill

This yummy restaurant has a character brunch from 7:00am-1:00 pm complete with Mickey waffles, omelets, sausage, bacon etc. At dinner time they serve American dishes, you can find more info about the menu HERE. (Characters do not appear at dinner time.)

It's so nice to be able to wake up and have a character dining in your own hotel and my family LOVES the breakfast variety. Plus, they don't judge if you need Coca-Cola before 9 am, which on Disney vacations is usually necessary.

4. Fireworks!!

About 15 minutes before Disneyland fireworks start, you can make your way to the pool deck of Paradise Pier where the PUMP the music in FROM Disneyland and you get your own private fireworks show. You have almost a perfect view of the fireworks, and you don't have to stand for hours on end to hold your spot in Disneyland. Every time we've watched fireworks from the pool deck we love it and only share the view with a few other families.

5. Inexpensive (By Disney resort terms)

Standard rooms start between $250-$350 which is a pretty good deal for ANY Disney resort. Compared to the other 2 hotels (Disneyland and Grand Californian) you get a great deal for the amazing Disney service you love. 

We love how attentive all the employees are and how willing they are to help you out. Also, if you have a little more to splurge, definitely ask if you can upgrade to Concierge. They have all you can eat treats and canned soda in a special Concierge lounge. We stock up on soda, chips and Uncrustables each day and it easily pays for itself in what we save on that.

Have you ever stayed at a Disney Resort Hotel?

Read More

love story part sixteen: engagement photos

All photos were taken by and belong to Scott Sumner Studios. 

They were taken at Antelope Island in Utah.

Read More

march goals

______________________

Spiritual:

Consider the time I have in the car to be sacred. Use it as a time to pray to my Heavenly Father and reflect on my relationship with Him. Listen only to uplifting music, but preferable talks on CD or Ted Talks. Something inspiring.

Personal:

Organize and plan my blog changes. Make adjustments to sponsorships. Talk to blog designer about goals and create pinterest board of inspiration.

Relationship:

Don't dump on my husband. Share necessary items but remain positive. Make his life happier!

Physical:

Refrain from overeating. Go to the gym 4x a week for 1 hour with Mr. Jolley.

Intellectual:

Finish "Be Nice or Else" a book by Winn Claybaugh.

______________________

What goals are you setting for March??

Read More

h2blow salt lake city review

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go get a blow-out from a fancy schmancy place in SLC called "H2 Blow." It was pretty darn relaxing if you ask me.

Ya see, I'm currently on the hunt for places I want to work when I graduate in 7 months, and since styling is my favorite part of doing hair, I decided to check out a place where styling is the specialty, a blow dry bar!

I booked what was apparently the last appointment of the evening, so it was a little weird to have just me and my stylist there. But I felt pampered nonetheless.

She took me to the shampoo bowl where I fully enjoyed myself, kicking back and relaxing and smelling the delicious Kevin Murphy products she was using on my dry damaged hair. I even got a deep condition! And boy did my hair feel a difference.

I asked for some simple loose curls, nothing tight or crazy looking. And she whipped out some awesome curls in record time.

Overall I was super impressed with H2 Blow. Great service, great environment, great products and DUH hanging blow dryers! I felt pampered and relaxed when I left. Check out their website which has handy dandy online booking and their instagram.

It will definitely be a place that I will be looking into applying once I'm done with school. Have you ever had your hair done at a blow dry bar?

I was not compensated in any way for this review, all opinions are my own. 

Read More

blogging advice: how to find a blog designer

On almost any post you see about blogging, it will tell you one of the most important things to consider is your blog design. Whether you're new to blogging, trying to grow your blog, or even trying to hook some sponsors, blog design is HUGE!

I've been around the block a few times with designers, so I feel like I'm starting to understand it a little more. The first designer I ever went do was Melissa Rose Design, back in like 2011 or something. I bought a pre-made template and LOVED it. She's been doing amazing work ever since.

Today I'm simplifying it down. How DO you go about choosing a blog designer? Here's some tried and true tips for choosing a blog designer.

\

Step 1. Set your budget

Blog designs can be EXPENSIVE, but it's never ever appropriate to ask a designer to lower their prices for you. They spend a lot of time learning how to do what they do, and a lot of money on programs they need to create your design, not to mention the labor it actually takes to create a blog design. 

In my experience, on average, custom blog designs can range from $30-$250. Which is a pretty big range right?? And it's not necessarily that you get what you pay for. Sometimes more inexpensive designers still do a phenomenal job, and sometimes you need a pricier designer to get the job done, it's all about the research. 

Have a small budget? Jana Tolman Designs is a wonderful friend of mine with inexpensive prices and fast turn around. 

So plan what amount you're willing to spend on your blog design and then go to step two.

Step 2. Do your research

Ask around! Find your favorite blog designs and ask them who designed their blog. Ask them about their experience. Don't just settle with finding one person who's design you happen to like, look around plenty! This is a huge investment you are making in your blog, so make it worthwhile!

Thinking about Wordpress instead of Blogger? Those designers are few and far between, but I've heard nothing but good reviews about High Note Designs. She's the Wordpress queen!

Step 3. Check their portfolio

Every blog designer should have a page called "Portfolio" or something similar. This is where you can see past blog designs they have done and see if they have the skills you are looking for. 

A great portfolio example would be Heart & Arrow Design who designed my old blog, This Little Blonde.

Step 4. Decide on a date you need your blog design done by & find designers availability

There are few things more frustrating than signing up to get a blog design and then realizing it is going to take 6 months to get it done, unless of course you've planned ahead and don't want your blog changed for 6 more months. Most designers have a waitlist/wait time on their design site somewhere, if not don't hesitate to email them! This is a JOB for them and they should be willing to answer questions for you.

Looking for a quick design? Anniversal Studios does designs in just a few days with a max of 3 weeks. That's SUPER fast in blog design world in case you were wondering.

Step 5. Decide how much say you want in your design

Some designers charge per alteration, but what if you don't like the original design? However, keep in mind that changes do take time. As a personal choice, I know I'm indecisive, so I'd never go with a blogger who would charge me for less than 2 alterations. Anything more than that and I think they deserve to be paid more, but part of a custom design is that it's CUSTOMIZED! And you deserve to have a blog you love.

Step 6. Choose your designer

Make sure they fit all your specifications and choose a blog design package that works for you. Find out what they charge if you ever want anything changed on your blog (because trust me, the day will come.) Ask them as many questions as you want! 

Think you'll need post-installation support? Love Grows Design is AWESOME at that. 

Step 7. Find your inspiration

Create a secret Pinterest board to start hosting all the inspiration you find. Collect links to blog designs you love and send them to your designer. Draw out a picture of what you want and send it to your design if you'd like. 

Do you want simple and impactful like Love, The Skinny's Designs? Or are you looking for something more bold and busy?

Step 8. Sit back, wait for your design and profusely thank your designer

I 100% believe in blog karma. If you love your blog design, tell people! Whenever I see someone ask who does good blog designs, I always give a shout out to my homegirl Brielle. She deserves it! And blog karma has come back to me from that in so many ways.

Do you have any other tips you'd add to choosing a blog designer?

Read More

love story part fifteen: the proposal

It was just another night in my eyes. I was driving from Logan to Roy, he was driving from Salt Lake to Roy. My family, Mr. Jolley and I all met at my old high school for my little brother's band concert. I sat next to him holding hands while we listened to my little bro play. I rode home to my parent's with him.

We all got inside and started chatting and what not. Since he had come from work he asked if it was okay if he got his comfy clothes from his car to change into. I told him of course and meanwhile my sister says she has a YouTube video to show me.

She pulls up a video of fake proposals. I'm STILL clueless. Why? Because I'd given him a few dates that he absolutely under no circumstances could propose to me on. My mom's birthday, my brother's birthday, and my sister's graduation day. It was my mother's birthday, and I trusted him that much. Silly me.

After around 30 seconds of a completely useless YouTube video, I feel Mr. Jolley's presence near me. I turn my computer chair I'm sitting in to face him and realize he's holding 2 dozen roses.

He hands me the roses and I stand up. He gets down on one knee and proceeds to give the sweetest speech I'll never remember. I was shaking, he was shaking harder. I couldn't believe this was happening. All of my family was grinning from ear to ear. He spoke of how grateful he was to have met me, and how he knows God brought us together. He said he'd had the most wonderful time getting to know me, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life getting to know me even more. He opened the ring box. I barely noticed the ring.

"Brooklyn Burton... Will you marry me?"

"Yes... Of course!" 

I was surprised I didn't cry. We kissed. We hugged and held each other tight. We laughed. I showed the ring to all my family. It truly was heaven on earth to realize I got to spend forever with him, I would never have to leave him and he would never have to leave me.

While talking later that night he asked if I knew why he proposed like he did. I told him not really, besides that I'd asked him to keep it low key and I knew my family wanted to be there. Mr. Jolley told me his dream was to propose to his wife in the same way that his wife's dad proposed to her mother. And that's exactly what he did, low-key, in her home. It was a perfect evening.

We went to a nearby park and laid a blanket out, looking at the stars and talking about our future. I forgave him for proposing on my mom's birthday of course. ;) And I walked on cloud nine for the rest of the night. I was officially going to be Mrs. Brooklyn Jolley. For time & all eternity. 

Read More

want $175 cash?

Happy Tuesday, I hope your day is going good so far! Today, I have teamed up with 8 other ladies to bring you a $175 Cash Giveaway. Enter to win below and make sure to visit all of the other co-hosts and show them some follow love! 

simply clarke / whitney blake / a little too jolley

miss glam dan / living lavender / a harvest of blessing

denim and daydreams / danielle faith / mess makes food

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More