This Just In!

I have an etsy shop! Please stop by to check out my stuff. Maybe I can design something for you? Check out Half Pint Design Studio on etsy! Coming soon — Valentines Cake Stencils.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today I just wanted to post a happy birthday message to my Dad, who, if still with us would be 65 today! Thank you for...
•all the laughs
•your wonderful sense of humor
•your inability to stay mad at anybody
•your patience
•driving me to gymnastics everyday
•coaching my soccer team
•coaching my ski team
•starting the ski team
•providing a strong father figure to others who didn't have one
•all of the wonderful people you brought into my life
•always finding a way for us to experience what our family otherwise could not have afforded
•the trip to the Alps
•numerous trips to Mt. Hood.
•coming out to the Spring Series on a whim when you knew I was having a difficult time
•cooking us crepes
•the games we played in German class
•letting me constantly get you off topic in class
•helping discover things I am passionate about
•taking me on drives to get iceberg shakes
•putting me in incredibly painful yet fun wrestling holds
•not not making a big deal when Jenny told you I had a boyfriend — I was sure you would flip
•making the kids' bathroom your first stop after your morning runs
•supporting me in whatever I wanted to do
•for building me a beam for gymnastics (which is currently rotting in the backyard)
•always being there for me, even when I don't know it

I miss you!

Frou Frou — Breathe In

Can't help but love, you know...

Delicious Atrocity

Testing...testing...Happy Birthday Pete....oh, thank God that was just a test!

Yesterday, I attempted a not so beginner cake, as a beginner. The results were frightening and surprisingly delicious! I have learned, patience, although difficult, really is a good thing. My cake fell to pieces after I tried to assemble and then reassemble it! However, I decided to finish what I started and go ahead and pour that chocolate glaze over my masterpiece.

Weird thing happened though, in the "normal" and "controlled" part of the baking process...notice my cake in the pan looks like a brain, or to some, a bulging hemorrhoid.

Fortunately, this really was the tester cake. Hopefully the next one will look a little more "put together."

- the cake is a dark chocolate fudge layer cake with jalapeno raspberry preserves as filling and a chocolate glaze. -

Ah, I Love Efficiency

Saw this post on swissmiss, The Beatles, flowcharted. Why is this funny to me? It reminds me of my work process, how I organize and work with layers in photoshop etc. I love it, it makes sense, and it's easy to follow!

A Fun, Easy, and Loving DIY Project

Design*Sponge has a post up for an artist who paints on wood, prints on it, and then puts it in an oak frame. I think the work is cute and love the sweet messages. I went over to the website for Coulson Macleod, who creates the prints, and when I looked at the price, I couldn't help but think to myself this would be so easy to make on my own. There is one print I am fond of, the "I think I just fell in love with you." I feel the others could be done better, with more white space, maybe different sized font etc. I can even envision this print with a bit of collage underneath and then little tweaks here and there, especially for the longer statements.

I think the idea is adorable, and we all definitely to show more love. Why not start with some warm, affectionate artwork?

Happy Late Halloween!

Dyansty

Last week I proudly attended Warren Miller's Dynasty. Strange as it may seem, I was most excited to see the credits — my cousin Jesse was the Associate Producer, Pat, my little brother, was in the closing credits as an Intern and there was even a special thanks to my late Grandpa, John K. Hayes, one of Utah's early skiers. Congrats fam!

I left the film inspired. For one, I am determined to retire my race skis and turn them in for a nice pair of "fatties." Next, I am definitely going to do a back flip this year. For those of you who know me, you know that when it comes to doing flips on the ground, sans skis, I am golden and can go all day long. In fact, I may just bust one out mid conversation. However, when it comes to having a pair of skis strapped on, I think of the worst case scenarios — such as over-rotating and breaking my neck, getting my tips stuck in the snow etc. I am extremely goal oriented, so I am hoping that by telling certain people and writing this down, I will not only "remember" my goal, but I will be held accountable for actually completing it by the end of the season. Now all I need to do is wait for the powder!

Thanks Warren Miller for the pre-season inspiration!

Gilly's First Snow

A Perfect Weekend

Awe...just returned home last night from a perfect weekend in Sun Valley. I left Wednesday evening and got in town just in time to surprise Pete with an early arrival just as he was dozing off.

In the morning Pete's roommate Ryan made me breakfast (officially making him the coolest roommate ever) and then the two of us took off to chop fire wood. I think this was actually my first time chopping fire wood - Ryan even let me use the axe! ;) I have to admit the first few swings were a little shaky, especially the one that stopped right before my leg. Fortunately it only took me one "close" call to bump it up to my A game.

Actually, everyday I was there, I was served delicious homemade breakfasts by Pete, taken out for pizza, drinks and I can't forget to mention a lovely dinner (and dessert) at Il Naso, where Doug, Pete's buddy, is the executive chef. (It appears from this posting that food is the way to my heart).

After a lovely, casual weekend, I returned home to a new, actually operating, hot tub at my house - and roommates requesting that I test it out with them. Not a bad weekend!