Europe tour 2012: Verona, Italy

I think Verona was the most unexpected of our destinations. We became obsessed with it. We spent the day exploring the city of Romeo and Juliet!

Eating a calzone bigger than my face. It was delicious. 

Can you believe how gorgeous this town is? The best thing about it was that there were few tourists, we felt like we had it all to ourselves. 

Verona by far had the best Gelato of our trip. I mean wow. We got it twice that day. Its even better that they shape it like a flower. haha They just opened one of these babies up in NYC and I want to go just for this Gelato. 

We hiked up stairs and stairs to get to the church on a hill, the views were breathtaking. 

We also obviously had to visit the touristy part of town. Apparently this is Juliet Capulets balcony. What I am really wondering is why this is the traditional pose with her statue? haha

I would definitely recommend verona as a fabulous break from the crazy touristing.

Europe tour 2012: Venice, Italy

Venice was a place I'd wanted to visit all growing up, I read books and books about it! People told me before I left that Venice wasn't all that it was cracked up to be because it was super touristy and the water smelled bad.

Completely the opposite experience that we had. Venice was GORGEOUS and I never once noticed a bad smell. Everytime we turned a corner we needed to take another picture. We didn't get to take a ride on a gondola, $40, no way! but we explored the city and all the fun shops it had to offer!!

Venice was the city of my dreams no doubt!

Looking back

I anyone else obsessed with looking back? I love reading through my old journals and looking back through all my photos/photo books. I seriously keep all of that sentimental stuff. It makes me so happy. Im still especially obsessed with my wedding photos!

So grateful for my wonderful friend and photographer Anna and her Fiancé at the time Mateo! They recently launched a new brand together and I love it!! Check it out Anna & Mateo.

Philippines planning

I am getting so excited planning for our awesome 9 day adventures to the Philippines! I definitely need to find a rash guard, I am thinking this one from Jcrew. Its only $35. I also need some new shades, sandals, and some kind of cover-up or sun dress. Its going to be mighty hot there!

Easter weekend

This Easter weekend was filled with food, family and fun. The three F's. haha Because I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we also have General Conference which is 8 glorious hours of listening to our prophets and apostles talk about Jesus Christ, families, marriages, and other gospel topics. I can't think of a better way to spend Easter than focusing so much of my time on Christ!

Saturday night the boys had a session of conference just for them so my mom sister and I went to dinner at the amazing Station 22 in Provo. Those sweet potato wedges are the best Ive ever had! We also finished off dinner with fried cookie dough, why not? My little teenager sister ditched us for friends afterwards (someday she'll realized we are cooler than her friends) and my mom and I went shopping!

Sunday we spent the whole day at my parents, and started the day off right eating our traditional homemade cinnamon rolls! Then we had 22 people over to my parents for Easter dinner. We even had some friends join us! Dinner was delicious, the egg hunt we set up for my siblings was a blast, and we even got easter baskets full of goodies from my parents. We aren't adults yet! haha

Man I love the weekend!

Today I am linking up with Oak and Oats! Link up your favorite post from the week:

LINK UP
Every Monday I host a link up called Week's End! It is a place for you to link up your favorite post from the week and meet new bloggers. I love community and think that we can all learn something from each other! This week Jess of Love Always, Jess is my co-host!

Hi! My Name is Jessica and I blog over at Love Always, Jess. I write this blog to chronicle my life and thoughts.I love to read, travel, cook, and be healthy. I have an amazing job at Qualtrics as a professional services consultant (it's okay if you have no idea what this is, no one does). I am also a Utah Sales Rep for an organization called The Shine Project which I am obsessed with.




RULES
1. Link up ANY POST from last week!
2. Make sure it is a POST and not your BLOG URL. We love your blog but we want you to share a post.
3. Click on one, two, three, or more posts and LEAVE ENCOURAGING COMMENTS. The whole point of this is to find new blogs, make new friends, and all that good stuff! You MUST read the post right before yours and comment.

An InLinkz Link-up

April Goals

I love setting and accomplishing goals. It is so rewarding. I think April is going to be full of fun, surprises, and lots of new adventures. I especially can't wait for the beach!

March Goals (recap)

1. Get prepared for house shopping (check around for rates, get all of the documents we need to get pre qualified, save some more money) AH we are buying a house soon!-We've done this! Checked around a couple places for rates, gotten everything together in a handy dandy notebook, etc.

2. Read 5 books- I only finished one book but I am almost done with 3 others. 

3. Run twice a week and attend 2 yoga classes a week- Running stayed pretty consistent but I don't know what happened with yoga! 

4. Plan meals out over the weekend- did this half the time. 

5. Finalize plans for the Philippines (print all docs, make final plans for leaving, plan our Coron tour). We made our final leaving plans, but still a couple of things to Iron out. 

April goals

1. Do something active during the work day every day (bike ride, walk, run, yoga)

2. Read 5 books (this should be easy since I am almost done with 3)

3. Go through closet and and underneath bed, get rid of things we don't need.

4. Shop for the Philippines (I cannot wait!!!!)

5. Wrap up all of my work so I don't have to worry while I am gone and have no internet. (no internet, what a dream.)

Europe tour 2012: Milan, Italy

Milan was I think my least favorite place that we visited.

Which is sad because I was excited for the alleged fashion capitol of the world!

It started out with a bad experience on the subway. Adrienne and I were minding our own business chatting it up as we waited for the train. I got this weird feeling and looked to my left where my side strapped bag hung. I was shocked to see a girl, probably my age, reaching her hand into my bag. I completely froze as we locked eyes. She slowly took her hand out and got out of sight as quickly as she could. Luckily that bag was a freakin beast to get anything out of so she didn't get away with anything (When we were in London I bought some sunglasses and literally had to dump the contents of my entire bag out on the counter to find my wallet- it was theif proof).

It also didn't help that #1 it was impossible to find our apartment for our stay and #2 we shared a twin bed and the owners creepy cat kept scaring us away. Plus our lifeline to the outside world Wifi, didn't work well in the apartment. I really wish we had ditched Milan and spent more time in the other amazing places we visited.

I can't even find any pictures of us from this place. Enjoy the picture of the Milan Duomo, It is a very pretty/ornate cathedral. To be honest our big push for staying in Milan is that we could use it as a hub for getting to and from some other hidden treasures (Verona and Venice which were about an hour away)