Adventure Is Out There!

I love to travel, traveling's my favorite. My favorite place to go is San Diego because, we go at least once a year and there's so much to do. We have all our favorite restaurants picked out, our favorite shops and beaches. It's the best way to spend Spring Break, just relaxing by the beach and taking it all in. You don't always have to travel far, and you don't always have to stay somewhere fancy. Camping is SO fun and it's not fancy at all. Anyways, here are a few places I've traveled recently:

Hawaii:

My most recent one. We spent everyday on the beach tanning, swimming and paddle boarding. Even though I was just with my parents, it was still pretty fun... We mini-golfed, went out for snow cones and I swam with dolphins! Super awesome trip overall, just wish I could've stayed longer. 

Best snow cone place EVER.

Las Vegas:

We took a road trip to Vegas because of a soccer tournament. An 8 hour drive with Ali and DJ and all we did was eat, sleep and watch movies! Once we actually got to Vegas we had lots of games and it was good because we won our first game, but then it just kinda went downhill from there. Plus our coach wouldn't even let us go in the pool. Stupid. At the end of it all, we didn't care what he said, we were going in the pool. So we did and then right after, it was time to pack up and drive back home. It was a short trip but it was definitely worth it  and I had a ton of fun. 

Pool in Vegas

Midway:

Just a 30 minute drive to our campsite, hidden away in the hills with the trees. Just another quick trip for Memorial Day Weekend. We went hiking and I got super sunburnt because I didn't but on sunscreen. We roasted marshmallows, and hot dogs and played games by the campfire. Holly and I stayed in our own tent and it was the coziest thing I've ever slept in. We had so many blankets and sleeping bags it didn't even feel like camping... A successful trip, and maybe we'll go again this year!

Aspens!

Artsy Pictures By The Fire

Besides the actual place, just getting there is fun. Whether it's driving or flying it's always fun. I like planes because you get there quickly and sometimes there are movie screens so you can just waste time watching all the new movies you didn't want to pay to see at the theater.(Delta)  Driving is my all time favorite because you can bring pretty much anything you want. All the food you want and you can stop whenever to go to the bathroom or stop for even more food! Even if you can't travel far, it's always fun to just go somewhere new. You don't have to spend a lot of money because there are cheaper options.   

Traveling's the best and I hope one day, I can travel around the world and maybe live in a different country! 

xoxo- Emma

Life Hacks: Part 2

More tips for those random times in your life when you actually remember them...

1. Put vaseline on your eyelashes at night to help them grow.

2. Exercise before bed to burn more calories.

3. Make your paper longer but increasing the sizes of all your commas and periods to 14 pt font instead of 12.

4. Don't know what to get someone for their birthday? Have them make three guesses for what you got them BOOM, that's what they want.

5. Put Listerine on a pimple to shrink it fast.

6. Peel a banana from the bottom so you won't have to pick off the little "stringy things"

Picture Credits to: Style Hacks

7. Use nail polish remover to clean you converse.

8. In an emergency, a crayon will burn for 30 minutes.

9. Feeling ugly? Go sit in Walmart for a few hours, you'll start feeling better really fast: 

People Of Walmart

10. Put clear nail polish on the inside of your rings so your finger won't turn green.

11. To get the degrees symbol- On your phone: hold down zero. On computer: option, zero

12. Don't have a spoon to eat your apple sauce? Make a spoon out of the foil lid

13. Store your bobby pins in a Tic-Tac container!

14. Want whiter teeth? Rub a banana peel on them. (Idk about this one :/)

15. Use a spring from an old pen to keep your charger from bending and breaking.

16. When ordering coffee ask for a medium in a large cup. Chances are they'll just fill it all the way up!

Ha there you go. One more than last time ;) I actually really like reading these. It took me an hour to right this just because I was looking at a ton of websites to find cool ones. If you have any tips you wanna share comment them below!

xoxo- Emma

Wake Up In The Morning Feelin' Like...

Mornings are the worst. Especially when you know that you're getting ready for school. Laying in bed trying to convince yourself to get up, trying that stupid thing where you count down from 10 then get up. Hitting the snooze button a million times before prying yourself from the warmth of your blankets and the comfort of your bed. It sucks. It really does. Somehow I manage to get out the door on time everyday so here's what I do in the morning...

1. I set my alarm for 5:30, 5:45, 6:00 and I finally wake up at 6:15. Sometimes I wake up right at 5:30 and just go on my phone for a little but most of the time I sleep till 6:15

2.  6:20 I roll out of bed and stumble to the bathroom, then I wrap in a blanket and plop down on my vanity and turn on my music

3. I take off the makeup I was too lazy to take off yesterday, curl my eyelashes and put on more mascara

4. 6:30 I look through my closet trying to find something comfy but cute and get dressed.

5. Unplug my computer, pack my school bag then pack my bag for track (or whatever I'm doing after school)

6.  6:35 Head out to the kitchen where my mom made my lunch and I grab something for breakfast: I usually have some Cinnamon Toast Crunch but sometimes my mom surprises me with something else!

Not my breakfast but it looks good!
Photo Cred to Tumblr

7. 6:45 After breakfast I gather my things and start off on the cold and dark journey to my bus stop where I wait alone for the creepy bus driver to pick me up

Then I get to school and a whole new adventure begins... I think it's the weirdest thing how I wake up thinking that I'm so tired but then by third period I completely forget this morning! I still don't like school. I really like seeing my friends but teachers yell at you and single you out, it's kinda a downer. Anyways... This is what works for me and I'll probably keep doing it until June 2018 when I graduate! Thanks for readying my blog! <3

Also check out this blog for more help in the morning: Anna's Blog

Seasonal Sensations: Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

I don't even know how to explain how delicious this cake is. We always have it around spring for Easter or Mother's Day and it's the best. The first bite you take is mouthful of amazing lemon cake with bursts of blueberry every once in a while. On top of that you get the icing. Ohhh that's the best part, it melts in your mouth and tastes like heaven.Try making it for your family this Spring and see how they like it:

Photo Credit to Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients for the Cake:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup of light brown sugar
•  4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Zest and Juice of 3 medium lemons
• 1 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray three 9x2 inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high until creamy - about 1 minute. 
3. Add granulated and brown sugars and beat on medium-high speed until creamed, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 
4. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until everything is combined, about 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Set aside.
5. In a large sized bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6.  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed for 5 seconds, then add the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
7.  Remove from the mixer and stir lightly until everything is just combined. 
8. Toss the blueberries in 1 Tablespoon of flour and fold into the batter. Batter is extremely thick. Do not overmix at any point. Overmixing will lend a tough, dense textured crumb.
9. Spoon batter evenly into 3 prepared cake pans. If only using 2 cake pans, your bake time will be longer. Bake the three layers for about 21-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine took 21 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Photo Credits to: Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients for frosting:

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 - 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt



Directions:

1. Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until no lumps remain, about 3 full minutes. 
2. Add confectioners' sugar, 1 Tablespoon cream, vanilla extract, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add 1 more Tablespoon of cream to thin out, if desired.
3. Assemble and frost: First, using a large serrated knife, trim the tops off the cake layers to create a flat surface.
4.  Place 1 layer on your cake stand. Evenly cover the top with cream cheese frosting. Top with 2nd layer, more frosting, then the third layer. Top with frosting and spread around the sides. The recipe doesn't make a ton of frosting, just enough for a light frost. 
5. Top with blueberries or lemon garnish if desired. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before cutting or else the cake may fall apart as you cut.
6. Make ahead tip: Prepare cakes and frosting 1 day in advance. Keep cakes at room temperature, covered tightly. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container until ready to use. Frosted or unfrosted cakes may be frozen up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature if desired before serving.

If your have more questions about this recipe check out this site: Sally's Baking Addiction

100 Things That Make Me Happy :)

Think about your top ten favorite things. This is what were told to do this in leadership and it was actually pretty hard! I couldn't narrow it down to just 10 things. The eraser shavings just kept building up as I thought more and more about all the things I love! Lots of them were food. But that doesn't matter because that's what makes me happy in life! 

100 Things I Love:

1. Traveling

Photo taken by me! In Hawaii

2. Walmart Sweatpants

3. Caesar Salad

4. Iced Tea

5. Trains

6. Fuzzy Blankets

7. 12 hour TV Marathons

8. Cookie Dough

9. My Phone

10. Mechanical Pencils

11. Nike Elite Socks

12. Photography

13. Leggings

14. Emojis

15. The Pillow Case I Made in 7th Grade 

16. Hawaii

17. Getting My Nails Done

18. Shopping

19. Build- A- Bear Workshop

20. Elephants

21. Lucky Charms

22. Frozen Fruit Snacks

23. Movie Theater Pop Corn

24. The Fourth of July

25. Comforters 

26. Being Organized

27. Sparkles

28. McDonlad's Chicken Nuggets

Photo Taken by Me: Sunrise in Hawaii

29. Coupons

30. Beaches

31. Hotels

32. Cafe Rio Green Sauce

33. Scarves

34. Living in Park City

35. Sunrises and Sunsets

36. Wreck-It Ralph

37. High School Soccer

38. Boating

39. Jackson Hole

40. San Diego

41. Mr. Peabody and Sherman

42. Men's Deodorant

43. Long Road Trips

44. College Sweatshirts

45. Long Sleeve Shirts

46. Costco

47. Bacon

A Long Road Trip to San Diego
With My Best Friend: My Photo

48. Sports Bras

49. Soccer

50. Boys

51. Bean Bags

52. Dr. Pepper

53. Jonas Brothers

54. Rainy Days

55. Rainbows

56. Flannels

57. Kinder Chocolate

58. Camping

59. Nikon Cameras

60. Dogs

61. Long Baths

62. Sundance

63. Bath and Body Works: Vanilla Bean Noel Lotion

64. Hair Cuts

65. Crispy Creme Donuts

66. Ukulele

67. Mom's Homemade Popcorn

68. Homemade Ice Cream

69. Weekends

70. Snapchat

71. Tea at The Grand America

72. PJ's

73. Good Grades

My Pup! Photo Taken by Me

74. Hiking

75. Summer Olympics 

76. Cheese

77. Playgrounds

78. Picnics

79. Bread

80. Sour Gummy Worms

81. McDonald's Sausage, Egg and Cheese McGriddles

82. Shaved Ice

83. Big Hero 6

84. Having No Homework

85. World Market

86. Facetime

87. Wii

88. Pomegranates 

89. Stickers

90. Corn

91. Slippers

92. Handstands

93. Stars

94. Pineapple Pizza

95. Lagoon

96. Lifesaver Mints

97. Earrings

98. Skiing

99. Google

100. Hats

*This is the coolest blog: 1000 Awesome Things *

Now I like to be happy, but there are somethings that I CAN NOT stand. So here's another list for ya!

20 Things I Hate:

1. When people chew with their mouth open

2. When Freshman hangout with the Juniors and Seniors to be more popular

3. When you drop hints but the person still doesn't get it

4. The word CHUNKY

5. When people won't just give you an answer, they make you think about it

6. Sweet Potatoes

7. When people just stop in the middle of the hallway. WHY?!

8. When your only hair tie breaks

9. When no one will give you a hair tie

10. When people say, "Oh it's and inside joke, you wouldn't get it."

11. Those people with a laugh louder than anyone else's

12. When people post 100 seconds of shit on their story

13. Super Clingy Friends

14. How everything is blocked on our computers

15. Pepper

16. When Pandora doesn't play any good songs

17. Mom asking "Who you texting?"

18. "Wow you're feeling holy today?" When you wear ripped jeans

19. Asking if you can go to the bathroom and hearing "I don't know, CAN you?"

20. That awkward interaction with a car when you don't know if you should cross or not

Superbowl Sunday!

It's Superbowl Sunday and I'm sitting here writing a blog. Oh well! I'm mostly excited for the snacks, especially the hot wings! No one judges you on Superbowl Sunday because there are no "diets" here, it's a chance to eat all the chips, dips and junk food you want. Anyways, here are some random, but useful, things to do/eat:

Workout:

- When someone gets a touchdown: 10 Jumping Jacks
- Whenever there's an interception: 30 Second Plank
- When there's funny commercial: 10 Mountain Climbers
- When you watch sad commercial: 20 Second Wall Sit
- When a team gets a first down: 5 Push-Ups
- When someone gets a flag: 10 Squats
- When a coach makes a bad call ;) 15 Sumo Squats
- Half time show: Take A Break

If you're having a party, that's cool. I'm not. We usually just watch the game as a family and sometimes I help my mom cook a little... We don't really have dinner while we watch the game, we just put out lots of appetizers and such to snack on. Sooooo, here's some of the things we eat.

Food Ideas:

- Buffalo Wings: We usually buy ours from Costco but they're so good!
- Pizza: Barbecue Chicken is my favorite type of pizza so we usually have that.
- Potato Skins: Top it with bacon, cheese, green onions, sour cream and whatever you feel!
- Pigs In A Blanket: Smaller than a hot dog but twice the fun
- Nachos: Spicy nachos, Normal Nachos doesn't matter, they're good anyway
- Chips and Dip: Onion dip is the best.

Decorations:

- Cover your table with green butcher paper (grass) then with white paint, paint on the field markings
- Streamers the color of your favorite team!
- Signs and banners for everyone to look at
- Put out penalty flags for people to wave around and have fun with

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Be creative with the food and decorations! Really anything goes.... Just make sure you have LOTS of food and comfortable places for people to chill while they watch the game. For more ideas check out this website... SUPER BOWL!!!!

I'm really excited about the half time show! Last year Bruno Mars rocked it so I don't know if Katy Perry can live up to the expectation. We'll see... But she has been known for some weird songs/ music videos. 

A Coffee Shop Right at Home

I know that whenever I get off the bus, the only thing I want to do is cuddle up in a fuzzy blanket by the fire with a warm winter drink in my hand. When I think of winter drink the first thing that comes to mind is hot chocolate. And as much as I love hot chocolate it will get pretty old day after day. So with this post I will show you some yummy alternatives for a warm winter drink. After reading this it will be like having a coffee shop right in your kitchen.

Photo Courtesy Of Imgarcade

1. For the first drink, I'm going to start with one with a little spice, a chai tea latte. You can buy the product at the the store, which makes it quick and easy. Just mix is fifty fifty with milk, heat it up and your good to go. If you want to add a little twist, add a touch of vanilla or a dash of cinnamon. I can't make it through winter without this toasty treat.

2. Secondly is hot chocolate. I love it because while you can go with traditional milk chocolate, you can also have so many different kinds such as: Mexican, carmel, white, dark, peppermint, and more.  There are so many kinds do can have a different one each day.

3. My third is for the coffee lovers. Because well, who doesn't love a good latte. And it's a really easy one to make. Just brew a pot of coffee, and get your favorite creamer to go along with it.  Lastly finish off with a frother, if you have one. If not, it's not a big deal, your latte will still be delicious.

4. Fourth is a traditional warm drink, tea! Tea is probably to easiest one to make. Just get a kettle and your favorite kind of tea and your set. And with so many choices, you can't go wrong. Early Grey, Green, Peppermint, etc. Add some honey and enjoy!

5. Lastly is for the people who don't like coffee, tea, or chocolate. I don't know why you wouldn't, but there is another option for you. A simple steamer. Warm some milk, add your favorite flavoring, and froth away. It's simply scrumptious!

There are many variations to can make to each one of these drinks, whether you simply want some more flavoring or want to make it a seasonal sensation. My favorite brand of flavoring is a syrup called Torani. It comes in such a variety of flavors you can find anything! They even have a sugar-free line. Using these syrups, you can create your own drinks, maybe even one day you'll have one named after you.

These drinks will save you some trips to the coffee shop and hopefully some money too. Enjoy!