how a blow dryer changed everything

When I first got my hair cut a couple weeks ago, I wasn't loving how it turned out. Now, keep in mind that I've had my hair cut in tons of different styles. I've never regretted a new cut. It's always felt fresh and fun to have a change.

But this time, for some reason, was different. I couldn't figure it out and I may have cried just a little bit one morning when I looked in the mirror and felt like I resembled a little page boy. 

But then the HANA Air Premier Hair Dryer came into my life. 

Misikko is a high-end hair product company which also runs Hana Salon and sells the best hair straighteners. 

So I knew they were fancy but nothing could have prepared me for what came in the mail. 

I wasn't sent just a dryer wrapped in bubble tape and a cardboard box. 

No, no. 

I was sent a total princess care package. 

Chas and I couldn't keep from giggling in amazement as I unwrapped the box and continued to pull out goodie after goodie that came along with the dryer. 

Seriously!?

And then came the moment of truth:

Pretty sure beams of light came shooting out from this box as I opened the lid. 

The complimentary shine serum is a total dream.

You know that smell your hair has after you've just dropped way too much money at a salon? Smells like you're rich and awesome? 

This stuff makes your hair smell that way every day- but for free. 

Love it. 

Chas was also in awe of the dryer. 

In fact, after he got out of the shower that night I heard him yell from the bathroom: 

"Hey Sam! Where's that dryer!?"

So he was the first to use it and the first to love it. 

(Please imagine him blow drying his hair and doing big, dramatic "hair commerical-esque" gestures and sways...because that's exactly how it went down.)

Then it was finally my turn. 

This blow dryer has changed everything because: 

It dries my hair very quickly and evenly. 

After using it, my hair actually feels more healthy and more supple.

The dryer seems to magically give my hair just the right amount of moisture it so desperately needs.

After I'm done drying, there's almost no hair on the floor that's fallen out. I can't even tell you how shocking that is every time. 

My hair stays feeling fresh and silky all day long. No extra products needed. 

And, best of all, because of my new dryer, I absolutely love my haircut! 

And just FYI...

Misikko has this dryer currently on sale for 42% off with free shipping! Huge savings.

Get on that, guys!

*I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Dryer provided by Misikko.

biggest cousin

Banks, almost 10 months old. 

Just wanna chew on him. 

I can't wait to see how little cryings and her big cousin, Banks, are together. 

Of course, for the first while, they'll be pretty oblivious to each other. This summer, Banks will be crawling all over the place and little cryings will be kiiiinda like a floppy sock (love newborns). 

But come next summer, when little cryings is 1 and the Banker man turns 2, we'll have some grand adventures all together, I'm sure. 

And when they're toddlers, I hope they fight...just a little bit. And then come tell their mommies on each other. 

Little naughty bodies. 

Oh, to be a mom!

Oh, to be a mom together with my sister(s)! 

Good times ahead.  

a citrus love letter + sponsor in April!

Dear grapefruit, orange juice, fruit smoothies, and watermelon sour patches, 

I love you. 

Every day. 

So does little cryings. 

Always, 

Sam

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We've got some spots open for sponsorship in April and would love to work with you! 

Current blog stats and rates found here. 

Email youngpeoplelove@gmail.com to get on board! 

chocolate chip chas cookies

Chas made these chocolate chip cookies recently.

And because we couldn't stop talking about how perfect they were in every way, I decided I must share the recipe with you all! 

But really- the best chocolate chip cookies you'll ever eat. 

Chocolate Chip Chas Cookies 

1 cup solid shortening

1 1/3 cup sugar & 1 cup brown sugar

1 Tb vanilla

2 ts baking soda

3 cups flour**

2 cups pecans

1 stick butter

4 eggs

1 ts lemon juice

1 1/2 ts salt

1 cup rolled oats

2 lg pkg (12 oz each) Hershey's milk chocolate chips

In a large bowl, beat shortening, butter, and sugars at high speed until light and fluffy (about 5 mins). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. 

In another bowl, stir together baking soda, salt, oats, and flour. Beat into creamed mixture until well combined; stir in chocolate chips and nuts. 

For each cookie, drop a scant 1/4 cup dough on a lightly greased baking sheet, spacing cookies about 3" apart.

Bake at 350 for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to racks and let cool. 

Makes about 3 dozen. 

**The trick to making these great, is getting the right amount of flour. Chas actually added an additional cup of flour (totaling 4 cups). You could use a little more, if needed. The consistency of the dough should be think enough so it doesn't stick to your hands. 

30 weeks (+ Chas got a hair cut)

The weather was beautifully perfect on Saturday. 

What is it about amazing weather that makes everything in life seem so much better? 

With 9 more weeks to go, I'm feeling quite large.

Kinda scares me to think I'll be gaining a pound a week from here on out. Makes me wonder if I should stop eating burgers and pizza at least three nights a week.

Sheesh. 

We finished our last birthing class last week.

Our teacher knitted every couple a pair of baby booties.
Super sweet. 

I'm feeling so, so pumped for birth. Our class really helped to sweep away the fear and uncertainty around the whole concept and process of a natural birth. Both Chas and I feel like we know what we want the experience to be like and know how to do everything within our power to have a positive birthing experience. 

At the same time, we both understand that there are plenty of factors outside our control when it comes to bringing little cryings out here. Ultimately, whatever happens with her birth will be for the best, even if the experience ends up being very different than we had planned on. 

No matter what happens, we feel confident and calm because we've done our part in preparing, learning about our options, and have tried to make the best choices we can for our growing family.

Liz-Sanity

This is my littlest sister, Lizzie. 

She's running for historian at her high school next year and needed a 1 minute video for her campaign. 

In exchange for future free babysitting, Chas and I filmed and I edited this little ditty. 

She's a confident girl, that one. 

a little italy in the living room

When Chas was 19, he served a 2-year mission for our church in Italy. 

For Christmas, his parents gave us this super amazing gift of having all these vintage Italian travel posters framed. 

In my nesting craze, we decided to try and hang these puppies up ourselves. 

It ended with me screaming, in tears, six huge holes in the wall, and no pictures hung successfully.

 I knew it would be tricky to get these to be perfectly in line and symmetrical but I didn't think it would send me into a full-on meltdown. 

Silly me. 

Who ARE these people who effortlessly hang perfect groupings of artwork on walls that I see all over the internet???

I'll tell you who they are. 

Rocket scientists. 

or

People who are paying someone else to do it perfectly for them. 

There are no other options. 

Actually, I take that back. 

A third option could involve some sort of wizardy. Probably. 

All this is to say that we had to pay someone to do the job right. 

And when I say "we," I mean Chas' parents. (We love you, Kevin and Khaliel!!!)

So happy with how these turned out! 

29 weeks (+ giveaway winner!)

So far, the third trimester has felt a lot like the first trimester. 

I'm tired all the time. 

And moody.

And nauseous. 

The only things that I can stand to eat are: 

cereal

pizza

chocolate milk

grilled cheese sandwiches

peanut butter sandwiches

pears

We've had pizza for the past three meals, actually. 

And we're looking into buying a cow to keep up with the crazy milk consumption.  

I'm also taking lots of baths lately. 

Sometimes, two a day. 

My achy muscles and joints just can't get enough of the warmy, relaxing water. 

Mmmm...

But, don't get me wrong- the third trimester is tons better than the first because we've got only 10 more weeks until we get to meet little cryings!

Tons better.

>>>

And the winner of the House of Pillows giveaway is:

Congrats, Sophia!

Email me at youngpeoplelove@gmail.com

how you know it's officially spring

When Scoots finally comes out of the garage for the first time after a looooong winter's nap. 

The level of excitement involved in getting to ride to work is pretty close to Christmas morning joy for this boy. 

oh deer!

Like I've said, I'm in full nesting mode. And it can't be confined to little crying's room. 

No, no. 

This nesting burst of energy and drive to get stuff done knows no bounds, my friends. 

(I think Chas is a little overwhelmed by it all at times.)

So one of our projects has been hanging awesome stuff on our walls. Soon, I'll show you the amazing grouping we had installed professionally this morning in the living room. 

...That's right.

Installed. Professionally. 

(Things may be getting out of control over here.)

>>>

But for now, I want to show you our new bedroom friend! 

The deer head. 

...Or just "deer" if you prefer. Less creepy. 

I snagged this decal from a fabulous Etsy shop, Wall Decals & Quotes. 

Of all the decal shops on Etsy (and there are a few), this was by far the best quality for the best price. 

Carl, the owner, is a dream to work with. I wanted a custom, larger size deer and he was so responsive and generous in helping me get just what I envisioned. 

And, as someone who's never really thought about using decals in my home, I really appreciated how helpful he was. 

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover how easy-peasey-lemon-squeezey the decal was to put up and love that it won't cause any damage to the wall upon removal. 

It's been such a fun change to have something like this on our wall instead of the same old, same old framed print or artwork. 

So if you're in the mood for a little adventure or just something fun and different to spice up your space, check out Wall Decals & Quotes.

And, just for our readers, you can get a special 15% off any decal with coupon code YPIL15OFF through the end of March! 

little things I love so much

I haven't been the easiest person to live with lately so here's a post dedicated to the person who is always patient and loving with my emotional monster self. 

The other night, we were dissembling a curtain rod (long story). 

A short while after, Chas calls to me from the living room. 

This is what I see when I come in. 

Exactly. 

>>>

During my first trimester, I felt really nauseous in the mornings and the only thing that helped would be to eat something quickly. So Chas started bringing me a bowl of cereal right when I woke up so I wouldn't even have to leave the bed before I got some food down. 

The morning sickness is long gone but Chas is still bringing me breakfast. 

Every morning, he wakes up and gets ready for work. Then he gently wakes me and asks what kind of cereal I want today. Before long, he's back with two bowls and together, we sit in bed and eat our breakfast. 

Not sure if there's a more glorious way to start each day. 

>>>

We're gearing up for a natural birth.
Part of the prep is practicing deep relaxation exercises. 

At night, especially when I can't get comfortable enough to fall asleep, Chas helps me meditate. 

He'll remind me to breathe deeply and then he'll take me on what we call a "meditation journey." 

He makes up great, relaxing, darling stories for me to focus on and, within minutes, I'm asleep. 

During last night's meditation journey, I was taking little cryings for a stroll and then ended up in a magical forest. 

>>>

And, perhaps most importantly, he lets me do some good crying whenever I need to. 

(Which has been pretty often the last two weeks. Third trimester hormones have been a doozy so far.)

So thank you, Chas. 

I love you. 

strong

(source)

Dear little cryings, 

I think we're about 99% sure we've found the perfect name for you. 

It's elegant but also strong.

Different and unique without sounding like it's trying too hard.

But most of all, I really feel like it's your name. More than any other name. 

For the first time, I've stopped casually searching for alternatives, just for kicks. 

Something about this name feels so much like you. 

Speaking of strong, I had an appointment with our midwife on Friday. 

It always takes her quite a while to zero in on your heart beat for a long enough time because you're moving around so much! And then you start punching and kicking. Such a sass pot. 

Your shenanigans make our midwife giggle and when you finally do let us hear your galloping pony heart beat, she always smiles widely. In almost disbelief, she shakes her head and makes a comment about how strong you are. 

That same routine happens almost every visit now. 

I love it. 

So when I found this print, I knew it had to go in your room. 

Always stay strong, you crazy little cryings girl. 

Love, 

Mom

the freckled italian

I want everyone to meet Megan. 

Her blog, Freckled Italian, is really great. 

PLUS she's writing her master's thesis on the Disney Princesses AND kiiiiinda looks like Zooey Deschanel. (Check out her curly hair tutorial and see for yourself!)

Megan is here to day to tell you a little bit more about her cute self! 

>>>

I'm Megan and I blog about life at Freckled Italian. 

I'm a writer and barista currently living in Charlottesville, Virginia in an apartment that has the smallest kitchen you've ever seen. I love books and I'm writing my master's thesis on the Disney Princesses. I like being friends, making coffee, trying to figure out photography, going running, curling my hair, cooking and eating delicious food, reading, crying over really good music, and trying to keep my apartment clean. 

I get scared very easily and I paint my nails at least once a week. I also talk in my sleep and wear sunscreen every day. 

My blog is where I write about what it's like to be a cooking, eating, running, writing, photo-taking grad student with a lot of student loans and dreams of a literary life. 

Please come visit me and say hello!

nursery sneak peek

Nesting is my favorite. 

print, rocker, lamp, crib, clock, pillow, rug (piece of outdoor carpet from Home Depot), bird mobile (made by me)

Not pictured: white changing table, wood night stand, original portraits of me and Chas, original blue elephant sculpture

Giveaway! {house of pillows}

You guys. 

I am so excited about this giveaway. 

So excited. 

Remember how I told you about House of Pillows a while back?...And how I have one of these pillows and how it's designer quality and beautiful? 

Well, if you don't remember, click here for the post!

All up to speed? Ok. 

Now here's where it gets really good. 

House of Pillows is giving away any pillow of the winner's choice! 

That's up to a $55 value! 

To enter: 

Must be a follower of Young People in Love. 

Then just visit House of Pillows and leave a comment telling me which pillow is your favorite. 

For an extra entry: 

Like House of Pillows on facebook. 

And, as an additional special offer, House of Pillows is giving all readers 20% (including custom orders) for the rest of March with code YPLOVE at checkout! 

I wish I could enter this giveaway... 

:) 

friday night

We went to Ikea and bought a crib. 

By a miracle, we eventually fit the box into our tiny car. 

Back at home, Chas put it together while I worked hard on assembling the little lamp we also bought. 

It's amazing how having a crib set up transforms that room. It suddenly looks like a nursery in there! I keep opening the door as I pass by, looking into the room for a few moments. 

And, just now, Chas led me into the room because I was having a small emotional breakdown moment and he told me to just come look at the nursery because it would make me feel better. 

He was right. It totally did. 

a Sunday

Everything about today was wonderful. 

Church was uplifting and inspiring. More than once, I strongly felt of Heavenly Father's love and awareness of me as an individual. 

Then the weather. Ah, the weather. A beautifully warm, sunny day after a string of snow storms. We took our first walk together in months and talked about...I don't even remember. I only remember how lovely it felt being outside with Chas. 

Back at home, we satisfied a mutual craving for grilled cheese sandwiches. Next, we pulled up all the blinds on the windows and positioned our comfy armchair to face the big living room window, the sun pouring in on the chair and on us now squeezed together in the chair. 

It was there that we dozed off together for a bit. 

The rest of the day was spent having some "library time." I stayed in the chair, put my feet up on the window sill, and soaked up the warm sun rays. Chas sat nearby on the sofa. We read our books and enjoyed the peaceful stillness of the afternoon. 

For dinner, Chas made pizza and was particularly excited about trying out a new dough recipe. I heard him giggle more than once while stirring together yeast and water. 

Then more library time for Chas, blog writing for me, and likely some homemade brownies tonight. 

Happiness.

the boy I fell in love with

This is Chas' high school senior portrait. 

I snagged it from his grandma's house after she passed away. (That sounds worse than it actually was.)

Now this glorious photo sits on my bedside dresser, facing the bed so I can see it every morning and night. 

I love this pic because it reminds me of the teenage Chas I first fell in love with, back when he was too quiet to ever really talk to me and I was too shy (around him) to ever really talk to him either. 

Now we're married with a little cryings on the way. 

And, on snowy mornings like today, he goes out to get us McDonald's breakfast...which we eat in bed.

Thanks, life, for being so awesome.  

sometimes...

I watch guilty pleasures like Smash. Is anyone else watching this? Because I kinda hate myself that I've been hooked and need to know I'm not the only sucker. 

I'm glad it's cold outside because it makes that huge mug of hot chocolate for lunch suddenly become necessary.

I wish I could just pay someone good money to do all our grocery shopping and dinner-making...for forever.

I love discovering unexpected movie gems like Puss in Boots. Chas and I haven't laughed that hard watching a movie for a long time. (We may be too easily entertained.) 

I feel like a 5 year-old when all I want to eat is lately is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. A little juice box on the side would be perfection. Fruit punch, preferably. 

I feel like it's one of the world's great injustices when I pay for a dessert and it's not as good as I wanted it to be. 

I write a blog post and realize that the vast majority of my life currently revolves around eating food...and apparently watching shows/movies.

I feel inspired to be a better person when the service manager at the car dealership gives me an amazing discount and is probably the nicest person in the universe. Seriously. It's like Santa Claus is replacing my car's timing belt. 

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Happy March, friends!

Now grab the button code on the middle side-bar, link up, and create your own "sometimes" post! 

...if you want. No pressure.