The Intern

I thought I should take a quick minute and write my thoughts down about my internship. It is quickly coming to an end, which has become very bitter sweet to me.

I had a hard time starting this internship. I get a lot of anxiety about trying new things, putting myself out there, and being critiqued. Most of the time I don't let it get to me very badly. I work through it and all is okay. With the internship it was hard to work through. I didn't know what I would be doing and even once I started, everyday was different so I couldn't mentally prepare myself for what was to come.

I constantly was telling myself it was okay, that I just needed to try my best and all would be great. Most of the time that worked. but sometimes I still felt like my brain was pulling in all different directions.

Luckily I got a pretty good handle on my emotions and learned "come what may and love it." I took one day at a time and really started to love the things I was doing.

I never did anything super duper amazing, but I felt I learned and grew so much from this experience, I would not trade it for the world.

A lot of the time spent there I was fixing mistakes/ problems that had already been made. I was assigned a box of clothing that each item needed something to be fixed or just finished on it. I spent a lot of time working on that and other times working on fixing things that needed to be done asap. One week I fixed probably over 100 or more zippers. In that week I sure did learn a lot about zippers and how to fix them.

Going into this I knew I wasn't the best sewer in the world. To be honest I wasn't that confident in myself at all, which is why it was such a mental struggle for me. But as I started to perform the tasks I realized I do know a lot of what they are wanting me to do and what they are talking about. Sure I didn't know everything and I was constantly asking questions and seeking help but I also gained a little bit of confidence in myself. I realized that I can do these things and if I work really hard I can do a really good job on them.

I loved getting an inside look on how a company like this runs and how they accomplish things. It was an eye opening experience that really made me see what I would like to accomplish and do in my life.

Overall this internship, being an intern at Shabby Apple taught me more than I could have ever imagined. It was the perfect experience for me to have and really made me grow not only as a seamstress but as a person. I really learned how to deal with those times when I get way too much anxiety. It was the perfect learning experience for me. I love Shabby Apple and the clothing they make and the things that they stand for. I am so proud to say that I was able to intern there and gain such amazing experiences.

love,alex

I'm Feeling 22..

July was such an amazing month. I have so much to share. I am so sad it is over but it is nice to get back into the normal swing of things. and to be with Andrew more and not apart. that was sad.

We spent the fourth of July in St. George with Andrews family. It was awesome to get away. Especially after being at my internship everyday for the past week and a half. It was time for a get away. We did fireworks with the neighbors and watched the city ones from far away. Andrew also lit off his lot. It is so magical to see fireworks. I absolutely love it.


When we went back to Provo we had two days and then we were off to Kansas!!! YIPPIE! I hadn't been there since two christmases ago! AH crazzzy. We were only there for a few days but it was wonderful. We had to hit up all of the yummy places to eat like, Jose Peppers, this amazing thai place, and Sheridan's frozen custard. I also went to the dentist and the eye doctor, which was awesome. I can't wait to get my new glasses this week. I think they have a good modern but also old school nerdy look. LOVE IT. and they are teal on the inside. I could talk these up for days. Hopefully they look as good as I remember.

Of course we had to spend a day at Schlitterbahn. Love love love that place. They have slowly been building one in Kansas City and every time we go they add something new. This year they had a couple new slides and rapids. SO much fun. We had a blast and can not wait to go back next year! They are building the worlds tallest water slide! AH scccary. But I can't wait to see how it turns out and Andrew can not wait to ride it.

We also spent an evening at Theater in the Park. I loved going to this when I was younger. We got there early and threw the football around and kicked the soccer ball, ate some yummy pizza and waited for the show to begin. We saw Peter in the Pan. It was great. Turned out to be such a fun night with the family.

Celebrating my birthday by jumping on the hotel beds! 

Saturday was my BIRTHDAY! I turned 22. Yipppppie. We spent 8 hours of the day in the car driving to Denver, CO. It wasn't too bad of a drive and once we got there we got to go explore and hang out a little. We spent the day listening to Taylor Swift's 22. It's my theme for the year.. HA! Once in Denver we went miniature golfing and then met up with my sister Kjerstin who I had not seen since I got married almost 3 years ago! wowwwza. It was great to see her and where she lived and works and all that jazz. We had dinner with her and then just went back to the hotel and hung out/ rested/ fell asleep.

On Sunday we drove another 8 hours to Provo. It was a lot of driving that wasn't even close to being over for this trip. Luckily we got there safely and we didn't kill each other along the way!

The next two days I spent finishing my internship, which was pretty bitter sweet. Then we left Andrew, who had to work for the week, and we all headed to Idaho! Like I said, lots of driving that wasn't close to being over.

It was wonderful to be able to spend so much time with my family. Stay tuned for more pictures and stories of our adventures with them!!

love,alex&andrew

p.s - Check out my facebook for more pictures of these adventures!

Moments

Today I had one of those moments. You know, the moment when you look around and think,
"My life is perfect."

It was an amazing feeling. One that I want to have all of the time. I felt like there were no worries in the world that I wouldn't be able to get through. It only lasted a few minutes and then my mind wandered on to something else but in those few moments I thought to myself, "I never want to forget this feeling."

I was heading home from my internship. It is in Murray, UT which is an exactly forty-five minute drive from our house. That seems long, but I really enjoy those forty-five minutes. I have found myself either on a phone call with a family member for forty-five uninterrupted minutes or I have the radio up really load and am singing like I am on American Idol, cause that is my favorite thing in the world. Its like my me time. My alone time with just me and pandora blaring out of the speakers.

I was half way through the drive at this point and Anna Kendrick was singing the cup song to me which is pretty awesome I must say. Great songs were playing, the chilled air conditioning was blowing on me, and the sun was shinning.

I just came around the point of the mountain and looked out onto Utah valley, my breath was taken away. The sun was hitting the Mountains PERFECTLY! The tops are still snow capped and the rest is starting to turn green. It is magical. And in those moments I thought this a great time in my life.
Living here. Being with my best friend. Going to an amazing school. Having amazing friends and family. Being healthy. Summer time. Life is perfect.

I sat there smiling like I had a secret to tell the world.
It was perfect. and I hope to never forget that feeling.

I hope you all had an equally as great of a monday. and have a great week!
love, Alex

Let's Talk..

It has been a crazy semester. I feel that it has gone so quickly but slowly but quicker than fall semester. It has been one great semester. I have actually really enjoyed it. But it is really nice to almost have it behind me. I have one semester left and one internship/class left. Let's chat about that...

So about a month ago I sent out my resume to those businesses that I wanted to intern at. I was reallllllly nervous and then when I got a reply saying that they wanted to interview me and I needed to bring in my past work, thats when I really started to freak out!

I hate applying for jobs and interviewing and putting my work out there. I just would rather not do those adult like things. or just get a job with out even applying (now thats the easy life)

I had been talking with the internship coordinator for like 4 months by now and figuring out what I should do and when to talk to people and such, so I was feeling pretty prepared.

My dream internship was Shabby Apple.
Now if you don't know what that is you should go google it and go drool over all of their dresses. I have loved them since.. probably sometime in High School when I found out who they were. I just love how sophisticated, feminine, and modest EVERYTHING they make is. And they are here in Utah which is nice so that we don't have to move for just four months.

So I applied for their internship position.
and was scared.
and nervous.
and excited.

and then they replied saying they would love to bring me on as an Intern!

I honestly could not believe it and still can't at this point. I keep thinking something is going to happen to make it so it doesn't all work out. That is why I really haven't told many people.
You would think I would be shouting this on the roof tops but honestly I have kept it pretty quiet over here until everything has been finalized.


And I can officially say that in a little over two weeks I will start interning at Shabby Apple.
I am beyond words excited.
Happy.
Thrilled.
Scared.
Nervous.
Can't Wait to get it started.

I will be working on pattern work, sample making, sourcing fabric, assisting, and anything else they might need.

So now you know! I am nervous to start working in the sewing/fashion industry but I am excited to start something new and so amazing.

This is going to be one GREAT summer. I can already tell.
I will also be taking a Swim wear/ Knits class which I am also beyond excited about.
Then it is just one more semester to go and I will graduate!!! YIPPIE!

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!
love, alex