happy.thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I hope everyone had an especially "Gobbly" turkey day, spent with loved ones! I know I did!

There are so many things I am thankful for this year it is hard to know where to begin. So I am doing the top ten things I am thankful for.....

1. My family -- they always make me smile no matter what

2. The little moments in life that make me laugh

3. The beautiful place in which I live, Park City it the ultimate definition of beauty and opportunity

4. My arms, legs, fingers and toes giving me the ability to walk and run everyday

5. That I am where I am now and not where I was 2 years ago

6. The trials I have been through

7. Matthew Lawrence Knoop and everything he has done for me, even after he is gone

8. My friends that I grew up with, the strong bond and relationships we continue to have for one another

9. My job and the fact that I live in a time when women can be successful and independent

10. The gospel... It will always be consistent in my life and always make me happy and a better person

What are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo, a

chef.ali

The title of this post is correct: Chef Ali

Those of you who have known me my entire life (particularly Liz and Laur) I have never been the best cook, but . . .

As of late or since this summer I have been very into cooking and practicing my cooking skills. I also am addicted and I repeat addicted to the Food Network! I just can't seem to get enough (yes I did just admit that on my blog for everyone to know). I have taken upon myself all the cooking for family meals and get togethers and also cook dinner each night, it is kind of great. Last week my mom and I were walking around Ikea and they have lots of star stuff for the holidays and being a Knudsen I have a weakness for anything stars. I left the store with 3 star jars, star oven mitts, star wrapping paper, star fabric and best of all a 

STAR APRON!!! It is perfect for the new chef in town, me!

I'm a vision in stars I know! Haha

Looks tasty doesn't it, I made BBQ Chicken Pizza tonight! If you want the recipe let me know, it is super easy!

XOXO, CHEF A

love.these.three.chickadees

I am one lucky lady... I have been an aunt since my freshman year of high school and let me tell you something it is the best. It is also the best birth control.

Tonight I got to spend my time with these three chickadees

It was a blast! We did crafts, made maps and played. Then I had them brush their teeth, we said prayers and sang songs. 

There are definitely times when I think there is no way I could be a mom, but I think that is the selfish side of me that loves my independence, but I also love the idea of being a mom. I think I will be a good mom or I hope so. I am pretty lucky that I get to spend at least one day a week with these three. We have become friends. Ever since our little trip to Las Vegas we have quite a bond! Once again I say I am one lucky lady!

I just love all my nieces and nephews (8 total and 2 on the way)

I hope my kids are as cute as all my siblings!

XOXO, A

ten.quirky.facts.about.kissing

As I logged onto my Yahoo tonight 

an interesting article caught my attention:

"10 Quirky Facts About Kissing"

1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.

2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that's a rigorous workout!

3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lips are alike.

4. Kissing is good for what alls you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.

5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.

6. Ever wonder how an "X" came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as an signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.

7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.

8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married.

9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes than those who don't.

10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You're in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you've beaten that record, it's time to celebrate!

During your next kiss just remember all these quirky facts and take it all in and enjoy!

XOXO, A

gold's gym photo shoot.studio 1 photography

I randomly got a call a few weeks ago from a lady named Rio. 

The voicemail went a little something like this: "Hi Ali, this is Rio from Studio 1 Photography and I think I have a client who is definitely interested in you."

My thoughts went a little something like this: Studio 1, Rio? Wait what? I should listen again...

And that is exactly what I did, I couldn't believe it so I called her back and we met the next week to discuss this client that was apparently interested in me. Turns out it was for Gold's Gym. They are choosing a new model for their 2011 campaign and Rio wanted me to be a part of it, but here is the catch I am not the only one they are interested in, they are choosing from lots of girls apparently. I thought oh well, this is a great opportunity to build my portfolio for fitness modeling, something I have never done, but I know there is a huge market here for fitness models and I would love to do some stuff in that area. So one Saturday morning my mom and I went down to Studio 1 and I had a TEN MINUTE, yes TEN MINUTE shoot! It was so fast, but I thought it went really well and guess what it did! With ten minutes you barely even have time to get into your groove, but I got it goin and everyone in the studio couldn't believe how many shots I got. So for the first time here are some of my favorite shots from the Gold's Gym photo shoot. I would like to add that I absolutely love shooting with Peter and Britt a million trillion times more!

What do you think? Think I have a shot? Never know I could be the next Gold's Gym model and on all the wrap arounds for the buses... But who knows!