My (new) Best Friend

Happy New Year's Eve, Everyone!!!

I am so excited to share this new product with you all today! I honestly think it is the best thing since sliced bread and cannot believe I hadn't used it before now! Everyone knows I have the THICKEST hair in the world, which might seem nice, but it takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R to dry. I seriously dread doing my hair because it takes 15-20 minutes to dry. If you have this problem too then I am about to become your life saver, favorite person, and best friend.

Meet Kenra Platnium Blow Dry Spray!

I have no idea how it works, but I don't care! I sprayed about 8 spritz' on my hair this morning, dried for about 6 minutes and wham bam my hair was magically dry. And also magically softer, shinier and just better. Not to mention, it smells fabulous too. I had been eyeing it for a while, but at $33 for the large bottle I was really hesitant. I had read so many reviews raving about it, I finally decided to purchase it last weekend at Ulta. I'll never go back now, this is absolutely a must and the price tag is SO worth it. I'm sure this bottle will last me several months, but more importantly save me precious minutes in the mornings while drying my hair.

*Note- I read several reviews stating that for thinner hair it isn't the best.... sort of makes hair greasy. But honestly, if you have thinner hair you can already blow dry in 5 minutes or less, so this spray probably isn't for you!

Cheers to dry, shiny hair!
Brianna

2014 in Review

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I have been totally absent from the blog recently with everything going on!! It's hard to believe it's almost 2015. This past year has been a crazy, exciting, happy, and hard year for the hubs and I. It was a VERY busy year! I decided it was absolutely necessary to document this past year in one post, so that we never forget how wonderfully awesome 2014 was for us.

On March 21st, 2014 we FINALLY got to move out of our tiny apartment into our brand new home. We started building in September 2013 and were unbelievably excited to finally have a home that we built together to start married life in.

We hosted our first family gathering in our new home in March right after we moved in.

In April, we celebrated Taylor's bachelorette party in Dallas.

And Hayden and I hosted a "Monograms and Mimosas" shower for Hailey.

In May, I was honored to be a bridesmaid in two weddings. It was a blast getting to see the weddings from the inside prior to my own and VERY helpful in my planning process!

We travelled just outside of San Antonio to celebrate Hailey and Ryan's wedding.

And stayed close to home in Tulsa celebrating Taylor and Nick's wedding which happened to be on the hub's birthday too! Double Whammy!

June was a jam packed month of fun. I was a bridesmaid in another wedding, started a new job at Cimarex Energy and celebrated my 25th birthday.

Stephanie's bachelorette party in Austin, TX was a blast!

Celebrating Stephanie and Matt's wedding in Oklahoma City.

Happy Birthday to ME!

In July, we were honored with our first TWO wedding showers. I cannot tell you how PERFECT they were. We will definitely cherish those memories forever.

Our very first bridal shower was hosted by Lee Ann, Kristin and Kaylin. They went above and beyond my wildest dreams.

Then we had our Stock the Bar party hosted by my friends Abbey, Hayden, Hailey and Emily.

Michael was SO happy to be included in this shower and it was amazing!

In August, I was honored with another bridal shower in Edmond, OK hosted by my Aunt Kim and cousin Halle. It was SO FUN to get to celebrate with family and friends.

Michael went to New Orleans for his bachelor party and managed to bring home ZERO pictures, except this one. BUT HE SURVIVED!

And I had the BEST TIME EVER in Las Vegas with my girlies to celebrate my Bachelorette party. A BIG thanks to my MOH, Kim for coordinating the greatest trip ever.

Oh, and my parents decided to move to their new home a week before our wedding... We weren't busy at all, hehe!

On September 6, 2014, Michael and I got married at the Golf Club of Oklahoma. It was rainy and the power went out, but it was still by far the BEST day of our lives. I would really love to do it again over and over. I will NEVER EVER forget how amazing that day was.

And then we honeymooned at an amazing resort in Mexico the week after. Gosh, I want to go back.

In October, we got Murphy Miller, a labradoodle that would change our lives forever. I'm pretty darn obsessed with him and I can't imagine life without him. He's a mess, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

We also survived our first major home renovation when our master shower had a leak.

In November, we got a little break from it all and spent time getting our house back in order and decorating for Christmas! We (the hubs) managed to get our house decked out in Christmas lights the weekend before Thanksgiving, even though a few tears and may have been shed by his terrified wife. We celebrated Thanksgiving in Tulsa, followed by a trip to Fort Worth.

December flew by with Christmas parties and celebrations. It was a great end to our year.

 

We are so thankful for 2014. It is a year that holds many many firsts for us and will be a year that we never forget. Next year, we are looking forward to celebrating more weddings, our first anniversary, vacationing in St. Kitts, and spending more time at home with our puppy. I cannot wait to see what unexpected surprises 2015 will hold. If it's anything like 2014, it will be another amazing year.

 

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Brianna

 

 

 

My Favorite Things 2014

I'm a big big big fan of Oprah's favorite things. Every year I seem to think I have to have at least one of the items off of her list. So if Oprah gets to put together a favorite things list, I should to, right? These are my absolute favorite things ever!

{Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat}

For those of us that paint our own nails often, a good top coat is the number 1 priority. I have used this one for years! It is FAST drying, super thick and allows my at-home mani's to be chip worthy for at least a week!

{The North Face TKA100 pants}

I've worn these since I was a freshman in college and they are seriously the best lounge pants. They are super warm (made of the same fleece as their jackets) and come in several colors.

{Le Creuset Dutch Oven}

This is my item off Oprah's list this year! And I already had it!! Wahoo for wedding gifts! They just came out with this new "palm" color, which just happens to be mine and Oprah's favorite! This pot is so pretty it stays out on our stove as decor, but it's the BEST POT EVER too.

{Burberry Check Watch}

This watch is the best piece of jewelry (besides my wedding ring) I've ever owned. I seriously wear it every single day and have had it for years. Yes, it's expensive, but I have gotten so much wear out of it that it's worth it. It's smaller in size and super simple which makes it perfect to wear with everything.

{Tory Burch Caroline Flat}

I've said it before, but I have awful feet that hurt in most shoes (especially heels!). These flats have been a life saver over the past few years. The Reva style doesn't fit my foot, but these Caroline's feel like slippers. Pretty and comfortable = WIN WIN! 

 {Ralph Lauren Riding Boots}

I've had a similar pair of these bad boys since college and have been wearing them every fall and winter ever since. I'm lucky enough that my Mom has the black pair and I have the brown so I'm able to wear them with almost any outfit! Super great quality and classic style to last for years to come.

{The Husband's Secret}

So far in 2014, this book has been my absolute favorite. Closely followed by Gone Girl, but I know most of you have already read or seen that in movie theatres. I'm usually into the "chick lit" books, but this one is a great attention-grabbing, can't put down book!

{Shark Navigator Vacuum}

So maybe I had a really crappy vacuum before, but this baby does work! It's super light, rotates like a Dyson, and is much more affordable. We also got this as a wedding gift and LOVE it! It works great on our carpet, wood and tile. Paired with the Shark steam mop our floors are SO clean!

{The Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup}

This is my favorite recipe I've discovered this year. Yes, it's totally unhealthy and has heavy cream in it, but it is SO freakin' good! I've made it about 3 times in the past month, oops... It's not very expensive to make and both the hubs and I LOVE it. One pot lasts for 2 days. Recipe tip: use an immersion blender (if you have one) instead of a regular blender.

{JCrew Charley Sweater}

I'm all about easy work outfits and this sweater, my friends, is just that. It's SO versatile. I have it in about 10 colors and throw it on for the easiest outfit ever. You can jazz it up with an awesome necklace or wear it with jeans and a scarf outside of work. Buy it on the Factory site for the same style and quality at a lot lower price!

 

What are your favorite things of 2014? I'd love to know!

Brianna

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $100

Hey, Everyone! How was your Thanksgiving?? Mine was so great, but not long enough! I can never get enough time off of work to spend with family and friends.

I got TONS of shopping done online this past weekend. Cyber Monday brought some awesome sales that I couldn't resist. I'm becoming an all online shopper. It's so just much easier and honestly usually cheaper! (Amazon Prime!!!) I've put together a list of perfect gifts that are under $100 for you. I love all of these items so much and think you will too!

{Victoria's Secret Cotton Mayfair Pajamas}

I gave these to my wedding party to get ready in the morning of our wedding and everyone LOVED them. They come in a variety of patterns and make a perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list.

{Kendra Scott earrings}

Can you ever have too much KS jewelry? I don't think so! I'm loving her new line of drusy colors, like the bronze drusy pictured above. 15% off everything and free shipping thru tonight with code BFCM2014!!!

{JCrew Slippers}

These slippers are the BEST. I got some last year for Christmas and still wear them almost every single day. I love this gold pair they came out with this year. Pretty and comfy!

{NEST Holiday Diffuser}

I fell in love with this scent at a friend's house when she had the Nest Holiday candle burning. I really like the idea of this diffuser for the office, bedroom or powder bath. It smells amazing!!!

{Tom's Desert Wedges}

I am really excited about these! They have amazing reviews and since my feet kill me in most heels, these wedges could be my new favorite shoe. They come in a bunch of great colors too.

{Urban Decay NAKED palette}

I have used this eye shadow palette for years. It lasts forever and has the perfect neutrals that can dress your look up or down.

 

Only 23 more days!

Brianna