Secret Cheers

I've written about this before, and seeing as how we are LDS...that means weddings galore every Spring/Summer time. This summer we had the pleasure of attending Callie & Jesse's wedding in the San Diego temple and Aj & Rachel's wedding in the Los Angeles temple. I'm super happy that we just happened to be working in California this summer which meant that we were able to attend both of these weddings, score! I love visiting the temple because it brings such peace to my heart amidst the whirlwind of life and I also love being able to share in the joy that is my friends being eternally bound to their sweethearts. To be honest, I'm always a little selfish when it comes to my friend's weddings...because I secretly always cheer to myself "Hooray, for more married friends! I get to put together even MORE awesome parties and group dates! Muhahaha! {I don't know why there is an evil laugh, but there just is}."
Well, it's not much of a secret anymore...

Currently Drooling...

Currently drooling over Fall! 

1 // These booties from Target are absolutely adorable! I'm finally getting over the idea of being too short for these little boot specimen, so I might just have to stock up on them this season...

2 // Everything that comes with the Fall season! Candy corn, orange leaves, football, caramel apple cider from Starbucks, pumpkins.

3 // Dark & mysterious nail colors...I've been missing my saucy OPI shades.

4 // Sweater tights. These are 8 bucks a pop on eBay...might have to get myself a few pair to wear with my tall riding boots.

5 // Big comfy sweaters. Just the thought of them makes me feel so warm & cozy inside. Do I really need to say more?

What are you itching for this Fall?

Adventures With Elder Ev's: Transfers + Snakes

I bring to you another installment of Adventures With Elder Ev's! They are updates of Evan in the mission field in Palenque, Mexico along with some fun stories. We just got word that his companion is being transferred to a different part of the mission after being in Palenque for 6 months, which now makes Elder Evs the resident expert on everything Palenque and Pakal-Na. He has been promoted to senior companion and will be paired up with a native companion named Elder Barerra. Elder Evs will be showing his companion along with another missionary companionship how to navigate the two areas.

About the above picture of Elder Evs reading scriptures by candlelight:
"A rainstorm that we had took down the electricity in our apartment. So, that night we had no electricity, and did daily planning with candles and sleep without fans. Meaning it was a blazing hot night!"

About running into some Americans:

"Elder Love and I ran into Mormons from Utah!!!! Holy crap!!! We left the chapel after movie night and was making our way to our apartment when out of the darkness we hear "Hey look, it's the Elders!" in an American accent!!! It was a Mormon family visiting Palenque! Their son served in the Villahermosa mission and returned this past January. He was there with his family and we got to talk to him. Man, it was so weird talking in English again." {And yes, he really did put that many exclamation marks in there}

About this nasty snake picture:

"One morning the Relief Society President calls us to come over to the capilla {chapel} for a surprise. We come to see a python in a cage with a dead chicken. She told us her story: She wakes up at one or two in the morning to hear her chickens flipping out. She gets up, thinking that a rat or some other pest was just getting the chickens flustered. She opens the door, almost takes a step outside with a python by the door with the dead chicken next to it. She screamed and called someone over to take care of it. She works at a tourist shop right next to the ruins in Palenque, so she released it there. She told us a lot of the tourists were taking pics of her releasing the snakes." GROSS. SICK NASTINESS. 

And why did she release it in the tourist-y part of town?! Questions that will forever go unanswered...

About me...

"And Bri, start practicing your Spanish"

Oops.

Weekend Update: Sales Team Dinner + Giveaway Winner

This past weekend was the "end of summer team dinner" where all the pest control sales teams in southern California gather to celebrate a looong summer of working from early morning to late evening. I love any excuse to dress up, so I donned my new white jeans {been waiting ages for the right pair to come along!} with my tried & true leopard wedges for the night out. 

We hit up this place called JT Schmids in Tustin, honestly not my favorite place ever {food quality was lacking}...but the people we were with {our sales team+wives} made the night super fun! After the company dinner, we all made our way over to Ben & Jerry's for some delish ice cream {chunky monkey & fudge brownie, yummm}, then we all decided that it was absolutely necessary to follow each other on Instagram, so we sat there swapping Insta-names to stalk one another like a bunch of nerds. Then we got sucked into Tilly's where most the boys scoured the sales racks for the end of summer clearance goodies.

Finally, here are some pictures of me & my best friend at the end of the night. Gosh, am I lucky to have him! We start back on our school adventure in a couple of weeks, and I'm glad to have him by my side :)

BLOSSOM BOUTIQUE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS:
DANI W!

My Mexico Skirt

Alllll the way back in 2004, my family and family friends {who actually spoke Spanish} took a vacation to Cancun, Mexico for a week. We spent our time on the beach, touring Chichen Itza {a Mayan ruin}, hitting the town {or as much as you can hit the town with 3 kids under 13}, and enjoying all the pina coladas we could manage to stuff into our stomachs. I got a few souvenirs from the trip including: a leather backpack, a mini purse made out of a real frog {which really grosses Ryan out}, and this Zara skirt. Which has now been dubbed "my mexico skirt". I don't know about you, but I associate different times in my life or experiences with particular jewelry, dresses, or clothing so when I wear them again, my heart fills with joy thinking of the last time I wore that item. Dorky, I know ;)

I remember walking into the Zara store in Cancun and being overcome with all the beautiful clothes, I begged my mom for at least ONE piece as a souvenir. We walked through the entire store and came across this amazing skirt, I tried it on...and it was perfect. I'm still surprised that my mom trusted an 8th grader with a $50 skirt...but the fact that I still have it in good condition today just shows how obsessed I am with clothing that is well made, makes me feel beautiful....

Annddddd flares out when I twirl around in it :)

Cardstore Goodies

I had the opportunity to review any card of my choice from Cardstore, with any special customizations or additions included. I liked the site so much that I just ended up purchasing an additional card! They have such an adorable collection of birthday, wedding, various congratulations cards, and more. You can customize the inside of the card with your own personal message, and even add pictures! The site is extremely user-friendly, reasonably priced {$3 average, with envelope included} and the delivery is lighting speed. After I put in my order, it was delivered within 3 days. Seeing as how I had a wedding this past week and another next weekend, I was excited to peruse the wedding card selection and I was not disappointed! 

Go on over and check out Cardstore :)

*One card was courtesy of Cardstore. All opinions are my own.*

Where Did the Time Go?

This time next week I'll be packing up my apartment here in California and heading back to our home in Provo, UT. I can't help but think: "Where did the time go?! I have so much to do!" Then I realized, that's just how life goes sometimes. We think we have so much time to play with until it slips through our extremely busy fingers. Although, I think it would be more of a shame being too old to see the world/live life to the fullest...and saying those same things. I'm really hoping that with my graduation this next year, I can find a job that fits me to a T. One that will give us the opportunity to catch up, and live life. 

Dreaming of Fall + Blossom Boutique Giveaway {CLOSED}

{skirt c/o Blossom Boutique}

This skirt is called the Miracle Skirt, and rightfully so! It only comes in one size but is seriously the most comfortable thing of all time, probably because it is made out of soft amazing stretchiness. It's still summer weather in So-Cal {and I'm sure most everywhere else}...but I couldn't help but dream of pairing this skirt with my tall cognac boots, a comfy sweater, and a scarf for the most perfect collegiate outfit :) 

If you want your own miracle skirt or any of the other fun goodies that Blossom Boutique has to offer, enter this giveaway for a $20 gift card! 

The giveaway ends August 17th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekend Update: Callie's Bridal Shower

This past Saturday I attended a bridal shower for the adorable Callie! She was one of Ryan's best friends from his freshmen year of college {all the way back in 2005!}, and once we met it was destined for us to become friends. She had a gorgeous soiree in Laguna Beach, it was nice & sunny outside and perfect for munching on fruits & sweets :) I'm such a goober and used the backyard where the party was held for outfit pictures, it was too gorgeous to pass up! Plus, when taking pictures with Callie she exclaimed "I'm gonna be on the blog?!"...ok, am I now a complete blog nerd?? Anywho, she is getting married in the San Diego temple this Thursday and I couldn't be more excited for her! Hooray for more married friends!

Cupcake Masters

Meet Jenni, one of my favoritest people ever :) She was one of my church youth leaders growing up and I've always connected with her because she is so sweet and completely hilarious! Because my mother & I are noobs when it comes to baking, we asked if Jenni would come and teach us the ways of her baking prowess.

{Jenni even brought over Costco diet cokes to sip on while we learned how to become cupcake masters...she knows the way to our hearts!}

Jenni used to work in a bakery during college and then also taught a baking class at Michaels, so you could definitely say that she is the authority when it comes to this kind of stuff. We wanted to learn how to make Crisco decorating frosting and how to put it beautifully onto a cupcake. Only Funfetti of course :) We learned different frosting techniques, designs, and tricks when it comes to mixing up the frosting. Which is displayed on my darling new cupcake tree found at Home Goods for 10 bucks! 

{One of my favorite places to shop for home decor and knick knacks!}

We baked, swirled, decorated, sprinkled, and frosted to our hearts content! I love learning new talents and skills, it makes me feel so spry and young ;) Thanks Jenni for an awesome baking day!

What is something new you have learned as of late?

Oh So Happy

Things that are making me happy today:

+ The feel of Fall coming in closer and closer {back-to-school shopping!}

+ The blog in the midst of getting re-done by the fabulous Kalee

+ Ryan & I working hard and enduring 'till the end of the summer

+ $12 clearance sandals from Target {like the ones I'm wearing!}

+ A post I wrote for my internship blog about how to show your spouse love & support

+ Awesome friends & family who make my life wonderful

+ The thought of planning movie nights in my Provo backyard before it starts getting too cold

+ Checking veryjane.com every night at 11pm to check out the fun deals

+ Sunny California!