Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Here's to wishing you and your family a day filled with love and cheer!

xoxo,

Christmas Weekday Happies

Checking the mail is much more fun when you are given packages wrapped with kraft paper, twine, and a little bit of confetti...especially when you know the package you are receiving are your first year Christmas cards :)
The Mulled Wine candle is found at Anthropologie, and is one of my absolute favorite holiday scents. 

I couldn't choose from two "our first Christmas" ornaments (truth be told, I wanted something with a wedding cake and "our first Christmas" written on it..is that so much to ask?) and in Cory's logic..."why not keep both?" 

I knew I married a keeper ;)

About three years ago, I started my own little tradition of gifting my family and friends' presents in owl wrap.

I have to say this particular owl has been my favorite.  

And my darling niece, Ava G., who is quite a little artist now, gave me a homemade Christmas card this year. 

Just a few more days until Christmas!!

xoxo,

More Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Ok, well, maybe not trains..but still, what else is new around here, right?

Currently I am on a work trip to Los Angeles for another addition to new hire training.
I should have been there by now, but following a flight delay, missing my connecting flight, and not qualifying for my standby connecting flight, I'm kinda just floating along in the Houston airport.

But instead of throwing a pity party for one, I'm going to focus on the great things of this day, as well as thanking God for getting me to where I am in this moment.
(Not to mention the kind flight attendant who gave me her magazines, and the amazing ticket counter clerk who gave me a $10 voucher for breakfast.)

Just think, this time next week we will be celebrating Christmas Eve. :)
Happy Monday, y'all!!

xoxo,

Dear Santa

Jcrew iPhone 5 case
Naked 2 Palette

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Fucshia Vibes (thanks to Pretty in Pink Megan!)

The Great Gatsby fleece
Target coral crossbody clutch

Jcrew iPhone 5 case

Tory Burch Honey Tort Cat Eye sunglasses

Harvey Prince Hello perfume

xoxo,

Weekday Happies

I'm loving these colorful and funky Free People stockings they have for their holiday display.

Coolish temps mean I have an excuse to use some flannel pajamas and snuggle up to a new book. 
Ok, who am I kidding? I do this year around.

As much as I miss home, I do enjoy this view of my new "backyard" in Alabama.

and Aveda's Blue Oil is helping me distress at the end of a hectic work day. 

xoxo,

kinda sorta sneak peek

screen shot via FB but cover photo credit all due to Studio MJW :)

Since I used to work in the photography business, I already knew quality takes its time. But luckily my photographer, Amelia, over at Studio MJW sent me over this little preview of our big day by creating me a facebook timeline photo. Trust me, y'all, I cannot wait to share with you some of our photos! I wouldn't consider anything in my wedding very Pinterest-y or magazine cover worthy, but what you will see is a whole lot of carefree fun and love. Just what I wanted :) 

I can't get over our goofy expressions in the center photo.

Crazy to think it's already been two months!! 

xoxo,

Ok, who else is guilty?

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

Ok, so I'm pretty sure the majority of y'all have already seen this hilariously clever video by the likes of College Humor over the most popular shots and poses taking over our Instagrams. I'll admit, some of them had me thinking, YES! I find it funny when people post this!  to Oh no! I do that too! and hanging my head in shame.. 

Doesn't make it any less funny. ;)

xoxo,

travel-tober is done

Eight flights.

Six cities.

Nine hotels.

19 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners ordered from a menu.

150+ hours of work training.

Countless prayers, phone calls, and text messages. 

And all in all, a measly nine days spent with my husband since our wedding day.

Y'all, I am spent.

I'm so happy for the experience, but words cannot fully express how excited I am for a new normal.

Right now I'm ready for a home cooked meal. 

To sleep in my own bed.

And to make up for some lost time with Cory. :)

Bring it on, November.

xoxo,

Beauty Review: best foundation for my oily skin

Y'all, my skin is an oil slick. Gross, yes. But terribly true. 
So it came as a surprise when I read about this miracle foundation that keeps oily skin at bay. The second shock came when I found out who made it. 

Enter Kat Von D's lock-it longwear foundation
(yes, yes, that Kat Von D)

I was skeptical at first, but after using two samples from Sephora, I had to run out and buy it for my wedding day, and I have been using it ever since. 

Here's what it claims:
Full Coverage
24 Hour Wear
Transfer Resistant
Matte Finish
Oil Free

I would highly recommend this to anyone who has to constantly touch up her makeup during the day in order for her face to appear semi normal, i.e. not an oil slick. But first, a couple of things I've noticed:

y'all have to put this stuff on fast..it sets almost instantly
one to one and a half pumps covers my whole face..and the fact that it's a pump is an added bonus
I'm not really prone to breakouts but it is heavy, so I would test it out first just to be sure
I set it with e.l.f.'s HD powder and may have to touchup around my nose sometime after lunch
(and that for me is a miracle in of itself) 


**side note...my foundation isn't really that dark..I could only wish I was that tan. Currently I am wearing Medium 54

Are there any other foundations I need to know about? How do you make your makeup last?

xoxo,

polka dots

Am I the only one who wants a brand new wardrobe when you begin a new job?

Here is one of my newest staples...on the cheap too, my friends.

I want to wear this with everythinggggg.

 Why Target decided to put this blazer hidden in the back racks of the store is beyond me.

Although I do believe that had they had it sectioned up front, I would not be the owner of it as they would have all sold out. That's just my kinda luck.

The print obviously drew me in. I'm in love with polka dots. 

And the $24 price tag didn't hurt either. 

I would take photos and show you but dropping my phone in water has turned my camera into crap. 

(Reminder: get new phone.)

Just take my word for it and go get it. 

It comes in turquoise and a basic black as well. 

xoxo,

Here's what you need to know in case you missed it

photo via Studio MJW

Cory and I got married on Saturday..WHAT!

I now live in Alabama and work for Brighton Collectibles as a traveling rep.

 Which I started my first day by flying out to LA for a sales meeting on Monday.

Yep, you followed that right..I started a brand spanking new job a whole 48 hours after getting hitched.

No, we didn't have a honeymoon (not yet at least!), and I just might be crazy.

Right now, I'm in Houston beginning my training. 

And Friday night, I'll be reunited with my husband.
 (gosh, just having the word synonymous with Cory makes me giddy) 

So, let's recap:

Saturday..Wedding

Sunday..Moving

Monday..First Day of Work

Thursday..Training

Friday..HONEY, I'M HOME!! 

In conclusion..yes, I'm crazy.

xoxo,

If you are reading this right now...

..it means I'm officially a married woman!!!

xoxo,

a pop of peony

Sometimes, the best finds come around when you least expect them. 

Case in point, I ran by Anthropologie the other day to swap out some of our "fine china" that Cory and I received in abundance for some others pieces we were lacking. Once all my china was in check, I turned around and there it was, all in it's sweet, little cream and gold packaged glory. The perfect lipstick color. 

Albeit Lipstick for Anthropologie in Peony

As much as I would love to be, I'm not really a lipstick kinda gal. Truth be told, I have a gathered assortment of bright pinks to soft reds that I will occasionally bust out for fun, but not any great everyday shades. 

I knew I would need a soft color for the wedding, because, Lord knows, Cory would kill me if I get lipstick on him for our close up. I also needed something to give my invisible lips color, but I didn't want it to completely scream, "LOOK AT ME! I'M WEARING OBNOXIOUS POWDER PINK LIPSTICK." 

Thankfully, this peony shade fit the bill. 
Plus the gold metal tube it comes in makes me feel like I'm wearing this retro lipstick fashioned of the past.
And I'm a sucker for packaging. :)

As a side note, I know a lot of brides choose to have their makeup professionally done for the big day, whether it was for stress relief or just as a fun splurge. Hopefully I will not be eating my words in a week, but I've decided to do my own makeup. Fingers crossed I don't somehow screw that up. ;) 

Tell me, any last minute makeup tricks I need to know about??

xoxo,

Review: September Birchbox

Well, ladies, this month is my last month reviewing Birchbox.

My year long subscription Cory gifted me is up, and lucky for me,

 it ended on a good note with their "September Issue."

Here's the goods:

The Brush Guard | Variety Kit

I think this is very clever. Half the time I just throw my makeup brushes in my bag without a second glance. 

This way, they can keep their shape and stay clean while I'm traveling.

La Fresh | Instant Body Soother

I wish I had these while I was traveling back and forth to Houston..waking up for two  6:30 am flight seriously wiped me out. The cloths are infused with six different oils to relax and refresh.

Dr. Jart+ | Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+
I really wish I was a beauty balm fan, but they just do not give me enough coverage to my liking. 

twistband | Birchbox Custom Lace Hair Tie

Y'all already know from my love of their first twistband they gave me, that I was thankful for another. 

These are the only hair ties I use now. 

boscia | Purifying Cleansing Gel

I'm so happy I got to try this since I'm in love with boscia's Black Mask Peel.
This reminded me of all those sulfate free cleansers. Really soft, doesn't lather.
But not very good for removing my layer of makeup everyday. I'll still stick to my Dove bar.

Color Club | Birchbox Custom Polish "Put a Pin In It"

Inspired by the Fall 2012 collections, the polish color was the first thing that caught my eye. 

I really love the shade. I would call it almost a mix between champagne and rose gold.

My Overall Review of Birchbox

Besides the annoying amount of hand creams I have received over the past year, I really did enjoy my Birchbox subscription, and I am more than likely going to be jealous when I see another box review on some of y'all blogs next month. 

Would I suggest it? 

Completely! I've spent $10 on worse things. But I will warn you if you are hesitant. Not every month is going to be this amazing month of amazing goods. Take it from me..you will get a few too many hand creams. And that's ok. Things like a $14 amazing razor and your new favorite lip balm will make up the difference. 

xoxo,

Review: August Birchbox

Wow, I'm kind of late on posting this, right? 

Just gave me more time to review the products, of course!

Schick | Hydro Silk Razor
This is seriously the best razor I have ever used. Looked up the price and realized it was $14. Huge bonus!

Miss Jessie's Original | Pillow Soft Curls
Still haven't used the Pillow Soft Curl cream, but I'm interested in seeing how my coarse hair will handle it.

Whish | Three Wishes Body Butter
Another month, another body butter, hand cream, whatever. I'm over my shocked phase.

DDF | Brightening Cleanser
Finally, a cleanser that lathers. Still doesn't sway me to cheat on beloved Dove bar though.

Juicy Couture | Viva la Juicy La Fleur

I wasn't planning on liking the Juicy Couture perfume, but I surprisingly enjoyed the light floral scent.


One of the things I love about Birchbox is their packaging, and they have really been stepping up their game in the past few months. This month, dedicated to back-to-school, came with a little Beauty School booklet full of tips and tricks. Clever, Birchbox. :)

xoxo,

Wedding DIY: Getaway Ribbon Wands

My original dream of a wedding getaway was running through a aisle of friends holding sparklers, but that vision was crushed when the Woodruff-Fontaine House notified me that it has a huge fire hazard. 
Well, the house is nearly 150 years old, after all. 
So I had to come up with something to please both the venue and myself. 
And trust me, I adamantly refuse to be pelted by bird seed...ouch.

What You Need:

- 12 inch dowels 

- 18 mm jingle bells

- jewelry wire

- hot glue

- various colored ribbon

1. I used the jewelry wire to string and tightly wrap each jingle bell on the ends of the dowels and secured it with a drop of hot glue. The glue is just to make sure the wire doesn't slide around. 

2. For the wands, I chose coral, grey, and champagne gold ribbon and cut them into roughly 15 inch strips. *Helpful Hint: By unrolling my ribbon, folding it in half over and over, and then snipping the looped ends, I was able to make sure none of my ribbon was wasted. 

3. Because the grey was twice as thick as the gold and coral ribbon, I used 1 part grey to two parts gold and coral on each wand. I read many a tutorial that suggested hot gluing the ribbon to the dowel, but I looped a knot at the end and it was secure, so to each his own.

Although I ran out of ribbon before I could finish all of my wands, I went back to the craft store and bought a roll of lace to add into the fold. I adore the vintage look. :)

Now I'm curious! How did you make your wedding getaway?

xoxo,

Hello Fall

I love when September 22 rolls around. It means just the beginning of...

wearing leggings with boots

sipping pumpkin spice lattes

burning mulled wine candles

burgundy, navy, and gray manicured nails

decorating pumpkins with glitter

planting orange and yellow mums

eating bags and bags of candy corn

 welcoming my favorite TV shows back into my DVR

and celebrating my birthday. :) 

xoxo,

OOTD...yeah, right.

I always wanted to take all of these cute little Outfit of the Day posts like how some of my favorite bloggers do virtually everyday, but one thing has always gotten in my way..

I'm truggin' 95% of the time.

Level 99 boyfriend trousers, Eloise camisole, Target cardigan, and the smirk of not having a care in the world

The problem is when I look halfway decent, I feel like too much a goofball to ask someone to take my photo.

Anyone else have the problem too?

xoxo,

five things about my fiance', Cory

Lets talk about Cory. 

You know, you would think that after dating someone for six years, getting engaged, and all that jazz would have rendered me into mentioning Cory a lot more on my blog. I don't know why he's been hidden in the background for all this time, and sure, he's been in photos and I've mentioned him on here, but I've finally come to realize he deserves a little spotlight put on him every once in awhile. 

I'll become Mrs. B in three weeks. (woah.)

Here's what I'm getting myself into... ;) 

1. He has a twin, and his name is John Krasinski.

Now, am I really the only one who sees this? 
C thinks I'm crazy to say he looks like Jim from the Office. 
And I may have told our hair stylist (yes, I got him to go to the same girl as me!) to not cut too much of his hair so he can achieve that John K messy do...ok, ok, maybe it is just me.

2. He's an aircraft mechanic. 
Some may have already know this, but in a nut shell, my dude went to school to work on airplanes. 
He is extremely knowledgeable about all kinds of planes, how the operate, and he's steadily pointing out different models as they're flying about. I find myself in awe when I get him to tell me what he did for work that day. 

3. Cory is a good ole southern boy.
Because you know, a southern gal like me has to have her gun toting man's man by her side...who on occasion blows things up in the backyard as you can tell...and still manages to clean himself up nicely for when we go out on dates. Seriously, he sometimes puts more thought and attention to his clothing than I do. ha  

And for those who were curious about the photo, those are haystacks ravished by his AK47..

4. He can make this girl laugh. 
And yes, he really wants our first dance to be to Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is."

and lastly...

5. Cory has taken a job in Mobile, Alabama, and come October (or sooner!), we will officially start our newlywed status together in a different state.

Did not see that one coming, did you? Well, to be honest, neither did we. 
Bring on the adventure!!

xoxo,
 

If You Really Knew Me..

..you would know:

I rather have people find me funny than pretty.

I never leave the house without makeup on. Never ever.

I'm jealous of the girls who have the self confidence to leave the house without makeup on.

I'm a cat lover who instead owns a dog.

My sister (who was nine at the time) named me after Whitney Houston. 

My middle name, Erin, she picked after Elvis Aaron Presley.

I loathe talking on the phone. I'm much more involved in face to face conversation.

I'm really stressed out about wedding planning, although I've been told I am the most calm bride they know.

I have ten posts on here that I cannot seem to click "publish" yet..so this one will have to do. ;)

xoxo,