The Bridesmaids Book Review

The Bridesmaids by Eimear Lynch was given to me by Birchbox for being one of their BirchBloggers. I was excited to receive it because it isn't a book a would normally pick up and choose for myself, and I think sometimes it's good to have something chosen for  you, to broaden your horizons and experience something you might not have otherwise.

This book is absolutely perfect if you're looking for something that won't make you think too much, which I think is good for everyone once in a while, reading for pure entertainment. It isn't a typical book with one story that begins at the front cover and ends at the back cover. It's a compilation of almost eighty different, true stories, all from people who have had an experience with being a bridesmaid. Some are hilarious, some are sweet, and some are sad and heartbreaking, but all very interesting and fun to read. Especially being someone who has been a bridesmaid twice, and has had six at her own wedding, I really enjoyed reading the sometimes crazy truth of other peoples' experiences.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a break from serious reading projects and would just like a silly, easy-read. This is one of those books that is really fun to read because after each short story ends, you can't wait to see what the next one is like, and imagine these real-life scenarios as if they were to happen to you. This book will make you giggle out loud and want to tell your friends some of these crazy stories that have actually happened.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

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Currently

Excited about: Redoing my blog completely! I spent some time thinking about it and came to the conclusion that it was time for an all new blog design. And I actually hired someone professional to do it this time instead of trying to do it all on my own! I'm so excited to see how it turns out, and for you to see it too, so keep your eyes out for something completely new, should be up and running in a week or two!

Working: At a brand new job I just got! I haven't been working since a couple months before the wedding, trying to focus on all of that, and it feels good to be working again and helping out more. I'm working at a really cute little cosmetics boutique downtown and am loving it so far. I've never worked at a locally-owned business before and it's so much nicer than a big corporate place. So even though I really miss the whole crazy wedding time, it feels nice to be back to a normal routine again.

Loving: Having a new-born niece! Amelia is the absolute sweetest little thing I have ever seen, and I really love spending time with her. There are few things better in this world than the feel and smell of a fresh little baby.

Reading: I'm not really working on any big novels at the moment (suggestions please!) but I'm enjoying a book called The Bridesmaids by Eimear Lynch. This book was given to me by Birch Box for being a "Birch Blogger." It's part of their monthly book club they're doing. But this book is really fun. It's a collection of funny and cute little stories from real-life bridesmaid situations. Because I just got married, I'm really enjoying reading other people's silly stories from weddings. If you like reading true stories like this, I recommend this book!

Happy about: My best friend Katie just got engaged! Her now fiancé is in the military and came here for a week to visit when he popped the question. I'm so glad I finally got to meet him and can't wait to help her plan a wedding! She was such an amazing friend when I was planning mine, so I'm happy I get to return the favor soon! Something funny, too, our engagement rings are really similar! Completely coincidentally! We laughed when we realized that, thinking they would have special power when put together (they don't) but it's a really cool thing and I'm so, so happy for her!

Planning: On finally continuing on my sleeve. I know I've said that a few times already, but I'm really wanting to get going already! I feel pretty set on everything I want to get done, and have gotten a ton of advice and opinions from friends, so I'm feeling good to go! It's now just a matter of having enough money and time to get it all done close together. I don't want to spread out the process over a long period of time, so I'm hoping soon I'll be able to get started!

What are you currently up to? Whatever it is, I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!

Currently posts inspired by Danielle at Sometimes Sweet.

Fun with Hair Chalk

A couple of months ago, while shopping around in Free People, I came across this little tin of hair chalk and grabbed it, thinking it would be fun to bring on our honeymoon. I love the idea of being able to have a funky hairdo for one day without any commitment! Well, doofus me completely forgot I had it until I came across it again last night, oops! So I gave it a try this morning and thought I'd share how I did it and my results!

A few things to know before you get started; the darker your hair is, the less the colors will show up. I knew this before buying it but thought I'd give it a try anyways. So it will show up best on blonds, but can still look cute on my fellow dark-haired ladies. The second thing, it will be messy. it will get all over your hands, the sink, and probably your shirt/chest, so I recommend laying down a towel to avoid it getting everywhere. But no worries if it does, it is just chalk, so it will come out (of hair, too) with just soap and water. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Hair chalk, regular pastels from a craft store work too!
• Water
• A hair brush
• A hair dryer
• A towel you don't really care about

To start, wet the section of your hair you want to color, then wet the piece of chalk you want to use, the wetter the better! Then, run the chalk over your hair going downward. Best to do this a little more than you think is necessary because some will come off in your brush. Once you've got a good amount on there, blow-dry the section of hair downward while brushing it, until dry, then add a spritz of hairspray to hold it all in. Viola! Pretty, colorful, funky hair, easy-peasy! 

Have you ever tried hair chalking? What techniques worked best for you? 

I hope you have a fab rest of your Tuesday! Xoxo 

July 2014 BirchBox: Power Up

I was excited to see this month's BirchBox in the mail because they packaged it in a very different box than any I've gotten before. The theme of July's box is "Power Up," which they teamed up with Women's Health magazine to do. It even came with a free one year subscription to the magazine, so that was a fun little extra. BirchBox has definitely started to redeem itself for me. After only the second box, I started to consider switching over to a different box subscription. But the third and fourth box have been so much better and have made me really love it.

The first thing I saw in my box was an adorably bright pink tube with the words Whish Shave Cream written on it. Shaving cream isn't really something I've ever thought about experimenting with, I always just buy the same one every time, so it'll be cool to see what else is out there and if I've been missing out. I got the acai grapefruit flavor and it smells really good!

The next thing I noticed is a Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel. I don't think I've ever tried anything like this. It directs you to apply a thin layer to your skin, let sit for 30 seconds, massage it into skin, then wash it off. Then it supposedly reveals a new layer of luminous, younger looking skin. That incises me for sure, so I'm excited to give this one a try!

This next one is something I'm happy I get to try since I struggle with puffiness and darkness under my eyes. It's the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. I've tried so many different products in an attempt to get rid of my dark circles, and nothing seems to work, so I'm really hoping this thing is the one. The reviews on the site all claim very positive results, so that's a good sign! Fingers crossed I've found the one, or it's found me!

The next item is the Revealed 2 Palette Set, a small trial size of four shades of eye shadows. I'm honestly not huge on eye makeup, I prefer to keep my eyes more simple, but I also enjoy playing around with stuff like this. Plus it's good to have more makeup options for nights out.

The final thing I received in July's box is a couple packets of 100% Pure Gingerade Shower Gel. This stuff is 100% natural and 100% vegetarian, which is cool, and it claims to be invigorating enough to wake you up in the morning, we'll see about that, haha! It is chock full of really nourishing things for your skin, including green tea and sea weed. I really like the idea of this wash and am excited to give it a try.

That's all for this month! Like I said, BirchBox is really starting to prove itself to me, I'm loving it! It's so much fun getting to try out all these new products I never would've discovered otherwise. Get your very own BirchBox subscription here, I highly recommend it :)

My Summertime Essentials

It's kind of ironic, as I sit here typing up a post about all of my warm weather, sunny day necessities, it's pouring rain outside, ha! This town is crazy though, it snows in March and rains all through July. But that doesn't mean I don't experience my fair share of Summer weather. It will be hot and sunny here very soon, plus I spend a lot of time in Phoenix which is pretty scorching right now. So I put together a little list of all of my basic essentials when it comes to Summertime.

The first thing I think is really important to have in the Summer is a comfy pair of sandals (see some cute ones here!). There are few things worse to me than hot, sweaty, sore feet, yuck! So I make sure I always have a good collection of sandals and flip-flops that are easy to just throw on and will keep my feeties cool and able to breathe!

Another thing I always have on me this time of year is a pair of big sunglasses. Emphasis on the word big. In the Fall and Winter, small wayfarers or club masters do just fine, but right now I'm always about the bug eyes. I hate having the sun in my face and having to squint, so when it comes to sunglasses for me, the bigger the better!

The third thing that's important to have during Summer is a great book, preferably a young adult/ easy read. I love so much going outside in the warm weather with a good book and just relaxing, I could get lost for hours! I'm currently reading Summer Sisters for the second time and really enjoying it, love me some Judy Blume!

This one isn't really super necessary, but something I enjoy using. It's pretty obvious how very pale I am, and instead of all the risks of sun tanning, I like to fake a pretty Summer glow with bronzer. Just a small sweep across your face really makes a difference and makes your skin look more alive. I actually use bronzer year-round, mostly so I don't look like a corpse, but I like to use a little extra during Summer to look like I get the same natural tan as everyone else, haha.

Sunscreen! Super important. Like I just said, I'm super pale and when I spend time in the sun, I never tan, I just turn a bald cat shade of pink. So I try to avoid that all together by applying SPF 30 everyday. I don't like using anything stronger so I can still get my vitamin d, but I do want to make sure to keep my skin protected and my tattoos from fading. I like keeping this little spray-on one with me in case I'm outside all day and need to reapply.

The next thing I like to have on me is my instax camera. This is the one Joe got me for my birthday and I'm having so much fun with it. Summer is always so full of fun times and great memories, and those always look so cool on instant film. I already have a little collection of them in an album for this Summer, including some from our honeymoon that I'll always treasure.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is one of my favorite hair products for Summertime. It gives your hair a perfect messy beachy look, which I love. Living in dry Arizona, beach hair never ever happens, so I gotta fake it, and this stuff really works well. It's a nice way to avoid styling your hair and going for an effortless look, which I love.

This next thing is something I just discovered and absolutely love, it's a Bite Beauty lip mask. I gave it a try after hearing a ton of people talk about how great it is, and now I know why. It feels so, so good on your lips, very soft and smooth. It's good to put a bunch on before bed, or just wear as an every day lip balm, a really good alternative to heavy lipsticks. It was kind of pricey for how little it is, but I think it's worth it. Dry, cracked lips are no fun, and using this stuff is how to avoid them!

The final and most important necessity in Summer is water!! It's hot, here it's dry, and it gets hard to stay hydrated. I make sure to drink extra water when it's hot outside, especially when I'm in the sun a lot. This is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy, have pretty skin and hair, and feel good. And honestly, there's nothing better than a big glass of ice water on a hot day. This is my number one thing I try to never slip up on, especially this time of year.

So grab your favorite book, your sunnies and a big ole glass of water, and enjoy this amazing time of year called Summer, that's what I'll be doing, cheers!

Summer Lovin' Sunglasses

Summer Lovin' Sandals

Summer Lovin' Shift Dresses

all dresses available here.

Baby Amelia is Here!

This morning at 3:21 am, my big sister gave birth to her first child and my beautiful new niece Amelia. It was so beyond amazing be there and apart of this truly amazing process. Sheila did such a great job throughout the entire thing, and Amelia is the most precious thing I have ever seen. I loved so much being able to watch my sister's tummy grow over the last nine months, and now seeing the result is really wonderful. I'm a third-degree auntie, yay!

*Fun fact: did anyone know that the neutral term for niece and nephew is "nibling?" I didn't either until just now, ha!

Our Happy Fourth

Yesterday was a really wonderful first-holiday-as-husband-and-wife. Like every other holiday, we dressed very festive and spent the day with family. I even made my very first homemade apple pie (it was okay.. haha) and we went to Sonic to have hot dogs before a BBQ at my sister's house. It was really nice hanging out with the whole family and enjoying the pre-monsoon weather. Then, Emma came to our house after with us to play with sparklers, which was actually a ton of fun!

I really like days like yesterday, because they're a nice reminder that even the simplest days with family, good food, and watching your grandparents take their very first jello shot (hehe) can be the most fun. I really hope your Fourth of July was a good one, too!

Party in the USA

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I love the 4th of July so much! Warm weather, BBQs, swimming, fireworks, such a fun day to celebrate summer and our country. It's actually been a little bit cooler and cloudy here lately (boo!) so I probably won't be swimming, even though I love that one piece from ModCloth! But I'll be heading to my sister's that day for a barbecue and to see the family, which is always fun! And since I'm always about dressing all out for holidays, I'll be in my America attire, although I wish I new about that hot dog shirt sooner! Anyways, I hope you all have a fabulous and safe Fourth!