Long and Blonde

Hello Lovelies!

Sorry it has been a while since I have posted. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying life!

Today's blog post is all about hair care. I get asked daily if my hair is "real" and what my secrets are. Today's post is going to go through my hair routine and hopefully answer all of your questions! If I don’t answer a question you have please comment below, I will reply right away.

To start off, I will answer the main question, “Do you wear hair extensions?” The answer is NO.  My hair (besides the color) is all real. I do not have extensions.  

Katie Lemon is my hairstylist, as well as my sister-in-law. She has been teaching me hair care tips and tricks since I was 14. I truly believe these tips have made my hair healthy and strong. Growing your hair is not an overnight process. It takes time and consistency. I am not claiming to be a beautician or a professional in hair care, but these are a few tricks that have worked for me. Hopefully they will work for you too!

1. Heat:

Reduce the amount of heat you are putting on your hair. This is the hardest, yet most beneficial trick. I only use hot iron tools on my hair  2 to 3 times a week. The heat from flat irons and curling irons dry your hair out and cause major breakage. If you can reduce the amount of heat you are putting on your hair you will notice a huge difference. Top knots, left over curls, braids and pony tails are my daily hairstyles.

When we think of hot iron tools, blow dryers aren’t the first to come to mind. However, blow driers may be the most damaging.  I do not blow dry my hair. I shower in the evening and let my hair air dry throughout the night. There are some days that I have to shower in the morning, if this is the case, I turn my blow drier on medium heat until my hair damp, then turn it to cool to finalize the drying process.

2. Moroccan Oil:

Moroccan Oil is a game changer. Honestly, it is amazing! I use Moroccan Oil right out of the shower, and again as a finishing product. This keeps my hair hydrated which helps reduce hair breakage. I use a dime size amount, rub it in with both hands, start at the ends and work my way up to the roots. 

3. Washing Hair

So, this is going to gross many of you out, but I only wash my hair 3 times a week! When I wash it I use hydrating shampoos and conditioner. I lather my hair in conditioner and then shave my  legs. This allows the conditioner to set up and really hydrate my hair.

4. Diet

I am such a believer in a healthy lifestyle for everything beauty. Healthy lifestyle is crucial for your skin, hair and nails.

Vitamins, protein and healthy fats are a necessity for healthy hair. Adding fresh fruits, veggies and complete proteins to your diet will make a world of a difference. To ensure I am receiving all key nutrients I use the Kirkland daily multi vitamins from Costco. (These are USDA Certified, so I know that they have been regulated and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. -Many vitamins and supplements are not regulated and have no nutrition value.)

5. Hair Trim

Trimming your ends on a regular basis will help your hair grow and be healthy. I receive a trim every 3 months. I’ve heard it’s best to get it done every 6 weeks, but I struggle fitting that into my schedule.

I hope these tips and tricks work for you! Please comment below with further questions, I would love to hear from you!

Have a great week and keep on smiling!:)

Outfit Details:

Shoes: Steve Madden (Mine are not on their site, these are similar)

Top: Forever21 (Similar)

LipSense: Precious Topaz -Use code Briana2016 to receive 15% off your order! 

Sun Kissed Glow

Hi hi Everyone!

Happy Monday! Today's post is about keeping that summer glow all year round. It's no secret that I was not blessed with sun kissed skin (unlike my hubby and daughter). I'm naturally white. Not the pretty fair skin white, my skin is white with pink tone. It's not cute. I have always been super self conscious of my skin tone. In high school I became addicted to the tanning beds so I could have a golden glow.

Luckily the tanning bed addiction stopped when I found spray tans. I've been getting spray tans on a regular basis for the past five years. I love my airbrush tans, however, they get expensive! I was tired of paying $25-$40 per tan so I reached out to my gorgeous friend Cheyanne Mcpherson (Younique makeup sales rep), and she told me she had the perfect solution. She sent me Younique's Beachfront Self-Tanning Body Lotion. I must say I was skeptical because I have not been  a fan of self tanning lotions in the past, but decided to give it a try.

Younique self tanning lotion is the first self tanner that I have used that did leave me bright orange and streaky. The self tanner went on smooth and I loved the end result. It gave me the perfect subtle sun kissed glow.

Cheyanne Mcpherson gave me a few tips on how to use the self tanner properly. I’ll share them with you as well because I think it made a huge difference!

1. Wear latex gloves

2. Use ¼ non scent body lotion to the amount of Younique tanning lotion

If you want to try out this product contact  Younique (Cheyanne Mcpherson) and mention my name. She will get you hooked up!

Tanning Lotion: Younique (Cheyanne Mcpherson) 

10 Months.. Say What?!

Stop, Stop, Stop. I can’t believe my baby girl is 10months old. I get depressed thinking about how fast time is flying bye.

Ellie just gets funner and cuter everyday. I’ve said this one million times but every stage becomes my new favorite.

Ellie is still as happy as ever. She is a jabber jaws and loves to hear herself talk and sing! (She sang herself to sleep on my mom last week. It was the sweetest thing ever.) Ellie says, mama, dada, papa, baby, birdie, and Yaa. Haha her new favorite word is saying yaa, yaa, yaa. It’s hilarious. She is constantly waving to everyone she sees, even the people on the television. Ellie is a social butterfly and loves going to the grocery store where she shouts and waves to everyone she sees.

Ellie is super mobile. She is crawling like a speed demon, standing up by herself, crawling up and down the stairs, pushing her walker, and pulling herself up on things (not standing up, pulling herself on top). She has figured out the baby gate and tries to sneak downstairs without her dad or I noticing. She’s a stinker!

Ellie loves to play games, especially with her dad. They play,  “I’m gonna getcha”. This game consists of Kody hiding and popping out from nowhere saying, “I’m gonna getcha,” Ellie then speed crawls to me for safety. It is hilarious! Ellie also loves to play hide and go seek and peek a boo.

Ellie is so cute and loves to shower with her dad. As soon as Kody gets home he heads straight for the shower. Ellie waits until she hears the shower turn  on and speed crawls for the bathroom, and crawls right in the shower with her clothes on! It is adorable!

Ellie loves her binky, books, blanket, rocker rider pony and food! I swear she is an endless pit! She loves to sit up on the table with Kody and I and eat whatever we are eating. You can tell she feels like such a big girl.

Kody and I are so in love with our little princess. She is definitely spoiled rotten but we wouldn't have it any other way. She is are entire world. We truly feel so blessed to be this beautiful girl's parents.

Outfit details below:

Ellie’s Dress: Prickly Pear Rags -Has the cutest baby clothes! They are a baby boutique and have adorable unique clothing. i'm seriously obsessed. I mean look how cute Ellie's dress and head band are! 

My Dress: Bohme

Tanning Lotion:Younique (Cheyanne Mcpherson) ok so I am usually not a fan of self tanning lotions. I’ve had such bad experiences that I’d prefer paying $30 to get a professional spray tan, until now.  My gorgeous friend Cheyanne introduced me to Youniques tanning lotion. I was very sceptical but decided to give it a try, and I must say I am a huge fan!

This is the first self tanning lotion that I have used that did leave me looking bright orange and streaky. It went on smooth and I loved the end result. Let’s just say I am super impressed. I totally recommend trying it out.

Cheyanne is gave me a few tips on how to use the self tanner properly. I’ll share them with you as well because I think it made a huge difference!

1. Wear latex gloves

2. Use ¼ body lotion to the amount of tanning lotion

If you want to try out this product contact  Younique (Cheyanne Mcpherson) and mention my name. She will get you hooked up!

Hello Beautiful People!

I hope you are all doing fabulous! Is everyone so excited for the long weekend? I know I am! It’s Kody’s birthday this weekend. He is turning 25!? I can’t believe it, that sounds so old! Haha. Does anyone have any fun ideas I could do to make his day extra special? This year I am stumped, so please comment with any tips, or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Today’s post is showcasing my favorite seasons style. Yes, fall is my season for fashion. There is nothing better than wearing sweaters and booties everyday.

I love this sweater from Pink Blush.  It is cute, cozy and burgundy is one of my favorite fall colors. This is a sweater I will wear on a day to day basis, as well as dress it up to wear on a date night.

Pink Blush is such a unique boutique because their clothing is so transitional. You won’t believe it, but all of their clothing transitions from pre-maternity, to maternity, to post maternity! Basically, it is a fashion line that can be worn at any stage of life. It is so neat! I hated having to buy an entire new wardrobe while I was pregnant with Ellie. Pink Blush eliminates that. Their clothing can be worn when you are 9 months pregnant or when your baby is 9 months old! It is seriously amazing. I love knowing I won't have to buy a new wadrobe with baby number two. No, I am not pregnant, nor do I plan on becoming pregnant (for a while), but I love this concept. Pink Blush is my go to boutique because I know I will be able to wear the clothing no matter what stage of life I am in. Plus, all of their clothing is adorable, you’d never know Pink Blush is also a maternity clothing line. 

I hope you all enjoyed today’s post. Thanks so much for following! Have a fun long weekend!

(Direct links to outfit details below)

Burgundy Tassel Sweater: Pink Blush

Jeans (new favorite everyday jean): Buckle

Booties: DSW

Brown Hat (similar): Kohls

Bootie Cuffs (similar): Boot Cuffs and Socks

Day on the beach

Hello Lovely followers!

Today’s post is about one of my favorite handmade jewelry shops,  The Dainty Pear. The Dainty Pear has unique, engraved jewelry pieces that I know you are going to love.

My bracelet has Ellie’s birthday, and my necklace has Ellie’s name engraven. These pieces are so special to me. They are something I will cherish forever. If I am ever blessed with another child I am going to have The Dainty Pear create me another necklace and bracelet with the child’s birthday and name. This is so I can have a “family” bracelet and necklace set. I’m super excited about this idea, I almost want to have another baby right now so I can act on it. Well.. Not that excited, but close!;)

The The Dainty Pear is such a cute shop. I love how you can personalize each piece of jewelry. It makes the accessory so much more meaningful. These necklaces and bracelets are something that you will keep forever.

As you can see, I wear my bracelet and necklace everywhere, even while playing on the beach. They are everyday pieces that match everything.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Keep on smiling:)

(Direct links to outfit details below)

Bella Ella Boutique (not available online): Top (Worn as a swim cover

The Dainty Pear: Bangle

The Dainty Pear: Customized Necklace