dear...

dear husby,

you are pretty much way too awesome for words.

yesterday you had a long day at work, made some sales {i'm so proud of you!}

you came home full of hugs and kisses just for me.

then you trotted outside to mow and edge the lawn while I pulled some pretty ridiculous weeds.

you are too cute and i appreciate you more than anything.

dear yellow brick house,

i switched around some of the mirrors and pictures, took down the week old bridal shower decor, cleaned you all up...and you suddenly feel like home.

my home.

i've still been getting used to you. 

just with the whirlwind of moving in, getting new jobs, and trying to figure out my school schedule, i've still been a little weirded out that you are my new refuge.

i just perused Target and have some pretty cute interior design work planned for you next week...

dear dishes,

you smell. i have a horrible gag reflex, meaning that Ryan already volunteered to take care of you when he gets home. i hate you dishes.

dear disneyland & newport beach,

can i see you guys next week?

dear benexa/benexa wedding,

so excited for the road trip down to Arizona tomorrow, with the awesome company, the delicious food, the "smile till your face hurts" wedding day, and for you guys to finally become a couple so we can hurry up and take that couples trip. woot woot!

<3 

bri

A Spanish Bridal Shower

I just realized that it's been almost two weeks since I threw this bridal shower, and I'm just now getting around to posting these pictures. 

Yup, I've been enjoying my blogger vacay by reading books, not cleaning or doing dishes, sleeping, eating greek yogurt with granola, and going to work. 

Living the life and totes not apologizing for it!

Although, I did miss you guys.

If you have been around Breezy Days for a while, you know that I pretty post about the same 5 people over and over. 

Ya, obviously I love my few bff's and family way too much and should probably branch out. 

{Bahaha, good joke}

Alexa is one of my bestest friends and consequently, a blog star here on Breezy Days. 

I wrote about her surprise birthday party turned proposal here :)

I met Alexa my Freshmen year here at BYU and we hit if off right quick.

Talking about our love for singing and jazz music, it was just meant to be!

Alexa is getting married THIS FRIDAY in flaming hot Arizona, so we will making the trek down there this Wednesday with our 'lil carpool group with Holmes {pretty much a family member here at the Rios household}, and a fellow bridesmaid Alex.

Benexa is having a Spanish themed formal wedding including: a temple marriage at the Mesa temple, a family luncheon, a fancy shmancy reception with a head table, flamenco dance and Spanish guitar performances....aka it's gonna be intense.

Why a Spanish theme you ask?

Alexa is part white, Chinese, and Peruvian whereas Ben is full Japanese but served his LDS mission in Spain. 

Um, coolest couple ever??

Ben, Ryan, Alexa's dad & 'lil brother all went out for a boy's night bowling and eating, while we celebrated Alexa's soon-to-be marriage at the yellow brick house!

Yummy Kneaders tarts, brownie cake, freezing cold lemon water, strawberries, and other assorted veggies were in attendance...yummmmmm.

Ryan & I are wayyyy freaking stoked for Benexa, being married is too legit.

Plus we are excited for our mini-vacation this weekend, hours of movies during the drive down, eating delicious food, hitting up the pool, hanging with friends, and an awesome wedding.

What is more exciting than that?

<3 Bri 

Meet Harley & Jane

    
 Harley and I became Harley & Jane when we met on our study abroad in Vienna (you can read the extended version of this story here: Part I and Part II). 

Early on in our prep course we separately scouted out potential friends, not including each other.

 First impressions, you know?

 Fate played her cards, and we were paired together as roommates. 

We got used to the idea, even if we were still a little intimidated. 

Turns out, however, we were inseparable from the day we landed in Europe and became better friends than we anticipated. 

We had late-night chats in our greenhouse of an attic, were late to school together, went exploring, jogged in the woods, and sweated our way through the city every day. 

 We often chatted about lovely things that inspired us and soon were toying with the thought of creating a joint blog to house the inspiration and ideas. 

Plus, we realized, it would be a great way to stay in touch with each other when life happened and we were no longer roommates.

 Upon returning to the US and after months of brainstorming and preparation, one of our friends (and most loyal supporter) threatened us into finally taking the leap. 

So we did.

 Harley & Jane has become everything we planned -- the parlor for our thoughts, revelations, adventures, and flashes of beauty in our incredible lives, and most importantly, a way to keep in touch. Essentially, we blog to keep a record of our friendship. 

  You can catch up with us here.

..................................

Go on over and meet the bff's! :)
<3 Bri 

Life Long Dreams

Right now I'm watching Midnight in Paris for the first time, while working on some blog piece work.

I snagged the movie from Redbox last night because I had heard it was a cute movie.

I threw it on the tv and proceeded to work on my computer...

 when I looked up from my work and my heart stopped.

As scenes of the Eiffel tower, the Moulin Rouge, the Arc de Triomphe, the Parisian canals, the cobblestone streets, Parisians walking in and out of charming cafes were gracing the screen accompanied by old 20's music...I couldn't take my attention away from my small television.

It was literally breathtaking.

Although I have never been, I long for Paris and Italy.

I watch all the Audrey Hepburn films; Sabrina, Roman Holiday, Paris When it Sizzles...and I lose myself in it the architecture, the culture, the classic music, and scenery.

For a few moments, I imagine myself there in a flowy knee length skirt and white button-up a la Audrey in Roman Holiday, eating Gelato and touring the amazing museums filled to the brim with intricate sculptures and paintings.

After high school, my mom and I had the plan to tour with a group throughout Paris and other parts of Europe, that fell through and I was heartbroken.

Still determined to go, I then took two semesters of Art History at BYU in hopes of getting into the Italy Study Abroad program.
If I wasn't already in love with Europe, after these Art History classes, I was head over heels.
Learning about the sculpture, architecture, and artists behind it all was intoxicating.
I just had to go and see it for myself.

I had multiple interviews for the program and was almost positive I had a spot.

Then I met Ryan that same semester...obviously the man upstairs had a better plan for me.

I jokingly tell Ryan that it was his fault that I didn't get into the Study Abroad program, that he must have been praying for me to stay and be with him {cute :)}.
 Now he gets to take me so we can enjoy this beautiful experience together. 

I will travel with my love to Paris, Rome, London, and Venice to live out one of my dreams.

Never would have thought it...

but I guess I'm a romantic.

<3 Bri 

Strawberry Cheesecake Pops

This weekend was one of the first in a while that I wasn't working, so I definitely took advantage of it!

I tried out a couple of new recipes, Stuffed Bell Peppers and Strawberry Cheesecake Pops.

So the actual recipe I found on Pinterest {...of course} is called "Raspberry Cheesecake Pops", but I couldn't find any dang raspberries at Winco and already had  truckload of strawberries at home so I decided to improv :)

ingredients 

8 oz. of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or cherries!

1 tablespoon of water

4 oz of low fat cream cheese

3 tablespoons of fat free milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup of powdered sugar

directions

-In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook your berry of choice with the 1 tablespoon of water for about 10 minutes or until the berry starts to fall apart

-Transfer berry & water mixture into a food processor or strong blender and puree until there are no more lumps left, then put the mixture in the fridge to cool for around 30 minutes

-Then in food processor/blender, puree the cream cheese, vanilla extra, milk, and powdered sugar until smooth. {I did a single batch, but next time would do a double batch of the 'cheesecake' mixture, just cause I wish I had more in each pop!}

-In popsicle molds, layer the berry puree and cheesecake mixture, then put into the freezer for at least 2 hours

-Enjoy at 85-90 calories a pop!!!

{Delish AND healthy, LEGIT.}

<3 Bri

Sunny Leone Hot Photos

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The Story of Us: I Love You Ryan Andrew Rios {Part 13}

If you haven't already read up on how Ryan and I fell hopelessly in love... 

Check out the "Story of Us" tab above.
This is one of the best parts, so you better hurry up!!!

................................................................................

Fast forward a few days later, I'm in the midst of finals.

I'm taking a break from all the studying, and Ryan joins me in my procrastination {naturally}.

{I stole this shirt from Ryan both Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks}

We decided {ahem, I wanted} to watch the Christmas claymation movies in celebration of the season.

I choose Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, stuffed it into the DVD player, and hopped on over to cuddle with Ryan on the living room couch.

He is sitting up and has a pillow on his lap where I promptly plop my head, then cuddle into my leopard print blanket.

At this point I'm still wondering if he ever caught on to the fact that I accidentally professed my love to him during a phone order of hamburger and sweet potato fries.

I mean, he hasn't brought it up in a few days.

Maybe I actually got away with it!

Fail.

R "Soooo...what did you say the other day on the phone?"

Let me interject here really quick and just point out that Ryan is not a "feelings" kind of guy.

Whenever anything slightly stressful or worrisome would happen in his life,

 I practically had to shake it out of him before he would tell me anything.

He is extremely careful in whom he places his love and trust.

But at the same token, it was so so so obvious that he was falling in love with me.

Our relationship from the beginning was very transparent, honest, straightforward, and just...easy.

There were no games.

So my response to his question?

Me, being the smooth cat I am, pick my head up off the pillow, turn around and say:

B "You know what Ryan Andrew Rios? I said I LOVE YOU. I don't even care if you don't say it back to me right now, because I already know that you are falling madly in love with me, and you are gonna tell me that you love me too sooner or later. K thanks."

Then I promptly plopped my head back on the pillow and continue on with my claymation viewing.

There was a big 'ole Cheshire cat smile plastered to my face.

Oh my goodness....I just said 'I love you' to Ryan.
In probably one of the most un-romantic ways possible.

Anddd that was it.

I'm the one who said it first.

Accidentally and then for reals.

At the end of finals week, he drove me up to the airport then sent me off with a kiss on the forehead.

On my flight home to California, I thought to myself:

"Ohhhhhhh crap.

 What am I getting myself into."

<3 Bri

Ruffle Monster

I remember when I saw this shirt on the hanger in the Anthropologie sale section and was like:

"Ummm, who would wear that ruffle monstrosity."

My mom convinced me to at least try it on, and much to my surprise it looked bangin'.

Another point for you mom!

So now I'm the one who would wear that ruffle monstrosity.

The plan was to hit up a dollar movie on Saturday night, so I hurry to get dressed, I walk out of the bathroom to show off my date look and Ryan looks at me and says:

"Bri, you look hot. But you know that we are going to see a dollar movie...in Provo."

So what! I needed an excuse to dress up :)

In the end, the dollar movie was a bust so we meandered Barnes & Noble and Best Buy, then went home to make dinner together and cuddle and watch a movie.

Top: Anthro//Jeans: AE//Hoops: Target//Belt: F21

And during this photo shoot, these dumb shoes broke.
As soon as I'm makin' boo-koo bucks, I'm investing in some nice-ace shoes.
Steve Madden, Zara, ShoeMint, etc etc.
No more of this:
"I'm gonna buy this really cute cheap pair of shoes and they will last me forever!"
Yup, that's false.
Anyone read that "Fast Food Fashion" book yet? Cause I think that's the jist of the book.

Now I'm off to convince my body to get up and work out.
Or at least just to put on the work-out gear.

<3 Bri

The Mannequin Girls

As many of you know, this is my first retail job...ever.

{At Francesca's Collections!}

When asked what I wanted to learn most about, I practically leaped and yelled and twitched with excitement when I said:

"Dressing the mannequins!!"

The picture above? 

My first display window.

Totes presh :)

I asked lots and lots of questions about what creative process is normal in dressing mannequins.

I just love getting outfits and accessories together, but sometimes I would get a creative block.

You know?

One of the best pointers I heard was...

All the mannequins should be dressed like they are going to the same place.

So the girls above?

They are from New York, and they haven't seen each other in a while....

 so they planned a girls' night out on the town to a pretty ritzy restaurant and happened to run into the Gossip Girl cast and danced all night long.

So now, I make up 'lil stories to go with each set of mannequins.

Some of the girls in the store even name the mannequins and give them personalities.

Ya, I haven't gotten to that point yet! haha

These girls are bff's from Texas, and they are heading to a friend's wedding in the country.

A mix of vintage, class, and country!

These are girls heading out for lunch at Zupas while it's raining outside, to catch up on all the latest gossip over some delicious paninis and salad.

Obviously I get a kick out of this :)

This is the start of my jewelry organization, so I can see exactly what I have.

So hopefully, when I go shopping I stop getting stuff that looks like something I already have.

You do that too?

Ok good, I'm not the only one :)

Any of you have some stories for the mannequin girls?

<3 Bri

A Baby Powder Rat's Nest

Before running over to work, I stopped a Chick-fil-a for a much needed caffeinated DC.

{I'm such a connoisseur of DC that I can taste the difference between caffeinated and de-caf. 

So don't you dare and try to fool me with the de-caf crap when I need my buzz.}

The girl behind the counter asked: "What are you so dressed up for?"

I said: "Umm, work?"

"Where do you work at??"

She asked with such surprise.

Ok, I really didn't get that gussied up.

Sure, my hair is in a bun, I actually did my make-up, and I threw on a shiny necklace.

I used a new make-up palette which tells me exactly what powders to use and where to put them.

Easy peasy.

My hair was a freaking rats nest so I put baby powder in it, ratted the crap out of it, then pinned it up and hair sprayed it. 

It felt like a bird's nest, no lie.

And the necklace I stole from mi madre.

Classy huh?

Top: American Eagle//Skirt: Anthropologie//Flats: Gap//Necklace: stolen from mom

Well, I'm off on an adventure today friends.
I'm pondering on whether I should bike or drive to the post office.
I'll probably end up biking because I already look gross, and exercising is a good way of covering up the fact that I didn't want to really get dressed today anyways.

There you go, some daily wisdom from moi:
"Exercise to cover up the fact you already look like trash. Then people will not even notice your horrendous apparel and hair, but will admire you for being so active and healthy."
BAHAHA. If they only knew.

<3 Bri

P.S. I updated my buttons and added a Breezy Bee button on my "Sponsor" page :)

I Hide a Lucky Rabbit Foot in My Hair

I'm not a particularly lucky person.

Ok, I take that back. 

I'm lucky in the sense that I'm blessed with amazing people in my life.

But lucky in finding a 20 dollar bill on the street?

Ya...not so likely.

On a random, not so special or memorable day, I entered in a $100 GDazzle gift card giveaway on Yesterday's Sweetheart. 

Then proceeded to have a minor heart attack when I ran across her page and saw my name as the winner.

What the?!

It was kind of like the time I won a bracelet on the Keiko Lynn blog....ummm she has like 10,000 followers. How in the fetchin' WORLD did I randomly get chosen??

Dress: won in giveaway from GDazzle//Sweater: Target//Sandals: Steve Madden//Necklace Breezy Bee

The moral of this whole story is that you should enter in giveaways.
They totes pay off!!

And I know you are totally wondering about my adorable ruffle-y yellow sweater...
Found it at Target forever ago, on sale, for 5 BUCKS.
What an awesome deal!
 I wore it to church the following Sunday and found a cute little girl in Sunday School wearing the same sweater, then another cute little girl wearing the hot pink version.
Then it dawned on me...I totally bought a little girls sweater.

Oh well. 
Still cute. Still a good score. Still wish I would have gotten the hot pink one.

<3 Bri

Clean Home, Clear Mind

This is not what the front room always looks like, so I thought it would be smart to capture a few pictures before it got all "lived in and comfortable" again.

Don't you just love coming home to a clean & orderly house?

It just makes everything else that is stressful in my life, seem a little less like a big deal.

Because it's like:

"Hey, so we have a bazillion bills to pay....but at least the house is clean :D"

I'm currently on the look-out for another job because the one I have {although it is freaking awesome and I love it} isn't giving me the hours I need to make the moolah I need to!

So when I'm not applying, emailing, or interviewing for new jobs...I clean & organize.

Preferably with an uber girly show on.

Just finished Gossip Girl season 5 today and what the fluff, can Chuck and Blair be together already?!

And I used to like Serena, but now she bugs the living tar out of me.

Stop being all weird and breathy when you talk and backstabbing and...weird.

Above is a picture of our 2nd bedroom, AKA the office/bookcase/crafting area/closet.

Granted it's not the most decorated {I mean, who really has their bedroom and extra rooms decorated to the caliber of the rest of the house? If you do...bravo to you, I admire you.}, but I'm working on it!

The yellow furniture is the same my mom used when she was ten years old, and the same furniture I grew up with, and the furniture I plan on giving to my little girl one day.

We slapped some new knobs on it and BAM, vintage awesomeness.

This is Ryan's side {if you couldn't tell}, with his Bob picture, frog, desk, and stadium picture.

This is my side of the room, I'm so happy to get my crafting table all set up so I can work at it all the time! Waaahoooooo. 

And that pink egg chair is the BEST thing to sleep in ever.

And Audrey Hepburn is my idol, just sayin.

I guess I should be really embarrassed to say that this is only about a fifth of my closet.
But I'm not.
Hey now! I'm 5'3, have not grown since middle school and have been the same size for years.
So of course I've collected some clothes, but what girl hasn't. Let's be real here.

I'm currently working on the jewelry situ in our bedroom, I'll keep you all updated.
And if you have suggestions, I'm open to it :)

<3 Bri