Weekend Update: Steve Madden + Football + Texas de Brazil

I drove up with my best friend Alexa, and blogger friend Rachel up near Salt Lake to the Fashion Place Mall to wait in line and meet the amazing STEVE MADDEN. I am a huge fan of his purses & shoes...ok, I'm obsessed. Although, being the bargain diva that I am, I only purchase his merchandise on sale at Ross or on eBay. I'll let you in on a little secret...Ross almost ALWAYS has Steve Madden purses for $30-$40 when they usually sell for over $100. Crazy!

We waited in line with fellow blogger friends Gentri, Jody, and Jessi for over 2 hours because Steve was just chillin' in his green room, getting ready I suppose? The line was a total party with food, shoes on a platter, a DJ dance party, shoe raffle, and taking pictures with the emcee to post on the Nordstrom Facebook page. So the line wasn't too brutal with the par-tay going on!

When Steve finally came out, he passed right in front of our group and he shook my hand! I was fangirlin' hardcore. I got my purse signed by Steve, we all got a picture with him, and we got a free swag bag. It was pretty dang cool! Definitely worth the drive up & time in line :)

{That's me grabbing Steve's hand!! Thanks Jody for the video!}

On Sunday Ryan & I made our way to Kyla's place to watch the Seahawks/49ers game {because Kyla is from Nor-Cal & her husband from Washington} and ate some delish dinner while having a blast cheering for the Seahawks {woot woot}! Then on Monday we drove up to Salt Lake with Benexa to visit our favorite Brazilian Steakhouse, Texas de Brazil, because they are doing 50%  off of dinner prices for the month of January. Oh my gosh, it was soooo worth every bite & penny :) Suffice it to say, it was a super fun & filling weekend!

Nordstrom Rack VIP Party

This week I received an invitation to attend the VIP pre-opening party at Nordstrom Rack up in Farmington, UT. Seeing as how I've only ever been to a Nordstrom Rack a handful of times in my life, I figured it would be a fun time to snag one of my best friends and head on up there {Kyla, you were missed!!} We toddled up to the store and it was PACKED. We inched our way inside and I had Alexa show me around the store like a Nordstrom Rack pro would. 

We ended up finding some great deals on comfy sweaters and adorable studded belts through the huge sea of a well-dressed crowd & amazing discounts. After the chaos we made our way over to Ross & Marshall's to see if we could grab any more deals; which is where we ran into Madison & Lauren from the Awkward Girls blog. I went over to say "hi" because I had met them a couple times previous and that was the start of talking each others ears off and eventually dinner at The Habit {a burger place I'd never been to before, which was absolutely delicious!} It's so funny that we all hit it off so well and could not stop talking! Alexa & I had a total blast!! This blogger world is such a crazy fun place to be a part of :)

Nordstrom Rack at Station Park: 380 North Station Parkway Farmington, UT 84025

Happy Halloween!

Last Saturday I helped Elise {along with some other local bloggers} put together a couples Halloween party, because there is a complete lack of engaged/married couples parties in Provo! Ryan grew out his mustache and we went to the party together as Mario & Princess Peach :)

{Mario & Peach // Mermaid & Ship Captain}

There was an amazingly delicious soup bar with 5 different soup options & a Pinterest worthy treat table decked out with graveyard pudding cups and monster cupcakes! Check out Elise's post with pictures of everyone's fun couples & family costumes; there was a lost boy & tinker bell, Shaggy & Daphne, Ash & Pikachu, and so many more creative & adorable costumes! 

At the end of the night we met up with the mermaid & ship captain for caramel apple cider drinks and a late night chill sesh. Can't wait to pass out candy & finish up my outside Halloween decor for tonight. Happy halloween!

I'm Feelin' Twenty-TwoOooOo

This past Saturday was my 22nd birthday! I feel so young when I think about how much life I still have ahead of me, but also feel proud for what I've accomplished in my 22 years here. I conquered skin cancer, been married almost 2 and a half years, have held down 3 awesome jobs, am working on improving my musical talents, will be a college graduate in April of 2014, and have awesome relationships with friends and family. I am pretty blessed if I do say so myself.

On my birthday eve, Ryan took me out shopping and I found some amazing bargain pieces at Loft and American Eagle! {I'll share soon ;)} Then we ate at Firehouse subs before we went over to watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2. Ummm, cutest movie ever & definitely just as fun as the first movie. I'm so glad it came out on my birthday weekend, it just had to be fate!!!

Saturday was a busy day, I had dance practice at noon followed by a choir retreat from 1-4pm. I quickly ran some errands then went home to prepare for the small party I was having! I just wanted something low-key with cake and some of my favorite people. It was a blast catching up with old friends and having an excuse to see them all!

Allll the way back in 2009, I graduated high school and left 2 weeks later for college. Best decision ever. I met some of my now closest friends that summer, and love that I was able to share the "college experience" with them! So of course we had to take a "Freshmen summer reunion" picture to commemorate :)

Well my friends, that just about wraps up my birthday post. We all know how much I love birthdays, and I'll admit I love having the attention on me and getting fun presents....but what I love the most is having my closest friends and family nearby so I can share how grateful I am to have them in my life. 

Benexa Wedding Part 3

Part 1//Part 2

After a truly awesome vacation in Phoenix, it was time to head home.

I consumed about 5 of those delish McDonald's cones pictured above during our Arizona adventure.

They taste that much more amazing in 100 degree heat!

On the way home we got some pics of us in front of the Grand Canyon.
So gorgeous in person!
This vacation was one of the first times in a while where I have really been able to relax.
Ryan, after the trip said that he enjoyed me in "vacation mode" because I seize the day or just enjoy the moment.

So, now I'm working on enjoying the moment everyday :)
Two days after we got home from Arizona, I packed up my bag and hopped a plane to California.
 Can't wait to share my Cali pictures with all of you!
HAPPY WEEKEND! 

<3 Bri

Benexa Wedding Part 2

 

I'm pretty much gonna attack you with some more wedding pics, cause who doesn't like that?

Here is Part 1 to the Arizona trip!

One of my best friends Alexa got married to her bestest friend Ben in the LDS Mesa temple.

It was...get this, 108 DEGREES OUTSIDE.

GROSSSSSSSSSS.

No one really cared about the heat because the new Mr & Mrs Tateoka came out of the temple all glowing and smiles!
Finally a married couple!!!
Woot woot for more married friends! :)

Here is our little car pool group: Cody, Alex, myself and Ryan.
Seriously one of the funnest groups to hang with!

We had ourselves a blast: eating at IHop at 1 in the morning, frantically searching JCPennys for suspenders, showing up late to the wedding and to the luncheon, then showing up early to the reception, dancing our bums off on the dance floor, exploring Downtown Phoenix, listening to live music, eating delish breakfast burritos, and chilling in the pool with the hot as hell temperature. 

The reception hall was absolutely stunning, it completely embodied the Spanish theme that Ben & Alexa were going for, very very classy!

I totally bawled during the father/daughter dance, loved the nostalgia of Benexa's video telling how the met, fell in love then how Ben proposed, and definitely enjoyed Ben singing Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" with background dancers to Alexa.

For sure one of the best wedding's I've ever been too :)
Stay tuned for the last installment of the Benexa wedding!

<3 Bri 

Benexa Wedding Part 1

If you haven't noticed, I've been gone for ohhhhhh about 5 days.

At least from the blog world!!

I was a tad bit busy carpooling 10 hours down to Phoenix, Arizona, hitting up the wedding, checkin' out Phoenix nightlife and food, sleeping, poolin' it up, and driving back to Provo, Utah.

Other than that it's been pretty boring.

Ryan & I carpooled with a choice group and had a blast on the way down.

We stopped in Kanab at a 'lil cafe called Rocking V.

We all decided to try out the Buffalo Burgers, they were absolutely deeee-lish but at 18 bucks worth?

Pretty much almost had a heart attack when I got the check.

GUL!

We continued on our journey through Southern Utah, Flagstaff, then finally landed in Phoenix around 7pm on Wednesday night.

Thursday we took it easy because we knew the wedding festivities of Friday would kick our butts.

So we chilled in the pool, went to JCPenny's for suspenders, took naps, ate yummy breakfast burritos with the soon to be married couple, and then Thursday night we decided to drive around Downtown Phoenix to check it out.

We drove by this huge blue tornado lookin' thing and heard some pretty rockin' musica, so we knew  we had to stop!

Ricky Martin and John Mayer covers galore!

All in 90 degree heat.

Yes, AT NIGHT.

I swear I was sweating 24/7, it's a really hot look.

{so punny!}

Then we drove through Mickey D's for some DC's and headed home to hit the sheets to prepare for the wedding festivities to come :)

<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 

Benexa

Ryan & I looove to double date, and we especially enjoy our couple friends.

Instead of saying both of their names, which is suuuuch a hassle, we like to make things easier on ourselves and give them celebrity names.

Hayley & Rob= Hob

Kimberly & Kyle= Kimmel

Taylor & Nicole= Niccog

Kyle & Ashley= Kashley

Ben & Alexa= Benexa

It was Alexa's 21st birthday on Saturday, March 3rd.

She erroneously thought her boyfriend, Ben, wasn't throwing her a birthday party, so she threw one for herself the night before her birthday.

Texas sheet cake, Salvadorian food, Spanish karaoke, birthday candles, and friends were all there.

Little did she know that Ben had something else planned for her....

For two weeks, Ben had in place, a surprise breakfast party at his apartment planned for Saturday morning.

I was enlisted to help, so I showed up to help make the french toast.

The apartment was PACKED with all of Alexa's bestest friends.

The party hears the couple inching towards the door, we hide.....then, SURPRISE!!!!

She covers her face when...WHAT THE HECK.

WHAT IS THAT SHINY THING ON HER LEFT HAND!?

Ben had picked her up from her apartment, proposed, then scared the holy tar out of her with a surprise birthday.

Suffice it to say it was AWESOME.

We wrapped up the party and rushed over to Ryan and Ben's flag football game. 

We watched our men completely DOMINATE.

We finished the day with Benexa.

 Heading up to Park City to shop around, eating Cafe Rio, watching Jeopardy, and talking/laughing the rest of the night.

They'll be married this summer! 

Um, so stoked??

<3 Ryan & Brianna Rios= Brios