Galentines Party

Sasha and Jenny put together this awesome Galentines party a little bit ago, and I've honestly not laughed that hard in so long. I know I always say this, but the blogging world is such a crazy one! I met all these ladies online, and now we get together for fun girls nights and bond like we've known each other for ages. That is so dang weird if you really think about it!

Delicious heart cookies, a cute heart photo backdrop, and the quality company made for such a blast of a party. These girls nights will definitely have to happen more often, because I love getting together with such a fun group of ladies and having an excuse to go out and party on a weeknight ;)

Weekend Update: Parks & Rec + Awful Waffle + Church

This past weekend was a crazy one! I'll start from the top...so for my American Heritage class {yuck, still irked I have to take that class}, I have to do 10 hours of community service as a part of my grade. I emailed my old boss at Provo Parks & Recreation asking if he could use me for any volunteer work? I went in to the new Recreation Center {which was recently built & is insanely gorgeous}, and he said I would be directing traffic at the front desk for Junior Jazz {city basketball program for 1st-8th}. 

I had mentioned that I kinda missed being a referee to the little kids and that I would probably put in my application again...he told me no need and handed over the paperwork to have my job back, gave me a raise, and a shift for this upcoming Saturday. Ummm, can I say pumped much? I had worked there up until basketball season ended a couple years ago, then I started my Francesca's job soon after. So it's been a while since I've reffed, and I'm a tad nervous...but mostly excited. It's always nice to know that your hard work is appreciated and that old employers will take you back in a heartbeat! 

After I volunteered Saturday morning, I made my way to Sodalicious {man, was I craving that dirty dr. pepper/sugar cookie} then ended up at Awful Waffle for Deidre's going away party. She is moving to be with her baseball-player husband in Arizona, and we are so jealous she is moving to warmer weather! She has been such an awesome friend, so of course I'm sad to see her go, but I'm so excited for her new adventure :)

Then on Sunday we were invited by our neighbors to hit up a young married ward in the area, which I was a little hesitant about. I've always heard horrible things about married student wards, specifically that they are: cliquish, drama-filled, and awkward. Yikes! Although, we haven't felt very "at home" in our current family ward, so I was up for trying something new.

In all my years of living in Utah {about 5 years}, I've NEVER had anyone approach me and ask if I was new to the ward. Just because there are so many people moving in and out all the time, the ward members just don't know how to sort out who's new or already a part of the ward. I was honestly stunned when I had a few different people ask me who I was, and was genuinely interested in getting to know me. Everyone was so dang friendly! Luckily we are zoned to be in this ward, so we will be hopping over there soon and I'm stoked to meet other couples who are in the same phase of life as us :)

WHEW! That was a major weekend update if I do say so myself. This weekend is chock-full of more exciting stuff: 2 exams, Superbowl party, and my first shift back as a referee! 

Xtend Barre Provo

After a really awesome Winter, Spring & Summer full of consistently working out {average 2-3 times a week}, I epically failed this Fall. My school schedule had me running around like a chicken with my head cut off so I didn't put any emphasis on gym time. Sure, I walked the 30 minutes to and from school 3 times a week and had dance classes, but I'm usually accustomed to a more rigorous workout. Which means that lately I've been feeling unfulfilled in regards to workin' up a really good sweat.

I've heard about Xtend Barre before, more specifically about how it's a new style of working out that is similar to a dance warm-up...but way more intense. After my first class there, I totally agree. Two days later I'm still feeling the muscle soreness, but it hurts so good and I love it! Our teacher Kacey was a total rockstar, keeping everyone motivated to do just 4 more reps. We did: arms with weights, abs, and leg strengthening on the barre, along with cardio; so this workout is not for the faint of heart, but it's absolutely worth it. It's pretty much addicting, and I honestly cannot even wait until the next class I'm able to attend. 

At the end of the blogger Xtend Barre class, the teacher came up to me & asked if I was a dancer? I told her that I had taken some ballroom classes at BYU, but didn't consider myself a dancer by any means. She complimented me on my foot-floor connection, pointed toes, and how I was able to keep good posture pretty much the entire class. Suffice it to say, I was pretty stoked to see that the teacher was impressed by my technique and even came over to compliment me on it!

Deidre, our awesome host of the event, handed out prizes for Most Creative Instagram pic, Cutest Instagram pic, and Best in Class...which I won! The teacher had picked me to win Best in Class and while I definitely wasn't expecting it, I was super stoked to win that Albion Fit gift card! I seriously had a blast here, and will definitely start making Xtend Barre classes a part of my routine. The teachers, support from your classmates, high energy music, adorable venue, and creative full body workouts are AMAZING. Make your way over to Xtend Barre Provo in the Riverwoods, you will not regret it one bit!

Thank you to our event sponsors!
Xtend Barre: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram  
Rock These Socks: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter 
Blickenstaffs: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter 
Mend Juicery: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter 
Provo Beach Resort: Website   
Lime Ricki: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter
Sodalicious: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter 
Sammys Cafe: Website \\ Facebook 
Albion Fit: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram \\ Twitter 
3B Yoga: Website \\ Facebook \\ Instagram

Blogger Christmas PJ Party

Last week I went to a blogger Christmas party thrown by the lovely Gentri Lee with my blogger BFF Kyla. It was a low-key party where we wore Christmas pjs, brought our festive mugs, and exchanged white elephant gifts. Honestly, it was one of the funnest parties I have been to in a while because there was no pressure to be fancy shmancy bloggers and there was none of that dumb girl competition/comparison. {Why do we even do that to ourselves?!}

Kyla & I walked in to an apartment full of laughter, amazing treats, and smiles all around. It was the perfect recipe for the best kind of holiday party. Everyone was relaxed because duh, we were in our pjs! It was nice to get to know a bunch of other bloggers in the area, though I wish I would have gone around more and talked to everyone. Guess I'll have to save that for next time ;)

{Picture borrowed from Elise}

We all sat in a circle to introduce ourselves and the names of our blogs, there was a lot of "ohhhh, I know who you are!" It's exciting to finally piece together the blog to the blogger. We threw our white elephant gifts in the middle, everyone grabbed one then a Christmas story was read where every time there was a "right or left" said in the story we'd have to pass it around. Gosh, it was a blast!

I hope to host one of these low-key blogger parties soon, because I love the idea of rallying everyone together to truly enjoy one another. Especially since us bloggers have so much in common! Thanks again Gentri for the relaxing and fun night! :)

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

Harvest Your Fashion at Francesca's Blogger Party!

I had the opportunity to host another blogger event at the Orem, UT Francesca's {check out the Valentines Bash}, and it was a total blast! We were showing off the new Fall merchandise that we have in the store to our local bloggers, and of course that comes with food and games ;)

As an icebreaker we played a game called "Describe Me", where there was an index card pinned to everyone's backs. Most everyone was meeting each other for the first time, so when the bloggers when chat up someone new they would ask to write on their note card a comment or compliment! The goal was to get around to everyone at the party and write on everyone's note cards, it was such a fun and sweet way to get to know the other local bloggers.

After hopping in a circle and introducing ourselves, we were split up into 3 teams to compete in a styling competition. Each team was given a trend-specific rack of clothes and had to create a "quintessential fall look" with the trend they were given, and also dress up their model in less than 10 minutes!

Not only did each team have to put together a full look, including accessories, but the models walked in a catwalk competition while the other two teams scored the look! It was so fun to see the fall looks everyone put together with their specific trends, and the models were totally rockin' :) {If you were wondering, Team #2 won, woot woot!}

{A group photo with all our awesome UT bloggers!}

{Natalie, Alacia, Brittany, and Kim lookin' fabulous!}

{Eryka & Deidre being a couple of goofs ;)}

{The Bang's deciding on which stuffed animals from Francesca's to add to their amazing collection!}

{The Francesca's workers that helped make it all happen! They created the spooooky Insta-Photobooth for everyone to enjoy. Thanks Josee & Krislyn!}

Fran's Insta-Photobooth

{If you have any more pics from the Intsa-Photobooth that I can add here, use the hashtage #harvestatfrans}

It was such a fun night getting to know everyone, styling some fall looks, snacking on sugary treats, and shopping! Thanks to everyone who came & made the party such an awesome success :)

Blogger List

Alacia Hood Hoodwinked

Bri Rios Breezy Days

Brittany Davis Love Stitched

Deidre Miller Love, The Skinnys

Elise Hunter Hunters of Happiness

Eryka Clark ABCDE 

Jessi Bingham Haircut and General Attitude 

Kelsey & Jake Bang Kelsey Bang

Kim Bird Life as a Bird

Kyla Ford Ford-ology

Natalie Fielding Natalie Grace

Rachel Porter Rachel Sayumi

Sue Stange Chevron and Lace

Save the Date!

Calling all Utah Valley Lifestyle/Fashion Bloggers! 

I am throwing another blogger party at the Orem location of Francesca's collections and want YOU to be there. The Francesca's Valentines Blogger Bash was ridiculous fun back in February, and I can't wait to party with you all again! 

The Orem Frannie girls will be showing off all the new fall fashions during an after hours, blogger-exclusive, treat-filled party. What more could you ask for? Make sure to mark this date on your calendars, let your blogger BFF's know, and follow along here for more information coming soon!

Fall Fashion Fusion

I know I know, this event was almost 80 years ago and I'm finally getting around to posting it. That's just what happens when you're a super-busy-young-married-college-student-lifestyle-blogger {WHEW! That was a mouthful}. I was invited to Fashion Place Mall's Fall Fashion Fusion runway event, and it was a blast like last time! I met up with my blogger BFF Kyla at the show and was also lucky enough to have my mom in town to come with me.

We got to check out all the up & coming fall trends fashioned by various stores such as: Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Express, Buckle, and more in the Fashion Place Mall. I saw that leather leggings are big as ever, leopard print is still the bomb dot com, and brown booties are an absolute must-have in your Fall wardrobe!

I loved Banana Republic's classic yet feminine take on Fall style with sweaters layered over chambray button-ups {if you don't have one yet, it's a necessity!} as well as Nordstrom's edgy take with drool-worthy Rag & Bone booties and essential skin-tight jeggings & leggings. 

After the show, my mom & I dropped by Lush because she had never been there before and grabbed some fun bath bombs! Love the smells when you walk in there, yummmm!

What is your Fall fashion essential?