Ettika Jewelry Arm Parties

I was stoked when I received this beautiful cream braided bracelet from Ettika {along with this thoughtful Christmas gift from my blogger BFF!} in the mail last week. Which, being the blogger that I am...I was practically obligated to take an Instagram "happy mail" picture! Who doesn't love showing off their awesome snail mail?! Ettika is an LA based jewelry company for the "rock & roller, boho lover, and beach goer"...aka their jewelry SPEAKS TO MY SOUL.

I had a blast trying out various arm parties with this gold multi-ribbon & rhinestone braided bracelet because it seriously goes with anything and everything. Not only is it amazing quality, but is great for that extra dash of low-key glitz!

You wanna know the best part of this whole dang post? There is an opportunity to win a $100 Ettika gift card right this very moment {what are you waiting for?!}. Although, if you're impatient like myself...you can head on over to Ettika and snag yourself some arm candy with this 25% off coupon {EXCL25}! Happy Friday my friends!

Influenster: Jolly Vox Box

I received this Jolly Vox Box filled with fun goodies from Influenster a couple weeks back, and decided to review them by making my first vlog ever! Hope you enjoy it :)

My Fitness Pal username: brianna_rios

*I received these products c/o Influenster for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.*

I Left My Heart at Jane.com

You know that lyric "I left my heart in San Francisco?" Well, I left mine at Jane.com. About a year ago I found this company that offers amazing deals on trendy boutique goods for an absolute steal. A site after my own heart!

This past summer my mom & I would stay up until 11pm California time {midnight UT time}, waiting for the new deals to reveal themselves. We decided on which ones to hurry up and snag before the inevitable "sold out" sign would appear, and which ones to pass until next time {cause they always bring back some of the best deals.} What's nice is that Jane gives you a sneak peek of what they'll be posting the next day on their Facebook account, so you can be prepared! I still get raving compliments on this necklace I bought on Jane for 14 bucks. {It's ok, you're allowed to gasp.}

{Top c/o Jane}

Head on over to my sidebar and Jane is the first button there {kinda like the first friend on those MySpace Top 8 lists from eons ago...}, and go check them out. I promise you that you won't leave Jane without at least one thing in your basket ;)

The Rules of Winter

I'm so picky when it comes to winter clothing & accessories. Before moving here almost 5 years ago {it's been that long?!} I had never owned: A. a pair of boots or B. a real coat. I remember looking online with my mom for boots before my freshmen year, and was SO SCARED that boots would make me look like a pirate. I guess that's what happens when you live in sandals year round, other shoe options become extremely terrifying & haunt your dreams.

After a few winters under my belt, I've determined the following...

Boots should have traction, be weather proof, and should decide between being a flat or heel. None of this weirdo sliver wedge business. Scarfs should not be pitiful little strings of fabric hanging around your neck. They should be chunky, warm, and soft {like the one above from To Adorn}; as to keep you warm and to serve as a make-shift blanket/pillow when you're tired during classes. 

{Scarf c/o To Adorn // Coat c/o Sammy Dress // Remixed: Dress}

Finally, coats should be: warm, colorful, of good quality, and well-fitting {so you don't end up looking like the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters.} There you have it, my friends. The rules of winter according to Bri. The California girl who has only lived in the cold for a few winters....which obviously makes me the most credible source out there ;)

Another Sweater Date Night

Yesterday the husband & I ventured up to Salt Lake to do a little Christmas gift card shopping. We hit up Nike, Lush, Anthro {where I got the most adorable umbrella ring holder}, and instead of getting stuck in traffic on the way home we ate at Red Robin in SLC. I love that after being married for over 2.5 years, we can still have fun with something as simple as walking around the mall & admiring the gorgeous snow-capped mountains around us.

I will say, that after a couple of years into this marriage gig...it is way easy to knock down your 'date game' a couple notches. What's the point of getting dressed up and trudging around in the snow when I can wear my Wal-Mart sweatpants, eat Pizza Hut, and watch Netflix documentaries? Actually GETTING DRESSED makes a massive difference. Not only in how your spouse views you, but in how you feel about yourself! Granted, I'll take any excuse to dress to the nines {kinda like that one time I wore a sequin skirt to Smiths...} 

Which is why I was super stoked to test drive my new sweater from To Adorn! They sent me a couple of surprise goodies & I was pleasantly surprised when opening the package. This sweater fits like a dream, and while it is something I wouldn't have normally picked for myself, I ended up absolutely LOVING it! Comfy fit, gold thread weaved throughout, and a black lace back with polka dots...could you seriously ask for any more cuteness in one piece of clothing? 

{Sweater: To Adorn c/o // First sweater date night}

To Adorn is daily boutique site which offers awesome prices for trendy & adorable clothing, jewelry, and more! I paired this sweater with black ponte pants {for $13 from Tj Maxx}, Spellbound by Maybelline lipstick, Steve Madden bag {from Ross}, a Bebe druzy stone necklace {for $14, also from Ross}, and olive booties from Sole Society. 

One day I randomly entered an Instagram gift card giveaway that Sole Society was hosting, and I ended up winning! So I patiently waited {with baited breath} for these studded puppies to go on sale, when they did I pounced which presented me with the grand total of $9. Awesome deals just make my day, ok?

Striped Beauty

{Remixed: Shoes, Sweater, Necklace}

I was sent this dress from eShakti just in time for my birthday on September 28th, and couldn't wait to wear it for my 'lil b-day bash. With eShakti you are able to alter the dress to fit your personal taste, shape, and style which is something that sets this company apart from any other. Not only can you alter the dress length, sleeves, and neckline; but you also have the option to input your exact measurements and literally have the dress made for you! Ummm, how cool is that?! I picked the knee-length option, a rounded neckline, and attached some cap sleeves to this striped fit & flare beauty. It seriously fits LIKE A DREAM, and to top it off...it has pockets. And c'mon...what girl doesn't just fall in love with a pocket-ed dress?? Check out eShakti, and keep an eye out for their awesome deals & sales!

Cardstore Goodies

I had the opportunity to review any card of my choice from Cardstore, with any special customizations or additions included. I liked the site so much that I just ended up purchasing an additional card! They have such an adorable collection of birthday, wedding, various congratulations cards, and more. You can customize the inside of the card with your own personal message, and even add pictures! The site is extremely user-friendly, reasonably priced {$3 average, with envelope included} and the delivery is lighting speed. After I put in my order, it was delivered within 3 days. Seeing as how I had a wedding this past week and another next weekend, I was excited to peruse the wedding card selection and I was not disappointed! 

Go on over and check out Cardstore :)

*One card was courtesy of Cardstore. All opinions are my own.*

Dreaming of Fall + Blossom Boutique Giveaway {CLOSED}

{skirt c/o Blossom Boutique}

This skirt is called the Miracle Skirt, and rightfully so! It only comes in one size but is seriously the most comfortable thing of all time, probably because it is made out of soft amazing stretchiness. It's still summer weather in So-Cal {and I'm sure most everywhere else}...but I couldn't help but dream of pairing this skirt with my tall cognac boots, a comfy sweater, and a scarf for the most perfect collegiate outfit :) 

If you want your own miracle skirt or any of the other fun goodies that Blossom Boutique has to offer, enter this giveaway for a $20 gift card! 

The giveaway ends August 17th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Festive Dots

{blouse c/o ever+mi crush}

I don't know what it is...but I am always in serious need of blouses. I guess skirts, dresses, and shoes are always so much more fun to shop for! I get so distracted with all the pretty skirts that I just forget that something needs to be put on top! So when Ever+Mi Crush sent me this adorable red & white polka dot blouse I knew that it was just BEGGING to be worn with a festive outfit for the Fourth of July. White denim cut-offs, Sam Edelman fiesta wedges, and some classic red lipstick made for the perfect low-key Fourth look :)

*Check out the sidebar for current giveaways going on...hop to it & enter for free goodies!*

Man of Steel

{Jack of All Trades}

I finally got to see the new Superman movie and boy was it an action-packed 2 hours! Holy smokes. Definitely loved all the action, but I felt like the relationship between Lois Lane and Superman was a little forced? Maybe that was just me hoping it would feel a tad more realistic. So being a girl and all...I was majorly excited to hit the movie because I had the perfect outfit to wear...my awesome Superman t-shirt! I felt SO PUMPED walking into the theater with my fro-yo in hand and reppin' my Superman tee. Nerdy? Hmmm, no. Just prepared :)

Glasses for the Blind & Budget Conscious

{check out my glasses here}

Seeing as how I have absolutely horrible vision, glasses are a necessity in my life.

Decent glasses seem to run around 200 bucks a pair these days, yikes!

I definitely can't afford that with a college student budget.

Then I found the affordable glasses site, Firmoo.com, a site that fits my style & price point.

They even offer a first pair free program, and how cool is that?!

Firmoo has a variety of choices, the delivery was quick, they have a Virtual-Try-On system on their site, and these prescription glasses would be extremely affordable for the practically blind & budget conscious college student and/or newlywed :)

Charleston Naturally

I was sent these samples from Charleston Naturally a while back and have taken the time to try them all out on my horrendously dry skin {thanks a lot Utah!}.
They are all organic skin care products, which I was stoked about because my skin is so sensitive!

1. Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light
This is a face cream that I was excited to try, anything to help out those nasty 'lil dry spots is awesome.
It felt a little thick going on my skin, but then the face cream seeped into my skin which made my face totally soft! The smell of roses wasn't overwhelming, just nice & relaxing.

2. Dr. Hauschka Hand Cream
This too was a little too thick for my liking when I was putting it on.
But, after I rubbed in the hand cream it was very soft and pleasant.
It smelled super good, which never hurts!

3.Weldea Pomegrante Hand Lotion
Obviously I got a thing about smells, if you haven't noticed already.
This smelled deee-lish, wasn't very thick, and instantly felt soothing on my skin.
Definitely one of my favorite products of the bunch.

4. Sukifree Intense Nourishing Cream & Mask
After using the mask, my skin definitely looked clearer and felt soft.
The directions say to apply this product 2-3 times a week, which I think would make a significant difference in a person's skin tone when used on a consistent basis.

5. Verde Hand & Body Lotion
My skin stayed soft for about 3 hours after putting this cool lotion on,
which is a big deal especially in this dry Utah weather!

HANA review

I've never been a huge hair/make-up connoisseur, but as of recently I've definitely been trying to 

up my game by actually learning how to do my hair & make-up properly.

Which is why I was sooooo excited when I was contacted by Misikko to review the 

Hanaair Professional Hair Dryer.

Plus, seeing as how my 20 dollar Revlon dryer from Target was about to poop out, I was stoked to test out a really nice hair dryer for a change.  

Features I loved about the HANA hair dryer:

-Sleek design

-Hot and warm options

-Don't have to hold down the Cool button for it to work, press once and it stays

-Doesn't sound like an airplane about to take off

-Lightweight

-Fast drying time 

         

My hair went from reasonably wet to beachy waves in about 15 minutes!
I have thinner hair which probably explains the fast drying time, so for thicker hair I would estimate that the drying time would be around 25 minutes.
Check it out!

<3 Bri