SWEET SUNDAY SOMERSET SUNSETS

As another week gets started and Thanksgiving greets us, I am so thrilled for another bout of amazing weather. This sunset that I captured recently reminded me of just that.  How are you planning to spend Thanksgiving?  Tweet me your plans!

INDIAN SUMMER

As the days where the sky looks like this wont last much longer, you have to take the time to enjoy it.   I get so happy when we're lucky enough to have an Indian Summer like this, 75-ish degrees in October! 

Bubbles, Bridesmaids, Brunch | Wedding Planning

Ladies and gentlemen the wedding is getting real!  Not like it hasn't been prior, but goodness gracious I can't believe how much closer it's been feeling like it is.  The bride decided that she wanted to have a brunch to celebrate her bridal party and afterwards, go dress shopping.  That's what she did.

Ally's Engagement Party!

I'm a little behind on my posts but it's for a great reason.  I have been so busy with things but as I sit here on Easter after my family has left, I am just so happy to have some time to chill.  Last weekend I went up north to Ally's house for her engagement party.  She had been planning to have a party for a while after her engagement in November, but it was put on hold for a couple of different reasons.

I've been waiting to celebrate with her for so long in a more grandiose way.  We've been celebrating in our own little way every time we see each other but we were both looking forward to the party.  There were a couple of surprises that we both didn't know about, check them out.

    

I started off the day going up to her house in the morning so we could shop a little before the party.  Ally had picked out a shirt and pants that she wanted to wear for the party but she was told that she looked 'matronly' so she wanted something else to wear (LOL).  SO, needless to say we went shopping and we found the adorable top (white, lace tank) from Target and the black cardigan from Marshalls.  The back of the cardigan is adorable!

          

Phase one of the party was just getting everyone there.  Sense the decorations were going to be a surprise for both Ally and her fiance, they were blindfolded and lead to the clubhouse.  Little did Ally know that the decorations were not the ONLY surprises, her cousin was here from California for the party!

                    

 Adorable cake.  Who KNEW people still put photos on cakes?  Maybe I'm behind the times but this is pretty cute.  I hate this photo of us because honestly we were both drinking.  I was trying to make sure that Ally was having a good time and she was busy greeting everyone else.  So all of those things combined didn't make for any good pictures haha.  SO, if as a MOH you're at the engagement party, don't freak out if you don't get any good photos.  Chances are someone else is taking them and you'll see them later.  Plus, there are going to be plenty of opportunities to take photos and celebrate throughout the whole time you're planning for the wedding.

The decor of the place was incredible.  You can see Ally's fiance in the distance taking everything in.  The white branches were beautiful and they were actually what Ally wanted for the wedding originally, so it's kind of cool to have them at the engagement party.  The candles and lights were magical and awesome and everything looked incredible with the lights turned off.

This last photo is kind of showing you how Ally asked everyone to be her maid of honor.  She decorated boxes with memories of each bridesmaid and her.  Inside the box she included and cute little notebook with a message inside asking them to be her bridesmaid.  It was absolutely adorable and made everyone so happy (as you can see in the photo).  

How have you celebrated engagement parties in the past?  This was really fun and I was so happy to share it with my best friend!  Send me a tweet and let me know.  Thanks for reading! -Brit.

#DearMe, Champagne and Best Friend Time!

What a great couple of days it has been.  I honestly have to report again in this blog post that I have been so happy in the past couple of weeks and 2015 has been such an amazing year so far.  

I know that recently, YouTube has launched a campaign called the #DearMe campaign, where ladies have been talking about things that have made them who they are, and what they would have said to themselves when they were younger.  I would just want to tell myself that dreams do come true.  Little B, you are going to get what you deserve if you work hard for it.

ANYWAY!  Enough with the sappy stuff!  Here are a couple of things that have inspire me this weekend and some other things that I have done.

Let's start it off with this absolutely stunning photo of New York City.  I went to Brooklyn on Friday and was able to snap this photo of the Manhattan skyline just before it got dark.  I was so happy about it and while I was in the backseat of the car driving, I snapped this among many other shitty shots.  When you look at something this beautiful, it really makes you appreciate everything you have and everything that you work so hard for.

   

This is another impressive shot coming over a bridge in my town.  I love this photo because it almost looks like it was taken in Hawaii or something and that what is really ice here, looks like crispy clear water.

I got my first NatureBox and I was so excited for it!  My friend sent me an invite code and I got a completely free first box with 5 full size snacks and 1 bonus snack.  I must say, I got a few weird snacks that I wasn't really that impressed at, but hey - what can you do?  I learned my lesson and went online to order the ones that will come in next months box.  If I don't like them I'll cancel the service.  That's what I have to say about that.  I'm not intensely impressed.

I went to 709 this weekend with Ally.  We started the day with a glass of wine and a hummus platter at Harpoon Willy's.  We were going to sit there and eat before we got nails done but the place was so busy and someone was having a private party and it was so loud in there.  We decided to go to 709.

We knew we wanted champagne so we decided to just get a bottle (lol) and hangout for a while.  We got two appetizers there that I didn't even get a chance to take a photo of because we both ate it all so fast (also lol).  We got teriyaki chicken meatballs and soft pretzels with mustard dipping sauce. 

Ally got an order of filet mignon sliders with bleu cheese and I got a grilled chicken and brie sandwich.  We both had sides of french fries and were so full by the time we drank all of that champagne.  Ugh, lol.

We both got our nails done after lunch and it was the best thing ever.  I  desperately needed to get mine redone because they literally started to HURT they were so long.  I decided to take a break from length and color and went with a short and natural nude color.  Ally got a pink with glitter on the tip.  

Ultimately, I had a great weekend.  A fun Saturday with my best friend and nice relaxing Sunday preparing for the week.  ALSO!  I just have to say I am so excited about daylight savings time.  I love when it like, never gets dark out lol.  It just means summer is that much closer.  

How did your weekend go?  Leave a comment or send a me a tweet!  Thanks for reading.  -Brit.

The Joyous (& Not SO Joyous) Christmas Moments #blogmas 22-23, 2014!

As you all know there are some awesome and not so awesome moments during the Christmas season.  Most likely when you're out and about you are more susceptible to experiencing those nasty Christmas moments with people driving like idiots, climbing onto the shelves of the stores, etc.  But with that being said, there are some pretty amazing, relaxing and fun moments that happen when you're home with family, enjoying what the holiday is meant to be about.  This #blogmas installment is all about a healthy mixture of the two of these types of moments.

I'm pretty sure I talked about this already and in previous years on the blog but I am just obsessed with Twisted Peppermint from Bath and Body Works.  I just love the scent because it reminds me of Christmas and one of my favorite things about Christmas, candy canes!  Ugh, just give it a try!  This is probably something very 'basic' of me but if it makes me basic, I don't want to be complex.  Mhm.

Coming in and out of New York during Christmas is always the best treat in the entire world.  If you don't live in the area, I truly feel bad for you.  Sorry, I didn't mean to make that sound mean but I just cannot get enough of the city at anytime of the year but Christmas it's just magical.  There are tons of photos being uploaded to Instagram and Twitter everyday so definitely be sure to check them out (mine perhaps: @brittanyirvine).  ;)  As you can obviously tell the photo on the left is a snapchat that I forgot to save before I posted it of some of the simple but beautiful decorations right off of 9th ave.

Another not so joyous aspect of the Christmas season is the FREEZING cold weather.  Of course though, you have to make the best out of it and thats exactly what I did - with these earmuffs.  I just absolutely love them so much and best part?  I got them at MARSHALLS!  When im waiting for trains on the platform (especially in the morning at about 545am) I just NEED to be warm and these amazing earmuffs do the job, they are plain black and thats ~*aLl iVe eVeR wAntEd.

 

A specifically joyous occasion around the holiday time can be looking at and the surfacing of old photos!  How adorable is this one of my dad, brother and I?  I just love it!  I recently found a whole bunch of old photos and I was so excited because I didn't think I had ANY.  When my parents got divorced my mom got almost everything, almost all of the photos included, so I had no recollection of any that we may have.  I couldn't tell you how old I am here, I always really bad at judging ages.  I just remember distinctly my dad walking around in this costume and every once in a while asking us to 'oil him' as the tin man had run out of oil.  Hahahha, way to bring Wizard of Oz magic to life.

The left two are photos of how I like to spend my time relaxing, aka another one of the joyous aspects of the Christmas season.  Relaxation is the best thing ever, especially if you have been doing nothing but stressing over everything lately.  

On the top right, you've guessed it, it's a photo of the inside of Olive Garden.  I think I already touched on going here, I know I tweeted about it.  Theres just something to be said about taking the time and going out to eat with your friends.  It just gives you peace of mind when you just sit down, stop the world and download with a great friend/group of friends.  ESPECIALLY around Christmastime.  The bottom right photo is of my favorite pair of booties.  I can't really tell you WHY I decided to take this photo but I just love these booties, I got them from Aldo last season but I don't think I'll ever get enough of them.  Another joy of Christmastime/finding the best in the freezing cold weather - wearing the boots that you love (even if they're from last season).  

I know, I know.  GROSS right!?  When Ally sent me this picture though, I just immediately started dying laughing, I couldn't get enough.  She just texted me saying, 'He was standing outside of Ripleys!!'  Ally and her fiance headed down to Atlantic City for the weekend and I'm pretty sure all she came back with was this photo.  The weekend was more for relaxation and not going crazy, but nonetheless it was still hilarious  and definitely worth sharing with you!  I'm sure she'd beg to differ.    

I just posted about how my house is decorated for Christmas, another joy of the holiday season.  We literally JUST decorated and I was getting nervous that we weren't going to have ANYTHING going on for Christmas which would have made me so sad.  This is a shorter, fake tree but it's really all we had going on for us this year.  It still makes me really excited to wake up and see it everyday though and thats all that matters.  If you'd like to see other decor for Christmas, check it out here.

Now this is just something.  I was in Marshalls the other day and I saw this woman that was literally DIVING into the shelves!  I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I had to get a photo of it.  I sent it to a couple of friends and they were all in agreement - people have lost their minds.  I know around Christmastime everyone does start losing their minds a little bit but this is just out of control.  I guess thats what I get for shopping when theres only about three days left.  

The photo on the right is one that I believe you have all seen already.  I put a cool filter on it and made it my twitter photo, but this is it without the filter.  I just love wearing red lipstick around Christmas because what other time of the year is more perfect?  I have also been thinking about cutting my hair but I don't know if I ACTUALLY want to do it or not.  I know that I will probably regret my decision but I just am DYING for a change!  In February it will be about a year since I last cut my hair and I cut a lot off.  I'm still thinking, eeee!

I live for the lights in Point Pleasant around this time of year!  They are the epitome of Christmas.

Finally, I have some crafting!  I made a gift for one of my best friends for Christmas and I do plan to write a post exclusively about it.  There are a few things that I would have changed and clarified from the original directions, but you will see that when I post it!  The above photo just looks a glittery mess.

I hope you enjoyed this random post about the joyous and not so joyous aspects of Christmastime!  Let me know whether you agree or not and how you're celebrating!  Tweet me or leave a comment and thank you so much for reading as usual!  -Brit.

How To Be The Best Maid of Honor EVER! #blogmas, 19, 2014!

Hi everyone!  Meet my best friend Ally:

We met when we were in college about 5 years ago now and we have been inseparable since then!  We live almost two hours away from each other but that doesn't stop us from talking multiple times every single day.  We literally are obsessed with each other.  We always joke that WE are in the relationship rather than her and her fiance, ugh.. too much!  I am SO happy for her because she is getting married!  As her sister is married, she is going to be the Matron of Honor and I am going to be the Maid of Honor and I could not be more excited to start planning.

To get the celebrations started (because obviously I just couldn't wait until the New Year) I put together this adorable little 'Bridal Bag.'  I adopted the idea from something that I saw on Pinterest.  Someone made a basket with some of these things, but some of the others were all my idea!  I also decided to go with a bag because I saw this most beautiful one in Target!

Inside of the bag were a couple of things.  I included Kit Kats (her favorite candy) with a little note that said 'For The Cravings,' tissues 'For The Tears (happy ones), a mask 'For Some Relaxation,' Sally Hansen 'To Keep The Nails Strong' and a diamond dazzle stick 'To Keep The Ring On Point.'  The card was super adorable and glittery which you will see in the next couple of photos.

 I also had to include the token Bridal magazines (Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings).  I was grappling over which ones to get but ultimately decided on these because they were the prettiest tbh, lol!  I know Brides is super classic and thats what I hope to be reading when I get married and how can you go wrong with Martha Stewart!?

After some reading of the magazines, we used it as a placemat for under the nails while we painted them.  I can't even explain the laziness, but that is the rationing behind us using the magazine for placemat.  Ally wanted me to paint her nails but we both didn't feel like leaving bed.  -__________-

How adorable is this bag, seriously! I saw it in Target when I was there before I even thought about making this little Bridal bag for her. When I finally came up with the complete idea, I knew I had to hop back to Target and put everything in the bag. As you can also see, I grabbed an adorable gold Sharpie to write all of my cute little messages on each tag/label. PS- How adorable is Ally?  I think it's safe to say that she absolutely loved it and I'm sure she's so excited for my surprises to come.

I had such a fun time making this for my best friend and her engagement.  I am so excited to be on this journey with her as her MOH and I can guarantee that you will see lots more surprises that I give her chronicled right here on the blog.  What have you done as MOH in the past for your bride?  Tweet me your experiences or leave a comment below.  Thank you for reading.  -Brit.   

Baby Shower!

Today I was lucky enough to attend a beautiful baby shower that was to honor my best friend Ally's sister, Kristin.  She is SUCH a sweetheart and she is due mid-December, she cannot wait to have her beautiful little baby boy.  Ally lives in North Jersey, too far if you ask me.  We always talk about how much it stinks to not be so close to each other all the time just incase we want to pop out for lunch or errands together.  We met in college and we have basically been pretty much inseparable since then.  We video chat waaaaaay too much, it's sick actually.  Maybe one day she will do the best friend tag with me on my YouTube channel.  

ANYWAY!  Back to the shower.  It was held in a beautiful clubhouse up north.  We went in the day before to help with getting things ready because as you can see there was a lot to do before all of the guests were set to come at 1pm the next day.  Want to hear something insane?  Ally's mom cooked EVERYTHING.  She cooked all of the food for about 45-50 people and she brought everything to the clubhouse.  It was really nice to have someone there to help her so she hired a sweet woman who was there to help with set up, serving and cleaning.

The above is a panoramic view of the entire room where the shower was taking place.  It really was an adorable space.  I don't know if you can tell but there is a little alcove in the bottom section there where theres a fireplace that was lit for the guests and thats also the area where they kept the food.

When you first walked in the door as a guest you saw the desert table to the immediate right.  It was adorably lined with a gorgeous cake, mini cupcakes, cookies, apple crumb and coffee.  What an amazing taste to start off fall with.  As you walk further into the venue you would have seen the cutest little fish net and the walkway lined with lit candles.  How could I have forgotten to mention the adorable little buoys that were strategically planted in random places in the room for an added touch to the theme.  Don't mind Ally randomly on her phone here, sorting out last minute stuff. 

Probably one of my favorite things about the shower, aside from the theme as a whole, was this clothing line that was hung up along the windows.  All of the clothes were purchased by Kristin's mom and hung up along the windows.  She is going to spoil this baby rotten and it is ADORABLE.  I wish I had gotten closer to take some more pictures but some of the outfits and onesies were so cute saying things like 'Whine Expert' with grapes on it, etc.  How cute are those lanterns on the table!?

Look close and you'll see unexpected details like the royal blue napkins wrapped up in twine, perfectly fitting the theme.  Also, the votives surrounding the centerpieces that were cute little lighthouses.  Not to mention the tablecloths were even beautiful!

Mmmm, look at that taffy!  It was delicious.  Also, how cute are these mason jars?!  I know this is super trendy but I don't know, I think it's SUPER cute.  The little details and the personalization make it so adorable and fun.  These could be taken home as favors if guests really wanted to and were perfect for the Prosecco and other assorted alcoholic beverages for the non-pregnant.  ;)

I wish I had taken more photos of the food and the champagne bar, the homemade sangria and the water/sparkling water section, the gifts and the desert.  I didn't though but my best friend and I were happy to have spent some time together as we live so far away from one another and we never get to.  I also wish I took some photos of my outfit because it was a really cute one!  I'll leave you with these photos.  One is the two of us at the head table and the other, just a selfie.  :)

Thanks for reading!  I cannot believe it's November already, the holiday season is coming up.  Are you ready?  Did you start your shopping?  I know it's sick for me to ask that but.. it's now a relevant question.  I cannot wait to start obsessively baking, decorating and just enjoying everything.  Thanksgiving is going to be wonderful as well and I just cannot wait to spend time with my family.  Send me a tweet or leave a comment and let me know what you're excited for.  -Brit.