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2.29.2012

The Jort

Yesterday it was a whopping 68 degrees here. So obviously I began shopping for jorts. 
Yes, jean shorts.
I prefer the word denim shorts. 

I live in them come spring/summer. They serious are ALL I wear. Now I'm not talking trashy 2 inch super-up-your-ass hollister denim, I love the darker washed, preferably cuffed denim shorts. I think these are a simple look that can be dressed up or down.
Jean Shorts

Do y'all have a pair of denim shorts? If so, how do you style them?

2.28.2012

JDRF Hope Gala

As I promised, pictures from the JDRF Gala! 
It was such an amazing night, I think this year tops the past 2, by far. 
Everyone was so elegant and handsome looking that evening! 

Sorry if you are seeing a few of these again, I put a few on Instagram the evening of!

Here is my dress and hair! 
 Dress- Urban Outfitters
Necklace- Francesca's Collection
Bracelet- from a small boutique in my home town
Bag- Vintage
Lipstick- NARS Heat Wave 


No one in the entire house could figure out how to tie Jeremy's bow tie so Sister got to Youtubing and figured it out...
precious.



The venue was decorated so beautifully!

And of course this was some serious dancing!

Overall it was an incredible night, I had such a great time! We raised a little over $800,000 that evening and I am so lucky to have such a supportive family! 


2.27.2012

One Year

One year ago I met Jeremy and we began dating. We consider today, February 27th, our anniversary because as soon as we met, we knew we were supposed to be together. Sounds cheesy I know, but we just knew.
 The morning after we met I broke it off with this weirdo who kept trying to take me on an ice skating date, uh hello do you know me? And then Jeremy and I were inseparable. We talked every day, texted all day long and then would talk for hours at night. At the time we were long distance, about 1 1/2 hours away from each other but we made it work. I would go see him or he would come see me every weekend. I would get off work around 4pm everyday and once or twice a week I would show up at his door step waiting for him to be off work. 
We just knew that it was perfect and we were meant to be together, forever. 
Our first picture together. Do not laugh.  

Come the end of March we had been dating for a month and I had to decide if I was going to renew my lease in Raleigh in or not. At first I was hesitant to leave because I loved my job and my friends and pretty much I loved everything about Raleigh. At first I told my roommates I was staying, but it just didn't sit well with me. At the time my Grandpa was really sick and my mom kept telling me I needed to take a week off work to go visit him, no can do. I also wanted to stop working 70 hour weeks so I could focus more on school. So my solution. Move home. Be way closer to my Grandpa, live rent and bill free so I didn't need a job, and in the back of my mind, be only 30 min away from Jeremy. 
Call me crazy, I decided to uproot my life for a man after only one month. But like I said, I just knew. 
That May Jeremy helped me pack my life up and move home. It was wonderful, we spent almost everyday together and we were more in love than I could ever imagine. 

Come August his company asked him to put in his request for placement (he was living in Winston only as a temporary until he graduated from his program with the company) I was so sad thinking that he could be somewhere as close at the next city over or even possibly Texas/Florida/West Virginia?!? AH! We sat down together and looked over his options of cities, no matter what his first choice was, there was still a possibility that he could be placed anywhere
Jeremy then asked me to move with him, he knew it was bold and huge request but I instantly said yes. 
At the time I had been home for a few months, and if you know my mother then you know it's impossible. Impossible to live with, impossible to comprehend, and impossible to be independent. I love my mom to death but living with her was ruining our relationship, horribly. 

That September Jeremy got his placement and we began looking for places to live. If you've been following me for a little bit then you should know all about our excitement and pure happiness as to where we were placed. If not, then you can read about it here.

We took off the next weekend for a little getaway  to celebrate being together and starting this new chapter in our lives. 
That weekend changed our lives forever, we both knew from day one we wanted to spend forever together but that weekend confirmed it, we both verbalized it and for the first time in a long time I felt at ease. I had nothing to stress over and I didn't worry while I was with Jeremy. He loved me and took care of me and made sure that the smile on my face was genuine because he put it there. 


OK, I'll stop with love story.
Point is, this has been the best year of my life. It's been a whirlwind, but every minute has been memorable and worth it. I can't wait for many, many more years with this amazing man!
He has planned some surprise dinner/evening for us tonight. I HATE surprises so I will be in my own little anxiety hell all day thinking about what the heck we are doing tonight! eekkk. Love you anyways honey. 


I love you. 

2.25.2012

Ball Gowns & Bow-ties

Happy Saturday to all! 
I am blogging from home today, relaxing and preparing myself for the events this evening holds! 

Every year for as long as I can remember my mom and dad would attend the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Hope Gala. This is a swanky event to raise money for children with Type 1 Diabetes. I have type 1 so it makes sense my parents going every year! 

Two years ago was my first chance to attend the gala, it is quite an adult event. Black tie affair with open bar and too much money flying around trying to find a cure! Once I turned 21 my mom thought I should attend and I LOVED every minute of it. It is so nice to be surrounded by people who are passionate about something you deal and suffer from every day. 

 The evening consists of a 2 hour silent auction (this is my shit) there have been Longchamp bags, gift certificates to local designer boutiques, Vineyard Vines ties for the gents and SO much more! 
You then attend a dinner while young children speak about living with diabetes, after the dinner the live auction begins. That stuff is nice, private dinners of yachts, personal chefs for a month, trips to Colorado, etc. Crazy nice things!! 

After all of that there is a pledging time, basically people with money coming out their ears pledge thousands to the JDRF. 

The best part is that every single dollar in both auctions and pledging goes to the JDRF. In the past two years the hope gala has raised over a million dollars each years! 
Amazing!

Let me tell you one thing, I do not fit in at this event! The tickets are hundreds of dollars a piece and the ONLY way I have been able to go the past two years has been the generosity of my step-dads company. They reserve a table each year and encourage me to go since I am a diabetic! 

This year is the first year I will be bringing a hot date, or any date at all!
I am so excited, the dress is bought, the hair appointment has been made and I am just a few hours away from one amazing evening!! 
Promise I will post pictures this coming week! 

Here are a few pictures from the past two years!

I was totally under-dressed this year. Lesson learned!


Paul ended up pledging money and we both had a few too many to drink and we just started crying. He is such an amazing man! 

To end the night there is always a band... this gets cray-cray. Bow ties and shoes come off and people get down! 

Last year mom did not realize she was going to the gala till about 3 days before, so she wore the same dress. tisk-tisk. 


Funny thing about this gala night, it switches cities every year and last year it was in the same city where my best friend Leslie lived. It was Leslie's birthday so after the gala I went out with her, I met Jeremy that night and the rest is history. I can't wait to bring him this year! 

2.24.2012

Pinterest Inspired Outfits

Swooning over these two looks I have seen on Pinterest involving an off-white lace skirt. Yesterday I stumbled upon a lace skirt and instantly knew how I would be styling it!

Look 1:

Shirt- Old Navy
Skirt- Francescas Collections 
(Is not listed online but it is in stores, also in red and navy. $38)
Shoes- MRKT

Look 2:

Shirt- H&M 
Skirt- Francesca's Collections 
Belt- F21
Shoes- Target
Bag- Bug Buddha 


This skirt makes me SO happy! Can't wait till it is a littler warmer and I can wear it out! 

Have you ladies ever re-created a look from Pinterest, I wanna see! 
This was too fun! 

2.23.2012

I'm an Old Woman

Vitamins. 
I love them. 
I rely on them, I will actually go ahead and say I am slightly obsessed with them.

I even have the "day of the week" pill box to house said vitamins  and also so I remember if I took them that day! (Maybe I need a memory vitamin? haha)

So in order for me to stay healthy I have a whole mess of vitamins I take! I really have noticed that when I skip a day or two I don't feel as great. I need my iron since I am slightly anemic and my weight won't fluctuate as much due to my thyroid problem if I religiously take my vitamins. 

I take these everyday (except the Melatonin) 

-Women's One A Day: pretty obvious why I take that

-Biotin 1,000 mcg: to help my hair and nails, this REALLY helps my nails, they are so much stronger and grow faster

-Cinnamon 500mg: I take to help regulate my blood sugar levels. This is not just for diabetics, anyone who struggles with low blood sugars or feeling week between meals this helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level 

-Ashwagandha 470 mg: This helps with regulating your body during times of stress

-Vitamin C 500mg: I don't take this everyday but I usually take it when I feel a cold coming on or I know I am going to be traveling or around a lot of people 

Due to Tuesday's late night post I decided to buy some 3mg Melatonin yesterday. I'll let y'all know if it starts working for me! Thanks to all the suggestions, but unfortunately there is no way I can cut caffeine out sooo Melatonin it is! 

I know the Biotin is supposed to help my my hair and growth and strength but I'm not seeing it. So any suggestion for hair health?

If you don't take some vit-mins everyday, you should. Just don't ever take them on an empty stomach! Learned that one the hard way!!

What vitamins do y'all take? Anything I should add to my slight obsession with vitamins?

 haha I'm ridiculous, I know!

2.22.2012

Loving or Lusting?

What I'm loving, or lusting this Wednesday, shall we?

Frist off...
-loving that I am six followers from 100, which means a giveaway! 
ps. y'all are awesome :)


-loving my new glasses. Can't get enough of them!

-loving that my print from Naptime Diaries arrived yesterday! 
Now to frame it and find a wall that doesn't already have a picture! 
-loving that Jeremy's best friend, Forrest, from high school/college moved to Charlotte yesterday! He lives one block away from us and I couldn't be more excited! I may or may not be having too much fun decorating and organizing his apartment! 

-loving that I get to go home this weekend to see my family and my dear friend Lindsay! {love her}

-lusting over these boots
 I have wanted a pair of Hunter boots for awhile but when I saw these... I died

-lusting over these KEP Design hoop earrings
I had a similar (and much cheaper) pair once upon a time and lost one during some crazy night in college.


What are you loving and lusting over this Wednesday??

2.21.2012

Sleepless in Charlotte

Faithful readers & followers, 

We have a problem. 

I can't sleep. 

I have been ignoring this problem and blaming it on the fact that I no longer have to wake up at 7am. I wake up around 9-10. 
BUT the past two weeks this has not been the case. I decided to start waking up 30 min earlier every other day, I am now at 8:30am. 
Today I woke up at 8. Helped a friend move and work on his new apartment ALL day, didn't stop till 8PM!! 
I was exhausted, I was dying to get in my bed. Come 9pm I was there, lights out at 9:30. Jeremy is snoring away by 10pm.

It is now almost midnight and I am WIDE AWAKE!!! 
Like I could run a freakin' marathon wide awake. 
If I fall asleep I wake up every 30 min, I can't get good sleep past 7am and by then I don't care. 

This has happened almost 6 nights in a row now. 

I'm Pissed. 

Back in high school I struggled with insomnia, I would stay up for days and then crash hard. I fear that I am starting that cycle again and it scares me because I was a zombie back then. 

Any suggestions? Any ideas? 

I take a daily vitamin that is supposed to help with natural sleep cycles and what not, but it is not currently helping. 
I don't know if it is my bed or my sleeping partner or the food I eat/drink? 

I just need help. 

I've tried the lavender candles and pillow spray and I've tried the relaxation techniques of relaxing every body muscle until you feel like you weigh 10000 lbs and pass out. 
NOT WORKING! 

Someone help me.
Sincerely, 
a very sleepy girl. 


2.20.2012

My Weekend via iPhone

It is no excuse but I am going to use it anyways. 
I am exhausted. 

I wan't to blog my little heart out, believe me I do. But my brain probably looks like potato mash right now. Between my lab practical last Wednesday and a HUGE lecture test today I literally think I could cry I am so sick of studying.
 (hey I made a 99 on the practical so it's paying off!) 

I had some fun this weekend, maybe too much fun?!? So since I am being all sad and pathetic today, all you get is my weekend via iPhone.
You're Welcome.

Friday night my dear friend Leslie came to town and we danced the night away, seriously I am still feeling sore from Friday night!


Saturday we went to lunch at Cowfish (again) and then I discovered the most perfect nude nail polish! Essie Sand Tropez

Saturday night we hung out at our friend Andrew's, always a fun time! Last weekend when we were there I may or may not have held a couple guns and thought I was cool. He also has the freaking coolest dog ever. AND he's a Giants fan. We love Andrew!

Steve :)



Last night we celebrated a good friends birthday! Before going out for a birthday drink my salon savvy friend Rachel decided she wanted to make me beautiful!
Best blow out EVER. 


Anyone else struggling along with me this Monday? 
Ugh. I need sleep!!!

2.19.2012

Sunday Funnies & Guest Blogging

Everyone needs a good laugh on this rainy, gloomy day!




Also I am guest blogging over at Life According to Crystal today! All about some colored pants for spring, you should know by now I am obsessed with the colored pants! 
Go over and read all about some fashion, she's had a few great guest bloggers this weekend! In general her blog is adorable and I always enjoy reading! 


Oh and sorry for lack of post yesterday. I know I promised to blog every day this month but it was Saturday and I blogged twice on a Friday last week so that justified it for me! I think... 
apologies my faithful readers. 

Stay warm on this rainy/snowy sunday! 

2.17.2012

23 all about me

Joining the bandwagon here and posting the 23 facts about about moi. 23 for the 23 years I has been alive. You know you love random facts about bloggers, so just read 'em anyways! 

1. What is your all time favorite movie?
We have a tie. Liar Liar or Wedding Crashers

2. One reason why you blog?
I really enjoy putting my thoughts and ideas somewhere. I will find myself sitting around coming up with ideas or literally "blogging" in my brain so it's nice to have somewhere to sit down and just write. And like i've always said, if you don't like it, don't read it. You don't have to click on my blog! 

3. If you could be besties with any celebrity, who would it be?

4. If you could take any trip in the world where would you go? 
Spain. Just sounds cool. 


5. What's one piece of make up you can't live without ? 
Mascara, if I put nothing else on every day I at least will slap on some 'scara! 

6. What's one accessory (jewelry, scarf, handbag, etc) that you don't leave the house without? 
My moms wedding ring. I wear it on my right hand, She gave it to me after my dad passed away and she was involved in another relationship. It means so much to me since it was something from my dads heart and it was given to her as a sign of love. I really want to use the diamonds in my own ring but I just can't decide if I can bring myself to take it apart, it is such a beautiful ring!

7. What is your dream job? 
Tie again. I have a passion for fashion so I have always dreamed of being a buyer for a boutique of some sort. Or my passion for caring for others, working as a pediatric nurse in a children's hospital

8. Sausage or bacon?
did you really have to ask? BACON!  

9. What's the best advice you've ever received and who gave it to you? 
"Just be yourself" I don't think anyone told me this, pretty sure I saw it slapped on some website somewhere. But it took me almost 22 years to realize I needed to just be who I wanted to be and not who everyone else wanted me to be. I am much happier now, thanks for asking! 

10. What's your typical Starbucks order? 
Chai tea latte. Simple and yummy, I blame my friend Lindsay for getting me addicted to these! 

11.  If you could raid any celebrity's closet, who would it be and why?
Eva Longoria. I don't really know why I just feel like every single time I see her somewhere I want what she's wearing. She doesn't really have my style but I love her style also. Did that make sense?

12.  If you were a shoe, what would you look like?
Classy and beautiful.  



13. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who chew loudly or with their mouth open. EW, SHUT YO MOUTH!

14. Favorite song of all-time?
MIchael Buble- Everything. 
Mr. Buble was my dads favorite and this song was played at his celebration of life in dedication to his beloved pug, Daisy... and of course, my mom?!? ha! 

15. Are you a dog person or a cat person? And why?
Dog. I mean is your cat gonna work for a dolla? Didn't think so, she waited a whole 4 seconds to get a treat to earn those dolla bills! hahaha 


16. You're queen for a day. How do you spend your royal 24 hours?
Shopping for ridiculous, way overpriced things that I do not need. But hey, I'm a queen so this is perfectly acceptable. 

17. What scares you the most? 
The dark! AHHHH can't handle it. I cry. Yes I'm 3. 

18. Which celebrity do you wish would drift off into obscurity?
If you follow me on Twitter then you probably saw this tweet  linked with a magazine cover of Kim K and the words "I AM SO ALONE!" She can fall off a cliff, like now. 

@brenicole88: Maybe because your a stupid whore! I have never hated anyone as much as I hate 
19. You're 16 years old again. What advice would you give your younger self? 
1. Stop wearing such hippie clothing, you're not a hippie. 
2. Stop shopping at Hollister, even better stop WORKING at Hollister.  
3. And no, that belly button piercing will not make you look cute, It will rip out on the boat next summer and you will forever have a nasty scar. ew.

20. What are you listening to right now on your MP3 player [or in your CD player]? 
Michael Buble, above question made me break out every song I own by him. Which is way too many.


21. What is your one comfort food?
Anything in the form of a sub or pizza. Buffalo chicken or if it shaped like a wing. Also some philly cheese steaks. 

22.  One thing you don't like about blogging?
People who use different sized and colored fonts in one post. It gives me a headache.
If YOUR post LoOkS like this then I AM NOT following you!

23. What is the most delicious thing you have ever eaten?
Chick-fil-a. No? Ummm, probably the spinach &crab artichoke dip at 6th & Vine in Winston-Salem. OMG DIE.

That was fun! 
Have a fab day y'all! 

2.16.2012

Pink & White

I am lusting over the pink blazer and white trend I have been seeing on Pinterest! 

Gimme now... this whole outfit preferably!

If I had unlimited finds and could spend all day shopping, I would re-create the outfit above with these fabulous pieces! (ps. need those sandals ASAP!)
Pink & White

Pink & White by brenicole88 featuring leather strap watches

I would also LOVE to re-create this look

Pink, White and Navy

Pink, White and Navy by brenicole88 featuring water resistant watches


Mission this week, find a pink blazer! 

Anyone else LOVING the pink & white or pink, white & navy look?

ps. IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY!