Scent of Spring

Anyone else craving Spring? I'm grateful for the Snow, but am ready for some sunshine! 

Since we've been cozying up in the house the last week, I've been trying out some new candle scents and this High Desert candle has me craving the warmer weather! It also has been craving our new house. I can't wait to move in and start decorating. This is our first "official" home, so we are excited to finally get settled.

Speaking of the new house, I need your help! We are in need of new furniture, home décor, appliances etc. so send me all of your favorite stores and shops! I'm going with a modern farm house, with a touch of glam;) Comment below, email or DM me your favorite places to shop! 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Keep Smiling,

Briana Marie

Bridge Nine Candle Co.

High Desert

Valentines Day

Happy LOVE Month!

I'm honestly in shock that is it February. February is such a fun month. I love Valentine's Day. It is a declared day to celebrate those you love.

This year, I am especially grateful for my amazing hubby. He works SO hard to provide for Ellie and I. He works construction and literally works all day, everyday. I don't know how he does it. He says he loves it, but still, I couldn't do it. 

Isn't love is intriguing? It changes and develops everyday. When I first met Kody, I was struck with his good looks, sexy smile and outgoing personality. I never thought I would be lucky enough to start a life with him. He had millions of girls after him. I remember thinking there was no way he'd be interested in me. To my surprise, he was! We both fell in love fast and hard. It was the only way our relationship would've worked since he left on a mission 3 months after we met. 

Our relationship was tested, tried and strengthened while he was away (he lived in Washington for 2 years, serving an LDS Mission. We weren't able to see or talk to each other. We communicated through handwritten letters and 2 phone calls a year). Our relationships developed and grew through letters.

Kody returned and our relationship was different. We were still in attracted to each other but his spirit and light is what drew me in. I fell in love with a new side of him. I loved how he loved God and put the Lord first in all of his doings. I knew he was the man I wanted to start a life with. 

5 years later, I am still in love. Kody is still good looking, fun and spiritual. I love all of these aspects, however, the thing that draws me in now is the father figure he has become. I adore how he treats Ellie. He is the sweetest Daddy. Ellie loves her dad, and I love him even more because she does. 

Love is not stagnent. It moves, develops and grows. That butterfly feeling I use to get when he'd look at me still exists, just in a  different way. I now get giddy and effortlessly happy when I see him kiss Ellie goodnight. 

Love is pretty neat. It's hard yet effortless. It's frustrating, yet calming. I hope you all take a second to appreciate those you love. Mothers, Fathers, Sisters and Brothers, let those you love know that you love them. Society declared an entire day to celebrate LOVE so take full advantage of it.

XoXo,

Briana Marie

Ellie and I were so excited to give Kody this Wood Watch for Valentines Day. We couldn't wait, we had to give it to him a few days early. The watch is beautiful! Kody was so excited about it. He is so hard to shop for, so I was happy that he liked it so much!

The watch is all wooden, which is super unique and manly;) I love the rustic edge it gives the watch. 

We loved the watch so much that I decided to team up with Wood Watches to host a $100 giveaway to their shop! Here is the giveaway link. It is super easy. All you have to do is click on this link: GIVEAWAY and follow the easy steps! One lucky person will win the $100 dollars and all other entries will receive  a special 10% off discount code.  

These watches are the perfect gift, they even offer a Women's Line. If you are still looking for that perfect Valentine's Day gift, I highly recommend checking out Jord Watches. Not only are their watches beautiful but so is their packaging. I am obsessed with the wooden box the watch came in.

Wood Watch

GIVEAWAY

Women's Line

New Year, New Goals, and New Resolutions

Happy New Year!

It's the beginning of a new year. A new chapter. It is the perfect time to restart, set and achieve the goals you have always wanted to.

Many of you sent me direct messages on Instagram, telling me your New Years goal is to start exercising and eating healthy. You've asked what I do to “stay in shape.” Here are a few tips that have helped me stay motivated at the gym and at home preparing food.

-Love your body! Exercise and eat healthy because you love your body, not because you don't like the way it looks.

-Eat to FUEL your body. Our bodies need food, they run off of it. We have one body, why not fuel it with foods that are dense in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, complex carbs, omegas etc. to improve our body functions! 

-Exercise to see progress not perfection. Do not compare, everyone’s bodies are different. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. 

-Get Out of you Comfort Zone- Try new exercises! Go hiking, take fitness classes, increase weight with workouts. Switch up your workouts. This will target various muscle groups and will keep you from getting bored with your fitness routine. 

-Change mindset, do NOT do it to “lose weight” or look a certain way, do it to improve self confidence, become stronger and have mental clarity.

-Change your focus on the foods you “can’t” have to the foods you “can” have.

-Change your outlook from the way you “look” to the way you “feel.”

When you focus on the positive aspects of eating healthy and exercising you will be excited to do it again. Don’t force yourself to do anything. Do it because you know all of the benefits the food or exercise is giving you. When you focus on the positive, you are bound to succeed.

Start the new year right. Change your lifestyle. Diets are bound to fail, lifestyles are bound to improve.

“To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never before done.” -Richard G. Scott

Happy New Year!

XoXo,

Briana Marie Smith

My top and bottom are both from Attivo Apparel. I'm obsessed with their line. Their workout gear is designed in St. George, Utah. I love seeing local businesses thrive! 

Direct Links to Outfit: 

Criss-Cross Tank

Violet Floral Capri

Shop Small-Support Dreams

Happy December!

Christmas is officially in the air and I could not be more excited. Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. It takes our mind off our daily tasks, and moves our focus towards service.

This Christmas Season, I have made a goal to Shop Small and Local. Utah has so many unique small businesses. I wanted to show my support by buying my Christmas gifts from local boutiques and vendors.

My dress is from a Utah designer, Chalise. Chalise started her own dress line and company called Modique. Chalise is amazing and so inspiring. She is a role model for me because she chased her dreams of becoming a designer and made them a reality. I am obsessed with her and her dresses. Not only are they beautiful, they are also high quality and comfortable. Plus, they are all made in the USA.

If you are looking for a Holiday Dress, I would definitely recommend ordering from Modique. You will receive a top of the line dress, and also support a Utah’s women's dreams.

I hope we can all enjoy this Christmas Season, and support local businesses! 

Happy Holidays,

Briana Marie Smith

Mae Dress: Modique

Ellie Turns 2

Ellie Claire turns 2! 

My baby is offically a 2 year old. I can't believe it, but I can't remember life without her. Honestly, what did Kody and I do before her? Our lives seem so boring back then, because Ellie has brought so much happiness and excitement to our life. 

Ellie is the most stubborn, determined, talkative, outgoing little girl I have ever met. When she sets her mind to something, there is no changing it. She talks in 3rd person. Everything including her favorite show starts with Ellie, not Bubble Guppies, "Ellie Guppies." 

She is spoiled beyond measure. She loves shoes and purses. Every time we go somewhere she has to run into her room, grab her favorite shoes and stuff her purse with toys. 

Kody and I have been planning her second birthday since the day she was born lol. We knew we wanted to take her to Disneyland. So when the birthday came, we took her to the Happiest Place on Earth. Even though we went to Disneyland the week before her Birthday, I still felt like she needed a party. So, I decided to bring a little of that Disney Magic to Utah. I threw her a Mini Mouse Party.

It was a lot of fun. Ellie had her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles there. She kept singing "Happy Ellie, Happy Ellie," because she knew it was her big day.

I set up a crepe bar, with a variety of syrups and fruit. I also had veggie cups with my Mother in laws famous veggie dip. We also had these adorable Mini/Ellie themed sugar cookies and demolished the beautiful Mini inspired cake! 

It was a special day for a special girl. If you need assistance in planning or decorating your child's party, email me at brianamarieevents@gmail.com. I have tons of decor that will make your party one your kid will never forget. 

XoXo,

Briana Marie Smith