That's Just Lovely

One thing I love about blogging is all the different friends that you make. You can really feel like you know someone even if they live clear across the country. I "met" Brani a few months back and just fell in love with her. She is simply gorgeous, funny, and down to earth. I really feel like we are friends. I love this girl and I know you will too! So glad to have her guest posting here today:

Hi all! My name is Brani Laine and I blog over at “That’s JustLovely”. I have been a faithful visitor to “Something Brought You Here” for some time now, and I am so thrilled and thankful that these beautiful ladies are allowing me to take up some space here. I mostly blog about beauty & fashion, but occasionally, I like to share my funny life stories with my readers. First, here are a couple of pictures of me, so you can put a face behind these words:

 

 

 

 

Now, back to the important stuff. My faithful visitors enjoy these sorts of posts: “What I Wore”, reviews on beauty products (I have so many products, I could do one review on a product I own for a year and be okay), tutorials on beauty-related things, ramblings about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness, and links to other amazing blogs I “discover”. Also, I’d like to think I’m a little bit funny and extremely blunt. I believe that’s why my followers like me, and I love them for that. So, I’d really love it if you decided to hop on over to my space on the blogosphere and see for yourself. Perhaps you’ll like what I write about, too? Here’s an example:

Brani’s DIY Exfoliating Body Scrub

(There are so many similar to this one out there, but I swear I’ve been using this scrub since I was in middle school.)

 

What you will need:

Olive oil

Honey

Sugar (regular ol' sugar)

Small tupperware container (enough to hold a can of soup)

 

Why is that it? Because this is the easiest and most affordable DIY scrub you will ever use, most likely.

 

What you will do:

Take the tupperware container, make sure it is ALL cleaned out and dried. Pour in 7-8 tablespoons of sugar. Pour in (judge this on your own, please; it will vary per person & you might need more or less) 6-7 tablespoons of olive oil. Then add a teaspoon of honey. Mix together well. It should look similar to this (which is the batch I just made):

 

Now for the best part--get in the bath tub (or shower...but I prefer a relaxing bath) and take the scrub (with your hands) and rub it ALL over your legs, arms, and whole body. Keep out of private areas! Yes, it will be oily and you will think "Is it supposed to feel this yucky?" The answer is yes. Once you let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse it all off, and when you're out of the bath or shower, dry off! Use the towel to rub off as much as you possibly can. You will still feel a bit oily, so don't sit on any furniture or anything you wouldn't want to possibly get a spot on. Sitting on your towel would be the best choice. After the oily feeling starts to go away, your legs and body will still feel soft (maybe you will have a man touching those legs of yours later? He will love the softness!), but the best part of all is that you exfoliated like a pro! WARNING: PLEASE, PLEASE BE CAREFUL getting out of the shower/tub after using this exfoliating scrub because it is oily and can be very slippery! Also, warn anyone that will be showering/bathing after you. Clean out the tub as best you can! One time my boyfriend almost slipped after I did this DIY scrub. Lesson learned. Enjoy, and please do not hesitate to let me know how it worked for you!

 

Once again, thank you to Whitney & Nicole for letting me guest post! You are wonderful, ladies. J

 

Isn't she JUST LOVELY? I seriously love her and her blog. Go check her out and leave her some comment love!

 

 

Vuezz

{images via}

 

VUEZZ!

Is this totally awesome knew product that I am loving! Vuezz makes picking a picture to hang on your wall a not so daunting task that it always seems to be. I love that you can always add a photo, always change a photo, and replace the photo for various items such as a cork board or chalkboard. How functional, yet totally hip is this product. It's genius and makes switching photos fun. Vuezz makes me want to take my photos and hang them up on the wall. And how awesome would this product be to use for all the instagram photos we are taking these days. As well as make for great Xmas gifts this year!

Check out Vuezz at Kick Start and at their website diyvuezz.com

 

 

 

 

One Picture Thanksgiving

You guys, I was a really bad blogger this Thanksgiving. I took not ONE picture. Not one!!! I was photographed in one picture from the morning of Thanksgiving. I ran a half marathon with my friend.

 After the race I went home and got ready for the day. We headed up north to my Aunt's house for a spectacular dinner. (We stopped by the in-laws on the way up to say Hello). I ate my self silly and enjoyed company. It's not like I intentionally didn't take any photos I took my camera and my video camera with me. I just must have enjoyed myself so much being amongst my family that I didn't want to pull out my camera. I just relaxed and soaked in every moment! And most of all I was thankful!

Thankful for:
Family
Mia & My Hubby
Miracles
Gospel
Running
Great Friends

I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving like I did.

Thanksgiving

 

 

 

I am thankful for.
-Family
-Candy
-Shopping
-Friends
-games
-movies
and much more. I am so thankful to have had such an amazing Thanksgiving week.

I Love My Online Friends GFC Blog Hop

We are so so fortunate to be co-hosting this amazing blog hop again with sweet Tami from The Things We Find Inside. We always LOVE making new blog friends so if you are new here please leave us a comment! And here are the rules:

Welcome to another week of the I Love My Online Friends 'GFC' Hop. 
For more info on the hop and guest hosting, please read HERE. Well, are you ready? Let's go hopping! 
RULES FOR THE HOP  1. Please follow your host and the fab five on Google Friend Connect (GFC). 

Tami @ The Things We Find Inside

Whitney @ Something Brought You Here

Maria @ This Life's Beautiful Moments

Erin @ Three Six Five

Chelsea @ Life Unpublished

Kera @ Nugget On A Budget

2. Link up your homepage and start hopping around. Remember, this is a blog hop, you've gotta do some hopping in order for it to truly be worth your time. When you get a new follower it's always nice to return the favour. Visit their blogs, leave them a comment and/or return the follow. 

3. You are not required to, but it would be great if you could tweet/like/pin/share this post and/or grab the button and share it on your blog. The more people that see this hop, the more blogs for us to visit and the more followers we gain. 

Thanks and Happy Hopping!

<center> <a href="http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Things We Find Inside" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X_QLZkKN38/UI2nkC5Pp_I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/C966VyF2XDo/s1600/fb2.jpg" alt="The Things We Find Inside"/></a></center>

I Love My Online Friends GFC Hop

1.	The Lily White English Rose	85.	Natalie Loves Beauty
2.	Light & Sweet	86.	Glamorous, Affordable Life
3.	Kate, The Blog Diva	87.	TEST TAKING TALENTS and ANXIETIES (follows)
4.	The Things We Find Inside (Host)	88.	Savvy Working Gal
5.	Something Brought You Here (Guest Host)	89.	ModaMama - follows back
6.	This Life's Beautiful Moments (Guest Host)	90.	// When All Else Fades //
7.	Three Six Five (Guest Host)	91.	Ephesians Wife
8.	Life Unpublished (Guest Host)	92.	SimplyyMayra of PonderWonders
9.	Nugget On A Budget (Guest Host)	93.	Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel
10.	Denysia Yu	94.	Amy @ Love & Hot Chocolate
11.	Kathleen @ Somethin Bout a Truck	95.	Blushology
12.	Life In A Break Down	96.	ChatterBlossom
13.	Gia @ Lovely Serendipity	97.	Marsha @ Every Little Birdie
14.	Purple Shampoo	98.	Rekita @ Lovely Army Wife (follows Back)
15.	Georgiabeee	99.	Bows and Pearls
16.	Amanda @ mommy is coocoo	100.	Kitty @ Kitty & Buck
17.	Kylie @ Random Drawers	101.	Imperfectly Perfect Grace
18.	My Make-up & Beauty Obsession!	102.	Our Everyday Harvest
19.	Phylicia @ Hearts & Crafts Boutique	103.	Blog tips (follows back)
20.	n o i r e {GIVEAWAY}	104.	Randi @ A Modern Day Fairy Tale
21.	Happy Endings	105.	FrozenOJ's Concentrated Life
22.	Amy @BoundlessChaos	106.	PDXBeautiful
23.	Carole's Chatter (follows back)	107.	Peacoats & Plaid
24.	Meet Me on the Bright Side	108.	Heidi @ Taking the Plunge
25.	Sweet Love & Ginger	109.	Lipstick & Lollies
26.	kerri @ love always	110.	Amy, At the Pink of Perfection
27.	Hey Mommy, Chocolate Milk	111.	Le Petite Paradis
28.	Beautiful Solutions	112.	My Fashion Forward Blog
29.	beautybabbling	113.	Michelle @ Michelle's Pixie Dust
30.	This Little Life of Mine	114.	Life As A Bird
31.	Jessica@ Southern Ramblings *Follows Back*	115.	Yogi Mami (follows back)
32.	Of Thoughts and Things	116.	Victoria Evans
33.	Sarah@Sarah's Corner (follows back)	117.	Debi @ Adorned From Above
34.	Forever Lovely	118.	hooray for tay
35.	Taylor @ Make it Count	119.	A Girls Fancies
36.	Samantha@ Hooah and Hiccups	120.	Samara @ The Secret Life of Samara
37.	Heather @ The Glambulance	121.	See Love Make
38.	Sincerely, Paula	122.	Tales of a Pale Face
39.	Ashley	123.	The Life of Mummy Rawles
40.	Confessions of a Makeup Addict	124.	Vanessa Morgan
41.	Shannon@crazyb8utiful	125.	Beauty 101
42.	Oh so Amelia	126.	Kara @ Happy Go Lucky
43.	Jack's Paper Moon	127.	The Chirping Moms
44.	Melissa @ Lulu & Sweet Pea	128.	Thirsty World Designs
45.	Katy @ Skin Stuff by Katy	129.	Sparkle In Sequins
46.	Mandy @ Bunny Girl Blog	130.	Battle of the Germies
47.	Candace	131.	Alison Wood
48.	Candace	132.	Return to the Kitchen Table
49.	Rainbows & Honeysuckle	133.	Food Corner(leave a comment-will follow back)
50.	La Dulce Vida ~The Sweet Life	134.	Why I Didn't Wish Hubby Happy Birthday!
51.	Iris @ The Blue Birdhouse	135.	Noor @ Noor's Place
52.	Brittaney @ The Krazy Life	136.	Dawn's Disaster {follows back, leave blog}
53.	Kacie - Lady Bear	137.	Mommy Only Has 2 Hands
54.	Jenni @ A Dash of Sunshine	138.	Glammed Up Collars @ Lindsay J Everyday
55.	Newborn Mama	139.	Puzzle Me Complete .. Wife Mother Teacher Writer
56.	Sinead in the Sun	140.	Mail4Rosey
57.	Gods Growing Garden	141.	I Love Doing All Things Crafty!
58.	The Musings of an Awkward Panda	142.	Lindsey @ Thrift and Shout
59.	Daddys Space	143.	Heather @ Heathersthriftycloset
60.	Ashley @Wannabe Green	144.	Teresa @ The Adventures of Teresa and Luna
61.	Every Day Is A Country Song *follows back*	145.	My Pinterest Reality
62.	Brooke @ SILVER LINING	146.	my stylediary (follows back)
63.	Kaileigh @ Somehow Chaotic	147.	{re}discovering home
64.	Logan @ Southern Sunflowers and Coffee Beans	148.	This Girls Life
65.	Mariel Collins @ Living For His Glory	149.	❤ Siddiqa & Suraiya ❤
66.	Ellalogy	150.	Girlfriends Are Like Shoes
67.	Somewhere In This World (Beauty & lifestyle)	151.	Nanny2Mommy {FollowsBack}
68.	Lara @ Rocketraptor	152.	Sweet Maple Life
69.	northern beauty blogs -follows back.	153.	The Chiffon Diary
70.	Prickly Banana	154.	High Heals & Scuffed Sneakers
71.	Megan @ Housewife on a Mission	155.	mycarnivalofcolours
72.	Sarah@ A Cat-Like Curiosity	156.	Happiness at Mid Life
73.	The Scarlet Jamie	157.	THE TAO OF POOP
74.	marrissa @raegunramblings	158.	Boogies N BooBoos
75.	Let's Kiss to Make-up	159.	Catriona@Precious Impressions
76.	Small Town Gal @ Shopping Obsession(follows back)	160.	Simply Blushed
77.	The Thursday Blog (Follows back)	161.	Jenn's Random Scraps
78.	Judy H-J's Thoughts	162.	The Not so Fascinating Life of Tabitha
79.	One Year to a Quarter Life	163.	miki @ What I Always Was
80.	Beauty by brittneyd	164.	Exercise Encouragement Group Blog
81.	Meghan	165.	Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
82.	Book Review Diva	166.	Mariely @ Sensational Creations
83.	just the two of us	167.	My Turn for us
84.	SEL @ Growing Laughing and Loving	168.	CREATE WITH JOY

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

What I'm Reading

Last month I borrowed the book Matched from my friend for some reading material while on the airplane to San Francisco. I loved it. It is a book that takes place in a dystopian future where Society arranges and makes every life decision for you. The Society takes "data" and matches you with a marriage partner they think is best. I couldn't put the book down, it is so well written and captures you at every twist and turn.

 

After finishing the first book I immediately needed to get my hands on the second book, Crossed. My friend had that book but was lending it to someone else so I literally ran to the library to get it. I couldn't wait  for that person to finish it! I needed the second book now. Crossed is about the main character's journey to find her love and search for something outside of  the Society. I heard that it didn't get as great as reviews as the first book but honestly I liked it just as well. I love being able to continue the story that I am already involved in.

 

 

I finished Crossed and was hungry for more but Oh, Wait! The third and final book didn't come out until November 13th. I got my mom hooked on the series and as soon as the book was on sale we went to Deseret book to buy it. I started reading it the other day and haven't been able to stop. I love it and cannot wait to see how the author ends the series.

 

 

Obviously I don't want to give away too many details because I want YOU to go out and start reading this series. If you loved Hunger Games or Twiligh you WILL love this series as well. It is probably more like Hunger Games but such a fun and easy read. Oh, and I hear rumors that they will be made into movies. Can't wait!  As soon as I am finished with the series I will need something new to start. What are you currently reading? Any suggestions?

 

 

Thankful

 

 

Lets kick off thanksgiving week with thankful post number one. I am thankful for photos, specifically old photos. I find myself so often looking through all of our photos from when we were kids, I can't help but reminisce over the moments caught in just one photo.

Deals

 

 

 

 

Levi denim shirt: 8.00

Levi plaid shirt: 8.00

I'm happy about these deals.

 

 

 

 

 

Leopard+Chambray

Do you ever look in your closet and think to yourself "I have NOTHING to wear today!". Well, I think that all the time, especially now that it is practically winter here in Utah. I was headed out to lunch with my mom yesterday and thought I would try a chambray combination that would give it more of a fallish look. I paired my favorite chambray shirt with my leopard sweater. I wasn't quite sure about the combo at first and even told my mom on the phone that I was wearing an outfit I wasn't sure about but Oh well! I actually think it turned out cute. Not that I am any fashion expert at all... but I was pretty happy with how it came together. Glad I could find more ways to wear my chambray shirt!

 

Photos courtesy of Mom Photography- ha ha thanks Mom!

 

Sweater: Bohme Boutique

Chambray: Shade Clothing

Necklace: F21

Pants: Kohl's

Boots: Forever Young

 

Happy Thursday! Is anyone else seeing Twilight tonight???

 



london is cute

I want a teapot.
We liked to walk a lot.
Portobello Street.
Covent Market decorated for Xmas.

Tuesday.Loves.

It's Tuesday. Not always my favorite day of the week so I try to focus on the things I am *loving*.

 

1. Girls Dinner. Went to dinner with these lovelies aka my BFF's. We've been friends since 7th grade. NBD. Oh and the one 2nd from the left I've been friends with since 3rd grade. Yep, practically since we were babies. I love these girls.

 

2. Taylor Swift: Red. I bought this CD last week for myself as a treat. Let's just say the CD has been on repeat ever since. I'm totally loving every song on the CD. My favorites are, "All too well", "I almost do", " Everything has changed", "The Last Time- duet with Snow Patrol" and "Stay, Stay, Stay". Ok, so I might as well have listed every song on the CD...

#3. Homemade Bread. I made this homemade french bread last night and it is oh so delicious. I make it all the time. I love how easy it is and the way it makes your house smell amazing. Thanks sis for giving me the recipe over a year ago!

#4. Mommy/Daughter Lunch Date. I just got back from having a lunch date with Mia. I love this little girl more than anything in this world. So blessed that I get to spend everyday with her. She is literally the LIGHT of my life.

5. You- my fellow followers. Yep, you. Have I mentioned before how much I love the  blogging world? I really have met so many bloggers and made some great "online" friends. I love you all and hope you continue to enjoy and read our blog. We made it to 300 followers, WAHOO!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

London. harry potter

 

 

 

 

 

These are dark times there is no denying it.

Kings Cross Station, couldn't leave London without doing it.

Platform 9 3/4.



Platform 5.
And I just thought that picture was cute.

Bloggers GNO - Elegant Buttercream Cake Class

Two weeks ago I signed Nicole and I up for a Blogger's night out Cake Decorating Class. I didn't even ask Nicole if she wanted to come before I signed us up, she was coming with me whether she liked it or not. Luckily this was something we both really wanted to do. Part of our summer list of things to do was to attend a cake decorating class. Well, summer got busy and slipped away and we never got the opportunity to cross it off of our list. So when this event came up I knew I just had to seize the moment. Plus, it was hosted by Ashlee from Topsy Turvy. I seriously love her blog, this woman is so talented and creative. The event was held in the kitchen of Orson Gygi. (A local Kitchen supply store that has any/everything you need) This kitchen was seriously my dream kitchen. It was absolutely gorgeous, clean, granite everywhere, huge, BEAUTIFUL. Ok you get the idea. The class was an Elegant Buttercream class where we learned many different techniques when decorating with buttercream. Ashlee was such a thorough instructor answering all of our questions and not just telling us how to do things but showing us. I really walked away from that class feeling like a cake decorating rockstar. (Let's be honest though, I need lots of practice)  

 Our cakes all ready for us to decorate.

Ashlee teaching us how to frost the cake. So many great tips on how to frost it perfectly!

 

 One of her tips: Always use a turn table

Nicole listening very intently

Teaching us different rosette techniques

This could get sketchy...

Practicing what I just learned

We were able to either practice on our cake or on the counter. I decided to practice on the counter top and just do one technique on my cake. One of my favorites was the dots cake. I want to make a Dot Ombre cake like the one Ashlee made here.

I had so much fun learning all the different techniques. The next class I would absolutely love to take is Ashlee's fondant class. Ashlee is a new instructor at Orson Gygi and is teaching day time classes. Which I think is a brilliant idea. Perfect for moms to take while the kids are away at school!

Also, Check out this awesome coupon! This coupon is good for the rest of the year. Perfect if you need to order some items for the holidays.



Thanks for an amazing Blogger's Night out!