our wedding: featured on style me pretty!!!

allyson magda photography // april flowers floral design // zenaida cellars

hello, hello lovers!!!

i have an unexpected surprise of a post today...

an e-mail arrived in my inbox yesterday letting me know that our wedding is being featured on 

the california page of style me pretty...you can click HERE to check it out!!!!!

style me pretty was...and still is...a really big source of inspiration for anything wedding/party related

& this feature is such a wonderful, extra dreamy dream come true!

i can't help but love that i get to relive that magical day once again through the photos ;)

on a totally non-wedding related, very important side note...

i hope you all had a lovely holiday and were able to spend lots of time with your loved ones :)

we had a very nice christmas with my husband's family...we ate, we drank & we were quite merry!

looking forward to getting all sparkly for new years!!!

my brother in law and his fiancée are visiting with us from san diego through 1/2,
so i will see you later in the week!!!

have a lovely day :)

XO

brynn

merry & bright

merry, merry my loves!

this will be my last post until after christmas.

enjoy your time with your loved ones :)

XO

brynn

final gift guide of 2012: pour moi

okay, okay...

yes, 'tis the season for giving...

but can't i give to me, too?!

i just can't help but drool over some absolutely divine gifts 

that i would love to wrap & put under the tree for me ;)

well, a girl can dream...

1. i have decided that i must have this beautifully simple yet bold kate spade watch ($225)

2. i desperately need a macbook case & just love this little felt one ($100)

3. i think i could wrap this cozy fair isle cardigan around me everyday & be happy as can be! ($145)

4. beanies are my favorite accessory this season...this adorable rabbit pompom one is so sweet ($45)

5. to satisfy my glassware obsession & love for gold, i must get the gorgeous zara tumblers ($7-$10)

6. a caramel leather coat is a perfect wardrobe staple that is currently missing from my closet ($575)

7. we need more greenery in our home...i love these little air plants in faceted porcelain planters ($18)

is your holiday shopping all complete?

did you pick anything up for yourself?!

...because if you did, i'm not judging ...just sayin' ;)

have a lovely day!

XO

brynn

more scenes from my christmas snow globe...

trying my hand at chalk art ... shockingly not too shabby!

baubles, baubles, baubles ... can't get enough shimmer & shine this holiday season!

cookie decorating ... this is my 1960s tinsel tree!

tree branches drenched in sparkly lights!

cute socks = cozy, cozy toes!!!

while taking a walk i ran into my 3 favorite bush-men all dressed up for christmas!

4 wonderful words ~ spiced rum spiked eggnog ... really, you just can't go wrong!

newlywed christmas ... carrying our christmas tree home :)

{all in the name of not scratching my husband's new car's roof. haahaa!}

the start of a very happy christmas tree!!!

{it is pretty much done, though i'll be obsessing over the extra little details all week long!}

what is shaking in your christmas snow globe?!

have a lovely day :)

XO

brynn

the holiday gift guide 2012: the party queen

bonjour, mes amis!

are you looking for the perfect hostess gift?

if so, i have got a lovely round up of items that i think any hostess might just love

{i know i would take every last one!!!}

1. kelly wearstler rose quartz bottle stopper ($175) ...ummm, gorgeous!!!

2. herriott grace small cheese paddle ($125) ...a lovely serving piece for your cheeses is always loved!

3. this bodum french press ($30) is a cut above the rest! ...so pretty!

4. bringing flowers to dinner? arrange them in these beautiful zara home vase! ($60)

5. i personally have been ogling these dwell gold nesting bowls for some time ($99) ...perfection! 

6. zara home livia bottle ($60) ...it would be beautiful for any liquid from scotch to water!

7. one of my very favorite hostess gifts is to arrange a thoughtful basket filled with goodies for the kitchen & entertaining! ($ is up to you!)

hope you all are close to wrapping up your shopping...

i'm no where close! ha!

have a lovely day :)

XO

brynn

a holiday sweet tooth

well hello there gorgeous!

happy friday :)

sooooo, i was actually supposed to have a gift guide for you all today...

buuuuut i found myself extremely distracted by all of the sweet stuff 

while on the hunt for perfect presents.

oopsie ;)

well, hope you don't mind drooling a bit this morning!

if you like what you see, here is where you will find the recipes...

no-bake coconut snowballs {gluten-free, nut-free & vegan!}

drunken molasses ginger cookies {totally making these tonight!!!}

toasted butter pecan cake {totally drooling right now!}

english toffee {and this one is with almonds!}

salted caramel & whiskey truffles {words can't even express...YUM!}

flourless chocolate chunk pecan cookies {lindsay from delighted momma has done it again!}

sugar cookies {technically this links to tips, but within there is a link to a recipe, too!}

well, now i am not only a drooling mess, my stomach is totally grumbling at me!

we are actually getting together with some friends tonight for a festive holiday evening of cookie decorating & movie watching...can't wait!

what are you up to this weekend?

any other favorite/famous recipes i must know about??!!

have a lovely day & an amazing weekend!!!

XO

brynn

p.s. i am a little late on a december music mix, but hoping to get one up over the weekend, so check in if you are in need of some extra festive tunes :)

let's create! : snowball pom-pom garland

hello, loves!

so, let me throw in a quick disclaimer & give credit where is due for this DIY project...

you see, this is a little DIY that I was inspired by on pinterest via zess, a french blog.

this is obviously not an original concept...there are lots & lots of yarn pom tutorials out there,

but i loved the way she made hers & was finally, officially inspired to make my own!

...but it is a french blog, written in french....

i just looked at the post visually and went from there, 

but i thought i would give you my interpretation in english :)

& i wanted to give it a shot with some textured yarns to make my snowballs extra fluffy!

this is an easy one...just a little time consuming.

so if you are in, cozy up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa on your side, pop in a movie

& pom-pom away! 

yarn(s) of choice // a fork with wider prongs // small scissors // some sort of string & thread 

{i used a small gauge rope & a large plastic needle}

keep the yarn in its ball {i suggest not pre-cutting} // 

hold the end onto the fork, preparing to wrap it around all prongs 

wrap it around numerous times until you have achieved the desired thickness

{the thicker the wrap, the fuller the pom-pom...but beware not to make it too thick or it may not work} 

once desired thickness is reached, snip the yarn // then snip a piece of yarn about 2" long & thread each end through the middle prong of the fork on either side of the wrapped yarn

tie it tight once and then thread through to knot it off {tied nice & tight!} on the backside

carefully remove the tied yarn from the fork // snip the looped ends open on either side //

lastly, give your pom-pom a little haircut :) to even out the shape into a ball 

thread your needle & string through the center of the pom // repeat until all poms are strung

 ta-da! now, i just need my tree to hang my adorable little snowball garland!!!

i hope you might be inspired to make your own version :)

have a lovely, inspiring day!

XO

brynn

scenes from my holiday snow globe {so far}

did i mention yet how festive i am feeling this holiday season??!! 

well, in case you forgot...here is a little reminder ;)

we still don't have our tree yet... 

{i know what you are thinking...a little late in the game, right?!}

but we have had bad luck the past two years with our tree dying by christmas :(

and we have family coming this year, so i want our greenery to be thriving & gorgeous...

so, we'll be tree & garland shopping this weekend :)

in the meantime, i am keeping myself plenty busy!

we pulled our christmas boxes out from storage

and i unwrapped all of the ornaments...

don't you just love that part of the season?! 

it's often filled with surprises of ornaments you forgot you had!

i have been making christmas crafts

{psst! i have another diy post coming up tomorrow!}

lighting things up, wrapping gifts {well, one gift...for a secret santa swap at work!}

& prepping for the official holiday decorating celebrations that are to come :)

what's shaking in your holiday snow globe?!

XO

brynn

let's create: fill your bulbs with baubles!

hello friends!

i am so excited to be back to blogging so that i can bring you all some extra holiday cheer!

from here to the new year, 

this little blog of mine is all about this lovely holiday season...

i just can't get enough!!!

i started to fill our home with holiday trimmings last weekend...

along the way, i was looking for some pretty bits to fill some of my clear bulbs.

i was so pleased with the outcome that i just had to share one of the easiest DIYs ever!

all you have to do is find some pretty baubles and sequins that you love

& fill away!

if you decide to make your own version, i would love to see what you come up with :)

XO

brynn

the holiday gift guide: for the guys

hello lovelies!

still in need of that perfect gift for your perfect guy?

i've rounded up a handful or so of some of my personal favorites from around the web...

1. every man needs a sexy, rugged tote! i happen to love this handsome one from joinery ($285)

2. for the man who wants to make a bold statement...this nixon watch is big time eye catcher ($425)*

*i bought this watch for my husband for christmas 2 years ago...to this day he receives compliments daily...it is so ginormous that we joke and call it a "wrist clock" ;)

3. men deserve so much better than drug store grooming products! keep his grooming routine green & treat him with this fun pack from sam's natural ($35)

4. if your guy is a dapper fellow, then he may just need one of these adorably dapper fox ties! ($28)

5. i know my husband is in need of some new boots...this pair from he by mango ($140) are catching my eye!

6. a man in a nice suit with nice cuff links makes me go mmm, mmm, mmm! though a bit on the pricey side, i think that this set from anthropologie ($798) are mighty fine

7. give your guy the gift of beer...that he can handcraft all by himself :) you can find this beer making kit ($40) online at anthropologie

have a lovely day!

XO

brynn

the holiday gift guide : for the cook

hello lovelies!

happy friday :) 

ahhh...i have to say i am definitely ready for the weekend!

i am having dinner with a friend tonight

{the kind of dinner where we each order our own pizza & 2 bottles of wine!}

and my husband & i will be attending a holiday party on saturday!

december is in full swing 

& i am being constantly reminded that i have some holiday gift shopping/making to do ;)

so, i thought i would join in on the fun and create some gift guides for extra inspiration!

there truly may not be anything i love more than giving...

picking the perfect gift is a challenge that i will always accept!

i happen to have a couple cooks in my life, 

so my gift guide starts there...

1. bialetti pasta pot ($40)...does it seriously get any better than a pot with a strainer top??!!

2. i want this cheery yellow egg pan ($42) from joinery all for myself!!!

3. these adorable measuring hedgies ($36) from anthropologie would be perfect for the stylish cook!

4. any true chef would love this gorgeous, rustic yet sleek mortar & pestle ($46) from anthropologie :)

5. i think the cook would be quite happy to serve tasty morsels from these pretty pans ($36/ea.)... and to roll out the dough with this sweet rolling pin ($18)...once again, from anthropologie

6. who wouldn't want their kitchen to be smitten?! pick up one copy of the smitten kitchen ($20) for your favorite cook, and maybe even a copy for you!

7. if you are feeling the diy spirit this holiday season {i am! i am!} you can make aromatic fleur de sel, infused with herbs like rosemary or thyme and package it up in cute jars...

& voila! a heartfelt gift filled with love!

**you can look forward to my holiday gift guides on mondays & fridays up through 12/21**

have a happy weekend & a lovely day!

XO

brynn

soirée!: suited for queens & kings

hello sweet lovelies :)

today i finally - officially - return onto the blog scene...

a little later than hoped, but I am SO happy to finally be back!

as mentioned, i threw a little dinner soirée for friends a couple weekends ago...

friendsgiving is what i called it ;)

because my husband & i are so thankful for our friends,

we wanted to get our dearest friends together to celebrate the holiday of giving thanks.

& me - well, being me - decided to go all out with it...

make it a true soirée!!!

so, i put my creative crown on & went to town...

gilding leaves, making wreaths, plucking pretty furry plants from forbidden gardens

{a funny story...no worries, i am not truly a thief...they were growing wild off the side of the road}

sewing tablecloths, going sequin crazy & creating lovely backdrops...

& my sweet friend, tarah {aka: paper goddess}, even made us all the fancy crowns to wear!

all in all, it was a very successful evening :) 

p.s. if you ever need a quick and easy appetizer...

go for meat on a stick! the prosciutto tipped breadsticks were a major hit!

'tis the season for holiday soirées...

any big plans to throw your own??!!

have a lovely day :)

XO

brynn