The Dog Days of Summer

I don't have a lot to say today...so I'll leave you with a picture of my prissy dog over Memorial Day...and some links of things I've stumbled across this week. Enjoy!

Ever wondered what the term "Dog Days" actually means? I did, find out here.I'm sure you've already seen this video, but I can't get enough.This cocktail looks perfect for summer.I'm loving summer accessories right now, like this scarf.

Who Doesn't Love Long Weekends?

I'm back from Charlotte, and I'm fully feeling the aftereffects of my not-so-smart decisions last night. I booked a 6am flight, and I was not a happy girl when my alarm went off at 4 this morning. It was a good weekend though, and well worth it!
We spent a few days in Charleston and got to see Tyler's little brother graduate. He'll be a Clemson tiger in the fall!and we spent my last night in Charlotte hanging by the lake, listening to live music, and enjoying the company of some of my best friends...

(Sorry Colby, I had to steal your pic!)

Really?!? Who wants to be back in the office after the long weekend?! Not this girl!
What did y'all do for Memorial Day?

Changes

A few days ago I was catching up on some blog reading, and came across a post titled "where do we go from here". The author, Joelle, writes a blog called Something Charming, and it's become one of my favorite reads.
In this post she describes the beginning of her blog, the changes it's been through, and the direction she'd like to take it. Now, her blog has quite a few more followers than mine, but she made me realize that I needed some direction as well. She inspired me to take a good look at my blog and figure out where I wanted it to go.
When I first started blogging last August I really wanted to share my experiences as a recent college grad (which I still want to share), but I also started to feel a lot of pressure from other blogs out there.
I wanted to be as cute and creative as them, I wanted to have the creative blog title, with the sarcastic humor, and awesome "outfits of the day". I realized though, that the more I tried to be like other blogs, the further away I felt from the community that followed me, and that I admired so much.
So, after reading Joelle's post, I realized I needed some direction. I decided that the thing I can offer to this blog, that no one else can, is myself. My unique personality, experiences, and thoughts, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. My blog is going to be "Just Bri" and not modeled after anyone else.
It's amazing, as soon as I decided on a direction I reached back out to Alyx to do my design work, and as soon as I saw what she came back with, I KNEW that I was finally doing something right with this little blog of mine (it doesn't hurt either that she's an amazing designer).
Reach out to her for any work you might need, cause girlfriend is awesome!
Anyway, I hope y'all like the new changes, and I hope you'll stick around! Blogging has been such a fun experience, I never realized how much it could teach me about myself.

Where's Your Happy Place?

Mine is Charlotte, NC and I'm thrilled because tomorrow morning I'll be on a plane headed there!

I don't know how to describe why, but just being there makes my heart happy.
My first time in Charlotte was during my Junior year of high school. My dad took me to visit colleges in the Carolinas, and we stopped in Charlotte for a few days. Just like a cheesy love story, I knew instantly that I was right where I was supposed to be.

{pic via}

I love the beauty of the area. The trees that change colors with the seasons. The "mountains" or hills (to a Texas girl they look like mountains). The genuine kindness and southern drawl that the local people carry.
I love that it has big city amenities, like wonderful restaurants and great nightlife, and at the same time still boasts that small town charm. You can be in downtown surrounded by people, and within minutes be driving off the beaten path down a two lane dirt road.
As a Texan, it's almost blasphemy to admit that I consider myself a Charlottean just as much as I consider myself a Houstonian. My roots and family are in Houston, but my heart is in the Carolinas.
I'm lucky, because for now I get to soak up the best of both worlds. I can live in Houston, enjoy my family, and visit with my friends in the city that I love, and that's exactly what I'm going to do this weekend.
P.S. earlier today I received this text from my sorority big sister...

I'm soooo excited for her, but my heart aches just a little because I wish I was moving with her too! It seems that neither of us can get enough of our favorite city!

Where is your happy place? and what makes it so special?

Milestones

My baby brother had prom this weekend...

I still see him like this ^... but unfortunately he's just a little bit older, and now looks like this...

Little bro and the mama.

It's funny, I didn't realize how grown up he is, until I sat down to look back at these pictures. The best part of being in Houston, is getting to experience things like this. His milestones in life.

Little bro and his best friend.

Little bro and his GF.

I'm so proud of the man that he's become. He has the biggest heart, and a strong set of values (that he's not afraid to share with you). Any girl would be lucky to have him as a little brother, but I'm glad that he's mine.

Jus' Mac in Houston

Happy Friday y'all! THANK GOODNESS it's the weekend because I'm in need of some serious R&R. Aren't y'all?
Anyway, I wanted to tell all my fellow Houstonians (or any future visitors) about THE. BEST. PLACE. EVER. where I had lunch today
Jus' Mac - A Mac and Cheese Eatery

{via}The menu is literally just Mac and Cheese with any kind of awesome add-ins that you could imagine. I had "the broc" and added mushrooms, and then they topped it off with breadcrumbs! 
If you're in Houston, I'm sure you've all heard of the place, if you haven't go visit! If you're from out of town, this place is worth the trip!

Lessons from my 20's

Growing up has been an experience, to say the least. I think I've laughed, cried, loved, and learned more in these past few years than all the other years combined.
The things I've been through have taught me a lot, mostly about myself; what I want, what I like, what I love, and what I don't. I've decided to start sharing some of those "life lessons" with y'all. Some will be serious, and others not so serious.
Now, I know that THREE years into my twenties isn't a lot of time, but I have managed to learn a thing or two. So here you go, some of my wisdom, passed on to you...
Your little brother is always an acceptable date.

No boyfriend? No date? No worries. A sibling is always a good substitute. You won't have to worry about impressing them, entertaining them, or awkwardly telling them "goodbye" at the end of the night.

Never get the darkest color spray tan offered to you.

You WILL look orange. Every time. Enough said.

You'll never regret dancing at that party.

No matter how ridiculous I might have looked, those are the nights I had the most fun. Dance away!

Moving away is hard.

Leaving my college friends was the hardest thing I've ever done. You will cry, and you'll feel alone, but there will also be good moments, embrace those. You'll learn more about yourself than you could have ever imagined.

Cherish your best friend.

She'll help make those lonely times seem not-so-lonely. Keep in touch, stay up to date on her life, and never forget her birthday.

Find out what you love, and do just that.

Find your passion, and pursue it. Don't worry about your title, and how much money you are or aren't making. Do what you love, and you'll be successful.

Date the nice guy.

You know, the one you like to call your "best friend". It's probably a good idea to date him, or at least try it. You'll appreciate him more than you know as the years go by.

So there's a start...and I have no doubt that there will be many more lessons to come! What are some things you've learned??

Thankful for Mamas

I know that everyone says the same thing about their mamas, but I really do think I was blessed with the BEST mom in the world.
I was so glad to spend the day celebrating her yesterday, because I truly believe that moms have the hardest job in the world. They have to deal with not only the stress in their own life, but also the lives of their children. I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like.

I know that many times we take their unconditional and selfless love for granted, but I hope that my mom knows just how much I appreciate, love, and look up to her! Happy Mama's day!

And this handsome boy came to spend a few days with me...I think his visits will always be too short, but he left me with a smile on my face! Can't wait to see him again soon.

A Farmers Market, A New Bronzer, and A Good Book

{1}I'm moving into my new apartment tomorrow and I'm so excited. Not that I haven't loved living with my parents for the past month (my mom LOVES doing my laundry :) haha but, I'm ready to have all of my things in one place again.{2}I finished reading the Shades of Grey trilogy, it was amazing, but now I don't know what to do with my free time! Anyone have some good book suggestions?{3}If any of you live in Houston, have you been to a good farmers market around here? I'm looking for one that's open on the weekends.{4}My bronzer broke, not just broke but shattered into a million pieces this weekend. I'm ok with it though because it wasn't my favorite. Anyone have a good bronzer they love?

Happy Wednesday, from Nina and I!