BOLD BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Step by Step Bubble Braid

May 30, 2015May 30, 20156 Comments

Wow! This is way overdue, sorry. I’m in charge of a big camping trip for the teen girls at church and it’s taking a lot of my free time. We are going week after next, though, so I hope it all magically comes together by then and ends up being a wonderful experience for everyone. After that, I’m planning to be a lot more regular in my posts, including sharing a lot of my favorite beauty products. I’m a total product junkie, and I can’t wait to share!

Well, back to the topic of the day…the bubble braid! This is one of my go-to styles because it is so quick and easy, yet looks really neat. I’m posting this as a step by step, so if you find it hard to follow and have questions, let me know!

First, gather all your hair to one side and secure with elastic. I like to pull all my hair tight and smooth, then pull out pieces around my face and adjust the volume on the top after I put in the elastic.

Next, move an inch or two down from the first elastic and add another one. Depending on how thick your hair is, or the length of it, you may need to adjust to make the gap between a little smaller than this.

Then split the gap between the two elastics in half. Flip the bottom of your ponytail through the gap, keeping it tight and smooth.

Move down another couple inches (the same distance you did on the first gap) and add an elastic. Repeat the previous step, splitting the gap and flipping the lower part of your pony through.

Based on preference, and if length permits, repeat again.

Now begin to gently loosen the sections, one at a time. I find that when I start to loosen the hair, I can pull quite a bit, but once it has started to loosen, I switch and just use my pointer finger and thumb to pull small sections.

There you have it! Let me know if you give it a try!

Moab: Delicate Arch

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015Leave a comment

Over spring break our good friends invited us to join them on a family trip to Moab, UT. They have three awesome kids about the same age as ours. We had never been there before, and were so excited to go! The trip went by way too fast, and we left already wanting to go back. Myla even asked if we could live there haha. It was incredibly beautiful, and the kids did so well hiking! We were able to go see a lot of the most well known sites. Our first big hike was to see Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. It was a couple miles round trip and I was so proud of the little kiddos. Most of the time we were trying to keep up with them! Pictures really can’t do justice to the beauty, but I’m glad we have them to help us remember it!

Myla always has to get a silly pose in the mix!

A Kimono Sweater and Gold Accents

March 17, 2015March 17, 20154 Comments

I’m bringing you my first fashion post today! A couple of my friends opened up a boutique called The Rambler and I’m in love with their stuff! They have so many unique pieces, including some of my favorite jewelry. Check them out here! This kimono is from their shop, as well as some items I will be featuring in upcoming posts. I have also teamed up with my girl Hannah Swenson to bring you a little extra spunk! She is a sparkling ray of sunshine as well as a very talented photographer. She took these photos and I love her to death! A tutorial for this super simple bubble braid is coming up soon as well!
Kimono: The Rambler Boutique
Pants: Rock & Republic/Kohl’s
Top: Old Navy (old)
Jewelry: H&M/Forever 21/Charming Charlie
Nails: OPI Sweetheart/ Jamberry Vintage Chic
Lip color: Clinique Matte Plum

Five of My Faves

February 27, 2015February 27, 20154 Comments

I decided to share five of my very favorite beauty products today! It is always fun to try something new, but there is nothing better than finding exactly what works for you. Hope you give them a try!
1. e.l.f. Mineral Face Primer
I have tried a lot of different primers for under my makeup, and I felt like they didn’t make much of a difference, until I tried this one. Now I’m hooked. It has a slippery consistency that really helps smooth and prep my skin. I never need to retouch my makeup through the day, and I even use it under my lipstick to make it last longer. It’s the best.
2. Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer
I don’t like wearing a lot of makeup on my face, but balancing those dark circles and redness are a must. I love this concealer because it is thick but easy to blend, and the applicator even does a lot of the work for you! I use it as a base for my eyeshadow as well. This is an every day product for me!
3. Clinique Matte Plum Lipstick
I love a bold lip! If I only have a couple minutes to throw myself together in the morning, my go to is usually mascara, brows, and lipstick. Something about that pop of color brightens everything up! Lipstick never seems to last long enough, but this one is different. It will stay bright all day, which iiiiis awesome!
4. Smooth and Seal by Sexy Hair
This product has not left my side since I first discovered it in cosmetology school. I have used it on every client I have ever done, as well as myself every time I style. It’s an anti-frizz shine spray that will make your hair look healthy and sleek. I can use this to flat iron my hair and it will stay shiny and smooth for days (I try not to go too many days without washing my hair, but you know how it goes haha) There are so many benefits to using the right products on your hair, it makes all the difference!
5. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom
I’m not a lip gloss girl, I can’t stand that sticky feeling on my lips, but I need some extra moisturizing through the day. This lip balm makes everything better! I honestly don’t leave home without it. I have tried a few of the other colors as well, but I always go back to pink blossom. It has just enough tint on its own, but also blends with all my different lipstick colors super well. Try it out, I bet you will be hooked!

A Family of Four

February 22, 20151 Comment

With our darling new addition, we are now a family of four! That means time to update our family photos. My friend Becky Phillips took these for us. M is definitely not afraid to get in there and pose! She may only be five years old, but she doesn’t miss a beat. I’m feeling very blessed to have this amazing family of mine!

Newborn Babe!

February 22, 2015February 22, 2015Leave a comment

Oh my! This darling babe of ours has completely changed our lives. She has such a beautiful little spirit about her. I feel like she is my magical drug because as long as I have her with me, I’m good. Ha I can be totally frustrated and I just cuddle her, and POOF happiness. It’s pretty amazing. Thank you to our photographer Johanna Hallenberger for her talent and patience!

Maternity Pictures

February 22, 2015February 22, 20151 Comment

I’m finally getting around to posting our maternity photos (now that my babe is four months old haha) and I decided to just share some of my favorites. I was nervous to have pictures taken since I got so much larger this pregnancy, but I can look back on it now and be grateful for that giant belly. Turns out, it was carrying a nine and a half pound babe after all! My sweet friend Johanna Hallenberger took these photos. We love working with her! As my husband puts it, “she just gets us.”

Cousin fun

July 7, 2014Leave a comment

We always love when Brian’s sisters and their kids come in town to visit! It is a never ending party. We spent a couple days at the lake and had a blast. Can’t beat good times and great company!

Zoo day

July 1, 2014Leave a comment

I absolutely love hanging out with my sister in law, Amanda. I grew up with two brothers and no sisters, so I was always curious what having a sister would be like. Turns out it is awesome. It doesn’t hurt that she was one of my best friends in college before she married my brother, so we already knew each other’s crazy secrets. She has the most adorable little boy, Jackson. I love him! He and Myla are such cute little friends. He calls her la la. It’s darling.

We went to the zoo for a little outing and had a really good time as always! The sun was really bright, so Myla had a hard time keeping her eyes open ha

Lochsa River

June 30, 2014June 30, 20143 Comments

Last year we started a new tradition of going to the Lochsa River every spring, and so far we are in love. This river is not only the most beautiful ever, but so fun and challenging to run! I was able to be on the river last year, but this year I just took pics from the bank. Here is a shot from last year

We went a few weeks later in the season last year, so the water wasn’t as high as this year, but we absolutely loved it both times.

These are some shots from this year. It is hard to capture the magnitude of the water in pictures, it was incredible!

This is Brian and his mom scouting the rapid named Lochsa Falls. This drop is the most famous on this river and people come set up camp chairs to watch the rafters and kayakers go through it. It’s a good show!

Brian and his parents on the sixteen foot cataraft.