Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday! Summer is here in full swing. It has been a scorcher this week in East TN.  The only way to be outside is in or around a body of water. Preferably a pool with spf 50, a hat and a Starbucks "pink drink"
Have you tried one? If not, ask for their strawberry acai refresher with coconut milk. It's delicious and tastes just like a pink starburst! Go get one right now- you're welcome ;)

2.) Another thing I am loving for summer is my Swell water bottle. It's a double wall stainless steel bottle that keeps your drink cold for up to 24 hours! Mine is gold and I even added a vinyl monogram to personalize it! I get a lot of compliments, or even questions about if it's a champagne bottle! ;)

Not a champagne bottle, but does keep your water COLD 

3.)  I am also loving being blonder for summer. I just got my hair highlighted and I feel like a whole new woman with all this blonde! I picked up some of these new Redken products while at the salon to keep my hair looking bright all summer. I'm all about the way a shampoo smells, and this one is very nice. And the fragrance lasts all day too! 

4.)  One additional product on my list this week is this shade of white nail polish from OPI. I have never been one who buys the $8 bottle of OPI but I swear it lasts the longest of any other polish brand on my nails.

And last but not least, I am loving this man, as we celebrate 3 years of marriage this weekend! 

June 20, 2013, Mr. & Mrs. Bryant 

Hope your weekend is filled with pink drinks, love, and sunshine!!! xoxo

What's in my Bag?

Today I'm going to talk about what's in my bag. I love to carry a large bag with me to work everyday. I never know what I may need throughout the day, but on the weekends and when I go out shopping, I have stopped lugging a large bag around and usually carry a cross body style that is hands free. 

My every day work bag is this gorgeous Milly hobo bag. This color goes with all colors in my wardrobe. It's sold out everywhere, but Barney's still has a similar version

PS- Wait until they do an extra 60% off clearance sale, which is usually a few times a year. They did one over memorial day, so sign up for e-mails and keep an eye out!

Inside my bag, I carry my wallet, iphone,  zippered bag for makeup and lipsticks, a mini hairbrush, band aids, sunglasses, nail clippers and file, pill case with advil/ aleve, inhaler, hand cream, hand sanitizer, cortisone cream, and ponytail holders. I am always prepared! Usually if I'm just running out for a quick errand, I pretty much just carry my wallet, phone, lipgloss, and keys. Here are some of my favorite purse essentials:

Mark and Graham Monogrammed Gingham Pouch

Kate Spade Croc Embossed wallet

My favorite everyday lip color is MAC lipstick in brave. It's a great  pink/ nude color that I tend to reach for. I also love this new matte shade  by Clinique. 

Happy Tuesday!

Fab Friday: Curly Hair, Don't Care!

Another week has gone by, and it was a short and HOT one! 
Summer is finally here. Kids and teachers are out of school, pools are open, and I am jealous of all of you who are enjoying either of these things! 


Today, I would like to say that I have officially given up drying my hair for the summer. A few weeks ago, my hair dryer broke while I was using it. It started smoking, and I promptly unplugged it, scrunched my hair with a little curl cream and went to work. And I didn't hate it! My hair dries into a wavy/ natural look and I'm loving it for summer. It makes getting ready so much quicker too. I've been using this curl cream by Parlor that I got this in my Birchbox a few months back. I love the smell, and it doesn't produce any crunchiness.

I have been on the lookout for additional products that aren't necessarily a sea salt spray- I have tried many and they seem to make my hair frizzy and I want something that smells good, but not the same old coconut smell. Has anyone tried these products?

Fave4 Up for Air Air Dry Cream $16 Birchbox.com

Also, this looks amazing, and supposedly has notes of amber and musk in the scent, which are my favorite:

Ouai Wave Spray, $26 Sephora.com

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! 

P.S.-

Modcloth has so many cute things for summer right now!

Friday Favorites!

It's finally Friday! I feel like this week has been particularly long for some reason. I am sooo glad to have arrived at the end of it.

Some things that are my favorite this week:

1.) Lancome Juicy Shaker


If you are a child of the 90's, you probably remember the super popular Juicy Tubes from Lancome. I remember my sister had tons of those, along with Lancome Miracle perfume and that scent instantly makes me nostalgic for her wicker vanity and a pair of black pumps we fought over all the time :) Anyway, this new product is sheer, and considered a lip "oil" which sounds perfect for summer! It keeps your lips moisturized, not sticky and has a hint of color. I want the juicy watermelon shade:

2.) Heated Eyelash Curler



This little product is amazing! It was really inexpensive and makes a huge difference with my lashes. The little red piece turns clear when it's heated up. I use it right before I apply my mascara and love the result.  

3.) Essie Bubble Bath nail polish

This is the perfect sheer pink polish. I paint two coats and I love that it still shows my nails under, but gives them a really natural look. If I don't have nail polish on, my nails tend to peel and never grow long(ish). This stuff really does last 3-4 days without any chips, and when it does chip a little, it doesn't show because the color is so natural. Love this and have been wearing on repeat for the last month!

4.) Edy's Outshine Fruit Bars

I love any kind of frozen treat.  I don't limit myself to summer, but when it really starts to get warm and it's light outside until 8 pm or later, I have to have a popsicle. This was a daily ritual in ym childhood, and I am still mad that there aren't the Lifesaver Flavor Posicles, or Jello Fruit pops anymore! Those were both my absolute favorite. But, this Edy's fruit bar is really good. I love anything peach flavored and these are so yummy!  

5.) Twinnings Cold Brew Iced Tea, peach flavor

So good, and it really is perfect when steeped in cold water! It doesn't hardly need any sugar. I add a little bit of stevia, and it's the perfect drink! I drink mostly water, but I looove iced tea, especially sweet, and again peach. I haven't been able to find it the last two times I was at Kroger, so I may end up ordering it.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! It's supposed to rain here on Saturday, but Sunday looks beautiful! XOXO

Five on Friday!

Five on Friday!

Today I am linking up with some of my favorite bloggers, April from A. Liz Adventures, to talk about 5 things you may not know about me!

1.) I was born in 1982, and am a Leo. Although I don’t think that necessarily means anything.

2.) All the women in my family are “M” names and I have never hated my name, Megan Patricia

3.) I lived in Ankara, Turkey for 3 years from 1990-1993 and attended a British school. I left with a pretty good British accent, almost fluent in Turkish, and friends and times I will always look back on fondly.

4.) I have seen every episode of Seinfeld several times. My husband and I started watching it together when we first started dating, and we quickly learned we both had similar senses of humor. My favorite is probably half George/ half Elaine. I see myself in both of them! (ha!)

5.) Speaking of humor, I have a very sarcastic and irreverent sense of humor. Most people who know me very well know I have a contagious laugh and find pretty much everything funny. One of my old high school friends told me the other day, I should try stand up. Umm, not that brave.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Our peonies are looking and smelling beautiful. The weather is going to be beautiful, and there is a lot going on in Knoxville! The International Biscuit festival is happening on Market square this Saturday! If you are local- you must check it out!

www.biscuitfest.com

Wednesday Recipes!

Today I have 2 recipes for 2 current favorite things to eat when the warm weather hits.

1.) Italian Pasta Salad

I make this at least once a week for an easy side dish or even main dish. It's delicious the next day, and the flavor gets even better! It's delicious and one of my favorite things in the warm months.

   

     1 box Rainbow Rotini pasta, cooked, and drained.

     6 ounces sweet, local tomatoes chopped

     6 ounces Green Bell pepper, chopped

     1/2 Purple Onion, chopped (optional, I actually leave this out!)

     6 ounces mozzarella string cheese, chopped into bite sized pieces

      ** This recipe is pretty versatile and you can also add salami, olives, cucumbers, anything you have on hand!

     

   Dressing:

   1/2 cup Olive Oil

   1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar

    1 tsp dried basil, parsley, oregano seasoning.

    1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Cook pasta according to directions, drain and rinse with cold water. Let cool. Meanwhile chop and dice all the veggies and cubed cheese. Combine pasta, fresh veggies and cheese. Mix up dressing in small glass pitcher or bowl. Pour over pasta and veggie combo. Chill for about 20 minutes before serving. Add fresh lemon and Parmesan cheese to garnish. 

2.) Tres Leches Cake

  I made this a few weeks ago for a dinner party and it was a big hit. The delicious combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream is the show stopper in this recipe for sure. 

Ingredients

1 yellow cake mix (with pudding) baked as directed in 13 by 9-inch pan

For topping mixture:

1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup rum (or to taste)

To finish:
Whipped cream, to cover cake

Fresh strawberries, for garnish

Poke holes in the cake with a fork all over. Pour topping mixture over cake. Let mixture absorb completely in refrigerator.
Cover with whipped cream and strawberries, serve chilled from refrigerator.

    

    

Friday Favorites link Up

Happy Friday!

Today I am re-capping my recent trip down to Florida, as well as talking about a few amazing finds!

I spent 3 days last week in Ft Lauderdale visiting my Mom. I had very nice, warm weather while down there. I wore this adorable swimsuit I loved the color, and the ruching :

My sunglasses are from amazon: 

Other than that, I have been spending a lot of quality time with Lulu, my pug and catching up on Bravo shows. I am excited for nice, warm weather this weekend. My sister is having a dinner party, so I am also  excited to eat and hang out with friends on Saturday night!  Happy weekend!