Nothing Like a Good 'Ol Fashioned BBQ

So this weekend I, as I'm sure many of you did, went to a barbecue.  It was awesome getting off on a Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, being in retail, so I was amped.  My parents, aunt and uncle came to visit for the weekend which was awesome, since I haven't seen anyone since I moved back down here.  Also it was my mom's and my other aunt's birthdays!  So I guess it was a Memorial Day/Birthday bash!

I started off the day at the beach with my dad, which was wonderful.  It was the perfect beach day and I was totally in mermaid status. See below.

After that and a little bit of shopping, we headed to my aunt and uncle's house for a barbecue.  I love their house so much.  They just redid it and it legit looks like a boat.  It's awesome.  So don't be surprised if you see it pop up again in future pictures.

Like any other barbecue, we had lots of food, booze, and good times.  My cousin Alyssa and I got to hang out and girl talk, which is always the best.  We even got a few pretty great snapshots!

She also might be hired as my new blog photographer since I'm starting to run out of places to hold my iPhone while I put it on the timer haha. We managed to get a pretty sick shot of my outfit!

Since I had been at the beach, and was going to be in the pool later I totally just left my bathing suit on under my dress/shirt.  That's the salt life for you.  There actually is a meaning behind the term "beach bum."

[Dress: Free People  | Hat: Claire's (like a gazillion years ago) | Shoes: Birkenstock's | Necklace: Geometric Theory (Etsy) | Bracelets: Lokai,  Lucky Brand ]

Through all of the family fun and chatting, we had to stop for a birthday celebration!  My mom and my aunt Deb had the coolest cake ever!

Unfortunately, on actual Memorial Day I had to work.  But that did not deter me from being super patriotic!!  I rocked the red, white, and blue like it was nobody's business (in my opinion.)  Another fun example of combining my usual wardrobe with my drawer full of lululemon gear. 

[Tee: Abercrombie & Fitch | Jacket: Lucky Brand | Scarf: lululemon | Pants: lululemon | Shoes: Converse ]

Memorial Day Weekend

So this weekend I was extremely excited to finally go on a mini vacation! Thank.  God.  I've been so worn down lately from working all the time, I really needed to zen out and get a damn tan.  And that I did.  But my long awaited getaway wasn't just for me to have some R&R, but it was also Memorial Day, as you know, and more importantly my lovely mother's big 50th Birthday!! So it was quite the eventful time.

We started it all off with the tedious, yet worth it, 10 hour drive from Philly to Myrtle Beach, SC.  We stayed over at a hotel half way through, had our shitty continental breakfast, and continued on.  When we finally arrived, we ran a few errands, which included a visit to the new supermarket down the street.  I kid you not, this place was like Disney World.  Definitely the most entertaining supermarket I've ever been to.  Also with the most variety; I mean any cheese you could ever possibly want, they have it.  I even found some pretty pineapples to Instagram for s's and g's.  So after that adventure, we hung out for a bit, unpacked our stuff, and then our cousins joined in time for dinner.  

Later that evening, I got to catch up with some of my good friends from my old job.  We had a couple beers and lots of laughs at our local little hot spot, that I miss almost as much as I miss them.  Ok I miss them wayyy more, Haha.  It's nice to know there are people who will make time for you, even if it's last minutes. Those kind of friends are definite keepers.

The next day my family and I headed over to more of our family's house to celebrate my Mom's birthday and an early Memorial Day.  We had lots of great food, went swimming in the pool, took a walk to the beach, and took lots of great photos!  My mom really enjoyed it and told us it was a birthday she'd never forget.  I won't soon forget it either. 

In honor of the patriotic weekend, I wore my Memorial Day outfit early.  I like to make sure everyone gets to see the outfits I strategically plan out, especially when I order a piece two days before wearing it just for that outfit.  You know I'm dedicated.

Pants: Old Navy | Tank Top: Old Navy | Denim Shirt: Gap | Shoes: Sperry | Necklace: Amazon | Earrings: American Eagle | Bracelets: Forever 21

Check out all of the items I wore (or similar) all put together on my WGWT profile!

On Sunday, we spent the entire day on the beach.  This is my ideal place.  You literally have to drag me out screaming to get me to leave.  Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea.  It was a beautiful day, warm with a nice breeze; just how I like it.  We spent the time talking and reading and making fun of my cousin trying to do handstands in the ocean. (lol)  After washing up, we went out to dinner and embarrassed my cousin (yep same one) for his birthday by getting the employees to sing to him.

After a wonderful day with the family, I headed out for some more fun time with my friends.  We headed out to the beach for a couple of beers and a good time, and that is exactly what we had.  I won't write much about it, since it was one of those indescribable moments that are better left cherished in memory.  It remaindered me that I am still young and in the prime years of my life, and I need to take advantage of that now before it's too late!  It was a night I will never forget.  

I went with the more than appropriate Bohemian vibe for Sunday's outfit.  Seeing as I am already in my "summer mermaid" mood, I haven't washed my hair with anything more than salt water in days and there are still some braids left unattended to.  And it still looked damn good.  Rock on, beach waves.  Side note: I switched the shoes before I went to the beach and grabbed a hoodie!  I'm fashionable, but I'm not crazy! (ignore my cheesin' lol)

Shorts: American Rag- Macy's | Shirt: Lucky Brand | Vest: American Eagle | Shoes: Ralph Lauren: Denim & Supply- Macy's | Necklace/Earrings: Lucky Brand | Arm Party: Lucky Brand, Rachel Roy, Alex & Ani, Express

Check out all of the items I wore (or similar) all put together on my WGWT profile! 

After a memorable end to a wonderful long weekend, we packed our things and headed back to Philadelphia. It was definitely hard to leave.  Going there this weekend was quite cleansing for me and I had time to just sit back and "contemplate life," for lack of a better phrase.  I really feel more at home when I'm by the beach.  When we got there I literally felt a weight fall off of me and I became totally relaxed and zen. I just want to feel that way all of the time!  But for now, I'll have to wait and see where life takes me in the next few months.  

Want to see more of my outfits or fashion questions I've answered?  Check out my WGWT Profile here!  Or you can go to http://whatgoeswiththis.com to ask me or my fellow bloggers a question! 

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XO, Briana

Easter Outfits!

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! And if you don't celebrate Easter, I still hope you had a great weekend!  I certainly did!  This year, I actually got to celebrate Easter twice: one last weekend with my Mom's side of the family, and this weekend with my Dad's!  You know what that means.  Not one, but two Easter outfits!! So I thought I would finally put together an outfit post with my own pictures!

Weekend number one was with my Mom's family.  We actually were celebrating not only Easter, but my Grandmom and my cousin's birthdays!  Pretty much just a big 'ol get together!  But I still dressed in my "Sunday Best."

Me & Grandmom

It was super nice outside that day, and I definitely took advantage!  I wore this adorable lace coral dress that I got at Marshall's! [Side note: One of my favorite stores!]  Then came the accessories!  I went with all gold metallics, including my shoes!

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (Marshall's) | Bauble Necklace: Local Store | 

Earrings: Bella Jack (TJ Maxx) | Bracelet: Betsey Johnson, Forever 21, Local Store | Sunglasses: Persol 

Weekend number two was actually Easter Sunday! It was great to see everyone, although only a small portion of my enormous family.  We had a great time eating our traditional Puerto Rican Easter dinner, chit chatting, and even playing a few rounds of Bingo!  And of course we had to take some holiday family photos!

The whole gang!

Abuela & Grandkids

For my outfit, I wanted to look cute but still be comfortable!  So I went with a flowy blouse and white jeans! Chic, feminine and still comfortable enough to chase around these little bunnies!

Blouse: Vintage Betsey Johnson (got it from my job!) | Pants: JCPenny's | Shoes: Same as above | Headband: Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet | Necklace: Personalized from Me to You | Earrings: American Eagle | Bracelets: Forever 21, Local Store

Let me just point out, I tend to set "default" items in my wardrobe.  For example, I always wear the same pearl earrings.  I got them from American Eagle like 7 years ago and they're still in perfect condition!  Same with the pearl bracelets from Forever 21, I wear them with almost everything!  Then there's the shoes.  Unfortunately I can't really wear heels anymore, at least not for long.  I have horrible ankles haha. So I stick to flats, and ain't nothin' wrong with that!  One of my go to pairs are my gold floral cutout Kenneth Cole Reaction flats!  They're just so cute and comfy!  And they're gold so they go with just about anything.  

Overall I had a great Easter holiday with lots of cute photos to share! I hope to do more outfit posts in the future, especially since the weather has finally warmed up!!  :)

XO, Briana

Thanksgiving is Upon Us!!

So as we are all too well aware, Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks! So I feel as though I should write the obligitory "this is what I'm thankful for" post and list things like family and good health. But that would be really boring and I kinda doubt anyone would read it. So, I have decided to do an non-traditional list of really ridiculous things I am thankful for and why. We'll stick to a top 5, since that's probably long enough.