Positive Vibes and Ideas During this Pandemic

Hello my beautiful friends, I hope this blog finds you safe and healthy.  I haven’t posted on here in a while.  During this whole pandemic, I have decided that I wanted to get back into my old ways and actually use my blog as a fashion outlet.  Honestly, I started posting more on my Instagram Stories because I get far more engagement there.  I want to get back into the art of blogging and doing what makes me happy, regardless of the number of people who engage with my content.

If you follow me on Instagram Stories you’ve seen that I have been doing this “Pandemic Blogging,” where I basically talk about world events that are related to COVID-19.  I totally understand needing a break from the painful reality; believe me, I need a break too.  Today I thought I would talk about some positive ideas you can incorporate into your life to get your mind off of the stress in the world.  I have read plenty of fun ideas to keep you busy during isolating at home and social distancing.  Today, I am going to add to the list and share the things that I love doing during my stay at home.           

Paint and Sip Night:

Now I am not the best painter in the world but it works!  Get yourself some acrylic paints, some brushes, and a canvas.  I like using canvas paper notepad because it is cheap and it will last longer, I don’t paint to put any of it on my walls.  You can if you really want to, you can buy a frame for your canvas paper artwork.   

Do a Puzzle:

I own a couple of these and they can be relaxing to do.  There is just something about concentrating on a puzzle that really gets your mind off of what is going on in the world. 

Take an On-line course: 

This is exactly what I am doing in May.  I am two more classes for my MS and I hope to finish by this summer.  If you are not already in school, take this opportunity to call around and see how you can apply.  I also heard that some places are offering free classes online too!  Do you guys know of any?  Please share!

At Home DIY Safe Care: 

This is one of my favorite past times and I do weekly and it can still continue in the midst of all of this.  Anything thing I do not have, I can always order online.  I do understand some people cannot do any shopping right now.  There are plenty of useful YouTube on DIY fascial and nails and you can just use what you already have.     

Bake a new recipe:

Ladies, everyone is trying their baking skills during this isolating at home and social distancing time.  If you follow fashion bloggers on Instagram you have seen that Banana Bread is the trend.  I actually might try to bake some myself, lol!    

Learn a new language:

I love the app Duolingo, it’s nothing new.  I need to take some time for it but I have always wanted to sharpen my Spanish skills.  I know more Spanish than I think but I am not confident in the language and I would like to change that.       

Organize your house:

It’s all over social media, everyone and their grandmother are organizing their house.  I need to jump on this bandwagon for my sake.  Once I go back to work, it will be full force.  I will be too busy for anything again.  We did manage to get rid of old lawn furniture during this past week.    

Work on your yard: 

Plant a garden, spend the day in the sun, and fix up your yard a bit.  This is something my husband and I have on our list of things to do.  I have been grabbing a towel and sunbathing in my backyard, it is so refreshing. 

I hope these Positive Vibes and Ideas are helpful to your own situation.  Remember, although this is a hard time in our lives, this will pass.  Better days are ahead.  I keep all my friends and family in my prayers.  Let me know what you are doing during your time of isolating at home and social distancing!  Feel free to comment below!  You can also DM me on my IG! @cutebrandik      

Get the details to my outfit down below!  

Happy Social Distancing! 

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly 

#Nsale 2019

It is that time of year!  Early Access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale begins in a few days!  Although I will not be able to shop the sale this year; I am just excited to see what fall trends will be headed our way!!  If you don’t already follow me on the LiketoKnow.it app, do it (Here) because I will be posting all the basics and all the great finds on my account just for you!  On my old blog (Here), I spill all the details about why shopping this sale is such a big deal but I am sure you hear the same stuff from every blogger you follow – blah, blah, blah!   Without a doubt, this is my favorite sale of the year, I am obsessed.  You will find fashion, beauty, and home décor deals.  So be sure to check in with me during the early access, I will list them all!  

C r e d i t  C a r d s :

You will need a Nordstrom Credit Card (Store Card or VISA) to shop the Early Access.  If you don’t want one, I totally understand!  This sale will go public on July 19^th!!  If do you get a credit card, add it to your profile and at midnight July 12^th, you will have access to all the wonderful things! 

N S A L E  2 0 1 7

N S A L E  2 0 1 8

W h a t  t o  l o o k  f o r

Cardigans, Booties, Boots, Coats, Camisoles and Tees, Jeans, Running Shoes, Athleisure Items, jewelry..

B r a n d s  I  l o v e :

BP 

Leith

Madewell 

Halogen 

Tory Burch 

Sam Edelman 
Bauble Bar

S h o p p i n g  t h r o u g h  m y  l i n k s  a n d  m y  a c c o u n t :

If you don’t already know, shopping through my links and my account will help me out tremendously with my success. Mostly, I just want to bring you guys inspiration, ideas and easy access to all the things I love.  Think of me as your personal sale associate!  I love doing this!  I do have a current career in the Army so I apologize for not being available to do all the shopping first hand or do all the try-on sessions (I know those help out a lot).  I will promise to be involved somehow.  

If you have any questions and need extra information, feel free to comment below!  You can also DM me on my IG!  @cutebrandik      

Happy Shopping!

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly 

Mark Your Calendars for LTKDay

LiketoKnow.it is hosting their first ever “Like to Know It Day” on June 23^rd2019!  LTKDay is a sale that can only be accessed exclusively on the LiketoKnow.it app.  If you do not have the LTKDay app, now is the time to get it!  This sale is going to be a major shopping event!  Just like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale but this sale is going to insist of all summer items and styles from this year.  

The List of Brands

In case you haven’t seen it; there is a full list of all the brands that will be participating in the sale:  

-Abercrombie & Fitch, Anthropologie, Colleen Rothschild, Outdoor Voices, Serena & Lily, Sole/Society, The Style Collection, Urban Outfitters, Victoria Emerson, Express, Kendra Scott.  

Be sure to download the LiketoKnow.it app so that you can participate in shopping this sale!  Through this app, you will be able to shop through your favorite influencers!  

About Bloggers and Commission 

Think of bloggers as sale associates; when you walk into a store needing help finding items or figuring out what to buy, we are there to help you.  Outside of blogging, sale associates will make a small commission on your transaction. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, you are paying Brands the same price with or without our help!  However, shopping through our links will allow us to continue helping you and others in future sales.  With that said, make sure to follow me in the app (@cutebrandik) and use my links! 

What am I doing for you?

 I am putting together a few collages of items that I found.  Some items I own and most are on my current wish list. These items may or may not be a part of the sale.  We were given guidelines but it is hard to tell, we will not know for certain until the day of the sale.  Here are the collages that I put together for each Brand that is featured:        

Once the sale begins!  I will share more items and flat lays of the things I actually own and love, with a review!  Tune in again during the sale!

Ok, this is huge!  On June 23RD, go through my content and look for any RED LTK Day tags!  This means it is part of the sale!

Feel free to leave any comments and question down below, Have a great week!    

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly 

Here is to 2019!

Happy New Year lovelies!  

Christmas is now officially over!  I have to make time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations, it’s so sad.  Today marks a fresh start and we can make 2019 into whatever we want.  We have an opportunity to get motivated, create, become an even better version of ourselves, and explore.  I have lots of goals on my list and I love to rewrite them every year!  One of my goals for 2019 is to be more active on my blog. In 2018, I put blogging on the back burner.  As mentioned before, Instagram continuously discourages me. I am now determined and I will not let Instagram control my blogging hopes and dreams! 

I decided to create a list of goals just in case my followers needed some inspiration on setting goals for themselves.  These are goals I have set for myself as well so let’s get to it!

2019 will be the year of “Taking Better Care of Myself!”  Everything dealing with health, diet, beauty, wellness can be incorporated into this:

+ Eating less Sugar

+ Eating less Fried Food

+ Eating more food with nutritional value

+ Less Caffeine- (Switching coffee for more tea)

+ Workout 5-6 times a week

+ Create a workout plan  

+ Relax more (spa days, mediation, get enough sleep)

+ Drink more Water

+ Try a new detox

Next, I will share some declutter goals.  I think it is so important to declutter at least once a year, if not more.  Decluttering your life for 2019 will help create a relaxing, more productive environment:

+ Clean up emails, unsubscribe to pointless emails 

+ Clean up app, pic, text messages on your phone

+ Clean out your Linen closet 

+ Clean out your Coffee Bar

+ Declutter your Wardrobe

+ Clean out the Spice cabinet 

+ Add more décor to home

These are just ideas to help you get on the right path when it comes to setting goals for yourself in 2019.  Everyone has a different path in life so set goals that are going to work for you.  Keep aiming towards your goals; its a start to a successful year.  Again, Happy 2019 Friends!  Thank you for stopping by!      

++ B r a n d i  K ++

NYE Outfit Ideas

How many of you have no clue on what to wear for New Year’s Eve?

If you are fancy like me; I will show up to a NYE bonfire in a cocktail dress and a heavy coat.  I haven’t decided if I will do that this year.  The best time to start looking for NYE and Christmas outfits is at beginning of November.  If you did not have plans until the last minute and you need outfit ideas right now; no worries!  I’ve listed a few ideas down below in different categories.  I found this dress from Milanoo and it's the first time I’ve ever shopped there.  I absolutely adore this dress because it is classy and it is flattering.  I love all the sequin bodycons that are in style this year however, I need something that is going to be more forgiving when I decided to stuff my face with all that party food.  No food baby to see here!! I always go for a cute lace black dress and I am wearing the same red glitter heels from last year.  Next year, I promise to shake things up a little bit, ha ha! Have a Happy New Year and I hope you find that perfect NYE outfit!     

~Brandi K~

Fancy Party:

A Night out in Town:

Dinner Party:

Bonfire and Fireworks:      

2019 Goals (New Year’s Resolutions)

Hello Friends!

Christmas is over and we are all preparing 2019!  Almost everyone aspires for their next year to be better than the last.  I like this positive mentality because improvement helps us evolve.  I am all about self-improvement.  I have to admit that I’ve put my blogging goals on the back burner during 2018.  I hate to put the blame on something other than myself but honestly, I haven’t been into blogging mostly because Instagram is a vicious game.  If you don’t have the time, if you don’t put in the effort; your chances of winning this “game” is zip!  I have so many goals for 2019 and I am starting my journey today! Why wait! I really want to share my list of goals with you but I think I will share my journey and each goal in my blog throughout the year instead!  Some people like to point out that goal setting is not just for New Years, they do have a point!  However, this time of year is a reminder that we can effect change in the new year. 

Today, I am going to share products with my readers that may help start a common New Year Resolution in the right direction.  Feel free to follow along in this journey of self-improvement and preservation.  My goal with this blog post is to inspire my readers to set goals and do the same!    

Common New Year’s Resolutions:  

Eating Healthier:   

   

Exercise More:    

Save Money:

Drink More Water:

Get Better Sleep:

Learn a New Skill:

Travel More:      

I really hope these suggestions will help start you on the right path.  Usually buying something new to assist with your goals give you the motivation to start! I wish you all a Happy 2019!  If you have any more ideas to help set you on the right path, do share.  I am sure readers will check out the comments down below.   

Enjoy your week!

| |Brandi K| |

10 Things to do In Preparation of the Holidays

Hello friends!  The Holidays are coming so fast and I need to prepare!!  I have been super lazy lately but I thought to myself if I conjure up a list of things to do and share it with my followers; not only would be motivating myself but I would also motivate you too.  So, let’s step up the Christmas game and get to it!

1. BRING OUT YOUR CHRISTMAS DECOR AND SET IT ASIDE

We need to inventory what we already have so that we don’t overspend on new decorations for Christmas. Also, knowing what we have in stock will help tie together new décor ideas for 2018.  

2. PUT TOGETHER A NEW WORKOUT ROUTINE AND COMMIT! 

The Holidays is where we gain those extra pounds.  In prevention, put together a new workout plan to get excited about! Get your lazy butts out there!  Any kind of activity will help keep those pounds under control and you will continue to look fantastic in that new Holiday Dress. 

3.  BUY HOLIDAY OUTFITS 

Depending on your lifestyle and your holiday plans, buy more than one dress or outfit!  I like to buy three.  I always buy one for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year even if I don’t have plans, in hopes that I do get invited somewhere fun!

4.  BUY HOLIDAY SCENTED CANDLES 

I am all about scented candles that make my house smell phenomenal all-year-round.  During the Holidays I like to add some extra cozy vibes with pine candles or other holiday scents.  Scented candles really pull in the joy of the Holiday spirit!  

5.  MAKE A SHOPPING LIST FOR GIFTS 

Depending on how many important people you have in your life, Christmas can become overly expensive. If you make a list of who you want to buy for, write out a budget and what you plan to get them.  This can really help organize the season of giving. 

6.  CHANGE YOUR SCREEN SAVER AND RINGTONES

I have actually already done this. I’ve also organized my apps and purged the ones I don’t need. I can do a post about my current iPhone apps in another blog post if you are interested.  Adding a new holiday screen saver to my phone makes answering my phone more fun and festive. 

7.  TRY A NEW RECIPE 

It can be a holiday recipe or a fun cocktail recipe.  I made a winter sangria last Thanksgiving, that I surely paid for.  This year I will make another cocktail and I will not drink it all by myself.

8.  PLAN SOMETHING NEW

Do something you haven’t done in the previous years.  It is always good to keep traditions alive but it is also fun to introduce new ones. This year I am defiantly going to ice skate and I want to try to see a tree lighting ceremony.  As a blogger, I need to jump on the bandwagon to get that basic Christmas tree photo with my outfit.

9.   PLAN FOR HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY 

Even if you don’t hire a professional photographer, go see Santa at the mall or have a fancy camera of your own; it is important to make fun holiday memories.  Take a family photo in front of your Christmas Tree using a timer on your iPhone!  Buys matching pajama set and take a family photo in them just because it is fun! 

10.  GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF GIVING 

It is important to remember that this is the season of giving.  There are many programs to donate toys too.  Personally, I would like to help make someone’s Christmas more enjoyable just by giving.  

There you have it; ways to prepare for the Holidays!  If you have any other ideas for Holiday preparation, please share.  I love collaborating and grabbing ideas from my followers. You guys are the best!  Below, I am linking my outfit and holiday dresses I am crushing on.