2017 Look Book

I thought I'd just share some photos of fun times from this year with everyone.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I also want to remember my Aunt Jeannie, whom we lost this year. 

You will be forever in our hearts. I will miss you, and love you forever.

-SBR

We Can Hear the Bells....

And they aren't Christmas bells!

No, wedding season is right around that corner, and already I have a friend engaged, (congrats Lauren love ya girl). 

My dog training company Simple Solutions Dog Training has already started our prep!

Huge thank you to Elite Secrets Bridal for having us at your holiday party
this past weekend! So much fun!

Why dog wedding services?

First of all, your dog is family, & we LOVE seeing them included in your special day.

But it's not always a simple task. 

We've heard of day of dog wedding services, but we wanted to take it a little bit further.

So many people have said to us "I'd love to have my pup in my wedding, they are my best friend, but I'm not sure how to go about it, or what I'd do after the ceremony". 

We want your day to be perfect. So we created this service at the beginning of this year!

Because of our experience with dog training and behaviors, there are many different

feelings your pup can have before the wedding (just like you!).

We are able to spot stress and other behaviors and help put your pup at ease so that they 

have a good experience on your special day, and spot problematic things before they happen! 

(so that they don't happen). 

As dog professionals, feel assured that anything that arises, 

we are fully capable to help and work around it!

What are your services?

We offer, two training sessions before the wedding ON LOCATION.

This means, by the time your wedding rolls around, your pup is comfortable with the venue.

This makes a huge difference in how they act, feel, behave, etc. during the ceremony, we've seen it first hand!

No training required? No problem. 

We have two training packages.

*One with training

*One without training

We also do customized packages, if you just want to pick and choose services. 

If you decide against training, we would want to still do an (included) meet & greet and offer training suggestions, for a flawless day.

We come to the rehearsal, and help with any photos beforehand. 

Then of course we are there to help day of which includes:

Getting your dog there an hour ahead of time (or more for photos), walk them beforehand, then help with photos, help with any assistance for ceremony,

and take your pup home afterwards!

We are willing to do feeding at the home once we arrive, and stay up to 30 minutes afterwards to make sure they are well adjusted at home.

We also offer help with outfits for the wedding, & 

we LOVE flower collars.

Photo: MWPA

Find us coming up at the Maryland Wedding Expo (it's two days total)

January 5th and 6th at the Timonium Fairgrounds!

Tickets here

We will be giving away ALL OF THE COOZIES.

 (We have a few hundred) 

as well as have a spinning wheel for prizes!

Stay tuned for some styled doggie shoots coming soon as well. 

We are so excited for 2018!

Have a great week.

-SBR

I'm 30 Now, So Let's Talk Skin Care!

Raise your hand if you are VERY into skin care!

A few months ago, I would not have raised my hand.

Back when I did makeup for Estee Lauder in college, I was all about the skincare, and then somehow, it went by the wayside. 

Ever since I started following my blogger hero, Lauryn Bosstick, of the Skinny Confidential I've become obsessed with my skin again!

So much so, that's I've tried several products and this is what I'm currently loving:

FYI I have combo skin that in the summer is oilier, and in the winter is as DRY AS THE DESERT.

Morning Routine:

Biore Charcoal Cleanser

Neutrogena, oil free eye makeup remover

Day cream by Evolu, anti wrinkle

Add in Clinique Moisture Surge as needed

L'action Paris under eye (depuffer)

Systane eye drops- Ok not for skin, but my eyes are also dry in the winter!

Night Routine:

I love love love Philosophy Products

Cleanser: Purity, by Philosophy

Aveeno Positively Ageless Eye Cream

Nip + Fab Anti-wrinkle Serum

Anti-wrinkle moisturizer- Miracle by Philosophy

For the lips, as simple as Vaseline!

Not pictured morning or daytime: 

Simple saline nose spray 

really helps me to not get sick in the winter, and after those 2 (or 3) glasses of wine nights!

And then a few more things (winter wise) that help:

Hand cream by Philosophy and Systane Eye Drops but the Gel, they are more moisturizing.

I hope that you find this helpful!

Next on my list, is a face massager. 

If anyone can recommend one under $100, let me know!

Happy weekend. 

-SBR

An {Easy & Tasty} Holiday Tradition!

{Easy, no-bake}

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies

Who here loves dessert the most during dinner?

*Raises hand*

I certainly do.

But what I even like more than dessert, is an EASY dessert to make!

Especially, no-bake. Am I right?

When I was young my mom made these 

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Bites

I was asking about them the other day, and remembering how 

YUM they are, and also, easy to make. 

For today's blog, I thought I'd share a little Holiday tradition in the kitchen.

Featuring my mom Chantale, and myself!

Here is the Intro, and a little about the cookies....

Recipe:

1 lb White Chocolate Pieces (Milk or Dark can be sub.)
Creamy peanut butter
Grape Jelly
1 Box Ritz Crackers
1 or 2T Paramount Crystals or Crisco 

(obviously crystals are a bit healthier)

Directions:

You're going to first take the Ritz Crackers and make mini PBJ Sandwiches

Then

Melt Chocolate with crystals in a double boiler (turn off heat after melted)

*Make sure, that you aren't continuing to cook heat, but be quick with the sandwiches because the chocolate will set. 

Dip each cookie in melted chocolate and tap off excess

Dry on waxed paper

Refrigerate to cool and set

Store in air tight container for up to one week

Yields 36 cookies.

Ingredients! (only missing crystals- see last video)

We had a little help from Ella and Sadie in the kitchen. 

Sadie hoping that someone will drop a little peanut butter.

Starting to melt chocolate.

While I put together the cookies!

Some people do just peanut butter, we added jelly too.

Tongs were VERY helpful for dipping!

Flip over...

And that's it!

They are still in the messy phase, but will look nice once finished!

Ella prefers eating, not doing the work.

Ta-da!

Here's our tips and tricks video and last thoughts! 

And lastly we give you....bloopers:

There is (fairly) one of mom, and one of me. 

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Let us know if you end up making them. 

Happy Holidays,

SBR (and mom)

3 Ways To Get Through Finals Season!

My friends are probably laughing as they read this because I've been working

around the clock.....

since two weeks ago.

But, I have used a few methods that have kept me sane throughout the years

 (albeit not void from tiredness) that I thought I would share!

 1st up, coffee. 

However, that's not the real secret.

The real secret is: this should also follow a good night of sleep. 

How do you get a good night of sleep?

Start preparing your paper and finals way in advance. 

What's the real first step?

1. Prepare for your paper and finals in advance, not at the last moment.

I was drinking Zeke's! No shock there.

2. Exercise. 

No I'm not talking the meme "exercise...eggsercise...eggsaresides....for bacon".

I mean good old fashioned, exercise.

For me, I can't use the excuse that I don't have time, because I have a dog who says

 "well you had better make time."

Talk about a real accountability partner. 

Ever had someone hold you 100% accountable who didn't speak?

Meet Ella (on the right). 

3. Take breaks.

It was my birthday this year during my capstone MBA class.

This wasn't my favorite thing ever.

I thought about cancelling some of the fun activities that I had planned but I thought 

"no way, it's my 30th birthday!"

So, I went and saw The Lion King at the Hippodrome. 

So fun (and it's still going on)!

Dress: Free People, Sweater: Express (many moons ago), Boots: Kohls
Necklace: Jen Padro collection

No, I don't feel that this information is particularly ground breaking.

But I do feel that sometimes, we need to be reminded of those three things.

To all of my fellow students, undergrad or grad this year.

I wish you luck.

The last tip I have for you (not included in the three)

is Celebrate!

I know my friends and I will be!

Taken at Wit and Wisdom (sparkling rose)

-SBR