Halloween for the Ghoul on a Budget

Happy All Hallows' Eve boys & ghouls! I read in the current issue of TIME magazine that adults are estimated to spend 1.4 billion dollars on Halloween costumes this year (compared to 1.1 billion for children). Surely we have better things to spend 1.4 billion dollars on right? Halloween can be celebrated at a much lower cost thus giving you more cash to enjoy a new fall wardrobe, vacation, or the opportunity to donate to a local shelter as the temperature begins to drop. See how Halloween can be ever-so-enjoyable, even for the ghoul on a budget.... 

$12 Homemade Costume: 

Yes my costume this year cost me only $12! You can save so much money by simply taking advantage of the things that you already have. After my trip back to my hometown of Las Cruces, NM last month I made my mind up that for Halloween I would represent the culture I grew up around and dress as a sugar skull, a symbol of Dia de Los Muertons (Nov 1st). Once I knew what I wanted to be I did some exploring on Pinterest and found some really cool ways to do makeup and hair that would fit my vision & budget. With that I grabbed some black & blue face paint from Target (just $1 a pop for a huge tube!) a pack of gems, eyelashes and a few big silk flowers that I clipped form their stems and twirled up in my hair. I used paint brushes I had at home to replicate a few of the face painting looks I found on Pinterest which simply required painting blue around my eye (just follow your brow bone all the way around) and a black design of a stitched smile (similar to Jack or Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas). Then I applied some dark red lip color to the middle of my lips and added the gem stones where I saw fit. I wore a long-sleeve black top and a pleated maxi skirt to finish the look (since the best part of the costume was all from the neck up anyway). While I have to admit it was difficult at first to paint on my own face I do appreciate the simplicity of the design of this look, it doesn't have to be perfect nor does it have to be expensive. 

$25 Ghostly Hosting:

On Saturday we had a get-together in our building and each apartment decorated their home and served drinks and snacks. For a girl on a budget I wanted to entertain my guest without breaking the bank. It actually turned out to be pretty simple, inexpensive and took hardly any time. To set the tone I grabbed a few bags of spider web decor from Hobby Lobby (they were 40% off too!) and draped spider webs all around the living area and kitchen using tape to hold it up. I love the spider webs because they are classic and spooky at the same time. Then I closed my curtains which made my home even spookier, lit all of my candles to set the tone (which also cast shadows on the spider webs) and found a "Haunted House" playlist on Spotify to set on repeat. For snacks and drinks we made a simple concoction of kiwi-watermelon Koolaid and vodka with a dash of green food coloring. I topped the drinks off with witch fingers that I found in packages for $1 at Target (*wash them first though). We roasted the pumpkin seeds from our Jack-O-Lanterns and served them in mason jars like the drinks. It was so simple and cost me less than $30 to host ~15 people.

$10  Spooky Movie Marathon:

One of the items in my fall bucket list was to watch all of the classic Halloween films. My $10 subscription to Netflix has made this incredibly easy and has even made checking my mailbox a more enjoyable experience. I'm also willing to bet that a lot of these classic thrillers would be $1 rentals at your friendly neighborhood Blockbuster, and for those of you who have cable you will surely be able to find a spooky movie marathon on tonight with hardly any effort at all. Pop some popcorn, make homemade caramel apples, brew some apple cider and stay in cozy and warm.

Free Happenings Around Town:

There are always great things to do at little to no cost around town or in your community, holidays are prime time for businesses to market their products or work. Follow a Twitter account of a local venue that hosts events, peruse local posters to see what peaks your interests and find out what your friends are up to. These are great opportunities where you can meet new friends or old friends, observe wild costumes, and celebrate Halloween for free. I know for me going somewhere new or attending an event where I don't know someone isn't always the easiest for my comfort level.... but take advantage of the fact that it's Halloween and everyone deserves to have a good time. 

$20-Free Ghost Stories Under the Covers 

Spend the night in devouring a spine-chilling read under the covers with your cat (or your luvah!). I love the traditional ritual of telling ghost stories under the covers at night. There is always something so delightful about eliminating the chaos of the modern world and doing things like they used to be done. I found this book about Tulsa hauntings at a local shop but what I love most about it is learning the history of Tulsa and Oklahoma You don't need a book to tell ghost stories though, just a creative imagination and a set of ears to listen to you (Penelope is great at this).

tricks, treat & manicured feet-

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OMG Ombré!

Even though I've traded in my ombré locks for a deep auburn tress it doesn't mean I'm not still loving this effortless hair color trend. One of the reasons it has been my favorite hair color yet is because I'm pretty-freakin-proud of the fact that I managed to achieve this look on my own, at home! I actually haven't had my hair professionally colored since December of 2011 (which is a huge deal for me considering the fact that I've spent countless Thanksgiving dinners at my hair colorists house). Since moving to Tulsa however, I've somehow found a vein of bravery within me and have ventured out into the world of boxed dye and home hair coloring. Truth be told, I haven't been disappointed yet! Here's how I managed to accomplish the ever-so-effortless ombré effect on my hair: 

1. 

start with a base

I've been coloring my hair a medium-golden brown since last March, so my hair was already dark all over. My favorite color is the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Foam in 5G. I love the foam because it's pretty much hassle free, which make it easy for lazy hair goers like me. I just follow the instructions provided and slather the foam all over my head for the expected amount of time. Pretty stinkin' simple. 

2.

figure out your blonde

 This is where it's time to get smart, you have to pick a reasonable blonde color. I opted for something not too platinum, yellow, or dramatic knowing that my hair was a pretty deep shade of brown. After perusing the hair product aisle at the drug store I settled on Revlon's Frost & Glow (Honey Highlights for Medium to Dark Brown Hair). Try to find a shade that's only 3ish shades lighter than your base color. While there I also picked up a back up of my trusty brown color foam, juuusst in case. 

3.

watch this video

I'm such a visual person, so this video helped me see how the process was going to look. I knew it wouldn't bee too crazy, but I wanted to visualize how I would actually transfer the color to my hair. You don't need to watch the entire thing, just fast forward to see how she applies the color in two rounds starting with the tips so they color longer and then advancing up higher so that the color is gradual. The timing will change depending on the bleach that you use so mind the instructions of your kit.

4.

do it!

Now go for it! I wrapped a towel around myself, mixed my color and prepped my materials, put on my gloves, separated my hair into two pieces and applied the dye/bleach to the tips for ~15 minutes and then applied it higher up my tips and let it sit for a remaining ~20 minutes. 

...and voilà! 

Also! Here are some handy tips I got from my lovely Instagram followers: 1. If you use the specific Revlon color I referenced, keep it on for longer than the box recommends. 2.  After the bleach apply a permanent hair color (blonde one) to the tips to lock moisture into your hair (I didn't do this but wish I had!). 3.Use a toothbrush, which I actually did to add highlights around my face, and it was rather easy actually- I just brushed a light coat of the color on to a few small pieces of hair around my face for the remaining 15-20 minutes of the color process.

ombré olé! 

The Charm of Fall

 Caramel Apples. State Fairs. Hollowed Pumpkins. Scarves. Crock-Pot-Creations. Falling Leaves. Red Lips. Spiced Tea. Horror Films. Boots. Warm Candles. Orange Sunsets.......

Spring is traditionally known as a time of rebirth & rejuvenation, but I see no reason why fall can't have the same spirit! It's the start of something new and the transition to the end of the year. It's the perfect time to re-organize your closet, learn a new skill, and do something spontaneous. Here are some ways to embrace the fall spirit with open arms....

   

1. Change it up: Start simple with a new lip color (magenta!), go a bit bolder and perhaps try a new hair color (auburn!) or adopt a new friend (Penelope!). Embrace the opportunity to take on something new, you'll never know unless you do and you will most likely end up pleasantly surprised.

2. Do something you have been putting off: Is there a book you haven't made time for yet that you have really wanted to read? Itching to clean out that junk drawer in your kitchen? Start now. Right now. Mark the time off on your calendar to complete your task. Pull that book down from the shelf and put it on your nightstand and plan to go to bed 30 minutes sooner so you can start the first chapter. Do it now. 

 

3. Learn something new: Ready to finally master a Crock-Pot meal? Interested in learning more about your neighborhood or exploring a new culture? Curious to know what political opinions and parties you want to vote for? Take on the scholarly spirit of the back-to-school season and learn something that peaks your interest. Make a habit of learning all the time through authentic experiences and relationships. You may even discover a talent or passion that you never knew you had!

 

4. Feed your soul: Plan a dinner with friends you haven't seen in a while, or retreat to a new destination for a quick weekend getaway. Send a thoughtful card to a relative or an old friend. Execute a scary-movie-marathon with your crush. Embrace the season with the people who mean the most to you and reconnect with the ones you have lost touch with, it'll be good for your soul.

5. Make a plan: Get ahead of yourself and plan out the things you want to do, try, and learn before the season sneaks away from you. Make a fall bucket list, plan something new for each weekend, or track down the art class schedule at your local community college. Take the brilliant ideas cooking in your head and go make them happen by making room for them in your life. 

We live a good life, don't forget it and don't let it forget you. 

pumpkin spice & everything nice-

Blog Spotlight: Arantha's Gourmet Beauty

I am always humbled by the invitation from other bloggers to share my voice with their readers. In this case, the lovely beauty guru Arantha from http://aranthasgourmetbeauty.com/ invited me to share all things BRITTANY, from my apartment, to my healthy eating tips to my favorite beauty products. She does a wonderful job understanding her guests and asking meaningful questions that her readers would be interested in. Check out my interview here. 

In addition to this, Arantha has a whole stock of delicious beauty reads, happy thoughts, and healthy tips. I love her Happy Thoughts posts and I wouldn't be the girl I am if I wasn't completely obsessed with all things "beauty" like her lip balm reviews. Check her out folks, you surely will not be disappointed. :)

I have lots on my mind, lots to share, and lots to learn. See you soon....

6 Word Story

What's your story, in 6 words? 

"She wakes up to make change." -B

See others here.

get down wit cho bad self,

sweet summer

My blog has collected a bit of dust since my summer adventures picked up full-speed! I feel like I've been here & there & everywhere this summer. It was a perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season and the company of amazing individuals. 

My friend Maile and I kicked off a 5-day Midwest road trip in Chicago where we both were able to connect with some great friends. We spent time bumming around the city and soaking up the sun along the shore of Lake Michigan with my dear friend and former roommate Julia. From there we headed east to Ohio for a beautiful summer wedding as one of our fellow co-workers and her darling husband tied the knot. On our way back to Tulsa we stopped in St. Louis to enjoy dinner with Maile's former roommate from Hawaii. You can guarantee that our road trip involved a lot of Goldfish, Dunkin' Donuts, Beyonce, and talks ranging from all ends of the spectrum. 

After my extended road trip I headed west for a solo endeavor to work on a fun project and see some great people. I spent time in Hollywood and Manhattan Beach devouring seafood and drinks and the company of long-time friends and a handsome writer. I came back to Tulsa to engage in my work and celebrate the 4th of July along the river with Mike, Maile, Weston, Ryan and my amazing new friend Loy. As the summer came to an end I spent my last weekend on a Utah getaway to explore the beautiful landscape of Moab with the formerly mentioned "handsome writer." I had just the right amount of hiking and relaxing before I was finally able to round out the summer and head back to Tulsa to prepare for the new school year with my 35 teachers.

Although the summer felt fast it was one of the best summers of my life. I was able to reflect on the many elements of my life that I am incredibly grateful for (my friends, my family, my job, my home, my experiences) and balance out work & play in just the right way. I spent a lot of time on the go but still felt I had plenty of time to plan for the school-year ahead and embrace the days of tan lines & sandals. 

happy to be here-

why I could never be anything other than grateful:

fresh pink daises. phone call with Tom on father's day. understanding the ability to create my own story and knowing that what someone else creates does not have to be my fate. new sheets on my humble full size bed. surprise candy piles on my desk just when I needed them. witnessing a manly man order the "dirty bunny" margarita at El Guapos. following James Harden's Beard on Twitter. flowy skirts, everyday summer. landing an opportunity to be on the pilot episode of a CBS family variety show. listening to Nick’s amazing life tales. laughing, and laughing, and even more laughing. meeting Ian the Tulsa button man. teen pop music playlists. drunk bulldogs. sweet texts from my mommy. monday night's happy hour sushi binge. owning Weston, Mike, Nate & Nick in countless games of arcade basketball. Fassler Hall's summer shandy. looking back one year later at my experiences from Miss USA 2011. exploring new places in downtown Tulsa. reflecting even more on who I strive to be, and what I've learned in life. filling holes in my heart with things I love; my job, my friends, my family. mimosas for breakfast two mornings in a row. meeting summer school students at McClure elementary and listening to them talk about how smart they are. learning about feng shui from Gala. being complimented for intelligence instead of beauty. planning my road trip to Chicago to see Julia with Maile. recognizing that life is too good to me. 

this little grand life-

Storytelling & Beauty Queens

(source: Pinterest)

I have been asked by many about to my thoughts regarding the Miss USA controversies brought up by recently-resigned-Miss Pennsylvania USA (learn more) but I’ve been struggling to find the right use of my words and the best way to make this conversation productive. Along with thinking about this recent event I additionally encountered an experience that has helped me connect the Miss USA controversy to the concept of storytelling and the stories that define us as individuals. 

What I’ve learned by a series of personal experiences is that I find it incredibly heartbreaking when other people narrate a story that is not their own. In this case a story of dishonesty is influencing the opinion of the Miss USA pageant and our new Miss USA. My story regarding this event stands in a neutral place and I share this solely as my side of the story and thus it should not reflect any other characters involved. On one side I can completely understand why Miss Pennsylvania USA would be frustrated and hurt. As women we give so much of ourselves (including subjecting ourselves to vulnerability and judgment) to have a voice and to feel important in a big world. We can feel so quickly demolished when we don’t get what we think we want and when we feel powerless in these situations. I would want Miss Pennsylvania USA and all former Miss USA contestants to understand the power of their voice and role in the realm of female leadership regardless of their success at Miss USA. I would also want women to recognize that while Miss USA is a platform for serving others it is also a production, and to exist it must generate revenue like every production and source of entertainment. Anything that generates revenue cannot be expected to be flawless given the high number of variables and the complexity of human expression and desire. When going into such a high profile experience we have to recognize that the Miss Universe system is neither perfect nor transparent. Stepping back, if I had the opinion that the Miss USA pageant was “rigged” would that have changed my decision to compete? Absolutely not, I would have still competed and I bet Miss Pennsylvania USA would have too.

(source: Pinterest)

Regardless of its flaws the Miss Universe Organization enables and empowers so many women all over the country to do great things and become strong leaders. I would hate for the organization to ever lose that credibility. The new Miss USA should be celebrated and honored and positioned to be the strong female role model that we all admire. She certainly didn’t have anything to do with “fixing” the ultimate outcomes of the event yet her time as a leader is being held back due to this controversy. With all of that said I hope we can move past this mild blemish and focus on all of the good that the Miss Universe Organization & Miss USA titleholders and state titleholders bring. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- I would never be the woman I am now had it not been for the experiences I had as a titleholder within the Miss Universe Organization.

It’s up to us to tell our own stories. There will be many characters and voices that carry and influence it but at the end of the day your story is most powerful in your hands. Those same hands are the only ones that mold and create it. By letting someone else’s story of you define and dictate who you are then you neglect what your story should be and forfeit your own power and voice. What’s your story? It’s being created this very instance. Own it, live it and tell it for yourself.

write & revise-

 I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

-Unknown

Happy Thursday-

how i figured out my life goals in 15 minutes

figure 'em out. make it happen.

For the past year of my life I feel like I've been running around without any sense of direction or longing of purpose or life goals. I could speak generally to what I wanted but I was not making strategic choices & actions that were aligned to tangible wants and desires for my life. I've mostly been afraid of simply committing to any set of ambitions and feeling as if my goals would be carved in stone. I finally accepted that I needed to determine a set of goals or I would continue without direction as I have, which hasn't felt right. Additionally I've accepted that these goals could in fact change and will evolve into who I grow to be and what experiences further mold me, so they are not carved in stone.

Sure enough this was no tough feat, it only took me 4 steps and about 15 minutes. I now feel hella-good  about where I'm headed.... I dare you to give it a stab....

If you're an office supply nerd like me then step 1 is very important. To get into the zone I'm always motivated by a colorful new collection of papers and pens. Three things I absolutely needed for this activity were: bright neon construction paper, an assortment of Sharpie pens and a hot pink chisel-tip Sharpie (oh baby!). If this doesn't tickle your fancy then cheerfully move along to step 2. 

Next, with a big blank sheet of paper and a marker I went-to-town listing out all of the things I want to do in life, things that make me happy, and things I simply just love doing & feel like a rockstar about. I named this paper my Super Mad List of All the Things That I Want to Do in My Life. I tried not to worry about feeling silly or shallow. The idea was to write as many things as I possibly could and think of all of the things I have ever even considered wanting or doing (it helped to  have some happy beats playing in the background too).

Following that I took a big fat marker and drew arrows to the things that connected or linked to one another. After that I circled my top 5 goals. I went with my gut instinct on this, I didn't  spend a lot of time thinking but rather just enjoying the gratification of that big fat marker and the fast swoop of a circle. 

Voila! All-of-a-sudden they appeared, my life goals. I transferred my 5 goals onto a new, bright, blank sheet of paper and dazzled it up a touch. I am now eager to head forth in the direction of my purpose. 

obtain a master's degree
open and operate an early childhood education center
write & illustrate children's books
commit to a lifetime of love: partnership & children
make crazy mad change* (*not as measurable but it's a lump-sum of all my other goals)

Of course of course we shouldn't limit ourselves to just 5 things and each person may need a differentiated version of this activity but hey, it's a start. I sure feel a lot better than I did 15 minutes ago.

glimmer, goals & glows-