My first bride for Hairbyjb.com!

I've heard nothing but fabulous things about weddings held at the Lake Mary Events Center, and I had the joy of styling my first bride for Hairbyjb.com there!

When I met Kari for her trial run, I instantly enjoyed being around her. She is super friendly and we shared stories about wedding planning. Oh, and did I mention she's gorgeous?! Kari is blessed with enough beautiful curly hair for about 8 people. I was very excited to see the styles of Carrie Underwood that she brought as a guide. The style she chose was almost to glamorous for words! After we met that day, I floated on a cloud for the rest of the afternoon. I knew that my first official bride was going to be stunning!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am always crazy on time. So, I'm kind of ashamed to say that I was an hour and fifteen minutes early...obnoxious, I know. (I got there even before the people who set up for the wedding and reception! Ha!) After Kari arrived I got all my irons hot and ready to make some magic. Kari had all of her girls arrive later in the day so she could take some time to prepare for the day. It was nothing but excitement and tranquility as I styled her hair. She wrote her little sweet note to her soon to be hubby Nick and I styled away!

When I finished her hair, I asked her to give her head a good shake to make sure that her do could last through the party on the dance floor. After a little tweaking and lots of Paul Mitchell Extra Body Hair Spray I let her take a look at the hair style she would be wearing when she said I do. She looked in the mirror and said "I love it! I've never liked any of the Up-do's I've had, and I love this!" Ah…. The words I love to hear.

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I felt as I got in my car with a since of accomplishment and complete joy in my heart. I am able to do what I love and give brides a hair style that makes them feel confident and beautiful as they live one of the best days of their lives.

Kari, thanks so much for making my first website wedding better than I dreamed. I’m honored to have been a part of your special day!

Hannah and the adorable Birthday Party!!

A few weeks ago I had a blast hanging out with Hannah for her 12th Birthday! I've known Hannah for about 3 years now through her mom Heather. She had 5 of her friends come to her birthday party, and I styled their hair for a night of celebration, 6th grade style! I let the girls choose from colored hair extensions, flowers, and other glittery hair jewels. They also glanced through my look book so they could get ideas for how they wanted their hair to look. While I was getting all of the girls ready to go out to a movie we laughed and chatted, and also ate the most delicious cucumber snacks (recipe at bottom). I couldn't help but smile and think back on my early years of middle school. They all looked SO beautiful! The cute little reactions they gave as they looked in the mirror made my day! I'm so glad I was able to be a part of such a fun celebration :) Thanks Hannah for letting me be a part of your special day!


Cucumber snacks:
1 package of cream cheese at room temp.
1 package of italian dressing dry mix
dill
wheat baguett from publix (ask the bakery to slice it for you)
cucumber

Mix cream cheese and dry dressing mix together, spread over each piece of bread, top with sliced cucumber, sprinkle with dill, enjoy!

My Mornings

I enjoy a beautiful sunset just as much as the next person, but I must admit the morning is my favorite time of day. Every morning I wake up and head straight to the coffee pot and my coffee is already brewed and waiting on me. My best friend Sabrina gave me this coffee pot almost 4 years ago. It's a dependable little guy. Bless her for picking out one that has a timer built in! When I'm setting up my coffee in the filter the night before I always put a little cinnamin in with the grounds. It adds a liitle kick.

The first thing I do is pour the creamer in my cup and microwave it for about 20 seconds. Then I top off the cup with creamy smooth coffee. Right now I'm hooked on the deliciousness that is Community Coffee. My friend Dina got me hooked on this Louisiana favorite.

I've always been the first person to jump out of bed. No one has ever had to tell me twice to wake up. I enjoy the feeling I get knowing that today is a new day. Everyday we get a chance to start things over. As I sip my coffee, before I turn on the Today show, I sit back, with thanksgiving in my heart and prepare my heart and mind for the day.

Happy Fall Ya'll :)

Fall is my favorite! I love that the Holiday season is right around the corner. Football games, tailgating food, Thanksgiving, my annual trip to my favorite antique place "the Barn " in Lake Alfred with my mother in law, and a fresh new Yankee Candel are all things that just make my heart feel so warm. In honor of my favorite time of year approaching I decided to be crafty and make a wreath for my front door. With the Micheal's 40% off coupon, it ended up only costing about $20!!  I had the most wonderful time watching America's Next Top Model and putting the flowers and leaves on it with my trusty glue gun! Everytime I look at it, it makes me feel like our new house is one step closer to becoming a home.

A trip to see my twin :)

Have I mentioned I love the people I love with intensity...well... I do. And my best friend Sabrina is the same way. I was able to jet off to go spend some time with her last weekend in Wake Forest NC. The weather was wonderful (it actually felt like fall) and it was refreshing to see my sweetest dearest friend.

She attends Southeastern Theological Seminary and she's a RA at the dorm there. She said I would fall in LOVE with the girls there, and she was right... they are GREAT! One of the jewels there is a Freshman named Monya. Monya radiates Joy and her warm personality makes her a treasure of a girl. Sunday was her birthday so Sabrina decorated her room and I gave her a birthday hair do :) .

I of course had to hook my bf up with a new color for her locks. She wanted a fresh shiny fall look to carry her through till I give her an extreme hair makeover during Christmas break ( I must keep it a secret till I give the big reveal on hairbyjb.com )

I could sit here and write a million words to describe Sabrina and how much she means to me. I wouldn't be the person I am today if God hadn't given her to me. I feel like numerous times God has hugged me through our friendship. She has seen me at my worst (and still loves me), and she has loved and supported me through the best times of my life. She even had a huge role in bringing my hubby and I together.  She is evidence of true Joy, unshakable Joy and all who know her, know that she is a truly special person. She is alot like me in tons of ways (even our families are simliar). However we have some differences... she loves Star Wars (Gross!), she can talk naturally in many different dialects (I can just talk southern), and she can be cheerful and function with only a few hours of sleep (Um...not me!) just to name a few. I cherish our sweet little best friend past and I'm excited about our futures being Aunties to eachothers children. In the present I take comfort in knowing I have a true friend who follows Jesus beside me.  I love my best friend and am thankful that God gave her to me. She is a bright light in my life and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for her.

Louisiana

Chad and I went to good ole' Louisiana last weekend to see our friends Sam and Dina. They moved there for Sam to go to school a little over a year ago. Oh. My. goodness. We miss them like crazy!

We met Dina at the airport in New Orleans and then we drove to Grand Isle for a weekend of fishing... and snow cones. It was SO nice to just relax. The boys got up super early to go fishing in the gulf and caught huge fish. We ate the most delicious Grand Isle shrimp and watched college football. Before we headed back to Orlando, we ate lunch in New Orleans at my favorite place ever... Commander's Palace! We couldn't get on the plane without getting a New Orleans treat at Cafe Du Monde...mmm. beignet's! We had a such a great time with Sam and Dina... I can't wait till our next trip to see them!

Where credit is due...

Every beautiful thing you see on my website and on my blog was made possible by Brandy Burridge (http://www.brandyburridge.com/). I MUST take the time to thank her from the bottom of my heart for helping me every step of the way!

I really am not sure if I can put into words how thankful I am that God put her in my life. Not only is she a ridiculously talented photographer (and a joy to be business partners with), she is the kind of friend God knew I needed. She is one of those rare people that you meet, and you feel as if you have known them forever. I appreciate the genuine friendship that we have. I love that I can be real with her and she takes the time to listen to my venting sessions and she completely celebrates the joys of my life. I am thankful that when I call her with any kind of good news she squeals with excitement, the energetic-high pitched way that makes your heart smile. I adore the way all of my loved ones instantly love her(and want to adopt her) and that her family has become like family to me.

I could not be more happy that someone so wonderful has found true love and companionship with a wonderful person like her husband Beau. A special thanks needs to be given to him for working SO hard on the gallery photo shoot!

Brandy- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I look forward to many years of success in our businesses, many fun memories (lots involving Carly, C, our hubbies, and the rest of our fabulous friends), and lots of hott hair to go with amazing photography!!

Much love and admiration for the person that you are!

-JoBeth