Countdown

So much change in one year.

Photography has become such an important aspect of my life this past year and my main passion. Since purchasing my cannon my blog has gained SO many new followers. It has really changed the experience you have when you look at my site and I think I have finally found the perfect way to express myself.

Here's a journey through some of my outfit posts this year. The difference in quality is actually comical.

Here are some of my most popular posts:
The most searched Keyword: Troopa Boots
You seem to like when I dish on Ex Boyfriends: Doggy Talk
Watch Magic Happen with the Teenage Dream Team

For 2012 I have a few goals. Number One on my list is simply:

Be On Time. 

For some reason I find myself showing up to everything 2-7 minutes late. It's just plain rude and there is really no excuse besides poor planning. So yeah. I will not be late in my life. That's a promise. Being on time is just a small step in accomplishing the other goals I have in mind, mostly having to do with photography.

I will continue to work hard, learn at every opportunity and love without bounds. I have found my happy place in life. I've found it within myself which has been the hardest journey, but SO rewarding.
I'm grateful for the the love and support I have had through this year.
I've lost friends, made new friends and rekindled a great friendship that was put on hold.
This year has been phenomenal.

Thank you, friends, for sticking around and continually writing the sweetest comments that have the power to brighten the darkest of days. You are just as much apart of this blog as I am, so thank you for your love! I wish you great happiness in all you do and the best of luck with your resolutions.

In closing here is Zooey. I'm slightly obsessed with her. 

Happy New Year!

Ghosts of Boyfriends Past: Manners

I'm going to start out by giving you the moral of the coming story first. Manners. People have bad manners. Either that or I am REALLY uninteresting.

hmmm.. we'll stick with my first assumption.

I was asked out on a date this summer. We took a summer course together and had hung out a few times, so the thought of a date seemed like a great idea. Let's call him Mr. Manners:

And this was a proper date. We both dressed up, he picked me up at my place....

Opened my door? Nope.

Bad start. 

We went to this little restaurant and were seated in a table near the back of the room. As I sat and looked at the menu, Mr. Manners got up to use the restroom. 

After about ten minutes I was slightly grossed out at the thought of why he was gone so long until he returned and was talking on his phone. Not only did he say "excuse me/ sorry" when he sat back down.... 

He Took Another Call. 

Now, obviously it's not like I was going to marry this guy, but really when is it ever okay to keep your phone on during a date?

For the rest of the date we chatted off and on, but his phone stayed on the table.

I guess I didn't realize just how important Mr. Manners was... I should really feel lucky :)

To end the date he walked me to my door. As I said my thank yous and goodbye he dared to ask:

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Instead of slamming my door in his face, I chose to be nice, laugh a little and say "haha thank you for the nice dinner, but no."

Now, this story really isn't that shocking. I'm sure every lady has experienced something like this. Probably more than once. Manners are a big deal. Saying please and thank you, treating people with respect and chivalry are HUGE in my book.
So, Gentlemen, if you're out there:

Next time you go out on a date and text the whole time chances are, at the end of the date, you wont be getting that invite inside.

I think that's pretty reasonable.

Plus... I looked like this:


Maybe he was texting all his friends how good I looked?

"HEY EVERYBODY! COME SEE HOW GOOD I LOOK!"

Name that movie.
Go.

Weekend Rundown

Trying to get back into the swing of things after coming out of my Christmas Cookie Coma.
Friends... it was ugly.

Ever passed out with cookies on your face? Not as awesome as it sounds.

My Christmas was SO wonderful. I got to spend time with my Mom, Dad, Brother and his GF Brittney. We ate too much, didn't drink enough and watched a lot of football! It was so nice to wake up in my old bedroom and walk downstairs to a beautiful french toast breakfast on Christmas morn.

The next day we spent with the little ones. My nieces and nephews came over and we played and laughed and I took SO many amazing pictures. I will share them all as soon as I get them on my computer.

For now, here's a look at the past few days from my phone:


This is from a shoot I did with a friend from work. She wanted some pictures with her sister for a Christmas gift. How cute are they?

What did you get for Christmas? Any favorite gifts?

12 Days of Giveaways!!

The Day has finally come!!

No, I still haven't been asked out on a date... but thanks for reminding me.

Today is the 11th day of Christmas in Blogland meaning... The day of my GIVEAWAY!!

*Cue crowd roaring*

The winner of Raven's Giveaway is Ashley @ The McGriff Family!! Please email Raven to claim your beauty swag you lucky girl!

I thought long and hard about my giveaway because I had some MAJOR gifts that I was going up against!

Awesome Makeup, purses, camera straps, scarves....Just about all the bases were covered.

So this is what I came up with:

The Ultimate Baker's Giveaway!!

Curious? Read on.

First things first. You must ALWAYS look good in the kitchen. Because if all else fails and you burn the cookies, at least you looked smokin!! (get it? Smokin... haha)

I present to you the LBD apron.

Complete with a pear necklace!
Your man is going to want to give you one after seeing you in this!
(I am FULL of jokes today!)

Next, you must always be prepared and organized. That's where Martha comes in.

Cute and convenient. Win Win.

Now for the good stuff!

The ultimate cupcake guide! Babycakes is an amazing bakery in New York that produces mostly vegan and vegetarian desserts! Did I mention delicious?

But just incase you want to take the easy way out... I am ALSO sending you a cupcake starter kit!!

Red Velvet because they are my specialty. Along with sprinkles that look like glitter. I promise it's safe to eat :)

What do you think? If you want to win there are a few ways to enter:

MANDATORY:

You must follow Sabrina Says on Google Friend Connect

Extra Entries (Separate comments):

Follow SabrinaSaysBlog on Twitter {+1}

Tweet about my Giveaway {+1}

Tell me about your most favorite Christmas Tradition{+1}

Send me a link to your favorite Christmas Song {+1}

There you have it, friends! So many ways to win yourself a sweet and sexy baking set!

Who said winning wasn't sweet?

Happy Baking!

PS. The winner will be announced tomorrow over on Ashley's Blog! 

Ghost of Boyfriends Past: Old Boat

Let me introduce to you another experience with alternate transportation.... This is Old Boat:

No, he's not a contestant on the the bachelorette... but how awesome is this shot for his profile?

Let's get a little bit of background...

Single is something that takes a little getting used to. After being in a relationship for over a year with Mr. Tequila Train comments like "are you OKAY" and "I promise it will get better" are simply a buzz in my ear. My only response being: I'M FINE. REALLY. You can only avoid people for so long before they feel bad for you and start trying to set you up so you won't be alone in the nursing home (The great words of Patty from Millionaire Matchmaker)

It's not like I was lonely. I had friends and I had guy friends that would fulfill my flirting needs. But dating just really wasn't a priority of mine after a long hard breakup.

But you know what? I was ready. I was ready to go out on a date, have a good time... and if nothing else eat a nice meal and maybe a beer or two. So who better to take advice from than my most recent ex boyfriend! Yeah, of course he knows the perfect guy for me.

 I might have been on drugs. 

Who would do this to themselves? 

I proceed with the blind-ish date. (I had met him once, briefly)

He picks me up and we head out to a secret location.

I already know we are going to a nearby town....

It's really pretty in the summer and I'm a really good guesser.

And then I killed it. 

I asked/stated:

Me: "Please don't tell me we are going on a cruise....?"

OldBoat: "Uhhh why? do you get sea sick?"

Me: "Maybe..."

Here is the thing. I am SO appreciative the he spent the time/money/effort to take me out on this mini voyage, but once we walked toward the dock, we boarded the Fair Maiden along with the other couples. The only difference was we were about 30 years younger than EVERYONE.

I wasn't even on the boat and I wanted to jump ship.

Boy oh boy. That's mean, I know. 

Let me give you the highlights:

1.Alcohol was not inclusive in the price of the cruise

2. It was a 30 minute drive just to get there. 

3. Sitting with other old couples and they don't say a WORD to us. 

4. The cruise was 3 hours

5. The food was cold

6. Did I mention I didn't bring my own cash... so I couldn't sneak a shot of tequila when I went to the bathroom?

Overall... the date was a dud. He fumbled a little as he gave me a hug goodbye and definitely got the cheek when he tried to plant one on me.

All in all it was a learning experience. Do not let your ex boyfriends pick new boyfriends for you.

No matter what they say, they are trying to get back at you.

I can honestly say... that was the first battle Mr. Tequila Train ever won. 

P.s. I should really stick to normal forms of transportation. Maybe a nice bike ride?

Weekend Rundown

There are so many pictures from this weekend but instead of dumping them all at once I will leave you with two of my favorites.

And now I must leave you. Naked babies, people. Naked Babies.

Ghost of Boyfriends Past: Tequila Train

If you're just now starting to read my blog I would like to catch you up. For the past three weeks I have been telling some great stories about how my ex-boyfriends have made some poor decisions.

 Today, I am going to change things up.

I am the one at fault in this story. And so begins the Tequila Train.

This is B. 

Situation: First Date. It's one of those dream dates you only hear about in movies. A spontaneous train ride to a little ski town in Montana. (dream date/ beginning of a horror story?) Kidding, of course.


Before the date B asked what my favorite drink was. Of course, being 20, I responded "TEQUILA!!!"

I'll tell you right now I had never had a SIP of tequila in my life prior to this train ride... 

but I needed to impress my future boyfriend.

I packed my bag and headed to the train station where I met my date. We spent 7 hours on a train playing cards and shamelessly flirting. As much as I hate to admit it.. it was one of the most romantic first dates. EVER. No Lie.

Okay So it goes: we spend the day in Whitefish, MT... snuggling by the fire, walked around the lodge, bought cute snow hats... 

Things people do when they're in love!

sickening... right?

Our 24 hr adventure was coming to a quick halt when we realized our train home was leaving in a few hours. We headed to the nearest bar to down the travel sized shots that were hidden safely in our carry-on.  

after two six shots we boarded the train and headed back to Spokane. 

As we walked to find our seat on the train, I began to stumble.

And when I say stumble I mean almost puke on passengers.

I make a mad dash to the nearest plastic bathroom and hurled my whole body into the can. 

Boy Oh Boy... Why am I single?

Did I lock the door?

Yeah.. of course I did. Then I passed out. 

Want to come in the bathroom? Nope.. it's occupied by a drunk girl for the next 2 hrs. 

Finally coming to, I unlock the door and make my way out of the Loo. 

I find my way snuggling into the luggage area where I am the new cargo. 

I remember saying things like

"I don't feel so good."

"I can take care of myself" and

"Don't touch me... I'll get sick"

-Independent woman at her finest.

The future boyfriend seemed pretty impressed with my drinking ability and my graceful ways.

It's a wonder we dated for a year and a half.

Moral of the story is...
Don't lie.
And if you lie, do not lie about drinking tequila.
And if you lie about drinking tequila,
don't drink tequila on a train.



Plain and Simple.

Pure Joy

Nothing brings me more joy than watching people be silly.
This seriously had me ROLLING.
I wish you could have seen me do my imitation while I was at work.
Maybe I will record myself....


Would you ever do this? If I made it a challenge would you send me your videos?

Don't forget to enter Ashley's Giveaway!

Weekend Rundown

I'm just going to pretend that it's Monday and everyone needs a little break from their job to look at my Weekend Rundown (I hear it's the only thing that can cure a case of the Tuesdays Mondays). Ready to join me in my pretending?

See those pretty yellow flowers? My sweet coworker got them for me as a thank you! Such a sweet sweet man!

Last night my friend Katie and I decorated lil stockings to hang at one of our favorite bars. Unfortunately, "Sabrina" wouldn't fit on the tiny sock so Katie finger-painted Brina :) Sort of....

And finally... Do you watch The League? If so, you will love this! A few guys that come into my work decided to name their trophy after me for their fantasy football league:

(The Winner can't even spell SHIVA right!)

You heard right. I'm a trophy girl. Sorry, I guess I forgot my bikini! I'll bring it to work next time. 

What did your weekend look like? Have you checked out the first day of Blogger Giveaways?

Lindsey

I hope you win!

What did you do this weekend? 

Any touchdown celebrations?

12 Bloggers, 12 Giveaways

I think you're really going to like the next few weeks! You know that Mariah Song.... All I want for Christmas is YOOOOU. Welll... you get ME with the addition of 11 other HOT blogger girls! You heard right!

We are all hosting giveaways for the next 12days! We will all be linking up and it will just be one BIG party! You will have 12 chances to win some AWESOME prizes! I can't wait to show you what I have to give away :)

First day of Christmas, December 13:

  Lindsey

Second day of Christmas, December 14: 

Ashley K.

Third day of Christmas, December 15:  

Chelsea

Fourth day of Christmas, December 16: 

Beth

Fifth day of Christmas, December 17: 

Erica

Sixth day of Christmas, December 18: 

Shay

Seventh day of Christmas, December 19: 

Katie

Eighth day of Christmas, December 20: 

Steph

Ninth day of Christmas, December 21: 

Carissa

Tenth day of Christmas, December 22:

 Raven

Eleventh day of Christmas, December 23:

 Sabrina

Twelfth day of Christmas, December 24: 

Ashley S.

I'll be posting links pretty much everyday to the girls so you will have every opportunity to enter these awesome give aways!

Happy Holidays! 

I hope you are as excited as we are :)

You Make the Rockin' World Go Round

(Top-Gap, Jeans- Mother)

This is my new favorite spot in my house. If you follow me on Twitter you would already know that my new obsession is my GoogleTV. It's the best thing EVER.

I can blog and watch tv and pin things on Pinterest and tweet and facebook. I am connected in every way.. it's crazy and I love it!

But don't worry, I'm not going to let myself become a lazy fat bottom girl.

I promise to work out harder so I can watch more tv. 

That's totally reasonable.

Oh, here is a picture of my bum. 

Happy Friday!

Shake what chya momma gave ya!

Ghosts of Boyfriends Past: Tippy

Week number two of Ghosts of Boyfriends Past.
This is a story I think you will enjoy.

(Spokane readers: look familiar?)

We like to call him Tippy.

I have to admit I have a thing for musicians. I like a man that can carry a tune. What's so wrong with that?

Let's start from the beginning. Tippy was SO cute. Guitar in hand, singing sweet love songs and a bright white smile. (Do we see pattern here ladies?)

Mr. Tippy asked me out, so... of course I said...."Only if you take me to Froyo"

We spent about thirty six minutes drowning ourselves in cake batter goodness, then headed back to my place. Yeah... don't judge me.

Kissing began. 

And then..... it happend:

No, Not IT

But this: Tippy Asked:

Have you ever had sex?

Me: Ummm Yeah. Have you?

Tippy: Yeah, totally.

Me (in my head); You are SO a virgin. 

Tippy: So.....

......

...

Do you wanna try just the tip?

Me: Laughing and thinking of THIS

And then I realized... he wasn't quoting a movie.

Shit.

Tippy: Did I say something wrong?

Me: Ummm... maybe. I'm not sure how you expected this to happen?

People, All clothes were ON. There wasn't even a boob grab. How did he expect to get the tip IN?!

Wow... I'm sorry, mom, I know this is graphic. But you must understand... we were fully clothed. 

There was NO WAY that tip was going in. 

So, we parted ways...

With an awkward hug and a questionable goodbye..

"Are you mad?"

Me:"no.. not mad...ummm..."

"Should I go?"

Me: "Yeah, probably."

Friends... that is awkward. Holy Hell. What man asks to put just the Tip in? 

I was reaaaally hoping that he was just kidding. 

But no... the boyfriend gods  grant me with another dud. 

Thanks a-million. 

I hope he gets a lot of views. 

And that my friends,

Was Just The Tip. 

A Blogger's Guide to Love n' Shit: Kristine

Well friends, it is Wednesday and you know what that means!
Another installment of A Bloggers Guide to Love n' Shit. Meet Kristine!

Lovable, hilarious and delightfully honest girl, she is. You should check out her blog and catch up on EVERYTHING that has been going on in her life lately. This girl is ONE TOUGH COOKIE.

Hey everyone! I’m Kristine and I blog over at Living A Barefoot And Crazy Lifestyle

Yes, that’s me… attempting to dance on a pole… that is holding someone’s counter up. Yeah, I guess I can be kind of fun.

So Sabrina is probably the cutest dang thing I’ve ever seen and have you seen her fashion sense? TO. DIE. FOR. I envy you, girlfriend. Oh and she’s like super duper pretty. Anyhow, she’s reaching out to other bloggers for their stories on “love n’ shit” and seeing as how these past four or five years I seem to have been through it all, I figured I might as well help her out.

I pondered how I was going to get this post started. I even took a few hours and poured my heart out about everything that happened in my first relationship (that may have been a few pages long) and then deleted it because I didn’t want to bore Sabrina’s readers… I’ll save that to bore my own readers with – consider that you’re only warning should you come follow my blog after reading this post.

I never had a “real” boyfriend growing up until my senior year of high school. We were complete opposites; he partied, did drugs, got drunk, stole things, and was just a bad boy in all. And here I was; a jock, had my own fun without drinking, and was completely outgoing. I didn’t care what anyone thought of me and I loved making people laugh. So how and why I got tangled up with my now ex still makes me wonder.

We were together for almost 4 years. In all actuality, I should’ve left him not even six months into the relationship but, I was twitter patted. Ya know, after all the lies, what I can only assume was infidelity, and deceit, it should’ve been a red flag right? Not for me. I kept holding on, kept giving chances like they were going out of style. How many of you can relate to that? Story. Of. My. Life. Well, for the past few years at least.

Once I met and fell in love with Kenny finally had the courage to end such a volatile relationship that I had been living in, it was like all hell broke loose. I had never been through a break-up before and my emotions were all over the place. There were words said, feelings hurt, and threats made. The local law enforcement was even involved. But I think what got to me the most was the fact that he started seeing someone within days of me leaving him. And shortly after (we’re talking maybe a month later), he had knocked her up. And all I could think was, ‘what the hell have I done to deserve this heart ache?’

It took about a year or so to fully get over him with the help of Kenny, friends, and my newfound slutty ways. I’m happy to say that I have since moved on from that dark, dark phase of my life and am actually civil (if not friendly?) with his other half (via Twitter, of course). Me and him have attempted to be civil but, it seems he still holds a grudge against me for God knows what and I could care less. I know we’ll never be friends but maybe someday we’ll be able to carry on an adult conversation when we run into each other in town. Key word: maybe.

Thanks so much for having me Sabrina!
==================================================
And thank you Kristine! 


Tomorrow I will be posting yet another story that may be considered highly inappropriate.
I think you are really going to like it.
His name:
"Tippy"

Weekend Rundown

Ohhh boy, this girl fell asleep on her couch last night. Shoes and scarf still on.
No. I was not drunk (I wish!) just exhausted!

Needless to say I am looking forward to my ONLY day off this week.

Begin Photodump:

Hell yes, I made the kissy face. That one is for Doug. The potential love of my life. *

Yes, he gave me a side hug and the sparks flew. 

Think I'm reading too much into it?

Follow me on Instagram: BrinaSays

Here is a little song to get your Monday going!

Totally catchy, but kind of sad!

Tell me about your weekend! 

Did you pour one out for your homies? 

Do tell.

*Want to know more about Doug? Me too... unfortunately he left right in the middle of our flirt session. No closure, I tell ya. 

Red Velvet

Loved the comments from yesterdays' post. I've actually been re-reading some!

They are that good.

It's hard to believe sometimes how WRONG past boyfriends were. But it definitely makes for a good story! I'm glad you all seemed to laugh at my poor choices. 

Well friends, it's Friday. And I made cupcakes because every Friday should be broken in with a smooth Red Velvet Cupcake. It was the first time I made them, and yeah. They are amazing! Thanks Paula Deen for helping me fatten up my coworkers. I only allowed myself 1. 

aaaand some extra frosting

aaaand some batter

aaaand maybe one more. 

but that's it, I swear. 

Drooling?

Have a great weekend! 

Check back on Monday for my Weekend Rundown!

Ghosts of Boyfriends Past: Doggy Talk

This is the first installment of Ghosts of Boyfriends Past. Let me explain my thinking and motives behind this brain child of mine:

I have had a few boyfriends. Maaaaaybe more than a few.

Because of my impressive boyfriend resume, I have some great experience within the story-telling department. (In other departments as well, but we'll save that for a different post.) Some good, some funny, some disgusting, some embarrassing (not for me), and some SO SO sweet.

And because I consider you a great friend, I will share. That's what great friends do, right? Gossip about douche-bag boys of the past...

Okay, Okay... they weren't ALL fools...

But this one was. This is the boy with Two First Names. We'll call him JJ. He rode bikes

We met through the coffee shop where I worked. He was known for his Big Bright White Smile. It was insanely, almost freakishly, white.

Yes. This is really him. 

Attraction was there. He was successful. Maturity?....wellll

There were many factors leading up to our ultimate split (He thought I was lying about having surgery and sent his sister to check if I was actually in the hospital) but the one thing that really got under my skin:

He thought his dog was a person.

Woof Daddy, was his name.

I shit you not. 

I couldn't make this up, people. 

Woof daddy's theme song?

This.

At times JJ would not speak to me unless I responded to the dog first.

Me: What are we going to do tonight?

JJ: Woof daddy has some things in mind.

 Me: Okay, maybe a movie? Lay low?

JJ: Woof daddy likes to do quantum physics in his down time.

Ladies, Sometimes you get blinded by the bright lights of a sweet smile. But let's face it, 

I'm not trying to compete with a dog for love. 

And I'm definitely not going to answer to one.

Woof daddy, I hope you find another bitch.

So what do you think? Are you interested in hearing more of my stories?

Should I keep this series going?